Lifestyle, sports and culture - Madawaska Valley Current

Yakabuski pays tribute to Renfrew County Fiddlers

Submitted September 28, 2020 September 28, 2020

John Yakabuski, MPP for Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke, said it is the “end of an era.” He referred to the announcement by The Renfrew County Fiddlers that their performance on Sunday, Sept. 23 was the swan song for the popular musicians, who have entertained thousands of people across the Valley for 42 years. …

Thank heavens for the Blue Jays!

Roger Paul September 28, 2020 September 28, 2020

For pandemic prisoners who are sports fans and who have been hoping for extended distractions from not just COVID but the horror show that is happening south of our border, there has been very little to cheer about. The Leafs exited the Stanley Cup playoffs at the first opportunity, as …

Fall colours in the Valley

Sharon Gardiner September 22, 2020 October 25, 2020

Editor’s Note: This is for all you leaf-peepers who are cottagers, seasonal residents or otherwise unable to get out and enjoy our magnificent fall colours this year. Wilno photographer Sharon Gardiner has agreed to share some of her photos of Valley back roads and views so you can watch — from wherever you are — as the colours progress through the coming weeks. The Current will update this regularly so you’ll see Sharon’s latest picture at the top, and her older ones below. Enjoy …

Above: Water Tower Park, Barry’s Bay, Oct.11

Mount Madawaska, Oct.8

Palmer Rapids, Oct.3

biernacki-mtn-rd-sharon-gardiner-sept-29

Biernacki Mountain Road, Sept.29

Trout Lake, Sept.28

homestead-at-wolf-ridge-sharon-gardiner-sept-26

Homestead at Wolf Ridge, Killaloe, Sept.26

Deacon Bridge, Sept.26

Crooked Slide Park, Sept.22

Siberia Road, Sept.22

Wilno Heritage Park, Sept.22

Rozek-Road-khr-sept.20 — *Colours just beginning – Long Lake, Sept.20*

asters-rozek-rd-sept.20 — *Nothing says “Fall” like asters beside the road – Rozek Road, Sept.20*

All photos Sharon Gardiner

Barry’s Bay Legion pancake breakfast unaffected by new restrictions

The Current September 19, 2020 September 19, 2020

Valley people looking forward to tomorrow morning’s monthly Pancake Breakfast at the Barry’s Bay Legion Branch 406, 250 John Street in Barry’s Bay will be pleased to know that today’s restrictions from the Province on size of gatherings applies only to private, unmonitored events. Legion President Heather Poliquin advises this …

Old timers: they just know

Gil Glofcheskie September 13, 2020 September 13, 2020

The drive from the city to Barry’s Bay had me thinking of big lake trout; the miles seemed to slip by unnoticed. Arriving in town I felt that I was home. Local lads have a saying: you can take the boy out of the Bay but you cannot take the …

Heritage Photo: 1907 Whitney Champs baseball team

Bob Corrigan September 12, 2020 September 12, 2020

Sometimes in local history the best you can do is a near miss. I missed out on buying this postcard, but I managed to get a photo of it. I wonder if anyone can identify these Whitney baseball players and managers from 1907. There are two postmarks on the back …

SFMH announces $11 million expansion

Danielle Paul September 9, 2020 September 9, 2020

In a presentation held both online and in person at an outdoor marquee at St. Francis Memorial Hospital (SFMH) on September 8, 2020 details were unveiled of a major transformation of SFMH’s Emergency Department. The province’s approval and authorization to proceed with the project was announced by MPP John Yakabuski …

How the Madawaska Valley Family Health Team has adapted health care to serve the community

Elser Lee Archer September 8, 2020 September 17, 2020

The Madawaska Valley Family Health Team (MVFHT) has served patients through the COVID pandemic and continues to provide services during the Stage 3 COVID restrictions. This article will help to clarify the scope of practice provided by our Nurse Practitioners who have expanded services within our community. Shown above are …

Not your usual Terry Fox Run in 2020

Submitted September 6, 2020 September 6, 2020

The 2020 Terry Fox Virtual Run “One Day Your Way” in Barry’s Bay is days away, and residents are gearing up to raise money for cancer research by finding a fun and safe version of “Your Way” to participate and help keep Terry Fox’s dream alive in this 40th anniversary …

Hercules flyovers thrill residents

Danielle Paul September 5, 2020 September 5, 2020

For more than 70 years, the Canadian International Air Show has been held over Lake Ontario on Labour Day Weekend during the final three days of “The Ex” (Toronto’s CNE). As a child I would beg my parents to return to Toronto by Labour Day so I could go with …

Heritage Photo: Herron’s General Store

The Current September 2, 2020 September 2, 2020

In this 1959 photo taken on Dunn Street in Barry’s Bay, Herron’s General Store is visible across the road behind the three girls in the foreground. Connie Schwieg provided information about the picture. Her pandemic project included organizing family photos, and she came across this one taken by her late …

Story Walk wraps up busy summer for Library

Danielle Paul August 30, 2020 August 30, 2020

When Madawaska Valley Public Library CEO Karen Filipkowski suggested to summer program coordinator Julia Beggs that it might be fun to try a Story Walk, she wasn’t sure how Beggs would approach the project but Filipkowski told The Current she was delighted with the successful result. Filipkowski said, “Julia just …

Telegrapher turned artist recalls Barry’s Bay

Danielle Paul August 29, 2020 August 29, 2020

A reader from North Bay, Peter Hamel, contacted The Current to say he had many fond memories of Barry’s Bay. Upon hearing his name, this reporter immediately asked if he was “related to Joe Raymond Hamel who (I believe) was telegraph operator at the Barry’s Bay station in 1952.” That …

Breakfast is back at Barry’s Bay Legion

Danielle Paul August 29, 2020 August 29, 2020

As the province reopens, community events gradually return. One of the first to do so was the Barry’s Bay Legion Branch 406 monthly all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast. Under the guidance of the Renfrew County and District Health Unit, the Legion held its first breakfast since last winter on Sunday August 16, …

MV is not immune to microplastics

Wendy Wolak August 26, 2020 August 26, 2020

As a follow-up to an article, Researchers Shocked by Microplastics in the Madawaska Watershed, published by The Current last November 2019, I was intrigued to investigate further if microplastics existed in our four lakes situated just west of Barry’s Bay. Microplastics are fragments of plastic that can come in the …