Land o' Lakes

Speed at Your Own Risk in Vennachar!

Actual sign at the entrance to Vennachar. This historic village was almost wiped out by a massive fire in 1903. The 1875 Methodist Church was spared and has a sign saying “Survivor of 1903 Fire”. Learn more about the history of Addington Highlands and North Frontenac townships with an audio driving tour that is being prepared for free download at www.travellandolakes.com  The tour should be available in a few months.

Photo courtesy of Terence Dickinson

The night sky in Lennox and Addington County is so pristine that it offers the best area in southern Ontario to stargaze…and to shoot the night sky!  In partnership with the Napanee Photo Club, Lennox and Addington County is holding its first photo contest to capture the beauty of our night skies.  Whether you are an amateur or professional photographer, we invite you to join us for this unique experience.

Please RSVP for this event by contacting Rob Plumley at 613-354-4883 ext. 271.

There will be three prize categories – First, Second and Third – with recipients selected by an expert judging panel.  There will also be a ‘best of show’ recognition award.  Award winning submissions will be displayed at the Lennox and Addington County Museum for a set period of time and will be featured on Lennox and Addington County and Napanee Photo Club’s web site.

Lennox and Addington County will host an award ceremony in November to honour contest winners.

Earn a place on the plaque at the Frontenac Park Office!

Receive a Certificate of Accomplishment and have your name placed on the plaque at the Frontenac Park Office by completing the Frontenac Challenge! Complete all 11 loops  over the months of September and October and enjoy the fall colours on the Canadian Shield.  More information check out www.frontenacpark.ca

Martha Johnson and Mark Gane

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TvqjYxeTODY (See the original performance in 1980)

There is a lot of hoopla over the re-release of “Echo Beach” marking a 30 year anniversary for the Canadian group “Martha and the Muffins”.  Many have thought that the song was inspired by Bon Echo Provincial Park although according to the groups Facebook page, Mark Gane “there’s no connection between the song and the park although I’ve been to Bon Echo. A beautiful spot! MG”  (Their re-release of Echo Beach is posted on their FB page).

I’ve wondered myself about the connection because CBC reported yesterday (Aug 17th) about the release and how campers at Bon Echo will be excited about the re-lease of this international hit. 

Something very cool about the group is they are holding a contest to celebrate 30 years of Echo Beach becoming an international hit, Martha and the Muffins will write and record a song about a big day in the life of one lucky fan.

From their website:

“Celebrating 30 years of Echo Beach is a big day for us. We wanted to create a contest that would help us celebrate this achievement and give one of our fans a big day to look back on 30 years from now”- Mark Gane

To enter the contest, fans must submit a 200-word story describing a big day in their life to echobeach300@gmail.com. A panel of judges, including Mark Gane and Martha Johnson, will review all entries. Four (4) entries will be selected for the final round of the contest. The four (4) selected entries will then be voted on by fans at www.marthaandthemuffins.com the entry that receives the most votes by 11:59pm ET on Monday September 13, 2010 wins the grand prize.

Key Dates:
Contest Submission Deadline: 11:59pm ET Friday August 27 2010
Voting Commences: Wednesday September 1, 2010
Voting Closes at 11:59pm ET on Monday September 13, 2010

Grand Prize
Mark Gane and Martha Johnson of Martha and the Muffins will write and record a song based on the winning entry submitted for the 30 Years of Echo Beach contest.

For more detailed contest information please contact:
Jeremie Poirier at jeremie@popguru.ca.

Two cyclists at Foymount- Ontario's highest peak.

Tour de Bonnechere Valley 2010, Date: August 15

Time: 8:00-8:30 sign in, 9am departure

Location: Bonnechere Caves 8km from Eganville (follow signs from Eganville). For directions to and see what they are about http://www.bonnecherecaves.com/

What is it: a timed self supported tour – challenge yourself to ride the short course in 2 hours or the long one in 3. This is not a race. Enjoy riding with like minded people at whatever pace you choose.

How much: $10 to cover lunch and organizing expenses. You will have to sign a waiver when you arrive.

Register: RSVP required at Gearheads 687-4624

Why the change in venue? This event has run as the Tour de Lapasse for the last several years. In an effort to see more of the beautiful Ottawa Valley, we are supporting Chris Hinsperger and his efforts to build a cycle touring network in the Valley. This route also sees less traffic (no busses!) than the Lapasse loop, has the stunning Foymount climb, and will be cheaper and easier to run!

Lunch: We will be BBQ’ing burgers and providing salad – you bring your own chilled beverages and pot luck snack food to feed 10 people – sliced fruit or veggies, chips/dip, cookies, donuts, whatever you would snack on after a long ride. This way we will have tons of food, a lovely spot at Bonnechere Caves to hang out, and loads of door prizes to give away, compliments of Gearheads. Bring your own water. There are outhouses on site.

There is a place to swim in the river, but you will need sturdy footwear as the rocks are sharp and there is current. You may even bring a lifejacket and swim in the waves! You can also take a tour of the ultra cool Bonnechere Caves after the ride.

The ride: The loops are self supported. Bring a tube and pump, lots of water and money for snacks (if you stop at a store). Maps will be provided, and the route will be ‘lightly’ marked, with the expectation riders will be looking at their maps. Details are below.

TO DO LIST:

1. Pre register at Gearheads 687-4624. We are doing our own food to keep cost down, so we need to plan accordingly. Note if you are vegetarian when you RSVP.
2. Prep your bike and bring appropriate water, food and repair gear. Helmets are mandatory.
3. Bring a pot luck snack for 10 people.

Arrive at Bonnechere Caves by 8:15 at the latest (August 15). It is a half hour drive from Pembroke/Petawawa.  For more info contact Caveman Chris at Bonnechere Caves:  chrish@nrtco.net

Campers and staff of Land O Lakes Petting Farm near Cloyne

Reprinted from the Frontenac News, written by Julie Drucker.

Donna and Barry Smith understand the mutually beneficial relationships that can develop between kids and critters and it was for that reason they opened the Land O’ Lakes Petting Farm earlier this summer on Road 506 just east of Cloyne.

The Smiths purchased the three-acre parcel of land beside their home three years ago, cleared it, built the barn and fenced off the various paddocks that now sit on the property.

The farm has a homey feel and includes a duck pond, a snack bar with picnic tables, a covered outdoor eating/craft area, an outdoor pool, and a playground.

The initial idea to start up a petting farm came as the Smiths were raising their three daughters, Desiree, Chantal and Darian and decided to purchase a few horses for the girls.

Barry grew up on a farm and has a background with horses, and after seeing how his daughters took to the horses the Smiths decided that it would “be great to be able to offer local kids in the area a similar kind of experience.”

The petting farm is open 7 days a week and visitors can drop by free of charge anytime though donations for the animals’ upkeep are always welcome. On site are close to 20 farm animals, each with a name. They include a family of llamas, miniature horses, one Shetland and two Welsh ponies, Mr. Jackson the donkey, Casper the friendly goat, a baby lamb, a cow, chickens, a rooster, ducks, rabbits, of course dogs, cats, and last but not least, Daisy the pot-bellied pig, who does tricks.

Most of the animals are rescue animals that have been taken from some very unpleasant situations. They had been either abandoned or were in dire need of medical attention. The Smiths have worked for two years caring for, and socializing them to ensure their safe interaction with children. Barry credits the animals’ quick rehabilitation to their ongoing interaction with children. “The mix of kids and animals is a really great thing- for both. It’s therapeutic both for the animals and the kids. The animals adore the kids and both have an opportunity to build lasting relationships. We have one child here with Down syndrome who spent over an hour grooming one of the horses this morning.”

During the summer months Donna runs a full time day camp at the farm weekdays from 8am-6pm. Children can come for a single day for $50 and she also offers a special weekly rate of $225 for any five days throughout the summer. One day includes two meals- breakfast and lunch plus snacks and a full day of activities that include animal grooming, education and interaction, arts and crafts, sports (badminton, soccer, volleyball and crochet), daily swimming, and nature hikes.

In an effort to promote other businesses in the area the Smiths have partnered with two nearby businesses, Hunter’s Creek Golf Course and Sherwood Park. The former provides campers with golf lessons and golfing, and the latter with daily swimming and fishing.

In case of inclement weather campers can retreat indoors to the Smiths’ home where there are movies, and a workout room.

Barry says that after the initial investment and the ongoing expense of caring for their animals, their business may not see profits for a number of years. That, however, does not seem to deter either of them. In Barry’s words, “We love what we are doing, specifically two aspects of the business in particular. 1-The care and love of the kids and 2- the care and love of the animals. There is nothing more satisfying than seeing a kid come to know and love and really care for an animal.”

All children, including children with special needs, are welcome at the petting farm. For more information please call 613-336-0330; visit www.landolakespettingfarm.ca or email landolakespettingfarm@omniglobe.ca

In July there was a flurry of activity in Verona. Rivendell Golf Club hosted the Golf Association of Ontario (GAO) Investors Group Ontario Juvenile & Junior Girls Championship. This was a big week for Rivendell. Young golfers from across Ontario traveled to Verona and played in blistering heat on the challenging course. Jim Lansdell- Club Manager talks about the big tournament.

Long Distance Cyclists Common in Land O' Lakes

Fully equipped and packed long distance touring bikes are common in the Land O’ Lakes Tourist Region. Our Kaladar  Office is located on the TransCanada Highway #7  and is frequented by cyclists from around the world. We are also just steps away from the TransCanada Trail as it follows the rail line from Tweed to Sharbot Lake.

What is the number one request from cyclists?  Is there a public washroom?  Yes, we say…come this way. As a member of the Welcome Cyclists Network we are anxious to help cyclists any way we can and invite cyclists to drop by for assistance. Ice cold water is always on-hand. Free Land O’ Lakes maps are available as are County Trails maps plus roadmaps of Ontario. We can also help book your next overnight stay or let you check your email.

The bikes above belong to a couple from Austria touring from Nova Scotia to Toronto. They were on their way to Bon Echo Provincial Park to spend the night (or a bit longer). If you are a cyclist please drop by and let us know how we can help!

Rock Climbing at Bon Echo Provincial Park

 Rock Climbing at Bon Echo is popular because of the 1 kilometre long rock cliff that rises out of Mazinaw Lake. The famous Mazinaw (or Bon Echo) Rock is 100 metres tall and is a significant challenge for climbers. You must be a member of the Alpine Club  http://www.alpineclubofcanada.ca/sections/toronto.html to climb at Bon Echo. There is the Bon Echo Hut on the lake for  registered climbers. For visitors to Bon Echo it’s very interesting to watch the climbers attempt the rock face- they look like ants!