Valentine’s Day is a time when people show feelings of love, affection and friendship. It is celebrated in many ways worldwide and falls on February 14, each year.

Valentine’s Day is an opportunity for people to tell somebody that they love them in a romantic way. It falls on February 14, the name day of two saints, St Valentine of Rome and St Valentine of Terni. In pre-Christian times, the middle of February was a time of pagan fertility festivals in Europe and allegedly the time when birds chose a mate.

Many people give gifts to loved ones on Valentine’s Day. Common gifts are:
•    Flowers, particularly red roses.
•    Chocolates and/or candy.
•    Teddy bears.
•    Toy hearts.
•    Sparkling wine.
•    Cosmetics.
•    Clothing, including lingerie.
•    Jewelry.

Many people also thought that birds chose their mates at this time of year. Around the year 1380, the English poet Chaucer wrote a poem for the first anniversary of the engagement of King Richard II to Anne of Bohemia. This is thought to be the first association between celebrations of romantic love and St Valentine’s Day on February 14. The connection remained important throughout the middle ages.

The most common symbols of Valentine’s Day are heart shapes, which are used to decorate many things, including cards, trees, wrapping paper, cookies and gift boxes. Other symbols associated with February 14 are pairs of birds, cute teddy bears, Cupid and his arrows and couples kissing or embracing. The colors red and pink are often associated with Valentine’s Day.

Date :
Feb 14, 2017 @ all day

Cook together in the community kitchen on the first Tuesday of every month! Learn new skills, take home food. Childcare is available.  For more information check out Facebook!
Cost : free.

Date :
Tuesday, Feb 7, 2017 from 10 am to 1 pm

Event location :
Free Methodist Church
65 Bedford Street
Westport ON, Ontario Canada

Contact :
Website : https://web.facebook.com/CRCHCWhatsCooking/timeline?_rdr

Fill up those PA days with winter fun !
Programs are geared for kids aged six to twelve and are hosted by our knowledgeable RVCA interpreters. Learn how to snowshoe, put up a shelter, build campfires and cook outdoors ! The fun will run from 9 am to 4 pm.
Cost per person is $40 per child and $35 for additionnal children in the same family.
Each session can accomodate up to 25 children. Pre-registration is required.

OUR GOAL…

To promote active, outdoor living and nature appreciation in conservation areas throughout the winter season.

Date :
Feb 2, 2017 from 9 am to 4 pm
Event location :
Foley Mountain Conservation Area,
Westport, ON, Canada

Contact :
Foley Mountain Conservation Area
105 Perth Road, North, Westport, ON
613-273-3255
Or contact Rebecca Whitman at rebecca.whitman@rvca.ca
Website : http://rvca.ca/

Many Christians in Canada mark the birth of Jesus Christ on December 25, which is known as Christmas Day. It is a day of celebration when many Canadians exchange gifts and enjoy festive meals.

Many Canadians have a day off work on December 25 and many spend the day with close relatives or friends. It is customary to exchange gifts, enjoy a special festive meal and, perhaps, attend a special church service.

The traditions centered on Christmas gifts in Canada vary a lot between families. In some families, a mythical figure called Santa Claus brings gifts. He travels on a sleigh pulled by reindeer, enters homes via the chimney and leaves presents and candy in Christmas stockings or in a pile under the Christmas tree.

Symbols of Christmas Day

There are many symbols of Christmas. These include images of baby Jesus and the Holy family in the stable, stars and Christmas trees. Another important symbol of Christmas is Santa Claus. This is a mythical figure with origins in European, particularly British, Dutch and German, cultures. He is a jolly man who wears a red suit, has a long white beard, lives at the North Pole and travels in a sleigh pulled by reindeer.

Date :
Sunday, December 25, 2016

Guitar player/singer/alternative lyricist Shawn McCullough helps you break up your week and give you a little social fix.

Shawn has played and toured with Canadian Country star Jason McCoy (The Roadhammers) and has been a part of Telecaster supergroup The Telebastards featuring Steve Piticco, as well as a member of DoubleBack with Wade Foster and John Wilberforce. He is highly in demand as a session musician and sideman for his incredible skill, wit and stage presence. He has a solo record to his name “This is Me” and is currently performing with rising Country star Brea Lawrenson.

Have a Night out on the town with Music and Wings with Fries $12.

Thanks to Nate and everyone at Long & McQuade Music in Kingston, you can win a guitar if you get up and perform a song! Sign a ballot and you are good to go!

Date :
Wednesday, December 7, 2016 | 6 to 9 pm

Event location :
The Cove
2 Bedford St.
Westport, Ontario K0G 1X0 Canada

Contact :
Phone: 1.888.COVE.INN
Website: www.coveinn.com

Hosted by the Delta Mill Society at the Old Town Hall from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Children accompanied by their parents are welcome to come and do some gift shopping and have fun decorating gingerbread cookies – supplies provided at no charge and hot dogs and pop will be for sale for $2:00.

While the kids are having fun their parents can enjoy a hot drink of cider or coffee while enjoying Christmas decor and music and browsing the Christmas Gift Shop.

Date :
Saturday, December 3, 2016 | 3 to 5 pm

Event location :
Old Tow Hall – Delta

Contact :
The Delta Mill Society
Box 172, Delta, Ontario K0E 1G0
Tel: 613-928-2584 (office)
Email: info@deltamill.org
More info at : http://www.deltamill.org/

December 2016 public skating !

Rate : $2 per person.

Date :

Fridays, Dec. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, 2016 | 9 am to 11 am

Event location :

Westport Community Arena, 37 Spring Street

Westport, ON, Canada

Contact :

Westport Community Centre

It’s almost election time again…America’s Choice to be exact. Because we
are affected by it’s outcome so much, we decided to pay tribute to our
neighbours with a Wine Dinner themed after them. Another in our delectable
series of culinary mastery featuring food by Chef Joanne Edwards and her
team and wine insights by Lifford Wine Agent and Andrew Rasta. Don’t forget
to vote!
Thanks so much,
Seamus and All of US at The Cove
PS: This dinner may have a serious effect on the outcome of the election

*America’s Choice Wine Dinner*
Tue.Nov.1.2016 @ The Cove

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

*Oysters Rockafeller,* Crab Cake, Fennel Bisque
*Firestone Sauvignon Blanc*

*Chicken and Waffles* – Fried Chicken, Savoury Waffles, Wedge Salad
*Hess “Select” Chardonnay*

*Alaskan Salmon Tostada* – Gravlax (Mexican Style), Cilantro, Jalepeno,
Avocado, Quesa Freso, Jicama Slaw
*DeLoach Pinot Noir*

*Bison Brisket* – Blueberry Bourbon Sauce, Roast Corn Crema, Squash Fritters
*Charles Smith “No Bull” Merlot*

*Apple and Cheddar Filo Pie*
*Cycles Gladiator Petite Sirah*

***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***

Our Seventh Annual Writers Reading on Saturday, October 4, at the Westport United Church features award-winning Canadian authors Terry Fallis, Charlotte Gray, Ian Hamilton, and Diane Schoemperlen. Tickets are available around Westport or at the door.

Terry Fallis

An engineer by academic training, Terry Fallis followed a career in politics and communications before writing his award-winning debut novel The Best Laid Plans. Originally released in excerpts in the form of a podcast, Fallis self-published the political satire in 2007. After winning the Stephen Leacock Award for Humour in 2008, McClelland and Stweart republished Fallis’ novel.

Charlotte Gray

Charlotte Gray is one of Canada’s best-known writers, and author of nine acclaimed books of literary non-fiction. Born in Sheffield, England, and educated at Oxford University and the London School of Economics, she began her writing career in England as a magazine editor and newspaper columnist. After coming to Canada in 1979, she worked as a political commentator, book reviewer and magazine columnist before she turned to biography and popular history.

Ian Hamilton

It was a life-threatening health scare that prompted Ian Hamilton to being the name “Ava Lee” to life. Recovering from surgery, Hamilton’s debut Ava Lee novel, The Water Rat of Wanchai (2011), was quickly written in only a few short weeks. After the first novel was finished, the very next day Hamilton started on the second in the award-winning, internationally published series and the same is true of the third and fourth Ava Lee novels.

Diane Schoemperlen

After graduating from Lakehead University, Schoemperlen continued her studies at the Banff Centre, working with W.O. Mitchell and Alice Munro. Among her many accolades as an author, including the Governor General’s Award for English Fiction and the Writer’s Trust of Canada Marian Engel Award, she is also an accomplished editor and has taught at St. Lawrence College and the Kingston School of Writing. She currently lives in Kingston, Ontario.

Date :
October 4, 2016 | 1 to 5:30 pm

Event location :
Westport United Church
Westport, Ontario
(corner of Spring St. And Church St.)

Contact :
For more ticket information, visit this page : https://westportartscouncil.com/2014/09/15/oct-4-7th-annual-writers-reading/

Every summer during the month of July & August on Wednesday evenings, doors open at 5 pm and bingo starts at 11 pm. Up to $2000 in prizes given away every week. Bingo is a great thing to do in Westport.

Date :
Wednesday, August 3, 10, 17, 24, 2016

Event location :
Westport Community Centre,
Westport Community Arena, 37 Spring Street, Westport, ON, Canada

Contact :
http://villageofwestport.ca/discover-westport/westport-community-centre/