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1 2012/13 VISITORS GUIDE • WWW.HUNTSVILLEADVENTURES.COM


2 2012/13 VISITORS GUIDE • WWW.HUNTSVILLEADVENTURES.COM


Susan Brown<br />

COVER ART<br />

‘Algonquin’ from the permanent collection of The Tom Thomson Art<br />

Gallery, Owen Sound, ON<br />

Tom Thomson Statue create by bronze sculptor Brenda Wainman-Goulet<br />

ERRORS & OMISSIONS<br />

For a complete list of supportive <strong>Huntsville</strong>/Lake of Bays Chamber of Commerce members,<br />

visit www.huntsvilleadventures.com. Every effort has been made to ensure the<br />

accuracy of information contained in this guide. If you have any questions, comments or<br />

would like to advertise in future publications, please contact the <strong>Huntsville</strong>/Lake of Bays<br />

Chamber of Commerce.<br />

ART DIRECTION/PRODUCTION & PRINTING<br />

Aben Graphics Ltd.<br />

(705) 789-4404 www.abengraphics.com<br />

VISITORS GUIDE • 2012/2013<br />

HUNTSVILLE/LAKE OF BAYS/ALGONQUIN PARK<br />

From 2012-2017, we invite you to join<br />

<strong>Huntsville</strong>’s celebration of the 100 year<br />

anniversary of Tom Thomson’s life and<br />

death in our area. Throughout this five<br />

year celebration, different organizations<br />

from throughout the community will be<br />

hosting events, workshops and exhibits. For<br />

further information and updates, please visit<br />

www.huntsvilleadventures.com and look for<br />

the following Tom Thomson seal:<br />

Welcome to one of Ontario’s most beloved four-season<br />

destinations – the Town of <strong>Huntsville</strong>, the Township of<br />

Lake of Bays, and Algonquin Provincial Park — a vast and<br />

wondrous playground that attracts tourists from every<br />

corner of the world. A place where people take life just<br />

a little bit easier, and maybe enjoy it just a bit differently<br />

than their big city cousins.<br />

Discover <strong>Huntsville</strong> 4<br />

Happy Trails 6<br />

Festivals 9<br />

Events 10<br />

Park 2 Park 12<br />

Golf 13<br />

Beaches 15<br />

Film North 18 19<br />

Cycling in Muskoka 19<br />

<strong>Huntsville</strong>’s Olympic Hopeful 21<br />

Snowmobiling 22<br />

Winter <strong>Adventures</strong> 23<br />

Genesis of Genius 25<br />

Attractions 27<br />

It’s Happening Downtown 29<br />

Flavour <strong>Adventures</strong> 33<br />

Frogs, Toads and Salamanders 37<br />

Where to Stay 39<br />

The Friends of Algonquin Park 44<br />

Girlfriends Getaway Weekend 45<br />

Communities of Lake of Bays 46<br />

HOST COMMUNITY<br />

FOR TOURISM INQUIRIES OR INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:<br />

HUNTSVILLE/LAKE OF BAYS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ~ OPEN ALL-YEAR<br />

8 West Street North, <strong>Huntsville</strong>, ON P1H 2B6<br />

T: 705-789-4771 • F: 705-789-6191 • chamber@huntsvillelakeofbays.on.ca<br />

www.huntsvillelakeofbays.on.ca • www.huntsvilleadventures.com<br />

WWW.HUNTSVILLEADVENTURES.COM • 2012/13 VISITORS GUIDE 3


The Town of <strong>Huntsville</strong> is a year-round event or corporate function. Numerous<br />

destination with numerous state-of-the-art small meeting rooms for smaller functions<br />

facilities to allow residents and visitors to are also available. The Active Living Centre<br />

live, work and play. These unique facilities also provides seniors programs, youth<br />

assist with furthering the commitment that<br />

the Town has made to events tourism and<br />

health-related lifestyles in our community.<br />

The Canada Summit Centre has two<br />

arenas: the Jack Bionda Arena, which will<br />

seat 1,000 spectators, and the Don Lough,<br />

programs and is the home of Ontario Early<br />

Years Program.<br />

Healthy and active lifestyles were of<br />

utmost importance when Conroy Park<br />

was designed. This park is outfitted with a<br />

Olympic-sized arena, which seats 1,500.<br />

The Olympic-sized arena has an indoor<br />

walking track around the second floor<br />

perimeter, which is open to the public and<br />

is approximately 5 laps to the kilometre.<br />

The arena floor is an ideal location<br />

to host a trade show or large event,<br />

complimented by numerous surrounding<br />

rooms and lobbies to allow for various<br />

options of traffic flow. Public skating, as<br />

Algonquin Theatre<br />

well as organized sporting activities from<br />

hockey, figure skating and lacrosse, create<br />

a hub of activity.<br />

The facility also includes a pool area<br />

with a regular lap pool, a smaller heated<br />

pool and a therapeutic pool. These include<br />

accessible change rooms and a family<br />

change room. The aquatics program offers<br />

programming for all ages and skill levels<br />

throughout the year. Public swimming is<br />

Canada Summit Centre<br />

another excellent way to introduce your<br />

family to the pool.<br />

From a cultural perspective, there is a<br />

public art exhibit at the Canada Summit<br />

Centre on a rotating basis. This is in<br />

addition to the G8 Legacy Mural of Tom<br />

Thomson’s ‘The West Wind,’ which was<br />

donated to the Town of <strong>Huntsville</strong> after<br />

the world leaders had each added their<br />

brushstroke to this one-of-a-kind mural.<br />

A privately run 7,000 square foot fitness<br />

facility is located within the Canada Summit<br />

Centre and offers state of the art fitness<br />

equipment and programs. The Wellness<br />

Hub, situated on the second floor of the<br />

facility, offers information on health and<br />

wellness and can range from diabetes to<br />

heart healthy information. Skate sharpening<br />

Waterloo Summit Centre for the<br />

Environment<br />

service is also available in the lobby of the<br />

Jack Bionda Arena. An on-site coffee shop<br />

with light healthy meal options is a quick<br />

and easy convenience while spending time<br />

at the Canada Summit Centre.<br />

Muskoka Heritage Place<br />

The Active Living Centre is<br />

approximately 14,000 square feet on two<br />

levels. The main floor houses the beautiful<br />

multi-purpose room, with a grand stone<br />

fireplace, wood detail and a breathtaking<br />

view overlooking the Muskoka River.<br />

This facility is available to rent for your<br />

wedding, private reception, community Active Living Centre<br />

4 2012/13 VISITORS GUIDE • WWW.HUNTSVILLEADVENTURES.COM<br />

professional grade running track, two tennis<br />

courts and an artificial turf pitch which<br />

includes standards for field lacrosse and<br />

soccer. This outdoor facility is a short walk<br />

from the Canada Summit Centre, along<br />

Forbes Hill Drive, with parking on-site.<br />

McCulley-Robertson Complex has<br />

two recently upgraded soccer pitches. This<br />

sports complex includes baseball diamonds,<br />

skateboard park, an ultimate disc golf course<br />

and a leash-free dog park. This complex<br />

sees numerous tournaments and special<br />

events during the summer months.<br />

The Waterloo Summit Centre for<br />

the Environment, located along Forbes<br />

Hill Drive, boasts a number of sustainable<br />

and green initiatives including radiant solar<br />

heat, a living wall of plants, geothermal<br />

heating and cooling, Muskoka granite stone<br />

and Hardie cement siding. This facility<br />

allows students to research some of the<br />

most pressing and critical issues facing the<br />

natural world, including medical aspects<br />

of ecosystem degradation. It is the goal of<br />

<strong>Huntsville</strong> to foster these relationships into<br />

something greater.<br />

Muskoka Heritage Place is a short walk<br />

from downtown and is an attraction that<br />

offers residents and visitors a historical side<br />

to the area. The train, two museums and<br />

pioneer village offer a unique way to spend<br />

a day with costumed narrators throughout<br />

the village and hands-on activities. Come<br />

visit and enjoy the open air train ride on<br />

the Portage Flyer along the Muskoka River.<br />

The Algonquin Theatre is located<br />

in the heart of downtown <strong>Huntsville</strong><br />

and is open year-round offering live<br />

entertainment. Internationally recognized<br />

groups, comedians and community groups<br />

perform on the stage. During the summer,<br />

the <strong>Huntsville</strong> Festival of the Arts offers a<br />

summer festival. The Algonquin Theatre<br />

and Partners Hall are available for your<br />

event or for you to enjoy live theatre.<br />

The <strong>Huntsville</strong> Public Library is a<br />

bustle of activity throughout the year.<br />

Children’s programs, numerous activities<br />

and excellent resources offer residents and<br />

visitors an excellent location for research<br />

or leisure.<br />

The numerous parks, green spaces<br />

and waterways throughout <strong>Huntsville</strong> offer<br />

quiet locations for relaxation or a unique<br />

setting to host a large scale event. Whether<br />

you are paddling down a river, relaxing in<br />

a Muskoka chair or are participating in a<br />

sporting event, <strong>Huntsville</strong> has numerous<br />

locations and venues to suit.<br />

<strong>Huntsville</strong> takes great pride in<br />

honouring the past and embracing<br />

the future!


Terri Rilling<br />

On the trail in Algonquin Park<br />

Take a deep breath – stop and listen for the wild sounds amongst the<br />

trees, look out over a forest canopy or learn an interesting fact about<br />

ecology. You are on one of the many trails in Algonquin Provincial<br />

Park and whether you are out for a short day-hike, an overnight<br />

backpacking trip, on your bike or with cross-country skis, these are<br />

among the best ways to experience Algonquin!<br />

6<br />

For the more adventurous<br />

hikers, Algonquin has three<br />

impressive networks of<br />

backpacking trails, with loops<br />

that range from 6 km to<br />

88 km in length.<br />

Interpretive trails<br />

Perhaps the most popular and accessible of trails in Algonquin would<br />

be the interpretive trails scattered along Highway 60. Each one<br />

focuses on a unique aspect of Algonquin’s natural or cultural history.<br />

There is a trail to suit every interest and fitness level, from an easy<br />

1.5 km boardwalk trail that introduces the visitor to spruce bogs and<br />

wildlife typical of the north (Spruce Bog Boardwalk), to a demanding<br />

10 km hike up a high ridge that affords an excellent view over some<br />

of Algonquin’s lakes and forests (Centennial Ridges).<br />

Other interpretive trails vary in length and include Whiskey<br />

Rapids (2.1 km), Hardwood Lookout (1.0 km), Mizzy Lake (10.8 km),<br />

Peck Lake (2.3 km), Track and Tower (7.5 km), Hemlock Bluff (3.5<br />

km), Bat Lake (5.8 km), Two Rivers (2.3 km), Lookout (2.1 km), Big<br />

2012/13 VISITORS GUIDE • WWW.HUNTSVILLEADVENTURES.COM<br />

Pines (2.9 km) and Booth’s Rock (5.1 km). All of these trails are a<br />

scenic 30-70 minute drive from <strong>Huntsville</strong>.<br />

For those wishing to explore the Park further, there are also<br />

interpretive trails on the North and East sides of Algonquin Park:<br />

Barron Canyon (1.5 km), Berm Lake (4.5 km) and Brent Crater<br />

(2 km).<br />

Backpacking trails<br />

For more adventurous hikers, Algonquin has three impressive<br />

networks of backpacking trails, with loops that range from 6 km to 88<br />

km in length. Overnight or multiple night backpacking trips will give<br />

a new appreciation for getting ‘into the bush.’ As your trip ends, you<br />

will emerge at the trailhead feeling the satisfaction of finishing your<br />

trek and relishing the memories of wilderness that you encountered<br />

on the trail.<br />

Terri Rilling


Lorren Cross<br />

Kim Goltz-Cross<br />

Bicycle trails<br />

When you come to Algonquin, don’t forget your bike! Whether you<br />

are looking for a technical challenge on your mountain bike, or prefer<br />

to stick to more leisurely trails with the family, Algonquin has a bike<br />

trail for you. The Minnesing Mountain Bike Trail has four challenging<br />

loops (4.7 – 23.4 km in length) that will take 1-3 hours to ride, and<br />

will bring you through hardwood forests and beside lakes in the<br />

Park’s largest wilderness zone.<br />

If you are with your family, or just prefer a more relaxing ride,<br />

then be sure to visit the Old Railway Bike Trail, accessible from<br />

Mew Lake Campground, Pog Lake Campground and Rock Lake<br />

Campground. Stretching for 10 km (one-way) along the bed of the<br />

old Ottawa-Arnprior-Parry Sound rail line, this trail gives the rider a<br />

chance to explore, through wayside exhibits, the history of the rail<br />

line and a different era in Algonquin. Remember to ride safely, be<br />

mindful of others on the trail and enjoy the scenery!<br />

Little Doe Lake,<br />

Algonquin Park<br />

Ski trails<br />

Possibly one of the most beautiful and rewarding times of the year<br />

to visit the Park would be after a fresh snowfall, with blue skies and<br />

the crisp winter air against your face. Algonquin’s three excellent<br />

cross-country ski trail networks allow you to experience just this.<br />

The winter also has to be one of the better times of the year to see<br />

wildlife, or at least the tracks that they have left behind.<br />

The Fen Lake Ski Trail – a groomed trail network that explores<br />

old hardwood forests typical of the west side of Algonquin – is<br />

located just inside the Park at the West Gate (about 30 minutes<br />

from <strong>Huntsville</strong>) and has loops that range from easy to more<br />

difficult (1.1 – 12.9 km). In the winter, the Minnesing Bicycle Trail<br />

becomes a Wilderness Ski Trail (ungroomed), offering the skier<br />

a chance to explore this winter wonderland. The Leaf Lake Ski<br />

Trail offers a wide range of options and its Pinetree Loop ranks<br />

highly amongst the premiere ski trails in southern Ontario for<br />

the experienced skier. On a clear day, the lookouts on this loop<br />

provide a view of more than 15 km.<br />

Sunday Lake Dogsled Trail,<br />

Algonquin Park<br />

Terri Rilling<br />

Attractions<br />

A visit to Algonquin – whether to get ready for a hike or to relax<br />

after finishing one of our trails – is not complete without seeing<br />

the Algonquin <strong>Visitor</strong> Centre, the Algonquin Logging Museum or<br />

the Algonquin Art Gallery.<br />

Inside the <strong>Visitor</strong> Centre are world-class exhibits on the<br />

natural and cultural history of the park, a bookstore and gift shop,<br />

and an observation deck that has a tremendous view of a wild<br />

Algonquin landscape.<br />

The Algonquin Art Gallery is open seasonally, from June to<br />

October, and displays an Algonquin-inspired selection of works<br />

in the three wings of its gallery, as well as an outdoor gallery and<br />

a boutique.<br />

The Algonquin Logging Museum is a definite stop for anyone<br />

interested in the history of logging and displays a recreated<br />

camboose camp and an old steam-powered machine called an<br />

“alligator” along an easy 1.3 km trail.<br />

As you finish hiking, skiing or biking a trail in Algonquin Park,<br />

you will be reminded of what makes this landscape special. It<br />

could have been the sunrise over a misty lake, a glimpse of moose<br />

through the trees, the chorus of bird songs, or just the sense of<br />

accomplishment that you feel as you reach the end of a trail.<br />

Come and discover your favourite Algonquin trail!<br />

Getting here: Algonquin Provincial Park is located halfway<br />

between Ottawa and Sudbury. The southern portion of the<br />

park is effectively bisected by Highway 60. The West Gate is a<br />

30 minute drive from <strong>Huntsville</strong> and 3 hours from Toronto or<br />

Sudbury. The East Gate is a 3 hour drive from Ottawa.<br />

Reaching us: if you have questions about Algonquin or<br />

would like a campground map, please call (705) 633-5572 or visit<br />

www.algonquinpark.on.ca<br />

To make Provincial Park reservations: Online<br />

reservations visit www.ontarioparks.com To reserve by<br />

telephone call 1 888 ONT PARK. For a copy of the Ontario<br />

Parks <strong>Guide</strong>, call 1 800 ONTARIO.<br />

Arrowhead Provincial Park –<br />

Nearby and Natural<br />

Sue Brown<br />

East River Canyon, Arrowhead Park<br />

Facilities: The park has 378 campsites (185 with electrical<br />

service); picnic shelters, sand beaches, Natural Heritage Education<br />

Programs, hiking trails, a park store and canoe, kayak and bicycle<br />

rentals and in winter; snowshoeing, classic and skate skiing, tubing<br />

and ski and snowshoe rentals.<br />

Getting here: Arrowhead Provincial Park is located off<br />

Highway 11 at Muskoka Road 3, which is 5 kms north of <strong>Huntsville</strong>.<br />

Reaching us: If you have questions about Arrowhead or<br />

would like a campground map, please call (705) 789-5105.<br />

WWW.HUNTSVILLEADVENTURES.COM • 2012/13 VISITORS GUIDE 7


<strong>Huntsville</strong> Festival of the Arts<br />

Celebrating twenty years of presenting<br />

performance excellence in 2012, the<br />

<strong>Huntsville</strong> Festival of the Arts is looking<br />

forward to the 2012 season with great<br />

anticipation. For nineteen previous summers<br />

the Festival has presented artistic offerings<br />

in the fields of jazz, pop, choral, Celtic,<br />

country, orchestral and classical music, as<br />

well as theatre, written word, poetry and<br />

the visual arts, and there is every reason<br />

to expect that this anniversary year will be<br />

one of the best yet.<br />

<strong>Huntsville</strong> Festival of the Arts<br />

Roch Voisine<br />

At the time of this article there are<br />

only a handful of confirmed bookings,<br />

including singer/songwriter extraordinaire<br />

Martha Wainwright, Canadian superstar<br />

Roch Voisine, powerful blues/roots<br />

musician Matt Andersen and the return<br />

of Walt Wingfield for another in his series<br />

of hilarious misadventures in Persephone<br />

Township. Artists being pursued include<br />

Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy, Bruce<br />

Cockburn, youthful jazz star Nikki Yanovsky<br />

and country great Paul Brandt. In recognition<br />

of his important contribution to past Festival<br />

seasons it is hopeful that Maestro Kerry<br />

<strong>Huntsville</strong> Festival of the Arts<br />

[[<br />

<strong>Huntsville</strong> Festival of the Arts<br />

Celebrating Twenty Years in 2012<br />

By Rob Saunders, <strong>Huntsville</strong> Festival of The Arts General Manager<br />

LIGHTS<br />

Stratton will return with his Festival orchestra<br />

and it is almost certain that aboriginal artist<br />

Arvel Bird will return after last year’s highlight<br />

performance, and showcase his Celtic fiddle<br />

music, native flute, drums and dance in a<br />

riveting evening.<br />

2011 saw the inaugural presentation<br />

of the Celebrate the Street/Nuit Blanche<br />

North offering. Due to its great success<br />

this afternoon of entertaining buskers, and<br />

evening of unique and creative artistic<br />

offerings, will return and hopefully build on<br />

what was one of the summer’s highlights. The<br />

date is Saturday July 14 and this year there<br />

will be an increased emphasis on the buskers<br />

on Main Street, and the very popular evening<br />

fire show is sure to return.<br />

In addition to this special day of festivities<br />

the fringe aspect of the Festival continues<br />

to grow. The always popular En Plein Air, a<br />

<strong>Huntsville</strong> Festival of the Arts<br />

Natalie MacMaster & Donnell Leahy<br />

visual arts fundraising event, will return on July<br />

26 and the popular Arts Splash children’s art<br />

and activity day will be held on July 7, starting<br />

at noon. Look for our ‘Play Me’ piano in the<br />

theatre courtyard and tinkle the ivories in this<br />

unique open air setting. Whether it’s a Romeo<br />

and Juliet vignette presented impromptu from<br />

the theatre’s outdoor deck, or a reading on<br />

the River Mill stage, there will be surprises to<br />

be enjoyed throughout the summer.<br />

The eclectic nature of the Festival, a<br />

source of pride for current president Helena<br />

Renwick, offers patrons so much more in<br />

the way of entertainment. During weekdays<br />

in July, patrons can relax and enjoy Music<br />

at Noon. This half-hour lunchtime concert<br />

series, offered free at Trinity United Church,<br />

will be presented over twenty weekdays in<br />

<strong>Huntsville</strong> Festival of the Arts<br />

Matt Andersen<br />

July, recognizing the special anniversary year.<br />

Families can enjoy the children’s series, at<br />

the Legion, co-presented with the <strong>Huntsville</strong><br />

Public Library, as well as the return of our<br />

Cushion Concerts in River Mill Park.<br />

Each year new activities are added to<br />

enhance the appeal of the Festival. If you plan<br />

to be in the area over July and August, visit<br />

our website for a current list of events! For<br />

tickets and information, contact the<br />

Box Office at 705-789-4975, email<br />

info@huntsvillefestival.on.ca or visit<br />

www.huntsvillefestival.on.ca.<br />

WWW.HUNTSVILLEADVENTURES.COM • 2012/13 VISITORS GUIDE 9<br />

<strong>Huntsville</strong> Festival of the Arts


<strong>Huntsville</strong> Festival of the Arts<br />

For every season and reason, there’s a festival or special<br />

event going on somewhere in <strong>Huntsville</strong>, Lake of Bays<br />

or Algonquin Provincial Park. From loppets, winter<br />

carnivals, and maple syrup festivals, to fishing derbies,<br />

to fabulous fall fairs and studio tours, there’s always<br />

something to delight, excite and ignite the imagination<br />

of every member of your family.<br />

Art Splash – July<br />

Arts Walk – July<br />

<strong>Huntsville</strong> Festival of the Arts – July<br />

<strong>Huntsville</strong> Jazz Festival – July/August<br />

Edge of the Woods Outdoor Theatre Festival – July<br />

Nuit Blanche North – July<br />

Celebrate the Street Buskerfest – July<br />

Baysville Walkabout Festival – July<br />

en Plein Air Painting and Auction – July<br />

Baysville Riverfront Arts & Crafts – August<br />

Artist of the Limberlost Open Studio Tour Weekend – August<br />

Muskoka Autumn Studio Tour – September/October<br />

<strong>Huntsville</strong> Fall Fair – September<br />

North Words Muskoka Literary Festival – September<br />

Muskoka Heritage Place Great Pumpkin Trail – October<br />

The Group of Seven Nutcracker – November<br />

10 2012/13 VISITORS GUIDE • WWW.HUNTSVILLEADVENTURES.COM<br />

<strong>Huntsville</strong> Festival of the Arts<br />

Kelly Holinshead<br />

<strong>Huntsville</strong> Girls Hockey Association Hockey Tournament – January<br />

Canadian National Pond Hockey Championships – January/February<br />

2013 Ontario 55+ Winter Games – February<br />

Spin the Lakes Bike Tour – May<br />

Band on the Run: 2012 Half Marathon – June<br />

Muskoka 5150 Triathlon – July<br />

Port Sydney Muskoka Kids Triathlon – July<br />

The Cottage Cup Exhibition Junior A Hockey Tournament – August<br />

The Muskoka Grind Off Road Triathalon, Duathlon – August<br />

<strong>Huntsville</strong> Muskoka Otters Junior A Season Opener – September<br />

Muskoka Ironman 70.3 – September<br />

Group of Seven Mural Festival – June/July<br />

Tom Thompson 100th Anniversary<br />

<strong>Huntsville</strong> Festival of the Arts – July<br />

Firefly Festival – July<br />

Summer Sidewalk Adventure – August<br />

Antique, Classic & Custom Car Show – September<br />

Film North – September<br />

<strong>Huntsville</strong> Festival of the Arts<br />

Neil MacLellan<br />

<strong>Huntsville</strong> Festival of<br />

the Arts<br />

<strong>Huntsville</strong> Festival of the Arts


Kelly Holinshead<br />

Town of <strong>Huntsville</strong><br />

Portage Flyer Christmas, Muskoka Heritage Place – December<br />

Muskoka Loppet, Arrowhead Park – January<br />

Algonquin Outfitters Winter Family Fun Day,<br />

Oxtongue Lake – February<br />

Kearney Dog Sled Races – February<br />

Comics on the Rocks – February<br />

Open Spring until Fall<br />

Thursdays – Canadian Tire Parking Lot, <strong>Huntsville</strong><br />

Fridays – Baysville Arena Parking Lot, Baysville<br />

Saturdays – River Mill Park, <strong>Huntsville</strong><br />

Town of <strong>Huntsville</strong><br />

<strong>Huntsville</strong> Santa Claus Parade – November<br />

Baysville Santa Claus Parade – December<br />

Port Sydney Winter Carnival – January<br />

Dwight Winter Carnival – February<br />

Dorset Snowball – February<br />

November 8-11, 2012<br />

This is only a selection of events in our area. Visit www.huntsvilleadventures.com for a complete list of community events with details.<br />

Kim Goltz-Cross<br />

Cliff Peat<br />

WWW.HUNTSVILLEADVENTURES.COM • 2012/13 VISITORS GUIDE 11<br />

Kelly Holinshead


Park to Park Trail Association<br />

12 2012/13 VISITORS GUIDE • WWW.HUNTSVILLEADVENTURES.COM<br />

The Park-To-Park Trail is a regional trail association<br />

maintaining an east-west link through the Muskoka and<br />

Parry Sound Districts and Haliburton County. Connecting<br />

Killbear Provincial Park to Algonquin Provincial Park, this 230<br />

kilometre length of trail is a destination for all trail enthusiasts.<br />

Park-To-Park maintains a four season multi-use trail<br />

system that will link seven of the province’s premiere<br />

provincial parks, as well as area attractions, services, amenities<br />

and other trail networks such as the Trans Canada Trail. This<br />

provides a seamless trail system encompassing community<br />

trails, snowmobile routes, historic colonization and logging<br />

roads, former rail beds, new links and some secondary roads.<br />

The Park-To-Park Trail route traverses a region rich<br />

in natural and cultural heritage. Highlights include visible<br />

evidence of the logging and railway history of the area.<br />

Early settlement villages and colonization roads are features<br />

common along the trail. Physically, the trail passes numerous<br />

lakes, rivers and streams, as well as extensive areas of forest,<br />

field and wetland habitat. A celebrated feature of the Park-<br />

To-Park Trail is the Precambrian geology of the Canadian<br />

Shield. The trail cuts laterally across the southern extent of<br />

the Shield exposing the glacially scarred granite bedrock.<br />

Trail uses may include the following activities, but not on<br />

all sections of the trail. Visit www.parktoparktrail.com to find<br />

out what uses are allowed on certain sections.<br />

Hiking/Walking<br />

Cycling<br />

Cross-Country Skiing<br />

Snowmobiling<br />

Horseback Riding<br />

Dog Sledding<br />

ATVs/Trail Bikes<br />

Peter Searle - Office/Operations Manager<br />

Park-To-Park Trail Association<br />

70 Church Street, Parry Sound, Ontario<br />

Canada P2A 1Y9<br />

Web: parktoparktrail.com<br />

Phone: (705) 746-7663 x 26<br />

Cell: (705) 774-0024<br />

Fax: (705) 746-7829


Kelly Holinshead<br />

[<br />

Spectacular ways to<br />

putt away the day…[<br />

With its many must play courses, a great game of golf is<br />

always in the bag in <strong>Huntsville</strong> or Lake of Bays. Lush Muskoka<br />

landscape, fresh north air and well-maintained grounds, are sure<br />

to make for a unique golfing experience every time. Whether<br />

you’re a novice or seasoned golf enthusiast, we’re sure to have<br />

a suitable course to challenge your level of proficiency and skill.<br />

<strong>Huntsville</strong> and Lake of Bays are home to a half-dozen prime<br />

golfing stops at all price points; more landmark courses are just<br />

a short drive away.<br />

Depending on your schedule and budget, plan a major day<br />

or an entire golf getaway around historic Bigwin Island (a Doug<br />

Carrick design where the arrival is a key part of the experience<br />

and you will get those amazing vistas of surrounding Lake of<br />

Bays), the Mark O’Meara course at Grandview Golf Club (with<br />

a fantastic forest layout and conditioning that’s second to none)<br />

and Deerhurst Highlands (the Tom McBroom masterpiece that<br />

started it all, putting modern Muskoka golf on the map).<br />

Back toward and in <strong>Huntsville</strong>, those with limited time or<br />

tighter budgets, or anyone else for that matter, shouldn’t miss<br />

these hidden gems: North Granite Ridge (a bargain, conveniently<br />

located mid-way between <strong>Huntsville</strong> and Bracebridge),<br />

<strong>Huntsville</strong> Downs (an insider’s favourite since 1925), Deerhurst<br />

Lakeside (test every club in your bag) and Diamond in the Ruff<br />

(a true 9-hole jewel).<br />

Continued on page 14<br />

WWW.HUNTSVILLEADVENTURES.COM • 2012/13 VISITORS GUIDE 13


Welcome to the Town of <strong>Huntsville</strong>,<br />

aayear-round year-round destination with state of the art facilities<br />

to host world class events.<br />

<strong>Huntsville</strong> is proud to have hosted numerous<br />

events including 2010 G8 Summit,<br />

Pond Hockey, Ironman 70.3,<br />

Ontario Paralympic Winter Championships,<br />

2010 Ontario Winter Games<br />

and the Olympic Torch Relay Celebration!<br />

Enjoy the natural landscape and beauty<br />

that surrounds <strong>Huntsville</strong> with granite rocks,<br />

lush forests and pristine lakes.<br />

Enjoy year-round live entertainment on stage<br />

at the Algonquin Theatre in the heart of<br />

downtown <strong>Huntsville</strong>.<br />

Muskoka Heritage Place is a historical<br />

highlight featuring two museums, pioneer village<br />

and steam train.<br />

Experience and enjoy <strong>Huntsville</strong>!<br />

14 2012/13 VISITORS GUIDE • WWW.HUNTSVILLEADVENTURES.COM<br />

BIGWIN ISLAND GOLF CLUB<br />

1137 Old Why 117, Baysville<br />

1 (800) 840-4036 (705) 635-2582 www.bigwinisland.com<br />

DEERHURST HIGHLANDS & DEERHURST LAKESIDE<br />

1235 Deerhurst Dr., <strong>Huntsville</strong><br />

1 (800) 461-4393 (705) 789-6411 www.deerhurstresort.com<br />

DIAMOND ‘IN THE RUFF’ GOLF CLUB<br />

1137 Old Parry Sound Rd., Raymond<br />

(705) 385-2222 www.diamondintheruff.ca<br />

GRANDVIEW GOLF CLUB: MARK O’MEARA COURSE &<br />

GRANDVIEW INN COURSE<br />

939 Hwy. 60, <strong>Huntsville</strong><br />

1 (877) 472-6388 (705) 789-4417 www.deltagrandview.com<br />

HUNTSVILLE DOWNS GOLF<br />

182 Golf Course Rd., <strong>Huntsville</strong><br />

(705) 789-1000 www.golfhuntsvilledowns.ca<br />

NORTH GRANITE RIDGE GOLF COURSE<br />

476 South Mary Lake Rd., Port Sydney<br />

(705) 385-0808 1 (866) 385-0808 www.northgraniteridge.com<br />

RAFTING<br />

on the<br />

Ottawa River<br />

Beachburg, ON<br />

1-800-267-8504 • RiverRunRafting.com


Kelly Holinshead<br />

[[<br />

Take the Plunge!<br />

<strong>Huntsville</strong>, Lake of Bays and Algonquin Park have a wonderful<br />

selection of public beaches. The water is clear, clean and perfect<br />

for cooling off on a sizzling summer day. The long stretches of<br />

sandy beaches are ideal for strolling, throwing a Frisbee or soaking<br />

up the sunshine. Bring a lawn chair, umbrella and a good book<br />

and settle in for some serious relaxation. Pack a picnic, bring the<br />

water toys, load up the family and head out for an enjoyable day<br />

at one of our many public beaches!<br />

There are a variety of locations to launch your kayak, canoe,<br />

or boat for a fun-filled day on the water. <strong>Huntsville</strong> has four lakes<br />

which connect via the Muskoka River, where you can swim,<br />

paddle and explore over 70 kilometres of scenery unique to this<br />

area. Lake of Bays is the largest lake in North Muskoka and is<br />

known around the world for its spectacular beauty.<br />

For a complete list of parks and beaches in our<br />

area see page 16 & 17.<br />

Gloria Woodside Trish Kruusmagi<br />

WWW.HUNTSVILLEADVENTURES.COM • 2012/13 VISITORS GUIDE 15


Melissa Key<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

“The Heart of Bracebridge”<br />

Located behind<br />

Muskoka Riverside Inn<br />

Bracebridge, Ontario<br />

The 300 Passenger Lady Muskoka<br />

Join us for a relaxing 2 3/4 hour cruise of Muskoka<br />

River and Lake Muskoka including our famous<br />

Millionaire’s Row<br />

Open May 19 to Mid Oct 2012.<br />

Visit us at http://www.ladymuskoka.com<br />

Email us at lady@muskoka.com<br />

Phone us at 705-646-2628<br />

or Toll Free 1-800-263-5239<br />

16 2012/13 VISITORS GUIDE • WWW.HUNTSVILLEADVENTURES.COM<br />

ALGONQUIN PROVINCIAL PARK<br />

45 km East of <strong>Huntsville</strong><br />

(705) 633-5572 • www.algonquinpark.on.ca<br />

ARROWHEAD PROVINCIAL PARK<br />

Muskoka Rd. 3 N., <strong>Huntsville</strong> • (705) 789-5105<br />

AVERY BEACH<br />

Hunters Bay off Main St. W., <strong>Huntsville</strong><br />

sandy beach and covered picnic area<br />

BAYSVILLE DAM<br />

Just off Hwy. 117 in Baysville, picnic area<br />

BRUNEL LOCKS PARK, PICNIC AREA<br />

On the Muskoka River 3 km south of <strong>Huntsville</strong> on Brunel Rd.,<br />

picnic site<br />

CAMP KITCHEN<br />

Camp Kitchen Rd., <strong>Huntsville</strong><br />

DORSET FIRE TOWER PARK<br />

Just off Hwy. 35 in Dorset, family picnic area


Town of <strong>Huntsville</strong><br />

Kelly Holinshead<br />

Kelly Holinshead<br />

Kelly Holinshead<br />

River Mill Park<br />

Town Dock Park<br />

Sunrise from Lion’s Lookout<br />

DWIGHT BEACH<br />

Lake of Bays on Dwight Beach Rd., excellent beach<br />

with picnic area<br />

DYER MEMORIAL NATURE RESERVE<br />

11 km northeast of <strong>Huntsville</strong> on Williamsport Rd., off Muskoka<br />

Rd. 3, overlooks Big East River, public picnic area<br />

CANADA SUMMIT CENTRE<br />

On Park Dr., just off Brunel Rd., <strong>Huntsville</strong>, indoor swimming pool<br />

( 705) 789-6421<br />

HUTCHESON BEACH<br />

Lake Vernon off Muskoka Rd. 2 in <strong>Huntsville</strong>, beach, swings,<br />

washrooms and picnic area<br />

LION’S LOOKOUT<br />

On Forbes Hill Drive, just off Brunel Rd., by Canada Summit<br />

Centre, breathtaking panoramic view of Fairy Lake, Muskoka River<br />

and Downtown <strong>Huntsville</strong>, public picnic area<br />

NORWAY POINT PARK<br />

Just off Old Hwy. 117 east of Baysville, swimming and picnic area<br />

OXTONGUE RAPIDS PARK<br />

Just off Hwy. 60 east of Dwight, public picnic area<br />

PORT SYDNEY BEACH<br />

Mary Lake on Muskoka Rd. 10 in Port Sydney, sandy beach area<br />

RAGGED FALLS<br />

Hwy. 60 in the Oxtongue Lake area just before Algonquin Park,<br />

trails, public picnic area, dock, washrooms<br />

RIVER MILL PARK<br />

Downtown <strong>Huntsville</strong> on the Muskoka River, children’s playground<br />

and picnic area<br />

TOWN DOCK PARK<br />

Downtown <strong>Huntsville</strong> on the Muskoka River<br />

RIVERFRONT, CENTENNIAL & GRIST MILL PARKS<br />

Just off Hwy. 117 in Baysville, public picnic area<br />

TALLY-HO BEACH<br />

Peninsula Lake off Hwy. 60 in Hillside<br />

Camp Tawingo<br />

Camp Tawingo<br />

WWW.HUNTSVILLEADVENTURES.COM • 2012/13 VISITORS GUIDE 17


Film North<br />

The audience and community are in for a treat with the return of<br />

Film North, now into its third year.<br />

Film North, founded by Lake of Bays resident Lucy Molnar<br />

Wing, is Muskoka’s first international film festival, located in<br />

<strong>Huntsville</strong>, Ontario, Canada. It takes place the third weekend in<br />

September at the Algonquin Theatre; in 2012, it will be taking<br />

place on Thursday, September 20 – Saturday, September 22,<br />

2012. The program will be released mid-August, 2012 and tickets<br />

go on sale in September through the Algonquin Theatre (705-<br />

789-4975, www.algonquintheatre.ca).<br />

Film North’s 2012 priority<br />

is to select the best Canadian<br />

and International films<br />

for their audience.<br />

Film North’s second annual festival delighted audience<br />

members and filmmakers alike. With 36 films over three days,<br />

the festival has been praised for its intimate and relaxed setting<br />

in which viewers were able to enjoy independent films, alongside<br />

the many directors, producers and actors in attendance.<br />

Of the films screened, 15 were features and 21 were<br />

shorts. Of the 21 Canadian films, 13 were shorts and 8 were<br />

feature length. They screened 10 Dramas, 16 Documentaries,<br />

5 Dramadies, 1 Horror, 1 Nature/Educational, 1 Science Fiction,<br />

and 1 Experimental genre. They also screened 3 Environmental<br />

films, in keeping with the Environmental theme.<br />

The festival opened to a near-capacity audience with the<br />

world sneak-peek of ‘West Wind, The Vision of Tom Thomson,’<br />

which was accompanied by the directors, Peter Raymont,<br />

Michele Hozer and producer Nancy Lang. The directors took the<br />

audience’s comments to heart by incorporating suggestions into<br />

the edits prior to the world-premier screening.<br />

The respect and dedicated promotion of film by Film North<br />

and the exemplary treatment extended to film industry is earning<br />

Film North a world-wide reputation as an outstanding rare ‘Niche<br />

Festival’ and ‘Director’s Festival.’<br />

Join us september 20 th to 22 nd<br />

At the Algonquin theAtre, huntsville<br />

leArn more At Filmnorth.net<br />

18 2012/13 VISITORS GUIDE • WWW.HUNTSVILLEADVENTURES.COM<br />

“As someone who grew up in Muskoka and for a film that<br />

was named after a community in Simcoe County, I couldn’t think<br />

of a better festival for our film to screen at. The fact that we were<br />

lucky enough to win an award comes second to the amazing<br />

experience we had at this year’s Film North festival.” Sean<br />

Cisterna, Director ‘Moon Point,’ and the year’s Viewer’s Choice<br />

Award winner.<br />

“Such a wonder-filled time in <strong>Huntsville</strong>! Film North has<br />

got to be the sweetest, most professionally run, well-organized,<br />

creatively programmed film festival ever. Everyone was so<br />

generous, courteous, kind and genuinely having fun that it was<br />

infectious. I truly wish you continued success with the gem you<br />

have created.” Dale Hildebrand, Director, ‘TO in 24’.<br />

“From the moment we arrived, we were made to feel<br />

welcome and at home. The caliber of the films and the dedication<br />

and hard work of all involved made the festival a truly memorable<br />

occasion. You have created a film venue that is making Film North<br />

the place to “be”. Brava! Great work! We have become fans of<br />

Film North and will definitely be back next year.” Jim Calarco,<br />

Director/Actor, ‘The House’<br />

Film North’s 2012 priority is to select the best Canadian and<br />

International films for their audience. With two year’s under their<br />

belt, and through the box office sales and Viewer’s Choice ballots,<br />

they are now able to take their audience’s preferences into<br />

account in this year’s selection. Due to popular demand, a ‘Shorts’<br />

segment was incorporated into the Friday afternoon program.<br />

Come join us for a special weekend of entertainment and<br />

delightful events. For more information and program details, visit<br />

www.filmnorth.net.<br />

See you at the movies!<br />

Film North


All photos by Don McCormick<br />

Are you looking for quiet rural roads,<br />

pristine lakes, waterfalls, charming B&Bs,<br />

welcoming Inns, picturesque towns and<br />

villages, historic sites, well-maintained<br />

campgrounds, cafes, micro-breweries and<br />

unique restaurants? These are just some<br />

of the things you will discover while<br />

cycling through Muskoka.<br />

Over the past several years, cycling<br />

has increased in popularity and Muskoka<br />

has become home to many cycling events,<br />

including mountain bike races, adventure<br />

events, triathlons and road cycling tours.<br />

Throughout the region, you will find<br />

hundreds of kilometres of winding and<br />

undulating roads and routes with good<br />

pavement that makes cycling exciting<br />

and challenging. You will find routes<br />

that accommodate all levels of cycling<br />

and all ages of riders. Muskoka has a<br />

growing community of local cyclists who<br />

are working with townships to encourage<br />

and promote safe cycling in the area.<br />

Visiting Muskoka with your bicycle is<br />

an adventure to be enjoyed by all: those<br />

looking for a scenic ride, a ride from<br />

town to town, a mountain bike trail as<br />

well as the long-distance riding enthusiast.<br />

Muskoka is an ideal region to plan a multiday<br />

route. If you need help to get your<br />

bike ready and your route planned, there<br />

are many well-qualified and experienced<br />

bike shops that are ready to help you get<br />

underway. If you are looking for bicyclefriendly<br />

accommodations, just contact<br />

[ By Jim Brendish ]<br />

The 7th Annual Spin<br />

the Lakes Cycle Tour<br />

will take place on<br />

May 27th, 2012.<br />

www.bikemuskoka.ca<br />

your local Chamber of Commerce and<br />

they would be more than happy to help<br />

you find the right place.<br />

For the mountain biker, we have a<br />

variety of parks and trails to accommodate<br />

all levels. Some of the places to visit include<br />

Bracebridge Resource Management<br />

Centre (Beginner/Family), Buckwallow<br />

Cycling Centre (Beginner to Advanced),<br />

Porcupine Ridge (Advanced) and Torrance<br />

Barrens (Beginner/Intermediate).<br />

For those of you who enjoy a<br />

BMX ride, you will want to visit one of<br />

Muskoka’s parks, which are located in the<br />

heart of the various towns.<br />

Don’t have a bike but are interested in<br />

experiencing Muskoka by bicycle? Many of<br />

the bike shops in Muskoka offer quality bikes<br />

for rent that will suit your style of riding.<br />

Whatever your skill level and interests,<br />

be sure to enjoy the many scenic stops<br />

along your travels – stretch your legs and<br />

take in all that Muskoka has to offer.<br />

For information on accommodations,<br />

bike shops, restaurants and services, be sure<br />

to visit the local Chambers of Commerce<br />

easily accessible at:<br />

www.huntsvillelakeofbays.on.ca<br />

www.bracebridgechamber.com<br />

www.gravenhurstchamber.com<br />

www.portsydneycofc.com<br />

www.muskokalakeschamber.com<br />

www.southerngeorgianbay.on.ca<br />

For more information on biking in Muskoka,<br />

visit www.bikemuskoka.ca<br />

WWW.HUNTSVILLEADVENTURES.COM • 2012/13 VISITORS GUIDE 19


ROSSEAU LAKE COLLEGE<br />

Established 1967<br />

705-732-4351<br />

In Ontario<br />

1-800-265-0569<br />

Bright Street<br />

Rosseau, Ontario<br />

admissions@rlc.on.ca<br />

www.rosseaulakecollege.com<br />

Cage Free & Open Year Round<br />

Spa Bath<br />

Recommended<br />

happy tails<br />

1393 Brunel Road, RR2<br />

<strong>Huntsville</strong>, Ontario, P1H 2J3<br />

705-789-9181 www.happytails.on.ca<br />

20 2012/13 VISITORS GUIDE • WWW.HUNTSVILLEADVENTURES.COM<br />

<strong>Huntsville</strong>_Chamber_1-4pg.indd 1 11-12-15 2:40 PM<br />

68 West Road, Unit 2<br />

<strong>Huntsville</strong> ON<br />

Rosseau Lake College<br />

is a University<br />

Preparatory co-ed<br />

day and boarding<br />

school for Grades 7-12<br />

located in Muskoka.<br />

Competence,<br />

Confidence and<br />

Character are<br />

the hallmarks of a<br />

Rosseau Lake College<br />

education where each<br />

student is encouraged<br />

to be ‘Best of Self’.<br />

Students receive a<br />

liberal arts education<br />

in academics, athletics,<br />

the arts and the<br />

outdoors. 95-100%<br />

of our graduates are<br />

accepted at<br />

the universities of<br />

their choice.<br />

We are committed<br />

to the values of<br />

diversity, acceptance,<br />

and compassion.<br />

Sport Therapy and Nutrition<br />

thesportlab.ca<br />

1-855-776-7852


All photos Mike Redwood<br />

Dara Howell, a grade 12 student at<br />

<strong>Huntsville</strong> High School, has her sights set<br />

on the 2014 Olympics Winter Games in<br />

the Freestyle Ski disciplines of Slopestyle<br />

and Half Pipe.<br />

In less than a year, Dara has transitioned<br />

from a rookie in the sport to one of the top<br />

ten women in the world. At the end of the<br />

season last year, she was ranked 6th overall<br />

by the Association of Freeskier Professionals.<br />

She has a gruelling season that starts<br />

in August in New Zealand and ends in<br />

April in Whistler, British Columbia. Training<br />

is on-going with much of the off-snow<br />

training happening here in <strong>Huntsville</strong> and<br />

Muskoka. Workouts and personal training<br />

happen at FITT Gym & Personal Training<br />

Studio and nutrition at The Sport Lab, both<br />

in <strong>Huntsville</strong>, and trampoline takes place in<br />

Bracebridge. On-hill training will take place<br />

at Whistler in late June, on the Horstman<br />

Glacier in early July, then in Breckenridge,<br />

Colorado in December. On top of all this,<br />

she continues to keep up her studies at<br />

<strong>Huntsville</strong> High School.<br />

One of her life goals was to be invited<br />

to the Winter X Games in Aspen, Colorado<br />

happening January 26-29, 2012 and Dara<br />

received her invite on January 4, 2012.<br />

With a few competitions already under her<br />

belt, she is ready to compete and hopes<br />

to finish the season with an invite to the<br />

Canadian Freestyle Team and the chance<br />

to earn a spot on the 2014 Olympic team.<br />

WWW.HUNTSVILLEADVENTURES.COM • 2012/13 VISITORS GUIDE 21


Jack Stewart<br />

22<br />

2012/13 VISITORS GUIDE • WWW.HUNTSVILLEADVENTURES.COM<br />

A 1600-kilometre network of trails in Muskoka covers some<br />

of Ontario’s most scenic landscape, and are maintained by<br />

committed local clubs.<br />

Muskoka’s trail network provides snowmobilers with a<br />

spectacular view of frozen lakes surrounded by snow-clad<br />

hills, valleys and thick forests. Whether your preference is<br />

short loops or multiple day journeys, this large trail network<br />

will provide you with unlimited touring opportunities.<br />

With your choice of accommodation along the<br />

way you and your friends will be able to rack up some<br />

serious miles!<br />

Visit Hill & Gully Snowmobile Club at www.<br />

hgrsnowmobileclub.ca or Du Ya Wanna Trail<br />

Riders at www.dywsc.com to purchase trail<br />

permits and get up to date trail conditions.


Kelly Holinshead<br />

On a winter morning, it is most uplifting to wake and see fresh snow<br />

blanketing the ground outside. The splendor of bent snow-laden<br />

conifer limbs is enough to entice one outdoors to experience this<br />

beauty of nature.<br />

The <strong>Huntsville</strong>/Lake of Bays<br />

area is one of few places where one<br />

can become involved in outdoor<br />

wilderness adventure. It is for this<br />

very reason that I was drawn back<br />

to the area of my roots to practice<br />

professionally and to participate<br />

in the many available recreational<br />

activities. Winter in Muskoka is a<br />

time to embrace the outdoors.<br />

Whether one heads out for a<br />

winter run on a snow-covered road<br />

or breaks fresh trail snowshoeing in<br />

the forest, the tranquility and peace<br />

that can be experienced, in and of<br />

itself, can be revitalizing.<br />

Some people may seek<br />

pleasure in ice fishing on a small<br />

back country lake in search of the<br />

elusive speckled trout. Others find<br />

satisfaction on a crisp winter day,<br />

trekking through the bush, keeping<br />

a watchful eye for signs of wildlife<br />

native to the area.<br />

Those looking for a little more<br />

speed and excitement will perhaps<br />

find it by skate-skiing on the local<br />

Kelly Holinshead<br />

Kim Goltz-Cross<br />

[ By Lowell Greib MSc ND CISSN, The SportLab ]<br />

trails. <strong>Huntsville</strong> is noted to have some of the best groomed<br />

cross-country ski trails in the province. As an athlete, it is always<br />

a remarkable feeling to find that state of bliss while moving across<br />

the snow – finding flow… that state<br />

of Zen – as you effortlessly move<br />

through the forest.<br />

From time to time, it is great to<br />

get out with friends – four-legged<br />

ones that is! Some area-groomed<br />

trails can be used for skijoring. This<br />

sport originated in Scandinavia and<br />

is a mix between cross-country<br />

skiing and dog sledding. The skier<br />

is harnessed to one or more dogs<br />

and the resulting team works as<br />

one, zipping through the forest. It is<br />

an exhilarating experience to sense<br />

the energy of the dogs while they<br />

work to help you move through the<br />

boreal landscape!<br />

In essence, any outdoor wilderness<br />

adventure is one that can offer<br />

enjoyment, peace and freedom. As<br />

literature suggests, it is evident that<br />

stress can be dramatically reduced<br />

when even a small amount of time<br />

is spent with Mother Nature… even<br />

if Old Man Winter does try to<br />

dampen your spirits.<br />

WWW.HUNTSVILLEADVENTURES.COM • 2012/13 VISITORS GUIDE 23<br />

Trish Kruusmagi


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Kelly Holinshead<br />

One century ago, a<br />

middle-aged, fledgling<br />

artist from Toronto was<br />

invited to <strong>Huntsville</strong><br />

Ontario, for a visit. This<br />

visit would eventually<br />

lead the artist to become<br />

the foremost painter in<br />

Canadian history and<br />

would ignite the birth of<br />

Canadian art and culture.<br />

In the spring of 1912,<br />

<strong>Huntsville</strong> resident Dr. J. M.<br />

McRuer invited his close<br />

friend Tom Thomson to<br />

come visit him and his<br />

family in <strong>Huntsville</strong>. During<br />

the visit, Thomson and the<br />

McRuer family enjoyed<br />

many outdoor activities<br />

such as hikes and canoe<br />

rides on Fairy Lake. At<br />

one point during the stay,<br />

McRuer and Thomson<br />

From the permanent collection of The Tom Thomson Art Gallery,<br />

Owen Sound, ON<br />

were talking about art and painting. It was<br />

the Dr. who suggested that Tom would<br />

find the scenery in Algonquin Park to be<br />

inspirational to his painting. That same<br />

summer, Thomson took his friend’s advice<br />

and went to Algonquin Park to forge his<br />

way into the annals of Canadian history<br />

and folklore.<br />

Prior to the summer of 1912, Thomson<br />

and a group of artist friends and coworkers<br />

were searching for a unique and fresh style<br />

of painting. Something that would capture<br />

the essence of what Canada was and who its<br />

people are. Thomson was being mentored<br />

and encouraged to become a painter;<br />

however, Tom did not think his painting skills<br />

were very strong and therefore was often<br />

discouraged about becoming an artist.<br />

Kelly Holinshead<br />

[ By Gerry Lantaigne, Artistic Director ]<br />

Thomson’s first trip to<br />

<strong>Huntsville</strong> and Algonquin<br />

Park is the genesis of<br />

his genius<br />

During that first summer in Algonquin<br />

Park, Thomson began sketching the scenery<br />

of the Park on small wooden panels using<br />

oil paint. These panels would slide into a<br />

small wooden box that could hold up to 10<br />

paintings and Tom would go on to a new<br />

location and sketch some more. Not being<br />

very confident about his art skills, Tom did<br />

not see too much merit in the collection<br />

of paintings he made that summer. With<br />

the end of the summer season, Thomson<br />

returned to Toronto to<br />

get back to work. Upon<br />

his return, his artist friends<br />

and coworkers were<br />

astonished at the work<br />

Tom had accomplished<br />

on his Algonquin trip. The<br />

paintings Tom made were<br />

of a subject matter that<br />

had yet to be painted by<br />

Canadian artists; rocks, trees<br />

and lakes… the rugged<br />

Canadian wilderness.<br />

For a group of painters<br />

trying to come up with a<br />

unique Canadian identity<br />

in art, what better subject<br />

matter to explore! Tom<br />

had given them a ubiquitous<br />

Canadian subject matter,<br />

but there was something<br />

more in the paintings, more<br />

than just the subject matter.<br />

There were the beginnings<br />

of an individual style of painting showing<br />

through in the summer works by Tom:<br />

quick frenetic brush strokes, thick paint,<br />

sweeping skies, and, most importantly, a<br />

daring and uncommon use of very bright<br />

colours. Thomson was not convinced of the<br />

excellence in his work; his group of friends,<br />

however, were ecstatic.<br />

They all quickly began to work in a similar<br />

fashion to Tom, painting the wilderness<br />

and experimenting with bold colour. This<br />

practice in the art world was not well<br />

accepted by critics and the art establishment;<br />

showings of their art often brought about<br />

negative reviews. This did not discourage the<br />

young group of artists and Tom continued to<br />

visit Algonquin Park and paint every summer.<br />

Continued on Page 35...<br />

From the permanent collection<br />

of The Tom Thomson Art<br />

Gallery, Owen Sound, ON<br />

WWW.HUNTSVILLEADVENTURES.COM • 2012/13 VISITORS GUIDE 25


Muskoka<br />

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Muskoka<br />

Boat &<br />

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Centre<br />

RMS Segwun & Wenonah II - Discover the breathtaking<br />

scenery of Muskoka with a cruise aboard the grandest of<br />

vessels! Sailing June through October<br />

Muskoka Boat & Heritage Centre is open year-round and<br />

showcases the rich history of Muskoka, featuring Canada’s<br />

largest in water collection of antique and classic boats.<br />

Muskoka Wharf, Gravenhurst<br />

www.realmuskoka.com<br />

Call Toll Free: 1-866-687-6667<br />

Home of<br />

Muskoka<br />

MadtraX<br />

6 tubing runs • Licensed Chalet & Snack Bar<br />

Lift to tow you & your tube to the top<br />

Fully staffed at all times • Fun for all ages<br />

ATTENTION SNOWMOBILERS!!<br />

Lots of parking, great spot to drop & ride (trail 88)<br />

Opens December 26th. Please call or visit us<br />

online for our hours of operation<br />

200 Yonge Street South, <strong>Huntsville</strong>, ON<br />

705-788-PARK (7275)<br />

www.rockridgetubing.com<br />

26 2012/13 VISITORS GUIDE • WWW.HUNTSVILLEADVENTURES.COM


Deerhurst Resort<br />

Muskoka Heritage Place<br />

With so many things to see and do in our<br />

area, the biggest decision is where to start!<br />

Kyal Smith<br />

Decades Stage Show, Deerhurst Resort<br />

Muskoka<br />

Heritage Place Dorset Fire Tower<br />

Town Dock<br />

Kelly Holinshead<br />

ALGONQUIN THEATRE<br />

1 (888) 696-4255 (705) 789-4975<br />

www.algonquintheatre.ca<br />

DEERHURST MUSICAL STAGE SHOW<br />

1 (800) 461-4393 (705) 789-6411<br />

www.thedecadesshow.com<br />

DORSET FIRE TOWER LOOKOUT<br />

(705) 766-1032<br />

DORSET HERITAGE MUSEUM<br />

(705) 766-2814<br />

www.dorsetheritagemuseum.ca<br />

DYER MEMORIAL NATURE RESERVE<br />

Williamsport Rd., <strong>Huntsville</strong><br />

GROUP OF SEVEN OUTDOOR GALLERY<br />

(705) 789-1400<br />

www.groupofsevenoutdoorgallery.ca<br />

HIDDEN VALLEY HIGHLANDS SKI AREA<br />

1 (800) 398-9555 (705) 789-1773<br />

www.skihiddenvalley.on.ca<br />

HISTORIC HUNTSVILLE TRAIN STATION<br />

(705) 789-8903<br />

HP-EH PAINTBALL<br />

(705) 788-2494<br />

www.hp-ehpaintball.com<br />

HUNTSVILLE FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS<br />

1 (800) 663-2787 (705) 788-2787<br />

www.huntsvillefestival.on.ca<br />

LADY MUSKOKA BOAT TOURS<br />

1 (800) 263-5239 (705) 646-2628<br />

www.ladymuskoka.com<br />

MUSKOKA HERITAGE PLACE<br />

Museum - Village - Train<br />

1 (888) 696-4255 (705) 789-7576<br />

www.muskokaheritageplace.org<br />

MUSKOKA STEAMSHIPS<br />

1 (866) 408-7495 (705) 687-6667<br />

www.realmuskoka.com/steamship.php<br />

RIVER MILL PARK & PLAYGROUND<br />

Downtown <strong>Huntsville</strong><br />

ROCK RIDGE RECREATION PARK<br />

1 (877) 848-0888 (705) 788-7275<br />

www.rockridgetubing.com<br />

ROTARY YOUTH PARK<br />

Skateboarding Park located in <strong>Huntsville</strong><br />

at McCulley – Robertson Complex<br />

www.rotaryyouthpark.com<br />

TOWN DOCK BOAT TOURS<br />

(705) 789-4580<br />

WWW.HUNTSVILLEADVENTURES.COM • 2012/13 VISITORS GUIDE<br />

27


OLD<br />

www.Downtown<strong>Huntsville</strong><strong>Adventures</strong>.ca<br />

28 2012/13 VISITORS GUIDE • WWW.HUNTSVILLEADVENTURES.COM<br />

Plan Your Adventure!<br />

Delightful Shops & Services • Cafés and Haute Cuisine<br />

Group of Seven Outdoor Gallery • Downtown Waterfront<br />

Canada Day Celebration – July 1st<br />

Nuit Blanche North – July 14th<br />

Firefly Festival – July 20th<br />

Summer Sidewalk Sale – August 18th<br />

Classic and Custom Car Show – September 15th<br />

Halloween Tiny Tots Parade – October 31st<br />

Downtown Divas Fashion Show – November 9th<br />

Girlfriends’ Getaway Weekend – November 9th-11th<br />

Downtown Santa – December 15th<br />

Here you and your family will do, taste and<br />

try things you’ve never done before. And it all starts downtown. . .<br />

We look forward to greeting you!


Kelly Holinshead<br />

Downtown <strong>Huntsville</strong> offers a shopping<br />

experience you’ll not soon forget. Arrive by<br />

boat at the Town Docks or come by car<br />

and park at one of our many designated<br />

spots and take a stroll down our tree-lined<br />

streets to find over 120 unique boutiques,<br />

shops and services. Or, if it’s delicious<br />

food you crave, Downtown <strong>Huntsville</strong>’s<br />

incredible array of restaurants, pubs and<br />

cafés is sure to have a delectable treat or<br />

two just waiting to tickle your tummy.<br />

As you stroll along, be sure to enjoy<br />

the colourful and eye-catching murals<br />

in our year-round Group of Seven<br />

Outdoor Gallery. Tom Thomson’s<br />

images of the north have always been<br />

deeply representative of Algonquin Park<br />

and the <strong>Huntsville</strong> area. In celebration<br />

of the Group of Seven and Thomson’s<br />

contribution to our heritage, some of<br />

the best-loved paintings of the Group<br />

of Seven have been replicated by mural<br />

artists and framed by our Downtown<br />

shops and services. Come enjoy the<br />

over 30 beautiful murals sprinkled<br />

throughout Downtown and surrounding<br />

area. Watch, interact with the artists,<br />

and experience art in the making as<br />

seven Canadian artists gather for ten<br />

days to create seven murals during our<br />

Annual Group of Seven Mural Festival,<br />

In July 2012. Plus, YOU can help paint<br />

too with our Annual ‘Add Your Brush<br />

Stroke’ Community Mural. Visit www.<br />

groupofsevenoutdoorgallery.ca for<br />

more details.<br />

Are you starting to plan your summer?<br />

Make sure that you include these great<br />

Downtown events on your calendar!<br />

Come Celebrate Canada Day on July 1,<br />

2012. Canada Day has never been more<br />

exciting with so many fantastic events<br />

being held in Downtown! Get a slice<br />

of Canada’s birthday cake at the Town<br />

Docks, enjoy a Muskoka Concert Band<br />

performance, take a leisurely stroll through<br />

our unique shops, savour the local cuisine,<br />

then join us at dusk for the fireworks<br />

extravaganza brought to you by the<br />

<strong>Huntsville</strong> Fire Department and the Town<br />

Kelly Holinshead<br />

Downtown <strong>Huntsville</strong> offers<br />

a shopping experience you’ll<br />

not soon forget<br />

of <strong>Huntsville</strong>. Fireworks will be launched<br />

from Hunters Bay behind the <strong>Huntsville</strong><br />

Fire Hall, so you’ll have a great seat from<br />

anywhere in Downtown <strong>Huntsville</strong>!<br />

In the heat of the summer, enjoy Nuit<br />

Blanche North on July 14. This event is<br />

an eclectic mix of street theatre, buskers<br />

and interactive art installations under the<br />

theme ‘The Times They Are A Changing”.<br />

Downtown <strong>Huntsville</strong> brings you the<br />

highly anticipated <strong>Huntsville</strong> Firefly Festival<br />

on July 20, 2012. <strong>Huntsville</strong>’s quaint Main<br />

Street is closed to cars and opens to<br />

everyone’s eyes at the Friday evening<br />

of family fun, live music, great food and<br />

shopkeeper specials. So come live the<br />

adventure, meet old friends and new, and<br />

enjoy the night! The fireflies dance until<br />

midnight and so will you!<br />

You won’t find a better place than at<br />

the Annual Summer Sidewalk Adventure<br />

on August 18, 2012. Fantastic bargains<br />

will be waiting for you as the shops of<br />

Downtown <strong>Huntsville</strong> spill their goods<br />

onto Main Street for a day of shopping<br />

and family adventures, including children’s<br />

activities, great food, live demonstrations,<br />

live music, and more.<br />

If four wheels are your passion,<br />

the Classic and Custom Car Show on<br />

September 15, 2012 is an adventure that<br />

will accelerate your heart rate. 300+<br />

exhibits up and down the main drag,<br />

trophies and door prizes – this is one<br />

automotive competition that you can take<br />

in on two feet.<br />

Ladies – get your mother, daughters,<br />

aunts, and girlfriends together for the<br />

Annual Girlfriends’ Getaway Weekend in<br />

Downtown <strong>Huntsville</strong> on November 8<br />

to 11, 2012. For one weekend a year,<br />

<strong>Huntsville</strong> pulls out all the stops for you –<br />

special adventures in shopping, pampering,<br />

entertainment and culinary delights await<br />

all girlfriends in Downtown <strong>Huntsville</strong>!<br />

So be sure to come and be entertained<br />

in Downtown <strong>Huntsville</strong>!<br />

For more information on Downtown<br />

<strong>Huntsville</strong> and these events, visit www.<br />

downtownhuntsvilleadventures.<br />

ca or call 705-789-1400.<br />

29<br />

WWW.HUNTSVILLEADVENTURES.COM • 2012/13 VISITORS GUIDE


30 2012/13 VISITORS GUIDE • WWW.HUNTSVILLEADVENTURES.COM<br />

Place Mall<br />

ANTHONY’S HAIR DESIGN • ARDENE • BECKER SHOES • BELL • BENTLEY • BLUENOTES<br />

THE CLOTHES CLOSET • COLES • ELCIPSE • HALLMARK • HAMPTON LANE MEN’S WEAR • KINGS BUFFET<br />

METRO • NORTHERN REFLECTION • PEARLE VISION • POPP’S • RICKI’S/BOOTLEGGER<br />

RON HENRY JEWELLERS • SCOTIA BANK • STYLISH TAYLORING • TIM HORTON’S • THE SOURCE<br />

VIA BELLA SPA • ZELLERS • ZELLERS PHARMACY • ZELLERS FAMILY DINER<br />

Monday / Tuesday / Wednesday /Thursday / Friday 9:30 am — 9:00 pm<br />

Saturday 9:30 am — 6:00 pm / Sunday 11:00 am — 4:00 pm<br />

With the following exceptions: Scotiabank is not open all the above hours - please phone 789-9631 for<br />

information. Metro, Zellers and Kings Buffet may be open additional hours - please check with them directly.<br />

It’s all at the mall - Over 25 stores and services<br />

Muskoka’s only indoor shopping centre!<br />

70 King William Street (just off of Hwy 60) P 705.789.3889 www.huntsvilleplacemall.com<br />

Windermere Garden Centre<br />

“Growing with Muskoka for over 35 years”<br />

It’s worth the drive to Muskoka’s largest indoor full service garden centre<br />

• Custom plant and planter orders taken<br />

• Bulk soils & mulches, delivery available<br />

• Experienced lawn care & gardening services<br />

• Professional landscaping<br />

• Many horticultural & landscape graduates on staff<br />

www.windermeregardencentre.com<br />

20 minutes south of <strong>Huntsville</strong> off<br />

Hwy 141 to 1453 Dee Bank Road<br />

705.769.3238<br />

Rick and Colleen Emmons


FOR ALL YOUR HOME & COTTAGE NEEDS...<br />

Open all summer<br />

holidays and late on<br />

summer Fridays to<br />

serve you better<br />

...Think outside the box!<br />

<strong>Huntsville</strong><br />

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2 Cann St. in the “Hub” of <strong>Huntsville</strong><br />

705-789-5549<br />

huntsville@hhmuskoka.com<br />

PROUDLY CANADIAN • LOCALLY OWNED & OPERATED<br />

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RENOVATING? REMODELING? RECYCLING?<br />

Donate to the ReStore<br />

We sell gently used furniture, building<br />

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supplies, toys, treasures, memories from the<br />

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Before you go to the landfill, stop & consider us.<br />

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robinson’s general store<br />

Gifts • Souvenirs<br />

Clothing • Moccasins<br />

Hardware • Groceries<br />

Ladies’ Boutique<br />

1061 Main Street<br />

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SoapStones<br />

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4 BRUNEL ROAD, HUNTSVILLE,<br />

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705-224-SOAP (7627)<br />

www.soapstones.ca<br />

WWW.HUNTSVILLEADVENTURES.COM • 2012/13 VISITORS GUIDE 31


WHAT OUR<br />

CUSTOMERS ARE<br />

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“We recently ate at 3 Guys And A Stove,<br />

<strong>Huntsville</strong> and enjoyed your delicious<br />

food, attentive service and<br />

some new item menus! Satisfying!<br />

We will definitely be back.”<br />

REHEARSAL DINNERS<br />

“You guys are the best!!!<br />

It (dinner) was amazing.<br />

Everyone loved it…. we sent other<br />

people to the restaurant to eat<br />

and they loved it.”<br />

CATERED OFF-SITE WEDDINGS<br />

“The food was served hot,<br />

and every plate was a work of art.<br />

The taste and flavour was unbelievable,<br />

in typical ‘3 Guys’ style.”<br />

“Good food and great service are<br />

key to a memorable, worry-free wedding.<br />

3 Guys And A Stove reached<br />

beyond that experience —<br />

and helped us create an evening<br />

that wasn’t only special to us, but special<br />

to all our closest friends and family.”<br />

WEEKEND MARCHÉ BREAKFAST<br />

“Thank you for such an<br />

AMAZING breakfast. As always, it is a<br />

highlight of our weekend.”<br />

CORPORATE GROUPS<br />

“All of the members were impressed<br />

with the quality of food, level of<br />

service and the ambiance of the room.<br />

Quite a few, ourselves included,<br />

have made a mental note to come back<br />

either as a group or on our own.<br />

Please extend my thanks to the staff that<br />

looked after us so properly.”<br />

Let’s face it, the food is the thing!<br />

HUNTSVILLE • MUSKOKA<br />

The ‘Stove’ at 3 Guys And A Stove is where it all happens!<br />

Our kitchen’s cookin’ with multi-level flavouring and<br />

multi-dimensional spicing, so we encourage you to order<br />

something different and ask for extra plates for sharing.<br />

Our goal is... to get those taste buds tap dancing!<br />

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK!<br />

<strong>Huntsville</strong> | 705.789.1815<br />

www.3guysandastove.com


Deerhurst Resort<br />

Kelly Holinshead<br />

Tempt your taste buds here in <strong>Huntsville</strong>, Lake of Bays &<br />

Algonquin Park! There is a wide variety of culinary experiences<br />

to choose from in our area. From chocolate treats, to coffee<br />

shops, cafés, pubs overlooking the water and fine dining.<br />

Roadside cafés, markets and pubs to savour sophisticated<br />

fare, you will find homegrown, local flavour for every taste<br />

bud on our communities. Wine and dine on the water’s<br />

edge, in magnificent resorts and inns or in bustling street side<br />

restaurants and patios where there is plenty to see and savour.<br />

Kelly Holinshead<br />

With over 50 dining establishments in <strong>Huntsville</strong>, Lake of<br />

Bays and Algonquin Provincial Park to choose from – you are<br />

certain to find a culinary delight to fit your budget and curiosity.<br />

Tempt your taste buds!<br />

Traveling with the kids? Little ones will delight in our pizzerias,<br />

breakfast diners or ice cream parlours. The last one usually does<br />

the trick after a long car trip!<br />

Kelly Holinshead<br />

WWW.HUNTSVILLEADVENTURES.COM • 2012/13 VISITORS GUIDE 33


34 2012/13 VISITORS GUIDE • WWW.HUNTSVILLEADVENTURES.COM


... continued from page 25<br />

During the summer trips, Thomson would invite all his painter<br />

friends to join him for excursions into the Park to paint, where he<br />

would act as guide and host.<br />

As the summers went on, Thomson became a fixture in the Park.<br />

The old logging community of Mowat, on Canoe Lake, was his home<br />

base. Here he met and established a relationship with <strong>Huntsville</strong><br />

resident Winnifred Trainor. The couple was often seen together in<br />

<strong>Huntsville</strong>, where Thomson often visited her at her home located<br />

at Centre and Minerva streets. This relationship blossomed into a<br />

closeness that others would see as more than just friends and it was<br />

rumoured that the pair were engaged to be married in the summer<br />

of 1917. Tom, however, mysteriously disappeared that July and was<br />

found drowned in Canoe Lake eight days later.<br />

In the five short years that Thomson was painting in <strong>Huntsville</strong><br />

and Algonquin Park, he produced over three hundred pieces of<br />

art, most of which are his daily sketches. These works became<br />

his legacy to our country. His artist friends took up his torch and<br />

carried it high to create “The Group of Seven,” engaging his subject<br />

matter and painting style, forging a Canadian cultural identity.<br />

Thomson’s first trip to <strong>Huntsville</strong> and Algonquin Park is the<br />

genesis of his genius. It has now been one hundred years since that<br />

first sketching trip: Thomson’s artwork is more valuable than ever<br />

and the work of the Group of Seven is recognized internationally as<br />

the quintessential Canadian expression in art. The words inscribed<br />

on Thomson’s Memorial Cairn at Canoe Lake were written by his<br />

friend and mentor J.E.H. MacDonald of The Group of Seven and<br />

beautifully sum up Thomson’s life of art in Algonquin Park.<br />

“Tom Thomson - Artist, guide and woodsman, he lived humbly<br />

but passionately with the wild. It made him brother to all untamed<br />

things of nature. It drew him apart and revealed itself wonderfully to<br />

him. It sent him out from the woods only to show these revelations<br />

through his art and it took him to itself at last. His fellow artists, and<br />

other friends and admirers, join gladly in this tribute to his character<br />

and genius.”<br />

Come celebrate this centennial anniversary with us, as we<br />

endeavor upon our third bi-annual Group of Seven Mural Festival.<br />

Come out and enjoy the over 80 murals in the Group of Seven<br />

Outdoor Gallery that encompasses the <strong>Huntsville</strong>/Lake of Bays<br />

area. Our festival will be in full swing in July 2012 – watch the murals<br />

come to life as world-class artists recreate the famous masterpieces.<br />

You can become a part of the creative experience by joining us on<br />

Main Street in <strong>Huntsville</strong> to help us paint our Community Mural,<br />

wherein all passersby and interested persons are invited to add a<br />

brush stroke to one of our famous murals. We look forward to<br />

seeing you in <strong>Huntsville</strong> in July!<br />

For information about the Group of Seven<br />

Outdoor Gallery and guided tours, please visit<br />

www.groupofsevenoutdoorgallery.ca<br />

La Dolce Vita Trattoria<br />

705.787.0662<br />

ladolcevitahuntsville.ca<br />

21 West Street South, <strong>Huntsville</strong><br />

eve.ladolcevita@sympatico.ca<br />

Authentic Italian Cuisine<br />

Century Home Charm<br />

Dinner daily at 5pm - Closed Tuesdays<br />

S EVEN<br />

MAIN CAFÉ<br />

FEATURING MUSKOKA ROASTERY COFFEE<br />

A qUAINT ANd COzY NEIGhbOURhOOd CAFé lOCATEd<br />

IN ThE OldEST COMMERCIAl bUIldING ON MAIN STREET.<br />

Featuring:<br />

Breakfast sandwiches, wraps and bagels<br />

Made to order sandwiches, wraps & Panini for lunch<br />

Home-made soups, salads<br />

Muskoka Roastery Coffee, a selection of fine teas<br />

Homemade treats and other local fare<br />

Ask about our catering options.<br />

Check out our unique selection of gifts and custom made baskets.<br />

Open at 7:00am weekdays, 8:30am on Saturdays.<br />

7 Main Street West, <strong>Huntsville</strong>, Ontario P1H 2C5 705-789-3107<br />

www.sevenmaincafe.ca<br />

WWW.HUNTSVILLEADVENTURES.COM • 2012/13 VISITORS GUIDE 35<br />

photo courtesy of D. Noon


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Muskoka Heritage Foundation<br />

I am sure that if asked to name an animal evocative of this area, frogs,<br />

toads and salamanders would not be named... too bad because they<br />

are a fascinating and underappreciated component of our natural<br />

environment here!<br />

Frogs, toads and salamanders are amphibians, a group of coldblooded<br />

animals which lay eggs and are characterized by moist skin.<br />

They absorb water and oxygen through their skin, although most<br />

use lungs as well. They are referred to as having “two lives” because<br />

they are completely aquatic as tadpoles and terrestrial as adults.<br />

In this part of Ontario, we have<br />

10 species of frogs and toads and 7<br />

species of salamanders. This low species<br />

diversity is because only those species<br />

able to hibernate through our long<br />

freezing winters are able to survive here.<br />

In the True Frog family, common<br />

local species include the ubiquitous<br />

wood frog, northern leopard frog,<br />

green frog and bullfrog. Wood frogs<br />

are often called “robber” frogs because<br />

they have a black mask across their<br />

eyes. Green frogs can be confused<br />

with bullfrogs except that bullfrogs<br />

are much larger and green frogs have<br />

folds down their backs. The call of<br />

Muskoka Heritage<br />

Foundation<br />

adult bullfrogs, which sounds like “jug-of-rum,” is commonly heard<br />

throughout the summer. Uncommon True Frogs include pickerel and<br />

mink frogs.<br />

The Tree Frog group includes spring peepers, gray treefrog and<br />

western chorus frog. This group of frogs is interesting because they<br />

have discs on the tips of their toes which allow them to climb vertical<br />

surfaces. Gray treefrogs may be found at night clinging to an outside<br />

wall near a light, feasting on the insects attracted there. Spring peepers<br />

are aptly named as they congregate at ponds in the early spring even<br />

before the ice is gone, where the males emit their distinctive earpiercing<br />

peeps.<br />

We are all familiar with our only species of toad – the American<br />

toad. Toads can live quite happily near our homes and gardens, where<br />

they find their favourite foods: insects, slugs and worms. Toads are a<br />

preferred food of an at-risk reptile, the eastern hog-nosed snake.<br />

My youngest daughter used to refer to rotten logs in the forest as<br />

salamanders because that is what we turned over to find them. Blue-<br />

[ By Jan McDonnell ]<br />

spotted and spotted (which have yellow spots) salamanders are<br />

common but secretive as they are both nocturnal and spend much<br />

of their time in leaf litter or, as mentioned, in rotten logs. Another<br />

group of salamanders found in our area are called lungless and for<br />

good reason – adults have no lungs but get oxygen through their<br />

moist skins. Northern two-toed, four-toed and eastern red-backed<br />

salamanders are locally found as well.<br />

Eastern newt and mudpuppies are also part of the salamander<br />

family. Newts are interesting because adults of this species return to<br />

the water after a terrestrial juvenile<br />

stage. The juveniles are called efts and<br />

the loss of forests and<br />

are bright red. Mudpuppies are the<br />

wetlands is substantial in largest salamander in Canada and live<br />

many parts of the world in deep water habitats.<br />

We can’t have a discussion about<br />

amphibians without mentioning global<br />

declines. Habitat loss is an important<br />

reason – the loss of forests and<br />

wetlands is substantial in many parts<br />

of the world. Chemical contaminants<br />

cause deformities and other problems.<br />

Climate change contributes because<br />

amphibians are so sensitive to small<br />

changes in temperature and moisture;<br />

destruction of the ozone layer results<br />

in the increased UV radiation which is harmful to amphibians.<br />

Globally, it is thought that 1/3 of the world’s species are threatened<br />

and extinctions within the last 20 years have been rampant.<br />

So what can we do about this issue? I recommend learning<br />

more about it. The internet is an obvious source and there are<br />

some excellent books out there, including The ROM Field <strong>Guide</strong> to<br />

Amphibians and Reptiles of Ontario. Become an advocate for habitat<br />

protection – even tiny wetlands can provide habitat for a variety of<br />

species. Lastly, start learning more about climate change to figure out<br />

ways to reduce your footprint.<br />

For 24 years, the Muskoka Heritage Foundation has<br />

protected, conserved and nurtured the area’s natural<br />

and cultural environment for the benefit of future<br />

generations. You can help us conserve Muskoka’s<br />

environment: become a member, make a donation,<br />

leave a legacy. For more info contact 705-645-7393 ext.<br />

200 or visit www.muskokaheritage.org<br />

WWW.HUNTSVILLEADVENTURES.COM • 2012/13 VISITORS GUIDE 37


Muskoka Heritage Foundation<br />

I am sure that if asked to name an animal evocative of this area, frogs,<br />

toads and salamanders would not be named... too bad because they<br />

are a fascinating and underappreciated component of our natural<br />

environment here!<br />

Frogs, toads and salamanders are amphibians, a group of coldblooded<br />

animals which lay eggs and are characterized by moist skin.<br />

They absorb water and oxygen through their skin, although most<br />

use lungs as well. They are referred to as having “two lives” because<br />

they are completely aquatic as tadpoles and terrestrial as adults.<br />

In this part of Ontario, we have<br />

10 species of frogs and toads and 7<br />

species of salamanders. This low species<br />

diversity is because only those species<br />

able to hibernate through our long<br />

freezing winters are able to survive here.<br />

In the True Frog family, common<br />

local species include the ubiquitous<br />

wood frog, northern leopard frog,<br />

green frog and bullfrog. Wood frogs<br />

are often called “robber” frogs because<br />

they have a black mask across their<br />

eyes. Green frogs can be confused<br />

with bullfrogs except that bullfrogs<br />

are much larger and green frogs have<br />

folds down their backs. The call of<br />

Muskoka Heritage<br />

Foundation<br />

adult bullfrogs, which sounds like “jug-of-rum,” is commonly heard<br />

throughout the summer. Uncommon True Frogs include pickerel and<br />

mink frogs.<br />

The Tree Frog group includes spring peepers, gray treefrog and<br />

western chorus frog. This group of frogs is interesting because they<br />

have discs on the tips of their toes which allow them to climb vertical<br />

surfaces. Gray treefrogs may be found at night clinging to an outside<br />

wall near a light, feasting on the insects attracted there. Spring peepers<br />

are aptly named as they congregate at ponds in the early spring even<br />

before the ice is gone, where the males emit their distinctive earpiercing<br />

peeps.<br />

We are all familiar with our only species of toad – the American<br />

toad. Toads can live quite happily near our homes and gardens, where<br />

they find their favourite foods: insects, slugs and worms. Toads are a<br />

preferred food of an at-risk reptile, the eastern hog-nosed snake.<br />

My youngest daughter used to refer to rotten logs in the forest as<br />

salamanders because that is what we turned over to find them. Blue-<br />

[ By Jan McDonnell ]<br />

spotted and spotted (which have yellow spots) salamanders are<br />

common but secretive as they are both nocturnal and spend much<br />

of their time in leaf litter or, as mentioned, in rotten logs. Another<br />

group of salamanders found in our area are called lungless and for<br />

good reason – adults have no lungs but get oxygen through their<br />

moist skins. Northern two-toed, four-toed and eastern red-backed<br />

salamanders are locally found as well.<br />

Eastern newt and mudpuppies are also part of the salamander<br />

family. Newts are interesting because adults of this species return to<br />

the water after a terrestrial juvenile<br />

stage. The juveniles are called efts and<br />

the loss of forests and<br />

are bright red. Mudpuppies are the<br />

wetlands is substantial in largest salamander in Canada and live<br />

many parts of the world in deep water habitats.<br />

We can’t have a discussion about<br />

amphibians without mentioning global<br />

declines. Habitat loss is an important<br />

reason – the loss of forests and<br />

wetlands is substantial in many parts<br />

of the world. Chemical contaminants<br />

cause deformities and other problems.<br />

Climate change contributes because<br />

amphibians are so sensitive to small<br />

changes in temperature and moisture;<br />

destruction of the ozone layer results<br />

in the increased UV radiation which is harmful to amphibians.<br />

Globally, it is thought that 1/3 of the world’s species are threatened<br />

and extinctions within the last 20 years have been rampant.<br />

So what can we do about this issue? I recommend learning<br />

more about it. The internet is an obvious source and there are<br />

some excellent books out there, including The ROM Field <strong>Guide</strong> to<br />

Amphibians and Reptiles of Ontario. Become an advocate for habitat<br />

protection – even tiny wetlands can provide habitat for a variety of<br />

species. Lastly, start learning more about climate change to figure out<br />

ways to reduce your footprint.<br />

For 24 years, the Muskoka Heritage Foundation has<br />

protected, conserved and nurtured the area’s natural<br />

and cultural environment for the benefit of future<br />

generations. You can help us conserve Muskoka’s<br />

environment: become a member, make a donation,<br />

leave a legacy. For more info contact 705-645-7393 ext.<br />

200 or visit www.muskokaheritage.org<br />

WWW.HUNTSVILLEADVENTURES.COM • 2012/13 VISITORS GUIDE 37


Arowhon Pines<br />

Lorren Cross<br />

The area of <strong>Huntsville</strong>, Lake of<br />

Bays & Algonquin Park is dotted<br />

with a variety of accommodations<br />

If you are planning a trip to <strong>Huntsville</strong>, Lake of Bays or<br />

Algonquin Park, be it for a vacation, a business trip or<br />

just to appease your adventurelust, there are a few key<br />

points to consider when deciding where to stay. Here<br />

are a few ideas to help:<br />

First, you must know the purpose of your trip. You<br />

may say it is something as general as a vacation or a<br />

business trip, but it is good to be more specific with<br />

what you want. You may be traveling on business, but<br />

you may also want to relax or explore the wonderful<br />

area of <strong>Huntsville</strong>, Lake of Bays & Algonquin Park. You<br />

may want a vacation, but do you want to try something<br />

adventurous or do you just want to relax at a spa?<br />

Deciding on these things will help you plan where to<br />

stay, and possibly save you time and money since you<br />

can choose the right accommodation that can cater to<br />

all your needs.<br />

Holiday Inn Express<br />

Draw up a budget table with possible projections<br />

on how much you would want to spend on your<br />

accommodations. Think of the services you want to<br />

enjoy while away and account for extra transportation<br />

costs if necessary.<br />

The area of <strong>Huntsville</strong>, Lake of Bays & Algonquin<br />

Park is dotted with a variety of accommodations,<br />

from family-operated lodges and resorts, cozy bed<br />

and breakfast homes, cottage rentals, and full amenity<br />

hotels and resorts. Outdoor enthusiasts relish the<br />

natural beauty of the many area campgrounds as they<br />

drift off to sleep under a blanket of stars.<br />

Contact the <strong>Huntsville</strong>/Lake of Bays Chamber<br />

of Commerce or visit our website www.<br />

huntsvilleadventures.com for a full list of<br />

accommodations in North Muskoka.<br />

WWW.HUNTSVILLEADVENTURES.COM • 2012/13 VISITORS GUIDE 39


Photo by: Peter Kaemmer<br />

Arow hon Pines Algonquin Park Ontario<br />

summer resort & restaurant<br />

Charming resort offering peace & quiet<br />

in the middle of the woods.<br />

Canoe. Kayak. Sail. Hike trails.<br />

See a moose. Play tennis. Relax.<br />

Friendly lakeside dining room open to<br />

the public. Bring your own wine.<br />

www.arowhonpines.ca<br />

705 633 5661 • 1 866 633 5661<br />

Being Close to All the Attractions<br />

Makes Us An Attraction<br />

Welcome to the <strong>Huntsville</strong> Comfort Inn, your ideal<br />

choice when traveling in the beautiful Muskoka area,<br />

the gateway to Algonquin Provincial Park.<br />

86 King William Street, <strong>Huntsville</strong><br />

705-789-1701 • 1-866-398-7480<br />

www.choicehotels.ca/cn269<br />

40 2012/13 VISITORS GUIDE • WWW.HUNTSVILLEADVENTURES.COM<br />

PORTAGE INN B&B AND PRIVATE COTTAGES<br />

Peninsula Lake, Muskoka, Ontario<br />

1-877-241-7614 • www.muskoka-rental.com<br />

On 5 Acres of Woods and Fields<br />

Affordable and Sleeps 2 to 17<br />

Lakefront Walk-In Sandy Beach<br />

15 Minutes to Golfi ng, Skiing & Tubing<br />

30 Minutes to Algonquin Park<br />

10 Minutes to Hidden Valley & Deerhurst<br />

On Snowmobile Routes 54 & 77<br />

Looking for a last<br />

minute cottage?<br />

Contact www.cottagefi nders.ca<br />

or 888-210-5230


MUSKOKA FRACTIONAL<br />

COTTAGE OWNERSHIP<br />

• 2 and 3 bedroom<br />

detached cottages<br />

on 50 lakeside acres<br />

• Near <strong>Huntsville</strong><br />

and Algonquin Park<br />

• $34,900 - $97,900*<br />

• Immediate occupancy<br />

on Lake of Bays<br />

THE BEST FRACTIONAL OWNERSHIP VALUE IN MUSKOKA<br />

Real Cottages. Real Value.<br />

Rentals available in traditional<br />

and luxury 2 and 3 bedroom<br />

fractional cottages.<br />

• A smart alternative to whole<br />

ownership<br />

• Carefree – no maintenance work<br />

• Resort Exchange privileges<br />

• Recreation amenities<br />

*5-week intervals in 2 and 3 bedroom cottages.<br />

Our Model Cottage<br />

is open daily!<br />

...enjoy it for a lifetime.<br />

1.866.396.BLUE / www.bluewateracres.info<br />

WWW.HUNTSVILLEADVENTURES.COM • 2012/13 VISITORS GUIDE 41


42 2012/13 VISITORS GUIDE • WWW.HUNTSVILLEADVENTURES.COM<br />

Visit the <strong>Huntsville</strong>/Lake of Bays Chamber of Commerce for everything you need to know about<br />

<strong>Huntsville</strong> and Lake of Bays! Open year round at 8 West St. N. in downtown <strong>Huntsville</strong>.<br />

Contact us: (705) 789-4771 or visit www.huntsvilleadventures.com<br />

for a full list of supportive accommodation members in our area.


Outdoor hot tub,<br />

sauna, Outdoor hot tub,<br />

Outdoor fi replaces, hot tub,<br />

lounge, sauna, fi replaces,<br />

sauna, exceptional fi replaces, meals<br />

lounge, & accommodations.<br />

exceptional meals<br />

lounge, exceptional meals<br />

& accommodations.<br />

& accommodations.<br />

Lakewoods<br />

Cottage<br />

Resort<br />

vacation@lakewoods-resort.net<br />

705.635.2087<br />

www.lakewoods-resort.net<br />

Year round housekeeping cottages on Oxtongue Lake<br />

Family friendly resort with a beautiful sandy beach<br />

Close to many attractions such as Algonquin Park<br />

WWW.HUNTSVILLEADVENTURES.COM • 2012/13 VISITORS GUIDE 43


The Friends of Algonquin Park is a non-profit, registered charity<br />

made up of members, donors, staff and volunteers who are<br />

passionate about enhancing the appreciation of Algonquin Park<br />

through the delivery of educational programs, activities and events.<br />

This dedicated group of individuals has been enhancing the<br />

experience of Park visitors to this magical place for almost 30 years<br />

now. Their passion has supported numerous projects over the<br />

years, like generating millions of dollars in gifts for Algonquin Park;<br />

year-round front-line staffing of the Algonquin <strong>Visitor</strong> Centre and<br />

Algonquin Logging Museum; hosting the only official Algonquin<br />

Park website featuring timely and detailed Park related information;<br />

and much, much more…<br />

If you would like to share your passion for Algonquin Park by<br />

donating, volunteering or becoming a member, please visit www.<br />

algonquinpark.on.ca or call us at (613) 637-2828.<br />

It is through the support of people like you that we are able<br />

to continue providing quality educational experiences in and about<br />

Algonquin Park. These include such events as Loggers Day<br />

which will take place on Saturday, July 28, 2012. Join us for a highly<br />

entertaining and educational day when the Algonquin Logging<br />

Museum comes to life with demonstrations around the Logging<br />

Museum trail.<br />

We are pleased to present Foster Brown in concert at<br />

the Outdoor Theatre on Sunday, July 29, 2012. Join us for a fun<br />

night of rollicking children’s nature songs.<br />

Meet the Researcher Day will be held on Thursday,<br />

August 2, 2012. Come and get an inside look at some of the<br />

topics and results of current research being conducted here and<br />

meet some of the people doing the work. Charity barbeque<br />

proceeds will support research in Algonquin.<br />

Activities such as the Experience Algonquin Workshop<br />

Take home new skills and knowledge<br />

series are another way to experience the best of what Algonquin<br />

has to offer! For these workshops, expert instructors are brought<br />

in from communities around Algonquin Park to share their passion<br />

and expertise on a variety of recreational and natural history topics.<br />

As a participant, you will work closely with instructors in a small<br />

group setting, taking home new skills and knowledge, as well as field<br />

guides and tools needed to pursue your interest further.<br />

Programs such as the Group Education Program<br />

offers school, youth, and adult groups a wide variety of<br />

educational programs that allow visitors to discover Algonquin<br />

Park’s amazing natural and cultural history. All programs are<br />

delivered by highly qualified Park Naturalists.<br />

To learn more about these events, or for a complete listing of<br />

all the exciting activities and programs The Friends of Algonquin<br />

Park have to offer, visit our website at www.algonquinpark.on.ca.<br />

Visit us on…<br />

@AlgonquinPark The Friends of Algonquin Park<br />

FOAPAlgonquinPark<br />

…and share your passion for Algonquin Park.<br />

44 2012/13 VISITORS GUIDE • WWW.HUNTSVILLEADVENTURES.COM<br />

The Friends of Algonquin Park


Kelly Holinshead<br />

Kelly Holinshead<br />

What woman wouldn’t want to spend a weekend with the<br />

girls – relaxing at the spa, indulging in some retail therapy,<br />

enjoying delectable food, and having a bunch of laughs?<br />

Well mark your calendars and get your gal pals ready for<br />

the annual Girlfriends Getaway Weekend, taking place<br />

November 8-11, 2012!<br />

Kelly Holinshead<br />

This annual event, now in its sixth year, continues to get<br />

bigger and better! Featuring fashion shows, beauty seminars,<br />

and headlined by such past artists as Jann Arden, Chantal<br />

Kreviazuk and Kathleen Edwards, the weekend continues to<br />

offer additional events and activities each year. Planning is well<br />

underway for 2012 and local accommodators will be offering<br />

fantastic packages for ladies travelling from out-of-town –<br />

be sure to check www.huntsvilleadventures.com for all the<br />

exciting details as they happen!<br />

Girlfriends Getaway Weekend is the perfect opportunity<br />

for women to relax and reconnect with old friends. Share<br />

a glass of wine and reminisce about the past. Spend the<br />

day exploring the downtown shops and all the amazing<br />

& unique items each has to offer. A chance to rejuvenate<br />

the mind, body and soul with good food, great friends and<br />

unforgettable entertainment!<br />

So ladies, ditch the husband and kids for a few days and<br />

start planning your getaway to <strong>Huntsville</strong> and Lake of Bays –<br />

you deserve a few days of pampering and Girlfriends Getaway<br />

Weekend is just what the doctor ordered!<br />

WWW.HUNTSVILLEADVENTURES.COM • 2012/13 VISITORS GUIDE 45<br />

Kelly Holinshead


Enjoy a scenic loop<br />

drive with plenty of<br />

great experiences and<br />

attractions around Lake<br />

of Bays. If you like to<br />

browse, these 3 hamlets<br />

have fantastic shopping<br />

in unique settings – great<br />

for a day trip – enjoy<br />

lunch or libations along<br />

the way!<br />

The<br />

community of Baysville<br />

is a small village on Lake<br />

of Bays surrounding<br />

the inlet to the famous<br />

Muskoka River. The<br />

village welcomes tourists<br />

year round and provides<br />

a number of quaint<br />

shops and services of<br />

interest. The area hosts<br />

many cottages owned<br />

by celebrities who are<br />

often seen around the<br />

village and has a history<br />

of entertaining the rich and famous.<br />

The world famous Bigwin Inn has<br />

been completely refurbished and, back<br />

in the day, it hosted famous entertainers<br />

such as Louis Armstrong and Count Basie,<br />

as well as catering to the Gatsby-era of<br />

Hollywood stars and celebrities. Bigwin<br />

now has one of the country’s greatest golf<br />

courses with vistas on Lake of Bays that<br />

will not soon be forgotten.<br />

Baysville is now also home to a number<br />

of mural recreations from the Group of<br />

Seven Outdoor Gallery which can be<br />

spotted around the village and near the<br />

new Lake of Bays Brewing Company.<br />

Many travelers have passed through this<br />

historic charmer throughout the decades<br />

and have never forgotten the warm village<br />

atmosphere and hospitality of its locals.<br />

For more information about Baysville<br />

visit: www.baysvilleontario.com<br />

Bays. Located at Highway 35 and the end<br />

of Muskoka Road 117, it is an easy and<br />

scenic drive from the Greater Toronto<br />

area and Algonquin Provincial Park is only a<br />

further thirty minutes drive northeast.<br />

Dorset is home to the world-famous<br />

Dorset Lookout Tower and the widely<br />

known Robinson’s General Store. The<br />

historic single lane humped-back bridge<br />

spans the channel between Big and Little<br />

Trading Bays and also boasts the village’s<br />

only traffic lights.<br />

In 2010, the Bigwin Steamship was<br />

re-launched on her 100th Anniversary. Many<br />

years and much hard work were needed to<br />

rebuild this beautiful lake steamer, which<br />

departs from the town docks in Dorset.<br />

The Dorset Heritage Museum is a<br />

must-see for all visitors wanting to learn<br />

more about Dorset’s ever-changing history.<br />

Pick up a free Heritage Walking Tour<br />

Welcome to Dorset – A<br />

Community with a View. Dorset straddles<br />

the District of Muskoka and the County<br />

of Haliburton. Its landscape has inspired<br />

generations of writers, painters and<br />

dreamers with its natural beauty, massive<br />

forests, pristine lakes, nightly displays of<br />

Northern Lights and the call of the loons –<br />

all this, just two hours north of Toronto.<br />

The downtown section spans ‘the<br />

booklet for a lovely stroll visiting various sites<br />

throughout this charming community.<br />

The vast areas surrounding Dorset<br />

are dotted with dozens of smaller,<br />

pristine lakes. Lush mixed forests and<br />

spectacular rock out-croppings complete<br />

the breathtaking scenery. We invite you<br />

to experience it for yourself!<br />

For more information about Dorset<br />

visit: www.dorsetcanada.com<br />

Narrows’ between Big and Little Trading<br />

Welcome to Dwight! On<br />

46 2012/13 VISITORS GUIDE • WWW.HUNTSVILLEADVENTURES.COM<br />

Gregory Brand<br />

the shores of Lake of<br />

Bays in Ontario, Dwight<br />

is in an excellent<br />

location for travelers<br />

looking to head out on<br />

the water and try their<br />

hand at some fishing.<br />

<strong>Visitor</strong>s to this hamlet<br />

can enjoy their summer<br />

getaway by taking to the<br />

lake for some swimming<br />

or boating from the<br />

glorious Dwight Public<br />

Beach, which features<br />

picnic tables, swimming<br />

areas and a public boat<br />

launch ramp. It is within<br />

walking distance from<br />

the quaint and eclectic<br />

shops offering Muskoka<br />

treats from ice cream,<br />

fudge and maple syrup,<br />

to complete cottage<br />

furnishings.<br />

Here travelers will also<br />

find Ragged Falls, a sharp and dramatic drop<br />

of the Oxtongue River, accessible by car<br />

with parking available and marked hiking<br />

areas to explore. The Oxtongue River Park<br />

offers a wonderful walk along the rapids,<br />

with picnic sites and breathtaking views.<br />

During the winter months,<br />

snowmobiling, cross-country skiing and<br />

snowshoeing are popular pastimes. <strong>Visitor</strong>s<br />

here will not find it difficult to find a place to<br />

stay and with so much wonderful natureviewing<br />

in the area, they won’t be at a loss<br />

for things to do and new places to discover.<br />

Lots of unique cottage resorts and quaint<br />

lodges offer accommodations for all tastes<br />

and pocketbooks.<br />

Nearby, take a detour on Limberlost<br />

Road and enjoy an unforgettable artistic<br />

experience with The Artists of the<br />

Limberlost Open Studio Weekend/Tour,<br />

an annual tradition taking place each August.<br />

For more information about Dwight<br />

visit: www.discoverdwight.com<br />

Here’s a tour that you can take over<br />

and over and discover something new each<br />

time. Public libraries in each village have free<br />

high speed for public use if you want to<br />

share your memories right away… and feel<br />

free to share your experiences and pictures<br />

with us – we would love to hear your<br />

feedback! Enjoy your ride…


Where else can you explore Tom Thomson and the Group of Seven<br />

replications under square miles of open skies?<br />

ONLY IN DOWNTOWN HUNTSVILLE AND SURROUNDING AREA<br />

Enjoy a free self-guided walking tour through our mural recreations of these famous<br />

works in our Outdoor Gallery. Open 365 days a year!<br />

1. Tom Thomson’s Autumn’s Garland<br />

1915-1916<br />

Mural Artists: Gerry Lantaigne, along with over 1,300<br />

<strong>Huntsville</strong> residents and visitors 2010<br />

Reflections of Muskoka (side) – 49 Main St. E.<br />

2. Tom Thomson Bronze Statue<br />

Artist: Brenda Wainman Goulet 2005<br />

<strong>Huntsville</strong> Civic Centre – 37 Main St. E.<br />

3. Lawren Harris’ Snow II 1915<br />

Mural Artist: Gerry Lantaigne 2006<br />

Trinity United Church (side wall) - 33 Main St. E.<br />

4. Tom Thomson’s White Birch Grove 1916<br />

Mural Artist: John Hood 2007<br />

Algonquin Theatre (rear wall) - 37 Main St. E.<br />

5. Arthur Lismer’s Georgian Bay, Spring 1917<br />

Mural Artist: Marc Sorozan 2009<br />

Algonquin Theatre (rear wall) - 37 Main St. E.<br />

6. Frank Carmichael’s Autumn: Orillia 1924<br />

Mural Artist: Michele Van Maurik 2009<br />

Algonquin Theatre (rear) - 37 Main St. E.<br />

7. Tom Thomson’s Algonquin October 1915<br />

Mural Artist:William Lazos 2007<br />

Algonquin Theatre (rear wall) - 37 Main St. E.<br />

8. Tom Thomson’s The Jack Pine 1916<br />

Mural Artist: Gerry Lantaigne 1999<br />

Miss Lester’s (side) - 4 Brunel Road<br />

9. Franklin Carmichael’s Mirror Lake 1929<br />

Mural Artist: Gerry Lantaigne 2005<br />

The Bookcase (side wall) - 93 Main St. E.<br />

10. Tom Thomson’s Autumn Foliage 1916<br />

Mural Artist:Tim Webb 2007<br />

Algonquin Outfitters -86 Main St. E.<br />

11. Tom Thomson’s Petawawa Gorges 1916<br />

Mural Artist: Olaf Schneider 2007<br />

Algonquin Outfitters (alley wall) - 86 Main St. E.<br />

12. Arthur Lismer’s Isles of Spruce 1922<br />

Mural Artist: Gerry Lantaigne 2009<br />

TD Canada Trust (rear wall) - 38 Main St. E.<br />

13. J. E. H. MacDonald’s Skiing 1912<br />

Mural Artists: Gerry Lantaigne, along with <strong>Huntsville</strong><br />

residents and visitors 2010<br />

The Finds (rear side) - 66 Main St. E.<br />

14. J. E. H. MacDonald’s The Tangled Garden 1916<br />

Mural Artist: Gerry Lantaigne 2006<br />

Coldwell Banker Thompson Real Estate<br />

(side wall) - 32 Main St. E.<br />

15. A.Y. Jackson’s Stream in the Woods<br />

Mural Artist: Marc Sorozan 2009<br />

Louis II (side wall) - 24 Main St. E.<br />

16. Lawren Harris’ Winter in the Northern<br />

Woods 1917-1918<br />

Mural Artist: Janine Marson 2009<br />

<strong>Huntsville</strong>/Lake of Bays Chamber of Commerce<br />

(side wall) - 8 West St. N.<br />

17. Lawren Harris’ Northern Painting 25 1924<br />

Mural Artist:Tim Webb 2009<br />

<strong>Huntsville</strong>/Lake of Bays Chamber of Commerce<br />

(rear wall) - 8 West St. N.<br />

18. F. H.Varley’s Midnight Sun 1938<br />

Mural Artist: David Flett 2009<br />

RBC Royal Bank (side wall) - 22 Main St. E.<br />

19. A. J. Casson’s Summer Hillside 1945<br />

Mural Artist: Gerry Lantaigne 2004<br />

RBC Royal Bank (rear wall – Municipal Parking Lot)<br />

- 22 Main St. E.<br />

20. Tom Thomson’s Northern River 1915<br />

Mural Artist: Gerry Lantaigne 2006<br />

Flotron’sTweed & Hickory (rear wall) - 18 Main St. E.<br />

21. Tom Thomson’sThe Pool 1915<br />

Mural Artist: Gerry Lantaigne 2003<br />

<strong>Huntsville</strong>’s Hometown IDA Drugstore<br />

(side wall – Municipal Parking Lot) - 10 Main St. E.<br />

22. A.Y. Jackson’s The Red Maple 1914<br />

Mural Artist: Stephen Sammon 2007<br />

<strong>Huntsville</strong>’s Hometown IDA Drugstore<br />

(alley wall) - 10 Main St. E.<br />

23. Tom Thomson’s Silver Birches 1915-1916<br />

Mural Artist: Gerry Lantaigne 2005<br />

<strong>Huntsville</strong>’s Hometown IDA Drugstore<br />

(alley wall) - 10 Main St. E.<br />

24. Lawren Harris’ Northern Lake 1926<br />

Mural Artist: Gerry Lantaigne 2005<br />

<strong>Huntsville</strong> Capital Theatre (front side wall) -<br />

8 Main St.W.<br />

25. J. E. H. MacDonald’s The Beaver Dam 1919<br />

Mural Artist: Charles Johnston 2007<br />

<strong>Huntsville</strong> Capital Theatre (rear side wall) -<br />

8 Main St.W.<br />

26. A. J. Casson’s South Portage<br />

Mural Artist: Michele Van Maurik 2007<br />

<strong>Huntsville</strong> Capital Theatre (rear side wall) -<br />

8 Main St.W.<br />

27. J. E. H. MacDonald’s The Wild River 1919<br />

Mural Artists: Gerry Lantaigne, along with close to 1,000<br />

<strong>Huntsville</strong> residents and visitors 2009<br />

<strong>Huntsville</strong> Capital Theatre (rear side wall) -<br />

8 Main St.W.<br />

28. F. H.Varley’s Stormy Weather,<br />

Georgian Bay 1920<br />

Mural Artist: Marc Sorozan 2007<br />

Muskoski Urban Rustic Living (side wall) -<br />

15 Main St. E.<br />

29. Frank Johnston’s Early Evening,Winter 1928<br />

Mural Artist: Donna Buchan 2009<br />

The <strong>Huntsville</strong> Forester (side wall) - 11 Main St.W.<br />

30. Tom Thomson’sThe Canoe 1914<br />

Mural Artist: Gerry Lantaigne 2005<br />

Wayne Simpson & Associates/Portage Promotions -<br />

11 Centre St. S.<br />

31. Tom Thomson’s Pine Trees at Sunset<br />

c1915-1916<br />

Mural Artist:Tim Webb 2009<br />

<strong>Huntsville</strong> Public Library (side wall) - 7 Minerva St. E.<br />

32. A.Y. Jackson’s Night Pine Island 1924<br />

Mural Artist: Janine White (Marson) 2007<br />

Hutcheson, Reynolds & Caswell (rear wall) -<br />

27 Main St. E.<br />

33. A.J. Casson’s White Pine 1957<br />

Mural Artist: Gerry Lantaigne, along with<br />

1,000 <strong>Huntsville</strong> residents and visitors 2011<br />

The Mill on Main Restaurant (rear side wall) -<br />

50 Main St. E.<br />

See G8 International Legacy with<br />

Tom Thomson’s The West Wind 1917<br />

Mural Artists: Gerry Lantaigne, along with<br />

brush strokes by the G8 World Leaders, <strong>Huntsville</strong><br />

residents and visitors 2010<br />

Canada Summit Centre – 20 Park Drive<br />

The Group of Seven Outdoor Gallery, originally founded by Gerry Lantaigne, is a project of the Downtown <strong>Huntsville</strong> Business Improvement Area (BIA).<br />

Contact the BIA for more information at 8 West Street North, Unit 4, <strong>Huntsville</strong>, ON P1H 2B6 705-789-1400, huntsvillebia@bellnet.ca.<br />

www.TheGroupofSevenOutdoorGallery.ca<br />

WWW.HUNTSVILLEADVENTURES.COM • 2012/13 VISITORS GUIDE 47


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48 2012/13 VISITORS GUIDE • WWW.HUNTSVILLEADVENTURES.COM<br />

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