Muskoka’s farmers’ markets offer an abundance of fresh fruits, vegetables and more (photo: Ryan Heaney)
Whether you’re heading up to the cottage for a summer getaway or just visiting for the day (or even if you live in the region all year long), one of the best ways to get a little local flavour is to attend one of the many Muskoka farmers’ markets. Be sure to visit these weekly gatherings for the best of nature’s bounty!
By TIM JOHNSON
JW Marriott The Rosseau Resort near Minett (Photo: courtesy of JW Marriott The Rosseau Muskoka Resort & Spa)
Located just 200km north of Toronto, the Muskoka region has long been the favourite chill weekend getaway spot for hot, tired city dwellers. They arrive by the carload to experience its lakes, rivers and beaches. Until recent years, that commute was the only kind of Muskoka road trip there way—this beautiful area was considered “cottage country” and a visit here was dependent on having a place on the lake—or a friend who has one.
That was then. These days, there’s a new kind of Muskoka road trip emerging. With the addition of a number of great luxury properties—including a lovely JW Marriott set on the shores of Lake Rosseau—a new kind of Muskoka holiday is becoming possible. More and more “cottage-less” folks can now explore the area, checking out its quirky shops, interesting museums and great restaurants, then bed down for the night in style at a five-star resort. To celebrate this new kind of traveller, we offer our Muskoka road trip guide, loaded with tips on where to go, what to see and where to stay.
Read the Muskoka road trip guide »
See the Muskoka road trip map »
Start the Muskoka road trip slideshow »
All summer long, Where Muskoka brings you fresh and tasty recipes courtesy of some of the region’s top chefs. Check back every other Wednesday for some great meal ideas!
Chef Rory Golden
This week, chef Rory Golden of Deerhurst Resort offers a maple syrup–flavoured barbecue sauce that’s especially good on grilled chicken, pork chops, ribs, and even as a burger topping.
Ingredients
3 tbsp. vegetable oil
1/2 cup finely diced white or yellow onion
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1/4 cup cider or white wine vinegar
Juice of 1 lemon
Zest from ½ of same lemon
1 tsp. Dijon mustard
2 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
1/4 cup pure maple syrup
1 cup tomato ketchup
1/4 tsp. Tabasco or other Louisiana-style hot sauce
Method
Heat oil in a medium saucepan. Add the onion and garlic and sauté, stirring occasionally, until softened (but not browned).
Add the vinegar and lemon juice. Simmer for three to four minutes until reduced.
Add lemon zest, mustard, Worcestershire sauce and maple syrup, and return to simmer for another three to four minutes.
Stir in ketchup and simmer the mixture, stirring often, for another five to seven minutes.
Remove from heat and store in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to one week. Read more…
So long, sweet summer. Our cocktail feature from proof brands has come to an end, but you still have one opportunity to win their ultimate summer prize pack. Enter for your chance to win one of four ultimate summer prize packs from proof!
Ingredients
2 oz (60 ml) proof rum
4 oz (120 ml) apple cider
1 oz (30 ml) maple syrup
1 oz (30 ml) fresh lemon juice
Directions
In an ice-filled shaker, add proof rum, apple cider, maple syrup and lemon juice. Shake and strain into a Collins glass filled with ice and garnish with apple slices.
Pitcher size: To a pitcher add 8 oz (240 ml) proof rum, 16 oz (475 ml) apple cider, 4 oz (120 ml) maple syrup and 4 oz (120 ml) lemon juice. Stir well to mix and pour into ice filled glasses. Makes 4 drinks.
For more great recipe ideas, visit www.proofbrands.net.
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Check back every other Wednesday this summer for a new cocktail recipe and enter for your chance to win one of four ultimate summer prize packs from proof!
Ingredients
1½ oz proof whisky
4 oz Ceres pear juice
¼ oz fresh lemon juice
Directions
Pour proof whisky, Ceres pear juice and lemon juice into a shaker filled with ice. Shake and pour into a glass filled with ice.
Pitcher size: To a pitcher add 9 oz proof whisky, ¾ litre Ceres pear juice and 2½ oz lemon juice. Stir well to mix and pour into ice filled glasses. Makes 6 drinks.
For more great recipe ideas, visit www.proofbrands.net.
SPONSORED POST
Check back every other Wednesday this summer for a new cocktail recipe and enter for your chance to win one of four ultimate summer prize packs from proof!
Ingredients
1½ oz proof whisky
2 tsp Bull’s-Eye BBQ sauce
¼ oz fresh lime juice
4 oz Mott’s Original Clamato juice
1 beef pepperette
celery salt
Directions
Rim a tall glass with fresh lime and celery salt. Fill the glass with ice and add proof whisky, barbecue sauce, fresh lime juice and Mott’s Original Clamato juice. Stir to mix. Garnish with a beef pepperette.
Pitcher size: To a pitcher, add 1½ cups proof whisky, 2 tbsp barbecue sauce, ¼ cup lime juice and 4 cups Mott’s Original Clamato juice. Stir to mix. Makes 6–8 drinks.
For more great recipe ideas, visit www.proofbrands.net.
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Try to guess the artifact at the Muskoka Lakes Museum’s annual fundraiser
Enjoy an evening of historical fun at the Muskoka Lakes Museum‘s annual ArtiFact or Fiction fundraiser. Taking place on August 14, the event features local food, live entertainment, and a challenging game that tests attendees’ knowledge of historical artifacts.
Don’t miss Gravenhurst’s last Music on the Barge show of the summer on August 19, featuring tunes from the ever-popular Good Brothers. The country-folk band has been entertaining audiences with its sterling harmonies and top-quality musicianship for more than 40 years.
Also on August 19, Juno Award-winning singer and songwriter Chantal Kreviazuk brings her signature brand of pop to the Algonquin Theatre as part of the Huntsville Festival of the Arts.
A weekend of eye-catching visuals awaits as the Artists of the Limberlost—more than 20 talented artists and craftspeople in the Muskoka region—offer their annual summer studio tour on August 18 and 19.
Check back every other Wednesday this summer for a new cocktail recipe and enter for your chance to win one of four ultimate summer prize packs from proof!
Ingredients
lots of mint
4 oz proof rum
4 oz fresh lime juice (3-4 limes)
4 oz watermelon juice*
2 oz simple syrup**
8 1-inch (2.5-cm) cubes of watermelon, frozen
Directions
Place a mint sprig in each of your 4 glasses and muddle by crushing the mint against the side of the glass with a wooden spoon. Stir together proof rum, lime juice, watermelon juice and simple syrup in a large pitcher, then add watermelon cubes and remaining mint sprigs. Pour rum mixture into glasses. Serve immediately.
*To prepare watermelon juice, process peeled watermelon in a blender and strain.
**To make simple syrup, combine equal parts sugar and boiling water. Stir until sugar is completely dissolved. Pour into a jar or bottle with a lid, let cool and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks.
For more great recipe ideas, visit www.proofbrands.net.
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Colin James plays Huntsville’s Algonquin Theatre on August 8
An eclectic evening of rock, pop, blues and evening swing music awaits on August 8 as Canadian music icon Colin James plays his hits as part of the Huntsville Festival of the Arts.
Prism Theatre brings the Bard to Bracebridge from August 8 to 11 (and August 14 to 16); the troupe’s production of Shakespeare’s As You Like It offers romance, intrigue and much Elizabethan-era comedy at Annie Williams Memorial Park.
Get ready to bust a gut this week in Bracebridge and Gravenhurst—the Cottage Country Comedy Festival returns with five shows scheduled from August 9 to 11. Among the highlights are Mike Wilmot’s “Going Over Board” show at the Gravenhurst Opera House, while Just For Laughs star Joey Elias takes the stage at Bracebridge’s Club One.
August 12 offers yet another opportunity to ogle some fantastic water-bound pleasure craft as Port Carling hosts the Muskoka Lakes Association’s antique boat show. The free event features approximately 75 classic boats, many of which have been owned by Muskoka-area families for several generations.
You’ll definitely be “Working for the Weekend” over these next few days—classic ’80s band Loverboy offers its enduring fans a night of stadium-rock hits on August 12 at Deerhurst Resort.
Nikki Yanofsky plays Huntsville’s Algonquin Theatre this week (photo by Jeff Lipsky)
Jazz is on the schedule at both of the region’s big music events this coming weekend. If you’re in Huntsville on Saturday for its renowned Huntsville Festival of the Arts, be sure to check out the vocal stylings of Nikki Yanofsky. Northwest, Parry Sound’s Festival of the Sound offers a somewhat more venerable lineup—a performance by legendary vibraphonist Peter Appleyard, then a show by iconic bandleader and clarinestist Phil Nimmons.
There’s even more music this week at Gravenhurst’s Peter’s Players! Blues and soul belter Bobby “Blue” Bland—known for classics like “Ain’t No Love in the Heart of the City” and “Turn On Your Love Light”—takes the stage on Friday, while Saturday sees a rocking appearance by Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels.
Families are always welcome in Muskoka, of course, but there’s even more fun this Friday through Sunday at the MacTier Big Weekend Festival, which is simply stuffed to the gunnels with everything from a beach volleyball tournament and a regatta to comedy night and “under the big top” dance party.
Stay out late on Friday night in Bracebridge—the town’s Midnight Madness event runs from 6 p.m. to midnight with all manner of fun distractions, including buskers, a climbing wall, kids zone, live music and more.
Check back every other Wednesday this summer for a new cocktail recipe and enter for your chance to win one of four ultimate summer prize packs from proof!
Ingredients
4 basil leaves
2 tsp cane sugar
1 oz sparkling water
3 tbsp frozen blueberries
1 oz fresh lime juice
1½ oz proof rum
1 basil branch
2 wild blueberries and small skewer for garnish
Directions
Combine basil leaves and cane sugar into an old-fashioned glass and add sparkling water. Mix ingredients lightly with pestle. Add frozen blueberries, crush and mix for a second time. Fill the glass two-thirds full with crushed ice. Add lime juice and proof rum and stir well. Thread wild blueberries onto skewer. Garnish glass with wild blueberry skewer and basil branch. Makes 1 cocktail.
Pitcher size: To a pitcher, add ½ cup basil leaves, ⅓ cup cane sugar and 6 oz sparkling water. Muddle with the back of a wooden spoon. Add 1½ cups frozen blueberries and muddle again. Finally add 6 oz lime juice and 9 oz proof rum, stir well to mix. Pour into glasses filled with crushed ice. Makes 6 drinks.
For more great recipe ideas, visit www.proofbrands.net.
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Bala’s Museum presents its annual “Everything Anne” day—fun for the whole family on July 24.
Mark the 90th anniversary of Lucy Maud Montgomery’s notable sojourn in Muskoka at “Everything Anne” day, July 24 at Bala’s Museum with Memories of Lucy Maud Montgomery. The heritage centre, now celebrating its 20th year, is a must-visit for fans of the Anne of Green Gables books (written by Montgomery, of course). This particular special event focuses on the book series’ red-haired protagonist, and offers all manner of old time family fun—sack races, cake, prizes for best in-character costumes and much more!
Climb aboard the RMS Segwun on July 27 and embark on the Muskoka Heritage Foundation’s annual summer cottage tour of Lake Muskoka. This year’s excursion offers a look at some of the classic cottages in the Beaumaris area, and includes lunch at the acclaimed Taste restaurant at Touchstone on Lake Muskoka.
The Huntsville Festival of the Arts continues this week with daily performances and highlight concerts by the likes of crooner John McDermott (July 25), indie rockers the Joel Plaskett Emergency (July 26) and a comedic appearance by farce-master Rod Beattie, who presents Wingfield on Ice (July 27).
And for even more music, try the Festival of the Sound. Its classy concerts this week include an evening of songs by Leonard Cohen, Elvis Costello, George Gershwin and others as interpreted by soprano Patricia O’Callaghan and the Gryphon Trio (July 24), plus an opera gala (July 28) featuring top Canadian vocal talents.
End the week by feasting your eyes and filling your mouth! From July 27 to 29, Gravenhurst hosts the Muskoka In-Water Boat and Cottage Show in conjunction with the Muskoka Rib Fest. It’s a veritable smorgasbord of more than 100 top-of-the-line boats and cottage displays to view, plus live entertainment, giveaways and, of course, succulent barbecued meat.