Friends of the Rideau

Explore the Rideau Canal and Friends of the Rideau by following these links:

WHAT'S NEW

Wash/Wake on the RideauParks Canada is soliciting your opinion about boat wash/wake on the Rideau Canal.
Is it a problem? Let them know.
See: Wash/Wake Survey

Added our Summer 2008 newsletter to the website.

Added our Spring 2008 newsletter to the website.

At the 5th Rideau Waterway Symposium on November 26, 2007 - Friends of the Rideau was presented with a Certificate of Recognition by the Rideau Canal Office of Parks Canada, Read the details

Added our Fall 2007 newsletter to the website.

We've received a very generous donation from the Peninsula Paddlers Club, a result of their fundraising for their Rideau paddle this year. These funds have been placed into our new Rideau Legacy Fund. Read the details

The Rideau Canal has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It becomes the 14^th site in Canada and the first for Ontario. Read the Press Release

We've established a Rideau Legacy Fund. This fund will be used to support projects that meet our mandate and support the legacy of the Rideau Canal. All revenues from our sale of Rideau 175 merchandise are being placed in this fund.

We're overflowing with new things for 2007. Friends of the Rideau directors Ed Bebee and Ken Watson have both released new books. Ed's new book is titled Fish Tales: The Lure and the Lore of the Rideau and Ken's new book is titled The Rideau Route: Exploring the Pre-Canal Waterway. In addition to that we have the new 2007 version of hydrographic Chart 1513 (last updated in 1996) and the new 2007 edition of the very popular Rideau Boating and Road Guide.

We have a new book on CD titled A Rideau Jaunt in 1872, a handwritten description of a steam boat trip in 1872. We have two new works of Rideau fiction - a collection of short story mysteries titled Locked Up and a youth mystery titled Shillings. We also have a beautiful full colour coffee table book titled The Rideau Canal, Then and Now by Ron Corbett, featuring the photography of John McQuarrie. And for those interested in the secrets of blacksmithing, we have Blacksmithing Fundementals by Parks Canada blacksmith Don MacKay

We also have lots of Rideau 175 merchandize, including the beautiful 2008 calendar featuring paintings by Ben Babelowski.

Added our Summer 2007 newsletter to the website.

Our 2007 AGM was held at the Rideau Canal Museum on April 28, 2007. Our featured talk this year was Digging the Rideau by Caroline Phillips, Senior Archaeologist with Parks Canada. She showed the audience the fascinating things that have been discovered during archeaological investigations along the Rideau Canal. Mark Brus of Parks Canada updated us on plans for Rideau 175 activities and the latest on our World Heritage Nomination. Dave Freeman had his new model lock fully operating (it worked like a charm, we didn't even get wet). Ed Bebee and Ken Watson were also on hand with their brand new books, Fish Tales and The Rideau Route.

Added our Spring 2007 newsletter to the website.

It's the 175th anniversary of the opening of the Rideau Canal - the oldest continously operated canal in North America. Many events are taking place in celebration - see the www.rideau175.org website for full information about these events.

We were very pleased (it was a complete surprise) to receive Parks Canada's Volunteer Flame, its Co-operating Association Award. This was awarded in recognition of the volunteer role Friends of the Rideau has played over the past 21 years in terms of visitor experience, public education and protection of the Rideau Canal. For a photo and details see our Awards Page.

Added Tails of the Rideau series of children's books to our sales section

Added our Fall 2006 newsletter to the website.

Our Annual General Meeting was held on May 13, 2006 at the Rideau Canal Museum, Smiths Falls. Speakers included Gavin Liddy, Superintendent of the Rideau Canal on the topic of World Heritage and Rideau175 and Dr. Brian Osborne, who gave a grand sweeping talk, taking us from the pre-canal Rideau to present day. It was a fascinating experience for everyone in attendance.

Added our Summer 2006 newsletter to the website.

Added our Winter/Spring 2006 newsletter to the website.

Added a new information brochure, Managing Aquatic Vegetation on the Rideau Canal, to our brochures page.

We've partnered with Parks Canada to create a new website all about the 175th Anniversary of the Rideau Canal in 2007. See the Rideau 175 page.