A house with a history in Curacao

In Ascension, on the western side of Curacao, is a little white adobe house fronted by a traditional cactus fence that once belonged to one of the island's first freed slaves. His name was John Scope and today the house, known as Cas di Pal'i Maishi, is a museum run by Janine Bernadina, a fifth generation descendant.

If you're travelling to the island in February, which is Black History Month in North America, it seems an apt place to visit.

"Africans were brought in by the Dutch to do agricultural work," Bernadina explains. The slaves in this region cultivated corn.

Bernadina says the two-room kunuku (rural) house is one of the few authentic homes of its kind left on the island. Constructed of clay, cow dung, and stones with a plaster finish, it has sloping exterior walls, and a corn stalk roof. Period furnishings decorate the family room and bedroom.

A tiny kitchen and clay adjacent to the house is where you'll find the oldest artifact -- a peanut and coffee roaster.

Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands visited in 1999 and was so impressed with the home's continued multi-generational ownership that she named it an official monument. Photographs taken during her visit are on display in a glass case. Nearby is a collection of antique bottles and other artifacts found on the site over the years.

Cas di Pal'i Maishi is open Tuesdays to Sundays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission is $3 adults, $2 children.

Christmas tree arrives at White House

Buffalo gallery open for all

BUFFALO, N.Y. - For those who prefer something quieter than a hockey game and less strenuous than a zip-line adventure, the Albright-Knox Art Gallery located at 1285 Elmwood Ave., (www.Albrightknox.org or 716-882-8700) in Buffalo, N.Y. will fit the bill.

This gallery is a major showplace for modern and contemporary art. When I first entered on a Saturday afternoon to escape a cold winter day, I saw it was also a place of quiet, cleanliness and order.

First, let me confess, I know very little about art. However, Gretchan Grobe, the guest service co-ordinator (she calls herself The Hospitality Princess) for the gallery assured me it didn't matter. She said, "Visitors are young, old and all over the board. Some know a lot about art and others want to learn but be assured you don't have to have a pedigree to visit."

The art gallery is the sixth oldest in North America, established in 1862 as the Buffalo Fine Arts Academy. In 1890, Buffalo entrepreneur John J. Albright began construction of the Art Gallery for the Academy. In 1962 a new addition was built by Seymour H. Knox and his family and it was renamed the Albright-Knox Art Gallery. The gallery is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

The gallery has two floors, completely accessible to wheelchair users, spread over a large area.

The gallery's impressive permanent collection of post-war American and European art is found on the main floor. It is fascinating and easy to read about the artists and their works of art. I particularly liked American painter Albert Bierstadt's 1859 painting titled "Marina Piccola Capri." The painting of an Italian bay was the first gift presented to the academy in 1863.

Check out the sculptures. Henry Moore's "Reclining Figure" carved out of elm wood is a show stopper. It was the first piece of his work to be purchased by a gallery in North America. Moore is the artist who produced the large sculpture know as "The Archer" that sits outside of Toronto's city hall. The wood and mixed media sculpture "Bay Girl" by an artist simply known as Marisol put a smile on my face.

On the second floor of the gallery you'll find works of the masters.

Impressionistic and Post-Impressionistic artist like Paul Gaugin, Vincent van Gogh and Pablo Picasso, to name a few, are displayed. After you've looked at the original Picasso you can step inside the AK Gift Shop and take home a print of some of these artists. Sales Associate Kate McWatters said, "The 11x14 inch reproductive Picasso prints for $13 are one of our most popular items."

A Picasso now hangs on my wall!

Where to Eat

I followed my stomach to where the locals eat. A 10-minute drive down the road at the intersection of Elmwood and Allen in historic Allentown is one of Buffalo's favourite hang-outs. The family owned and operated Towne Restaurant (www.thetowne.net, 186 Allen Road) opened in 1972. This place doesn't pretend to be anything other than a restaurant that serves up good food with fast service. Everything is made from scratch and you'll even leave with change in your pocket. The Buffalo Burger and Open Gyro, both in the $8 range, come with all the works. Portions are large so arrive hungry.

Contact George Bailey at wonderful.life@sympatico.ca

Albright-Knox Gallery

Gallery hours and admission: The gallery is open Tuesday through Sunday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Closed Mondays.

Non member rates: Adults -- $12, Seniors (62 plus) -- $8, Children (6-12) -- $5

A year-round individual adult membership is $50, students $25 and seniors $30.

Free public tours led by trained docents (guides) can be taken on Thursday, Friday and Sundays at 1:30 p.m. and on Saturdays at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.

The first Friday of the month, through the support of M &T Bank, the Gallery is open from 10 a.m. until 10 p.m., with free admission to the permanent collection.

Parking is $5 and $3 the first Friday of the month.

Victorian getaway for Valentine’s

Ontario ski programs for kids

Up, up and stay!

In under 15 minutes the Royal Ontario Museum raised a four-metre-long model of a beluga whale more than three metres to hang from the ceiling of its new exhibit — Water.

The exhibit is set to open March 5, and according to Mary Burridge, the assistant curator of the show, the beluga is an iconic symbol for Canadian marine life.

“The beluga whale is here to represent animals that are suffering because of the consequences of industry,” she said.

The St. Lawrence beluga whales have been classified as at-risk since 1979 and their population has remained under 1,000.

About 40% die from bacterial disease and 15% from cancer.

“This could be partly their immune system being harmed from the accumulated toxicity in their flesh,” she said.

The exhibit will feature more than 19 interactive learning sections and a variety of living creatures, including the bird-poop frog, native to Vietnam.

“It’s very hands on, it’s really geared to families with activities they can do together,” said Julian Kingston, the project director.

“(Visitors) are going to see before them an entire life cycle develop,” said Amy Lathrop, a technician who works with the museum’s amphibians.

victoria.gray@sunmedia.ca

ROM makes a splash with new exhibit

ROM makes a splash with new exhibit

Up, up and stay!

In under 15 minutes the Royal Ontario Museum raised a four-metre-long model of a beluga whale more than three metres to hang from the ceiling of its new exhibit — Water.

The exhibit is set to open March 5, and according to Mary Burridge, the assistant curator of the show, the beluga is an iconic symbol for Canadian marine life.

“The beluga whale is here to represent animals that are suffering because of the consequences of industry,” she said.

The St. Lawrence beluga whales have been classified as at-risk since 1979 and their population has remained under 1,000.

About 40% die from bacterial disease and 15% from cancer.

“This could be partly their immune system being harmed from the accumulated toxicity in their flesh,” she said.

The exhibit will feature more than 19 interactive learning sections and a variety of living creatures, including the bird-poop frog, native to Vietnam.

“It’s very hands on, it’s really geared to families with activities they can do together,” said Julian Kingston, the project director.

“(Visitors) are going to see before them an entire life cycle develop,” said Amy Lathrop, a technician who works with the museum’s amphibians.

victoria.gray@sunmedia.ca

Encounters with marine life in New Zealand

Valentine's at Hockley Valley Resort

ORANGEVILLE, Ont. - Valentine's Day is here and, if you're still trying to source something sentimental and romantic -- how about a weekend getaway? It's not far from your own backyard, where ambience, food and wine play host to your romantic needs.

Hockey Valley Resort in Orangeville is home to all this and more -- fine dining, exceptional amenities like skiing in the winter and golf in the spring, and a staff that goes out of their way to make you feel at home, in a setting right out of Hollywood.

I've been there for weddings and girlfriends' weekend getaways, and every visit reveals something new and unique. If anything, it's the perfect place for people watching -- especially the beautiful brides in all their glory.

The hotel has recently been re-decorated and refreshed, including the iconic lobby, bar and restaurants, and all the rooms have been upgraded to a sleek yet cozy setting.

Nestled in the Hockley Valley, part of the Niagara Escarpment, the grounds are breathtaking, especially after a winter storm. Bundled up against the cold you can trundle around the property and discover hidden pockets of sheer Canadian beauty that provides the perfect antidote to grueling city living.

Quite simply, with its elegantly detailed rooms, its full-service European-inspired spa, indoor and outdoor pools, workout rooms and much more --Hockley Valley Resort is the perfect mental health break, and may be just what your looking for as an off-the-beaten path Valentine's Day gift idea.

When you visit, definitely bring your appetite. Hockley Valley Resort is home to several diverse restaurants including Babbo, a new dining concept where guests can explore the best of the region through the resort's expansive new vegetable gardens and menus designed around simple, clean flavours that change weekly depending on seasonality and the harvest, (Babbo is also the recipient of the 2010 VQA Restaurant Award of Excellence), Tavola, an elegant private dining room for up to 12 persons where the interaction with the chef is part of the food fanfare, and the newest culinary sensation, and Restaurant 85 Bar and Lounge, headed up by Chef Hugo Ferreira, originally from Portugal, with a mixed-dining capacity of 236 guests in their bar, lounge, food bar and private dining areas. Again, the premise here is for guests to interact with the chefs and discuss the restaurant's Mediterranean influenced menus.

An October visit to Hockley Valley Resort had us enjoying an evening at the Chef's Table, an absolutely delightful experience in which we indulged in a series of tasting dishes provided by chef Daniel Mezzolo and his staff, who explained the dining experience is made that much better when it becomes an interactive experience with the team.

"The idea of good cuisine is not based on layers upon layers of complexity -- but on creating a simple dish using only the freshest local ingredients....that's where you'll see the true impact of the ingredients and the vision," says Mezzolo, who hails from northern Italy and whose international experience has refined his culinary philosophy to embrace the idea his dishes should be based on simplicity, goodness and beauty. "One of the most difficult dishes to create is one based on simplicity -- it's how you learn to coax the true flavours out."

This is a philosophy that is generously embraced by the full team, says executive chef Rabii Jaouhari, who has travelled the world and honed his skills on an array of five-star resorts, after studying at the prestigious Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts. "The idea is we want to encourage guests to be part of the (culinary) experience and learn more about the food they are eating," says Jaouhari, while artfully moving between the various kitchens. "And to enjoy the experience."

In fact, in the particular kitchen where we took our meal (we noshed on a series of small, beautifully detailed plates with minute morsels of the most exquisite mouthfuls -- everything from a cold pasta with a "paintbrush" of squid ink to silky risotto) -- had its walls absolutely covered with messages from past patrons. It gave the room a sense of theatre, and the whole experience one of entertainment at its delicious best.

"It's part of our interactive service style that we are striving for," says Jaouhari. "That -- and a menu that truly reflects our local roots."

"We work with the local bounty, talking to the farmers in this area," adds Mezzolo. "And it allows us to challenge ourselves -- it's good when you can reach for fat, juicy tomatoes in the summer, but you truly appreciate foods when the snow's on the ground."

Come the warm weather, part of the menu includes going out to the vegetable gardens with chefs in tow to "pick your dinner -- see how it goes from field to plate," says Mezzolo.

Hockley Valley Resort's a good hour's drive from the outskirts of the GTA. But when you travel there, it's like visiting a new world altogether. It would definitely make for a memorable Valentine's day treat!

Visit Hockley.com for more information.

Bringing me back to Jamaica

Victorian getaway for Valentine's

Looking for a romantic getaway for your Valentine?

A stroll around an old-fashioned, Victorian conservatory filled with tropical palms, ferns, ivy, amaryllis and orchids, and set in a beautiful park designed by Frederick Law Olmstead might just fill the bill. Last weekend, I escaped with my own Valentine to the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens, located on South Park Ave., in Buffalo for an afternoon of tropical gardens and a relaxing stroll around the woodland park. Located just a half-hour drive from Niagara, Ont., the gardens are tucked into a quiet neighbourhood and offer free on-site parking and plenty of nearby restaurants for a quiet dinner after an afternoon or evening visit to the gardens.

Made up of three glass domes and nine greenhouses, this impressive conservatory is situated on 3.75 hectares at the entrance to Buffalo's historic South Park. The glass, wood and steel conservatory, designed by Lord & Burnham, .Co., was based on the famous Crystal Palace in Kew Gardens Palm House in England. When the conservatory opened in 1900, it was one of the largest public greenhouses in the country and cost $130,000. Today, the structure is one of only two remaining Lord & Burnham conservatories incorporated into a Fredrick Law Olmsted-designed park in the country.

In 1979, the conservatory was in need of repair and was in danger of closing its doors. Florence DaLuiso, whose home is across the street from the Conservatory, formed the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens Society in 1979 in an effort to save the building by leading school tours and showing the children its treasures. The publicity worked, and the County of Erie took over the Conservatory in 1981.

Now-retired executive director James Tilley graciously took time from packing up his office to speak with me on the day of my visit.

"The conservatory is manned by a staff of 16, along with some 200 volunteers," he explained. "We just couldn't do it without the volunteers. Every day, a busload of third graders arrives for programs offered in the greenhouse."

The Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens Society Inc., a not-for-profit organization, manages the facility. "We depend on memberships and admissions for funding," he continued.

Directly off the entrance portico, the Palm Dome soars 20.42-metres tall and is filled with lush palms and tropical fruit trees. Interpretive maps direct visitors on a walking tour through the gardens and around the world as they visit plant collections from exotic lands. It may be cold and snowing outside, but it feels like you're in a different world the minute you step into this tropical oasis.

Florida Everglades House showcases the importance of maintaining wetlands, the Earth's natural filtration system.

The largest public ivy collection in the world (400-plus cultivars) is featured in the Victorian Ivy and Herb House, along with herbs and scented geraniums. Vines clamber over a gazebo, there is a secret grotto and children are invited to see if they can find all of the frogs hidden among the plants in the checkerboard display. Victorian accents and statuary decorate this pretty house.

The Desert House includes a fascinating display of North American cacti and agave plants and a collection of succulents from South Africa. Kids (and the young at heart) will really enjoy the variety of textures and colours in this house, look for velvety Panda Plant (Kalanchoe tomentosa) from Madagascar, furry Mexican Firecracker (Echiveria setosa), and watch out for the Echinocactus grusonii with needle-like spines running along the ribbed edges of this sphere-shaped North American native.

The soothing sound of splashing water echoes throughout the greenhouse thanks in part to a nine-metre waterfall surrounded by banana trees and huge ferns, in the Fern House. Bright orange, red and white koi populate a large pond at the foot of the cascade. With a pretty arched footbridge and huge dinosaur and lizard topiaries, the pond is a magnet for youngsters and photographers alike.

Speaking of photography, the facility includes a sleek new exhibition space, the Arcangel Gallery, located just beyond the Palm Dome. Until March 6, you can enjoy Photographs of the Gardens by James Sedwick. His intuitive studies of koi and reflections in the pool in the Fern House, along with scenes from the gardens, were fascinating to explore.

"We're thrilled about an upcoming exhibit of paintings by autistic children," said James Tilley. "It is going to be very exciting to showcase their work!"

If you're looking for a romantic Valentine's Day outing, imagine an evening stroll through a Victorian Glasshouse illuminated with theatrical lighting. Night Lights at the Gardens is open Thursday through Saturday from 5:30 to 9 p.m. until Feb. 19. The Amaryllis and Cymbidium Show continues until Feb. 21; an Orchid Show is scheduled for Feb. 26-27. You can check their website for more events.

After touring the greenhouse, we bundled up and followed the circular drive around the arboretum. Views across the pond, through mature stands of trees and eventually back toward the conservatory, as Olmstead envisioned them, are still lovely. Birdsong rang through the meadows and woods, and we could hear children squealing with delight as they slid down the gentle hills by the conservatory. Olmstead would certainly approve.

Theresa Forte is a local garden consultant, writer and photographer. You can reach her by calling 905-351-7540 or by e-mail theresa_forte@sympatico.ca

Need to know

The Buffalo and Erie Country Botanical Gardens 2655 South Park Ave., Buffalo, N.Y. 14218; www.buffalogardens.com for more details

Adult admission $6, seniors (55+) $5, children (3-12) $3, but check the website, prices vary for special shows.

Free parking

Arboretum, parkland and outdoor display gardens are free of charge.

Frederick Law Olmstead

Landscape architect Fredrick Law Olmsted, Sr. (1822-1903) was the chief architect for New York City's Central Park. He designed a park system for Buffalo with connecting parkways and circles. Buffalo was the first American city to adopt this concept and became Olmsted's model for other cities.

Dollywood wins theme park award

Letting the dogs out on Family Day

ONTARIO - Mush, you huskies... pointers and other assorted and lovable K-9 mutts!

They'll be letting the dogs out on the upcoming Family Day Weekend for the inaugural Georgian Bay Skijor and Dogsled Dash.

The two days of dogsled races on Feb. 19 and 20 coincide with activities at the picturesque Inn at Cobble Beach in Kemble, north of Owen Sound.

"If you've never been to an event like this, it's a sight to see," said organizer Sasha Fernando, noting this will be Canada's first combined dogsledding and Nordic skiing event.

On you huskies...

In Norwegian, skijoring means "ski driving" -- someone pulled on skis by dogs.

Nordic combined racing is a variation called the "pulka" involving one dog in harness pulling a pulk (small toboggan) and a skijorer on skis at the back controlling the animal and pulk with a tug line.

It's a sight to see as the event has a mass start with the teams leaving at the same time.

They complete one lap, enter a staging area and drop off the pulk. The skier and dog then complete a second and final lap and race to the finish line.

The Canadian Skijor Team will be competing and then head to Hamar, Norway for next month's World Championship.

Among the notables taking part will be Canadian national team member Dave Meisenheimer and Damion Robb of the Jamaican Dogsled Team.

Kickin' up the snow

Visitors will quickly notice the bond and trust between mushers and their dogs, with not just the animals doing all the work.

There is a "definite partnership" in dogsled sports as these animals are "like family members to the mushers/owners," Fernando said.

"On race day, competitors, spectators, friends and family get the chance to enjoy the company of dogs in an exhilarating and fast-paced atmosphere."

In what he hopes will be an annual event, it is open to all skill levels, "with races from Kid n' Mutt sprints up to elite six mile (10 km) competitions" on the groomed trails.

There will be about 35 teams from across North America competing with single, two, four and six-dog combinations while kid sprints on the Sunday will help to introduce youngsters to skijoring.

Having a blast

"These races are a total blast to watch let alone compete in," Fernando said.

Visitors will hear the dogs howling with excitement as they watch at the start and finish lines and several points along the trails, and cheer the teams on to victory.

Fernando usually runs a two-dog team but an injury has sidelined his German shorthair pointer, Sargent McLovin' (Sarge).

So, that means he will race with Arrow, his Pudelpointer, while Sarge, "a very lovable character will be race mascot and that will suit him fine."

Having grown up in Owen Sound and living now in Lakefield, Fernando said this is an ideal location typically with "mass amounts of snow" and hopes it will develop and strengthen the skijor and dogsled community.

Cobble Beach events

Weekend activities around the Inn at Cobble Beach will include cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and skating, said spokesman Geoffrey McLeese.

There will be fire pits for making S'mores, a campfire treat of Graham crackers with melted marshmallows and chocolate, hot chocolate and a beer tent.

The Georgian Bay resort's facilities with its award-winning golf course will be available including the spa -- sorry, no golfing yet.

There's a Nantucket-style clubhouse with the Sweetwater restaurant offering a prix fixe three-course meal and holiday Monday brunch, and a 10-room boutique-style inn.

If you go:

All the weekend events at Cobble Beach are free to attend with the races starting at 9 a.m. on Feb. 19 with the last race at 3:30 p.m.; and at 8:30 a.m. on Feb. 20 until the last race at 3 p.m.

The resort is in Kemble, 7.5 kilometres north of the Owen Sound Golf and Country Club, on Grey County Road 1 (follow the signs), 10 minutes north of Owen Sound.

For dogsled race details, directions and places to stay: www.gbsdd.com; www.cobblebeach.com; 1-888-278-8112.

Jim Fox can be reached at onetanktrips@hotmail.com

Ideal islands for families