We had a luncheon at our office today and I supplied what I am thankful for today . . .  the ability to create a fabulous pizza - YUM YUM    Especially good for those of you who have outgrown the traditional pizza combos!  We ate mine far too quickly to capture it on film so this is a reasonable facsimile :0)    I melted my cheese more and the onions weren't so caramelized but other than that -  Yum! [I doubled this recipe but kept the blue cheese at only 8 oz and it was more than enough so feel free to cut it in half.  The doubled amount made 2 cookie sheets of pizza that I cut in triangles] Ingredients 6 tablespoons olive oil2 1/2 pounds yellow onions, halved and thinly sliced1 large sweet apple, peeled and cut into thin wedgesCoarse saltAll-purpose flour3/4 pound store-bought or home... 09/03/2009

SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD 115 ELIZABETH DRIVE, GANANOQUE, ONTARIO Business is booming in Gananoque and the 1000 Islands region.  Come and see for yourself and maybe you'll decide that this is the perfect place for you too! Susan Emo,Sales Representative RE/MAX Riverview Realty Ltd - Brokerage 09/03/2009

I try to keep an Attitude of Gratitude on a daily basis and when I remember, I keep a Gratitude Journal.  Today, I am thankful for all the basic nessessities of life as we see it here in North America but also, as I plan for my family to arrive for my Mother's 81st Birthday, I was up very early and out in my yard tidying things up, getting rid of cob webs, etc.  Today, I am thankful for a simple flower that chooses to bloom every day at 4am and 4pm.  No matter what is going on in my life, it is a reminder that good things are constant.  Sometimes our timing is off and we don't see the good.  The flower closes up during the heat of the day and there are somedays that I miss it's cheery face due to my life getting in the way.  I force myself to remember that just because I don't see the g... 08/27/2009

Gananoque, Ontario What a day!  What a success!  Our "Art on the River" fundraiser for the Gananoque & District Humane Society raised a whopping $35,000.00 + on July 25th, 2009.  We hoped to sell 100 tickets to the event with tickets valued at $150 per person.  Selling the last moment ticket yesterday morning, we realized we had actually sold 120 tickets!  After seemingly weeks of wet, horrible weather, the sun re-introduced itself to us on the day and brought smiles to many many faces as our event was an outdoor, garden party on the shore of the St Lawrence River. Thanks to the very kind and generous hospitality of Marsha and Terry Dixon, we held our first live art auction at their Eagle Point Estate in the heart of the 1000 Islands - perhaps the grandest of the modern-day castles loca... 07/26/2009

Our inaugural 1000 Islands Music Fest is off to a star-studded start in Gananoque, Ontario. The event's organizers announced the final lineup includes several well-known Canadian and international acts such as Simple Plan, Akon, Arkells and Kardinal Offishall, and performances from Randy and Mr. Lahey of Trailer Park Boys fame. The one remaining major artist was announced this week:  SNOOP DOG! The festival, which will feature two stages and camping for up to 4,000 people, takes place Aug. 13 to 15 at Dingman Farm in Gananoque, Ont., near Kingston, Ont. Fifteen thousand concertgoers from Ontario, Quebec and New York State are expected to attend. Tickets for the festival can be purchased at ticketbreak.ca or at JCS Computers and Box Office Entertainment in Gananoque. Tickets will also be... 07/23/2009

GANANOQUE, Gateway to the 1000 Islands Please join me in celebrating another new business endeavour in our lovely downtown Gananoque, in the 1000 Islands.   Linda Davis has opened The Art of Tea, 181 King Street East, Gananoque.   With over 40 blends of tea to choose from online and in store, tasting workshops, tea tasting bar, homemade chocolates . . .  it is really a delight to spend some time here in this fragrant wee shop!  visit: www.artoftea.ca  Gananoque is attracting more and more business people who can appreciate the unique charm of our small town.  Come and see what all the excitement is about! Susan Emo,Sales Representative613 331 4885 07/16/2009

Gananoque, Ontario - The Gateway to the 1000 Islands On July 4 and 5, Ground Zero Paintball hosted the Canadian Xball league event, the Border Battle, in Gananoque featuring teams from across Quebec and Ontario. More than 1,000 players took part in the challenge!!! Ground Zero Paintball is proud to offer the safest playing experience possible! With five spectator friendly paintball fields, feel free to bring your lawnchair and watch the action from behind the fortified twenty foot high netting.With over 200 acres of land just outside of the town of Gananoque, GZ Paintball has unlimited room to grow, and continues to do so. There is currently a possible nine fields to play, the excitement never ends! Speedballers and woodsballers alike can enjoy a variety of fields: Scenario 7 or 5 man X... 07/15/2009

This weekend, we enjoyed our 3rd Annual Ribfest in the Town of Gananoque - the Gateway to the world famous 1000 Islands!   The weather threatened us with torrential downpours and thunderstorms but other than the damp day on Friday, the weekend turned out to be beautiful! There was something for everyone in our Gananoque Town Park: (map) 5 champion ribbers beer tent live entertainment Rotary Craft Fair Legion Pancake Breakfast (Saturday & Sunday) Children's Program Youth Centre Silent Auction Antique Cars River Rat Riders Motorcycle Rally '09 There was also a huge display of RVs, boats, Sea-Doos, kayaks, canoes, home & garden furnishings to put on your wish list.  The turn-out was amazing and it is fantastic for the town at large.  In Gananoque, we are a community and we are strong!  We ... 07/05/2009

JULY 1st -  CANADA DAY! Canada became a country on July 1, 1867 Toronto in the largest city in Canada.  It is home to more than 4 million people and its dwellers are known to hold more university educations than any country in the world. Ottawa is our capital city to the surprise of many. The border between Canada and the US is officially known as the International Boundary, at 8,892 km, it is the world's longest border between 2 nations. At 9,984,670 square kilometres, Canada is the second largest country in the world behind Russia at 17,075,000 sq km. Canada has the longest coastline of any contry in the world at 243,042 km. North America's lowest recorded temperatue was -81.4 degrees Fahreheit on Feb 3rd, 1947.  It was recorded at Snag, Yukon Territory. Canada contains 25% of the wor... 06/30/2009

Gananoque, Ontario - June 22, 2009 Our local M & M Meats Store has excited new owners today. . .  Mike and Carrie, a popular Gananoque couple, have proudly taken possession today of their new project located at: 495 King Street EastGananoque, ON K7G 1G9  (613) 382-1830‎  M&M Meat Shops is proud to be Canada's largest retail chain of specialty frozen foods with locations coast to coast. They offer a delectable selection of more than 375 mouth-watering products.  M&M founder Mac Voisin had the foresight to realize, in the early 80's, that our lifestyle was going through a significant change. Collectively our lives were getting fuller and fuller. Many families have both parents working. Finding the time to prepare a meal from scratch was getting more and more difficult, yet we don't want t... 06/22/2009

Gananoque, Ontario: Gateway to the 1000 Islands Susan Emo, Director, Communities Alive, is proud to share their Vision of  Vibrant people living in flourishing and sustainable communities. Communities Alive was established to:  1. Promote sustainability in the Gananoque. Leeds and the 1000 Islands region. 2. Promote, maintain and enhance the physical, mental, social, environmental, economic and cultural well-being of the residents in the region. 3. Develop and deliver events and programs to promote the diverse forms of human, social, cultural and environmental capital available in our region. 4. Partner with regional stakeholders to share and develop new ideas and resources to encourage sustainable community development in the region. 5. Develop and deliver events and programs related t... 06/21/2009

May 30th 2009 Gananoque, Ontario I am very pleased to announce the results of our Yard Sale for the Cure held on Sat. May 30th.  The generousity of our community of only 5200 people, in very difficult times, was tremendous.  In only a few hours, not only did we raise $2,030.00  but we did it all with donated items!! We beat last year's total, which I can't even say was an actual goal.  We just wanted to draw attention to the cause and allow the community to come together for a morning and allow survivors to share their story as well as have a moment for those families who had lost a loved one.    I am happy to say we had many more survivors this year come forward and tell us about their experience. With regard to the economic situation of many people; we were able to provide for free, s... 06/01/2009

This is a HUGE week for the Town of Gananoque . . .  Thanks to the confidence of a local business couple, the O'Connors,  this area, that currently is fighting for economic survival, will be put on the map. With a grand flourish, the new Home Hardware store opened this week, a bigger, better store, one of the best and biggest in Canada. Along with representing a step forward for Home Hardware, the store represents hope - hope for an economic rebirth, sorely needed in these trying times. The new Home Hardware store is 84,000 square feet and includes an 11,000 square foot Home Furniture section and 30,000 square feet of warehouse space that allows a drive thru lumber yard and warehouse. Quite a leap from the 8,000 square foot store of old. Hopefully, the O'Connors will thrive and grow and... 05/23/2009

1000 Islands Region to Host One of Ontario's Largest Music Festivals The organizers of this year's inaugural 1000 Islands Music Fest are proud to announce the festival is now confirmed! This will be one of Ontario's largest music festivals of 2009, The 1000 Islands Music Festival will take place August 13, 14, 15, 2009 at The Dingman Farm, located at 15 Pykeview Drive, Gananoque, in Leeds and 1000 Islands Township. It's expected that The 1000 Islands Music Festival will draw crowds from all over Ontario, Quebec and Upper New York State and bring an expected 15,000 new visitors to the region. The festival organizers have assembled a roster of artists that have established world-wide success, and also a great list of Canadian independent and major label recording artists. The location wil... 05/22/2009

Gananoque, Ontario "The stuff you no longer need will help fund the cure for breast cancer."  Yard Sale For The Cure is a one day national event presented by RE/MAX and I have been involved for the past 4 out of the 5 years and to date over $450,000 has been raised. You can participate by arranging your own yardsale or by attending one in your neighbourhood.  Ours will be held at 389 King St E, Gananoque, On.  We begin at 8:00 am everywhere! If you have items you wish to donate to the sale, please call Susan Emo at 613 382 2211. This year we will have no price tags on any items but simply ask that you donate what you can.  There are many people in need in our community and they are invited to take what they require.   We hope to have coffee and donuts available and we will be there rain... 05/02/2009

I thought I'd share this cute article . . .  it is not mine and I do not expect points from it but I thought you'd enjoy it!   Don't put all your eggs in one basket. Walk softly and carry a big carrot. Everyone needs a friend who is all ears.   There's no such thing as too much candy. All work and no play can make you a basket case. A cute little tail attracts a lot of attention. Everyone is entitled to a bad hare day.  Let happy thoughts multiply like rabbits. Some body parts should be floppy. Keep your paws off other people's jellybeans. Good things come in small sugar-coated packages.The grass is greener in someone else's basket.An Easter bonnet can cover the wildest hare. To show your true colors, you have to come out of your shell. The best things in life are still sweet and gooey.... 04/11/2009

A Newlywed's record of her first week of married life and her  attempts at cooking:   Dear Diary,   It's fun to cook for Tom. Today I made angel food cake. The recipe said beat 12 eggs separately. The neighbours were nice enough to loan me some extra bowls.  Tom wanted fruit salad for supper. The recipe said serve without dressing. So I didn't dress.  What a surprise when Tom brought a friend home for supper . A good day for rice. The recipe said wash thoroughly before steaming the rice. It seemed kind of silly but I took a bath anyway.  I can't say it improved the rice any. Today Tom asked for salad again I tried a new recipe. It said prepare ingredients; lay on a bed of lettuce one hour before serving.  Tom asked me why I was rolling around in the garden... I found an easy recipe for ... 03/01/2009

We all have the same 24 hours in a day and I find it irritating, to say the least, that some people feel the hours that they choose to work, are in some way superior to anothers choice.  If you are a morning person and choose to awaken at dawn, congratulations to you.  If you are a person who performs your best work at midnight but you don't like to rise til 9am or later, congratulations to you too! "Nightowls"  have success stories too but sayings such as "the early bird catches the worm" have forced some people into schedules that just don't suit their bodies nor their creative souls! I love the reputation of the night owl - the WISE ONE!!!  The important thing is that you are do what is right for you, your body, your family, your profession/hobby/sport/task - whatever it is that you ... 02/28/2009

I turned the page on my calendar today to find this wonderful message by Jacqueline Schiff Take These Thoughts with You on the Journey to Your Goals: Don't ever forget that you are unique.  Be your best self and not an imitation of someone else.  Find your strengths and use them in a positive way.  Don't listen to those who ridicule the choices you make.  Travel the road that you have chosen and don't look back with regret.  You have to take chances to make your dreams happen.  Remember that there is plenty of time to travel another road - and still another - in your journey through life.  Take the time to find the route that is right for you.  You will learn something valuable from every trip you take, so don't be afraid to make mistakes.  Tell yourself that you're okay just the way yo... 02/21/2009

Relationships can be tough in any season, but in this economy, staying together and staying in love can be especially challenging.  Time and again I have seen relationships and marriages crumble around finances. With a little guidance and some sound, practical wisdom, these relationships can survive. Let's face it; this is a rough economy right now. But the good news is that when your finances meet hard times, your relationship need not suffer. Here are 10 tips to keep your love burning bright in the midst of financial hardship. 1. Understand How Money And Identity Mingle. Many people today tie their income directly to their own self-worth. For these individuals and couples, when they suffer financial hardship, it can have a traumatic impact on their own identity. For example, a husband... 02/01/2009