Best Vertical Product: 2nd place - Eganville Leader - Discover the Valley

Freelance writer and photographer Lesley Cassidy captured fall mist on the Madawaska River with colourful maples in the background.

The Ottawa Valley is at its best in autumn!

Spectacular foliage and the bount y of farms and gardens inspire leisurely countr y drives to church suppers, har vest festivals and roadside produce stands. The pioneer set tlers would be proud of the emergence of traditional heritage food and drink which is slowly bringing culinar y acclaim to the area.

From small farms raising heritage or specialty livestock to brewers working with locally grown hops, bakeries and even a distiller y using ingredients from nearby farms, the flavours of the Valley are in ready supply and showcased at fairs, farmers markets and special events such as Taste of the Valley. On the weekend before Thanksgiving, the Autumn Studio Tour brings visitors and locals to the homes and studios of the many renowned craf tspeople and ar tists who live and work in these scenic hills.

The cooler days and brilliant colours are ideal for exploring by hiking, walking, bicycling, canoeing or by ATV or motorcycle on a well mapped series of trails and roads. Take photos, set up your easel or have a picnic on the designated rest or lookout spots such as Wilno's famous Shrine Hill or many viewing spots in Algonquin Park. Just remember, it is never okay to trespass on a farm, forest, cot tage road or private laneway.

d e l i g h t

Google 'family-friendly activities in the Ot tawa Valley' and you'll find enough outdoor fun to keep the lit tle ones amused. Visit a corn ma ze, a pet ting zoo or a 'pick your own' farm, or borrow bicycles, walking poles or kayaks from one of the lending hubs in the area.

Embark on a treasure hunt for the histor y and culture of the Ot tawa Valley and map out a tour of the many historically significant locations tucked away in the hills. Take advantage of the quieter time and book a 'staycation' in one of our countr yside resor ts or village bed and break fasts. Pick up the makings for a picnic at a farmer's market or a small-town shop (the Valley's but ter tar ts are world famous, as are Beaver tails). Explore the architecture of yester year in our many pret t y villages or take in the picturesque reminders of our lumbering heritage such as Crooked Slide Park near Combermere or McRae L ookout Park near Eganville.

Petawawa pays tribute to our C anadian Militar y heritage and the dramatic stor y of aviation pioneer Jan Zurakowski and the Avro Arrow is told in Barr y's Bay.

All this and the dramat ic foliage and landscape ex tend a warm Valley welcome t o you!

Mel Blimkie is shown inside his Renfrew store beside a painting of his grandparent’s old business, Blimkie’s Booth, on Lochiel Street.

A Sense of Country reminscent of grandparent’s days in business

By Bruce McIntyre

Call it a generational tradition or maybe just plain old fashioned enjoyment one can take from talking to customers all day long, but for Mel Blimkie and his sister, Lynn Parsons Dykeman, they decided to follow in the footsteps of their grandparents when they opened A Sense of Country in 2011.

Their grandparents owned and operated Blimkie’s Booth, a tiny store that was crammed in between two stately homes on Lochiel Street in Renfrew. More than 50 years ago, their little store catered mostly to the neighbourhood, selling milk, bread, butter, tobacco, ice cream and candy, candy, candy.

Today, it is truly a family affair because not only is Mel and his sister involved, but Mel’s wife Jill and his brother-in-law, Bob, have enjoyed 14 years of serving not only locals, but many seasonal customers which have turned in to long-term relationships.

Similar to his grandparents, Mel has never forgotten the importance of taking care of local

customers and to make strangers feel like they are welcome. That is why A Sense of Country has a diverse inventory that no matter your taste of decoration or gift idea, there is something inside for everyone.

“The great thing about our store is that you feel like you are walking into a different aspect of country life inside our store,” he said.

“Whether it is getting geared up for a fishing trip or decorating the cottage with vintage-style ornaments and crafts, or you want to choose a book written by a local author, A Sense of Country has several themed rooms to offer something for everyone.”

The store also features a ‘man cave’, a large year-round Christmas display section and an area reserved for wedding gifts that remind the bride and groom of a simpler time in rural Ontario. The number of gift ideas is endless. However, if there is one thing that separates A Sense of Country from other stores, it is the candy. Lots of candy. Mel wanted to pay honour to his grandparent’s memory. With the decision to open a

country-themed general store, the dedicated candy corner was born.

Inside A Sense of Country you will find candy, chocolate, mints and hundreds of different treats from all over the world, and some of the treasures are a limited edition and move off the shelves very quickly.

“Both my grandparents (Agnes and Frank Blimkie) were such giving people. I can remember some kids coming in and they would bring in a Coke bottle – and it would be two cents, you know, to redeem a Coke bottle. I remem-

ber grandpa getting a bag – one of those old little brown paper bags – and just grabbing a handful of things and throwing them in. Those bags included a lot of candy.”

Over the years, A Sense of Country has grown from a small specialized storefront of about 1,000 square feet to one of downtown Renfrew’s largest main floor stores with over 4,000 square feet of incredible gift ideas. When visiting Renfrew, make it a point to come to A Sense of Country where you are treated like an old friend.

A room inside Sense of Country features a wide variety of local books.

From cabinetrey to pottery making

By Terry Fleurie

When Mike Vlaming made a major career change in 2016, little did he know just how rewarding it would be for him.

The owner of Little Creek Pottery Studio left his previous career in cabinetry to transition into the art of pottery and today he produces, retails and hosts educational workshops at his studio at 851 Cobden Road, near the intersection of Osceola Road in Admaston/Bromley Township.

A native of Cobden and graduate of Opeongo High School, he opened his first studio in Cobden in 2019 to a very positive reception. Then when COVID hit, his business exploded as the public became more attracted to locallymade products. In addition, people had nothing to do so he started offering pottery classes as well. In 2021, he broke ground on his current location and opened Little Creek Pottery Studio adjacent to his wife, Melanie’s hair salon. He took his first pottery class in 2016 from Jenn Drysdale of Ottawa, admitting it wasn’t until about 2018 that he started to feel comfortable calling himself a “potter”. That was further validated when he opened his studio in Cobden a year later and realized he was now doing it for a living. He was drawn to the art as a sort of metaphor for personal and spiritual growth, saying he really enjoyed the way he could manipulate and mold the clay, and it gave him a better understanding how people are manipulated and molded by the circumstances around them.

Mr. Vlaming has always been drawn to the creative process, having enjoyed making things for most of his life in the cabinetry profession, and through poetry and writing. He recalled it being “like a switch flipped” when he attended his first class, admitting there was some trepidation whether it would be lucrative enough to support the family he and his wife were starting. He said a lot of the inspiration for his products comes from the

people who are interacting with his work, citing the example of how he used to make wine goblets with stems, but the feedback

indicated stemless cups were more in demand. Some feedback noted some people had smaller hands, so he added a “pinch”

(sight indentation) in the cup to provide a better grip for some.

Mr. Vlaming said he is also inspired by what is happening around him, noting everyone is being impacted by the circumstances and people in their lives, which he believes is manifested in his work.

His products range from large vases, flowerpots, wine casks, etc. to a whole line of very functional household items from plates, mugs, bowls, butter dishes, milk jugs, casserole dishes, utensil holders and more.

“I try and make things that people would use every day,” he said.

The colours he uses in his pottery were influenced by the women in his life, and are reflective of the four seasons of the year. The price of his products are reflective of the area.

Mr. Vlaming said one of his greatest interests is throwing large pieces, adding he has done one piece with just under 50 pounds of clay which is done in two pieces and joined together. He added, however, his kiln, is not large enough for anything bigger.

Mr. Vlaming said a four-place setting of mugs, plates, bowls, would likely require two weeks to complete, noting he rarely would do one order like that at a time.

He has shared his passion for pottery with others right from the start through regular workshops he hosts for both beginners and advanced students. He has 10 pottery wheels at the studio now, and all 10 were full during his summer camp.

“A lot of people are interested in learning tactile skills, especially people who are in professions in the public service,” he said. “I really think all of us have a desire to make things in our DNA, so this gives them that outlet.”

He introduced the two levels of classes last year, which were very well received, so he will be continuing that into the future. He gets a great fulfillment from watching students develop their

Mike Vlaming uses different colours to reflect the four seasons.

Mike Vlaming is seen at his wheel at Little Creek Pottery Studio trimming a piece he created.

Pottery making

skills over the term of the classes, saying it’s great to see people gain the self-awareness that they possess a creative talent.

Mr. Vlaming said he has no issue with his students selling their wares as they are creating products totally different than his. In addition, he believes the more potters known in this area will help advance it as a “pottery destination”.

He paid credit to Lapasse potter Ben Zettler for providing him with some sage advice when he was first starting out, saying he was a great resource when he purchased a kiln similar to Mr. Zettler’s.

He introduced his products at the Taste of the Valley event in Cobden in 2019, but then COVID hit and the market was cancelled for two years, forcing he and other artists/artisans to turn to online retailing. In the summer of 2020, he started doing live weekly Facebook broadcasts, on

“In Isolation Together”, which featured him at his wheel, doing different projects and introducing people to his studio. Before he knew it, he had garnered a large international audience that grew to almost 1,000 viewers at times from as far away as Bangladesh and Brazil.

“It was a really surreal experience,” he admitted. “Once I did that, the amount of followers on my Facebook page just ballooned and then all of a sudden, I was very busy.”

Little Creek Pottery is available online or at a variety of locations including Bonnechere Bakery in Renfrew, The Cottage Cup in Golden Lake, Gift It Gray in Barry’s Bay, Fleurish in Petawawa, and Farmstead Cheese House in Pembroke.

His studio is open 10 to 5 daily but he recommends anyone interested in visiting the shop call or email in advance to ensure he is available.

Mr. Vlaming marks each piece with a shepherd’s staff and cross framing a bird in flight.

The

Ottawa Valley

is a place like no other!

From our small businesses to our small hamlets, rushing white water and gentle lapping lakes, it i s a p

destination for many people from across North America and beyond.

Now as we look into the autumn months, many of us will be spending more time at home or closer to home. Use this opportunity to get to k n o w o u r

communities around us. The riding I represent is the biggest in Ontario and I know the wonderful country roads and great communities across the Valley from Stonecliffe to Arnprior, Griffith to Pembroke, Renfrew to Combermere, Calabogie to Lapasse and so many more.

I encourage you to take the opportunity and time to enjoy celebrating this wonderful Ottawa Valley we all call home. It truly is the best place to live.

We live in what I consider to be the greatest place in Ontario. Enjoy the beautiful colours this fall. Please patronize the businesses owned by your neighbours and fellow Valley residents.

What’s in a wheel? A spin through pioneer life

By Lesley Cassidy

Watching Lisa Murray’s fingers hold and feed the wool as it’s pulled onto a large bobbin thanks to a spinning wheel, her foot tapping in a slow rhythmic motion, is a step back into the Polish-Kashuby history of the Wilno Hills. It’s a hot, sunny morning in August at the Wilno Heritage Society’s museum log building, steps from the well-loved Tavern. Lisa has set up her spinning wheel on the wooden front porch and other items, including a broad hair brush and hand-sized combs with long prongs. There’s a white bucket of sheep’s fleece, small bundles that are hay-speckled with an earthy smell and soft touch. All these objects help turn fleece into finished balls of yarn, which she will use to knit hats, mittens, sweaters, or rugs.

“It’s in my blood; I’ve been spinning for 35 years,” Lisa shared.

Some of her earliest memories are of her mother spinning and washing raw stinky wool. Her mother’s Polish ancestry dates back to the late 1850s, when the Polish Kashubian settlers arrived in Renfrew County and settled mainly along the Opeongo Line, establishing farms around what’s now known as Barry’s Bay, Round Lake and Wilno. The Kashubian people at that time were pushed out of the area known as Kaszuby, in Prussia, north of Poland, their

land expropriated and their language, culture and beliefs at risk, with many emigrating to Canada and the United States.

A census in the early 1870s identified many Kashubian women as “wife” or “daughter”, under the “profession” category. Little is known about the women who settled with their husbands and raised farming families in the

Wilno area. Lisa’s ancestor, Rosalie Libera, a Kashubian Polish immigrant, listed her profession as “weaver”, and she was one of only two women in Renfrew County to include a profession. Rosalie and her daughters spun wool and flax and sold their fabric. Following tradition, many young women were gifted wheels on their wedding day. The Kashu-

bian Polish population, known for its stunning linens made from the flax plant, carried on this tradition in this area creating pillowcases, dresses, tablecloths and more. Examples of these fabrics can be viewed in the log museum in Wilno.

Spinning started for Lisa while raising her children; she worked with wool using a spindle. Born and raised in Barry’s Bay, she moved to southern Ontario for school and founded a wellness clinic she managed for 22 years.

“I was craving a simpler life and was tired of the hustle and bustle of the city,” she explained.

Returning to Barry’s Bay, she works as a naturopathic doctor and acupuncturist several days a week. Lisa has almost finished her spinning certificate program at the Haliburton School of Art and Design and is considering the Master Spinner Program.

One of her school projects required students to source fibre and transform it into a small wearable garment in less than 50 hours. She sourced wool from a farmer in Palmer Rapids, cleaned the fleece of all the bits of hay and straw, washed it, and then brushed and combed it to give the fibres air and stretch them out. She dyed the wool and sat at the wheel, turning the wool into skeins of yarn she used to knit a gorgeous multi-coloured hat.

See Page 12

Lisa Murray spins away on the porch at the log home in Wilno’s Heritage Park. She has been sp[inning for 35 years.

What’s in a wheel?

From Page 10

Most crafters purchase wool, cotton or linen from a yarn store today. Despite this convenience, Lisa enjoys sourcing wool from local farmers and preparing it from start to finish. In the Ottawa Valley, many sheep are farmed for meat, and the Dorset breed is one of the more common ones. Their wool is mainly suitable for socks, hats, rugs, and outdoor sweaters because it traps air well and it’s warm and water resistant. Lisa commented that farmers used to transport their fleece to a wool co-operative in Carleton Place, where it was sold to manufacturers around the province and beyond. However, prices dropped once mass-produced synthetics like acrylic, cotton and nylon became popular after World War II, leaving wool and linen behind.

Nowadays, many farmers don’t have much use for wool other than composting it or throwing it away, and mills where a farmer could drop off the fleece and have it cleaned and prepped for spinning and then returned to the farmer to

spin or sell, closed. However, a few small mills have sprung back to life in southern Ontario over the past decade, preparing wool for spinning. This wool output, called roving, can be purchased from stores or small producers and spun into a ball of yarn to knit or crochet. There’s a revival happening in the spinning world.

“I love how many people I’ve met; there’s a real community of spinners and growers,” she said. “It’s very rewarding and wonderful work to do with your hands.”

Lisa’s passion for this ancient skill led her to offer learning sessions out of the Wilno Heritage Society, and she helps people fix their wheels. Lisa smiled as she shared that one of the most common questions she’s asked is how to fix someone’s grandmother’s wheel, and then she teaches them how to use it. She ap-

preciates people’s interest in this ancient practice and their desire to learn about it. Lisa’s love has taken her to the Tuscany area of Italy to teach spinning and once she’s done school, she may sell her locally sourced and spun yarn.

For her 40th birthday, her mother gifted her a 200-year-old wheel. This wheel connects Lisa to her Kashubian roots as her bare foot can feel the imprint of previous owners’ stepping motion on the wooden foot pedal.

“Spinning connects me to my history and a long line of women who worked with their hands,” she explained. “These women contributed to their families and communities through spinning.

“A wheel is the perfect technology; it’s over hundreds of years old,” she commented near the end of our visit.

She owns both new and old technology. The new wheels are lightweight, travel well, are more ergonomic, and have more convenience features. Whether it’s an antique or not, there’s something magical about learning through the touch of your fingers how to create yarn spinning a wheel, an old skill that connects the present to our Valley heritage.

Ms. Murray says spinning connects her to her history and a long line of women who worked with their hands.

Laurentian V A L L E Y

Beautiful & Welcoming Community Parks

Laurentian Valley is proud to have six beautiful recreation facilities throughout our township that are equipped with amazing features like sports fields, playgrounds, green spaces, trails and even a splash pad!

Vibrant & Unique Local Businesses

Come see all of the amazing local businesses here in Laurentian Valley and explore their unique offerings made from local suppliers, artisans, makers and creators From big to small, we have it all for whatever you ’ re looking for!

Fun Family Events All Year Round

In LV Community is everything and we are fortunate to have over a dozen community groups in our township that host a variety of fun and exciting, family-oriented events year-round for everyone to enjoy No matter what time you visit, you can be sure something is going on in LV!

Close To Everything

Whether it’s a weekend trip or an afternoon getaway, Laurentian Valley is centrally located so you can rest easy knowing that when you visit you’ll have everything you need for an enjoyable experience!

THE PERFECT MIX OF URBAN AND RURAL

A Road Loop Tour: History and geography in Greater Madawaska

WBy Lesley Cassidy

ith a chill in the morning air and leaves changing from summer green to red and golden colours, it’s the perfect time of year for a road trip. This loop starts in Dacre, perched along the ancient Mount St. Patrick Mountains, then proceeds south to Calabogie Lake along Flat Road, passing through rolling farmland and then loops back towards Griffith, climbing up the Black Donald Hills and skirting along the Madawaska River. It’s a driving loop steeped in history, trails and a taste of Irish and Scottish landscapes.

A long time ago, when the earth’s crust was pulling apart along fault lines, it created the Ottawa Valley. The Mount St. Patrick Mountains pushed upwards, and the neighbouring land shifted downwards, creating a chain of hills next to flatter terrain. And nowhere is this more evident than between Dacre and the drive to Calabogie.

Before heading south, an ode to the lumbering and rural history of the Valley can be found along Scotch Bush Road, steps north of Highway 132 and Flat Road in Dacre. This greying antique water-powered sawmill, owned for 89 years by the Richards family, supported the vibrant lumber industry. It’s private property and best admired from the road.

Rambling south along Flat Road, gaze at the grey-black rocks piled in farmer fields, log buildings and barns settling into the hillside. You’ll pass the remnants of a downhill ski resort, Candiac Skiways, that operated between the 1960s and 1990s. After the hill closed and sat empty, the Schut family from Lanark purchased the property in 2017 and turned it into a cross-country skiing, hiking and outdoor recreation spot.

Continuing the drive towards Calabogie, the DACA Centre is the next stop, well-known for its lively gatherings, bingo games, ball tournaments and suppers. By November 1983, after Alice Sheedy had donated four acres of land, the area was surveyed, and the hall was built using logs recycled from local barns. There’s a children’s playground out front and a rink for hockey games, and it hosts a must-attend St. Patrick’s Day celebration every year.

Driving further along Ferguson Lake Road, Constant Creek meanders by, you’ll pass over a one-lane bridge joining the rolling farmlands to the steep wall of the Mount St. Patrick Mountains. From here to Calabogie, take in the brilliant fall colours and see if you can spot the 2018 tornado damage. Barnet Park in Calabogie is a perfect space to soak in lake views. A lumber family built the white cottage in the early 1900s, and Tom Barnet, one of the grandsons, donated the seven-acre property to the township. Today, lounge under one of the tall pines, host an event in the original building, launch a boat onto Calabogie Lake, play beach volleyball or explore the enchanted woods.

Constant Creek between Dacre Mt. St. Patrick and Calabogie is lined with colourul maple trees in the fall season.

At the other end of town, park at Heritage Point and see and touch the nearby dam’s original 1917 massive turbines; an informative plaque highlights the story. Walk across the road to the Kingston & Pembroke (K&P) railway sign, which is detailed with a map and black and white photos describing its history. Construction of the K&P started in Kingston, and the tracks through Calabogie were laid in the fall of 1883. Due to the harsh terrain, a causeway was built across Calabogie Lake, and a year later, it reached Renfrew. ATVs, walkers, cyclists, and snowmobilers travel this route to Renfrew; it’s a well-maintained trail that passes by maples, birch trees, wetlands, and fields. A visit to the original causeway involves a detour to Barryvale, a few minutes south of Calabogie off Highway 511. Take a right past the Highlands golf course, park at the end of the road and ramble along the railbed across the lake. There’s a narrow path along this permanent landmark, and you can spot an old piece of train machinery in the lake.

Leaving Calabogie, head west on 508; there’s a stunning mosaic of fall colours that can’t be missed: the Eagle’s Nest. Park in the large lot on the right-hand side of the road; there are signs, an outhouse, and a pay station ($5). It’s approximately a two-kilometre walk with picture-perfect views of the Madawaska Highlands. An old gravel road near the crosswalk is the easiest trail leading to the lookout; turn right at the sign that explains this area’s rich Indigenous history to access the best viewpoint.

A rich graphite seam found near White Fish Lake launched the Black Donald Mines in 1895. Black Donald was a remote and bustling community with a one-room schoolhouse, general store and church, and at one point, it accounted for 90 per cent of all the graphite mined in Canada. After almost 55 years in production, the mine closed after fires and a massive flood. Stop and admire the plaque that shares the history of this town along Graphite Bay Road, and through the trees, view the hydro infrastructure that has been in place since 1967. Hydro purchased the land along the Madawaska River and flooded 8500 acres to develop the massive Mountain Chute Dam, creating Black Donald and Centennial Lake and forever burying the remains of the townsite of Black Donald Mines.

Continuing north along Centennial Lake Road, it’s a scenic drive past both lakes, thick mature bush, few houses and rolling hills. A slight detour to Matawatchan, a community perched on one of the many hills, may seem quiet, but the Matawatchan Hall celebrated its 70th anniversary this year and hosts community suppers, live music including the Festival of Small Halls, and fish and game club gatherings.

Returning to Dacre through Griffith, drive across the Madawaska River, once a narrow wooden bridge and follow Highway 41. Few houses dot the rugged pine treed landscape, the remains of the villages of Balvenie and Khartum where a General Store, post office, the Spain Mine, and a sawmill once stood.

Remember to pack your camera on this Ottawa Valley history and geography tour.

A true sign of Autumn - partridge or trout cakes for supper

By Barry Conway

As sure as autumn replaces summer, the local diet of BBQ’d burgers, if not open-fired shrimp-andcorn boils, slowly turns towards evening meals made with wild game, including whatever fresh trout remains frozen after its fishing season ends in late September.

For much of the western end of Renfrew County towards Algonquin Park, that seasonal change used to mean supper -- dinner was something we ate at lunch -- during autumn often included special treats such as partridge with dumplings or, if we were really lucky, Opeongo Trout Cakes.

Of course, there are, sadly, a few locals who still suffer from a pathological aversion to eating partridge, if not wild game in general or trout in particular. Unlike the Jocko and Chartrand’s, well-respected Indigenous families from around Madawaska, who shot their partridge the old-fashioned way -- with a .22 -- the rest of us, the great grandsons and great granddaughters of frontier settlers whose ancestors began populating the old Opeongo Colonization Road in the middle of the 19th century, well, we

were trained to never take a knife to a gun fight -- so our forefathers preferred us to shoot our partridge with an elephant gun, i.e. a 12-guage shotgun.

Meaning, that when the resident love goddesses and local gourmet chefs -- our mothers -- who ran roughshod over our childhood households along the western fringe of Renfrew County cooked up that 12-guage partridge, supper often included the curious ‘pingping’ of buckshot bouncing off porcelain soup bowls or plastic dinner plates.

Too often, at the supper table we would be scolded for spitting bitter-tasting pellets and making a sound long associated even now with bad manners and lead poisoning. Of course, as those frontier families grew more civilized, the evening meal grew quieter and better-mannered, as Indigenous ways mercifully took hold among those old elephant gun hunters. Nowa-days, no self-respecting local hunter would admit to shooting a partridge with a 12-guage shotgun. A passing duck perhaps, but never a partridge.

So too with trout. Every local angler knows that a great shore lunch story always begins with fresh trout

cooked over an open fire, but if it’s a succulent, mystical meal that’s wanted, better get that fresh fish home lickety-split and warm up the cast-iron fry pan with melted butter and the magical makings required for Opeongo Trout Cakes. The recipe is as follows:

Fillet a pound of fresh trout before roughly chopping the meat into tiny pieces; place the meat in a large mixing bowl, add a cup of minced onion cooked in butter over medium heat until translucent but not browned, then add a cup of breadcrumbs, a few finely chopped sun-dried tomatoes or roasted red peppers, three eggs lightly beaten, a tablespoon of Dijon country mustard, two tablespoons of mayonnaise, two teaspoons of Worcestershire sauce, and a quarter cup each of freshly-chopped parsley, chives, and tarragon or dill, before adding a pinch of salt. Mix well and then form into patties the size of hockey pucks, before placing all those pucks in a fridge for half-an-hour to let the breadcrumbs soak up the juices. Next, place four or so pucks at a time into a cast-iron frying pan over low-medium heat and cook covered (if on low heat) or uncovered (if closer to medium heat) for five minutes on each side, or until the pucks are golden brown. Serve hot, preferably with a strawberry-spinach salad. But, if you were lucky enough to spend one of those glorious, crisp autumn afternoons that we have in early October successfully hunting partridge (preferably with a .22), then you could look forward to a partridge and dumpling supper, still famous in some old frontier households along the Opeongo, Madawaska, York, Little Mississippi and Bonnechere River Valleys. Here’s the recipe, if you don’t happen to know it, or have forgotten it: Roughly chop three whole

carrots and three whole celery stalks, and one yellow onion; season the partridge (e.g. four breasts, eight thighs) with salt and pepper; place all of these ingredients in a large pot, add three cloves of thinly-sliced garlic, two Bay leaves and ten cups of clear, cold, fresh water. Add a pinch of salt, a smidgeon of fresh thyme, and one tablespoon of poultry seasoning before bringing the pot to a boil. Once boiling, reduce to a simmer and cook for 20-25 minutes, or until the partridge is done (i.e. 155°F160°F internal temperature). Remove the partridge meat and let the remaining stock simmer. When the partridge has cooled to the touch, peel the meat from the carcasses and set it aside (or for a more succulent treat, place the meat back in the covered pot for another one to two hours while occasionally skimming fat off the surface). Afterwards, pour the contents into another pot, catching the meat and vegetable solids in a colander. Retain only the meat and stock pot liquid. Optionally, purify the stock a second time using a towel sieve, catching the stock in the

original pot. The remaining stock should be a rich brown liquid without any large chunks or debris. Return it to that original stock pot and let it simmer over low-medium heat. While the stock is being brought back to boil, prepare the dumplings by combining two cups of all-purpose flour, a tablespoon of baking powder and 5/4 teaspoons of salt, before blending this dry mixture with two tablespoons of melted butter, and then adding a cup of milk. Mix and knead well and, if necessary, adjust any watery dough by adding a little more flour. On a flat surface, roll out the dough until it is no thicker than pie crust; cut into oneinch ‘noodle’ strips, before cutting those ‘noodles’ into two-inch sections, making each dumpling 1x2-inches. Drop the dumplings, one or two at a time, into the boiling stock, stirring all the while. Cook for about halfan-hour until the dumplings are no longer doughy. Turn off the heat and add the cooked partridge meat, then sprinkle with thyme, and salt to taste. Serve hot with a garnish of freshlychopped parsley. Bon appetite!

The author is ready to turn his fresh catch into Opeongo Trout Cakes.

A Renfrew County Supper just before it’s gone!

We make our soups from scratch with wholesome natural ingredients. Our food is being prepared in our kitchens, every day. In our store, you will find a fine selection of cakes, pastries, cookies, and loaves of bread. Our products are made from the best ingredients available. Enjoy a cup of fresh coffee or tea with a pastry or take home a treat for your family. Whatever the occasion you will find something suitable in our store. The Gourmet Frozen Food is prepared by the owners, using the finest and freshest ingredients. No longer do you need to worry about what to have for dinner each night; simply remove a Gourmet Meal from our freezer, heat, and enjoy! We are about honest comfort food with a home feeling and a worldly flair, feeling close to loved ones, places, and all great times.

Hours of Operation: Tuesday to Friday: 7 am - 4:30 pm, Saturday: 7 am - 3 pm, Closed Sunday & Monday.

Here at The Bonnechere Bakery, baking is our passion. We use only the finest and freshest ingredients to create pastries and breads that will fill your belly and warm your heart. Come and visit - your taste buds will thank you!

Bonnechere at Home

Kitchen - Bath - Decor

258 Raglan Street, Renfrew

Owner: Angela McCrea

Phone: 613-431-1602

Email: bonnecherefinefoods@gmail.com

Madawaska Valley Studio Tour features 20 studios

The Madawaska Valley Studio Tour is one of the premiere events that attracts a large number of travellers to various artists’ studios throughout western Renfrew County.

Held twice a year (once in summer and again in the fall), it is a great opportunity to visit artists in their studios and see artmaking first-hand. Take a drive through historic routes and explore the Madawaska highlands and valleys

during the fall tour on October 5th and 6th. Studios will be open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days.

It’s the perfect opportunity to explore the picturesque landscape, with its lush forests and pristine lakes, and see why so many artists and artisans call this area home. Visitors will have the chance to observe artists and artisans in their studios as they transform wood, clay, metal, glass, leather and canvas during live demonstrations.

One-of-a-kind art and fine craft will be available for purchase at the 20 studios participating in this year’s tour, including four new studios and several youth guest artists. This is a unique opportunity to see emerging and renowned artists where they live and work.

The Madawaska Valley Studio Tour is a free, self-directed tour. Plan your route with friends and family and make a day or two of it. Experience local art and enjoy all that this beautiful part of Eastern Ontario has to offer. Brochures can be found at tourist information centres and businesses throughout the Valley.

For additional information on

artists and artisans, map of the studios and the partners who generously support our arts community, visit www.madawaskavalleystudiotour.com or follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

Jessica Lin Photography is located at 789 Lisk Road, just outside of Killaloe. Each piece of her artwork is created by extracting elements from her photographs and recomposing them to create reality-based fantasies.

Wilno artist Linda Sorensen is an award-winning artist who paints vibrant, iconic paintings of Algonquin wilderness, wildlife and landscapes.

COUNTY OF RENFREW AND AREA COMTÉ DE RENFREW ET RÉGION

SENIOR ACTIVITY CENTRES

CENTRE D'ACTIVITÉS POUR AÎNÉS

Senior Activity Centres provide seniors with a wide array of activities, services, programs and opportunities across Renfrew County and area to participate in physical activities, social events and many more services! Contact your local Activity Centre for more information on their offerings! ABOUT US

À PROPOS DE NOUS

Les centres de vie active pour les aînés offrent aux personnes âgées un large éventail d'activités, de services, de programmes et d'opportunités dans tout le comté de Renfrew et région pour participer à des activités physiques, à des événements sociaux et à bien d'autres services! Contactez votre centre de vie active locale pour plus d'informations sur leurs offres

Upper Ottawa Seniors Friendship Club (UOSFC) 1 Ridge Rd Deep River, ON K0J 1P0 (613) 401 - 3452 | 23uovsfc55@gmail com

Golden Age Activity Centre

212 Raglan St. S. Renfrew, ON K7V 1R1 (613) 431 - 8289 | info@renfrewhomesupport ca

Centre Lajoie des Aînées, Aînés

Francophones de Pembroke

303 rue James Pembroke ON K8A 4V1 (613) 732 - 7730 | info@ccfpembroke ca

Silver Threads Community Centre

1163 Victoria St. Petawawa, ON K8H 2E6 (613) 687 - 6574 | salc@petawawa.ca

Eganville & District Seniors

30 Bell St Eganville, ON K0J 1T0 (613) 628 - 2354 | info@eganvilleseniors com

Opeongo Seniors Centre

19 Stafford St. Barry's Bay, ON K0J 1B0 (613) 756 - 0554 | info@opeongoseniors.ca

Seniors Active Living Centre

Arnprior/McNab/Braeside

77B Madawaska St Arnprior, ON K7S 1S1 (613) 296 - 1906 | dmccabe@arnpriorhealth ca

Laurentian Valley 50+ Fit & Feisty Alice and Fraser Recreation Center 1 Henan Road, Pembroke ON K8A 6W8 (613) 735-4240 | fitandfeisty50@gmail.com

Pembroke 50+ Active Living Centre Inc

42 Renfrew St Pembroke, ON K8A 7T6 (613) 735 - 1226 | pembrokeactivelivingcentre@cogeco.net

Whitewater Seniors Home Support & Active Living Centre

2202 Foresters Falls Rd Foresters Falls ON K0J 1V0 (613) 602-3915 | seniors@whitewaterregion ca

CRC SALC

15 Lake St. Killaloe, ON K0J 2A0 42 Burnt Bridge Rd Palmer Rapids, ON K0J 2E0 (613) 757 - 3108 | seniors@crc-renfrewcounty com

South Algonquin Senior Active Living Programs

9 Third Ave , Whitney ON K0J 2M0 (905) 351- 4657 | gloria beauclair@crc-renfrewcounty com

Legionsuppersservemorethanjustameal

M

By Alex Lambert

aureen Haddad was dropping fish at Dickens Restaurant in Toronto nearly 30 years ago. Now, she runs a hugely successful operation treating patrons at Royal Canadian Legion Branch 353 in Eganville to wholesome meals two days a week.

The Legion has been hosting weekly suppers on Thursdays and breakfasts every second Sunday of the month to help support the branch. Mrs. Haddad’s Thursday night dinner spread often looks straight out of a Pinterest board. The variety suppers begin at 5 p.m. and include dancing afterwards. They only recently expanded the program to include Tuesdays with their popular Fish ‘n Chips meals.

It all started when the pair purchased a brand-new industrial deep frier for roughly $3,600 to donate to the branch in a plot to expand their weekly supper endeavours. The new equipment would amazingly pay for itself within two weeks of the program opening thanks to word-ofmouth alone.

Mrs. Haddad’s suppers at the Legion have continued growing with no signs of slowing down. With meals now regularly serving triple-digit numbers each week, the meals merit long waits for those who haven’t ordered in advance, but it was well worth it.

Her partner in crime, Branch President Dan Haddad, said the events have been getting “pretty damn famous,” and he sees visitors from all across the Valley as far as Petawawa and Barry’s Bay.

Branch Volunteer Bob Hewitt, who assists Mrs. Haddad in making the suppers, argues they do it better than out east and encourages visitors to try it and see what all the fuss is about.

Women’s Auxiliary Vice-President Donna Dyson said the meals have seen attendance in the triple digits thanks to the event’s rising popularity. “It’s fun. Not easy to keep up, but everybody enjoys it,” she said. “It’s a very busy day. That just means they’re getting fresh fish, and they

know that.”

While they were hosting barbeques every other Friday afternoon, they had to be discontinued due to unforeseen circumstances. But there are still many chances to enjoy the Legion’s suppers throughout the week, and now you can get some pep in your step while you’re at it.

For those travelling through the Ottawa Valley or locals just seeking an enjoyable night out, the Legion offers more than just a good meal. As the fall season sets in, the Branch 353 suppers provide an opportunity to experience the charm of a small town and the warmth of a shared meal.

Bob Hewitt and Maureen Haddad have been cooking hundreds of fish every Tuesday thanks to the instant success of the Legion’s new supper.

Falling into the Spirit of Shopping at

Nestled at 51 Main St. in charming Cobden, Ontario, The Candlewick Gift Shop has been a beloved local treasure for over 25 years! Whether you're on the hunt for the perfect scented candle, luxurious bath and body care, or delightful seasonal décor, we truly have something for everyone.

Our shelves are brimming with household items, kitchen gadgets, stunning bedding and quilts, greeting cards for every occasion, and thoughtful gifts for babies, weddings, and anniversaries. Plus, don't forget to check out our selection of jewelry, purses, and totes!

Come say hello to our friendly staff and experience the warmth of our shop. We're open Monday through Saturday from 10 AM to 5 PM, and while we take Sundays and holidays off, we're always excited to welcome you when we're open!

We can't wait to

see you soon!

Fall skies over the Bonnechere River at the Fourth Chute (Knightington).

Dining, shopping or strolling in Downtown Renfrew

By R. Bruce McIntyre

Renfrew is known for its historic downtown and its picturesque view of a street filled with shops that reflect the old, the new and the future of this 166year old Ottawa Valley town.

Led by some long established family businesses mixed in with new retail and dining shops, the merchants of downtown Renfrew have once again rolled out the mat as a way to welcome in the colourful fall season.

Long before there were cars, farm families travelled on horsedriven carriages to go shopping in the downtown core. It is nearly impossible not to see the contrast of today’s busy society with the relaxed country atmosphere as members of the local Mennonite community lead their horse-driven carriages into town. These traditional folk use ropes to secure their horses to a wooden hitching post behind Scott & Sons Hardware.

A family-run business established in 1917, the store is a throwback to the early 20th century with its creaky hardwood floors and old metal scales used to weigh nails and other items. When you walk out the front door and take a stroll across the street you will come upon the Renfrew Public Library. It is easy to get lost in the world of fiction and non-fiction inside the more than 100-year-old structure.

A few doors down from the library you can once again get lost, but this time you may find yourself inside A Sense of Country, a one-of-a kind gift shop that is more than just gifts. There is a man-cave, a wedding gift section, a year round Christmas section, a cozy nook filled with books by local authors and for the sweet tooth in the family, you will discover hundreds and hundreds of candies, treats and chocolates from around the world.

If you want something more than treats for a meal there are many diverse choices in downtown Renfrew. You will discover traditional First Nations food at the Manitou Bistro; you can sample European-themed

food such as the world famous schnitzel at the Rocky Mountain House or the recently opened Swiss Alps Dining, featuring the best in Swiss-German cuisine.

Do you feel like a trip to Greece? Make sure to visit Karras’ Way where you will find the best Gyros, Souvlaki and, of course, made in-house Baklava, a traditional Greek dessert.

There is also a Chinese buffet at the Shanloon Restaurant or you can take plenty of time for traditional Chinese food at the Kung-Po House. Feel like a traditional roadhouse menu? Then Finnigan’s is your destination with its array of burgers and a great selection of chicken wings and beers on tap. Finnigan’s also offers the best Sunday buffet.

After you have cleaned your plate at one of these dining establishments, you can relax and stop in at the historic O’Brien Theatre. Built in 1909, this former Opera house has been transformed into a modern movie theater that features the most recent releases while you kick back in a comfortable seat with plenty of legroom.

If you are seeking to have some fun, try your hand at 5-pin bowling at the Opeongo Bowlo-drome, or keep walking down the main street until you come upon the Bonnechere River. If you close your eyes for just a second, you will feel like you have been transported back in time when you step on to only one of two remaining swinging bridges in Ontario.

As you cross the bridge and feel it swing, the sound of the river below is something you will never forget. At the other end of the bridge is O’Brien Park, a lush greenspace that offers a scenic view of the river that at one time was filled with hundreds of logs. Along with the logs were the legendary lumberjacks who guided them downstream to the Ottawa River. Make sure to visit downtown Renfrew and visit one of these popular destinations or any of the other 60 downtown stores that are ready to welcome you to the Ottawa Valley.

Renfrew has a vibrant downtown filled with many stores.

The town is home to one of only two swinging bridges in Ontario.

Southwest Alpacas

FBy Alex Lambert

eeling stressed? Forget conventional therapy and try an innovative new tour experience!

It might sound like one of those “you won’t believe your eye’s commercials,” but Southwest Alpacas Farm is the fluffiest form of therapy you can find.

Located near Beachburg and Pembroke, the charming farm offers a unique opportunity for a refreshing escape, the chance to meet, greet and hand-feed friendly alpacas. The ‘giraffe sheep,’ local to South America, are also joined by cuddly chickens.

Guests can experience a peaceful atmosphere while learning about the animals themselves. The beautiful farm animals are quite social, love human interaction and enjoy strolls around the farm.

To make the most of your visit, remember to approach the animals slowly and calmly, speaking in a soothing voice. Always keep your hand flat and pat the alpaca gently on its back, shoulders or neck. Avoid touching their hindquarters, tail or toes, and try not to stand directly behind them.

Alpacas are gentle animals and love to have their picture taken. They can spit, but rarely do unless provoked. Luckily, they usually fire a blank warning volley first.

Each animal has its own likes and dislikes, so feel free to ask the handler for tips on how to interact. These gentle creatures will appreciate your consideration and return your care. If you ask nicely, they may even give you a kiss!

But Southwest Alpacas is not limited to just tours of the farm. The alpacas love to party! This unique venue is the perfect place to celebrate a birthday party or outdoor event.

Appointments are available seven days a week at 681 Sturgeon Mountain Road. For just $15 you can enjoy a private tour, and kids under five are free. For more information or to book a private alpaca tour, call 1-888-830-8688, text (519) 755-1116, or visit southwestalpacas.com

It’s hard to beat the simple joy of taking a leisurely stroll around a farm with some curious alpaca companions.

New and in stock line-up of Kioti tractor s

Established in 1979, Bromley Farm Supply Ltd. is a family-owned and operated farm and recreat ional machiner y dealership, located in Douglas, Ontario.

A wide variet y of new and used machiner y is available on-site, as well as ser vice and par ts.

11053 Highway 60, Golden Lake - 613-305-3758 Open Wednesday - Monday, 11 am - 7 pm. Closed Tuesdays.

PAPA RON’S PAPA RON’S

Some Costco products, gift wrapping & bags, children’s books and toys, painting supplies, craft supplies, basic hardware items, greeting cards, bedding & linens, helium balloons & party supples, fishing tackle, worms, stationary & writing supplies home decor items plus much more ...

Still your go-to spot for Ashley Furniture, we've expanded our furniture brand lineup and Canadian manufacturers to better serve our customers and their needs. To incorporate additional brands, we had to transition away from the Ashley HomeStore branding and return to our trusted Furniture King name In Apr il 2011 we

We want to extend our hear tfelt thanks to all of our customer s , both new and long-standing, for your unwaver ing suppor t and loyalty over the year s Your business means the wor ld to us and we are grateful for the tr ust you have placed in us

Thank you for being a par t of our jour ney and for allowing us to ser ve you. We look forward to continuing to provide you with exceptional fur niture and ser vice for many year s to come.

By Barry Conway

When Alexander Kirkwood first dreamed up his wonderful idea of Algonquin Park, back in the middle of the 1880s, his passion largely stemmed from something that remains unknown to most. Kirkwood’s goal was to forever protect the headwaters of four essential Ontario rivers -- the Muskoka, Petawawa, Bonnechere and Madawaska -- along with then two lesser-known branches of the Madawaska -- the Opeongo and York -- all of which had the source of their pristine, bubbling waters within a very concentrated area of only a few kilometers at the centre of what would become Algonquin Park. Kirkwood knew the headwaters of the Muskoka and Petawawa, for instance, were less than a kilometer apart and those of the Bonnechere, Opeongo, Madawaska and York were similar. Indeed, the York, Madawaska, Opeongo, Bonnechere and Petawawa Rivers still continue to babble today, thanks to Kirkwood. They continue to enrich much of North Hastings and all of Renfrew County. So, when it comes to looking for a little (or a lot of) vibrant autumn colour, there’s no better strategy than driving those

often-forgotten backroads that criss-cross those five Algonquin rivers that produce the richest of autumn colours along their entire banks.

Those lucky enough to live in Eganville know well their own local autumn beauty spots, many of them being right smack-dab in the middle of town, thanks to being the Jewel of the Bonnechere, but it’s a wise sightseer who heads down to the Fourth Chute, crosses the Bonnechere and then drives westward again through Eganville, keeping south of the River, along the Fourth Chute Road; and once through Eganville, continues along the Augsburg Road, all the way past Zadow, Ruby, and Killaloe. Then, continuing on along the Round Lake Road, they drive through Tramore, Round Lake Centre and out through County Road 58, passing through Alice. But at the Alice General Store (i.e. the Esso Gas Station at 10679 Round Lake Rd.), they turn left on County Road 26 and then left again on Country Road 28, until they enter Algonquin Park. Stopping at the Park gate, they then get a day pass and detailed directions on how to find Barron Canyon, before driving into the Park. Once there, they witness a scenic view,

Driving backroads to find five rivers, rich with autumn colours

second-to-none, including seeing a deadly 100-meter drop into the river below that is part of the Petawawa River system. But be careful; it truly is a wonderous autumn view “to die for,” but the drive alone to and from Barron Canyon in late September or early October will be well worth it.

For those looking for a less-scary backroad challenge, simply drive west along Highway 60 through Killaloe and about 15 kilometers west of Barry’s Bay, turn right on the Aylen Lake Road. About eight kilometers along that road, there is one of the many entrances to the Opeongo River Provincial Park, a free recreational trail the runs along the Opeongo River all the way to the little hamlet of Madawaska. It’s sure to provide some of the best autumn colours available in the Madawaska Highlands.

Not interested in hiking! Then head back onto Highway 60 and head further west a few kilometers east of the hamlet of Madawaska to another entrance of the Opeongo River Provincial Park. Just east of the Opeongo River bridge on Highway 60, there’s a perfect place for a fall picnic; and on the west side of that same bridge, there is another entrance

to that hiking trail along the old rail-road bed built back in 1894 by J. R. Booth.

Even better, drive into Madawaska and stop at the J.R. Booth Railroad Park on the right, where there is not only a spectacular view of an old 19th century railway bridge that crosses the Madawaska River but the Park has a set of informational boards, complete with fascinating photographs that explain the history of this wonderful 19th century lumbering town and divisional point for the old Ottawa, Arnprior and Parry Sound Railroad.

And for those who want to see first-hand why a small, multi-tasking general store is so crucial to the development of rural Canada, stop in at the Madawaska Country Store, Gas & Liquor Shop which also doubles as a Post Office. It’s at the corner of Highways 60 and 523, the latter known locally as the Cross Lake Road. It will take you to Maynooth and Highway 62 but there’s a lot to see on the half-hour or so drive it takes to get there. Take special note of the several industrialized ‘sugar bushes’ that will be producing local maple syrup by the thousands of gallons next spring amongst all those red maples.

See Page 35

First sign of Autumn on an Algonquin Park River

Driving backroads to find five rivers rich

From Page 34

Most importantly is the Tom and Mick Murray Park, about eight kilometers east along 523. It overlooks Bark Lake, once the industrial heart of the 19th Century timber industry on the Madawaska River but now a

recreational paradise. This Park too has a set of very informative historical boards that detail the history of the local Indigenous Algonquins. Best of all, the Park is also one of the few places to take in a panoramic view of a Madawaska autumn. This huge

lake is surrounded by a mixed forest with enough sugar maples and leafy hardwoods to provide a striking view during the high season of autumn (i.e. usually the last week of September and first week of October).

Once in Maynooth, turn left and drive east along Highway 62, and after passing through Maple Leaf either turn right along the Boulter Road and head south through New Carlow to Slabtown where the road crosses the majestic York River; or turn right on Highway 62 and head north along the Papineau Lake Road, circumventing that lake and passing through Centreview and then left on Siberia Road and thus shortly back into Barry’s Bay. This entire circuit should take no more than a few hours on a lazy Sunday afternoon, though there are dozens upon dozens of curious side roads to take; so, it’s not a bad idea to bring along some snacks, if not a thermos of iced-tea and a handy GPS or road

autumn colours

map, just in case you get lost! What you won’t have to worry about is being bored, given the spectacular autumn scenery and the wonderfully undulating, dipsy-doodle backroads that web their way through North Hasting and western frontier of Renfrew County as these roads criss-cross those five Algonquin rivers. These are no ordinary roads and no ordinary rivers; every autumn their natural wonder and resplendent glories are on full display for anyone interested enough to notice them.

Put another way, there are certain places along the course of those rivers where autumn manifests itself in such a way as to make poets, painters, artists of all kinds, and even ordinary folk drop their jaws in wonderment. So, if you have time in late September or early October, consider searching out even one of those 1001 beauty spots along any one of these five pristine rivers.

The Opeongo River in early morning one autumn

Fall family fun grows at Hugli’s Ranch

By Alex Lambert

It’ssomething of a tradition for many in the Ottawa Valley to flock to Hugli’s Blueberry Ranch in Pembroke for the start of the fall season. The award-winning ranch is home to the largest blueberry operation in Eastern Ontario and has become well-known in the community as a bustling agricultural tourism destination.

While their berry season has wound down with the end of August, the staff are ready for another busy year of pumpkin picking and fall activities. The Hugli family has been growing pumpkins for nearly two decades and offers a variety of shapes, sizes and colours as well as a large assortment of gourds and squash.

Its history goes back to the early 70s, when Bill Hugli, a holistic chiropractor, was inspired by the idea that blueberries on high bushes could be picked by people of any age or physical condition. Today, the business lives on through the next generations of the Hugli family, with Bill’s youngest son Brian, his wife Judy and their kids, Will and Heidi taking the reigns.

Whether you’re picking blueberries in the spring, pumpkins in the fall or looking for a Christmas tree in the winter, there’s always something to do at Hugli’s. They offer plenty of fun stuff to keep their many visitors of all ages engaged.

They have everything from fun shenanigans like racing ducks and pigs to an indoor country puppet show or pumpkin cannon show, as well as several areas just for fun, like their tun-

nel slide, pirate ship maze, tire mountain and straw jump. The pumpkin patch offers a great backdrop for photos, so don’t forget to bring your camera!

If you’re on your way to the ranch with a sweet tooth, you’re in luck. In addition to their wide range of activities, their tasty treats are a mainstay among visitors. With a huge selection of artisanal goods and mouth-watering confections, Hugli’s is well known for its incredible homemade food.

Fudge, ice cream, yogurt, smoothies, various baked goods and their own line of gourmet blueberry foods, like salad dressing, barbeque sauce, salsa, and fusion tea are just some of the goodies visitors can anticipate at their country market. They make their fudge with real butter and cream and offer over 20 flavours, including seasonal favourites like blueberry, blueberry/ lemon swirl, chewy pumpkin praline, gingerbread, eggnog and candy cane.

Their canteen is open on weekends and offers fresh-baked pizza, hotdogs, popcorn and more. Their gift shop also offers a variety of locally and Canadian-made products and premade custom gift baskets.

Whether you’re walking through the pumpkin patch, trying their fresh baked goods or just enjoying the fall colours, Hugli’s is an excellent fall family getaway and something everyone can appreciate.

W e are open year round, 7 days a week for your convenience!

EXCELLENT FOOD, GAS & GIFT SHOP

W e are located 1km from HW Y 60 on Pikwakanagan Fir st Nation, as soon as you cross the bridge!

Kokomish Café & Gift Shop

Kokomish is your one stop place to eat, shop for unique giftware, ladies fashions and more!

We're blending our passion for making delicious food with our extensive knowledge of our cuisine to create authentic/classic dishes for your enjoyment. We use the freshest, locally-sourced ingredients and promise to give your taste buds something to be excited about.

F N Good Food focuses on comfort food

By Terry Fleurie

If you’ve never had a hot dog, pulled pork, or mac and cheese prepared by a Cordon Bleu chef, you haven’t eaten at one of Pembroke’s newest restaurants located on main street.

Catherine Donovan opened F N Good Food earlier this year, noting she had previously been a vendor at numerous Taste of the Valley events and Farmers’ Markets throughout the county where she was known as “Cordon Bleu Cat”. Her specialty at the time was in gluten-free and sugar-free products that helped celiac and diabetic individuals with their dietary restrictions. In addition, she was diagnosed with diabetes 15 years ago, so she became obsessed with the subject and spent many hours studying how foods affected her body.

Because these issues are serious topics, she wanted to have a humourous name for the business, so she enlisted her husband, Denis Labossiere, a professional writer, to provide some possibilities.

“He left for about 20 minutes and came back with a long list,” she recalled. “There was every name imaginable and at the end was F N Good Food, and I just knew.

“I didn’t laugh, even though it was funny, but I was just blown away at how it seemed to be the correct fit,” she added.

Her passion for cooking was fostered at a young age as she started cooking for their family of nine when she was just 11 years old. She looked through cookbooks at the library and would cook or bake whatever she found interesting that involved complicated meals. Her mother, who is now 91 and still dislikes cooking, saw how much her daughter enjoyed cooking and paid her 50 cents for dinner from Monday through Friday.

“Then on the weekend, it was a free-for-all with hot dogs, that kind of thing,” she said. Her mother, a teacher, took some of her meals to school to let others try it, and they were equally impressed.

Ms. Donovan pursued her dream by attending the Cordon Bleu academy in Paris, London and in Ottawa where she graduated with a Grand Diploma for pastry and cuisine when she was in her early 30s. She acknowledged the financial support her husband provided that allowed her to enroll in her first semester. She found employment with the school, working as a dishwasher, and doing prep in the kitchen, which helped fund her future semesters.

Born and raised in Newfoundland, she spent her summers at her grandparent’s farm in Smiths Falls where her paternal grandmother was considered the best cook/baker in the county. Although she rarely spoke to Ms. Donovan because she was painfully shy, her young grand-daughter learned a great deal by watching her in the kitchen.

“I just couldn’t believe the stuff she cranked out,” she said.

F N Good Food is her first restaurant after first operating different “pop-up” style businesses, along with working festivals and doing catering in the 90s and 2000s. She actually purchased the downtown building to serve as a distribution centre for the seasonings she makes, but soon realized she had enough space to run the centre downstairs and make a few luncheon meals.

“The media found out about someone with a Cordon Bleu diploma opening in Pembroke and we had a line-up out the door and we sold out in an hour and a half. The next day I sold out in an hour.”

She takes great satisfaction from seeing her clients enjoy the food, saying while she appreciates the comments, she knows she must never let up and ensure that quality is always there.

Her menu features hot dogs, mac and cheese, salads, jerk chicken, pulled pork and other comfort foods. She also features a chili cheese dog, with homemade chili with no beans, with ground beef and pork, and a “mega dog” with three wieners on a nine-inch toasted garlic bun, loaded with chili and cheese sauce, fried onions, and a strip of bacon. She added a turkey sandwich recently and quesadillas. There are 31 items in total, which she noted she does not offer each day. She said items like the vindaloo, a Portuguese-Indian dish is gaining in popularity.

Ms. Donovan said ,not only is everything made

from scratch, the portions are very generous too.

“My passion is real quality food done right, no cutting corners.”

In addition, she knows times are tough, so everything is priced accordingly with regular specials.

She has two young employees. She is training them to be quality cooks, encouraging them to always do their best, and to be proud of what they do.

She also makes about 60 different seasonings she ships across Canada to restaurants and hotels in bulk. These are sugar-free, gluten-free, preservative-free and chemical free. Those seasonings are now available in regular sized bottles in her restaurant. The idea for the seasoning came about because she cannot eat potato chips, so she replicated the potato chip flavours in her seasonings to put on popcorn. She realized as she was eating it that it could also be used on chicken, fish, etc.

She also sells sauces, like her barbecue sauce, which she uses on her pulled pork and the bacon in her mac and cheese.

“It took me three months and I finally got 48 jars made and they sold like that,” she said, snapping her fingers.

If anyone has room for dessert, F N Good Foods has a great selection of ice cream and floats available. They offer deliveries through Valley Eats.

Catherine Donovan focuses on serving quality, comfort food at F N Good Food Inc.

Fall Farm & Flavours Tour

By Lesley Cassidy

Ilove taking drives along the off-the-beaten roads in the Valley during September and October. Why? No bugs are buzzing about, the air is cooler, and the leaves share their yellow, orange and red splendour. We stock up at different farms and orchards stuffed with picked-today apples, garlic, honey, pies and many other delicious delights. It’s harvest time!

But it’s not just about the produce. Wander around a corn maze or snap pictures or selfies among the pumpkin patch and sunflower trails with your kids and friends. Or be a foodie and buy fresh lavender lemonade and blueberry syrup, all handmade by a farmer from the Ottawa Valley.

Grab your camera, a few friends or the kids, and join me in visiting the backroads of the Ottawa Valley this fall. Apples, Apples Everywhere…

Spot the plump apples hanging off the trees as you drive down the road towards McGregor’s Orchard southeast of Renfrew. Cameron and Mandy McGregor planted almost 3,000 trees over the past nine years. The McGregor’s Orchard offers eight varieties, including Honey Crisp, Lobo and Ruby Reds. And it’s not just apples; purchase or pick your own pumpkins and fresh flowers – deep yellow, white, pink and red zinnias are just some of the ones available.

I stopped by one morning, and the welcoming committee, Daisy and Sally, two sheep with big personalities, greeted me from behind the barn. After saying hello to the sheep and the chickens, I wandered along Gloria’s Trail, a wide one-kilometre-and-a-half path that meanders around their property. It’s an excellent trail to explore the fields, the woods and a pond nearby.

“We have a love for farming,” explained Cameron. He and Mandy both grew up on farms in the area. They grow lavender and transform this wonderfully scented herb into soap, aerosols, lavender-infused lemonade, oils, and wreaths. Need a bale of hay for your Hallowe’en décor? McGregor’s have it. Like to snap selfies? They have oodles of sunflowers planted (weather dependent), perfect for photos with friends. They raise pigs as well and sell several different flavours of sausages. My husband loves lamb, so I purchased lamb sausages, a few pepperettes, and a massive pumpkin.

Grab your running shoes and spend an afternoon picking apples at McGregor’s! It’s open in mid-August each year until the apples sell out, usually the first week of November.

Address: 704 Clifford SideRoad, Renfrew.

With over 5,000 trees, MacLaren Orchards is owned by Fred Hansma and Debbie Shepherd, who bought the orchard from the original family in 2016. They grow twenty varieties of apples and list on their website those freshly picked and ready to purchase daily.

I stopped by one crisp morning, and Frankie, the dog, welcomed me. They have a barn on their property minutes south of Renfrew stuffed with local pumpkins, maple syrup, garlic by the bag, preserves, apple crisp, pie and apple cider. And, of course, baskets in all sizes of their mouth-watering apples. Their cider is popular with locals and people from as far away as North Bay, Montreal and Peterborough. They sell over 6000 jugs of this delicious cider a season, and I couldn’t leave without buying one. If you would like to purchase one over the winter, they keep a freezer stocked full of jugs.

Fred and Debbie chuckled as they shared that one of their biggest surprises was “how long it took to grow one apple.” It’s a labour of love and a lot of hard work. Their website is very helpful – it includes a list of all the varieties, approximately when they are ready each year and what they are best used for in the kitchen (jellies, pies, cooking, eating, etc.). It’s a handy chart for someone like me who is never sure which is best for what. They also have a list of recipes, and I think I’ll have to try the roasted chicken turnovers with the basket of apples I purchased.

Fred mentioned that there are trees in the back orchard that were planted in 1913 and are still producing apples today. Come visit one of the oldest orchards and try some cider. You’ll keep coming back for more! The barn’s open from late August until the first week of November.

Address: 3376 Burnstown Road Renfrew.

Be A Farmer and A Foodie For A Day or Weekend!

Are you curious about goats and cattle and how your food grows?

Take an “agri-cation” at the Ottawa Valley Farm to Fork. It’s a heritage farm where you can hang with Scottish Highlands cattle (think big horns) and the energetic goats, learn how delicious organic produce grows and stay in a comfy farmhouse disconnected from the busy, noisy world.

Started 20 years ago by Kathleen Lindhorst and Marshall Buchanan, they began with a vision of growing nutritious food using regenerative farming practices.

“The point of origin (of your food) is really important; it will taste so much better,” shared Kathleen.

They also sell prepared food such as their mouth-watering handmade perogies (the potato, onion, and cheddar are delightful), sausages from their grass-fed beef that have the flavourings of tortière, and grow heritage varieties of vegetables tended to by hand.

Stay on-site! The farmhouse has three bedrooms (up to six guests), a cozy reading room, a full kitchen with plenty of counter space to create a fresh gourmet dinner, and a garage to store your bicycles. Soak up the sunsets each evening gazing out over the fields or pet the goats before falling asleep; they live in a barn nearby.

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Next spring (2025), they will offer a three-hour farm tour where you get your hands dirty, connect with the soil and the plants and learn about growing food. Or sign up for “Goat Haven” -- a two-hour adventure where you walk and cuddle with the goats and learn how to milk a doe. I spent some time with the goats; their antics will make you laugh in seconds.

Fall Farm & Flavours Tour

“They’re just pure joy,” Kathleen chuckled as I petted one goat who looked like she’s always smiling.

Arriving by bicycle? This farm is part of the Lumberjack Gravel Cycling Route They are also a member of Terego, a free one-night parking network for RVs offered by local farmers and producers across Canada.

Address: 1320 Scotch Bush Rd, Bonnechere Valley.

Find your inner farmer spending a weekend at the Foymount Farm and Equine Experience Nestled at the edge of the Foymount Hill just outside of Eganville, it’s a working farm where you try your hand at different activities, from feeding the animals to learning how to connect with a horse to simply soaking up the country air as you eat an apple sitting on a bench watching the sheep graze.

Sue Solf and her husband started this farm experience in 2005.

“I see us providing a service for people to come and just chill,” she said. “It’s all about people’s wellbeing.”

Spend the weekend in one of the two cottages with full kitchens, dining/living areas and a campfire pit. They supply fitted sheets, towels, a washer and dryer and a BBQ.

“People connect with where their food comes from”, she commented as she encourages people to pick veggies from their lush garden while preparing dinners in the cabins.

Sign up for a lesson on how to connect with a horse. It’s not a riding lesson; it’s something more magical. You groom the horse, bond with the four-legged beauties and guide them without pulling a rope around an obstacle course. You learn how to communicate with the horse in a way few people understand. And it’s all fun! Sue hides carrots and treats for the horses and helps kids and adults get comfortable around these majestic beasts. Bring your own horse and follow Sue on a trail ride around the area during the spring and fall.

Come be surprised, learn about farming and live in the moment!

Address: 3837 Foymount Rd, Cormac. Pig Races and Pumpkin Cannons?

Visit Hugli’s Blueberry Ranch on Greenwood Road south of Pembroke to experience family fun. It’s a 100-acre farm jam-packed with activities for every age. Step under the pumpkin-decorated and covered patio and inhale hotdogs, pizza, coffee, pop and sugary delights. You can jump on the wagon, or walk to the pick-your-own pumpkin patch, slide down Blueberry Hill, feed the farm animals, get lost in a corn maze, shoot selfies in the sunflower patch, walk the Fairy Trail or cheer on the pig races. Yes, it’s a fun event that you must see to believe. The day I visited, the baby pigs took their first run on the race course. A helper followed behind to ensure the little cuties didn’t wander back-

wards. The adult pigs know what to do. It’s a full-fledged race that will have you cheering loudly for your favourite four-legged racer.

The six-acre corn maze has four different games for different ages of fun. New this year, walk the one-kilometre trail through a mixed forest -- the best place to view the brilliant red and yellow coloured leaves on display this fall. Try the pedal carts; they will tire even the most energetic kids.

“We are never happy with where we are at; we are always thinking of what we can add,” Brian Hugli shared.

They visit other farm attractions in England and the United States to see what might work here. Before he headed off to launch the pumpkin cannon, he shared: “It’s a nice day out for kids to just have fun.”

Are you a foodie? Their 3400 square foot country store is jammed with blueberry fudge, butter tarts, jams, jellies, sausages, salsa, tea, home décor, clothing and coffee. I love hot sauce, so I picked up a blueberry ghost pepper sauce to try at home and a blueberry syrup for pancakes. They are an Ontario by Bicycle Network member and offer basic tools, a pump, and two large bicycle racks.

Address: 2139 Greenwood Rd, Pembroke.

An Apple A Day….

Do you love the taste of wild organic apples in liquid form? Then Brooker’s has this golden treat. It’s a family-owned orchard brewing award-winning hard cider south of Eganville. Craig Brooker and his family moved to the area six years ago and found wild apple trees on the farmland. The apples were perfect for cider

They also prepare community ciders, where friends and family donate the apples. A recent community batch has been fermented and aged 18 months in a red wine oak barrel. It’s now bottled and available for purchase. Half of the sales of the community ciders are donated to local charities. Brooker’s is also part of the Lumberjack Cycling Route It’s an excellent beverage to sip and share among friends at the end of a ride!

A Yard to Check-out!

The Butterworths started the Food Yard in 2017 near Beachburg. It’s a small-scale farm where they grow curly leaf lettuce, bulbs of garlic, deep red beets, purple-veined kale, and so much more. The Food Yard inspires healthy eating; it’s a must-visit for local food. They offer a farm share over the summer and have several seasonal greenhouses to help offset when the weather doesn’t cooperate.

Address: 21 Watchorn Dr. Beachburg.

Curious About Rural Life?

Back by popular demand, Farms Open 2024 happens on Sunday, September 24th. It allows you to spend time on a farm, mingle with the animals, and purchase artisan-prepared foods, drinks and produce. Come meet food artisans and farmers along the Algonquin Trail near Petawawa on Sunday, October 20th, 2024. You walk the trail between the different food stands, 12 in total, where you can sip and savour different items prepared locally. With the fall harvest and colours almost in full bloom, visit the Valley and sample farming life. It’s the most delicious season!

It’s All Here: A 3-Day Getaway in the Valley

By Lesley Cassidy

Disconnect for a fall weekend before the busyness of the holiday season. Christmas markets, sipping wine, visiting cute towns with lazy rivers, cozy coffee shops, outdoor adventures and shopping. Sign me up!

Renfrew County covers over 7,000 square kilometres; it’s impossible to explore it all in one weekend. A favourite area of mine is the Bonnechere Valley. The Bonnechere River rambles through Eganville, a town of 1300 people, also known as the Jewel of the Bonnechere. My mother, who grew up on a farm nearby, remembers travelling to Eganville in the 1940s with her father. It was known as the hub for the farming community.

With so much agricultural history, it only makes sense to stay at a local farmhouse. Check out Ottawa Valley Farm to Fork, just 15 minutes from Eganville. The perfect weekend spot, it sleeps six visitors in three bedrooms, offers a comfy kitchen to prepare fresh food, and a living room made for a game of cards or sitting next to the large window

reading a good book.

Day 1

Do you prefer to stretch your legs after driving? Stop by the John Egan Geology Walking Trail in Eganville. This 1.4-kilometer generally flat and easy route takes 30 minutes to an hour, depending on how much you like to explore. It passes through a mixed forest, then onto the old Grattan Limestone Quarry, active in the 1800s and early 1900s, and then meanders along the swirling Bonnechere River with plenty of wood benches to sit and chill. Spend time running your hands over the exposed rock walls, feeling for fossils, and spot these embedded gems from thousands of years ago. There are interpretive panels sharing information, free parking, and it’s well-signed.

Would you prefer a longer trek but not too challenging? Shaw Woods Outdoor Centre, just 11 minutes outside of Eganville, has trails totalling 14 kilometres. It’s divided into the East and West by a road. Logging was one of the Valley’s first industries, and this piece of land has been in the Shaw Lumber family since 1847. Together with the Nature Conservancy of Canada, they partnered to create and preserve this area It’s a mixed bush, with one of the highlights being a 1.6-kilometre “Old Growth Trail” with areas never logged by the Shaw family. Towering maples, beech and hemlock trees over 200 years old tower over the landscape. There’s a panoramic lookout, the Snake River runs through the property, and it’s home to bald eagles, turtles, frogs and piliated woodpeckers. This forest represents a walk-through time with interpretative panels and plenty of signage -- no charge for parking either. After the hike, warm up at the Fifth Chute Coffee Shop in Eganville. Perched on the side of the Bonnechere River in a historic red brick building, it has a gigantic map of the area mounted on the wall, perfect for planning local trips. Sample goodies like muffins, ginger cookies,

locally made honey and meats, chili hot chocolate or a latte. Pick up a sourdough bread to take home; they are known for their bread baked fresh every day. Over the fall, they are open from Wednesday to Saturday.

Head back to the Farmhouse for an evening of board games and cards and rustle up a meal with veggies, potato and cheddar perogies and grassfed beef supplied by Farm to Fork. Hang with the goats before bed (the barn is nearby) and sip a Brooker’s Cider made just up the road. Check out the Eganville Curling Club if you are here on a Friday evening. They have a Friday night drop-in for $10 where you receive instruction and equipment. There’s no better way to learn how to throw a rock than in the Ottawa Valley, where curling is a much-adored winter activity. Or an escape room adventure? Yes! There’s one in Eganville. The curling club offers this unique, exciting chance to solve a mystery. The mystery involves the Avro Arrow – the Canadian supersonic interceptor aircraft that an Ottawa Valley man worked for as the chief test pilot in 1958. It’s thrilling and a puzzle-solving evening you will remember. Contact the Club and Gerald Priestley who has put on more than 50 escape experiences across the country, will share details. Flex your creative muscle and visit Little Creek Pottery near Cobden, just a few minutes from Eganville. Sign up for a hand-building Friday evening class this fall. You can shape a mug, Christmas ornament or whatever you like and finish it with a stunning glaze that night. This is perfect for a date night or a night out with a few girlfriends

Enjoying the beauty of Shaw Woods at Lake Dore.

A 3-Day Getaway

Day 2

Where do you want to go today? Drive a loop with exciting and fun stops in Eganville, and Pembroke or head off to Renfrew to shop.

Fuel up at the Farmhouse in your kitchen, or stop by Sour Jo’s in Cobden or the Little Coffee Shop in Cobden (just 16 minutes from Eganville) for yummy breakfasts and coffee to go or stay. Sour Jo’s offers a huge selection of sourdough-based baking including line-up-outsidethe-door-worthy cinnamon buns and focaccia. The Little Coffee Shop Coffee bakes breakfast sandwiches, apple fritters and daily fresh-made bagels. I’ve stopped numerous times at both places, and they are always tasty. It’s so hard to choose.

A little holiday spirit? In Cobden, from October until mid-December, the Christmas Barn is open every Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. I went last December, and there are so many vendors with something creative for everyone on your list, from woodworking to knitting to food spices, rubs and preserves. It’s fun to wander and chat with the creators.

Love soft fur, cuddles and laughs? Less than 20 minutes from Cobden, kids and adults love these little four-legged cuties -- visit Caprassion Acres The cuddly goats, some dwarf-sized, are just snuggly soft and will chew on your hair if you pick them up. Cassie Zadow, the owner, can arrange a time for your visit. Or drop in by chance; she’ll most likely be creating by hand her scented soaps, lotions, and bath bombs from goat’s milk. The goat’s milk body lotion is creamy and feels lovely on your skin (I love the Pumpkin Spice scent). Cassie explained that she started making soap for family and friends in 2018 and was encouraged to sell at local markets. The demand multiplied, and she opened a shop at her home in January 2022.

Check out the newest hard-to-keep secret in the Valley -- the Whitewater O’Brien Winery in Westmeath, just 25 minutes from Cobden. Perched on a windy bay of the Ottawa River, this area, with its limestone base, produces delicious and perfect grapes for wine. Jason and Lioutsia O’Brien started this project in 2014 to diversify from the family crops.

“We sort of fell into this,” Jason shared with a laugh. “We’ve had a really good turnout with many visitors, including bus tours.” They’ve planted numerous varieties of grapes as well. They opened in September and built an outdoor wine bar where you can soak up the breeze in comfy chairs and view the winery or the river. Inside, discover a wine library where you can relax and sip with friends.

Currently, they serve a red, a white and a rosé. I stopped by on a rainy Saturday and purchased two bottles of red to take home for our smoked turkey dinner with family that night. We all loved the wine! They are open from September till December every Saturday from 12 to 5 p.m Are you a shopper? Head into Renfrew and start your afternoon at Ottawa Valley Coffee on the main street – the Chicken Pesto Sandwich

is a flavourful option for lunch (and soup is a new option too). Visit A Sense of Country for décor, local books, unique toys, picture frames, treats from a different era (think candy, suckers and liquorice), and so much more. Wander a bit further up the street to the Flower Factory. Visit this store for paper, stationery items, and flowers, and check their online calendar for creative floral workshops.

Pick-it-Fence or Keeping Company will share a fashion find (or three) for your closet. Renfrew Resale is a beautiful gem for the consignment thrifty shopper. Are shoes your thing? Try Scott’s Shoes or The Shoe Lounge In A Bind is the newest and only bookstore in town. They carry teas, locally made jewellery and environmentally friendly products. Stop by the 100-foot-long swinging bridge (one of three in Canada!) initially built in 1885 just north of the downtown along the Bonnechere River. The MacDougall Museum property offers a lovely space to walk even though the museum’s closed for the season. Check out the hockey NHA/NHL Birthplace Museum; it’s located in Ma-te-way Park and is open from Thursday to Sunday during the fall.

Hungry for dinner? While driving back to Eganville, visit the locals’ restaurant that has been operating for over 30 years. The Granary’s a long-time favourite. Schnitzel, done several different ways, is a speciality, and the desserts are mouth-watering! They also cook a scrumptious bratwurst and many other tasty options (kids too). It’s cozy, relaxed dining. Gaze at the local artwork displayed - currently paintings by Linda Sorensen, Kathy Haycock, Christine Peltzer and Joyce Burkholder It’s a must-visit when in Eganville.

Day 3

Start your morning with a yoga class; from the Farm, take a ramble to Pembroke and lay your mat at White Pine Yoga. Maegan Adams is the owner of this community-driven space. Maegan mentioned that she got into yoga “to find some inner calm; we live in a busy world.” She shared that they offer several types of yoga, teacher training and workshops. If visiting on a Sunday morning, try the gentle restorative yoga or a more vigorous workout that will build strength. Pack your yoga gear to start your day with a stretch.

Or perhaps a heart-pounding quad workout to start your day? Less than a 25-minute drive from the Farmhouse, check out the Griffith Uplands Trail – a vigorous nine-kilometre hike with plenty of vistas. Expect a rugged, rocky, challenging hike that requires sturdy hiking boots. The views are worth it and spectacular. Find free parking for five vehicles 2.1 kilometres down Hyland Creek Road in Griffith, and the trail’s blazed with blue markers. If you are here during the first two weeks of November, it’s deer hunting season, so wear plenty of bright orange. Stop by Pine Valley Restaurant in Griffith for the Logger’s Breakfast or the Rueben Sandwich; both are good fuel for a good hike.

Before booking, visit Ottawa Valley Travel. There’s always something up in the Valley: Christmas markets starting in November to the Taste of the Valley Christmas Event on December 14th at the Renfrew Armouries, to pick your own Christmas Trees at Hugli’s Blueberry Ranch. Or candle making at the Whitewater Inn. It’s truly all here.

Book your escape and make memories today.

Whitewater O’Brien Winery hosts Jason and Lioutsia O’Brien.

Scenic Valley spots to enjoy the fall colours

By Lesley Cassidy

Vibrant maples nestle among the pines, and the birch and poplar display their golden blaze. Discover these waterfalls, lookouts, and trails for your best fall photograph or to soak up the view.

The Westmeath Scenic Lookout is a fall colours must-visit. With parking space, it overlooks this agricultural area’s rolling farmlands, forests, church spires and hills. The lookout offers uninterrupted 360-degree views and a spot to sit and admire the surrounding fall landscape. A favourite place of Mr. J. C. Wright, the lookout was built in the 1950s by his family when he passed away. Spend an afternoon or snap a few Instagram-worthy photos. Find this treasure at 1358 Lookout Road in the Whitewater Region.

Prefer an energetic hike? Wander around the Griffith Uplands Trail, located 2.2 kilometres along Hyland Creek Road across from the Griffith General Store. There’s parking for five vehicles and a map describing the four mountains and the rocky viewpoints of the hike. It’s a nine-kilometre loop, well-marked (blue blazes) with ups and downs, one narrow creek crossing and a few low-lying wet areas. Hiking boots are a must. The views offer the endless rolling hills of the Madawaska Highlands, which stretch for miles.

Known as the “Little Niagara” rapid, this section of the Madawaska River pouring out of Algonquin Park offers many stunning waterfalls. It’s part of the Upper Madawaska Provincial Park (a non-operating park) and is best accessed by ATV, hiking, cycling or dirt biking along the South Algonquin Old Rail Trail. A recent upgrade in 2023 improved the surface of the path. It’s approximately 45 kilometres long, starting in Whitney. It travels along the Madawaska River for a good portion of the trail, through Madawaska (by the Recreation Complex) before ending near Barry’s Bay. This star waterfall is the perfect pitstop to appreciate the leaves and rushing water, eat lunch and enjoy the quiet -- you’ll feel like you’re in the middle of nowhere.

See Spectacle Lake and Bear and Burnett Mountain Trails near Barry’s Bay for hues of amber and gold. Park at one of the five trailheads, pack a downloaded paper map or follow your favourite trail app. Several lookouts, including Bear Lake from the Bear Mountain Trail and the ridges of the Loon-Beaver South Trail, will delight your senses. It’s a mixed forest with well-marked and defined trails. Explore this gem with 50 kilometres of pathways outside hunting season.

No longer a secret, visit the Morrow Lake waterfalls located off Morrow Lake Road and accessible from Highway 41 or Centennial Lake Road. There are two parking spots beside the wood bridge where the lake drains into Morrow Creek. The start of the trail is a little wet, then walk or ATV approximately one kilometre, and the falls rumble to your left. The fallen leaves and water cascading over a mossy rock wall make this a worthwhile visit.

The view from the Westmeath Lookout

A hike along the Griffith Uplands Trail in the fall provides spectacular views of colourful hardwood forests.

beauty of the season

Almost a million visitors from around the world come to experience one of the best autumn attractions in Ontario annually.

Algonquin Park is a prime destination for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts and offers amazing wildlife viewing and stunning landscapes make for countless photographic opportunities as well as a wide range of activities throughout the year.

The Canadian National Historical Site offers many ways for visitors to enjoy their stay and a breathtaking landscape of fall colours, which even includes a fall colour report every year in September.

Established over 130 years ago in 1893, Algonquin Park is the oldest provincial park in the country. Renowned for its historical and cultural significance, it predates several historical events, like the world wars, the invention of the airplane in 1903, and the first modern Olympics in 1896.

Algonquin Park is also one of the largest provincial parks in the

country, coming in at an incredible 7,653 square feet made up of stunning natural landscapes, breathtaking outdoor wilderness and fascinating museums. Driving across it can be a bit of a hike in itself. The east entrance is at Whitney and it takes about 40 minutes to drive across the 56 kilometres of Highway 60 it covers.

The area’s biodiversity is another big draw since it has been an important site for research and a

hot spot for natural scientific discoveries since the 1930s. Scientists are still identifying new species in the park’s ecosystem.

Algonquin is also one of the few places in the world where you can participate in an unforgettable public wolf howl event, where guides lead thousands of visitors through the park to communicate with the local Eastern Wolves.

The park offers countless outdoor activities, including but

not limited to fishing, mountain biking, hiking, birding, boating, swimming and stargazing. It also has over 20 marked trails, each offering a unique perspective into its diverse landscapes.

Visitors to the park should expect more than just rugged beauty and outdoor activities. It also offers a comprehensive look into the area’s cultural heritage.

You can find information about the park or grab a bite to eat at the Visitor Centre. Check out the gift shop, nearby fire tower or bulletin board in the lobby that lists the latest wildlife sightings in the area.

For the artistically inclined, the Algonquin Art Centre features several mediums of locally produced world-class art, from paper craft to charcoal, textiles and ceramics.

The campgrounds within the park include Achray, Backcountry, Brent, Canisbay Lake, Kearney Lake, Kiosk, Lake of Two Rivers, Mew Lake, Pog Lake, Raccoon Lake, Rock Lake, Tea Lake and Whitefish Lake. – Alex Lambert

Comfort food with a cultural twist

By Alex Lambert

If you’re interested in family-friendly dining in a historic pub, look no further than the legendary Wilno Tavern.

The Tavern is a cherished meeting place among locals that combines history and hospitality seamlessly. It was first established as a railway hotel in Canada’s first Polish settlement in the late 1800s, but it has evolved into a bustling family restaurant and music venue in the many years since then.

They host special events regularly, including their famous Blues Night every Tuesday, and others like country and prime rib nights every so often and a Polish buffet every month.

It has countless loyal customers, many of whom have been coming for many years, which only enhances the atmosphere and charm.

Even if you’re just passing through, the Wilno Tavern is a place where you’ll feel quickly at home. While it used to be something of a hidden gem, it’s evidently not so hidden anymore. In recent years it has become more of a destination.

While their menu features crowd-pleasers like burgers, soups, salads and pizza,

the real gems are the authentic Kashubian dishes, like homemade golabki (cabbage rolls) and their enormous pierogies.

For those looking to bring a taste of Wilno home with them, the Tavern has a selection of artisanal goods, like their famous poppyseed vinaigrette salad dressing, spiced mustard, Madawaska Coffee’s Wilno Roast, frozen pierogies, and cabbage rolls.

The Wilno Tavern is in the heart of Wilno along Highway 60 sandwiched between Barry’s Bay and Killaloe. If you’re in the mood for a cultural tour, it’s just a stone’s throw from the Polish Kashub Heritage Museum, the Wilno Craft Gallery and St. Mary’s Catholic Church up the road.

It’s open daily from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. but closed on Wednesdays. Even the tavern needs a night off after a busy Blues Night.

Reservations are recommended, especially during the busy summer and fall months and special events, so plan ahead to secure your spot at this local gem.

Wendell Henry and his friendly staff will ensure you have an enjoyable experience.

Don’t forget to check out the Wilno Tavern. You will be glad you did.

Painted doors, barn quilts are “eye-candy”

By Terry Fleurie

Autumn is traditionally filled with a natural landscape of tremendous beauty, but visitors to Bonnechere Valley (BV) Township this fall will have some extra “eye-candy” to enhance their visit.

Thanks to the efforts of several local artists, Eganville now boasts several Painted Doors/Windows to help beautify the village, and numerous buildings across the municipality are locations on a Barn Quilt Tour.

Laurel Cook, one of the contributing artists and the individual who spearheaded the two projects that were officially launched during the 2024 BV Inspired Tour in early August, provided some background on the projects.

She said the inspiration for the Painted Doors came from a small village in Italy named Valloria, which looked like it was dying.

“So, the mayor went out and painted about five or six doors with different artists, and then it started to really grow,” she explained. “By this year, there are 160 doors painted and there’s a competition every year to be able to paint those five doors with artists from Japan, Germany and France who actually compete to paint the doors.

“So we thought why not do it in Eganville,” she added. “I’m sure we can do a little bit of eye-candy.”

She recruited several other local artists including Genevieve Townsend, Cathy Haycock and Chris Peltzer and they are hopeful of having seven doors finished this season, with more to come next year. Bev Lewis and Kayla Desjardins are also interested in being involved.

The first door she did was the delivery door at the Eganville Home Hardware on Water Street, which she started in September of 2023. The bright red door bearing the Home Hardware logo created lots of positive feedback, which led to the sign at Milano’s Pizza, a mural on a large window at a neighbouring building, and the door at Ms. Townsend’s home on Queen Street. They are hoping to get four more completed before the season is over, including ones at Tim-

bermart and Foodmart. She has three new artists volunteering to do doors, so she has to find more locations for them next year.

“You can have all the murals you want, but doors are different,” she remarked. “They’re just nice little surprises as you walk by.”

She approaches the property owners and discusses the concept with them and the artist, and then the door is prepped for the paint which requires a fair bit of work.

Ms. Cook said they did not want to focus solely on the urban area, so they launched the Barn Quilt Tour as well, noting as of the launch they had 12 barn quilts up with the intention of doing many more.

The concept originated when Beth Miller, owner of Beth’s Kitchen, approached Ms. Cook about doing a 4’ x 4’ barn quilt for their property on Foymount Road. She created that quilt in her basement workshop and decided to host a Barn Quilt workshop in March as a fundraiser for the BV Museum and another as fundraiser for a local 4-H Club. The clients pay for the materials and she asks them to donate whatever they feel her work is worth to a charity of their choice.

The existing quilts are all ones she has been commissioned to do or ones done by people who have attended her workshops.

Ms. Cook said certain patterns in the quilts have different meanings – an eight-point star means abundance, a sunflower pattern means happiness/hope, a log barn pattern means home and heart.

“Some people choose a traditional pattern and the colours, of course, have a meaning as well,” she noted.

She has been approached by many other people and she sees it growing each year.

The quilts are located at: intersection of Foymount Road and Spring Creek Road; 1360 Foymount Road; intersection of Corrigan Road and Silver Lake Road; 67 Silver Lake Road; 131 Manning Road; 192A Manning Road; 2290 Opeongo Road; 103 Bonnechere Street East; and 37 Bonnechere Street East.

Laurel Cook created this barn quilt showcasing one of her pet dogs for her barn on Manning Road.

This sunflower-style quilt adorns the bran at the Beth Miller/Francis Foran property on Foymount Road.

Str aight-Forw ar d Pricing / Per sonal Ser vice / Family Owned & Oper ated Since 1911

Enjoying one of the many beautiful fall views you will find throughout R enfrew County.

Photo: Lesley Cassidy

Discover colourful Renfrew County this fall season.

One-S top Shop for fresh meats, produce and more!

A nd Eganville Foodmar t is well-known for its delicious Cinnamon Buns. In fact, people travel from all over the Valley, and as far away as Ottawa to enjoy our sticky buns.

Renfrew County is well-known for its gorgeous fall colour s and beautiful scenery.

Fall scene at the Danny Roesler residence, along Highway 41 south of Pembroke at Shady Nook.

Baby Owen Kutchkoskie was a mere one-month old when this photo was taken among the pumpkins on a leaf-covered lawn last fall. He is the little brother of Henry and the son of Skyler and Rebecca.