Porch Views: Serving the community

Photo: Mark Woermke For the first time this year, I am enjoying my morning coffee on the porch. It’s pretty quiet on my corner this Saturday morning, but the sun is shining and things look promising for Wilno’s Kashub Day. I have an excellent view of Bay Street and the …

Rosien asks Court to fire Township’s lawyer

Photo: thedailyobserver.ca On Feb. 28 the Current reported that MV Township’s former Integrity Commissioner, Jack Rosien, had commenced a legal action against the Township for breach of contract.   Click HERE to read that story.   The Current has now learned that Rosien has asked the Court to stop the Township’s …

Porch Views: remarkable Madawaska Valley women

On March 8, I started a Facebook post recognizing International Women’s Day. Before clicking “share” I realized it had potential as a Porch Views column, so I deleted it and started creating a list of remarkable Madawaska Valley women. My list grew until it had far too many names for …

Full house as Irish team wins Reunion Cup

Photo: Mark Woermke It was a full house at the Paul J. Yakabuski Community Centre this afternoon as the Irish team played the Kashub team in the Reunion Cup final. The Irish team (above) beat the Kashub team 5-0. Photo: Mark Woermke Irish team captain Brett Madigan receives the Reunion Cup from …

Business Improvement Area – Business In Action

Ted Williamson owns the Barry’s Bay V&S Stedmans (store pictured above). He is also the chairperson of the Barry’s Bay Business Improvement Area (BIA). Actually, four years ago, he urged other business owners in Barry’s Bay to work together and form the BIA. Williamson who had already been in the Bay for …

“Let Yez All Be Irish Tonight!”

Photo: Mark Woermke In addition to some household chores, a bit of homework and working with Barry Conway and the Opeongo Podcast Players, I am taking time during my March Break to sift through the family archives: photos, news clippings, family trees and the like. Many items pertain to the …

Porch Views: Name it. Claim it. Build a future.

Thank you to everyone who has reacted to Who is a Local? My intention — I don’t think anyone else ever has addressed this topic publicly — was to provoke a thoughtful dialogue on the issue of “localism” and how it affects the lives of our neighbours and the development …

Is the Station back on track?

Railway Station Park, August 2017    Photo: Cathie Corrigan Part 2 in a series on the Railway Station ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL RETURNS FOR THE MADAWASKA VALLEY Face of the Valley The Railway Station in Barry’s Bay has been called the “face” of the Madawaska Valley because, for visitors, it is …

Railway Station’s Benefit to Area Derailed

First in a two-part series   PART 1 — MV CITIZENS EXPRESS THEIR CONCERNS Residents Concerned over Landmark’s Decline Several Madawaska Valley residents are expressing their concerns about the decline of the Barry’s Bay Railway Station. A common theme in their comments is that a negligent (if not hostile) attitude, …

Porch Views – Introduction

  Gidday! I am very excited to contribute to The Madawaska Valley Current – a creative community-building endeavour. This is the first time I have been a columnist in a publication. I am grateful for the opportunity since I can consolidate two of my passions: the Madawaska Valley and writing. …