Recipes: Walleye

Walleye with Beer Batter:

Serves 4

2 lbs. Walleye fillets
3 eggs
1/2 can cold beer
2 tsp. salt
1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup cornmeal

Beat eggs until fluffy. Add beer and 1 tsp. salt. In separate bowl, combine flour, cornmeal and remaining salt. Dip fillets into liquid batter then into dry mixture, and back into liquid batter. Fry in butter until light brown and fish flakes with a fork.

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BBQ Bacon-Wrapped Fish Skewers

4-5 lbs walleye (or Northern Pike) fillets -- cut into 1" cubes
1 lb bacon strips, cut in half
Italian style dressing
Your favourite BBQ sauce
Bamboo skewers


Marinate cubed fish in Italian style dressing for 1 hour. Wrap bacon strips around marinated fish cubes. Spear into skewers so bacon doesn't unravel. Repeat until skewers are full. Cook over medium heat on barbecue; turn continually. Brush on your favourite BBQ sauce when the bacon begins to get crisp. Continue turning periodically until fish is white and bacon is crisp.

Caution: Keep a watch on the skewers. The fat from the bacon causes flare-ups.

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Orange Pecan Walleye with Wild Rice

Freshwater Fish thanks Chef Christian Ticarro
in Minnesota
for this delicious recipe!
For the Pickerel/Walleye:
2 Pickerel/Walleye fillets, 8 - 10 oz each
Salt & pepper
Canola oil

For the Orange Butter Sauce:
1/4 cup white wine
1 - 2 shallots
1 sprig fresh thyme (optional)
Splash of heavy cream
1/2 tsp unsalted butter
Lemon juice
Orange juice concentrate
Salt & pepper
Toasted pecan pieces

For Wild Rice:
Combine:
2 cups cooked wild rice
1/4 cup dried white figs
1/4 cup diced dried apple
Chicken stock (or water)
Salt & pepper

Pickerel/Walleye:
Season fish with salt & pepper. Sear fish top side down in a hot pan until almost cooked through (5 minutes) and remove from heat.

Orange Butter Sauce:
Roughly chop shallots. Add wine, shallots and thyme to sauce pot, reduce until almost dry. Add cream and butter into mixture. Strain shallots and thyme out. Season with lemon juice, salt & pepper, orange juice concentrate and toasted pecans.


Top Pickerel/Walleye with butter sauce and serve with wild rice.
Serves 2

Thunder Bay: Bayou Boogie

King Louie, played by Louis Ting, Debbie Ting-Strausbaugh and Queen Gerry, played by Geraldine Ting, spin umbrellas during Thursday’s promotion in Thunder Bay of the annual Bayou Boogie. The event opens today at Grand Portage Lodge and Casino and continues throughout the Labour Day weekend. The Hymers Fall Fair and Nipigon fishing festival are also on the holiday weekend calendar. (Sandi Krasowski)

Read this and more at the Chronicle Journal.

Thunder Bay: Fun, games and corn at Hymers Fair

By THE CHRONICLE-JOURNAL
Wednesday, August 27, 2008

The Labour Day holiday weekend will be filled with fun, games, music and corn at the 2008 Hymers Fall Fair.
First held in 1912, this year‘s fair runs Sunday and Monday, and is to include traditional events like daily prizes, produce and livestock competitions, and variety shows.
“It is fairly traditional, and that seems to get the people coming back – they don‘t seem to mind,” fair secretary Debbie Hoover said Tuesday.
However, this year will also feature some new content, including a silent crafts action, an oxen display presented by Fort William Historical Park, and an air band contest in which participants mime along to their favourite tunes.
Each year‘s fair has a governing theme, which influences the events and food.
Last year‘s theme was goats, and this year‘s is corn.
Visitors can expect a wide array of corn-based baking and cooking this year.
Average fair attendance in previous years has been around 10,000 people over the the two days.
The fair officially opens at 2 p.m. on Sunday.
Further information and directions to get there are available online at the fair‘s website.

Read this at the Chronicle Journal

What to Keep in Your Car in Case of an Emergency

Posted on August 26th, 2008.
by Amy Nutt

When you drive a car, chances are that not every single road trip that you ever take is going to end well. While most of them will go off without an incident, chances are that at some point in your life you are going to be stranded temporarily and when that moment comes, you need to make sure that there are a number of devices that you keep in your car to help you get through it. Here are some suggestions to get your started along the road to being prepared for anything that might come your way.

Blankets


Even in the warmest climates of the world there are cold nights. The tropical areas of the world in particular have people in them that are susceptible to cold weather and when your car breaks down, chances are that you might have to say in it overnight if you are in an area where emergency roadside service response time is lower than normal. During this period of staying outside in the cold weather, blankets can keep you warm and potentially save you from hypothermia.

Flashlight

At the same time that you are going to be in cold weather during the night, you might also find that you are on an area of road that is not well lit. There are many such roads in existence in the world today and the only way that you can fix the problem is to bring a flashlight with you. Flashlights are extremely inexpensive nowadays and can really help you out when you’re in a jam.

First Aid Kit

If you or someone you know is in the car during an accident, then there is a chance that the person might get injured. While most automobile accidents are minor and do not result in any injuries, having a first aid kit on hand to treat injuries that might arise is something that can mean the difference between life and death. It costs you practically nothing to keep a first aid kit handy, just in case.

Air Pump

One of the most common road problems in today’s world is a flat tire and an air pump can help you put air back into the tire. While an air pump can not fix a flat tire, it can at least temporarily put air back into it so that you can drive it to the closest repair station.

Membership Info for Auto Clubs

Emergency roadside assistance is one of the major benefits inherent to auto club membership, but if you really need it then you need to be able to prove that you are a member of that specific auto club. The best way to do this is to carry your membership information with you wherever you happen to go.

Method of Contact

You want to keep some sort of contact method in your car at all times. If you carry a cell phone, then that can be your method of contact. Alternatively, you can have a service installed in your car that allows you to communicate at the push of a button. Whatever method you use, having a way to contact someone if you are in a car accident is extremely important and should not be ignored.

Other Items

The above items that were mentioned constitute the things that you absolutely should have in your car in case anything does go wrong. However, other items such as recreational items are also a good idea depending on the people you normally ferry. Those items are however personal decisions as to whether you want them or not, while the items mentioned above are absolute must haves.

Read more at The Baron

What's going on in Thunder Bay:

• Yuk Yuk‘s, Sat., Sept. 27, 8 p.m.
4th annual Grand Kam Canoe and Kayak Tour, presented by the Children‘s Centre Foundation Thunder Bay at Fort William Historical Park, Sat., 10 a.m. A 5 km tour and a 20 km marathon will take place where participants can paddle in singles or doubles. Admission is free, cost to participate in the paddle is $30 per person, or a minimum $30 in pledges. For more information, visit www.childrenscentre.ca or call 343-5012.
• TD Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup, held each September, when more than 50,000 Canadians help clean our shorelines. Last year, 87,000 kilograms of garbage was recovered from more than 1,700 kilometres of shorelines, oceans & waterways. Let‘s continue to preserve Canada‘s natural resources, protect our wildlife and ensure our oceans & waterways are kept clean. Participation in a shoreline cleanup is easy. Choose a location, date & time and register by visiting www.vanaqua.org/cleanup or call 1-877-427-2422. All registrants will receive cleaning supplies and the first 50,000 will also receive a free T-shirt. Registration deadline is Sunday.
Sundays in the Park, with Flipper Flannigan‘s Flat Footed Four on the Tbayel Family Stage, 2-4 p.m. at Chippewa Park .Concert is free to the public. In case of bad weather, the show will be moved inside the Pavilion. Hosted by The Friends of Chippewa Park. Info: Kerri 623-5111.
• Labour Day Picnic, Mon., Sept. 1, 12-3 p.m. at Lakehead Labour Centre ball diamond, 929 Fort William Road, sponsored by Thunder Bay and District Labour Council. All friends and families of labour invited. For more information, call 474-4229, ext. 7.
• Dinner with Jacques Demers, presented by Thunder Bay Literacy Group, Wed., Sept. Enjoy dinner with NHL legend and literacy champion Jacques Demers at the Da Vinci Centre, 340 Waterloo St. Symposium 6 p.m. Dinner 7 p.m. Tickets are $35 or for a table of 8, $275, available at UPS on Memorial Ave., the Da Vinci Centre & the United Way. Join the TBLG for this very special evening and help celebrate 25 years in the community helping adults reach their goals. Info: 475-7211 or visit: www.tblg.org.

art
• The Pictograph Gallery presents On the Wild Side, wild flowers, wild animals, and wild men, Friday, 1-3 p.m. and runs until Sept. 20. Artist Crystal Babcook. Watercolours, oils, and acrylics. The Gallery is open Tues.-Sat., 12-3 p.m. and is located on the lower level of The Atikokan Voyageur Mall. Info: 807-597-4344.

music
• Thunder Bay Youth Choir, directed by Susan Sutherland. Young people ages 8-12 are invited to sing in the choir. Only a few places are left. See www.susans.ca for more information.
Serendipity Gardens Cafe & Guest House, Rossport, ON, 807-824-2890.
• Musician Justin Lecroix will play Sat., 8:30 p.m. Admission is $10. Visit: www.justinlecroixband.com.
• Musician Mike Lynch will play Tues., Sept. 2, 9 p.m. Admissions is $10. Visit: lynchmusic.ca.
• Dulcisono Women‘s Choir. Looking for a place to sing? Dulcisono invites sopranos & altos (ages 16+) to make new friends while singing a variety of music, old & new, sacred & secular, spirituals & more. Rehearsals are Tuesdays, 7-9:30 p.m. For more information or to arrange an audition, call musical director Susan Marrier 768-5321, or Elaine McLean 767-6028.

dancing
• RCL Polish Combatants Br. 219, 209 N. Cumberland St., 345-1861. Fri., 9 p.m.-1 a.m., with Quest. No cover.
RCL Port Arthur Br. 5, 229 Van Norman St., 345-8232. Sat., 3-6 p.m. Music by Town & Country. Prizes, spot dancing & fun for all. $3 cover. Everyone welcome.
museums
• Founders Museum Pioneer Village, corner of Hwy. 61 & Gillespie Road. Do you enjoy tender beef on a bun & politics? Then make it out to the 4th annual Olde Tyme Conservative barbeque and live auction, Thurs., 4-8 p.m. Admission is $10 for adults & $5 for children under 12 years. Hosted by the Thunder Bay-Rainy River Conservative Association. Info: Jason 623-1219.

chess
• Giant Chess, Intercity Shopping Centre, continues until Friday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Free. Info: chessguy_eh@yahoo.ca.


Read this and other stories at The Chronicle Journal

Thunder Bay on NOmap.ca

Adventure Trails in Northern Ontario

"Friday, August 22, 2008
By: Amy Nutt

When you think of natural resources in all their glory and splendor, you think Northern Ontario. Canada's best kept secret, Northern Ontario is one hell of a joy ride. If you've got the adventure bug, sniff out your choice of adventure trails traipsing through this region and get ready to go on the most exciting trip of your life. Trust us, outdoor adventures have just got better.

From paddling down meandering rivers in canoes, walking down endless trails in magnificent forests of white pine to going on your ATV dirt bike for a whirl or spinning a ghostly yarn around a campfire - Northern Ontario is the place to be.
For the adventurous at heart, the sky is truly the limit here. When it comes to adventure trails, hiking in Northern Ontario is the most common activity that adventure enthusiasts take up. What better way to begin than to start of your hike at Ontario's rooftop, the magnificent Ishpatino ridge, situated in Lady Evelyn-Smoothwater Wilderness Park? If day hikes are a piece of cake for you, then night vision hikes organized by the Canadian Ecological Center in Mattawa are the next trails you should explore..."

Read the rest of Amy's blog entry about Adventuring in Northern Ontario at All about Dirt Bike

A Little Fun

Terrace Bay Drag Fest

Aug 13th, 2008 by star22

The Red Rock Folk Fest was pretty amazing. There were musicians from across the country performing. And, there were a lot of fun activities including voyageur canoe rides, yoga workshops and kayaking on the river with local outfitters. The folk fest was held on Aug 8,9,10 in Red Rock, Ontario. Here is a photo from the event. There will be a video coming soon!

Read this and other stories about the North Shore at superiornorthblog.ca

Coolest Movie Out This Year

Blog: Jay Kerr

"August 19, 2008
Photography in Northern Ontario
My photography road trip was better was better than expected with Lake Superior Provincial Park being the big surprise. If landscape photography is your thing then this park is a must stop on your travels.

I camped at the southern end of the park in Agawa Bay. The Trans-Canada Highway (Hwy 17) takes you to the north end of the park in less than an hour but in between are an endless choice of trails, lakes, waterfalls, valleys and rugged coastline to photograph.

Every trail and location I visited was more impressive than the last. Each of these locations was never more than 10-20 minutes apart which is astonishing when you consider that you can drive for hours across Ontario without the landscape changing very much. The close proximity of trails, coves, and scenic lookouts is perfect for the photographer that wants to shoot multiple locations in a morning or evening.

If it was raining at the north end of the park I was able to travel south for 30 minutes where I had perfect conditions for an 8 km hike. Some of the coves had strong mist and fog in the mornings but if you travelled north 10 minutes you had warm morning light. Incredible...."

Jay Kerr, a web designer in Toronto, Canada, talks about his recent trip to Northern Ontario on his blog, The Wonderful World of Bombippy. Check it out!

I am from Northern Ontario:

I'm not a hunter, a curler or a cross country skier.
I don't live in a log cabin or a trapper's shack.
I don't eat moose meat every night.
And I don't drive a four by four.
And I don't know Bobby Curtola, Cosmo Filane or Shania Twain,
Although I've heard them all sing.
I have met Myrna Lorrie and she was very nice.
I drink whatever I want but especially clear unpolluted water.
I don't play bingo every night of the week and
I catch pickerel and pike, not Walleye and Northerns.
And I pronounce it To-Ron-To, not Trawna,
And I know that if you came from THERE to help me HERE, then the
cheque is in the mail along with a few other things.
I go for a sauna at the camp, not a steam bath at the cottage
And I've had heat stroke and frost bite in the same month.
Persians ARE cinnamon buns with icing,
George the Porter IS Santa's helper
and Heather Houston IS the best curler.
And the town next to Terrace Bay IS PRONOUNCED SKRY - Ber, not Shry -ber!!!
North Bay is south and Thunder Bay is pretty quiet.
Kakabeka IS the Niagara of the North
and Sudbury is the world's largest meteor crater.
Northern Ontario is the home of the blackfly,
The BIGGEST part of the Precambrian Shield,
And the BEST part of Ontario!!


I AM FROM NORTHERN ONTARIO!!!

Found on a message board, relayed from somewhere else. :)

Thunder Bay: What To Do

Special Events

Thunder Bay Community Auditorium, 1 Paul Shaffer Drive, 684-4444. Toll free 1-800-463-8817 or order online www.tbca.com.

• Pat Benatar, Friday, 8 p.m.

Summer in the Parks concludes tonight with the first ever local Blues night, 6:30 p.m. at Marina Park. Mercy Rose will get things going followed by Mark Potvin‘s Blues Band. The season finishes off with Tracy K hitting the stage with her band Blue Thunder.

Motors & Muscles 2008, Sat., 9 a.m.-12 p.m. at Thunder Bay Harley Davidson, 636 W. Arthur St. Events include: strongman competition, biker games, dyno machine, poker fun, bike raffle, food & refreshments, displays, draws, beer gardens & live entertainment. Proceeds in support of Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation.

26th Annual Westfort Street Fair, Sat., 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Events include: bargains on the street, various food vendors, a variety of crafters & artisans, children\’s activities, inflatables, face painting, mini putt, train rides & more. Entertainment by Rodney Larsen, Shaun Appell, David Jonasson & Tracey K, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Info: Jack 475-4755.

Sundays in the Park, on the Tbayel Family Stage, 2-4 p.m. at Chippewa Park. This Sunday The Resinators will take to the stage. All concerts are free to the public. In case of bad weather, the show will be moved inside the Pavilion. Hosted by The Friends of Chippewa Park. Info: Kerri 623-5111.



Art

Art of the Harbour, concludes tonight, 6-9pm at Marina Park, during the Summer In the Parks.

Chenier Fine Arts, 8 S. Court Street, Tues-Fri 11-5pm; Saturday 11-3pm. Gallery 1 features Landscape Images & Gallery 2 features Women in Art. New are the water inspired paintings by Kenora artist Pippi Johnson. Free Admission. Info: Debra 346-0409.



Music

Lakehead Choral Group, is a mixed voice (SATB) community choir inviting men & women (over 18 years of age) to join in and make beautiful music. Practices are Wednesday, 7:30-10 p.m. at St. Patrick High School. Christmas concert, Wed., Dec. 3. Spring concert, Wed., April 29, 2009. Call Sylvia at 622-4636 for more information and to arrange an informal audition.

Dancing

RCL Polish Combatants Br. 219, 209 N. Cumberland St., 345-1861. Fri., 9 p.m.-1 a.m., with Frankie T & The Night Hawks. No cover.

RCL Port Arthur Br. 5, 229 Van Norman St., 345-8232. Sat., 3-6 p.m. Music by Town & Country. Prizes, spot dancing & fun for all. $3 cover. Everyone welcome.

Museums

Founders Museum Pioneer Village, corner of Hwy. 61 & Gillespie Road. Do you enjoy tender beef on a bun & politics? Then make it out to the 4th annual Olde Tyme Conservative barbeque and live auction, Thurs., Aug. 28, 4-8 p.m. Admission is $10 for adults & $5 for children under 12 years. Hosted by the Thunder Bay-Rainy River Conservative Association. Info: Jason 623-1219.

Chess

Giant Chess, Intercity Shopping Centre, Mon., Aug. 25-Fri., Aug. 29, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Free. Info: chessguy_eh@yahoo.ca.

Thunder Bay on NOmap.ca

AN EVENING OF ANISHNABE TALENT:

This Week Featuring

DJ "Indian Time" Stan Nolan

Friday, August 22nd, 2008

Indians through WTYM FM is a journey through time told by a media Disk Jockey named "DJ Indian Time". He uses his position as a voice of he people to tell a story of past events that shaped where we are today. Entertainment is suitable for all ages and will take place at the NEW 100 seat OCF Amphitheatre - rain or shine!

7:00 pm

TICKET PRICES:

$15.00 Adults, $10.00 Youth (13 to 16) / Elders (65+), $5.00 Children 5 to 12)

TO BOOK TICKETS INQUIRE AT 1-800-665-2248 OR 377-4404


Check out what else is going on around Manitoulin Island at The Great Spirit Circle Trail Website.

Check out Manitoulin Island on NOmap.ca

Echoing Lake Fishing Adventure in Northern Ontario Canada

Johnson & Johnson Introduces 'Nothing But Tears' Shampoo To Toughen Up Newborns

August 15, 2008 | Issue 44•33

NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ—After decades of coddling young children, Johnson & Johnson unveiled its new "Nothing But Tears" shampoo this week, an aggressive bath-time product the company says will help to prepare meek and fragile newborns for the real world.

A radical departure for the health goods manufacturer, the new shampoo features an all-alcohol-based formula, has never once been approved by leading dermatologists, and is as gentle on a baby's skin as "having to grow up and fend for your goddamn self."

"We at Johnson & Johnson have been making bath time a safe and soothing experience for far too long," company CEO William C. Weldon said. "Years of pampering have left our newborns helpless, feeble, and ill-equipped for the arduous road ahead."

"It's time our children got the wake-up call that's been coming to them," Weldon continued. "It's time they cried their precious little eyes out."

The result of five years of intensive research and market testing, the company's "Nothing But Tears" shampoo contains only the most abrasive of natural ingredients and is nearly impossible to rinse from a baby's screaming face. According to directions printed on the label, the bath-time product is best used with scalding hot water for optimal toughening-up of newborns.

Available in an easy-to-find-and-open bottle, the new shampoo is also guaranteed to give children a "healthy dose of reality."...

Hahaahaha! I'm sorry folks but when I saw this, I couldn't resist sharing it with you.

Read the rest (Bad Language Alert!!) at The Onion.

Spotlight: Hearst

"Come and enjoy the hospitality of a community where 6 000 warm-hearted residents live and where 89% of that population is Francophone. Located in the heart of Ontario, Hearst lives its French heritage to the fullest. In 2006, Hearst was officially named the “Moose Capital” of Canada."

A true Canadian town to the core, filled with friendly people and many places to shop, or simply enjoy the Northern Ontario atmosphere. Hearst has a great number of bilingual residents, making it a great place for anyone to go visit and enjoy a little cultural diversity.

From August 28th 2008 to August 30th 2008

The Hearst, Mattice Val-Côté Chamber of Commerce presents Canuck Amusements again this year for 2 days of cotton candy, hot dogs, carnival games and rides! More details to be posted shortly. For more information, contact Cindy at (705)372-2838, extension 2143.


Go to the Hearst Website

Find Hearst on NOmap.ca

Are you bored?

Play DUCK SHOOTER!

Thunder Bay: Photography

Ted Tiboni


Garry W. Michaluk


Dan Collins

See more fantastic pictures of Thunder Bay at TBsource.com

Cochrane: Pioneer Days at the Heritage Village

By Nora Egan
Thursday August 07, 2008

This weekend marks the annual Pioneer Days at the Heritage Village. A time when friends can gather, enjoy the facility and meet new acquaintenances. A time to reflect on the past, the people, the community and where we are today.

What can you expect to see at the Heritage Village this weekend?
Kim Murray and Paul Latondress explained some of the activities that will take place over the two days.

On Saturday August 9, 2008 the official opening of the event will begin at 10:00 a.m. from that point people will be able to view various demonstrations, listen to live music and children will be able to take part in children’s games including face painting on site. New this year will be story reading by Dawn upstairs in the barn.

“This is the 17th annual Pioneer Days and both days are filled with activities,” advised Paul and Kim. “We have something for all ages and there will also be a reptile show,” commented Kim.

But there is more.... Every year the Pioneer Days features the live demonstrations of equipment used back in the early years. From rope making demonstrations to hay press and thrashing machine. People will be able to relate to the hard work our ancestors did during the early 1900’s. Something that will open the eyes of many who were not around during those days. Imagine having to heat a piece of iron to shoe a horse. Back in the early years that’s the way it was done, fire....iron... and hitting the steel to form a horseshoe.

The antiques provided for show will be operational during the two days so why not visit the Polar Bear Habitat and Heritage Village this weekend. Bring the family, stay for the day and take in the activities they have planned.

The full schedule of events is inside the Cochrane Times-Post. While you are there.... visit the Polar Bears, take in the interpretive talk at the viewing building and when your done... grab a bite to eat, talk with friends and meet new ones.

The Pioneer Days is all about renewing old acquaintenances and making new ones at the Polar Bear Habitat and Heritage Village.

Plan on taking in the entertainment lined up or if you haven’t visited the Heritage Village, this weekend is the time to do it.

Read this at the Cochrane Times Post

Cochrane on NOmap.ca

Red Lake: Norseman Festival 2008

"by Pamela O’Neill /Staff Reporter

The annual Norseman Floatplane Community Festival, which took place this past weekend, is something Red Lakers get the pleasure to experience every year and we all know exactly what to expect: tents for family entertainment during the day and partying at night, Norseman planes and rides, a street full of booths, and hundreds of people from all walks of life and various ages out to have fun.
So what made this festival different from previous ones? A couple additions to the 2008 schedule included a Guitar Hero Contest sponsored by Video Plus and the highly anticipated International Air Rally arrival and reception, both of which were a smashing success. (See full story on the 8th Inter-national Air Rally for details.) And something unique to us all that everyone was able to enjoy, a weekend full of pleasant weather.
Of course the festival wouldn’t have been the same without the customary Norseman Fly-By, Water Bomber Display, Car Show, fireworks that light up the sky, or the Mixed Slo-Pitch Tournament, as these are always crowd stoppers and pleasers.
Making a comeback from 2007 was the Soap Box Derby sponsored by North American Lumber, and after a year off, hypnotist Michael Leach’s return was a great way to start off the weekend on Friday evening.
As always, music could be heard both day and night throughout the streets. This year’s musical lineup included a mixture of both local and out-of-town talent such as The Service, RLMPS African Drum Choir, Small Rooms, Devon Slobozian, Jim McCann, Shyanne Hovorka, Papa Smurf, I Kill My Shadow, Jamshack, Prep Boy, Rahill, and Country Gospel...."

Read more at the Northern Sun News

Red Lake on Nomap.ca

Kapuskasing: Damp good time

"Kevin Anderson
Wednesday July 30, 2008

Back to main page — The weather didn’t cooperate and while it showed in the attendance Community Development Officer Chantal Rody said all things considered, this past weekend’s Lumberjack Heritage Festival was a success.

Early estimates put the attendance for the weekend’s festivities at approximately 5,000 people. No final numbers were available as of press time.

“The numbers weren’t as high as we were expecting but I believe the weather played a big part in that,” she commented. “The good news is the people who did come stayed for everything, which was nice to hear.”

Ms Rody said festival goers appeared especially pleased with the concerts, both Friday’s local line-up featuring Les Dead Ducks, The Dinosaurs and the Barrelhouse Blues Band and Saturday’s Rik Emmett performance.

“They all put on great performances,” she commented. “The local bands showed that there is a tremendous amount of talent in the area and Rik Emmett put on a great rock show that people really seem to have enjoyed.”

In addition to the much-heralded concerts, the festival featured the West Coast Lumberjack Show and a number of competitions."

Read more at the Kapuskasing Northern Times

Find Kapuskasing on NOmap.ca

David Kennedy - Photographing Loons

"The cry of the loon reminds us of our northern lakes and captures the wildness of this environment. In a similar way, seeing a loon is a wonderful experience to be remembered. On your cottage dock, you may see one swim by and, as you are boating, you may see a pair fishing out in the lake.

Photographing a loon, however, is not as easy as it may seem. The loon may not be close enough for your camera and lens combination. If that is so, you can try an environmental portrait where the loon is part of the photo but not the photo. If you do want to capture a portrait of the loon, you will need a longer lens such as an 80-400 mm zoom (which is an effective 120-600 mm lens on most single lens reflex digital cameras).

Even if you do have the loon (or loons) within reach of your camera, you are often faced with difficult lighting. The light may be too dark for a moving subject or you the light may be casting harsh reflections on the water that distract from your subject. You can compensate somewhat by choosing a higher ISO for the dark light and using a polarizer for the reflections. Or, you can wait to find better light on a bright but cloudy day.

Waiting is probably the most important trick to photographing loons. If you wait, you can study their behaviour...."

Read David's great photography tips on OspreyBlogs !

Thunder Bay: Exciting night at the festival stage

Exit West’s Nolan Raynak performs Thursday evening during Superior Youth Fest at Marina Park. (Jamie Smith)

By PETER BURKOWSKI
Friday, August 8, 2008

" Youths and adults alike gathered for an evening of music and fun Thursday at the second annual Superior Youth Festival.
By 5:30 p.m., 100 people had already arrived at the Marina Park festival stage for the 5 1/2-hour event.
“We‘re really excited about the range of bands that we have,” said Youth Zone director Jaclyn Moneypenny. “It‘s going to be a good night.”
The festival‘s free concert featured headlining act Ten Second Epic from Edmonton, as well as local bands Twist of Fate, Empire Lies, Brett Cizmar and Z3, Exit West, Without the Glory and AVS.
X‘s For Eyes was also on the roster, but was replaced at the last minute by Vega.
“(Vega) have a girl in the band – so it‘s nice to at least get one girl out,” joked Moneypenny.
The concert opened with Brett Cizmar and Z3, a band put together less than a month ago. This was their first public performance together.
“I think (the set) went great actually – almost as good as we could have hoped,” said Cizmar.
He and his bandmates agreed that the new festival stage was no small part of their success.
“I love the venue . . . it makes me feel professional,” said Cizmar.
The Superior Youth Festival was presented by Youth Zone and the City of Thunder Bay in association with The Chronicle-Journal. "

Read this at the Chronicle Journal

Don't approach injured animals, MNR warns

Posted By CHELSEY ROMAIN THE DAILY PRESS
Posted 14 days ago


"It isn't uncommon to see wildlife while travelling the highways or hiking the nature trails or Northern Ontario.

But officials are warning those who come across injured, sick or orphaned wildlife to use caution.

In most cases, the Ministry of Natural Resources suggests leaving the animal be and contacting a wildlife custodian, who knows how to handle the situation.

"The best bet is to leave it where it is and let nature take its course," said MNR information officer Ben Legouffe. "Most of the time it's a young bird that's just learning how to fly -- it will either fly or it won't."

Signs that an animal may be injured, sick or orphaned include blood or wounds on the body, a body covered in fleas, unusual or uneven loss of fur or feathers, closed eyes, dangling limbs, and difficulty breathing.

It is suggested by the MNR to check in on an animal over a period of 48 hours to see if it is truly abandoned or simply without an adult for a period of time. If the adult senses predators or people nearby, it will stay away, so people are asked to keep their distance.

"If we do interfere, we have to be careful what we do," Legouffe said. "After the 48 hours, you might want to give us a call."

Legouffe said what the MNR will do with the animal varies on the animal species and what state it is in. In some cases, Legouffe said, it is best to have the animal euthanized. In the case of young, abandoned animals, MNR officers will transport it to a wildlife rehabilitation centre where it will be taken care of and released when ready.

"Sometimes the mother gets hit and killed, and we'll try to get the orphan to a rehabilitation centre," Legouffe said.

"We've done that with small bears, moose, loons and birds of prey."

Most of the time it's advised not to approach an animal, but in an emergency situation it is advised to seek advice from a wildlife custodian to minimize the risk of being bit or scratched..."

Reaed the rest of this story at The Timmins Daily Press

Marilyn's Big Adventure

"Onward to Kenora, where I pulled into the parking lot of McDiarmid Lumber, as suggested by Diane and Jerry, my cousin. We had previously agreed that I would call them when I arrived, so that they could come to guide me to their cottage. It’s just as well that they did. Not only is the road twisty with several turns, it is also badly damaged after the winter, with giant potholes and parts of boulders exposed. Jerry sat with me to guide me through the obstacle course until we arrived. The land in this area of Lake of the Woods is owned by an aboriginal tribe so the cottage lots are on a 79-year lease. Diane and Jerry have two acres and have built a beautiful cottage with a panoramic view of the bay. There are decks front and back, with a glassed-in porch, leading into the dining room, kitchen and high-ceilinged Great Room. And to top it off, there’s a hot tub on the back deck! There are three bedrooms, which is just as well, as they have a lot of visitors. And no wonder. It is a beautiful, serene location."

**The tale of Marilyn Cole, a self-confessed lover of adventure as she embarks on a year of exploring Canada and the USA, along with her faithful dog Ripley.

Follow Marilyn's adventures on Marilyn's Big Adventure Blog

NASA’s Astronomy Picture of the Day

Northern Ontario
Mitchell Gerskup @ July 29th, 2008




Check out Mitchell's entry at Lintbox

Focus: John Izatt

Check out John's Beutiful work at jbipix.blogspot.com

Blueberries in Northern Ontario

by Danno-3 | July 16, 2008 at 07:08 pm

See this on NowPublic.com