Sudbury Summer 2010

Capreol Days

2010-08-04T09:34:00.000-07:00

This past weekend the quite little town of Capreol just on the outskirts of Greater Sudbury held its Capreol Days celebration. I was there to witness the event and I have a few things to say about Capreol.

Capreol is the type of place that just invites you in and asks you to stay just a little longer. Downtown Capreol is small but it takes you back. Just fifteen minutes from downtown is Capreol Lake, which you can reach by driving down Capreol Lake Road.

It is here at Capreol Lake where many people set up their Campers to enjoy the music and maybe something from the barbeque that also took place here. Capreol Lake is the perfect place to hold such an event for the beautiful view of the lake and the nature surrounding it.

Although Capreol Days is over for this year, you can visit the official website to get ready for next year.

Sudbury Dragonboat Races July 2010

2010-07-21T08:01:00.001-07:00

This past weekend the tenth annual dragon boat festival was held at Bell Park. I was there to watch the dragon boats race down Ramsey Lake. There was plenty to see and do. Many local vendors and stores from around Sudbury had booths set up selling a variety of differant treats.

Above Left: Dragon Boats Racing on Ramsy Lake, Right: The Scene on the Shore

There was plenty of room on the shores of Ramsey Lake for everyone to find a spot on the beach or in the shade on the grass. The races started at about 9 in the morning and went on all day Saturday.

Canada Day at Science North

2010-07-11T05:04:00.000-07:00

This Canada day in Sudbury there was a lot going on at Science North. Aside from the usual attractions available all year round there were special performances by the Ariel Angels and Pony Rides among others.

In Picture: Ariel Angel who goes by the name Squirt.

The Ariel Angels are a group of acrobatics who performed outside of Science North. They did a number of stunts including fire breathing and "feats of grace and skill" in the air.

For more information you can visit the Science North website or the Ariel Angels website.

The Northern Ontario Railroad Museum

2010-06-23T07:06:00.000-07:00

One of Sudbury’s popular attractions is the Northern Ontario railroad Museum & Heritage Centre. It is located on 26 Bloor Street in Capreol and earlier this week I had a chance to drive down there and check it out.

The first thing you might notice is the large Mountain type 6077 steam engine on display just outside the main building along with numerous other cars showing off historical displays. One of the newest displays includes a collection of human powered railroad cars (otherwise known as handcars). Bellow you can see an example of one of these devices.

Example of a Handcar

Inside the building there are two floors with railroad exhibits as well as a room devoted to war brides. Almost as soon as you enter however you can see the tea room. The Museum serves tea or coffee as well as sweets. During my visit I had a cup of tea which cost only one dollar. The tea room is decorated with old pictures of cars and trains and sets a relaxing atmosphere.

The Tea Room

My Cup of Tea

The Northern Ontario Train Museum is a great place to take the the whole family. It has a little something for people of all ages. You can get more information by going to the official website.

Dynamic Earth

2010-05-14T12:34:00.000-07:00

Today I was at Sudbury's Dynamic Earth center which is a part of Science North. During our visit we saw the attractions in the two stories as well as the underground mine area where they have set up simulated mines from the past and present.

The following picture was taken inside the dynamic earth complex.

On the first floor is the main reception, gift shop as well as a theater, rock gallery and the MacLean Engineering Gallery. The rock gallery holds a variety of exhibits showing the different types of rocks and their unique properties. The Engineering Gallery holds new exhibits part of the new Strange Matter Exhibition. This exhibition displays the properties of a variety of alloys and metals, along with other cool hands on activities.

Bellow you can see me having loads of fun at one of the exhibits.

After seeing one of the movies in the Atlas Copco Theater we headed down to the second floor where even more fun things awaited. On the second floor is the Mining Control Center, a children’s playground, a gold sifting exhibit and the Miners Dry.

In the Miners Dry we watched a video explaining the typical day of a miner. After this we descended the large elevator where we watched a show projected outside the windows. Once at the bottom we were taken through the mine tunnels and shown how mines have operated from past to present.

Once the tour was over we were taken out to the main flour in the gift shop. In this gift show is a variety of items available such as ore samples, statues, science kits, and toys.

If you would like more information you can visit the Dynamic Earth website here

Below are some more pictures taken at Dynamic Earth.

Science North

2010-05-13T12:50:00.000-07:00

This week I visited Science North with the rest of the summer students of Sudbury Tourism. We visited three main events as well as exploring the rest of what Science North had to offer. We went to a 3D IMAX, saw a show in the Planetarium and the new Dinosaur Exhibit. Bellow is a picture of the Dinosaur Exhibit.

Here is a Picture of the three girls with the anamatronic dinosaurs behind.

The IMAX in 3D was another fun experience we tried out. The 3D glasses are large enough to fit over any prescription eye glasses and I was able to watch the entire movie with my own glasses on. I would personally recommend that anyone having to wear glasses put on contact lenses if available. The movie itself was very informative and appropriate for all ages. During our showing there were a few young children who sat through the entire movie without being upset by the large dinosaurs.

Finally we also visited the F. Jean MacLeod Butterfly Gallery on the second floor. The Gallery is full of hundreds of colorful butterflies and a variety of tropical plants. They were flying everywhere when we went in. It was not hard to find them on plants either and part of the fun was trying to pick them up on your hand without them flying away.

If you are interested in going to the Science Center you can view their main page here.

Lectures and Landscapes

2010-05-11T12:53:00.000-07:00

Last week I attended a conference at Laurentian University entitled Lectures and Landscapes: Diversity in Northern Higher Education. At this meeting we listened to many speakers ranging from local professors and students to visiting dignitaries from other institutions. The featured speaker was Dr. Kathryn Church from Ryerson University. The event was organized The Lougheed Teaching and Learning Centre of Excellence at Huntington University (Huntington being one of the three groups consisting of Laurentian University).
The main focus of the speeches was the differences in environment between teaching in the north compared with the south. Heather Wilson, one of the speakers, emphasized the fact that the north is still trying to define itself and that northern literature should be sued as a tool to develop this identity.
An important program called “Pathways for Student Success” was also brought to light. This program is meant to reach out to troubled students and offer them help to be successful in their post secondary education. This goal will be achieved through career counseling, stress management and other techniques delivered through one on one interaction with their professor and/or personal counselor.
Another speaker by the name of Ferris Kennedy who studied at Huntington explained the differences in landscapes between a northern city such as Sudbury and the large cities of the south. Mostly Sudbury offers a much more relaxed atmosphere because you are for the most part closer to nature. In Sudbury a drive to your camp or a camp site is often not more then two hours away. She also touched on the small class sizes and how students are better able to get to their professors on a first name basis.
For more information about Huntington University or on the Lougheed teaching and Learning Center follow this link.

The Governor General’s Visit to Sudbury

2010-05-06T12:26:00.000-07:00

On May 5th the Governor General, The Honourable Michaelle Jean, began her tour of Sudbury at Tom Davies Square.

Just after 9:30 in the morning the Governor General's motor motorcade arrived shortly after a unmarked police car drove by signalling everyone that she was not far behind. In the background music from the Silver Birch string quarter could be heard although they stopped once Michealle Jean arrived. It was strange how when she first walked through the doors and up the red carpet there wasn’t a sound to be heard in the room.

My task was to record video of the Govenor General's visit. During her short visit to Tom Davies Square she was greeted with a performance of Canada's national anthem by a local childrens choir. She later signed the cities guestbook before attending a private meeting with the Mayor and other city officials.

During the afternoon we were lucky enough to attend her visit to Laurentian Universities Great Hall where she unveiled the school's new Coat of Arms. Jean was lead in by the Laurentian Pipe Band. Music was provided by members of the a student jazz band named Triotone. Band members Mattew Yzereef, Matt Devost and Tyler Farquharson can be seen playing in the picture below.

Jean commended Laurentian on its emphasis on bilingual education and aboriginal studies in her address. This event was attended by Laurentian faculty and most notably the president of Laurentian University, Dominic Giroux.

Being a student at Laurentian I can say that it was a privilege having the Governor General unveil our new coat of arms. This is also the first time a Governor General has visited Laurentian University since its inception fifty years ago. Jean will finish her visit May 5th after a long day of attending events held around the city.

Laurentian University Coat of Arms

Introduction to Kevin Morris@Sudbury Tourism

2010-05-04T11:28:00.000-07:00

Hello World,

My name is Kevin Morris and my job this summer is to represent Sudbury's many attractions and events. I grew up in Sudbury and am now taking an undergrad degree in communication at Laurentian University.

My all time favourite movies include Gladiator, Braveheart and The Patriot. I like them primarily for the epic scope of the stories and grand adventure they take you on. Television shows I am following currently include The Mentalist and Leverage for much the same reasons as well as the many interesting characters.

This summer I hope to be a capable guide to all who have interest in visiting Sudbury as well as informing current citizens what is going on in your own backyard. I know this summer is going to be the best yet.

This is only my second day on the job so make sure you follow me and SudburyTourism for all the important info about events happening in and around Sudbury this summer.