More photos of Savour the Pontiac

Some more photos of Sunday's event. Thanks to all the people who came out.

Savour the Pontiac, open house

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Savour Pontiac 2011

Despite some torrential rain mid-afternoon, the 2011 “Savour Pontiac” event in Quyon, Québec was a big success. If you didn’t manage to make it this year, these pictures will give you a taste of some of what you missed — and be sure to watch for the event next year!

Two Pontiacs

Click on image to enlarge.

The municipality of Pontiac is the bottom left (south-west) corner of Les Collines-de-L'Outaouais, the lime-green area on the map. There are 7 municipalities in the MRC des Collines.

The MRC Pontiac is the large orange area marked "Le Pontiac", and is made up of 15 municipalities, 2 villages, a township and an unorganized territory. See also the entry "MRC des Collines map" in this blog.

Pontiac federal electoral district

As well as the municipality of Pontiac and the MRC Pontiac, there is also the electoral district of Pontiac - larger even than the MRC (or old "County").

This Wikipedia article has a list of the members of Parliament since 1867, and election results 1867 to present. Some election expenses are listed too. It seems to be accurate - the source is the Library of Parliament. There's even a small map.

Pontiac electoral district.

May 2011 election

Elections Canada website.

Birdwatching in Pontiac

When birdwatching in the Pontiac don't forget to bring your copy of the Guide to Birdwatching Sites of the Outaouais which includes a Frequency Chart of the Birds of the Outaouais. To purchase a copy, please contact the Club des ornithologues de l'Outaouais (info@coo.qc.ca).

And further more, we wish to hear from you, about birds you see in your backyard or out in the Pontiac wilderness. This information will help us better follow and understand the population fluctuations of different bird species. Many thanks and have a pleasant outing in the Pontiac natural wonders.

Gérard Desjardins
Club des ornithologues de l'Outaouais

A taste of the Pontiac - showcase for local businesses

The Action Pontiac group is forging ahead to organise an open day for Pontiac businesses, artists and all residents, on behalf of the municipality of Pontiac, under the stewardship of Councillor Inès Pontiroli. This year the event will be held on Sunday August 21 from 11 am to 4 pm, in and around the Lions Hall in Quyon. The theme will be "A taste of the Pontiac" and to that end local food producers are encouraged to book a spot and enthusiastically show us their wares: from local honey to local beef, not forgetting alpacas, cider and corn producers. Other businesses and services are also most welcome (contact Sandy St. George for details and to book a spot sandy_stgeorge@pioneerwireless.ca).

There will be music, food tasting, and an art display. We are working on having a corn roast and/or bacon-on-a-bun. Beer and wine and soft drinks will be available in the Lions Hall. Come and find out what is planned to rejuvenate the waterfront in Quyon, and about the future Parc du Saults-des-Chats de Pontiac, which is a shared project with Bristol, and other local projects. Maybe we can persuade all members of council to come and meet the people in a relaxed setting. Let's make this a memorable day!

Pontiac Equestrian Association

The Pontiac Equestrian association website is at: http://www.pontiacequestre.com/.

New members are welcome. Contact: pontiacequestre@gmail.com, 819-319-9633.

There are plans to extend the trail east of Pilon (as far as Luskville Falls park).

Get ready to ride the trails!

Top seven reasons to visit Pontiac

Katharine Fletcher's article in Canadian Living on how and where to enjoy nature in Pontiac.

Local wonders in Pontiac

Venturing Hills Farm

Brahms and Chocolate was the subject of the concert on 16th April. A feast for the ears was followed by a tasting of amazing spicy chocolates.

Check here for upcoming events: the 100 mile dinner on July 16 (a fundraiser) and Festival Pontiac Enchanté, July 22-31, 2011.

Venturing Hills.

Venturing Hills Farm is also an Equestrian centre - see their webpage.

Local food

Shonagh McCrindle has a blog on local food in Pontiac:

http://foodfromhere.ca/blog/

Thefts in Breckenridge

"Residents in Breckenridge sector having been a victim of theft in a shed or in a vehicle are asked to inform us," said the officer Fournel, MRC des Collines police.

Here's the link to the article, 30 March 2011 (en français)

http://pontiacal.blogspot.com/2011/03/thefts-in-breckenridge.html

MRC des Collines map

(click on map to make it larger)

The MRC des Collines is the regional grouping (county) of seven rural and suburban municipalities around the Ville de Gatineau, formed in 1991. Its area is 2088 square km, and population over 46,000. The seven mayors represent municipalities with from 800 to over 10,000 people. The municipality of Pontiac is in the lower left (south west) of the MRC des Collines on the map above, demarcated by a purplish line; area 447 square km and population 5,700. Over 60% of Gatineau Park (green on the map) is within the municipality.

Why are there two Pontiacs?

The origin for the name is of course Chief Pontiac or Obwandiyag (1720-1769), famous for his role in an American Indian struggle against the British military occupation of the Great Lakes area.

Pontiac village was an early European settlement/logging operation located south west of Quyon, (near the Tim Horton's camp) that gave its name to the County of Pontiac when it split off from the County of Ottawa (Outaouais) in 1853.

When the townships of Eardley, Quyon, and North & South Onslow amalgamated in 1975, Pontiac was also the name chosen for the new municipality.

Don't confuse the municipality of Pontiac with "The Pontiac".

The MRC Pontiac is a regional grouping (county) of 15 municipalities, 2 villages, a township, and an unorganized territory covering a huge area of nearly 14,000 square km, with a population of just over 14,000. It is situated west and northwest of the MRC des Collines and the MRC la Vallée de la Gatineau, and has its offices in Campbell's Bay.

Eighteen mayors, each representing from 166 people (Sheenboro) to 1978 people (Mansfield et Pontefract) sit on the regional council.

From 1853, Quyon and N & S Onslow were in the county of Pontiac, and there seems to be some nostalgia for this grouping, particularly among those living in the west of the municipality of Pontiac.

The MRC Pontiac is now a very poor area, with an average yearly income per head of less than $19,000. Its seat of government at Campbell's Bay is further from all parts of the municipality of Pontiac east of Quyon, than the MRC des Collines offices in Chelsea.