Local historian Mark Woermke presents some fascinating new research into a frontier family who once called the Bark Lake Settlement their home in the latter half of the 19th Century. For nearly ten years, the Cuthertsons kept a stopping place at Bark Lake, about ten kilometres west of present-day Barry's Bay. But one of that Cuthbertson clan would eventually end up in Hollywood early in the 20th Century where she made quite a name for herself.

Recently, former Algonquin First Nation Chief Kirby J. Whiteduck spoke to the Bromley Historical Society near the very place where, in 1613 Samuel de Champlain, once met the famous one-eyed Algonquin Chief Tessouat. It was there that Champlain, as representative of his 17th Century French Colonial government, first negotiated with the somewhat resistant Algonquin Chief. And yet what happened to that Algonquin First Nation since that famous meeting over three hundred years ago is a story as well known to Chief Whiteduck, as it would seem too little known by the rest of Canada. Still, in this new Canadian era of truth and reconciliation, when the Bromley Historical Society heard what Chief Whiteduck had to say, it promised, at the very least, to be a new beginning. Note: Due to some significant technical challenges, the quality of our audio recording is not consistent throughout so in advance we apologize to Chief Whiteduck and to our listeners.

Local historian Mark Woermke presented an intriguing look at the curious religious history of Renfrew Country when he gave a talk recently at the Upper Ottawa Valley Heritage Centre in Pembroke. His original research and entertaining anecdotes certainly provided his live audience with new insights but best of all, Mr. Woermke brought that unique 19th Century cultural history of Renfrew County to life as only he could.