There’s a little something for everyone in this week’s roundup, including families, birders, skaters, literature fans, music lovers and maple syrup devotees. I’ve even got the scoop on a posh Merrickville mansion that would make a great B&B, if you’re up for a bit of weekend daydreaming. Enjoy!
Disclosure: I have visited some of the places and institutions mentioned in this post as a guest of those attractions or tourism boards. All opinions are my own.
Join the Great Backyard Bird Count
If, like many others, you’ve taken up birdwatching during the pandemic, why not put that new hobby to good use? The Great Backyard Bird Count (February 12 to 15) is an international effort coordinated by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and Audubon, partnering with Birds Canada.
The idea is simple. Just watch for birds anywhere—at a feeder, in your local park, from your balcony—and note the birds you see. Then use a smartphone app or your computer to share your findings; here are the instructions for doing that. Your eagle eye (sorry, I couldn’t resist a bird pun) will help researchers track bird populations and migrations. And for the duration of the count, everyone has free access to Cornell’s hugely useful website, Birds of the World. So dig out those binoculars!
Sculpt with snow and compete for prizes!
Fecteau's art – basic techniques from mathieu Fecteau on Vimeo.
Ottawa Tourism is running Snowfest 613—a contest challenging Ontario and Quebec residents to build their best, most imaginative snow creation. It could be a snowman (snow person?), a fort, a mythical animal—your imagination is the limit. Submit a photo or post it on social media and you could be eligible for one of several Ottawa staycation packages, including a night in a hotel room, museum passes, BeaverTails and other goodies. Check out the video above for some creative tips from snow sculptor Mathieu Fecteau. Enter by February 21.
Enjoy music and storytelling by Great Big Sea alum
Séan McCann rose to fame as a member of Newfoundland folk-rock group Great Big Sea, but life on the road didn’t help his alcoholism. Nine years ago, he got sober, and now he lives in Manotick with his family. He and his wife, Andrea Aragon, have written a joint memoir about alcoholism and recovery called One Good Reason. And, together, they’ll be offering an online evening of storytelling and music on Sunday, February 14, to raise much-needed funds for the Dave Smith Youth Treatment Centre. Tickets are $75 and are available from the centre.
Visit a sugar shack in Montebello
Folks on the Quebec side, here’s one for you: The sugar shack at Parc Oméga in Montebello opens for the season on Saturday, February 13. Visitors can drop by the cabane à sucre for some maple taffy, sold in individual cups. (You can ask your dentist for forgiveness later.)
Treat your kids to an online NAC festival
The National Arts Centre’s Big Bang Festival for children is online this weekend (February 13 and 14). The fun includes a costume ball, movies, podcasts, music, crafts and more. Check out the one-minute video above for instructions on making a Big Bang crown.
Explore Black History Month with Desmond Cole
Next week, on Thursday, February 18, the Canadian Museum of History is presenting an online discussion with Canadian author Desmond Cole, author of The Skin We’re In: A Year of Black Resistance and Power. Moderated by CBC journalist Adrian Harewood, it will explore issues of race in Canada as part of Black History Month. The talk is free, but registration is required.
Celebrate Winterlude
As I mentioned last week, Winterlude is in full swing until February 21, mainly online. You can also check out the virtual versions of two other partner events: the BeaverTails Ice Dragon Boat Festival (until February 21) and Capital Winter Pride (until February 12).
Spend Family Day with the Croods
The Canadian Museum of Nature is holding a free Family Day event on Facebook on Monday, February 15, starting at 2:30pm. Family Day with the Croods will have two parts. First, paleobiologist Dr. Danielle Fraser will talk about saber-toothed tigers and other prehistoric animals. Then, DreamWorks animator Ludovic Bouancheau will show viewers how to draw a Croodimal from The Croods: A New Age—so bring your paper and pencils! The museum will also be giving away a DVD of the movie.
Be a Valentine
The pandemic doesn’t mean you have to skip the hearts and flowers this year, if Valentine’s is your jam. (Although if you were planning on buying roses, you might want to rethink that, due to a nationwide rose shortage.) Ottawa Tourism has a big list of ideas for making the most of Valentine’s Day, with tips on everything from chocolate and elegant takeout to online concerts and dance lessons. (Hey, you two might come out of lockdown as the next Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. You never know.)
If you’re in the Kingston area, Visit Kingston has also pulled together some romantic ideas, including gift boxes, takeout charcuterie and ski outings. (There’s even a cat-themed gift for the feline fan in your life!) And for the wide region stretching from Kemptville to Prince Edward County to Cornwall, South Eastern Ontario has 16 romantic ideas for Valentine’s Day.
Skate through the forest in Lac des Loups
Here’s another one for my Outaouais readers: In Lac des Loups, Quebec, you can glide along a groomed skate trail at Patinage en forêt. The three-kilometre skating route winds past birch trees, conifers and bird feeders. If you don’t skate, don’t worry; there are also trails for snowshoers and hikers. Buy tickets in advance online, as they can sell out quickly. And bring your mask, as you’ll need it everywhere except on the trails themselves.
Daydream about your fantasy B&B in Merrickville
Few daydreams are as enticing as that old classic: quitting the rat race, moving to a pretty village, and starting a bed and breakfast. If you’ve ever fancied yourself a country innkeeper—or perhaps just as a lord or lady of the manor—then you’ll be intrigued by this Merrickville mansion currently on the market.
The Aaron Merrick Estate, built around 1845 for the son of the town’s founder, was subsequently home to eccentric philanthropist Harry “Big Pants” McLean—who, according to local legend, once rode a horse to the top of the home’s three-storey staircase while under the influence of a few refreshing beverages. Today, the grand stone 6,200-square-foot home on nine acres has an in-ground pool, a wine cellar, granite kitchen counters and more.
The only potential hitch? The asking price is $1,825,000. Pocket change, right?
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