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Muskoka, Ontario

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Muskoka/Parry Sound

Spotlight on Muskoka Chefs: Shaun Crymble

By CRAIG MOY

Toronto-trained chef Crymble manages the culinary operations of two restaurants, a bar, a poolside café and room service at The Rosseau, crafting continental and Italian-influenced menus for the resort’s discerning guests.

LOCAL BOUNTY

A rooftop herb garden supplies some subtle flavours and aromas for summer offerings—basil is particularly favoured for pizzas and fresh breads, while The Rosseau’s bartenders clip mint for mojitos. Tasty, too,
are the Ontario cheeses that Crymble plans to use this season. Cranberries from Johnston’s Cranberry Marsh in Bala are also a staple.

Spotlight on Muskoka Chefs: Rory Golden

By CRAIG MOY

A longtime proponent of the Savour Muskoka culinary initiative, Deerhurst Resort executive chef Rory Golden is committed to filling his menu with seasonal ingredients found close to home. In summer he also highlights the power of the barbecue with lots of grilled meats and vegetables—even grilled desserts.

LOCAL BOUNTY

You’ve heard of the 100-Mile Diet. At Deerhurst it’s more like the 100-metre diet—herbs, mushrooms, honey and maple syrup are all on site. Farther afield, Golden sources Ontario ingredients such as omega-3-enriched pork from Willowgrove Hill farm near Stratford. The chops are given a maple glaze and served with a tomato and locally made Big Ass Garlic “jam”.

Spotlight on Muskoka Chefs: Christine Bib

By CRAIG MOY

With her eponymous company, Christine Bib Catering, Chef Bib creates simply prepared, seasonal menus for all manner of clients in both Toronto and the Muskoka region.

LOCAL BOUNTY

Trout is a favourite ingredient; Bib often serves Milford Bay smoked trout, for example, on a potato latke with crème fraîche and dill, and grills fresh trout—farmed off of Manitoulin Island—on a cedar plank with a citrus-soy marinade. Later in the summer she takes advantage of Ontario’s fruit and vegetable harvest, from tomatoes and corn to peaches, pears, apples and wild blueberries.

How to Own a Piece of Ontario Cottage Country for $199,000

Horseshoe-Resort-and-Village

Inside a unit at Horseshoe Resort & Village

If you ever wanted to own a vacation home but didn’t want the hassle of maintaining it, Horseshoe Resort & Village has an offer you can’t refuse. Check out their Copeland House community, which has whole-ownership units (one bedroom, one bedroom plus den, or two bedrooms) starting at $199,900. Best of all, Horseshoe Resort’s stellar amenities, including a golf course, ski hill, restaurant and Shizen Spa, are just steps away. See horseshoevillage.com for details on Phase One and Phase Two.

Spotlight on Muskoka Chefs: James Brown

By CRAIG MOY

Originally from Niagara-on-the-Lake, chef Brown has spent more than two decades cooking in wine-and cottage-country kitchens (he moved to Parry Sound in 1993). At Kudos Kuisine (one of Where’s best new restaurants of 2011), he combines the skills he developed in Niagara with culinary influences from Northern Ontario, including traditional inspirations from the Shawanaga First Nation.

LOCAL BOUNTY

Georgian Bay pickerel is marinated in maple syrup, crusted in cornmeal and pan fried, while wild shiitake mushrooms are incorporated into a sauce for the restaurant’s AAA striploin steaks.

Five Cottage Renovation Tips from HGTV’s Colin Hunter

Colin Hunter knows Muskoka. The local contractor specializes in creating relaxing cottage spaces that have verve and durability. He can bee seen on HGTV Canada’s Summer Home, along with series host Samantha Pynn. Here, he offers his top five tips for cottage renovation.

1. LOOK TO THE FUTURE
Envision the end goal for your cottage project. Avoid short-term renovation solutions. Instead, focus on what will be great for years to come.

2. PLAN IN THE CITY
Before starting the renovation, do as much planning as you can in the city. Each hour of planning saves three hours of work—especially when the hardware store is far away!

3. BUY DURING THE WEEK
If you can, purchase fixtures, appliances and materials before heading out for the weekend. Don’t be shy about using Craigslist and Kijiji to get some great deals.

4. LIGHTEN UP
Use natural looking materials and light shades of paint. The real beauty of the cottage is the surrounding nature. Avoid colours and fabrics that detract from the views.

5. MANAGE YOUR TIME
Set realistic goals of what to achieve, and then attack. Always make sure to enjoy some afternoon sun. You can make up for it in the evening!

For information about Colin and his services, visit 919reno.com or call 416-919-7366. Summer Home airs Mondays at 8 p.m. on HGTV Canada, or watch full episodes at hgtv.ca.

Two Great Golf Apps that Will Help Improve Your Game

Linkside love: Everyday Golf Coach (left) and GolfLogix can help improve your game

Improve your game with technology. Golf apps can help you master specific courses and your swing. GolfLogix (pictured on the right) allows players to zoom in on individual holes and hazards. Among the international database of courses are the Muskoka Highlands, Parry Sound Golf & Country Club, Deerhurst Lakeside course, Muskoka Bay Club and the Lake Joseph Club. Everyday Golf Coach (on the left) is from PGA pro Noel Rousseau and features 32 videos that focus on your swing. A Swing Analyzer function allows you to diagnose specific issues, while videos for your iPhone and iPad help you to apply specific principles. Everyday Golf Coach is available for iPhone, and GolfLogix is available for BlackBerry, Droid, iPhone, Palm and most other devices.

15 Things We Love About Muskoka: A To-Do List of the Region’s Most Memorable Experiences

Boat

#1. A classic Muskoka wooden boat. (Photo: Neill Sturgess)

1. Spinning around the lake in a finely honed wooden boat from Muskoka Launch Livery.

2. Chomping down on a fig and prosciutto sandwich at Huntsville’s Pie Iron Sandwicherie.

3. Gazing up at the stars at the Torrance Barrens Dark Sky Preserve. (more…)

Welcome to the 2012 edition of Where Muskoka, available now

Throughout the process of working on 2012 issue of Where Muskoka (now available at marinas, resorts and LCBOs throughout the region), I was struck by something Samantha Pynn, interior designer and host of the HGTV Canada show Summer Home, said about how summer homes are all about reconnecting with family and friends. For me, this couldn’t be more true. As much as time at the cottage is about escaping our hectic Monday to Friday routines, turning off the BlackBerry and the email, and unwinding, soaking in the sunshine and swimming in the lake, time up north is always best spent when it’s with the most important people in our lives. (more…)

Hot Date: Bala’s Tangy Affair

OCTOBER 14 TO 16, 2011 A tart little fruit that’s native to the region has inspired nearly 30 years of celebrations at the Bala Cranberry Festival. This beloved event honours the harvest with cranberry-related crafting shows and sales, live entertainment, farm tours, and tons of treats—including cranberry cakes and muffins, cookies, conserves and other confections. Or toast the town-wide festivities with a cranberry cocktail or glass of cranberry wine. Admission $3 to $6 (free for children 6 and under); call 705-762-1564 for further details.