By MAGGIE M, Publisher, Wedgee-in Chief, theWedge.LIVE 💚 TO SHARE or LIKE click icons at story’s end Bruce Linton’s face lit-up with a boyish smile when I asked him about his designs on the old water plant in Smiths Falls. “That’s a special project,” he said with aplomb, guarding his secret. That was almost a … Continue reading
This Monday everyone is invited to kick-off the season with le boat. Season 9 of ‘Great Canal Journeys,’ a popular television show that airs on Channel 4 across the UK, was filmed here last summer. It stars Timothy West and Prunella Scales (Fawlty Towers fame) cruising with le boat and exploring the highlights of our … Continue reading
By theWedge.LIVE 💙 TO SHARE click icons at story’s end The Kawartha Voyageur is charming her way up and down the Rideau, from Kingston to Ottawa and back. She is a beauty at 120 feet of steel. She is also an engineering feat able to collapse her top to fit under low bridges. (I guffawed … Continue reading
By MAGGIE M, Wedgee-in-Chief, Editor, theWedge.LIVE 💙 TO SHARE click icons at story’s end Smiths Falls is open for business as never before. At 5:00pm yesterday, Mayor Shawn Pankow cut ribbon, opening the town’s doors to a brand new, expanded and bright Visitor Centre. This was not a moment too soon for the booming town. … Continue reading
By MAGGIE M, Wedgee-in-Chief, Editor, theWedge.LIVE ⛱ TO SHARE just click icons at story’s end The docks in Rideau Ferry rocked with music today, but also with the wakes of boats arriving for this eve of Canada Day celebration. Mid-afternoon, Rock The Dock visitors had swelled in numbers–on the water, on CC’s grounds, on the … Continue reading
By MAGGIE M, Wedgee-in-Chief, Editor, thewedge.LIVE 🖤 TO SHARE click buttons at story’s end It was December 2016 when we first wrote about the imminent arrival of le boat. Leases were not yet signed; but, all was on-track. On June 13, 2018, le boat gathered VIPs from the region to celebrate a partnership with business … Continue reading
By MAGGIE M, Wedgee-in-Chief, Editor, the wedge.LIVE 🖤 TO SHARE click buttons at story’s end “Prickly,” is how the Township of Drummond /North Elmsley refer to a business duo, the impetus behind today’s Rideau Ferry back in 1815. I almost spit my tea on this word. The lore about John Oliver and his son is … Continue reading
Love the Mercer. This video went live days ago. Parks Canada host the Host. Have a good laugh and enjoy the ride right up to Parliament. How long is the canal? How many locks? Who dug it up? Malaria? Enjoy! Stay-tuned for our big story on Pembroke! Continue reading
By MAGGIE M, Editor, thewedge.LIVE Visiting Westport always leaves this writer smiling inwardly. Its locals are unpretentious, kind, relaxed and bubbling with creativity. I continue to say, “Westport is one spirit with different faces.” On this beautiful day, the first after so much rain, I began my journey on Westport’s edge and circled around town … Continue reading
By MAGGIE M, Editor, thewedge.LIVE An exciting, new feature was added to beautiful Murphy Park & Centennial Park, Smiths Falls, this weekend. Nicola Thomson, the town’s former DBA Coordinator, got the idea early in 2017. The 29-year-old outdoor enthusiast recently left her desk job to launch her first business with husband, Chris, on water’s edge. … Continue reading
By MAGGIE M, Editor, http://thewedge.LIVE Rain has been testing the mettle of men and their many projects from lawnmowing to filmmaking. It is after all only water, not fire and brimstone. Umbrellas and rubber boots are making good business these days. It rained all morning on May 30th; so, I thought plans to cover a … Continue reading
By MAGGIE M, Editor, http://thewedge.LIVE There are a few Lockmasters’ Houses in Smiths Falls; however, one has been unoccupied for years–until now. This historic building visible from the bridge connecting Beckwith with Brockville Street, Smiths Falls, will soon house the offices of European corporation, le Boat. In fact, it is to be its North American … Continue reading
By MAGGIE M, Editor, http://thewedge.LIVE On yet another overcast, damp day, I visited the uber-sweet village of Westport. Everywhere I looked, a photo beckoned. The harbour on the North side, Upper Rideau Lake, is always beautiful; but, its island seems to be nearly swallowed up by rising water levels. It seems the island is only … Continue reading
By MAGGIE M, Editor, thewedge.LIVE The tiniest beach in North America is in our neck of the woods, in the Village of Portland. Last year, I held a conversation with a traveler across the beach without raising my voice. You could cross it in three or four leaps. This miniature treasure with a grand view … Continue reading
Hotel Rideau, the former jewel and focal point of Beckwith Street, Smiths Falls, is coming to life again. There was a previous thwarted attempt to restore her; however, that effort failed. Now, under the ownership and watchful eyes of the Cinnamon brothers, Andrew and Tim, also Founders of Parkview Homes, the Rideau is buzzing with … Continue reading
Everyone raves about Chef Ram in these parts. He is the consummate friend to all and a great business leader. Mogandas owns East Meets West, a restaurant which serves a fusion of Eastern and Western fare, in beautiful Perth. He also co-owns and operates, Chuckles Jack, in booming Smiths Falls. As many business owners in … Continue reading
By MAGGIE M, Editor, http://thewedge.LIVE At times everyone feels the tug of tranquility, an escape from mobile ringtones, tedious routines and gnawing responsibility. We forget to breathe deeply, to commune with the earth from whence we came. Our region is covered in secret places that heal, places of solace. This writer frequents a few spots … Continue reading
Businesses in the wedge are you ready for tourism this 2017? Here is one of the chief reasons why tourists are flocking to the region. Watch MAGGIE M’s interview of Guy Laflamme and how he is changing Ottawa, for ever. Be ready. Paint your awnings, shine your windows, and practice, “Hello” and “Thank you,” in … Continue reading
By MAGGIE M , Editor http://thewedge.LIVE Laurie Anne Brennan founded the NOAL Pantry and Local Eatery, a name that stands for, Natural Organic Artisan Local, in August 2016. She hails from a large, close-knit family in Lombardy. She sharpened her culinary skills in Toronto to bring them back to Smiths Falls and build her dream … Continue reading
We are jacking up our promise to be positive at thewedge.LIVE ! Now we are getting positively silly. We want you to giggle, cackle and howl with laughter. Let’s get endorphins coarsing through your body! (No, it’s not an aquatic mammal, it’s a happy brain hormone.) I, MAGGIE M, will be holding the mic and … Continue reading
By MAGGIE M, Editor, http://thewedge.LIVE and Host of “WHERE IN the wedge is MAGGIE M?” On February 1st, all ‘SmithFallians’ where invited to participate in a long list of events, 150 to be exact, for the duration of 2017, Canada’s 150th birthday. At the core, it is volunteering; but, truly it is an opportunity to … Continue reading
By MAGGIE M Host of “Where in the Wedge is Maggie M?”, Editor thewedge.LIVE Portland was the ‘buzz’ today. Skaters of every age group and those bootin’ it like me were spread out over the lake and the grounds. Some skated aimlessly, some did some serious speed-skating around the oval, some curled, while others slurped … Continue reading
By MAGGIE M, Editor and Host of “Where in the wedge is Maggie M?” Many cities around the world have within them a street of renown. Some names roll off travelers’ lips frequently, “Fifth Avenue” (NYC), “Via Monte Napoleone” (Milan). Their draw could be shopping, historic meaning or they could be the heart and soul … Continue reading
By MaggieM, Host of WHERE IN the wedge IS MAGGIE M? “I love to watch people enjoying the event,” glows Portland Outdoors President, John Bongers. How he finds the time to oversee the 2017 Skate The Lake, Portland, beats me. Bongers is a sophisticated cattle farmer who rises at 4:30 am. Portland is a quaint … Continue reading
We wrote a happy story about growth in Smiths Falls, December 2016. It was a story of hope. We at the wedge know that the established media ostensibly repeats Police reports, writes stories of health struggles and health failures. They know as we do this drives traffic; but, the wedge won’t touch these subjects with … Continue reading
Canada kicks-off its 150th birthday celebrations on January 1, 2017! And the wedge is getting knee-deep into the fun of it. thewedge.LIVE is launching the wedge 150 : a rural conquest for every town and city in the wedge (East Ontario). Everyone in the wedge can participate: individuals (18+), businesses, schools, groups. Ottawa is doing … Continue reading
by Maggie M, Host of “Where in the wedge is Maggie M?” The departure of Hershey’s, Smiths Falls, is still raw in many hearts. “It was a great place to work,” a former employee shares. “People arrived in droves by bus daily,” another opines. ‘Tis true, Hershey’s put Smiths Falls on the map as a … Continue reading
Last August, we were aiming to visit Chaffeys Locks as I had heard so much about it; however, on arrival, something drew my attention away from my task. A colorful resort towered over the lock. It reminded me of my grandparents’s cottage by its color scheme and the way it was set back in the … Continue reading
Stay-tuned for our story of a few select locks on the Rideau Canal, Ontario. Chaffeys is very special; here is a preview in our short film. Continue reading
Stay-tuned for our story on a few hot locks along the Rideau. In the meantime, we hope you enjoy this short film to experience Old Slys Locks, Smiths Fall, Ontario. It’s like being there! Continue reading
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