Must Love the Music
Campbellford’s Westben is the dream of soprano Donna Bennett and her husband, pianist and composer Brian Finley, who wanted to share music with the community in their country barn, in an “If you build it, they will come” leap of faith. This summer, the year-round campus of music and digital programming is celebrating its 25th season. Experience the magic of Canadian and international artists performing in an acoustically incredible concert venue. This year’s eclectic line up includes blues superstar Holly Cole, Broken Social Scene’s Kevin Drew, pianist Angela Hewitt, Stephen Page, bass-baritone Gerald Finley, the New Zealand String Quartet, outdoor concerts and experimental art films.
westben.ca
Must Build A Butterfly Box
Native butterflies are not only beautiful to look at, they also pollinate fruits, vegetables and flowers, which means it’s more important than ever to support them in our green spaces and gardens.
How, exactly? Choose native plants and grasses that suit your garden, like bee balm and sweet William in early summer. Butterflies will lay eggs on their foliage, according to the Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory. These plants are generally low maintenance since they are drought tolerant and disease and pest resistant. Many common “weeds” are wildflowers that benefit pollinators like butterflies, including dandelions in the spring and goldenrod in the fall.
You can also build a simple butterfly box out of wood with narrow slits in front that mimic the bark of trees, like the DIY one from the Woodland Trust. This environmental organization says the home will provide local butterflies with shelter from bad weather and predators. Visit the link below for step-by-step instructions.
woodlandtrust.org.uk/blog/2019/07/diy-butterflyhouse
Must Camp
Sleeping under the stars makes for a great summer getaway. Think pancakes on the cookstove, eating outside (fresh air makes you hungry!), walking forest trails, seeing wildlife up close, and jumping in the lake for a swim. It’s a chance to connect with nature and appreciate a life that’s a little more rustic than your usual routine. Pack your repellent, sunscreen, flashlight, and rain gear and get out there! Local spots include private campgrounds like Cedar Cove in Carrying Place, Carleton Cove in Belleville, and Shelter Valley Park in Grafton, and the provincial park and noted bird and biodiversity area of Presqu’ile Provincial Park in Brighton.
Must See It Through
Fashion, vintage finds, delectable eats, theatre, and more – downtown Port Hope is known for its heritage storefronts and wonderful shopkeepers! Small businesses are the backbone of the economy. A major infrastructure project to replace storm, sanitary and water mains has closed the town’s main street in the heart of the business district to cars this summer, and curb and sidewalk concrete construction is planned for the fall. You can still park behind Walton Street and enjoy all that downtown has to offer, including spectacular views of the Ganaraska River. Let’s show our support and keep these local businesses hopping. Shop, dine, get a haircut, and come say hello!
visitporthope.ca
Must Harvest
Ontario-born chef and sommelier Zach Littlejohn and his multi-talented Brazilian wife Luhana (who has the most charming accent!) moved from Toronto to their Littlejohn Farm in Picton in 2017. The ambitious couple has grown the venture from a few chickens and a vegetable garden into a sought-after agritourism experience where guests can participate in farm life, take a guided walk, and prepare meals from what’s in season. A highlight of the summer is the Harvest Experience, a full-blown ode to the harvest bounty with live music and a chef’s gourmet menu. Little ones welcome! Dinner is shared at a traditional community long table in the beauty of the pastoral outdoors. This is a farm-to-table showcase event.
photograph by Johnny C.Y. Lam
August 17
littlejohnfarm.com/events
Must Feast and Fest
What brings people together better than great food and a party? The Trent Hills’ Incredible Edibles Festival in downtown Campbellford is a gastronomy fest with 35-plus local food vendors so you can really dig in to support community producers. Last year’s festival featured Friesen’s Smokehaus southern BBQ, Mi Cocina Mexican cuisine, Heavenly Sweets baking and Ben’s Kettle Corn (just to name a few for foodie fans). Not just eats, there’s an artisan market with handcrafted goods like body care, baby clothes, and treats for pets. Top it all off with live music, games, demos, and a kids’ zone, so bring the family. On Sunday, jump in the car and head into the heart of our agricultural community where you can take a self-guided tour of local farms.
July 11 – 14
incredibleediblesfestival.com
