Feeds:
Posts
Comments

Posts Tagged ‘Bethany Ontario’

Golf Season Opens Today Near Bethany Village!

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , , on April 15, 2015| Leave a Comment »

With the weather finally heating up there is one thing on a lot of our minds: FORE! And the friendly staff at Black Diamond Golf Club are working hard to get their course ready for the 2015 golf season. The news that they are opening today is certainly music to golf lovers’ ears.

Black.Diamond.Golf.Club

Black Diamond Golf Club near Bethany Village in the City of Kawartha Lakes.

Black Diamond Golf Club is located 8 minutes from Bethany and an hour from Toronto. It is located 20 minutes north of the 401 and off of HWY 115 (Porter Road Exit 26).

Black Diamond is a par 72 Championship golf course with four tee decks, so no matter your skill level you can enjoy their spectacularly laid out course. An 18-hole facility which ScoreGolf.com calls “an excellent local course,” Black Diamond Golf Club is carved out of dense forest and is nestled in the foothills of the Kawartha Oakridges Moraine giving it a much more wooded and natural feel than some courses located further south in Ontario. Set on rolling terrain, Black Diamond sits amidst tree-lined rolling fairways, fescue grass, sculptured mounds, multiple elevation changes, spring-fed ponds, 70 bunkers, and a double green.

Black.Diamond.Golf.Club.2

When Black Diamond Golf Club was designed, the aim was to excite and challenge, rewarding golfers who can control their ball flight, while still being forgiving to players of all skill levels with ample room on generous fairways. Four ponds come into play on holes No. 6, 8, 11, 14 and 17, but with no forced carries over creeks or wetlands it has a high degree of playability for the average golfer.

Golfers are faced with a dramatic finish requiring varying degrees of uphill shots to the greens on holes No. 15, 16 and 18. Black Diamond also features five doglegs to the left and five more to the right, providing plenty of challenges and opportunities to strategize.

Sean Morey is Black Diamond’s General Manager – SMorey@blackdiamondgolfclub.ca

If a wedding is in your future, Black Diamond Golf Club wants you to know “your happily ever after can start here!” They offer complete planning, preparation, and service to ensure you have the wedding of your dreams. Their elegant outdoor gazebo overlooks the front 9 of the golf course. It is a fantastic location for a wedding ceremony, while receptions are held in their large and bright banquet room featuring an attached stone patio.

Barb Timms is Black Diamond’s Event Coordinator – BTimms@blackdiamondgolfclub.ca

Black Diamond Golf Club – 705 Pontypool Road, Pontypool, Ontario,  L0A 1K0

1-888-932-2005

Read Full Post »

Great News for Bethany Ontario!

Posted in Day to Day Life, tagged , , , , , , , on April 8, 2015| Leave a Comment »

“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!

Read Full Post »

Tapping for Maple Syrup near Bethany, Ontario!

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , , , on March 10, 2015| Leave a Comment »

A small start to a large and wonderful tradition!

Maple syrup is often referred to as the first agricultural crop of the year. The process can begin when there is still a large amount of snow on the ground, as long as the temperature is right. The flow of maple sap is a much better indicator of spring than the ground hog!

Moores.Maple.Syrup

Moore’s Maple Syrup is available in many different sizes.

I recently spoke with Jim and Carolyn Moore, who began producing maple syrup in 1985. All good stories have a beginning – and it began with 25 taps on the maple trees along their driveway. They boiled the sap down in an enormous cast iron pot outdoors over an open fire. The result? 19 litres of smoky, dark and delicious syrup!

Jeffrey.Kerr.Enjoying.Moores.Maple.Syrup

I couldn’t resist adding a picture of myself enjoying Sunday morning pancakes with Moore’s Maple Syrup!

The next year they tapped 100 trees, using a variety of pails to collect the sap, followed by boiling in an old flat bottomed pan on a homemade furnace. Three short years after their first efforts they went all out and tapped the whole 17 acre maple bush!  They installed pipeline, and renovated a farm shed to be a sugar shack for their new stainless steel evaporator.

Moores.Maple.Syrup.Shack

The Moore’s Maple Syrup Shack in action!

Now, for more than 27 years they have produced around 900 litres per year from 1,000 taps.

Depending on the weather, they generally tap in early March, and boil whenever the sap runs — anytime up to mid-April, whenever nights are freezing and days are above 0.

I asked how much sap was needed to produce 1 litre of syrup and I was amazed at the answer – 40 litres of sap produces 1 litre of syrup! That is a lot of sap, a lot of boiling, and a LOT of firewood!

Jim.Moore

Jim Moore tending to the Sugar Shack fire!

Right now Jim and Carolyn are tapping the trees, helped out by their two sons from Toronto.  They will be working on snowshoes because the snow is unusually deep.

After the tapping it will be time to focus their energy on washing the collection tanks, re-washing and re-assembling the evaporator, and generally getting everything ship-shape for the first boil.  The race is on to be ready for the first good sap run!

Fun.at.Moores.Maple.Syrup.Farm

Fun for the whole family at Moore’s Maple Syrup Farm!

The sap comes out of the tree with a sugar content of approximately 2.5%. It is then boiled until it reaches a sugar content of between 66% and 67.5% – a huge difference!

Don’t miss your chance to get some of this year’s fresh, local natural maple syrup.

$7 for 250ml

$12 for 500 ml

$21 for 1 litre

$64 for 4 litres

To order call 705-277-3471 or email Jim and Carolyn at moore.jc6@gmail.com

Tell them Jeff sent you!

 

Read Full Post »

This One’s A Bit Fishy! Ice Fishing Near Bethany Ontario.

Posted in Day to Day Life, tagged , , , , on March 5, 2015| Leave a Comment »

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!

Read Full Post »

Devil’s Elbow – Hit the Slopes in Bethany Ontario Before Winter’s Over!

Posted in Businesses in Bethany, Day to Day Life, tagged , , , , , , , , , on February 24, 2015| Leave a Comment »

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

Read Full Post »

Snowmobiling in Bethany – Local Trails Lead to Winter Fun!

Posted in Day to Day Life, tagged , , , , , , , , , , on February 19, 2015| 1 Comment »

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.

Read Full Post »

The 407 Extension is good news for Bethany!

Posted in Day to Day Life, tagged , , , , , , on January 27, 2015| Leave a Comment »

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!

Read Full Post »

Saddlewood Equestrian Camp – Horsing Around in Bethany Ontario!

Posted in Businesses in Bethany, Day to Day Life, People in Bethany, tagged , , , , , , on January 20, 2015| Leave a Comment »

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/

 

Read Full Post »

Loving the Library

Posted in Businesses in Bethany, tagged , , , on February 20, 2013| Leave a Comment »

Bethany Ontario Municipal Service Centre

Bethany Ontario Municipal Service Centre

I’m continuing my exploration of Bethany, Ontario.  It’s a special little town, with a rural atmosphere but close enough to all the amenities.  If you’re looking for an affordable place, with easy, relaxed living, lots of small town charm plus an easy commute, Bethany is the place for you!

I visited Bethany again last week and paid a visit to the Manvers Municipal Office.

WW2 War Memorial

WW2 War Memorial

Flanked by war memorials from both WWI and WW2, the building housing the municipal offices is also Bethany’s branch of

WW! Memorial

WW1 Memorial

the City of Kawartha Lakes Public Library, as well as the office of the local nurse/practioner.  This is a nice additionto the Millbrook Medical clinic  and the hospitals in Peterborough, Lindsay and Bowmanville.

inside the library

inside the library

Being a book person, libraries are a favourite place for me and the library in Bethany was no exception.  It’s a cozy space with free internet access and a great kids’ area.

kids area

kids area

The Children’s Programs include Preschool Storytime and Crafts on Thursday mornings, Super Saturday Board Games for kids 7-15 and Wise Guys and Gals Homework Club on Thursday evenings.

Donna, who works at the municipal office was  helpful in providing information about local organizations and coming events.

The municipal offices found in the centre of Bethany right across from the General Store on Highway 7A and are open Monday to Friday, 8:30 – 4:30.  Library Staff are available to assist Tuesday and Thursdays from 11:30-7:30 and Saturdays from 10-2.  Stop in for a visit the next time your in Bethany

Read Full Post »

The Guitar Boutique – from Beatles to Bethany

Posted in Businesses in Bethany, tagged , , , , on December 4, 2012| Leave a Comment »

Road Trip to Bethany!

Jeff and I took a road trip to Bethany last week, visiting local businesses to profile for my blog.

The Ranch Resort Banquet and Conference Centre – Home to The Guitar Boutique

inside The Ranch Resort

The Ranch Resort and Conference Centre

The first stop in Bethany was The Ranch Resort Banquet and Conference Centre, formerly the Ranch Ski Resort, on Ski Hill Road.  We got a tour of the three floors, where there is lots of room (over 10,500 feet) for any special event.  It’s a lovely space for weddings or a New Year Eve party, overlooking the ski hills, trees and private lake.  What I really wanted to see, though, was The Guitar Boutique.

inside The Guitar Boutique, Bethany, Ontario

inside The Guitar Boutique, Bethany, Ontario

When I was younger – much, much younger; high school younger – I went with a guy who played the guitar.  He played in a band and loved his Gibson Les Paul more than me.  Anyway, the time I spent with him gave me only a tiny slice of education about the instrument but enough interest to think a store full of shiny guitars would be cool to visit. We brought our friend Sean Anderson,who plays guitar for Canadian rock group, Finger Eleven along with us.  Sean Anderson

Sean Anderson at the Guitar Boutique
Nick Angelo and his prized Dusenberg guitars

Nick Angelo and his prized Dusenberg guitars

Nick Angelo is the owner/operator of The Ranch Resort and The Guitar Boutique, although he calls himself more of a creator than an owner.  He definitely has a vast array of experiences under his belt; the most pertinent to The Guitar Boutique being how he and his band The Four Frenchmen were the only Canadian band to ever open for the Beatles when they played in Montreal in 1964.  What an experience that must have been!

Nick has brought his many years of music industry experience to Bethany.  I asked him how a guitarist from Montreal wound up in Bethany and he told me a story of wanting a horse and buying a farm in the area.  His claim to be a creator rings true when you hear about his accomplishments – musician, live engineer, real estate, gardening business.  He moves from passion to passion, developing one of his interests, creating a business and then moving on to his next pursuit when the business is established.   And he really moves on.  I asked Nick if he missed music and he assured me he doesn’t miss what he no longer does.  Despite his musical background and being surrounded by some of the most beautiful guitars around, he hasn’t played since the 1970s.

Nick has had an interest in Bethany since moving here.  He was owner of the Rocket Man restaurant (before it was Aunt Dee’s) and oversaw the renovations of Orange Hall before moving up Ski Hill Road and buying The Ranch.  A year without snow put a damper on his dreams of a ski hill, but he was soon moving on to his next venture.

inside The Guitar BoutiqueThe Guitar Boutique has an amazing selection of guitars; electric and acoustic, amplifiers and accessories for the guitar lover.  Some of the brands were known to me, like Gibsons and Rickenbackers, including a rare Rickenbacker signed by John Lennon, which I got to play.  Well, just hold actually, but I did strum a little. I’d forgotten the one song I used to know, Smoke on the Water but it was fun to pretend!

rare Rickenbacker signed by John Lennon!

rare Rickenbacker signed by John Lennon!

Along with the Schecters, Gretsch’s and Tanglewood Accoustics are Nick’s first love- his selection of Dusenbergs, hanging with pride when you first come in to the shop.  The German-made guitars are, in Nick’s opinion, the best guitar out there and his collection of them led to his opening the store.  Another Guitar Boutique has opened in Peterborough and there are plans for a third in Toronto.guitars

Bethany seems like an odd, out-of-the-way place for such a unique business but Nick assured me he gets traffic from Toronto including plenty from locals.  I guess everyone does want to be a rock star!  Nick has been profiled on CHEX news and on the twelve part series, Guitar Picks, hosted by veteran guitar icon, Kim Mitchell.

jamming with Sean and Nick at the Guitar Boutique

jamming with Sean and Nick at the Guitar Boutique

It was interesting meeting Nick and hearing about his life and how it brought him to Bethany.  And I was right – The Guitar Boutique is a cool place to visit, even for the non-playing types!

Next week – visiting the Williams’ Design Studio

Read Full Post »

« Newer Posts - Older Posts »