Good Monday morning! I hope everyone had a great weekend and will continue to enjoy this little heat spell that we’re going through. What a great past week of 30+ degrees each day, and here’s to another similar week ahead! All this heat and dryness has put the city into a burn ban situation so no bonfires for us. However, there’s still an option for us pyro-wannabe’s out there (read the next section).

This week is a tough one for me, as I’m sure it is for many. This Thursday was supposed to be day-1 for Ottawa Bluesfest, and I’m sad to be missing it this year. I’m going to miss my friends, great music and amazing times, but at least there’s next year to look forward to! Fingers are still crossed for Cityfolk, which should be confirmed/cancelled at some point this week, but I’m not keeping my hopes up.

Saunders Farm Camp-Fire Nights

For the past couple months, Saunders Farm, out in Munster Hamlet has been holding camp-fire nights. They offer various packages ranging from $90 to $150 for a date night, or family/group camp fires. Although this price seems a little steep, they do come with all the necessities such as wood, hot dogs, smores, drinks, and even charcuterie boards (depending on the package). If you’ve never been to Saunders Farm for any of their events, you’re missing out as they don’t hold back with the details EVER. They truly go all out and make an incredible and memorable experience, so I’m sure these camp-fire nights are no different. To view the full information, and buy a package, click this link.

**Photo from Saunders Farm Website

Sports Update

Again this week, nothing really complete to report in the world of sports. Each professional league is moving closer to a solution to resuming or commencing their seasons, but nothing concrete yet. There are a few promising updates though:

NBA: It is confirmed (as before) that the NBA will complete their season in Orlando at Disney World. “Pre-season” scrimmage games will be held starting July 22^nd. The remainder of the schedule is not yet released.

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2898838-nba-releases-full-scrimmage-schedule-for-orlando-restart-beginning-july-22

NHL: Teams are pretty much back on the ice now for “pre-season” practice and conditioning camp. Except for all the players who have contracted COVID-19 of course. St. Louis has been hit hard and have cancelled their practices for now anyway. Last week, I reported that Toronto and Vegas were being considered for the two hub cities for the NHL, well that’s now changed to Toronto and Edmonton. This is likely due to the fact that the US is still a COVID mess, and also to ease border crossing issues into Canada. Fun times! Read the full article with both of these updates here thanks to Bleacher Report!

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2898824-blues-reportedly-cancel-practices-due-to-positive-coronavirus-tests

MLB: The season is still planned to start July 23^rd/24^th.

Hot Dog Eating Contest

I guess this also falls within the sports section of the newsletter! The annual July 4^th hot dog eating challenge was held and Joey Chestnut won for the 13^th time in 14 years for the men’s heat with 75 hot dogs in 10 minutes and Miki Sudo took the women’s with 48.5 hot dogs.

**Photo John Minchillo/Associated Press – found on Bleacher Report

I can’t even imagine how one can eat that many hot dogs in a day let alone 10 minutes. Joey set the record easily due to some normally key competitors having to bow out due to COVID-19 travel restrictions.

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2898840-nathans-hot-dog-eating-contest-2020-joey-chestnut-sets-record-with-75-hot-dogs

Canada Day in Greely

Last week was Canada Day, and a much different one than what we’re used to. Instead of packing the Hill with party-goers, it was full of protesters. Instead of being out in our backyards with a large group of friends, we sat in small gatherings and watched fireworks on TV. Instead of hitting up a bar and celebrating the birth of our great nation, we stayed home and had a virtual cheers with friends in different places. At least that’s what we were supposed to do. The video from Mooney’s Bay was disgusting and I felt that we were part of the USA with WAY too many people crowding together. Even the interview with one of the guys there made me sick while he was complaining that there were too many people and it was dangerous. Yet he was still there.

Anyway…..we stayed home for Canada Day and enjoyed Greely’s toned down version of their usual spectacular show. They had a parade of all the essential worker’s vehicles go up and down all the streets in the community. The firetrucks and police cars blasted their sirens and the long line of construction and farming vehicles honked their horns. All the vehicles were decked out in their red-and-white-best waving to all the people who emerged from their homes to watch as they drove by. We were among those people and even dressed up the “Covert Baby” in his RCMP sleeper to add to the Canada pride.

This Kid’s Got Talent!

Last Saturday morning, my first “This Kid’s Got Talent” submission was on CFRA on “The Goods with Dahlia Kurtz” and I was honored to talk briefly about Covert Ottawa Guy and introduce Cooper Dunn. You can read about Cooper in the Jun 6th Newsletter.

This week, I’m happy to feature 13 year old Chelsea Spence. I haven’t had the honour to have seen Chelsea in person yet, but based on this video, I’m sure that time will come. Her ability to sing and perform is obvious, she’s graceful and deliberate with an amazing voice and seemingly natural knack for performing. Her timing and ability to hold higher notes in just the right way indicate professional training and she seems to truly love to perform; She’s incredible.

**Photo Provided in Submission

Included in Chelsea’s performance resume, you will find the role of Chip with ASNY’s Beauty and the Beast production last year at Centrepointe. Just last month, Chelsea placed third in the Kiwanis Ontario Provincial Musical Theatre competition. She truly is very talented, and I look forward in seeing her back on stage where I can review her performance. 😊

I once again encourage people to send me submissions for this weekly section. Your kid submission doesn’t have to be musical or theatrical in nature, and they don’t have to be the next big thing coming out of Ottawa. I’m looking for all forms of talent, artistic or otherwise so please get in touch if you have something you’d like to share. I mean who doesn’t like showing off their kid’s talents? You can email me at [email protected]

Have a great week ahead everyone. Enjoy the sun, stay hydrated, and stay safe!