Why an Interview,,,

Over the years we have been able to meet and talk with some very interesting people. They have shared with us their knowledge and have provided us with a great deal of insight as to how and why festivals and events work and why they are so important to our communities and to the Province of Ontario. With this in mind, we decided that we wanted you to meet and hear from some of the wonderful people who work so hard to provide us all with such wonderful Ontario Festivals and Events! We are pleased and proud to present "THE INSIDE SCOOP"!

Thursday, February 26, 2015

Canada Agriculture and Food Museum ... Tractors … a ride to remember …

Judi "Scoop" McWilliams
Canada Agriculture and Food Museum
"A Ride to Remember"

We welcome you to come along as Ontario Visited Tours the Canada Agriculture and Food Museum … continues …Tractors … a ride to remember …
After viewing this showcase we entered the exhibition hall to see Tractors and "Taking Care of Beesness" Exhibitions.  What a blast. I felt like a kid again. Here children (young and old) can climb up on and experience the “ride”. On one tractor you could experience the feel of an old metal wheel compared to a rubber tire. None of it felt like riding in the fields with my grandpa though, I think he treated us to the soft hay bails on many rides while I had no idea how “bumpy” it was for him. I am surprised farmers backs hold out. 
The large new technological tractor allowed you to experience high up in a “real tractor” the feel travelling along the fields while a film screen re-enacted the scenery for you. You might be able to tell from the photo that I was laughing, it was an amazing experience and I applaud all farmers who endure such challenging work. Small children have the opportunity to put on denim jackets and really dress the part of a farmer. Again, Kelly was able to tell us, that visitors can experience the animals on the day they get “their nails trimmed”, while the hoof trimmer comes on a regular basis. The Museum offers visitors the opportunity to admire signs and objects used to market these machines, and explore a century of technological advancement through the variety of tractors on display. These include the Cockshutt 30 and the tracked Caterpillar 15.

If you are a true explorer and love adventure, the sister Museums of the CAFM are the Canada Aviation and Space Museum and the Canada Science and Technology Museum …. Other great adventures waiting for visitors to explore! Next time you are driving by, stop in, it is worth every moment!
Thank you again to Kelly Ray, Canada Agriculture and Food Museum for our Ontario Visited Behind the Scenes Tour ... 

Thursday, February 19, 2015

Canada Agriculture and Food Museum ~ Cooking from “scratch” ~ Spring is in the Air!

Canada Agriculture and Food Museum ~ Cooking from “scratch”
Ontario Visited Interview
Canada Agriculture and Food MuseumKelly Ray with Judi "Scoop" McWilliams
Ontario Visited 

We welcome you to come along as Ontario Visited Tours the Canada Agriculture and Food Museum … continues … Cooking from “scratch”

Cooking from “scratch” …
I wondered why they would have a “cooking class” at the Museum. It was made apparently clear when we got to sample freshly baked cookies. The flour, eggs butter, chocolate and even fresh honey (not from the Farm for visitor health and safety) represent the natural ingredients that would have been generated in days gone by.


Ontario Visited
Kelly Ray, Canada Agriculture and Food Museum
with Judi "Scoop" McWilliams

There is a rotating display in the Museum with different features. This time was “cooking” showing us the technology advancements of the appliances and tools, from 100’s of years ago to present. Many found memories came to me as I reflected on days on the farm with my grandmother. She preserved all her own berries, crops, fruits and veggies alike.
A new exciting exhibit of Caring for War Horses will be coming soon, to commemorate the beginning of the First World War. A medical chest, equipment and all kinds of history will showcase this area. Another great reason to return for a visit to the Canada Agriculture and Food Museum
Stay tuned for more “Behind the Scenes” Tour with the Canada Agriculture and Food Museum (in the meantime, check out their great website for lots of fun and information at http://cafmuseum.techno-science.ca/en/index.php.) 

Monday, February 16, 2015

Canadian Museum of History Tour ~ “Can you dig it”? …

Our Tour at the Canadian Museum of History and “THE INSIDE SCOOP” welcomes you to join in some “Scoop” with our Tour guide Michel.
Canadian Museum of History
"Walk Back in Time" ... "Our Future"
Ontario Visited Tour
Our Tour Guide goes on to say that this Museum is about Canada and its people. We were welcomed to the This First People’s Hall. Here they attempt to help shed the stereotypes about the First Canadians. One of the mandates of the Canadian Museum of History is to break down the stereotypes, help educate people and create awareness. The name had to be a common name; their own name. The diversity of the culture, clothing was well depicted in the displays. All the displays present a reenactment of the natural environment of the Villages being displayed; from the covered ceilings in tree foliage to the Rock River terrain below your feet. This part of the Museum represented who we were, who we are and our aspirations for our future.
“Can you dig it”? Archeologists love this area, it helps us understand who were the First People based on archeology findings. The Bluefish Cave from the Yukon is 24,000 years old. A mammoth leg bone is the oldest artifact in the Museum. The Museum uses areas that create a story. LeFemme du Ciel and Gloscap is depicted high above dropping from the ceiling.
Michel was sure to just provide us with “information”. Our interpretation of the “fact” and “information” being provided was up to us. Michel goes on to say is it NOT part of the Museums mandate to choose right or wrong, or for that matter give their opinion or observations. They are just providing the scientific presentation for all visitors to embrace.
We asked Michel what we were looking at represented. In part, Michel said it represented the sacrifices the people made to have a better live, as they fought for their freedom. Part of the wonderful opportunity in the Region was the natural resources and the ability to fish, whale resources, fur, timber trade and such.
Ontario Visited Tour
Canadian Museum of History
Ontario Visited Tour
Canadian Museum of History
Stay tuned for Canadian Museum of History Tour ~ Reflections of the Past … Hope for our Future!” ~ our Tour continues. In the meantime, if you wish to visit their website, check it out at http://www.historymuseum.ca/home .

Thursday, February 12, 2015

Volunteers … The Key to Success … Everyone Wins! ~ Peterborough Garden Show ~ Interview

Cauleen Viscoff, Co-Chair, Peterborough Garden Show
“A picture says a thousand words” … then there was the Peterborough Garden Show!
The Peterborough Garden Show is truly a “Magical Place” for gardeners, photographers, grandparents, young families and children who can enjoy a fabulous time at one of “Ontario’s best Garden Shows”!
“THE INSIDE SCOOP” interview continues with Cauleen Viscoff, Co-Chair, Peterborough Garden Show  …
Volunteers … The Key to Success … Everyone Wins!
The Peterborough Garden Show has an incredible 400 volunteer base that put forth an effort that adds to the success of this Show! Ontario Festivals Visited has attended the Show on several occasions and we can attest to the visible positive effort the Volunteers contribute. You experience this from the warm welcome at the front door, to assistance throughout the Show, to walking you out to your vehicle with your purchases.
The Show draws on the Peterborough Community Garden Network, which is made up of about 38 groups. Check it out at http://growpeterborough.org/.
The Peterborough Horticultural Society and the Peterborough and Northumberland Master Gardeners are “not-for-profit” organizations of passionate volunteers who host the garden show to raise money so they can gladly give it back to their community for: scholarships, awards and bursaries to students studying horticultural related post-secondary studies, supporting Master Gardeners in Training along with grants to community gardens.
“For the Love of Gardening” … a bit of history...
The first Peterborough Garden Show with 70 display booths was in 2001 and was presented as a one-time event to celebrate the 140th anniversary of the Peterborough Horticultural Society. The response was so enthusiastic that two years later, along with the Peterborough Master Gardeners, they did it again.
2015 marks the Peterborough Garden Show’s 15th year with 8 well-known speakers over two and a half incredible days. The Show hosts 150 vendors and exhibitors who are landscapers, gardeners, growers, teachers and designers along with many not-for-profit organizations; they have garden displays and demonstrations; an ambitious interactive children’s garden; the latest in garden tools, a fashion show and so much more.. 

Peterborough Garden Show
"Family Fun"
BESIDES FUND-RAISING” – Why else does the Peterborough Garden Show hold this fabulous Show:
The Peterborough Garden Show likes:
              to inspire you and celebrate the coming of Spring 
              to incite (or renew) your passion in gardening
              to help you to learn and grow and ask questions of the hundreds of vendors, speakers and volunteers
              to share our hundreds of combined years of experience and knowledge
              to introduce you to vendors and exhibitors you may not have met
              to show you what is new and innovative in gardening
              to encourage and teach you to grow food and flowers
              to show you how to make the world more beautiful and more healthy through gardening
If you wish to read about Ontario Festivals Visited “adventures” to the Peterborough Garden Show, you can check our Link . Ontario Festivals Visited welcomes you to visit the Peterborough Garden Show website to stay on track with all the details you will need to make sure you don’t miss one of the “Best Shows” Spring has to offer! Check it out the Peterborough Garden Show http://www.peterboroughgardenshow.com. You can check out the Peterborough Master Gardeners ~ Peterborough Horticultural Society at http://www.peterboroughgardens.ca/.

Thursday, February 5, 2015

Fun at the Peterborough Garden Show ~ Interview

Judi "Scoop" McWilliams
"Hamming it Up"at the
Peterborough Garden Show
Ontario Festivals Visited
Cauleen Viscoff, Co-Chair,
Peterborough Garden Show






















Fun at the Show!
“A picture says a thousand words” … then there was the Peterborough Garden Show!
The Peterborough Garden Show is truly a “Magical Place” for gardeners, photographers, grandparents, young families and children who can enjoy a fabulous time at one of “Ontario’s best Garden Shows”!
“THE INSIDE SCOOP” interview continues with Cauleen Viscoff, Co-Chair, Peterborough Garden Show  …
“Fun at the Show” ~
“The Horticultural Couture” ~ Don’t miss this special show on Opening Night (Thurs. April 2) at 6:30 p.m. where “Volunteers” “Strut their stuff” along the stage accompanied by music and much laughter from the audience. This “Fashion Show” adds a dynamic “fun” component. “Volunteers” dress up as “fairies” and creative creatures, adding garden equipment to the design, creating a lot of buzz. Even the men volunteers get involved for even more comedy to this Horticultural Couture Show and folks can’t wait to see what happens next. This part of the show encourages people to say ~ “I really like that product”; I’m going to check out their booth”.
Little Green Thumbs ~ Children’s Garden ~ A fabulous area for the entire family! Check out this very interactive area where children and their families can “create a critter”, face paint, dress up in flower costumes, plant a flower, play in sandbox, enjoy the “Fairy Garden”, create artwork. Ontario Festivals Visited really enjoys this area. I wish I had my grandkids with me during our visits to the Show. I myself would have enjoyed creating some artwork.
A Floral Art Show will be in the multipurpose area where you can enjoy the work of local artists. The March of Dimes will be in attendance showing works of art, floral paintings, for sale, and raise money for the community and the cause!

Stay tuned for Part 3 of our wonderful interview with Co-Chair, Cauleen Viscoff; Peterborough Garden Show. In the meantime, you can check out the Peterborough Garden Show at http://www.peterboroughgardenshow.com.