Out for a spin along the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail

   One-Tank Trip for Aug. 26/17

   (c) By Jim Fox

   Happy trails to you!

   It started in 1995 as a trail spanning 275 kilometres along Lake Ontario between Hamilton and Trenton.

   Today, the multi-use Great Lakes Waterfront Trail stretches 2,100 kilometres and continues to grow to the delight of bikers and hikers.

   What’s more, it has just been recognized as a “Trail of Distinction” by the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport.

Enjoying a trail ride are writer Jim Fox, Jenna Hunter and Natasha Ilic. (Barbara Fox photo)

    An expansion last year connected Lambton County and Kettle and Stony Point First Nation to the trail.

   This year it added 380 kilometres along the Lake Huron North Channel between Sault Ste. Marie and Sudbury, so the trail now meets Lake Superior.

   Next year, another 650 kilometres will be added by expanding into Manitoulin Island, Huron,

Bruce and Grey counties.

   This will close the gap between the North Channel and Southern Ontario and result in a continuous signed route from Sault Ste. Marie to the Quebec Border.

A howling good time to be had at Dog Tales Rescue and Sanctuary's festival

   One-Tank Trip for Aug. 19/17

   (c) Postmedia Network/Sun Media newspapers/websites 

   (c) By Jim Fox

   People from around the world consider Canada a safe haven.

   Dogs and horses, too, are finding it to be a sanctuary for many that have suffered abuse or neglect.

   It’s truly been a “dog’s life” for the 100 or so dogs now fortunate enough to be at Dog Tales Rescue and Sanctuary in King City awaiting their “forever homes.”

   This world-renowned dog rescue and horse sanctuary has matched hundreds and hundreds of canines with devoted families in its three years in business.

Maggie, a Neapolitan mastiff, relaxes on a divan in her lavish kennel at Dog Tales. (Jim Fox photo)

   For day-trippers, it’s a perfect Sunday drive in the scenic countryside to visit the critters and enjoy the lush sanctuary grounds in the rolling green hills of “horse country,” north of Toronto.

   It’s only open to visitors on Sundays but holds a special annual event – the Dog Tales Festival on Aug. 26 and 27 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

   “In true Dog Tales’ fashion, the festival will be heavily decorated and filled with surprises, treating guests to a festival experience like no other, so be sure to bring your camera,” organizers say.

   Visitors are encouraged to bring their dogs as “friends and families of all ages celebrate rescue animals with a fun weekend.”

Dog Tales and Horse Haven are located on 20 hectares of lush rolling hills north of Toronto. (Vivian Fox photo)

   This is “no ordinary festival,” just as Dog Tales is no ordinary animal shelter.

Tim Hicks coming to the Norfolk County Fair & Horse Show

(News Release)

August 8, 2017 Simcoe, Ontario - the Norfolk County Fair & Horse Show, is thrilled to announce the second concert performance at the Grandstand for this year’s fair.

On Friday, October 6th^th at 8:00 pm, CCMA Nominated Male Artist of the Year, Canadian Country superstar Tim Hicks will take the stage.

Hot off headlining his “Shake These Walls Tour,” Hicks has continued to do what he does best: connect with audiences from coast to coast and beyond.

With a resume of a veteran that includes   seven Top 10 singles on Canadian country radio, #1 country album for 5:01, multiple CCMA and SOCAN wins and JUNO nods he has earned coveted spots on prestigious festival stages nationwide.  His 2017 Shake These Walls tour charted a path that is completely new and shoots straight for the country music stratosphere.

Indigenous Life Festival at Blue Mountain Village

(News Release) From Friday, August 18th to Sunday, August 20th, enjoy three days of free events, entertainment and activities celebrating the history, science and culture of First Peoples of Canada in a brand new festival at Blue Mountain Village. From live music and comedy, to Native films and traditional games and ceremonies, there’s a lot to see, a lot to do, and a lot to learn at this one-of-a-kind event. View Schedule >>

Steely Dan to perform at Casino Rama Resort

RAMA, ON (Monday, August 14^th, 2017) – As one of Ontario’s premier entertainment destinations, Casino Rama Resort has earned a reputation for presenting year-round world-class concerts and events in our award-winning Entertainment Centre.  We are thrilled to add this much anticipated performance to our previously announced fall 2017 concert line-up:

Steely Dan

Thursday, October 19

SHOWTIME: 8 PM, DOORS OPEN: 7 PM

Tickets are $85/$95/$120

“Do It Again”, “Reelin’ In the Years” & “Rikki Don’t Lose that Number”.

Fans are invited to visit the Casino Rama Resort Facebook page to gain access to an exclusive pre-sale code.

Exclusive advanced ticket purchase for Facebook Fans & Players Passport™ Club Members begins on Thursday, August 17^th at 12 noon on www.ticketmaster.ca or by calling toll free 1-877-599-RAMA (7262). A special code is required for the advance purchase period which can be found on the Casino Rama Resort Facebook page.

Tickets go on-sale to the general public on Saturday, August 12^th at 12 noon and will be available in-person at the Casino Rama Resort Box Office, at all TicketMaster locations, by calling toll free 1-877-599-RAMA (7262) and online at www.casinorama.com. Ticket prices are inclusive of taxes and exclude any applicable service fees.

Stargazers showered with meteor shows at Ontario Parks; Are we wet yet on Niagara Whirlpool boats?

   One-Tank Trip for Aug. 12/17

(c) Postmedia Network/Sun Media newspapers/websites

   (c) By Jim Fox

   There’s plenty of summer left, so get out and enjoy it.

   Watch the Perseid meteor shower shows at Ontario Parks where admission is free next Wednesday (Aug. 16).

   Camper families love stargazing especially from mid-July to late August during the shower period.

   Peak time is this weekend and if the skies are clear, you can see up to 50 to 100 meteors an hour.

   There will also be a solar eclipse on Aug. 21 starting at 1:08 p.m. when the moon begins moving in front of the sun and continues to 3:48 p.m.

Watching meteor showers is a popular summertime adventure at Ontario Parks.

   Star parties are held in the parks every summer, especially in Northern Ontario where there’s less light pollution.

   Killarney Provincial Park on Georgian Bay invites visitors to “come out to learn and look at the night sky through our telescope.”

   Guest astronomer Bill Gardner will be there on August 15, 22 and 29 at 9:30 p.m. while this weekend has astronomers-in-residence Bill and Vicki Sherwood.

"Och aye the noo" for the Fergus Scottish Festival & Highland Games

(c) Postmedia Network/Sun Media newspapers/websites
 

   One-Tank Trip for Aug. 5/17

   (c) By Jim Fox

   Attention lads and lassies, “och aye the noo,” which in overt Scotticism translates to “Oh yes, just now.”

   We’re speaking about the Fergus Scottish Festival & Highland Games that will pipe its way into town from Aug. 11 to 13.

   In its 72nd year, it’s the oldest three-day Scottish Festival in North America and attracts some 30,000 visitors.

   In celebration of local Scottish heritage and culture – and this year Canada 150, too – there’s something for everyone, a Scot or not (nae), said Lee Puddephatt, marketing co-chair.

   Bring the clan for Celtic music, crafts for the kids and heavy events (including tossing cabers the size of telephone poles) huge stones and tugs-of-war.

A competitor gets ready to launch a caber in the Highland Games heavy events.

   There are bagpipes, drums, bands, Highland dancing, storytelling, singing, genealogy and heritage, beer tents, artisans, authors and vendors galore.