Bay Street Bull Magazine

VOL.8 NO.2

COTTAGE DREAMS $7.95

THEBAYSTREETBULL.CA

The ideal retreat awaits

NATURAL WONDERS Classic wooden boats

IN THE ISSUE:

fe a t u re s

WILD GREENS 8 Tee off at the edge of cottage country.

departments

14

NORTHERN PROMISES Discover Muskoka’s uncommon past.

UP FRONT 6 The Perini Navi Cup, a Herb Ritts bio, a luxe facial and more.

22

FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE

26

IN THE NEWS

28

BOATHOUSES

36

IMAGE+FASHION

38

RURAL RESORTS

Art with a mission.

Film North

Shoreline treasure troves.

Carry-ons for the jetsetter.

Idyllic lakeside lodgings.

46

BULL REVIEW

48

COTTAGE DREAMS

56

NATURAL WONDERS

Porsche’s new eco-friendly 4x4.

The ideal retreat awaits.

Classic wooden boats.

WINE+SPIRITS 68 Sparklers to lighten up a hot day.

62

WHEN NATURE CALLS

76

HEALTH TALK

77

JUNIOR SECTION

86

WHAT’S ON MUSKOKA

Algonquin outfitters guide the way.

Summer doesn’t mean diet failure.

From dune buggies to boat rides, we’ve found fun to suit every taste.

This season’s best events.

88 TECH TOYS 70

ON THE SHELF Curl up with a countryside tale.

Cover photo by Muskoka Tourism

Boats set to impress.

Photo Credits on page 90.

THE BAY STREET BULL | 3

BAY STREET PUBLISHING

Vol. 8, No. 2

EDITOR Catherine Roberts ART DIRECTOR Mark Tzerelshtein CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Lyndsie Bourgon TRAVEL EDITOR Sean Litteljohn CONTRIBUTORS Patrick Boyer Charles Davidson Bryan Dearsley Mike Dojc Kim Kerr Marc Phillips Larry Wright PHOTOGRAPHER Ruslan Sarkisian DIRECTOR, ADVERTISING SALES Bill Percy advertising@thebaystreetbull.ca ADVERTISING SALES MANAGERS Jordan Sanders Mark Waxer Julie Card (Collingwood) HOSPITALITY DEVELOPMENT Mark Waxer ADVERTISING GRAPHIC DESIGNER Christophe Boilley COMMUNICATIONS FACILITATOR David Rees

The Bay Street Bull is published six times annually and is distributed directly to Toronto’s Financial and Business Executives.

Distribution by: Roltek International Inc. Subscriptions: $24 annually. To order please e-mail: service@roltek.com Bay Street Publishing, 305 Evans Ave. Etobicoke, Ontario M8Z 1K2 WWW.THEBAYSTREETBULL.CA

Photo: Ruslan Sarkisian

VICE PRESIDENT, PUBLISHER Fred Sanders

W

elcome to our 2nd Annual Muskoka Edition. Once again, we are pleased to present the best that Muskoka has to offer. Located just 150 km north of Toronto, Muskoka is one of Canada’s most popular summer getaway locales, and for good reason. The stunning wilderness, refreshing lakes, variety of activities and amazing properties make this the ideal outdoor backdrop for all your summer festivities. While Muskoka has made a name for itself as a great rural retreat, it hasn’t always been a haunt for city-dwellers looking for a hot-weather hideaway. In fact, the area has a rich, and somewhat surprising, history that begins during the arrival of new immigrants in the 1880s, who came looking for free land. Writer Charles Davidson gives us a peek into how Muskoka became the summer paradise it is today. Whether you already have a cottage in the area, or are looking for a temporary retreat, Bryan Dearsley has all the information you’ll need in “Cottage Dreams.” We’ve also got the skinny on every cottage’s most important add-on: the boathouse.

As for things to do, boredom will be the last thing on your mind. Golf anyone? The region has many challenging courses, and golf enthusiast and Tourism Muskoka manager Larry Wright outlines the best of Muskoka’s stunning courses. He’ll tell you where to tee off from the edge of a cliff, where to get a pedicure while your partner takes in 18 holes, and where to plan your next business meeting or golf tournament.

If you’re interested in the ultimate outdoor experience, but don’t know where to start, head to our special feature on outdoor guides in Algonquin National Park. Algonquin outfitters have been arranging customized excursions through the park for years, and they’re dedicated to providing the ultimate natural encounter that caters to your own personal needs.

While adults need some much-deserved time away from work, summer is really a time for children. In the Junior section, we’ve compiled a list of the best summer camps in the Muskoka-area. There’s something for every kid, no matter if they want to play sports or write songs. And we’ve also collected some of the summer’s best family-friendly festivals, ensuring bored kids are nowhere to be found.

We always enjoy hearing what you think about the magazine. If you’d like to send us a letter about this issue, or have an idea you think we should explore in the magazine, please address your letter to The Publisher, The Bay Street Bull, 305 Evans Avenue, Etobicoke, Ontario, M8Z 1K2, or e-mail me at publisher@thebaystreetbull.ca.

Fred Sanders, Publisher 4 | THE BAY STREET BULL

UPFRONT

Jaguar C-X75 Concept Car Jaguar’s stunning C-X75, the winner of the Louis Vuitton Classic Concept Award, is set to go into production, albeit with a few modifications. Instead of being completely electric, it will be a hybrid with a gasoline engine and two electric motors, one on each axle. What will remain, however, is the carbon fibre shell and the mini turbines. The twoseater will hit a top speed of 328 km/h, and is said to go from 0-to-100 in just three seconds. Rumour has it that only 250 will roll off the assembly line at a base price of $1.1 million each. jaguar.com

Perini Navi Cup Each year, the world’s most stylish super yachts head to Sardinia for the Perini Navi Cup, an annual luxe regatta.

This year’s event will take place between Sept. 1 - 4, around the waters of Port Cervo. With an extra day of racing and some help from big-name sponsors like Rolex, Audi and Pommery, the Navi Cup is gearing up for its biggest year ever. Want to compete? There are at least six Perini beauties for charter for as little as $95,000 per week. perininavicup.it

La Prairie’s Platinum Facial In need of some serious pampering? Head to the spa at the Ritz-Carlton in New York, and ask for The Platinum Rare Facial. The 90-minute treatment is described as a “spa manicure and pedicure, massage and facial all in one.” A nail technician soaks and scrubs, while an aesthetician massages the neck and shoulders in between giving a customized facial that uses La Prairie’s Platinum Collection (including the line’s cellular cream, which retails for $6,500 an ounce.) ritzcarlton.com

The Life & Work of Herb Ritts With the exception of Annie Leibovitz, no photographer working during the ‘80s and ‘90s did more to help to turn his subjects into icons than Herb Ritts. Working mostly in black-and-white photography, and imitating the portrait style of classical Greek sculpture, his pictures became staples of magazines like Vanity Fair, Vogue, and GQ. In a new book by Charles Churchward, Herb Ritts: The Golden Hour, his life, legacy and work are explored. Part scrapbook (there are personal, previously unpublished photos) and part oral history (there are scores of interviews with Hollywood’s A-listers), Herb Ritts doesn’t just pay tribute to an extraordinary career, it’s a testament to just how much photography has shaped our cultural aesthetic. rizzoli.com

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The Grand Del Mar Spa The Grand Del Mar, a California resort with 249 rooms tucked between the rolling fairways of a golf course near San Diego, is home to a spectacular 21,000-sq. ft. spa. Resembling a 16th century Mediterranean villa with its earthy colours, crystal glass tiles and imported white Carrera marble, the spa has 11 treatment rooms— including a couple’s suite—sauna rooms, an indoor Jacuzzi and a stone fireplace.

Guests can indulge in a host of natural therapies, from facials to body treatments.

All treatments use the resort’s skin and body care collection, a private label of botanical and aroma therapy products, which are handmade, organic and sold exclusively at the spa. Most treatments last 90 minutes and will run about $300. granddelmarspa.com

Muscle meets masterpiece.

The All-New 2012 CLS 63 AMG.

With its hand-built AMG 518 horsepower bi-turbo V8 engine and AMG sport tuned suspension, the All-New 2012 CLS 63 AMG is quickly out of sight – though never out of mind. Step inside and revel in the hand stitched Nappa leather upholstery, exquisite wood trim and the warm glow of ambient lighting. Visit mbtoronto.ca

Š 2011 Mercedes-Benz Canada Inc.

Toronto Area Retail Group

Sales Inquiries (877) 366-8888

Downtown 761 Dundas St E (416) 947-9000

Maple 9300 Jane St (905) 585-9300

Markham 8350 Kennedy Rd (905) 305-1088

Midtown 849 Eglinton Ave E (416) 847-7400

Mississauga 6120 Mavis Rd (905) 363-3322

Newmarket 230 Mulock Dr (905) 853-6868

Thornhill 228 Steeles Ave W (905) 886-6881

WILD Greens Golfing in Muskoka

8 | THE BAY STREET BULL

BY LARRY WRIGHT

H

ere in Muskoka we’re blessed to have several of the finest golf courses in North America, many of which were designed by top course architects like George Cummings, Stanley Thompson and C.E. “Robbie” Robinson, as well as current favourites Nick Faldo and Doug Carrick. As a golf destination, you would be hard-pressed to find another area offering so many different quality courses.

With over 28 to choose from, and an impressive tally of yardages, there’s a course for every level of golfer.

To test your skills, try The Rock. With its tight fairways and granite outcroppings, it’s a challenge in keeping the ball on the straight and narrow. Or give Taboo a shot—totaling 6,728-yards from the blues and a par 71, it’s sure to grab your attention.

Then there is the Muskoka Bay Club, the only public course in Ontario to be ranked as one of Canada’s ten best

by Score Golf. This magnificent course is awe-inspiring.

When you’re standing at Table Rock, the first tee block with a distance to the green of 440-yards, you may question whether to take out your driver or your camera. When Freed Development contracted Doug Carrick to design the course the stars were aligned—each successive hole becomes more stimulating than the last. The course follows the natural contour of the Canadian Shield, respecting the wetlands and forest that it meanders through. At the end of your 18 holes, the Muskoka Bay Club’s award-winning Clifftop Clubhouse (featuring a dining room, indoor and outdoor bistro, entertainment lounge and much more) is an ideal spot to relax and reflect on the day’s round. The Muskoka Bay Club also offers up-scale accommodations for golfers who want to stay near the green.

THE BAY STREET BULL | 9

18 Links and 40 Winks

For those looking for a great play-and-stay package, Taboo Golf and Spa Resort has much to offer. Want to share the magic of Taboo with friends? With their ‘Four Friends and Birdie,’ special you and three friends can enjoy a round of golf (cart included) and spend a night in one of their three-bedroom cottage chalets. Or if you’d rather get away with one special person, there’s the ‘18 Links and 40 Winks’ package for couples, which includes one round of golf and a night in one of their luxe rooms. And perfect for the twosome with only one golfer is the ‘Pedicure & Putts’ package. For one, a round on their magnificent course, for the other, spa treatments to restore body and soul.

There are, of course, spa-only packages to soothe frazzled nerves, as well as romance-only getaways where rose petals and candles set the tone. Most packages, based on double occupancy, start at $340 per night.

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Bigwin Island Golf Club is a course steeped in history. It began as a trading spot for Ojibway Chief Joseph Big Wind and local traders, and was later transformed by entrepreneur C. O. Shaw of Huntsville into a grand resort on this picturesque island of elevated rock cliffs and carved shoreline.

The resort opened just in time to usher in the roaring ‘20s. By 1922, Stanley Thompson was contracted to develop the original 9-hole course and by 1930 the second nine was added. Bigwin was soon teeming with the rich and famous—from heads of state to the Hollywood elite. But as the Big Band era faded, so did the resort.

While a number of developers tried to revitalize the island by adding an airport (among other things) business continued to dwindle. In 1970 the resort finally closed, and was later turned into a condominium development.

But things started to turn around in the mid-1980s, when developer Alan Peters, joined by financer Jack Wadsworth, sought to transform Bigwin into an island community, and resurrected the golf course. In no time at all, the glory days of Bigwin were back. The completely redesigned par-72 Doug Carrick course offers charm and a fair but demanding challenge on the green. The fairways are lined with hard forest, and there are 75 beautiful sand bunkers. The greens, however, are charitable in size. Bigwin has two signature holes: the 6th hole, “The Lookout,” is a 462yard, par 4 with an elevated tee 100-feet above the fairway. The 18th hole, “The Lake of Bays,” a par 5, is the longest hole on the course. As a semi-private course, Bigwin Golf Club is only open to the public in the months of May, June, September and October.

The Delta Grandview is located on Fairy Lake and is home to the exquisite par 72 Grandview Golf Club. The course, designed by two-time major champion Mark O’Meara, is testing but not punishing. Carved out of the natural landscape of hard granite rock, natural wetlands and hardwood forest, Grandview rises and falls hundreds of feet throughout the Canadian Shield wilderness, and has a particularly rugged feel. The course is complimented by a popular clubhouse, and is linked to the Delta Grandview Inn. The Ridge at Manitou, located on the northern boundary of Muskoka, is a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary. Through diligent management and constant vigilance, the staff has eagerly protected the environment around the course, making it one of the best places in the region to experience nature’s habitats unscathed while playing golf.

For a course with a different cut, North Granite Ridge near Port Sydney has it all.

Carved out of 320-acres of forest and rock, Score Golf rated North Granite Ridge at 8.56.

Jason Miller, the course architect, found designing this course truly inspiring, as he was able to set tee decks atop of granite ridges while providing long range vistas over the forest. Miller also notes that North Granite has become a hidden gem in the region—if you’re looking for something truly Muskokan without the crowds, this is the course for you.

This course is amazing to play anytime, but is especially enchanting in the fall when there’s a cavalcade of colour.

Maple Hills Golf Course at Clevelands House is a great way to ease into the golf season. This tiny, executive 9-hole course still offers a challenge, as it works its way across some wetland and along the hillside. Clevelands House is a historical mainstay in Muskoka — the lodge has been around for more than one hundred years, and has THE BAY STREET BULL | 11

Clubbing at Bigwin

At any good golf resort, the clubhouse is a focal point—a place to unwind, relax and enjoy a great meal. Bigwin’s elegant, octagonal clubhouse is steeped in history and ‘Old Muskoka’ architecture. An open-air Promenade Veranda and screenedin porch provide the ambiance for a casual lunch or dinner, while the Lakeside Patio and Grill is the perfect spot to glimpse vintage vessels and experience the warmth of the sun or have a cocktail before dinner at the Marine Dining Room. The kitchens are run by award-winning executive chef, Philip Leach, a graduate of George Brown College’s culinary school and bronze medalist at the 2009 National Chef of the Year competition. Since joining the Bigwin team in the spring of 2006, the menus have reflected the area’s fresh, local and regional diversity, as well as seasonal influences. His tempting seafood menus are a definite “must-try.”

12 | THE BAY STREET BULL

survived many of the fires that felled similar landmarks in the region. For a shorter run, Maple Hills Golf Course provides a lovely alternative to Clevelands House’s other course, The Rock. As a patron of Clevelands House you will be glad to work out the kinks before taking on the challenge of The Rock or one of Muskoka’s other premier courses.

For a perennial favourite, turn to the Muskoka Highlands Golf Club near Bracebridge. Situated on some of the region’s highest terrain, this fun 18-hole course has plenty of exposure to sun and wind, making for a well-drained and lush green. The first nine holes were introduced on a former dairy farm in 1993.

The second nine were added in 2000, so seamlessly you’d think it had always been an 18-hole course. Muskoka Highlands is also as kid-friendly as it gets— they hold a reduced rate family night six times a week, and up to 150 juniors pass through the course’s clinics and weeklong camps annually. Guests will also be happy to hear that this club doesn’t host many tournaments—they’d rather keep the green open for regular guests and visitors. Après golf, the 2,000 sq. ft. clubhouse that overlooks the 1st and 9th tees is home to a comfortable bar and lounge, and a dining area For those of us looking for a more leisurely game, Muskoka has a number of fine courses that are open to the public, as well as some semi-private courses.

They include the magnificent Diamond in the Ruff (dubbed an ‘undiscovered gem in Canada’), South Muskoka Curling and Golf Club, Huntsville Downs, as well as the brand new course Oak Bay, which is located along the shores of Georgian Bay just outside of Port Severn.

For those of you accustomed to encountering alligators, cottonmouth snakes and other slinky, venomous creatures at popular southern courses, take comfort in knowing you won’t find them on any golf course in Muskoka. But do stay aware: in the past there have been sightings of bear, deer, and moose near some of these beautiful courses—not to mention some notorious golf-ball-stealing squirrels.

Whether you are a scratch golfer or just an average player, you owe it to yourself to take up the challenge at one of Muskoka’s unparalleled courses. 

NORTHERN Promises Discover Muskoka’s uncommon past

BY CHARLES DAVIDSON

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T

ourism in Muskoka isn’t just an industry, it’s the region’s lifeblood—a way of life that goes back to the land’s very settlement.

Settling in Canada traditionally followed a predictable sequence: trappers and traders passed through, followed by loggers, farmers and others who built new homes and towns. Then, dependent on the region’s visual appeal, came the tourists. In

Muskoka, that order was turned on its head. In the 1860s Muskoka opened its doors, and people began to pour in like bargain hunters on Boxing Day. Tourists were looking for a room at the same time farmers were clearing the land.

Originally, government plans for Muskoka echoed what was done with many other pieces of land that were too rocky to farm: set it aside as a Native re-

serve. But by mid-century, the fertile Ontario farm country just south of the Canadian Shield was getting crowded.

Squatters started to make their way into the land north of Orillia, carving out farms in the bush, cutting lumber, and planting potatoes between the stumps.

It soon became clear that Muskoka would be settled, and in 1868 it was officially incorporated.

Settlers began flooding in from Europe and southern Ontario, lured by the promise of free land: two hundred acres for the taking, and all they had to do was clear 15 of them and build a house.

Agents in London and Dublin painted a glowing picture of farming in the new country, an irresistible image for people jammed into the squalor of Dickensian cities. For a handful, the dream came THE BAY STREET BULL | 15

true. When they arrived in Muskoka and met the land agent, they were assigned one of those rare portions of Muskoka that had actual topsoil—not much of it, but enough that they could plant a crop in the summer once the trees were felled and the stumps burned. There was little money to be made, but they could earn a bit of cash in winter, felling the massive white pines for logging companies and floating them down to sawmills that were eager for timber.

Most others, though, quickly learned that the dream of farming in Muskoka was an illusion. After enduring a hard winter, blackfly summer, and year-round starvation, suddenly life in the city didn’t look so bad after all, and many left for urban centres. But a few found that there was another harvest to be had, another crop to be cultivated: tourists.

Muskoka was beautiful and wild, and yet it was close to the city. All it needed was a rail line and some entrepreneurs.

The first recorded tourists in Muskoka didn’t even wait for the rail line. It was 1860 when two young Torontonians—18-year-old James Bain and 20-year-old John Campbell—set out on an adventure in the far north. They travelled by train to the end of the line in Barrie, then took a steamer to Orillia and a rowboat to Washago before walking to 16 | THE BAY STREET BULL

Gravenhurst, then known as McCabe’s Landing. Bain later described buying a meal of potatoes, ham and onions from the bemused McCabes, who were certain the young visitors were either surveyors or preachers. Why else would anyone brave Muskoka’s discomfort?

But Bain and Campbell were just the advance guard, and within a few years there were thousands of tourists flocking to the area. The first did what Bain and Campbell had done, purchasing provisions and a bed for the night from the local settlers, renting a boat and catching some fish. Then the settlers quickly realized an opportunity: farmhouses became guest houses, and soon after hotels. The rail line was extended to Gravenhurst, steamers were built, and canals were blasted and dredged to connect the lakes.

Much of the progress was set in motion by an entrepreneur named A.P. Cockburn, who visited in 1865. He cut a deal with the government: if they would build locks at Port Carling, he would put a steamer on the lake. In fact he did better than that, gradually building a whole fleet of steamers, and getting a canal dredged to link lakes Rosseau and Joseph.

To fuel demand for his steamers, Cockburn convinced a wealthy friend from New York City there was demand

for luxury in the wilderness. William H. Pratt’s hotel at Lake Rosseau opened just ten years after Bain and Campbell made their first foray to McCabe’s tavern, but the difference between the two was stark. Pratt’s guests weren’t just hunters and fishermen out for a week of sport—they also included wives and children, and Pratt knew they needed something more than a rough bed and plain fare. Guests wanted comfort and entertainment, and he set out to provide it.

The hotel was a hit, expanding as guests poured in from Toronto, Pittsburgh and even New York City to enjoy the luxurious hotel in the wilderness. Even the journey was part of the adventure, as guests arrived by railroad in Gravenhurst then stepped onto a steamer to travel the entire length of the lakes system (it was no coincidence that steamboat owner Cockburn convinced his friend to build at Rosseau rather than at the lower end of the lake, where trips would be shorter and fares cheaper.)

Pratt’s hotel only lasted 13 years. Many stories about Muskoka buildings end with the phrase “and then it burned to the ground,” and Pratt’s large pine structure is no exception—but its influence was immense. Luxurious hotels began to dot the lakes, each trying to outdo the other. Tennis, 18 | THE BAY STREET BULL

lawn bowling, dance halls, boating trips, golf courses, and even roller skating—Muskoka resorts had it all.

It wasn’t just “The Big Three”—Lake Muskoka, Lake Rousseau and Lake Joseph— that had resorts. Anywhere that had access to a rail line and a steamer—or, by the 1920s, a decent road—soon had a resort. One of the

grandest was Bigwin Inn on Lake of Bays.

Built in the 1920s, it was soon proclaimed the finest resort hotel in the British Empire, renowned for innovative architecture, superb food, and impeccable attention to detail.

Even dinner service was a spectacle: guests wrote home about the choreography of mealtimes, when waitresses entered the

had its unique flavour that was often influenced by the personality of the owner. A jovial, music-loving host would hire a musician and encourage dancing and singing parties on the lake; a quieter host tended to draw a quieter clientele who preferred

round dining hall on strict cue, swirling through the crowd with trays held high to ensure everyone received their meal at the exact same moment.

Entertainment didn’t end at mealtimes.

The ability to attract top bands was a point of pride for many of the large resorts. Famous performers like Louis Armstrong, Glen Miller, and Benny Goodman stayed and played on the lakes, performing at Bigwin and other resorts and at dance

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clubs in places such as Bala and Port Carling. Such luxury came at great expense, but that didn’t matter.

Guests at these fine resorts were among the wealthy and powerful— Clark Gable and Carole Lombard honeymooned at Bigwin; Prime Minister Mackenzie King stayed at the Royal Muskoka.

The smaller resorts attracted their own loyal clientele and each

to spend their days reading in the shade or enjoying a game of tennis. Windermere House was known for its gentility; Clevelands House was—and remains—a great spot for families to play together.

There were even a handful of resorts that catered to the guests of other resorts.

Bigwin Inn was strictly teetotal, so guests who wanted to drink—including members of the famous bands who played at Bigwin—would take a late night boat to one of the smaller resorts on the lake for an after-party.

The golden age of resorts began to end with the Depression. As the flow of guests dried up it became increasingly costly to maintain the buildings and staff, and made it harder to justify the expense of a business that only made money a few months of the year. The development of roads and changing tastes, rather than economic turmoil, really changed the face of tourism in Muskoka. After the Second World War, people discovered they didn’t need to travel by rail and steamer, and they weren’t limited to a shared dining room to enjoy a meal. The car and the cottage replaced the train ride to the resort. The steamers stopped running, and one by one the resorts were shuttered, pulled down,

or went up in smoke. Sometimes the fires were the work of vandals, others were dubbed as “friction fires,” caused by the friction of insurance money passing from one hand to another. The age of the Muskoka resort was over, and ‘cottage country’ was on the rise.

Cottages had been around for as long as resorts—even Bain and Campbell, pioneers of tourism, eventually bought land.

They formed the Yoho Club, and bought the island on Lake Joseph still known as Yoho Island.

As with the resorts, the grandeur of the cottages varied hugely. Lords of industry built grand estates in places like Beaumaris, massive summer homes with servants’ quarters and elevators. Others built more modest places. For a few decades, building a cottage in Muskoka was part of the middle-class dream. Those who could take a few weeks off in the summer—teachers and preachers and small business owners—enjoyed their modest homes on the water. Wives and children stayed for the summer, with fathers coming up every Friday night, driving or taking the train that was sometimes known as the Daddy Special.

In recent years, that’s changed again. In

most modern two-income families, staying in Muskoka for the summer is out of reach. The cost of waterfront land and waterfront taxes have risen—now cottage ownership has become an elusive dream.

Even those who can afford it have begun to question the wisdom of tying up a million dollars or more—with an added hefty property tax—for a place they only use a few weeks a year.

Instead, fractional ownership has taken off, offering a compromise between the resort and the cottage. And the traditional resort lifestyle has also returned. Much has changed, of course—the rooms are bigger, the dining schedule more flexible—but places like Deerhurst, Grandview, Red Leaves and Taboo still offer the pampered luxury that their predecessors offered a century ago.

But Muskoka’s cycle will continue, no doubt. The first baby-boom retirees are turning their summer homes into permanent residences, and there are other changes on the horizon. Tourism, whatever form it takes, will always be part of Muskoka. As long as there is water to boat on, fish to catch, and a sun setting over a rocky point, tourists will come and Muskokans will welcome them. 

THE BAY STREET BULL | 21

FROM RUSSIA With Love Art with a mission

BY CATHERINE ROBERTS

F

inding a good art gallery is like finding a good bookstore–not a chain bookstore, but an independent bookstore that you tend to stumble upon while looking for something else. Instantly, you know it’s a place you’ll come back to again and again. It’s cozy, charming and often filled with a friendly but eccentric staff. That’s the exactly what Chancery Art Gallery is like.

Located along a tiny walkway lined with interlocking red brick, with an entrance through a wrought iron gate, the Chancery Art Gallery is housed in a two-storey 19th century building, filled with an old world elegance. There’s a hardwood floor; high, embossed tin ceiling; and minimal furniture: a rocking chair, wooden pew, two wooden end tables, classic wooden-leather armchair, and grand piano. The paintings, lining the white walls, have a definite impressionist and surrealist feel. And, in keeping with the spirit of the building (which was

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once a tobacconist shop, barber shop, bookstore and candy store), you can purchase books, cigars and fine chocolate.

The gallery’s owner Lena Kolobow and her husband Paul Ivanoff, the curator, are both psychologists who immigrated to Canada from Russia 11 years ago. With them, they brought not only their love of art but the belief that art heals.

As such they chose to represent art for its psychological content and therapeutic effects.

While not all artists featured at the gallery hail from Europe, there is an undeniable preference for surrealism, the 1920s art movement heavily influenced by Freud and Dada, that aimed to explore and express the subconscious. You’ll also notice an influence from impressionism, an artistic style

THE GALLERY’S OWNER LENA KOLOBOW AND HER HUSBAND PAUL IVANOFF, THE CURATOR, ARE BOTH PSYCHOLOGISTS WHO IMMIGRATED TO CANADA FROM RUSSIA 11 YEARS AGO. THE BAY STREET BULL | 23

Andrew Collett Dramatic is the word most often used to describe the work of photographer Andrew Collett. Inspired by the untamed woods, rugged wind swept shores and unforgettable sunsets of Muskoka, his pictures capture the splendour of the region. As a child, he says, “he spent summers getting to know the landscape of Georgian Bay, Muskoka and beyond, becoming an observer of nature. Discovering the beauty of the places and seasons often overlooked by others.”

His gallery, located in Port Carling, is filled with images using the finest in archival reproduction techniques. The Giclee process he uses guarantees that his prints wont fade or change colour. And all of his artwork comes encased in a crafted solid wood frame, is hand signed and includes a certificate of authenticity.

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originating in France in the late 19th century that is concerned with “depicting the visual impression of the moment” and is characterized by free, loose brush strokes.

Currently on display is the work of Peter Beckett, the Oakvilleborn artist whose paintings reflect the landscape of his travels as well as that of his studio, which is located in Walters Falls, near Owen Sound. “Beckett’s large canvasses are filled with the movement, shape and colour reminiscent of everything from moss on rock to being soaked by a breaking wave.”

Another gallery favourite is Dagan Sekaric Shex, a versatile Canadian artist who hails from the former Yugoslavia. What most characterizes his work is the use of sfumato, which he learned while studying in Rome. While the art of Italian Renaissance painters such as Leonardo da Vinci and Antonio Correggio used the technique to create soft, ambiguous backgrounds, Shex applies this style to his entire paintings, giving them a magical quality.

If you happen to miss one of the gallery’s summer exhibits, there’s always the annual post-season retrospective, “The Lazy Cottager,” which runs from Sept. 14th to 24th. The exhibit has been well attended since it began in 2007, and this year will include the paintings of 14 international artists.

THIS TINY, OUT-OF-THE WAY GALLERY MAY BE BRACEBRIDGE’S BEST KEEP SECRET AND ONE OF THE BEST PLACES TO ENJOY GREAT ART IN ONTARIO. Admission to the gallery is free and is open to the public during the summer months on Wednesdays through Fridays, from noon to 5 p.m. (with extended hours on Thursday until 8 p.m.) and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays. Private showings, however, can be arranged by appointment. In addition to exhibits, the gallery, in an attempt to recreate the salon culture of the 19th century, has free art classes, book readings and concerts.

This tiny, out-of-the way gallery may be Bracebridge’s best keep secret and one of the best places to enjoy great art in Ontario. 

Canada’s Unique Golf Experience

THE VISION OF A FOUNDER Jack Wadsworth, Honourary Chairman of Morgan Stanley Asia, and the talents of Golf Course Architect Doug Carrick bring you the ultimate Muskoka Experience.

Experience Bigwin through our Corporate Event Packages in May, June, September, October or from July to Labour Day experience a Private Club like no other by owning 1 of 300 Equity Memberships.

New for 2011!

Bigwin Island Golf Club is pleased to offer a limited number of Social Memberships at a special introductory price.

Include Bigwin Island Golf Club to your family cottage legacy and experience great food and fine wine when visiting the magnificent Lake of Bays during the summer months.

For Corporate Event planning or Membership information please contact: Jonathan Gee, General Manager Bigwin Island Golf Club

1-866-355-7356 Ext. 118 email: jgee@bigwinislandgc.com

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INTHENEWS

FILM North F

or the second year in a row, movie-goers will get a chance to see 40 films over three days at Film North, Muskoka’s only international film festival. Held at the Algonquin Theatre in Huntsville during the third weekend in September, the festival is an intimate event where emerging Canadian and international filmmakers exhibit and promote their work. Last year, half of all the directors accompanied films to the their screenings, allowing the audience a rare opportunity to easily engage with movie creators. In addition to pieces by the up-andcoming, last years’ lineup also included Isabella Rossellini film Green Porno: Marine Life, a series of humourous short films about the act of love found deep down in the ocean; and Terrence Malick’s Days of Heaven (Malick’s Tree of Life starring Brad Pitt and Sean Penn won the Palme d’Or at Cannes this year). Ryan Ward’s Son of The Sunshine, a Canadian production about a young man with Tourette's Syndrome, became a surprise hit, after winning the festival’s Best Feature award and being picked up by HBO. While founder Lucy Molnar Wing is keeping mum about this years’ lineup, she says the festival will continue to showcase productions that focus on the environment.

Tickets are $15 per film, or $40 for a day pass. The full program will be announced on Aug.19th. 

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MUSKOKATRADITION

BOATHOUSES Shoreline Treasure Troves

BY CHARLES DAVIDSON

M

uskoka just wouldn’t be the same without boathouses.

These treasure troves line the shores, acting as repositories of gorgeous boats and precious memories.

Celebrated in word and photo, they, more than any other feature, define the essence of Muskoka.

They weren’t always there, of course. The first cottagers wouldn’t have dreamed of putting a “wet slip” boathouse on the shore. For them, a boathouse was a dry structure, a shed located a short distance from the water where canoes and rowboats could be dragged and stored. In fact, today’s version of boathouses was only made possible thanks to the development of dams. Think of Lake Muskoka as a widening in a river, rather than a lake: the river stretches from the headwaters in central Algonquin Park all the way to Georgian Bay. Every spring, all the melted snow in that entire watershed—a watershed that can get 15 feet or more of snow in a typical winter—makes its way through the creeks to the streams and the rivers. Like the carved Indian in Bill Mason’s Paddle to the Sea, it goes rushing downstream toward the ocean. And in Muskoka, the main route to the sea is through Lake Muskoka.

Before dams were built on the rivers—to power mills, float logs, and eventually generate electricity—the level of the lakes varied enormously, changing by several feet from early spring to late summer. Once dams were added, though, it became possible to control that level, to keep Lake Muskoka—and upstream lakes such as Rosseau and Lake of Bays—at a fairly consistent level.

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That consistent water level meant people could build boathouses without fear of them getting washed away in spring, carried off by the winter ice, or left high and dry in August. The first wet slip boathouses were, as the name implies, houses where the boats lived. Boathouses kept the boat seats dry and protected all that gorgeous varnish from the sun’s blistering rays. If they had sleeping quarters, the space was usually set aside for staff–perhaps the boatman or the gardener, someone who wouldn’t get squeamish from the smell of oil and the company of mice.

But it wasn’t long before people realized those spaces had a valuable trade-off: they offered the best view of the lake, and an evening soundtrack that was pure lullaby.

Soon, even in boathouses where the loft was used for storage, people began to clear away the lifejackets and the old rope, and put down a few cots for the kids.

David and Gail Morton have mixed memories of their summers in that kind of boathouse on Bala Park Island.

David’s parents stayed in the main cottage, and the boathouse loft was sleeping space for the Mortons and their children. The view was terrific, says Gail. But the bats that flew through the bedrooms from time to time were less desirable. They now enjoy the main cottage, while the boathouse loft has reverted to storage once again. “It just got to be too much to keep it clean,” David said.

There are still plenty of boats-only boathouses around Muskoka, many of them visually appealing in their own right. But at many other cottages, the idea of keeping old canvas and tins of paint in the boathouse is pure anathema. The boathouse is treasured living quarters, treated with as much design care and flair as any cottage.

The attention lavished on modern boathouses catches some visitors off guard. One local legend tells of a THE BAY STREET BULL | 31

Toronto realtor who was showing a cottage in Muskoka, and told her client that it had a two-storey boathouse. She turned to a local and asked, “How do they get the boats up to the second storey?”

Those with even a passing familiarity with Muskoka know that the boathouse has become the very symbol of Muskoka cottaging. That’s partly because it is the most visible part of the cottage experience. A cottage can be tucked away in the trees—in fact, many would argue that a subdued shade of paint and a few well-placed trees is the best, most polite way to decorate a cottage. But the boathouse, that sits out and proud.

The shore in Muskoka is the front yard, both legally and practically. That makes the boathouse and the dock semipublic spaces, the spot where the cottager can make a statement about their place, and about themselves.

There’s a voyeuristic element about boathouses, too.

There is no private property on the water, and boaters can— and often do—come as close to the boathouse as they wish.

Kayakers can often peer under the boathouse doors and get a glimpse of the boating treasures within. And when cruise boats like the RMS Segwun and the Lady Muskoka chug past Millionaire’s Row, it’s the boathouses that bear the largest part of their attention.

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Boathouse owners, though, don’t just maintain them for show. For a lucky few, they’re also for living in. Thelma Jarvis is a realtor who has written extensively about architecture in Muskoka. She says Frank Lloyd Wright was bang-on when he identified two of the key needs in architecture. He called it “perching and nesting”—others call it “prospect and refuge”, but it refers to a desire to be within an enclosed space, like a nest, while having a view off to the distance. “People come to Muskoka looking for both prospect and refuge,” writes Jarvis. “We come here for the long views of the water, for the soaring star-filled sky at night, for the closeness to nature, and for the chance to get away to a safe haven.”

Boathouses offer both a perch and a nest. Even the largest boathouse is built on a more constrained scale than a large cottage—you’ll find no twenty-foot ceilings or cavernous great rooms in a boathouse. As for perching, there is no better place to enjoy the scenery than in a room, 15 feet above the water, with views of shore and lake on three sides.

Little wonder then that many people have chosen to forsake the cottage entirely and live in the boathouse. Boathouse sleeping quarters have become so popular, in fact, that many municipalities have banned them, for fear that the shores will get so cluttered with large boathouses that the character of Muskoka will be destroyed.

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Two-storey boathouses can still be built, but most municipalities set limits on the height of the building, and the amount of second storey floor space. Bracebridge, for example, allows only 35 sq. metres with a two-metre ceiling height, and a total building height of 16 metres above the water. It’s all designed to prevent people from building “storage space” that magically sprouts a bed and kitchenette after the building inspector leaves.

This is just part of the regulation gauntlet that must be run by those who wish to buy a lot and build a new boathouse. Boathouse construction has never been simple: constructing and installing the massive stone and timber cribs that supported the structure was always an arduous task, most often accomplished by building it on the ice then dropping it through a hole and hoping it stayed where it landed.

(They didn’t always—more than one builder has watched, red-faced, as a new crib hit bottom then slid several feet or more down a sloping lake bed.)

These days, the challenges start long before construction begins. The array of regulations that govern boathouse construction is astonishing, and varies widely from municipality to municipality. Each of the seven municipalities that govern part of Muskoka’s big lakes has its own regulations, stipulating maximum size, minimum size, how much of the lot your boathouse can occupy, how much of it must be attached to land, how high it can be, and what you can put upstairs. And that’s not counting the discussions you may need to have with the provincial Ministry of Natural Resources and the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans.

Options for construction methods have also expanded. The old stone and timber cribs are still built, although only after careful consideration of fish habitat. More often these days, cottagers are driving steel pilings deep into the lake bottom, cantilevering a structure from shore or even building something that floats. Building a boathouse requires an engineer, an architect, a builder who knows what he’s doing, and possibly a lawyer or a private planner to argue the case with the municipality.

But despite all the hoops, people still love to build new boathouses. Mike Windsor certainly encourages them to do so, but not because he’s a builder or an architect. Windsor is a boat builder and restorer, one of the people responsible for keeping Muskoka’s iconic wooden boats afloat. Regardless of what goes on upstairs, he knows that at the waterline, boathouses still fulfill their original function, keeping boats out of the decaying sun. Without Muskoka’s boathouses, Windsor says, many of those famous wooden boats would long since vanished.

“I built my own boat 20 years ago, and it still looks as good as the day it was built,” says Windsor. “The key is that I keep it in the boathouse.” A grand Muskoka launch can cost six figures, but Windsor says that’s only part of the cost. “The boat’s the cheap part. It’s the boathouse that can cost the money.” Whether it’s a pricey investment or simple structure, like the wooden boats themselves a proper boathouse is an essential part of the real Muskoka experience.  THE BAY STREET BULL | 35

IMAGE+FASHION RALPH LAUREN: The Oakbury is a classic, and a compliment to any wardrobe. Sturdy, handsome and roomy, what more could you want from an overnight bag?

LOUIS VUITTON KEEPALL 55: A cabin-sized travel bag crafted in Epi leather, with tone-on-tone textile lining and discreetly stamped with those famous LV initials.

THE Weekender

Carry-ons for the jetsetter PAUL SMITH HOLDALL: Inspired by the “Mini,” this canvas holdall comes with high-quality leather trim, adjustable shoulder strap, front zip opening and a luggage tag.

BRUNELLO CUCINELLI: This cashmere-lined, chromedetailed duffle is exactly what one expects from the Italian designer who revolutionized goat hair.

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MULBERRY CLIPPER LEATHER HOLDALL: A perfect carry-on for the “man-on-the-go,” it’s outfitted with a removable document wallet, a detachable canvas shoulder strap and padlock with keys.

FILSON: A water repellent, heavy-duty duffle made to take a beating. Features leather pulls, inside pockets and a leather grip with a two-snap closure. A sports fan’s favourite.

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RURAL Resorts Idyllic Lakeside Lodgings

BY KIM KERR

Y

ou won’t remain a top tourist destination for over a century without changing with the times. Tastes change, travel habits and desires evolve, and in order to remain relevant, you’ve got to keep pace with the trends.

That’s exactly what Muskoka’s been doing for the past 150 years. The region’s first visitors were wealthy businessmen drawn by exemplary hunting and fishing. But word got out about this unspoiled wilderness, and tourism in the region experienced its first big change–more sedate pleasures like boating and sightseeing developed, and numerous resorts and lodges sprung up where hunt camps once stood.

Today, Muskoka is a haven for artists and cultural activities from film and book festivals to first-rate musical and theatrical events. It has also become a hotbed for the culinary arts, boasting as many unique dining and food experiences as any major city. Little wonder, then, that Muskoka recently ranked number 1 in National Geographic’s list of top summer trips for 2011. From luxury resorts to wonderful wilderness lodges, from homey gastro-pubs to fine dining experiences, Muskoka’s got something to suit every palate.

The granddaddy of Muskokan resorts is Clevelands House. Established in 1883, the resort has a long tradition of family-focused hospitality. Set on 408-acres with 3,000 ft. of waterfront, this Lake Rosseau property still has an old fashioned charm, especially when North America’s oldest operating steamship, the RMS Segwun, pays a visit. In addition to excellent dining, there is plenty to do, including tennis on the resort’s 16 courts, golf (the resort has its own 9-hole course, with 18hole “The Rock” nearby), swimming (four pools), boat rentals, cruises and waterskiing.

The resort’s kid’s programs include a one-acre Play World, swim programs, movies, arts and crafts, entertainers, sports and nature exploration. Accommodations include hotel-style rooms and lakeside bungalows and cottages.

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Teca Restaurant When you operate one of the most luxurious resorts in Muskoka, it’s not enough to have any old chef run your restaurants. So the JW Marriott Rosseau Resort and Spa called for the best–the very best. Enter Executive Chef Shaun Crymble, who joined the resort in 2011 after more than 20 years with Marriott hotels in Toronto, Boston and Palm Desert.

Crymble’s passion for cooking is evident as you watch him in action in the open kitchen at Teca, the resort’s signature restaurant. A strong believer in experiential dining, he won’t hesitate to make recommendations off the menu, or to offer advice on finding the perfect dish to suit a specific craving. Originally boasting an Italian flare, Teca’s menu has already seen some subtle tweaks thanks to Crymble’s expertise in Latin and Asian-style cooking, enhanced by the obvious pleasure he derives from adding a unique northern Ontario twist to the food’s flavors and textures.

Recommended appetizers include an incredible bruschetta platter with its half-dozen mouth-watering morsels; the “Carne e Pianta,” a sampling of cured meats, grilled vegetables, Italian cheeses and flatbreads; a tasty arugula salad; and a minestrone and cipollata opus. Entrées, served in portions perfect for sampling, include gnocchi made with rapini, pork belly Amatriciana and grilled king oyster mushroom; a mushroom and asparagus risotto; and rack of lamb with mascarpone polenta, artichoke and broad bean sufato and red wine shallots.

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Brave New Brews Few things are as pleasurable as a cold beer on a warm summer’s day, especially when enjoyed on a dock or cottage porch. Better still if that brew is crafted in Muskoka. Now in its second summer of operation, Baysville-based Lake of Bays Brewery has begun production on a unique beer just in time for summer. Launched on the heels of its popular India Pale Ale, the Rousse will be available year-round from licensees across the Muskoka region, as well as at select locations in Toronto (the LCBO and Beer Store are soon to follow).

Obtaining its rich red tones and distinctive flavour from the malts used to colour it, the Rousse is a dark beer brewed in the traditional red ale fashion so popular in Quebec, its malty character giving it a velvety smoothness with a slightly nutty, dry finish. Flavoured using European ‘noble’ hops and malts grown in the Canadian Prairies, it’s a welcome addition to Muskoka’s evergrowing catalogue of local brews.

Although considered a winter seasonal beer, Lake of Bays Brewery’s Mocha Porter can still be found at area watering holes including the Griffin Gastro Pub in Bracebridge (see sidebar).

Brewed with roasted barley and chocolate malt to give it a full, rich character, the brew is balanced by the addition of several kilograms of real ground coffee directly into the mash. The result is a balanced, flavourful beer that leaves you wanting more. Future plans include a new seasonal beer to be released in the fall, and a much-anticipated bistro, currently under development. In the meantime, tours of the brewery are available and an on-site retail outlet provides sampling before you purchase.

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Severn Lodge, located in the southern part of Muskoka near Port Severn, sits on 100-acres along the northern shores of Gloucester Pool, the western-most lake of Ontario’s historic Trent-Severn Waterway. Overlooking a spectacular array of picturesque islands, the resort offers access to the big waters of Georgian Bay. Guests are encouraged to take full advantage of the property’s 2,000 ft. of waterfront, including taking a ride on its antique 1922 Ditchburn yacht. Other watersports include waterskiing, tubing, canoeing, pedal boating, kayaking, fishing and jet-skiing. Supervised children’s activities are available and include crafts, picnics and beach bonfires.

Accommodations take the form of various lodges surrounding the Main Lodge, and some individual cottages are also available.

YOU CAN’T REMAIN A TOP TOURIST DESTINATION FOR OVER A CENTURY WITHOUT MOVING WITH THE TIMES.

The Perfect Pub Real beer, as everyone knows, is served in real pubs. And the best real beer in Muskoka is served at the Griffin Gastropub in downtown Bracebridge. This homey pub is about as close as you’ll get to a genuine Britishstyle watering hole–not just any old beer makes it through the establishment’s heavy wood doors.

The Griffin never has less than 10 Ontario craft beers on tap, and if making a choice leaves you feeling a little overwhelmed, ask your server to pair a beer with your meal or pick a number between one and 10.

The blackboard opposite the bar lists an ever-changing line-up of what’s on tap, which may (subject to availability) include brews like Mill St. Ginger Beer or Flying Monkey’s Hoptical Illusion. The list is seasonal, and quantities may be limited (and have been known to disappear literally overnight). As if that weren’t enough choice, the bar fridge is always stocked with numerous bottled products. Alternatively, order a sampler tray, a flight of three or 10 quarter-pint servings delivered in a unique paddle.

The pub’s home-style cooking (many ingredients are sourced locally) includes a cheese and sausage platter (pair it with the Tankhouse Pale Ale), fresh made bison burgers with maple bacon, aged cheddar and seared apple (best with the Black Oat Nut Brown), rounded off with the world’s best sticky toffee pudding (washed down, naturally, with a Nickel Brook Maple Porter). The Griffin also hosts a monthly Brew Master Dinner, showcasing a particular brewery product by pairing it with the pub’s food (these popular events sell out quickly, so book early). Add to the mix regular music nights and car park parties, not to mention pub-sponsored festivals (the Muskoka Beer Festival, Aug. 27, and Toronto’s Session Craft Beer Festival, June 25), and summer’s looking pretty rosy.

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Deep in the heart of Algonquin Park sits Killarney Lodge, a cosy, comfortable alternative to roughing it. The resort’s Old World charm has been popular with guests for over 70 years, offering away-from-it-all log cabin accommodations set amidst Algonquin’s rugged backdrop. The intimate, family-run lodge offers tastefully furnished, private lakeside log cabins in a comfortable Muskoka style, each with its own canoe. It’s the perfect base from which to explore the vastness of Algonquin, or perhaps just hang out and enjoy the property. Undoubtedly a highlight (and one of the reasons most guests don’t venture too far from the resort) is the never-ending food – when all that fresh air makes you hungry, snacks are always available, and three wonderful home-cooked meals are provided daily.

Irresistible Irvines After opening up their successful North restaurant in Gravenhurst in 2007, neither Alain or Robbie Irvine could have dreamt that within just a few short years their business would have more than an iPod. Today, the North has expanded to include a high-end fish and chip shop (‘Back Door’ Fish With Chips); serves the town’s best breakfast; provides catering services to the nearby Marriott Residence Inn; prepares lunches and dinners for the steamship RMS Segwun and her sister ship Wenonah III; and offers in-cottage cooking, catering and menu consultation services, including theatre-style cooking events.

One of the family’s favourite spin-offs is a contract to provide food to the numerous executive jets using the busy Muskoka Airport. Alain wouldn’t hesitate to call it a perk when, short a driver, he had to dash to the airport, hot food in tow, only to find the recipient of the meal was Keith Richards of Rolling Stones infamy.

After dining at the North, it’s not hard to see why the Irvines have done so well. Their evening menu is a mix of the downright delicious (roasted fresh Quebec chicken supreme), the classy (braised lamb shanks) and the unexpected (pan-seared ostrich in a Canadian port reduction). Topping it all is a new Market Menu launched to showcase local farmer’s market produce, including such delights as Grenville Farms’ fresh pea soup, mint foam and parmesan chips, followed by pan sautéed Milford Bay trout, carrot sauce with lime and basil, and rounded off with Muskoka rhubarb and strawberry flan with Tahitian vanilla bean ice cream.

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Wolff’s Den Café Gravenhurst’s Muskoka Wharf project has become a mecca for food aficionados. The newest arrival is Wolff’s Den Café, a European-style coffeehouse and eatery. Everything about the café is infused with that special, high-quality European flare, from the home-baked pastries (chocolate croissants) to their homemade breakfasts (huge Belgian waffles or eggs topped with smoked salmon; Bavarian meatloaf or weisswurst, a traditional Bavarian sausage made from finely minced veal and fresh pork bacon).

Coffees are sublime (all are organic and fair trade), and boast your typical café lineup. Since you’re on vacation, add a liquor shot for a truly memorable coffee. New this year is the café’s Paulaner Biergarten with its spectacular views of Muskoka Bay. Wolff’s Den Café also serves delicious European gelato dishes, including spaghetti gelato, a very pleasant treat while strolling the promenade.

Another wonderful Algonquin Park getaway is the Couples Resort. This year-round property – billed as Canada’s only fivestar couples resort – is, as the name implies, all about romance (no kids, ever). Couples come to relax, reconnect and find time away from their regular routines while enjoying indoor and outdoor adventures. With saunas, walk-in steam rooms and in-room Jacuzzi tubs – each in front of a wood-burning fireplace – there’s little wonder many guests don’t venture further than the hot tub on their screened in deck. A former hunting lodge, the resort offers personalized five-course gourmet meals served in the exquisite dining room (crystal and silver service, no casual wear) or in your room. Accommodations include a mix of luxurious suites – some as large as 1,400 sq. ft. – and cabins with king-size beds and marble bathrooms. When guests aren’t being romantic, they have access to an endless list of nature and sports activities, including canoeing and nature hikes.  THE BAY STREET BULL | 45

BULLREVIEW

PORSCHE CAYENNE S HYBRID The Eco-Friendly 4x4 Hybrids have come a long way.

When they first hit the market 10 years ago, plagued by poor design and quirky features, their nerdy earnestness gave driving green a bad rap. But as car companies set out to prove just how environmentally responsible they had become, things began to change. In 2007, Porsche unveiled a prototype of its first hybrid, the Cayenne V-6 with a single electric motor slotted between the engine and automatic transmission. This went against prevailing wisdom, which had the gasoline engine interact with a pair of electric motors to form a continuously variable transmission. The advantage, according to the German automaker, is that it allowed the Cayenne to retain its conventional all-wheeldrive system. Today, the S Hybrid has also come a long way. It’s light, agile and powerful, combining the sporty performance of an eightcylinder engine with the fuel economy of a six-cylinder. It’s also incredibly smooth, thanks to its revolutionary eight-speed gearbox. But if Porsche’s sole contribution to the hybrid market was the reduction of a car’s carbon footprint, one might be a tad disappointed.

Don’t despair. Porsche’s engineers have added a magical feature they call “sailing”—as soon as the driver removes his foot from the accelerator, the clutch decouples the engine from the drivetrain, allowing the Cayenne to coast (at speeds less than 155 km/h) without using gas or electricity. Now, who said driving green isn’t fun?

— MARC PHILLIPS

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Engine Type: 3.0-litre, V-6 Maximum Speed: 242 km/h Acceleration 0-100: 6.5 seconds

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MUSKOKAREALESTATE

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COTTAGE Dreams The ideal retreat awaits

BY BRYAN DEARSLEY

W

hat a difference a year makes. After one of the busiest Aprils on record in 2010—largely the result of a rebounding economy, a rush to beat HST and an early golf season—real estate sales in Muskoka are once again slowing down. No, not grinding to a halt or crashing, merely taking a bit of a breather.

According to the Muskoka and Haliburton Association of Realtors, residential property sales in April 2011 were down 40 percent from last year’s levels across the region, and the dollar value of home sales for the same period was down 43 percent to $49.2 million. But before you start rubbing your hands together in anticipation of that long-desired bargain cottage property, forget it. Despite the decrease in sales volumes, waterfront property—that means cottage property— continued to buck real estate trends, rising an impressive seven percent.

So, what does all this data mean for the buyer? For starters, it’s a clear indicator that waterfront property in Muskoka isn’t showing any sign of slowing down in terms of value. It all boils down to demand: prime Muskoka real estate has always been sought after, not only by Canada’s business elite, but by America’s top earners. Add to that a smattering of well-paid celebrities and sports professionals and, well, you get the picture.

The good news for the rest of us is that the huge interest in Muskoka as a vacation destination—fuelled further by last year’s G8 Summit—is creating new opportunities and options for that cottage real estate purchase.

Yes, there are still a few older, smaller, cottages you can pick up and renovate. But that means work. For those of us who prefer to spend our time playing, the choices are endless and limited only by imagination and budget.

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ISLAND LIFE Undoubtedly one of the most prestigious addresses in Muskoka is Bigwin Island on Lake of Bays. This 210-hectare private island is well known for its 18-hole championship golf course, a private club (during the peak summer weeks, with limited public play during shoulder months) that occupies 200 acres of the interior island. Another 80 acres is common land used for interior connecting paths and service corridors, as well as creating generous buffers between the fairways and residences.

Ah, yes, the residences. There are 112 properties total on the island with 59 still available for cottage construction. Lots vary in size, but almost all come with 200 ft. of waterfront (some are as large as 1,000 ft.). Prices start at $295,000 and include an Equity Golf Membership, taxes and real estate fees. Purchasers then have the option to build their own home (subject to approval), or purchase a home directly from the developer, including a selection of sumptuously furnished turnkey timber framed homes. Mainland parking is provided, as is short-term docking at Norway Point for lot owners to accommodate drop off and pick up. Bigwin Island Golf Club provides a regular shuttle service to and from the island, as well as dock-to-dock shuttle services. And what of winter? Well, for the rare cottager who does want winter access, there’s always a snowmobile.

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HIGHLAND LIFE Like Bigwin, the Highland Estates near Huntsville owes a great deal of its appeal to superlative golf. Overlooking Deerhurst Resort’s championship Muskoka Highlands golf course, the homes range in price, clocking in at well over a million dollars, without the lakefront. All Highland Estate homes are unique and custom-built to client specifications. Covenants stipulate that home designs must be approved by Deerhurst, ensuring home quality remains high and fit in with the resort’s Muskoka styling.

Although nearly sold out (the G8 certainly helped), some lots are available, and the west-coast style homes—ranging in size from 1,900 to 5,000 sq. ft.—are located along quiet, tree-lined streets just minutes from Deerhurst and its many amenities (discounts are provided at the resort’s golf courses and sports club). Owners also get docking privileges at the resort’s Penn Lake docks, with access to downtown Huntsville and Fairy Lake.

CLUB LIFE Perhaps the most ambitious development in the region is the Muskoka Bay Club, a large master-planned community located on the outskirts of Gravenhurst. Part of the Toronto-based Freed Developments group,

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Muskoka Bay features a variety of luxury homes, villas and lofts centered around the outstanding Doug Carrick designed golf course, and is minutes from the million dollar Muskoka Wharf.

The star of the show, however, is the spectacular Clifftop Clubhouse, a 14,000 sq. ft. recreational centre with its bistro and dining room, lounge, fitness and spa rooms. Outdoor amenities include tennis, an infinity-edge swimming pool with views over the golf course, cabana bar, fire pit, wraparound terrace and kids’ splash pool. Home purchases include social memberships in the Muskoka Bay Club, and lifetime golf memberships are also available. The development’s well-established stay-and-play rental program allows owners to rent unused weeks in their luxury, fully-furnished villas, and the recently launched Muskoka Lofts offers the same benefits. These 800 to 1,100 sq. ft. units are located on the 13th fairway, and have already proven popular with the first 20 units selling fast (more are planned).

SHARED LIVING ON LAKE OF BAYS For those who don’t want a full-time cottage commitment, there are a number of alternatives well worth investigating.

One option that’s proven extremely popular in Muskoka is that of fractional (or shared) ownership. Owners purchase the time they need — usually in multiples of five or 12 weeks — thereby tying up fewer financial resources and, perhaps even more importantly, without having to spend valuable vacation time maintaining their property (someone does all the work for you). Simple, really.

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Better by Design

With some of the most expensive waterfront real estate in Canada, Muskoka has no shortage of incredible, jaw-droppingly gorgeous homes and cottages for those with deep pockets. And Kristine Brigden, owner of North Muskoka House Ltd., a design firm based in Huntsville, knows a thing or two about such properties, having been involved in the creation of more than a few of them.

Brigden recently took on a $2 million dollar ‘cart blanche’ design-build in Muskoka, with a story line as good as any TV reality show. The client, an Italian venture capitalist, sealed the deal with Brigden by telephone from his home in Spain after a brief meeting two months earlier. On the strength of that single meeting, a look at her portfolio and the ‘good feeling’ he had about her, the client gave Brigden complete freedom to design and decorate the home—“right down to the cutlery and the groceries in the fridge,” says Brigden—in time for a large family Christmas gathering in Muskoka.

Project ‘Piccolo Casa’, says Brigden, began in early-October with a scheduled completion date just two months later. “They transferred a lump sum of money with hardly any instructions, apart from the fact the cottage had to look like it’d been a family retreat for years.”

Once the shell was built, engineered beams were installed to maximize the incredible views of Peninsula and Fairy Lakes (interfering walls and columns were to be avoided). Next came the custom stairs, library foyer and fireplaces.

“The kitchen was my favourite area to design,” says Brigden. “It was all handcrafted.” Bridgen also enjoyed designing the impressive games room, which included a huge pool table, wet bar and a pinball machine.

Interior design touches included the purchase of numerous antiques and a slew of Group of Seven prints. So much attention to detail was called for that Brigden even had the white pine flooring distressed and stained to make it look like as if it had been around forever. To complete the old Muskoka look, a stonemason was brought in to hand-cut sandstone granite for the bathroom floors.

“My vision was a masculine yet luxurious Muskoka lodge-style retreat,” adds Brigden. “I’m always inspired by the incredible scenery up here, and in this case by the client’s memories of the area.” And did Brigden succeed in evoking the Muskoka of her client’s past?

“I was unpacking the groceries when the family arrived,” she recalls. “The look on their face was priceless. They told me it exceeded their expectations.” So impressed were they, in fact, that they retained Brigden’s services for the landscaping and exterior finishes including a lit, tree-lined winding driveway and hot tub with outdoor shower and gazebo. “It was a dream come true for all of us,” says Brigden.

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Like a cottage, fractionals come in a variety of shapes and sizes, ranging from resort-style luxury homes and villas to no-frills cottages. One of the most successful is The Landscapes, a luxurious fractional development consisting of two, three and four bedroom cottages and villas located at the southern end of Lake of Bays in Baysville. Each fraction purchased allows owners five weeks of ‘cottage’ time each year, one of which is a guaranteed peak summer week. The Landscapes boasts a number of owners of multiple fractions, providing them the flexibility to enjoy longer stays without the hefty outlay of whole ownership.

All cottages and villas are four-season home-away-from-homes, and options include pet-free or pet-friendly units. Phase two of the multi-phase property is well underway, and the third of the major amenities buildings — the Spa and Fitness Centre—is under construction. Amenities already in place include the Muskoka-themed Clubhouse with its full-size billiard table, library loft and kitchen, and the exquisite Boathouse with its expansive decks and swimming platforms. The newest additions slated for a summer opening include a heated outdoor swimming pool, hot tub and kids’ splash pad, along with a two-sided gas fireplace.

At the other end of Lake of Bays sits the Black Pebble in Dwight. Currently under construction on the site of the Nor’loch Lodge Resort, the Black Pebble fractional resort will be home to eight freestanding Confederation-built log cottages divided into three types of shares with the largest being one-quarter. Amenities include an outdoor heated pool and a 300-plus ft. private beach. Occupancy of the first three bedroom cottages will take place this fall. 

Luxurious Living

Nestled among the fairways of Deerhurst Highlands Golf Course. Masterfully crafted, one-of-a-kind, luxurious estate homes bring together the full convenience of moder n living with the splendor of nature’s r ugged beauty.

Deerhurst Highlands Drive Huntsville ON 705 789 0117 info@highlandestates.ca www.highlandestates.ca

NATURAL Wonders Classic Wooden Boats

BY MARC PHILLIPS

P

leasure boats were once handcrafted, not manufactured. They were built mostly to order, by hand using the finest wood—oak and elm from Ontario, mahogany from Africa and Honduras and fir from British Columbia.

Muskoka, thanks to its tourist destination status, boasted a high concentration of quality boat builders who turned out beautiful wooden boats. The hallmark of the boatbuilding industry in Muskoka was the custom-built launch.

During the industry’s golden days, from 1914 to 1940, builders like the Ditchburns (with shops in Rosseau, Port Carling and Gravenhurst), the Johnstons (in Port Carling and Port Sandfield), and Bert Minett (in Bracebridge) led the way.

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Ditchburn Boats Today, in the era of the mega yacht and high-end companies such as Benetti in Italy and Feadship in the Netherlands, it’s hard to image just how innovative the Muskoka builders were. There was a simple, understated sophistication to these Canadian boats.

So confident that their boats were unique, Muskoka-built launches seldom had their creator’s names painted on them. Occasionally, there may have been a tiny brass plate on the dash or, in the case of larger companies, the year and the number of the vessel was indicated. “But more often than not, boat enthusiasts could tell where a boat came from

The Ditchburns, which originally included Herb and his bothers William, John and Arthur, initially entered the boat building business to supply local fishermen with quality vessels. But by the roaring ‘20s, Ditchburn boats had reached its zenith. The company, who employed 30 men in 1920, would by the end of the decade have 145 on the payroll.

Widely known for their speed, comfort, and style, Ditchburns were often made from mahogany, featuring flat transoms, flared V-form bows, polished hulls and powerful engines. The simple phrase “Built by Ditchburn,” found in the company’s ad material, became synonymous with excellence.

Yet despite its success—John Ringling of the Ringling Bros. fame, Sir John Eaton of the Eaton’s company and many others owned a Ditchburn—the company couldn’t survive the market collapse of the ‘30s, eventually closing in 1938.

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295 Wellington Street, Bracebridge 705-645-4990 Visit us at www.davidsmuskoka.com for more information

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by its appearance. Each builder’s craft had a look, and each boat possessed individual characteristics that were easily identifiable to those in the know,” writes William Gray in Wood & Glory.

Canadian vessels tended to be closer to the water, used a cast-aluminum stem, and placed their forward navigation lights near the stem. American roundabouts, for examples, generally had their navigation lights further back, on the forward deck.

Over the past 40 years, synthetic material has replaced wood in almost all boat construction, as it’s hard to compete with the cost of mass-produced boats that utilize fiberglass and metal. But the art, and the knowledge, of building, repairing and finishing a wooden boat to standards set by those early builders, is not gone, and traditional boatbuilding has not faded away. There are several builders in the region who can match the demanding standards set in the past for the growing number of boating enthusiasts who are enthralled with the feel, look and elegance of wooden boats.  THE BAY STREET BULL | 61

WHEN Nature Calls Algonquin outfitters lead the way

BY BRYAN DEARSLEY

S

elf-inflating sleeping pad? Check. Backpack stove with fuel? Check. Three-season sleeping bag and liner? Check.

Bear spray? No, just the spare paddle—that should deter a bear, right? (And if it doesn’t, it could at least be used to slow down the faster runners in your group.)

Bear spray aside (it isn’t really necessary in Ontario, and a paddle won’t work anyway), the gear mentioned above is only a fraction of what’s needed to ensure your much anticipated wilderness adventure goes as smoothly—and safely—as possible.

You may be surprised to learn just how extensive the equipment list for such excursions can be, whether your trip’s for a night or

a week. A properly planned, equipped and executed trip into the hinterland of Algonquin Park often requires a checklist with countless items on it, big and small. Yes, tents and canoes are pretty obvious. But would you have thought to bring along a map case, waterproof matches, fire starter and saw?

Such planning is undoubtedly better left to professionals—like the folks at Algonquin Outfitters, a family business that’s been serving canoe trippers since 1961. Algonquin Outfitters offers a wide range of services including equipment rentals, all stages of outfitting, guided day trips and custom guided trips. Started by Bill “Swifty” Swift Sr. (and still run by members of his family), an American ex-pat who camped in the area and loved it so much he chose to stay, the business has grown from its original location on Oxtongue Lake to encompass several locations in and around the park. Today, the 40 original cedar-canvas rental canoes have been replaced by an impressive fleet of more than 500 canoes, all designed especially for the unique Algonquin environment, most of them made by The Swift Canoe and Kayak Company, an offshoot of the outfitter business.

CANOEING PARADISE Ontario’s outfitting businesses have grown rapidly as they keep pace with the tremendous rise in popularity of nature adventures. Algonquin Park in particular has become a haven for canoeists, kayakers, campers and nature lovers— encompassing some 8,000 sq. km of rugged Canadian Shield, most of it accessible only by canoe, the park is home to an abundant and diverse wildlife population, unspoiled lakes and rivers, and spectacular scenery—all of it found in a thick forest of northern conifers and southern hardwoods.

An impressive 1,600 km worth of canoe routes traverse the park’s long lakes and streams, providing the best possible way to discover the area’s rugged natural beauty at your own pace — you decide how long to stop and enjoy the sight of a moose, or when to stop for a swim or a spot of

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fishing. It’s a great way for families and friends to spend quality time in the fresh air, sharing the experience of the great outdoors, unwinding and developing a few new skills.

For those new to such outdoor adventures, businesses like Algonquin Outfitters can do much more than handle the small details. From planning to packing, an outfitter can take care of every aspect of the trip, whether it’s a gentle paddle around the nearest lake with younger children, or something a little more adventurous. All you need to do is show up with your personal gear, and your food and equipment will be ready to go—a perfect solution for people without the time, experience or equipment to put together their own wilderness trip.

As important as the equipment, however, is the training and advice available from an experienced guide. Algonquin Outfitters staff are available from the get-go to custom tailor your trip for you, and you can hire your own personal guide to tag along with you, whether for a day or more—a particularly good idea for those new to such adventures (nature can be a little unforgiving). A guided day trip is the perfect way to get a taste of what a longer trip might be like, and the techniques you pick up from a seasoned guide are worth every penny. A variety of guided overnight packages are available— adding an experienced guide to your entourage can make that first wilderness trip a lot less intimidating.

DAY AND NIGHT TRIPPERS A suitable day trip for families will typically include some wildlife viewing, without having to paddle the bigger lakes. A water taxi will transport you and your canoes from the Algonquin Outfitters Opeongo store to the heart of Algonquin Park in just 20 minutes, ensuring you’ll be able to explore the Hailstorm Creek Nature Reserve. Once there, you’ll have

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plenty of time to enjoy the wildlife, whether it’s a moose, beaver, heron or loon in their natural habitat. The paddling isn’t strenuous, navigation is easy and the experience can be enjoyed as much by beginners as it can be by expert paddlers. A bagged lunch is also included, as well as the return water taxi service, canoe or kayak rental, and all related canoeing and safety equipment.

The best way to truly experience Algonquin is on a multi-day canoe trip. Overnight trips allow for exploration of more lakes, a wider variety of wilderness environments, more wildlife, some wholesome outdoor cooking and, best of all, a chance to sleep under the stars. In short, camping out will enhance your Algonquin adventure by providing more time to experience everything the park has to offer.

Overnight camping trips also allow for the opportunity to ratchet up the luxury quotient a little (yes, luxury and camping can be used in the same sentence). Upgrades include adding some of the best food and equipment you’ll find on any canoe trip, and include surprise treats and a little extra comfort after a long day of travel. This can include anything from featherweight carbon-Kevlar canoes, premium gear, comfortable sleeping pads and the ‘Super Deluxe’ menu plan. Other extras include pre-trip route planning, free permit reservation service, free tent cabin accommodation at Oxtongue Lake during the nights before and after your trip, and secure parking.

Another useful upgrade to consider — especially if your trip is a first for some members of your group — is the aptly named ‘Greenhorn Service’. Included with the ‘Ultimate Outfitting’ plan (and an option for others), this service gives customers a basic course in canoe trip skills, including a three hour mini-trip and covers skills like camp set-up, food storage, portaging and paddling tips. 

JUNE 25TH, 2011

Gra Gravenhurst avenhurst Wharf, harf, Lake harf, Lake Muskoka Muskkoka o

A ONE-D ONE-DAY AY FAMILY FAMIL LY BOAT BOAT RALLY RALL LY AROUND AROUND THE MUSKOKAS MUSK KOKAS O SUPPOR RT OF IN SUPPORT

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Jack

TRACKING Algonquin Park, it seems, has a habit of getting under the skin. Consider Jack Wadsworth, for example, Honorary Chair of Morgan Stanley and owner of such Muskoka landmarks as Bigwin Island and Port Cunnington Lodge. At the tender age of nine, Wadsworth was introduced to the delights of his first Muskoka summer by his grandfather (and mentor) during a stay at Deerhurst Resort. It wasn’t long before the pair—often joined by Wadsworth’s father—were venturing further afield, exploring the wilderness that is Algonquin Park on what became regular fishing and camping trips that often lasted for days at a time.

Today, it’s Wadsworth who’s doing the mentoring. Along with his adult children and their offspring, members of the Wadsworth clan (some as young as seven) disappear into Algonquin Park for a few days quality time together every summer. And even though Wadsworth is a veteran of epic weeks-long expeditions beyond the Arctic Circle, these trips, although a little tamer, prove every bit as memorable.

“Those first trips with my grandfather were intense,” Wadsworth says. “It was usually just the two of us for days on end.

It’s such an incredible bonding time. That’s the same way I feel when I’m in the wilderness, in Al-

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gonquin, with my grandchildren.”

Like many other outdoorsmen of his ilk—those busy business professionals for whom time away with family is a precious commodity not to be squandered— Wadsworth chooses to engage the services of a professional outfitting service to take care of the details surrounding his family expeditions.

Given the frequency with which these trips were taken, and the constant repair and replenishing of equipment that was required due to loss or damage during storage, the move to an outfitter made sense.

“It’s so easy much easier to simply send an email to Algonquin Outfitters listing everything we need,” says Wadsworth. “Food, tents, bed rolls, canoes. We basically rely on them for everything from soup to nuts. We can then concentrate on the important things, like the excitement that builds amongst the kids as the trip draws near.”

It matters not, as Wadsworth says, that these overnight trips are so much shorter than those he’s done in the past—it’s still the wilderness, and one he’s pleased to say hasn’t changed at all since his own boyhood adventures. He can still vividly recall the excitement when taking his family on the first of five major trips into the Arctic region. With three kids in tow — then

aged seven, eight and 13 — the Wadsworths and two other families traveled 300 miles down the Noatak River in Alaska across some of North America’s most rugged, and unforgiving (albeit spectacular) scenery. The last trip of this length took place a few years later, and saw the family canoe 250-miles down the Burnside River in what is now Nunavut.

Crossing Arctic tundra as they followed the river into the Arctic Ocean, the isolated expedition rewarded the family with glimpses of the rugged region’s wildlife and a unique opportunity to bond.

“In those days, you had absolutely no means of communications whatsoever,” says Wadsworth. “There was never any room for mistakes. We had to prepare all our own gear, get our own maps, get the canoes delivered up there, and find our own way in and out. But I have to say that after these wilderness experiences and the excitement, going out to the Opeongo in Algonquin is

a walk in the park.”

Not that he would ever want to diminish the value or importance of these shorter trips to Algonquin.

He’s quick to point out that they offer a really great opportunity to introduce younger members of the family to the great outdoors in a gentle fashion, in the hope they’ll catch the wilderness bug just as he did. And, he adds, each trip teaches youngsters rudimentary skills they’d likely not otherwise be exposed to. For example, a typical trip to Algonquin’s Opeongo Lake involves three nights of camping in the bush, traversing portages, breaking camp every morning and pitching tents again at night. In between, lessons are taught and learned regarding seemingly simple but vital things, such as the best bark to use when starting a fire (birch), how to prepare camp, and how to properly portage while carrying a canoe and packsack. And then, of course, there are the rewards for all the effort and hard work, like paddling around a bend in a mossy creek only to find a gigantic moose standing at the shoreline looking at you.

“The out-of-doors and wilderness are things we’re all naturally inclined toward,” says Wadsworth.

“And to experience it and to facilitate that experience is very satisfying. Experiencing nature is so important for kids as they growup. There’s a real nature deficit today, and trips like this can help close that gap between the environment and the modern world we live in. To be a well balanced person, you need to connect those two worlds.”

And it’s a connection that, thanks to Wadsworth and his ancestors, many future generations of his family will continue to enjoy. 

W O R L D W I D E LO C AT I O N S

: ASIA

EUROPE

L AT I N A M E R I C A

MIDDLE EAST

NORTH AMERICA

Find your inspiration Be inspired by unique weekend events including culinary festivals, artist studio tours and model boat-building.

Not to mention all the favourite things you already love about Muskoka.

For more information or to book your inspiring weekend getaway, visit jwrosseau.ca or call 1.866.240.8605

WINE+SPIRITS

SUMMER

Sparklers Light and Refreshing

Good weather has finally arrived, meaning long, languid afternoons and evenings hanging out with friends and family on a deck or patio outside your favourite restaurant. With the hot months of summer upon us, it’s a perfect time to enjoy a sparkling wine. Now, were not talking about the really cheap stuff (wine snobs stop rolling your eyes). Or for that matter the really expensive stuff. We’ve chosen five sparklers that will pair well with almost any seasonal dish, go well with brunch or as a refreshing drink all by itself.

DOMAINE CHANDON BRUT ÉTOILE 13.0% | $39.95

BLUE MOUNTAIN BRUT 12.5% | $32.95

ROEDERER ESTATE BRUT ROSÉ 12.0% | $34.95

KRIPTA BRUT NATURE CAVA GRAN RESERVA 2004 11.7% | $79.95

ROEDERER ESTATE L'ERMITAGE BRUT 2002 12.0% | $49.95

Tasting Note

Tasting Note

Tasting Note

Tasting Note

Tasting Note

This exceptionally rich wine comes from the California property of French champagne company Moët & Chandon.

Yeasty and toasty with chalky notes, enjoy this wine with seafood dishes like grilled scallops.

Produced in the Okanagan Valley and aged for 24 months, this brut is a blend of pinot noir, chardonnay and pinot gris. It has a fine mousse, with a lemon character on the nose. Pairs perfectly with pan-seared salmon.

Full and round with persistent bubbles, this brut chardonnay and pinot noir blend has subtle flavours of cherries, strawberries and vanilla. It boasts a long, slightly mineral finish, and a silky mouth feel.

Enjoy with salmon.

Made from the oldest grapes on the estate (over 60 years), and completely handcrafted from start to finish, this wine is for the connoisseur. Named for the crypt where the bottles age for 48 to 60 months, Kripta is crisp and toasty.

Consistently rated one of California’s top wines since its debut in 1989, this elegant, complex sparkler opens with aromas of pastry dough, green apple and loam. Toasty spice flavours linger. Drink now through 2013.

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Your heart is racing. Ours too.

Whether this is your first 911 or your next, just the thought of its arrival gets your blood pumping. And right now is the best time to get into a new 2011 Porsche sports car. Because for a limited time, you’ll get our comprehensive Porsche Scheduled Maintenance Plan for 3 years or 45,000 kms at no-charge on all our in-stock Boxster, Cayman and of course, 911 models. Like a black 911 Carrera 4S with black leather sport seats, a 6-speed gearbox, navigation, XM Satellite radio, Bose surround sound, a heated steering wheel, Sport Chrono Package Plus and even more. So take a deep breath and hurry to Downtown Porsche, it’s your race to win.

No-charge Porsche Scheduled Maintenance Plan for 3 years or 45,000 kms.

Only until June 30th at Downtown Porsche. Toronto’s only Porsche dealer. †

2011 911 Carrera 4S

$1,499 5.6 Stk# 91238

per month for 48 mos + HST* % lease rate

$9,900

Down HST, Freight & PDI, admin fee, air tax, EHF for tires, OMVIC fees extra

*Includes 16000km/yr. Additional km’s charged at $0.30 each. Down payment is plus hst. Freight $1085, PFDI $995, Air tax $100, Ontario tire tax $23.36, and admin $295 is extra. Total due on signing is $15801.07. License extra.

Lease rate is 5.62%. COB $17310.72. Includes no-charge 36mo/45000km Porsche Scheduled Maintenance Plan. See dealer for details. Please refer to quote #3114416. †No charge Porsche Scheduled Maintenance Plan available on all in-stock 2011 Boxster, Cayman and 911 models (excluding 911 GT2 and GT3 models). Vehicle cannot be ordered. Customer must take delivery by June 30th. Carrera GTS model shown.

TECHTOYS

CUTTING THROUGH WAVES Exhilaration on the Open Water

BY MIKE DOJC

Drinking in the panoramic view of the deep blue while pushing heavy on the throttle can be a spiritual awakening, an unshackling from the sheer gravity of living la terrestrial vida. Skimming ahead at dizzying speeds, leaving a frothy wave-taming reminder of your journey in your wake, is more than an adrenaline rush—it’s a cool splash of unadulterated freedom in motion. Whether your boating fantasy encompasses coming out victorious after an epic struggle with a monster walleye, tearing through cottage country at a max clip, or simply stealing a romantic moment on the sundeck of a day cruiser, we’ve prepared a shortlist of dream boats and accessories to fit the bill.  TIARA 3200 OPEN Adding a full foot from stern to stem and port to starboard over her predecessor, the 3200 Open strikes an impressive dockside pose that’ll have captain and crew clambering to get aboard. Built to Tiara’s exacting standards, this aquatic adventurer is always game for a good time, and is built rugged enough to meet the demanding standards of Georgian Bay’s deep blue freshwater depths. Fish in the morning and clink wine glasses in the evening— whether trolling for bass or cruising for romance, the versatile cockpit will easily adapt to your seafaring purpose. A command bridge and seating set slightly higher to offer great visibility is a stately feature. Outfit her with a Crusader 8.1L MPI or Volvo Penta powertrains ranging up to 385hp to meet your performance needs. tiarayachts.com 70 | THE BAY STREET BULL

 BENETEAU SENSE ‘50 Awarded Boat of the Year by Cruising World and the Asia Boating Award for best production sailing yacht under 51-feet, this Berret Racoupeau designed beauty has resynthesized the DNA of a cruising monohull, scuttling preconceptions and starting fresh. The result is a spectacular fusion of design and seaworthy sensibility. A cross-shaped joystick synchs the Sense’s pivoting saildrive propeller with a bowthruster allowing for easy dockside maneuvering in much the same manner Volvo’s IPS systems work on powerboats. With a base price of $400,000 and options that can take it north of $550,000, it truly is a sailboat worthy of a jet-set skipper. beneteau.com

 CHRIS-CRAFT CORSAIR 28 Slicing through wakes with the formidable ease of a katana chopping watercress, this gleaming water rocket seeks the pleasures of speed with extreme prejudice and is always ready for lift-off. This teak covered wave-conqueror comes outfitted with an 8 litre engine capable of ripping to the tune of 375 hp. If your need for power exceeds those specifications, Volvo and Mercruiser engine options with up to 600 hp are available. Watching your Corsair’s ensign whipsaw from the transom flagstaff after a white knuckled ride around the lake can knock the wind out of even the most seasoned skippers. The perfect respite can be found in the roomy forward cabin, a serene berth for a mid-afternoon nap. chriscraft.com

 REGAL 35 SPORT COUPE She’s the dashing damsel in Regal’s blueblooded family. As with her elegant express cruiser siblings, a full-width hardtop sunroof opens up so you can enjoy the elements or keep it closed to keep the breeze at bay if you prefer. Amenities, as is always the case with Regal, are nothing short of exquisite including an AC option with reverse-cycle heat that will keep the fully enclosed cockpit tailored to your comfort level. A spritely performer on the water, she exudes engineering excellence and delivers leaderboard-topping efficiencies. Friends and family, not to mention second cousins twice removed, will be itching to get aboard this Regal’s pampering embrace. regalboats.com  MONTEREY 328SS ANNIVERSARY To celebrate their silver anniversary, Monterey has unveiled a deep-V hulled, sharp keeled herculean twin-engine bowrider that can shoulder through rough water with the power and guile of Derek Rose slipping through traffic to reach the hoop. The boat doesn’t skimp on the goodies. It includes radar arch complete with overhead lighting, a wet bar, refrigerator, and an electric grill just a few of the goodies on a long list. Add the Volvo Penta stern-drive joystick option to add Fred Astaire nimbleness around the dock. montereyboats.com

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 O’NEILL LAW NEOPRENE VEST FOR MEN Water skiers, wakeboarders, and tubers may differ in opinion when it comes to the question of the most fun you can have while being pulled behind a boat, but recreational aspersions aside, all camps can agree that the best lifejackets are the ones that serve their purpose and don’t get in the way.

Durable, flexible and stylish, the Law scores the personal floatation device trifecta. The vest’s Glideskin shell sheds water and blocks the wind, while integrated mesh panels allow water to drain freely from the PFD for improved fit and athletic performance. basspro.com  WEST MARINE COASTAL AUTOMATIC INFLATABLE LIFE VESTS The heft and bulk of lifejackets of yesteryear can be unbearably cumbersome, especially on a hot, muggy day. These light, well-ventilated, nautical airbags operate automatically with inflation triggered by submersion in water. The ultra-rugged ripstop nylon will hold up to active use and your neck will be thankful for the soft neoprene collar.

There’s even a zippered pocket to stow small items. They come in silver and black, and blue and black for men, and a periwinkle and black design for women. westmarine.com  INFLATABLE PFD WITH HYDROSTATIC INFLATOR TECHNOLOGY Ideal for fishing, you can pop this comfy and lightweight vest on over a t-shirt or jacket and not even notice that you’ve got a life jacket on. This lifesaver only fills with air under hydrostatic pressure (when submerged in ten or more centimetres of water) so a splash of wake spray or rain won’t prematurely inflate this PFD like an angry puffer fish—unless you’ve actually fallen overboard and require it to do its job. mustangsurvival.com 72 | THE BAY STREET BULL

 INTREPID 400 CUDDY Sleek and sensuous contours paired with top-of-the-line design and fabrication combine to provide maximum sea-kindliness.

Whether embarking on a fishing expedition, palling around with the kids, or simply pleasure cruising, this versatile cuddy is outfitted to turn any open-water adventure into a first-class experience. Take a break from the topside action and descend a floating staircase into a cabin area decked out like a swank pied-àterre in New York City, with overhead hatches and skylights showering in natural light. intrepidboats.com  COBALT 200 It’s perfectly okay to ogle this foxy 20-foot runabout—it certainly has the gumption to raise the expectation bar within its class. From the lustre of her gelcoat to her luxuriously appointed helm station with fully digital instrumentation to the plush upholstery of the wraparound bow seating and the chaise lounge astern, it’s love at first sight. Solid and sporty and ultra-responsive, boaters will quickly find themselves checking everything off their wish list.

Whether you decide on a V6 or V8, this zippy frontrunner will perform confidently cutting through the waves like a derby champ pulling away from the pack. cobaltboats.com

 METAL SHARK 40 FEARLESS For the same reason a certain breed of men drive Hummers in urban environments (in the off chance they find themselves driving through a warzone on the way home from work), the Metal Shark beckons the moneyed and macho set. This bullet proof fishing boat with a precision welded 5086 aluminum hull is so tough that it can handle the raw power of quadruple 350 outboard engines—that’s 1400hp. A twin console and shock dampening bucket chairs ease the wild ride, whether your mission parameters are the hot pursuit of a precocious billfish, routine pond patrol, or tailing your neighbors the Chernov’s to make a mock citizen’s arrest for attempting to smuggle Russian mustard across the buoy number 6 border. metalsharkboats.com

 RINKER CAPTIVA 200 MTX The MTX acronym stands for “Matrix Technology Xrossover.” While that may conjure images of leather clad Keanu Reeves pulling physics-defying bullet dodges in slow motion while wearing black leather, the fan-boy friendly name actually refers to the boat’s unique framework. The MTX features a very spacious bow and cockpit area, a forked front, and incredible weight distribution that’ll keep everybody in the boat dry. With a sticker price under $30,000 and the ability to comfortably seat up to nine passengers, this fun and easy-to-operate ride is an excellent value for your hard earned dollars. rinkerboats.com

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 TIARA 3900 SOVRAN Live it up in 39-feet of cruising nirvana. A spiffy Volvo IPS joystick control provides superior low-speed handling, turning even the most subtle maneuvers in tight quarters into child’s play. The system also takes up a lot less room than conventional shaft drive propulsion, freeing up space for a plethora of creature comforts.

There is a home theatre lounge decked out with sofas and a large screen TV, and the space can easily be converted into sleeping quarters for guests if you’re pulling an anchored overnighter.

The master stateroom features a pedestal queen- size bed and abundant storage solutions including hanging lockers with sliding pocket doors to provide privacy. tiarayachts.com

 COBALT 243 This graceful stunner suffers from dissociative identity disorder, the condition Toni Collette’s character has on United States of Tara. But the multiple personalities blend well in this redefined upscale cuddy, successfully merging the best features of a cruiser and a bowrider together in an alluring premium package. She is a roomy, richly appointed crossover with a primped up cockpit, loads of storage space, and thoughtful features like a sliding companionway door for easy cabin access. Cobalt’s newly designed flip down swim platform makes getting in and out of the boat for a quick dip an effortless endeavor. Its 21-degree deadrise and seven-layer hull smooth out the ride in choppy waters. cobaltboats.com 

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HEALTHTALK

THE BBQ SKINNY Summer doesn’t mean diet failure

BY CASSANDRA REID nvision a warm summer evening with good friends, great food and a glass of wine on the deck. It is a beautiful evening, but you are struggling to enjoy it because you are concerned about your waistline. You wonder if there is a healthy way to get through the summer and still relax and enjoy it. Of course there is. Check out our tips for a diet-friendly summer: • We all want to feel satisfied and full after eating.

That way, we will be less likely to make an unhealthy choice at our next mealtime. A feeling of fullness can also improve concentration, increase energy and help maintain a healthy weight.

E

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• When planning your meals and snacks, consider your protein source first. Protein sources include red meat, chicken, fish, nuts and seeds, peanut butter, eggs, low-fat dairy (yogurt, cottage cheese, cheese and milk), legumes (chickpeas and kidney beans), lentils, soy and tofu.

• Once you have selected a protein source, the next step is to give your meal volume by adding fruit and vegetables. Dietician Barbara Rolls, a professor at Pennsylvania State University and author of The Volumetrics Eating Plan, coined the term “volumetrics” when her research found that foods which are higher in volume but lower in calories create a feeling of fullness and aid weight loss. Sure, you need to think about calories when considering a meal but, says Rolls, “a food’s in air and water content, or volume, is important to.”

• Excluding starch (in crackers, breads, cereals, potato, rice and pasta) from a meal and loading up with a salad or additional vegetables instead can decrease the overall calories in your meal, and also make you feel fuller. This will help you shave calories off your daily intake, which will lead to weight loss and easier weight maintenance.

• Mindful eating is another important aid in making healthy choices. Before you indulge, try to ask yourself: “Will this five minutes of gratification be worth it?” If the answer is no, then look for something else to eat or do instead.

Consider a lean protein, fruit or vegetables, or go for a walk.

• Exercise plays an important role in being mindful. Try to start your day by enjoying a run or swim. This will not only help you get into a healthy mindset, it will also help you work off those extra calories that are often unavoidable when you are having fun.

• The key is to reprogram your habits and food choices. Stop telling yourself what you shouldn’t be doing all the time—start telling yourself what you should be doing instead.

Shave Off Calories When Entertaining Set a good example for your friends and family by offering healthy options: • Always have a vegetable platter available. You can think of most vegetables as calorie-free foods.

• Offer lean protein appetizers such as shrimp cocktail and chicken skewers.

• Replace starch sources with extra vegetables (grilled or steamed) and salads.

• Avoid using extra oil and marinades while grilling.

• Serve the dressing on the side with salads.

• Remove creamy, crispy and sautéed dishes from your menu and opt for dishes that are braised, grilled, broiled or baked.

• Combine club soda or mineral water with a splash of juice as an alcohol-free option, or sip it on its own or between cocktails to minimize calories.

• Have fruit skewers for dessert.  Cassandra Reid is a registered dietitian at Cleveland Clinic Canada in Toronto.

Junior School’s out for summer, and kids of all ages are heading to Muskoka for cottage fun. Check out our roundup of popular summer camps—there’s something for every kid, no matter if they’re sporty or creative.

We’ve also got a list of unique attractions and daytime events to keep the whole family entertained. >>

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JUNIORCAMPS

KID’S Corner A camp for every taste

BY KIM KERR

S

ummer camps play an important role in the Muskokan summer fabric. With dozens of choices available, ranging from camps catering to various religious affiliations to those specializing in particular sports, Muskoka offers the quintessential summer camp experience for kids, many of whom travel from the U.S., South America and Europe, all drawn to Canada to experience the fun of the outdoors.

Whatever a camp’s particular focus, they all have one thing in common— the wonderful wilderness they’re set in. Muskoka’s vast tracts of forests and lakes have helped kids deepen their appreciation of nature for decades, providing a picture-perfect (and perfectly safe) backdrop against which to spread their wings and have an adventure all their own. From a parental perspective, camp experiences teach youngsters to push a little harder, reach a little higher and dig a little deeper to master a particular task, all the while learning about teamwork.

Choosing the right camp for your child is key to ensuring they get the very best out of the experience. If it’s adventure that gets them excited, go for a camp offering activities like whitewater rafting, rock climbing, high ropes courses, wilderness survival and even paintballing. Others focus on watersports such as wakeboarding and waterskiing, and a number of camps even have well-established arts and culture programs for budding painters and actors.

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For Art’s Sake Recognizing the fact that not every child wants to spend summer away from mom and dad—or may be more interested in arts and culture than the great outdoors—a number of great day camps have sprung up across Muskoka offering fun-filled, hands-on half- and full-day programs. One of the most successful is hosted by Kaleidoscope Arts in Education, an initiative of the not-for-profit Muskoka Lakes Music Festival. Based in Port Carling, the group provides innovative programming in the form of children’s arts festivals, summer arts camps and artists in the community events.

CAMP AROWHON

Since launching its camp programme in 2006, Kaleidoscope’s art instructors have offered topnotch art, music and drama activities throughout July and August to children of cottagers, residents and visitors alike. Open to children aged four-10, programmes include: music camps that teach musical concepts through singing, musical games and instrument playing; drama and art camps teaching acting techniques, speech work, set and prop creation, culminating in an in-house performance for family and friends on the final day of camp; and the fun-filled ‘Wanna Be A Muskoka Idol?’ workshop teaching singing techniques such as breathing, diction, tonality and expressions. The drama monologue workshop introduces kids to the principles of acting through activities like emotional expressions and improvisation, culminating with the application of techniques learned to monologues to prepare children for an audition.

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One of the Muskoka’s most immersive wilderness camp experiences is offered at Camp Arowhon, located deep in the heart of Algonquin Park. Kids are encouraged to interact with nature and each other at Ontario’s largest provincial park, home to stunning scenery and a vast array of wildlife.

Arowhon sits on its own lake and places a great deal of emphasis on nurturing and challenging youngsters in a variety of disciplines—whether sailing, horseback riding or wilderness survival techniques—in order to build self esteem.

Camp Arowhon offers a camper-to-staff ratio of 2:1, making sure each child benefits from individual attention whenever needed. Campers choose their own activities daily, and are encouraged to try their hand at a broad range of activities, including sailing, swimming, canoeing, windsurfing, horseback riding, tennis, kayaking, arts and crafts, nature, drama, climbing, high ropes, archery, guitar and drums, basketball, baseball, volleyball and soccer—the list is endless. Expert support is provided from experienced counsellors, many of them former campers themselves, who will spend the majority of their time with young campers, even sharing cabins.

A definite highlight at Camp Arowhon—and an important factor for developing bodies — is the food. Arowhon’s director just so happens to be The Globe and Mail’s restaurant critic, so you can rest assured junior’s going to eat well. While the usual kid’s fare is available, it’s always nutritious and dished up with healthy servings of fruit and vegetables. And for newbie campers, 2011 sees the introduction of a one-day ‘Mini Camp’ offering kids aged six to nine an introduction to camp life, allowing them to build a comfort level for future overnight camp experiences.

MUSKOKA WOODS Muskoka Woods, located on the shores of Lake Rosseau, is one of the largest kids summer camps in the Muskoka region, boasting an impressive 340 camp counsellors to watch over their young guests. A non-denominational Christian sports resort, Muskoka Woods prides itself on providing youngsters with life-changing experiences. Campers get to choose from the water sports and athletics, media and arts, and leadership and team-building programs. Muskoka Woods is constantly adding new programs based on demand, and new in 2011 are ball hockey, body motion and work-outs, culinary arts and eco-kids, which includes animal habitat studies, wetlands exploration and plant studies. For those looking to immerse themselves in one or two particular activities, ‘Fanatic’ options are available that allow campers to enjoy as much time as possible pursuing their particular passion, whether sports, arts or any of the other countless disciplines available.

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Campers are welcome from age seven and up, and with two campers per counsellor there’s no need to concern yourself regarding whether or not your child is getting the level of care and attention you feel appropriate. Speaking of counsellors, Muskoka Woods has even introduced programs geared to help campers acquire the skills needed to become counsellors themselves. Older teens will also be interested in activities geared to them like ‘Dirt Camp’, which allows participants to catch some air —and mud—on motocross bikes. Suitable for beginners and experienced riders, space is guaranteed to be limited in this extremely popular program.

Meals (always important) are served buffetstyle three times a day, with additional snack times, and feature a variety of options to suit the most finicky of eaters, including a vegetarian option and salad bar. Camp runs Saturday to Saturday, and while families are welcome to drop their children off, a deluxe shuttle bus service is available from the Vaughan Mills shopping centre in Concord. If you do drop them off, you’ll be invited to get your child settled into their cabin, meet their counsellor and take a tour. Afterwards, you can sample a ‘Muskoka Woods Signature Burger’ at the family BBQ followed by the fun ‘Opening Day’ show. 

ka.com o k s u m p m a www..cc

CAMP

MUSKOKA Register Toll Free: 1-8 88 Online ETemleapilh: monaie: 705-6-74354-6-C0A0M0 P (2267) l@ @campmusk oka.com

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JUNIORFUN-TO-DO

PLEASURE

s r e Seek A Guide for Tots & Tykes

BUSH’S SPORTS CENTRE, BALA Muskoka’s premier waterski and wakeboard facility. bushsportscenter.com

ERA TOURS The ultimate outdoor adventure awaits your young ‘uns this summer, including rock buggy and Hummer rides through Era Tours. Operating out of Deerhurst Resort, this phenomenally versatile (and powerful) Hummer H1 can plow along rutted trails while tilted sideways at a 40-degree angle, without fear of rolling over. It can also climb up and down any hill with a 60-degree slope.

Each of these thrilling one-hour tours showcases the Hummer’s incredible go-anywhere capabilities during an action packed ride with a professional driver behind the wheel.

Equally exciting is Era Tours’ new rock buggy experience. These drive-your-own buggies can be taken on an exciting but safe off-road adventure through a challenging backwoods environment. Equipped with roll cages, seatbelts, goggles and helmets for safety, rock buggies are a lot like regular cars in terms of having a steering wheel, brake and gas pedal– but once the engine’s running, the similarities end, as you roar over the rockiest terrain you’ll ever have the pleasure of driving over.

Tour options include the beginners “101” and an advanced, intense two-hour ride.

Era Tours operates out of Deerhurst Resort, Huntsville. eratours.ca

GEORGIAN BAY AIRWAYS, PARRY SOUND Includes thrilling all-ages fly and hike trips, sightseeing and floatplane instruction. georgianbayairways.com

MAPLE LANE FARMS EQUESTRIAN CENTRE, BRACEBRIDGE Trail rides and day camps for young riders of all levels. maplelanefarms.ca 84 | THE BAY STREET BULL

RM SEGWUN Gravenhurst is home to the ultimate kid’s ride–the RMS Segwun, North America’s oldest operating steamship. Along with sister ship Wenonah II, the Segwun is a huge draw for kids of all ages, thanks to a variety of fun-filled programing. One of the most popular rides is the Noah’s Ark Cruise, held every Wednesday morning in July and August. Hosted by a variety of on-board critters including mammals, birds and reptiles, these one-hour voyages on Lake Muskoka also teach kids a great deal about the animals cared for by the Muskoka Wildlife Centre.

What kid doesn’t love Lego? New this year is a chance to watch Canada’s only Lego Certified Professional in action at the Muskoka Boat and Heritage Centre, as he builds a colossal eight ft. long replica Segwun steamship out of the versatile little bricks (July 1st – 3rd). During the weekend and throughout the entire month of July, your young ones can join in the fun and build their own creations to add to the Muskoka “Wharfscape” scene–perhaps adding a building, boat, scenery or maybe even a lake monster?

Then it’s dress up time when Piratefest bursts on the scene (July 30th – 31st). Join Captain Corbin and his swashbuckling crew during a fun-packed weekend of midway rides, live entertainment, petting zoos, hour-long pirate cruises, pirate crafts, pirate theatre, vendors and waterski shows. All the action takes place at Muskoka Wharf. segwun.com

MUSKOKA HERITAGE PLACE, HUNTSVILLE Home of the Muskoka Museum, Muskoka Pioneer Village and the Portage Flyer Steam Train. muskokaheritageplace.org

MUSKOKA WILDLIFE CENTRE, SEVERN BRIDGE An interactive learning park with many native animal species. muskokawildlifecentre.com

ROBIN TAPLEY’S NATURE TRAILS A year-round, soft-wilderness (including stargazing) nature adventure program for all ages. tapleynaturetrails.ca  THE BAY STREET BULL | 85

EVENTS

WHAT’S ON

Muskoka

JUNE 2011 Undoubtedly one of the region’s premier social events, Flavours of Muskoka is a unique gourmet food and wine function taking place at the Rosseau JW Marriott Resort & Spa in Minett on June 29th. Organizers have invited Muskoka’s top hotels, restaurants, and chefs to set up a table and offer samples from their menus. Joining them are select wineries and breweries from across Ontario, also offering samples of their wares. More than 40 businesses are expected to participate, and a silent auction featuring hundreds of great items donated by local businesses, artists and craftspeople will also take place. The event is the main fundraiser for Kaleidoscope Arts in Education Programs, a children’s initiative of the Muskoka Lakes Music Festival. Tickets are $75 and usually sell out quickly given the event’s popularity.

June 23rd — 25th Cottage Country Comedy Festival June 25th — 26th Doors Open Muskoka 2011

JULY 2011 July 1st — Aug. 25th Huntsville Festival of the Arts July 15th — 17th 49th Annual Summer Muskoka Arts & Crafts Show (Bracebridge) July 22nd — 24th The 4th annual Muskoka In-Water & Cottage Show and Muskoka Ribfest docks at the Muskoka Wharf in Gravenhurst on July 22 till the 24th. This event draws huge crowds which come to see an awesome array of boats and enjoy some succulent ribs. There will be more than 100 booths selling marine equipment, fishing gear, and cottage accessories. This family-oriented festive weekend features food, entertainment and thousands in prizes and giveaways.

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AUGUST 2011 Aug. 4th — 25th Wolf Howls (Algonquin Park) Aug. 14th Savour Muskoka’s Field-to-Fork Tasting Event 2011 gives visitors a chance to sample a variety of tantalizing, locally-inspired food and beverages from Muskoka’s premiere chefs and restaurants. The event—which takes place at Brooklands Farm, Milford Bay—also provides an opportunity for guests to learn more about the vast amount of culinary and agricultural resources that Muskoka has to offer. Savour Muskoka is a group of 120 regional growers, microprocessors, accommodation stakeholders, restaurants, chefs and retailers dedicated to promoting local food, from the supply side to the dining room.

Aug. 19th — 21st 20th Annual Dockside Festival (Gravenhurst)

SEPTEMBER 2011 Now in its 144th year, the Bracebridge Fall Fair and Horse Show (Sept. 16th — 18th) returns to the J.D. Lang Activity Park for another three days of fun, demonstrations and displays.

This year’s event includes horse pulls, light and heavy horse shows, tractor pulls, culinary arts, fibre arts and horticulture. A slew of entertainers at the event include puppeteers, magicians, dancers and musicians, as well as thrilling chainsaw carving demonstrations. But the real star of the show is the alwaysfun Homeniuk Midway, running each day during the Fair (and at numerous other fall fairs across Ontario).

Sept. 24th — 25th Muskoka Autumn Studio Tour Sept. 30th — Oct. 2nd North Words Muskoka Literary Festival (Huntsville)

OCTOBER 2011 Oct. 1st — 2nd Bala Fall Antique Show and Sale Oct. 14th - 16th The annual Bala Cranberry Festival is held each year right after Thanksgiving, and celebrates the plentiful harvest of Muskoka cranberries. The three-day event includes tours of the marsh, live entertainment and vendors from across Ontario.  THE BAY STREET BULL | 87

ONTHESHELF

Muskoka Resorts: Then and Now by Andrew Hind and Maria Da Silva (Dundurn) explores the history and allure of 20 classic resorts. Some of the profiled resorts are still thriving today, such as Windermere House and Deerhurst, while others like the Limberlost, are long gone.

The book wonderfully charts Muskoka’s continued popularity.

MUSKOKA

TALES

BY PATRICK BOYER

Of the many ways to discover Muskoka—in a canoe on a quiet lake, upon any number of fine golf courses, or just hanging out at a lakeside cottage—one of the most convenient and rewarding is to learn about this celebrated district through books. Few, if any, regions in Canada feature more books about their history than Ontario’s renowned Muskoka District. This, too, is part of the “Muskoka mystique.” Over 500 titles—from novels to biographies, histories to coffee table tomes about boats, boathouses, grand resorts, and stunning scenery—feature Muskoka, from 1870 to today. Some are newly-published award-winning books like Roy MacGregor’s A Life in the Bush, while many others are now out-of-print works that deserve resurrection for the next generation of readers. That’s why Muskoka Books, a new publishing venture launched in Bracebridge last year, is publishing new editions of many early volumes. Among the company’s recent releases of out-ofprint books are No Return (historical fiction based on the true story of Muskoka’s dramatic 1872 election), and The March of Days, a compendium of short articles revealing details about life in Muskoka in the mid- to late-twentieth century. Muskoka Books is also publishing brand new works, such as Cottage Daze by Muskoka Sun columnist Jamie Ross. In addition to publishing, another Muskoka Books project is the “Muskoka Bibliowiki,” an on-line resource that lists all books connected with Muskoka. The region’s rich and ever-growing literary heritage is a passport to understanding the deeper layers and higher meanings of what it means to be Muskokan. 

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A life in the Bush

by Roy MacGregor (Penguin Group Canada) paints an interesting portrait of Duncan MacGregor, a man determined to raise his family in the woods, and the complex relationship he has with his son. A national bestseller and winner of the U.S. Rutstrum Award for best wilderness book.

The Landing by John Ibbitson (Kids Can Press) is the story of Ben, whose hard-scrabble life on the shores of Lake Muskoka keeps him away from the one thing he loves: playing the violin. But a new job fixing up an old cottage, and a chance meeting with its owner—Ruth Chapman, a wealthy New Yorker— changes everything.

Old Muskoka: Century Cottages & Summer Estates

by Liz Lundell (Warwick Publishing) describes 40 noteworthy cottages and summer estates, many built in the late 1800s and early 1900s by American industrialists from Pittsburg, including the Mellons, Hillmans and Clemsons. Today, these houses are cherished not just for their architecture, but for their rich repository of tradition.

MUSKOKARESOURCES

T

he road north to Muskoka boasts two wonderful information centres full of friendly, helpful and informed travel counselors for your convenience. The main information centre on Highway 11 is just 2.5 kilometres north of the new “Welcome to Muskoka” sign and the Severn River. For travelers heading along Highway 400 on the west side of Muskoka, there’s a smaller travel centre at Port Severn. The Muskoka Tourism staff is well-versed and able to assist you with all your needs, including finding available accommodations at campgrounds, cabins, cottages and luxury five-star resorts, as well as local events and attractions. Whether it’s art tours, boat cruises, music or comedy festivals, they have all the information you’ll need.

The Muskoka Tourism website has some new additions for 2011. Plan your trip to the region with a convenient online reservation link containing a number of accommodation members, and use the new digital map feature to find your way around.

Muskoka Tourism offers another added benefit if you are traveling north on Fridays during the first four long weekends of the summer. The “Driver Reviver” rest stop, held at the Highway 11 centre, offers free hot dogs, coffee, water and other refreshments for travelers and their pets, as well as a chance to stretch those driving-cramped bodies. Take a few moments to rest and relax, or check out what is available to see and do on your visit to Muskoka.

For further information check out discovermuskoka.ca or call 1-800-267-9700.

Photo Credits

Page 8. Bigwin Island Golf Club, 18th hole. 9. Muskoka Bay Golf Club (top); Deerhurst Highlands golf course (bottom). 10. Aerial view of Bigwin (top); The Ridge at Manitou,13th hole (bottom); Taboo Resort and Spa golf course (sidebar).12. The Rock golf course (top); Bigwin clubhouse (sidebar). 14. Bigwin Inn, vintage drawing. 15. Big Chute Marine Railway, Severn (right).

16. Islander at Swing Bridge, Port Carling (top); Record fishing trophy (bottom). 18. Muskoka Airport, Little Norway (top); Muskoka Heritage Centre, Photo: Larry Wright (bottom). 20. The Medora entering Port Carling Locks (top); Muskoka dining, vintage photo (right). 22. Chancery Art Gallery (top); Nadiradze “August nude” (bottom). 23. Nayberg “White room” (left); Shex “Sleeping girl” (left).24. Andrew Collett “The Awakening” and “Muskoka Morning” (sidebar); Kokkinos “Stairway” (top). 25. Kaba “ Gate way”. 26. Isabella Rossellini in Green Porno: Marine Life (top); Sons of The Sunshine (left); Days of Heaven (right top); Sissy Boy Slap Party (right bottom). 28. Muskoka boathouses, Photos: Larry Wright (top) an The Landscapes (bottom). 31. Morgan Bay boathouse (top); Bock boathouse (bottom), Photos: Scott Turnbull, Turnbull Photography. 32. Classic wooden boat and boathouse (top), Photo: John McQuarrie; Muskoka boathouse (bottom), Photo: Larry Wright. 34. Muskoka boathouses, Photos: Larry Wright. 38. The Rosseau, Red Leaves. 39. Cleveland House marina, Photo: Larry Wright. 40. Deerhurst Resort (top); Pavilion from Lakeside 18 Green. 41. Severn Lodge waterfront with Sevlo, Ditchburn built for Lady Eaton, Photo: John McQuarrie. 42. Arowhon restaurant; Griffin Gastropub, Bracebridge (sidebar). 44. North restaurant in Gravenhurst (sidebar); Deerhurst Resort lobby (top); Grandview resort pool (bottom). 45. Wolff’s Den Café. 48-49. Bigwin cottage property. 50. Highland Estate, cottage’s living room. 51.

North Muskoka Houses: Hemlock Brian Barrer. 52. The Landscapes, The Cedar Villa (top); Bigwin cottage interiors (bottom). 54. North Muskoka Houses: Hemlock Brian Barrer. 56-57. Classic wooden boats, Photos: Larry Wright. 58. Scott Dunsmoor in his 1960 Hacker “Falcon” (top), Photo: John McQuarrie; Muskoka classic wooden boat (bottom), Photo: Larry Wright. 60. Classic boat and steamships (top), Photo: John McQuarrie; Muskoka classic wooden boats inside boathouse (bottom), Photo: Larry Wright. 62-65. Algonquin Provincial Park. 66. Three generations of Wadsworths (top); The Wadsworth family camping in Algonquin, summer 2010 (bottom). 78-79. Muskoka Woods. 80. Kaleidoscope summer camp (sidebar); Muskoka Woods. (top); Camp Arowhon, climbing tower (bottom). 82-83. Muskoka Woods. 84. Era Tours. 85. RM Segwun (top and right); Wakeboarding in Muskoka (bottom). 86. Kaleidoscope Children Festival, Segwun dining room, Antique and classic boat show, Bracebridge Fair (from left to right), Photos: Larry Wright. 88. Muskoka Steamship, Photo: John McQuarrie

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