Top Chef Canada Dale MacKay brings the Prairies to Vancouver for Edible Canada's Coast to Coast Dinner Series

Season One Top Chef Canada winner Dale Mackay is bringing his award-winning talents to Vancouver BC. The renowned chef will be cooking the second of Edible Canada's Coast to Coast Dinner Series on March 2, 2015. Produced by Edible Canada and held at its bistro on Granville Island, the dinner is part of a year-long series celebrating the provinces of Canada (February's Yukon Month dinner sold out). The evening celebrates MacKay's home province of Saskatchewan where he was born and raised. He is currently the chef and owner of the award winning restaurant Ayden Kitchen & Bar in Saskatoon. 

Chef MacKay won the inaugural season of Top Chef Canada and has cooked in some of the country's top kitchens. A former protege of Chef Gordon Ramsay, MacKay took over for Rob Feenie at the now dark but illustrious Lumiere in Vancouver. He returned to his hometown of Saskatoon where he opened Ayden Kitchen & Bar, focusing on modern Canadian comfort food. 

"We are incredibly excited to have Chef MacKay join us behind the stoves as part of this series," said Edible Canada President and Executive Chef Eric Patemen. "Dale is that change-making chef leading the charge in celebrating and defining our food culture." 

MacKay's dinner will highlight the food indigenous to the Prairies and the history and heritage of Saskatchewan. The three-course sit-down feast is open to 75 diners, and each course will be paired with handcrafted cocktails created by Ayden Kitchen & Bar's GM and Mixologist Christopher Cho. 

Tickets for the dinner on Monday, March 2 (6-10 PM) are $125 and may be booked online at Edible Canada. 

Snap It! The Great Saskatchewan Photo Contest Wants Your Pictures

Mac the Moose, a fiberglass moose in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. Photo by Sue Frause.

I've been to Saskatchewan twice: My debut was in 2004 while on a press trip to Saskatchewan and Manitoba, and the second was five years later on Closet Canuck's Great Big Canadian Train Adventure -- my ten-day VIA Rail Canada trip from Halifax to Vancouver. But I want to get back to the province, having spent only a few days in central Saskatchewan (including Regina and Moose Jaw) and passing through briefly on my train trip. It was only a 25-minute stop in Saskatoon on that dark November night, and I didn't get off. So the city named after the Saskatoon Berry still remains at the top of my Canadian cities bucket list.

As a promotion for the province, Tourism Saskatchewan and the Ministry of Parks, Culture and Sport is sponsoring Snap It! The Great Saskatchewan Photo Contest. Entries are being received in seven categories through September 30, 2013. They include:

• Saskatchewan People | Photos that reflect the character and spirit of Saskatchewan people (no studio photography).
• Nature in Saskatchewan | Photos of flora and fauna in natural habitat.
• Prairie Scenic | Scenic photos from prairie regions of Saskatchewan, including traditional scenes, as well as hidden treasures such as the Qu'Appelle Valley, hills and badlands, and features not typically categorized as "prairie"
• Woods and Water | Scenic photos reflecting parkland, boreal forest and lake settings
• My Saskatchewan Vacation | Photos of people having fun during their Saskatchewan vacation. Images may capture adventure, recreation, relaxation or celebration at a favourite attraction, event or destination in Saskatchewan.
• Urban Life | Images that portray the excitement, sophistication and spirit of our Saskatchewan cities and towns. Photos can also feature events and attractions you experience while visiting our "urban playgrounds." 
• Provincial Parks | Photos of your most treasured memories that took place in a Saskatchewan provincial park.

Seven category winners will be awarded, each receiving a $250 gift certificate from Don's Photo. A Grand Prize winner will be selected from the seven, and will receive an additional $250 gift certificate. Five honorable mention winners in each category will also receive a prize.

To Enter: Only digital (.jpg or tiff format) submissions will be accepted. Email to snapit@sasktourism.com and include your full name, address, and phone number. Specify the locale of each photograph and indicate which category it falls under. The contest is open to residents of Canada (except Quebec) and the United States.

My Canada: Escents Aromatherapy's aromatic blends inspired by country's six regions

I'm not a big fan of aromatic blends and smelly stuff, as usually they make me sneeze and wheeze and get all teary-eyed. But this is a very cool idea, one I may have to try out. The Canadian company Escents Aromatherapy has come out with a new product line called My Canada. It's comprised of six new aromatic blends inspired by Canada's six different regions: Pacific, Prairie, Metro, Maritime, French and Arctic.

According to Escents founder Jacqui MacNeill, the goal was to capture and share the essence of the country's coast-to-coast "awe-inspiring landscapes" with each scent. Crafted from 100% essential oils, the My Canada line is available in aroma blends, hand and body lotion, wash and bubble, handmade soap and reed diffusers. Artwork that's evocative of each region wraps around each item. Here are the six aromatic blends, along with photos I've taken from each region in Canada during my many travels.

PACIFIC | Fresh | Pine, Cedarwood

Just like the lush rainforests of British Columbia this scent combines clean, crisp pine with earthy cedarwood, creating a fresh scent that is slightly salty—much like the sea air.

Heading to Sonora Resort in BC's Desolation Sound.

PRAIRIE | Indulgent | Cardamom, Davana

Inspired by the rolling hills and wheat fields of the Prairies. Aromatic, smoky cardamom and sweet woody davana blend together—creating a comforting, indulgent scent.

Saskatchewan sunset aboard Via Rail Canada.

METRO | Energized | Amyris, Mimosa

Inspired by the complex nature of a busy city. Full of energy, this fragrance combines woodsy Amyris with the sweet floral of Mimosa—creating a citrusy scent that is fun and full of life.

CN Tower in Toronto.

FRENCH | Passionate | Lavender, Black Pepper

Much like the rich culture of the French Canadian region, this fragrance mingles the soft floral of Lavender with the unique, richness of Black Pepper.

Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac. 

MARITIME | Balanced | Frankincense, Bergamot

The quaint fishing villages and the rolling waves of the sea inspire this calming, balanced scent. Earthy frankincense and refreshing, citrusy bergamot help to ignite a feeling of ease.

Music of the Maritimes at McKelvey's in Halifax.

ARCTIC | Unwind | Anise, Peppermint

This unique scent merges cooling, refreshing peppermint with liquorice-like anise creating a scent that helps calm and unwind. Inspired by the icy, cold weather of the Canadian Arctic.

A cool adventure with Cruise North. 

All photos by Sue Frause. Nos. 2-3-4-5 were taken during my Great Big Canadian Train Adventure.

Wynonna Judd cancels Saskatchewan concert due to motorcycle accident

I happen to be in South Dakota, so it was big news in the local media about the recent motorcycle mishap involving Wynonna Judd's husband, Michael Scott "Cactus" Moser. He and Wynonna were riding motorcycles near Rapid City, South Dakota when something went terribly wrong. Here's the explanation from her official website on August 19, 2012:

"Moser and Judd went for a ride together on separate bikes before her scheduled concert in Deadwood, SD yesterday (Aug. 18). Moser collided with an oncoming vehicle and was transported to a local hospital. He is being treated for serious but non-life threatening injuries. Wynonna was not involved in the accident."

An update on August 20 had more information:

"Further details regarding the motorcycle accident involving Wynonna Judd's husband and drummer, Michael Scott "Cactus" Moser, have been made available. Moser's left leg was severed at the scene of the accident and doctors in Rapid City, SD amputated the leg above the knee. He has also undergone surgery to his hand. Judd and Moser appreciate all of the quick medical and police responders as well as the hospital staff and well-wishes from family, friends and fans."

An article in the Rapid City Journal had more information about the accident that occurred near Hill City, South Dakota: Wynonna Judd's husband injured in car-motorcycle accident near Hill City. Wynonna & the Big Noise canceled their outdoor performance that was scheduled for Friday, August 24 at the Bear Claw Casino and Hotel in Carlyle, Saskatchewan.

Don't ski or snowboard? Go dogsledding in Saskatchewan!

Just because you aren't a skier or snowboarder doesn't mean that you can't enjoy winter sports. I'm a big fan of snowshoeing and dogsledding. In fact, I've dogsledded in Quebec, Montana and north of the Arctic Circle in Svarnik, Norway.

One place that I think would be fun to go dogsledding is Saskatchewan, and I'm putting it on my winter bucket list. Canada Nature Escapes Cooperative has put together a special four-day dogsledding package, where you'll learn the history and how-to of dog sledding, plus sledding through Saskatchewan's woods, lakes and muskegs (bogs) of its boreal forest. The Lead Dog's Choice package includes:

• First and last nights' accommodations at the Hilton Garden Inn, Saskatoon
• Two-day car rental (mid-size)
• Two nights at Land of the Loon Resort
• Two breakfasts and two three-course dinners
• Guide and mentor during trail rides
• Travel maps instructions, recommendations

The 4 Day / 4 Night Lead Dog's Choice package starts at $775 CAD per person and is available through March 15, 2012. Call 888.747.7572 for reservations or email: office@shearwatertours.com.

Dogsledding in Svarnik, Norway
Photo by Sue Frause 

Canada's Signature Experiences Collection expands to 115 members

Canadian Museum of Civilization's Great Hall in Gatineau, Quebec. 

The Canadian Tourism Commission (CTC) launched a new marketing program in July 2011 called the Signature Experiences Collection. In an effort to attract more international travelers who are looking for the unique and exotic, the inaugural list was comprised of 48 Canadian tourist highlights. In October 2011, 67 additional tourism enterprises were added, bringing the total to 115 members.

According to the CTC, the collection's tourist attractions are located coast to coast and deliver the authentic experiences that "high spending target customers look for when they choose a vacation destination."  It's all part of Canada's tourism brand, Canada. Keep Exploring, and is being marketed in 11 countries: Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Japan, Mexico, South Korea, United Kingdom and the United States. The CTC will incorporate the tourism experiences in its marketing materials via social, print, online and broadcast media.

A second application period for new members begins Nov. 15, 2011 and runs through Dec. 15, 2011. Evaluation and selection will be held Jan. 2-Feb. 29, 2012. Here is a sampling of some of the 115 current members (those marked with * are the newest additions).

Arriving by helicopter at BC's Sonora Resort in Desolation Sound. 

British Columbia: Granville Island Market Tour-Edible British Columbia; Luxury in the Wilderness-Sonora Resort; Canadian Rockies Highlights-Rocky Mountaineer; East Meets West at Echo Valley Ranch-Echo Valley Ranch and Spa*; Blooms, Music and Fireworks!-The Butchart Gardens*.

Taking the elevator to Ranahans restaurant at the Calgary Stampede.

Alberta: The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth-Calgary Stampede; Dinosaurs Unearthed-Royal Tyrell Museum of Paleontology; Soaking up History-Canadian Rockies Hot Springs*; Johnston Canyon Icewalk-Discover Banff Tours*; Paws in the Wilderness-Holiday on Horseback*.

Cadets at Regina's Royal Canadian Mounted Police Heritage Centre.

Saskatchewan: Cypress Hills Cowboy Adventure-Historic Reesor Ranch; Canada's Iconic Mounted Heroes-Royal Canadian Mounted Police Heritage Centre.

Churchill, Manitoba is home to polar bears, belugas and birds.

Manitoba: Marvels of Manitoba-Churchill Nature Tours; Birds, Bears and Belugas-Churchill Wild; Polar Bears by Tundra Buggy-Frontiers North; Hermetic Code Tour of the Manitoba Legislature-Heartland International Travel and Tours; Pathway of the Voyageurs-Aikens Lake Wilderness Lodge*; The Lazy Bear Wilderness Expedition-Lazy Bear Lodge*.

Experience "Journey Behind the Falls" at Niagara Falls, Ontario.

Ontario: Unique Sky High Adrenaline Rush-CN Tower; Stimulating the Senses! National Gallery of Canada*; Exploring Canada's flavours in a unique culinary destination-Le Cordon Bleu Ottawa*; A Look Behind the Curtain-Shaw Festival Theatre*; Journey Behind the Falls-Niagara Parks Commission*.

The new Hotel-Musee Premieres Nations is in Wendake, Quebec.

Quebec: The Grand Festival of Winter-Quebec Winter Carnival; Mountain Getaway-Chic-Choc Lodge; All That's Jazz-Montreal International Jazz Festival*;  The Grand Hall Tour-Canadian Museum of Civilization*; Huron-Wendat Heritage on the Edge of Quebec City-Hotel Musee Premieres Nations*.

New Brunswick: Hopewell Rocks and Bay of Fundy Coastal Tour-Roads to Sea Guided Tours; Dive into Acadian Culture-Village Historique Acadien; Lobster Tales-Shediac Bay Cruises; Life in 19th Century New Brunswick-Kings Landing Historical Settlement*.

Beer and history at Alexander Keith's Brewery in Halifax. 

Nova Scotia: Step Back in Time to the Birthplace of Great Beer-Alexander Keith's Brewery; History on High: Halifax Citadel-the Halifax Citadel National Historic City of Canada; Cape Breton Island Multi-Sport Kayak, Bike and Hike-Freewheeling Adventures; Tidal Bore River Rafting and Mud Sliding-Schubenacadie Tidal Bore Rafting Park and Cottages; Celebrate Celtic Music Throughout Cape Breton-Celtic Colours International Festival*.

Prince Edward Island: Tong and Shuck-Future Seafoods Inc/Experiences PEI; Giant Bar Clam Dig Adventure-Tranquility Cove Adventures.

Newfoundland and Labrador: Sagas and Shadows-L'Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site of Canada; A Guided Adventure on Your Own-CapeRace; The Iceberg Quest-Iceberg Quest Ocean Tours*; Picnic with the Whales-Gatherall's Puffin & Whale Watch*; Adventures and Mysteries in the Torngat Mountains-Torngat Mountains Base Camp & Research Station*.

Yukon: Through the Last Great Gold Rush of 1898-Klondike National Historic Sites of Canada; Alsek and Nahanni River Rafting Adventure-Canadian River Expeditions/Nahanni River Adventures; Yukon Aurora Tours-Northern Tales Travel Services Ltd.*; Summer Solstice Eco-Yurt & Yukon Biking Adventure-Bzoreale Mountain Biking*.

Northwest Territories: Aurora Wonderland by Dogsled-Beck's Kennels; Lodge Life and Cultural Traditions-Yellow Dog Lodge.

Nunavut: Cruising Adventures Redefined-Adventure Canada; Narwhal & Polar Bear Adventure on the FloeEdge-Arctic Kingdom Polar Expeditions*; Living the Inuit Lifestyle-Carrefour Nunavut*; A Polar Bear Adventure-The Great Canadian Travel Company.

The Fairmont Chateau Frontenac in Quebec City is a Canadian icon.

National: Historic Railway Hotels-Fairmont Hotels and Resorts; Trans-Canada Experience on The Canadia-VIA Rail Canada.

Photos by Sue Frause

Fall foliage and leaf peeping in Canada aboard VIA Rail

One of my favorite trips of late was my Great Big Canadian Train Adventure from Halifax, Nova Scotia west to Vancouver, BC. If I had to do it over again, I would leave in early October rather than November. Peak times for leaf peeping are usually in the first days of October, slowly concluding in November. VIA Rail has put together a number of tours to see the red, orange and gold landscape. All train packages may be found at www.trainpackages.ca.

Fall Colors Tour by Rail - An eight-night journey through the forests of Eastern Canada. The tour departs Toronto and includes Montreal, Quebec City and Halifax.

On the Maple Explorer - Nine nights to the land of maple trees in Canada's historic heartland. The trip begins in Ottawa with a visit to Parliament Hill, national galleries, museums and historic sites. Then it's Montreal, the birthplace of pure Canadian maple syrup.

The Fall Colors of the Qu'Appelle Valley - Roundtrip from Winnipeg on a four-day extended weekend tour to view the fall foliage of Western Manitoba and Eastern Saskatchewan. Includes three nights at a hotel in Melville, Saskatchewan along with touring the Qu'Appelle Valley by bus. Stops include Fort Qu'Appelle, Sacred Heart Cathedral, Crooked Lake Provincial Park, Esterhazy Potash Interpretive Center and the historic Flour Mill.

Top to Bottom: Halifax, Quebec City, Toronto, Eastern Saskatchewan
All photos by Sue Frause

7th Annual Windscape Kite Festival flies high in Swift Current

Go fly a kite! Swift Current, Saskatchewan is the setting of the 2011 Windscape Kite Festival, June 25-26. The world-class event attracts both kite flyers and kite lovers from around the world to a Saskatchewan prairie field. More than 40 kite flying and kite making stars attend Windscape from across Canada, the US and Europe.

The family-friendly weekend includes such demonstrations as Flyin' Bob: The One Man Three Ring Circus; a bubble station in the children's tent; balloon sculpting; straw bale maze; face painting and tattoos. Kite building and kite flying lessons will be given each day of the event. Admission to the festival is free.

Swift Current is located in southwest Saskatchewan, along the Trans Canada Highway, 170 km (106 miles) west of Moose Jaw and 218 km (135 miles) east of Medicine Hat, Alberta.

Kites fly on high in Bali, Indonesia

Photo by Sue Frause

Alberta Wildfires: One-third of Slave Lake destroyed by wildfires

Slave Lake Wildfire Relief notice posted in London Drug.

Wildfires that appear to be manmade have destroyed one-third of the town of Slave Lake, Alberta. Numerous homes and businesses, including the town hall and library, were destroyed in the fires that started May 15, 2011.

Slave Lake is located in northern Alberta on Lesser Slave Lake; it hosted the Arctic Winter Games in 1994. With a population of 7,031, it was incorporated in 1965.

Among the businesses and organizations aiding in the relief is London Drugs. The BC based company, founded in 1945, has set up a Slave Lake Wildlife Relief Fund at all of its 75 stores in 35+ major markets in BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitboa. Proceeds will be channeled through the Canadian Red Cross.

Other donation options and relief efforts have been established across Canada; and there are plenty of ways to help out in Calgary. The Alberta government has promised $50M in aid.

London Drugs has 21 locations in Alberta:

• Calgary (8)
• Edmonton (7)
• Grande Prairie (1)
• Lethbridge (1)
• Medicine Hat (1)
• Red Deer (1)
• Sherwood Park (1)
• St. Albert (1)

Slave Lake Wildfire Relief notice posted in London Drugs

Polka on Down in Saskatchewan on a Horsehair Dance Floor

I've never been to Manitou Beach, nor have I danced on a horsehair dance floor! So all the more reason to return to Saskatchewan and stop in at Danceland. Described as the Home of the World Famous Dance Floor Built on Horsehair, Danceland was constructed in 1928. At one time, there were three dance halls on Manitou Beach open seven days a week.

Today, it's just Danceland, the 5,000-sq.ft. dance hall located next to Manitou Springs Hotel & Mineral Spa, Canada's largest indoor mineral spa. Manitou Beach is a resort village on the shores of Little Manitou Lake, approximately 100 km east of Saskatoon and 5 km north of Watrous. Last Mountain Lake National Wildlife Area, Canada's oldest bird sanctuary, is about 30 minutes away.

Danceland is open year-round, featuring dancing seven nights a week, with Spring Polkafest May 6-8. The three-day event features a Sunday Polka Mass at 11 AM, followed by brunch and dancing. Motorhome parking on site.

CBC's Dragons' Den: Brett Wilson out, Lavalife's Bruce Croxon in

I wasn't happy when I read that my favorite Dragon on Dragons' Den pretty much got the heave-ho from the CBC.

Saskatchewan's W. Brett Wilson is out and Lavalife's Bruce Croxon is in. Lavalife? Being an American, I'd never heard of the company, and thought it had something to do with volcanoes or people with a penchant for Lava brand hand cleaner.

Turns out that Lavalife is an online and interactive voice response-based interactive personals service founded by four entrepreneurs. One of them is Bruce Croxon, the newest Dragon. According to his bio on DC NetCast, where Croxon is on the Board of Directors, he's the former Chairman and CEO of Lavalife Inc. (now Lavalife Corp). Croxon received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Western Ontario in London.

You can read more about the newest member of the popular TV show team on the Dragons' Den Blog and Brett Wilson's response to the change on his personal blog.

I'm sorry to see Brett go, but I'll continue to follow him on Twitter (@WBrettWilson). And as far as me and Dragons' Den? I'm in!

Family Day, Louis Riel Day, Islander Day celebrated in February

Our friends north of the 49th Parallel aren't celebrating Presidents Day today. But the third Monday in February is a holiday for many Canadians.

Family Day is celebrated in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Ontario. According to Wikipedia, it was first celebrated in Alberta in 1990, and the two other provinces followed in Alberta's footsteps. But since it's not a federal holiday, government workers in all provinces still have to show up.

Elsewhere in Canada, Louis Riel Day went into effect in 2008 in Manitoba. It honors Louis Riel, the Metis leader who is considered to be the Father of Manitoba.

And not wanting to be left out, the province of Prince Edward Island has been celebrating Islander Day since 2009.

Louis Riel tombstone in Winnipeg's St. Boniface Cemetery, Manitoba
Photo by Sue Frause

Will Saskatoon Berries be the next big berry?

I discovered Saskatoon Berries when I visited Sakatchewan for the first time in 2004. Not only did I enjoy Saskatoon Berry Pie, I imbied in a little Saskatoon Berry Wine. Yum!

Last year, while on my cross-country train adventure on VIA Rail Canada, I met a lovely couple from the prairies who sent me a jar of Saskatoon Berry Jam after I returned home.

So it was fun to see Sandra Purdy of Prairie Berries in Keeler, Saskatchewan make a presentation with her niece on Dragons' Den recently. You can watch the segment on YouTube.

Sandra auditioned for a spot in March of 2010, and the next month she flew to Toronto to appear on the popular CBC show.

Saskatchewan berry products
Photo by Sue Frause

Window on Canada: Somewhere in Saskatchewan, 'Land of Living Skies'

Heavy traffic in Saskatchewan
Photo by Sue Frause

Window on Canada: Summer Solstice is June 21

Saskatchewan road trip in August of 2004. Photo by Sue Frause.

Great Canadian Hotels: Hot rates, free nights

A group of Canadian hotels is offering some pretty hot rates this summer -- including free nights.

Great Canadian Hotels, made up of two dozen hotels across Canada, is hoping its guests will Wake up to Canada.

The special promotion begins June 1, 2010 and runs through Sept. 8, 2010. If you book for two or more nights, you'll receive a travel voucher for a free night for your next stay. The vouchers are transferable and may be given to family and/or friends if your travels don't take you back to that particular property.

Nightly hotel rates start at $89 and include such popular vacation destinations as Edmonton from $95; Quebec City from $109; Ottawa from $119; and Victoria from $125.

As an added incentive, if you book by June 30, 2010 you'll receive a $40 food and beverage credit for use in the hotel restaurant, lounge or room service.

Hotel Tadoussac in Tadoussac, Quebec is one of 24 Great Canadian Hotels. Read more about the hotel and historic chapel (Canada's oldest) in one of my previous blog posts. Photo by Sue Frause.

Canada celebrates 40 years of Earth Day on April 22

Earth Day celebration on Whidbey Island, Washington
Photo by Sue Frause

Canadians, along with other eco-conscious citizens of the world, will be celebrating Earth Day on April 22. 2010 marks the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, and the 20th anniversary of Earth Day Canada. Across Canada, there are numerous events. Here are just a few, from west to east:

Victoria, BC: Earth Walk 2010 - The family friendly event invites people to assemble at the BC Legislature grounds at noon on Saturday, April 24 for the 12:30 PM parade. The short route will be along Government Street to Centennial Square, where there will be information booths by grassroots organizations, along with live music. There are dozens of other Earth Day events around the province.

Calgary, Alberta: Earth Week Book Swap - The David Suzuki Foundation Book Club is hosting the book swap at local coffee shops across Canada, including Higher Ground in Calgary. From 6-9 PM on Thursday, April 22. Bring in your books to swap with other locals (and bring your own mug for a free coffee or tea).

Craik, Saskatchewan: Earth Day Film Festival - Held April 23-25 and sponsored by the Saskatchewan Eco Network. The Craik Sustainable Living Project is located here.

Winnipeg, Manitoba: Green Knitting - Who knew there was such a thing? Attend a lecture by Joanne Seiff on April 22 at 7 PM at the Manitoba Crafts Museuma and Library. Seiff is a long-time knitter who authored the book Knit Green: 20 Projects and Ideas for Sustainability.

Oakville, Ontario: Earth Week Clean Up of Oakville Waterways and Green Spaces - Now in its 19th year, community members clean up 30+ nature sites. Bags and gloves are donated by the Town of Oakville. Raffle prizes!

Quebec: Free transit rides - Ride two for one on April 22 on buses, trains and subways in Quebec's urban centers.

Lower Sackville, Nova Scotia: Sackville River Fishway Cleanup - On Saturday, April 24, help clean out the rocks and debris that have washed into the fishway over the winter. The fishway helps Atlantic salmon reach important habitat in the Sackville River Watershed. 9AM-2PM.

Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island: Climate Change Networking Session - Held at the University of PEI, the day includes presentations on the latest developments and research on climate change mitigation and adaptation on Prince Edward Island.

St. John's, Newfoundland - Earth Day Fair at the Fluvarium: The Earth Day celebration on April 22 will show people how to make simple changes to reduce your impact on the Earth.

Think spring in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

Summer flowers in bloom at the provincial capital of Regina
Photo by Sue Frause

Spring has arrived in Saskatchewan and Gardenscape 2010 is the third largest show of its type in Canada. Located at the Prairieland Park Trade Centre in Saskatoon, it runs March 26-28, 2010.

It's both for home gardeners and those in the horticulture industry, whether you want to finally fix up your yard or learn more about gardening and food production.

On site will be 420+ booths with exhibitors spread throughout four buildings. In addition to display gardens, there will be demonstrations and workshops during the three-day event.

There is also a Gardenscapes Art Show & Sale; Prairie Berry Cafe, Bistro & Wine Bar; Butterflies & Blooms live butterfly exhibit; and a plant auction on Sunday, March 28 at 6:30 PM.

Last year, more than 26,000 people attended the show.

Saskatchewan: Canada goes for gold in World Junior Hockey Championship in Saskatoon

Skating near Brockton, Massachusetts
Photo courtesy Library of Congress

With four million people reportedly watching CBC's Hockey Night in Canada, you can bet that the majority of them will be tuned into tonight's match between Canada and the US.

Both teams will be going for the gold in the World Junior Hockey Championship held at the Credit Union Centre in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan on Jan. 5, 2010.

The province made four previous attempts to host the championships, and in the summer of 2008 the bid was awarded to Saskatoon and Regina.

All of Team Canada's games and all playoff games from the 2010 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship will be streamed live on TSN.ca. Video on Demand coverage will also be provided on TSN.ca for all games being broadcast live on TSN and TSN2. All VODs will be made available on TSN.ca shortly after they conclude on television.

Closet Canuck's Great Big Canadian Train Adventure DAY 11: West to Winnipeg and Saskatchewan

A frosty scene in Manitoba, a few hours east of Winnipeg. VIA Rail was running four hours late due to an issue with a freight train, so we only had an hour to spend in Winnipeg.

The Esplanade Riel is a pedestrian bridge across the Red River that connects the Forks in downtown Winnipeg with St. Boniface, Winnipeg's Francophile community. Winnipeg is home to more than 50 ethnic communities, and holds its annual Folklorama the first two weeks of August.

Collège Universitaire de Saint-Boniface and Saint Boniface Cathedral as seen from the train. Winnipeg was the original hub of the Canadian fur trade, due to its location at the junction of the Red, Assiniboine and Seine rivers.

Sunset in Western Manitoba as the train makes its way to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. We arrived late at night and it was only a 25-minute stop, so I didn't get off the train. But I sure would have liked some Saskatoon Berry Pie!

Agriculture is important to Manitoba's economy, and can be found mainly in the southern part of the province, along with spectacular sunsets.

Photos by Sue Frause

Day 12: Edmonton, Jasper and west to British Columbia