On Saturday May 11 all roads led to Madawaska as former residents and descendants of Madawaskans headed home to the “Growing Up in Madawaska Reunion.” I was one of them. It felt like a homecoming even though I didn’t grow up there and only spend a few hours a year …
Hundreds of people who live, have lived, or whose families lived in Madawaska at one time converged on the community centre in Madawaska throughout the day on Saturday May 11 to reflect on the “good old days”, preserve their community’s history, and to celebrate family and friendship. (Shown at top …
My English students have heard a lot of stories about Barry’s Bay and the Madawaska Valley. Many are humorous, a number are inspiring, some are poignant, others are not altogether flattering and a few are downright disturbing. All of them are true, but don’t worry, I never use names. On …
End times in Barry’s Bay as “imaginator” with local roots pens apocalyptic novel Have you ever imagined where you would take refuge if the world as you knew it was coming to an end? Author Kasey Kulas (see photo) has, and she thinks Barry’s Bay would be ideal in an apocalypse, …
It’s March Break. After a few days in Montreal, I returned to the Bay to relax, read, take in a few St. Patrick’s Day events, do a bit of marking, work on my column and nurse the cold that has returned. I did not expect to be thinking or writing …
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 …
