Thank you Sudbury Toursim!

What a summer this has been! And the first thought that comes to mind when reminiscing about the past four months is what a great job I had! Finding a new job that surpasses the experiences I had with Tourism will be tough to beat. For starters, I am grateful to have learned so much about my hometown. Promoting Sudbury is truly something I enjoy doing and it will always be something I continue to do, no matter where I am.

Secondly, I have become a huge fan of blogging. Before this job I had never done it, barely knew what it was about and didn’t really care for it. Now, however, it’s something I look forward to after I come back from an event or activity. I think I am going to have to find something new to blog about in my spare time!

My favourite part about the tourism job is the range of tasks we had. There was so much variation each day that it made for an exciting summer. The summer students and I would write blogs, video blog, hand out free stuff, respond to emails, give directions at the info booth, deliver brochures, take pictures of Sudbury, update the website, try out local activities, work at the train station, work at Tom Davies square, be at festivals, be on the road, take surveys EVERYWHERE! There was always so much to do, and repetition was limited.

Everyone working full time at the city in the Tourism Department was a joy to work with! I couldn’t have asked for better people to be supervising me and the other summer students. I always felt like a part of the team and it was a pleasure to be let in on the great work done in this department. I will always know that tourism is important and without it, this city would fall apart. I am going to miss everyone!

Lastly, I can’t forget my three other amazing co-workers, Jenna, Mitch and Shanna. You guys were the best and without you to keep things fun and entertaining, it would not have turned out to be the great summer that it was. “We all had sooo much fun” but “is it about that?”

Unfortunately I am saying Goodbye after two summers of working in Tourism. I’m moving back to Hamilton for my third year at McMaster University and I am starting a Biology/Pharmacology Co-op program. I am looking forward to spending the next 3 years in the program but I am expecting it to keep me away from Sudbury for any meaningful length of time. However, I know that I will remain a regular on the Sudbury Tourism website and that you can be sure I’ll be checking up on the blogs of the new summer students next year!

Visit to Pottery Princess!

What a wonderful day! Shanna and I took a trip to Pottery Princess on Regent Street and I absolutely enjoyed it. The owner, Tashya Orasi, was very welcoming and friendly and she was very helpful at directing us with our project.

I found it to be a relaxing atmosphere and a versatile activity. I could see myself being there either by myself or with a friend to unwind after a long day, with a group of friends to celebrate a birthday or a girls night or with the younger kids I babysitt. When we walked in, music was playing in the background along with the quiet chatter of the other customers. There were 4 craft tables surrounded by shelves of colourless pottery and hand painted artwork on the walls.

Out of the many different things from statues to dinner ware to vases to picture frames, Shanna and I picked out a plate to paint. At first we were overwhelmed with ideas of what we should paint and then intimidated by making the first move with our paint brushes, in fear that we would mess up. However, once we got into it, we became care free and our creative side really came out. It turned into a really enjoyable activity and the fear of messing up disappeared. There was a lot of colours to choose from and many sized paint brushes and stencils, so we faced a lot of collective decisioin making.

The whole process is much longer than I expected. You have to clean your piece, paint each coat of paint 3 times and then wait about 2 weeks for it to be glazed, dried and put in the kiln. For us, the painting process took quite a few hours but we were told that you get much faster after your first time.

During our time at Pottery Princess, people of all ages were painting. A mother and kids, a young girl by herslelf, a teen and an elderly lady. This activity is really for everyone of any age! Everything was moderately priced considering the price written on the piece, when its on the shelf, includes: your piece, all the tools, brushes, stencilsyou use, studio time, help from the employees and the final glazing and firing of your piece.

Pottery Princess is definitely a place I hope to visit again. It’s an activity I would recommend to anyone wishing to do something fun and creative in Sudbury! For more information you can visit their website at princessofpottery.ca. You should keep an eye out for their pajama parties, tell-a-story kids time, theme nights and classes!

Garlic Festival 2009!

Today I went to the 18th Annual Garlic Festival! There was a great turn out for the not so hot weather we were getting. I got there a bit before noon and the festival had already attracted lots of people. There were tents set up everywhere on the corner of Paris and Elm Street, in front of the Ukrainian Seniors Centre.

It was very inexpensive, only $2, and the food was cheap and delicious as well! For me, the highlight of the festival was all the great, homemade food. There was bruschetta, perogies, pizza, chicken, sausages, mushrooms and much more, all with garlic in it!

The main stage featured many dancers and performers from all over Ontario. I spent time watching the Veselka Ukrainian Dancers followed by cute little dancers from Happiness is Dancing and a local band from Chemlsford. I noticed several kids in the children's tent put on by Scholar's Choice and the Junction Creek Stewardship Committee. Children of all ages were attracted to the face painting, fish ponds, arts and crafts, balloons and more! I browsed the many vendors set up along the sidewalk selling goods with garlic. They were selling everything from pickles to garlic itself. I also visited a tent selling hand crafted jewellery.

There was a sit down lunch available in the the Ukrainian Seniors Centre along with many Ukrainin art for sale.

I really enjoyed my time at the festival and I will for sure keep an eye out for next years festival date!

Ontario Canoe/Kayak Championship comes to town!

Shanna and I had the opportunity to watch the Provincial Canoe and Kayak Championship on Ramsey Lake this weekend. WOW. Who even knew paddling was a serious sport? I quickly became very intrigued after watching the first race. Bell Park was filled with so many young people and the canoes and kayaks were sprawled everywhere on the grass. When we got to the beach, we sat down to enjoy some races, and they were surprinsingly entertaining. There were 1, 2 and 4 person canoe and kayaks and war canoe races as well. The race distance ranged from 500m to 3km. The weather was holding up because it wasn't raining or too windy but it was still pretty cloudy and a bit chilly.

We had a chance to watch the older boys race in the war canoes and I was blown away by how fast they got going and how insync everyone was. The boat is not very large and 15 paddlers were crammed into it. It was amazing that they didn't tip and they were able to stay in their narrow, buoyed lane.

We also watched races with young girls in two person canoes. Instead of sitting, these girls had to kneel with one knee up. We could tell that this was a fairly hard task to master because several boats were struggling with their balance on the way to the starting line and two boats capsized during the race. We could tell they were begginers at this sort of race.

We did see a lot of very talented teams who looked like they had been training for years. It was great to learn about this sport I was so unaware of before this weekend.

Greek Festival!

What a treat it was to go to the Greek Festival because the food was AMAZING! I know many friends who make it a priority to either get the Greek food as take out or eat there. It was unfortunate that the weather was rainy and cloudy but everyone seemed to be making the best of it. Outside, there was a huge tent covering several tables and the beer table so people could still enjoy the fresh air while eating. There was another tent covering the children's activity area which included a basketball toss, one hole mini putt and a crafts table. Not once did we see either tent close to being empty.

Shanna and I walked into the Helenic Centre where the indoor activities were taking place. Music and the smell of great food hit us as soon as we walked in. Traditional Greek food and pasteries filled the buffet tables. We each enjoyed a plate full of a variety of things and I can confirm that it was delicious. Inside, all the tables were full of people chatting and eating, we couldn't even find a seat! Regrettably we missed the Greek Dancers who had several performances throughout the weekend.

All together it made for a great afternoon!

Happy 45th Birthday Big Nickel!

Shanna and I tried to capture our energy and excitment by putting the camera on a timer and jumping to try and make it in the shot. It took a few tries, but we finally captured the magnitude of our excitement.

We are standing with Ted Svilva, the creator of the Bitg Nickel! He is a very friendly man and I felt honoured to meet him. This occasion was a great oppotunity to commemorate the hard work and dedication of this man.

Shanna and I had an awesome time at the birthday celebrations for the Big Nickel on July 22nd! There were lots of people, cameras and cake to make the festivities a success.

Ted Svilva said he was very proud of the fact the coin has endured and become such a symbol of the city.

Blueberry Festival

I had the opportunity to check out the Blueberry Festival this past weekend. Saturday's festivities took place at Market Square and it turned out to be a really great event! Blueberry pie is my all time favourite dessert so I was looking forward to getting a piece of fresh pie and eating some blueberry pancakes as well. The regular market square vendors were there along with the blueberry vendors and it worked out wonderfully. There were lots of people out enjoying themselves! The morning was nice and sunny and the rain held up until the end of the afternoon. People were able to sit out front and enjoy the performers on stage or go for a horse drawn wagon ride or browse the many vendor tables selling food, jewellery and crafts. Ofcoarse, the Blueberry Bear and his wife Sudbrina were also there to celebrate! We found them outside dancing with the young children in front of the performance stage. When it came time to look for a slice of blueberry pie, the only options were to buy a whole pie or no pie, one slice was not available. So, without question I bought an entire blueberry pie! With the help of fellow summer students Jenna and Mitch, the pie was eaten before I got home that evening. It was delicious! Before we left, we ran into the Downtown Ambassadors, Hope and Curtis, in their matching yellow shirts. With big smiles, they were enjoying the festival while also keeping an eye on things. If you ever see them walking the streets of downtown, don't be shy to stop and ask them any questions you have or chat them up about what's going on downtown. They're always happy to help!

Downtown Adventure

The other morning I had a wonderful time touring the streets of downtown Sudbury! I had a lovely visit to many locally owned shops and restaurants. It was a chance to familiarize myself with the atmosphere and the friendly faces behind the counter.

My first stop was La Boulangerie du Village on Durham Street. The umbrellas, tables and outside decor were very charming and introduced an inviting atmosphere. Upon entering I was welcomed by the two employees behind the counter. There were a few tables and stools facing the street window; the perfect place to sit, eat and enjoy the activity of the street corner. Along the back chalkboard wall, the menu was written, revealing the many different types of sandwiches, desserts and coffee that are offered. The owner Rob, was a nice, friendly man, who didn't forget to mention the wonderful Bed & Breakfast he runs upstairs from La Boulagerie.

The next stop was Fromagerie Elgin. It's a new addition to the downtown area and I was excited to check it out! I was greeted by one of the welcoming owners, Hazel. She introduced me to their menu of unique cheese platters, coffee, tea, wine and desserts. The atmosphere was so relaxing and it really made me wish I had time to sit down with friends and enjoy some wine and cheese. There was calming music softly playing in the background and it felt like a great place to unwind and mingle with friends and family.

I made my way back out to the street and headed for Stella’s Café on Cedar Street. This was my favourite stop of the morning! The sign outside advertises ‘Fine and Friendly Service’, and that is definitely true at Stella’s. Upon entering, I was greeted with big smiles from all four people in the back of the café. Stella herself was in the little kitchen behind the counter rolling dough. Carmela, her assistant, had just sat down to enjoy a nice cup of coffee with her husband and another dedicated customer was also seated at a table beside them. This lady didn’t hesitate to let me know this was the only restaurant in town that she ate at because the food is so great! Everyone was eager to chat me up about anything and everything about me and the city. It was wonderful to be surrounded by such lovely, enthusiastic people. Stella generously offered me a delicious butter tart which was homemade just like all the other food available. Stella’s serves European and Canadian food and it’s prepared for dine-in, take-out or catering. It was a true joy to meet Stella and her dedicated crew because not only was it a nice visit but I have heard nothing but great things from family and friends that eat there as well.

I set out for my next two destinations, Bead Diva and Mimi & Lulu. Both of these craft stores are new to the downtown area and are quickly becoming a popular destination amongst local crafters. Bead Diva is located at the end of Durham Street across from the Rainbow Center. I saw tones of beads of all types, string, wire, jewellery making tools and books, pendants and handcrafted jewelry for sale. I picked up a brochure listing the type of classes they offer Thursday nights from 6:30-8:30pm but you can also check out their website at http://www.beaddiva.ca/ for more information. At Mimi & Lulu on Cedar Street the set up was similar to Bead Diva except there was a wider range of craft materials and designs for sale. I saw purses, key chains, place mats, oven mitts, aprons, t-shirts and many more unique items for sale. All of the designs are handcrafted and most of the materials are sold in the store. Right when I walked in, I noticed the wall on the right hand side was lined with shelves full of material. As I progressed to the back of the studio I came across their large selection of unique beads. This is definitely a local business I would love to support! I’m looking into taking one of their evening workshops and I’ve added Mimi & Lulu on facebook. You may also check out their website at http://www.mimilulu.ca/.

I then set out for Bertolo’s Homeade Foods on Durham Street, across from the YMCA. I had never been inside the little restaurant before, but it was a pleasant surprise to be greeted with a warm smile and a rush of delicious aroma. The place is very small with only one table for two and a ledge facing the window, where you can take a seat and enjoy the street. Natalie, the owner, was a very friendly and upbeat lady! I took a look at the menu and there were many things that caught my eye. The roasted vegetable and goat cheese sandwich, the fresh porchetta roast sandwich, the feta cheese and dried cranberry salad and the homemade meat sauce to go all looked delicious. I’m glad I had a chance to stop by and discover the appetizing food Bertolo’s had to offer.

I passed Artists on Elgin and Greg Taylor Photography on my way to the last stop on my downtown adventure. Both of these shops are well worth a visit and display amazing artwork and photography by local artists. I love stopping by and browsing the shops. At Greg Taylor Photography I always walk out feeling proud that I come from Sudbury because all the photos capture the true beauty of the north. I finally make it into Infusion Tea & Tisanes on Elgin Street. Multiple times, I’ve enjoyed a wonderful glass of tea here, and I’d have to rate it as my favourite tea spot. There is such a wide selection that I’ve never had the same flavor twice! The wall across from the counter is covered in jars of flavoured tea leaves and each flavour sounds better than the next. The restaurant is uniquely decorated and I feel like I’m entering a little thai palace. This is a great place to go with friends or family to chat over a hot or cold cup of tea!

I hope that everyone visiting and living in Sudbury takes the time to go on their own downtown adventure! It is a great way to spend a few hours of your day and you’ll feel more satisfied that Sudbury is an awesome city!

38th Annual Northern Lights Festival Boreal

The weekend of the NLFB is always my favourite festival weekend!

I was so impressed by the exceptioinal creativity that took place last weekend. I could honestly spend the entire weekend there and not get bored. The weather was beautiful and it was the most perfect weekend for a festival. Shanna and I got to the festival as soon as it opened and started video blogging to try and capture the essence of the lively atmosphere surrouding us. There were tonnes of unique crafts, jewellery, clothing and artwork for sale at the many tables in the artisan area. We also stopped to enjoy the performances at all six stages throughout Bell Park. Several different types of music were playing for the duration of the weekend, so listeners of every type were able to find something they liked. No matter where we were on festival grounds we were able to hear the music playing from at least one stage.

On top of having plenty of music and crafts there was also an abundant amount of food! Everything from fast food, vegetarian, Thai, ice cream and cotton candy. The wonderful aroma drifting from the food tents constantly made me hungry and crave every type of food we passed. Most food was being sold from tents that were set up by local restaurants. It was wonderful to see community involvement.

In the family area, there were several excellent activities for kids. My favourite was the yoga tent! Every couple of hours a bunch of little children would gather on a big blanket and follow an instructor doing easy yoga stretches. At an enclosed tent, set up to practice shooting with a paintball gun, there was a continuous line of youngsters eagerly waiting their turn to shoot. A real favourite among the young fellas. All day long under the family tent there were performers on stage, entertaining the children with stories and sing-a-long songs. There was also a couple of craft tables, a rock climbing wall and the gyro, that has yet to miss a festival.

Shanna and I were unable to spend the evenings at the festival but people who attended the after dinner entertainment were sure to be blown away by the outstanding line up of performers. The festival featured Serena Ryder, Hawksley Workman, Joel Plaskett, Jenn Grant, Bob Snider and Bambara trans, to name a few.

This year's 38th annual Northern Lights Festival Boreal was a great success! I applaud the many volunteers, artists and musicians that did an amazing job to put it together. If you live in Sudbury, I definitely recommend making an effort to get out in the years to follow. If you're an aspiring visitor for next summer, I would encourage you to try and plan a trip to Sudbury the weekend of the festival. You can check out their website at http://www.nlfbsudbury.com/ to take a look at some photos or search the date for next year.

COME visit the Train Station!

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT: There is a Sudbury Information Booth in the Via Rail Station on Elgin Street!!

Whenever I tell friends and family where I work I get the same response, "Wow, I never knew there was a tourist booth in the train station". I spend half of my working days in the train station in the very back corner surrounded by brochures, maps and visitor's guides. There are people in Sudbury who don't even know this place exists, and most people have no clue that there is an information booth located in it. Well I'm hoping whoever reads this will pass the message along, that the summer students and I would enjoy visits from anyone looking for information on the events and happenings of the city. I, especially, like to help people and find a joy in improving one's time in Sudbury. We don't see very many people in a day, I think our record high last year might have been 8 individuals/families! So even though you may not be a tourist you should drop by one one day and let us enlighten you with the many things there are to do in Sudbury!

Since working for the toursim department I have visited many places in the Sudbury Area that most people would never take the time to check out. And I have to say, that I think you're missing out! The summer students and I spent almost a month visiting all the parks, museums, farms, attractions hotels and much more so that we could spread the word about all the great things Sudbury has to offer. I feel like I've learned so much about the history of Sudbury, that it makes me proud to have grown up here. Many people that live in Sudbury have never even been to Dynamic Earth and Science North, and that's a great place to start your adventure of discovering Sudbury. I have come across people travelling from all over the world to see these attractions, and if you live in Sudbury, why wouldn't you take advantage of living so close to there great attraction sites?!

Now, if you've been to Science North and Dynamic Earth, don't think for one second you've seen it all. I am by no means an artsy person, but I really enjoyed the art gallery and their summer exhibit, Natural Ressources. This exhibit is out until August 30th so I encourage you to try and get out there. The cost is minimal, only $5 for adults and free for children under 12! And I promise it's well worth a visit. There is also the Anderson Farm in Lively which displays antiques from some of the first Finnish farmers. The Northern Ontario Railway Museum (NORM) which displays many historical artifacts and memorabilia from the first years as a mining and lumbering town. There is a little cafe in the lobby and a box car house in the back yard. After watching the movie Nickel City Stories at Dynamic Earth and visiting the NORM, I feel a new appreciation for the way Sudbury shaped up and has evolved over the years. There is also St. Germain Farm in the valley which was a surprisingly great visit! The owner, Henry, is a jolly man who takes pride in his three garage display of antiques. He has been collecting and donated many interesting treasures over the years, and there is sure to be something that will capture your interest. He can tell you all about them if you'd like a guided tour or you're free to wander as fast or as slow as you please. As well as a yard full of old farm equipment he offers rides in the trailer attached to his tractor!

I'll quickly list off some other great things to do but it's really up to you to go out in the city and see for yourself! There's Josephine's Vegetables along with Dinosaur Valley Mini Golf, OLG slots, numerous Golf Courses, Go karting on Notre Dame, Dodge this Paintball on Falconbridge Road, several great hiking trails and the Sudbury Theatre Centre which often has plays to attend. To top off this list there is a festival just about every weekend of the summer, and Sudbury is known as the The City of Festivals!

You can usually find the other summer students and I at these festivals, in our red or green Tourism shirts. If you see us, don't hesitate to come and talk to us or even get your picture taken! We always have our camera with us and we're looking for new pictures to put on the posters, visitor guides and billboards of the city. And DO NOT run away from us if we ask you to participate in a survey. It would help us out so much, and it honestly takes no more than 30 seconds. Plus, you get a complimentary key chain or tatoo!

I choose to come back from school every summer to live here, and be surrounded by the beauty of the lakes and the city. I hope this has made you more excited about living or visiting in Sudbury!

A Stroll Through the Park

One of my favourite things to do is eat lunch in the park. Working downtown is perfect because its within walking distance to both Memorial Park and Bell Park. Quite often I'll find a picnic table outside to eat lunch at. I love the fresh air and the sunshine. Today is a beautiful day to enjoy the nice weather so I headed over to Memorial Park at the corner of Minto Street and Brady Street. Normally on such a nice day the park is filled with downtown workers on their lunch break and children from the YMCA day camps. Today, however, it was just about empty and this one man and his dog had the attention of the few people in the park. I'm a huge fan of dogs and his was a beautiful black lab, full of energy and quite young looking. I guess it was his lucky day because there were no kids playing under the sprinkler sculpture. Catching me by surprise, the sprinklers and water started shooting up all around when the dog walked in the sprinkler area. The dog seemed to love it. She was running from sprinkler to sprinkler trying to eat the water and run through it. It was very entertaining to watch. The water would shoot up from the ground for about 30 sec before it would turn off and the owner would have to walk past the motion sensor to activate it again. The dog was kept on her leash the whole time and it was a struggle for the owner not to be pulled to the groung by his powerful dog. The dog would never have been able to get away with the fun that she had, had there been any people in the sprinkler. Normally, on a nice day there are plenty of children running through the sprinklers and having a great time!

This situation reminding me of a comment I received when I was surveying people at the beach the other week. The couple that I serveyed commented on the lack of enforcement for keeping dogs on leashes on the trails in the conservation area. They suggested that it would make bikers, such as themselves, much happier if there was a dog park that people could bring their dogs to instead of letting them loose on the conservation trails. Although I myself am guilty of letting my dog off the leash on the trials, I think it would be awesome to get a dog park. Maybe this could be a future aspiration for the city?

The gentleman with the dog then walked by my table and the dog didn't hesitate to come to my side to be pet. I started chatting with the man and found out that his main career was working for tourism! He had worked in Quebec and France as a tourist specialist. As soon as he found out I worked for tourism he got right into questioning me on the attractions and events for Canada Day celebrations.

The main events are taking place at Science North starting at noon. Throughout the day, the main stage will feature The Giselles with performer Pandora Topp. The EZ Rock Idol Competition will also be taking place on the main stage from 1:15-2:30 and 7-7:45. As well, there will be many children's performers such as Spirit of the World Drumming along with entertaining science activities. There will be pony rides, an arts and crafts tent, face painting and balloon animals! You can check out the science center because it will be open from 9am-6pm and the IMAX shows continuously throughout the day. At the end of the day be sure to catch the fire works scheduled for 10:15pm!

If you're looking for more information you can visit the Science North website or the mysudbury website. Or feel free to give us a call at 705-673-1539.

A Summer Sudbury Saturday

Hey Everyone!

I hope this father's day weekend is treating you well ! Yesterday Jenna and I travelled out to Chelmsford (about a 20min drive) to the Western Days Festival. Its been going on all week at the Chelmsford Arena, and it ends today.

When we walked into the arena I was surprised at how many people were out here. I'd never been to this event before so it was awesome that I got to go check it out. There were so many activities going on! Right in the entrance of the arena was face painting, a small, one hole mini putt and a penny table. When we walked into the huge rink surface there was a big stage set up with various country bands performing. It was really an event for everyone. There were so many elderly people at the tables set up in the arena, enjoying the music and tonnes of kids outside at the activity area. There were people dancing to the music, drinking beer, eating food chatting with friends. It was a great atmosphere!

When we wandered outside to the kids activity area there was just as much energy amongst the children. Kids were excitedly waiting in line to climb the rock climbing wall or jump on the trampoline with a bungee or ride on the gyro. There was even pony rides!! I remember loving all of these activities a few years ago when I was a bit younger. We saw the cutest little puppy, that all the kids grouped around. The puppy was jumping from kid to kid, licking all their face paint. Even the puppy was excited to be there and be surrounded by so many people.

Jenna and I had a great time taking pictues and videotaping ourselves and the event. We headed off for our next festival which brought us to Blues for Food on Durham Street downtown. Unlike Western Days, this was only a one day event but just as entertaining and popular. Both of these events had free admission and an balanced number of adults and children. At Blues for Food the street was closed off and full of people and booths and tents and activities and music. The street was packed! It was sectioned off so that one side had children's activities and the other side had a beer and food tent, tables and the stage with bands. We saw children at the arts and crafts table, buying candy, doing bean bag toss, watching a clown make balloon animals and dancing and singing with the children's performers on stage. At the opposite end of the street was the other stage with the blues performers. This was surrounded by many tables and chairs under a tent and people sitting and walking around enjoying the performance. We were walking around taking pictures and a little girl even come up to us and requested to be in a close up shot!

It looked like everyone was enjoying themselves and I know for sure I had a great day. Jenna and I came back to the train station, exhausted, but wonderfully surprised by the amount of people enjoying the festivities that Sudbury has to offer!

Always on the Job

Hey everyone!

I just came back from my lunch break not too long ago, and I just happen to run into two tourists from Utah! I saw these two boys walking downtown on Elgin Street looking very lost. We just happened to cross paths but what better person to give them directions than someone working at an information booth?! They were looking for someplace to eat downtown and I was excited that I could tell them about numerous restaurants in the area. A good number of the restaurants are located on Durham St. so it worked out perfectly that we were headed that way.

When walking down Durham from Elgin St. the first place I pointed out was a deli called Frank's Delicatessen. Unfortunately I've never eaten there, but I always see people threw the window or outside at a table. I assume that the food is pretty good.

Next I mention Books and Beans, which is a coffeehouse that serves vegetarian soup and sandwhiches. I've been there before and its such a relaxing atmosphere and the food is great.

Across the street is La Boulangerie du Village which is an artisan backery. There are cute umbrellas over the tables outside that are perfect for a beautiful day. They serve wonderful homeade sandwhiches and desserts.

Further down the street is Respect is Burning, an intalian pasta and grill bistro. This restaurant is excellent, and a real favourite amonst us local people. I've ordered both the pasta and pizza and have been left satisfied and wanting more.

From further conversation I found out that they were going to be in town for a few weeks so I mentioned the Blues for Food event this Saturday, June 20th. Hopefully they attend and have an awesome time because it's sure to be great entertainment!

Beautiful Ramsey Lake

Yesterday was a beautiful day in Sudbury! The temperature was in the low 20s and the sun was continuously shining. I went for a walk on the boardwalk to see what the people in Sudbury were up to on such a lovely day. The boardwalk is a walking path that runs from Science North to Bell Park along the shoreline of Ramsey Lake.

Since it was a Monday afternoon, the majority of the people that I came across were mothers with young children or elderly retired people. Whether they were out for a stroll or taking an easy jog, one can assume that everyone was enjoying the nice breeze coming off of the water. There were numerous boats of all kinds out on the water as well. I was taken by surprise by the amount of water traffic. At one point, i could see a motor boat, a sea doo, the Cortina and a sail boat in the little bay in front of Science North. The Cortina is a boat used by Science North for tours around Ramsey Lake.

I ran into friends of the family who were hosting family from London, England. They didn't hesitate to let me know that they were having a wonderful time in Sudbury. Having just come from The Lakehouse Restaurant at Science North, they commented on how great the food and the view of the lake was.

I saw many people accompanied by their dogs. Since there are so many small beaches along the path it was nice to see that dogs are able to have plenty of water breaks on such a hot day.

Along the way, I was constantly stopping to take pictures because it was such a beautiful day. I couldn't help but be impressed by how picturesque the lake looked.

After 40 min of walking I finally came to Bell Park and the main beach. I saw all the city beach lifeguards getting ready for the summer ahead of them. They were doing their training, running in and out of the water pretending to save eachother.

It was a great day out on the boardwalk and definitely something I like to do often during the summer months.

A Day of Adventure at Science North

Dear Readers,

My name is Sara and I’m a summer student working for Sudbury Tourism. I’m looking forward to working here this summer because it is a true pleasure to be promoting Sudbury to the rest of the world. I genuinely believe Sudbury is an amazing city!

During the first couple of days of work my fellow coworker, Jenna, and I were sent out like tourists to enjoy the sights and attractions of the city. Our first stop is Science North, one of Sudbury’s main attractions and our personal favorite. I used to visit this place at least once a month when I was younger. There are so many neat and fun things to do and see.

We started the day with the 4D film Wings Over the North in the Cavern Theatre. It is a short 20 min film directed by Sudbury Resident, David Lickley. We both agree that it is a must see when visiting Science North! The film brought us on a thrilling adventure on a bush plane flying through the Northern landscape. Not only were we watching the film in 3D but we were able to feel the rumble of the engine and the movements of the plane from our seat, with a few other added surprises. The film educated us on the history of bush planes in Canada and the life of a bush plane pilot. It was a great start to the day!

Jenna and I continued our tour to the 2nd floor which is known for its exotic creatures and the nature exchange. There were many aquariums housing creatures from around the world such as centipedes, tarantulas and scorpions. We even had the chance to hold a cockroach! That used to be a terrifying thought until I was told that they don’t bite, carry diseases or move around on your hand that much. We were also told that Science North will be receiving a Vinegaroon, an insect that looks like a scorpion but sprays vinegar from its tail. We visited the butterfly gallery and were surrounded by beautifully coloured, live butterflies. We were told that some people are even lucky enough to catch one emerging from its cocoon! Lastly, we viewed the Nature Exchange, a collection of rocks, shells, shark teeth, snake skin and anything you can find naturally made. To bring an item home, from the collection, you must bring in items you find yourself in nature. You earn points with each item you bring in and all the items in the Science North collection are given point values, to ensure that you make a fair trade. Jenna and I then made our way up to the third floor.

From the winding ramp that leads to the 3rd floor we stopped to take in the gorgeous view of Ramsey Lake. The 3rd floor is home to many Canadian animals. We saw the legendary beaver and the porcupine named Quillan, animals that you may get to pet and see out of their habitat. We also saw many frogs, snakes and turtles. A personal favorite, is the soil erosion simulator. It is a giant tub of sand we built streams and dams in. We turned on the water at the top of the tub and watched the way naturally flowing water shapes hills and valleys in the sand. We also got to see exhibits on the water cycle and the growth process of trees. On our way up to the 4th floor we stopped into the Discovery Theatre where we saw a scientist doing a demonstration with a rattle snake. This theater has demonstrations running often throughout the day, ranging from animal demonstrations to exploding science experiments!

We then came to the 4th and last floor of the building. It features the new object theatre 'Club Genome' which quickly became my favourite part of the floor. The presentation took us through an engaging story of the inner workings of a human cell in action, while being surrounded by high-tempo music and vibrant lights. Having come from an extensive scientific background, i was able to appreciate the clarity and simplicity with which the complex material was presented. There wasn't a moment I wasn't captivated, even though I have already learned this information multiple times. Its sure to grab the attention of people of all ages and develop their interest in cells, DNA and genetic science. The fourth floor also featured exhibits on k'nex robotics, space and the anatomy of human bodies!

After going through all the floors of exhibits Jenna and I still had the special feature exhibit of the summer, 'Creatures of the Abyss'. It was a great exhibit filled with very hands-on displays! We were impressed right from the start with the life-sized model of a colossal squid! The exhibit is committed to the presentation of the mysterious creatures of the ocean and the discoveries scientists are in the process of making. This exhibit is sure to captivate the curiosity of an audience at any age.

Science North is proud to be wheel chair accessible to all exhibits. It is surrounded by lovely grounds, perfect for a midday picnic looking out onto Ramsey lake and the yacht club. There is a wonderful board walk that starts at Science North and follows the shoreline all the way to the beach at Bell Park, which is perfect for an evening stroll.

Jenna and I had a great day filled with activities! It's a pleasure to be encouraging the use of a Science Centre that I strongly believe is an awesome place!