Friendly Places (Part Two)…

This article acknowledges our two remaining “Friendly Places”. We certainly appreciate all people and places described in these two articles!

Lang Pioneer Village (Keene) - A few years ago I met a fellow "Cobourgian" at the annual Festivals and Events Ontario (FEO) conference. She recognized me and introduced herself to me. She told me that she was the Special Event Co-coordinator for Lang Pioneer Village in Keene. I had heard of the Village, but had never visited it. My new friend, Laurie Siblock, suggested that Judi and I should come and tour the Village sometime. After our chance meeting at the FEO conference, Judi and I, plus my family, have visited Lang Pioneer Village on a number of occasions! Along the way Laurie has introduced us to a number of the Village’s volunteers and staff, including Joe Corrigan, the Village’s General Manager. Now when we visit the Lang Pioneer Village, Judi and I feel like family. This past summer we participated in their Festival of Textiles’ Fashion Show as “period models” and more recently Judi volunteered as a raffle ticket seller at their Applefest. Lang Pioneer Village is just one of those places we can go at any time and always be welcomed!

Smiths Falls – Although we had visited Smiths Falls and their Canal, Railway and Chocolate Festival two years ago, it wasn’t until this year that we felt the true warmth of this wonderful community and its residents! It all started with a simple e-mail! The new festival chair e-mailed me asking for information about Ontario Festivals Visited. From there it escalated into many e-mails and culminated in an invitation to re-visit the new and improved Festival! There was, of course, a bribe involved! Jim McPherson told us that if we came on opening day he would arrange a historic Voyageur Canoe trip along the Rideau Canal and onto the Smiths Falls “Swale” (click HERE to read my “Swale” article). This offer was “sweetened up” by Jim asking Judi and I to judge the Chocolate Contest! How could we refuse such an offer! On arriving at the Festival grounds, we were met by our now “fast” friend, Chair Jim McPherson! From that moment on Judi and I were treated very well! The highlight of the day and evening came during the opening ceremonies! Jim invited me up to front and introduced me to the crowd that had gathered. He then presented Judi and I with a framed limited print that depicted the Smiths Falls many attractions. Neither Judi nor I had any idea what Jim had planned, but we were certainly honored. In reflection of our Smiths Falls experience, both Judi and I fondly look back at our time there and the terrific people we met!