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!