The Opeongo Line

Algonkin National Park

The Opeongo Readers' Theatre presents the curious story behind the founding of Algonquin Provincial Park. Lesley Betts, Lynn Stewart and Jeff Bowman perform the original writings of two very different men who shared the same wilderness dream.

Lilies of the Valley II

The Opeongo Readers' Theatre honour three local women -- Helen Dombroski, Teresa Beanish, and Mary Cybulski -- who all made significant contributions to the economic growth of the Upper Madawaska Valley, but whose lives should also remind us of the significant cultural contribution made by local people of Polish-Kashub heritage. 

Unsinkable Agnes Chippior

Born in the Wilno hills on November 12th, 1927, Agnes Coulas was in grade school when her mother died and yet she also unexpectedly met the love of her life, Stanley Chippior, at a church bazaar shortly after he returned from the Second World War. But if there's one thing she knows for certain after nearly 95 years of living, it's to take life as it comes. She chats with 'Back in the Day' host, Martina Coulas.

Old Tom’s Younger Years

Born in 1880, Thomas Patrick Murray not only witnessed the coming of the OA & PS Railroad to Barry's Bay in 1894, he helped build it. Tom's great grandson, Graham Conway, performs a one-man show of Tom reliving those early years in his own words.

That Man from Clontarf I

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.

That Man From Clontarf II

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.

Celebrating St, Paddy’s Day in Barry’s Bay I

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.

Celebrating St. Paddy’s Day in Barry’s Bay II

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.

Delightfully Rude

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!

Shanty & River Life

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.