Hospitality expert Jamie Chao hasn’t been to Gananoque Secondary School in 2 years, but he’s making a comeback next month for a unique event that’s sure to catch the attention of the townspeople.

Chao has been busy learning to become a chef at George Brown in Toronto, and he’ll be coming back to Gananoque next month on the 12th to whip up a dinner in an effort to raise $2,500 in pledges.

Even though he has a pretty slammed scheduled, Chao still has some big and unusual goals in mind. He’s planning on riding a bicycle from Niagara Falls to Toronto—a distance of 320 kilometers—in the hopes of raising awareness and funds for research on cancer. The bike ride is part of the fundraiser, Ride to Conquer Cancer.

Chao comments that cancer research is immensely important for him, especially after how his father was afflicted with the disease. He hopes to raise $2,500 so he can join the 2-day cycling event.

He visited Gananoque Secondary School to seek help from Chef Doug Hill and Diane Kirby from the school’s hospitality class. According to Kirby, who promotes the dinner, she’s confident that Chao will meet his goal. She points out that even if the dinner is still 2 weeks away, people in town are already buzzing about the event.

Hospitality expert Jamie Chao hasn’t been to Gananoque Secondary School in 2 years, but he’s making a comeback next month for a unique event that’s sure to catch the attention of the townspeople.

Chao has been busy learning to become a chef at George Brown in Toronto, and he’ll be coming back to Gananoque next month on the 12th to whip up a dinner in an effort to raise $2,500 in pledges.

Even though he has a pretty slammed scheduled, Chao still has some big and unusual goals in mind. He’s planning on riding a bicycle from Niagara Falls to Toronto—a distance of 320 kilometers—in the hopes of raising awareness and funds for research on cancer. The bike ride is part of the fundraiser, Ride to Conquer Cancer.

Chao comments that cancer research is immensely important for him, especially after how his father was afflicted with the disease. He hopes to raise $2,500 so he can join the 2-day cycling event.

He visited Gananoque Secondary School to seek help from Chef Doug Hill and Diane Kirby from the school’s hospitality class. According to Kirby, who promotes the dinner, she’s confident that Chao will meet his goal. She points out that even if the dinner is still 2 weeks away, people in town are already buzzing about the event.

Recognized as the only event at Gananoque Secondary School totally run by students, presented to their fellow students, Coffee House is ready for the Big Night on the 29th of April at 6 in the evening at the school.

Started 13 ago by English teacher Gail Simmons, this year’s event will be supervised by another English teacher, Patty West, together with music teacher Robyn Abelson.

West says that overseeing the project is part of her promise to Gail that she would continue to do the work started by the teacher a decade ago. Now that Gail has retired, the burden of continuing the spirit of Coffee House now rests upon her shoulders.

She adds that this event is a golden opportunity for students to showcase their talents. She points out that some of these kids don’t stand out in school, both academically and in sports, so it’s really great to see them do very well on stage.

Rehearsals for the show were recently held and the organizers now have a feel of who can play what songs.

In order to raise money for the show, the students will be hosting a silent auction to collect additional funds.

Recognized as the only event at Gananoque Secondary School totally run by students, presented to their fellow students, Coffee House is ready for the Big Night on the 29th of April at 6 in the evening at the school.

Started 13 ago by English teacher Gail Simmons, this year’s event will be supervised by another English teacher, Patty West, together with music teacher Robyn Abelson.

West says that overseeing the project is part of her promise to Gail that she would continue to do the work started by the teacher a decade ago. Now that Gail has retired, the burden of continuing the spirit of Coffee House now rests upon her shoulders.

She adds that this event is a golden opportunity for students to showcase their talents. She points out that some of these kids don’t stand out in school, both academically and in sports, so it’s really great to see them do very well on stage.

Rehearsals for the show were recently held and the organizers now have a feel of who can play what songs.

In order to raise money for the show, the students will be hosting a silent auction to collect additional funds.

The 1000 Islands International Sidewalk Chalk Art Festival is set to return to Gananoque for the second straight year on the 15^th of May, and according to the two local volunteers running the festival, David Ansley and Rick Ransom, their working on the show for the town’s sake.

Ransom said that the goal is to make Gananoque a happening place, a town that can play host to big events, and a town where people know how to have fun. He’s looking to top last year’s crowd of close to 400 participants made up of artists, locals, and tourists. Drawing in more artists is a clear sign that this year’s festival is successful, Ransom commented.

Considering that they had only 3 months to prepare for last year’s festival, which was composed of 4 events, Ransom thinks the turnout was pretty decent. He added that over 70 percent of those who joined the festivities were residents from Gananoque, so hopefully more people from outside town show up and participate.

This year’s 1000 Islands International Sidewalk Chalk Art Festival will feature a dozen new events, with a special appearance by author and illustrator Wallace Edwards.

With preparations for the event in full swing, this year’s festival looks to be a memorable one.

The 1000 Islands International Sidewalk Chalk Art Festival is set to return to Gananoque for the second straight year on the 15^th of May, and according to the two local volunteers running the festival, David Ansley and Rick Ransom, their working on the show for the town’s sake.

Ransom said that the goal is to make Gananoque a happening place, a town that can play host to big events, and a town where people know how to have fun. He’s looking to top last year’s crowd of close to 400 participants made up of artists, locals, and tourists. Drawing in more artists is a clear sign that this year’s festival is successful, Ransom commented.

Considering that they had only 3 months to prepare for last year’s festival, which was composed of 4 events, Ransom thinks the turnout was pretty decent. He added that over 70 percent of those who joined the festivities were residents from Gananoque, so hopefully more people from outside town show up and participate.

This year’s 1000 Islands International Sidewalk Chalk Art Festival will feature a dozen new events, with a special appearance by author and illustrator Wallace Edwards.

With preparations for the event in full swing, this year’s festival looks to be a memorable one.

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April 1-4th, 2010

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If you love to sing and have always wanted to have the opportunity to share your talent with others on the big stage, then we have an event happening in town you shouldn’t miss.

Happening on March 6, Saturday, is a concert aimed at helping young singers realize their dreams of performing on stage. The concert will be held at the Firehall Theatre at 8 in the evening. The show will feature Jay Mittler and his 17-year old protégé Erica Bradley. The two, who host the regular Open Mic Night at Gananoque’s Old English Pub, will be the main performers of the concert, titled “Some Big Deal Originals”.

Both Mittler and Bradley hope the title of the concert would somehow encourage aspiring singers and musicians to write their own songs and perform original compositions. While they’ve performed and put their spin to some popular tunes frequently heard on the radio, Mittler says it’s always more rewarding to perform your own stuff and have the audience appreciate it.

The show will also feature Gananoque teenagers Billy Coughlar, Emily Cadue, Kara Aldrich, Eric Gleeson, Cameron Smith, and many more.

“Some Big Deal Originals” is happening tomorrow, so grab your tickets now and don’t miss this event!

Not many people may have known it, but Gananoque had the honor of playing host to the OCA or Ontario Curling Association Bantam Provincial Championships for young kids a few weeks ago on February 3. The event drew in over 30 players from 8 different teams vying for the chance to represent the Southern Ontario region at this year’s Winter Games.

The 4-day event was held at the Gananoque Curling Club along William Street, and was attended by young boys and girls aged 12 to 16, some competing, and some of whom came to watch the games. It was an odd sight, especially for those not familiar with curling – the scene was composed of children crouching close to the ground with broomsticks, all concentrating on scoring a goal.

Brian Brooks, the OCA 2010’s Host Committee Chairman, welcomed the players and encouraged them to do their best and play fair, telling them that they are now part of a centuries-old sport that came to the shores of Canada as far back as the 1700s. He added that competing at the event meant that they were all champions in their own right.

Gananoque Mayor Jim Garrah also spoke at the opening ceremonies and congratulated the kids for making it this far.

While not many people in the province may have known it, Gananoque had the honor of hosting the OCA or Ontario Curling Association’s Bantam Provincial Championships for young kids on the 3rd of February. The championships drew in 16 teams from all across Ontario for some intense competitive curling at its best.

The Gananoque Curling Club, located along William Street, was where the championships were held. The event saw the participation of over 80 boys and girls aged 12 to 16 from the different curling teams that vied for the opportunity to represent the Southern Ontario region in this year’s Winter Games.

Brian Brooks, chairman of OCA 2010 bantam division Host Committee, welcomed the young curlers and encouraged them to do their best and reminded them that they are now part of an old sport that came to Canada in the 1700s. He urged them to never forget that they’ve earned the right to compete at the event through their dedication and hard work.

Both Gananoque Mayor Jim Garrah and OCA director for youth relations and competitions, Joan O’Leary, spoke at the championships’ opening ceremonies and congratulated the young players for making it this far.

Indeed, the future of this sport looks to be bright in the hands of these kids.