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Posts Tagged ‘City of Kawartha Lakes’

See What South Pond Farms near Bethany Ontario Has To Offer!

Posted in Businesses in Bethany, Day to Day Life, tagged , , , , , , , , on April 22, 2015| 2 Comments »

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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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

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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!

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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!

 

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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

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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.

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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!

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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/

 

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Rolling Hills Studio Tour stops in Bethany, ON

Posted in Businesses in Bethany, tagged , , , , , , on May 8, 2014| Leave a Comment »

rolling hills studiotourThis weekend, why not celebrate Mother’s Day by taking part in the Annual Rolling Hills Studio Tour in Bethany, ON.

It’s a free, self-guided tour with the opportunity to visit art studios around Bethany where you can meet the artists and see demonstrations of unique range of art forms.

The Rolling Hills Studio Tour takes place in the beautiful rolling hills of the Oak Ridges region of the City of Kawartha Lakes, a little over an hour away from Toronto.  The artists all live within a 30 minute drive of each other, making it that much easier to view the variety of their artwork.  The tour takes place on May 10 and 11, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day and admission is free.

There are also nearby restaurants for family dining and a Bed and Breakfast to make it a full weekend trip.

Williams Design Studio

Williams Design Studio in Bethany, Ontario

Make sure you stop in to meet Beverley and Paul Williams of Williams Design Studio in Bethany!  2014 marks the 40th anniversary of their award-winning artwork in leather sculpture, masks and unique sculptural fountains and Beverley’s decorated gourd art

!Paul and Beverly WilliamsPaul and Beverly Williams in their Design Studio

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Councilor Heather Stauble on Bethany

Posted in People in Bethany, tagged , , , , , on September 12, 2013| Leave a Comment »

Part one of Three part series

I’m detouring from my usual profile on Bethany businesses and day to day activities and delving into the political world of Manvers Township.

Heather StaubleBut rather than debating the pros and cons of the future expansion of Highway 407 and the effect it will have on the community, or exploring the disadvantages of the proposed wind turbines – more on that in the next post – I was able to spend a morning with Heather Stauble, the municipal Councillor who represents Manvers Township in the City of Kawartha Lakes.

After the amalgamation of year 2001, Manvers Township (which Bethany is part of) became The City of Kawartha Lakes.  Before then, longtime resident David Marsh was the Reeve of Bethany, and continued on as Councillor for a time.  But when he stepped down in 2010  Heather Stauble decided to throw her hat in the ring.

Dear God…When can we Move to the Country?

Ms. Stauble grew up in North Toronto, the daughter of Anne Johnston who served in the Toronto Council until 2003.  For 28 years, she was the longest serving and oldest member of the council.  Ms. Johnston was a progressive voice in Toronto, respected for her proactive approach and determined nature to issues.

Growing up in the heart of the Toronto, with a political powerhouse for a mother, Ms. Stauble left the city in 1988 to fulfill her lifelong dream of living in the country. She was nine when she first started writing notes to God about it, wanting to live where she could ride horses every day.  As a teenager, Ms. Stauble used to ride her bike to a farm near Maple, across from where Wonderland is now, in order to ride her horses.  It was quite a distance for the young girl to travel but a perfect example of her dedication and determination to live out her dream.

Her dream was to live in an area where she could walk to work, raise her kids and enjoy, train and ride her horses.  She discovered Bethany.  Her love of horses and the outdoors hasn’t changed and she has been riding and training in the area for the last twenty years.  She is an Equine Canada Certified Coach, and owns and operates The Brass Ring along with her husband.

Along with being heavily involved with the riding community, Ms. Stauble also contributed to productions at the 4th Line Theatre outside of Millbrook.  While still in Toronto, she worked with SCTV and the Financial Post so it’s not surprising she found her path leading to the local theatre.

And it’s not surprising how she became involved with the local school board.  Her children attended the public schools and Ms. Stauble was pleased with the education they provided.  Grandview and Rolling Hills Public School are“…good, strong local schools…” both with International Baccalaureate programs and providing French immersion,

It was Ms. Stauble’s involvement in French immersion advocacy issues that prompted her to consider becoming a councillor, but it was the wind turbine issue that drove home her need to become more involved.

Watch for Part 2 coming soon…

“Mrs Stauble has been there for us since the beginning and fights tirelessly.”

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