St. Lawrence County: A Canadian Traveller’s Paradise

 Just a stone's throw across the border, St. Lawrence County in New York State offers Canadian travellers a delightful blend of history, outdoor adventure, family fun, and delicious food. Whether you're seeking a weekend getaway or an extended vacation, this charming region has something for everyone. A Journey Through Time

Plattsburgh Escapes: Fall Colours and Year-Round Adirondack Charm

 If you’re seeking a quick yet unforgettable getaway, the Adirondacks deliver an idyllic escape in just under three hours from Ottawa by car. Take Highway 417 east, then cross the border at Cornwall into New York State and cruise through the stunning landscapes and charming hamlets. Before you know it,

Thomas Mackay: The Most Famous Ottawan no one Knows About

 Thomas Mackay: The Laird of Rideau Hall and the Founding of Ottawa Author: Alastair Sweeny Publisher: University of Ottawa Press Paper ISBN: 9780776636788 In 1792, John Graves Simcoe, the Lieutenant Governor of Upper Canada, extended an invitation to American Loyalists to move north and accelerate colonization. Thomas Mackay: The Laird of

Discovery and escape: five days in a canoe on the Rideau Canal

 Above: On day three of their adventure, Dan and his friend Bill approach Opinicon Lake. (RIGHT) Opinicon Lake looking to the N.W." by Thomas Burrowes, 1840, www.archives.gov.on.ca. (BACKGROUND IMAGE) Mr. Samuel Clowes, "Map of the proposed Canal for uniting Lake Ontario with the River Ottawa by way of the Rivers Catarcquay, Gananoque and

Two centuries ahead of his time: lessons from Black Hawk on the ethics of conflict

 ABOVE: North American Indigenous leader Black Hawk (Ma-ka-tai-me-she-kia-kiak) over an 1813 map of Upper Canada by William Chewitt. Canada was defended by the British Army until 1871, four years after Confederation. In the latter part of the 19th century, the symbols, traditions, structures and ethos of the Canadian Army were essentially those of

Before Bytown – Part 2

 Watercolour of Wrightstown in 1830. (Archives of Ontario C10006) On the 18th of June, 1812, the United States declared war on British North America, leading to a two and half year conflict and indirectly to the founding of Ottawa. The City was formed alongside the Rideau Canal, as the British

The ‘Ugly’ History of LeBreton Flats

 By Philip Charlebois   Most of us know LeBreton flats as that big, ugly, empty piece of land right next to downtown, where we go for Bluesfest. It hasn't always been so empty, in fact, the story of the flats is an ugly one, headlined by scandal, fire and government

Let The Magnetic North Theatre Festival Draw You In

 When it comes to unique theatre festivals, Magnetic North is definitely on the list. Truly Canadian, as the name implies, its eclectic, diverse theatrical offerings move around the country from its home base in Ottawa to a different Canadian city every other year. (Over the past decade, the festival has