The Opeongo Line

Thomas Patrick French was no ordinary man who came to Renfrew County in 1855. He was the Crown Land Agent charged with bringing hundreds, if not thousands, of immigrants to settle on free farm land along the newly opened Opeongo Colonization Road. It's was no ordinary job and he was no ordinary man from County Mayo.

The 'Local' host, Sean Conway, chats with Joanne Olsen, Mark Woermke and Karen Yakabuski about the history of celebrating St. Patrick's Day among the Irish as well as the non-Irish of Barry's Bay throughout the 20th Century.

The 'Local' host, Sean Conway, chats with Joanne Olsen, Mark Woermke and Karen Yakabuski about the history of celebrating St. Patrick's Day among the Irish as well as the non-Irish of Barry's Bay throughout the 20th Century.

The Opeongo Readers' Theatre gives a rousing performance of William Henry Drummond, a writer sometimes consider controversial but still considered an extraordinary Canadian poet in places like the Upper Madawaska and Opeongo River Valleys where people say we talk funny!

Lesley Betts, Jeff Bowman and Lynn Stewart of The Opeongo Readers' Theatre perform selections from Joshua Fraser, George Thompson and Gilbert Parker's books about shanty and river life as it was carried on among lumberjacks in the Upper Ottawa Valley during much of the 19th Century.

In honour of Dougald Finley McIsaac (1917-2008), a Cape Breton fiddler who once lived in Barry's Bay and was beloved for his Scottish airs, The Opeongo Readers' Theatre celebrates with a rousing show of the Ploughman's Poet, Rabbie Burns.

Ann Omanique-Bruder talks with 'The Local's' host, Sean Conway, about her grandfather, John Omanique, one of the great foundational characters who helped develop Barry's Bay, beginning in 1894. Ann also sheds light on her own parents and their own contributions to the Omanique Legacy.

Two more memoirs written and presented by Barry Conway, about the joy of being a young boy growing up in Barry's Bay, thanks to a cast of wonderful characters and interesting places around town.

The Madawaska Valley Public Library presents its 'Old, New, Borrowed, Blue,' Christmas Show. Head Librarian Karen Filipkowski and her very able troupe perform 'Twas the Night Before Christmas,' as well as one of its best comedic parodies, 'A Politically Correct Christmas Poem.' Not to be missed!

The Opeongo Readers' Theatre perform four unique Christmas short stories written by four of the world's best writers, A. A. Milne, Anton Chekhov, Guy du Maupassant and Charles Dickens. Jeff Bowman, Lynn Stewart, Lesley Betts, Rob Filipkowski and Cathy Chapeskie all give one of their best performances of the year -- Merry Christmas! 

The Madawaska Valley Public Library in Barry's Bay presents its fourth show involving some very old local history about the village of Barry's Bay, some new things happening at the library, some of the hottest books borrowed from the library this month, and last but not least, the tale of Rumplestilizkin, taken from Andrew Lang's Blue Fairytale Book.

The Opeongo Readers' Theatre presents this Remembrance Day show based on twelve unique moments, all drawn from the First World War.  From those first two shots fired in Sarajevo to Lawrence of Arabia's ultimate revenge, it's a show meant to look at the stuff that utterly changes a warrior's soul, as much as it's meant it to honour Canada's many war dead.

The Opeongo Readers' Theatre presents its annual Halloween show with Jeff Bowman, Cathy Chapeskie, Brian and Carol Peterson, and Lynn Stewart; all serving up as an appetizer, five horrible bits of poetry, quickly followed by a grotesque main course -- three short stories by H.P. Lovecraft, Ambrose Bierce and Edgar Allan Poe. Enough to make your skin crawl!

The Opeongo Line again present's the third episode of the Madawaska Valley Public Library's new podcast, 'Old, New, Borrowed, Blue.' In this episode, the library staff recounts the fascinating early history of Barry's Bay, brings us all up to date on the many new and borrowed books available at the library and finishes off with a flourish with the original 17th Century fairy tale of  Little Red Ri...

Joanne, Linda and Marilyn Plebon chat with Barry Conway about the many joys and memorable sorrows of being part of the family that built, owned and operated one of the great cultural venues that ever graced the shores of Kamaniskeg Lake near Barry's Bay.

Joanne, Linda and Marilyn Plebon chat with Barry Conway about the many joys and memorable sorrows of being part of the family that built, owned and operated one of the great cultural venues that ever graced the shores of Kamaniskeg Lake near Barry's Bay. 

Sean Conway, host of "The Local," returns with a great story about Chippawa Lodge, once one of Ontario's premier summer resorts located on Lake Kamaniskeg. It was the 1950s and it was a place as exotic and carefree as it now seems lost forever, except in the vivid memories of two gracious women who once first met there as children, Julie Fisher-Ryall and Julie Maloney.

Sean Conway, host of "The Local," returns with a great story about Chippawa Lodge, once one of Ontario's premier summer resorts located on Lake Kamaniskeg. It was the 1950s and it was  a place as exotic and carefree as it now seems lost forever, except in the vivid memories of two gracious women who once first met there as children, Julie Fisher-Ryall and Julie Maloney.

The Opeongo Line proudly presents the second of the Madawaska Valley Public Library's soon-to-be launched independent podcast, "Old, New, Borrowed, Blue."  This month's episode brings together an old story of Barry's Bay that includes it's original Algonquin name, some new books that grace the shelves of the library, more than few things you can borrow, some of which will get you into places for f...

Wendy Jocko, the chief of the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation at Golden Lake, and her cousin, Jane Ann Chartrand, who hails from Madawaska, talk about growing up in Madawaska and the Algonquin heritage that they both share. 

In celebration of the 60th Anniversary of the Madawaska Valley Public Library, The Opeongo Line launches a new monthly podcast produced by the library's current staff. Made up of four distinct elements, "Old, New, Borrowed, Blue" will remind us all of things past, keep us abreast of new books, popular titles, and finish up in style with a gripping story from The Blue Fairy Tale book. 

Barry Conway reads "Vicker's Creek Mourning," "Bentley's Winchester," "The Acorn Wars," and "Stafford Mountain Starlight,"  four personal essays, or memoirs if you like, that he wrote about what it felt like to grow up as a young boy in Barry's Bay in the 1960s and early 1970s. 

Barry Conway reads "Vicker's Creek Mourning," "Bentley's Winchester," "The Acorn Wars," and "Stafford Mountain Starlight,"  four personal essays, or memoirs if you like, that he wrote about what it felt like to grow up as a young boy in Barry's Bay in the 1960s and early 1970s. 

The Opeongo Readers' Theatre present Lesley Betts, Cathy Chapeskie, Carol Peterson and Lynn Stewart each reading one of four classic short stories by Katherine Mansfield. These include "The Singing Lesson," "The Garden Party," "A Cup of Tea," and "Bliss," all masterful works of World Literature. 

The Opeongo Readers' Theatre present Lesley Betts, Cathy Chapeskie, Carol Peterson and Lynn Stewart each reading one of four classic short stories by Katherine Mansfield. These include "The Singing Lesson," "The Garden Party," "A Cup of Tea," and "Bliss," all masterful works of World Literature.