Rickward’s 12th Annual Vintage Snowmobile Show
We think this is one of the coolest events in the 705 – Rickward’s Polaris 12th Annual Vintage Snowmobile Show. See vintage sleds as well as some exciting new models. Where: 1914 ON-518, Kearney
When: Saturday, March 9th
Time: Begins at 9:00 AM
Awards Presented at 1:30 PM
– Best Antique – Up to 1968 – Restored and unrestored
– Best Vintage – 1969 to 1985 – Restored and unrestored
– Best Modern Vintage – 1986 to 1999
– People’s Choice
– Best race sled
– Best combo (sled and sleigh)
– Best Dressed vintage
There will be music and a BBQ on site.
Check out our video for highlights from last year’s event: https://705blackfly.com/rickwards-polaris-11th-annual-vintage-snowmobile-show/
Kearney Seniors Active Living Fair
Seniors and their families will be able to meet with program and service providers in the Kearney and Emsdale area at the Seniors Active Living Fair on Friday, March 8th. Representatives from 25 organizations will be on hand to speak with seniors in the area about accessing assistance with health and wellness programs – and even their taxes! Seniors outside of the Kearney/Emsdale area are welcome to attend.
You can see our video about the event here: https://705blackfly.com/kearney-seniors-active-living-fair/
Huntsville Launches Spring Art, Culture & Recreation Guide
Spring into new programs with the Town of Huntsville’s new edition of the digital Art, Culture & Recreation Guide. For registered programs, online and in-person registration opens on Thursday, March 7, 2024, at 8:30 a.m. or March 18, 2024, at 8:30 a.m. for programs offered by the Huntsville Public Library. Day Camp registration opens Thursday, May 9, 2024, at 8:30 a.m.
Spring Program Highlights
As the days get longer, enjoy the nightlife at the Algonquin Theatre. The School of Rock Musical will be playing from April 5-14. The Muskoka Rock Choir will be performing Once in a Lifetime on April 27. It’s classic Movie Night at the Algonquin Theatre on the last Tuesday of each month. Partner’s Hall is also home to Huntsville Art Society’s Gallery, featuring new monthly exhibits. Visit during regular business hours or during one of our many shows.
There is lots going on at the Muskoka Heritage Place as well. The annual Community Easter Egg Hunt is Sunday, March 31, a free event for the entire family. On May 11, kids of any age will want to take mom out for her very own Mother’s Day Craft & Tea Party. The following Saturday, May 18, the Pioneer Village and Portage Flyer Train come alive once again for the 2024 season.
We know spring weather can be unpredictable, and there are lots of ways to stay active indoors as well. At the Canada Summit Centre there are indoor floor programs, including Sunday Sports for kids, Family and Youth Open Floor, and drop-in sports like Pickleball and Badminton for adults. Check out our full Aquatics schedule, including additional leisure swims over March Break. Skating programs include a PA Day Skate on April 8, Sensory Family Skates, and March Break Skating. The Town of Huntsville is also pleased to offer an accredited course on Mental Health First Aid for Adults Who Interact with Youth on April 27-28.
At the Huntsville Library, there is a full lineup of programming, including Canadian Raptor Conservancy at the Legion on March 13, Nerf Capture the Flag for Teens on March 11, and March Break Drop-in Green Screen & Button Making on March 14.
Parents and guardians, when school’s out, camp is in – from March Break to PA Days and Summer Break, we have a variety of camp experiences to keep your kids busy. March Break Day Camp and PA Day Camp (April and June) are available for kids aged 4-12. Summer Day Camp runs from July 2-August 30 for ages 4-12 with a variety of offerings such as outdoors, arts, and sports-themed programs and the opportunity to earn 14 spirit badges throughout the summer. There are also Counsellor In Training (CIT) Level 1 and Level 2 programs for ages 13+ from July 2-12.
For more information about our programs or to set up a Town of Huntsville registration account, please visit Huntsville.ca.
Be Bear Wise to Prevent Bear Encounters
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry and the OPP are urging the public to exercise caution with black bears. With this winter’s mild weather and lack of snow, there have been reports of black bears coming out of hibernation early in some parts of the province.
At this time of year, there is little natural food for bears, causing them to search for other food sources, including garbage and bird feed. Taking these simple precautions can help prevent attracting bears to your home and neighborhood, keeping bears in the wild where they belong:
- Storing garbage in waste containers with tight-fitting lids (indoors if possible)
- Waiting until pickup day to put out garbage
- Take away bird feeders for the spring and summer (you can offer birds natural alternatives, such as flowers, nesting boxes and freshwater)
- Cleaning food residue and grease from outdoor barbecue grills – including grease traps – after each use
- Keeping pet food indoors
Additionally, it is important to always leash your dog because unleashed dogs can lead bears back to owners and cause defensive bear attacks on people.
Bears entering your community are not necessarily a threat, but it is important to know who to call if you encounter one. The province operates a non-emergency, toll-free Bear Wise reporting line (1-866-514-2327). Because of the unseasonably warm weather this year, the line is open early, from March 1 to November 30, and is available 24/7.
If a bear is posing an immediate threat by showing threatening or aggressive behavior, remain calm and call 911 or your local police department.
Bears will remember their last source of food and return there when hungry, sometimes traveling over 100 kilometers.
Ontario Investing Over $3.6 Million to Support Economic Opportunities in Nipissing
Vic Fedeli, MPP for Nipissing has announced that the Ontario government is investing more than $3.6 million through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) to eight economic development projects in the Nipissing region. This investment will promote film and television production, improve municipal infrastructure, expand company operations, and create jobs in the Northeast.
“Our government is proud to make targeted investments in projects that drive economic development and growth in Nipissing,” said MPP Vic Fedeli. “By working hand-in-hand with our northern partners, we are creating meaningful career opportunities in a variety of sectors that will contribute to a stronger, more vibrant community.”
The NOHFC is funding the following projects:
· $2,000,000 for Piazza Entertainment to produce, in North Bay and Sudbury, season two of the television series SkyMed
· $500,000 for Gearshift Productions to produce, in North Bay, the television movie Chopping Boy
· $499,574 for the Municipality of Callander to make its waterfront safe and accessible by restoring and updating the pier, Centennial Park and Lansdowne Street
· $191,594 for 287 Farm Production Inc. to establish a poultry processing plant in Powassan
· $191,331 for Everest Solutions & Images Ltd., to establish a school photography services business in North Bay
· $132,733 for Sunrise Meadows, a lamb and beef cattle farm in Powassan, to construct a new barn, renovate existing facilities and purchase new equipment
· $51,682 for Northland Glass & Metal, a business in North Bay that specializes in the distribution, installation, and repair of door and window products, to purchase equipment and renovate its facility
· $50,000 for McRae Mills Ltd., a forest products company in Whitney that specializes in the manufacturing of high-quality hardwood products, to modernize a sawmill.
The NOHFC promotes economic prosperity across Northern Ontario by providing financial assistance to projects—big and small, rural and urban—that stimulate growth, job creation, and skills development. Since June 2018, the NOHFC has invested more than $726 million in 6,128 projects in Northern Ontario, leveraging more than $2.3 billion in investment and creating or sustaining over 9,500 jobs.
