Category Archives: Niagara on the Lake

HOPS AND GRAPES IN NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE, ONTARIO

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Oast House Brewery

Hops and grapes in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario

Beer lovers rejoice! Niagara-on-the-Lake’s first craft brewery is about to open.

Brewery partners Mike Berlis, Cian MacNeill and Kevin Somerville—all from Niagara region—expect to open the doors of Niagara Oast House Brewers within the next few weeks. “Our approach complements the area’s wine and gourmet tradition while adding a whole new dimension,” says MacNeill, the brewery’s marketing manager. “Craft beer consumers have a lot in common with fine wine consumers, so Oast House is using the winery model by offering tours, tastings, and special events—including brewmaster’s dinners.”

 

MacNeill tells me the brewery has enlisted local farmers to grow its hops. “Like the terroir wines whose tastes vary with different soils, we plant hops in three different locations—on the bench, in the interior and by the lake,” he says. Brewmaster Kevin Somerville brings credentials from North American and European schools, and has worked at the Niagara College Brewing Program. You can follow Oast House Brewers on Facebook and Twitter.

For your Accommodation needs call 1-866-226-4730.

Queenston Heights – War of 1812 -October 13, 14, 2012

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http://www.mississauga.com/what%27s%20on/article/1517042–author-tells-tales-of-war-of-1812

Need a Cottage Rental for the Weekend?  Call  1-866-226-4730

Friends of Strewen Winery

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Strewn banner
Dear Friends of Strewn,

Autumn is such a beautiful time of year for sharing good food, good company and great wine. And in wine country, it’s harvest! We hope to see some of you if a trip to Niagara is on your agenda. If you are staying at home during vintage, we hope you’re enjoying Strewn wines on your table. In fact, in this newsletter we have included a recipe for you and yours compliments of the Wine Country Cooking School.

 

Happy Thanksgiving!
YOU ASKED US? About the 2012 Growing Season …

“I have never seen a year like this where we came out of the start so quickly and did not slow down a single step, even at sites with record low rainfall and extreme heat in the season.” – Brock University Cool Climate Oenology department associate.

2012 was a unique growing season that progressed quickly from bud-break on and grapes missed the frost damage many other tree fruit experienced this year. Generally bloom dates across Ontario were 10 to 14 days ahead based on a 10-year normal. Of course, the weather is crucial in the weeks leading up to harvest and has a significant impact.

The 2012 harvest now is in full swing. Nearly all of the white grapes-Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, 

Gewurztraminer, Riesling and Pinot Blanc–have been harvested and fermentations are well underway.
The first red grapes, Merlot, have started to come in and will be soon followed by Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Weather conditions have generally been favourable with mostly dry weather; the few rainstorms have caused no serious problems. The early spring and hot dry summer set the scene for an outstanding vintage; we are expecting spectacular wines.

Battle of Queenston Heights War of 1812

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About 1,000 historical re-enactors and volunteers are expected to take part in a recreation of the Battle of Queenston Heights on Oct. 13. It’s one of the major events here in Niagara this year marking the Bicentennial of the War of 1812. Bullet News photo by John Robbins.

JOHN ROBBINS/Bullet News

NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE – As many as 1,000 volunteers and costumed reenactors are expected to take part in a recreation of one of Canada’s most defining moments – the Battle of Queenston Heights.

The battle reenactment is just one of many events planned for the weekend of Oct. 12-14, as Niagara’s War of 1812 Bicentennial celebrations continue.

“The weekend of events planned for Oct. 12-14 will allow us to celebrate a lasting peace between two great countries,” Janice Thomson, chairwoman of the Niagara Parks Commission, said during a press conference, Tuesday afternoon near Brock’s Monument.

“It will also provide us with the opportunity to pay tribute to the sacrifices made by all of the soldiers, and native warriors of both nations who fought here and all along these lands now protected by the Niagara Parks Commission.”

Here’s a full look at the weekend’s events:

OCTOBER 12

10 a.m. to 4 p.m. – Educational Day Events
The Friends of Fort George will be hosting a special educational day commemorating the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Queenston Heights, at Queenston Heights Park. Guided tours of the battlefield will be offered by costumed interpreters on a pre-booked basis only. There will also be historical demonstrations and period merchants on the heights for school groups to visit. School groups have pre-booked and NPC organizers say they are close to capacity. To book a school group call                         905-468-6621            .

2 p.m. – Twinning Ceremony
The Queenston Residents’ Association will be hosting a twinning ceremony at St. Saviour Major General Sir Isaac Brock Memorial Church in Queenston at 2 p.m. There will be a dedication of a monument celebrating the historical, social and cultural relationship between St. Peter Port, Guernsey (the birthplace of Brock) and Queenston (the place where he fell in battle. A number of Guernsey officials will be speaking at this commemorative event.

Other events on Oct. 12
Throughout the day on Friday, reenactors will be arriving at Fort George and in Lewiston, NY., to set up their encampments. On Friday evening, their will be a bombardment from the shores of the Niagara River in Lewiston, followed by fireworks. The fireworks and the bombardment will be visible from the shore of the Niagara River in Queenston.

OCTOBER 13

9 a.m. – Niagara Parks shuttle buses will start picking up the public at the Butterfly Conservatory, Queenston Heights, Laura Secord Homestead, McFarland House and Fort George.

9:30 a.m. – Reenactors will leave Fort George to make their historic march to Queenston Heights.

10 a.m. – Brock Dead House Dedication. The Queenston Residents Association will be hosting a dedication ceremony at the “Brock Dead House,” located at 20 Queenston St., in the Village of Queenston. This ceremony will mark the site where Brock’s body was taken after he was mortally wounded in battle. Guy St. Denis, the researcher who confirmed the site, will be making a brief presentation of his work.

10:30 a.m. – A commemorative walking tour with Dr. Wesley Turner, author of the book Astonishing General: The Life and Legacy of Major General Sir Isaac Brock, begins. Tickets for this limited space event cost $20 and must be purchased in advance through the Friends of Fort George.

11 a.m. The public is welcome to attend a plaque dedication at Brock’s Monument at 11 a.m. on Oct. 13, where the Historic Sites and Monuments Board will be designating Major General Sir Isaac Brock as a Person of National Significance. Also beginning at 11 a.m., join the Friends of Fort George staff as they take you on a tour of the Queenston Heights battle site. Tours, which cost $5, start at Brock’s Monument. Ian Bell and a group of well-known folk musicians will play early 19th century music at the band shell. Tours and music continue through 3 p.m.

3 p.m. – The re-enactment of the Battle of Queenston Heights

4:30 p.m. – Commemorative Ceremony at Brock’s Monument

5:30 p.m. – A recreation of the procession carrying Brock’s body from the heights in a horse-drawn wagon will take place.

6 p.m. – Guided Tour of the battlefield/More musical entertainment

7:15 p.m. – Fireworks at Queenston Heights

Queenston Heights Park closes following the fireworks display

OCTOBER 14

Recreation of Brock’s Funeral Procession. Niagara-on-the-Lake. At noon, reenactors will form up at Fort George and begin their march down Byron Street to Victoria Street and then along Queen Street. The procession will stop at the Old Court House for a commemoration ceremony. The caskets of Brock and his aide-de-camp Lieutenant Colonel John Macdonell will then be placed on horse-drawn wagons and led to St. Mark’s Church and Fort George.

Things to do in Niagara

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THINGS TO DO IN NIAGARA

ART:

ANGIE STRAUSS GALLERY AND CRAFT CENTRE: Open daily 11 a.m.-5 p.m. 125 Queen St., Niagara-on-the-Lake,             905-468-2570      .

ARTS PLACE GALLERY: 714 King St. Port Colborne.

BEVERLY SNEATH ART STUDIO: Art Classes with Beverly Sneath. Adult classes — Acrylics Mondays, 12:30-3:30, Watercolour, 6-8:30 p.m. 1341 Effingham St., Ridgeville; Watercolour, Tuesdays, 12:30-3:30 at Niagara Central Hobbies, 395 St. Paul St., St. Catharines. Call             905-892-5868      bevsneath@yahoo.ca www.beverlysneath.com; Original watercolours, acrylics, prints, local scenes, commissions and portraits. Open for viewing by appointment, 1341 Effingham St., Ridgeville. For more information, call            905-892-5868      , e-mail, bevsneath@yahoo.ca, or visit www.beverlysneath.com.

CHATEAU DES CHARMES: The Kendall Hurley Collection, exhibition ongoing. 1025 York Rd., Niagara-on-the-Lake.

CHATEAU DES CHARMES: Music at the Farmers Market — Anthony spins local music and commentary while you shop for produce. Every Saturday morning at Sylvia Place; Life Drawing. Rob leads life drawing studio time. Saturday evenings 6–9 p.m., 4349 Queen St. in Niagara; Painting Circle. Tuesday evenings 6:30–9:30 p.m., 4349 Queen St. Niagara Falls; Dispatches English Country Dancing. Every other Wednesday evening, at the Artistic Exhibition Centre. 4323 Queen St. Niagara Falls.

DENNIS TOURBIN – THE LANGUAGE OF VISUAL POETRY: A city-wide celebration of the St. Catharines-born artist’s life and work presented by Rodman Hall Art Centre in collaboration with Niagara Artists Centre and CRAM International. Rodman Hall Art Centre, Sept. 29-Dec. 30. Niagara Artists Centre, Sept. 29-Dec. 30. CRAM International, Oct. 5-30. Opening Reception, Oct. 12 7–11 p.m. Opening Remarks at Rodman Hall at 7:30 p.m. Gallery crawl to CRAM International at 8:30 p.m. and performance at Niagara Artists Centre at 9:30 p.m.

EDWARD SPERA GALLERY: 135 Queen St., Niagara-on-the-Lake. Pandaya Gallery, 109 Queen St., Niagara-on-the-Lake, operated by Edward and Lisa Spera.

FERRANTE PICTURE FRAMING GALLERY: Gallery open Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m., and Saturday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. 210 Niagara St.,            905-646-2390      .

FORT ERIE ARTS COUNCIL: From acrylics and graphite portraiture, to graffiti-style modern art, by Jennette Conners and Joel Weldon at the Fort Erie Arts Council gallery in the Sanctuary Centre for the Arts, 209 Ridge Rd. in Ridgeway. On display through Aug. 31. Call             905-894-8373       for gallery hours.

GALLERY 329: 329 Ridge Rd. North (entrance on Hershey St.), Ridgeway. Open Tuesday to Saturday, 11-5 and Sunday, 12-4.             905-356-8417      .

GALLERY 3208: Featuring the new work of Lynette Fast, Sundays 1-5 p.m., or by appointment. 3208 King St., Vineland,             905-562-7056      .

GALLERY KENNEDY — PICTURE FRAME WAREHOUSE: Painting exhibit of Lyrical Surrealism, by Ed Telenko, will be displayed through September. Also on exhibit are selected works from St. Catharines Academy of Fine Artists students. 387 Ontario St., St. Catharines.

GREVPODE FOLK ART GALLERY: Open by appointment or chance, Tuesday to Friday. Featuring antique, contemporary and vintage folk art. 4034 Victoria Ave., Vineland,             905-562-7055      .

GRIMSBY PUBLIC ART GALLERY: 18 Carnegie Lane, Grimsby.            905-945-3246      .

JORDAN ART GALLERY: Sculptural Form with Negative Space by Gabriel Horvath Fischer; Sky Journal by D.H. Moore. A watercolour exhibit. Gallery open Sunday-Thursday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., and Friday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. 3845 Main St., Jordan Village,             905-562-6680      . www.jordanartgallery.com

KENNEDY GALLERY: 387 Ontario St. St. Catharines.

KENNETH LANE SMITH GALLERY: Fine art photography on canvas. 126 Queen St. Niagara-on-the-Lake. Open 10 a.m.-6 p.m., seven days a week.            905-468-0068      , www.KennethLaneSmithGallery.com

MAHTAY CAFE: 241 St. Paul St., St. Catharines.             905-685-4040      . mahtay.ca.

NETO HATINAKEW ONKWEHOWE NATIVE ARTS: Agwe:gon’h Onon’hya’h (Everything corn husk), featuring the multimedia works of Elizabeth Doxtater. Her works include paint, sculpture and bead work with a subject focus on corn husk dolls both in a historic and contemporary context; Cultural Reflections: Through My Eyes. Selected works in graphite by visually impaired Ojibwa artist Richard Langlois. 5017 Victoria Ave., Niagara Falls.

NIAGARA ARTISTS’ CENTRE: Saving Tom Thomson by artist Liz Pead, at the Flea Market Gallery. Open Sundays. For more information, visit www.nac.org/call-for-submissions.html. Gallery open Wednesday-Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., and Saturday, noon-4 p.m. 354 St. Paul St.,            905-641-0331      .

NIAGARA DISTRICT ART ASSOCIATION: The Public Art Gallery, 5017 Victoria Ave., Niagara Falls. Admission is free and the gallery is wheelchair accessible.

NIAGARA PENINSULA NEEDLE ARTS GUILD: Call for entries, exhibit and juried show at Ball’s Falls in 2013. Visit www.needleartsniagara.com for more information.

NIAGARA PUMPHOUSE: Ben Ibebe, internationally known Nigerian oil painter, will show and sell his latest works at the Niagara Pumphouse Arts Centre, 247 Ricardo St., Niagara-on-the-Lake, until Nov. 25, 2012. Monday to Friday, 12-4 p.m., weekends, 1-4 p.m. Call             905-468-5455       or see www.niagarapumphouse.ca Ben’s art can be seen at: www.saatchinline.com/Benibebe; The jewelry of Don Stuart continues in the gallery until Sept. 30. Visit his site at: www.donstuart.ca

ONEFORTYFIVE GALLERY: YIN ~ YANG by Christina Baran

Monthly Wine Country Giveaways!!

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Monthly Giveaways

Monthly Wine Country Giveaways!!

http://wineriesofniagaraonthelake.com/

Stonechurch Winery – Music in the Vineyard

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Harvest is any day now and the vineyards are buzzing with activity. It really is the perfect time of year to visit for a vineyard tour. Wagons depart regularly every weekend and on weekdays by reservation only and are only $6 per person!
Call or e-mail to book yours today.
Our “Music in the Vineyard” continues throughout September. Come out and enjoy the crisp autumn sun, wines by the glass and your favourite tunes.
And also, don’t forget about our Stargazing Night on Saturday September 29.
This month is sure to not disappoint!
October should be equally as exciting with new releases, another travel talk and an afternoon of Wine & Words with local author AJ Aalto. Stay tuned!
Thank you always for your continued support.
We look forward to seeing you again soon.
Cheers!
Hank Hunse
Proprietor

FREE CONCERT IN NIAGARA ON THE LAKE

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Music Niagara is pleased to announce the celebrated US Navy Band will perform a free
concert next WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, at 6:30 p.m. in Simcoe Park, in the centre of
the Old Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake.

The US Navy Band is on tour in connection with 1812 events and Music Niagara managed
to persuade them to cross over to our side for a concert. The band will present a
varied program of ceremonial music and contemporary/pop selections.

Please show your support for Music Niagara.

Vineyard Wagon Tours – Niagara on the Lake

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Niagara on the Lake – Vineyard Wagon Tours at Stonechurch Vineyards

 

Harvest is right around the corner and the colours of the vineyard are especially vibrant. Come and see before they are moved to their next stop en route to bottle!
We offer open air vineyard wagon tours regularly for $6 per person as well as a complimentary walking tour that begins next to our shop.
Take as many photos as you’d like!
Call 905-935-3535  or e-mail winery@stonechurch.com to book.
If your planning a visit this weekend, don’t forget to relax and enjoy our Saturday afternoon tunes! Please note that this weeks music will be from 2:00 – 5:00 as opposed to our normal start time of 1:30. We hope to see you there!
Thank you as always for your continued support.
We look forward to seeing you again soon.
Cheers!
Hank Hunse
Proprietor
Stonechurch Vineyards
1242 Irvine Rd, Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON L0S 1J0

PEACH FESTIVAL, AUGUST 12 FROM 10AM TO 3:30PM -AT ST VINCENT DE PAUL CHURCH

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Time to celebrate the peach!

PEACH FESTIVAL, AUGUST 12 FROM 10AM TO 3:30PM AT ST VINCENT DE PAUL CHURCH ON PICTON STREET, NIAGARA ON THE LAKE, ONTARIO, CANADA 

Time to celebrate the peach! – Related Image.

Did you know that Ontario leads Canada in peach and nectarine production? According to the Ontario Tenderfruit Producers Marketing Board, the province is responsible for 82 per cent of the national production — and most of those peaches/nectarines are grown right here in Niagara.

This weekend, Niagara-on-the-Lake will be celebrating this year’s peach harvest. The annual festivities include not one but two festivals honouring the juicy fruit. On Saturday there’s the Peach of a Celebration taking place on Queen Street. There will be farmers on hand selling peaches by the basket, local restaurants offering peach-inspired cuisine and several vendors offering non-peach gear. You can check out antique farm equipment, grab some steamed corn on the cob, or take in the Town Crier’s Peach Pie contest (drop off your entry to the Chamber of Commerce before 11:45). There will, as always, be lots of live music too! Sunday will see St. Vincent de Paul’s annual festival return to the church’s grounds. From peach treats to pulled pork sandwiches, it’s a great spot to grab lunch. There will also be lots for the kids to do in the awesome kid’s corner that includes balloon animals and a reptile guy.

There are other ways to celebrate all things peach related as well. The Niagara-on-the-Lake Farmers’ Market @ The Village will have several vendors offering up peach treats, there are countless roadside stands dispensing fresh-picked peaches or jam. Swing by Kurtz Orchards Farm and Marketplace on the Niagara Parkway where you can even take a tour of the orchard! McFarland House’s tea room may even have some peach-infused tea up for grabs.

Farmers in Niagara have had a tough growing season so far. Weird winter weather has altered their crops and this weekend is a great opportunity to show your support (and enjoy the ‘fruits’ of their labour while you’re at it).