A Walk with the Alpacas at Maple Hill Urban Farm

Welcome back our teen blogger David, as he visits Maple Hill Urban Farm and takes a walk with April the Alpaca

David walking down a path with two alpacas

I have always considered alpacas the most underrated domesticated animals. They are very friendly and docile creatures, perfectly suitable for young children and families. I find them to be smart enough that you can get meaningful interaction with them like a dog, and with fur that is great for petting, like a sheep. When I heard of a place in the NCC greenbelt that offered tours where you can walk an alpaca, I was all for it.

We arrived at Maple Hill Urban Farm and met Don, the owner. We entered the stables and met our alpacas. Mine was named April. We grabbed onto their leashes, and brought them out. I quickly learned that April had a rebellious personality (though Don mentioned they adopt the personality of their handler), with a resistance to walking with me. I finally managed to get her moving, and we began trekking down the trail.

While walking with my alpaca, I was able to enjoy the beautiful scenery of the farm while petting its soft fur. Don mentioned that the Alpaca walk can be very therapeutic for visitors with special needs and young children. After walking on the gravel path for a while, we went onto a small bridge. For some reason, my alpaca totally switched its personality and enthusiastically ran in front of me to get to the other side. I went from dragging April around to having April drag me! It was an incredible experience to spend time with my alpaca and look around the Maple Hill property.

After putting our alpacas back in the stables, we got to visit more of the farm. First off, we fed some cows pita bread, which they calmly munched out of our hands. We then visited a pig pen, and petted the small hogs as they devoured scraps. Finally, we got to see a grain silo from the 1930s. Apparently, it has had many uses since then- including serving as an illegal marijuana planting spot. All in all, I had a great time at Maple Hill Farm, from spending time up close with one of my favourite animals to seeing the other aspects of farm life.

If you also want to walk an alpaca, Maple Hill Farm will be open most days during business hours. For more information, click here.

Price:

$60 for 2 adults

~extra children 5-12 yrs old add $10

~extra adults add $15

~Toddlers are free with strict adult supervision

Location: Maple Hill Urban Farm is located at 200 Moodie Drive

Additional info: Tours last 45 minutes. Please arrive 10 minutes before your tour time. Children are welcome but must be accompanied at all times. There is a clean outhouse available. Alpaca walks are available in all season.

David is a fifteen-year-old aspiring adventure and travel writer living in Ottawa.  Skydiving is on his bucket list. He received a complimentary ticket for this post, but all views are his own.

River of Crows and Mirror of Wolves - local Ottawa author

We are big fans of reading here at Kids in the Capital, so when NP Thompson, local Ottawa author of River of Crows and Mirror of Wolves, reached out to us, we knew we wanted to have one of our young readers review these books!

Annabelle is a local 12-year old who took the time to read both these novels and share her thoughts with us about them.

River of Crows

This book follows the adventures of Ty Baxter, a 12-year boy who lives in Newhaven. He used to have a pretty normal life, but after teaming up with the new girl in school to help an injured bird, he finds himself in a whole other world full of magic called Arcania. With his newfound friend, he sets off on a daring adventure to rescue her brother from the black guard, an organization controlled by an evil sorcerer who captures children and turns them into crows.

I wasn’t sure what to expect when I started this book, but as a fan of Percy Jackson, I found that it had a similar idea to the series. It was fun to be able to learn about the magic of this new place along with Ty. The author brought this whole book to life with all the characters and adventures that happen throughout the book, like meeting a hob (Arcanian creature similar to a dwarf), rafting across a river and facing incredible dangers, such as a battle against a magical being (I’ll leave it at that, I don’t want to give any spoilers!) With all the challenges presented to the intriguing characters, I am excited to read what happens in the next book.

Mirror of wolves

During the events of this book, Ty has started his training with the renown Quinn Tambrun, a skilled healer and sorcerer, also known as Ty’s grandfather. Although it was going well at first, his studies were discovered to become more difficult as time passed, and he started to have nightmares of his encounter with the evil Emperor Blackthorn. As his nightmares continued to plague him, he tried to focus on his learning but when he learns of a mystical artifact which can show him his destiny, he sets out on an adventure to search for it. 

The continuation of the stories of the arcanium was a very interesting read. During the beginning, I got a bit confused with the switching point of views, but as I continued, I started to understand. There were many plot twists included in the story, which made it exciting to read and fun to see everyone’s reactions. In this book, a few new characters are introduced and each one has a very distinct personality, and I can easily tell them apart. One character in particular was very interesting to read about, which was Paul Baxter. He was introduced in the first book, but in the sequel, we get to explore his character and personality. I personally loved the book, and can’t wait to read the next one. I would definitely recommend this book to other readers my age. (10-12)

Where can you get the book:

You can get the book in print or ebook at the following retailers (and the ebook version is currently on sale at a huge discount, and will remain so until December 15th!)

Amazon: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B09TX6YDPD
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/ca/en/ebook/river-of-crows-1
Apple: https://books.apple.com/ca/book/river-of-crows/id1612955802

Silly and Strange Books You Need To Read

Ottawa Public Library (OPL) is back to share some silly and strange picture books. This month’s post is by Luna Vo, Children’s Programming and Public Services Assistant at the Sunnyside Branch of OPL. “There are so many books to read and so little time. Here is a list of some silly and strange picture books that I thought would bring about some smiles and chuckles.” says Luna. “I hope you and your child will enjoy them like I did!”

Who wet my Pants? By Bob Shea

Help solve this mystery...or was it just an accident? Reuben tries to discover what happened to his pants and if his friends were responsible. They try to assure him that it was probably an accident, but he thinks his friends are covering up what really happened.  This fun book explores a wealth of emotions such as: embarrassment, empathy, anger and forgiveness. A child going through the potty-training process might relate to this book and learn that it’s okay to have accidents.

Rhyming dust bunnies by Jan Thomas

If you’ve been to story time at a library, you have probably heard a Jan Tomas story. This hilarious book is a fun way for children to learn about phonetic awareness through rhyming words. There are three dust bunnies, Ed, Ned, and Ted who love to speak in rhyme. Unfortunately, Bob, the fourth dust bunny does not follow this pattern. Maybe he’s got something different to say? This book has very simple depictions but the bold colours, large speech bubbles, and fun fonts are very eye-catching and add to the silliness.

Still Stuck by Shinsuke Yoshitake

This fun book was recommended by my colleague, and I think everyone has been in this situation - at least once - and can relate. This book follows a young boy who is exploring his autonomy. When it’s time for a bath, he is convinced that he can get undressed on his own but...he gets stuck. What happens if he’s stuck forever? How will he live his life? Both parents and children will have a chuckle when they read this book!

I Can Only Draw Worms by Will Mabbitt

The title of this book is spot on.  It is definitely a book with only worms in it. This might sound boring, but it was a super silly and fun read. The simplicity of the illustrations adds to the humour in this book and the bright neon colours were certainly eye catching. It is also a fun way to incorporate numeracy while reading to children.

Fluffy McWhiskers Cuteness Explosion by Stephan W. Matin

This book is so cute that it causes spontaneous combustion! Whoever sees Fluffy McWhiskers is so overwhelmed, they explode. Naturally, Fluffy doesn’t want that to happen so she tries to downplay her cuteness, but nothing works. Eventually Fluffy decides she is too dangerous to be around. Is she doomed to be alone forever? Or will she be able to find a friend who can accept her as she is?

Underwear! By Jenn Harney

I adored this hilarious book about a father bear trying to get his cub dressed and ready for bed after his bath. Unfortunately, little bear has his own plans after bath time.  The illustrations perfectly encompass the frantic and fun energy of trying to get a little one ready for bedtime.  This is a great book to read to children because it contains word play, homophones, and rhymes that are important to early literacy.

Animals brag about their Bottoms by Maki Saito

Well, I didn’t think that anyone could write a book about bottoms, but here we are! Not only are the illustrations beautiful, but the message about positive body image and self-esteem is fantastic. This book displays all different types of bottoms and encourages readers to see the benefits of being different. No matter the size, shape, texture, or colour, all bottoms are beautiful!

King Baby by Kate Beaton

This book is about King Baby and his loyal subjects. Unfortunately, sometimes his subjects don’t understand his needs, so he has to get things done himself! Follow along as King Baby begins to grow and change. The illustrations are bold and playful – they certainly bring a smile to my face. I’m not going to lie - I think this is definitely more entertaining for adults than for children. The hilarious writing pokes fun of the way parents cater to their baby’s needs.

Penguin problems by Jory John and Lane Smith

This book is about a grumpy penguin who complains about everything! He doesn’t like the weather, the ocean, the way he looks, or the way he waddles. Hopefully, some words of wisdom from a friendly walrus will help change the penguin’s outlook on life. This book is a great reminder to children to be grateful for what they have and to appreciate life.

Bad Dog by Mike Boldt

It’s a typical case of mistaken identity. A little girl receives a new pet for her birthday and is convinced that it is a dog. However, Rocky is not a very good dog, and she doesn’t do the things a typical dog does. She doesn’t like walks, performing tricks or playing with other dogs. Why is this dog so strange? I love the expressive faces depicted in this book and think that parents and children will find this silly book hilarious.

Star Wars: A New Hope: Interview with Francis Choiniere

Our teen blogger had the opportunity to interview Francis Choiniere, FILMharmonique’s conductor who is bringing Star Wars: A New Hope to TD Place November 30 -December 1.

In the world of art, soundtracks for movies tend to be among the most overlooked mediums. Being overshadowed by the narrative of their host films, and by other compositions, these scores are typically not appreciated outside of the cinemas. However, Orchestre FILMharmonique is an exception. With their orchestral rendition of the Star Wars soundtrack approaching, I interviewed FILMharmonique’s conductor- Francis Choiniere.

Before we discuss Star Wars, I wanted to learn about  you and your career. How did you get into the classical music business?

I started as a composer; in high school I was writing small symphonies and doing my own orchestral writing. When I was around 17 years old, I had the chance to conduct my first orchestra and it was a really memorable experience. There was something unique about being on stage and performing not only my own work but other people’s music as well. It really inspired me to connect all those musicians on stage and create something beautiful. 

So you started off very young. You are only in your mid-20s now; how did you advance so quickly?

I would say it was a slow start, I have been in the business for eight or nine years now, so it has been gradual. At first, I only had around two or three concerts a year and that totally stopped when the pandemic hit. Once covid relaxed a bit, I began full blown conducting. I was happy to start touring with the two orchestras I’m with- OPCM and Orchestre FILMharmonique- around Canada. Orchestre FILMharmonique is the orchestra that I’ll be conducting for the Star Wars show and they have the core initiative of fusing the classical and film genres of composition.

You mentioned that FILMharmonique primarily does soundtracks. What in particular made you interested in Star Wars music?

Well, I have loved John Williams’ music for a long time. I really admire his orchestral writing and, coming from a classical background, you can really appreciate the complexity that goes into his work. His genius and effort is clear when you can fully immerse yourself in his music, which is what this concert will do. 

And what can people expect from this upcoming concert at TD Place?

It's both a visual and auditory experience. You’re getting the entire film- Star Wars: A New Hope- with a live orchestra playing in sync with the soundtrack. This means that I’m there conducting 74 musicians on stage with brass, springs, woodwinds and percussion to give you the full orchestral experience. When you are watching the movie at home, the music is edited to be in the background of dialogue, but at this concert, it will be much more immersive. 

Finally, what is next in your career?

That's an open question for me. I’m still deciding where I want to be in the next 5 to 10 years. I definitely want to continue expanding our tours within Canada and the United States and hopefully begin tours in Europe as well. While travel for work is a major goal, I will remain based in Canada, because we have such a rich and diverse musical culture. I hope to remain a contributor to that culture for a long time. 

If you want to watch Star Wars: A New Hope with a live orchestra as a soundtrack, checkout Orchestre FILMharmonique’s performance on November 30th or December 1st at TD Place. The show will begin at 7:30 pm. FILMharmonique is partnering with GFN Productions to make this multimedia presentation a reality. For more information, click here.

David is a fifteen-year-old aspiring adventure and travel writer living in Ottawa.  Skydiving is on his bucket list. He received a complimentary ticket for this post, but all views are his own.

Haunted Walk Ottawa - Activities for Teens

Friday October 13. The haunted day and the month of fear meet around once every seven years. While I may not be a superstitious person, it's hard not to see the significance of this spooky calendar event. What better way to spend it than at one of the most iconic Halloween attractions in the city- a haunted tour of the Bytown Museum?

We arrived on Sparks Street at 7 pm, ready for our tour. Our guide was wearing an ominous black robe, setting the mood for the experience that lay ahead. We set off, walking by city hall and listening to our first spooky story next to the Rideau Canal. The stories our guide told were historical anecdotes of mysterious ghostly phenomena around the area, including the Chateau Laurier. After walking down the locks, we arrived at our main destination- the Bytown Museum. 

The museum is a small brick building, reminiscent of Ottawa’s early days. We made our way in and sat down to hear our first ghost story, recounting how the ghost of Colonel John By haunts the building. We then made our way upstairs to the first exhibition room.

In the exhibition room, there was a full collection of artifacts dating back to the mid-19th century. Among them was the cast of Thomas D’Arcy McGee’s hand; an improvisation due to the fact that his face was too mutilated to make a death mask. I was quickly finding this tour to be an exploration of Ottawa’s early history with a creepy twist. 

We continued walking through more of the museum's displays, with each coming with a scary story. Finally, we arrived at the last room- the vault of the building. It was in this room that important weapons were stored. We cycled through it, as our guide told one last story about the many construction workers for the Rideau Canal that perished. A chilling end to a ghost tour.

If you want to see the city in a scarier manner than ever before, check out Haunted Walks’ ghost tours. On top of the Bytown museum, they offer the original haunted walk (downtown), Beechwood Cemetery, former prime minister Mackenzie’s estate and, for the last season ever, an abandoned jail. The original, Mackenzie’s estate and jail tours are available in French. The Haunted Walk also has tours in Kingston and Toronto. For more information, click here.

David is a fifteen-year-old aspiring adventure and travel writer living in Ottawa.  Skydiving is on his bucket list. He received a complimentary ticket for this post, but all views are his own.