Barbara Pearn in her home studio with this year’s edition of The Art Map. Submitted Photo.

Gloria’s note: This is a guest blog by Kate Russell.

     Planning an artistic road trip this summer? Be sure to pick up The Art Map to find your way to out-of-the-way studios and village galleries scattered throughout Grey and Bruce counties.
     “There’s quite a range of experiences,” said publisher Barbara Pearn at her Eugenia studio recently. “This year there will be three open studio weekends so people visit studios usually only open by appointment.”
     Aside from artist home studios, galleries, studio tours and events listed on the map, the open weekends are set for August 6 -7; October 8-9 and November 26-27. Each weekend includes about 20 studios and gallery locations.
     “Some of the artists are setting up special events for the open studio weekends,” added Pearn. “There are tons of locations for people to visit, each with their own unique products.
     She explained the usual way to visit home galleries is through appointment, during their business hours or on studio tours. Every studio and gallery has their own regular hours but during the open studio weekends, the hours will be the same 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. The participating studios are listed on The Art Map for each of the three open weekends. Or visit www.theartmap.com to see the list of open studios.
     “Some people may be too shy or intimidated to make appointments,” said Pearn. “This will help them feel more comfortable and make it easy for visitors to see the artists. The map covers a huge area, so there are three weekends – in different seasons – so people can take their time and visit as many as they want.”
     So, whether you’re a regional resident, visiting friends and relatives or seeking a creative tourist adventure, if it’s art you want, The Art Map is an excellent place to start.
     Now in its seventh year, this regional studio hunter’s guide covers the Grey & Bruce counties, the southern Georgian Bay area and popular summer destination Manitoulin Island. Over 23,000 of the maps will be distributed this year across Southwestern Ontario.
     “This is a rural area with village galleries and out-of-the-way studios making it difficult for artists to promote themselves individually,” said Pearn, adding the map is part of the regional tourism promotion “stamp” campaign every year. “The Art Map makes it easier for tourists to find those out-of-the-way artistic gems.”
     Indeed though some galleries, like Infinite Glassworks at Eugenia Falls, enjoy proximity to other tourist attractions, many of the more than 45 studios and galleries on the map are off the beaten path. Some of the galleries on The Art Map have more than 40 members, so you can really see a wide variety of work.
     “The Art Map makes it easy for people to have an artistic experience in our area,” said Pearn, who keeps a home painting studio and an online gallery as well as running Colourpix, her home-based graphic and web design company. “The map is for people who enjoy art. We know people use it to plan their trip through the area and travel writers include the link in stories. It is a great resource to explore our area.”
     The map includes home studios, galleries, art shows, studio tours, workshops, art events and art schools and art supplies. Following numbered locations as a guide, cultural travellers may see glass blowers, jewelers, painters, photographers, potters, fibre artists, co-op galleries with multiple artists and even food created by local artisans.
     “The map has a huge number of artists, it’s very valuable for visitors to the area,” offers Pearn, who adds the Beaver Valley Accommodations are also on the map for those seeking to stay in the area for a creatively-inspired weekend. “The map can keep people busy for a three-day weekend if they want to visit all the locations.”
     Plan an art weekend by category or town by checking out www.theartmap.com.

Georgetown Choral Society gathering on the Niagara Escarpment

     “If you go down to the woods today, you’re in for a big surprise.”
This line from the song “The Teddy Bear’s Picnic,” – correct me if I’m wrong – went through my head as Mike and I took a short stretch of The Bruce Trail at Limehouse recently to meet members of the Georgetown Choral Society (GCS). I should mention that Escarpment Views has been a patron of GCS for a few years, and that I, Gloria, am a former member. I sang alto, or at least tried to keep up.

Choir members waiting for the photographer

     As promised, there they were waiting for us, about half the 100-member choir, all in red choir T-shirts, waiting patiently among the rocks of the Niagara Escarpment for Mike to photograph them.

Climbing through Escarpment rocks toward the choir

Even long-time (35 years this year) choral director A. Dale Wood played along. He’s in the front of the rather formal photos. Dale also directs the Achill Choral Society, another Escarpment-area group, in addition to five Georgetown choruses for children and youth.

Choir director A. Dale Wood with the beard, Laurent Thibault at his shoulder

     Casual hikers might have wondered at the sound of “Oh Canada” echoing through the forest when the choir began singing. There’s no avoiding songs when choir members assemble. Anyone who came upon the choir members would have been astonished by the army of red shirts.

Another view of the Escarpment, with only half of the total GCS members!

     The occasion was the 40^th anniversary of the GCS which is being celebrated all this year. The photograph was choir member Laurent Thibault’s idea. He thought that our readers would enjoy seeing the choir posed among the rock and moss of the Niagara Escarpment. A different photo than the ones posted here, will be in our Autumn issue, available around Sept. 1.
     The next GCS concert will be “40 Years – Let’s Celebrate!” on Oct. 21 & 22 at the Georgetown Christian Reformed Church featuring guest soloists Mark Dubois and Alana Bridgewater.
     Oh, the choir members, Mike and I went on to a member’s house with a fantastic view from the Niagara Escarpment, to have a BBQ, not a teddy bear’s picnic.
     Like what you see here? Like what you hear when they sing?

     We’re pleased to have Meldrum Bay Inn on Manitoulin Island on our website as our first independent (as in not from Google) advertiser. Meldrum Bay Inn is located on the western tip of Manitoulin Island, “at the end of the rainbow” as they like to say. Shirin and Bob Grover are the hosts, and Bob is also chef for their licensed dining room.
     This looks like a place that’s worth the visit if you’re on the island this summer. Click on the photo of their inn at the top right corner of the screen to find out more about this destination spot. If you contact them, tell them we said hello!
     Have you been to Manitoulin Island? What did you enjoy there?

     I’ve been trying a new insect repellant, Insect Defend Patch. They are an advertiser, and we were given some free samples, and I’ve been trying them. After the samples were used up I bought some from Home Hardware, another advertiser.
     All you do is peel a translucent patch off its backing and stick it on a hairless place on your body. I put it on my left upper arm. There is no spray, oil or cream. Nothing but a small square on your body.
     I’m amazed to report that I think it works. First, you should know that I have bad reactions to insect bites: big swellings that get worse a few days later, often turning into oozing, crusty sores…you get the idea. I sometimes wear a full bug veil, two layers of shirts, long pants and socks, and I still get bitten.
     On Saturday morning I applied a new patch to my arm and began a day of working in my rural garden. I even went into the forest of the Niagara Escarpment in the afternoon. I kept the patch on overnight and all next day, my second day weeding and clipping at the edge of a forest, and the patch still seemed to work.
     I observed that mosquitoes were still around me, that some landed on me, but quickly flew off. I did even get bitten. Twice. But my reaction was so slight that I barely noticed. The day after, I can hardly see the bites.
     The package says that patches are DEET-free, contain only vitamin B1 and may be worn continuously for 36 hours. I don’t understand the science of this, but I am a believer that Insect Defend Patch works for me.
     Have you tried it? What do you think of it?

Leisa Way giving a taste of Dolly Parton

Enjoy Leisa Way sing her heart out as Dolly Parton in Rhinestone Cowgirl at Theatre Collingwood July 25 to 30.

Dan Needles talking about the idea behind Fair Play

Take in the premiere of Dan Needles’ Fair Play at Theatre Collingwood August 18 to 27.

The Gondola at The Village at Blue Mountain

Enjoy a gentle gondola ride past the treetops to the top of the Niagara Escarpment at Blue Mountain.

The slow ascent up the Niagara Escarpment by the Ridge Runner

Dare to take a thrill ride up and then DOWN! the Niagara Escarpment on Blue Mountain’s new attraction, Ridge Runner, Ontario’s first Alpine coaster.

Stairs to Standing Rock and caves

Refresh yourself in the cool crevices at Scenic Caves. For much more about one of the exciting elements at Scenic Caves, see our Summer issue feature on Standing Rock.

One of the pools and waterfalls at Scandinave Spa

Heat up, cool down and relax completely at Scandinave Spa.

Photos by Mike Davis except the last one, courtesy of Scandinave Spa.
Have you tried any of these destinations and experiences? What did you think? If you haven’t yet, would you like to?

     Here’s a post by Mike about what he did on the weekend:

Ride for Heart

I was out and about on June 5 on the Don Valley Parkway and the Gardiner in Toronto and ran into some of our Escarpment-area residents and other notable people.

Sheryl Gill, Survivor

Hon. Kathleen Wynne rode in the event. She also happens to be the Ontario Minister of Transportation. How appropriate!

Hon. Kathleen Wynne

Erin local resident James Moore pedalled in the event with an electric bike.

James Moore

The “Rude Riders” were out in force in tribute to Doug who passed away a few weeks ago from a heart problem. I can’t repeat why they are rude!

Rude Riders

I found one of our advertisers riding with the Rude Riders, Angelo De Medicis, from Milton Home Hardware Building Centre.

Angelo De Medicis

Niagara EMS “Pedal Angels"

Finally, the Niagara EMS rode as “Pedal Angels” wearing wings and halos. They collected $23,500 for defibrillators.

According to CTV morning news today (Monday), 13,000 cyclists took part and a record-breaking $3.9 million was raised.

Open Streets Hamilton poster

How does something jump the queue for space on the blog? A great image sure helps! I really like this graphic — but could it be because I am such a word person? It sure “speaks” to me.
We’ll be part of Open Streets Hamilton on Sunday June 12, giving away back issues and a gift basket, selling subscriptions and taking people for rides on Mike’s tandem bike. This was such a hit last year that organizers really want us back this year. Hope for good weather and come out to hit James Street North in Hamilton! Check here for more information.

Arrgh. Pfft. And rats.
I goofed. Big mistake in the Summer issue.
I must have had a brain infarction because I thought the provincial election is Oct. 25.
At the time we were finalizing the summer issue, I was working part time for Elections Canada, with a Voting Day of May. 2. Turns out I must have been remembering last year’s municipal election, which was on Oct. 25. Have we had too many elections lately?
Anyway, 25,000 copies of our Summer issue are about to hit the streets with a big headline on page 35 with the wrong date on it! Maybe it’s time for us to hire a factchecker. I don’t seem to be able to keep all our editorial balls in the air at the same time any more.
Should I manually correct each issue by crossing out the wrong date and writing in the correct one?
What do you think I should do?
Meanwhile, mark your calendars with the correct date. The next Voting Day is Oct. 6!

Geese on their way to the Centre for Conservation exhibit

Goose peeping in at birds exhibit

A great message we received from our friends at Ball’s Falls Conservation Area:

     “Even the birds are flocking to the “Our Feathered Friends” travelling exhibit  from the Canadian Museum of Nature. Here are images of the Canada Geese who showed up at the Centre for Conservation at Ball’s Falls – they must have heard about Migratory Bird Day May 14 and wondered what all the activity is about! They were on the roof looking through the skylight into the atrium where the bird puppets and activity centre is located as part of the exhibit. We can really say our site has something for everyone – including our resident birds.”

     The special exhibit will be available at the Centre for Conservation until Sept. 5.

Remember to vote on Monday May 2. Take the time to get organized this week. If you didn’t receive a Voter Information Card, call your riding office & check that you’re on the voter’s list & make sure you know the location where you are supposed to vote. If you aren’t registered, try to do this ahead of time. If you can’t, get to your polling station early on May 2 so you have time to register. Note the kind of ID they’ll ask to see before you vote: a driver’s licence is great. If you don’t drive, bring two other pieces of ID: one government-issued card and something with your address on it (a bill or statement is good). Don’t expect things to go smoothly if you wait until 8:30 pm on voting day! If you’ve gone to the wrong location, you might not get to the correct place in time to cast your vote. A bit of time spent this week ensuring your vote, can save you a lot of aggravation on Monday. You can get more information about voting at Elections Canada.