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WHAT’S UP MUSKOKA EDITORIAL Rethinking the way Muskoka operates It seems like everyone running for political office in Muskoka is talking about responsible government, reducing expenses and addressing the District debt, but few are looking beyond Band- Aid solutions to these problems. Unless they are willing to critically examine Muskoka’s political structure and how it operates, how can they possibly make any real progress? While not everyone agrees with a single-tier District government for all of Muskoka, as has been discussed in the past, it is but one of many possibilities. Existing municipalities could be combined, the District level could be eliminated, there could be a better allocation of responsibilities or a whole new concept could be developed. Perhaps the current system is the best option but one way or another, it’s time to examine how Muskoka operates with a view to reducing costly duplications. This should be a priority for candidates running in the upcoming election, yet many admit they haven’t given restructuring any thought or don’t see how it relates to their campaign. More money is spent around the District Council table than anywhere else in Muskoka but that detail seems to be evading many mayoral and council candidates. It’s time to look at the big picture and to look at it critically. If one isn't willing to look at the system in its entirety and how it operates when looking for a way to reduce costs, the biggest piece of the solution is missing. A vision for downtown Gravenhurst After graduating from University, I worked for a year at the Toronto Sun on King Street East in Toronto. My favourite thing to do on my lunch was walk down to the nearby St. Lawrence Market on Front. I would spend my lunch walking around, browsing the vendors, grabbing a bite to eat from one of the specialty shops, or grab a nice fresh brewed coffee and baked good. Checking out the fresh seafood, spices, unique crafts, and sandwiches of the day was a great way to take my mind off my work for an hour. The market would bring people from all over the downtown core in Toronto and was always a bustling place. I can imagine Gravenhurst with the same type of indoor marketplace. The old Canadian Tire building would be the perfect location. A group of investors or a joint venture between business and government could easily turn the building into an indoor market for year round commerce. Letters to the Editor Twenty or 30 specialty and niche vendors under one roof would create a unique shopping experience that does not exist anywhere in Muskoka. This would create a very viable anchor to the downtown core and would bring traffic to all other local merchants on the street. It’s time for local government to start thinking outside of the box and to bring something exceptional and exciting to Muskoka Road. John Graham Gravenhurst Huntsville is a home away from home for the Waterloo Warriors On behalf of the University of Waterloo, Department of Athletics and the Warrior Hockey team I would like to extend our thanks and appreciation for the warm welcome we received during our visit to Huntsville in September. The Warrior Hockey team travelled to Huntsville to play an exhibition hockey game and conduct a number of clinics for youth in the community. The reception we received from the entire community, Huntsville minor hockey, the mayor, local businesses, and alumni was extraordinary. This was much more than an exhibition of hockey; it was an important educational outreach opportunity for the youth of Huntsville. Hopefully it inspired these young citizens to pursue a path where they can combine their love of hockey with all the riches that a great education has to offer. This was also a tremendous educational opportunity for the student-athletes on our team who benefitted from the experience as much as the young players they inspired. Huntsville is the proud home of the University of Waterloo Summit Centre for the Environment, and with more events planned in partnership with our athletics program, we are proud to call Huntsville our “home away from home” for the Warriors. Bob Copeland Director of Athletics University of Waterloo Donald Smit h Publisher Melissa Kosowan Editor Sandy Lockhart Assistant Editor Donna Ansley Curtis Armstrong Alan Bruder Laurie Johle Judy Vanclieaf Advertising Sales Marc Bonitatibus Production Manager Addie Collins Matthew Walker Design Department Angy Gliddon Ken Northey Susan Smith Reader Sales and Service What’s Up Muskoka is published by Cottage Country Communications, a division of Osprey Media Publishing Inc. which is a part of: Copyright© 2010, Osprey Media Publishing Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction of any material published in What’s Up Muskoka is strictly prohibited without the written permission of the publisher. The publisher assumes no responsibility for unsolicited material. Printed in Canada. Published every month. Subscription Rates: Within in Canada, outside of Muskoka One year $25.00 plus applicable taxes. Two years $45 plus applicable taxes. Canada Post Publication Sales Product Agreement Number 40025080 Address changes should be sent to the address below. How to contact us: Mail: P.O. Box 180, Bracebridge, ON P1L 1T6 Street Address: 12 – 440 Ecclestone Drive, Bracebridge Phone: (705) 646-1314 Fax: (705) 645-6424 E-mail: info@northcountrymedia.com Website: www.whatsupmuskoka.com Cover Photo Bracebridge/Gravenhurst: Chris Occhiuzzi Huntsville/Lake of Bays: Kelly Holinshead 14 October 2010 www.whatsupmuskoka.com
Foundation honours stewards of natural and built heritage By Sandy Lockhart Muskoka’s stewards of natural and built heritage were recognized on Oct. 2 at the Muskoka Heritage Foundation’s annual awards ceremony. Three properties were recognized in the Built Heritage Category. Charybdis Island (formerly Oram Island) at the Kettles near Mortimer’s Point on Lake Muskoka is a cottage originally completed in 1891 by John Oram, and been carefully retained and restored with little change over the years. Owners Mr. and Mrs. Allan Morson have worked very hard to retain the look and feel of the earliest days on Lake Muskoka. The 1894 boathouse was designed for a steam launch and still houses one today. The gazebo was recently rebuilt to match the way it looked in 1905. A Beaumaris area cottage that spent its early years as an annex hospital ward, received recognition. During the Second World War, the owner lent the property to the military to use as a recuperative hospital for wounded air force pilots. The government built the annex on the main cottage to house 100 injured men. “During the war, there were a number of such temporarily converted cottages outside Toronto to avoid concentrating in a central location one of Canada’s most valuable war assets – its pilots,” explained award presenter Nancy Cox- Godfrey, foundation director. This annex is now the nucleus of the cottage, owned by Anne McCall Cooper, located on Moot Point, Lake Muskoka. Traces of the past can be seen in the wide hallways that were used for manoeuvring gurneys, remnants of original linoleum and lawn bowling balls on the mantel. Ramatola Cottage on Tondern Island, Lake Muskoka, which was recognized, has been in the same family for six generations, since about 1905. It is believed to have been built in the late 1890s. Elsie and Henry Hillman, their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren continue to use the cottage today. The building, of wood clapboard and shingles, has been painted dark brown to blend in with the surroundings and not detract from the masses of granite that abound on the property. The Community Cultural Heritage Award was presented to the Village of Dorset and the Township of Lake of Bays Heritage Advisory Committee. Today Dorset has a very active heritage committee that maintains the Dorset Heritage Museum, the scenic Lookout Tower. The restored SS Bigwin, owned by the Lake of Bays Marine Museum and Navigation Society, is in Dorset. The Commercial/Government heritage category was awarded to the Muskoka Classic Cottage Emporium in Port Carling. The emporium is in a building built in 1932 to house Hanna’s General Store after it had been destroyed by fire. The building was restored by Greg Mannion, Recipients of the Muskoka Heritage Foundation Awards were recognized at the annual general meeting and awards ceremony. The foundation protects, conserves and nurtures the environment and traditions of Muskoka. who opened the Emporium in 2009. The award in the Built Urban Heritage category went to Westlawn on McMurray Street in Bracebridge, owned by Boyd and Kathy Smith. It is the first brick house in Bracebridge, built in 1880, and was home to the first resident doctor in Bracebridge. The back of the home was used as an infirmary and office. In 1966, it was converted into apartments but in 1989, the Smiths purchased it and brought back its historical charm and Victorian style. The 2010 Natural Heritage Steward Award went to two recipients. Robin and James Ingham own 35 acres of property south of Gravenhurst, which has an impressive variety of biodiversity, including some species considered at risk or threatened. With the exception of the area cleared for the house, it is mostly forested with spruce trees and areas of upland hardwood with rock outcrops and wetlands. As relatively new owners of Happy Isles on Leonard Lake, Mark and Lorraine Greenham were also the recipients of a Natural Heritage Stewardship Award. Both islands were used as local party spots in the past, but the Greenhams have cleaned them up and are working to attract wildlife. Mark has installed birdhouses, a bat nest, loon nest islands and is working to attract turtles. Don Smith, publisher of What’s Up Muskoka and Muskoka Magazine, was recognized with the prestigious Robert J. Boyer Award, recognizing Smith’s support and promotion of cultural and historic heritage in Muskoka over the last four decades. “He always has a Muskoka focus,” said presenter Dan Brooks, president of Muskoka Heritage Foundation. “What a wonderful award for a very worthy recipient.” Smith has a long career in the Muskoka publishing industry beginning in 1971. Brooks described Muskoka Magazine, founded by Smith, as one of the premier regional publications in the province and the country. “It was almost 39 years ago, to the day, that Bob Boyer agreed to hire me,” said Smith, of starting as a junior reporter with the man who became his mentor. “It is a tremendous honour to receive the Boyer Award.” The Wayland Drew Award went to Mike Walsh who recently retired from the Ministry of Natural Resources after 36 years. He is known as an environmental leader, advocate and educator for his work with everything from founding the Ontario Tree Marking Certification Program to his work with youth. “I’m extremely humbled by this award,” he said. “A lot of good people in this room have helped to make this happen. I’m just the front man.” Presenter Jan McDonnell added, “I’m very confident Muskoka is a better place because of the work Mike has done.” Brooks concluded the awards by thanking the volunteers the not-forprofit organization relies on to help protect Muskoka’s natural and built heritage. “Sixty-eight per cent of our employment in Muskoka is contingent upon a healthy environment,” says Brooks. “All of Muskoka looks to us to preserve it.” Muskoka’s dependable insurance broker. Trust, Integrity, Choice. • HOME • AUTOMOBILE • BUSINESS • COTTAGE & BOAT • DISABILITY & LIFE INSURANCE Bracebridge 95 Manitoba St., Unit 8 705-645-8757 • 1-800-263-4619 Huntsville 27 Main Street East 1-800-668-2333 • 705-789-0101 Port Carling 705-765-7400 Free Online Quotes: www.hrcinsurance.com www.whatsupmuskoka.com October 2010 15
Page 1 and 2: WHAT’S UP October 2010 MUSKOKA’
Page 3 and 4: Discounts Available on 3 or more Al
Page 5 and 6: Taking a new look at an old system
Page 7 and 8: Muskoka paramedics, joined onstage
Page 9 and 10: South Muskoka has $5 million wish l
Page 11 and 12: Gravenhurst officially opens new to
Page 13: Art exhibit brings history to life
Page 17 and 18: ADVERTISING FEATURE Ryan Miller, #1
Page 19 and 20: WHAT’S UP MUSKOKA SPORTS YOU’VE
Page 21 and 22: Be thankful for the precious things
Page 23 and 24: WINTER CAR CARE Tire care is crucia
Page 25 and 26: Aiming high to help children By Car
Page 27 and 28: Photograph: Don McCormick Lucy Wing
Page 29 and 30: WHAT’S UP MUSKOKA SOCIAL SCENE 1
Page 31 and 32: Superior Insulation. Superior Perfo

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