I shall not mention the winter months, but suffice it to say that I am welcoming summer with extra-wide-open arms this year. In fact, I’m betting that more people will spend more time outside this summer than ever before. I know I will be. Craving sunshine on my shoulders, I’ll be out the door at the break of dawn to explore the city, returning home to the laid-back satisfaction of a backyard barbecue. I’ll be building up my vitamin D, and my memory bank, for use during that season that shall not be mentioned.

Given this enthusiasm for enjoying the warmer months outside — and our growing food scene — we tasked our food writers with putting together their ultimate picnic spread, one that spoke to their favourite bites as well as their personal alfresco style. The results will treat readers to tastes from across the city and reveal the cravings of these four experts. We round out the “Take It Outside” feature (page 57) with products, events, and books, plus a playlist of favourite summer songs supplied by city notables, in an effort to help you maximize your picnicking pleasure.

And there’s no better way to immerse yourself in summer than by taking to the water. Its all-encompassing nature, its capacity to both scare and excite, and the way it stays with you after the fact — physically and in the mind’s eye — make it a crucial summer experience. In this issue, we explore local waters in a variety of ways, from Ron Corbett’s examination of water-quality issues (“What Lies Beneath,” page 28) to our water-sports pack (“Life Aquatic,” page 35), featuring stunning photography and plenty of tips to get you out on the water. And don’t miss Corbett’s ode to the Ottawa River in “Our Forgotten Soundtrack.”

I can’t close this letter without calling attention to the unique fiction offerings in this issue. Scott Randall takes us to all too familiar territory with a car-pooling story about retirement from the public service, while former Ottawan Peter Norman transports us to a mysterious empire with an excerpt from his debut novel, Emberton. It’s such a pleasure to indulge in short stories and novels. In fact, we had so much fun with it this year that we plan on hosting a short-story contest — the winners will be published in our Summer 2015 issue. Watch OttawaMagazine.com for details.

Dayanti Karunaratne, Editor
feedbackottawa@stjosephmedia.com

THIS CITY
Secrets on the Hill • Printing paradigm with Ecotonus• The Juice on ByWard Market openings• Readying for the RedBlacks 

COLUMN

City: For Ottawa Eyes Only by Mark Bourrie  25

FEATURES
What lies beneath: a water-quality story
Formerly a city of beaches, Ottawa is now seeing its swimming holes dwindling in number and routinely closed. Ron Corbett wades into decades of debate over how clean is clean enough. Photography by David Kawai

Life Aquatic
Make a splash this summer. Commune with nature or catch a wave. Take up a new sport or take in the action from shore. Bounded by rivers, the city offers plenty of opportunities for water play. Dive in!
With files from Bill Goswell, Matt Harrison, Dayanti Karunaratne, Cindy Olberg, Ryan Stuart, and Theresa Wallace.
Photography by Paul Galipeau, John Rathwell, David Trattles, and Ben Welland 

Fiction
Count no man happy
Two public servants — and long-time car-pool mates — take one last ride together before heading into the abyss of retirement
By Scott Randall
Photo by Philip David Ross

Fiction
Inside Emberton
In this excerpt, we meet Lance Blunt on his first day of work at Emberton Publishing and learn about the secret he is keeping from his mysterious and decrepit employer
By Peter Norman
Photo by Richard Robesco

Cover story
Take it Outside
From ultimate picnic spreads to top summer songs, bestselling books to farmers’ markets, a guide to the best of summer, alfresco style
With files from Sarah Brown, Cindy Deachman, Anne DesBrisay, Matt Harrison, Dayanti Karunaratne, Jen Lahey, Fateema Sayani, and Shawna Wagman
Product photography by Marc Fowler
Food photography by Christian Lalonde. Food styling by Noah Witenoff. Props by Jonathan Hobin  

GREAT TASTE
Most Wanted The Ottawa Shoe by John Fluevog
Photo by Luther Caverly 

My Look Talking life + style with Lisa Strueby
Q&A by Emma Paling
Photo by Rémi Thériault

Shop Talk Arrive in style with timeless clothing and accessories
Photography by Marc Fowler

Daytripper Four funky towns worth exploring
By Erica Eades, Sarah Brown, Dayanti Karunaratne, and Hattie Klotz
Photography by Justin Van Leeuwen

Great Space Michael Potter’s spacious outdoor retreat
By Sarah Brown
Photography by Doublespace Photography

Food & Drink

Eating Life: Vegetative state — kids + cooking with Shawna Wagman  

Quest: Best floats + smoothies with Cindy Deachman 

City Bites: notable restaurant and food happenings  around town

Wine Top tastes from wineries in Prince Edward County

DesBrisay Dines: Spotlight on Les Fougères, plus star-rated reviews of new reviews of L’Aubergiste, Mena, Phuket Royal, and The Wellington Gastropub

GOING OUT

Calendar featuring The Montreal Jubiliation Gospel Choir, Herbfest, Walking with Dinosaurs, and HOPE Volleyball Summerfest
plus See, Hear, Read with Paul Gessell

OTTAWA JOURNAL
Our Forgotten Soundtrack by Ron Corbett