Fall Colour Report

Click here for a North Muskoka and area Fall Colour Report.

Fall Colour Report

Most of North Muskoka is at peak or just past peak.

Late October is a great time of year to entertain the idea of a last minute getaway to any of the great resorts North Muskoka has to offer. Availability is usually better, traffic is less, and cool nights make for great stargazing or lounging by the fire!

Visit our North Muskoka website for 15 great getaway ideas.

North Muskoka Wesite click here

Concert at the Algonquin Theatre Fri Aug 21

CONCERT on FRIDAY AUG 21 • KARL MOHR w/ IVAN BLACKBIRD & LAUGH OUT LOUD • ALGONQUIN THEATRE • HUNTSVILLE, ON
http://www.multibeat.com/mbr/en/?q=node/23

North Muskoka Tweets

Members of the North Muskoka Accommodation association have been quick to utilize the popular social network tool, "Twitter" to keep in contact with its existing and potential guests.

Twitter is fast becoming a favorite way to stay in touch with friends, colleagues and customers.

Our members use it to update availability, weather, new happenings, wildlife sightings and more!

Click on the accommodation choice below to view the Tweets for that establishment!

Beauview Cottage Resort

Pow Wow Point Lodge

Colonial Bay

Cedar Grove Lodge

Foxwood Resort

Bondi Village

Algonquin Inn

As always, 15 great accommodation choices can be found on our website www.northmuskoka.com

Huntsville Festival of the Arts - Free Concerts

Huntsville Festival of the Arts offers free concerts each day at Trinity Church in Huntsville.

hunMusic at Noon Refresh your body and spirit with these 15 free concerts presented at Trinity Church weekdays commencing at 12:15 pm. July 6 - 24th.

Gord @ Beauview, Julia @ Foxwood and Andrew @ Tally Ho , play in the Huntsville Community band who will be performing this Friday.

The Larks Acapella Choir
Handbell Duet
Gospell Bluegrass band
Organ/PianoCommunity Band
Trillium Jazz Guys
Broadway show tunes
Piano Flute Duet
Oboe, Piano
Classical and contemporary piano

http://www.huntsvillefestival.on.ca/

Saturday Star article about Huntsville

See the Toronto Star article and video about Huntsville, Ontario

http://www.thestar.com/travel/article/658861

Plan a Summer Staycation in Muskoka

There's no need to travel far from home to enjoy your vacation. Plan a "staycation". North Muskoka is just over 2 hours away from the Greater Toronto area.

Here's a list of some of the Attractions in the area:

Santa's Village and Sportsland www.santasvillage.ca
Muskoka Wildlife Centre www.muskokawildlifecentre.com
Muskoka Heritage Place www.muskokaheritageplace.org
Eaglecrest Aerial park - Treetop adventure www.aerialparks.ca
Algonquin Park www.algonquinpark.on.ca
Echo Valley Observatory http://www.deltahotels.com/grandview/observatory/
Real Muskoka - Steam boat cruises, Muskoka Boat and Heritage Centre www.realmuskoka.com

Plus the Huntsville Festival of the Arts www.huntsvillefestival.on.ca

For places to stay, visit www.north-muskoka.com

Disc Golf, what a great walk, unruined!

There is a classic tag line that "Golf is a Great Walk, Ruined."

Not so for Disc Golf (Frisbee Golf) (Frolf) This is just plain good fun, for which you need absolutely no special gear, just a set of frisbees. And those you can rent.

The 9 hole Disc Golf course at BONDI VILLAGE is open for play.

The lake temperature is now over 80 degrees F., the beach is beckoning. The hiking trails are good to go, and we are right next door to Algonquin Provincial Park, so trails are pretty much unlimited here for hikers.

We've got wildlife on the lawn, from new fawns to bluebirds.

And we've still got some vacancies for the summer. Isn't it time you got out of town?

Loons on Lake of Bays

Here's photos of two loons that came to visit this morning.

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=131387&id=622132596&l=1aa74ada82

2010 G8 - One year to Go!

One year from today Huntsville will host the 2010 G8.

Preparations are already underway and there is a buzz in the area as we hit the one year away point.

See the following Huntsville Forester article for more information on the upcoming G8:

Click here for article


One of the major issues for the 2010 G8 is accommodation and North Muskoka has myriad accommodation choices for before, during and after the G8. visit www.northmuskoka.com to view 15 establishments that are all very close to all the action.

DOORS OPEN Lake of Bays

JUNE 13th, Lake of Bays is hosting a DOORS OPEN event.
Details on the fabulous houses being opened up for public viewing can be found on the Doors Open site. It's an exciting line-up, including (but certainly not limited to!) historic Limberlost Lodge, now a Forest and Nature Reserve; Vesle Skaugum, a replica of the Norwegian summer palace built during WWII at the R&R site for the Norwegian airmen (seen in the top photo!); Broomhill Farm, once the Moffat's Wonderview, and still an icon on Peninsula Lake; and Sunset Cottage, the first building in Lake of Bays to come under Heritage Designation and qualify for Heritage Tax Relief.
The Tour runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and there is no charge for participants.

To help support this project, the Heritage Committee is holding a Silent Auction at the Dwight Public Library
Items on offer include a framed Folkins print of the Portage Flyer train, with steamships at the South Portage dock, various original artwork items, some pottery, garden baskets and other interesting items.



Of special note for history buffs, a piece of the Lake of Bays' iconic past is on offer -- there are three windows, all different sizes, from historic Bigwin Inn, a landmark destination since it's opening in 1920, and also a nine foot long section of the curved ballustrade railing from the Bigwin Rotunda. Carey Grant, Carole Lombard, Princess Juliana and a host of other luminaries once leaned over this bannister rail to chat with their companions in the Rotunda foyer. These would be excellent accent pieces in a cottage, and a rare chance to own a tiny part of Bigwin's glory days.

The auction will be open until 4 p.m on JUNE 13th.

Birds, Birds, Birds!!!!

On May 10th 2009 2 Guests staying at Cedar Grove Lodge saw 15 different species of birds.

They were: American Goldfinch, Chickadee, Yellow Breasted Sapsucker, Downy Woodpecker, Red Breasted Nuthatch, Yellow Rumped/Myrtle Warbler, Black and White Warbler, Black Throated Green Warbler, Eastern Phoebe, Common Loon, Red Winged Blackbird, Cat Bird, Merlin, Mallard Duck, Bufflehead Duck, Ruddy Duck, Greater Scaup.

Spring is a great time of year to enjoy what North Muskoka has to offer. Birding, Hiking, Moose sightings, fishing, canoeing and more!

For great places to view birds and other wildlife please visit www.northmuskoka.com

Spring Golf is Open in Muskoka

The Muskoka Golf Courses are starting to open for the season. We just got the announcement that the Muskoka Highlands is now open.
14 holes are ready to play and the Driving range is open to practice your swing.

Its still a little cool so you'll need to bring your gloves and maybe a toque?!

http://www.muskokahighlands.com/

Summer's Coming!

Summer's coming. Even if this recent drop of snow has discouraged a few folks.

Hot weather is on the way, and now is the time to plan your escape from the city.

After all, why would you want to be surrounded by hot pavement when you could be, like our young guest, surrounded by something so much better!

http://www.northmuskoka.com/ has your vacation, waiting for you. Now is the time to be visiting our great resorts, booking for the summer, and beginning to dream of those days at the lake!

North Muskoka Resort Becomes First to be an Ocean Wise partner

Cedar Grove Lodge, A North Muskoka member, has become the first Resort or Lodge in Ontario to become an Ocean Wise Partner. Ocean Wise is a conservation program created to educate and empower consumers about the issues surrounding sustainable seafood. Ocean Wise works directly with dining establishments and markets ensuring they have the most up to date and accurate scientific information to make sound ocean friendly buying decisions.

A few of the Ocean Wise items you may see during a stay at the lodge include Nova Scotia Arctic Char and Wild Lake Erie Pickerel.

For more information please visit:

http://www.cedargrove.on.ca

http://www.vanaqua.org/oceanwise/


At Cedar Grove lodge all rates include 3 meals a day, lakeside cottage accommodation and more. Please visit our website for more information. For other great accommodation choices in North Muskoka, please visit http://www.northmuskoka.com

If you look close you'll see Deer

With a picture window overlooking the lake, we look out our window all the time. Just outside our window, blending in, was a deer at rest, enjoying the afternoon in the sun.

Normally we don't see deer resting as they always seem to be on high alert, but today she was probably pretty tired after enduring the rain and snow of the last few days.

Laying in the leaves, eating some new green grass, under the sun, must have felt like heaven!

Lots of Great wine, No Whining!

North Muskoka is blessed with some of the finest restaurants and chefs on the planet. And if you are a collector of these fine establishments, here's one for your bucket list -- May 2nd, the Norsemen Restaurant is hosting a Wine Tasting Dinner.I'd say 'buckle up', because it's sure to be a ride, but perhaps 'unbuckle' would be better, because it involves a spectacular five course dinner, from the superb direction of Chef Harvey Cross...

Along with Chef Harvey's munificent and delectable courses (such as duck prosciutto with parmesan, seasfood sausage with just a hint of dulse, escallops of caribou with wild leeks... oh bliss, oh tastebuds) comes internationally renowned Sommelier Alan Marginean.His job is to educate your palate. It begins with a Tutored Wine Tasting comparing different wine styles and varieties, and it moves on the pair the right wine to the right food.

If all you know of wines is that you don't wear white after Labour Day (oh, wait... that's not wines!!! that's fashion!!) then you really should be signing up for this extravaganza. If you're only going out for one fancy meal this spring, then this should be it.

$95 plus tax and grats gets you a place setting, knife, fork, wine glass and one heck of a great evening's dining. It lasts from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

And of course you need to reserve: 705 635 2473.

The Norsemen is one of North Muskoka's great little resorts, and one of North American's great little restaurants. If they're all fully booked for a stay over that weekend, you can come and stay with us. We've got great discounts for the month of May. And after a meal like that, what better than to spend a leisurely Sunday watching wildlife on the lawn and taking a meandering walk on our nature trails here at Bondi Village?
Cheers!

Dwight Winter Carnival Events

39th Annual Dwight Winter Carnival
February 26 – 28, 2009
www.dwightwintercarnival.com
Find the Carnival Bear! Watch the Dwight News and our website for clues!

EVENT SCHEDULE

Thursday, February 26
Princess Pageant*
Dwight Community Centre from 6 pm – 8 pm
Healthy snacks supplied by The Moose Café
Age Groups: 3-5 years – Snowflake
6-9 years – Snow Princess
10-13 years – Snow Queen
Advance registration required (forms available on website above)

Friday, February 27
Kids Capers*
Irwin Memorial Public School from 5:30 pm – 7 pm
Healthy snacks supplied by Nor’Loch Lodge. Fun, fun, fun for parents and children! Ages – 10 & under

Night Time Shinny*
Dwight Gardens (Dwight Rink) at 7 pm
Hamburgers, hot-dogs & hot chocolate will be available. Hot chocolate prepared by Dwight Coffee Shop. Join in or simply watch the game!

Saturday, February 28
Indoor Events
Pancake Breakfast
Dwight Community Centre from 8 am – 10:30 am
Cost is $7/adult and $3/child

The Ben Show*
Dwight Community Centre from 9:30 am – 10 am
A high energy comedy stunt man who performs daring juggling, unicycling and other incredible circus feats.

Awards Presentations*
Dwight Community Centre at 10 am
Bob Palmer Award, Fishing Trophies, Carnival Bear

Story time with Phynix and Anansi*
Dwight Community Centre from 10:30 am – 11:30 am
Glenn Copeland/multi-media story telling

Pie Baking Contest & Auction*
Dwight Community Centre from 11:30 am – 11:45 am

Indoor Horse Racing*
Dwight Community Centre starting at 12:30 pm (Post time very ½ hour)
Fun for all ages!

Minnow Racing*
Dwight Community Centre starting 12:30 pm (between ‘Horse Races’)

Outdoor Events
Horse Drawn Rides*
Dwight Community Centre from 10 am – 3 pm

Pavey Tree*
Dwight Community Centre from 10 am – 3 pm
Showcasing the Spiderlift and chainsaw safety

Muskoka Pro Chainsaw Carving*
Dwight Community Centre at 10:30 am

Dog Sled Rides*
Dwight Community Centre from 11 am – 3:30 pm

Re/Max Balloon*
Irwin Memorial Ball Diamond from 11 am – 3 pm

Dwight Idol: Karaoke in the Snow*
Dwight Community Centre from 11 am – 2 pm

Meat & Vegetarian Chili/Soup Bar
Dwight Community Centre from 11:30 am – 3:30 pm

Log Sawing and Nail Driving*
Dwight Community Centre at 11:30 am

BBQ Lunch
Dwight Community Centre (outdoors) from 11:30 am – 3 pm
Try the delicious pea meal on a bun with fried onions with some hot chocolate. Nobody will go hungry at our Carnival!

Family Fun and Frolics*
Dwight Community Centre at 11:30 am
Scavenger Hunt, 3-Legged Race, Sack Race, Egg Race, Obstacle Course, Pudding Contest – lots of prizes!

Radar Shoot*
Dwight Rink at 12 pm

The Ben Show*
Dwight Community Centre (outside) from 12:45 pm – 1:15 pm

Icecapades at the Rink*
1 pm
Turkey bowling, curling & fun!

Moose Tongues
All day at the Dwight Community Centre
Enjoy a Muskoka treat!

Tea Making*
Dwight Community Centre at 2 pm

Carnival Dance
Dwight Community Centre starting at 8 pm
$5/person – must be over 18 years of age

Visit www.dwightwintercarnival.com for more detailed event listings!

Admission to Carnival events requires a Carnival Button – cost is $3. All events marked with an * are included with the purchase of a Button.
Buttons available at Dwight Library, Dwight Garden Centre, Post Office, Dwight Market, Dwight Coffee Shop, Hillside Country Store and Webster’s Beacon.

For more information or to become a sponsor, please email info@dwightwintercarnival.com or call 705-635-2431.

Snowshoeing - Hints and tips

Here's a great article all about snowshoeing from the basics to providing hints and tips.

http://www.rei.com/gearmail/gm021309_2/cm?cm_mmc=Email_com_gm-_-newsletter-_-021309-_-bt_snowshoes

We have lots of trails and places to go snowshoeing in North Muskoka.

February Winter Carnivals - Dorset and Dwight

It's winter carnival time again with endless fun in the snow. Some highlights of this long time tradition are Pancake Breakfast, Fishing Trophies, Pie Baking Contest, Children' Entertainers, Indoor Horse Racing or maybe minnow racing, Dog Sledding, Chain Saw Carver, Log Sawing, Karaoke and a community dance. The whole community welcome you to to join in for the cost of a Carnival Button purchased around the village. Come and join in the fun in the sun and snow!