Jun 05, 2013 — Donna Naughton has been fascinated by nature and natural science all her life.

She landed a job at the Canadian Museum of Natural Science almost by accident, while on a field trip tour as an undergraduate. Her book The Natural History of Canadian Mammals was published in 2012 to high praise as a new standard for this topic.

Now retired, Naughton recently realized a long-time dream by moving to an island in the Rideau River, near Kemptville, Ontario - brimming with trees, birds and animals.

Lucy Martin discussed the 10-year book project with Naughton on a Barnes Island nature walk in late May.  Go to full article

May 24, 2013 — Music lessons are a part of life for many families. There are different methods of instruction, including something called the Suzuki method. It was developed in Japan by violinist Shinichi Suzuki and eventually became a successful style of learning around the world.

The Ottawa Suzuki Strings is an umbrella organization that organizes lessons for students of all ages. The most advanced young players can experience tours and public performance with the violin ensemble Stellae Boreales.

Lucy Martin took in a recent rehearsal to learn more about both programs.  Go to full article

Ottawa, ON, Mar 08, 2013 — As gardeners look ahead to spring, some take advantage of what's called a "seed swap". It's a good way to recycle unwanted seeds, share a surplus, or take a chance on a few new varieties.

Ottawa's 20th "Seedy Saturday" took place March 2 in a community hall at Britannia Beach. The busy event featured educational booths and a number of regular seed vendors, plus workshops on saving seeds, permaculture and worm composting.  Go to full article

Ottawa, ON, Jan 18, 2013 — This month's 'January thaw' was followed by colder temperatures. Enough, apparently, to put the final freeze on Ottawa's famous Rideau Canal Skateway.

Organizers said a 2.2 kilometer section would be open to the public as of 7 a.m.  Go to full article

Ottawa, ON, Oct 31, 2012 — Hurricane Sandy came ashore along the U.S. coast as a dangerous, powerful storm.

But by the time it is expected to cross into Canada later Wednesday, the much weaker system might only bring a few days of rain.  Go to full article

Ottawa, ON, Aug 24, 2012 — Plowing contests have been a popular feature of agricultural life in Ontario for well over a century. The gatherings put key skills on display, with different classes, based on age or equipment used. Horses, tractors and techniques are part of the show too, for the pleasure of interested crowds.

Retired dairy farmer Ray Dedman is this year's president of the Ontario Plowman's Association, which hosts an International Plowing Contest and Rural Expo this September, near Waterloo. Ontario's 44 regional plowing associations typically hold smaller contests in August as well.  Go to full article

Iroquois, ON, Aug 08, 2012 — It's easy to miss the Doran Bay Model Ship Museum. Just off County Road 2 in Ontario's South Dundas Township, it fills the first floor of a solitary house overlooking an inlet on the St. Lawrence River.

The museum opened in September of 2011 to showcase a large private collection of model ships, from the very famous to little-known vessels. Founder Bert Cunningham told Lucy Martin this unexpected hobby grew to the point where sharing it just seemed like the right thing to do.  Go to full article

Jun 27, 2012 — Unusual weather this spring took a heavy toll on fruit growers across the region. Industry observers estimated crop damage to Ontario's apple crop at well over 80%. Smyth's Apple Orchard in South Dundas, Ontario was planted in the mid-1800's, very near where the first McIntosh Red apple was discovered in 1811. About 90 acres of apples are still grown at the 5th generation family operation. Smyth Orchard's Dean Beckstead told Lucy Martin it's going to be a very difficult year.  Go to full article

Cornwall, ON, Jun 26, 2012 — In Cornwall, Ontario, Clark's Shoes has been meeting footwear needs for customers on both sides of the border since 1896. Ross McDonald has spent over half a century running the store his maternal grandfather founded. For shoppers of a certain age, this is what buying shoes has always been like: helpful, personable service in a family-owned business. McDonald is retiring near the end of this month and a lot of his customers are feeling the loss. Lucy Martin dropped by the store earlier this month, when most everything was on sale and business was brisk.  Go to full article

Ingleside, ON, Jun 20, 2012 — Leaving Cornwall last Friday, Lucy Martin stopped for gas on Highway 2 just past Ingleside, overlooking the St. Lawrence River. She was about to leave when four heavily-laden cyclists pulled in for a rest.

The two couples are enjoying a 400-mile journey of exploration along Ontario's Waterfront Trail and setting a terrific example of fitness at any age.  Go to full article