Of priests we can offer a charmin’ variety, Far renowned for learnin’ and piety. Still I’d advance ye without impropriety, Father O’Flynn is the flow’r of them all. Recently, the first line of that song which my mother used to play and sing around this time of year popped into …
It’s been too cold to sit on the porch. Even if I did, I doubt I’d be able to see over the snowbanks. Social media, however, provides another means to observe and comment on local issues. One item that recently caught my attention was a My Barry’s Bay Now Facebook …
On a snowy October 28 I got off the porch to take in some of the natural beauty of the Madawaska Valley. I had the pleasure of accompanying Steve Brunke of Valley Adventure Tours on his last ATV excursion of the season. Truth be told, it was my first experience …
OPINION Integrity Commissioner Guy Giorno presented two reports to MV Council on Nov. 5 regarding complaints made against Councillors Peplinski and Maika. Giorno’s opinion was that neither councillor had breached the Code of Conduct. During the public question period afterwards some individuals urged the township to bring legal claims against …
Reinhold Hildebrandt Photo courtesy Beverley Glofcheskie My dad and I used to tour Renfrew County visiting German settlements and pioneer cemeteries. Now it’s a tradition for me. This year I jokingly referred to it as my “Oktoberfest” tour to make a point. Valley residents may think Oktoberfest is an expression …
Opinion A recent correspondent to the Valley Gazette challenged candidates to release specific platforms so voters can “hold their feet to the fire.” For ten months The Madawaska Current has been doing just that – holding the feet of the Mayor and Council to the fire by reporting and commenting …
Opinion Anyone following the election campaign knows the Barry’s Bay Railway Station remains a hot issue. All candidates have addressed it in their literature and interviews, but when incumbent mayoral candidate Kim Love spoke about it recently in an interview with The Eganville Leader, she presented a version of the …
Scott Mask and Ollie Scherer are building dreams on Mask Island. Photo Mark Woermke The largest island in Lake Kamaniskeg has had many owners and several names, but for this edition of Porch Views, I would like to call it “Island of Dreams.” This jewel in Lake Kamaniskeg was first …
Marcie McNamara and Mark Woermke on the porch. (Photo submitted) Barry’s Bay has some historic homes such as the August Biernacki home on Dunn Street built by the parents of St. Hedwig’s founder Monsignor Biernacki and which now serves as a college residence; the Opeongo Line home of Barry’s Bay’s …
Guy Giorno, Integrity Commissioner All ears were on MV’s Integrity Commissioner Guy Giorno at the Council Meeting on Monday August 13 as he delivered reports on three issues. Two of these were complaints he inherited from MV’s previous Integrity Commissioner, Jack Rosien, whose termination by the Township led to a …
Photos: Mark Woermke Three hundred and twenty people came out to the Paul J. Yakabuski Arena for the Stone Fence Theatre’s 2018 musical, I Come from the Valley. Before the sold-out show, producer, writer and performer Ish Theilheimer explained how much he looks forward to their Barry’s Bay performance each …
Council candidate Mark Willmer sees great potential for the Township of Madawaska Valley. He recently spoke with The Madawaska Valley Current at his home overlooking Lake Kamaniskeg about his vision and campaign. The Township of Madawaska Valley is a great place to live and work, and it has a lot …
Madawaska Valley post-amalgamation wards Opinion In Part 1, I proposed a return to the ward system which I felt at the time would be the best way to ensure voter representation in the Township of Madawaska Valley. It only generated two comments online, but it prompted several visits to my …
Opinion Democratic government is based on representation and accountability. Since municipal government is the level of government which is closest to the people, it only makes sense that municipal voters should do everything they can to maintain these principles – including thinking carefully about the method by which they elect …
Jack Kitts, his wife Lian and their children Kara, Bianca and Bryson, from The Kitts Family of the Ottawa Valley and North America (Woermke, 2007) Dr. Jack Kitts, CEO of The Ottawa Hospital, was named a Member of the Order of Canada by Her Excellency, the Right Honourable Julie Payette, Governor General …
