Cottage Country Fall 2025

CONTENTS

Fall 2025

Home & Cottage

08 A Home as Extraordinary as the Land it's Built On - Welsh Custom Homes

13 Supporting Local Projects Every Step of the Way - Monaghan Lumber

14 Working with a Design Firm: Finding the right fit

17 Nortech - Windows. Doors. Sunrooms

18 Renovate with Confidence: Why Renomark should be your first call

20 Rustic Luxe on Lovesick Lake

23 R&J Machine - 50+ Years of Custom Fabrication

24 Cooking Up Both Beauty & Function in Your Kitchen

26 Aesthetic Meets Functionality with de Blois Built

31 Closing Thoughts - Mike Fitzgerald

32 Soaking in Style: The Best of Modern Bathroom Design Today

37 Homeowners get the best results when builders build & designers design

41 Freshwater Jellyfish

Get Outdoors

43 A New Era of Sustainable Boating

Daytripping

44 Wandering into Wellness - This Autumn in The Kawarthas

46 The Golden Hike

48 Growing Healthy Communities One Apple at a Time

53 Apples - King of the Fruits - Peterborough Museum

54 40th Annual Victoria County Studio Tour

55 Haliburton Highlands Studio Tour

56 The Benefits of ATV and Dirt Bike Tourism in Kawartha Lakes

58 'Fall' in Love with Bancroft - The Old Tin Shed

59 The Unseen Champions of The Kawartha Trails

60 Wayfinding on Recreational Trails

Recipes

50 Weekend at the Cottage Recipes

Pets & Vets

62 Riverview Park and Zoo's - Barbary Sheep

62 Supporting Your Senior Pet

63 Snack Time for the Birds

Kids Korner with Kenz

65 Halloween Candy Apples

PUBLISHER, EDITOR & DESIGN

Kelly Welsh, Owner

COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER

Emily Ireland

ADVERTISING SALES

Moira Gale, Fiona Rudder

CONTRIBUTORS

Emily Ireland, Jacob Rodenburg, Don Willcock, Birchview Designs, Craig Nicholson, Rick Whitteker, Mike Williams, Mike Quesnelle & Mike Fitzgerald Volume 31 • Number 5 705-313-2245

WELCOME TO THE FALL ISSUE

“And the sun took a step back, the leaves lulled themselves to sleep and autumn was awakened.”

— Raquel Franco

School’s back in session! Those summer days we covet - the ones we try to wring every last drop out of, are slowly veering back to routine; and full length pants. Cottage Country is slowly awakening to Autumn; crisp mornings, warm sunny afternoons and chilly nights lead us through Thanksgiving and into the excitement of All Hallows’ Eve - and dare I say - winter? No. Not yet. There is too much of fall to enjoy before we think of snow.

In this issue we have articles that encourage you to get out and travel the vibrant countryside of Cottage Country. We focus on a fall favourite - apples! Algoma Orchard invites you to experience everything apple, and Weekend at the Cottage offers up the perfect apple recipes for the Thanksgiving table, find the perfect candy apple recipe to get the kids excited - perfect for Halloween parties! Both The Kawarthas, and Haliburton County Tourism invite you to explore with amazing day trips this season.

Fall is the ideal time to plan your renovations for 2026, and we have

so many amazing trades and services compiled in this issue, ready to make your renovation dreams come true. If a new build is in your future, we encourage you to read on, and discover several amazing local builders who are ready to take your plans from paper to completion. From design to landscaping and excavating, to electrical and straight through to full service builders - we encourage you to get inspired and create spaces that your family will enjoy for years to come. Many are booking now for 2026.

For those of you itching to get your sled out of storage and hit the snowy trails, Craig Nicholson - The Intrepid Snowmobiler, and The Buckhorn Snowmobile Club have updates about getting our trail systems ready for winter riding. Kawartha ATV invites you to plan a fall trip with a multitude of hospitality businesses waiting to welcome you for overnight stays, unique restaurants and experiences while you enjoy getting outdoors on their multi-use trails.

Get out and explore Cottage Country this fall, summer may be fleeting - but autumn is offering up cozy overnight stays, epic day trips, spectacular views and hearty cuisine.

A HOME AS EXTRAORDINARY AS THE LAND IT'S BUILT ON

WELSH CUSTOM HOMES

“We believe curiosity is the catalyst for innovation. Each project begins with a spirit of exploration, pushing beyond conventional boundaries to discover elegant solutions that marry form and function. Through rigorous investigation of materials, space, light, needs and wants. We transform initial concepts into groundbreaking development where every detail emerges from purposeful inquiry and creative problem-solving.”

- Welsh Custom Homes

On the Cover: PINE POINT

Nestled seamlessly into its natural surroundings, this bespoke residence celebrates the harmony of architecture and landscape. Floor to ceiling windows frame sweeping views while inviting the outdoors in, blending contemporary design with a deep respect for nature. Every detail from open concept living spaces to intuitive smart home integration, showcases meticulous craftmanship, creating not just a residence, but a living work of art.

Location / Stoney Lake Canada

Project Type / Custom Home Development

Why do we inherently feel so at peace when we are near water? Scientifically speaking, it’s because in the presence of a body of water, our nervous system automatically calms - this calm is a parasympathetic response and is known as ‘Blue Mind’. Historically we settled our communities near water because of its life sustaining nature and resources, but as we evolve and travel, it is apparent that the pull to settle near water is about more than survival these days - it is about relaxation and restoration. Studies show that over 50% of the worlds population resides less than 3KM away from a body of freshwater, and another 10% of the population no further than 10KM away - proving that even now, the lake calls to us.

Welsh Custom Homes has harnessed the power of this phenomenon and our innate draw to reside near water, offering a modern approach to building custom, luxury homes inspired by nature. Owner, Daryl Welsh, believes every home should be as extraordinary as the land it’s built upon; built to compliment your natural surroundings with thoughtful functionality tailored to your lifestyle on the lake. From grand entertaining spaces to intimate family moments, Welsh Custom Homes builds homes that transcend traditional expectations to become vibrant canvases for life's most cherished memories.

Welsh Custom Homes develops each build to invite the outdoors in, creating spaces that harmonize with the environment while meeting the demands of modern living. From panoramic windows that capture breathtaking views to sustainable materials that echo the landscape's integrity, every detail is designed to enhance the connection between your home and its natural surroundings.

Daryl and his highly skilled team work diligently to ensure the highest quality of craftsmanship on each and every build. These unique builds are intentionally planned spaces that compliment your lifestyle. Materials are thoughtfully selected to balance beauty and functionality creating a home that reflects who you are. With this thoughtful approach, every project becomes more than just a build –it becomes a lasting legacy.

Daryl says, ‘Building homes that look good is the easy part. Making an impact on someone’s life is what separates us from other developers. Our process is paramount to building great homes that enhance the life of all our clients.”

If you are looking for a builder who lives and breathes their craft, considers every detail to be unique, and will pour their heart into building your home, then trust Welsh Custom Homes. Their teams' combined expertise helps simplify complex decisions about finishes and materials, ensuring all elements work together seamlessly.

‘Nothing excites us more than transforming your vision into a living, breathing space that feels like it was made just for you—because it was. Whether you have aspirations of a modern masterpiece or a cozy craftsman build, we can't wait to bring your ideal home or cottage to life.’

- Welsh Custom Homes

Finding the perfect lakeside property is only the start of your journey. Choosing a reputable builder who specializes in lakeside living, and who draws inspiration from the surrounding natural landscapes - this is where the real magic transpires.

Welsh Custom Homes www.welshcustomhomes.ca

Photo Credit: John Trigiani - www.johntrigiani.com

MONAGHAN LUMBER Supporting Local Projects Every Step of the Way

At Monaghan Lumber, we’ve built more than just a reputation for quality and service over the past 36 years. We’ve built relationships rooted in trust, service, and dedication. Local builders, contractors, and homeowners choose to work with us because we are fully invested in the success of every project. From the first conversation to the final finishing touch, we offer support, guidance, and real-world expertise at every stage.

It begins with your ideas. Whether you arrive with detailed blueprints, rough sketches, or no drawings at all, we are ready to help. Our experienced team will take the time to listen, understand your vision, and offer practical, personalized next steps tailored to your needs. We provide accurate, customized material takeoffs that help keep your plans organized, your budget intact, and your timeline on track.

We specialize in premium products for both interior and exterior finishes, including flooring, doors, decking, siding, trim, and mouldings. With such a wide range of options available, our team will help you evaluate product performance, design goals, and budget so you can make

confident, informed decisions.

Because construction often moves quickly, we offer on-site support when it matters most. Our Director of Sales, Warren, and our Territory Manager, John, frequently visit job sites to offer advice, deliver samples, and assist with on-the-spot decisions. Their presence helps eliminate delays and keeps your project running smoothly.

For homeowners just beginning the process, we also offer referrals to trusted local trades. We’ve spent decades building connections with professionals who deliver consistent, high-quality work. If you need a recommendation, we are happy to help you find the right fit.

At Monaghan Lumber, we understand that choosing a supplier is about more than just products. It is about partnership, reliability, and shared goals. When you trust us with your project, we take that responsibility seriously and work hard to support your success.

Bring us your ideas. Let us help you build something lasting, meaningful, and made to stand the test of time, right here in your own community.

Monaghan Lumber Specialties, 2129 Davis Road, Peterborough, ON, 705-742-9353, www.monaghanlumber.com

Mon–Fri: 7am–5pm & Sat: 8am–12pm

WORKING WITH A DESIGN FIRM:

FINDING THE RIGHT

FIT

Embarking on a new build or a home renovation is an exciting chapter - but it can quickly become overwhelming without the right team in place. Hiring a design firm is more than choosing furniture and paint colours - it’s choosing a partner to shape how you’ll in your space live every day. If you are considering your next build or renovation presently, or perhaps dreaming of the future, the team of Birchview Design has shared a few key onboarding discussions that they practice at their firm to ensure that you and your chosen designer will align – which is imperative for a well-run, low-stress project.

Understanding The Process

Every successful project starts with solidifying your scope and your vision. Before your designer draws a single floor plan or selects a finish, we need to understand how you live and what you value. Do you host big family gatherings? Need a space to work from home? Is your ideal home setting a busy hive or a calming retreat? Those

early conversations, questions and meetings are foundational – they provide a jumping off point for diving deeper into style aesthetics, materials maintenance and personal preference and shape everything from the architectural drawings to the smallest decor details. When do these meetings take place? What are the phases in the process from concept to completion? Do they offer project management services? Any professional design firm will have developed tried-and-true processes and procedures that are essential to maintain to ensure their projects run smoothly. Trusting in these processes will be imperative to a good relationship and building that trust at the beginning with asking any process questions you are unsure of will be welcomed by your designer.

Financial Considerations

Good design is an investment. How you will qualify your peace of mind for a project will be an important consideration when partnering with the right designer. The industry is home to

a myriad of different business models and having an open and transparent discussion early on about the investment required for professional design services will ensure your designer is aware and aligned with your goals. Further to the overall investment, you will want to understand how the financial transactions will work for the duration of the project. Most professional design firms will require a retainer to solidify your place in their project queue – how much do you need to plan for? Is there a typical minimum level of investment required for the project work they specialize in? How and when will you receive the billing for the design services? What is the breakdown for procurement phase payments? Questions like these will be helpful when planning for this financial investment and ensuring you are comfortable with the process from day one.

Timelines

Designing and building a custom home takes time - and for good reason. The best outcomes require a thoughtful, strategic approach to planning. Timelines vary depending on the scope, but for large-scale projects every phase should be mapped out with care, from the early concept work to construction and final styling. Questions to ask may be: What is your availability for new projects? How long does a typical project take? What are your processes to keep me informed of the progress? What

is the procedure for unexpected delays or required changes? (Yes, even on the best planned projects these do happen!). Having clear communication about the realities of a project timeline prevents uncertainty and miscommunication down the line and ensures that you and your designer are aligned in expectations.

The Right Fit

Not every firm is right for every client - and that’s the way it should be. What matters most is shared values. Perhaps your priority is a highly personalized experience, efficient timelines and precise budget planning. Perhaps it’s a faster turn-around time, and more economically focused. There are designers out there for every type of project and by reviewing these considerations, it will provide a jumping off point to understand if you are a right fit for one another.

Our best advice? Take the time to find a firm whose values match your own, whose process inspires trust, and whose work speaks for itself. That’s where the magic happens.

Birchview Design Inc. is an award-winning interior design team serving clientele in the Kawartha Lakes, GTA, and beyond. As a full-service studio, the firm offers an all-inclusive, simplified experience with elevated design expertise. www.birchviewdesign.com / @birchviewdesign

NORTECH

WINDOWS. DOORS. SUNROOMS.

Nortech is a local dealer of attractive window, door, railing, screen porch windows and sunroom systems designed to provide many years of comfort and beauty.

We partner with Canadian manufacturers who are the proven leaders in style and innovation. Our partners are located in the Kawartha Lakes, and Ontario.

For over 20 years, Nortech has thrived on building lasting relationships with satisfied customers in our surrounding communities. We love what we do and love to work in our community.

Our goal is to create happy customers who are satisfied with their product and installation.

We offer free, no obligation estimates for in-home consultations and invite you to visit us at our showroom to explore our product offerings.

We love to work with Contractors and DIYer's to supply products for new builds and home projects. Bring us your blueprints for a free no obligation quote. Let's work together!

Nortech  Windows. Doors. Sunrooms www.nortechwindows.com  705-738-0304 Bobcaygeon, ON

RENOVATE WITH CONFIDENCE: WHY RENOMARK™ SHOULD BE YOUR FIRST CALL

Home renovations are booming. With housing prices skyrocketing, more Ontarians are choosing to stay put and invest in their homes. But here’s the troubling truth: a Government of Ontario study found that 56% of renovation work, 67% of repair jobs, and even 15% of new home construction are done in the underground economy—by people cutting corners, skipping permits, and dodging taxes. The risks? Unsafe work, no warranties, and zero accountability.

That’s exactly why the Peterborough and the Kawarthas Home Builders’ Association participates in the RenoMark™ program, modeled after the successful initiative from the Toronto Home Builders’ Association BiLD. RenoMark™ was created to separate true professionals from operators who leave homeowners in the lurch. Now administered nationwide through the Canadian Home Builders’ Association, anyone in Canada can find a trusted contractor through RenoMark™

When you hire a RenoMark™ renovator, you’re not just hiring a contractor—you’re hiring peace of mind. Members pledge to follow a strict code of ethics: returning calls promptly, providing detailed written contracts, offering at least a two-year warranty,

and carrying proper insurance and WSIB coverage. They’re licensed, trained, and committed to staying on top of building codes and best practices. In short, RenoMark™ renovators do the job right, the first time.

For homeowners, the RenoMark™ logo is more than a badge—it’s a mark of excellence. It signals professionalism, accountability, and a promise that your biggest investment is in safe, qualified hands.

So before you start your next project, ask the question that matters most: Are they RenoMark™?

Because in renovations, trust isn’t just important—it’s everything.

For a RENOMARK Renovator near you go to: www.pkhba.com https://www.pkhba.com/members Call (705) 930-1620 email info@pkhba.com

Find out more about RENOMARK qualifications at www.renomark.ca

RUSTIC LUXE ON LOVESICK LAKE: A Thoughtful Revival of ‘The Suite’

Tucked into the south bank of Lovesick Lake, a century-old lodge has been reimagined with reverence and refinement. Once part of a fishing camp, the historic building is now home to The Suite—a fivebedroom retreat that whispers nostalgia while delivering every modern comfort. At the heart of its transformation: Blackwood Developments, a custom home contractor known for their full-service approach and delivering elevated, detail-driven construction throughout the Kawarthas.

When the new owners purchased The Forest Hill Lodge in 2019, they saw its potential—weathered pine, timeworn charm, and a view that opens up to tranquil water and tall trees. Their vision: to preserve the past while breathing new life into the space for cottagers, retreat-goers, and those gathering to reconnect or celebrate. They enlisted Blackwood Developments to bring their vision into focus—leading the transformation with expert guidance, custom detailing, and full-scale execution.

Original elements were meticulously preserved. The tongue-and-groove pine paneling remains, as do the floors—once

painted dusty blue, now sanded and stained back to their original lustre. Even an old printed sign—“Please be quiet after 10:30pm”—still marks its place on the wood

walls, a playful nod to the lodge’s long history.

Guests enter through a cozy TV lounge, flanked by a bunk room, two bedrooms, and two bathrooms—each with a distinct style and colour palette. Showcasing Blackwood’s design-build capabilities, the Douglas fir bunk beds were custom-designed and handcrafted, along with feature wallmounted shelving units made from metal frames and warm wood, offering a seamless blend of utility and refined cottage style.

Further in, the space opens into a sweeping lake view through the kitchen, dining area, and fireplace lounge—made possible by removing a former sixth bedroom. “We reimagined the layout to create something more open, social, and comfortable,” Blackwood explains. Structural reinforcements—including metal bracing, spray foam insulation, and added support—ensure the longevity of this 100-year-old gem.

Custom finishes elevate the experience. A brick veneer hearth extension was cut into the original flooring, blending perfectly with the existing fireplace to feel as though it’s always been there. Knotty pine trim and blackstained feature walls add warmth and mood throughout. Every selection was deliberate.

Though deeply involved, the owners trusted Blackwood’s leadership and expertise. “They were incredibly handson, but also leaned on us to bring our knowledge and experience to the table,” says Blackwood. “It was a true collaboration.”

What defines luxury in cottage country? It’s curated comfort: walk-in showers, a wood-burning stove, a fully equipped kitchen beside aged pine walls. More than a renovation, this was a revival—one that honours the past while welcoming a new generation of memory-makers. For Blackwood Developments, it’s a testament to what’s possible when history, heart, and craftsmanship come together by the lake.

Blackwood Developements is an award winning custom home contractor serving the Kawarthas. Offering a full service approach, from permits, design guidance, detailed budgeting and every stage in between, they deliver a truly allencompassing experience.

'The Suite'  @theforesthilllodge Photography: Ashley Adams @flash.adams Interior Design: Dana @main.marsh

R&J MACHINE

50+ YEARS OF CUSTOM FABRICATION

Your Boat Called: It wanted to remind you that fall is a great time to plan your new dock or - dare we dream… boathouse? for the 2026 season!

R&J Machine has been serving Cottage Country for over 50 years with exceptional knowledge, fabrication and service. Specializing in docks + hardware & accessories, boat lifts, marine railways, and design + build of boat houses & boat ports - R&J Machine believes that quality workmanship, specialized materials and innovative design is what sets them apart in their industry.

Along with manufacturing high-quality docks, boat lifts and marine railways, their fabrication of in-water boathouses, permanent docks, and commercial marinas has become a large portion of their business. By obtaining their CWB certification they have been actively involved in erecting several structural steel projects including a boathouse on Stoney Lake that received the Governor Generals Award for architecture.

With a 20,000 sq/ft manufacturing facility in Lakefield, Ontario, R&J is able to produce the ultimate in pipe docks, floating docks, lift up docks, boat lifts, and marine railways. Each product is designed with precision and attention to detail, providing unmatched reliability

and performance, and with their expert knowledge they are able to offer customers advice on an individual basis to deliver the absolute best style of dock for their shoreline and needs. Knowing your dock is produced with ability to adapt to various conditions will provide you with lasting value for years to come.

R&J have a full-service crew of detail oriented staff that work diligently to install the products they manufacture. By providing service straight from design, to manufacturing, to installation RJ is able to control every detail of the finished product, taking pride in their impeccable talent for considering every detail.

Also offering service and repair to existing docks and lifts throughout the winter months RJ makes sure your shoreline is ready for fun as soon as spring arrives - the team at RJ also reminds us that fall is the best time to book for spring installations and repairs for 2026!

R&J Machine 1601 - 8th Line of Selwyn Township Lakefield, Ontario 705 652 6731 www.rjmachine.ca

COOKING UP BOTH BEAUTY & FUNCTION IN YOUR KITCHEN

When it comes to interior design, function and style go hand in hand.

While it is possible to achieve each independently, a space truly comes alive only when both are considered together. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the kitchen, where every design decision must balance beauty with practicality.

Begin with Colour

A kitchen renovation is a major investment, and choosing a palette that feels current yet timeless ensures your space remains stylish for years to come. The contrast of black and white , and earthy neutrals creates a timeless palette that feels both modern and inviting. Beyond their classic appeal, these shades offer practical advantages: they are forgiving, enduring, and adaptable, allowing the kitchen to withstand trends while gracefully supporting the rhythms of daily family life. In this kitchen, a range of warm neutrals was layered thoughtfully from soft creams and sandy taupes to rich, earthy browns, creating depth, warmth, and a welcoming atmosphere.

Pairing these tones with classic black accents, such as hardware, fixtures, or light fittings, adds contrast and sophistication without overpowering the space. Meanwhile, crisp whites in cabinetry or countertops provide a sense of freshness and openness, balancing the warmth of natural materials like wood and stone. By mixing matte and glossy, smooth and textured, you can create visual interest while keeping the overall palette cohesive.

Functional Finishes

Finishes are often chosen for their visual impact, but today in many busy high-traffic kitchens, practicality must come first. Look for surfaces that are easy to clean, durable under daily wear and tear, and resilient to the spills, splashes, and messes that come with everyday life. Our clients always request surfaces that are both hardwearing and visually refined, and with today’s range of materials from stone to quartz and lowmaintenance laminates, it’s possible to achieve both function and style without compromise. Selecting the right finishes that meet both your lifestyle needs and

looks stylish while performing effortlessly.

Cabinetry

Thoughtfully designed cabinetry is at the heart of a functional and beautiful kitchen, seamlessly blending style with practicality. From deep drawers that keep pots and pans organized to custom pullouts for spices, pantry items, and hidden appliances, cabinetry offers smart storage solutions that enhance both the flow and feel of the space. Selecting the right materials, finishes, and hardware ensures durability while reflecting your personal style whether through sleek modern lines, classic shaker details, or rich, warm wood tones. Storage is not just functional; it is an opportunity to elevate the design. Custom cabinetry, open shelving, and hidden compartments can become defining features, keeping countertops clear, organizing daily essentials, and allowing routines to run smoothly. When thoughtfully executed, cabinetry and storage together create a kitchen that is organized, efficient, and undeniably inviting.

Lighting

Lighting is both a practical and aesthetic consideration, shaping the mood and functionality of a kitchen. Layered lighting, including ambient, task, and accent fixtures, ensures the space is bright for cooking and prep while also creating a warm, inviting atmosphere for family gatherings. Statement pendants above an island not only illuminate the workspace but also become design focal points, balancing style with practicality.

Finally, consider your seating, whether around a generous island or a cozy banquette. Comfortable seating encourages lingering over breakfast, homework, or casual conversation, turning the kitchen into a true hub of daily life. A well-designed seating arrangement supports both movement and interaction, making the space feel inviting and lived-in.

PRO TIPS:

Tip #1

When planning your kitchen, think in zones for prep, cooking, serving, and cleanup. Designing each area with the right tools, lighting, and storage ensures a workflow that feels intuitive and effortless. Even small details, like leaving adequate clearance around appliances or grouping utensils by function, can make daily life feel seamless.

Tip #2

When planning seating at your kitchen island, aim for 36–42 inches of width per person to ensure comfort, and keep 12–18 inches of knee space between the counter and the seat for adequate legroom.

A kitchen can be one of the most challenging rooms to design, balancing the demands of everyday use with a desire for timeless beauty. By considering your lifestyle from the start and how the space will function, and selecting finishes that will endure, you can create a kitchen that feels effortless, practical, and inviting. Collaborating with a professional designer ensures every detail is thoughtfully addressed, resulting in a space that supports your family’s daily life while inspiring moments of connection and joy. Ultimately, it becomes a sanctuary of both function and beauty and a place where daily life flows seamlessly .

Golara Ghasemi is the Creative Director, and Principal Designer of Toronto-based Studio Golara Design. Noted for crafting both bespoke and highly personalized interiors, the studio delivers comprehensive full-service residential design services throughout the Greater Toronto Area. studiogolara.com @studio_golara

AESTHETIC MEETS FUNCTIONALITY

with de Blois Built

Founded in 2009, de Blois Built specializes in full-scope renovations and one-of-a-kind new builds. Originally based in Toronto, the company moved to Trent Hills in 2019 and began working with clients in Northumberland and Prince Edward Counties, and have recently expanded into the Kawarthas. Collaborating closely with clients, architects, and designers, they build beautiful, functional, truly custom homes. The team at de Blois Built is passionate about quality workmanship, exceptional service, and making meaningful connections with clients and trade partners.

service is underpinned by Mike & Roisin de Blois’ commitment to engaging with every potential project from a place of curiosity, creativity and connection.

From concept to completion, de Blois Built clients have the full support of a highly-skilled, creative, and committed in-house team. The de Blois Built project managers, site supervisors, in-house carpentry crews, and operations staff are there every step of the way making sure that project plans gel with client vision and budgets, that pricing is clear and transparent, and that every detail is just right. Service is at the core of everything this family-run business does and that

Building or renovating a home or cottage with de Blois Built is about so much more than just the build. As a small company, they are committed to developing trust-based relationships with everyone they work with, starting with clients but also extending to architects, designers, suppliers and trades. They recognize the financial and emotional significance of their projects for their clients and strive to instill confidence at every level, so that the homeowners they work for feel secure and comfortable in the quality of the work going into their homes, as well as the timelines and budgets that they can expect. A beautiful, well-built, and unique home is always the end result, but the journey to getting there is also an important focus for the dBB team and they work hard to make sure that the experience is smooth, positive, and encouraging for everyone who puts their trust in them.

When asked about a recent project, Owner Mike de Blois said, “The whole process was quite smooth actually. The strong communication and connection we had was really the foundation. The outcome is reflective of the strength of the connections on this project…. Their ability to visualize things was great – they had a clear understanding of what they wanted and were able to communicate that to us.” Not all clients know exactly what they want, though, so the de Blois Built team is also ready to recommend trusted designers and artisanal tradespeople with strong communication skills who can help homeowners understand their options and make decisions that they will be happy with and proud of for many years to come.

Across the board, clients rave about the work that de Blois Built does, as well as the experience of working with them. In the words of one recent client, “Going through a renovation always has its stressful or overwhelming moments. You want to be in those moments with someone you trust is doing their best, and whose best assures a standard of excellence. This is Michael and his team. Throughout the building of our home, he and his team were wonderful to us as well as our neighbours. They took great care in the price quotations to ensure we scaled the project to something we can afford. They matched their quote during post-Covid times, when prices were fluctuating and the market was difficult to predict. They worked with quality materials and did a great job aesthetically as well as functionally in our home. I cannot recommend this team enough.”

www.debloisbuilt.com

BUILDER BIO

EAST REGION ELECTRIC

When planning your next build or renovation it is important to hire an electrician that takes the utmost pride in not only the end result, but in every detail of the journey to that end result

- detailed planning, safe execution, and excellent customer service.

East Region Electric works closely with customers to design plans that suit the unique electrical needs of both residential

and commercial clients. Always committed to offering a fair price and detailed workmanship, owner Jake Hansford and his team prioritize always providing top-notch service alongside work that meets the highest industry standards.

Their team of highly skilled electricians come with years of experience in the field, and are capable of completing many different variations of electrical services in residential (new construction, subdivision & renovations), commercial (restaurants & store front renovations) and agriculture (barn and livestock buildings). East Region Electric also installs generators for those moments when the lights go out unexpectedly!

Make the call to East Region Electric, they are ready to help you with all of your electrical needs - choosing East Region means receiving expert advice and peace of mind that every detail in your custom project has been considered.

Emergencies Happen - Jake and the team at East Region Electric are always available to answer questions at any time, and respond to electrical emergencies as they may occur!

East Region Electric  www.eastregionelectric.ca (705) 772-3734

Closing Thoughts

It’s as though you can feel it in the air. A heightened awareness of the impending ending of something so special. The long wait. The winters’ sleep that a cottage undergoes when no one is around, and the lake is left to its own devices.

For most of my life, I had no idea about the goings-on that occurred after we closed the family cottage for the season. Cottage season, if I’m being truthful, seemed sort of lame. After all, I was maybe ten, but I knew that there were twelve months in a year, and that the cottage was only used for roughly four of them, which seemed to my young brain as being ultra lame. I mean, just think of all the cool things that must happen while we’re away, right?

When I was a kid, and we still had our cottage just a little bit north of the Kawartha’s, I remember my mom telling me that my grandmother would always leave our cottage unlocked and the cupboards stocked with nonperishable food items, just in case a hunter got lost during the autumn or winter and needed a place to hold out for the night. When I look back at this now, well into my thirties, it seems slightly ridiculous, but the cottage country mentality of helping your neighbour out, even if you didn’t know them, or in my grandmother’s case, weren’t even around when they needed help, was very prominent.

But that’s what sort of twists me – we wouldn’t be there. At all. For months.

Not during the moose rut, when the mostly elusive creatures tended to cave into reckless abandon and show up in places that they normally wouldn’t be. We wouldn’t be there for those quiet November nights when the woodstove burning split pieces of hardwood gave that glorious low hanging

smoke that wafts into the surrounding woods, now bare and desolate. Nor would we be there for those delicious autumn colours that explode just after thanksgiving weekend, which is when the cottage was closed every year.

That always seemed a major shame to me, but in it is the workings of nostalgia, as well as a tiny fleck of romance and poetic jest. Years later, long after the selling of the cottage and unfortunately, the eventual fire that burned the entire place down, I moved to house on the water where I would live all year long, where I learned exactly what went on when the seasonal folks left for good.

And it was remarkable.

First of all, those now vacant properties became an oasis for the local wildlife that, until then, had kept their distance. Turkey, grouse, white-tailed deer, fox and all manner of the like would take over, showing up mid day in the waning afternoon heat of October and November; reclaiming that which is, really, theirs in the first place – we just built on it.

Massive migrations of waterfowl from the boreal forest show up around then, too. American Wigeon, Teal, and Northern Pintails at first, followed by common Goldeneye, Buffleheads, and three different species of Mergansers. Loon calls are replaced by the Eastern Coyote.

But what struck me the most was the silence.

The absolute stillness that buries itself into your bones. It’s a seasonal isolation that, unless you’re there, is missed. Maybe its because that sort of thing makes folks uncomfortable, or maybe it’s because cottaging has, over the years, has become an industry that not only caters to the comfort of those who take part (it wasn’t always that way, and I’m old enough to remember that now), but also has turned into something that is only of value when the weather is at its best. Not everyone is okay with being trapped indoors for three days during a November downpour that could, if things go right (or wrong, I suppose) turn into a blizzard.

But frankly, and this is simply my opinion, that’s why you always pack a couple of good books, and maybe a couple extra tasty adult beverages for just such an occasion. It's always better to be prepared, right?

Mike Fitzgerald is an avid outdoorsman and knowledgable homesteader who writes for multiple publications about living off the land. You can follow him on his adventures via instagram as @omnivore.culture

SOAKING IN STYLE: THE BEST OF MODERN BATHROOM DESIGN TODAY

Bathrooms have evolved far beyond their utilitarian roots. Today, they are spaces of retreat and personal expression where self-care rituals meet sophisticated design. As a designer, I see the modern bathroom as a sanctuary that nurtures the senses, supports daily rhythm, and delivers beauty in every detail.

The shift toward wellness-driven interiors has placed the bathroom at the forefront of holistic design. It’s no longer just about function—it’s about how a space makes you feel. Through thoughtful planning and material choices, even the most practical bathrooms can become havens of comfort and rejuvenation.

Whether you're embarking on a full renovation or adding thoughtful updates, today’s trends embrace refined simplicity, sustainability, and tactile elements that elevate everyday routines into moments of calm and connection.

Here’s a look at the defining elements of the most inspiring and livable bathroom spaces today:

Soft Minimalism: The New Zen Minimalism remains a cornerstone of design, but it’s evolved into something warmer and more organic. Clean lines are softened by soothing neutrals—think mushroom, cream, warm taupe, and soft beige—paired with matte finishes and rich textures. The result is a layered, calming aesthetic that encourages relaxation without feeling stark.

Designer Tip

When working with minimal palettes, texture becomes everything. Pair a brushed gold faucet with a honed stone countertop to create depth and interest without overwhelming the space.

Discover Canadian brand Vogt, where clean profiles and refined finishes capture the essence of modern minimalism. Explore their vast collections at vogtindustries.com.

Spa-Like Showers: Experience First Freestanding tubs may be aspirational, but more and more, the shower is the crown jewel of the bathroom. I’m seeing homeowners invest in spa-style features

like oversized rainfall heads, frameless glass enclosures, built-in bench seating, and steam systems. It’s about transforming everyday routines into personalized wellness rituals.

Designer Tip

Think of your shower as a ritual, not a routine.

A thermostatic valve system ensures consistent temperature, enhances comfort, and brings a hotel-level experience to your daily life.

Sculptural Fixtures: Functional Art

Fixtures have become the jewelry of the bathroom no longer just functional but truly focal. Sleek silhouettes, bold finishes, and sculptural forms turn everyday elements into standout features. Matte black, brushed gold, and gunmetal lead the way, while mixed-metal combinations create dynamic visual contrast.

Designer Tip

Mixing finishes is not only acceptable, it’s encouraged today. Try pairing a matte black faucet with brushed gold accents for visual contrast. Just keep the overall tone and style cohesive.

Integrated Storage: Seamless and Smart

Beauty and function work best when integrated seamlessly. Today’s modern bathrooms are embracing streamlined, clutter-free layouts with smart storage solutions from floating vanities and recessed niches to tech-forward medicine cabinets with defoggers, USB ports, and built-in lighting.

My Designer Tip

Less is more, but smart is essential. Maximize vertical space with tall linen towers or built-ins that keep everything within reach without disrupting the visual flow.

Sustainability with Style

Sustainability is no longer a niche consideration, it’s a design essential. Many home owners are increasingly prioritizing ecoconscious choices such as low-flow faucets, dual-flush toilets, LED lighting, and responsibly sourced or recycled materials. The best part? These choices now go hand-in-hand with high-end aesthetics.

Green design can be sleek, stylish, and completely aligned with luxury living.

Curate with Confidence

The most successful bathroom designs are grounded in personal expression. Whether your style leans clean and modern, bold and eclectic, or somewhere in between, don’t be afraid to mix finishes, materials, or eras. True luxury lies in authenticity, creating a space that feels intentional, curated, and timeless.

At its best, the bathroom becomes more than a room; it becomes an experience. , I believe it’s where function meets feeling: a space where beauty is purposeful, comfort is prioritized, and your vision is fully realized. When designed with care, the bathroom becomes a place of restoration and self-expression, one that quietly elevates the rhythm of everyday life.

Olivia Bailey is the Creative Director and Principal of Olivia Bailey Interiors, a Toronto-based luxury design studio celebrated for its refined, contemporary aesthetic. Olivia is acclaimed for creating highly functional, modern interiors that seamlessly blend elevated design with everyday livability, Serving Toronto, the GTA, across Ontario, and nationally. oliviabaileydesign.com oliviabailey.interiors

Zen Home & Cottage Cleaning Services

“When your environment is clean you feel happy motivated and healthy.”

— Lailah Gifty Akita

Each of us wants our home to feel welcoming, cozy and cleanstudies even show that living in a space that is clean and tidy has positive effects on our mental health and anxiety. Zen Home and Cottage believes that every home, cottage and office is as unique as its owner, and they understand that this also means personalized cleaning needs for different spaces and schedules. Whether it’s a one-time deep clean (think Spring cleaning), a regular cleaning schedule or you are looking for that perfect service to help you keep up with your seasonal rental - Zen Cleaning has services to suit every circumstance, and every budget.

Zen Home and Cleaning Services, a locally owned and operated multi-faceted cleaning business aims to lighten your chore list, whether it be at home, at the office - or at the cottage. Located in Havelock, Ontario, Zen Home and Cottage services a large area; Havelock, Trent Hills, Apsley, North Kawartha and their surrounding areas.

Have you considered having a cleaning service come in, but are unsure about affordability? Zen Home and Cottage offers competitive rates, and packages that are built specifically around your needs. Many consider hiring a cleaning service an investment that allows them more free time to focus on the things that bring joy! Free up a little time, and still have a clean space - one less thing to worry about in the long list of things we stress to accomplish in a day.

Worried about toxic cleaning supplies? Zen Home and Cottage believes that a clean home and a healthy planet go hand-in-hand. Their homemade eco-friendly cleaner, which consists of lemoninfused vinegar, 99% alcohol, water, and essential oils protects the health of everyone who enters your space - even your pets!

Own a Short Term Rental?

Let Zen Home and Cottage look after the details, they come in between bookings to clean and sanitize, change linens (they also have a laundry service!), remove garbage and recycling and refresh your space for the next visitor. Need items in your rental restocked before the next guests arrive? They will even pickup and restock for you. Owner Jena, has thought of everything to make her business a one-stop for managing your short term rental. Her team even offers wellness checks for your property in the offseason for your peace of mind.

So, if you are looking for a service that is truly customer-first, that works around your schedule, protects your health, and leaves your space meticulously clean Jena and her team of expert cleaning staff are the team to call in Cottage Country.

www.zencleaningservices.ca info@zencleaningservices.ca Office - 705-778-2223

14 Mary Street, Unit C, Havelock, Ontario

BUILDER BIO

BIRCHVIEW EXCAVATING

Birchview Excavating is a full service company specializing in unique lakeside excavating and landscaping projects - from mainland to island work they have the equipment, experience and knowledge to complete septic systems, excavation, landscaping, retaining walls, armour stone walls, flagstone, grading & aggregates, demolition and drainage repairs.

Projects are planned with every detail in mind, meeting strict property set back guidelines and building requirements, while still having the ability to make everything come together seamlessly for a beautiful end result.

From simple topsoil and sod, to a complete transformation Birchview Excavating has the tools and skills to make your property stand out. Whether you are in need of a project on an island, or a remote access property they are fully outfitted to work in virtually any location.

Their philosophy - ‘We always take a practical approach with everything we do and strive to deliver our projects on time, on budget and with superior results.'

‘Big or small, we can handle it all.’

Serving Peterborough and The Kawarthas

Birchview Excavating

www.birchviewexcavating.ca

705 652 7084

info@birchviewexcavating.ca

Homeowners get the best result when builders build & designers design

For seasonal residents, you are building a recreational property.

A Four Points Home by Tim + Chris means local partnerships work together to make building in cottage country easier. For locals, you already know our trusted brands and can appreciate how integrity, reputation and word of mouth are the foundation for any successful home or cottage build project.

For the home or cottage owner this means:

• The builder and designer speak a common language

• A builder that understands creative ideas so that expertise is shared

• A paired dynamic to translate homeowner guidance

• A builder and designer relationship built on mutual respect and earned trust

An Integrated Process

“We believe in design that is highly influenced by the client but driven by us” says Chris Van Lierop Principal at Home by Tim + Chris.

“Working with Tim Fosbery and his team has been nothing short of a comfortable relationship that allows our clients to use one product when it comes to sourcing a builder and designer.”

Our partnered approach offers:

• Efficient design - Less design time because we’ve briefed the builder thoroughly

• The most amount of value over the course of your build

• A designer resource for the builder that represents the homeowner

• More detailed project management

Checks and Balances

From a distance, it looks simple however, the literal hundreds of decisions that make-up a well-appointed build, are why you want solutions not problems. The intricacy of this relationship between builder and designer determines how a client’s budget can be optimized. Each project is unique and a connected builder and

designer dynamic means:

• An elevated experience for not only the working teams but ultimately the homeowner

• Checkpoints that assess, refine and finalize the work

• Expertise on both sides that professionally work towards the best solution for one another

Adapting to Change

Adapting to change in the building and design industry is the way forward. The design-build approach may get a homeowner a structurally sound, home or cottage, however the process lacks the balances and checks operationally to make this the sustainable way forward. The process tends to be reactionary, often when it is too late to correct course and too expensive. Design-build cannot offer the elevated experience and sophisticated end result that is often expected in a vacation property or a move from the city to the country, when lifestyle and requirements differ regionally.

The team of Four Points Construction and Home by Tim + Chris are an example of how adapting the approach can benefit both home and cottage owners in the Kawarthas.

Homebytc.ca

Fourpointsconstruction.ca

Burgess Well Drilling

Celebrating 50 Years of Exceptional Service

Water. A necessity of life, and an elemental source of human health and wellbeing. Having access to clean water is essential and tapping into it can be an art - trust Burgess Well Drilling to get the water flowing.

Burgess Well Drilling is a family owned and operated business that began in 1975. Second generation wonder Bill Burgess is proud that there are currently 3 generations of the Burgess Family engaged in the Well Drilling business - he, his Dad, and son Ryan. With a passion for water that spans generations - current owner Bill Burgess, looks forward to passing his trade on to the newest 4th generation, Kai William. The Burgess family has expertise in all types of well drilling, including cable tool air rotary and dual rotary drilling.

They’re service area includes locations in The Kawarthas, and Bancroft to Madoc to Bowmanville and Port Perry.

We all know water problems don’t just happen in fair weather, Burgess Drilling is a year ‘round business that is capable of drilling all winter long, where other companies shut down for the frigid months. Always striving to provide the best well and pump system for every customer, Burgess Well Drilling looks forward to your call - whether it is a new build, or just a new or improved water well - the Burgess Family will ensure a job done with the utmost pride and skill.

“Thank you for trusting us to serve you for the last 50 years. It has been an honour.”

- Bill Burgess

Burgess Well Drilling

705-760-3219

BillBurgessWellDrilling@gmail.com

B.Bright Electric

B.Bright Electric - founded by John Beebe, a Master Electrician with over 17 years of experience - offers electrical services for all kinds of projects.

From new construction to remodelling, residential to commercial and industrial buildings, electric vehicle chargers, hot tubs, service upgrades, landscape lighting, power failures and electrical troubleshooting to generators and transfer switches, John offers a dynamic set of skills.

Light pollution is something many are becoming more familiar with, John has a passion understanding on how to create beautiful, ambient outdoor spaces that are safe, while also considering the impact of light pollution.

Always striving for safety, customer satisfaction and an overall positive experience John believes that quality installations go beyond surface aesthetics. B.Bright Electric designs their systems to be effective for today's demands while being prepared for future changes.

Bright Ideas, Brighter Solutions.

B.Bright Electric www.bbrightelectric.com 705 934 5575 bbrightelectric@gmail.com

The Railing Guy

Adding a sturdy railing to your deck is definitely a standard safety measure, but why not also make it a statement of style!

Aluminum railings, columns, fences, and gates are an attractive and affordable alternative to wood or wrought iron; they are exceptionally solid and tough, offering years of enjoyment with no rotting, no cracking, no rusting, and aluminum doesn’t need to be painted every year.

The Railing Guy is a family-owned company established in 2018, serving property owners in and around Peterborough, Ontario, they are best known for their quick turnaround time, immediate response and exceptional customer service.

Aluminum railings offer a cost effective, maintenance-free look that boasts sleek design and durable build that will last. Adding value and curb appeal with great designs that compliment any property, all while handling the extremes of Canadian weather, temperature, and heavy use with ease.

Consider adding a glass option - great for any location, adding glass panels to your railing provides a clear line of sight to your surroundings, these unobstructed views are great for lakeside properties; or even just those of us who like to sit and watch the sun set from our own cozy deck.

The Railing Guy offers aluminum railings that are designed, manufactured, and fabricated in Canada - unlike many competitors who ship products from overseas. By producing these lines in Canada, The Railing Guy can ensure the highest quality possible to its clientele.

The Best Service at the Best Price! The Railing Guy 705-741-8880 www.therailingguy.ca steven@therailingguy.ca

Overhead Door Company

Overhead doors are an important part of your property’s curb appeal and architecture; and most likely, your overhead door will be a one-time purchase. That’s why it is important to choose a service that offers its customers a diverse selection when making such a purchase. The Overhead Door Company of Peterborough offers its customers the largest selection of doors and accessories in Peterborough and the surrounding area; and it comes with exceptional customer service.

Locally owned and operated for over 42 years, Overhead Door helps to make your property both distinctive and unique, while ensuring that your door system meets your everyday needs with steady performance, durability, style and function.

Whether you are looking for residential, industrial or commercial service, The Overhead Door Company of Peterborough looks forward to serving you. Call them for repairs, or to receive a quote on the perfect overhead door to match not only your aesthetic wants - but your lifestyle needs as well!

High Quality Custom Door Systems - It’s What they do!

Overhead Door Company Peterborough www.overheaddoorptbo.ca

FRESHWATER JELLYFISH

Turns out jellyfish aren’t just found in oceans; they can also be spotted in lakes and rivers - even in Canada. They’re known as Peach Blossom Jellyfish and while they’ve been in some areas for a while, they’re expanding their range.

What Do They Look Like?

Peach Blossom Jellyfish have two forms – the polyp stage and the medusa stage.

Most of their lives are spent as a polyp, easily going unnoticed. Polyps are small, around one to two millimetres in size. They are found near the bottom of lakes and attach themselves to hard surfaces and vegetation. In this stage they reproduce by budding (asexually) and feed on zooplankton. They can survive Canada’s cold winters by becoming dormant.

When water temperatures heat up above 21°C they transform from the polyp stage to the medusa stage. This is when they look like jellyfish and become noticeable. They are bell-shaped and translucent. They are about five to 25 millimetres in diameter and have a whitish or greenish colour. They are found in the water column, and they also feed on zooplankton. They have tentacles, but unlike their saltwater relatives, they do not sting people. In this phase they reproduce sexually and can appear in large numbers that are referred to as a bloom.

Where Are They Found?

They are not native to Canada and are invasive. They are thought to originate from Asia. They are now found on every continent except Antarctica. In Canada, they have been reported in several provinces, including Ontario.

The Future

It is expected that as temperatures warm, Peach Blossom Jellyfish will continue to expand their range.

What Can We Do?

Be sure to clean, drain and dry all equipment before moving to another water body. And if you do see jellyfish floating in your lake, report it to the Ontario Invasive Species Hotline at 1-800-563-7711.

For more information on how you can show your lake some love, visit LoveYourLake.ca. Love Your Lake is a shoreline assessment program developed by the Canadian Wildlife Federation and Watersheds Canada.

Written by Terri-Lee Reid, Freshwater Researcher with the Canadian Wildlife Federation

Less Disruption, More Connection: A New Era of Sustainable Boating

Lake life has always been about connection to nature, to family, and to tradition. Yet the boats that carry us across those waters have often been a source of disruption. Noise, pollution, crashing through water, and disruptive wakes increasingly concern boaters, cottagers, and conservationists alike.

In Ontario, a group of engineers with backgrounds in aerospace technology came together with a fresh idea. After years spent developing autonomous drones for defense, these innovators formed a new company called ENVGO and turned their attention to the challenges of boating. They asked: How can technology reduce environmental impact while improving the experience on the water and shorelines of cottage country?

recreational boats built for fun, safety, and ease of use by anyone meant solving tough technical engineering challenges. And while developing the flight control technology was far from easy, it’s exactly the kind of problem the team, with its deep aerospace roots, was drawn to.

Their solution? A fully electric boat engineered to reduce noise, eliminate emissions and protect delicate shorelines. Called the ENVGO NV1, this is the inaugural product from Ontario-based marine technology company ENVGO. Drawing on their experience designing autonomous drones, the team applied flight control principles to the water, developing a boat that doesn’t just float - it lifts. The NV1 uses hydrofoils, which are submerged wings that raise the hull above the surface, creates a whisper-quiet flight with no wake, no shoreline erosion and zero emissions.

“We didn’t just want to build an electric boat - we wanted to change the experience entirely,” said Paul Masojc, Co-founder and COO of ENVGO. “That meant solving hard problems, like making hydrofoils work in unpredictable conditions and developing flight control systems that anyone could use, not just trained pilots.”

While hydrofoils themselves aren’t new, making them work on

The team began development in 2021, building two early engineering test boats that ultimately led to their inaugural product: the ENVGO NV1. As a Canadian company, much of the testing took place on cold, windwhipped Ontario lakes - conditions that demanded practical, real-world problem-solving. These early trials helped shape a product not for ideal conditions, but for everyday boaters navigating unpredictable, ever-changing waters. Through that process, the team discovered that their autonomous flight control system needed to make 250 real-time adjustments per second to ensure safe, stable, and smooth boating. It was difficult, but the goal was achieved.

Beyond their current offering, what’s especially promising is that ENVGO’s hydrofoiling technology was developed with adaptability in mind, designed to integrate into future models or through industry partnerships that will open the door to a larger shift across the industry: one where lakes globally are enjoyed with less disruption and more care. For cottagers, regulators, and lake communities alike, it marks a significant step toward preserving what matters most: cleaner water, quieter mornings, and a better way to move across the places we love.

Pete Keller is a co-founder of ENVGO, where he leads the company’s vision to transform recreational boating through cutting-edge, sustainable technology.

WANDERING INTO WELLNESS

This Autumn in The Kawarthas

It happens between the opening of the front door and the first step outside. Coolness hits the skin; a clear crispness that smells familiar. Leaves changing and pace slowing can feel like an immediate gateway to the winter months. But, here in The Kawarthas, we savour the fall by welcoming wellness and turning wondering into wandering. We invite you to slow down in this time of transition, to be well your way.

Move Well

When the fast-paced summer fun trickles away, it is easy to lose the desire to adventure outdoors. However, Living well means moving your body, and with 30-degree forecasts behind you, autumn air makes for perfect wandering weather.

The trails in The Kawarthas reveal the breathtaking landscape of fall. Admire the changing leaves and fresh air at Mark S Burnham Park. There, you can wander where your heart takes you, admire the warm palette of the leaves above you and the rocky drumlin fields left behind by the last ice age. Make sure to take a moment to appreciate the world’s oldest sugar maple.

Treat yourself to friendly competition, embrace sweater weather, and head out of a scenic walk with a puzzling twist at Escape Maze. With Outdoor Adventure Trails, you can explore the historic farmland property whilst cracking secret codes. Choose between their pioneer stories or their First Nations stories, made in consultation with Hiawatha First Nation. This immersive puzzle makes these couple of fall hours ones that you’ll never forget.

Eat Well

Rolling farmland as far as the eyes can see and nutritious local produce full as the stomach can eat. Harvest season is the farmers’ market grand finale, where producers and vendors from across this region come together and finish the season strong.

Squash, pumpkins, apples, and more classic fall flavours are waiting to nourish your soul. At Havelock Farmer & Artisan Market, Lakefield Farmers’ Market, and Millbrook Farmers’ Market there is a wide array of local produce, baked goods, and more, made

right here in The Kawarthas. Eating well is about more than a balanced meal - it’s about savouring good ingredients, thoughtfully grown by good people.

Breathe Well

Intentional slowness is a skill, and autumn is just the right season to practice. Down-time and relaxation are key to unwinding and rejuvenating.

Feel a gentle nudge against your palm and discover your own profound connection at The Mane Intent, where the gap between horse and human is bridged. Through the lens of psychotherapy, these special horses are used to promote healing in areas of trauma and stress. This unique approach to therapy invites horses to understand you— sometimes better than you understand yourself.

Sometimes, a massage and a bit of “me time” is what is needed to find the balance you yearn for. Spend a full or half day at Sunshrine Day Spa to escape to a quiet and needed place of relaxation. Facials, massages, pedicures, manicures, and more await you.

Learn Well

Taking space on this land to focus on wellbeing means actively being educated about its history. This fall, make learning a critical step in your journey towards wellbeing.

Orange leaves will whip by your car window on your way to Petroglyphs Provincial Park, home to the largest collection of Indigenous rock carvings in Canada. This site is known as “The Teaching Rocks”, depicting sacred animals and stories. Visit with an interpreter from Curve Lake First Nation at the Learning

Place Visitor Centre and experience all this site has to offer, before its winter hibernation.

Continue your learning journey at Indigenously Infused, where traditional Indigenous knowledge meets modern wellness. The 7 Grandfather Teachings and the 4 Sacred Medicines of the Anishinaabe people are woven into their workshops, where you could make wax candles, medicinal teas, botanical mists, and more. This hands-on learning experience is unlike any other.

Redirection towards wellness is not linear, but in The Kawarthas, we have everything you need to begin, even when beginning is the hardest part. Fall is here to welcome light jackets and hot coffees, to lean into the moments to slow down in a productive way, without coming to a full stop.

By Ivy Morgan, The Kawarthas Tourism

THE GOLDEN HIKE

Where can you find a flat trail which is easy to access and surrounded by pristine habitats? The multi-use Haliburton County Rail Trail checks all the boxes. Running from Kinmount to Haliburton, this public green space brings together history and nature for everyone to enjoy.

Originally constructed in 1874, this railway was a side route of the main line from Port Hope to Midland via Lindsay. Eventually becoming part of the vast Canadian National Railway network, during its heyday in the early 20th century, the Victoria Railway was a busy line. Northbound cars carried goods and guests to summer resorts and southbound cargo included agricultural goods or lumber or logs from the forests of Haliburton. Eventually deemed unprofitable, the line was officially abandoned by the CNR in 1981 and remained vacant and unused until the County of Haliburton purchased it in 1988.

The section of trail between Geeza Road and Howland Junction Road is where the trail swings away from County Road 1 and deep into the bush south of Gelert. A large parking area on Geeza Road is a great spot to access this beautiful section of trail.

Heading south towards Kinmount, the trail starts off like walking in a dark green tunnelthe trail edge is crowded with balsam fir growing thickly in this wet section. A tree viewed with mild disdain by the forestry industry, there is also much to like about this shade tolerant softwood.

To start, it has a sweet aroma which burst out just by rubbing its waxy needles between

your thumb and index finger. For some, this rich resin odour represents the quintessential smell of nature. The balsam’s thick sticky resin flows just under the bark, oozing from nicks in the bark or stored in bulbous bark blisters. This thick, sticky resin makes a great fire starter and is useful as an antiseptic seal for cuts and wounds.

The shady start to the stroll changes to open meadows and wetlands dominated by willow, cattail and open sky. If weather is fortunate, fair weather cumulous clouds add to the colour palette of blue sky and colour changing maples and birches in late September and early October.

Twisted strands of wolf or coyote scat along the trail are a reminder that this trail is more than just a travel corridor for ATVs. snowmobiles, horses, hikers and bikers. The Rail Trail is also a wildlife corridor providing a conduit of easy travel for highly mobile wildlife populations like canines and ungulates and countless other species. Bent grasses and shrubs to the side of the trail also indicate the presence of beavers. Indeed, this section of the rail trail was built through wetlands and the beavers here are not willing to cede any more territory!

The golden part of this walk comes from the proliferation of tamarack trees growing throughout the open meadows and wetlands. Thriving when their feet are wet, tamaracks are deciduous tree wannabes and unlike other cone bearing trees, they drop their needles every year. Before they do, their needles turn an impressive shade ranging from bright yellow to golden brown.

Peaking in mid to late October, tamaracks are tolerated in the sun loving wetland habitats as their willowy branches allow plenty of light to pass through to the plants below. Their needles are soft; they do not need to be tough and waxy like other conifers whose needles need to survive the rigours of winter.

About 3.5 kilometers from the access, a lovely wetland provides a rest stop garnished with an impressive granite stone bench. This open pond is fringed with mostly spruce and white pine; a lone sugar maple glows red on the east shore. Colourful floating hummocks of sphagnum moss grace the open water near the elevated rail bed. This is a good turn around point for an in and back hike.

Hiking further south towards Howland Junction Road, lichen encrusted outcrops and massive white pines dominate the drier upland forests here. Glimpses of the Burnt River can be seen from the ridge on this section of the trail.

As a linear trail, either a shuttle needs to be arranged or you will need to hike out and back. A great social trail, the Rail Trail allows for easy side by side walking. With a variety of habitats to enjoy, including different forest types, open meadows and wetlands, fall colours and the golden glow of tamaracks, the Rail Trial is a wonderful fall hiking option in cottage country.

Submitted by Rick Whitteker. You can find Rick at home in the forest, as a seasoned trail guide, nature writer and passionate wildlife enthusiast in the Haliburton Highlands.

GROWING HEALTHY COMMUNITIES

ONE APPLE AT A TIME

Algoma Orchards, located just outside the town of Newcastle is a 4th generation farm owned and operated by the Kemp family. The Algoma Orchard has grown significantly over the years with their team forging long-term retail partnerships that they hold near and dear to their hearts. As the largest independent apple grower in Canada, Algoma is very proud to call the Clarington region their home.

With 1,500 acres of high density orchards, Algoma makes the most of their growing space; while traditional orchard growing used to be 50 trees per acre - with large umbrella shaped trees; todays farms have 1,400 trees per acre, providing efficiency in growing and harvesting while still exposing the fruit to maximum sunlight which is important for the apples to colour up. An operation this size requires a 250,000 square foot storage and packing facility that employs up to 400 people at peak of harvest. At Algoma they grow 18 varieties of apples that include both Conventional and Organic options; Honey Crisp, Gala, Red Delicious, Ambrosia, McIntosh, Cortland, Smitten, Golden Delicious, Fuji, Empire, and Snowflake. As the largest Organic apple growers in Canada, they also grow Organic Gala, Organic Red Delicious, and Organic Honey Crisp.

Innovation is What Algoma Does Best

Algoma Orchards is one of the most innovative growers in North America, working with plant breeders to bring new greattasting varieties to market. The Snowflake is a great example of innovation. It took Algoma twenty years to develop and bring to commercial volume. Named after the lenticels on the skin that look like snowflakes, the Algoma Snowflake apple offers a crispy, sweet crunch with a complex flavour. The Snowflake has become a Canadian trifecta of success that was not only bred in Canada, but grown exclusively by Algoma Orchards in Canada, with a Canadian name - something to be very proud of!

Celebrating Local

Most Canadian consumers are not aware that local apples

are now available 11 to 12 months a year. This is possible with state of the art controlled atmosphere technology that controls storage temperatures, oxygen and CO2 levels which control the pace of ripening; in the apple business it’s called putting the apples to sleep, until they are ready to pack for retail customers. Algoma is one of the few growers in North America that have six local varieties available for most of the calendar year.

Fresh Pressed Cider

Algoma is also the largest producer of fresh apple cider in Canada, shipping to most major retailers in Canada. If you have had fresh cider, you most likely were tasting Algoma’s fresh pressed apples.

Fresh Market

Apples aren’t all they do! Be sure to stop by the Algoma Fresh Market store located just off the #115 on highway #2. A great place to stop and feast on a fresh deli sandwich and hot soup for lunch, or find everything for your next charcuterie style picnic. While you are there fill your basket with the freshest apples, artisan cheeses, fresh baked goods, dairy items and both fresh and frozen full meal solutions.

Also take the time to browse lots of great gift options throughout the store, and take a little Algoma Orchard home with you!

www.AlgomaOrchards.com

905-987-4961 Open 7 days a week 9AM-5PM 201 Regional Rd 42, Newcastle ON

EASY APPLE TURNOVERS

Apples sautéed in butter and spiced brown sugar, folded up in puff pastry and finished with sparkly sugar and a zig zag of glaze…

INGREDIENTS

1 package puff pastry, defrosted

For the filling:

3 cups Ontario apples, peeled, cored and finely diced

1 tablespoon butter

1/3 cup dark brown sugar

1 teaspoon cinnamon

½ teaspoon kosher salt

2 teaspoons cornstarch

1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar sprinkle fresh nutmeg

For the egg wash:

1 egg

1 ½ teaspoons water

For the glaze:

¼ cup icing sugar

1 teaspoon half & half cream sprinkle of sanding sugar

INSTRUCTIONS

1) Defrost puff pastry following package directions.

2) Prepare filling: Melt butter in a skillet on medium-high heat. Add apples and toss in butter to coat. Cook for 3-5 minutes to soften. Sprinkle with brown sugar, cinnamon and salt and toss or stir in the skillet. Sprinkle with cornstarch followed by apple cider vinegar. Toss and cook until the mixture thickens. Remove from heat and set aside to cool.

3) Preheat oven to 400°F.

4) Prepare turnovers: Whisk egg and water together and set aside. Roll pastry out into a 12-inch square and cut into 4 smaller squares. Add a spoonful of the cooled apple mixture into the bottom right triangular section of each square of dough, leaving about ¼-inch from the edge untouched. Sprinkle filling with nutmeg. Brush egg wash along the edge of the pastry and fold the square over to create a triangle, covering the filling within. Press the edge of the dough together using a fork.

5) Transfer to parchment-lined baking sheet. Cut three small slits onto the top of each turnover. Brush with egg wash and sprinkle with sanding sugar.

6) Transfer to oven and bake for 20 minutes or until top is a light golden colour. Remove from oven and cool for 30 minutes.

7) Glaze turnovers: When turnovers are completely cooled, place the icing sugar and cream into a small bowl and stir thoroughly to combine. Transfer glaze into a piping bag or small storage bag. Snip off a tiny bit of the corner or end of the bag. Squeezing the bag gently, drizzle the glaze in a zig zag pattern by going back and forth over the turnovers.

CRISPY CARAMEL APPLE CRUMBLE

Ontario’s finest MacIntosh and Honeycrisp apples tossed in a salted and spiced caramel sauce, topped with a sweetened crumble of butter, pecans and rolled oats…

INGREDIENTS

3 pounds Ontario apples, such as McIntosh, Honeycrisp or Cortland juice from 1/2 a lemon

For the crumble topping:

1 cup rolled oats

½ cup oat flour or unbleached all-purpose flour

½ cup brown sugar, packed

½ cup pecans, chopped

½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

¼ teaspoon kosher salt

½ cup of butter, chilled and cut into chunks

For the caramel sauce:

4 tablespoons butter

¼ cup cornstarch

¾ cup dark brown sugar, loosely packed

1 teaspoon kosher salt

2 teaspoons cinnamon

¾ cup apple cider

To serve: vanilla ice cream

INSTRUCTIONS

1) Preheat oven to 350°F with rack in the middle position. Grease an 8 x 11-inch baking dish with butter.

2) Prepare apples: Peel and core apples. Cut into 1/4-inch chunks and place into a mediumsized mixing bowl. Squeeze juice from 1/2 a lemon over apples and toss to coat.

3) Prepare crumble topping: Place oats, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, salt and pecans in a bowl and stir together. Add chunks of butter. Using your fingers, rub mixture together until blended and crumbly.

4) Prepare caramel sauce: Melt butter in a small saucepan on medium-high heat. Add cornstarch and stir to combine. Add brown sugar and stir until melted and bubbly. Sprinkle with salt and cinnamon then stir in, followed by apple cider. Continue stirring while the sauce comes to temperature and thickens. Remove from heat. Set aside.

5) Assemble crumble: Pour caramel sauce over apples. Stir gently but thoroughly to fully coat. Transfer apple mixture to prepared baking dish. Sprinkle with crumble topping, spreading it out evenly across the surface.

6) Transfer to oven and bake for 40 minutes or until apples are tender and caramel is bubbling. Remove from oven, leaving crumble to cool for 15 minutes before serving.

7) To serve: Transfer scoops of crumble to small bowls. Top each serving with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream. Serve immediately.

APPLES KING OF THE FRUITS

I admit to being an apple fan, particularly of McIntoshes. No breakfast orange juice for me –apple juice all the way – and there are few things better on a cold winter evening than a mug of hot apple cider!

Apples originated in Central Asia but by 1,500 BC they reached as far as Europe, where they were grown by Egyptians, Romans, Greeks, and Etruscans. The first apples cultivated in Canada were by French settlers in what is now Nova Scotia’s Annapolis Valley, in the early 1600s. Orchards can be found today in most parts of Canada, producing a variety of different apple species.

Apples were a prevalent crop in Northumberland County, Ontario, where I grew up. They were lunchbox staples, handy snacks for children, used in baked desserts (no community supper was complete without an ample supply of apple pies), cooked into apple sauce, stewed, or pressed into juice and cider. Apples also can be dried or frozen for off-season use: warm apple pie or crumble/crisp can sure finish off a meal in fine fashion!

The boys of our hamlet had an unconventional use for wild apples: apple fights! My father built a sturdy treehouse in our backyard, which I, my brother and friends turned into a “fort” with grated windows, a lookout/firing platform on the roof, and a pull-up ladder through a boltable hatch. Inside was a large bin always full of “ammo” from several wild apple trees in the immediate area. Saturdays, or after school, often involved manning the fort ready to repel “enemies” sneaking through the neighbouring yards and fields “on the attack”. When the attackers were in range, they would be met with a hail of hard, inedible projectiles – fire which was returned enthusiastically. Sieges could go on for hours, and ended when ammo ran out, a meal call came, or darkness arrived. Perhaps surprisingly, all of us survived these battles relatively unscathed!

Apple fights are long in my youthful past; today I just eat apples and enjoy them in their various cooked forms. So, here’s to the apple: what I consider the “King of Fruits”!

By: Don Willcock, dwillcock@peterborough.ca

The Peterborough Museum & Archives, 300 Hunter St E, Peterborough,  705-743-5180 www.peterboroughmuseumandarchives.ca

CRAVING A ROAD TRIP?

BLEND A SCENIC COUNTRYSIDE DRIVE WITH LOCAL ART

The 40th Annual Victoria County Studio Tour is a free, self driving art tour that takes place every fall in the Kawartha Lakes region. This is your invitation to get a personal, behind the scenes experience into the creative process and inspiration of 30 local artists at 18 studio locations of your choice. It conveniently takes place over two weekends. Dates for this year are September 27-28 and October 4-5. Studios are open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Kawartha Lakes is a popular cottage destination because of its quaint communities nestled among numerous lakes and natural, rugged scenery and in the fall the leaves are spectacular. Combine this with diverse artistic talent and you have the perfect foundation for a successful and well-established studio tour that offers a unique blend of mediums, something for every taste.

Paul Gray Diamond, a woodturner and wildlife photographer, has been an artist on the tour since 1995. “The high quality of work by our members combined with teamwork and great leadership has carried the tour into this impressive 40-year landmark, not to mention great customer support. Art has a tendency to bring people together and people inspire us to keep creating!” Plan your custom route in three simple ways. Pick up a brochure at local businesses, download a map from the tour website or download Toureka! (a mobile app with an interactive digital brochure).

About Victoria County Studio Tour:

The Victoria County Studio Tour, established in 1985, is celebrating its 40th year anniversary. We are proud of our organization’s solid reputation, longevity and quality in enriching the arts and art experience in the Kawartha Lakes region.

Victoria County Studio Tour victoriacountystudiotour.com

Contact: Kelly Whyte originalsbykellywhyte@outlook.com

THE STUDIO TOUR HALIBURTON HIGHLANDS

October 4-5 & 11-12

The Studio Tour – Haliburton Highlands now in its 38th year! Visit the studios of professional artists and craftspeople in Haliburton County!

The Studio Tour – Haliburton Highlands, one of Canada's longest running studio tours, occurs annually on the first two weekends of October. This year, it will feature 46 artists across 26 studios, making it the largest in its history.

The event provides local artists - some with guest artists – with an opportunity to welcome visitors into their studios. Visitors can observe artistic demonstrations, learn about creative processes, and purchase unique artworks in various media, including textile and fabric art, painting, leatherwork, glasswork, jewellery, photography, quilting, pottery, metal art, ceramics, and more.

For many artists participating in the tour, this is a valuable opportunity to engage directly with their audience and share their passion for their craft. Displaying their work within their studios creates a personalised and immersive experience for visitors, making it an unforgettable event. Many studios are open at other times of the year, but for some, this is your only opportunity to wander through their special space.

Mark your calendars and start planning your route! This self-guided tour extends from Tory Hill in the east to Carnarvon in the west offering visitors the opportunity to observe the autumn foliage of Haliburton County while visiting creative studio spaces located in forests, near lakes, and along country roads.

Pick up a brochure and take advantage of the resources available on our website “thestudiotour.ca” where you can read more about our artists and our sponsors. Check out the Toureka! app (toureka.app) which offers an interactive map with driving directions that will guide you around the Highlands.

Enhance your experience by staying at accommodations within Haliburton County and enjoying regional cuisine at various restaurants along the studio tour route. Including The Boshkung Brewing Company on your itinerary is highly recommended, as it offers a limited release Studio Tour brew that can be incorporated into your visit. Additionally, tastings will be available at select studios.

The Studio Tour artists are ready to welcome you, your family and friends to join them the first two weekends of October.

REVVING UP LOCAL GROWTH: The Benefits of ATV and Dirt Bike Tourism in Kawartha Lakes

The Kawartha Lakes is already well-known for its sparkling lakes, scenic countryside, and small-town charm. But in recent years, another type of visitor has been making tracks—literally. ATV and dirt bike enthusiasts are increasingly choosing Kawartha Lakes as their destination for weekend getaways, organized trail rides, and even longer staycations. The result has been a win-win: riders discover a beautiful and welcoming place to explore, while the community reaps significant economic and social rewards.

Economic Boost for Local Businesses

Every ATV or dirt bike tourist brings more than just their machine— they bring spending power. Riders typically travel with friends or family, stopping for fuel, food, and accommodations. Restaurants, motels, campgrounds, and bed-and-breakfasts all benefit from this steady stream of visitors. Local shops also see sales in gear, parts, and supplies. For rural areas, where tourism can be highly seasonal, ATV and dirt bike riders extend the visitor season into spring and fall, when trails are at their best.

The tourism dollars stay close to home. According to studies in other Ontario regions, the average ATV rider spends hundreds of dollars per trip, much of it in small towns along the trail network. For Kawartha Lakes, where many communities are tightly connected to the trail system, this creates a reliable boost for the local economy.

Community Development and Partnerships

ATV and dirt bike tourism also strengthens community ties. Kawartha ATV Association and Kawartha Off Road Motorcycle Association partner with municipalities and landowners to maintain and expand trail networks. These collaborations not only improve access for riders but also support trail safety, signage, and environmental stewardship. Volunteer hours contributed by local riders equal thousands of dollars’ worth of trail maintenance annually.

Beyond infrastructure, there’s a social benefit: visitors from outside the region often return as repeat guests, creating long-term connections with local businesses and residents. Some even choose to buy cottages or seasonal properties after experiencing the area through trail riding.

Staycations with a Twist

Of course, the benefits aren’t limited to out-of-town visitors. For local residents, ATV and dirt bike staycations are a growing trend. With fuel costs rising and international travel more complex, many Kawartha Lakes residents are discovering that adventure is waiting just beyond their driveway.

A weekend “trail-cation” means exploring new routes, supporting local eateries, and relaxing at nearby lodges or campgrounds without the hassle of airports or long drives. Families with ATVs or dirt bikes can turn an ordinary weekend into a memorable escape while keeping their dollars circulating locally.

Sustainable Adventure for the Future

When responsibly managed, ATV and dirt bike tourism blends adventure with sustainability. Riders gain access to vast networks of trails, forests, and rural roads while respecting the natural environment. This balance ensures that Kawartha Lakes continues to thrive as a destination where outdoor adventure and community well-being go hand in hand.

With its extensive trail system, warm hospitality, and diverse landscapes, Kawartha Lakes is perfectly positioned to continue leading Ontario in ATV and dirt bike tourism. Whether you’re visiting for a weekend ride or staying local for a trail-side staycation, the benefits ripple across the entire community—revving up growth one trail at a time. www.katva.ca

‘Fall’ in Love with Bancroft

The Old Tin Shed

Fall brings Bancroft, Ontario alive with vivid colours, crisp breezes that refresh the soul, and a feeling of cozy contentment. As you drive North amongst the rock and forest of this welcoming Cottage Country town, something about Bancroft settles into your bones - there is a slower pace, and a community feeling that welcomes you.

In your exploration of Bancroft this fall, there are many stops to consider, lots of local restaurants and even a new brewery are ready to welcome you - but I highly encourage you to make one of your stops The Old Tin Shed.

The Old Tin Shed, located in the historic first Catholic Church of Bancroft - originally built in 1852 - is filled to the rafters with things to make your home cozy. With offerings like a variety of candles in delicious scents, handmade soaps, honey, preserves, locally made products, pillows and throws; plus kitchenware, carpets, and linens to brighten your day - The Old Tin Shed has something for everyone. A large clothing section with a variety of fall and winter styles awaits you, and for the DIY enthusiasts, a huge selection of iron hardware such as hooks, handles, brackets and hinges are all stocked . All this, lovingly selected by owners Kathryn and Geoff Webber who take great pride in offering products sourced within 100 mile radius, supporting local artisans and craftsmen.

If you are after antiques, or that perfect piece of furniture to restore, be sure to visit their Antique Barn before it closes at Thanksgiving. As the cooler weather creeps in, Christmas will also start to trickle into the shop - and if you haven’t visited The Old Tin Shed during the peak of their Christmas decorating, you are in for a magical treat as it transforms into the most magical space, complete with twinkling lights, so many Christmas trees and an air of festive cheer.

We invite you to experience all that fall has in store for beautiful Bancroft - take home some magic and that perfect gift you’ve been searching for from The Old Tin Shed.

Come for a visit; and be inspired.  www.theoldtinshed.com

Your Local Heroes: THE UNSEEN CHAMPIONS OF THE KAWARTHA TRAILS

A Tribute to the Volunteers Who Keep Our Outdoor Adventures Alive

In every community, there are those who quietly go above and beyond, driven not by recognition, but by an unwavering commitment to their neighbours, their landscapes, and the spirit of adventure. In the Kawartha region, such unsung heroes don’t wear capes; instead, they don weathered boots, faded ball caps, and the determined expressions of people who know that magic is made, not found.

These are the volunteers of the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC) District 2, individuals whose dedication stretches far beyond the winter months. Whether the ground is blanketed in snow or the summer sun bakes the earth, their devotion to these trails never thaws. Some are retirees, trading the quiet of their golden years for the growl

of a chainsaw. Others are busy with jobs and families, yet carve out precious hours to give back. United by their love of the outdoors and a shared belief in the strength of community, they tackle whatever nature throws at them.

Their work is not merely maintenance—it is stewardship. They understand that every cleared branch, every repaired bridge, and every safe kilometre of trail (over 1600 km) is a gift to residents and visitors alike. When disaster strikes, as it did in the March 2025 ice storm, these volunteers are the first to respond and the last to leave, their resolve undiminished by backbreaking work or biting insects.

Their efforts sustain a thriving tourism economy, supporting jobs and injecting millions into local communities. But ask any

volunteer, and they’ll tell you they do it for something less tangible: the shared smiles of passing riders, the laughter echoing through the pines, the knowledge that they are part of something enduring.

To find out more, you can find information,… https://www.district2ofsc.ca/member-clubs/ buckhorn-district/ https://www.facebook.com/BuckhornDSC/ https://www.district2ofsc.ca/

Wayfinding on Recreational Trails

Last fall, I wrote about motorized recreational trails in the KawarthasHaliburton area. Some are multi-use, others single use and others, seasonal only (e.g. winter snowmobiling). The majority are, in fact, snowmobile trails (about 2,000 kms); with SXS (Side-by-Side) and ATV trails also available.

These use-at-your-own-risk trails have several commonalities. One is connecting communities, while remaining mostly hidden from public view in the backwoods. A second is abundant trail signage, and the story behind these wayfinding aids is remarkable…

Thousands of trail signs mark our ride-friendly motorized recreational trails as a courtesy, convenience, and visual navigation assistance for riders. Without this signage, off-road activity simply wouldn’t be as enjoyable, comfortable or even doable. Yet, trail signs are often overlooked, under-appreciated or taken for granted by trail users – and they are never a substitute for rider knowledge, choice or vigilance.

Types of Signs

Trail signage falls into three main categories: Regulatory (Stop, Stop Ahead; Speed Limit; No Trespassing; etc.). Cautionary (Keep Right; arrows indicating upcoming corners; warnings for hills, bridges ahead; trail closed; etc.). Informational (trail ID; intersection markers; destination/distance to communities & services; map boards; etc.).

Where Do Signs Come From?

Snowmobile trail signs don’t appear by chance. Nor, as in any wilderness environment, is there any assurance or guarantee that

signs will be present at any given time or location. That said, club volunteers strive to instal, maintain, replace, and update them, including the posts that most signs are affixed to. Clubs also run lines of navigation stakes across fields and ice crossing, marking the trail for riders to follow.

Signage Cost

By Craig Nicholson

Trail signs for motorized recreational trails are a considerable expense. It’s estimated that tens of thousands of them exist in Kawarthas-Haliburton, with a total estimated replacement value of up to a million dollars for the physical product.

This cost wouldn’t be this steep if signs were not deliberately vandalized or stolen every year. Signs shot full of holes, knocked down, run over or gone missing. Others damaged by storms, fallen

trees, wildlife, direct sunlight or simply past their best-before date. With both human and nature taking their toll, recreational trail signage is a never-ending task – and expense.

Labour Cost

Now let’s factor labour into the cost equation. Sign replacement value estimates don’t include labour cost (volunteers do it for free, but their time is worth money). In many locations, the effort is a perennial, three-step, labour-intensive undertaking: installation (start of season); removal (end of season); and re-installation (next season). Adding to this workload, any time there’s a damaging storm or in-season meltdown, countless fallen signs and stakes need repositioning again.

How Can Trail Users Help?

Trail users have an important role to play with trail signs. It starts with paying attention to their messages. Next is to treat trail signage with respect by not breaking or riding over them. Also, to grab a photo if possible and report damaged or missing signs to the local club or its volunteers. Finally, don’t be one of those who hangs stolen trail signs as man-cave decor.

Bottom line: the money for signs comes from trail permit revenues, so every dollar wasted fixing and replacing them is one less dollar for maintaining trails!

Other Navigational Aids

That said, signs exist to help, but trail users should always be prepared to do their own wayfinding. That’s where trail apps, GPS, and print maps (where available) are useful. To discover current trail status or conditions, check online trail guides, such as the OFSC’s Interactive Trail Guide. Finally, remember that even if there’s no STOP sign at a road crossing, bring your vehicle to a full and complete stop and look both ways before proceeding!

Craig Nicholson, The Intrepid Snowmobiler, is an International Snowmobile Hall of Fame journalist and a long-time Kawarthas cottager who also provides tips and tour info for snowmobilers at intrepidsnowmobiler.com and for PWC riders at intrepidcottager.com.

Storm Damage CALL TO ACTION

Last spring, back-to-back ice and wind-storms caused power outages throughout the Kawarthas-Haliburton area. They also blocked many recreational trails with fallen trees and branches – and damaged many trail signs. Local snowmobile clubs need lots of extra help this fall to get trails ride-ready again. Lend a hand by contacting:

• Buckhorn & District - buckhorn@district2ofsc.ca

• Haliburton County Snowmobile Association - info@hcsa.ca

• Havelock & District - hdsc-info@district2ofsc.ca

• Kawartha Lakes Snowmobile Club (Fenelon Falls) - klsc@sympatico.ca

• Old Hastings Snow Riders (Bancroft) - ohsrvolunteers@gmail.com

• Paudash Trail Blazers (Apsley) - volunteer@paudashtrailblazers.on.ca

• Stoney Lake Sno Riders - stoneylake@district2ofsc.ca

• Twin Mountains (Bobcaygeon) - twinmountains@district2ofsc.ca

Riverview Park and Zoo’s

Barbary Sheep Supporting Your Senior Pets

Here at Riverview Park and Zoo, one of the highlights for visitors, is our Barbary sheep habitat. These shy creatures can often be seen grazing the grounds or climbing on the rocks. Barbary sheep are native to mountainous regions in North Africa. They can adapt well to dry and harsh environments, like desserts, and can go for long periods of time without water, relying on the moisture from the plants they eat, which includes grass, lichens and shrubs. These animals are very good climbers, as they spend their time high in the mountains.

They rest on high rocky ledges, and are very fast, in order to protect themselves from predators. While Barbary sheep are not currently listed as endangered species, they are vulnerable due to habitat loss and hunting. Barbary sheep typically give birth to one lamb with a gestation period of about five months. These lambs can walk within hours of birth, which is an important skill for survival in the wild.

Speaking of babies, our family of Barbary sheep has grown! Zookeepers and staff are so excited to welcome a brand new addition to the herd. Just over two months old, the baby Barbary sheep is exploring its surroundings under the watch of its parents, Meryl Sheep and Spicy McHaggis, who have been long time members of our zoo family. This is not just an exciting moment for our community, but a valuable contribution to the conservation of this species.

Julia Durbin – Public Educator Riverview Park and Zoo www.riverviewparkandzoo.ca

As your pet ages, you may notice some subtle changes in their activity level, appetite and behaviour. To help your senior pets age gracefully, we recommend annual wellness checks with your pet’s veterinarian, as well as good nutrition, regular exercise, plenty of rest, and of course lots of snuggles.

We love seeing senior pets thrive and believe they deserve to be spoiled! Here are a few items you may want to consider using to keep your senior pets healthy and happy in their golden years.

Keeping their bodies comfy:

• Soft bedding

• Cooling mats

• Soft, easy chew treats

• Raised food/water dishes

• Litter boxes and food/water dishes on one floor for easy access

• Shorter cat trees

• Shallow litter boxes

Keeping their minds sharp:

• Interactive pet puzzles

• Brain Bowls to support brain function, slow-down eating and reduce boredom

• Cognitive Dysfunction Exercises:

• www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/manage-cognitive-decline-in-senior-dogs

Helping with mobility and preventing slips/falls:

• Ensure nails are kept short

• Use carpet runners to prevent slipping on wood and tile floors

• Help ‘Em Up Harness - www.helpemup.com

• Low noise hair trimmers to remove hair from bottom of feet

• Pet ramps for getting in/out of vehicles

• PawFriction – paw adhesive to assist with traction

Please remember, your veterinary team is here to help! If you are at all concerned about your senior pet, please don’t wait for their next annual exam to reach out. We want to help you keep your senior pet as healthy and happy for as long as possible.

Kyla

Registered Veterinary Technician Norwood Veterinary Services

SNACK TIME FOR THE BIRDS: MAKE A BACKYARD FEEDER & BECOME A CITIZEN SCIENTIST

On a crisp autumn day, when leaves crunch underfoot and the air smells like woodsmoke and the apples have ripened, there’s no better time to share a little kindness with our feathered friends. As food becomes scarce, birds visit backyard feeders to supplement their winter diet—and you can help. Even better, you can watch, wonder, and learn as you give.

Even small projects like these are an act of care—and a small step towards becoming a steward of the natural world. And if you take notes, snap photos, and share your findings through citizen science programs like iNaturalist or eBird, you’ll be helping scientists track where birds are, what they eat, and how they survive the changing seasons.

So gather some supplies, step outside, and let’s build a snack station for the birds!

Apple Bird Feeder

You’ll need:

• One large apple

• An apple corer (with adult help)

• Unsalted sunflower seeds

• Four small twigs

• String (about 2 feet long)

Step-by-step:

Wash your apple. With help from an adult, gently remove the core using an apple corer. Press sunflower seeds into the apple, pointy side in, until the surface is covered with tasty treats.

Gently push four twigs into the base of the apple, like legs on a table. These become little perches for visiting birds.

Tie one end of the string around the last twig, then pull the loose end through the hollow core.

Find a sturdy, low-hanging branch and tie your feeder in place.

Step back, watch, and wait. Who will come? A chickadee? A nuthatch? Maybe even a downy woodpecker!

Be a Backyard Bird Detective

Once your feeders are in place, it's time to observe. Bring a notebook or tablet. Sketch what you see. Ask yourself: What kind of birds visit?

How do they behave?

Do different birds come at different times of day?

You can turn your discoveries into real science by submitting observations to iNaturalist or eBird. These free online tools

help scientists track bird populations across the globe. Sometimes, the smallest acts— like hanging a feeder—can open the door to a lifelong connection to the wild.

Submitted by Jacob Rodenburg, Author & Executive Director of Camp Kawartha, an award-winning outdoor education centre and summer camp.

Kids Korner with Kenz Halloween Candy Apples

Fall is coming and what screams fall more than homemade candy apples? Nothing, other then the screaming trick or treaters outside my door!

One of my fondest memories of fall is my mom making her fancy purple candy apples, and I want to share the experience with everyone - an adult should be involved as hot sugar can stick and burn quite easily - be safe!

To start, we’re going to measure out our ingredients. You will need 12 small apples and a candy thermometer. Now measure: 1/2 of a cup of corn syrup, 3 cups white sugar, and 1 cup water into a pot. For the handles, I went around and picked some witchy-looking sticks out of the yard.

Start by washing your apples (and sticks) with warm water so the candy coating will stick.

Remove the stems from your apples and poke the sticks into the centre of each apple.

Bring your sugar mixture to a boil - once boiling, place your candy thermometer in the mixture - make sure it’s not touching the bottom or it won't give an accurate measure of the temperature of the liquid. Continue to boil to 300 degrees; stirring continuously.

Once it hits 300 degrees, you're on crunch time. Add the colouring of your choice - make sure you add lots! Tip: tilt your pot to the side and roll your apples over multiple times in the candy coating, you want the candy coating to be quite thick, then quickly transport your apples to a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Repeat this with each of your apples, and decorate with sprinkles - the candy hardens quickly, so time is of the essence for decorating!

2025 TURKEY TROT

The annual Fenelon Falls Turkey Trot is coming around again for another year.

Time to get out those fancy new running shoes and get ready for this fun Thanksgiving weekend run/walk event.

This is family fun run/walk on Saturday October 11th 10 am at Garnet Graham Park on the shores of Cameron Lake Fenelon Falls Ontario.

The distance options are 5k and 10k for youth and adults and a 1k for kids and families.

All participants will receive a custom bib# with their name, along with a high quality cotton t-shirt, wooded finishers medal, post race massage and light lunch.

Lots of great music and a lively atmosphere.

There will be cash prizes totalling $3700 for the top three male and female runners in the 5k and 10k events. There are also five lovely gift baskets for the top fundraiser, best volunteer, best costume, most dedicated and come from away.

Age group medals will be awarded to the top three in five year age groups from age 13 to 80+.

The Thanksgiving weekend is great time to visit Fenelon Falls.

Come for the run, stay for the quaint shops, restaurants and fall colours.

Register today at www.fenelonfallsturkeytrot.ca