A last call reminder that the famous BLUES ON THE RIDEAU SERIES @ THE COVE INN, WESTPORT kicks off the 2012/13 Season – our 8th year! – this Friday, OCTOBER 26 with the TERRY GILLESPIE BAND and THERE ARE STILL A FEW TICKETS AVAILABLE.

It’ll be quite a night. Terry has been one of the seminal artists on the Ottawa blues scene since he moved here from Detroit in the 1960′s and he’s still going strong. He and his band represented the Ottawa Blues Society at the prestigious International Blues Challenge in Memphis last January and made it to the semi-finals from among 200 entrants. His unique blend of blues, reggae, country and jazz is infectious and fun. Bring your dancing shoes and wear a costume if you like – it’s a HALLOWEEN PARTY and there are prizes for the best ones.

If you’re not familiar with Terry’s music visit www.terrygillespie.ca or go to www.bluesontherideau.ca – 2012/13 Season. You’ll find Bios, YOU TUBES and song clips on all the artists that will be performing at the Series this year – including Terry.

Grab your significant other and enjoy a night out of great Blues, food, dance and drink. Dinner & Show is only $60 and each BOTR show supports a different Westport good cause. This one is for the Lucy Drysdale Memorial Scholarship Fund. There are still a COUPLE OF ROOMS LEFT at The Cove and nearby B&B’s if you want to stay over.

Advance Reservations are required. Call THE COVE at (613) 273-3636 or 1-888-COVE-INN and book now!

The popular ACOUSTIC BLUE SUNDAY Summer Series just ended at THE COVE INN in Westport with a fabulous performance by Juno Award nominee TREASA LEVASSEUR. Now it’s time to look forward to another great season of BLUES ON THE RIDEAU at THE COVE.

Celebrating it’s 8th year BOTR has become one of the premier Blues Series in the country. The combination of a delicious buffet dinner and dancing to some of Canada’s best blues bands in the friendly, intimate setting of The Cove has proven to be a real winner. Proceeds from every show go to support different local charities. $38,000 has been raised since the Series started and another $7,000 is expected this year.

It’s another great Line-Up for 2012/13 – a combination of the most popular acts who’ve played the Series previously and some exciting new talent.  The 2012/13 Season starts October 26 and will continue once a month until May (excluding December). There will be a total of 11 shows this year  – 2 two-night stands (Friday & Saturday) and 3 singles (Friday only). Most occur on the third weekend of the month. Times are the same for all shows – 7 to 11 pm. Despite increased costs the ticket price will remain the same as last year – $60 which includes a full course buffet dinner, dancing and a donation to the charity.

2012/13 LINE-UP  - our 8^th season!

October 26 – TERRY GILLESPIE BAND

From Vankleek Hill, ON – a very talented singer/songwriter/guitarist Terry learned the Blues growing up in Detroit watching greats like Howlin’ Wolf, Buddy Guy and John Lee Hooker perform. He moved to Ottawa in 1968 and helped establish the Blues scene there with his great band “Heaven’s Radio”. His hot trio now consists of him on guitar and vocals with Wayne Stoute on drums and Lyndell Montgomery on bass – they were semi-finalists at the 2012 Memphis International Blues Challenge. Keyboardist Peter Measroch will join them for this show.

PROCEEDS TO THE LUCY DRYSDALE MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND

November 16 & 17 – FATHEAD

From Toronto – one of Canada’s best loved Blues bands for over 20 years led by harmonica/sax player/singer Al Lerman and the great John Mays on lead vocals with Teddy Leonard on guitar, Omar Tunnoch on bass, and Bucky Berger on drums. This band has won 2 Juno Awards & multiple Maple Blues Awards over its career and every player has won a Maple Blues Award in their instrument category at least once. A superb blend of blues R&B, funk and soul.

PROCEEDS TO FRIENDS OF FOLEY MOUNTAIN & WESTPORT FOOD BANK

January 18 – CONOR GAINS BAND

From Cambridge, ON – an incredible young guitarist/singer/songwriter (only 19 years old!) with a very tight band who has already played prestigious events like the Montreal International Festival de Jazz and the International Blues Challenge in Memphis to standing ovations. He has a great new album out full of original songs. A rising young star on the Canadian Blues scene. It’s his first visit to BOTR at The Cove.

PROCEEDS TO RIDEAU WATERWAY LAND TRUST

February 15 & 16 – THE HOGTOWN ALLSTARS

From Toronto – 6 players from two of Canada’s most famous Blues bands – DOWNCHILD & FATHEAD – wow! Chuck Jackson (vocals &harp), Teddy Leonard (guitar), Michael Fonfara (keyboards), Pat Carey (sax), Gary Kendall (bass) and Mike Fitzpatrick (drums). Both bands have won Junos and everyone in the band has won a Maple Blues Award in their instrument category at last once. Are you ready for some Big Time Blues?

PROCEEDS TO RIDEAU VISTA & ST. EDWARDS ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS

March 15 & 16 – JACK DE KEYZER BAND

From Toronto – Canada’s “King Of The Blues” – singer/songwriter and guitarist extraordinaire.  A 2X Juno Award & 7X Maple BluesAward winner. “The finest Blues guitarist in Canada” according to the late, great Jeff Healey. This is Jack’s 4^th visit to The Cove and he always rips it up. One of the most popular acts to ever play the Series.

PROCEEDS TO EASTER SEALS EASTERN ONTARIO & HABITAT FOR HUMANITY

April 19 & 20 – DAVID ROTUNDO BAND w. JULIAN FAUTH

From Toronto – A Blues Superduo with multiple Maple Blues Award winning singer/songwriter and harp player David Rotundo along with Juno award winning singer/songwriter piano player Julian Fauth. Their show at BOTR last April was so good we just had to have them back! High energy “tear the house down” Blues from two of the best. 

PROCEEDS TO WESTPORT IN BLOOM & WESTPORT LIBRARY

May 17 – ROBIN BANK$ BAND

From Toronto – a dynamite vocalist and 3X Maple Blues Award nominee Robin sings Blues, Soul and R&B equally well with passion, power and clarity. Over the years she’s lived in Chicago, Memphis and Texas playing alongside Blues greats like Sam Myers, Willie “Big Eyes” Smith and Junior Watson. Now she’s back in Toronto and about to do a new album produced by Duke Robillard who has stated that “Robin Banks has got soul, class and most of all, good taste”.

PROCEEDS TO RIDEAU DISTRICT MUSEUM

DINNER & SHOW $60

ADVANCE RESERVATIONS REQUIRED 

1-888-COVE-INN or (613) 273-3636

WELL-PRICED ACCOMMODATION IS AVAILABLE AT THE COVE AND NEARBY B&B’s

More information including LINKS to artists’ websites, YOU TUBES & song samples from each of them can all be found at www.choosetheblues.ca

BLUES ON THE RIDEAU @ THE COVE is produced by CHOOSE THE BLUES PRODUCTIONS, Kenmore Ontario

TREASA LEVASSEUR at ACOUSTIC BLUE SUNDAY at THE COVE

Sat. & Sun. August 25 & 26

New Arrival of Under Armour Youth Jackets, Pants, Camo Shirts, and much more!
Insulated Blaze Orange Youth Jacket and Bibs
Naked North Camo Pink  Snow Camo Suits, Hats & Gloves
Under Armour Neupreme Hunting Boots with other styles to choose from
Browning and Remington Dog Accessories
Large Selection of Decoys 10% per box In-stock only. While supplies last
Blowout of last year’s stock items
In-Stock APA Bows Save up to $300
Special Rage Blades $10 off per pak
All In-Stock Shotgun Ammo 10% Off

Lots of Drawings and Door Prizes

On Saturday, come out and meet reps., and try some tasty meats and cheeses Cooking Demonstration featuring Chef Francois Scheurmann and try Alison Scheurmann’s vegetable dips

Hwy. 42, between Westport & Newboro
info@norrisfishnhunt.com
613-273-6462

Rideau Lakes Yoga~ “Summer Yoga For Every Body” starts THIS WEEK!
Thursday, 6:00 at LION’S CLUB HALL, Westport!
From JUNE 28 – AUG 2
Summer Special: Pay as you go for $10 a class! 10% goes to Lion’s Club!

Last summer we enjoyed the beautiful beach front view and the sounds of the birds whether we did yoga on the privacy of the patio or in the spacious hall. If you did not get a chance to experience this gorgeous setting last summer come give yourself a treat. www.rideaulakesyoga.com

Get some of your Christmas shopping done this weekend at The Green Gecko! The Green Gecko has something for everyone and this weekend only, they are having their Christmas Open House. They will pay taxes on all your purchases, offer prizes, you will receive a free gift with your purchase of $25.00 +, and enjoy free food samples and treats as well as in-house specials!

The Christmas Open House Schedule is as follows:
Thurs, Dec 2, 10am- 8pm
Fri, Dec 3, 10am – 8pm
Sat, Dec 4, 10am – 6pm
Sun, Dec 5, 10am – 4pm

The Green Gecko located at 436 Lyndhurst Road, Lyndhurst, ON

If you are a business owner or have an interest in the tourism of Westport & The Rideau Lakes, you will want to join the first ever “Let’s Talk Tourism” session hosted by the Chamber of Commerce on November 3rd. Join in on the discussion to determine what needs to be done for the future of tourism in Westport and the Rideau Lakes.

Share ideas, learn from experts and enjoy an optional lunch if you are hungry! This event is taking place at The Cove from 12:30pm to 4:30pm.

Optional lunch available at a cost of $10. Please RSVP to Kim @ 613-273-2929 or wrlcc@rideau.net.

If you know a thing or two about photography, or maybe have a talent in it, then you might be interested in a photo contest being organized by the Rideau Lakes Township.

Officials are inviting locals in the area to pass their photographs of the township, with the winners getting the opportunity to have their pictures published in the Township of Rideau Lakes’ 2010 Calendar.

If you think you’ve got what it takes to be published then join up. The contest is open to just about anybody with a camera, just as long as he or she owns property in the Township of Rideau Lakes.

The photography contest kicked off on the 1st of January, and will run until the 31st of August, 2010.

Photographers are encouraged to submit their shots in either 4″x6″ prints, or as high resolution (at least 6 megapixels) JPEG files in CD format. You can drop your entries off at the township office or e-mail them at aschur@twprideaulakes.on.ca.

Pictures of the fast scenery in the township are preferred since photos of people will require the township to ask their permission to be part of the calendar.

Each photographer can only submit 4 entries. Join now!

Mayors from the Leeds and Grenville Counties are worried that the costs of building solar farms in the region outweigh the tax revenue it will generate for the community. At present, a new solar farm to be built in the Rideau Lakes Township is in the planning stages, but Mayor Ron Holman is worried that the construction will deteriorate and affect the roads around the site badly. Furthermore, he admits he’s a little apprehensive about the project not being done with the consultation of the involved municipalities.

According to Holman, the use of solar energy will allow the communities involved to reap immense benefits. He’s totally for solar energy, he said. However, having a solar farm built near a residential area for example, will be problematic for the township, he added.

Officials from Ontario recently announced to the public an agreement between South Korean electronics giant Samsung. Apparently, the company will be responsible for construction solar farms across the province, which will generate a total of 2,500 megawatts of clean, renewable energy. Announced by Premier Dalton McGuinty late last month, the deal stipulates that the Samsung group gets to reap 437 million in subsidies over the next 25 years.

Officials from the Rideau Lakes Township are currently debating if a solar farm will really be beneficial to the community.

Ontario has a new Senator, and he’s promised not to forget his roots.

Newly elected Senator Bob Runciman, formerly the MPP of Leeds-Grenville, has requested that his designation in the Senate be changed from the current “Ontario” to “Ontario – Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes.” If his request is approved, the new designation will be used on government documents and correspondence.

According to Senator Runciman, he wants to change the designation as a way of paying back the community he owes everything to. He also hopes that the new designation draws attention to what he describes as one of Canada’s most beautiful and scenic regions.

The newly elected senator spent some 29 years in service of the region, and he vows to continue to do so with his new and higher position in government. One of the things he will try to do is work for the interests of the Rideau Lakes and Thousand Islands region.

One of his primary concerns will be the rural development of Eastern Ontario, he said.

On January 29, Friday, Runciman was named to the Senate. He will be officially sworn into office on the 3rd of March at a ceremony to be held in Ottawa.