www.ndact.ca

Filter
  • CRC - Around the Greek Table - Sep. 27, 2015

    In support of our partner, Corncerned Residents Coalition

    we announce....

    Gather Around the Greek Table

    on Sunday, September 27 at 4 pm in Eden Mills!

    Dinner features traditional Greek recipes from prize-winning books by The Three Greek Sisters.

    Meet the sisters, learn about the Greek culinary culture, enjoy a three-course meal paired with 3 Greek wines.

    Cookbook included in the price.

    Tickets: $85

    More information.

  • CRC - Bike and Hike Rockwood - Sep. 27, 2015

    In support of our partner, Corncerned Residents Coalition

    we announce their event, Bike & Hike Rockwood.

    bikehikepostcard

    Click on image.

    More information at http://www.bikehikerockwood.com/

     

  • CRC Golf Tournament - Sep. 11, 2015

    In support of our partner, Corncerned Residents Coalition

    we announce their

    2492 CRC Golf Postcard 1

     

    Date: Friday, September 11.

    Make up a team for a friendly Friday afternoon of golf, nine holes, followed by a full chicken rotisserie dinner, prizes and silent auction at Turtle Creek Golf Course.
    3 pm registration, 3:30 tee-off

    Turtle Creek Golf Course
    On the Guelph Line, just north of Brookville

    For more information contact Gail at: 519-856-8227

  • Water Walk - Sep. 2-11, 2015

    water-walk-150x148 

    One of the key people in the successful fight to stop the Mega Quarry was Danny Beaton. In the spring of 2011, he led a group of First Nations, farmers, environmentalists and others on a walk from the lawns of Queen's Park to the potato fields of Melancthon in order to highlight the threat the quarry posed to food and water.

     

    Danny is about to walk again, and Food & Water First's Carl Cosack will be joining him. You can, too! Starting September 2nd, Danny and supporters will spend nine days walking the shores of Lake Simcoe. The goal of Waterwalk 2015 is to remind us all of the need to protect the water that sustains us.

     

    For more information, please call 905-252-8003

  • International Ploughing Match & Rural Expo - September 16 - 20, 2014

    Food & Water First will be there!

    plough-match-2014Dates: September 16 - September 20, 2014

    Times: Daily 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM

    Location: Simcoe County – Ivy, Ontario

    Don't miss out on the fun!

    http://www.plowingmatch.org/home-2014

  • Shelburne Fall Fair - September 12 -14, 2014

    Drop in and see us at the Fair!

    shelb-fairDates: Friday, September 12 to Sunday, September 14, 2014

    Location: Shelburne Fair Grounds

    Pick up your free Food & Water First lawn signs.

  • Greenbelt Harvest Picnic - Sat. August 23, 2014

    Food & Water First will be there!

    Join in the festival.

    greenbelt-harvest

    Date: Saturday, August 23, 2014

    Time: 11:00 AM - 12:00 midnight

    Location: Christie Lake, Dundas Ontario

    Purpose: raise awareness of the importance or the Greenbelt harvest, local farmers, art, the outdoors and the eat-local movement

    Full details and tickets.

    An outdoor concert featuring Ray Lamontagne, Sarah Harmer, Bruce Cockburn, Los Lobos and many more.

    There is also a line-up of artists, farmers, food vendors, organizations and seminars.

     

     

     

  • NDACT announces new Board Member

    NDACT is pleased to announce the addition of

    Wade Mills to our Board of Directors!

    wade-mills-thumb

     

    His experience and enthusiasm will help us in our goal of prioritizing Food & Water in Ontario's legislation.

    Wade is a partner in Timmerman, Haskel & Mills LLP, Shelburne, ON

    Welcome Wade!

  • Landman Gardens' Savour Fair - August 24, 2014

    Food & Water First will be at Savour Fair

    savoir-fairDate: Sunday, August 24, 2014

    Time: 1 - 4 PM

    Where: Landman Gardens, 322345 Concession 6-7, Grand Valley, ON

    • Come to the farm for an afternoon of all the best food, drink and art from the region
    • Stroll through the many flower and vegetable gardens.
    • Sample the delicious food that locals chefs and caterers have prepared, using the best local ingredients

    Proceeds from event will be awarded to local high school students pursuing their education in the agriculture field.

    Full details and admission prices.

  • Shelburne Fiddle Contest Parade - Sat. Aug. 9, 2014

    fiddle-logoFood & Water First will be in the Fiddle Contest Parade

    Date: Saturday, August 9, 2014

    Parade starts at: 1 PM

    Parade route roads are closed at 11 AM  

    Parade route map.

    Join in the fun!

    http://shelburnefiddlecontest.com/

     

  • Sneak Preview - Celebrate Food & Water First

    Celebrate Food & Water First!

    Latest forecast for Sunday, August 18th: PERFECT! 25 degrees & sunny! 

    The farmers, chefs, vendors, artists and musicians are getting ready, and we'd like you to meet some of them before August 18th.

    Bring a water bottle or cup to the event. We'll have a Quench Buggy on site filled with fresh water!

    Map to Honeywood arena.

    Full event details.

    MAKING HEADLINES! 

    The Creemore Echo has published a wonderful story about Celebrate Food & Water First! It includes a great photo of Bill Lishman in flight with his geese from years ago. Bill tells us he's added something special to his famous ultralight which we'll see as he zooms around Melancthon on Sunday! Heads up! This will be a treat. 

    http://www.thecreemoreecho.com/2013/08/celebrating-one-victory-and-setting-sights-on-another/

    TERRA NOVA PUBLIC HOUSE 

     

    We'll definitely be saving room for the goodies prepared by Chef Malcolm Muth from the Terra Nova Public House. Crombie Station Farms Lamb Liver Pate over Fiddle Foot Farms Spicy Greens with Blue Springs Apiaries Honey Vinaigrette. That's a delicious mouthful of local food!

    "When you live in a place like this, it's hard not to be an environmentalist," says Malcolm's sister, Anna, who also works at the Public House. "People want to know where their food comes from, and whether it has traveled 10,000 miles to get to them." 

      Malcolm has worked in several restaurants over the years, including Oliver & Bonancini, Mono Cliffs Inn and Hiding in Hockley. He now whips up great meals in the Public House which is nestled in the lovely hamlet of Terra Nova.

    "You realize after living here for a while, that you're not in the middle of nowhere," says Anna. "You're in one of the most beautiful and productive areas in the country." 


    MONO CLIFFS INN

    Delicious Venison sandwiches will be on the menu at the Mono Cliffs Inn booth! The Inn started out as a farm in the 1800s and became a general store in 1853. Carol and Michael Hall purchased it in 1984 and turned it into the popular restaurant it is today! 

    http://www.monocliffsinn.ca/


    FOOD & WATER FIRST....AND ART! 

    Hop aboard a tractor-drawn wagon outside the Honeywood arena on Sunday and travel down a country lane to a stunning view. That's where you'll also find members of Artists Against the MegaQuarry -- painters and photographers! One of the artists is Peter Adams of Creemore. His works are well-known in the region for capturing our special landscape. Check out Peter's wonderful collection: http://www.peteradamsart.com/

     

    Photographers have also played a huge role in the campaign to save precious farmland and water. Natalia Shields is certainly one of them! Her photo of a large tree standing guard over Melancthon potato fields is a favourite! Rural roots and a love of nature inspire much of her photography. "I like the viewer to consider the beauty of Ontario's farm country and its value to Canada's well-being," says Natalia.

    Natalia will be staffing the art booth on Sunday. 

    http://nataliashieldsphotography.com/nataliashieldsphotography/Home.html



    dt-0731-web

    We're tending to the final details of Celebrate Food & Water First and getting terrific advance coverage. Dale Goldhawk interviewed Bill Lishman yesterday about his flight to Honeywood on Sunday. Bill was gracious and enthusiastic, as always, and praised the Food & Water First movement. His adventure will symbolically link some very special areas of the province where similar citizens' campaigns are trying to protect farmland, water and the environment. Bill will fly over the Pickering Lands and Oak Ridges Moraine on his way to Melancthon. Watch for his ultralight in the skies Sunday morning! Have a listen to his interview at this link. 

    http://www.zoomerradio.ca/uncategorized/podcast-goldhawk-fights-back/gfb-podcast-bill-lishman-august-14th-2013/

    Dale Goldhawk will also be one of our special guests! He'll be speaking at noon on Sunday, along with Carl Cosack and Bill Lishman. You won't want to miss them.

     

    Get your Farm On! 

    dt-0732-web

    Thanks to Heidi from Smakk for writing this terrific blog about Celebrate Food & Water First. "We are clearly, in so many ways, disconnected from where and how our food is produced." We'll connect in Honeywood, for sure, thanks to the local food & products that will be available! 

    http://blog.smakk.ca/food-and-water-first/




    Roseberry Farm

    Celebrate Food & Water First is a BYOPF event. (Bring your own plate and fork!) Just like Foodstock and Soupstock, we're asking you to bring utensils to sample the goodies. You should also bring your sweet tooth! That's because Sarah Hallett of Roseberry Farm will be serving her famous scones, squares, cookies, tarts and more! She also makes gluten-free treats! Sarah settled in Mulmur in 2007 and named her farm after a beloved spot in her native England. We suspect her booth will be very popular! For a sneak peek, check out Sarah's website: 

    http://www.roseberryfarmcakes.com/Home/about-me


    Super Scribe! 

    Our most prolific letter-writer is Christina Wigle and she's been published again! Please read Christina's latest letter-to-the-editor as she reminds us all that there's still much to be done to protect Ontario's prime farmland and water resources. 

    http://www.orangeville.com/opinion-story/4031408-better-legislation-needed-to-govern-quarries-letter-/

    Thanks, Christina! Your passion and energy are a constant inspiration! 

     

     

    For those of you travelling from the city to Honeywood on Sunday, enjoy a spectacular drive by heading north on Airport Road to County Rd 21. Turn left and follow 21 to Honeywood. Unforgettable. 

    Detail from "Small Pond with Lilies" - Joan Folinsbee 

    dt-085-web

    We're counting down the days to Celebrate Food & Water First and are delighted with the line-up! Live music. Kids' activities. Plus 40 vendors - including chefs, local food producers and artists.  When the Highland Companies applied for the Mega Quarry in 2011, Sandi Wong helped lead the charge against it armed with paint and palettes. She co-founded Artists Against the MegaQuarry, a collective of artists that held Paint-Ins and organized art exhibits in Honeywood and Toronto. This Sunday, artists will be painting on a ridge overlooking a stunning view. Take a free wagon ride from the Honeywood arena to enjoy the breathtaking scenery and see artists at their easels. 

     

     

    "Visit the Artists Against the MegaQuarry as they capture the vista saved from the Highland mega quarry," says Sandi. "And at the arena, you can purchase their visions of Food & Water First!"


    GLOBE RESTAURANT 

    Start drooling! The chef at the Globe Restaurant in Rosemont, Beth Hunt, will be whipping up Summer Foccacia with roasted veggies and cheese, as well as fresh Peach and Wild Blueberry pies for Celebrate Food & Water First! This is a BYOPF (Bring Your Own Plate & Fork!) All food servings between $2 and $5!


    MEN WITH KNIVES

    dt-091-web

     We've certainly enjoyed the yummy dishes created by Men With Knives, and are delighted Julie and Gareth Carter are going to be cooking this Sunday! The Collingwood couple will be serving soft tacos stuffed with delicious fillings.

      The Carters believe that at the heart of every family is a good meal, and it extends beyond sharing time with our loved ones.


    "It also means a strong community of farmers and artisans. Protecting our farmland and water resources is not only important, it is imperative," says Gareth. "We can't let a good meal pass us by, in more ways than one."

      



    Chef Adam Ryan - One99


    Save room for dessert! Adam is the executive chef at One99 restaurant in Orangeville and he'll be serving yummy ice-cream made from local milk and topped with seasonal goodies. Adam also has this scoop of wisdom about the importance of preserving farmland and respecting those who grow our food. "We need to support our local farmers because if we don't, the land will be used for something else," he says. "And if we don't support our farmers, we will start seeing less of them. This isn't good for our community, our economy or consumers." Food for thought! 

    ****THIS JUST IN ****  Chef Adam Ryan from One99 in Orangeville will be making Grilled Corn Ice Cream with Candied Ginger and Tarragon! 

     

    Visit the One99 table at the Honeywood arena! www.One99.ca 

     

    Big Whisky


    big-whiskey-web

     

     

     

     

     

    The hay wagon stage at Celebrate Food & Water First will be rockin' with performers...including the local band Big Whisky! (Love the red shades on the middle dude!) The group plays a range of music from A to Z -- the Allman Brothers to ZZ Top. Neil Banks Jr., Dan Paterson, Andrew McVeigh and Ian Stone of Big Whisky also have this big message about preserving farmland and water. "Remember, farms feed cities and water is life." That's music to our ears.

     

     

    Digging Deeper

     

    digging-poster-web

     

     

    You can also Celebrate Food & Water First by lending your talents to a play about the fight to stop the Highland Mega Quarry. Local artists, dancers, musicians and writers are working on a community production of "Digging Deeper."  You can contribute your own stories, dance moves or lyrics! Drop by the "Digging Deeper" tent next to the Honeywood arena.

     

    The play will be performed in the fall of 2014 in Honeywood and then taken to other communities facing similar conflicts between agriculture and development. "Digging Deeper" is being produced by Everybody's Theatre Company and the Rural Learning Association. For more information, contact Dale. dale@hsfx.ca

      

     


    LOOK UP!

    lishman-inflight-web











    What's that in the sky?! It's a very special guest flying to Celebrate Food & Water First! Bill Lishman - the man known as Father Goose -- will pilot his ultralight aircraft from the Pickering area to Honeywood on August 18th to show his support for our campaign. Bill is an artist and filmmaker. He's also the first human to fly in formation with birds. Yes, he's the adventurer who led geese on a migration route to the U-S, an incredible feat that inspired the film, Fly Away Home. 

    Over the past 40 years, Bill has also been trying to protect the Pickering Lands - 18,600 acres of Class 1 farmland north east of Toronto - from being turned into a new airport. The Food & Water First campaign has much in common with those trying to preserve the Pickering Lands. "The most precious thing we have is the land that sustains us," says Bill. "To permanently destroy prime growing land, for whatever cause, is tantamount to theft from our offspring."

     

    Bill's flight will symbolically link our two communities. He's going to land his ultralight near Honeywood and share his thoughts on preserving farmland and water resources at noon in the Honeywood arena. Then, he'll lift off again to conduct a flypast over the farmland, forests and river valleys of the Hills of Headwaters. Notify the local geese!

     

     

     

     

    JERSEY GIRLS!

     jersey-girls-web

















    Mooooovalous! That was our reaction when we learned Miller's Dairy of Creemore was going to bring its famous Jersey milk to Celebrate Food & Water First. Miller's Dairy milk is served in old-fashioned glass bottles and is hugely popular in Dufferin County. Once you taste it on August 18th, you'll know why! The Miller "girls" sure know how to produce great milk. (You MUST try the chocolate!)

     

       As their business grows and thrives, the Millers recognize the importance of respecting the land and water around us.

       "We are caretakers of our land. Our family farm is fifth generation and we have an obligation to see that future generations have farmland to grow their food and clean fresh water to raise their families with hope." We'll raise a glass of milk to that!

     

    HARLAN PEPPER

     

    We loved them at the Taters Not Craters dance in February and can't wait to hear them again August 18th. Come Celebrate Food & Water First with the band Harlan Pepper! Jimmy Hayes, Dan Edmonds, Thompson Wilson and Marlon Nicolle are returning to the Honeywood arena with their wonderful alternative country rock music. They've shared the stage with big talents, including the Arkells and Feist and now Harlan Pepper will take to our hay wagon stage! Here's one of our favourite songs: Great Lakes! 

     

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pLTj7vRj3NY 

     

    Celebrate Food & Water First starts at 11am and runs until 3pm on Sunday, August 18th!  $5 admission. Kids 5 and under are free! 


    See you there!

    Donna T.

     
  • Artists Agianst the Mega Quarry 3rd Annual Paint-In - Aug. 18, 2013

    celebrate-thumb3rd Annual Paint-In will be held at Celebrate Food & Water First on Sunday, August 18th!

    artists-logoJoin them in the hills of Mulmur as they gather in a special location (598093 2nd Line West, 2km south of Honeywood) to paint the spectacular vista and farmland saved from the Highland Mega Quarry. (11:00am-3:00pm)

    As the artists paint en plein air, those attending the festivities at Celebrate Food & Water First in the village of Honeywood will either walk, bike or take a complimentary wagon ride to visit them at their easels!

     

    Calling all Artists

    Artists are also welcome to show and sell their work at the Honeywood Arena. There is no submission or showing fee. A small donation to NDACT to cover costs would be appreciated. 

     

    For more details and to register, please contact sandiwongartist@gmail.com

    http://www.artistsagainstthemegaquarry.com/

     

    Artists Against the Mega Quarry Need Your Help

    They're going to need your help and support, again. They'll need folks at the Arena to help us collect the art and set up the show, staff and record the sales, then take down the art and get the works back to their homes. 

    At the Plein Air site, they will need to help folks on and off the wagons, direct them to the artists and indicate the proposed quarry lands. 

    Are you willing to help? Contact Sandi: sandiwongartist@gmail.com


  • Celebrate Food & Water First Event - SUN. Aug. 18, 2013

    celebrate-webBring the family to.....

    CELEBRATE FOOD AND WATER FIRST

    When: Sunday August 18th, 2013

    Time: 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM

    Location: Honeywood Arena, 706114 County Road 21, Mulmur
    Honeywood, east of County Rd. 124

    Don't forget to bring your own plate, fork, cup or water bottle.

    Enjoy local food, music and art!

    Free wagon rides or bring your own bike to see the farmlands, saved from the Highland Mega Quarry.

    Featuring:

    • Local chefs serving local food
    • Farmers' market
    • Live music
    • Kids activities
    • Art Show and Sale

    Our Line-up:

    • Live Bands-Big Whiskey and Harlan Pepper
    • Carl Cosack NDACT Chair
    • Dale Goldhawk
    • Bill Lishman and his glider (from  Fly Away Home)
    • Artists Against the Mega Quarry-painting on site on the roof of Ontario
    • Darcey Baker, 12 year old local fiddler extraordinaire

     Print Program.

    Tractor & wagon rides

    Honeywood Play Park with a kids area

     

    Local food and vendors:

     Check out their facebook/websites

     

    Click here or on the poster above to see the enlarged view with details.

    Bring your own plate and fork.

    Admission: $5.00 (5 years and under - free)

    Hot Food Items: $2.00 - $5.00

    Tickets available at the door.

    Online tickets are now closed.

     

    See you there!

     

     

  • Alliston Potato Festival Parade Fri. Aug. 8, 2014

    fwf-copyright-logo-150Food & Water First will have a float in the Parade!

    Parade Date: Friday, August 8, 2014

    Parade Starting Time: 7:00 P.M.

    Location: Alliston (parade starting from Banting Memorial High School and proceeding along Victoria Street)

    More details about the Parade and the Festival.

    We hope to see you there!

  • Jim Cuddy & Friends - August 16, 2013

    Conserve Our Rural Environment (CORE)

    Presents:

    Concert at Lyric Pond

    When: Friday August 16, 2013

    cuddy-8-16.13

    Click on image for full details and enlarged image.

    Join Jim Cuddy and Friends

    • Special Guest Star Jesse Cook, accompanied by Nicolas Hernandez

    Performances by:

    • Basil Donavan
    • Joel Anderson
    • Anne Lindsay
    • Colin Cripps
    • Wayne Petti
    • Devin Cuddy
    • Tim Magwood

    Fabulous Buffet Friday August 16 begins at 6 PM
    Tickets
    Ages 5 – 10    $25.00
    Ages 11-20    $75.00
    Ages 21 and over   $200.00

    Reserve by email: norm@informationpackaging.ca

    Make cheques payable to CORE and mail to:
    Norm MacEachern
    One Banigan Drive
    Toronto, ON M4H 1G3

    Hosts:
    Melody & Bill Duron
    Honeywood

    A map will be included with your tickets.

    www.corecares.ca

  • Shelburne Fiddle Festival Parade - Sat. August 10, 2013

    We will have a float in the Fiddle Festival Parade!

    fiddle-logoDate of parade: Saturday August 10, 2013

    Parade starts at: 1:00 PM

    Parade Map:click here

     

    For more information about the Fiddle Festival, please go to: http://shelburnefiddlecontest.com/

  • Paddle the Grand to Stop the Mega Quarry - Aug.12, 2012

    banner-660-4

    Paddle the Grand River along Kaufman’s Flats
    to Freeport in Kitchener, Ontario, a 20 km 4 hour scenic route suitable for all skill levels.

    Join us as we highlight the value of Ontario’s fresh water and support the
    campaign to Stop the Mega Quarry! A portion of the proceeds will go to NDACT.

     

    Date: Sunday, August 12, 2012

    Optional Launch Times: 9 AM, 10 AM, 11 AM & 12 Noon

    Length & Difficulty: 4 hours, 20 Km, fit for all skill levels

    Meeting Spot: Canoeing the Grand Headquarters, (at the Freeport Bridge) 3734 King St. East, Kitchener, ON N2P 2G5

     From the meeting point a shuttle will take you to the launch site, where you will canoe with the current back to headquarters.

    Register here to participate: www.canoeingthegrand.com/groupexpeditionStopTheQuarry.htm

     

    You must register to participate in this event. Register by or before event day; participants will not be accepted on date of event if they have not registered online. Please only register if you fully intend to participate in this event. There is a limit of 50 canoes and 20 kayaks, so register soon!

    Expedition Costs:

    $60.00 per Canoe (maximum 2 people)

    $50.00 per Kayak (maximum 1 person)

     

    Expedition Costs include:

    • the boat
    • paddles
    • PFDs (personal flotation devices)
    • shuttle service to the launch site

    Payment is due at check-in on trip day.


    Other Details:

    • pets & snacks allowed
    • absolutely no alcohol
    • expedition will proceed rain or shine
    • bring your cameras or video recorders and make sure to catch your family & friends on film!

    Send a selection of your best pictures to paddletostopthequarry@gmail.com and your photos/videos will be in the event promotion video which will be put together at the end of the summer!

     

    Questions?

    Please direct any of your questions or concerns regarding this event to Sophia Sanniti at srsanniti@gmail.com

     

     

  • Tractor convoy in Melancthon

    "The Council of Canadians" have posted this story on Brent Patterson's Blog

    August 29, 2011  by Melissa Dick

    http://canadians.org/blog/?p=10166#

  • NDACT Press Release August 26, 2011

    August 26, 2011: For immediate release

     Citizens, Environmental Groups and First Nations call for Federal/Provincial Review of Melancthon mega-quarry

    Petitions calling for environmental assessments to be presented to Governments of Ontario and Canada

  • Copper Kettlefest - Sat. August 27, 2011

    Festival in Creemore

    Time: 12:00 noon - 5 PM

    NDACT will have an information booth at this event

  • Join the Tractor Tour - Sun. August 28, 2011

    tractor-event-thumbnailHistory Professor, John Varty wants to draw attention to how food is produced and the struggles faced by farmers. Welcome him to Dufferin County, as he travels from P.E.I. through the Maritimes, Quebec and Ontario.

    “My goal is to put farmers on camera and give them a sustainable voice,” said Varty, who adds that there are a number of documentaries being released right now about food, but they don’t go into much detail about the role of farmers and farming.

    Join the convoy to "Stop the Mega Quarry."

     

  • Shelburne Fall Fair - September 16, 17 & 18, 2011

    NDACT will have an information booth at the fair

    This link will give more details about the fair: http://www.shelburnefair.com/Home.html

  • Toronto People's Assembly on Climate Justice - Sat. August 27, 2011

    This is a fun and family friendly event in which the community will gather and be engaged in interactive and creative activities and mini workshops.

    Chris Cosack will have an NDACT information booth at this event to help inform the public about the Mega Quarry proposal.