Maid of the Mist • Journey Behind the Falls • White Water Walk • Niagara’s Fury Two Days Transportation on the Peoplemover Buses & Falls Incline Railway Bonus Discount Coupons for Butterfly Conservatory, Whirlpool Aero Car and much more! Use Pass tickets & coupons at your leisure, over any number of days, any time during the 2010 season.
$
(13+ years)
CHILD PASS (6 to 12 years)
39.95* $27.95* KIDS 5 AND UNDER ARE FREE!
*plus taxes
Purchase at Niagara Parks Welcome Centres or Attractions, Participating Hotels or on-line at www.niagaraparks.com
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ADULT PASS
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T H E
P L A C E
Y O U
W A N T
T O
Be!
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At Fallsview Casino Resort, the excitement begins the minute you walk through the doors of Canada’s most spectacular casino resort facility, with more than 3,000 slot and video poker machines and over 100 table games that will thrill your senses! Fallsview is a food-lover’s paradise, with over a dozen unique dining options to choose from, including 17 Noir and Ponte Vecchio, the award-winning signature restaurants. Enjoy exhilarating entertainment in our intimate 1,500 seat Avalon Theatre and relax and rejuvenate at The Spa. And with more than 20 stylish speciality shops, Fallsview truly has something for everyone.
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Niagara Falls • Ontario | www.fallsviewcasinoresort.com | 1 - 888 - 325 - 5788 Must be at least 19 years of age to enter the casino or attend Avalon Theatre performances.
“ Welcome to Niagara
“
enticingly close, surprisingly diverse, totally original
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Accessible Niagara Accessible-friendly Options www.accessibleniagara.com
Niagara Falls Tourism 905.356.6061 toll free: 1.800.563.2557 www.niagarafallstourism.com
Tourism Niagara 1.800.263.2988 www.tourismniagara.com
Casino Niagara 1.888.325.5788 www.casinoniagara.com
Niagara Golf Trail 1.866.PLAY.NGT (752.9648) www.niagaragolftrail.com
Tourism Niagara-on-the-Lake 905.468.1950 or toll free: 1.888.619.5984 www.niagaraonthelake.com
City of St. Catharines 905.688.5601 ext 1731 TTY phone 905.688.4TTY (4889) www.tourismstcatharines.ca
Niagara Parks Commission 905.371.0254 or 1.877.642.7275 www.niagaraparks.com
Twenty Valley Tourism Association 905.562.3636 www.twentyvalley.ca
Niagara Sport Commission 905.354.5557 www.niagarasportcommission.com
Wine Country Ontario 905.684.8070 ext. 221 info@winesofontario.org www.winecountryontario.ca
Fallsview Casino Resort 1.888.325.5788 www.fallsviewcasinoresort.com Niagara Convention & Civic Centre 905.357.6222 or toll free: 1.888.997.6222 www.fallsconventions.com
Shaw Festival 905.468.2172 or toll free: 1.800.511.7429 www.shawfest.com
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Niagara really is in your backyard and our welcome gate is always open. We know you’ll discover a wealth of things to do and see. Fabulous dining and entertainment, exciting attractions, world class gaming and exceptional wines - even a few things to nourish your spirit that you may not have expected. Enjoy Niagara Today!
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Publisher Daniel Pasco managing Editor Gary MacGregor contributing Editors Alyssa Coman Sarah King Head Gary Stickles John Szabo
7 discover 17 active 31 applause 45 thrills 57 lifestyle 65 relax 79 appreciate 89 energize
Art Director Natalie Stickles COVER Photography Cosmo Condina Photography Chris Beard Thies Bogner David Cooper Kim Kartmell Stephen King Rob Petrullo Gary Stickles Natalie Stickles Advertising Graphic Design Anthony Ciampanelli Rob Petrullo sales & marketing directors Carlo Caldaroni Jim Scott Advertising Consultants Michael Fragomeni Peter Gallardi Lauren Gasbarini Adriana King Darcie Schrapp Website www.today-magazine.com Email info@today-magazine.com To advertise call 905.356.7283
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niagaratodaymag.com
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listings contact Info links stories ... Niagara Today Magazine is published by Rev Publishing Inc. All opinions expressed in Niagara Today Magazine are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of Niagara Today Magazine, its employees, or owners. 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 Niagara Today Magazine are submitted at the author’s risk. Manuscripts and or photographs intended to be returned must be accompanied by sufficient postage. Niagara Today Magazine does not assume any responsibility for any claims of our advertisers, and reserves the right to refuse any advertising.
What energizes you? The fun of freedom? Nightlights or daylight? Unwind in style at R5 Lounge in the Fallsview Casino where a live pianist and breath-taking views of the Falls bring urbane sophistication whether you bask on the patio or linger in an intimate fireside booth.
Get a “Cheeseburger in Paradise” or join playtime in picturesque old Port Dalhousie - an outdoor dance floor and beach volleyball for a high energy party. And if you’re in the mood to dance, when you want to see and be seen, check out the edgy and the elegant at Niagara’s hottest clubs. Energize yourself in Niagara. And don’t be surprised if you find just what you’re looking for.
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Stroll through lovely and historic towns, or try your luck on the gaming floor. First class hotels in the heart of it all and enchanting B&Bs in lush vineyards - rejuvenate yourself your way in Niagara.
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W
elcome to Fallsview Casino Resort. A world-class resort as majestic as the Falls themselves. Charged with energy, this is the place where luxury and excitement meet. Fallsview Casino Resort not only houses one of the largest gaming floors in the world – an impressive 200,000 square feet – the equivalent of three football fields, but it also boasts a beautiful 374-room hotel, luxurious spa, dozens of shops and restaurants and an intimate 1500seat theatre featuring the biggest names in show business.
Visit www.fallsviewcasinoresort.com
Whatever your pleasure, you’re sure to find it waiting for you at Fallsview Casino Resort!
“Reel Winners Are Made Here” With over 3,000 slots and video poker machines in denominations ranging from 1¢ to $100, we’ve got countless ways to win for every level of player. Try your luck on reel, video reel and video poker machines or take a shot on the progressives – the action is non-stop!
“Get Into The Action” The rich green fabric…the clicking of the chips…flip of the cards…roll of the dice…there’s just something exhilarating about table games! From Blackjack to Baccarat, and Poker to Craps, we have something for everyone! Pull up a chair at one of our 140 tables and let us deal you into the action!
“So much to see and do” Fabulous restaurants like 17 Noir, featuring an award-winning wine cellar and trained sommeliers to offer pairing recommendations, Ponte Vecchio, fine Italian dining surrounded by an old world atmosphere and Golden Lotus, one of the most authentic Chinese restaurants in North America, boasting an impressive menu of dishes in the traditions of Canton, Peking, Shanghai and Sichuan, plus Chinese dishes with a North American flavour.
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Unique and stylish bars and lounges! A whole new element of cool at R5! Live music, the right décor and a beautiful bar make 365 Club one of the region’s hottest lounges! While the unique 360-degree layout of The Breeze Bar makes it the hub of the casino action.
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Who knows? Once you get swept up in the energy of our incredible gaming facility, our unique, one-of-a-kind bars and restaurants, our luxurious hotel and intimate entertainment facility, you just might surprise yourself and go all out. No matter what, we’re sure you will agree that Fallsview Casino Resort is ...
THE PLACE YOU WANT TO BE! “See You Soon”
A simple, elegant menu of steak and seafood, an award-winning wine cellar, roulette-themed dĂŠcor and panoramic views of the Falls make one of the most extraordinary restaurants in Canada.
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17 Noir at Fallsview Casino Resort
6380 Fallsview Boulevard Niagara Falls, ON 1.888.325.5788
www.fallsviewcasinoresort.com
Brasa Brazilian Steakhouse & Wine Bar at Hilton Hotel and Suites Niagara Falls/Fallsview Showcasing the flavours and cultural flair of Brazil. Guests enjoy an authentic Brazilian experience where 12 cuts of succulent beef, pork, lamb, and chicken are carved tableside by authentic Brazilian Gauchos. 6361 Fallsview Boulevard Niagara Falls, ON 905.354.7887
www.brasaniagara.com
AG at Sterling Inn & Spa A fine-dining restaurant that offers regional cuisine in a cool urban setting. Beautifully designed, unique, and delicious dishes are crafted with regional and seasonal ingredient to satisfy the palate. 5195 Magdalen Avenue Niagara Falls, ON 289.292.0005
www.sterlingniagara.com info@sterlingniagara.com
Inn On The Twenty at Cave Spring Cellars
3836 Main Street Jordan, ON 905.562.7313
www.innonthetwenty.com restaurant@innonthetwenty.com
escape to niagara
Located on the wine route in the historic village of Jordan, overlooking the Twenty Valley.
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L
ast week we went to the new Hilton Hotel and Suites in Niagara Falls. Sure a trip to the cottage (or a friend’s cottage) is one way to go, but after driving for hours we always seem to be planning the trip home rather than enjoying each other. We’ve tried stay-at-home getaways too, but they always seem mundane.
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Our hotel was perfect. He got up at dawn, like he always does, but this time he didn’t disappear for an hour or two (“looking for a good coffee”) or sit in front of the TV catching up on sports scores. He brought me coffee in bed and opened the drapes to that magnificent view. He said that he’d figured out how we’d spend our day and had some surprises in store for me.
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The suite was wonderful. It really felt like it was all ours. Lots of room. Beautiful. Comfortable. I lolled in bed awhile longer while he read the paper. We headed downstairs for breakfast (great pastries and more breakfast choices than I could imagine) and then off we went.
Of course, we strolled by the Falls (we even held hands), visited the Galleria shops (I splurged on a little black dress) and grabbed a late lunch. I love good Italian food that’s fresh and full of zest! We had plans for an exciting evening so we decided to go back to the suite for a quick “nap”.
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Brasa. I wore my little black dress and a small string of pearls. He told me I looked sexy and sophisticated and fit right in with the Brazilian ambiance. We talked and talked and really enjoyed the food and flare. The Gauchos carve right at your table and they keep coming back. We tried everything and it was delicious. I could really get addicted to the Gaucho way. It was getting late, but we’d been primed for adventure so we decided to drop by the casino. We’ve been there before and played the slots. But this time we thought we’d try something new. Baccarat fit our mood. We watched for a while, played a couple of hands and I called him Mr. Bond. We laughed a lot — it really was fun. Well, we both slept in the next day. Sunlight streaming through floor to ceiling windows, reading bits of the newspaper to each other. We hadn’t done that for years. When we finally decided to go out, it was after noon. No commitments, no pressure, just him and me. We didn’t do anything special. We just walked and talked and visited a few stores. Oh yeah, and peoplewatched over a cappuccino, something else we hadn’t done for years.
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That evening we had another lovely dinner and then lit the fire in our suite. We decided that next time, we’ll take a winery tour and maybe go out to a nightclub or take in a show at the Avalon Theatre. Our secret is to delight each other. There’s so much to do — finding the inspiration is easy.
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Fallsview Luxury The Hilton Hotel and Suites Niagara Falls/Fallsview recently opened Canada’s tallest hotel tower, at 53-stories the all suite tower rises over 500 feet above Niagara Falls. Each of the well-appointed suites feature magnificent views of the City or Niagara Falls, as well as, comfortable king size beds, sofas, fireplaces, plasma TVs and so much more. With five on-site dining options, including rooftop fallsview dining at The Watermark, Grand Caffe breakfast buffet, Romano’s Macaroni Grill, Brasa Brazilian Steakhouse, and Chill on the Boulevard Patio Bar, the Hilton offers a cuisine to suit every guest’s tastes.
www.NiagaraFallsHilton.com
6361 Fallsview Blvd. Niagara Falls, ON
escape to niagara
1-888-370-0324
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Made Affordable ver its 43 year history the Revolving Dining Room at Skylon Tower has impressed Kings, Queens, Presidents and Prime Ministers as well as a who’s-who of Hollywood and entertainment celebrities. And for good reason. Featuring candles across white linen, black tie service and soft piano stylings the Revolving Dining Room is the height of Special Occasion Dining excellence. And towering an amazing 775 feet above the mighty Falls guests are treated to a magical panoramic view of the Falls Illumination, dazzling city lights below and seasonal Falls Fireworks as the room silently rotates a full 360 degrees once each hour.
Memories are made of magical moments. For over 43 years the Skylon Tower’s world-famous Revolving Dining Room has been creating magical moments and delivering the ultimate in Special Occasion Dining.
Chef Brett prides himself on fresh ingredients in every aspect of his culinary creations including each of his stocks, soups, reduction glazes and demi glass. All are created from scratch. A testimony to Cournoyea’s obsession with freshness is his latest dinner special – fresh Arctic Char which arrives at the Skylon Tower from a Wellington area icy springwater fish farm ‘alive’ in large fish tanks. The Char is then filleted on site by Chef Brett himself, pan-seared and presented over a vegetable concase accompanied by an exciting Arborio rice.
It simply doesn’t get any fresher than that!
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The view is rivalled only by the food. Not to be outdone by the fantasy atmosphere, Executive Chef Brett Cournoyea has also been wowing guests with his equally impressive menu of award-winning cuisine and an extensive offering of local and international wines. Chef Brett is a Skylon Tower veteran of more than 22 years and his passion for classical French culinary principles is reflected in his broad menu of dinner selections.
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NEXT TO FALLSVIEW CASINO - OVERLOOKING THE FALLS
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(905)354-1245 www.margaritaville.ca
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Back in the day - when Jimmy Buffet was looking for his lost shaker of salt - who would have thought that simple stories of a laid back lifestyle would be a backdrop for so many memories. My how times change; my how they stay the same.
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hese days, Margaritaville is a state of mind for us all. A place where frozen concoctions (for grownups and for kids), stilt walkers, balloon makers, great food and live entertainment - every day all summer long - remind us of how great it is to get away with friends and family.
energize Yes, times have changed. Even Jimmy is into new stuff. He’s developed some fun Margaritaville merchandise – sandals, flip flops, blenders and shot glasses, of course. He’s written some children’s books and even started some new businesses (Land Shark Lager, as well as, tequila and rum brands, hotels and casinos). Yes, times have changed but what stays the same is the beat of island party music and the comfort of a laid-back atmosphere. What a soundtrack for our lives!
escape to niagara
The new Niagara Falls’ Margaritaville is the first in Canada. The 18th location world-wide, including Hawaii, Las Vegas, Jamaica and Cancun. With 14,000 square feet of tropical escape and four outdoor patios including a rooftop patio over looking the Falls, you can come-as-you-are but be ready to Eat, Drink, Chill. Margaritaville is a place for a great date, perfect for a family dinner, and a unique spot to take the gang (or a business convention of 600).
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ENERGIZE EVENTS Free Concerts and Fireworks
From June 18th to Labour Day. The Coca Cola Concert Series takes place at 8 p.m. on Fridays and Sundays in May and June, and on Saturdays and Sundays in July and August, as well as on holidays on the Illumination Tower Stage located next to Queen Victoria Place. Comcerts are followed by Pizza Pizza Fireworks at 10 p.m. www.niagaraparks.com Niagara Falls, ON
You Discover Summer Concert Series
July 14 to August 29 Every Wednesday and Friday at 8 p.m, the search for the next big rock star comes to Niagara Falls and the hottest new superstars from across Canada compete for a shot at making the big time. Audience members can be a part of the action in picking the next big superstar by watching the bands and casting their vote. Held at Oakes Garden Theatre at the foot of Clifton Hill, each night ends with a fireworks display over the Falls at 10 p.m. Concerts are FREE! Niagara Falls, ON www.youdiscover.ca
Concerts in Montebello ParK July to August Sundays and Tuesdays from 7-9 pm Bring your lawn chair or blanket & enjoy! St.Catharines, ON 905.688.5601 ext. 1915
MUSIC NIAGARA Daily from July 17 to August 14 12th season of a varied concern program, 34 performances ranging from classical to jazz, from choral to cabaret. These musical gems sparkle even more brightly in the unique Niagara-on-the-Lake settings which complement each one – jazz under the stars, Vivaldi in the vineyards, chamber music works in historic church concerts, and more. We are proud that these concerts are not only unimaginably good, but unexpectedly affordable. Quality, charm, and accessibility allow MUSIC NIAGARA to offer culture with ease.
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Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON Tickets: 1.800.511.7429 www.musicniagara.com
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TAKE THE EASY ROAD
Nightlife Driving Radius is 35 minutes
The Beauty of Earth & Sky.
After your picnic, take a walk like no other… along a boardwalk at the very edge of one of the world’s wildest stretches of whitewater! After travelling down 230 feet, you’ll marvel at the relentless power and beauty of nature as the Niagara White Water Walk takes you along 1000 feet of the whitewater rapids - a sight that will take your breath away! No trip to Niagara Falls is complete without experiencing the thrill of the world famous Maid of the Mist. Delight yourself and your family by sailing into the mist and the crashing waters of the Falls.
escape to niagara
How many times have you marveled at nature’s beauty from inside your car? When was the last time you got out of the car to experience it, let alone taken the family for a picnic? Yes we’ve been there and done that but you’ll be amazed by how Niagara’s beauty never wanes.
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Chances are you’ve heard of Niagara Falls; you’ve maybe even visited it once or twice. Perhaps you’ve brought relatives from a far-off land to stand at Niagara’s mighty brink and gawk at its majesty. But, have you ever made the short journey to Decew Falls? “Decew Falls? There’s another falls in Niagara?” you may ask!
D
ecew Falls is a waterfall in its purest natural state; untouched, undeveloped and unspoiled. No commercialism, no commotion; just a simple river cascading over the escarpment some 72 feet above you in a most unpretentious setting.
Located just south of Brock University; take Merrittville Highway and head west on Decew Road for a short two-kilometer drive past scenic lakes Gibson and Moodie. Turn right into the Morningstar Mill parking lot where you’ll find that a short walk will take you to the falls. Follow the pathway from the mill, past the miller’s house and turn left onto the Bruce Trail. The brave may wish to climb down into the gorge for an up-close look. There are two popular ways into the gorge. For the long route, take the Bruce Trail until it forks, continue to the right and then follow the trail straight into the gorge. This trail is not well maintained and a little steep, but not too difficult. The disadvantage of this trail is that once you are down into the gorge, the hike back up the Twelve Mile Creek to Decew Falls is long and difficult in places.
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For a shorter route, travel along the Bruce Trail about 200 feet from the mill and look for a well worn path leading left from the trail. A climbing rope has been tied to a tree to aid in the climb down. While the climb down is not a long one, it is rather steep for about 15 feet. The average person aged 10 and older, should be able to get down with relative ease. Once down, travel to the left and head back up the Twelve Mile Creek. No doubt you will hear the roar of the falls as you travel upriver. Stop for a moment to revel in its grandeur.
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Hike up the rocky hill to the left of the falls, a trail leads you down and around behind the falls. There is nothing quite like standing directly behind the falls and feeling the refreshing spray as the water cascades from above. Safely up from the gorge and back to the Mountain Mills Museum, you’ll ask yourself,
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…why hasn’t anyone told me about this stunning place before.” article courtesy of gary stickles
Make sure to stop at the Mountain Mills Museum at Morningstar. The Museum consists of five expertly restored, awe-inspiring, 18th Century buildings; the limestone quarried Morningstar Grist Mill, a sawmill, a blacksmith shop, a carpentry shed and the miller’s house. Investigate the turbine room of the mill for a spectacular glimpse of Decew Falls. The Mill itself, the house and blacksmith shop are open from 9-3 daily for self-guided tours and the “Friends of the Morningstar Mill” are on hand every weekend and holiday (Victoria Day to Thanksgiving and some Tuesdays and Thursdays) from mid morning to midafternoon for guided tours of the buildings. The “Friends of the Morningstar Mill” are a group of volunteers who donate their time and money to take care of the restoration and upkeep of the buildings and surrounding property. They are always happy to receive donations.
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1037 Quality Hotel Fallsview
We’re Quality Hotel Fallsview Cascade Make us your base for exploring Niagara Falls. We’re just steps away from both the Canadian and American Falls, adjacent to the famous Skylon Tower, and right across from the world-class Fallsview Casino. Our friendly boutique hotel has been completely updated with luxurious guestrooms and lavish bathrooms. And you can enjoy a view of the Falls from your private balcony from most tower rooms. Come stay with us. You’ll find our rates appealing and a location that’s hard to beat. Plus free on-site parking. And we offer value-laden package plans that feature superb dining high atop the Skylon; or the very best Niagara Falls attractions including Maid of the Mist. Come soon. We’re waiting to say hello.
1-800-663-3301 choicehotels.ca 1038 HI (June’10) NIAGARA RTO MAG
7.375” x 4.75” 4C
We’re as close as it gets to the Falls! You’re going to love our location... just steps
from the Falls, next to the famous Skylon Tower, and right beside the worldclass Fallsview Casino. Plus... free on-site parking! H Coco’s Terrace Steakhouse offers superb dining by an open-hearth grill in a smart but casual indoor/outdoor setting. Plus a walk-up gourmet pizza bar with wood-fire oven. And on Coco’s Terrace, dining and good times with nightly entertainment in season. H Unwind at our Nordic aqua centre with pool, sauna and whirlpool. In summer relax around our large sparkling pool. H Package plans available with superb Skylon dining overlooking the Falls.
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It’s all here. Why stay anywhere else?
Holiday Inn By The Falls Niagara Falls, Canada 1-800-263-9393 holidayinnniagarafalls.com
NIAGARA RT0 MAG
7.375” x 4.75” 4C
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photography courtesy of gary stickles
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he Niagara Region is certainly a recreationist’s nirvana. Covering over 1800 square kilometres and having such diversity of landscape, Niagara offers up a vast array of choices for those who love the outdoors; conservation areas, walking trails, bike lanes, quiet country roads, beaches, waterways … even provincial parks.
There are also trails for every level of ability: shorter routes like the Niagara-on-the-Lake Waterfront Trail and the Stop 19 Trail; middle of the road hikes like Ball’s Falls Conservation Area Trail and Port Dalhousie Waterfront Trail; and more demanding trails like the Welland Canal Parkway East Side Trail and the Greater Niagara Circle Route.
Let’s consider the numerous recreational trails Niagara offers. There are literally hundreds of kilometres of trails in the Region for people to use and enjoy. And enjoy they do. Whether it is running, hiking, walking, snowshoeing, crosscountry skiing, cycling, snowmobiling or equestrian riding, there seems to be a trail for almost every athletic discipline (well, maybe not synchronized swimming or javelin). The sheer number of trails in Niagara speaks volumes of our residents love for their surroundings.
With so many trails, it would be impossible to cover them all in this short space, so let’s focus on one trail. But which one? How can one trail be chosen over another?
Most local trails can be grouped by theme; trails focused on historic War of 1812 sites, wine and agriculture, hydroelectric power, transportation (the Welland Canal and Locks) and natural habitats (marshes, woodlands, waterfronts, rivers and the escarpment).
The Steve Bauer Trail is in fact an arrangement of trails that wind their way through the subdivisions and green spaces of Fonthill. The system of pathways that make up the trail is approximately 12 kilometres in length. It is ideal for anyone who likes to walk or cycle. There are no arduous hills to climb, no treacherous terrains to cross and no chance of getting lost. The trails have plenty of benches along the way to stop and rest, countless receptacles to dispose of garbage (no excuses for littering) and numerous sites that supply handy (and free!) bags to clean up after your pet. A full map and guide to the Steve Bauer Trail System is available at Pelham Town Hall.
Follow the trail south down Pelham Street and turn right on Pancake Lane (don’t laugh, we also have Bacon Lane!). At Shoalts Drive, head south and the Steve Bauer Trail begins again at Woodstream Park. Although this is a residential area, it hardly feels it; a large tract of forest buffers the homes that back the trail. Here, it has been generously lined with wood mulch. It winds its way through the trees, and follows the route of a quiet stream.
article courtesy of gary stickles
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1-800-420-6980 • www.embassysuitesniagara.com
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Neighbours stroll leisurely along, walking dogs, riding bikes, jogging, kids hold tight to a tree-tethered rope and swing across the brook; scenes reminiscent of a William Kurelek painting. The trail emerges from the forest, back into civilization, before entering a wetland area. A short boardwalk takes the trail through this area, over the wetland and on to Harold Black Park. Here it crosses Haist Street and heads north, cutting through Pelham Corners Park before coming to an end at the Pelham Arena.
Enjoy your walk, jog or cycle in our town … but please don’t make fun of our street names.”
Visit www.niagaragreenbelt.com and follow the link to “Tours, Trails & Routes”
The first section of the trail begins at Gordon L. Klager Park on Regional Road 20 and heads west to Station Street. Here the trail turns south and follows the one-time NS&T railway line to the Welland border. The portion of the trail between Port Robinson Road and Merritt Road is rather rural and showcases much of the area’s diverse flora and fauna. The trail is lined with poplar, dogwood, sumac, locust, tulip, and paw-paw trees, and it’s not uncommon to see woodpeckers, purple martins, red-tailed hawks, wild turkey, white-tailed deer, rabbits and red foxes. If you take a stroll near dusk, you might even hear coyotes calling to one another across the open field. The second segment of trail runs through the more urban areas of Fonthill.
1 (877) 374 4142 • www.ramadahotelniagarafalls.com
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1 (888) 238 9190 www.sheratonfourpointsniagarafalls.com
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photography courtesy of thies bogner
discover Take a simple engineering challenge: how do you use gravity to raise a ship? With lots of water, that’s how.
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anal technology has been around for millennia, but gained considerable popularity in the 18th century, fueling the Industrial Revolution in Western Europe. So too in North America. After the threat of an American invasion into the Niagara peninsula subsided in the early 19th century, Canadian businessmen were eager to find a way to transport dry goods from the centre of the continent through the Great Lakes, into the St. Lawrence River and on to markets in Europe.
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The brainchild of three local heroes William Hamilton Merritt, George Keefer and John DeCew, the Welland Canal we know today has gone through four main transformations.
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The first two versions of the Welland Canal relied heavily on geography to connect Lake Erie with Lake Ontario. It wended its way circuitously from Port Colborne on Lake Erie into the Niagara River, along to Chippawa Creek (now the Welland River) and down the Escarpment at Thorold and Merritton into St. Catharines and Twelve Mile Creek before exiting at Port Dalhousie into Lake Ontario.
Until the opening of the Third Canal in 1881, oxen were used to tow sailing vessels against the strong currents of the Niagara River. But, by the end of the 19th century, the canal network had overcome this hurdle by relying on the system of locks as we know them today. By its final development in 1932, the canal had shortened the distance between the lakes to 43.4 km, from Port Weller to Port Colborne, by way of eight – as opposed to the original 40 locks. In 1973, the Welland Bypass made it still more direct by routing traffic between Port Colborne and Port Robinson. Today, it is truly an awesome sight to see huge ships as long as two football fields (up to 225 metres) raised or lowered 99.36 metres! An astounding 93,000,000 litres of water is required at each lock, about 80 times more than was required for the first canal locks. Taking only 10 minutes to fill a lock, the full journey is only about 8 hours – compared to many weeks back in the mid-19th century!
discover Once you’ve seen how the mighty ships can defy gravity and climb mountains, check out some of the communities that dot the original canals. Villages like Port Robinson and Allanburg bear witness to the once vibrant communities that were supported by the trade and commerce of canal traffic.
Niagara Today • 7.3625” x 4.75“ • June 2010
Relaxed. Style. Refreshingly Unexpected. Ideally located 2 short blocks from the brink of the Falls, 400 yards to the Fallsview Casino complex. Frank Lloyd Wright inspired architecture. 224 Riverview and Fallsview guestrooms, two-room family suites and whirlpool rooms with premium views. Buchanans Chophouse casual fine dining. Indoor saltwater adult pool, family pool, sauna, fitness facility, seasonal outdoor hot tub & sundeck, AVEDA spa services. Convenient on-site self-parking. Just make advance reservations by calling 1-800-730-8609 or visit us online at niagarafallsdoubletree.com for our collection of getaway packages.
6039 Fallsview Blvd • Niagara Falls ON, Canada L2G 3V6 • 905-358-3817 Reservations: 800-730-8609 niagarafallsdoubletree.com
• Tropical Courtyard with Hot Tubs • Free High Speed Internet Access • 3 On-site Dining Options • Lounge with Entertainment • Free Parking • Shuttle (nominal fee scheduled service) • Great Family and Golf Packages f Hotel o Officialra Parks Niaga olf G
Best Western Cairn Croft Hotel
©2010 Hilton Hospitality, Inc.
6400 LUNDY’S LANE • NIAGARA FALLS • www.cairncroft.com
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Visit www.stcatharineslock3museum.ca or call 1.800.305.5134
You can watch it all happen on special viewing platforms at Lock 7 in Thorold on Chapel Street and at Lock 3 at the St. Catharines Museum on the Welland Canals Parkway. At the Museum you can also see a 15-minute video about the canal’s history.
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discover The Grace of Flight Beauty flies free at the Niagara Parks Butterfly Conservatory, a peaceful, rainforest-like setting, with 130 species of exotic tropical and flowering nectar plants and over 2,000 tropical butterflies. Be prepared for an up close and personal experience as a rainbow of colours and butterfly species surround you. It is incredible.
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he Niagara Parks Butterfly Conservatory is at the centre of The Botanical Gardens, located just a fiveminute drive north of the Falls along the scenic Niagara Parkway. The Gardens offer a unique outdoor classroom for students attending Canada’s only residential school of horticulture, which was founded by the Niagara Parks Commission in 1936. Encompassing 99 acres, the Botanical Gardens are open to the public free of charge from dawn until dusk every day and are fully accessible. Boasting other beautiful attractions – such as the Floral Clock, Oakes Garden Theatre and the Floral Showhouse – the Gardens are part of the Niagara Garden Trail. Also, Old Fort Erie presents a heritage flower and herb garden as part of its re-creation of life during the War of 1812.
The Gardens of Niagara Parks The Floral Showhouse, located just south of Niagara Falls, celebrates more than 60 years of horticultural excellence, with exotic tropicals and eight seasonal floral exhibits presented throughout the year.
escape to niagara
Queen Victoria Park and Oakes Garden Theatre gardens are immaculately groomed. Including rose and perennial gardens, a tree collection, and carpet and annual beds, that landscape a beautiful backdrop for the millions of visitors who come to enjoy the Falls’ views each year.
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The Floral Clock in Queenston continues to be one of the most photographed sites in the Niagara region. The floral face is maintained by Niagara Parks staff while the mechanism is kept in working order by Ontario Hydro, the organization that originally designed the clock in 1950. Queenston Heights Park includes gardens and carpet bedding nestled among the trees of this Niagara Escarpment setting.
Niagara Nature Trails Nature lovers, bird enthusiasts, environmentalists, hikers, cyclists, amateur geologists and photographers all enjoy the trails that wind through woodland and conservation areas, deep in the Niagara Glen and along the Niagara River. Explore old growth Carolinian forests, the Great Gorge and pristine nature preserves. The Niagara River Recreation Trail meanders through beautiful countryside. In August 1943, Sir Winston Churchill visited the Falls and drove along the Niagara Parkway, describing it as “the prettiest Sunday afternoon drive in the world”. Today, the trail is a paved path for non-motorized traffic stretching along the Canadian side of the Niagara River. From Fort George in Niagara-on-the-Lake to the north, it extends the full length of the peninsula and ends in the town of Fort Erie. There are fascinating stories of Niagara’s historic past that can be read about on more than 100 monuments and plaques that mark significant landmarks along the trail. The Niagara Glen is a unique spot of beauty deep in the Great Gorge, a designated Nature Reserve since 1992. It overlooks the Niagara River Whirlpool, a unique natural phenomenon that must be seen to be believed! Thousands of years ago, as the Niagara River slowly eroded its way through the Niagara Escarpment creating the Great Gorge, a right-angle turn in the River’s path forced the rushing water into a deep counter-clockwise spin. Queenston Heights Park, near the Lewiston-Queenston International Bridge is an important battleground site in the War of 1812. It is also the southern terminus of the Bruce Trail, which winds its way northward over several hundred kilometers to Tobermory. This trail passes along the Niagara Escarpment, recognized as a World Biosphere Reserve by U.N.E.S.C.O. in 1990.
Dufferin Islands Nature Area Located south of Niagara Falls along the Niagara Parkway, this area boasts the “Winter Festival of Lights” when several animated lighting displays are placed around the perimeter of the islands from November to January each year.
For those wishing to explore it fully, the trail divides nicely into four scenic sections set in lovely countryside, each with its own history and high adventure. It takes one to two hours to pedal leisurely through each of the sections: 1. Niagara-on-the-Lake to Queenston; 2. Queenston to the Whirlpool Aero Car; 3. Chippawa to Black Creek; 4. Black Creek to Fort Erie.
Niagara Parks is guardian of a national trust – the maintaining more than 4,250 acres of parklands along the Niagara River. Niagara Parks showcases a rich and varied inventory of carefully protected natural areas and gardens.
escape to niagara
world’s most famous waterfall, Niagara Falls. In
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1. Fireworks Grand Final to Canal Days 2. Outdoor Concert featuring Hedley at Canal Days 3. Cruise on the Empire Sandy at Canal Days
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discover Throughout the summer months the city sees its population increase as the temperatures climb. As a kick-off to summer, HH Knoll Lakeside Park is transformed into the Flavours of Niagara Presents International Food and Wine Festival. At the height of summer is Port Colborne’s signature event, Canal Days Marine Heritage Festival – four days of tall ships, family activities, food, entertainment, and fireworks. This time of year is also one of the best times to experience Port Colborne’s picturesque, lakeside landscape! Whether you are enjoying one of it’s many beautiful parks, cycling the trails, boating on magnificent Lake Erie or exploring the conservation areas, Port Colborne’s atmosphere provides the opportunity for local residents and guests to embrace an active, healthy lifestyle. Port Colborne is truly a fun, diverse and vibrant place to live, work and visit with its charming shopping and cultural districts noted for showcasing some of the region’s best museums, antiques, galleries, fine apparel establishments and eclectic international pubs and restaurants. Port Colborne offers new visitors and lifetime residents a wealth of opportunities to experience and celebrate all this great city has to offer. Experience Port Colborne – Experience what you expect life to offer on Niagara’s South Coast.
Zooma Zooma Café 3839 Main Street, Jordan Village 905.562.6280 or www.zoomazoomacafe.ca
visit www.portcolborne.ca or contact 1.888.PORT.FUN
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ocated on its scenic south shore, Niagara’s Port Colborne has found the perfect balance – successful industrial and commercial sectors, comfortable and scenic residential areas, and an energized festival and entertainment scene that includes live theatre, white sand beaches, culinary favourites, the community’s world class Sugarloaf Marina, fishing, golfing, trails, recreation and unique shopping districts along the historic Welland Canal – truly a community that adds to the overall Niagara Experience.
4 ank on the bulbous white bowling pin – it’s the front door handle – and you’re in a bright airy dining room. The walls are ablaze in orange & red. An authentic Texaco Sky Chief gasoline pump (31 cents a gallon) hunkers in one corner. Cool, real cool jazz plays. A major draw has been the highly successful music series, which has featured jazz and blues greats such as Morgan Davis, the Inkspots and Blackie & the Rodeo Kings. Zooma Zooma has been named by CBC Radio as one of the Top 50 best live music clubs in Canada.
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EASY TO GET TO NIAGARA
Planning a trip to the Niagara region? Take a quick cruise down the QEW or start your getaway early with one of the many services that get you here, fast and easy. TORONTO
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PEARSON AIRPORT
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LONDON
LINCOLN TWENTY VALLEY
ST. CATHARINES THOROLD
NIAGARA FALLS
PELHAM
BUFFALO
WELLAND WAINFLEET PORT COLBORNE
FORT ERIE
LAKE ERIE
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The GO bus offers regular day, weekend and holiday service to Grimsby, St. Catharines and Niagara Falls. The Niagara GO train services St. Catharines and Niagara Falls Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays. www.gotransit.com
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VIA trains run daily to the region, with stops in St. Catharines and Niagara Falls. www.viarail.ca Greyhound offers daily bus service from Toronto to destinations throughout the region. www.greyhound.ca
Coach Canada travels daily to destinations throughout the Niagara region. www.coachcanada.com Niagara Airbus will get you from Pearson Airport to Niagara Falls in anywhere between one and a half and two hours. www.niagaraairbus.com
A breathtaking view of Lake Ontario eases you into a comfortable evening at the Peninsula’s greatest dining experience.
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Casablanca Steak & Seafood
4 Windward Drive Grimsby, ON 905.309.7171
www.casablancawineryinn.com info@casablancawineryinn.com
Elements on the Falls Dining as close as you can get to the Falls! Casual elegance with an artisan twist, and delightful flavours. 6650 Niagara Parkway Niagara Falls, ON 905.354.3631
www.niagaraparks.com npinfo@niagaraparks.com
Restaurant Oban Inn Enjoy the outstanding harvest of Niagara Wine Country 160 Front Street Niagara-on-the-Lake, on 905-468-2165
www.obaninn.ca
Revolving Dining Room at the Skylon Tower Discover the magic of the Falls from 775 feet (236 km) above it. Savour innovative fresh menu selections, accompanied by fine Niagara and International wines, while enjoying soft piano stylings. 5200 Robinson Street Niagara Falls, ON
www.skylon.com info@skylon.com
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905.356.2651
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DISCOVER EVENTS Falls Illumination
Every night beginning at dusk Don’t miss the beauty of the Falls illuminated in the colors of the rainbow every night beginning at dusk.
End of Summer BBQ
August 29 from 4 to 8 pm Join the fun at Queenston Heights Restaurant Patio, high atop the Niagara Escarpment, at the foot of Brock’s Monument. Enjoy wine tastings, product samples from Molson, an unbeatable BBQ selection and LIVE entertainment. Cost is $30 Adults; $15 Children. Space is limited Queenston 905.262.4274
Ball’s Falls Thanksgiving Festival
October 8-12, 2010 The Ball’s Falls Thanksgiving Festival celebrates its 36th anniversary in 2010. This unsurpassed fall craft show is held every year on the Canadian Thanksgiving Weekend. More than 140 artisans and crafters will be featured, as well as daily live entertainment, children’s attractions and entertainers, heritage activities, tours and, of course, Ball’s Falls itself. Ball’s Falls Conservation Area Jordan, Ontario www.npca.ca
Tour de GREEN BELT A fresh air festival on wheels
September 11, 12 Experience rural hospitality, savour fresh, local food and explore all that Niagara’s Greenbelt has to offer. Re-discover the joy of a leisure, a freshly prepared bbq lunch featuring Greenbelt grown food with entertainment and special activities for kids.Experience Sassafras and Tulip Trees at St. John`s Conservation Authority. Visit the horses at B ‘N’ R Stables, Pick your own snack at Jacobs Fruit Farm and enjoy country treats or Nature’s Corner Bakery along the way.
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Henry of Pelham Winery. www.tourdegreenbelt.ca
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TAKE THE Popular Picnic Sites Driving Radius is 35 minutes EASY ROAD
Or just enjoy Niagara’s great outdoors. Sail the lakes or even try scuba diving in Lake Erie. Enjoy hawk watching from the crest of the escarpment or take a stroll along Crystal or Port Dalhousie beach. Niagara has something for everyone.
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Feeling energetic?
Niagara has something for all lifestyles. Lake fishing or river fishing where you’ll catch some of the finest king salmon and bass during the spring and steelhead during the winter. Challenge yourself with indoor rock climbing, explore the caves of the Escarpment. Play a round at one of over 40 premium golf courses.
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isitors looking for outdoor activities a great day enjoying nature’s beauty will find it at one of the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Areas. Unsurpassed beauty makes them
a must visit for families, adventurers, nature lovers and leisure travelers.
Visit npca.ca
Your adventure can include the majestic Niagara Escarpment, spectacular views, unique trails, fascinating rock formations, sparkling waterfalls and rare plants and wildlife. Experience the excitement of watching hawks soar. Step back in time to a pioneer village. Discover unique flora and fauna in a Carolinian forest, or listen to the rushing water of rapids and creeks. Most travelers know the natural wonder of Niagara Falls, but the less traveled areas of Niagara can also provide outdoor adventure and a memorable nature and heritage experience. Active families will also find ample opportunities for recreation and camping at our various sites. Of specific interest is Chippawa Creek with 156 campsites and spots for family summer activities like flying kites and picnics. At Long Beach, enjoy a picnic while the children swim or play on the playground. An organized interpretive
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and educational recreational program is a hit with the kids, and
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offers visitors a great opportunity to have fun while learning more about outdoor recreation, conservation and the natural world.
Unwind.
NIAGARA GLEN HIKING TRAILS
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packaged exclusively at NiagaraBreakFree.com. Rush through rapids in the ancient Great Gorge... or stroll through magnificent forests and gardens. Fly high over vast vineyards… then indulge in local vintages by the glass. This is the Niagara you need to discover. Take a break for a day or a week and you’ll plan to return again and again. Get your escape plan now, complete with accommodation options, at NiagaraBreakFree.com.
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WHIRLPOOL AERO CAR NIAGARA HELICOPTER TOURS BUTTERFLY CONSERVATORY & BOTANICAL GARDENS HIKING & CYCLING TRAILS HERITAGE TRAIL ATTRACTIONS
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Shake off the city and get recharged – experience unique adventures
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active Mention motorcycles and many of you conjure visions of a swarm of the wild bunch driving through your petunias. That’s not me. I’m more like the heroes of Touchstone Pictures 2007 biker epic - Wild Hogs. Tim Allen, John Travolta, Martin Lawrence and William H. Macy sure weren’t Marlon Brando. Most of us have entered our most productive period (read middle age). Most of us have enough money in our jeans to enjoy the good life (having a Gold Wing 1800 as a toy isn’t cheap). We’re looking for the freedom of the open road with the all comforts we’ve grown accustomed to. We’ve all heard that Winston Churchill called the Niagara Parkway “the prettiest Sunday drive in the World”. Perfect for a leisurely cruise. From Niagara-on-the-Lake to Fort Erie there is a perfect riding surface and virtually no straight sections along 50 km of beautiful scenery, million dollar mansions, vineyards and rest areas that feature great views of the river. But there’s more. The Niagara escarpment offers a wealth of scenic routes from Hamilton to Fort Erie. Plan your trip by connecting to one of these rider favourite roads. Ridge Rd from Hwy. 20 towards Beamsville, on a clear day, you can see the Golden Horseshoe – Hamilton - Burlington - Oakville - Toronto. Regional Road 81 provides a smooth, winding 2-lane alternative to the Queen Elizabeth Way. Many connecting roads cut through steep wine country hillsides.
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Regional Rd 69 (aka Pelham Road and Twenty Mile Creek Road) from St. Catharines to Smithville - a curving roller coaster that leads to great riding roads.
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Riverside Rd. (Rd. 27) from Welland to Hwy. 24 (Victoria Rd.), along the south shore of the Welland River offers smooth carving at 80 km/h. And there are numerous rider friendly “hang outs” throughout the country side. Places to stop for an ice cream treat and meet some new friends. Riders today are people like you and me who are looking for “adventure”, a pleasant ride and a way to getaway to get-together. Niagara is a world-class destination with one-of-a-kind sightseeing, white-water adventures, casino excitement, accommodations for all tastes, vineyards and great places to get together - day and night. It has the destinations to make a ride truly special. Catch some rays at the beach, indulge yourself with great deals at Niagara’s top shopping spots, soak in some history or grab some white water adventure, Niagara is right for everyone. Whether you’re advising friends from outside the region or you’re planning your own rider weekend, take a ride to remember. Book a hotel for the best views of nightly fireworks over the Falls, stay at a Bed and Breakfast, take in Canal Days, rent some clubs and enjoy a fabulous round of golf.
Jordan House Jordan 905.562.9591
Avondale Dairy Bar
Regal Beagle Pub
NIAGARA-on-the-lake
Hwy. 20 E, Pelham 905.892.0080
Lots of bike parking. Great shakes and ice cream. Outdoor patio.
905.687.7403 Relax in the countryside with a working dairy farm as your backdrop.
Vintage Show and Shine every 4th Saturday of the month
Lion’s Tavern
The Flying Saucer
Port Dalhousie 905.935.4406
Lundys Lane 905.356.4553
Owned by a Niagara HOG member Sidewalk cafe parking
Every Sunday night about 50 to 100 sport bikes gather
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Niagara Helicopters Flightseeing Tours
For the thrill of a lifetime! Explore Niagara from above
Niagara Helicopters 3731 Victoria Avenue Niagara Falls, ON
905-357-5672 www.niagarahelicopters.com
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Riders like us are looking for a great time. Our time spent the way we want to.�
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n September 2010, the St. Catharines Royal Canadian Henley Course will host the 37th FISA World Rowing Masters Championships. The Niagara Sport Commission is working in conjunction with the FISA Local Organizing Committee to prepare for this annual fun-filled event and are expecting 3000+ competitors from a variety of domestic and international rowing clubs. Participants will be traveling to St. Catharines to race in this four day competition and partake in an assortment of Regatta activities, including the opening ceremonies on September 2nd and the Masters Party on September 4th.
The races take place from September 2nd – 5th. Each race is 1000 metres in length and will end at the traditional grandstand finish line. There will be camping on Henley Island, boat rentals available for those traveling a distance and a variety of vendors and entertainment located on the Henley Island at the race mid-way point, which will be the hub of activity for the Regatta. As always, no Regatta can successfully operate without a pool of enthusiastic volunteers. No experience required!
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Visit the 2010 FISA World Rowing Masters Regatta at www.2010fisaworldrowingmasters.com
www.bikeroads.atspace.com
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Comprised of three 18-hole championship courses, two 9-hole courses, a 45-acre, 360-degree practice facility, a Teaching Academy and Ontario’s first accessible golf offering, the Niagara Parks Golf Trail is situated along a 15-kilometre (9-mile) stretch of the scenic Niagara Parkway. Together, three public courses create the Niagara Parks Golf Trail: Legends on the Niagara, Whirlpool Golf Course, and Oak Hall Par 3, each one located just minutes from the mighty Niagara Falls.
legends on the niagara A breathtaking natural setting, carved into historic terrain, creates this one-of-a-kind golf complex featuring two unrivalled 18-hole championship challenges; the fun and challenging 9-hole Chippawa course and a majestic 45-acre, 360-degree practice facility.
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Ussher’s Creek, designed by Canadian Golf Course Architect Thomas McBroom, at 7,200 yards long features a classic design with the creek coming into play on eight of the holes. It is considered a shot-makers course, with tree lined fairways and small challenging greens.
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The Battlefield Course, designed by Canadian golf course architect Doug Carrick, showcases generous fairways with giant bunkers and large greens. Battlefield is considered a target golf course with a lot of risk-reward shots. At 7,300 yards, water comes into play on ten holes. Historic Oak Hall the picturesque, 9-hole Historic Oak Hall Par 3 Golf Course is a great facility for novice golfers and families, and for those looking for a course that is perfect for brushing up their short game. Recent renovations include updated sand traps and relocated tees. www.niagaraparksgolf.com/legends
Niagara’s most exciting golf experience. John Daly’s first signature golf course in Canada, located within the Niagara Falls’ Fallsview Tourist District and a mere 1,500 yards from the Horseshoe Falls. Designed in collaboration with Canadian golf architect Bo Danoff, Thundering Waters reflects John’s risk-forreward style of play on a course that combines parkland tranquility of Augusta National with the heathland treachery of British Open Championship golf. Fourteen of the holes wind through a forest of mature maple, oak and hickory trees. The remaining holes are links styles: rugged hills covered with long grasses, cavernous bunkers, windswept fairways and undulated greens framed by a winding burn. But don’t be fooled by its beauty. At 6,530 yards from the championship tees, the par 72 Thundering Waters is a match for players of any caliber! www.thunderingwaters.com
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Thundering Waters Golf Club
You’ll never look at golf the same way again. The course at Grand Niagara is classic Rees Jones. There is no trickery here. His fairway angles, positioning of hazards and exquisitely contoured greens demand intelligent course management, tempting players with a variety of risk-reward options. Strategy breeds success. The beauty of Grand Niagara echoes the ambience of the world’s classic courses. The fairways roll and the wisps of fescue evoke images of the mist rising from nearby Niagara Falls. One of the finest new golf courses in Canada – and even the world – the Rees Jones Course at Grand Niagara beckons you to experience golf as you’ve never experienced before. Feel like the masters. Share in their appreciation of the game. www.grandniagararesort.com
BEECHWOOD GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB Beechwood is a semi-private club that was established in 1960 and is currently rated 3 1/2 stars by Golf Digest. Designed by Canadian golf architect Robert F. Moote, the layout is a reflection of older traditional design and thus features natural topography, mature trees and ponds. The course is player friendly for both men and women. Highly skilled players will enjoy the opportunity to score well, while golfers of a more modest ability will welcome the premium placed on shot direction rather than the distance.
Visit www.niagaragolftrail.com
GRAND NIAGARA
www.beechwoodgolf.com
Royal Niagara
whirlpool public golf course Designed by the famous golf course architect Stanley Thompson, offers intuitive shaping and routing of the course - a fine test for golfers of varying skills and length off the tee. This 18-hole championship course offers a traditional layout, challenging greens and stretches 7,200 yards overlooking the scenic Niagara Parkway. www.whirlpoolgolf.com
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Public golf in a private club setting. Royal Niagara is a “must play” course of international standing. Designed by Ted Baker & Associates, the course features sculpted fairways, undulating greens, cavernous bunkers and an abundance of water. Nestled between the historic 120 year old Welland Canal, the beautiful Bruce Trail and the Niagara Escarpment, Royal Niagara is a stunning course to experience. www.royalniagara.com
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July 19th Thundering Waters Golf Club Niagara Falls, ON www.loudmouthskinsgame.com
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GA Tour Champion and British Open winner, John Daly, is taking on all challengers in a skins game for local youth and children’s charities.
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The Loud Mouth Golf Skins Game & Charity Tournament takes place on Monday July 19th at the Daly designed Thundering Waters Golf Club in Niagara Falls. The event will feature two, fun-filled qualifying tournaments, after which, four participants will be randomly drawn to come back the next day, and play against John Daly in a skins game format for $3,000 per hole. All skins won by Daly, and all net proceeds from the event, will support youth programs at the John Howard Society, and the Community Child Abuse Council.
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“It’s going to be great time,” suggests Daly, a two-time major winner on the PGA Tour. “I think the concept is really fun and refreshing, and anytime I can get up there and support Thundering Waters, I’m happy to do it.” Daly continued, “There are many children who don’t have the benefit of a positive role model in their lives. Events like these are really important in raising funds for those social services and programs that help children less fortunate. If my presence can help even one child, I’m there!”
Canadian Tour Championship Aug. 23-29, The St. Catharines Golf and Country Club The St. Catharines Golf and Country Club will host the 2010 Canadian Tour Championship on Aug. 23-29, 2010. For more than 20 years, the Canadian Tour - a full member of the International Federation of PGA Tours - has proven to be an outstanding training ground for PGA TOUR success. “We had such a great time in St. Catharines in 2009 that we just had to try it again” says Alan Ralph Co-Chair of the 2010 tournament.” In addition, to hosting some great golf, the club hopes to add to the monies raised in 2009 for the Walker Family Cancer Centre. “I’ve always believed that those that have, deserve to share and lead.” says Dave Matthews, Chair of the the 2009 tournament, “We have a social conscience.”
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ention mountain biking in Niagara and everyone automatically thinks of Shorthills Provincial Park. But what many Niagara residents don’t know is that the Niagara Region contains many great spots to mountain bike including an elaborate trail system along Twelve Mile Creek. Trails that can entertain any mountain biker for hours. In Shorthills Provincial Park there are three trails that are available for mountain biking. Trails 1, 2 & 7 are multi-use (keep your eyes open for both hikers and horseback riders). All three trails offer some great double-track and single-track riding with enough hills to challenge the most experienced riders. The most frequently used access points into Shorthills include entrances on Pelham Road and Wiley Road. Both of these entry points have maps posted in the parking lot to assist with general trail location. Once on the trails, markings at all trail junctions keep you from getting lost.
by Louise Blais,
Fitness Director
Arguably, the trails that run alongside Twelve Mile CreekOAK are THE Club AT WHITE the best the region has to offer. These trails have something for everyone. Stay on the lower trails for a ride that’s perfect for beginners. Venture onto the upper trails to find tight, twisty, single-tracks with challenging climbs and even the odd bridge to keep you on your toes. All trails are marked with their names and eventually link up with Shorthills or the Bruce Trail behind Brock University. If you are looking for a brisk, 15 km route, the “8x12” course (a bi-weekly mountain bike race series) is permanently marked with arrows. This route begins right in the heart of the downtown St. Catharines, below the Burgoyne Bridge (at the lower bridge) on St. Paul Street, starting on the gravel side of the Creek. Most of these trails were built by a local mountain bike enthusiast, Marv Srigley. Marv works tirelessly all year, with help from a few volunteers. He keeps these trails rut free and in great shape all year round. Trust me, you will enjoy the fruits of their labour.
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Autumn is a great season for outdoor exercise…cooler temperatures and the noticeable lack of bugs make it very pleasant to spend time outdoors. While many people hike in the fall, not many know that it is actually one of the best times to mountain bike. Trails are usually dry and the forests are a rainbow of golds and reds.
Visit www.niagararegion.ca/exploring/cycle
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article courtesy of louise blais
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ACTIVE EVENTS Niagara Antique Power Association
July 2 to 4 The 38th Annual Heritage Display of old cars, trucks, steam engines, tractors, engines, models, and other equipment. Sherkston, ON 905.563.1273
Downtown Classic Car Show & Fiddle Festival
July 10 Stroll down St. Paul Street from 9 am - 5 pm, where over 400 fantastic classic and custom cars will be on display. . Take in our second annual Fiddle & Step Dancing Festival ($12). Live entertainment all day throughout the festival area. 905.685.8424 www.mydowntown.ca
128th Royal Canadian Henley Regatta
August 3–8 The Royal Canadian Henley Regatta is Canada’s oldest and North America’s largest rowing event. Hosted in St. Catharines since 1903, this 6 day event is a mainstay in Canadian rowing diary. Join us for the fireworks over Martindale Pond at the opening ceremony on August 2 entry to the fireworks is free. 905.935.9771 info@henleyregatta.ca www.henleyregatta.ca
Summer-O-Licious
August 13-28 Enjoy some of your favourites or try something new, as many of the Downtown restaurants open their doors over these two weeks offering fabulous 3 course fixed price menus - ranging from $15–30. Plan to dine out every night during this mouth watering event. Please see website for lists of participating restaurants and the menus offered. Various prices. Reservations are required.
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905.685.8424 www.mydowntown.ca
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TAKE THE Hiking and Biking Trails Driving Radius is 28 minutes EASY ROAD
The Fallsview Restaurant combines world class views with world class cuisine to create a one of a kind dining experience.
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Sheraton on the Falls Fallsview Restaurant
5875 Falls Avenue Niagara Falls, oN 905.374.4447
www.sheratononthefalls.com
buchanans chophouse Doubletree Fallsview Resort & Spa by Hilton Award-winning wine list. Mouth-watering steaks and seafood. Casual fine dining. 6039 Fallsview Boulevard Niagara Falls, On 905.353.4111
The Watermark Restaurant at Hilton Hotel and Suites Niagara Falls/Fallsview Located on the Hilton’s 33rd floor with unparalleled views of the Falls enjoy fresh, local produce and Niagara Region’s finest wines complement as it Watermark’s fine continental cuisine. 6361 Fallsview Boulevard Niagara Falls, ON 905.353.7138
www.watermarkrestaurant.com
Keg Steak House & Bar Serving only the finest cuts of meat. Quality, comfort and value are the three ingredients that make the The Keg Steak House an experience like no other. 6700 Fallsview Boulevard Niagara Falls, On
344 Glendale Avenue St. Catharines, ON 905.680.4585
www.kegsteakhouse.com
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905.374.5170
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THE ULTIMATE WEDDING MAGAZINE BRINGS TO YOU
Brides-to-be want their dream day to be all that they could ever ask for, and the Ultimate Wedding Show is their chance to escape, to indulge, and to experience all that is in store for them. This is the go-to-place to help them get their planning underway while they sample great products that will help make their day special. The Ultimate Wedding show brings bridesto-be everything they need; products to pamper themselves, practical advice to start off with; from the moment of engagement to a life of happiness and well-being.
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OCTOBER THIRD
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TWO-THOUSAND TEN
NINE|am
FIVE|pm
visit us at www.theultimatewedding.ca
Stimulate the mind & relax the soul.
World-class theatre
located in a historic village, just 20 minutes down river from the thunder of Niagara Falls? Sounds like a dream come true – and it is! Theatregoers from around the world have been experiencing this unique theatrical setting for almost 50 years now. What started as a dream by a local lawyer and amateur playwright, Brian Doherty, has become one of the largest repertory theatres in North America - home to one of the best acting ensembles in the English-speaking world. From its humble beginnings, The Shaw has maintained its warmth and charm as it has evolved. Visit the historic Court House – still used today as one of four stages - or the more modern Festival theatre; see a full bloom. The Shaw’s staying power derives from their unique mandate – to produce works by Shaw, his contemporaries and modern plays about the period of Shaw’s lifetime (1856-1950). Here you will find forgotten treasures, once popular in their day, dusted off, given a fresh new treatment and rendered anew. There are also the modern plays that take a look at this important era of mankind’s evolution and more recently, the “playwrights who write in the Shavian spirit”. The Shaw Festival in beautiful Niagara-on-the-Lake, the place to go to stimulate the mind and relax the soul.
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photography courtesy of the shaw festival
great play and stroll through manicured gardens at intermission while sipping wine under the wisteria in
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applause
Oh come on - it’s dinner theatre!
A ROLLICKING B GOOD TIME!!
ut you know, it really is good. In fact, since 1986, Niagara has developed a reputation for picking the right shows, staging them well and getting great reviews – real ones that aren’t just clichés.
What’s more, the organizers know you’ll love the material. These aren’t “difficult” plays or the experimental fringe, just good, straightforward stories that will draw more than a few belly laughs. Take “Oh Canada, Eh?” in Niagara Falls. You can’t get more patriotic than this! Songs belted out with gusto, good food, friendly company, interactive theatre – there’s no room for big city cynicism when the fun gets the better of you! At dinner theatre in Niagara, before the show, you’ll see quite a range of “attitudes” on the faces of the audience: Silver hairs eager to get into the swing of things, couples concentrating on each other (usually somebody is celebrating an anniversary), jaded teens expecting the worst, and families with fidgety youngsters. But by the final curtain, good food, great service and fun rules the day. We know you (and even your jaded teens) will soon be clapping, laughing and singing along.
Greg Frewin Theatre, Niagara Falls, 905.356.0777 A magic review show located in the heart of Niagara Falls, starring the International Grand Champion of Magic, Greg Frewin who performs nightly. Guests can enjoy a dinner and show and witness the extremes of magic and the fantasy that comes along with it.
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Oh Canada Eh Dinner Show, Niagara Falls, 800.467.2071 The Oh Canada Eh Dinner Show offers a totally unique evening of Canadian food and entertainment. It has been voted “Attraction of the Year” for six consecutive years and has presented more than 2600 song and act performances.
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Port Mansion Theatre, Port Dalhousie, 905.934.0575 Port Mansion has a year-round schedule that professionally performs dramas, comedies, and musicals. It has an established separate dining room and theatre that seat 85 guests.
Showboat Theatre, Port Colborne, 905.834.0833 For tickets call Showboat Theatre Box Office at Roselawn in Port Colborne July 8-24, Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks by Richard Alfieri June 17 – July 3, Mama’s Country Record Collection Created by Thom Currie. July 29 - August 14, Sitting Pretty, Created by Norm Foster and Steve Thomas August 19 – Sept. 4, The Owl & The Pussycat, A comedy by Bill Manhoff Mystery on the Lake, Niagara Falls, 866.386.2921 A new experience in interactive entertainment! Experience the thrill the theatre has to offer, where you’re not just in the audience - you’re part of the show! The secret starting location isn’t revealed until you get your ticket! This show is full of historical adventure and new mysteries with a complimentary sample of the region’s fine drinks and food! Yuk Yuk’s, Niagara Falls, 905.262.5233 Considered one of the premier comedy dens, Yuk Yuk’s showcases some of the best comedic talent, and the funniest rising stars. Here you’ll be entertained with hilarious, uncensored material all night long.
Visit us at www.russellsinteriors.com
Next time you’re looking for a memorable evening that’ll bring a smile to your face, check out the dinner theatre scene in Niagara.
Comedy Series
NEW this year is a comedy component alongside the popular “Battle of the Bands” style music competition. All together, 24 independent music artists and 24 comedians will be selected to compete at Niagara Park’s historic Oakes Garden Theatre. The top four music and comedy acts will then compete in the Grand Finale where a panel of celebrity judges will pick the Grand Prize winners. The last band remaining earns a chance to win a recording contract from Orange Lounge Recordings, a band makeover and the opportunity to become the opening act on the nationally broadcast New Year’s Eve
show in Niagara Falls. The last comic standing will win a deal including writing clinics and the chance to perform on the nationally broadcast New Year’s Eve Show, here in Niagara. YOU – the fans, will decide which acts compete in the finale! Fans can vote at the Oakes Garden Theatre performances or online at www.youDiscover.ca. The competition will take place Wednesdays and Fridays throughout July and August 2010, starting on July 14th. All performances are free of charge; however, donations will be accepted to support the talent performing. Powered by Sympatico/MSN, the www.youDiscover.ca website is a completely interactive place for fans and performers to connect. Artists and fans can upload usergenerated content, create individual youDiscover band fan pages and vote for their favourite acts. Fans can also view taped portions of the concerts in HD. Add your comments for a chance to win the Grand FAN prize. escape to niagara
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re you looking to catch a glimpse of the next big musical act and comedian? Then look no further. The Niagara Parks Commission in partnership with inMusic.ca and Orange Lounge Recordings is set to play host to a summer talent series that will discover the best musical and comedic talent from across Canada and New York State. You can join in on the fun by logging on to www.youDiscover.ca to enter into the competition or to help judge the contestants.
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youDiscover Music
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One Touch of Venus Closes October 10 At the Royal George Theatre, the goddess of love graces the stage in the Kurt Weill, Ogden Nash, S.J. Perelman madcap musical One Touch of Venus. Mayhem ensues when a statue of Venus (Robin Evan Willis) comes to life through the magic of a ring. Falling for a barber named Rodney Hatch (Kyle Blair), she pursues him all over New York and settles into domestic bliss. But can she be domesticated? Will this wild woman allow herself to be tamed? Directed by Eda Holmes, this season’s musical also features the incomparable Deborah Hay as Molly Grant and features such classic melodies as “I’m a Stranger Here Myself” and “Speak Low”.
An Ideal Husband Closes October 31 Betrayal and compromise, love and laughter, lies and deceit – we are shown it all in the Shaw Festival’s production of An Ideal Husband. Oscar Wilde’s social satire is centred on blackmail and political corruption, repentance and forgiveness. Artistic Director Jackie Maxwell directs her favourite Wilde work “where virtually every character is revealed to be not at all what they seem”. Relevant today as it was in 1895, An Ideal Husband is a deliciously entertaining Wilde ride peppered with Machiavellian twists, sharp-witted banter and a couple of love stories along the way.
Harvey Closes October 31 Mary Chase’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play Harvey is playing to enthusiastic crowds at the Royal George Theatre. Joseph Ziegler directs this endearing story that dares ask: what truly is a “perfectly normal human being”? Peter Krantz is Elwood P. Dowd, the mild-mannered eccentric everyone in town seems to know. Always genial, cheerful and hospitable towards everyone he encounters, Elwood is the perfect host with a rather peculiar companion: his best friend is an invisible six-foot-tall rabbit named Harvey. Elwood always makes sure Harvey is accommodated so they can go everywhere together. Often hilarious and at times touching, this heartwarming comedy continues until the end of October.
The Cherry Orchard Closes October 2 A new version of The Cherry Orchard by Tom Murphy, one of Ireland’s leading contemporary playwrights, appears at the Court House Theatre. Directed by Dublin director Jason Byrne, this adaptation of the Chekhovian tragicomedy retains all the power of the Russian classic, but adds an Irish flavour. This Shaw Festival production is the Canadian premiere of the Tom Murphy version. Against the backdrop of impending revolution and social change, an aristocratic family’s way of life is slowly disappearing, and with it, their beloved cherry orchard. On the verge of financial collapse, a decision must be made whether to sell their land to make way for holiday cottages or remain in blissful denial of the unstoppable march of progress.
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The Women
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Closes October 9 Before Candace Bushnell’s Sex in the City, there was Claire Booth Luce’s The Women! A revealing look into the lives of the ladies-who-lunch. Mary Haines, a Manhattan socialite, discovers her husband is cheating on her and soon realizes her girlfriends are no help to her at all. Directed by Alisa Palmer, this clever, cut-throat, humorous glimpse into the secret society of women captures a world where the weapons de jour are manicured claws and the objective is to maintain social status by either leaving, stealing or winning back husbands.
July 23, Closes October 30 Morris Panych directs this alarmingly relevant piece that poses deep ethical questions: when medical resources are limited, should doctors decide who receives treatment and should those who can afford treatment be the first in line to receive it? In The Doctor’s Dilemma, Shaw tests the humanity of a doctor and gives him a moral dilemma. Sir Colenso Ridgeon (Patrick Galligan) has discovered a lifesaving cure, but faces a moral dilemma. With only enough of his new cure for tuberculosis for one patient left, who can he afford to save? Dr. Blenkisop (Ric Reid), a kindly colleague who serves the poor, or the extremely talented but unscrupulous young artist Louis Dubedat (Jonathan Gould), who happens to also have a beautiful young wife (Krista Colosimo)?
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The Doctor’s Dilemma
Age of Arousal It’s 1885 in Age of Arousal, and in London there are half a million more women than men. Mary, an ex-suffragette, has opened a secretarial school for women to teach liberation through typing. When three sisters sign up, unexpected passions and secret desires are unleashed as they each learn what being a New Woman can truly mean. Artistic Director Jackie Maxwell directs this contemporary look at the Shaw Festival mandate by an award-winning writer Linda Griffiths.
John Bull’s Other Island Closes October 9 A comedy by Bernard Shaw in which friends and business partners Broadbent and Doyle travel to a small town in Ireland with a business deal in mind. The Englishman, Broadbent, falls in love with everything about the place, including Nora Reilly, Doyle’s old flame. Doyle, the hometown boy, only sees a country trapped in its past. Shaw’s unromantic look at the romance of Ireland is directed by Christopher Newton. A play so funny that at a royal command performance, King Edward VII laughed so hard he broke his chair!
Serious Money
photography courtesy of the shaw/david cooper photography
Opens August 13, closes October 10
Opens July 31, Closes September 12 Directed by Eda Holmes, Serious Money takes a look at the London Stock Market in the 1980s, a place that was like the new Wild West – a land of corporate raiders and stock traders created by a financial boom that seemed to have no end. The Shaw Festival is proud to present this no-holds barred look at corporate greed and financial excess – Caryl Churchill at her most provocative and penetrating. And all in rhyming verse!
Half An Hour How much can a life change in half an hour? One night, just before a dinner party, Lilian Garson makes an escape from her confining husband. But when these best-laid plans go horribly awry – can she quickly slip back into her old life in time for dinner at eight? Gina Wilkinson – who directed last year’s smash hit Born Yesterday – directs this compelling story of a woman who’s only got half an hour to change her life.
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Closes October 9
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José Armando Medica explores parallels between his native Cuba and Canada in “Transitions,” an exhibition that showcases a series of personally resonant prints. The exhibition can be seen until June 29 at Galerie CRAM.
CRAMplex 24 James Street, St. Catharines 905.380.3910 (cell phone of Director, Tobey C. Anderson) www.cramart.ca/index.html José Armando Medina, Series #1, 2010
Located in a former medical office, A Mano Libera Gallery will host its one-year anniversary retrospective exhibition from July 10 to August 22, 2010. Maintaining a core group of resident artists, the gallery also exhibits the work of established, original artists.
A Mano Libera Gallery 150 Ontario Street, St. Catharines 905.641.1983 www.amanoliberagallery.com A Mano Libera logo from website
Rodman Hall celebrated its 50th anniversary on June 12, 2010 with MOD ROD, celebrating “like it was 1960 …” Exhibitions through the summer include the large-scale installation by Karilee Fuglem “Steady Streams, Living Rooms” and Graeme Patterson’s sculptural installation and stop-motion animation “Grudge Match”.
Rodman Hall 109 St. Paul Crescent, St. Catharines 905.684.2925 www.brocku.ca/rodmanhall/
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How are our attitudes to political leaders shaped by media images? Find out at “Love ’Em Hate ’Em: Canadians and their Politicians” showing at the St. Catharines Museum. Come see the collection of political cartoons, caricatures and other artifacts until August 29, 2010.
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St. Catharines Museum 1932 Welland Canals Parkway, St. Catharines 1.800.305.5134 www.stcatharineslock3museum.ca/MUSEUMexhibits/specialExhibits.html Photo of “The Just Society” from Canadian Museum of Civilization Collection; photo by Marie-Louise Deruaz
Jordan Art Gallery 3845 Main Street, Jordan Village 905.562.6680 www.jodanartgallery.com
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Blending the arts of papermaking and gardening, “Fluid Paper” explores the ebbs and flows of natural processes and their impact on artistic production. Wendy Cain exhibits how plant materials can be combined with paint to produce the most striking papers (until July 9, 2010).
Summer Rain, by Wendy Cain
“Roses are red, …” Come see RiverBrink Art Museum’s Hallmark card exhibition from May 22. Set in the stately home, the venue showcases a permanent collection of art, artifacts and rare books amassed by Samuel E. Weir, QC (1898–1981) including works by the Group of Seven and Augustus John.
RiverBrink Art Museum 116 Queenston Street, Queenston 905.262.4510 or www.riverbrink.org Samuel E. Weir by Kenneth Forbes 1966 © Weir Foundation 2010
The largest collection of the paintings of Canadian naïve artist William Kurelek (1927–77) in the country also contains personal artifacts and archival material. Gain insight into the artist’s unique, story-telling style and come to appreciate his unexpected interpretations of a range of subjects from pioneer life on the prairies to nuclear Armageddon.
Niagara Falls Art Gallery 8058 Oakwood Drive, Niagara Falls 905.356.1514 www.niagarafallsartgallery.ca Passion of Christ by William Kurelek, completed in 1963 © Niagara Falls Art Gallery
See one of the largest collection of Slovakian memorabilia in Ontario at the Welland Historical Museum. “Bread, Salt and Friendship” explores the legacy and lives of Slovaks in Welland since 1923 through a collection of religious memorabilia and architecture, photographs and textiles.
Welland Historical Museum 140 King Street, Welland 905.732.2215 www.wellandmuseum.ca Newspaper clipping of opening, no date
Get a glimpse of Niagara Falls history through the eyes of those daring men and women taken to the brink. The world’s largest collection of artifacts and vessels – including the only collection of original barrels – can be found at the Daredevil Gallery.
Daredevil Gallery 6170 Fallsview Boulevard, Niagara Falls 1.866.405.4629 www.imaxniagara.com/daredevil-gallery/index.cfm Barrel display from Daredevil Gallery
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Offering event attendees the opportunity to both work and play, the Centre, in addition to exhibition and meeting space, will house an intimate 1,000 seat theatre. This multi-purpose space will showcase live performances, starting May 2011, with a grand and colourful production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Those who wish to improve their business contacts offsite may, at the same time, improve their ‘game’ on several Niagara Golf courses, easily accessible from the Centre. The Niagara Region offers avid golfers dozens of Golf courses (including several championship level) that effortlessly arise from the picturesque and lush landscape. Supporting social, corporate and sustainable practices, the Niagara Convention & Civic Centre will offer businesses, visitors and staff an exceptionally environmentally healthy and eco-friendly facility. Home to many natural wonders including the Niagara Escarpment (an UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve), the Centre aims at ensuring a balanced and sustainable presence in the region.
This Leadership in Energy and Environmentally Design (LEED) Silver designed facility will make exemplary use of: recycled and regional materials; water saving processes; and energy saving & efficient systems. Committed to fully implementing green and sustainable practices, the Centre, in addition, will provide field-to-table menus, designed by its new endorsing celebrity Chef Anna Olson (Food Network Canada TV personality, author, and Niagara resident). Event attendees will have the opportunity to sample these seasonally inspired culinary creations that build on the exciting and mouth-watering flavours common to the Niagara Region. Covering an area just over 1,800 sq. km, Niagara showcases an impressive array of natural wonders, sights and attractions that distinguish it as a world class destination. The Niagara Convention & Civic Centre promises to complete the large and colourful mosaic of unconventional experiences that form the Niagara Region. Planners, for the first time, will be able to conceive events in the region at a scale never before possible; while Centre visitors and event attendees will also have the opportunity to access a large selection of consumer/trade shows. The Centre will be truly, the perfect choice to host successfully dynamic and exciting events that are Vivid, Abundant and Original!
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he Centre, located within walking distance from the trendy Fallsview Tourist District, will allow visitors and event attendees easy access to more than 5,000 high-end hotel rooms/suites along with numerous dining, retail and entertainment venues.
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illustration courtesy of niagara convention & civic centre
With much excitement and anticipation, the Niagara Convention & Civic Centre (NCCC) counts down towards its April 2011 grand opening. The 288,000 square foot convention facility, located just a mere 500 yards from the breathtaking Canadian Horseshoe Falls, will feature: an 82,000 square foot exhibition hall; a 17,000 square foot ballroom; and 26,500 square feet of flexible meeting space.
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Big Names. Intimate Setting.
Get up close and personal with the biggest headliners in show biz at the Fallsview Casino Resort’s state-of-the-art 1500-seat theatre. You’ve never been this close to huge international stars including, Ringo Starr, Jay Leno, Diana Ross, Tony Bennett, Jessica Simpson, Brooks & Dunn or The Doobie Brothers, just to name a few. With over 250 shows a year, including full-scale productions with dozens of talented singers and dancers, dazzling costumes and incredible set designs, there’s always something to take your breath away at Fallsview! It’s no wonder Fallsview Casino Resort has gained a reputation as one of Canada’s premiere live entertainment destinations!
“The Original Stars”
From American Bandstand Starring Fabian & Bobby Vee Thurs. July 1 8:30 pm, doors 7:30 pm Fri. July 2: 9 pm, doors 8 pm
Notte Italiana
Sat. July 3: 9 pm, doors 8 pm Sun. July 4: 7 pm, doors 6 pm
Tim Allen
Wed. July 7 Thurs. July 8 8:30 pm, doors 7:30 pm
Joe Piscopo
Fri. July 9 Sat. July 10 9 pm, doors 8 pm
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WRSO
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World Rock Symphony Orchestra July 17 – August 1 Showtimes: July 17, 23 & 30: 9 pm July 18, 25 & August 1: 3 pm & 7 pm July 19 – 22, 28 & 29: 8:30 pm July 24 & 31: 3 pm & 9 pm
Kevin Costner & Modern West Thurs. August 5 8:30 pm, doors 7:30 pm Fri. August 6: 9 pm, doors 8 pm
Le Grand Cirque
Tony Orlando
August 10 – 22 Mon. & Tue. 8:30 pm Wed. & Thurs. 3 pm & 8:30 pm Fri. & Sat: 3 pm & 9 pm Sun.: 3 pm & 7 pm
Thurs. September 9 8:30 pm, doors 7:30 pm Fri. September 10 9 pm, doors 8 pm
Paolo Belli & Orietta Berti
Sat. September 11: 9 pm, doors 8 pm Sun. September 12: 7 pm, doors 6 pm
Reba
Tues. August 24 Wed. August 25 8:30 pm, doors 7:30 pm
Spirit of the Dance September 17 – 26 Mon. & Tue. 8:30 pm Wed. & Thurs.: 3 pm Fri. 9 pm Sat. 3 pm & 9 pm Sun. 3 pm & 7 pm
Don Felder – An Evening At The Hotel California Thurs. August 26 8:30 pm, doors 7:30 pm Fri. August 27 Sat. August 28 9 pm, doors 8 pm
Frances Yip, Elisa Chan & Maria Cordero
Styx
Sun. August 29: 7 pm, doors 6 pm Mon. August 30 8:30 pm, doors 7:30 pm
Thurs. September 30 8:30 pm, doors 7:30 pm Fri. October 1 Sat. October 2 9 pm, doors 8 pm
Songwriter’s Night Fri. September 3 Sat. September 4 9 pm, doors 8 pm
Tickets for all shows listed may be purchased at the Fallsview Casino Resort Box Office, all Ticketmaster locations, or by calling 1-877-833-3110 or online at www.ticketmaster.ca.
Authentic Italian cuisine, a vast wine list, and an intimate, old-world atmosphere makes the perfect addition to
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Ponte Vecchio at the Fallsview Casino Resort Fallsview’s stunning collection of restaurants. 6380 Fallsview Boulevard Niagara Falls, ON 1.888.325.5788
www.fallsviewcasinoresort.com
Escabèche at Prince of Wales Casually gracious dining with a wine-flare atmosphere. Dishes are sure to delight the eye and the taste buds - a four-diamond dining experience. 6 Picton Street Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON 905.468.3246
www.vintage-hotels.com reservations@vintage-hotels.com
Tiara Restaurant at Queen’s Landing Romantic Georgian interior adorned with fresh roses, a stained-glass ceiling, and a panoramic waterfront view. Choose from an exquisite menu of traditional French cuisine with a West Coast twist. 155 Byron Street Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON 905.468.2195
www.vintage-hotels.com reservations@vintage-hotels.com
Stella’s Dining Stella’s dining lounge is an Italian Mediterranean metro city feel. Come for dinner and stay for the nightlife, your sure to have an evening full of excitement. 45 James Street St. Catharines, On 905.685.3000
www.stellasdowntown.ca
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restaurant specializing in fantastic food with an elegant
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APPLAUSE EVENTS Annual Reiger Begonia
Floral Show House Open daily 9:30 to 5:00 This fall show runs throughout September and consists of a mix of fall colours including orange, yellow, pink and white. The Reigers varieties produced have a double bloom and are approximately 1.5 inches in diameter. The Reigers will be combined with a fabulous display of coleus, tropical foliage plants and a mix of bright fall colours. At the Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens, South of the Falls, on the Niagara Parkway. Free Admission.
IlluminAqua There is no other event like this in Canada! The showcase is a blend of the basic elements of humanity; fire, music, and water. The senses are filled at every turn; one has cause to reflect, to laugh, to sing, to dance. The waterway is ablaze from the light of floating firepods while live music fills the air. This spectacular event is the first of its kind in Ontario. Mark Masri, Friday May 21 David Francey, Friday June 18 Don McLean, Friday July 9 Andy Kim, Friday August 6 Natalie MacMaste, Friday September 3 Welland, ON 905.735.1700 ext. 2777 www.illuminaqua.com
Shakespeare in the Vineyard
July 8,9,10,15,16,17 Six chances to enjoy performances of William Shakespeare’s “The Twelfth Night” at Henry of Pelham Winery. Tickets are $25 each available through the Brock University Centre for the Arts box office, purchase online or by calling the box office. 905.688.5550 ext. 3257 www.arts.brocku.ca
Niagara Wine Festival
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September 17 to 26, 2010 Join our ‘Wine Country’ celebration of Niagara’s internationally acclaimed grape and wine industry. More than 100 events including; winery tours and tasting, concerts, Niagara cuisine, wine seminars, outstanding entertainment and one of Canada’s largest parades. 905.688.0212 www.niagarawinefestival.com
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TAKE THE EASY ROAD
Destination Wedding Venues Driving Radius is 24 minutes
Family Fun.
All the fun – all the campy wax museums and fun houses of your youth are still there. But today, you’ll find more - a wholesome and safe environment with entertainment for all ages; great food, friendly hospitality and value as good as you get anywhere.
Play some billiards or challenge the video games and enjoy grown-up food and beverages. Explore the deep, exotic Rainforest, taste the Rock ‘n’ Roll or show off your musical talents with karaoke at the Beer Garden. Get a bird’s eye views of the action on the Hill or a Falls panorama with an the 80 foot gourmet buffet at the Fallsview Restaurant. Share the memories with your family.
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Fun for a lifetime. Take the Maid of the Mist to the base of the Falls and chill your blood in the World’s Haunted Capital. Get a SkyWheel view of the Niagara’s Wonder or a glimpse of it through the cascading waters of an indoor waterpark.
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Family Favourites
Bronto’s Adventure Playland
Niagara Skywheel
Niagara’s newest and largest interactive indoor/outdoor attraction featuring our Ballocity play zone! It’s family fun for all ages
The Fun House Plain old fashioned family fun! Climb, crawl, roll, twirl and laugh all your way through. Experience the Fish Bowl room, go to jail, visit the rainforest, and walk or play with the giant balls.
Jungle Friends Funhouse at Adventure City Get ready for an exciting journey where all the jungle animals will be. Make new friends once you arrive and have the time of your life!
Brick City Come and enjoy our Toy Brick City! All created by one man, you’ll marvel over the 10ft tall CN Tower, the 15ft Golden Gate Bridge and even Niagara Falls itself!
Great Canadian Midway
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70,000 square feet of fun located in the heart of Clifton Hill with over 300 games! Always a family favourite as it features the best interactive games, the FX ride simulator and the spooky Ghost Blasters Dark Ride.
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From the Bright Lights of the City, to the Thundering Waters of Niagara Falls, you’ll see it all!
Bird Kingdom at the Niagara Falls Aviary For thousands of years birds have been a source of fascination for lovers of wildlife. A place home to over 300 tropical birds from around the world, some free flying as well as observational exhibits.
Guinness Museum of World Records Human achievements are displayed throughout the worlds of entertainment, arts, literature, and the natural world. Learn record breaking, watch adventures in space, and see the crazy food eaters, and life-size models of the world’s most extraordinary humans and more.
Mystery Maze Lose yourself in the Medieval World of the Mystery Maze. Race against time to capture the Castle Towers, and search for the Mystery Sword. Getting lost has never been this much fun!
Dinosaur Park Mini Golf If being surrounded by gigantic pre-historic dinosaurs and lush vegetation excite your family, come and play miniature golf at Dinosaur Park!
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Niagara’s Haunted Capital The Haunted House Witness every kind of ghoul imaginable, a skeleton in every closet, and a ghost in every corner. It’s a great place to visit, but, believe me you wouldn’t want to stay there.
Dracula’s Haunted Castle The haunted house that let’s you choose your fate from 3 levels of fear. The entrance to the castle will draw you in even if the screams don’t.
Nightmare’s Fear Factory Spine tingling terror awaits you. Terror that will keep you on your toes, make your skin crawl and have you screaming at the top of your lungs. Families and couples have never been closer than while in our haunted halls.
Interactive Experiences
Traffic Slam Bumper Cars
Join the 5 p.m. traffic rush; this time there are no limits! Strap yourself in and get ready to drive, bump and crash your way through the city. Push, thrust, crash, and bump the cars in your way to make it where you need to be on time.
Tour Bus Swat Team Embark on the most exhilarating tour bus in Niagara. Travel the streets of Adventure City and capture all the criminals to keep the streets safe. The more villains you take down the safer the city becomes and more bragging rights you’ll enjoy.
Rock Legends Wax Museum Visit with over 60 musical artists, some dated back to the early pioneer days of Rock n’ Roll to the present day. The realism and authentic detail of our life-sized wax figures will astound you!
Dave & Busters Huddled in the warmth of your “Icedozer”, take a rocketfueled trip through the frozen arctic. Pass remote Inuit villages, along dangerous iced ravines, head up steep mountains, and through meandering tunnels to finally arrive at your mysterious destination.
Iwerks 4D Theatre Niagara Falls Dino Island II 3D Travel to the exotic and uncharted Dino Island with the Earth Science Team. Your mission: to capture the world’s only remaining T-Rex before the volcano erupts. It’s a perilous race against time. Will you go where others dare not?
Time Raiders! - FX Ride Theatre Join John Cleese (Monty Python, Harry Potter) as Professor Horace Wells and the high flying time machine that whisks you away on an incredible adventure into the past, present and future. It’s a race through time! The massive screen and high quality surround sound make you feel like a part of the show.
SpongeBob SquarePants 4D Ride Join SpongeBob and his friends from Bikini Bottom on a zany chase to catch the runaway pickle needed for a perfect Krabby Patty hamburger. Follow SpongeBob, his pet snail Gary, his crabby neighbour Squidward and his trusty buddy Patrick, the starfish. A crazy 4-D escapade you won’t soon forget!
This place runs on pure energy, with over 200 games from the classics to the latest and greatest interactive video and arcade games! Dave and Busters is a great place to EAT, DRINK and PLAY!
Strike Rock N’ Bowl Featuring 14 full size bowling lanes, high-def audio/visual system, intelligent LED lane lighting and touch screen monitors for easy scoring, this is a play zone for the entire family! Plan to stick around after bowling to enjoy a game of billiards, pin ball, high-tech arcade games and racing simulators.
Movieland A walk through Movieland is like a walk through entertainment history. You’ll see everything from classics like “Indian Jones” and the “Terminator”, to current hits like “Twilight” and “Pirates of the Caribbean.”
Ghost Blasters An interactive “black-light” adventure, where you can blast away pesky phantoms like ghosts, skeletons, ghouls, and goblins with your trusty laser gun. Are you up for the challenge?
Galaxy Golf Visit Galaxies, Atlantis, Time Travel and the Retro 60’s with Clifton Hill’s Glow in the Dark Miniature Golf Course. Come explore this 18-hole voyage!
Captain Jack’s Located in Dave and Buster’s this fun center is loaded with a 36 glow-in-the-dark mini putt golf course with games, prizes, and fun exhibits. View a large collection of treasures and artifacts along the course as well as Captain Jack’s live parrots and other exotic birds!
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Glacier Run 3D
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thrills No matter the weather, you and your family can enjoy some of Niagara’s newest and largest indoor water parks. Full of fun and delight, your kids will be talking about it for days. So come and witness what we have created here for you. You’ll certainly have a blast.
Waves indoor Waterpark
Fallsview Indoor Waterpark
Great Wolf Lodge
Americana Resort
Falls Avenue Resort
Victoria Ave.,
Lundy’s Lane,
Falls Ave.,
Niagara Falls, On
Niagara Falls, On
Niagara Falls, On
800.605.9653
905.356.8444
905.374.4445
www.greatwolf.com
866.707.0030
www.fallsviewwaterpark.com
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www.americananiagara.com
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AMERICANA WATERPARK RESORT
FALLSVIEW INDOOR WATERPARK
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Hear their Stories. Feel their Fear. GIANT SIXTY FOOT SCREEN 12,000 WATTS OF DIGITAL SURROUND SOUND SEVEN LANGUAGES • HOURLY SHOWS
The Ultimate Niagara Falls Experience
Legends egends & Daredevils Daredevil IN
KIDS UNDER 6 ARE FREE
Reach out and touch the world's largest collection of actual barrels, spheres, and daredevil chambers. LOCATED NEXT TO FALLSVIEW CASINO
1-866-405-IMAX (4629) IMAXNIAGARA.COM
H tel Pa co k ages Fro m
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$159. 0 0
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Edgewaters Tap & Grill local produce and ingredients. Offering both indoor and outdoor dining, Edgewaters’ terrace is the perfect vantage point to enjoy free concerts and fireworks
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Featuring casual pub-style fare created with fresh,
throughout the summer. 6345 Niagara Parkway Niagara Falls, ON 905.356.2217
www.niagaraparks.com npinfo@niagaraparks.com
Mama Mia’s Ristorante at the Fallsview Casino Resort Enticing aromas greet you upon entering this Italian restaurant, and you know something delicious is always cooking in Mama’s kitchen. 6380 Fallsview Boulevard Niagara Falls, ON 905.354.7471
www.mamamias.ca/fallsview
Zee’s Grill This casual yet elegant upscale dining restaurant features the best of what the season has to offer. 92 Picton Street Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON 905.468.5715
www.zees.ca info@zees.ca
Vineland Estates Restaurant Executive Chef Jan-Willem Stulp plates Niagara cuisine from a bounty of local ingredients ranging from berries to boar. A truly magical setting in the middle of rolling vineyards flaked by the Escarpment and Lake Ontario
3620 Moyer Road Vineland, ON 905.562.7088 1.888.VINELAND (846.3526)
www.vineland.com reception@vineland.com
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“Niagara’s premiere wine and cuisine experience.”
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thrills
FAMILY THRILLS EVENTS Flavours of Niagara July 2 to 4th Restaurants from around the region and Niagara VQA wineries offer local cuisine in a casual, outdoor environment with live musicians, folk arts, dance, and music. Opening ceremonies take place on Friday. Saturday and Sunday events start at 11am and a fireworks display is scheduled at dusk (10 pm) on Sunday evening. HH Knoll Park, Port Colborne, ON 905.834.1668 or 1.888.PORT.FUN
Sugarloaf Harbour Marina Canada’s finest Bass and Walleye fishing, Scuba Diving to dozens of historic ship wrecks and some of the country’s best sailing all waits for you in Port Colborne.And, Sugarloaf Harbour provides all the on-shore amenities to make your visit enjoyable whether you stay for a day, a week or the entire season. Port Colborne, ON 905.835.6644 June 5, Sugarloaf Used and New Boat Show June 18-20, Sugarloaf 444 Fishing Derby July 17, Sugarloaf One Day Walleye Derby June 20, Sugarloaf Kids Fishing Derby Sept. 4, Sugarloaf Labour Day Bash
Friendship Festival – July 5th The Friendship Festival which features spectacular concerts, entertainment, crafters and more in celebration of over 200 years of friendship between Canada and the US. 25 Niagara Parkway, Fort Erie www.friendshipfestival.com
The Welland Food Festival. October 1,2,3 The Peninsula’s Tastiest Party in its new location on King Street in beautiful downtown Welland where patrons will be able to dine on Division St. Bridge with the old Welland Canal running under them and the historical Welland Bridge as their backdrop.
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Welland, ON 905.735.1700 www.niagarafoodfestival.com
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TAKE THE Popular Fishing Sites Driving Radius is 28 minutes EASY ROAD
Say No to Shopping!
We took a drive through the countryside until we got to a place where we could gawk at Prada and Gucci while we worked up an appetite for homemade Belgian chocolates which are my weakness. We strolled the shops and did some antiquing before taking a leisurely drive back to our room to get ready for a show that night. You know, after all was said and done; our little jaunt to Pelham was fun. I have to admit that it was kind of relaxing to get away from the hustle and bustle of mall shopping and go back to an era when shopping was more unique and personable. I might even say yes to shopping the next time I’m asked. I hear that Niagara-on-the-Lake has some interesting stores...
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Shopping ranks high on my list of things I’d rather not do, so you can imagine my enthusiasm at being rudely awakened one vacation morning and hearing the words: “Let’s go shopping today!” I was surprised to hear that we would be going to Pelham. Pelham? Shopping in Pelham? Where is Pelham? It turns out that wherever you are in Niagara, it usually less than 20 minutes from where you are to a charming small town with an eclectic selection of boutiques, spas, cafes and specialty stores.
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Niagara-on-the-Lake
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Courtesy of Butterflies Boutique
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fonthill
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Courtesy of glam girl
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Courtesy of kloz etc.
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port colborne
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Courtesy of Tintern on Main
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Courtesy of Hibizcus
niagara falls
jordan
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lifestyle All we can say is that Canadian Raphael Mazzucco (photographer for Victoria’s Secret and Sports Illustrated Swimsuit editions, among others) and Parasuco, a Canadian success story, internationally known as emblematic of a new lifestyle oriented way of life really knows sex appeal.
canada one fashion outlet courtesy of Parasuco
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Only from Canada? Pity
outlet mall
To mark it’s 35th anniversary Parasuco has published a limited edition, 200 page coffee table book shot in lush Vietnam by fashion über-photographer Raphael Mazzucco.
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Who’d have guessed that we would wind up spending a whole day in Niagara Falls on Queen Street rather than along the Niagara Parkway? And, what a day it was!
As we continued on our way, feeling a bit contemplative and somewhat renewed, my wife was delighted to find Russell’s Interiors just one block west. Even the store front is an experience, taking the notion of whimsy and exuberance to new levels. Forget the mall and big box stores, and remember a world where personal aesthetics governed good taste.
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We stopped at several of the unique boutiques - fashion accessories, jewellery, toys, even graphic novels and noticed that there’s something for every taste. You can even see some of Angelo Rossi’s unique and original cranberry glass at his glassblowing studio or immerse yourself in the visual and performing arts (a bit of jazz, perhaps) at the recently restored Seneca Theatre.
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Queen Street has bistros with organic java, real Parisian crêpes, and pizza to die for. And, remember, you can always do the Falls another day … Something is happening in Niagara Falls - a renaissance that’s turned the Queen Street Arts and Culture District into an oasis of the eclectic.
Visit www.queenstreetniagarafalls.com
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lthough we’d expected a day jostling through the crowds along Clifton Hill and taking in the majesty of the Falls, my wife, son and I began our day on the other side of town - looking through the window of the John Newby Gallery. John is a softly spoken fellow, not given to hyperbole, who is likely to give you practical answers to esoteric questions. For John, a love of hockey (“unfortunately I’m a Leaf’s fan”) and the joy of family have given him a chance to witness some of life’s milestones – and capture them evocatively in painting.
One experience
after another Packed with fun-filled attractions, worldclass hotels and dining, exciting nightlife and family adventure, the New Niagara Falls is a vacation paradise. Visit NiagaraFallsTourism.com to plan your next getaway!
What's your perfect Niagara Falls getaway?
Come Explore!
1-800-56Falls (32557)
NiagaraFallsTourism.com/stay
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The easy-to-use Niagara Falls Tourism website is full of travel tips & tools and great Niagara Offers, to help you make your next stay memorable AND affordable.
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article courtesy of niagara parks commission
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eyond its well known natural wonders, its history, and cultural attractions, the Niagara Region has plenty to offer event planners no matter what their needs may be. For small corporate meetings to large scale trade/ consumer shows, Niagara has the perfect venue. Scheduled to open April 2011, the Niagara Convention & Civic Centre will offer more than 288,000 square feet of flexible meeting and event space. From 50 to 10,000 guests, corporate functions to trade/consumer shows, this Leadership in Energy and Environmentally Design (LEED) Silver Designed facility will draw from the magnificence of the Falls (just 500 yards away) creating a dramatic environment that will allow visitors to both work and play. The Sheraton on the Falls Conference Centre offers the majestic Great Room, and over 35 additional meeting rooms, some featuring a spectacular view of Niagara Falls. The Sheraton Conference Center can host events for 13 to 3000 guests comfortably. The 15000 sq.ft. Great Room was designed to meet the needs of all conferences and events, from 18-foot ceilings, to a full stage, drop screens, and capabilities for state of the art audio/visual setup.
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Situated on the Falls Avenue Entertainment Complex, provides meeting planners and co-coordinators with unparalleled access to first-rate attractions and themed restaurants for inclusion in planning and incentive based initiatives.
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The Hilton Hotel and Suites, with its amazing 53 stories, all-suite tower (the tallest in Canada) offers sophisticated and contemporary meeting areas with convention facilities. Catering services can handle corporate functions to large banquet events. The conference facilities are a total of 12,000 sq. ft. and expand to the second level overlooking the brilliantly decorated atrium and waterfall. Each Niagara Falls Convention venue is close to over 5,000 high-end hotel rooms, dozens of restaurants and entertainment venues, including the astounding billion dollar Fallsview Casino Resort.
For events and/or retreats requiring a more charming ambience, event planners need not go too far. Nestled within vineyards and quaint rural vistas, the extraordinary White Oaks Conference Resort & Spa sits on 13 acres in the heart of one of Canada’s most idyllic settings, Niagara-on-theLake. This unique conference resort and spa offers visitors a Boutique hotel atmosphere with the services and amenities of a 5 Star Resort. White Oaks is just minutes away from dozens of Niagara attractions such as the Shaw Festival Theatre, the Niagara Wine Route (with direct access to 22 highly renowned wineries), the Welland Canal, and many more world class attractions. Carefully crafted to be the ultimate meeting space, this modernly elegant 67,000 square foot facility offers stateof-the-art audio and visual equipment as well as unparalleled attention to detail and comfort ensuring successful events --every time!. With a full range of amenities and conveniences, including extensive meeting and banquet space for up-to 2,000 guests, Quality Hotel Parkway Convention Centre, in St. Catharines, is one of Niagara’s main destinations for event planners and visitors wishing quick and easy access to the region’s many attractions. Minutes from historic Port Dalhousie, Pen Centre Mall, the St. Catharines Farmers’ Market, and the exciting nightlife in downtown St. Catharines, the Parkway’s strategic location serves as the perfect base for visitors wishing to do ‘more’ after a long day of corporate functions. Now, more than ever, event planners will discover Niagara to be a four season destination, abundant with natural beauty, rich with history, full of colourful events and flavours, plus a large selection of meeting spaces, making it the perfect place for their next conference, company retreat or corporate meeting. For more information on what Niagara can do for your next successful meeting and/or event, contact Niagara Convention & Civic Centre, President & General Manager, Kerry Painter at: kpainter@fallsconventions.com
Located in the heart of Niagara and features Italian cuisine and California flair that has been awarded Best Restaurant, five years in a row by Tourism Niagara.
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Carpaccio Restaurant and Wine Bar
6840 Lundy’s Lane Niagara Falls, ON 905.371.2063
www.carpacciorestaurant.com info@carpacciorestaurant.com
Casa Mia Ristorante Dedicated to providing a quiet, intimate dining experience. It is a place of gathering for food lovers who pay homage to the creativity, flair, and culinary expression. 3518 Portage Road Niagara Falls, ON 905.356.5410
www.casamiaristorante.com dominic@casamiaristorante.com
Mai Vi (Modern Vietnamese) The diverse flavours found in Vietnamese foods take your palate on a rollercoaster with unique and subtle cuisine. Treat yourself to something healthy and delicious. 55 St. Paul Street St. Catharines, ON 905.988.1426
www.maivi.ca
PowWow Unlike any other place in the area, this restaurant features an alive and vibrant feel with a menu that has a global fusion style. It is sure to boost your taste buds! 165 Saint Paul Street 905.688.3106
www.powwowrestaurant.com
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St. Catharines, ON
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LIFESTYLE EVENTS Canal Days,
July 30 to 31 August 1 to 2 The Tall Ships gather for a four-day celebration of history and heritage. Explore the decks, try your hand at the wheel, or feel the spray as you cruise a Tall Ship on Lake Erie Port Colborne 905.834.1668 www.portcolborne.ca
Canalfest Car Show
July 4 Up to 250 antique cars will be on display and competing for cash and prizes. Lock 8 Park, Port Colborne 905.835.1867 www.portcolborne.com
Friday Fright Nights
June 18 to Labour Day thrill yourself with eerie stories of the ghosts of Canada’s bloodiest battlefield. Friday nights, starting at 7:00 p.m. Old Fort Erie 905.871.0540 www.oldforterie.com
Jackson-Triggs’ Twilight in the Vineyard Jackson-Triggs Niagara Estate Winery celebrates the 10th season of its concert series, bringing some of Canada’s best musicians to perform at its open-air amphitheatre. 2010 will also see the return of Rootstock (Dates in August to be confirmed) - a unique event featuring multiple Canadian artists sharing stories and song. Tom Cochrane with Andrew Cole (July 3) The Canadian Tenors (July 16) Chantal Kreviazuk & Raine Maida (August 8) Michael Kaeshammer & Jill Barber (August 21) Sarah Harmer (September 4).
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Niagara-on-the-Lake 905.468.4637 www.jacksontriggswinery.com
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TAKE THE EASY ROAD
Destination Spas Driving Radius is 28 minutes
Pamper yourself. Yes, that’s an idea!
Or embark on your journey of well-being at the White Oaks Spa, where wellness, both physically and mentally are cornerstones of their philosophy; leave time at the door and enter a place where your mind is free to wander until it’s time to tee off or challenge your partner with tennis or squash. Immerse yourself in Senses, the full-service spa at the Americana where your partner and the kids can splash to their hearts content while you calm and refresh yourself. Across Niagara you’ll find real opportunities to unwind without leaving the world behind.
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In Niagara we know that feeling rejuvenated just means you’re ready for more. Try the The Spa, Fallsview Casino’s luxurious and comprehensive relaxation centre. Surround yourself in a world of pure serenity; rejuvenating therapeutic massage, soothing manicure, facial, body wrap or other all-natural service. Now you’re ready for some gaming excitement or the big act at the Avalon.
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W
hile this nursery rhyme might have been true a century ago, today’s farmers’ markets (at least the ones I patronize) focus more on selling “end-user friendly” products. In Niagara, these products usually include, but aren’t limited to, fruits, vegetables, eggs, cheese, baked goods, meats and fresh-cut flowers. Almost half of the Niagara Region is situated on the Ontario Plain, a relatively large expanse of fairly flat land with fertile, sandy soils and a favourable climate. We are lucky enough to live in that part of the Ontario Plain called the Niagara Fruitbelt, where much of Canada’s soft fruits and vines are grown. This area has the ideal combination of a moist and mild climate and soils to grow a wide variety of fruit and vegetable crops. In fact, we have the best climate in Canada for growing grapes and soft fruits. Over 90% of Canada’s grapes and 85% of Canada’s peaches and nectarines are grown right here in Niagara. With all this going for us, it’s no wonder that we have such a large number of farmers’ markets in the region. Almost every municipality in Niagara has its own market, either operating year-round or seasonally, for your benefit. “For my benefit?” you exclaim. “But I can just go across town to the supermarket to pick up my fruits and veggies. It’s more convenient.” To this, I answer, “Yes, for your benefit.” Let me explain why. The short and simple answer is this; at farmers’ markets the produce that is sold is generally picked ripe and gets to you, the consumer, within a few days of harvesting. Supermarket produce can take two or more weeks to travel from farm to store. The produce is picked prior to being ripe and ages in a refrigerated transport truck as it travels. At farmers’ markets, you get the freshest foods available and fresh means better quality, better flavour and better health.
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But there are reasons other than quality to shop at farmers’ markets. To start with, you get to meet and talk to the farmers who grow your food and you know, without a doubt, where your food is coming from. You get to support local family farmers and have the opportunity to put more money into their pockets.
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Did you know that commercial farmers get only about $0.25 of every dollar worth of produce sold in chain supermarkets? At markets, the farmers get the whole dollar (minus their stall rental, of course) and by eliminating the middleman there is a cost savings to you as well.
Buying local also encourages regional farming. If farming were more widespread regionally, we could save fuel and other resources spent on long distance hauling and reduce our overdependence on other growing regions of the world that may not be able to continue producing high volumes indefinitely or that cut down rainforests to make room for more agricultural land. When produce is grown and purchased locally, the money remains in the community and stimulates the local economy. Working farms also preserve “open spaces” and cut back on the urban development that is spreading into our prime fruitlands and increasing land taxes for the farmers and eventually for us. At farmers’ markets, producers from an area gather together to sell their goods to local residents. A real sense of community is established with residents meeting and interacting with one another while they visit and shop.
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Farmers’ markets support a sustainable food system that benefits all involved. By offering regionally grown produce and other local goods, farmers’ markets allow small family farms to stay in business, which then protects viable land from being developed, ultimately leaving consumers with the ability to purchase fresh local foods. It’s a win-win situation. So, get out there and visit your local farmers’ market. Mingle with your neighbours, support the local economy, help stop global warming, save money and eat healthy.
Home again, home again, jiggety-jig! article courtesy of gary stickles
LOCATION
OPEN
Tuesdays,
St. Catharines Farmers’ Market
Behind City Hall between
Market Square
King & James Streets
Pelham
Located in Town Hall
May to
Farmers’ Market
Municipal Parking Lot
October
Welland
50 Market Lane - corner of
Farmer’s Market
Young & Division Streets
Smithville
Convenience Street
May to
Farmers’ Market
Parking Lot
October
Brock University Farmers’
Jubilee Courtyard
June to
Market
Brock University
Niagara-on-the-Lake: The Farmer’s Market at the Village Grimsby Farmers’ Market
Port Colborne Farmers’ Market
111 Garrison Village Drive Corner of Niagara Stone & Niven Roads St. Georges’ Ukranian Church Corner of Ontario & Adelaide Streets Market Square 66 Charlotte Street in front of City Hall
Year Round
Year Round
September May to October May to October
May to September
Towpath Street
May to
Farmers’ Market
Municipal Parking Lot
October
Sylvia Place Market
4310 Queen Street
Thursdays & Saturdays
Thorold
Niagara Falls
DAY(S)
Year Round
Thursdays
Saturdays
Saturdays
Fridays
Saturday
Thursdays
Fridays Sundays Saturdays
Saturdays
OPERATING TIMES 5:30 a.m 3:00 p.m. 4:30 p.m. to dusk 6:00 a.m 12:00 p.m. 6:00 a.m. 12:00 p.m. 11:00 a.m. 2:00 p.m.
Mornings
3:30 p.m. 7:00 p.m. 6:00 a.m. 1:00 p.m. 8:00 a.m. 1:00 p.m. 7:00 a.m. 12:00 p.m. 6:00 a.m. 12:00 p.m.
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relax article courtesy of wine county ontario
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You’re a wine lover. Wine is culture, wine is history, wine is art and science happily married‌ and it tastes damned good. But in the 21st century, you know that regional monopolies on quality are history.
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There are four growing regions in Ontario, but the Niagara Peninsula is home to Canada’s largest. In addition to its world wonder, the region has become a mecca for wine lovers. What makes Niagara special as a wine-growing region is its unique climate: the combination of the moderating lake effect and the protection offered by the 335m high Niagara Escarpment ensures that grapes (and other tender fruits) can ripen reliably. Still, some of the most successful wines are made from coolclimate loving grapes, like the Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc and Pinot Noir. Being also slightly cooler than Mendocino in winter, reliable sub-zero temperatures have made Ontario a world leader in Icewine production. The beauty of the wine business is the diversity of people it attracts. Within an hour’s drive you can be rubbing shoulders with winemakers in Grimsby, Beamsville and Vineland, along the so-called “Niagara Bench”, sipping a pure, crisp Riesling or elegant Pinot Noir in Twenty Valley.
photography courtesy of the ontario wine council
A first stop might be Peninsula Ridge where you may see proprietor Norman Beal, former oil futures trader, driving his forklift around the cellar as though he’d been doing it all his life. Stop for lunch at the Kitchen House next door and meet the locavore husband-wife, chef-sommelier team Ross and Wendy Midgley. Further east down Hwy 8, swing right up Cherry Avenue. Partway up the escarpment, you’ll see the curious sight of sheep grazing among the vines: this is Tawse Winery, where winemaker Paul Pender blends ancient wisdom with modern technology, taking organic farming to new heights in banking CEO Morey Tawse’s modern six-level, gravity-fed winery. It’s no wonder the wines are so good. Another few minutes up the escarpment and you’ll find yet another world: the rural, down-to-earth atmosphere at Henry of Pelham, the family estate of the Speck brothers. Bottling wine since 1988, Daniel Speck recounts nostalgically the experience of planting a vineyard by hand after he finished his homework. Take the QEW past St. Catharines and exit when you see White Oaks Resort and Niagara College. Visit the French-style Château des Charmes, and with any luck the grande dame of the house, Madame Bosc, will greet and show you into the tasting room.
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Visit www.winecountryontario.ca to download copies of the Official Guide to Wineries of Ontario and the Wine Route Map. Invaluable for anyone planning to visit Ontario’s wine regions, the guides also include shopping and attractions, regional directories of accommodations, dining, and useful tips for making winery touring easy and fun.
Icewine Ontario’s world-renowned Icewines reflect a wonderful harmony between luscious sweetness and refreshing acidity, making them versatile enough to match with either savoury appetizers or desserts. Under strict VQA regulations, Icewine can only be produced by grapes picked off the vine at or below - 8°C. Picked by hand at night (which prevents the grapes from thawing), then pressed while still frozen, the grapes produce a small quantity of highly concentrated – not to mention intensely flavoured and incredibly smooth – wine.
Visit www.winecountryontario.ca
Beyond good wine, Ontario wine country is a full-service tourist destination, attracting an estimated one-million visitors annually. It’s taken 30 years, but a critical mass of wineries, restaurants, accommodations, spas, and other tourist draws and cultural events appears to have finally been reached.
Take Hwy 55 towards historic Niagara-on-the-Lake and you’ll pass a who’s who of local vintners such as Southbrook (more Newfoundland sheep, biodynamic wines, pizza oven on the patio) and Stratus with its LEEDS-certified winery. Or take the scenic Niagara Parkway along the river, the Silverado Trail of Niagara, and admire the grand old Manor House of Riverview Cellars. Visit one of the original modern-era Ontario wineries at Reif Estates and stop in to sample Derek Barnett’s fine old vine cuvées at Lailey Vineyards.
Although Hillebrand was one of the first commercial Icewine producers in the region, Inniskillin Wineries won the first major international award, the Grand Prix d’Honneur, in 1991 at Vinexpo, France. And, this has been just the tip of the iceberg: the awards just keep coming in. Niagara is the world’s best winter wine destination with the Icewine harvest in December and the threeweek Icewine festival in January. Why not celebrate winter in a new way next year? You’ll soon come to appreciate why Ontario is the only region in the world to make this treasured wine every year.
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ake Ontario’s great wines for example. Ontario wines are cool. From tuned-in sommeliers to international critics, VQA wines (100% locally produced) are getting noticed. And, Ontario wine country is infinitely more accessible and less expensive than a trip to the Napa Valley or Bordeaux. Touring local wineries can become a regular outing.
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relax Roll up your sleeves and get in there yourself!
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iagara has established itself as a world-class wine region with awardwinning wines and regional cuisine served amidst scenery that will take your breath away. But in today’s reality, foodies and wine lovers want more. Real experiences that bring hands-on understanding - beyond theory and a true appreciation of a lifestyle that values quality and sustainability.
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Get your hands dirty with experts who are committed to their labours and who will walk you through what they do, how it‘s done and why they do it. These aren’t - watch what the professionals do it and take a picture events! This is training that transforms your knowledge and brings depth to appreciation.
Flat Rock Cellars – In the Winemaker’s Boots Prepare yourself for a hands-on, full-day seminar. Experience first hand the magic of life at the winery. Each session includes four uniquely different winemaking components that take place throughout the day. www.flatrockcellars.com 905.562.8994
Peller Estates – Extreme Wine Weekend Engage yourself in a variety of intensive wine training sessions. A promise that will tickle your taste buds, guests will experience everything under the sun from blind tasting to barrel sampling, wine training to vineyard lunches and even a test of knowledge during a wine challenge face-off. www.peller.com 905.468.4678
As one of the original farm to table dining
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Hands On Taste experiences in Niagara’s wine country, The Good Earth celebrates the gifts that the land has to offer and showcases the bounty of each season at its table. In the warmer months, with an intimate “demo” style cooking class (up to 12 people), they fire up the grills and barbecues in their fabulous al fresco kitchen. What better way to pay homage to Niagara’s bounty. A time of impeccable flavours enhanced by the company of friends. Cooking as it was meant to be. In a time of farm-to-table dining and 100 mile menus, what could be more to the point. Entertaining and talented chefs that share more than a plate with you. Good conversation, shared experiences and an intimate, interactive culinary adventure.
The Good Earth Food and Wine Co. Good Wine, Good Food & Good Times A small gem set amidst the splendour of the
Because there isn’t a special gene for wine appreciation. An Eco-Tour where you will learn about sustainable-winemaking practises and even get your hands dirty as you learn to plant and care for the vine. At the end of your journey guests will be sent off with a plant of their very own. www.henryofpelham.com 905.684.8423
Strewn– Vigneron Discovery Series
www.goodearthfoodandwine.com
Strewn “The Wine Country Cooking School” Located within Strewn, an estate winery in the beautiful town of Niagara-on-the-
Celebrate the relationship of the winemaker
Lake – is a unique culinary experience for
to the land. Learn the importance of pruning, sunlight, harvesting, and the principles of biodynamic agriculture. Being a Vigneron means cultivating the vineyards and making wine from the grapes, and guests will do just that. Learn your way around the vineyard at sessions throughout the summer.
recreational cooks. As Canada’s first winery cooking school, they are focused on the relationship between food and wine. Strewn is equally excited about the abundance of fresh products grown in the region and showcase them in recipes and menus that reflect the seasons.
www.strewnwinery.com
www.strewnwinery.com
905.468.1229
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Henry of Pelham – Dirty Hands Events
Twenty Valley in the Niagara wine region. The Good Earth is best known for incorporating the bounty of a working farm and the local area with wines from petite lot vineyards, carefully tended by gentle hands and harvested with care. The entire Good Earth experience, from tasting room (bite size food with wine pairings), to the cooking school, to enjoying a patio lunch or a Good Earth picnic gives visitors an opportunity to explore their passion for good food without pretension. At the end of a dusty lane in Beamsville, it’s all good.
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RELAX EVENTS Simcoe Days
July 31 to August 2 The Civic Holiday is known as Simcoe Day in some parts of Ontario. Stop by the Mackenzie Printery on “Simcoe Day” and learn how the nation’s oldest printing press helped John Graves Simcoe shape the province of Upper Canada. Queenston Street, Queenston 905.262.5676
The Siege of Fort Erie
August 7 to 8 Witness the battles of 1814 that turned Old Fort Erie into Canada’s bloodiest battlefield. On-going events continue throughout the weekend and special evening lantern tours through the fort after the Battle re-enactment are available. 350 Lakeshore Road Fort Erie, ON 905.871.0540 www.oldforterie.com
Port Dalhousie Canada Day Celebrations July 1 Fun for the whole family at the Lion’s Club Carnival (starting June 30 through to July 4, 2010) with midway rides and one of the summer’s largest fireworks displays on the shores of Lake Ontario. Port Dalhousie Business Association 905.937.4783 www.portdalhousie.com
Niagara Wine Fall Festival
September 17 to 26 Enjoy more than 100 events including winery tours and tastings, concerts, Niagara cuisine, wine seminars, live entertainment and one of Canada’s largest street parades during the 59th Niagara Wine Festival. Last year the Niagara Wine Festival attracted thousands of visitors to Niagara’s wine country, making it the largest wine festival in the Country.
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905.688.0212 www.niagarawinefestival.com
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TAKE THE Popular Fruit Stand Areas Driving Radius is 28 minutes EASY ROAD
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Cannery Restaurant at Pillar and Post The next generation of cuisine leaves a lasting impression. Experience a blend of delicacies from the Niagara Region. 48 John Street West Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON 905.468.2123
www.vintage-hotels.com reservations@vintage-hotels.com
The Rainbow Room AT Crowne Plaza Hotel At Fallsview Rainbow Room Restaurant the pleasant mixture of breathtaking falls views, menus with a ‘zest of Niagara’ and a friendly inviting staff create a unique fine dining experience in Niagara Falls. 5685 Falls Avenue Niagara Falls, ON 905.374.4447
www.niagarafallshotels.com
Terripan Grille Fallsview Restaurant at Marriott Niagara Falls Fallsview Hotel & Spa Enhance your dining experience with a breathtaking view of the Falls from your table with a dinner that delights your taste buds with local harvests and awardwinning Niagara wines 6740 Fallsview Boulevard Niagara Falls, ON 905.357.7300
www.niagarafallsmarriot.com
With a jazzy yet comfortable atmosphere this bistro provides a casual fine dining experience. Transition your day into an evening of relaxation with friends and family. 3350 Merrittville Highway Thorold, ON 905.641.1138
www.grillonthehill.com
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Grill on the Hill
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appreciate Visit www.willowbank.ca or call 905.262.1239
History definitely does not have to be boring. Imagine a place where the old and the new enrich each other ‌
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s one of the oldest settled areas in the province, the site of the Willowbank School of Restoration Arts has seen human activity for at least 9,000 years. Its strategic location overlooking the lower Niagara River has drawn successive generations from the First Nations peoples to Europeans. Taking its name from a once mighty grove of willow trees, the Classical Revival house was built for the Hamilton family between 1834 and 1836. Later owned by the Bright family, the house has also been home to the Missionary Sisters of Christian Charity and the Appleton Boys School. Today a National Historic Site, Willowbank has something for everyone: an educational institution, a venue for discussion and debate, breathtakingly beautiful gardens, opportunities to experience heritage and culture.
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It is all about continuity between the past and present while looking into the future.
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And, when we think of Willowbank, most of us probably conjure up images of students painstakingly peeling back the layers of history to reveal the hidden artifact. With its commitment to sustainability while preserving the integrity of the past, Willowbank School of Restoration is quickly becoming recognized as a centre of excellence in the area of heritage conservation and cultural resource management.
But, this is only just the beginning. Willowbank is about so much more, hosting an eclectic mix of active and contemplative, old and new. The signature fundraising event, the Jazz Festival, occurs annually in June. The day of music and refreshments culminates in a silent auction event that allows guests to show their support for the foundation. Every summer the grounds crack of bullet fire and the smell of gunpowder as reenactors from across Ontario spend a weekend recreating the training practice of civilian volunteers at the Militia Muster event. Or, one can plan for the bi-yearly, black-tie Harvest Moon Ball that showcases the romance and delights of the gardens and house. Not convinced yet? Consider acquainting yourself with the historic site by taking a $5 guided tour or enjoy the grounds free of charge.
Do you remember what you learned in school? As the Bicentennial of the War of 1812 approaches one contentious point between us and our neighbours may very well be: Who won the war? So if you bump into some Americans, remind yourself who won but
A visit to Niagara is a chance to see our history come alive. It’s a chance to renew our pride in our heritage, our grit, our determination. It’s a chance to learn about blood and bravery and art and architecture. A chance to experience the lives of our ancestors and even see a real cannon ball actually being fired! What’s cooler than that?
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make sure you’re sensitive to their point of view. Isn’t that the Canadian way?
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appreciate Niagara encompasses a unique landscape that is rich in historical and natural significance. From Twenty Valley to the tip of the Peninsula, Niagara celebrates our heritage. In fact, along the Niagara Parkway alone, you’ll find over 100 monuments and plaques that identify the landmarks, events and persons important to the history of the region and to the birth of our country. Experience “Canada in the making” at our fascinating and interactive historic sites. The Niagara Heritage Trail Attractions invite you to step back in time to experience of a day in the life of our ancestors. From Old Fort Erie to the Laura Secord Homestead, entertaining and informative interpreters in period costumes re-create the lives and times of the War of 1812. Old Fort Erie
Mackenzie Printery & Newspaper Museum
The British Garrison comes alive within the walls of this War of 1812 Fort, the bloodiest battlefield in the history of Canada. Guided tours of the house are available during the summer.
In this restored home of rebel publisher William Lyon Mackenzie you can explore 500 years of printing technology hands-on. Guided tours of the house are available during the summer.
Located 30 minutes south of the Falls on the Niagara Parkway, at 350 Lakeshore Rd., Fort Erie, Ontario
Located 15 minutes north of the Falls on the scenic Niagara Parkway, at 1 Queenston St., Queenston, Ontario
Laura Secord Homestead
The Jordan Historical Museum
During the war of 1812, a brave woman set out on a perilous journey in the service of her country, and stepped forever into the history and folklore of Canada. Visit her restored homestead as interpreted by authentically costumed guides. Guided tours of the house are available during the summer.
Built in 1859 the Museum’s limestone school house has been lovingly restored to the Edwardian period c.1908. Opposite it sits a true architectural gem, the 1815 Fry family farmhouse, with its medieval German architecture, is believed to be the oldest of its type in Canada. The grounds also include a giant cider press from the era, a reproduction Conestoga wagon and a restored horse drawn mail wagon. The Heritage House features local history, a Fraktur gallery showcasing traditional Pennsylvania German folk art and a research library with many rare and out-of-print books and a large local genealogy section. Admisson is by donation, except for booked groups.
Located 15 minutes north of the Falls on the scenic Niagara Parkway at 29 Queenston St., Queenston, Ontario
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McFarland House
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Experience a taste of 1840’s Georgian lifestyle and pace. Explore the period herb garden and guided tours of the house with costumed interpreters. Located 20 minutes north of the Falls at 15927 Niagara Parkway, in the beautiful McFarland Point Park
Located 5 minutes SOUTH OF THE QEW, 3802 MAIN STREET, JORDAN, ONTARIO
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Adjacent to the Fallsview Casino
CALL 1.877.695.2795 or visit us online at www.oakeshotel.com Guaranteed the Best Value & Best Selection of Packages in Niagara Falls
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Award-winning Restaurants
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Visit www.stcatharines.ca or call 905.688.5601 ext. 1927
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Visit www.freedomtrail.ca or call 905.688.5601 ext. 1731
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Battle routes through the War of 1812–14 As the bicentennial approaches, let us consider some of the more notorious battles – as well as those lesser-known skirmishes – associated with the War of 1812–14. The year 1813 saw some of the bitterest fighting when the American forces’ deep incursions into the peninsula were relentlessly pushed back by a combination of British forces, Canadian militia, First Nations warriors and Black volunteers. The American occupation was to last until early December, when the last of them retreated back over the Niagara River.
In ruins: May 25, 1813 saw the annihilation of Fort George by more than 8,000 foot soldiers and a fleet of warships as the Americans tried to take control of the Niagara peninsula. The British army abandoned the entire area – including Fort Erie – and retreated to Burlington Heights (now Hamilton) in disarray. A Goliathian struggle: Equipped with fewer than 1,000 men they went against more than 3,000 Americans at Stoney Creek on June 6, 1813, the British under Brigadier General John Vincent mounted an audacious night attack. In the bright light of day, the Americans found themselves without leaders – and began their six-month retreat. On land and on water: Retreating to Fort George, the American soldiers were harassed from all directions by British troops, Canadian militia and Six Nations warriors. At Forty Mile Creek (Grimsby) on June 8, 1813, they came faceto-face with the might of the Royal Navy and lost 20 boats. Preserving freedom: Runchey’s Tavern (Jordan) was a favourite meeting place for British troops during the summer of 1813. The proprietor, Robert Runchey, was one of the commanding officers of the company of black volunteers, known as the “Colored Corps,” who rallied under the British flag in 1812. Guerilla warfare: Laura Secord’s famous trek may have secured the success of the Battle of Beaverdams on June 24, 1813. But, the battle would never have been won had the American forces not been completely overwhelmed when ambushed by First Nations warriors at Beaverdams (Thorold).
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Shipwrecked! Still hopeful of more sustained penetration in the region, the Americans mounted another attack by water. Stormy conditions, however, forced two schooners to founder and all men were lost on August 8, 1813. In 1973, wrecks of the Hamilton and the Scourge were discovered off shore from Port Dalhousie.
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“The army lies panic-struck …”: American forces were pushed further back into the shell of Fort George throughout the summer and autumn of 1813. Although the invaders were encouraged by successes with the Detroit campaign, morale was undermined as a result of prolonged guerilla warfare. The burning of Niagara: With word of an advancing British force and in the face of continued defeats, Brigadier General George McClure ordered the burning of the Town of Niagara. The British response to this atrocity was swift and equally devastating: the destruction of communities along the Niagara frontier from Youngstown to Buffalo New York. Article Courtesy of Sarah King Head, MA, PhilM
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Looking for that perfect find - one that carries a bit more meaning than you find at the big box store? For your family or friends or for your home, Niagara helps you find the right gift to celebrate Canadian history and craftsmanship. Jordan
S&B Antique Gallery 905.562.5415 www.sbantiquegallery.com Vineland Antiques Etc. 905.562.9145 www.vinelandantiques.ca Glass Art 905.562.9820 www.glassartandcrafts.com Ninavik Native Arts 905.562.8888 www.ninavik.com Old Mill Artisans 905.562.1400 www.oldmillartisans.com Heritage Gift Shop 905.562.4849
The Queens Antiques 905.688.9649 Niagara Parks Commission Queen Victoria Place Gift Shop Maid of the Mist Marketplace Niagara Heritage Trial Gift Shops Sir Adam Beck II Gift Shop Table Rock - Canadian Treasures The Butterfly Gift Shop Whirpool Aero Car Gift Shop White Water Walk Gift Shop www.niagaraparks.com
Niagara Falls
Niagara-on-the-Lake
Canada Trading Company 800.263.2557 cliftonhill.com
Ciutadella Gallery 905.468.8190 www.ciutadellagallery.com Lakeshore Antiques & Treasures 905.646.1965 www.lakeshoreantiques.ca Lakeside Pottery 905.934.2904 escape to niagara
The Kenneth Lane Smith Gallery 905.468.0068 www.kennethlanesmithgallery.com
The Canada Store 905.562.9714 www.thecanadastore.ca Angie Strauss Art Gallery 905.468.2570 www.angiestrauss.com
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Romance Collection Gallery 905.468.4431 www.romancecollection.com
Pearls & Treasures 905.468.7053 pearlsandtreasures.com Queenston Pottery 905.262.4196
Blue Moose Trading Co 800.668.8840
Skylon Gift Shops 800.814.9577 skylon.com Souvenir City 866.344.0985 www.souvenirsniagara.com/contact/
Virgil MIKreations Art & Frame Gallery 905.468.7938 Europa Antiques in the Old Church 905.468.3130 www.europa-antiques.com
photography courtesy of Ninavik Native Arts
Audrey Griffith Antiques 905.562.4666
Minutes from town but miles from ordinary, with a breathtaking view of the Niagara Escarpment. Elegant cuisine using fresh Niagara produce, and an awardwinning collection of VQA wines.
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Queenston Heights Restaurant
14184 Niagara Parkway Queenston, ON 905.262.4274
www.niagaraparks.com npinfo@niagaraparks.com
Pan Café A healthy, delicious and all natural choice. Vegan, vegetarian, meat-eater and gluten or lactose free diets welcome! 120 Saint Paul Street St. Catharines, ON 905.687.8704
www.pancafe.ca
Treadwell’s Restaurant Undertaking the European concept of “Farm-totable” dining, Treadwell’s emphasizes the best artisan producers of the Niagara Region. 61 Lakeport Road Port Dalhousie, On 905.934.9797
www.treadwellcuisine.com
The Charles Inn Original crystal chandeliers, warm persimmon colour, upholstered banquettes and Wingback chairs in a historical 1832 home. 209 Queen Street 905.468.4588
www.thecharlesinn.ca inquire@charlesinn.ca
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Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON
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APPRECIATE EVENTS Friends at the Fort
July 1 to 4th During the two national holidays of Canada and the United States, the old fort is home to both Canadian troops who garrisoned the post and their former American adversaries. 350 Lakeshore Road, Fort Erie ON 905.871.0540 www.oldforterie.com
Marshville Heritage Festival
Labour Day Weekend Juried Arts & Crafts Show featuring 155 artisans on the grounds of a re-created 19th century rural village. Marshville features costumed demonstrations of 19th century chores. Village of Wainfleet 905.899.9995
Canada Day Family Street Party July 1 from 11 am to 5 pm Come celebrate Canada with us on July 1 in Market Square. Don’t miss all the fun and excitement planned for the day that includes fun for everyone. Live entertainment. Licensed food & beverage area and children’s area. St. Catharines, ON 905.688.5501 ext 1508 www.stcatharines.ca
Sunset Music Series
Tuesdays 7 to 8:30 p.m., July 6 to August 31 Tune in on Tuesdays from 7-8:30 p.m for music geared to the tastes of people of all ages. Each concert features a different theme from jazz to rock to country and more. Butterballs Express will be offering its fare at the park from 5:30 p.m.
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July 6 – Lincoln Concert Band July 13 – Sandy Vine and the Midnights July 20 – Niagara Regional Police Male Chorus July 27 – Elton Lammie August 3 – Walter Ostanek August 10 – Tiannah Jazz with a Twist August 17 – Barroom Buzzards August 24 – Jimmy Marando Swing Band August 31 – Flat Broke.
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TAKE THE EASY ROAD
Charles Daley Park Jordan, Ontario www.sunsetmusicseries.ca
Antiquing in Niagara Driving Radius is 35 minutes
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