Regional Contact 2010-2011
It's heart and soul television. For more than three decades, Regional Contact has been showcasing the extraordinary talents and personalities of people living in CTV Ottawa's vast coverage area. This beloved program is the gentle voice of artists, musicians, hobbyists and collectors in Eastern Ontario and West Quebec. Joel Haslam and Kathie Donovan produce and host this award-winning, top-rated television favourite. Every Sunday at 6:30 p.m., they are your guides to learning and laughter.
Classic Wings - Bob Hanson
Bob Hanson has a passion for flying and he wants to let you in on one of the best kept aviation secrets in the country. Bob is the owner of Classic Wings - a private collection of fully-operational vintage aircraft, spanning decades of aviation history. more...
The Art of Self-Defence - Terry Langworth
The ancient martial art of ju-jitsu is helping to shape Terry Langworth's happiness. His clay sculpture is a great balance for the physical work Terry does in ju-jitsu. more...
Fine Strings - Olivia Pelling
Olivia Pelling fashions violins, violas and other handcrafted musical instruments. She is a second generation luthier whose work honours her family's strong tradition of lutherie in Canada and Europe. more...
Painting the Past - Brandon McVittie
Brandon McVittie loves art and history; his paintings reflect his passions. He uses his paintbrush to capture light and the moodiness of clouds in landscapes that pay tribute to artists from another era. more...
Arabesque Pottery - Diane Sullivan
Diane Sullivan is savouring her life as a potter in the village of Williamsburg. An old mercantile store on Highway 31 has been transformed into her home and studio. Originally from the Ottawa area, Diane brings more than 20 years of experience to her award-winning art. more...
Maximum Motorcycles - Eric Leblanc
Eric Leblanc wants to help you build the motorcycle of your dreams. Eric is the manager of Maximum Motorcycles. The Summerstown, Ontario based company designs custom frames and accessories for the chopper industry. more...
Da Bombe Dessert Factory - Bill Ross
In the tradition of his grandmother's kitchen, Bill Ross sweetens the lives of his customers with treats and savouries from Da Bombe Dessert Factory. more...
Ottawa Bagelshop and Deli - Vince Piazza
For 27 years, the Ottawa Bagelshop and Deli has been baking authentic Montreal-style bagels in its wood burning oven. It is a fixture in its Wellington Village neighborhood in Ottawa. more...
A Gift from Lightning - Carolle Bertrand
Carolle Bertrand has experienced what many of us fear. She was struck by lightning not once but twice. The experience changed the course of her life; she's received what she describes as great gifts from lightning. more...
Cycle Salvation - Paul Wylie
It's a social enterprise that strives to achieve a triple bottom line - people, planet, and profits. Cycle Salvation trains economically disadvantaged people to become bicycle mechanics. more...
A Joyful Journey Into Art - Marielle Rouleau
Marielle Rouleau is a seasoned imagineer. Her resourcefulness and creativity have brought joy to her children and grandchildren through the wooden toys she has dreamed, designed and created for them. more...
Tracey's Ice Cream - Melany Tracey
The Tracey family has been making delicious, old-fashioned ice cream since 1980. Tracey's Ice Cream is based in the Centreside Dairy, a fixture in Renfrew, Ontario since the 1930's. more...
Pine Spirit Studio - Ray Scott
Drawing on the beauty he observes in nature, former teacher Ray Scott has shaped a rewarding life as a wood sculptor. more...
Fine Chocolate by Ludwig - Ludwig Ratzinger
Crow Lake, 30 minutes west of Perth, is well-known for its pristine waterways and verdant forests. Now, thanks to chef and resort owner, Ludwig Ratzinger, it's gaining notability for its mouthwatering chocolate. more...
Violeta Creations - Violeta Borisonik
Violeta Borisonik came to Canada from Argentina, 25 years ago in search of the creative freedom to pursue her art. She works in her home studio in Kanata, and many of her mixed media works draw from the vibrancy of Beunos Aires. more...
Choo Choo's Trainyard - Marc Charlebois
Model trains transport Marc Charlebois to another world, where fantasy becomes reality. more...
The Graphite Studio-Peter Sidock
Peter Sidock was born and raised in Renfrew, Ontario and there are few places he finds as inspiring. Peter is a talented graphite artist who uses his pencil to preserve the heritage of the Ottawa Valley. more...
Disturbing The Piece - Joanne Proulx and Stacey Palangio
Joanne Proulx and Stacey Palangio love to disturb the piece. The business partners hunt down vintage and antique furniture; their mission is to refurbish and sometimes redesign the pieces, using their combined skills in design and repair. more...
Animated Andrew - Andrew King
Comedy and colour collide in the world of Ottawa’s Andrew King. Andrew is a long-time animation artist and a celebrated painter whose work is gaining a loyal following in Canada and the United States. more...
Just Wing It - Tom Riding
Although he had never cooked chicken wings before, British born Tom Riding, rose to the challenge when the inn keeper at Sam Jake's Inn in Merrickville asked him to put them on the summer menu. more...
Canine Water Wellness - Jennifer Donaldson and Lianne Zitzelsberger
Jennifer Donaldson and Lianne Zitzelsberger couldn't be happier that their lives have gone to the dogs! They are the owners and operators of Ottawa-based Canine Water Wellness, a spa-like getaway where pooches paddle their way to improved health and happiness. more...
Fine Wood Ornaments - Gaétan Courchesne
Many years ago, when Gaetan Courchcesne's young sons pulled the Christmas tree over, many of the glass ornaments broke. Gaetan thought there had to be a better way; about twenty fiive years later, Gaetan's fine wood ornaments are a treasured keepsake. more...
Operating Engineers Training Institute of Ontario - Roy Quesnel
Launching a career in the construction industry requires serious technical training. Many Canadians come to the Seaway Valley to get it. In historic and picturesque Morrisburg, students learn to make the grade in the world of heavy equipment. more...
Ferme Lavender Ridge - Luskville, QC
Joanne Labadie and Doug Briden have planted their dream on Lavender Ridge. About five years ago, the couple purchased their Luskville farm and began planting grape vines and lavender. more...
Coronation Hall - Greg Graham
The Graham family of Bristol, Quebec(near Shawville) owns and operates Coronation Hall Cider Mills. It's the Pontiac's first--and only--licensed winery, which produces an old-fashioned favourite called Bristol Light Cider. more...
Sacred Innovations - Gary Baker
Gary Baker is an inventor and entrepreneur who is fascinated by the powerful effects of sound and it's ability to effect change in our health. His background in electronics engineering, industrial design, and manufacturing have been the foundation for his innovations. more...
The Art of Steam - Peter Cunningham
Peter Cunningham was born in England and grew up near the Birmingham train yards, where steam engines left quite an impression on his imagination. more...
Kate Green Cakes - Kate Green
Kate Green is a gifted painter and interior designer with a passion for edible art. Kate fashions custom cakes and cupcakes for the Ottawa, Kemptville and Brockville areas. more...
Four Sisters
We're all leading busy lives, looking for healthy and easy solutions to feed our families. The Anderson sisters have what they think is a healthful and tasty solution. more...
Painting on Pike Lake - Aili Kurtis
Aili Kurtis is an award-winning painter with a reverence for the Canadian landscape. Using oils, acrylics and pastels, she captures its rhythmic beauty. more...
Ottawa Medieval Sword Guild
It's a company of Men-at-Arms, specializing in the art of fourteenth century combat. The Ottawa Medieval Sword Guild is dedicated to the restoration of traditional Western Martial Arts, a fighting system deeply rooted in Europe. more...
Dragon Fire Art
Using a metal stylus, reposee artist Kathryn Looby shapes copper to reflect her imaginings. Sculpting freehand, she creates images drawn from Celtic folklore, fantasy and nature. more...
The Art of Living - Linda Banfalvi
Paradise, for Linda Banfalvi, is a 25 acre hobby farm in rural Ashton, Ontario. Linda savors her time in the saddle, taking relaxing hacks through grassy fields and flowering meadows. more...
Cardon Tools - Perth, Ontario
When injury forced Jason Russell to give up wood turning, he decided to share his expertise with others. He and his wife Suzy Royle opened Cardon Tools near Perth, where turners, collectors and the curious come to see what's new. more...
Take Two - Bloopers by Kathie and Joel
A behind-the-scenes look at how hard it can be to make television look easy. Share a laugh with Kathie and Joel.
Gordon Wyllie of St. Isidore
Gordon Wyllie of St. Isidore, Ontario is a gifted and prolific pyrographer. He began wood burning shortly after being diagnosed with MS at the age of 60. more...
Wooden U - Karen and Steve Henderson
Karen and Steve Henderson gave up life on the family dairy farm in Spencerville and moved to Prescott where Steve built a workshop and began to reshape history. He makes whimsical furniture, using antique agricultural items; his wife Karen works alongside him doing the finishing touches. more...
Silver Fox Metal Works - Ron Matton
After twenty one years, Ron Matton still loves his job as a fire fighter. On his days off though, you'll find him at home in the workshop, shaping metal into unusual and interesting sculpture. more...
Vintage Chainsaw Collector - Alain Lamothe
Alain Lamothe has a collection of more than 350 vintage chainsaws. He has collected machines from all over the world. Each one is in working condition and restored. more...
Paintings of the Past - Jelly Massee
Jelly Massee of Allumettes Island, Quebec is using her paintbrush to preserve the history and culture of the area. She creatively recreates images from the past using paints in sepia tones. more...
Creative Hearts - Jim and Moira Hutchison
Jim and Moira Hutchison are two creative hearts in Burnstown. Jim says his picturesque community on the banks of the Madawaska River is the perfect place to explore photography. more...
Choo Choo's Trainyard - Marc Charlebois
Model trains transport Marc Charlebois to another world, where fantasy becomes reality. His layout features four different sizes of model trains, sometimes all of them running at the same time. more...
The Graphite Studio-Peter Sidock
Peter Sidock was born and raised in Renfrew, Ontario and there are few places he finds as inspiring. Peter is a talented graphite artist who uses his pencil to preserve the heritage of the Ottawa Valley. more...
Artist on the move - Mark Kulas
Mark Kulas grew up on the shores of Golden Lake in Deacon, Ontario exploring the wilderness on cross country skis and snow shoes. He's a competitive skier, swimmer and cyclist, approaching twenty five years on the triathlon circuit. more...
If the shoe fits - John Edwards
When it comes to making horseshoes, John Edwards of Navan is a 'ringer.' John is a certified Farrier, a member of the American and Ontario Farrier's Associations. more...
de Jonge Guitars - Sergei de Jonge
Sergei de Jonge has been handcrafting classical and steel string guitars for 40 years. His world class instruments are played and celebrated by musicians across the globe. more...
Synergy Holistic Health Centre/Synergy Equestrian Centre - Jeannine Bastien
When Jeaninne Bastien bought her farm in Hawkesbury four years ago, the plan was to unite her two passions in one location. more...
Glengarry Fine Cheese, Margaret Peters-Morris
Margaret Peters-Morris grew up on the family farm near Lancaster Ontario; after pursuing her education and working in the food industry, Margaret came back to the farm to find her dream. more...
The Art of Giving - Diana Wakely/Robyn Arseneau
Diana Wakely is a Renfrew painter who shares her artistic gifts weekly at the Bonnechere Manor. The Manor's therapeutic art program is putting a smile on the face of long term care. more...
Life of Pie - Kerry Duffy
When Kerry Duffy started baking pie one day a week at home, she sold what she made to friends and neighbours. It didn’t take long before word got out and Kerry had to rent a kitchen to keep up with demand. more...
The Colours of Canada - Gordon Harrison and Phil Emond
Gordon Harrison is an acclaimed Ottawa artist who celebrates the incomparable beauty of the Canadian landscape. His bold and brilliant paintings are culled from his travels across the country, and are showcased in the Gordon Harrison Gallery at 495 Sussex Drive. more...
Art Is In Bakery - Kevin Mathieson
If you believe that man cannot live on bread alone, you've never tasted bread from Art Is In Bakery. Kevin Mathieson and his creative culinary team make some 30 varieties. more...
Northern Glogirl - Gloria Stowell
Growing up in Manitoba, Merrickville's Gloria Stowell says that her favourite season was always winter. She loves the clean look of snow and the sound of skate blades on ice. A retired elementary school teacher, Gloria now captures the sparkle and elegance of skaters on ice with her painted skates. more...
Just Wing It - Tom Riding
Although he had never cooked chicken wings before, British born Tom Riding, rose to the challenge when the inn keeper at Sam Jake's Inn in Merrickville asked him to put them on the summer menu. more...
Canine Water Wellness - Jennifer Donaldson and Lianne Zitzelsberger
Jennifer Donaldson and Lianne Zitzelsberger couldn't be happier that their lives have gone to the dogs! They are the owners and operators of Ottawa-based Canine Water Wellness, a spa-like getaway where pooches paddle their way to improved health and happiness. more...
Great food and great company
Join us as we savour great food and great company in Ottawa and around the Ottawa Valley. more...
Christmas in the Valley - Wayne Rostad
Wayne Rostad is one of Canada's favorite musical story tellers, and there are few Christmas songs in the country as heartwarming and popular as Wayne's Christmas in the Valley. more...
Christmas Music at The Billings House - Missy Burgess and Arthur McGregor
Missy Burgess has teamed up with the Ottawa Folklore Centre's Arthur McGregor for a special celebration of Christmas music. more...
Acoustic Christmas - Amanda Rheaume and Jeff Logan
Ottawa singer-songwriter Amanda Rheaume is the featured voice on a beautiful CD filled with fresh arrangements of familiar Christmas songs. Amanda and Ottawa guitar player Jeff Logan arranged the music to suit their acoustic guitars. more...
Acacia Lyra - Susan Sweeney Hermon and Janine Dudding
Acacia Lyra is an Ottawa-based Harp and Voice duo, featuring the musical talents of Susan Sweeney Hermon and Janine Dudding. The women are former members of the Ottawa Harp Choir, an ensemble of ten Celtic harps which performed in the National Capital Region. more...
Fine Wood Ornaments - Gaétan Courchesne
Many years ago, when Gaetan Courchcesne's young sons pulled the Christmas tree over, many of the glass ornaments broke. Gaetan thought there had to be a better way; about twenty fiive years later, Gaetan's fine wood ornaments are a treasured keepsake. more...
The Leading Note Foundation - Tina Fedeski
The Leading Note Foundation believes all children should know the joy of making beautiful music together. The Foundation provides free instruments and free individual and group lessons to students in underserved communities. The children are also given the opportunity to perform in an OrKidstra and/or a KidSingers Choir. more...
Painting a Creative Life - Rosemary Leach
Rosemary Leach finds inspiration in everyday objects, taking them from ordinary to extraordinary with her paintbrush. more...
Calabogie Motorsports Park - Jane Blinn
One of North America's premier driving adventures can be found at Calabogie Motorsports Park. It's a favourite destination for countless motorcycle and car enthusiasts. more...
Ferme Lavender Ridge - Luskville, QC
Joanne Labadie and Doug Briden have planted their dream on Lavender Ridge. About five years ago, the couple purchased their Luskville farm and began planting grape vines and lavender. more...
Operating Engineers Training Institute of Ontario - Roy Quesnel
Launching a career in the construction industry requires serious technical training. Many Canadians come to the Seaway Valley to get it. In historic and picturesque Morrisburg, students learn to make the grade in the world of heavy equipment. more...
Coronation Hall - Greg Graham
The Graham family of Bristol, Quebec(near Shawville) owns and operates Coronation Hall Cider Mills. It's the Pontiac's first--and only--licensed winery, which produces an old-fashioned favourite called Bristol Light Cider. more...
Sacred Innovations - Gary Baker
Gary Baker is an inventor and entrepreneur who is fascinated by the powerful effects of sound and it's ability to effect change in our health. His background in electronics engineering, industrial design, and manufacturing have been the foundation for his innovations. more...
The Art of Steam - Peter Cunningham
Peter Cunningham was born in England and grew up near the Birmingham train yards, where steam engines left quite an impression on his imagination. more...
Kate Green Cakes - Kate Green
Kate Green is a gifted painter and interior designer with a passion for edible art. Kate fashions custom cakes and cupcakes for the Ottawa, Kemptville and Brockville areas. more...
A Model Tribute - Marc Racine
Marc Racine's model plane collection is a tribute to the flying aces of World War I. 'Ace' is a designation given to any pilot who shoots down 5 or more aircraft. more...
Mosaic Artist - Christine Moses
Broken bits of ceramic and glass are treasure to Almonte mosaic artist Christine Moses. When her own china platter broke, Christine saw an opportunity to reinvent the material into wearable art. more...
Four Sisters
We're all leading busy lives, looking for healthy and easy solutions to feed our families. The Anderson sisters have what they think is a healthful and tasty solution. more...
Painting on Pike Lake - Aili Kurtis
Aili Kurtis is an award-winning painter with a reverence for the Canadian landscape. Using oils, acrylics and pastels, she captures its rhythmic beauty. more...
Ottawa Medieval Sword Guild
It's a company of Men-at-Arms, specializing in the art of fourteenth century combat. The Ottawa Medieval Sword Guild is dedicated to the restoration of traditional Western Martial Arts, a fighting system deeply rooted in Europe. more...
Dragon Fire Art - Kathryn Looby
Using a metal stylus, reposee artist Kathryn Looby shapes copper to reflect her imaginings. Sculpting freehand, she creates images drawn from Celtic folklore, fantasy and nature. more...
The Art of Living - Linda Banfalvi
Paradise, for Linda Banfalvi, is a 25 acre hobby farm in rural Ashton, Ontario. Linda savors her time in the saddle, taking relaxing hacks through grassy fields and flowering meadows. more...
Cardon Tools - Perth, Ontario
When injury forced Jason Russell to give up wood turning, he decided to share his expertise with others. He and his wife Suzy Royle opened Cardon Tools near Perth, where turners, collectors and the curious come to see what's new. more...
