Cottage Country Summer 2025

COTTAGE Something for Everyone!

COUNTRY Lifestyle

CONTENTS

July/August 2025

Home & Cottage

12 Dive Into the Season at Bigleys Shoes and Clothing

15 A Sleek New Standard in Siding - Monaghan Lumber

16 Staycation the Canadian Way - Lockside

18 A Canadian Lakeside Escape - The Trace

21 Paddle Up

22 Backyard Living

25 Making Your Dream a Reality - Lindsay Design Centre

27 Bear Lake Lookout

30 Purchasing Seasonal Property

31 Is it OK to Bathe in the Lake?

Get Outdoors

28 Reviving the Guide

33 Blades of Glory

Recipes

36 Weekend at the Cottage Recipes

Daytripping

38 Daytripping

40 Farms & Flavours in The Kawarthas

43 Heritage Pavilion

44 The Tradition of Empire Cheese

45 ATVing in the Kawarthas

46 Summer Fun On Kawartha Waterways

48 Anstruther Marina in the Heart of Cottage Country

51 Plan Your Next Adventure in the Haliburton Highlands

52 Wanderlight Alpaca Experience

53 Connections in the Garden

55 Rolling Grape Vineyard

56 Home Away From Home

57 Kawartha Arts Festival

58 The Thrill of Cricket Trills

63 Hutchison House Museum

Kids Korner with Kenz

64 Friendship Bracelets For Your Hair

Pets & Vets

64 Riverview Park and Zoo's Conservation Exhibit

65 Summer Toxin Safety

18

28

15

48

55

36

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 4 705-313-2245 www.cottage.rocks

Published 6 times a year by Cottage Country Lifestyle Magazine Inc., 705-313-2245, PO Box 8, Buckhorn ON K0L 1J0.

Distributed by Canada Post Publications Mail (to Cottages, Homes & Businesses) and distributed to over 100 drop locations. Also promoted and viewed Online and on Social Media. In Print, Online and on Social. Copyright 1994-2025. All rights reserved.

WELCOME TO THE SUMMER ISSUE

Pink sunset, warm breeze, the smell of rain on the horizon - fireflies dance, and the cozy crackle of the campfire pops and hisses at your feet; it’s summer in Cottage Country.

There is nothing like the peak of summer in Cottage Country, we live and play in one of the most beautiful landscapes of Canada. We spend our weekends driving away from the city, heading toward the woods and the abundant lakes, and rivers of Cottage Country - embracing the culture that comes with cottaging in Ontario; a culture based on the small towns and communities that have stood around our lakes for generations.

There is nothing better than a hot summers day spent in, on, or beside a lake. Whether you’re visiting a beach, spending a day cruising the locks of the Trent Severn Waterway, visiting friends & family, lounging in the sandbar with a floaty and a drink in hand, skimming across the water on skis, tubes, kite boards, or wakeboards, or just enjoying a view of the lake as you read a favourite book - life around our lakes is a key ingredient to the pace of life in Cottage Country - especially in the summer months. Everyone here in July & August is on ‘lake time’, emails wait a little longer, the phone might be ignored a little easier, one more night spent on vacation after you’re supposed to go home sounds very inviting. The call of the lake is louder than the daily hustleJuly and August in Cottage Country feel full of magic, like the sparklers and fireworks of Canada Day set it all in motion - hang the ‘out of office’ sign, soak up the vitamin D - The Lake is Calling…

Welcome to the summer issue of Cottage Country Lifestyle Magazine, we like to think life in the summer months here in Cottage Country is a little more fluid, exploratory and, well, fun!

Did you know the population of Cottage Country almost doubles

every weekend in the next two months? Whether you are a visitor to this great region, or you enjoy living the Canadian, cottage-town life year ‘round, we like to think we put together an issue each time that appeals to both; so read this issue and then share it with a friend - we are thankful for your word of mouth.

Sometimes as residents we forget how great our own backyard is, how diverse and natural the landscapes in the surrounding counties can be - even in as little as an hour drive away. We encourage you to explore, wander the many unique shops, museums, restaurants, accommodations, resorts and events that wait to welcome you.

‘Its summer and time for wandering…’ - Kellie Elmore

Fishing, Recipes, Kids Crafts, PWC & ATV Riding, Pets, Design, Day Tripping, Conservation, Real Estate - it’s all in these pages! If you are a returning reader, find content from our regular contributors, Jacob Rodenburg - Camp Kawartha, Mike Fitzgerald - Omnivore Culture, Terri Lee Reid - Love Your Lake, Mike Williams - Williams Outfitters, Mike Quesnelle - GOAT Angling, Craig Nicholson - The Intrepid Cottager and Rick Whitteker - Wilderness Guide, Peterborough Zoo, Norwood Veterinary - we are thankful for our community of Cottage Country Voices.

Have something you want to see in our pages? Drop us a suggestion - cottagecountryemily@gmail.com

Have you followed us on Social yet? www.instagram.com/cottage.country.magazine  www.facebook.com/YourCottageLifestyleMagazine www.threads.net/@cottage.country.magazine  www.pinterest.ca/yourcottage

Dive Into the Season at Bigley Shoes and Clothing

As the sun blazes brighter and the days grow longer, summer 2025 is in full swing, bringing a wave of fresh energy and vibrant style to our wardrobes. Nestled in the heart of cottage country, Bigley Shoes and Clothing is your ultimate summer shopping destination, boasting 11 stores filled with footwear, clothing, and swimwear for men, women, and kids. And if you're planning your perfect summer getaway, Bigley’s Beach House offers over 25,000 swimsuits to choose from—something for everyone!

A Summer of Style and Sun

Whether you’re gearing up for weekend adventures, beach days, or simply soaking up the sunshine, we have the perfect styles designed to keep you cool, comfortable, and chic. This season, we’re embracing two standout trends that are perfect for the heat and the laid-back vibe of summer: soft pastels and nauticalinspired styles.

Soft Pastels: A Breath of Summer Freshness

Nothing says summer like soft, soothing hues. From blush pinks to powder blues, pastel shades are taking centre stage this season. These gentle colours evoke a sense of calm and elegance, making them perfect for everything from casual outings to more polished looks. Pair a pastel linen shirt with white shorts for a breezy, sophisticated vibe, or choose a soft pink sundress for a charming daytime look. Our footwear collection includes pastel sneakers and sandals that add a subtle pop of colour while remaining versatile and comfortable—ideal for long summer strolls in the sunshine.

Nautical-Inspired Styles: Sailing Into Summer

Nautical fashion remains a timeless summer favourite, and 2025’s take on the trend is all about modern, fresh twists on maritime classics. Think navy and white stripes, crisp whites, sailor collars, and touches of gold hardware. Whether you’re lounging by the lake or enjoying a seaside

dinner, nautical-inspired pieces bring a chic, effortless vibe to your wardrobe. Our selection includes stylish striped tops, sailor-inspired dresses, and accessories that perfectly capture this maritime aesthetic. Complete your look with nautical-themed footwear—think boat shoes and striped espadrilles— that are both stylish and practical for summer adventures.

Swimwear Galore: Over 25,000 Options

Looking to update your swimwear collection? Our beach house is a paradise for swimsuit lovers, offering over 25,000 options that cater to every style, size, and preference. Whether you're into classic one-pieces, trendy bikinis, or sporty tankinis, we have something to make you feel confident and fabulous. And for the little ones, we’ve got a fantastic selection of kids’ swimwear, ensuring everyone can enjoy summer in style.

Family-Friendly Shopping in the Heart of Cottage Country

With 11 stores, Bigley Shoes and Clothing is more than just a shopping destination—it's a summer hub for families, friends, and everyone in between.

From stylish footwear and casual clothing to swimwear for all ages, we’re here to help you make the most of your summer adventures.

So, whether you're heading to the beach, exploring cottage country, or simply enjoying the sunshine, make Bigley Shoes and Clothing your go-to spot for summer style. Dive into the season with us and discover the perfect look for every sunny moment!

Bigley Shoes and Clothing

35-45 & 50 Bolton St. Bobcaygeon www.bigleyshoes.com

A Sleek New Standard in Siding Now

at Monaghan Lumber

Canadian-engineered FastPlank™ brings modern curb appeal to Cottage Country

Cottage season is in full swing, and whether you’re building a custom retreat by the lake or refreshing your home in town, your siding matters — not just for looks, but for lasting value. That’s why we’re proud to introduce FastPlank™, a cutting-edge aluminium siding system now available at Monaghan Lumber.

Built in Canada and designed with the needs of modern builders and homeowners in mind, FastPlank™ offers the warm, natural look of wood — with none of the upkeep. Its powder-coated, woodgrain-embossed finish provides lasting beauty that won’t warp, fade, or require repainting. It’s siding that stands up to the elements, year after year.

Why Builders, Homeowners, and Designers Love FastPlank™

Whether you're working on a custom cottage, a modern family home, or a standout commercial build, FastPlank™ delivers a winning combination of durability, design, and ease of installation.

Built for Canada’s varied climate, FastPlank™ performs through hot summers, deep freezes, and everything in between. Its noncombustible aluminum construction won’t warp, crack, or attract pests, while the powder-coated woodgrain finish keeps its rich, natural look for years — with virtually no maintenance.

The patented Clip & Slide™ system simplifies installation and reduces labour time, making it a smart choice for contractors and custom

builders. With versatile horizontal or vertical applications, a range of modern profiles and tones, and compatibility with continuous insulation systems, FastPlank™ offers unmatched flexibility for designforward projects and energy-conscious builds alike.

From rugged waterfront cottages to sleek urban facades, FastPlank™ makes a lasting impression — and it’s now available right here at Monaghan Lumber.

See the Difference at Monaghan Lumber

As your trusted local supplier in Peterborough, Monaghan Lumber is proud to be one of Ontario’s select dealers offering this innovative, Canadian-made product. Our team is here to help with expert guidance, samples, and support — whether you're sourcing materials for a build, consulting on a renovation, or planning your dream cottage.

We offer reliable delivery throughout Central Ontario and beyond, making it easy to get quality materials to your site — whether you're working in town, along the lake, or deep in cottage country.

Come see FastPlank™ for yourself in our showroom, or explore more online.

Helping you build with confidence — with the right products, and the right people.

Monaghan Lumber Specialties, 2129 Davis Road, Peterborough, ON, 705-742-9353, www.monaghanlumber.com Mon–Fri: 7am–5pm & Sat: 8am–12pm

Staycation the Canadian Way

Support Local & Canadian Made with Lockside

With many of us wanting to spend more time at Home in Canada, we instinctively want to improve our surroundings and perhaps are inspired to refresh our living space inside and outside. What better way to do that than with Lockside’s Save the Tax on All Canadian Made Furniture Orders, plus receive our Interior Design Service complimentary with your purchase. This is a service that is worth hundreds of dollars for FREE!

Lockside Trading Company is more than just shopping… it’s your one stop shop year-round. A way of life since 1987, it’s the place where friends and family have been meeting for years. Making it the destination in Peterborough, the Kawarthas, and the Haliburton Highlands.

Having three shopping locations to serve you; one in Young’s Point in the heart of the Kawarthas offering over 7,000 sq. feet of shopping, the second location downtown Haliburton with over 5,000 sq. feet, or if you prefer to do your shopping from the comfort of your home or cottage, Lockside’s third location – our online store - is there for your convenience, helping serve you from anywhere.

Each location offers you a one-of-a-kind shopping experience with an eclectic mix of home décor - helping create a living space to sit back, relax, and entertain in throughout the year. Selections are constantly changing throughout the seasons, offering a multitude of choices from indoor and outdoor furniture, lighting, bedding, giftware, casual clothing and so much more! Not to mention Steamers Cafe & Icecream Parlor at the Young’s Point location, offering the famous Kawartha Dairy Ice-cream in our homemade waffle cones! The perfect summer treat.

Lockside has always been dedicated to supporting Canadians by offering Canadian Made products at great pricing. Specializing in custom Canadian made furniture with quality for Canadians by Canadians. Shopping locally and buying Canadian made has never been more important, especially during these times. By supporting your community, and fellow Canadians, we make our country stronger. Where you spend your money affects us all; this means both money spent in-store & on-line.

As a multi-award-winning retailer Lockside sets itself apart with top-

notch service from the beginning of your shopping experience to the end - from buying the right light - to helping you with turnkey projects. Offering a successful Interior Design Service that covers everything for your home, cottage, and commercial space. Including in-store, on-site and virtual consultations, we work with customers, giving direction and confidence to make dreams a reality. With qualified staff and quality products, Lockside caters to customers on any budget, in any location, with any look and style right down to the last detail, including building floor plans, colour, and fabric selections.

Lockside takes pride in offering 90% of our in-house furniture made right here by Canadian Manufacturers at incredibly competitive pricing. Whereas most interior design services source out, and purchase items imported from international corporations like Wayfair, Home Sense, and Ikea. Now is the time to finally put the spotlight on our Canadian Companies and local Small Businesses.

At Lockside we understand that many of you are trying your best to make a difference, and we all greatly appreciate it. It’s a change that needs to happen and stay.

Please visit www.lockside.com and email us at shop@lockside.com or call us at 1-888-714-0484 for more information.

A Canadian Lakeside Escape

The Trace

Tucked away in the heart of Ontario’s iconic lake country, The Trace is a sophisticated and modern wellness resort for adults who know the importance of pausing, now and then, to refuel so that they can live fully. Founded on the belief that rest is not a luxury but a necessity, The Trace was created to offer a kind of hospitality that feels both effortless and personal.

Located on beautiful spring-fed Oak Lake with over 1,100 feet of pristine waterfront, The Trace features 11 private Cabins and 10 spacious Townhouse-Chalets on a 5-acre peninsulano matter which part of the resort you stay, you are only steps away from the water. Oak Lake offers a quiet retreat boasting an uncrowded shoreline, and minimal boat traffic - making it perfect for days spent floating in the crystal clear, weedfree water along the rock bottom shore. If you seek a little adventure, the West side of the lake is uninhabited Crown Land, total wilderness awaits and can be accessed with a 30 minute paddle.

When you aren’t lounging by the lake, enjoy use of many amenities; a cedar sauna followed by a refreshing cold plunge or bucket shower, outdoor fire pits - perfect for cozy evenings. Lawn games, board games, a ping pong table, golfing cage and a selection of vinyl records and books are also provided to enhance your stay. Embrace the quiet of the lake and participate in dockside yoga on weekends. The main waterfront has two very large communal docks, and several cottages provide private docks for a direct line to the lake. Canoes, paddle boards, kayaks and a pedal boat are all provided for guest use, as well as a small fleet of rental fishing boats (soon to include a 21’ Pontoon). Oak Lake is not too big to navigate comfortably by paddle, nor too small to enjoy by motorboat and the slow pace of traffic makes it a great way to see resident wildlife while out on the water.

At The Trace, nature does a lot of the heavy lifting by delivering serene lake mornings, fresh air, and starry skies. But it's the

thoughtful design and laid-back warmth that turn a stay at The Trace into something more meaningful. Whether you come to hike, paddle, read, reconnect, or simply exist in the moment, The Trace offers guests an unforgettable grounding experience, rooted in nature with space to reset, allowing them to return to their lives feeling like the best version of themselves.

With their mission firmly anchored in the wellness of slowing down, The Trace was conceptualized from a dated family fishing camp, and since 2019 has blossomed into a modern retreat curated with iconic Canadian cottage charm in mind. The Trace at Oak Lake is a brand shaped around simplicity, warm hospitality, nature and waterfor adults who need days enjoyed at their own pace. The surroundings at The Trace encourage one to slow down, both mentally and physically.

What sets The Trace apart from other locations is their intentional focus on keeping things private and relaxed. Designed for adult clientele, with limited occupancy this boutique-style lakeside retreat aims to create a guest experience that doesn’t feel rushed, loud or crowded. The Trace offers a peaceful connection with natural surroundings while emphasizing the soul-soothing benefits of time spent in the woods; the smell of the lake seeping into your senses, a light breeze rustling through green leaves while waves lap at the shore - creating a natural, soothing white noise that your nervous system will thank you for.

With a mission to share one of Canada’s greatest gifts - its lakeside landscape - The Trace is redefining what it means to escape. Experience this restorative retreat for yourself this summer, and leave feeling lighter - It’s not about checking out; it’s about tapping in. To joy. To calm. To yourself.

www.thetrace.ca

46 Fire Rte 65A, Havelock, ON info@thetrace.ca

Paddle Up

Sometimes in the throes of those uncomfortable August nights, there’s a near-overwhelming urge to slide the little green canoe into the water and paddle up the river, which by now has almost no current thanks to the old damn down toward town. It’s muggy and stale, and the evening belongs to the bonfire’s glow and mosquitoes that show up in droves, thirsty for their fill. If I put the canoe in the water now, there’s little chance that I’ll have to worry about boats because everyone is winding down for the night and have been for some time.

From the river, if I paddle quiet enough, it’s possible to pick up the soft murmur of voices inside cottages, maybe playing cards and swilling down tasty drinks, or reminiscing of Kawartha cottage memories from times long since past with friends or family long since gone.

I’ll pass the mouth of the creek with the iron bridge that the trailer park kids love to jump from and glide effortlessly past the year-round residents on the east side of the bank, now within sight of the narrows where the lake funnels into the river. Once I’m there, I’ll fight what little current chugs through there, past the four cottages set hundreds of feet from the water with their giant manicured lawns which always baffles me; why escape from home where you have to cut grass, only to come to the cottage and…have to cut grass?

I’m approaching the sandbar now – you’ve got a pretty good idea which body of water I’m on by now – and once I’m on top of it, I’ll drive the paddle into the sand, momentarily stepping into the soup-warm water before continuing on. Somewhere down the lake I can hear the drone of a motor buzzing across the water

in a location unseen, and frankly I’ll be more than content to keep it that way. Even though they’re all the way over there and I’m all the way over here, they still seem too close, too loud, and too invasive to the experience.

There’s just enough light bouncing off the surface of the water from the last of the suns’ glow to betray the presence of tens of thousands of mayflies hatching, flying vertically before becoming completely spent and crashing to the waters’ surface where, without a doubt in my mind, bass and maybe even some sneaky walleye will make a meal out of them. They’ll also inevitably end up on the side of every cottage, shed, garage and bunkie near the water with a light on.

The paddle slices through the now-oily looking water without so much as a sound, the canoe cutting across the far end of the sandbar while the big dipper makes its presence known above, a crescent moon rising out of the tops of red pines and cedars. It’s here that I stop, point the bow of the canoe back the way that I came, and put the paddle down.

For a few moments, I lay down on the bottom of the canoe and stare up while the rest of the lake goes to sleep, and for those few brief moments while the choir of critters along the shore sings their tune, the lake is mine.

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

WHY PERGOLAS ARE REDEFINING BACKYARD LIVING IN CANADA

The Design Feature That’s Transforming Outdoor Spaces

Summer is finally here, and Canadians are embracing the outdoors like never before. At the heart of this seasonal shift? The pergola. Once considered purely decorative, pergolas have become essential elements of modern outdoor design, offering structure, shade, and style in one sleek package. From compact city patios to expansive country yards, they’re changing the way we live outside.

But pergolas are more than just a large design trend—they reflect a broader movement toward making outdoor spaces true extensions of our homes. By defining “rooms” without enclosing walls, pergolas create functional, beautiful zones for lounging, dining, and connecting with nature.

The All-in-One Outdoor Upgrade

At its core, a pergola is a simple structure: vertical posts topped with horizontal beams. But don’t let the simplicity fool you. Whether

it’s shading an alfresco dining area, framing a cozy lounge, or elevating an outdoor kitchen, pergolas deliver architectural impact with practical benefits.

What makes them stand out is their versatility. Available in materials like cedar, aluminum, vinyl, and fiberglass, pergolas can be customized to suit any style, from rustic retreat to contemporary build. High-tech models now include retractable canopies and motorized louvers, giving homeowners precise control over sunlight, airflow, and privacy.

Choosing the Right Pergola Wood: Classic and warm, but requires upkeep—think staining, sealing, and monitoring for wear.

Aluminum: A top choice in Canada for its durability, rust resistance, and low

maintenance. Powder-coated finishes offer a clean, modern aesthetic and pair beautifully with features like LED lighting, smart sensors, and motorized louvers.

Vinyl: Budget-friendly and easy to maintain, but it offers limited customization.

Fiberglass: Strong and flexible—ideal for larger or custom-shaped pergolas, though it comes at a higher price point.

PRO TIP:

Plan Ahead. Consider sun angles, wind exposure, and proximity to features like fire pits or hot tubs. Strategic placement ensures year-round useability.

Built for Canadian Living Canadian-made systems like notable brand Suncoast Enclosures, take things a step further. Engineered to handle the country's

harshest weather, their premium aluminum pergolas offer adjustable slats, integrated drainage, and smart-home features. Add LED lighting, radiant heaters, and motorized louvers for true four-season comfort.

These aren’t just shade structures—they’re smart, adaptable outdoor rooms that support everything from midday Zoom calls to evening dinner parties.

PRO TIP:

Use your pergola as a transitional zone—connecting the indoor ease of a sunroom with the open-air freedom of your backyard. It’s the perfect flow for modern indoor-outdoor living.

When planning your outdoor space, it’s important to think beyond just the immediate upgrades you’re making. If you’re anticipating additions like an outdoor kitchen, hot tub, or a dedicated entertainment area in the future, choosing a pergola style that can seamlessly integrate with these features is key. Opting for a design that allows for easy customization or expansion down the road can save you time, money, and hassle later on. By incorporating adaptable elements now, like electrical outlets, reinforced posts, or adjustable beams, you’ll create a space that can grow with your needs without the need for costly renovations or complete overhauls. Planning ensures your pergola remains functional, stylish, and versatile, no matter how your outdoor space evolves.

PRO TIP:

Think Vertically. Maximize space and ambiance by incorporating vertical elements like hanging lights, planters, or privacy screens. This adds dimension, improves privacy, and makes even small patios feel like lush retreats.

A Smart Investment

Pergolas do more than enhance outdoor living—they boost property value by increasing curb appeal and useable space. Whether for entertaining, relaxing, or just enjoying the breeze, they turn backyards into personal retreats.

There’s something special about stepping outside into a space that feels distinctly your own. For Canadians, those warm summer months are golden, which makes investing in the outdoors not just practical but deeply meaningful.

This summer, open the doors, step outside, and stay awhile.

You don’t have to go far to feel at home.

Credit: Evelyn Eshun is the founder of Toronto-based award-winning design firm Evelyn Eshun Design, renowned and respected for her thoughtfully designed projects. www.evelyneshun.com

www.suncoastenclosures.com

Making Your Dream a Reality The Lindsay Design Centre

Located in the heart of the Kawarthas, the Lindsay Design Centre has one main goal; to make your dream home a reality.

Being a part of the Home Hardware family makes them a trusted destination among the community, and creating a relationship with each client who walks into the showroom is key. Getting to be a part of a home transformation is such a privilege, especially the kitchen, as it’s often referred to as the heart of the home.

The vision for each person’s home is so unique, and each designer looks forward to understanding that vision, and creating a space that reflects just that. The spaces created are often inspired by the nature that surrounds us in cottage country, whether you’re on the water, surrounded by forest or within one of the vibrant towns throughout the Kawarthas.

By showcasing rich colours, natural wood & large windows to invite the environment around us in, your home can truly become an oasis. It can often be difficult to know where to begin when it comes to a home renovation, so being able to lean on reliable people with years of experience and a passion for the industry is just what you need. The Lindsay Design Centre staff are there to see the project through from start to finish, with someone there to take the stress away and make the renovation as enjoyable as possible. Their showroom includes displays to help inspire, as well as a wide variety of samples ranging from flooring, countertops, cabinetry & even exterior finishes. Being able to see and feel the finishes that are going into your home is pivotal to ensuring your home brings you comfort. Whether you’re planning a complete custom home build or simply a new front door, this will be your ideal destination.

Throughout their 10+ years in business, the Lindsay Design Centre has had the opportunity to see so many dream homes become a reality. They look forward to continuing on with this goal, whatever your vision may be.

Lindsay Design Centre www.kawarthahomehardware.ca/our-stores/lindsay-design-centre 2912 Hwy 35 South, Lindsay 705-320-9888

BEAR LAKE LOOKOUT

In the northern part of cottage country, the scenery turns dramatic. The best evidence of this is on Bear Lake where a spectacular vista and beautiful waterfalls lie in proximity, a tandem testimonial to the stunning landscape of the Algonquin Highlands in Haliburton County.

To get to Bear Lake, first you must travel to Livingston Lake, located about 20 km north-east of Dorset. The public access is off Livingston Lake Road where a right turn at the Algonquin Park- Hollow River- Dividing Lake sign will take you to a quaint provincial park access point. There is room for about three cars… if you are considerate. The launch is very paddle craft friendly.

Livingstone Lake is surrounded by hills rising steeply from its banks. The deep green of conifer dominated knolls and seams adds variety to the hills of maple dominated forest. Along the east shore of Livingstone, there is an impressive 50-foot rock wall. Trying to image what this rock went through in its creation, it looks like a blender malfunctioned halfway through its formation as twists of black rock are woven into the granite face telling the story of incredible heat, movement, and pressure resulting in this unique configuration.

Stopping for lunch on a wooden bridge over a creek running between Livingstone and Bear Lakes, we watched two flycatchers hunting in the open skies over the creek.

Quick sorties are the flycatchers’ modus operandi, darting out from their strategic perch, returning quickly to a nearby branch.

The 300-meter portage from Livingstone to Bear Lake is along a gravel road. Bear Lake is narrow with several deep bays; there is an unmarked but obvious trailhead on the east shore. Looking at the rock face rising abruptly here causes in a little voice in my head to ask, “am I going to hike up that?” The sight of this monolith gets the heart racing before even setting a foot on the trail!

The well trodden trail to the top is a steep but short, about 20 minutes with a few short rest stops. This trail is dominated by mature pines, hemlock, spruce, and oak. On our trip, we found a bizarre plant that goes by aliases such as ghost flower and corpse plant, the Indian pipe is pale, opaque, waxy looking plant with no green to be seen.

Preferring rich, acidic soils, Indian pipe parasitizes sugar from underground fungal mycelium, fuelling its growth without the need of chlorophyll and photosynthesis. This subversive strategy allows the plant to grow in the shadiest sections of the forest, appearing like crooked, ghostly fingers rising from the dark forest floor. Turning black when damaged and oozing a gooey liquid when picked, this plant would fall into the “weird” classification of plant taxonomy, if there was such a classification.

Like most challenging hikes, the reward is worth the effort! On this sunny day, the hues of lake and sky-blue mix with cumulous clouds and rolling hills of green resulting in an awe-inspiring viewpoint. Lush wetlands, a waterfall, Livingstone Lake, and the breadth of Bear Lake can all be seen from this impressive height of land. With no rails or safety signs, care must be taken here.

The final stop on this paddle daytrip is a visit to a nearby waterfalls. A short paddle from the vista trailhead, the waterfalls is set back about 100 meters from the lakeside. The top of the falls has flat lip with only open sky beyond. Rock hopping and scrambling up the smooth, dry rock beside the main flow is irresistible; it is so compelling to see what is feeding the falls. Smooth rocks below the falls provides a great picnic spot to simultaneously enjoy lake views, the sounds of the falls and a shallow swimming hole.

As the intensity of the sun fades, a relaxed state settles into our paddling rhythm back to car. A full afternoon of exploring and exercise, it is well worth the trip north. Like the irresistibility of scrambling to the top of the waterfall, we feel compelled to stop at Kawartha Dairy in Minden on our way home, a cool, creamy treat to end a great day paddle 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.

REVIVING THE GUIDE

For over a century local guides have been taking visitors fishing in this region. Many of the area resorts that are now family vacation destinations began as fishing camps. The owners often hired the local natives to guide their clients as many of them knew the lakes like the back of their hands. They would paddle in canoes many miles in a day trolling weed-lines for Bass and Muskellunge to ensure their trips were successful. They would provide shore lunches that included the catch of the day along with staples like potatoes, fry bread and beans. American tourists travelled many miles year after year to come fish our bountiful waters and pay big money for these experiences.

Times have changed, most of the lodges and camps that remain in operation cater to family vacations, host weddings and such. They had to adapt to stay in business as the clientele has changed. You do not see as many American tourists in the area over the last decade or two, due to economic situations, world politics and the pandemic. However, some things have not changed here, the beautiful scenery, abundant fishing resources, and the fishing guides. Many guides and charter services still operate in

the area and although boats, technology and equipment may have changed, they are still providing unforgettable fishing experiences just like back then. Most outfitters offer full, and half day fishing adventures for everyone from the beginner angler, new to the sport or interested in the experience, to the most experienced angler looking to maximize their time on the water. Guides will customize your trip to suit your needs, from father and son getaways to big corporate groups and you can still find some that provide the shore lunch experience.

Guided fishing trips make the ultimate gift for birthdays, Christmas, and everything in between. So, next time you visit the area take advantage of the knowledge of a local guide, book a fishing adventure and do your part to help revive the guide!!

Happy Fishing see you on the water!!

Your Guide, Mike Williams Williams Outfitters www.williamsoutfitters.com

PURCHASING SEASONAL PROPERTY

Are you looking to purchase a seasonal home for vacations or summertime? These days, when travel outside of Canada may not be as appealing, it certainly makes sense to find a ‘staycation’ place of your own. Here’s a few things to think about that will help you to feel a bit more educated in seasonal living, and what to think about when purchasing.

Firstly, geography plays a big part. If you are planning on heading out after work on a long weekend, or any weekend for that matter; keep your time and mileage in mind and always plan for a bit of “cottage traffic’. An hour from the GTA may be unrealistic for some, and acceptable for others.

Check with your lender. Some finance companies and banks have different rules when it comes to the amount of your down payment and interest rates for seasonal properties. Some have clear cut rules regarding square footage, building details, and areas to be financed.  if you are/pre-approved in the city, the rules could change a bit when looking at a three season cottage.

Educate yourself in septic and water systems. These are commonplace to rural homes and cottages, but could be foreign territory to new cottage buyers who are used to city life. Septic systems are not to be feared, but to be respected. Common sense applies, and a few changes will be made in what does and does NOT go in the toilet. Water supply can be from private wells, communal wells, or often from the lake; so, If you are planning an occasional winter trip to the cottage, perhaps a heated line is in order - otherwise, know how to drain your system to avoid frozen pipes when you are not there. There are filtration systems for each type and some lenders will require a potable water certificate.

Reputable local realtors who know the area are very familiar with the rules and regulations of specific cottage areas. Use their knowledge to your advantage and ask questions. Is your shoreline owned? Or is it an unowned shoreline? Do you know the rules for removing weeds and natural shorelines on the land you wish to buy and enjoy? Do you know the Parks Canada, ORCA, or MNR rules for docks in your area? Do you know the municipal building guidelines for additions, bunkies, secondary suites? Does your prospective cottage live on a private road, maintained by a cottage association? Cost? These are all questions a local realtor can answer!

An educated buyer is a happy buyer, let a local realtor help you navigate the nuances of buying a three season property vs. a home in the city. Having a seasonal residence to escape to could be heavenly, not doing your homework… the “other”.

Submitted By: Jo Pillon, Realtor®️

Royal LePage Frank Real Estate Brokerage 705-875-4958 direct

IS IT OK TO BATHE IN THE LAKE?

Simply put – no, we should not be bathing in our lakes!

Turns out soap – even those labeled as biodegradable – can impact lake water and the living things that call the lake home including microorganisms, plants and animals. If something is labeled as biodegradable, it typically means it will break down within six months under the right conditions, although it could take longer. And what are the right conditions? One condition that is needed for soap to biodegrade properly is soil. Biodegradable soap is therefore not fully biodegradable in water, something that often comes as a surprise to many people.

While soap may be labeled as biodegradable, eco-friendly, natural or non-toxic, it still leaves behind ingredients that are not naturally found in

our lakes. These ingredients can degrade water quality and impact aquatic life. For instance, detergents in soap can break the surface tension of water which makes it difficult for water striders and other organisms to move along the water’s surface.

You may think it’s fine, you only bathe in the lake a few times a year, how much of an impact can it really have? However, you’re not alone. It doesn’t take long for the impacts of several people bathing in a lake to accumulate and impact the water not only for the plants and animals in the lake but for people too – water people use to swim, fish and play in. And for some people, it’s even the source of their drinking water.

Let’s keep our bathing out of our lakes! 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

BLADES OF GLORY

It's hard to say how it happens.

Those old reliable "go to" baits that never seemed to let us down, the ones that would always catch a fish, even when the going got tough. Now, somehow relegated to the depths of our tackle boxes, rusty and dusty, tangled amongst an array of other forgotten lures and shoved into the darkest corner. The lowly Spinnerbait may just be one of those lures sitting in your tackle box, but fear not, the Spinnerbait is just as good as it always was.

Most anglers are familiar with Spinnerbaits, but for those of you who are not, it's actually a fairly simple lure. Spinnerbaits are made from a wire shaped like an open safety pin, at one end, there are usually one or two blades which spin freely, the other end has a weighted head with a hook and in most cases a silicone skirt that emulates the body of a baitfish. When the lure is retrieved, the spinning blades flash seductively and create vibrations in the water that mimic small baitfish swimming. I would argue that it's probably the most versatile, artificial bait, ever used by recreational and tournament anglers, Depending on the shape of the blades and the weight of the head, spinnerbaits can be effective throughout the entire water column, one just has to understand how the combinations work.

It's all about the blades

Spinnerbaits are available with many different blade shapes and sizes, but for most anglers, two styles are all that's needed, Colorado and Willowleaf.

The Colorado blade is shaped very similar to the end of a teaspoon. It has a wide, rounded profile with a deep cup. The blade will displace a lot of water when it rotates which creates more vibration in the water than other types of blades. The vibration is sensed by fish through their lateral lines and allows

fish to pinpoint the location of the lure even in stained or dirty water. This style of blade creates so much drag in the water that it needs to be retrieved slowly, making it ideal for cold water applications or when fish are not as willing to chase a bait. I prefer to use baits equipped with a single large Colorado blade which allows me to slow the bait down and crawl it along the bottom if necessary while still keeping the blade turning.

Willowleaf blades are longer and narrower than Colorado blades with a shape similar to a willow leaf. These types of blades create less vibration but more flash, which makes them highly effective in clear water. The shape of the blades allow the lure to be retrieved at a higher rate of speed and I like to use them when I target aggressive feeding fish. When buying baits equipped with Willowleaf blades I always get the double bladed variety. It will produce way more flash and still allow the bait to be retrieved quickly.

Colour and Size Selection

There are no steadfast rules when it comes to size and colour but here are the combinations I have had a lot of success throwing. I like Colorado blades in Silver and Brass finishes with white, or white/yellow skirts. I also have a few with darker skirts, like blue/black that I utilize when I'm faced with really stained or dirty water conditions. 1/4oz and 3/8oz sizes cover most situations.

I don't think I own a single Willowleaf spinnerbait that isn't equipped with 2 blades. I have a preference for white blades paired with a white skirt for most of my fishing but I will throw Silver bladed baits in very clear water as I feel it more accurately represents the flash of baitfish fleeing in the water column. I like to maintain a very fast retrieve with this style of Spinnerbait so I utilize 1/2oz and 3/4oz sizes. There is really no special equipment required

when you fish a Spinnerbait, I would mention though, whether you like to use a Spinning or Baitcasting outfit, choose a rod with a fast action. Spinnerbaits are great at catching but there is nothing aerodynamic about its design. The extra flex in these rods will allow you to get more distance when you cast. Many times the bait will "helicopter" through the air drastically reducing the distance you can throw it from the boat so a good rod is crucial.

So my friends, get digging in those tackle boxes I'm sure you won't be sorry. It's time to revive those old Blades of Glory!

Good Luck and get outside!

Mike Quesnelle, GOAT Angling Adventures www.goatanglingadventures.ca (705) 934-1450

Congratulations to the 2024 PKHBA

Housing Design Award Winners

Gold Winners

ACM Designs Inc.

• Renovator of the Year

• Any Room

•

(Over 3,500 sq ft)

Silver Winners

ACM Designs

• Any Room • Commercial Project

• Kitchen Under $50,000

• Renovations

Bronze Winners

STRAWBERRY ETON MESS

Billowy meringues nestled in with whipped cream and fresh Ontario strawberries…

INGREDIENTS

For the meringue:

4 egg whites

½ teaspoon cream of tartar

pinch of kosher salt

1 cup granulated sugar

¼ cup icing sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the strawberries:

4 cups fresh strawberries, rinsed and sliced

¼ cup granulated sugar

2 ounces orange juice

Serve with whipped cream

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Prepare the meringues: Preheat oven to 250°F. Stir egg whites, cream of tartar and a pinch of salt together in the bowl of a stand mixer. Run the machine on a moderate setting until the whites become light and foamy. Increase speed to high and add granulated sugar one tablespoon at a time. Mix in the extract. Add the icing sugar 1 tablespoon at a time. The meringue is done when the whipped eggs hold stiff peaks. Remove bowl from mixer.

2. Bake meringues: Place 8 equal-sized dollops of the meringue onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving a ½-inch space between each. Immediately transfer to oven and bake undisturbed for 1 hour. Do not open the oven at the 1 hour mark; simply turn the oven off and leave the meringues to cool within. Remove after the second hour and proceed with the recipe.

3. Prepare the strawberries: Reserve ½ cup of strawberries to be used later as garnish. Place remaining berries into a medium-sized bowl and sprinkle with sugar and orange juice. Gently mash the berries and stir to combine.

4. Assemble dessert: Place a dollop of berry mixture into dessert bowls or glasses. Gently crumble 1 meringue into larger pieces and place half the quantity into the dish. Add a small dollop of whipped cream followed by a few spoonfuls of berry mixture. Add a few whole berries as well. Repeat by adding more meringue, whipped cream, and berries. Garnish the top with the final smaller pieces of meringue, a tiny bit of whipped cream, a drop of the raspberry mixture and a few whole berries. Add a sprig of mint, if you have it. Serve immediately.

FRENCH ONION HASH BROWNS

Grated potatoes tossed with caramelized onions, garlic, an egg and two cheeses, then oven-baked crispy…

INGREDIENTS

1 650 g (22 oz) package frozen hash browns, thawed

2 tablespoons butter, divided

2 tablespoons olive oil, divided

1 small white onion, halved and thinly sliced

2 garlic cloves, finely minced

½ teaspoon sugar

1 egg, whisked

1 cup Gruyère

½ cup cheddar

sprinkle kosher salt

sprinkle black pepper

CHOPPED PARSLEY TO GARNISH

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Lined a large baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. Transfer thawed potatoes into a clean dish towel. Squeeze off liquid, if any. Transfer to a large bowl.

3. Mix cheeses in a separate bowl.

4. Caramelize onion: Heat 1 tablespoon oil in medium skillet over moderate heat. Add 1 tablespoon butter and melt. Add onion and garlic and toss to combine. Sprinkle with sugar, toss and continue to cook until softened and lightly brown, about 10 minutes.

5. Hash brown mixture: Transfer onions to bowl with potatoes. Return skillet to stovetop add remaining oil and butter swirling until butter melts. Drizzle over potatoes and onion mixture, toss to combine.

6. Add whisked egg and 1 cup of cheese plus a sprinkle each of kosher salt and pepper then toss to combine.

7. Spill mixture onto baking sheet, spreading it out into an even layer, without pressing down. Top with remaining cheese.

8. Transfer to oven and bake for 30 minutes until cheese bubbles and potatoes are golden brown.

9. To serve: Sprinkle with chopped parsley. Cut into squares using a sharp knife or pizza cutter. Serve immediately with eggs and bacon for breakfast, or as a side dish next to a favourite main course.

Welcome to Cottage Country Summer Daytripping Feature

The Iconic Canadian Cottage Country Region is rich in towns, cities, hamlets, villages and communities filled with local treats, one-of-a-kind hospitality, events and experiences that will ignite your curiosity and excite your sense of adventure.

Around every twist and turn of our country roads, residents and business owners are busy creating truly unique experiences for those of us looking to embrace the culture and pace of Cottage Country. Parallel to none are our vast hiking trails, serene lakes and rivers, festivals, conservation areas, campgrounds, trailer parks, restaurants, accommodations and shopping.

As the population of Cottage Country expands during the summer months, so does our industry; outdoor concerts, markets, and community events are happening every day; seasonal businesses have flung open their doors to welcome folks visiting from near and far to enjoy lake-life and the culture of Ontario cottaging.

Every stop along the roads of Cottage Country will uncover hidden

gems, spectacular settings, creative flavours and a bustling and vibrant artistic community. The character of many a main street in Cottage Country is specifically reliant on the innovative ideas of those who spend all year here; we live it, we breath it - we know you will fall in love with the charm and warmth of our region.

Whether you are looking for something to fill a day, a weekend - or a week - there are so many distinctive destinations waiting for you to fall in love with the sounds, smells, and tastes of Cottage Country. No matter your budget, there is a Bed and Breakfast, Resort, Inn, Airbnb, Cottage Rental or Campsite awaiting your arrival.

We invite you to travel the area we call home; stop in every small town dotting the countryside - you never know what you will find; not to brag - but you will definitely find the friendliest people!

Don’t forget to slow down, and enjoy every glorious Cottage Country sunset - try watching it from a new perspective every evening, and if you can, experience the way your soul sighs as the sun lowers below the blue of a Cottage Country lake. If you wait patiently and let the night sounds creep into your senses, the moon will rise and the stars will shine over our beloved lake country - and you will see the magic for yourself.

Have an event or business you think we should highlight? Email us! CottageCountryEmily@gmail.com

Farms & Flavours in The Kawarthas WHERE THE LAND FEEDS THE SOUL:

There’s a certain kind of magic that unfolds when the first bite of something fresh tells a deeper story—of soil tended with care, of hands that know the land, of traditions passed down through generations. In The Kawarthas, that magic isn’t rare. It’s rooted in the way food is grown, shared, and celebrated. From sun-warmed berries picked by hand to farmstead cheeses and pastureraised meats, every flavour is grounded in integrity and shaped by the people who call this place home. Here, farms nourish more than appetite. They offer an invitation to slow down, savour the season, and reconnect with the source of it all.

At Millen + Smith Acres, the joy of spring is embodied in the playful antics of piglets and the gentle curiosity of lambs, welcoming you to experience the rhythms of farm life firsthand. For a truly special encounter with nature’s gentlest souls, Wanderlight Alpaca offers an unforgettable experience. Stroll among the friendly alpacas, whose soft fleece and calm demeanor make every visit a peaceful escape.

In the warm summer sun, fields begin to blush with ripening strawberries. At McLean Berry Farm, families and foodlovers alike return to the rows each year.

Not just to pick berries, but to participate in something timeless. The warmth of the sun, baskets of fresh fruit, juice staining your fingertips; this simple ritual marks the start of a season that celebrates taste, touch, and time well spent. As the vines begin to stir, Rolling Grape Vineyard reopens its hilltop patio, where panoramic views pair perfectly with bold wines and woodfired pizzas. To the north, Kawartha Country Wines offers something entirely its own. Fruit wines, ciders, and preserves crafted with local produce, alongside a charming tasting room, a hidden gem waiting to be found.

As the days stretch and the sun warms, The Kawarthas enters a season of abundance. The four regional farmers’ and community markets—in Lakefield, Havelock, Millbrook, and Norwood—become weekly rituals, each one offering a curated experience with lasting local connections. Baskets overflow with heirloom tomatoes, sweet corn, and fresh herbs. Artisans offer hand-poured candles, freshly baked bread, and carefully crafted preserves. These are the places where conversations matter, where origin is a point of pride, and where every purchase tells a story.

Just beyond the market stalls, the farms themselves welcome you in. At Harley Farms, regenerative agriculture isn’t just a practice, it’s a philosophy. Here, ethical animal care and thoughtful land stewardship intersect, resulting in pasture-raised meats, vibrant produce, and a sense of pride that can be shared by the producer and consumer. That same spirit of care and connection continues into the kitchens and wine cellars of The Kawarthas. Cheeky Duck Vineyard offers elegant wines crafted with minimal intervention and maximum respect for the earth. Home to a Michelin-trained chef, their patio opens up onto rows of vines, inviting you to savour every moment with all your senses. Further south on shores of Rice Lake, Elmhirst’s Resort brings the farm-to-table ethos to life through their Elmhirst’s Own program. The resort sources nearly everything it serves from its own farm and gardens, from pasture-raised beef to heirloom vegetables and honey harvested just steps from your cabin.

As the air sharpens and the leaves begin to turn, The Kawarthas bursts into colour and harvest celebration. Fields are coloured with pumpkins, orchards rich with apples, and families gather once again for the joy of the harvest.

At Leahy’s Farm Market, the flavours of fall are gathered with gratitude. Crisp apples, savoury pies, warm conversation, and the comfort of returning to a place that feels familiar and alive. Close by, the Norwood Fair, an iconic Thanksgiving weekend tradition for over 150 years, welcomes thousands with a heartfelt blend of rural pride and old-fashioned fun. Livestock shows, art exhibits, an expansive midway, and animal exhibitions pay tribute to the enduring legacy of farming and community. Here, autumn is more than a season - it is the grand finale of another fruitful year that honours the land’s generosity, before it settles into winter’s rest.

All year round, The Kawarthas tells a story rooted in the land. Written through changing seasons, fresh harvests, and the dedicated hands that plant, tend, and gather with care. Here, the land feeds more than your appetite. It feeds your sense of place, your desire for authenticity, and your love of sharing something beautiful with the people who matter most. Let this be the season you follow the rhythm of the land and discover just how deeply it can nourish your soul.

Submitted By: The Kawarthas Tourism www.thekawarthas.ca

Photo Credits: Peterborough County Tourism

ASHBURNHAM MEMORIAL PARK’S HERITAGE PAVILION

Anyone who has visited the Peterborough Museum & Archives, viewed the surrounding countryside from the Armour Hill lookout, used the playground, or walked in Ashburnham Memorial Park likely has noticed the large, wooden structure just north of the Museum. You may have attended one or more event and activity held in this “Heritage Pavilion” during the three decades it has stood on Armour Hill.

Although the Pavilion has a history at its present site, it began life in another part of Peterborough with another purpose: as the town’s second Methodist chapel, at the northwest corner of McDonnel Street and George streets.

Built in 1843 to serve Peterborough’s growing Methodist congregation, it replaced a small frame chapel constructed in 1837. The new timber-frame stuccoed chapel was located just south of the original one. In 1875, a larger brick and stone church (then George Street Methodist, currently Emmanuel United) was constructed on the northeast corner of George and McDonnel. The old chapel served as the Parish Hall and Sunday School for several years before being converted into a brick-clad apartment house (525-527 George Street North).

In 1996, the neighbouring owners proposed to demolish the post-and-beam building to expand their parking lot. The City of Peterborough bought the salvaged massive white pine timbers and roof trusses, then contracted a professional timber-framing company to re-purpose them into the Heritage Pavilion.

The timbers were erected in 1997-98 – with some modification of the original chapel arrangement – to create an open-sided, fullroofed structure approximately 40 feet wide, 60 feet long, and

12 feet high. At first it had a gravel “floor”, but now has a poured concrete slab. It has electrical outlets and lights. In the summer season there are picnic tables in situ, which can be removed and replaced by up to 200 chairs.

Over the years, the Heritage Pavilion has been used for picnics and barbeques, weddings, church services, community events, Museum purposes, a “medieval” market, outdoor theatre and movies – and one funeral “wake”! The Pavilion continues to be a central part of Ashburnham Memorial Park today, and will be for many years to come.

Don Willcock dwillcock@peterborough.ca

To book the Heritage Pavilion, contact the Recreation Division of the City of Peterborough at 705-742-7777 ext 1826, or toll-free at 1-855-738-3755 ext 1826.

THE TRADITION of Empire Cheese

Empire Cheese Co-operative in Campbellford, Ontario has roots that date back to 1876. At that time, Cheese Factories were commonplace; farmers would deliver their excess milk via horse and wagon to be made into cheese, so these factories were located every couple of miles in rural areas.

In 1952, the neighbouring cheese factory, Kimberly Cheese burned down and instead of rebuilding, they amalgamated its members and the members of Empire Cheese and a new plant was built in its current location. In 2003, the factory expanded to add a new storefront to the existing building. Since that time, regular upgrades have consistently been made to comply with all modern environmental, health, and accessibility standards.

Empire Cheese is a farmer owned co-operative, which means all members of the co-op must hold milk quota, and be a working dairy farm. If a family decides to retire and sell off their dairy quota, they relinquish their shares in the cheese factory as well. At its conception, Empire had over 40 members holding ownership in the factory. Today there are eight families who together own Empire Cheese.

Empire Cheese is sold in their factory store (along with a lovely selection of specialty food items to compliment) and distributed to over 300 businesses stretching from the east side of the GTA to Ottawa.

All of the cheeses manufactured at Empire are made traditionally in open-style vats with only whole milk, culture, microbial enzyme (to coagulate the milk) and salt. Colour may be added, depending on the product being made, as well as other ingredients to create a selection of flavourful cheeses for every palette.

As a must-stop location in Trent Hills, Empire Cheese in Campbellford invites you to visit them for the best in local cheeses! Fresh curd is made daily from Tuesday to Saturday, and is perfect for a road trip snack; find a thoughtful gift basket for a hostess gift, and finish off the visit with a nice big Kawartha Dairy ice cream cone.

Open 7 Days/Week!

8am-5pm Monday – Saturday 9am-5pm on Sunday 1120 County Road 8, Campbellford, ON 705-653-3187

Fundraising? Empire Cheese can also be sold as a fundraising tool to

DISCOVERING NATURE TOGETHER:

ATVing in the Kawarthas Brings Families

& All

Abilities Outdoors

In the heart of Ontario, the Kawarthas offer more than just stunning lakes and lush forests—they provide a gateway for families to connect with nature through the thrill of ATVing. With the support of the Kawartha ATV Association (KATVA), this sport has become a powerful way to bring generations together and open the outdoors to people of all mobility levels.

ATVing isn’t just about revving engines or muddy trails. For many families, it’s about creating memories that span all ages. Parents, grandparents, and children can all ride together through the scenic Kawartha trails, enjoying peaceful forest paths, winding through rugged terrain, and pausing at lookouts that showcase the region’s natural beauty. With well-marked, multi-use trails that vary in difficulty, riders of different experience levels can find routes that suit them. KATVA helps make it all possible, maintaining the trails and promoting safe, responsible riding for families year-round.

But the benefits of ATVing in the Kawarthas extend beyond recreation—it also creates access for those who might otherwise be left behind. For individuals with mobility challenges, walking trails or hiking paths can be difficult or even impossible to navigate. With the use of ATVs and side-by-sides, nature becomes accessible once more. The trails, many of which are wide and gently sloped, offer people with disabilities the opportunity to experience the sights, sounds, and fresh air of the outdoors without barriers.

KATVA is a proud advocate for inclusive access, and the terrain in the region is well-suited to adaptive riding. Whether it’s a family member in a wheelchair who can ride along in a side-by-side or someone with limited stamina using an ATV to reach a lakeside picnic spot, these vehicles make the outdoors truly welcoming. In many cases, specially equipped ATVs with ergonomic controls or additional support features are used to enhance independence and comfort.

Trail riding with KATVA isn’t just about the destination—it’s about the experience: stopping for a snack at a trailhead shelter, pointing out deer tracks with your kids, or simply sharing a quiet moment in the woods with someone you love. It’s also a chance to teach younger generations about trail etiquette, environmental stewardship, and community spirit. For families and individuals alike, ATVing offers a unique blend of adventure and connection.

In the Kawarthas, the trail is wide open—for every family, every ability, and every memory yet to be made.

Kawartha ATV Association PO Box 21, Lindsay 705 328 0931 www.katva.ca

Summer Fun On Kawartha Waterways

By Craig Nicholson

It’s summer in our Kawarthas playground and, as boaters know, there’s no better way to spend it than cruising our gorgeous lakes and rivers. In fact, my favourite personal watercraft (PWC) rides are on the Trent Severn Waterway, widely recognized as “one of the finest interconnected systems of navigation in the world”.

Work crews constructed the Trent-Severn Waterway piecemeal over 87 years, from 1833 to 1920. With 106 kilometres or so of manmade channel, the remainder follows natural existing watercourses, albeit considerably altered by dredging and flooding to achieve navigability.

The system provides connections to 134 lakes along its 386-kilometer length via 44 various manmade devices for transporting recreational boats through the Waterway’s 183-metre range of elevation. These include the first and second highest lift locks in the world, two flight locks and one marine railway. I explored the entire system one summer on a 5-day overnighting journey from Trenton to Georgian Bay. But mostly, I do day-rides on the Trent-Severn Waterway – and you can too!

PWC day riders have multiple choices for self-guided tours, ranging from relatively protected rivers routes for windy days to wide-open lake running for calmer days. Here are a few recommendations to get you started:

River Ride

Otonabee River: One of my favourite windy-day choices is the return ride on the Otonabee River from Peterborough to Rice Lake. On blustery days, we turn around without entering Rice Lake and go back to Peterborough because wind-whipped waves on the Lake can be brutal.

While at Peterborough’s Little Lake, I recommend making the time to go through the Ashburnam Lock 20 to ride up and down on the unique Peterborough Lift Lock 21. Just stay in the lift lock when it rises to the top and come back down with it – the view alone is well worth the experience.

Distance: 60 km round trip

Locks: 1 (Scott’s Mils, Lock 19)

Launch: Roger’s Park public boat launch (Little Lake, Peterborough Fuel: Peterborough Marina (Little Lake)

Lake Ride

Otonabee River/Rice Lake: Days when there’s not much wind mean smoother waters on the lakes and more riding options, such as extending the Otonabee River ride by including Rice Lake and following the Trent River into Hastings. This adds a total of at least 40 kms compared to only riding the Otonabee and adds no more locks. Fuel is available at several marinas on Rice Lake. For an even

longer day ride, go through the lock at Hastings and follow the Trent River to Healy Falls and back.

Lower Buckhorn Lake to Sturgeon Lake: This heart of the Kawarthas day ride starts at Burleigh Falls and goes west to Fenelon Falls and back. Instead of just sticking to the main channel you can extend your riding distance by exploring any of the various lakes on route – Lower Buckhorn, Buckhorn, Pigeon or Sturgeon.

Distance: 130+ kms round trip (if you follow the main channel navigation markers all the way)

Locks: 3 (Lovesick Lock 30 / Buckhorn Lock 31 / Bobcaygeon Lock 32}

Launch: west side of Burleigh Falls Lock 28 (parking)

Fuel: Marinas on every lake

For a longer day-ride, add side trips onto the connected Chemong, Little Bald and Big Bald Lakes. Or go farther west through Fenelon Falls Lock 34 to discover Cameron and Balsam Lakes. Cottages dot the shorelines of all the lakes on this ride and make for interesting sight-seeing. But remember to stay at least 30 metres out from shore or slow right down to 10 km/hr if riding closer to shore.

Kawartha Lakes Cruising Tips

When planning your ride, be sure to take these factors into account:

checking out daily open and closing times for the locks; allowing enough time to go thru all locks en route (on both the outbound and inbound parts of your ride); arriving at the last lock on your ride before it closes for the day; fuelling up before you go and carrying a LinQ™ caddy with extra fuel; building in time to stop for lunch and fuel along the way.

In my experience the best Kawarthas PWC riding is from Healy Falls in the east to Balsam Lake in the west. Beyond these two locations, the Trent Severn Waterway tends to be slower going, with more locks, tighter channels and controlled speed zones.

In one ride, you won’t discover all the Trent Severn Waterway has to offer in Kawarthas. But so what? You’ve got all summer to check it out!

Contact Info

Trent Severn Waterway: https://parks.canada.ca/lhn-nhs/on/trentsevern/ visit/posteeclusage-lockstation

Ride Articles: https://intrepidcottager.com/

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.

Photo credit Allan Glanfield Caption: Riding the Otonabee River

ANSTRUTHER MARINA in the Heart of Cottage Country

Is there anything in Cottage Country that screams summer more than a day on the lake?

Sun beaming down, waves on the lake lapping at the side of the boat as you jump in the cool lake, laughing with family and friends - a day on the water is a perfect way of spending a summer day locally, especially with our abundance of lakes, and the lock system of the Trent Severn Waterway.

Anstruther Marina, likely best known as your local Kawasaki, Legend and Mercury dealer along the Hwy 28 corridor into Apsley, wants to get you and your crew out on the water and stocks everything to make this summer the best yet in their accessible showroom.

- or deck, at home or at the trailer is a solid pastime of the warmer months. Whether you are hosting family for dinner, friends for drinks or just plain watching the clouds go by C.R. Plastics furniture offers a comfortable, durable way to enjoy your outdoor activities.

Think comfort. Summer is outside time here in Canada for most residents, despite fighting with the swarms of mosquitos outdoors is preferred this time of year and sitting on the dock

100% Canadian, C.R. Plastics is Anstruther Marinas solid line of outdoor recycled plastic furniture with UV stabilized colouring will add personality to your outdoor spaces for years to come.

Looking for fun out on the lake?

Whether you have a cottage, live on a lake, are planning day trips to the beach, or even launching your boat on a different lake each weekend,

Anstruther Marina wants to pump up the fun-factor. Shop their location for Kayaks, Stand Up Paddle Boards, tow-behind tubes and water toys, Connelly Brand Waterskis and Wakeboards and more - they literally have something to match every level of fun - from beginner, to the seasoned lake-lover! Shop a generous selection of toys that

make getting out on the water the full experience.

Safety on your mind? Anstruther Marina carries a large selection of accessories for both you and your boat; lifejackets, bumpers, tow ropes, lights, boat safety kits and more!

If it’s power sports you have in mind, stop into the showroom to chat. With well known brands like Kawasaki, Mercury and Canadian boat brand Legend - known for their v-hull boats as well as many models of Pontoon and Tritoon boats, big enough for the whole family, but still powerful enough to tow the tube! The team at Anstruther Marina wants to help you find the perfect JetSki, ATV, side by side, or boat you’ve been dreaming of - they even have their own full line of 72V lithium ACE golf carts! Plus their knowledgable staff are happy to guide you through a seamless purchase so you can get out there and enjoy your new toy. Don’t forget to check out all the accessories for your new purchase while you are there.

Anstruther Marinas other location at the lake (9KM from their showroom) is a full service marina right on Anstruther Lake, offering custom dock builds as well as boat winterizing, delivery and storage. The lake location has a full service gas dock, private boat launch, general needs cottage store and big huge ice cream cones made with local Kawartha Dairy ice cream.

www.anstrutherlakemarina.com

Sales: 705 655 5555

Lakeside Marina: 705 656 4783 Showroom - 11 McFadden Rd., Apsley ON

PLAN YOUR NEXT ADVENTURE in the Haliburton Highlands

Looking for an escape that is nearby but feels like it’s worlds away? Want to explore your own backyard this summer? Discover the picturesque Haliburton Highlands, a destination that is wildly Canadian and yet wonderfully close.

The Haliburton Highlands embody the very essence of Canada’s natural beauty and creative spirit. Each day offers new opportunities to discover the region—stroll through charming boutiques and cafés, explore vibrant farmers' markets, enjoy a meal crafted from locally sourced ingredients, or take part in events and outdoor adventures that reflect the character and energy of this unique part of Canada.

This region boasts more than 500 lakes, providing a stunning backdrop for recreational activities such as swimming, paddling, boating, and peaceful floating. Whether you seek tranquil solitude or lively waterfront gatherings, the Haliburton Highlands deliver an experience that supports local businesses and strengthens the tourism economy across Ontario and beyond.

With over 2,000 kilometres of recreational trails—motorized and nonmotorized, on both land and water—there is no shortage of space to explore. These trails range from routes near bustling villages to more remote wilderness paths, offering visitors a genuine connection to Canada’s rich natural environment.

Complementing its outdoor splendour, the Highlands are also home

to a thriving arts and culture scene. Music, live entertainment, and fine arts flourish here. From the internationally recognized Highlands Opera Studio to the celebrated Highlands Summer Festival, you will find world-class performances and a wealth of musical and theatrical talent across the county. Many venues support local performers and cultural entrepreneurs, contributing meaningfully to Canada’s creative economy.

The area also features the esteemed Haliburton School of Art + Design, a cornerstone of arts education in the country. Throughout the summer, the school offers a wide range of learning experiences—from comprehensive certificate programs to short creative workshops—in disciplines as diverse as vocal improvisation and timber frame construction. Many local artists also open their studios to offer hands-on sessions in pottery, painting, music, and more, helping to nurture Canada’s next generation of creators and artisans.

We encourage you to fully immerse yourself— whether enjoying the lakes, exploring trails, relaxing at a café, or attending a local concert or festival. Every experience here helps support Canadian businesses, artists, and tourism operators, contributing to a resilient and diverse national economy.

For more information and inspiration, please visit MyHaliburtonHighlands.com, follow us on Facebook and Instagram, call us at 1-800-461-7677, or email info@myhaliburtonhighlands.com.

My alarm chimes at 7:00am, the bus comes at 8:00 - you know the drill. Breakfast, lunches, permission forms, matching socks!? With the kids out the door there are 83 more mouths to feed. I mix milk for the bottle lambs, feed and water the alpacas, sheep, horse, chickens and chicks. I move the growing chicks to a larger pen. The grazing animals are on a pasture rotation. On Friday I will need to move the sheep fence to new grass but today they leap joyfully out of the gate.

There are three alpaca walks scheduled today.

10:00 am and the alpacas pause on their walk to eat every bright dandelion and fragrant clover. A family visits from a nearby cottage. Grandparents, parents, 3 energetic kids – each with an alpaca, connecting with their new friends. The youngest held back at first but now she is building trust with Oberon, reaching out a tentative hand to stroke him. Laughter – the dad has narrowly escaped being spit on!

The second visitors are celebrating their first wedding anniversary with a break from the city, exploring the beauty of the Kawarthas. They marvel at the softness of the alpaca fibre. They tell me about their family farm back in India, their lives as new Canadians, their dreams of the future.

Between walks I create some content for social media.

At 2:00pm a group of laughing, energetic women arrive. They work at the hospital and are here for team building and fun. “This is so therapeutic!” “I can’t stop smiling!” The alpacas are wondrous, almost surreal in their silly cuteness. The co-workers take pictures, making shared memories for more challenging times.

It is 3:00pm. My son will be home in 45 minutes. I rest. A short nap, guided meditation, music – rest, self-care and creative expression are essential for my success as a business owner, a mother and an engaged member of my community.

I drop off the kids to their Dad. At the gym we do an exercise called “Farmer’s Carry”! Back at home I unload the 80lb bags of feed. Tomorrow I am taking a few alpacas to an event so I hitch up the trailer. I open Instagram and make a new post.

8:30pm and I mix up more lamb milk. Outside the alpacas appear to glow in the evening light. I spend a few quiet moments in their serene presence. They regard me with their soft liquid eyes and Mona Lisa smiles.

Every day is not exactly like this. Some days I shovel poop or drive the tractor for hours. Some days I do accounting and answer emails and send gift cards for fundraisers. Some days the vet comes and hard decisions are made or lives are saved. Life, death, love, work, magic, gratitude, despair, joy, cycles, seasons – this is life at Wanderlight.

10pm and my day is not quite done – I still have an article to write for the cottage magazine…

Katie Maitland, Owner and Host - Wanderlight Alpaca Experience Lakefield, Ontario www.wanderlightalpaca.ca

CONNECTIONS IN THE GARDEN

Spring 2025 was late and unpredictable; at the beginning of June the ground was still soggy and cold. New transplants, whether annuals, perennials, herbs or vegetables, sat stagnant in the soil with little growth and little root development. The Summer sun is now beginning to shine and the ground has warmed up, but what are we to expect from our plants with this “odd-ball” start to the gardening season?

A cold Spring brings many challenges to the Summer garden. Newly planted annuals in pots and planters might have been moved repeatedly indoors and out (or been touched by frost) and have lackluster growth and bud development from the constant changes; plants, like young children, love consistency. Annuals in the ground need to develop new roots in quality, well-draining soil. Take a walk through your garden after watering or a rain event and ensure the soil is draining and water is not pooling at the base of each plant. When the sun is shining and it is evident the plants are responding to the warmer weather and growing, fertilize with a water soluble product like 20-20-20 or Miracle Grow or use an organic manure tea formula. Maintain a bi-weekly fertilization schedule

throughout the summer for superb growth and blooms.

Perennials that made it through the very cold winter and soggy soil will either be strong varieties that liked the damp, dull Spring or will be barely there, limping through best they can. Many varieties like ornamental grasses, butterfly bushes and perennial hibiscus, which are traditionally late to emerge, will be very late to flourish this year. Add some compost to the base of each perennial and be sure to cut away all foliage and stems from last year so the sun can get to the heart of the plant. If creating a new flower bed this summer or adding in new perennials, be sure to amend the soil with compost, well-aged manure or triple mix. Healthy soil is the key to strong plants – and plants that get a hard start in life (like those this tricky Spring), need good care to thrive and make you smile from your deck or patio all Summer.

By Vikki Whitney, Owner of Griffin’s Greenhouses

705 652 8638

www.griffinsgreenhouses.com

ROLLING GRAPE VINEYARD

Celebrate the Kawartha’s first grape-to-glass vineyard experience. From live music on our outdoor wine & dine patio, to our Harvest Dinners, create a new tradition with us! Nestled in Bailieboro, Ontario, our small boutique winery offers tastings, private tours, and wine sales. Sit amongst the vines with views of the rolling hills where you can enjoy our fan-favourite wood-fired pizza, charcuterie, artisan tacos, and more.

We grow a variety of grapes including Marquette, Frontenac Petite Pearl, Vidal and we have added some test plots of Pinot Noir and Cabernet Franc. All of our wine is made using 100% Ontario-grown grapes and produced right here on our property.

We’re more than just a winery — we have a stunning skylit venue, perfect for creating unforgettable memories. Book your private celebration or join in on our events! From our monthly Afternoon Teas, our Country Line Dancing, to our Vendor Markets, Workshops, and Salsa Parties, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

Rolling Grape Vineyard www.rollinggrape.com

260 County Rd. 2 Bailieboro, ON 705-991-5876

Photo Credits: Photography with Care

Home Away From Home

There is a new hotel in town! Staying in Lindsay is about to get even easier, with the new Best Western Plus Kawartha Lakes offering travellers an upper midscale brand that Lindsay and the surrounding area do not currently have.

Presently under construction and slated to open in early 2026, the new hotel will offer 76 guest rooms, an indoor pool, fitness room, small meeting space and restaurant. Looking for an extended stay? The new Best Western Plus Kawartha Lakes will have a mix of standard and extended stay rooms, including one to two room suites with either a full or partial kitchenette.

With its own in-house restaurant, which will be independently owned and operated by the hotel and not a franchise, the team look forward to curating a menu that will offer not only guests of the hotel, but the broader community a wonderful place to meet and enjoy a meal. The restaurant - complete with bar - will also offer visitors to Fleming College and the Lindsay Recreation Complex a food and beverage option within walking distance.

The new addition of 76 guest rooms will allow Lindsay to accommodate even more events and teams coming to town, the increased visitor traffic will be a benefit to many local businesses. It is expected the new Best Western Kawartha Lakes location will hire approximately 40-50 staff, bringing jobs to surrounding residents – hiring for many roles is forecasted to take place Fall 2026.

Like a home-away-from home, the Best Western Plus Kawartha Lakes looks forward to hosting you in 2026!

*If interested in applying for one of the many positions at the new Best Western Kawartha Lakes. Information will be shared via Victoria County Career Services (VCCS) as well as Indeed, and socials for the new hotel.

Kawartha Arts Festival Celebrates 35 Years!

The Kawartha Arts Festival is back for its 36th year and promises to be bigger and better than ever! Taking place in the beautiful town of Fenelon Falls, Ontario, this years festival boasts over 100 artists showcasing their original artwork.

The Kawartha Arts Festival is a highly anticipated event in the art community, drawing artists and enthusiasts from all over the province. This years festival features a wide range of mediums, including painting, sculpture, pottery and jewellery.

One of the unique features of the festival is the opportunity to engage with the artists themselves. Visitors are encouraged to ask questions, learn about the inspiration behind the artwork, and even commissions custom pieces.

In addition to the stunning artwork, the festival offers live entertainment throughout the day. Local musicians take the stage to showcase their talents, providing a festival atmosphere and making the Kawartha Lakes Art Festival a true celebration of the arts.

The festival is a great way to support local artists and appreciate the beauty of original artwork. Whether you’re a seasoned collector or just starting out, there is something for everyone at this years festival. So, mark your calendar and make your way to Fenelon Falls Fairgrounds located at 27 Veterans Way for a weekend of art, entertainment, and community.

We can’t wait to see you there!

THE THRILL OF CRICKET TRILLS

No summer’s evening feels complete without the steady, rhythmic chorus of crickets. Their song evokes memories of starlit nights, the spicy scent of fallen leaves, and the warmth of a crackling fire.

Crickets sing for the same reason frogs and birds do—to attract a mate. Here’s how: a male cricket rubs its wings together in a process called stridulation. One wing has a hardened edge known as a scraper, while the other has a file, a toothed ridge. Each time the scraper strikes a tooth, it produces a click. These clicks cause the wings to vibrate, creating the familiar chirping sound. Because the rubbing is so fast, individual clicks blend into continuous chirrups or trills.

Different cricket and insect species produce distinctive song patterns. Here are a few common ones you might hear on a fall day or evening:

Fun Fact: Only male crickets sing, but female crickets are excellent listeners—using their front legs! That’s where their tympanum, or eardrum, is located.

You can also tell the difference between males and females by counting their “tails.” Female crickets have three: two cerci on the outside, and a long middle one called an ovipositor, used to lay eggs in the soil. Males lack this middle tail (and therefore only have two “tails.”) (insert photo comparison of male and female crickets)

“Find-a-Mate” Cricket Game (For 6–20 Players)

This fun and active game helps players experience how crickets find a mate by sound alone.

1. Choose one player to be the female cricket and blindfold them (to simulate living in tall grass).

2. Whisper a chirrup pattern into the female’s ear. She must remember

this pattern.

3. Have the rest of the group become male crickets and form a large circle facing inward.

4. Whisper a different chirrup pattern to each male cricket. (Repeat patterns if the group is large.)

5. On your signal, all the males begin chirping their assigned pattern using their mouths or tools like a popsicle stick and comb to simulate cricket trills.

Chirrup Pattern Examples:

• Three long chirrups and one short

• Four long chirrups

• Three short chirrups

• One long sustained trill

• One long, one short

• Two long, one short

• Five long chirrups

• Two long, two short

Can the female cricket find her match just by listening? She moves slowly around the circle, tuning in to each sound, trying to locate the male whose song matches her remembered pattern.

Cricket Thermometer

Nature has built-in thermometers—like the Snowy Tree Cricket. These delicate green insects, with long antennae and graceful bodies, are famous for their rhythmic, precisely timed chirrups. Incredibly, the speed of their song reflects the air temperature.

You can use their chirps to estimate the temperature:

1. Go outside on a warm evening and listen closely.

2. Count the number of chirps in 8 seconds.

3. Add 5 to that number. The result is the temperature in Celsius.

Example: 10 chirps in 8 seconds → 10 + 5 = 15°C

To calculate Fahrenheit:

• Count chirps in 13 seconds

• Add 40 to get the approximate temperature in Fahrenheit

To familiarize yourself with their sound, visit: www.oecanthinae. com/4099.html

Whether you’re listening in a forest, your backyard, or a city park, cricket songs remind us that nature speaks in subtle, beautiful ways. All we need to do is pause and listen.

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

Summer in Bobcaygeon

As the summer sun shines on the Kawarthas, Bobcaygeon comes alive! Just a 2-hour drive from Toronto, nestled between Sturgeon and Pigeon Lakes, this vibrant cottage-country gem offers a perfect mix of natural beauty, small-town charm, and adventure. Whether you’re arriving by boat or for a weekend escape, relaxation and adventure await!

Did you know Bobcaygeon was the first town in Canada to have a lock built on the Trent-Severn Waterway, and it’s famously celebrated in the iconic Tragically Hip song “Bobcaygeon”!

This July and August, see why so many return year after year.

Midnight Madness (August 2nd): Main and Bolton streets come alive with music, food, games, vendors, and late-night shopping deals—all in a pedestrian-only party atmosphere you won’t want to miss!. For information and details, please visit the Bobcaygeon Midnight Madness 2025 page on Facebook.

Canada Day Celebrations:

(July 1st) Fireworks, music, kids’ activities, and a full day of festivities. For further information on events and details, please visit www. canadadaybobcaygeon.com

Concerts in the Park live music: Thursday evenings throughout July and August, located at Lock 32 in Bobcaygeon, you can bring your lawn chairs and attend the Children's Concert at 5:30 pm, followed by the Main Concert at 6:30 pm. For information, please visit www.bobcaygeonmusic.com

Bobcaygeon isn’t just a place, it’s a feeling of laughter by the lake, starry nights, and the magic of discovering something new. Here, every moment is unforgettable!

Stay connected for event updates and local highlights that can be found at www. bobcaygeon.org/Events or stop by our Chamber office at 123 East Street South - Lower level for maps, travel tips, and friendly advice!

We look forward to seeing you soon!

- Bobcaygeon and Area Chamber of Commerce

Canadas Smallest Jail

Another summer season is upon us and the Coboconk, Norland and Area Chamber of Commerce are excited to have Canada’s smallest jail (located at 11 North Water Street in Coboconk) open to visitors! The jail is in the process of being fully restored, but is open and providing tourist information for the summer, so come on in, look around and grab a “things to see and do” directory to help guide you to all the best spots to visit!

With the great weather returning, so have some great events in our area! Like the Norland Summer-Fest, taking place July 12th at Ward Memorial Park in Norland, admission is free! There is music by the dock, another free event held by the Residents of Rosedale at the Rosedale Parkette, with dates set for June 21st, July 12th, July 26th, Aug 16th all from 6:30pm-8:30pm. The return of the Duck Derby in Coboconk has a tentative date in late August so stay tuned to try your luck and purchase a duck! With all proceeds going towards the new Summit Wellness Centre in Coboconk, it’s an event with a purpose!

While you are visiting don’t forget to check out the newly refinished Coboconk wharf. With tonnes of parking for boats, it’s a great stop while you’re out on Balsam Lake!

As always the Coboconk, Norland and Area Chamber of Commerce is open to new members, so if you would like to help support your community, its events and more, contact Jeni S. by emailing jsherry@coboconknorland.ca.

Experience Fenelon Falls

Experience an unforgettable summer vacation in the charming village of Fenelon Falls. Whether you’re planning a day trip or a weekend getaway, Fenelon Falls is the perfect destination for families, couples, friends, and solo travellers alike.

This summer, Fenelon Falls comes alive with exciting events like our Canada Day celebrations, the ever-popular festivals, weekly Farmers’ Market, downtown art installations and performances under the stars at the Grove Theatre. Shows include BUDDY: The Buddy Holly Story and a tribute to Canadian Music Legends.

Our vibrant main street is lined with a diverse mix of shops, from antiques and fashion to art and local goods. Whether you're treasure hunting or simply browsing, you’re bound to find something special. When it’s time to unwind, Fenelon’s many welcoming waterside patios offer the perfect spot to relax and enjoy a delicious meal with a view.

Cool off at Garnet Graham Beach Park, a family-friendly space with a sand beach, splash pad, beach volleyball, playground, picnic areas, public washrooms, and free Wi-Fi. Just a short walk away, the Fenelon Museum offers a fascinating look at local history and access to a wide range of outdoor activities.

No visit is complete without a scoop of Kawartha Dairy ice cream while you watch boats go through the locks or take in the beauty of the falls. For outdoor enthusiasts, the Victoria Rail Trail offers a picturesque route along Cameron Lake, with bike rentals available.

For everything Fenelon Falls, including maps, guides, and friendly local insight, stop by the Tourism Office at 15 Oak Street. Come see why we’re called the Jewel of the Kawarthas! For a full guide to this summer’s events, check out our calendar at www.explorefenelonfalls.com.

Hutchison House Museum & The Peter Robinson Immigration

This year we celebrate the 200th Anniversary of the Peter Robinson Immigration of Irish settlers to Peterborough and surrounding area. William Oakley, who came with Peter Robinson Settlers, settled in Verulam on the 7th Concession, Lot 22 and was a patient to Dr. Hutchison. In 1830 when William couldn’t afford to pay the Dr. in money, he made new shoes for Mrs. Hutchison to pay his debt.

William Oakley is an example of one of the many patients that Dr. Hutchison treated over the nearly 30 years that he practiced in Peterborough and surrounding area before his death in 1847.

Hutchison House Museum, 270 Brock St. Peterborough, celebrates the life and times of Dr. Hutchison and his family in one of the earliest limestones houses built in Peterborough in 1837. Owned and operated by the Peterborough Historical Society, this living history museum is open year round and offers a variety of programming and volunteer opportunities for both children and adults.

This summer the museum’s temporary exhibit ‘Together from Apart: Stories of Immigration’ was created by the Museum Management and Curatorship students from Sir Sanford Fleming College. Explore immigration from the Peter Robinson Settlers to modern immigrants to Peterborough, find all of the travel tickets in a scavenger hunt that takes you around the museum and learn how to cook from immigrants in videos provided by the New Canadian Center.

Scottish Tea, served on the terrace in the period garden, includes fresh baked scones, preserves, whipped cream, oatcakes, and tea, lemonade, or ice tea. Complimentary tours of the 1840s restored stone house are included with the teas. Scottish Teas begin July 2nd and run to August 31st every Tuesday to Sunday.

For more information on Hutchison House Museum and all upcoming programming, please visit our website at www.phs-hutchisonhouse.ca.

Kids Korner with Kenz

Friendship Bracelets For Your Hair

A Favourite summer memory is doing colourful wraps in our hair - like weaving friendship bracelets using colourful embroidery thread and fun charms - but as a hair accessory. These hair ‘friendship bracelets’ are super easy to do and are definitely a bonding experience for you and your friends. Also great for adding a pop of colour with no dye!

Materials:

• Embroidery Thread  (Multiple Colours)

• Beads/Charms (optional)

• Tiny Elastics

• Scissors

Step 1: Section off a small chunk of hair and braid it tightly, securing with a small elastic band.

Step 2: Pick your embroidery thread and measure out 2 times the length of the braid. Snip and line up the ends.

Step 3: Tie one end of the threads in a tight knot around the base of the braid - tie tight!

Step 4: Pick up one string while leaving the others down with the braid and begin wrapping your colour tightly around the braid and other strings. Wrap in a corkscrew fashion working your way down the braid, when you have a band of colour from wrapping over and over drop your first colour down with the other threads and pull up the next colourdo the same steps. You can go in small sections or bigger sections, get creative with multi colour wraps or create a pattern.

*If you want to create an “x” pattern pick two of your colours and hold the other strings to the side, cross one colour over the other and repeat as many times as you want.

Step 5:  Finish your wrap with a charm or just tie your string in a tight knot at the bottom and snip off the loose ends. Remove elastic from the bottom of the braid - and voila! Friendship Bracelet for your hair.

These friendship wraps will last for 2-3 shampoos, and when you're done with it or ready for a new one carefully snip bottom knot and unravel.

Riverview Park and Zoo’s Conservation Exhibit

As a proud member of Canada's Accredited Zoos and Aquariums, Riverview Park and Zoo cares deeply about conservation, which is why every summer we open a conservation exhibit down at the Dobbin Building. This exhibit, graciously run by community groups and volunteers, connects our visitors with protected species and advocates for habitat preservation.

This year we have six species on exhibit in Dobbin including:

• A Blanding’s turtle and a painted turtle. Over the last 200 years, southern Ontario has lost over 70% of its wetlands, leaving many wild turtles without a safe or healthy habitat.

• Blue and yellow spotted salamanders. Every spring in southern Ontario, many spotted salamanders lose their lives crossing roads to reach their breeding grounds.

• Four axolotls. Though they appear similar to the mudpuppies of Ontario, wild axolotls are found in Mexico. Axolotls are facing extinction in the wild due to water pollution and habitat loss.

• A blue racer snake. This speedy species is found almost exclusively on Pelee Island and their survival is threatened by farming, habitat loss, and road mortalities.

• Northern leopard frogs. These critters are a special concern in provinces like Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba due to habitat fragmentation. This means that parts of their preferred habitat has been lost and the remaining areas are small and disconnected.

For more information and to plan your visit: www.riverviewparkandzoo.ca By Morgan Murphy, Public Educator, Riverview Park and Zoo

SUMMER TOXIN SAFETY

Summer is a great time to get outdoors and enjoy nature with your pet! Pets are highly inquisitive and like to investigate their surroundings, so it is important for pet owners to be on the lookout for these potential pet dangers:

• Fertilizers & Herbicides - contain ingredients that cause gastrointestinal upset, but may lead to more serious problems if large quantities are ingested.

• Pesticides - while safer than they were many years ago, still may contain ingredients that are toxic to pets. Mouse, rat, gopher, mole, snail and slug baits all contain ingredients that can be particularly toxic to pets.

• Compost bins - while great for the garden, can grow mold and produce mycotoxins that are harmful to pets. Keep your bins fenced off to keep pets and wildlife safe.

• Garden Goodies - not all fruits and veggies that humans eat are safe for your pets! In your gardens, tomato plants, rhubarb leaves, onions, garlic and grapes can cause symptoms ranging from gastrointestinal upset to kidney failure in pets.

• Blue-green algae - can produce various toxins that affect your pet’s central nervous system, skin and liver. Keep a close watch for signs of algae blooms on the water’s edge, prior to letting your pet

drink or swim from ponds, lakes or rivers.

Common signs of toxin ingestion in pets may include:

• Vomiting/Diarrhea

• Respiratory distress

• Tremors or seizures

• Excessive drooling

• Weakness/Lethargy

• Racing heartbeat

Toxin ingestion can be life-threatening – the sooner your pet is assessed and treated by a veterinary team, the better the outcome. If you think your pet has ingested a toxic substance, contact your veterinarian or the Pet Poison Helpline at 1-855-764-7661 immediately.

To learn more, about summer toxin safety, please go to our Pet Health Library: https://norwoodvetservices.com/pet-healthresources/pet-health-articles/articles/?rid=13810

Stay safe, be prepared, and monitor your pets on their outside adventures, so you can all enjoy your summer!

Dr. Leslie Scott, DVM

Norwood Veterinary Services