For almost a quarter century, Ontario Travel Guides the publishers of the Rideau and Trent-Severn Waterway Boating and Road Guides have been serving the needs of tourists interested in exploring and experiencing all these two heritage waterway canals systems have to offer! Both books deliver readers a comprehensive and entertaining snapshot of the history, educational and cultural attractions, events plus land and marine based accommodations for those wanting to tour by boat or land yacht. That’s why these 264 page waterway promoters are suitably subtitled “Where to Dock, Shop, Wine, Dine, Explore and Enjoy.” The books are must-have vacation preplanning and on tour reference guides.

2007 saw the celebration of the Rideau’s 175th anniversary. It’s the oldest continually operating canal network in North America. A commemorative new Rideau Boating and Road Guide was published to mark the occasion including new cover and interior book design. It’s been well received internationally by readers and reviewers alike.

So What’s New for 2008. Ontario Travel Guides has happily added a new publication to its family of waterway guides. Boating East Magazine is new to OTG but its longevity dates back to the 1970’s. It’s a FREE travel resource directly targeting all types of recreational boaters and covers all the major waterways of Eastern Ontario, Canada. These include the Rideau from Kingston to Ottawa, Trent-Severn from the Bay of Quinte to Georgian Bay, the 1000 Islands and St. Lawrence from Port Hope to Cornwall and the mighty Ottawa River Waterway from Montreal to New Liskeard. In addition, the magazine explores the many boating opportunities along neighbouring New York State waterfront from Sackets Harbor to Ogdensburg. In 2008 OTG will distribute some 25,000 Boating East Magazines throughout these five waterway corridors.

About Us:
Rick and Mary Lyons, owners and publishers of Ontario Travel Guides, are long time unabashed waterway tourism promoters and enthusiasts. Involved in a number of marine tourism enterprises over the years on both the Trent-Severn and Rideau Waterways, the couple has recently relocated home and head office from Peterborough on the TSW to Westport on the Rideau. Both locations provide convenient road and cruising access to the historic waterways featured in OTG publications.

Rick Lyons, Co Publisher

For the past 35 years Rick Lyons has been an active management, marketing and media relations practitioner focusing on a variety of recreational marine tourism projects and businesses on both the Trent-Severn and Rideau waterways. His professional and volunteer activities have provided him with a sound knowledge of Ontario's waterways and their numerous marine and land based businesses plus the many communities along waterway corridors that rely heavily on maintaining a solid tourism based economy. He designed and managed a unique five year Trent-Severn Waterway Tourism Marketing Initiative with Parks Canada and Human Resources Development Canada plus contributing tourism stakeholders along the entire waterway. This successful international marketing and media relations campaign targeted recreational boaters of all types to vacation along the historic TSW corridor and helped bolster the economic well being of waterway communities. Today, The Trent-Severn and Rideau Boating & Road Guides and now Boating East Magazine keep him cruising along and actively promoting Ontario's prime marine tourism destinations.

Mary Lyons, Co Publisher (the better half)

Mary Lyons, an avid boater since childhood (see photo "Mary coming ashore" 1952) has spent 25 years working in publishing at various levels while signed on with Ontario Showcase Magazine, What's On in Ottawa Magazine and Calgary Police Service. Mary managed a highly successful Parks Canada cooperating association(1990-2000) and it is here that she really connected with Ontario's canals and waterway communities. Her work has taught her to embrace the waterway lifestyle and throughly enjoy the warm welcoming people who live along the shore and develop an admiration for the determined entrepreneurs who are keeping resorts and marine businesses alive and growing amid economic ups and downs. Work with OTG's publications keeps her happy and in touch with the many friends she has made along the way.

Jenny Ryan, Editor

Naturally behind all sound, respected and successful publications lies the EDITOR! Jenny Ryan has carried that OTG mantle since 1992 and is responsible for most aspects of book production, research, copy and photo editing. Never missed a dead line! She is now further honing her many skills by earning a Certificate in Publishing from Ryerson University which will be a great companion to her honours BA in English Language and Literature. Never stop learning they say and our publications show it thanks to Jenny! Jenny makes her home in Ottawa where she actually finds time to pursue a variety of other freelance production and editing projects. Please contact Jenny with any story ideas, interesting photos or for any suggestions for any OTG publications.

Malcolm Goodwin, Graphic Designer

An interest in fine arts and engineering led Malcolm Goodwin to a field that perfectly marries these diverse disciplines - Technical Illustration. Malcolm trained at Sheridan College, graduating with a Governor General's Award. He has worked in the design field since 1980, first in Toronto, Ontario, then later in Peterborough where he and his wife Lezlie ran a design studio for a number of years.

When the opportunity for change arose, Malcolm accepted a position with Parks Canada, Trent-Severn Waterway. He spent a decade working as their Media Specialist producing publications, exhibits and wayfinding signage.

In 1998 Malcolm joined the award-winning company Point of View Visual Communications where he specialized in exhibit design, signage systems and print media.

Coming full circle in 2005, Malcolm went solo once again and founded Goodwin Design, which he runs from his home in Peterborough. He produces corporate communications for print, web, signage, exhibit and donor recognition.

Malcolm's other interests include speaker building, carving, painting and boating.

Larissa Turner , Website Designer

Larissa studied at Sir Sandford Fleming College and graduated in both the Travel & Tourism and Web Developer programs.

She worked in Europe for a year before returning to Canada. She loves travelling and has done extensive trips both in Europe and North America.

She operates her own business LJ Designs from her home in Peterborough, Ontario. She specializes in Website Design and Website Maintenance.

Larissa's other interests include reading, camping and photography.

Ontario Travel Guides looks forward to many years of creating valuable, comprehensive travel guides for its readers, old and new, and investigating new and exciting publication opportunities.

We are always open to ideas. Contact us with questions and comments.