Five Ways to Have Fun and Be Progressive in June

1. Buy local

Now there is a Web site that will help you do it.

The Algoma Marketing Alliance has collected information from more than thirty local food producers between Sault Ste. Marie and Iron Bridge. Details about the products, where they are sold and how to contact the producers are now up at the Buy Algoma Blog.

If you produce fresh, home-grown, farm-produced or homemade food products and want to be added to the blog, contact David Thompson: 705-949-2301 x. 4348 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

2. Go to the Farmers’ Markets

Saturday June 5th is the opening date for area farmers markets.

Sault Ste. Marie: Roberta Bondar Pavilion, on Foster Drive near the Station Mall, from 8am to 12pm. In July, the market will also be open Wednesdays from 2 to 6pm.

Desbarats: Johnson Township Community Arena, 1 Cameron Ave., from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The market runs on Saturday mornings until Thanksgiving weekend. In July, the market is also open on Fridays from 3 to 6 pm.

Saturday June 19th the Hilton Beach Open Air market starts on St. Joseph Island. It’s located on Mark St., which is the community’s main street, beside the library. The market runs every Saturday, 10 am to 2 p.m., until the Labour Day weekend.

3. Get Some New Plants and Flea Market finds in Iron Bridge

Saturday June 5th is also a great day to head to the Iron Bridge plant sale, happening from 10 am to 2 pm. On offer will be reasonably priced perennials and shrubs. Location: The Museum grounds at 1 James St. across from the LCBO.

On Sunday June 6th, from 10 am to 1 pm, there will be a flea market at the community arena on Chiblow Lake Rd.

4. Join the Clean Energy Revolution

Monday June 14th 10 am to 12 pm Sault College is hosting clean energy guru David Chernushenko to inspire and teach people about how we can ultimately meet our energy needs with renewable energy.

Then, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Bruce Strapp, CEO, of the Sault’s Economic Development Corporation along with solar power senior business executives Pere Soria and Robert Reid will talk about two projects happening in the Sault.

The first generates 60 megawatts of solar power while the second project deals with manufacturing solar panels.

Both presentations are located in Rm B1170. The college is on Northern Ave. E. between Pine St. and Great Northern Rd. To register, contact Patty Zentner at 759-2554 ext. 2699, or e-mail: humanresources@saultcollege.ca This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

5. Come Out and Be Inspired by Massey’s Farmer and Poet Charlie Smith

On June 18th at 6:30 pm, Thessalon’s Stories in the North literary festival is hosting a night of stories and poems with Massey’s Charlie Smith. Smith writes eloquently about hunting, fishing and farming in Northern Ontario. His work has been described as a cross between Robert Service’s tall tales, Grey Owl’s attention to nature, Ian Tyson's cowboy poetry, and Fred Eaglesmith’s acerbic wit. Tickets are $5, available at the door or in advance at Thessalon’s Forestland and the Bruce Mines library. The show is at the Thessalon Legion, 18 Algoma St., behind the Main St. Pharmacy.