Summer has come and gone and the cooler weather has prompted a bit of magic: the bright greens of summer trees have become a blazing expanse of reds, oranges and yellows.

It’s not magic, of course (hello, science!), and it’s short-lived, lasting just a few short weeks. But following that initial burst of colour, after the red and orange leaves of the sugar maples and red maples have dropped to the ground, a warm yellow glow remains—the golden encore.

This second act can persist into November and is courtesy of trees like the yellow and white birches, trembling aspen, balsam poplars and tamaracks, the only local coniferous tree to turn yellow and drop its needles in the fall.

The stunning colours are a side effect of a tree’s preparations for the cold winter months. Chlorophyll, the chemical in leaves that gives them their green colour and produces nutrients for the tree, starts to break down in the fall as those nutrients are moved into the trunk. The bright colours of the leaves, which had been masked by the chlorophyll, were there all along.

You can enjoy the golden encore just about anywhere in Muskoka, as well as its adjacent provincial parks, Algonquin and Arrowhead. Go for a drive, take a hike, or head out onto the water for a different vantage point. Find suggestions for driving tours at Muskoka Tourism and Explorers’ Edge.

While we’re talking leaves, and now that there are lots of them on the ground, it raises the question: to rake or not to rake?

The answer is somewhere in the middle. You can definitely forgo the rake, but that doesn’t mean leaving a thick layer of leaves on your lawn either unless you want dead grass in the spring. The best solution is to mulch it: run it all over with a lawnmower and either leave the bits where they lay or you can then get the rake out and drag some of it into your garden.

More tedious, but an equally good option, is to compost it, either yourself or through a green bin program in your municipality if one exists.

What you should never, ever do is rake them, bag them and toss them. Organic matter in landfills doesn’t have adequate oxygen to decompose properly and ends up releasing methane, a greenhouse gas.

Fall means Thanksgiving, too. Here’s to plenty for you to be thankful for this month and beyond. Happy fall!

What do steel drums, yoga, dogs, art, beer and macaroni have in common? They’re all the focus of festivals happening around Muskoka this summer!There’s a festival every weekend. Some of the more unique offerings are the bathtub races at Rotary Dockfest in Huntsville, the yoga festival and forest run at Limberlost Forest and Wildlife Reserve, an on-the-water stand-up-comedy show, and a festival celebrating love in Dorset. Everyone’s favourite Nuit Blanche North street festival, the arts and crafts shows, and classic boat shows are back for another season. And some, like the Butter Tart Festival, Muskoka Ribfest, Muskoka Veg Fest, and the Macaroni Festival, have food at their heart. Many of the events are free or have a nominal cost. Mark your calendars with the dates below, and enjoy summer in style. 

Every Wednesday in July and August, 7-8pm
Concerts on the Dock series (including perennial favourites, the Northern Lights Steel Orchestra)
Town Dock, HuntsvilleAdmission: suggested donation of a toonie (goes directly to the performer) 

July 12-14
Huntsville Ribfest
River Mill Park, Huntsville
Admission: $3 (10 and under free)

July 12-14
35th annual Muskoka Pioneer Power Show
J.D. Lang Activity Park (Fairgrounds), Bracebridge
Admission: $5 (Kids 12 and under free when accompanied by an adult)

July 13, 10am-12pm
Butter Tart Festival
Muskoka Lakes Museum, Port Carling
Admisson: $2

July 19, 6pm-midnight
Midnight Madness and Street Dance (there’s a beer garden, too)
Downtown Huntsville
Admission: free

July 19-21
Muskoka Yoga Festival and 10k Forest Run
Limberlost Forest and Wildlife Reserve, Huntsville
Admission: see the website for pricing 

July 19-21
Muskoka Arts and Crafts Summer Show
Annie Williams Memorial Park, Bracebridge
Admission: by donation 

July 19-28
Muskoka Pride Festival
Various activities across Muskoka – see website for details
Admission: free

July 20-Aug 11
The Artful Garden (fans will be sad to learn that this is The Artful Garden’s final year)
1016 Partridge Lane,Bracebridge
Admission: by donation

July 20-21
Dog Fest Muskoka
Bracebridge Fairgrounds
Admission: $5 (under 13 free)  

July 20, 3pm
Algonquin Outfitters Paddle On Comedy Festival
Town Dock/Muskoka River, Huntsville
Tickets: suggested donation $15 (cash only)
Canoe rentals available at Algonquin Outfitters

July 24
Everything Anne of Green Gables Day
Bala’s Museum, Bala
Admission: $5.99/person or $19.99/family of fourbalasmuseum.com 

July 26-28
Muskoka Ribfest and the Muskoka In-Water Boat and Cottage Show
Muskoka Wharf, Gravenhurst
Admission: free 

July 27
Baysville Walkabout Festival 
Baysville
Admission: by donation 

July 27
Nuit Blanche North
Downtown Huntsville 
Admission: free 

August 3
Midnight Madness
Downtown Bracebridge
Admission: free 

Aug 2-4
Sawdust City Music Festival 
Gravenhurst
Admission: Ticket prices available on the website; some shows are free

August 3
Session Muskoka Craft Beer Festival 
Annie Williams Park,  Bracebridge
Admission: $30 in advance or $40 at the gate; must be legal drinking age 

August 3, 9pm
Civic Holiday fireworks
Muskoka Wharf, Gravenhurst
Admission: free 

August 10
Muskoka Veg Fest
River Mill Park, Huntsville 
Admission: free 

August 10
Love Fest Street Festival
Dorset
Admission: by donation 

August 10-11
Baysville Arts and Craft Festival 
Baysville
Admission: by donation 

August 16-18
Dockside Festival of the Arts
Muskoka Wharf, Gravenhurst 
Admission: by donation 

August 17-18
Artists of Limberlost Open Studio Weekend
Limberlost Road, Huntsville
Admission: free 

August 24
Muskoka Craft Beerfest
Muskoka Wharf, Gravenhurst
Admission: Ticket prices available on the website, must be legal drinking age 

August 24
Inaugural Muskoka Jazz Festival
James Bartleman Island, Port Carling
Admission: Ticket prices available on the website 

September 14
Macaroni Festival and Busker Fest
Downtown Huntsville
Admission: free 

The Canadian Press

January 31, 2019

Ontario home buyers may soon be able to find out the prices and conditions of other offers in bidding wars.

The government launched a consultation Thursday looking at the Real Estate and Business Brokers Act, and that’s one rule they’re looking at changing. Currently, if there are multiple bids on a home, the seller’s broker can only disclose the number of competing offers, but not the details of them.

Through this method in a hot housing market, buyers often can blindly offer more than what they initially planned on spending in hopes of beating their competitor.

“Allowing registrants to disclose the details of competing offers to other bidders may benefit both buyers and sellers by making this process more transparent,” the government says in its consultation document.

“Prospective buyers would have better information to inform their decisions, while sellers would know that potential buyers had not been deterred by the prospect of a blind bidding war.”

Realtors have been pushing for this change

The Ontario Real Estate Association has been pushing for a change to that rule and a broader review of the act, and they said they are thrilled consultations are underway.

“The rules governing realtors were set 16 years ago, when smartphones weren’t invented and fax machines were the norm,” CEO Tim Hudak said in a statement.

The industry has changed tremendously … It’s time for the legislation, as well as enforcement and education to catch up with the modern real estate market. – Tim Hudak, CEO, Ontario Real Estate Association

“The industry has changed tremendously since then. It’s time for the legislation, as well as enforcement and education to catch up with the modern real estate market. Updating the rules will increase professionalism in our industry, which is what realtors want and what home buyers and sellers deserve.”

Bill Walker, the minister of government and consumer services, said he is seeking public input to modernize laws governing real estate professionals, to reduce red tape and strengthen transparency and consumer protection.

“We need to make sure the rules governing real estate professionals, and the brokerages that employ them, are efficient, fair and up-to-date with modern realities,” Walker said in a statement.

The consultation document asks if details of competing bids were to be disclosed in multi-offer situations, should that require the consent of all parties, or should it just be the standard, with parties having the ability to opt out. As well, should the disclosure be limited to those actually making offers on a home, or should it be available to anyone who inquires?

The consultation also ponders escalation clauses, asking if the legislation isn’t changed to allow the details of competing offers to be disclosed, should bidders be banned from submitting offers that automatically increase if higher offers are submitted.

Various other areas of the real estate act are under consideration, and the public can submit feedback until March 15.

Do you hear it? The gently creaking boughs of the trees, the crunch of snow underfoot. It’s winter, inviting you out to play.

There’s no better way to enjoy the serene winter landscape than by ski or snowshoe, and Muskoka offers up plenty of opportunities for both.

Don’t have equipment? Visit a local outfitter like Algonquin Outfitters or Liv Outside for rental gear and then explore some of the best winter experiences around.

Limberlost Forest and Wildlife Reserve (free, no rentals)

Limberlost is open for public use, free of charge, every day of the year from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. This beautiful spot northeast of Huntsville is still somewhat of a hidden gem. Although you know there are people around, it can sometimes feel like you’ve got the whole place to yourself.

There are more than 70km of hiking trails through forests and around lakes that can also be used for snowshoeing. In winter, the reserve also maintains 30km of track set cross-country ski trails (weather permitting). Be sure to check their website for trail conditions.

Bracebridge Resource Management Centre (free, no rentals)

With 16.5km of groomed cross-country ski trails through mixed forest and easy access off Highway 11 just north of Bracebridge, the BRMC is a favourite location for local Nordic skiers. But sorry, snowshoers – snowshoes aren’t allowed on the trails. There’s just a small (less than 1km) snowshoe loop. You’ll find a trail map here.

Torrance Barrens (free, no rentals)

Go snowshoeing at night? Yep. It’s an otherworldly experience, especially under a full moon in a dark-sky preserve like the Torrance Barrens, southeast of Bala. Who knew there were so many stars in the sky? And the trail is an easy, 3km trek around Highland Pond. Bring a flashlight or a headlamp (a better choice so your hands are free). Check out the Facebook page here.

Arrowhead Provincial Park (fee, rentals available)

Located just to the north of Huntsville off Highway 11, Arrowhead Provincial Park has 28km of classic ski trails, 16km of skate ski trails, more than 8km of marked snowshoe trails, and off-trail snowshoeing options. You can even try out skijoring (cross-country skiing with your dog!). Get more info here.

Algonquin Park (fee) – Okay, so it’s not Muskoka, but it’s not far and it’s worth the drive. Three track set and one wilderness trail offer 110km of Nordic skiing, and many of the parks other trails are available for snowshoeing. Find winter info here. Or embrace the season completely and join park staff for the annual Winter in the Wild Festival.

Bonus trails

Inevitably, with a top five list of anything there are good choices that get left out because five isn’t six or seven or 10. But this being Muskoka, there are of course many more options for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. So here’s a few more:

Echo Valley Nature and Bike Trails (free) – This 3.5km trail network just off Hwy 60 between Huntsville and Dwight is a quiet place to contemplate the winter landscape via snowshoe. Trails aren’t winter maintained.

Gravenhurst KOA (fee, rentals available) – the campground isn’t open in the winter, but the trails are. There are 15km of track set trails. Snowshoeing is available too.

Cranberry Marsh snowshoe trails (fee, snowshoe rentals available) – Johnston’s Cranberry Farm has 10km of groomed snowshoe trails. Cross-country skiing is permitted, but trails aren’t groomed for it so may be a bit rough for skiers.

The days are getting shorter, carols are playing everywhere, and annual Santa Claus parades are popping up all over Muskoka. Christmas is just around the corner…

There are plenty of events in the region to help you get in the spirit, so if you missed the parades mark your calendar for some of this festive fun—maybe you’ll even make an annual tradition of one of them (if you haven’t already!).

If you have wee ones in your life, or if you’re just young at heart, or head to Santafest at Santa’s Village in Bracebridge or catch the Portage Flyer train in Huntsville (our own version of The Polar Express!) to make one last pitch to Santa. Leave a letter for the jolly old elf at a special mail box outside Christmas Tyme on Main Street in Huntsville. Or maybe you’d prefer to watch the big guy don skis for the annual Torchlight Parade at Hidden Valley Highlands Ski Area on Christmas Eve?

Or maybe your traditions have an outdoor element… a moonlit snowshoe walk on Christmas Eve, a family skate on one of Muskoka’s many skating trails like the ones at Arrowhead Provincial Park north of Huntsville, Memorial Park in Bracebridge, or at Johnston’s Cranberry Marsh in Bala.

You could light up your New Year’s Eve with early, family-friendly fireworks at Hidden Valley Highlands Ski Area or head to Arrowhead for the first Fire and Ice night on the skating trail (weather permitting – check their website to confirm). If you already have plans for the big night, you can get a jump on the celebration with a torchlight skate on the cranberry marsh trail on December 29. (All of these events are weather permitting, of course—be sure to check their websites to confirm the fun is still a go before you head out.)

You can create traditions closer to home, too. A roaring fire and friends gathered for fondue night. A build-a-snowman party. Or a day spent baking delicious Christmas goodness. (If you’re not a baker, but need an easy go-to treat that just about everyone will love, try the fudge recipe below. It’s easy as they come, next to buying it pre-made, but you don’t need to tell anyone!)

Super-fast festive fudge

What you need:

• 3 cups semisweet chocolate chips
• 1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
• 1/4 cup butter
• 1 cup chopped pistachios, cashews or walnuts (optional)
• Crushed candy canes for topping (optional)

How to make it:

1. Place chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk, and butter or margarine in large microwaveable bowl. Zap in microwave on medium until chips are melted, about 3-5 minutes, stirring once or twice during cooking. You can also melt the chocolate chips over a double boiler if you prefer.
2. Stir in nuts, if desired.
3. Pour into well-greased 8×8-inch glass baking dish.
4. Sprinkle with crushed candy canes, if desired.
5. Refrigerate until set.

(Adapted from All Recipes)

Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or Festivus, happy holidays to you and yours!

Residential non-waterfront sales activity recorded through the MLS® system of Muskoka Haliburton Orillia – The Lakelands Association of REALTORS® numbered 155 units in February 2017, up 18.3% from February 2016. This was a new record for the month.

On a year-to-date basis residential non-waterfront sales (249) were running 12.2% above the first two months of 2016. This was also a record for the period.

Sales of waterfront properties rose 12.8% to 44 units in February 2017. This was above both the five and 10-year averages for the month and the highest since 2002.

On a year-to-date basis waterfront sales were up 1.2% from the same period in 2016. This was also the highest since 2002.

“Non-waterfront sales activity has started 2017 at a record-breaking pace, and waterfront sales are running at a 15-year high,” said Mike Taylor, President of Muskoka Haliburton Orillia – The Lakelands Association of REALTORS®. “Supply continues to fall, which is leading to an acceleration in prices for those listings that are for sale. Should currently trends persist, that shortage of supply could potentially also start to bite into those record sales figures.”

The median price for residential non-waterfront property sales was a record $315,000 in February 2017, jumping 39.4% from February 2016.

The median price for waterfront sales was $386,250 in February 2017, rising 24.4% from February 2016.

The dollar value of all residential non-waterfront sales in February 2017 totalled $51.8 million, leaping 61.8% from February 2016. This was a record for the month of February and marked the first February to reach more than $40 million.

The total value of waterfront sales was $19.6 million, edging down 2.2% from February last year.

Residential non-waterfront sales activity recorded through the MLS® system of Muskoka Haliburton Orillia – The Lakelands Association of REALTORS® numbered 130 units in February 2016, were up 23.8 per cent from February 2015. This was just one sale short of the February record set in 2004.

Sales of waterfront properties rose by 2.6 per cent year-over-year to reach 39 units in February 2016. This was the highest February level since 2002.

“Demand for both waterfront and non-waterfront properties remained strong in February, with sales figures for both coming in at their highest levels in over a decade,” said Tom Wilkinson, President of Muskoka Haliburton Orillia – The Lakelands Association of REALTORS®. “As per usual at this time of the year, lower winter sales volumes, particularly for waterfront properties, are playing havoc with average and median price measures.”

The median price for residential non-waterfront property sales was $225,500 in February 2016, up 0.2 per cent from February 2015.

The median price for waterfront sales was $310,500 in February 2016, down 16.6 per cent from February 2015.

The dollar value of all residential non-waterfront sales in February 2016 totalled $31.7 million, up 29.9 per cent from February 2015. This was the highest dollar volume of any February on record.

The total value of waterfront sales was $20 million, down eight per cent from February last year.