Wondering why there’s a photo of the Wakefield covered bridge at the top of this post? It’s because there are two bits of Wakefield news in this week’s Heads Up. I also have the scoop on VIA Rail’s on-again, off-again express trains; the Canadian Museum of Nature’s Open House; a month of Halloween fun in Almonte; and theatre plans in Perth. Enjoy!
Museum of Nature Open House tickets will be available soon
The Canadian Museum of Nature’s annual Open House—taking place this year on Saturday, October 18—is often one of the hottest tickets in town. It’s no surprise; it’s a rare chance to see some of the 99 percent of the museum’s artifacts that aren’t on display in the downtown Ottawa building, and to talk to scientists and conservators.
The Open House will take place at the museum’s research and collections facility at 1740 Pink Road in the Aylmer sector of Gatineau. Tickets are free but you must get them online at the link above, where they will be available starting Monday, October 6.
This could be your chance to run a Wakefield B&B
Earlier this month, a Wakefield bed and breakfast hit the market. The six-bedroom, four-bathroom house has been known as the Auberge de Mon Petit Chum B&B for the last two decades. Whoever buys it could convert it back to a home or buy the business as well and set off on an adventure in inn-keeping. The house alone is listed at $899,000; the business costs extra.
Intrigued? There’s an open house this Sunday, October 5. (Side note: The Auberge is still very much open for business and taking reservations, so don’t panic if you’re booked in there or thinking of going!)
Almonte is launching a month of spooky celebrations
Instead of just a day or a week of Halloween fun, Almonte/Mississippi Mills has organized a whole month of spooky events. The first-ever Highland Haunt and Harvest (September 28 to November 1) includes everything from photo sessions and paint nights to a chili cookoff, pumpkin decorating and tarot readings.
VIA Rail postpones express train plans
This seems to be the season of transportation companies changing their minds. Last week, it was Air Canada deciding not to suspend its Ottawa–London flights over the winter. This week, it’s VIA Rail putting on hold its plans to offer several express trains between Montreal and Toronto each day.
These were not new trains, mind you; they were existing routes that VIA was going to modify by eliminating stops in Eastern Ontario communities such as Cornwall and Brockville.
Perhaps it was the outcry from local residents and politicians, or perhaps it really was the fault of CN, as VIA Rail told CTV News Ottawa. Whatever the reason, it looks like smaller communities will be hanging on to their current frequency of service for the near future.
Black Sheep Inn is poised to reopen
Speaking of ever-evolving plans: According to this CBC story, it looks like the Black Sheep Inn in Wakefield is finally going to reopen. Closed during the pandemic, the beloved music venue has been on the verge of rebounding several times. But this time, there’s a solid date for the official grand reopening: Friday, October 10.
Perth aims to become a leading theatre destination
A group called the Perth Theatre Project recently made a presentation to Perth Town Council outlining the group’s goals for live theatre in the Lanark County town over the next decade. Plans include expanding the number of productions to at least eight per year and assessing the theatre space available in town. Wishing them well—this sounds like a great initiative.
Looking for more tips on things to see and do in and around Ottawa? Subscribe to my free weekly newsletter or order a copy of my book, Ottawa Road Trips: Your 100-km Getaway Guide.
As the owner of Ottawa Road Trips, I acknowledge that I live on, work in and travel through the unceded, unsurrendered territory of the Algonquin Anishinaabeg Nation. I am grateful to have the opportunity to be present on this land. Ottawa Road Trips supports Water First, a non-profit organization that helps address water challenges in Indigenous communities in Canada through education, training and meaningful collaboration.