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Archive for the ‘Day to Day Life’ Category

South Pond Farms is one of the Kawartha Lakes’ best-kept secrets. Nestled in the rolling fields of Bethany Hills, South Pond Farms provides breathtaking scenery and excellent accommodations. It is an ideal and picturesque location for weddings and other special events.

South.Pond.Farms.2.Bethany.Ontario

Their unique wedding venue – complete with a charming barn, fields and pond – would provide a beautiful backdrop for your ceremony, reception and photographs. The knowledgeable staff can provide a variety of options to choose from, including some great ideas for outdoor weddings or small weddings. Their in-house event planning team can simplify the planning process by taking care of food and flowers. They can also recommend suggestions for music, entertainment and photography.

South.Pond.Farms.Bethany.Ontario

But if planning a wedding isn’t on your to do list South Pond Farms also offers farm fresh dinners, group workshops, corporate and special events.

The South Pond Supper Club is a fantastic way to experience local fare presented in unique ways. Menus are posted online two weeks prior to the dinner and they are always happy to accommodate gluten-free and vegetarian diets. Upcoming Supper Club events include Where the Wild Things Are (May 21st), featuring locally sourced wild greens, and A Trip to the Greek Islands (June 25th), which features a Mediterranean themed dinner.

Other upcoming events include concerts, fashion shows, an art show and sale, and a variety of workshops including concrete sculpting, pottery pit firing, and silk scarf dyeing. At South Pond Farms they’ve created workshops that combine local interests with Bethany’s uniqueness: artisanal food and cooking classes, art and culture, and more. Bring together your group for an unforgettable opportunity to learn something new!

And even though spring has sprung, preparations are already underway for their annual Christmas in the Country event being held on Saturday, December 5, 2015. This is worth noting since you have to book early! You can join them for a festive family day of tree decorating, ornament making, winter hiking, and snowshoeing. And because it’s a South Pond Farms event you can be sure there will be delicious food and drinks such as mulled wine, German sausages, homemade delicacies, and maple snow taffy.

If any of this has piqued your interest South Pond Farms’ website offers delicious local recipes, an FAQ section, and contact information. Signup for their mailing list or request an information package today!

South Pond Farms, 1020 Gray Road, Pontypool, Ontario L0A 1K0 705-277-1649

www.SouthPondFarms.ca

connect@southpondfarms.ca

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“Ontario awards $1.2-billion contract to build provincially-owned stretch of Highway 407 East”

Highway.407.East

An announcement made on April 7, 2015 is good news for Bethany Village. Ontario has awarded a $1.2-billion contract for the completion of Highway 407 East.

The project will extend Highway 407 from Oshawa to Highway 35/115, which connects to the Kawartha Lakes and Peterborough areas, and will also link to Highway 401 just east of Oshawa.

Blackbird Infrastructure will be responsible for the design, building, financing and maintenance of the final phase of the project.

407.Map

Construction is set to start in the fall of 2015 with completion projected for 2020, with the first section set to open in December 2017.

The first phase of Highway 407 East that runs from the end of the privately owned 407 ETR at Brock Road near Pickering to Harmony Road in Oshawa is set to open by the end of this year.

A slight difference will be the fact that the province will set, regulate and collect the tolls themselves; tolls are expected to be lower than on the privately owned 407 ETR.

The 407 extension will provide Bethany residents and visitors with easy access to some of the most beautiful property in Ontario – and a mere 15 minutes away from Bethany Village!

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Yes it has been a long winter. Many people have been left with cabin fever as a result of the colder than normal temperatures.

Everyone is looking forward to change cabin fever to spring fever for obvious reasons. But you don’t have to wait for spring to go fishing. Why not go ice fishing now?

Ice Fishing

There are lots of places to ice fish near Bethany Ontario.

Several years ago the Ministry of Natural Resources made some changes, opening up ice fishing in the Kawartha Lakes to the public. Now, Fishermen consider this region to be one of Ontario’s finest ice fishing areas.

What can you catch? You might be surprised! Bluegill, yellow perch, black crappie, and northern pike have been turned into delicious fish fries – or thrown back!

There are dozens of lakes to choose from: Balsam Lake, Brighton Bay in Lake Ontario, Cameron Lake, Chemong Lake, Lake Dalrymple, Rice Lake, Sturgeon Lake, Lake Scugog, Crowe Lake and the lower Trent River are just some of the locations well serviced by outfitters.

Ice Fishing

Enjoy ice fishing!

There are a variety of resorts, providing overnight accommodations in cottages or condos, 2 or 4 person ice huts, bait, ice fishing poles, propane heat, fishing licenses…and if you want, you can even rent the services of an ice fishing guide!

You can get onto smaller lakes sooner in the winter as they freeze faster and then safely move to larger lakes as the winter progresses

If you are new to ice fishing, do a bit of research first – unless of course you are taking a guide along with you. Read magazine articles, watch how-to videos, and even consider attending seminars. The more you know, the more successful – and safe – your venture will be.

You will notice many fishermen have a variety of rods, each rigged a little differently. The variety lets you be prepared for the different sizes and species you might encounter, how active the fish actually are and how deep you plan to fish. The more prepared you are the better off you will be since changing lures in sub-zero weather is not a lot of fun.

If you are going to a lake for the first time, one that may not have a lot of ice fishing activity already, it is critical that you test the depth of the ice. Buy a basic auger to test the ice and to provide you with a 6 to 8 inch circumference to get started.

And finally, dress accordingly. Wear winter gear like insulated snow pants and a heavy winter parka. Good gloves, a toque, and a pair of insulated waterproof boots round out the ice fisherman’s most important attire on the ice. You might also want to bring some extra gloves, a balaclava, and a scarf.

Enjoy some ice fishing while there is still time. It will not last much longer. One minute we’re talking about ice fishing and before long we’ll be talking about the maple syrup running!

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As the end of February approaches there is still plenty of time left to get out and enjoy one of the benefits of the winter we are having – the snow!

Devils Elbow Ski Chalet

The Ski Chalet at Devil’s Elbow.

Bethany is home to one of the finest winter attractions of the Kawarthas – Devil’s Elbow Ski Area, which is just a short drive from Peterborough, Lindsay, Port Hope, Oshawa, and Toronto.

Devil’s Elbow is known for offering fantastic conditions and one of the longest ski seasons in Ontario. Open through March, it offers an excellent March Break destination for families looking to get out. And with six chairlifts (4 quad and 2 double) ready to whisk you to the top of the hill, lineups aren’t a problem (unlike the airports!)

You don’t have to be an Olympic skier to enjoy the Elbow. It offers a family friendly atmosphere, and with 85 skiable acres, plenty of room and hours of fun for skiers and snowboarders of every experience level. Speed down Satan’s Run or take it easy on the Bunny Hill – with 14 trails there’s something for everyone! The state of the art snowmaking and grooming equipment ensure the best possible conditions every day of the ski season.

The Slopes at Devil's Elbow.

Aerial view of the slopes at Devil’s Elbow.

If downhill skiing is not your passion Devil’s Elbow caters to Nordic skiers and snowshoe enthusiasts with 8.5 km of trail winding through a sheltered evergreen and hardwood forest.

You can also visit the Pro Shop for a tune-up of your skis or snowboard. If you’re new to the sport, or looking for an upgrade, the latest equipment and accessories are available for sale.  And of course ski and snowboard rental equipment is available by the day.

All that activity can make you hungry and if you need a bite to eat Devil’s Elbow features “The Grill.” Located in their spacious, two-story day lodge overlooking the ski hills, “The Grill” offers a wide variety of freshly prepared hot and cold foods and beverages. There are few better ways to warm up than with a cup of their delicious hot chocolate or coffee best enjoyed by the stone fireplace!

Devil’s Elbow offers the option of skiing for the full day or 3 hours. They also offer economical season passes, 8-packs of passes, and group discounts.

Just learning the sport? Then join their Ski School for less experienced skiers and snowboarders. Or if you are experienced and looking to get into racing their qualified CSIA instructors teach classes in alpine, snowboard and junior racing.

http://www.devilselbow.com

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Bethany Ontario, Kawartha Lakes

It’s February and with a winter like the one we’re having this year, it can seem like it’ll never end. Why not brave the cold and have some fun?  Bethany is home to wonderful trails for snowmobilers and outdoor enthusiasts alike.

There is an old rail line – the Victoria Rail Trail – to the immediate west of Bethany Village that is part of an extensive trail system.

It is an 85-kilometer rail trail with corridors linking Kinmount to Bethany, through Fenelon Falls and Lindsay. This public trail is open year round for recreational uses and is fantastic for snowmobiling.

It offers sports enthusiasts splendid panoramas and vistas, including views of lakes and waterways, meadows and valleys, and rolling hills and forests.

Bethany Ontario Snowmobile

This scenic rail trail is divided into 3 sections for easy access and your snowmobiling pleasure. The North Corridor follows the former CN rail line north, from Fenelon Falls to Kinmount.  Stop for a break at Island Park or view the falls at Trent-Severn Waterway Lock 34.  The trail follows Cameron Lake and then the Burnt River, leading into Somerville Tract, which is heavily forested.  After leaving the Forest, head north past the Crego Creek Bridge and into Kinmount, the Historic Austin Sawmill and the old railway station are part of a community park.

The Central Corridor begins in the north end of Lindsay at Thunderbridge Road and takes you north to Fenelon Falls.

The South Corridor, the old CP Rail Line, extends 30 kilometers from Lindsay to Bethany.  This trail begins off King Street E. with the new Rotary Trail – 1.5km of paved pathway.  Going south from Logie St. the trail follows the old CP Rail line to Bethany, progressing through farmlands and the natural areas of Fleetwood Creek Valley, bordered by the Bethany Hills.  A portion of the trail passes through the newly formed Windy Ridge Conservation Area. An easy access point for Bethany residents and visitors is at the intersection of Ski Hill Rd. & Jackson St.

If 85km of pristine trails aren’t enough to whet your exploring appetite, the Central Ontario Loop Trail is a marketing partnership promoting a shared-use regional trail system passing through five counties. This system is a unique 450km loop of publicly owned trails and covers a huge area of Central Ontario including Peterborough and the Kawarthas.

However, if snowmobiling isn’t your thing, don’t worry! There are plenty of other ways to enjoy the local trails including walking, hiking, cycling, horseback riding, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and ATVing.

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The need for a highway across the top of the Greater Toronto Area  (GTA) was in the works way back in the 1950’s. In 1993 construction finally began on what became known as Hwy 407 ETR (Express Toll Route).

Highway 407 Map

The 407 now spans over 107 kilometers, running from Burlington in the West to Pickering in the East. The final eastern expansion will result in the highway extending from Brock Road in Pickering to Highway 35/115 in Clarington, providing an important link for communities in the eastern GTA.

Although completion is expected in 2020, that is only 5 years away. And that is good news for anyone living in Bethany or considering building a home in Bethany Village. The 407 extension will provide you with easy access to some of the most beautiful property in Ontario; you will be 15 minutes away from Bethany Village.

Bethany was settled in 1856. The community of 1,500 sits among rolling hills ensuring beauty in every season. Lakes and ski hills provide the perfect backdrop for a new home, or for taking advantage of everything nature has to offer.

The 407 extension will make getting there easier than ever!

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It may just be the end of January but registration is already open for Saddlewood’s 2015 Summer Camp. Saddlewood is located 3KM north of Bethany Ontario.

Saddlewood

If you have a daughter between the ages of 6 and 18, and she has attended the Equestrian Camp before, than chances are you know you want to register early.

The exceptional riding program has been operating for over 40 years by Janis and Jim Smith. They opened Saddlewood with eight horses – the horses now number over 120.

Saddlewood is a wonderful story of passion and commitment. It was started from a family hobby in 1968. Janis was looking for something for both her and her horses to do in the summer and as a teacher, she was keen to bring her love of horses to the local children.  They opened with just a few horses and today have grown into a full-scale summer camp with over 120 horses, attracting campers from all over Canada, the United States and other parts of the world.

Manitoba

The sense of family is still strong. Janis and Jim’s daughters, both full time teachers, still come to help out during the summertime. There is a feeling of family throughout the camp. Most of the counselors and senior staff have been campers – and the kitchen staff bakes as good as any mom!

The physical premises include 3 outdoor jumping rings, 3 cross country courses, chalet style residences for the campers, a dining hall and a 4,000 square foot activity center – all on hundreds of acres of beautiful land.

It is rare to find a family run business that has maintained their roots for over 40 years – but Saddlewood Equestrian Camp continues to live up to its history and reputation.

http://www.saddlewood.ca/

 

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If you’re in the Bethany area this weekend, don’t forget the stop by the Bethany Park

Annual Garden Tractor Pull!

Sunday, August 18th, from 11- 4

Registration starts at 11am, pull begins at 1pm

BBQ and Canteen will be open

http://www.bethanypark.ca/

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I miss Bethany! 😦 Summer is here and that means kids, cottages, keeping everyone fed and amused and hydrated, not mention countless applications of sunscreen…I do love summer but this one seems busier than most.

But my thoughts are still with Bethany so stay tuned for my post about meeting with Heather Stauble, who represents Township of Manvers (Bethany) on the City of Kawartha Lakes municipal council and her thoughts about Bethany.

Live, stay and play!!!

talk soon

Holly

 

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Apparently, there are two Bethany’s in Ontario!  the one I’m writing about is part of the City of Kawartha Lakes – NOT near Napanee.

Here’s a map to show you just how to come find Bethany!

bethany.location.map.simple.March.4.2013

Easy to get to from Toronto, or the GTA – about fifty minutes to the 35/115 cutoff.

Plus, to make it still easier, Highway 407 will be moving east to the 35/115 cutoff!!!  (More on this next week!)

check it out online

407 map

So now you know!  Come visit Bethany!!!

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