Snofest Winter Carnival

The Snofest Winter Carnival is coming soon! This is Peterborough’s annual answer to celebrating winter in the Kawarthas! Since 1977, Snofest has been a fixture in the beautiful historic city. As the “Gateway to Cottage Country”, Peterborough draws people from all over North America to the treasures of the area. Snofest offers visitors plenty of fun and excitement. For the kids, there’s an art contest, “Music by Jake”, sno games and magic shows. For those young at heart, there’s Chili-fest and the Sno Idol Contest. Not to forget seniors, there’s Bingo, special dances and seniors skating.
And, for the whole family, there are horse drawn sleigh rides, a snowman making contest and a Pancake Breakfast! Once again this wonderful event is held in conjunction with the Peterborough Museum and Archives. The main events take place on the hill next to the Museum. Inside the Museum, the kids’ art contest, magic shows and kids’ music are held. It sounds like a great event, fun for the whole family! Hopefully we will see you on the “Hill”. The Winter Carnival runs from Saturday, January 10th, 2009 to Sunday, January 18th, 2009. To find out more about this great event, go to their website at http://www.peterboroughsnofest.ca/.

Artists’ Series – Judi McWilliams

This is the third in a series about Canadian artists I have know, and in this case, married.

Judi McWilliams is one of those artists whose art triggers the imagination. As a result, collectors from around the world have purchased her paintings! Judi has had a love and flare for art ever since she was a little girl. As a matter of fact, her father was a graphic artist and her mother and sisters were very crafty! Her twin sister, Sue Caron, exhibits her acrylic paintings locally. Judi’s and my first real foray into the world of art was our visit, so many years ago, to the Buckhorn Wildlife Art Festival! We met so many wonderful artists at the festival and I am sure that many of these artists inspired Judi and caused her artistic passions to flow! A few years after our first art show, we entered the art world ourselves by becoming sales agents for Edwin Matthews and Buckhorn Fine Art Publishing. Eventually this led to our owning two fine art galleries and a wholesale custom framing business. By immersing herself in the art world, Judi discovered the infinite opportunities to pursue her own artist talents. Although Judi has tried several mediums and styles, she always comes back to free flowing watercolours! She likes the immediacy of the watercolours and by using her unique techniques, they seem to have a mind of their own! The images and subjects she paints come from reality, but are translated onto paper through her imagination. Over the years Judi has participated in many fine art events and festivals. She is always amazed and appreciative of how people enjoy her creations! Recently she embarked on a new journey and has developed her own originals virtual gallery. If you would like to see Judi’s original watercolours, please go to http://www.judimcwilliamsfineart.com/.

Here are two of Judi's originals - "Soaring" and "Destiny"

Shane Peacock – Canadian Author

Several years ago Judi and I were involved with the founding and organizing of a new festival in Port Hope. We wanted to create a festival theme that would be specific to Port Hope. We found that theme in the form of William Leonard Hunt or, as he became known worldwide, the Great Farini! Hunt, or Farini, was a larger than life character who roamed the world in the mid to late 1800’s. From tightrope walking over the Niagara Falls to inventing the Human Cannonball and beyond, Farini’s career was nothing short of spectacular! In order to find out more about Farini and his life and feats, we turned to Canadian author and Port Hope native, Shane Peacock! Shane’s book, “The Great Farini”, is the definitive reference book when it comes to William Leonard Hunt. The Farini Festival only ran for 3 years, but Shane’s input allowed us and the whole community to celebrate the extraordinary life of one of Port Hope’s favourite, but largely forgotten, sons! Over the years I have gotten to know and appreciate Shane’s many talents. His ability to “spin a yarn” is second to know one! The Farini biography could have been staid and stuffy, but that’s not Shane’s style, nor was it Farini’s! Instead the book was a wonderful tail of mystery, intrigue and adventure. Shane’s attention to accuracy and detail is amazing. Since writing the Farini book in 1995, Shane has taken on many other challenges. His play about another Port Hope native, Joseph Scriven who wrote the Hymn “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” played for two seasons at the 4th Line Theatre in Millbrook. Other works have included several children’s novels. His newest are sure to become classis. They are about the “Boy Sherlock Holmes” and are rich in detail and mystery. Although I purchased the first two in the series for my Grandson, I couldn’t miss that opportunity of reading them first myself! They were both a great read and I can’t wait until Shane brings out the next book! It’s great to know that Canada breeds such amazing authors! To find out more about Shane and his books, go to http://www.shanepeacock.ca/ or to http://www.theboysherlockholmes.com/.

Tim Hortons - "EveryCup Tells A Story"

Tim Hortons is asking people to tell them their own Tim Hortons story. I have mine and have submitted to the Tim Hortons website. I thought I would share my story with you...

My Tim Horton’s Story…
A few years ago I started writing a Blog about Ontario festivals and events. The Blog eventually grew into a full blown website, Ontario Festivals Visited! It was our idea to travel around Ontario visiting as many festivals and events as time and weather would allow. To date we have visited over 90 events! After we visit each event I write an article about what we have seen and heard. I then publish the article, with lots of photos and video clips, on our website. Between the website articles, two weekly festival related Blogs and two monthly newsletters, I write a lot! In fact, I write something every day! I do this in my home office and, believe it or not, it can become quite monotonous. Every week I Tuesday I drive my wife to Whitby for a Doctor’s appointment. During the hour plus wait, I was always looking for something to do. Then, about a year ago a new Tim Horton’s opened its doors! It just seemed to come naturally that I would spend my time waiting there. I have been going there ever since. But that is not the end of the story! To make the time pass more quickly, I started writing articles there! At first I thought that there would be too many distractions, but just the opposite happened! I was relaxed there and could block out most distractions! Since starting, I have written over 150 articles! I’m not sure how many cups of coffee I have purchased, but a lot! It may seem odd, but the other people sitting around me don’t bother me! In fact, I find them comforting. I believe that some of my best articles have been written there. And occasionally someone sees me writing and asks what the article is about. I am glad to tell them and to talk about Ontario’s great festivals and events. Talking to them makes me feel good. Now, when I find I have writer’s block, I pack up my paper and pens and head to our local Tim’s! The block seems to clear immediately! Thanks Tim’s! See you soon! My car knows how to find you!

To read some of the other posted stories or place your own, go to http://www.everycup.ca/.

Toronto Zoo

A few articles ago I wrote about the Toronto Zoo’s attempt to break the Guiness World Record for “the Most Leap-Froggers”! Unfortunately they didn’t quite make it. I understand it was a really fun event, so I hope they try it again next year. While I was writing the article I started thinking about Canadian Zoos and the Toronto Zoo in particular. In 1990 Judi and I had the privilege of traveling across the west to visit a number of Canada’s National and Provincial Parks. Although it was a business trip, we had a wonderful time! Along the way we visited several Canadian zoos. At many of these zoos we were given a back scene tour. To say it was fascinating would be an understatement. The tours certainly gave us a wonderful appreciation of the workings of the zoos and how much the staff and volunteer care for the amazing creatures under their charge. One of the Zoo’s we got to tour was the Toronto Zoo. I don’t think anyone, outside of the zoo family, realize just how much work there is to provide the type of habitat necessary to maintain all the zoo’s living creatures, birds, mammals, reptiles, flora, fauna and insects. It is a testament to the Toronto Zoo’s staff, when you see how well the facility runs! Toronto and its surrounding area is very lucky to have such a world class attraction! Most of us tend to think of zoos being open to the public only during the fair weather months. This couldn’t be further from the truth. The Toronto Zoo is open all year long and offers programs and events throughout all seasons! In December there are two scheduled events. On Friday, December 26th there is the 33rd Annual Christmas Treats Walk. While on Wednesday, December 31st, there is the 6th Annual New Years Eve Countdown. In January there is the permanent Great Barrier Reef Exhibit to visit and at the end of the month, the Zoo, combining activities with the City of Toronto, are holding the City of Toronto’s WinterCity – Zoo Animal Fun and Games Skating Party with the Toronto Zoo. You can find out more about the Toronto Zoo and its fun activities and events at their website (http://www.torontozoo.com/). Remember the Zoo’s “Adopt an Animal” program. It’s great way to help the Zoo care for its animals and a wonderful Christmas present. Judi’s sister and her daughter adopted one a few years ago for us as a Christmas present. We had a lot of fun that summer visiting the Zoo and our Adopted Animal!