Georgian Bay Doors Open Ontario This Weekend

A weekend along Georgian Bay this weekend presents an affordable and exciting weekend with the FREE Doors Open Ontario attractions, historic offerings, outdoor trails, and more. Experience Doors Open Georgian Bay with
Owen Sound and Historic Huronia this weekend.
of June 6,7 2009 See See Doors Open in June in Ontario.
Book Hotels In Midland, or Owen Sound.

Obama Good For Georgian Bay??

Election of Barack Obama Holds ‘Great Promise for Restoration of Great Lakes’

For Immediate Release:

November 5, 2008


ANN ARBOR, MICH. (November 5, 2008)— “The Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition is excited about Sen. Barack Obama’s victory and looks forward to working with his Administration and the new Congress for the change we need to restore and protect the Great Lakes—a national icon that is the foundation of our national economy and the source of our drinking water, health and way of life.

“The election of Barack Obama holds great promise for the restoration of the Great Lakes. During his tenure as a Great Lakes senator, President-elect Obama championed the restoration of the Great Lakes. He further showed his leadership for healthy lakes and healthy lives during his campaign for the White House by proposing a five-point restoration plan – including $5 billion in new federal funds - to address the serious threats to the lakes such as aquatic invasive species, toxic pollution, and sewage overflows.

“The millions of people who rely on the Great Lakes now count on President-elect Obama’s leadership to restore these waters, before the problems worsen and become more costly to correct.



“Restoring the Great Lakes will not only help the environment, it moves America forward by putting people to work, boosting property values in the region and increasing the tourism and fishing industry. An investment in the Great Lakes creates jobs and provides a solid return on investment for the region and the nation.



“We’ll work with President-elect Obama and the new Congress to make sure the goals and recommendations of the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration Strategy are met and funded so we can protect our drinking water, economy, public health and way of life.”

The Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition consists of more than 100 environmental, conservation, outdoor recreation organizations, zoos, aquariums and museums representing millions of people, whose common goal is to restore and protect the Great Lakes. The coalition is nonpartisan and does not endorse, support, or oppose candidates.


Contact:

Jeff Skelding, Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition, (202) 797-6893, JSkelding@nwf.org

Jordan Lubetkin, Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition, (734) 904-1589, lubetkin@nwf.org

Georgian Bay Eco Museum is a member of the "Healing our Waters Great Lakes Coalition"

EcoTourism Magazine Canada Uses Waterless Printing

Transforming Canadian Tourism

Two events in October are linked to the building Canada’s future global position as a leading sustainable “Eco Destination”. One is the publication of the second issue of EcoTourism Canada Magazine, published by Vern Telford, Professor Emeritus at Georgian College in Barrie; and secondly, The Ecotourism & Sustainable Tourism Conference in Vancouver October 27-29.

EcoTourism Magazine Canada features Canadian Ecology Centre, the Bear Whisperer, a new Eco Lodge on James Bay, a new environmental language “Eco-Eigo”, and Whistler—a destination determined to be a world leader in sustainability. A major feature of the Second Edition is the printing using Warren’s Waterless Printing.

Featured in the new issue are details on the Ecotourism & Sustainable Tourism Conference in Vancouver October 27-29 hosted by The British Columbia Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Arts, and The International Ecotourism Society located in Washington D.C. EcoTourism Canada Magazine is an official sponsor of the 2008 conference.

Stay tuned for updates…………Ron Taylor

North Simcoe Harvest Tour Oct. 25, 26

North Simcoe Harvest Tour in Simcoe County 19th Year


Harvest Tour 2008

The popular Harvest Tour, now in its nineteenth year, is a great way to sample the hospitality, craftsmanship and artistry of the northern Simcoe County area.

On the weekend of October 25, 26 2008 starting in the village of Wyebridge drive north to Midland. The Harvest Tour includes sixteen specialty retail outlets offering unique demonstrations by artists and artisans. Visitors will sample gourmet treats and browse through fine collections of distinctive gifts, designer fashions, home decor, pine, oak and twig furniture, delectable chocolates--and so much more. More information on Downtown Midland

Ontario Travel to meet Midland Mural Artists in Historic Downtown Midland

North America's Largest Outdoor Mural

Midland, Ontario………………August 2008. As one of the top 100 places to see in Ontario. Downtown Midland http://www.downtownmidland.ca/ should be on every visitors and residents travel list. Midland hosts North America’s largest outdoor mural and was recently listed in the Ron Brown first edition of Top 100 Unusual Things to see in Ontario released September 17^th 2007, Boston Mills Press. Brown labels the murals as a "Giant Outdoor Art Gallery". The murals depicting a scene from the Jesuits meeting Huron aboriginals for the first time is the largest outdoor historic mural in North America. Ron Brown is a Canadian travel writer and broadcaster who is the author of several books on unusual features to see throughout Ontario. His latest titles include Downtown Ontario; Unusual Main Streets to Explore, and Top One Hundred Unusual Things to See in Ontario. Toronto-based Brown also regularly contributes to CBC Radio broadcasts.

For the summer of 2008 our murals are continuing to be restored by 3 local artists with the financial aid of the Ontario Trillium Foundation. Ruth Hurdle is recreating the Rotary Mural which was originally on the LCBO building. This mural will be relocated on the side of T & G Fabrics. Terri-Lee Milley will be recreating the S.S. Lemoyne mural which will be painted on location on the side of Homecoming beside St. Paul’s United Church. Sonja Rathke has been restoring all the murals located at the Town of Midland’s Harbour Master’s office at the bottom of King Street this summer. Please feel free to speak with them about their experiences.

Midland Ontario is 90 minutes north of the Greater Toronto Area, and 35 minutes North West of Barrie. Situated on the shores of Georgian Bay in historic Huronia, the Midland area is one of Ontario’s earliest developed settlements dating back to the early 1600’s and Samuel de Champlain.

WHERE TO STAY IN THE AREA: Hotels, Resorts and Historic Inns are available. See Midland Area Accommodation. http://www.georgianbaytourism.on.ca/S/HotelsResorts.aspx

WHAT TO DO IN THE AREA. Exciting historical re-enactments and attractions, fresh clean beaches complement First Nations history, Georgian Bay Cruises and Great Lakes British Navel history and the towering Martyrs’ Shrine. http://www.georgianbaytourism.on.ca/S/Attractions.aspx

TOURIST INFORMATION: FREE full colour guidebook available by calling 1800-263-7745, or view Georgian Bay Visitor Guide on-line http://www.southerngeorgianbay.on.ca/tourism/index.html.

For additional information on Downtown Midland and the Midland Mural Project contact Meredith Forrest at 705.527.7246

Globe and Mail Understands Tourism and Canada's Competitive Edge

On Canada’s National Park Day, July 19, 2008 the Globe and Mail editorial department was astute in their recognition of the day, and even more astute in providing an opinion about Canada’s Tourism Industry. While extolling the contributions to Canada’s Nature reserves this year, and the importance the public is giving to environmental issues and wilderness protection they commented on where Canada’s tourism industry should be focused. The Globe goes on to say “Canada should work harder to make its extensive pristine wilderness a key differentiator in the intense competition for those very welcome visitors’ dollars.” I translate this message into tourism opportunity through Ecotourism.

Georgian Bay itself has many parks: Provincial and National Parks, two Biosphere Reserves, and the gateway to the Historic Trent-Severn Waterway a National Historic site. Georgian Bay holds a truly global unique position as "The Worlds Largest Fresh Water Eco Museum."

Photo: Georgian Bay looking at the Niagara Escarpment(r.taylor)

Regardless of the internal perception we as Canadians have about the image of Canada, I believe the rest of the world tends to look at Canada as one big wilderness area with a very large land mass of ‘pristine wilderness’. Certainly Canada is more pristine than the countries they are travelling from. However what is important here are the degrees of wilderness experiences which exist throughout the many tourist destinations north of the border and the numerous areas which provide or could provide a significant Eco Tourism experience.

While many destinations throughout the world have been marketing Eco Tourism as a major demand generator, Canada has been slow off the mark. Ontario may also be included as a bit behind in positioning the province as a major Eco Tourism destination.

Georgian Bay offers varying degrees of wilderness experiences, and offers the world a unique and outstanding outdoors activities. Both geography and wildlife viewing combine to provide exceptional visitor experiences for the most adventurous and the inexperienced novice.

Wasaga Beach--Battle For Georgian Bay Event This weekend

Wasaga under Siege – “A War of 1812 Experience”

Nancy Island Historic Site, Wasaga Beach, Ontario, Canada

July 25th, 26th, 27th/2008

Lt. Miller Worsley of the British Royal Navy was in a tight situation and he knew it. From his position at the mouth of the Nottawasaga River looking out onto Georgian Bay, he could see the sails of three warships approaching. They were not flying the British Union Jack, but the Stars and Stripes of the infant republic to the south. It was August 13^th, 1814 and Great Britain had been at war with the United States for two years.

From the narrow strip of land on which Worsley lay, the Nottawasaga River curved behind him running almost parallel to the lakeshore for about four miles, a piece of waterfront, which to future generations would become a popular tourist destination.

But now it was war and Worley’s main concern was the schooner Nancy which sat anchored in the river behind him, her masts concealed by the trees. She was his to command along with 21 seamen of the Royal Navy, 23 Indians and 9 French Canadian Voyageurs. This was Nottawasaga Landing an important British supply post. It was guarded only by one crudely built blockhouse on the inland side of the river and was the only means of defence which stood between the Americans and the Nancy, if she was to be discovered.

The American ships Niagara, Tigress and Scorpion, under the command of Captain A. Sinclair had sailed to the mouth of the Nottawasaga River and dropped anchor. They believed the Nancy whom they were seeking, was still on route from Fort Michilimackinac. Perhaps the Nancy and her crew would escape the Americans after all……

Wasaga under Siege “A War of 1812 Experience” hosted by Nancy Island Historic Site and the Town of Wasaga Beach will feature authentic War of 1812 tactics, historical battles, marine assault landings, artillery, and much more. A professional public address announcer will narrate each battle event as a series of fictional and historical battle scenarios will be presented to the public over a three day period. The Grand Encampment at Nancy Island Historic Site will feature over 400 re-enactors opening their

living history encampments to the public along with 19th century merchants, artisans, period cooking, musket and cannon demonstrations, and period entertainment featuring, Ceol Cara, Caber Toss, Washboard Hank, The Zoom Daddy's and Backroads.

"The sandy beach and the modern attractions that surround it have overshadowed Wasaga Beaches rich history for such a long time, that only a small percentage of visitors and residents actually know that a War of 1812 battle was fought here. Wasaga under Siege “A War of 1812 Experience” is an annual large scale re-enactment that will help bring to live this important historical event in Wasaga Beaches’ history. Battles and activities will no longer be restricted to the Historic Site of Nancy Island as all battle events will take place off the island in various beach park locations throughout Wasaga Beach. The battles taking place off Nancy Island will bring more awareness of our rich history to our visitors and residents as well as bringing more exposure and visitation to Nancy Island Historic Site itself.” Bonnie Smith – Town of Wasaga Beach

Visit www.wasagaundersiege1812.com for more event information.