Elmwood Art Fair Vernissage and Holly Tea

Members of the Rockcliffe Park community are invited to join us this December for our annual Holly Tea and Art Fair. This event is always a highlight of the holiday season, filled with stunning artistry and festive cheer. We will be kicking things off on Friday, November 30 at 6:30 pm with our Art Fair Vernissage. The show will continue on through Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 pm – as will our Holiday Marketplace. And don’t miss out on our Holly Tea on Saturday from 1:00 to 4:30 pm.

Christmas Tree Lighting and Carol Sing

The Christmas Tree Lighting and Carol Sing is held outside the Community Hall every December for residents and neighbours. The Elmwood choir and the Salvation Army Brass Ensemble of the Ottawa Citadel Band accompany the carol sing and a dignitary lights the huge spruce tree behind the community centre. There is usually a fundraising component to the evening, with items donated to a local charity.

Children’s Christmas Party

This popular children’s party features horse-drawn carriage rides, a clown, Christmas crafts, gingerbread house-making, holiday treats and, of course, Santa Claus. If you can help with this event, please check beside the Children’s Christmas Party on the RPRA membership form or send an email to secretary@rockcliffepark.ca.

Tempting Values for Early Shoppers: The Birth of Ottawa’s Department Stores

Speaker: Robert Smythe is a contributor to the recently published book From Walk-Up to High-Rise: Ottawa’s Historic Apartment Buildings and is the author of the architectural history blog Urbsite.

The department store was the product of an increasingly leisured middle class, a new consumer economy and architectural innovations like plate glass windows, electric lights and passenger elevators. In comparison to the great metropolitan centres, Ottawa’s fondly remembered versions of these emporia of wonders were smaller in scale but equally ambitious and great objects of civic pride. To warm your holiday gift-buying experience, visit stores like A.E. Rea and Co., R.J. Devlin Co., Bryson Graham Ltd., Murphy-Gamble Co., Charles Ogilvy Ltd. and A.J. Freiman’s.

You are invited to join us for refreshments. The book will be available for purchase at the lecture. The lecture is free and there is no need to pre-register.

Speakers Program: Andrew Cohen

Join your neighbours for informal evenings with distinguished speakers. Presentations will be followed by questions, coffee and cookies. Admission is free. The Speakers Program is an initiative of the Rockcliffe Park Residents Association and is supported by the Rockcliffe Park Foundation.

“Trump’s Washington: Post Mid-term Elections – U.S. Relationship”

Award-winning columnist, former Washington correspondent and best-selling author reflects on the significance of the U.S. mid-term elections and what they mean for Donald Trump’s chaotic, unprecedented presidency as it approaches its mid-point in January.

Rockcliffe Field House and Sports Pad Grand Opening

This holiday season will certainly be special with the completion of the new Rockcliffe Field House and Sports Pad. The Grand Opening Skating Party and Open House promises to be a fun-filled afternoon, so bring your skates and also plan to spend some time admiring the beautiful wood-clad building, high-quality rink boards and detailed hardscape. The event is free and is open to all.

Once the Field House is officially open, announcements will be made via email. Stay tuned for details about skating hours and opportunities to make use of the field house.

We also invite adults around the neighbourhood to join us as Hosers this year. A long-standing tradition, it involves getting together with small teams in the evenings to hose the rink and keep the ice in fine form for all to enjoy. Be part of the spirit – contact info@therockcliffehosers.com to sign up for this winter’s fun.

Finally, on behalf of the Rockcliffe Hosers, we would like to acknowledge Shawn Malhotra, who spearheaded and has expertly project-managed this complex endeavour for the past year. Without his incredible efforts and enthusiasm, completion of this project would not have been possible.

Annual St. Bart’s New Year’s Eve Gala

Ring in the new year in style with a glittering evening at the Church of St. Bartholomew, 125 MacKay Street. Take a sentimental journey on the Orient Express – the most fabled train of all! After a welcome drink, we’ll depart Waterloo Station en route to Paris, Vienna and Venice for the New Year’s Eve Masked Ball. Concert, dinner, dancing and a fabulous silent auction will make it an evening to remember. Greet the New Year with friends, a glass of sparkling wine and the ringing of the church bells.

This event is selling out quickly so book your table/tickets now!

Heritage Ottawa Lecture Series: The Algonquins of Pikwàkanagàn

Join us for a special evening presentation by Pikwàkanagàn Elder Ron Bernard on the past and present of this vibrant Algonquin community.

Pikwàkanagàn, meaning “a hilly place,” is situated on the shores of the Bonnechère River and Golden Lake in Renfrew County. The Algonquin of Pikwàkanagàn host us on their traditional, unceded ancestral Aboriginal territory, here in the Ottawa Valley.

RPRA Board meeting

Board meetings occur on the third Wednesday evening of the month, except in July and August. All board meetings are open to the public.