Skate the Lake 2017

Portland, Ontario – The 13^th annual speed skating event was held on the Big Rideau Lake January 28^th & 29^th and it was a weekend filled with fun! Waking up early was well worth it for the ice conditions on the lake were amazing on both days. Participants could take part in the 5K & 10K races on Saturday and 25K & 50K regular marathon skating events on Sunday. Kids had the chance to try out their skating skills in a Kids 5K event on Saturday.

There were plenty activities to keep visitors of all ages active and warm on both days.

After the speed skating races, the viewers could enjoy a warm meal, served in the Portland Community Hall. The Portland Hall Board took care of that by organizing a Ham & Bean Brunch.

For the first time since the race started in 2004, people were able to watch the race from above, as helicopter rides were available on Saturday. There were curling and sleigh rides organized for kids and everyone could take a spin on the ice to music after the final race was finished on Saturday. At dusk, there were even fireworks with an after fireworks sit down dinner at the Portland Hall.

If you were part of the event and captured any amazing photos, send them to registration@portlandoutdoors.com and your photo just might get featured on the Portland Outdoors website.

For anyone interested in next year’s event, it will be held January 27^th & 28^th 2018 and you can already let the organizers know if you have any great ideas or would like to volunteer.

Thanksgiving day in Canada is on October 10, 2016.
 
Thanksgiving Day in Canada has been a holiday on the second Monday of October since 1957. It is a chance for people to give thanks for a good harvest and other fortunes in the past year.
 
Many people have a day off work on the second Monday of October. They often use the three-day Thanksgiving weekend to visit family or friends who live far away, or to receive them in their own homes.
 
Many people also prepare a special meal to eat at some point during the long weekend. Traditionally, this included roast turkey and seasonal produce, such as pumpkin, corn ears and pecan nuts. Now, the meal may consist of other foods, particularly if the family is of non-European descent.
The native peoples of the Americas held ceremonies and festivals to celebrate the completion and bounty of the harvest long before European explorers and settlers arrived in what is now Canada. Early European thanksgivings were held to give thanks for some special fortune. An early example is the ceremony the explorer Martin Frobisher held in 1578 after he had survived the long journey in his quest to find a northern passage from Europe to Asia.
 
From the end of the First World War until 1930, both Armistice Day and Thanksgiving Day were celebrated on the Monday closest to November 11, the anniversary of the official end of hostilities in World War I. In 1931, Armistice Day was renamed Remembrance Day and Thanksgiving Day was moved to a Monday in October. Since 1957, Thanksgiving Day has always been held on the second Monday in October.
 
Thanksgiving Day in Canada is linked to the European tradition of harvest festivals. A common image seen at this time of year is a cornucopia, or horn, filled with seasonal fruit and vegetables. The cornucopia, which means “Horn of Plenty” in Latin, was a symbol of bounty and plenty in ancient Greece. Turkeys, pumpkins, ears of corn and large displays of food are also used to symbolize Thanksgiving Day. Other popular activities include outdoor breaks to admire the spectacular colors of the Canadian autumn, hiking, and fishing.

*This summer come out and enjoy the return of the 24th Annual indoor
Westport Antique Show & Sale. The beautiful Village of Westport will be
hosting this event on June 4th and 5th, 2016 at the Westport Community
Centre on the corner of Spring and Concession Streets.*

*Saturday show hours are 10 am – 5 pm, Sunday hours are 10 am – 4 pm.

Admission is $6 per person, children 12 and under are free. Best of all
there’s plenty of free parking!*

*This year will feature more fabulous qualified antique dealers from

Ontario and Quebec. The dealers promise to bring excellent fresh inventory
including the finest antiques in glass, tools, china, pine furniture,
pottery, crystal, silver, folk art, formal furniture, collectibles and much
more!*

*Don’t miss out on your opportunity to witness first-hand Canadian
history. You possibly own one of these venerable pieces for yourself, so
come out and see what’s for sale at the Canadian Antique Fair.*

*For more information:

Canadianantiquefairs@gmail.com
Canadianantiquefairs@gmail.com

Phone: 613 791 2272 and 613 795 9676

Thu.Apr.14.2016
6-9pm
4 Course Dinner with 5 Beers $60 + HST

Try the best in local, all-natural beers from Perth, ON featuring fresh and exciting flavours! Perfect to quench your thirst and pair with some delicious creations by Chef Joanne Edwards and her team. Come out and enjoy a fun and informative evening with owner/brewmaster Jeremy Steves.

Welcome cheers!
Honey Lager

Easy Amber Ale
Local Cheese and Charcuterie Plate

Hopside IPA
Vegetable Pakoras with Harissa Aioli

Bonfire Black Lager
Sticky Pork Ribs with a Bit o’ Heat

Oh Canada! Maple Ale
Espresso Caramel Layered Dessert

When: March 1 @ 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Where: The Cove Country Inn
2 Bedford Street (@ the Corner of Bedford and Main Streets)

Cost: $75

For additional information click here.

Enjoy a 5 course meal with wine pairings featuring some viticultural history and inside information on the Aussie wine making machine! Sommelier and co-Manager of The Cove, Seamus Cowan tells stories of his experience in the great Hunter Valley of New South Wales (home of his twin brother Jeff!).

Bring your friends and/or meet new ones at this most enjoyable night of authentic Australian cuisine from Chef Joanne Edwards and her team paired with the finest offerings of Australian wines.

Feel the life and warmth of Australia!
5 courses with wine pairings, $75/person.
Reservations Only
Comfortable overnight with Room and Dinner packages available. $200 Standard Room or $225 Jacuzzi Suite + HST + Gratuity. Includes full hot breakfast.

MENU
Seared Barramundi with Sweet Corn, Chanterelles and Lemongrass
Brokenwood Semillon 2014 (Hunter Valley)
Tamarind Glazed Smoked Duck with Beet Carpaccio, Fennell, Tangerine and Tarragon
Willunga 100 Grenache 2013 (McLaren Vale)
Kangaroo on Sourdough with Fig Relish, Bushgarden Cheese, Chorizo Mayo and Lotus Root
Hollick “The Bard” Cabernet Sauvignon 2013 (Coonawarra)
Massaman Curry with Macadamia Nut Crusted Lamb
Mitolo “Jester” Shiraz 2013 (McLaren Vale)
Chocolate Cream with Yuzu, Banana, Sesame and Meringue
McWilliam’s “Morning Light” Botrytis Semillon 2010 (Hunter Valley)

***Items Subject to Change***
Poster by Jeff Cowan Design
Reservations Only, call 1.888.COVE.INN

***Only the Munchie Menu is available aside from Wine Dinner***

Join us Friday night (19th February) at 6:30 pm in Westport at the United Church Hall for the Westport Film Society presentation of a movie starring Jim Carrey and directed by Peter Weir about a man who realizes his life is a reality tv show.

More info email westportfilm@gmail.com

The Winter Carnival this year will be spread over 2 weekends.

The first weekend, Saturday Feb.6/2016 begins with the Westport Lions Club Pond Hockey
Tournament. It takes place on Sand Lake at The Lions Club beach if you are interested in participating
contact Bob Reddick at 273-3499.
There will be food and drink and lots of outdoor family fun

The second weekend, begins Friday Feb.12/2016, at The Westport Community Center with our own
Westport Jr. B Rideaus taking on The Brockville Tiki’s. The Theme is ” fill the rink”.
Before the Game, there will be a Special Presentation to FOTA from Aviva. $50,000 dollar Cheque.
In addition, FOTA will be honoring its many Supporters and Volunteers.
Watch for the Mayors Challenge……it should be a blast.
Lots of Draws and Prizes

Saturday Feb. 13/2016, opens up with The 29th Annual Wolf Lake Howl Fishing Derby
Ontario Free Fishing Weekend…no license required for Ontario Residents.
Pike, Pickerel,Ling and Perch categories.
Cash and Draw Prizes.
Tickets available at: Norris Live Bait, Kudrinko’s , Bennett Bait and Tackle in Smith Falls and Wings Live Bait in Lynhurst
$15.00 Dollars per person, children under 12 free.
Final Weigh In will be at 3 PM on Saturday afternoon.
Canteen available
Hey, if you have not tried ice fishing this is your chance to get it off your bucket list. Talk about Family Fun !!!!

Sunday Feb. 14/2016, opens up with the Westport Arts Council’s Winter Games
This Event takes place at the Westport Community Center’s Parking Lot .
Begins at 11 am with Horse and Wagon rides around the streets of Westport. 16 to 18 people per ride, no charge, donation only.
Hot food and beverage will be available outside until 4pm, thanks to John Pringle and Cottage Coffee House.
Also at 11, Westwinds Farm will provide a Petting Zoo and Pony Rides for the Kids to enjoy.
The Winter Games will begin at 1pm. These games consist of: Crosscut Sawing, Nail Hammering,Fresh Egg Maraton and Tug of war.
The teams will see: Business vs Business, Service Club vs Service Club, Fire Dept. vs Fire Dept., Seniors vs Seniors and last but not least
Kids vs Kids.
This will be an exciting afternoon.
Plaques already hang at Town Hall for the winners of last years events and those same plaques will awarded to the winners of this years Events
Everyone is invited back to the Cove at 4 pm for free live entertainment. (Shawn and Henry)
Also on Sunday: The Royal Canadian Legion Upper Rideau Branch 542 Westport Presents: Sundary In the Country

Happy Valentine’s day.

Bring your Valentine to Westport’s own ” Sunday in the Country” with the one and only Jeff Code and his band Silver Wings.
Event gets underway 2 until 6 pm. $10 per person.
Light lunch served.

Monday Feb.15/2016, this Event takes place at North Crosby’s Shlington Park. 1 until 4 pm.
Outside: Skating and Snowshoeing
Inside: Crafts and Karaoke and Hot Chocolate.
Mayors Challenge, don’t miss it , should be fun

This Winter Carnival has been made possible by 7 different groups, that have come together to promote Westport and Area Winter carnival.
The Westport Arts Council
The Westport Lions Club
The Royal Canadian Legion Upper Rideau Br. 542
The Wolf Lake Howl Group
The Westport Jr.B Rideaus
The Westport Parks and Rec Committee
The North Crosby Parks and Rec. Committee.

The Sponsor for this entire Event:: Jim Archambault and Rideau Valley Hearth and Home.
When you run into Jim, thank him for his support, we really appreciate it.

January 16
Open Mike featuring “Mallen’s and their Friends”.

Saturday, January 16 from 1 – 5 p.m.

$5 Admission includes light lunch.