Seagrave Garden Tour 2009
July 26, 2009 by MikeD · 5 Comments
This was the first year for this event, and from all accounts it was a great success!
The Seagrave United Church Men’s Group hosted this event as a fundraiser to support mission, service and outreach activities. The tour featured nine town and country gardens in Scugog Township and the Sonya area, and we captured five of them on video.
And, as in a lot of cases, the video doesn’t do them justice. You really have to see these gardens in person to really appreciate the work and love that goes into all of these properties. But I trust this video will honour their efforts and passions.
Don Real, one of the organizers of the event, has put up a great little web site giving you more photos and details about the gardens. You can reach it reach it here.
There’s a great quote on their web site that says: “A day out seeing other peoples’ pride and joy is a picnic for the soul.” And it truly is.
I feel so inspired after visiting these gardens, that I think I’ll go out and video the other gardens on the tour, just to inspire all of you as well. Would that be OK Don?
Don’t forget to leave your comments below, on these or other great gardens in Scugog.
Keep on gardening in the free world!
Pow Wow in full regalia!
Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation
July 26, 2009 by MikeD · 2 Comments
The Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation held their 13th Annual Pow Wow on July 18-19, and what a great event! From the powerful drumming to great dancing and singing, it really is a great atmosphere. If you’ve never been to a Pow Wow you owe it to yourself to attend one. And if you live in Port Perry, our native brothers, the Mississaugas, host this sacred event in our own backyard on Scugog Island.
That’s right. Pow Wows are fun, but they are also sacred events, and should be respected at all times. I didn’t know this, but going into the event, you are given a sheet which outlines Pow Wow etiquette and protocol. And one of the rules is that photographs and video recordings are not permitted during certain dances such as: the Grand Entry, Honour Songs, Retiring of the Flags. The MC and event security will tell you when you should observe this rule.
The video captures an “Inter-Tribal” dance, where everyone - even visitors - are welcome to participate. Also on the video, Jim Johnson, or “Standing Spotted Horse” of the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation, gives a great overview of of “Pow Wows,” their meaning, and their message from the creator. This is also Jim’s thirteenth year as the MC for the Pow Wow.
This afternoon with our native brothers and sisters was truly a blessing!
Miigwetch!
(Thank You!)
Retail Space for Lease in Downtown Port Perry
July 20, 2009 by MikeD · 1 Comment
Queen St in Port Perry !!
Terrific opportunity to lease retail space in a very desireable location.
Please call 905-986-4554 for further information.
Queen Street Commons
180 Queen Street
Central area of retail space
Very back of retail space
Rear entrance of 180 Queen Street
Have you ever heard the song, “Over Scugog?”
July 16, 2009 by MikeD · 1 Comment
I never had either, until I came across Melanie J. Hebert, on that giant interweb. She’s a local singer-songwriter, with a couple of videos on YouTube, and her song “Over Scugog” really caught my attention. It’s about the drive from Oshawa to Scugog, which we’ve all done thousands of times, right?
Well, her song really puts it into perspective, and makes you realize that coming home to Scugog is a really great feeling. And that we shouldn’t take it for granted.
In my never ending quest to promote the great talent that we have here in the Port Perry area, I shot a video of Melanie playing at Coffee Culture, on Simcoe Street. She is usually there on the first Sunday of each month, and she also plays all over Durham region. You can hear more of her music and follow her schedule on her site at myspace.com.
Talking to Melanie between sets, she thought that it would be great if kids could learn this song at school. Now there’s an idea. What do you think about Melanie and her song “Over Scugog?” Just post your comment below, and get the discussion going. Melanie would love to hear from you.
We will also keep you posted on her new CD release. She’s hoping to have it out by this October. Keep on supporting live music!
Blackstock Truck & Tractor Pull
July 14, 2009 by MikeD · Leave a Comment
This is Scugog Township´s biggest and best Tractor and Truck Pull. And this year’s two day event featured a Big Truck Show & Shine on Saturday.
This was my first time at a Tractor Pull, and had a really great time. Saturday evening featured regular Pick-Up Trucks, Vintage Tractors, Super Stock 4×4 Trucks, the ProStock Tractors and Highway Tractors. You have no idea how loud these tractors are until you are in the stands watching the event. The roar is deafening. Literally.
The banter between the track announcers is worth the price of admission. Mark and Joyce, members of the Central Ontario Tractor Pullers’ Association, really have it down pat. They seemed to know all the drivers, their families and the stories behind the tractors. Not an easy job to do, and they make it look easy. You can hear some of their lines on the video.
Unfortunately, a little rain storm put a damper on things for a while, and the track had to be “scraped off” to remove the water and mud before re-starting again. I don’t know how late it went on Saturday, but on Friday night, they went on till past midnight! You gotta love it!
Thanks to the local organizers, Phil Mcleod, Gerald Kelly and Janice Beechey for putting another great event in Blackstock.
For those of you interested in this event, the next local Tractor Pull will be at the Port Perry Fair, on Saturday, Sept. 5th.
The upcoming Blackstock Fair will also have a demolition derby on Saturday, August 29.
July 19 - Brazillian with a Funky Twist
July 14, 2009 by MikeD · Leave a Comment
Lynn McDonald presents another great night of music at the Queen Beans Coffee House.
This time it’s the “Attila Fias Trio” featuring Attila Fias on piano, Pat Kilbride on bass and Richard Briscoe on drums. With over 2,000,000 units sold worlwide, including a platinum and 3 gold-selling albums in Canada, Attila will be presenting his newest project, original Latin-based tunes with a Cuban twist.
If you’ve never heard of Attila, here’s a video of a recent performance at Hermann’s in Toronto. This is with vocalist Emily Braden playing Attila’s arrangement of “One Note Samba,” the famous Brazilian standard.
Should be a great night. See you there!
For more information about Attila, listen to more of his music and even watch a few more videos, you can visit his web site.
Evening is hosted by Amanda Jackson
Location: Queen Beans Coffee House
Address: 180 Queen Street
Date: Sunday, July 19
Time: 7:00 pm
Admission: $10
RSVP: lynnjazzvocals@yahoo.ca
July 18 & 19 - Dog Days of Scugog
July 11, 2009 by MikeD · 1 Comment
All dogs and their owners will not want to miss the 7th Annual Dog Days of Scugog, taking place on Saturday, July 18th - Sunday, July 19th.
Dog Days celebrates the unique bond that exists between dogs and their people. It has grown to be the largest Dog Day in Durham Region. Scheduled events include the popular doggie talent contest, free for all dogs to enter, Ontario Dock Dogs, Daytripper Agility demonstrations, Skyhoundz Disk Dog, Canadian Association of Rally Obedience, Canine Good Neighbour Test, fashion shows, parade of breeds and more. Visit with local breeders to discover what breed would be the best fit for your family, explore unique gift ideas for your pooch from one of the many vendors or just have fun introducing your dog to some new friends.
Admission to the all-day event is $5 for adults, $3 for students and seniors and free for all children under 12 and all dogs. 2-Day Passes are also available.
For more information on this event, please click here
If you are interested in agility or any kind of training for your dog,
contact Lane White at Daytripper Dog Training.
Here’s a little preview to wet your appetite.
Oh, I almost forgot. They are adding a new event this year, but you’ll have to watch the video to the very end to find out about it. 
See you there!
“Beauty and the Beast” is amazing!
July 11, 2009 by MikeD · 1 Comment
“WOW!”
“It blew my away!”
“Amazing!”
These are just some of the words patrons used after last week’s matinée performance of “Beauty and the Beast.” And it truly is an awesome show!
From the sets and costumes, to the performances and the music, Cadenza Productions is putting on a great show, and just have to see it. You’ll think you are on Broadway and not at the Town Hall in Port Perry!
You can feel the magic from the cast. Mallory McGrath as Belle and Carlos Finch as the Beast lead a cast that is chock full of great performers and performances. And the music… They actually removed the front row of seats to make room for a 10-piece orchestra. Led by Carol Salamone, the Founder and Musical Director of Cadenza Productions, the musicians, the harmonies and the singing come together to create an “enchanted” atmosphere that will keep you mesmerized for over 2 hours.
Congratulations to all the cast and the production hands behind the scenes. Your hard work has really paid off! And thanks for putting on such a great show in Port Perry!
But don’t just take my word for it. Have a look at the video to see the cast and their costumes, as well as some reviews from some of the patrons. If you’ve been to the show, or are part of it, leave us some comments. We’d love to hear from you.
Get out there and support local theatre!
July 18 & 19 - Annual Pow Wow
July 11, 2009 by MikeD · Leave a Comment
It’s the 13th annual hosted by the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation. If you have never been to a Pow Wow, this is a really good chance to see one and even participate. Right in our own backyard.
Visit the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation website for more information and directions.
Canada Day Celebrations
July 6, 2009 by MikeD · 2 Comments
Canada Day in Port Perry is always a great event, and this year’s was better than ever! More events, more activities, more displays and more vendors… and great crowds all day long.
The day started off with the “Support The Troops” parade along Queen Street, and it’s always a crowd favourite… especially with the kids! It’s a great way to salute and say thanks to both our veterans and present day service men and women as they march along. We have captured the parade on tape and hope you enjoy it. Should keep the kids busy for a few minutes anyway
Then it was the official ceremonies at the gazebo in Palmer Park. And “Show Me The Money!” was the theme this year.
From Town Crier Bill McKee’s opening to Bev Oda’s big cheque presentation - $4 million for Scugog’s Infrastructure - and John O’Toole’s promise that his “cheque was in the mail,” you couldn’t have asked for a more impactful ceremony. It was also announced that the Nestleton Community Hall would receive $140,000 for their expansion. This proves that hard work and dedication to a cause really does pay off! Right Nestleton! Bobbie Drew did a great job hosting and I also understand she was instrumental in getting all “officials” to attend the ceremony.
A great big shout out to everybody who had a hand in putting the day together: all the staff from the Township or Sugog, Rik and his team at The Scugog Standard, The Port Perry Star, our Veterans and all the volunteers who come together to ensure that such an event is a success. You really raised the bar this time, and look forward to next year’s Canada Day.
Happy Canada Day Scugog!
