The Great Ontario Communities Series (Niagara Region)

 During the past 14 years Judi and I have visited almost 200 Ontario community festivals and events. The majority have been planned and managed by dedicated community volunteers. As a salute to these wonderful communities and their hard-working residents, I will be writing a series of blogs entitled “Great Ontario Communities”. These blogs describe the communities we have visited and will tell you about some of the interesting things we have experienced and the people we have met. The eleventh article is about the Niagara Region, with its quaint towns, beautiful wineries and, of course, Niagara Falls!

NIAGARA REGION - Who hasn’t heard of Niagara Falls?  It’s known all over the world for its strength and beauty!  Lovers honeymoon there!  Adventures try to ride the Falls and sightseers from all over take thousands of photographs!  But Niagara Falls is only part of the allure of the Niagara Region.  A big part, but only a part!  Judi and I love to visit this area because there is so much to do!  In Niagara-on-the-Lake there’s the Shaw Festival and wonderful historic shopping.  Artists such as Trisha Romance live and work there!  In St. Catherine’s there’s Port Dalhousie, home of the Antique Carousel hosting ride at 5 cents and Harbour where the annual Royal Canadian Henley Regatta is held in August.  There are also a number of great restaurants there to enjoy a savory meal.  Fort Erie has the Fort Erie Rack Track plus it’s right on the border to Buffalo.  Crystal Beach is one main attraction not to be missed there.

The Niagara Region is also known for its great wineries.  On any given day during the warmer seasons, you’ll see thousands of people touring the areas numerous wineries (especially during the Niagara Wine Festival in September in St. Catharines). Throughout the region there are many interesting and quaint towns and villages to discover and explore! In the Town of Pelham are 5 villages nestled including Fonthill full of quaint shops.

The Great Ontario Communities Series (Kitchener-Waterloo)

 During the past 15 years Judi and I have visited over 200 Ontario community festivals and events. The majority have been planned and managed by dedicated community volunteers. As a salute to these wonderful communities and their hard-working residents, I will be writing a series of blogs entitled “Great Ontario Communities”. These blogs describe the communities we have visited and will tell you about some of the interesting things we have experienced and the people we have met. The tenth article is about Kitchener-Waterloo, located about an hour's drive west of Toronto and is home of the fabulous Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest!

KITCHENER-WATERLOO - I can never go to Kitchener-Waterloo without thinking of food!  This may seem strange but having lived in Kitchener-Waterloo for several years, I was able to discover the many wonderful places to have a meal.  The thing is that Kitchener-Waterloo is surrounded by many, many quaint villages and hamlets and all seem to have a restaurant to remember.  I think you have to live there for a while to really appreciate the shear numbers.  As you likely know, Kitchener-Waterloo is the home of a very large German population.  I believe this is why there are so many great places to eat!  The Germans seem to have a knack of preparing and serving delicious food and, of course, German beer is likely the best in the world!  This all being said, Kitchener-Waterloo is one of my favorite places to visit and it’s not just for the food.  There is a lot to do in this area! 

Located in the Grand River Valley, Kitchener-Waterloo is just an hour drive west of Toronto, so it’s easy to take day trips if you live in or near the GTA.  One of my favorite places to visit and things to do include a visit to St. Jacobs and lunch at the Stone Crock. The Village of St. Jacobs, Ontario’s Mennonite Heritage lies approximately 15 kilometers north of Waterloo in the Kitchener-Waterloo area of Southern Ontario.

The Great Ontario Communities Series (Kingsville)

During the past 14 years Judi and I have visited over 200 Ontario community festivals and events. The majority have been planned and managed by dedicated community volunteers. As a salute to these wonderful communities and their hard-working residents, I will be writing a series of blogs entitled “Great Ontario Communities”. These blogs describe the communities we have visited and will tell you about some of the interesting things we have experienced and the people we have met. The ninth article is about Kingsville, "Canada's Southmost Downtown area".

KINGSVILLE - Kingsville's downtown is located as far south as one can travel in Southern Ontario.  Some years ago, Judi and I traveled to Kingsville via Essex.  We were on our way to visit the Kingsville Migration Festival.  Along the way we stopped in Essex to visit our friend Mary Kendrick.  Mary, as I have written before, is a wonderful floral artist.  From Mary’s we continued on to Kingsville and the Migration Festival.  It’s easy to understand why Kingsville holds a migration celebration each year.  Kingsville residents are enthusiastic supporters of their favorite son and conservationist Jack Miner and his ideas!  This is a pretty town located near Canada’s southern most boundary.  The shops, residential housing and parks all add to the ambience of Kingsville.  I think that the Migration Parade is probably the best indicator of the town and its people.  As Judi and I sat watching the parade, it seemed that if you weren’t in the parade, you were sitting on the side of the road cheering the people you know. The residents of Kingsville love their city and cherish its past.

The Great Ontario Communities Series (Kingston)

 

During the past few years Judi and I have visited almost 150 Ontario community festivals and events. The majority have been planned and managed by dedicated community volunteers. As a salute to these wonderful communities and their hard-working residents, I will be writing a series of blogs entitled “Great Ontario Communities”. These blogs describe the communities we have visited and will tell you about some of the interesting things we have experienced and the people we have met. The eighth article is about Kingston, one of Canada's most historic cities.

KINGSTON – If you have never visited the City of Kingston, you have missed enjoying one of Ontario’s and Canada's most historic and beautiful cities.  Not only are there many historic buildings, it is the home of the father of confederation, Sir John A. MacDonald.  Throughout the city there are landmarks honoring Sir John A.  To the east of the city, you will find the World Heritage Site, Fort Henry.  The Fort overlooks the St. Lawrence River and offers a glorious view of both the St. Lawrence and the City of Kingston.  Throughout the summer months the Fort offers visitors an authentic look into Canada’s past.  In October, it changes it’s look and transforms itself into “Fort Fright”.  My son-in-law, Eddy and I visited Fort Fright last year and had a wonderful “frightening” time!  If you are looking for great shopping, Kingston’s downtown shopping area offers lots of variety.  One of Judi’s favorite stores is located there, Wallack’s Art Supplies.  Judi tells me she could spend hours there, “just looking”!  Kingston is also the home of Queen’s University and Kingston General Hospital and Hotel Dieu Hospital.  Unfortunately, I have intimate knowledge of the hospital as this is where I had my triple By-Pass surgery.  I must say that Kingston is one of my favorite places to visit (not the hospital).  There is always lots to do.  From shopping to sightseeing and from attractions to festivals and events. Here's a list of some of the events and attractions:

·         Fort Henry

·         Portsmouth Village

·         Grand Theatre

·         Woodworking Museum

·         Pump House Steam Museum

·         Bellevue House National Historic Park

·         International Hockey Hall of Fame

·         Museum of Health Care

·         Royal Military College Museum

·         Music in the Gardens

·         Sheep Dog Trials

·         Kingston Fall Fair