What's Up Bracebridge Gravenhurst - Whatsupmuskoka.com

Carry the music of summer in your heartAround BracebridgeBy Maria Duncalf-BarberSummer isa season forliving andgetting closerto nature,walking downtree-linedroads, boating,swimmingin pristinelakes andeating strawberries picked fresh fromthe farm,It’s eating watermelon with the juicerunning down your chin, reading thebook you have been saving, being withfriends and laughing out loud. Summeris a season for sharing beautifulBracebridge with tourists from all overthe world who can see what a paradisewe live in.This year, summer also included theG8 Summit. My friend, TamsenWelcome tosummer inGravenhurst. Julyis making up for acool, damp Junewith swelteringheat – perfect toenjoy swimming!Earlier thissummer I had thepleasure of attending my high school’s50th reunion in Waterloo. Like mostreunions I was amazed at how mucholder everyone was – with the exceptionof me, of course. It was fun to see manyold friends and listen to their stories oflife, some had travelled the world whileothers had stayed close to home for thepast 50 years. I was surprised by two formerfemale classmates who arrived withpictures of me with them at the prom.Tilson, was one of a group of about adozen people from the Parry Sound-Muskoka area who served as informationambassadors for media in Muskokaand Toronto.“I felt so honoured to be there. Itfelt historic to me, like Expo ’67.Reporters were from all over the world– Algeria, France, China, Russia, Japan– many of them with no idea of whatMuskoka-Parry Sound has to offer,”she says.“Everyone I met was gracious, andthey seemed impressed with Muskoka-Parry Sound. The Muskoka chairs andhigh-definition footage of the regionwere a huge hit. Lots of them said theywant to come back for a holiday.”As of June 12, I am excited to say Iam on the board of the new initiativeof revitalizing Chautauqua, a vibrantarts based community. We held a readingcircle launch where author PatrickBoyer spoke about the Muskoka Chautauquaand introduced the HonourableJames Bartleman, who talkedabout his program to provide books toFortunately it was two different proms! Ifyou get an opportunity to attend areunion you really should participate.June was the month to celebrate thecommunity service of both the GravenhurstLions Club and the Rotary Club ofGravenhurst. Each held its annual president’snight to recognize a year of serviceby their members, thank the presidentswho provided leadership and to welcomenew presidents. I hope you enjoy theCanadian flags on our main street everyholiday, placed there by the Lions Club.The Sunday evening concerts on thebarge have begun and on June 15 I hadthe pleasure on behalf of BenjaminMoore of Canada and the MuskokaCommunity Foundation to present toour council with a cheque for $3,500,along with a commitment of $750 ofpaint from Gravenhurst Paint and Wallpaperto assist the Town of Gravenhurstin updating and enhancing the areaaround Music on the Barge for our listeningpleasure.First Nations reserves.On June 20, all across Canada,members of the Grandmothers toGrandmothers Campaign of theStephen Lewis Foundation walked tohonour the thousands of Africangrandmothers who walk many kilometreseach day to get the necessities oflife for millions of orphaned grandchildren.A total of 240 groups hoped tototal the number of kilometres fromthe Atlantic to the Pacific. The Muskokagroup contributed 75 kilometres.Orange African scarves, multi-colouredballoons, and red and blue stars brighteneda blustery morning in AnnieWilliams Park as the Muskoka LakesGrandmothers participated withfriends and families in their firstnational walk. Nationally, $2,085 wentdirectly to the foundation, and over 90per cent of that will be in African grassroots projects by now.“The people who braved the elementsto make a positive contributionto the African Grandmothers in theirselfless labour of love were wonderful,”Another wonderful part of summer inGravenhurst is going on cruises on theR.M.S. Segwun and the Wenonah II. Sofar this month, my family has enjoyedtwo voyages on Lake Muskoka aboardthe Wenonah. Every time I get stopped bythe folks trying to get me to take the testfor my boating licence and they ask if Iplan on boating I respond that yes, theMuskoka Steamship and Historical Societyhave two wonderful boats that I enjoyoften.The Town of Gravenhurst is certainlybusy now that school is out and all thecottagers are back for the summer. WithCanada Day on a Thursday, it was nice tosee our main street and the stores full ofeager shoppers. I know that the BIA andthe Gravenhurst Chamber of Commercehave a full season of activities planned tomake sure everyone has lots to enjoy.The weekly farmers’ market has severalnew vendors who deserve a look somake it your Wednesday tradition to visitthe Muskoka Wharf and pick up somesays member Barbara Power.On June 23, the earth moved – literally.No it wasn’t President Obama’sAir Force One flying overhead or landingat the Muskoka Airport. It was areal earthquake taking place. It wasincredible how many people felt theshaking of Mother Earth.Let’s give the Rotary Club of Bracebridgea round of applause for thespectacular fireworks display they puton for Canada Day. It seemed like thewhole town was there. A sea of red andwhite flags reflected off hundreds ofjoyful faces. My husband Peter and Idrove home in our convertible admiringthe spectacle of stars in the nightsky, once again giving thanks for livingin such an amazing place.As we enter into the heart of summer,the season of the radiant sun andsucculent fruit, don’t forget to look upto see the scintillating stars and celebratethem in all their glory. As youwatch the fireflies dancing to theirown tune, always carry the music ofsummer in your heartThere’s plenty of summer fun in GravenhurstAround GravenhurstBy Gord Durnanfresh produce or handcrafted art.I recently learned that our utilityprovider Veridian Connections continuesto support worthwhile activities in townwith recent gifts totaling $4,250 to K.P.Manson Public School in Severn Bridge,Gravenhurst High School and the SouthMuskoka Hospital Foundation.A reminder that summer also meansthe mid-July curling bonspiel, whichattracts teams from all over the province.This event, along with the four differenthockey schools at the Centennial Centre,brings a lot of families to Gravenhurst.The mayor is also planning his secondannual golf tournament at the MuskokaBay Club on Aug. 9, which will raisevaluable charitable dollars to enhance ourown Gravenhurst Curling Club.Finally once again I have to pay tributeto all the dedicated volunteers with dirtyknees who spend hundreds of hours onbehalf of Communities in Bloom tomake all our community gardens theenvy of all who visit and live here.Summer Sizzler to raise funds for Hospice MuskokaBy Dianne Park ThachGet ready to ignite the dance floor atthis year’s Hospice Muskoka’s SummerSizzler gala fundraiser. After last year’ssuccessful event, the organization isgearing up for another fun evening ofdinner and dancing on Friday, Aug. 13at The Rosseau, a J.W. Marriott Resort& Spa in Minett.For the second year in a row, all of theentertainers have donated their time forthe event and this year, Canadian singerand songwriter Dan Hill, as well asToronto-based band Side 3 will delightthe crowd with their musical talents.Sandy Gordon started Side 3 back in2005, and the group is comprised ofworking professionals by day, turninginto charity event performers by night.Along with band members GerryThroop, Mark Eisen, Steve Diniro, andFrank Heisler, they have raised morethan $600,000 for charities. Playing alarge repertoire of music ranging from‘70s dance, dinner music, classic rock,and current hits, Side 3 has been gettingtheir gigs through social networks andword of mouth.“We do this for the love of music, andfor the love of the charities themselves,”says Throop.Both Gordon and Throop have experiencedthe loss of a parent and recognizehow necessary an organization suchas Hospice Muskoka is to a community.And, as both are summer residents ofMuskoka, being at this event also resonateswith them, says Gordon.“We’re thrilled to have an opportunityto do something with Muskoka, withHospice, and they tie together reallymeaningfully for me,” she says.The night will start with cocktails followedby dinner, and a live auction willalso be featured.Hospice Muskoka is a registered notfor-profitorganization providing nonmedicaland supportive end-of-life care.www.whatsupmuskoka.com July 2010 23