Did You Know... About Kitchener?

Q: What Canadian, named after his revolutionary grandfather, was born in Berlin, Ontario (which was renamed Kitchener in 1916 during WWI) and became one of Canada's youngest MP's?
A: William Lyon Mackenzie King

Q: What is the oldest church building in Kitchener?
A: St Paul's Evangelical Church on Queen Street. The first service was held in 1889.

Q: Why does the City of Kitchener's logo feature a clock tower?
A: The clock tower and its bell stood atop Kitchener's City Hall from 1924 - 1974. It provided a visual reminder of the City's strength during WWI and WWII. In 1995, it was re-erected in Victoria Park, and has become a favourite gathering place during park events.

Did You Know... About St. Catharines?

The St. Catharines Farmers' Market is one of the oldest markets in Ontario, used by local farmers since the early 1800's.

St. Catharines was the final terminus on the Underground Railroad for hundreds of slaves in the 1820's. The Underground Railroad and Niagara's Freedom Trail was a network of people who hid and guided black slaves as they fled the U.S. and headed north to Canada.

In 1824, William Hamilton Merritt, a prominent businessman formed the Welland Canal Company. He devised a canal link to Lake Erie and Lake Ontario for trade. This was the first of four canals built between 1829 and 1932.

Did You Know... About Stratford?

Where can you go? ... to enjoy over 1,000 acres of parkland within a small city with only 30,000 people? ... to shop and walk in a designated heritage district? ... where the elementary schools and various streets are named after Shakespearean characters???

Stratford, of course! In January we invite you to explore this famous community as we celebrate Winterfest. Stratford comes alive in the snow. Enjoy many activities around a Medieval Winter Wonderland theme from January 21- 30. Build ice castles and skate under the open sky. Sample the best soups at Soup's On January 22. Take in a live performance by Barrage, at the Festival Theatre on January 22. It's all here in Stratford!

Did You Know... About the Stratford Festival?

Q: How many costume pieces are stored in the Stratford Festival's Costume Warehouse?
A: More than 50,000.

Q: How many spools of thread are used each year by the wardrobe department?
A: More than 3,500.

Q: How much rope and cable was used to erect the theatre tent that housed the Festival's first productions in 1953?
A: 10 miles.

Q: How many pencils are worn to stubs by actors in rehearsal each season?
A: More than 1,800.

Q: How much coffee is consumed daily in the Festival Theatre's "green room?"
A: 25 gallons.

Did You Know... About the Burlington Art Centre?

Q: The Burlington Art Centre is the ___ largest gallery in Ontario? 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th, 9th?
A: It is the 7th largest gallery.

Q: Besides two Galleries, the AIC Gallery and F. Robert Perry Gallery, there are now how many studios? 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10?
A: With the expansion in 2001, there are now 9 studios for classes and guilds.

Q: What does the Burlington Art Centre collect? Paintings, Ceramics, Photography, or Fibre Art?
A: The BAC has over 2,000 works of art in the Permanent Collection of Ceramic Art.

Q: Who created the orange sculpture that is outside the Burlington Art Centre?
A: Situated on Lakeshore Road, opposite Spencer Smith Park, the BAC is a hub of creativity and inspiration and Haydn Davies' sculpture marks the way.

Did You Know... About Simcoe?

Q: What is the oldest running Christmas Lights Festival in Ontario?
A: Simcoe Christmas Panorama! This past year's event was our 46th year in operation.

Q: Which two local athletes have recently brought the "The Cup" home to Simcoe?
A: Rob Blake won the Stanley Cup with the Colorado Avalanche in 2000/2001 and Jassen Cullimore won the Stanley Cup last year with the Tampa Bay Lightning. Lets hope someone gets to bring it home next year!

Travelodge Simcoe offers great pricing through January and February. Bring the family and relax in our heated indoor pool, sauna, steam room, and hot tub. We also have suites available that offer use of a VCR and a library of kid's movies at no charge. We hope to see you soon.

Did You Know... About Chatham-Kent?

Q: Chatham-Kent is known as the Classic Car Capitol of North America because of what local company?
A: RM Classic Cars.

Q: What Chatham-Kent restaurant was one of 68 from around the globe who recently won a prestigious "Wine Spectator Magazine" award?
A: Stargazers on the Thames.

Q: Who is the award-winning country music star who was born and raised in Chatham-Kent?
A: Michelle Wright.

Q: What Chatham hotel features Ontario's largest indoor amusement park, with rides and attractions for hours of family fun & adventure?
A: The Wheels Inn.

Q: Chatham-Kent is home to three sites of the African Canadian Heritage Tour. What are they?
A: Buxton Museum & National Historic Site, Uncle Tom's Cabin & the Heritage Room at the Wish Centre (John Brown Depot).

Q: What 2002 Canadian Ice-Dance Champion was born and raised in Chatham?
A: Shae-Lynn Bourne.

Did You Know... About Rochester Place?

Many suffer with cabin fever during the cold days of January.

But did you know that activities abound in our local community, skating indoors or outdoors on our numerous rivers, hockey games at the local arenas, wedding shows for newly engaged, concerts and theatrical performances for all ages, ice fishing and snowmobiling.

Enjoy our Sunday Brunch before a day on the river or stop for our Prime Rib of Beef Buffet before a night at the theatre. Did you know that RP's restaurant at Rochester Place Resort, just east of Windsor, is open Wednesday to Sunday for your dining convenience during the cold days of January? Make us a part of your winter plans.