To the Good People of Temiskaming and Beyond, from John Shymko

The land is open again. The air has warmed.
The last of the blackflies are packing up, the gardens are in, and the boats are back where they belong. It’s summer in Northern Ontario.
And here, that means more than heat—it means homefires lit, neighbours waving from porches, and old songs drifting through open windows.
It’s time again for The Coffee House New Liskeard, a long-standing tradition that speaks straight to who we are up here: tough, warm, generous, and not afraid to sing what’s true.

• Tuesday, June 10, 2025
• 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM
• St. Paul’s United Church
• 70 Wellington Street, New Liskeard

Whether you play the fiddle, strum a guitar, read a poem, or just like to sit back with a cup of coffee and listen, this night is for you. No tickets, no judgment, no fuss. Just real folks, real talent, and the kind of northern pride that doesn’t need a spotlight.

All styles and skill levels are welcome. If you’re thinking of performing at a future Coffee House, please reach out to Brian Matheson at bamfam@hotmail.ca about a month ahead.

These evenings aren’t about showbiz. They’re about community. About making space for each other. About passing the mic and the stories along—tariff-free, heartfelt, and homegrown.

So come on out.
Bring your neighbour. Bring your cousin. Bring yourself.
Let’s fill that old church with laughter, music, and the sound of a region that still knows what matters. No cover. No nonsense. No tariffs. Just Northern.
We’ll see you there.