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.

Bicycle trail, Route verte

At the last council meeting (8th March) a route for the bicycle trail was "finalized", I think for the third time. I mentioned this in my report of the meeting and on the heritage pontiac webpage, and today the news got into Le Droit. I've added that report (en français) to that page. There's also a crude map.

Local food

Shonagh McCrindle has a blog on local food in Pontiac:

http://foodfromhere.ca/blog/

Rural Tourism Marketing Tips and Tricks

A friend on Facebook just recommended this website:

http://ruraltourismmarketing.com/2011/03/what-to-cut-from-your-marketing-budget-in-an-age-of-austerity/

It is a collection of articles, website links and success stories about small town and rural tourism marketing.

Great examples of themed trails for tourism such as this Craft Trail in Sligo Ireland.

Check it out for inspiration...

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

Literacy tutoring

If you want to improve your English language or numeracy (numbers) literacy, or know someone that would like to, contact the West Quebec Literacy Council (based in Shawville) for FREE one - on - one tutoring.

The WQLC is always seeking volunteer tutors too. All training and books are free.

Western Quebec Literacy Council

P.O. box 266, Shawville, QC, JoX 2G0

819 647 3112
1888 647 3112

http://www.wq-literacy.org/

Animal welfare

Aide Animal Pontiac, a non profit organisation supporting animal welfare in the Pontiac region.

"Our mission is to improve the animal quality of life for animals suffering from neglect, abandonment or cruelty."

This group of incredible volunteers from Bristol and Shawville undertake both fund raising and awareness raising in order to care for the lost and abandoned dogs and cats that are such a issue around here, especially in the fall.
Particularly important is the education of people about sterilizing pets.

Donations of time, food or money are very welcome.

Contact them via C.P. Box 1107, Shawville.