The beach at Joel Stone Park was a great place to play on Canada Day. Lorraine Payette/for Postmedia Network
The hottest spot to get cool on Canada Day was the splash pad in Gananoque. Lorraine Payette/for Postmedia Network
The crowd waited anxiously for the start of the evening’s entertainment at Joel Stone Park on Canada Day. Lorraine Payette/for Postmedia Network
Town Crier Brian Mabee opened the evening’s celebrations on Canada Day at Joel Stone Park. Lorraine Payette/for Postmedia Network
Township of Leeds and the Thousand Islands Mayor Corinna Smith-Gatcke was one of the dignitaries speaking on Canada Day at Joel Stone Park. Lorraine Payette/for Postmedia Network
MPP Steve Clark Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes was one of the dignitaries speaking on Canada Day at Joel Stone Park. Lorraine Payette/for Postmedia Network
Gananoque Mayor John Beddows was one of the dignitaries speaking on Canada Day at Joel Stone Park. Lorraine Payette/for Postmedia Network
Poet Laureate Gretchen Huntley was one of the dignitaries speaking on Canada Day at Joel Stone Park. Lorraine Payette/for Postmedia Network
Chickenwire provided the musical entertainment for the evening on Canada Day at Joel Stone Park. Lorraine Payette/for Postmedia Network
Chickenwire provided the musical entertainment for the evening on Canada Day at Joel Stone Park. Lorraine Payette/for Postmedia Network
(Gananoque, ON July 1, 2024) Perfect weather greeted the crowds as they came out to Joel Stone Park to celebrate Canada Day in Gananoque. Most were dressed in their patriotic red and white clothes, and all were ready for a good time.
Music for the evening was provided by the band Chickenwire. Face painting was available for all, and comic magician Rob Driscoll entertained to everyone’s delight. Dignitaries for the evening included Town Crier Brian Mabee, MPP Steve Clark Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, Gananoque Mayor John Beddows, Township of Leeds and the Thousand Islands Mayor Corinna Smith-Gatcke, and Gananoque Poet Laureate Gretchen Huntley.
The younger kids got a chance to do a rescue obstacle course with the fire department, saving both an infant and an adult at the RibFest held in the sports fields at the Lou Jeffries Recreation Centre in Gananoque. Lorraine Payette/for Postmedia Network
Crowds were eager to try offerings from four great ribbers at RibFest held in the sports fields at the Lou Jeffries Recreation Centre in Gananoque. Lorraine Payette/for Postmedia Network
Two pirates greeted Town Crier Brian Mabee (right) on their ship, just part of the kid zone entertainment at RibFest held in the sports fields at the Lou Jeffries Recreation Centre in Gananoque. Lorraine Payette/for Postmedia Network
Mike Myers was only one of the musicians performing at RibFest held in the sports fields at the Lou Jeffries Recreation Centre in Gananoque. Lorraine Payette/for Postmedia Network
Ladies of all ages got up to dance to the free music at RibFest held in the sports fields at the Lou Jeffries Recreation Centre in Gananoque. Lorraine Payette/for Postmedia Network
Local resident Peggy Haggerty thoroughly enjoyed the ribs at RibFest held in the sports fields at the Lou Jeffries Recreation Centre in Gananoque. Lorraine Payette/for Postmedia Network
LorrJen Berry (left) joined Eileen and Glenna Wilberforce as they enjoyed RibFest held in the sports fields at the Lou Jeffries Recreation Centre in Gananoque.a ine Payette/for Postmedia Network
Rotary President Bern Hudson spoke on behalf of the Rotary at RibFest held in the sports fields at the Lou Jeffries Recreation Centre in Gananoque. The extremely popular annual event is brought to town by the Rotary and Lions Clubs of Gananoque. Lorraine Payette/for Postmedia Network
Lions RibFest organizer Doug Charbonneau spoke on behalf of the Lions Club at RibFest held in the sports fields at the Lou Jeffries Recreation Centre in Gananoque. The extremely popular annual event is brought to town by the Rotary and Lions Clubs of Gananoque. Lorraine Payette/for Postmedia Network
The dignitaries came out to support RibFest held in the sports fields at the Lou Jeffries Recreation Centre in Gananoque. L-r, Town Crier Brian Mabee, Gananoque Mayor John Beddows, MPP Steve Clark Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, and Township of Leeds and the Thousand Islands Mayor Corinna Smith-Gatcke. Lorraine Payette/for Postmedia Network
Six brave duckie wranglers selected the winning entrants from the duckie drop RibFest held in the sports fields at the Lou Jeffries Recreation Centre in Gananoque. Front l-r, Arlo, Mia, Claire, Avery, Ava and Colin, rear Town Crier Brian Mabee. Lorraine Payette/for Postmedia Network
Kouri’s Kopters dropped the duckies into the “pond” at RibFest held in the sports fields at the Lou Jeffries Recreation Centre in Gananoque. Lorraine Payette/for Postmedia Network
Avery selecting the first winning duckie RibFest held in the sports fields at the Lou Jeffries Recreation Centre in Gananoque. Lorraine Payette/for Postmedia Network
Members of the Gananoque Skating Club picked up the leftover duckies at RibFest held in the sports fields at the Lou Jeffries Recreation Centre in Gananoque. The small plastic toys will be used again next year. Lorraine Payette/for Postmedia Network
Town Crier Brian Mabee helped the Lions Club distribute Canada Day cupcakes at RibFest held in the sports fields at the Lou Jeffries Recreation Centre in Gananoque. Lorraine Payette/for Postmedia Network
Ready to repel all boarders, young pirates joined in on the fun at RibFest held in the sports fields at the Lou Jeffries Recreation Centre in Gananoque. Lorraine Payette/for Postmedia Network
(Gananoque, ON July 1, 2024) The Gananoque Rotary and Lions Clubs teamed up once again for a successful RibFest held in the sports fields at the Lou Jeffries Recreation Centre. The four-day event included entertainment for all ages, vendors, and of course, the ribs. The four ribbers were Jack the Ribber, Route 55 BBQ, Silver Bullet BBQ, and Smoke House Bandits, and other food vendors were also available on-site.
“The smallest community to host Ribfest in Canada welcomes over 19,000 visitors every year,” says the website at www.1000islandsfamilyribfest.ca/ . “The Rotary & Lions Clubs of Gananoque give 100 percent of proceeds back to the community. They support charities, families and students and lead projects that positively change Gananoque and the 1000 Islands area. 1000 Islands Family Ribfest is a safe and clean event that everyone can enjoy.”
Town Crier Brian Mabee and Poet Laureate Gretchen Huntley were among the special speakers at the performance of “Humankind” held in Joel Stone Park on June 22. Lorraine Payette/for Postmedia Network
Reverend Takouhi Demirdjian-Petro was among the special speakers at the performance of “Humankind” held in Joel Stone Park on June 22. Lorraine Payette/for Postmedia Network
Event organizer Debbie Donaldson led the performance of “Humankind” held in Joel Stone Park on June 22. Lorraine Payette/for Postmedia Network
The gatekeepers enter with the 30-foot red silk cloth that represents thee chosen community at the performance of “Humankind” held in Joel Stone Park on June 22. Lorraine Payette/for Postmedia Network
Some of the displaced persons fall into despair, wither and die during the performance of “Humankind” held in Joel Stone Park on June 22. Lorraine Payette/for Postmedia Network
Members of the chosen community dance their love and appreciation for each other during the performance of “Humankind” held in Joel Stone Park on June 22. Lorraine Payette/for Postmedia Network
The community begins to admit the displaced into its ranks at the performance of “Humankind” held in Joel Stone Park on June 22. Lorraine Payette/for Postmedia Network
Eventually everyone is welcome to join the chosen com munity during the performance of “Humankind” held in Joel Stone Park on June 22. Lorraine Payette/for Postmedia Network
A rosy glow of safety surrounds everyone when they become part of the chosen community at the performance of “Humankind” held in Joel Stone Park on June 22. Lorraine Payette/for Postmedia Network
With the community open to all, everyone rejoices at the performance of “Humankind” held in Joel Stone Park on June 22. Lorraine Payette/for Postmedia Network
(Gananoque, ON June 23, 2024) Humankind came to Joel Stone Park in Gananoque on June 22, reaching out to society to embrace all and make them one in the planetary community.
“Through music and dance this experience shows the struggles humankind is having to find its place in thee world,” said Town Crier Brian Mabee. “‘Humankind’ had its birth when the Trinity Movement Choir performed at the 2018 Parliament of the World’s Religions in Toronto. In 2020, the pandemic intervened, and the movement choir expanded internationally, performing full seasons of new works online with Sacred Dance Guild members from Australia, New Zealand and Canada to Hawaii and across the contiguous United States joining the New York region dancers.”
With hundreds of books to choose from it was hard to pick just one – all free for students at Thousand Islands Elementary School (TIES), Linklater Public School and St. Catholic School during the Gananoque Book Drive’s annual distribution at the schools on June 17-19. Lorraine Payette/for Postmedia Network
A person has to be careful when selecting that special book for the summer. It was hard to pick just one with hundreds of books to choose from – all free for students at Thousand Islands Elementary School (TIES), Linklater Public School and St. Catholic School during the Gananoque Book Drive’s annual distribution at the schools on June 17-19. Lorraine Payette/for Postmedia Network
Sometimes it seemed easier to work in groups. It was hard to pick just one with hundreds of books to choose from – all free for students at Thousand Islands Elementary School (TIES), Linklater Public School and St. Catholic School during the Gananoque Book Drive’s annual distribution at the schools on June 17-19. Lorraine Payette/for Postmedia Network
Best friends paired up to make their best selections. It was hard to pick just one with hundreds of books to choose from – all free for students at Thousand Islands Elementary School (TIES), Linklater Public School and St. Catholic School during the Gananoque Book Drive’s annual distribution at the schools on June 17-19. Lorraine Payette/for Postmedia Network
Sometimes it can be easier to decide when you check with friends. It was hard to pick just one with hundreds of books to choose from – all free for students at Thousand Islands Elementary School (TIES), Linklater Public School and St. Catholic School during the Gananoque Book Drive’s annual distribution at the schools on June 17-19. Lorraine Payette/for Postmedia Network
Who can wait for holidays to get started on great reading? It was hard to pick just one with hundreds of books to choose from – all free for students at Thousand Islands Elementary School (TIES), Linklater Public School and St. Catholic School during the Gananoque Book Drive’s annual distribution at the schools on June 17-19. Lorraine Payette/for Postmedia Network
(Gananoque, ON June 20, 2024) June 17-19 brought three busy, happy, and fulfilling days to the Gananoque Book Drive (GBD) as they visited Thousand Islands Elementary School (TIES), Linklater Public School and St. Catholic School to distribute hundreds of free books to encourage literacy.
“We started 34 years ago in 1990,” said Julie Price. Head of the drive committee. “The U.N. had designated 1990 as International Literacy Year and a local chapter of the Beta Sigma Phi sorority decided to commemorate the event by donating brand new books to the Toy Drive.”
The raffle table had a lot of interested people checking it out to see just what goodies were available at the School House Jam ’24 fundraising concert held in Rockport on June 22. Lorraine Payette/for Postmedia Network
People drifted away on the music at the School House Jam ’24 fundraising concert held in Rockport on June 22. Lorraine Payette/for Postmedia Network
Chris Hum was just one of the great performers playing live at the School House Jam ’24 fundraising concert held in Rockport on June 22. Lorraine Payette/for Postmedia Network
It didn’t take long to fill the pavilion right up with lovers of live music at the School House Jam ’24 fundraising concert held in Rockport on June 22. Lorraine Payette/for Postmedia Network
Stephen Haig was just one of the great performers playing live at the School House Jam ’24 fundraising concert held in Rockport on June 22. Lorraine Payette/for Postmedia Network
Amanda Keeley was just one of the great performers playing live at the School House Jam ’24 fundraising concert held in Rockport on June 22. Lorraine Payette/for Postmedia Network
(Rockport, ON June 22, 2024) Things were jumping at the School House Recreation Hall in Rockport on June 22 at the annual School House Jam fundraising concert. For $5 admission audience members were treated to 9 solid hours of high-quality live music by performers from throughout the area. Featured were Chris Hum; Whiskey Smoke; Stephen Haig; Amanda Keeley; Crossing Borders 613; Mark Hunt, Brian Frommer and Alan Code; CR 5 Bluegrass; and a full two hours be headliner Jordy Jackson.
Numerous vendors were onsite along with a raffle table, cash bar, chicken barbecue, bouncy castle, and lots of games and prizes.
The Ontario government is strengthening protection for children and youth by investing more than $586,000 over the next five years in a new program to support young victims and survivors of human trafficking in Leeds-Grenville and the surrounding areas. – Photo by lalesh aldarwish from Pexels
(Leeds-Grenville – March 12, 2021)
The Ontario government is strengthening protection for children and youth by investing more than $586,000 over the next five years in a new program to support young victims and survivors of human trafficking in Leeds-Grenville and the surrounding areas. The money is part of $46 million being provided for 27 new projects across the province through the Community Supports Fund and Indigenous-led Initiatives Fund.
As can be seen from this phot taken in the winter of 2016, all kinds of people enjoy using the paved recreational trail along the Thousand Islands Parkway. The newly formed trail alliance is seeking solutions to improve that usage for winter 2021.
(TLTI – March 29, 2021)
The Township of Leeds and the Thousand Islands (TLTI), Front of Yonge Township (FOY), and the Ontario Trails Council (OTC), in partnership with the St. Lawrence Parks Commission (SLPC) are banding together to create a solution to the issues of ploughing the multi-use recreational trail along the Thousand Islands Parkway (TIP). They hope to find a solution for the winter of 2021 that will not only allow for safe trail usage but that will also improve that experience for all users.
A Fresh News Start 