As early as 1804, the harbour in Oshawa, then simply a natural bay, was described as having water deep enough to carry large-sized vessels.  Lumber was floated in rafts down Oshawa Creek to the Bay and loaded on vessels board for the U.S.  It was about 1840 when Oshawa harbour started to be developed by Thomas Henry.  The Henry House is now the home of Oshawa Community Museum and fittingly a new exhibit opens on May 18 exploring the ships of Oshawa and the men that sailed them. 

Photo courtesy of Oshawa Community Museum.  Download My Durham Desktop to have other intriguing images of Durham Region delivered to your desktop. My Durham Desktop is a computer desktop calendar that serves up the beauty of Durham Region visual art and photography every week.  Each new wallpaper is accompanied by a pop-up window that informs you of local events and happenings.

Sunday is promising to be a picture perfect sunny spring day.  If you haven’t already planned your day with Mum, there’s an event in Clarington that will take you outside.  

The Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority is hosting a Mother’s Day Walk from 9:30am to 11:00am at the Ganaraska Forest Centre, celebrating International Migratory Bird Day, as well as Mother’s Day, with a guided and informative walk through the forest.   A perfect time to see trilliums in bloom.  Enjoy the fresh air in the hardwood forest, full of the sweet smells of spring and the sounds of returning songbirds;  followed by tea and sweets and the gift of a fresh, spring flower.  By the way, pre-registration is a must.

Download My Durham Desktop to have other intriguing images of Durham Region delivered to your desktop. My Durham Desktop is a computer desktop calendar that serves up the beauty of Durham Region visual art and photography every week.  Each new wallpaper is accompanied by a pop-up window that informs you of local events and happenings.

Both the Lake Scugog Spring Studio Tour and the Oshawa Art Association Spring Tour take place this weekend.   They’re  free and guide you into less trodden areas of our region.  All kinds of art — for every taste and budget.

Photo courtesy of Kristin McCrea.   Download My Durham Desktop to have other intriguing images of Durham Region delivered to your desktop. My Durham Desktop is a computer desktop calendar that serves up the beauty of Durham Region visual art and photography every week.  Each new wallpaper is accompanied by a pop-up window that informs you of local events and happenings.

“Hope” by Aynsley Risto.

Why not experience the opening of a new art show in Whitby and let your senses be sizzled by the up and coming “Sulky” band?  Did you even know there’s an art gallery at Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences? 

The Gallery has been running since 2008, partnering with local art groups, councils and organizations such as The Robert McLaughlin Gallery and Station Gallery in Whitby to support and aspiring and established artists from all around Durham Region.  Not only do they host art shows but also provide diverse art educational programming to use art as a medium to promote mental health awareness. There’s so many things going on at Ontario Shores, it’s worth checking our their Community events.

Download My Durham Desktop to have other intriguing images of Durham Region delivered to your desktop. My Durham Desktop is a computer desktop calendar that serves up the beauty of Durham Region visual art and photography every week.  Each new wallpaper is accompanied by a pop-up window that informs you of local events and happenings.

“Early Spring” by Yvonne Meissner.

The studio tour season is underway in Durham Region!  This weekend’s offering is organized by Durham West Arts Centre.

You can start the tour from a variety of locations, Ajax, Pickering, Port Perry or Uxbridge.  The organizers promise that the tour will open up local countryside, towns and villages to some of the most colourful characters and their equally colourful works.

Download My Durham Desktop to have other intriguing images of Durham Region delivered to your desktop. My Durham Desktop is a computer desktop calendar that serves up the beauty of Durham Region visual art and photography every week.  Each new wallpaper is accompanied by a pop-up window that informs you of local events and happenings.

If you don’t plant a tree on Earth Day, at least you can hug one!  This photo courtesy of Central Lake Ontario Conservation.  CLOCA is hosting an Earth Day event on Saturday to give Purple Woods Conservation Area some TLC.  Volunteers will plant native trees and shrubs, remove invasive species, plant a windscreen and install some bird houses and feeders along the trails.

Download My Durham Desktop to have other intriguing images of Durham Region delivered to your desktop. My Durham Desktop is a computer desktop calendar that serves up the beauty of Durham Region visual art and photography every week.  Each new wallpaper is accompanied by a pop-up window that informs you of local events and happenings.

We might have missed the opening celebration, yet there’s still plenty of time to celebrate Durham Region’s dramatic side.  The 3rd Annual Durham Theatre Festival showcases every aspect of theatre—venues, theatre groups, actors, writers, producers and provides newcomers with the opportunity to feature their talents. 

Last year over 3,000 people attended, and new this year is Durham Improv, a Teen Improv Challenge April 21 in Port Perry, as well as a Songwriters Music Festival at the St. Francis Centre in Ajax on April 14.

Photo of the sound and lighting booth during Eastdale Collegiate’s 2011 production of Peter Pan.  Download My Durham Desktop to have other intriguing images of Durham Region delivered to your desktop. My Durham Desktop is a computer desktop calendar that serves up the beauty of Durham Region visual art and photography every week.  Each new wallpaper is accompanied by a pop-up window that informs you of local events and happenings.

The majority of plant nurseries have awakened after hibernation.  They really do lift your spirits with a blast of colour and inspire even the armchair gardener to dabble!  Perhaps a container of pansies?

This photo is courtesy of Vandermeer Nurseries.   Download My Durham Desktop to have other intriguing images of Durham Region delivered to your desktop. My Durham Desktop is a computer desktop calendar that serves up the beauty of Durham Region visual art and photography every week.  Each new wallpaper is accompanied by a pop-up window that informs you of local events and happenings.

I’ve just returned from a Caribbean cruise, so I know something about “stuffing your face”!  And that’s the invitation from Sunderland’s Maple Syrup Festival organizers.  If you want to have a delicious breakfast any time of day…come to the Sunderland Legion Hall between 8:30 – 3:00 Saturday and Sunday. Saturday enjoy delicious pancakes made by the local King Edward Masonic Lodge members. Sunday the Sunderland Legion members are the chefs.  There’s even a pancake eating contest for those who are fleet of mouth.

There’s lots to do and see, including Harlaine Maple bush; a magical place where sap becomes syrup.

Photo courtesy of Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority.  Download My Durham Desktop to have other intriguing images of Durham Region delivered to your desktop. My Durham Desktop is a computer desktop calendar that serves up the beauty of Durham Region visual art and photography every week.  Each new wallpaper is accompanied by a pop-up window that informs you of local events and happenings.

Apart from bird watching from the comfort of an armchair, there’s opportunity to see trout & salmon spawning 15 feet from the door of a private cottage and to enjoy 3 acres with lovely gardens, creek, art workshops, campfires and a covered bridge.  That’s the offering from one local Bed & Breakfast.  Brookside Cottage is one of the Group of Seven Bed & Breakfast in Clarington.

There’s a bonus for gardeners, bring your garden tools to be sharpened at Brookside.   Garden Tool Day on April 25, 2012, 10-4 pm FREE!

Photo courtesy of Jane Walker.   Download My Durham Desktop to have other intriguing images of Durham Region delivered to your desktop. My Durham Desktop is a computer desktop calendar that serves up the beauty of Durham Region visual art and photography every week.  Each new wallpaper is accompanied by a pop-up window that informs you of local events and happenings.