Tasty Burlington

One of the benefits of working at Tourism Burlington is that we are in the know about things such as the wonderful fixed price dining program – A Taste of Burlington. Since we coordinate this program with the restaurants we try to get out and try some of the fare as secret shoppers, a tough job but someone’s gotta do it!

This week several of us have had a chance to try some the Taste menus and wanted to share some of these culinary experiences.

Earlier this week myself and a colleague tested out the lunch menu at Red Canoe Bistro at 398 John St. (just north of Lakeshore). Red Canoe features modern Canadian cuisine that includes regional ingredients. We have attended several functions here in the past and the food has always been fabulous! Tobias the owner/chef greeted us when we arrived and indicated that the weekends have been a busy time for the Taste program. We settled into a great table overlooking the street and studied the menu for some time before deciding on our choices. We both opted for the Shaved Market Vegetable Slaw with Niagara Vineyards Vinaigrette,Toasted Walnuts and Frutis　which was the local food option. We received ample portions and the slaw was crisp, and had a refreshing bite. My colleague chose the vegetarian option the Smoked Gouda, Mushrooms and Spinach Quiche with house made Pastry with tossed field greens and she said it was very good. I enjoyed the Pulled locally raised Pork Pasta Penne which was also local food option, with Spiced Tomato Sauce, Roast Sweet Peppers. Again it was a fairly large portion and I savoured every bite of the melt in your mouth pasta and pork with a nicely spiced sauce. After the first two courses we couldn’t do justice to the dessert so we took it to go and I treated myself later to the Citrus Gateaux with mascerated local berries – heavenly!

Last night I joined a friend at Nonna’s Cucina Ristorante which is located at 127 Plains Rd. E. west of Waterdown Rd. This home style Italian cookery is connected to Bernadino’s Gourmet Foods and is owned by husband and wife team Jose and Elena Geada. When we arrived it was fairly quiet but by the time we left there was hardly a seat left in the place. The décor was very pleasant with large family photos taken in their trips to Europe giving the space a warm, personalized touch. After reviewing the taste menu we both decided on the Caesar salad, Veal Picata with sautéed onions, capers, and lemon sauce with a side of penne in pomodoro. The salad was crisp with a slice of Italian style bacon and freshly grated parmesan and came with fresh bread and olive oil for dipping. The penne was light with a tasty tomato sauce and the vela was tender with slivers of lemon zest and capers in a light sauce. Our dessert was a melt in your mouth custard tart dusted with icing sugar. It was a very enjoyable meal with great company, atmosphere and food, we will be back again!

Our summer travel counselors have also managed to swing by a few restaurants for the "Taste" program, and have a few experiences of their own to share.

On Thursday, Kat and Linda C. took a well deserved break from coordinating the Taste of Burlington to actually try it out, and Kat had only good things to say about Honey West:

My meal began with the lobster bisque that was creamy and rich with plenty of chunks of lobster accompanied by that tried and true appetizer classic, garlic bread. The chicken apple brie panini with romaine lettuce and garlic aioli was my mouth-watering second course and the side of fries were a special treat - hot and lightly salted with sea salt and topped with parmesan. Finally, I was treated to a fantastic cheesecake for dessert with a hint of lemon that did not overpower, simply delicious. Linda had the peanut butter crème brulee and raved that it was not only decadent but the peanut was not overpowering but an unexpected flavor treat. The server was great and was attentive without being overbearing and all the courses came out promptly which is great if you are "on lunch". The meal was delicious, however, as an employee of Tourism BurIington, I feel obligated to offer you one warning. If you’re dining at Honey West, make sure you come on an empty stomach! You will be getting your money’s worth of food, and then some! There’s a very good chance you’ll have some delicious leftovers!

Alright, change of pace. Natalie here reporting on a trip to one of Burlington’s newest restaurants, the Alex, located on the south end of Brant Street. When my handsome gentleman friend and I arrived, we were told they were lucky to have a table without a reservation. And believe me, there’s a reason why this little place is getting so busy. From the Taste of Burlington menu, we shared the duck confit appetizer, the butter roast black cod with spiced tomato and lobster orzo entrée, and finished our meal with a tangy and delicious summer berry cobbler with lemon curb brulee. Sounds good right? Like really good? I promise you this meal was even better than it sounds. Not to mention that, in addition to the "Taste" meal, we also ordered the duo of bacon. This dish consisted of bacon-wrapped duck fat fries, and (brace yourselves) bacon wrapped bacon. Bacon. Wrapped. Bacon. Nuff said. I highly recommend the Alex. Try it out, but make sure you call for reservations!

There is still time to enjoy A Taste of Burlington as it is on until Civic Holiday Monday August 1^st. Visit the website to check out the 21 restaurants participating this summer and their great menus. Diners who order from the Taste menu at each location receive a ballot to enter into a draw for a gift basket filled with gift certificates from some of the participating restaurants. Bon Appetite!

A wonderful weekend awaits us….

It’s another holiday weekend here in Ontario and with the recent rain everything is looking green and bright and the sun is predicted to shine through Monday.  Visitors of all ages are sure to find something to do here in beautiful Burlington this weekend.

The Taste of Burlington prix fixe dining programme runs until Monday and offers diners the opportunity to savour a bite of everything and discover the many eateries located in beautiful Burlington.  21 restaurants across Burlington are offering 3 course lunch and dinner menus at a set price.  13 of these restaurants have also committed to offering a minimum of one entrée sourced entirely from local Ontario ingredients.  Visit the website for participating restaurants, menus and pricing.

For children of all ages who believe… Magic and Mischief: An Enchanted Garden Weekend is a great reason to visit the Royal Botanical Gardens.  If you are a gnome, fairy, pixie or sprite you will want to visit the gardens this weekend. A touch of magic awaits you —signs of mystical creatures, secret leaf messages and face painting by the magic Painting Fairy. Come dressed in costume for discounts and more. 

At Mountsberg Conservation area you can enjoy Summer Days in the Country: Bring a picnic and spend the day enjoying the perfect outing for the whole family!  From the Birds of Prey to the Cameron Farm Yard and Play Barn to Mountsberg's beautiful hiking, biking and fishing resources there is something for everyone.  Facilities are open from 10am until 4pm.

Season of the Three Sisters offers visitors to a chance to join the staff at Crawford Lake at the reconstructed 15th century Iroquoian Village and Learning Centre Longhouse.   Enjoy the beauty of Crawford Lake as their knowledgeable guides share the natural history of the area (2pm). Learn something new as you experience traditional fire starting in the Wolf Clan longhouse (11am, 1pm, and 3pm).  Try your hand at First Nations games and explore your creative side with crafts for kids.  As an added bonus, Crawford Lake also offers Explorer Packs free for families to borrow.  These packs contain all the fun equipment needed to explore the natural world, inquire in the gift shop to get yours.  Get active with Discovery Hunts: Explore the park and win a prize!    All activites run from 10am to 4pm daily unless otherwise noted.

Join us from 10am to 5pm at the Joseph Brant Day Festival at LaSalle Park.  Holiday Monday August 1^st is a full day of fun for the entire family as we celebrate history and one of Burlington’s original settlers and national figures: Joseph Brant Thayendanegea.  This festival features live entertainment and performers; special appearances, programs and demonstrations; interactive activities and games; artisans, crafters and other attractions. 

If you are a sports fan this weekend features some great action.

 Burlington is host to the Canadian National Oldtimers Baseball Championships, featuring 35 teams from 8 provinces all vying for the national title in three age groups (35+, 44+, 50+). Burlington has a long history competing in this event and is the only city to have taken home the national title in two categories in the same year (2007). The level of play is outstanding and the competition fierce.

Burlington’s hometown inter-county baseball team, the Burlington Twins, continue their playoff schedule against the Toronto Maple Leaf Baseball Club , hosted at Nelson Park

Stay tuned for more events coming in August to Burlington including Ghost Walks at Spruce Lane Farm @ Bronte Creek Provincial Park, The Children’s Day Festival Weekend at Spencer Smith Park, Family Outdoor Movie Nights at Kelso Conservation Area, Lakeside a la Carte, the 2011 Rotary Mobility Cup and more!

Ban Summer Boredom with Burlington’s Adventure Activities for Locals and Visitors of All Ages.

Get Out in the Green and Enjoy the History and Heritage of your Backyard Treasures.

The Royal Botanical Gardens

Summer Sings and Swings at the Royal Botanical Gardens

It’s always beautiful at the RBG, but right now it is irresistible – with cool shady walks and gardens full of flowers at their summer best.

Learn to Love your Veggies in the 100 Mile Garden

Photo credit Barbara Orr

The Veggie Garden is an exciting addition to the RBG and promotes something which I support wholeheartedly – eating fresh, eating local and eating well.

These gardens, each one carefully designed and well signed, are both inspirational and beautiful – who knew that a salad could look so gorgeous? Visitors can read about the different kinds of vegetables and herbs that are growing here in a collection of themed gardens, as well as find recipes for using them.  But more than just something to look at and maybe try to duplicate, the gardens are positioned as a call to action. Visitors are asked to take the 100 Mile Veg Pledge which is a promise to use one locally grown ingredient in one meal per week for a year.  If 2000 people take and honour the pledge, 80,000 tonnes of CO 2 emissions due to transportation will be saved – the equivalent of burning 3.3 million litres of gasoline.  And of course, there are health benefits too.

But this is a beautiful place to visit too, nice and shady in the morning, and totally inspirational.  There are many suggestions for the gardener, ideas to steal for his own space, however small it may be.  There are suggestions of how to use planters and pots to grow vegetables and herb, with examples of different designs and different containers.  This is one of my new favourite places in the RBG.

Cook Those Greens!

If you are a foodie or a budding chef, plan to attend the Edible Weekend for classes in pesto making and herb drying in the garden on Saturday and Sunday afternoons.

Hit the Trails for August and July

There are more than 27 kilometres of walking trails, and a total of 30 different trails in the RBG and they are the prefect place for a hike in the summer months.  This is the time when new birds are merging from their nests, and wildflowers bloom alongside every path.

If you prefer a guided walk, try one of the free weekly Sunday Back to Nature walks that rotate between four locations, one for each week of the month, and conducted by RBG volunteers.

Garden Gnomes and Fairies

Indulge in a little wistful magic during the RBG’s Magic and Mischief weekend, which will include magical activities, costumes and more.  There may be pixies!

Summer Swings in the Gardens

Music and beautiful gardens make a natural partnership.  The RBG has a line-p of evenings running all summer that celebrate the marriage of natural beauty and gorgeous sound.

Hendrie Garden

Tranquil Tuesdays run every week from 6:00 pm to 8:30 and are the chance to enjoy classical music under a big white tent.  Or sit on the grass and sip a glass of wine and nibbles on appetizers while you listen.  You can stroll through the gardens with the discrete strains of the great composers as company.

Red Hot Jazz and Cool Blues moves the gardens into a more upbeat mood on Wednesday evenings during the summer, showcasing fine jazz and blues musicians, and they play rain or shine.

For the Kiddies

Day camp programs for kids 3 to 12 feature hikes, canoeing in Cootes Paradise, games, crafts, activities and daily explorations of ecologically significant nature sanctuaries covering over 1000 hectares of wetlands, fields and forests.  The programs include a new half day program for three and four year olds.  Day campers can make art in the garden, learn about the creatures that make their home in the park, create projects, discover nature, plant seeds, and generally discover the wonder of the outdoors.

So much more rewarding than a television screen or a computer monitor!

There’s almost too much to do, but one thing is sure – with the delights of the RBG right next door to you, you will never exhaust all the possibilities for natural fun this summer.

Check it all out at http://www.rbg.ca/

Halton County Radial Railway Museum

(Fun Fact:  The Bare Naked Ladies filmed a video here!)

Photo credit Barbara Orr

Oswald beams at me.  “Look carefully at the number on my badge, #147,” he smiles.  “When you get to the end of the ride at Meadowvale Station, notice the number on the badge of the person you meet there.”

That person is the Ice Cream Lady and she’s #147 too.  Turns out, she’s Mrs. Oswald.  Kind of romantic, isn’t it?

Oswald is a volunteer at the amazing and quirky Radial Railway Museum.  He and many others like him who have a passion for all things train related form the backbone of the museum and run its daily programs.

What a fun place this is!  I have no special interest in trains and I’m not the least bit mechanically inclined but this museum is just so compelling.  It is different from any other museum you will tour in Ontario.

There’s much to do, from riding the restored antique trains along the two kilometres of track, with a stop at the Meadowvale station for ice cream, to enjoying a picnic by the old rail station.  The station at the start of the run is a microcosm of a past era, with old typewriters, train memorabilia and a still operable telegraph.

There’s a large display barn where you can look at the many types of old trains that the museum has rescued and either restored or are in the process of restoring. The trains are surprisingly beautiful, far more aesthetically pleasing and ornate than the trains of today.  Many of them are open and you can walk through them and imagine what travel must have been like a hundred years or so ago.

There’s a gift shop and a snack bar for light lunches.

I ride to Meadowvale with Kevin.  He is an teaches at the TTC and volunteers at the museum on his days off. “I just love the history here,”  he tells me. “ I meet so many train aficionados like myself, and some of the older ones have actually ridden these cars when they were in service.  Their stories are wonderful to listen to. You would be surprised at the people who seek out this museum.  Just yesterday there was someone from Australia and another person from Europe.  Even our volunteers come a distance – from Kingston, even Michigan.”

The museum is open seven days a week during July and August, from 10:30 to 4:30.  For more information, call the museum at 519-856-9802.

Plan a visit here for a unique experience and great photo opportunities.

The Waterfront Trail Leisure Company

Stop in to this friendly bistro for a good cup of coffee, a gluten free muffin and few laps on the indoor bike.  Steve Whealy will be there, and if he doesn’t make you into a cycling enthusiast, I’ll be surprised.  His passion is contagious.

The WTLC has been in business here since last April, and its following just keeps growing, I think because it offers a valuable service to cyclists and tourists as well as providing a good meal for diners.

Bikes and Tours

The business offers a whole cluster of services.  Steve rents bikes, but not just bikes, - everything you could possibly need to go on a cycling excursion, from helmets and backpacks to tents, coolers and even prepared picnic lunches.

Photo credit Barbara Orr

He also creates tours for cyclers, custom designing them to suit each customer.  He knows the cycling details of the area inside and out and can advise on the best routes, the location of desirable stopping areas, the most cycling friendly inns and B&Bs – in short all you need to know for a bike trip in Niagara, Hamilton and Burlington.

He also rents tandem bikes and child ride attachments. 

Steve provides guided rides as well, and finds that the tour of Old Burlington is one of the most popular.  “I think that Burlington is the premier bike riding city in Ontario.”

The Indoor Cycling Room

For those who feel the need to do some cycling but are short of time or don’t want to brave the elements, there’s the indoor riding room.  Here you can take a relaxing – or challenging - ride, while scenes of Hawaii or the Grand Canyon make you feel as if you have just had a full blown cycling holiday.

Bistro Fare

The bistro provides locally sourced healthy food, with many of the dishes being gluten free. “I want this to be an inviting and welcoming place for people to gather and to dine,” Steve tells me. “Customers can sit out on the little patio for coffee or dine in, but I am most interested in providing good value and good service.”

And, for your added pleasure, there’s a small gallery of original art and photography that is available for purchase.

There’s something to please just about anybody here, and if you have a cycling trip in mind, this is the company, and the man, you must visit.

The shop/bistro/cycle centre is open seven days a week, from 8 am to 7 pm (although the closing times vary according to what is happening in town.  If things are busy and people want food and coffee or need to return a bike, he will stay open later.)

For additional information, check out the website, http://www.waterfronttrail.ca/.

The Waterfront Trail Leisure Company is located in Village Square at 2049 Pine Street between Pearl and Elizabeth.

Tel: 905/633-9852.

© Barbara Ramsay Orr, Guest Blogger

Barbara Ramsay Orr is a freelance journalist, author of the Frommer's Guide to the Niagara Region, third edition (2010), Day Trips from Toronto for Globe Pequot and a lifetime resident of Ontario. Her work has appeared in many national and international publications, including Chatelaine, Canadian Living, The Globe and mail and Readers Digest. She is the Local Expert on Niagara Falls, Niagara-on-the-Lake and Wine Country for Nile Guides, and is launching a travel app for Niagara Falls and on International Wine and Food Festivals. She has been the food writer for Hamilton Magazine for more years than she wishes to admit. You can follow heradventures, tune in to her tweets @Orracle, or visit her Niagara Falls andNiagara-on-the-Lake Blogs. 

No Excuse for Boredom in Burlington This Summer

When the kids complain, - “I’m bored!  I have nothing to do!” – don’t despair. Local parents can find a wealth of entertaining activities immediately at hand that will be an antidote for those summertime boredom blues.

How about a visit to an authentic native longhouse or a swimming excursion to one of the largest outdoor pools in Canada?  You can visit a farm that has live pheasants and baby piglets or plant veggies in a children’s vegetable garden -  just some of the delights that are right in our back yard. 

And there is engaging summer fun for grown-ups, too.

There’s no excuse for a dull moment in Burlington this summer, as the local attractions serve up some of the best anti-boredom remedies for those the sunny - or rainy - days of July and August.

Bronte Creek Provincial Park

Take the Plunge!

Swimming at Bronte Creek

Consider a visit to Bronte Creek, to get up close with nature and cool off in the giant pool.  It stretches over 1.8 acres and there are grassy knolls around the pool that are ideal for sunbathing.  The whole perimeter section of the pool is shallow enough for the little ones to play safely, and for those who may not be confident in the water or who are not good swimmers, the park can supply, for a refundable fee, properly fitted personal flotation devices for anyone in the family.
Bring a picnic lunch, even a barbeque, and spend the day here.  There are excellent washroom and change room facilities as well as a snack bar for ice cream and cold drinks.

Talk to the Animals

Bunnies by Barbara Orr

On cooler days, or when the kids are tired of swimming and need a break, take them on a visit to the farm!  They’ll enjoy fun and farm life in Bronte Creek’s play barn.  Inside the shady barn, climbing activities, slides and jumps keep kids busy, while outside, they can get pretty close to many live farm animals, including a pheasant in full display, or a slightly scary rooster.  They are cows and goats and pigs and ducks as well as adorable rabbits.  When I took little three year old Lucy to the farm, she was fascinated with the bunnies and the little baby ducklings.  The swings and playground areas were a hit too.

Learn about the Birds and the Bees in the Nature Centre

Bees by Barbara Orr

When the sun gets too hot, duck into the Nature Centre for some hands-on interaction. A recreation of the landscape of Bronte Creek at night keeps Lucy’s attention – each different button she pushes lights up a different nocturnal animal – a fox just emerging from his burrow or an impressive looking owl on a tree branch.

There are turtles, and there are bees – with the complete story of how the hives work and how honey is made.  In another room, children can dress up in a skunk or bird costume in front of the mirror.  

Special Nature Programs for Young Explorers
Bronte Creek's Natural Heritage Education team has created some innovative programs this summer that will delight young nature lovers.  Every day sees something exciting to do. The Nature Centre is open daily, and many of the organized activities start and end here. There are walks and talks that explore the curious life of squirrels - What do they eat? Where do they sleep?  And where do they disappear in the winter?  All the questions are answered in this activity.
At 1 pm on Mondays, there is pond study, where young explorers grab nets and inspect the little creatures in the park's ponds.
Even the wee ones have fun. On Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10 am, there's a 'Tykes’ Hike' for kids five and under, to explore the world of trees, or to learn the difference between a toad and a frog.

Trails and Treks
Hike, bike or roller blade the trails of Bronte Creek this summer to discover the beauty of the natural landscape and enjoy the wildlife - and get some good exercise while you do it. There are four nature trails which connect to many kilometres of footpaths.
Maiden's Blush Trail is a one kilometre paved trail that passes through mature forests and is ideal for taking young children on a manageable walk.  It is also wheelchair accessible.
For a more challenging hike, try Half Moon Trial, a 2 km trail with some steep climbs.
For a guide to the trails, you can download an MP3 audio guide from the park's website.

Howl at The Moon

Even when the sun starts to get low on the horizon, there are still adventures to be had at Bronte Creek.

On warm dark summer nights, head for the park and the chill of a coyote howl. Each Tuesday evening, from eighty pm until about ten, or whenever it gets dark, there are guided walks to learn to do a coyote howl, and hear them howl back at you. Other Tuesday walks explore the life and habits of the white tailed deer that live in the park , with the chance to see them in the wild, along with foxes, owls, and hawks.

Visitors can camp in the park and enjoy nightly activities like sing-alongs, owl prowls and storytelling.

Weekend Fun Around The Campfire
Every Friday night the Campground Amphitheatre comes alive with fun. Park Naturalist Cathy will tell you everything about owls and their nefarious activities after the sun goes down.  Or there may be music from the past, Victorian songs that predate modern music but are easy to sing along with. 
 

Icy Fingers

For a cool chill, enjoy the Ghost Walks at Spruce Lane Farm every Sunday evening during August.

Check out www.BronteCreek.org for more information about special educational programs, entrance fees, hours and special events.

Crawford Lake: A Geological Gem and an Architectural Treasure

The Iroquois Village
It is a truism perhaps, but we never fully appreciate our own turf.  That was underlined for me during a recent visit to Crawford Lake.  I have known it was there, have known it was a very special place, but haven't visited since I took my Brownie pack there several years ago.  But this time, when I visited, there was a large group of tourists from China visiting the site and they were clearly enthralled.  They listened, mesmerized, to stories of native legends and native life, respectfully felt the wolf pelts and cured leathers, and smiled with pleasure as they took turns grinding corn and listened as the guides told stories around the cook fire.  It reminded me how special this authentic first nation’s village is. There are replica gardens with native plants – the three sisters, corn, beans and squash - and recreations of village life that help the visitor to understand a little of what tribal life must have been like.

This reconstructed 15^th century Iroquoian village is not a living history museum but rather an archaeological site, and that makes it a quite different experience.  There are no costumed interpreters.  Part of one longhouse is an actual archaeological dig site, and visiting children can sift through the sand in certain areas to practice their archaeology skills.
The village is a perfect day excursion for children and adults, followed by a picnic on the grounds and perhaps an afternoon walk around the lake or a hike along one of the many trials.

A  Rare Geological Oddity

photo credit Barbara Orr

The lake is refreshing and beckoning in the summer heat, and the walk around the lake, on the broad wooden boardwalk, is an education in local plant and animal life.  Crawford Lake is ecologically special.  It is a meromictic lake.  A meromictic lake has layers of water that do not intermix. The layers of sediment at the bottom lake remain relatively undisturbed because there is little physical mixing and few living organisms to stir them up, and very little oxygen or chemical decomposition. For this reason corings of the sediment at the bottom of meromictic lakes are important research tools in tracing climate history at the lake.

There are explanatory plaques all around this small but important lake that tell about the lake and the inhabitants that make their homes around it.  There is no swimming and no boating, in order to preserve its ecologically sensitive balance.  But a walk around it is a lesson in the originality of Mother Nature.  It is a quiet and calm place to walk, or to just appreciate the natural beauty.

Green and Accessible
Visitors to the park can enjoy a picnic in one of the shaded grassy areas, or a barbecue.  If you want to leave the park for lunch at one of the little restaurants in nearby Campbellville, all you have to do is show your entrance pass to get back into the park.  Your day pass to Crawford Lake also allows you same day entrance to any one of their other sister parks.  There are also snacks and cold drinks available in the gift shop.

Gift Shop by Barbara Orr

While the conservation area is not completely wheelchair accessible, it is quite good and in the process of becoming totally accessible.  There are all terrain wheelchairs available for both adults and children free of charge on a first come basis.  And in case of inclement weather, there is an indoor eating area in the Visitors Centre, as well as washroom facilities.

Visitors can enjoy a walk through the gardens where indigenous plants grow, with each garden plot displaying an explanatory plaque about the plants.

Hiking trails

There are 18 kilometres of trails which connect with the Bruce Trail.  The trails are well groomed and quiet, perfect for a serene getaway from the business of city life in the summer.

Special Events

On August 21, Crawford Lake will hold an evening event called The Spirit Sings.  There will be sundown hikes, a guest speaker and refreshments.

Notice: The Turtle Clan Longhouse at Crawford Lake Conservation Area is being re-roofed and restored from June 30, 2011 to mid – August, 2011. The longhouse will be inaccessible to park visitors during this time, but the Wolfclan Longhouse remains open.

© Barbara Ramsay Orr, Guest Blogger

Barbara Ramsay Orr is a freelance journalist, author of the Frommer's Guide to the Niagara Region, third edition (2010), Day Trips from Toronto for Globe Pequot and a lifetime resident of Ontario. Her work has appeared in many national and international publications, including Chatelaine, Canadian Living, The Globe and mail and Readers Digest. She is the Local Expert on Niagara Falls, Niagara-on-the-Lake and Wine Country for Nile Guides, and is launching a travel app for Niagara Falls and on International Wine and Food Festivals. She has been the food writer for Hamilton Magazine for more years than she wishes to admit. You can follow heradventures, tune in to her tweets @Orracle, or visit her Niagara Falls andNiagara-on-the-Lake Blogs. 

It was the summer of '86

We have been doing some clean up at Tourism Burlington and came across some “blogs” from the summer staff of 1986.  Twenty-five years ago our office didn’t have the internet, social media and computers which means our summer travel counsellors used a typewriter or *gasp* hand-wrote their work summaries (which today we call blogs!)

Here are a few highlights from what we found, hope you enjoy these as much as we did.

“The summer of 1986 proved to be eventful for Pamela B., Lisa M., and Bill B., as they began their summer job on May 5 and continued through until September 5.  The three students’ duties began with a tour of local attractions of the Burlington area to familiarize them with the area and its facilities.  The travel counsellors then began their job promoting Burlington in their second week of employ.” 

Our fun and friendly counsellors



In 2011 we now employ seven travel counsellors and next Monday we will be sending them on a Familiarization trip to learn more about what to see and do in Burlington.  Watch for an upcoming blogs on their adventures.

"The travel counsellors also had an opportunity to present Burlington at a variety of functions such as the Christie Do Festival, The Sound of Music Festival, Joseph Brant Day, and CNE Heritage Day.  These events took the travel counsellors out of the office, and gave them a great opportunity to sell the city to a large audience.”

 

This year our travel counselors are out and about again at local events and festivals.  So far we have attended The BAC Fine Art and Craft Festival, Doors Open Burlington, The Sound of Music Festival, Canada Day Festival, The Great Waterfront Trail Adventure and the Country & Blues BBQ.  Look for them at the upcoming Joseph Brant Day Festival, Sandcastle and Children’s Day Festival and Ribfest! 



Look how charming they are!

 “The V&C also afforded the opportunity to work in an office atmosphere.  There was a constant need for office skills such as telephone manners, typing expertise as well as all round office charm…Lisa on the other hand, hand produced the newsletter for the month of September.”



Today’s travel counsellors are still full of all round office charm just drop in and see!  They also are adept at e-media, texting, tweeting, posting, blogging, navigating the internet, and keeping us all in the know about the latest and greatest in pop culture and beyond.  We still produce a newsletter quarterly for our visitors and you can receive it right to your inbox by signing up online.

At the compass

“The second major event of this period was the Sound of Music Festival.  We worked outdoors answering questions from passing tourists, handing out literature about Burlington, and serving orange juice to all the parade participants.  It was quite an enjoyable weekend.”



Our travel counsellors are still a major presence at summer events and festivals  working in the information tents providing visitors with information about Burlington and more.  You’d be surprised what people ask our staff and probably more surprised to learn they usually have the answers!



A timely group



“The month of July has proven to be a boom month for tourism.  We had 3,400 visitors through the Information Centre. ..August 15, Heritage Day at the C.N.E. allowed two of the travel counsellors the opportunity to work in co-operation with some Board of Directors of the Visitor and Convention Bureau.  Grant C., Bonnie C., Jim G., and Carole N., spent the day promoting the city under less than ideal weather conditions.”

We don’t have our July visitations yet but in 2010 we greeted over 3,700 visitors and we now staff both our year round location on Locust St. as well as providing information at Discovery Landing and at festivals and events.

“The three of us also met Jane R., who is the Project Officer for Employment and Immigration Canada.  She asked the three of us specific questions about ourselves, and what are our future endevours.  She was also asking us about our jobs here at the Visitor and Convention Bureau, just to make sure things were running smoothly.  We told her not to worry because everything is perfect and we are enjoying ourselves immensely.  Of course, we cannot forget about our happy travelers as they are still lost and we are still helping them get back on their road to happiness!”



Summer 2011



At the end of the summer we hope that Elyse, Kat, Natalie, Ellen, Becky, Michelle, and Amy also had a great time here at the Visitor’s Centre.  They will definitely have lots of similar experiences to our summer staff of ’86 but with a 2011 flair.  As I finish writing this blog and giggle again about the use of white out on the typewritten pages I have just transcribed I wonder what the staff of 2036 will think of us.

Burlington: Butt Stop Edition

This past Sunday, the bikers riding in the Great Waterfront Trail Adventure took a break down at Discovery Landing for the Burlington Butt Stop. The gorgeous view of the waterfront was only complimented by the sea of spandex bike shorts seen on the promenade. These spandex clad men and women refreshed themselves with fruit, water and granola bars; sent post cards home to friends and family; received “crazy”, “wild” and “flirty” gifts; and even got their bikes tuned up by MEC bike technician Elise.

Prior to the rest stop, these athletic bikers were greeted by volunteers and Tourism Burlington staff by the ultimate noise maker… also know as the clapper. Burlington definitely did not disappoint as these clappers served as a wake up call as well a welcoming noise to Burlington.

Overall, the bikers enjoyed their butt break in Burlington and we wish them all the best in the rest of there ride along the Waterfront Trail. Can’t wait to see all of the familiar faces again next year!