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Posts Tagged ‘Manvers Township’

Cham Shan Buddhist Temple in Bethany

Posted in Day to Day Life, tagged , , , , , , , on January 14, 2016| 4 Comments »

The Buddhist Association of Canada is building a massive Cham Shan Buddhist Retreat Temple on Ski Hill Road, just outside of Bethany and thirty minutes south of Peterborough. The Temple will be a re-creation of the Sacred Mountains of China. It is currently under construction, with a projected price tag of $80 million.

After seeing the photos which are breathtaking (see link below), you will soon realize why this project is going to take over 20 years to complete. It will be the largest Buddhist temple outside of China. Tourism in the area will certainly have a boost with the estimated 45,000 visitors expected annually from around the world.

Cham.Shan.Buddhist.Temple.Bethany.Ontario

If you already live in Bethany or are considering moving here then you will appreciate the three factors that helped to identify Bethany as the perfect location for this spectacular achievement: the serenity, tranquility and natural environment of the area.

Construction is complex. The wooden portion of the temple was built in China, taken apart and shipped to Canada. Builders will not be using nails or cement but rather interlocking rosewood brackets. This helps to explain why it will take 2 years to put the temple frame back together.

When complete, the site will include a meditation centre, gift shop, accommodations and a restaurant.

You can view the photos of the construction of the Temple at http://www.ptbocanada.com/journal/2014/7/4/here-are-photos-of-a-cham-shan-buddhist-temple-being-constructed-near-peterborough

 

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Hockey for All Ages in Bethany

Posted in Day to Day Life, tagged , , , , , , on January 5, 2016| Leave a Comment »

If you have kids who want to play hockey – or your kids are grown and you miss watching the action of young players on the ice, Manvers Minor Hockey Association has just what you are looking for. Well trained coaches provide an environment where children can learn the importance of teamwork and improve their skill development in all aspects of the sport of hockey.

Manvers.Mustangs.1

Boys and girls who are under the age of 6 join at the Initiation level. Watching them is entertaining and will remind you what simple fun learning to skate and score can provide. Manvers Minor Hockey has leagues for all ages following Initiation. Tykes, Novice, Atom, Peewee, Bantam and Midget, Juvenile and Overage Juvenile provide fun and competition for those up to the age of 20.

Manver.Arena.BethanyOntario

Manvers Arena and Community Centre

Manvers raises money to help keep the costs down for families through an annual raffle and also from hosting Pre-Teen Dances once a month. Dances are held monthly throughout hockey season. Admission is $6 and dances run from 7 to 10 pm. Looking for something to do once a month? Why not volunteer to be a parent chaperone? If you have more than 2 children in hockey, you are eligible for a ‘3rd Family Member Discount.’ And individual teams will also be involved in fundraising activities for their teams to attend tournaments.

 

Financial assistance is available through the Canadian Tire Jump Start Charity. More information can be found at http://jumpstart.canadiantire.ca/en/what-we-do/want-to-apply.

Of course, sponsors also play a big role to help support the teams. Sponsors give of their time and money to the local community and you can help by doing business with the sponsors and taking a minute to tell them thanks for supporting the 2015/16 Manvers Minor Hockey Association:

  •  Adam Groves Snap-On
  • Boyer Chevrolet
  • Eric Staples Excavating
  • Gary’s Service Centre
  • Gourley Automotive
  • Hillview Motors
  • Kloepfer Insurance
  • Langmaid Electric
  • Markham Infiniti
  • McMillan’s Sporting Goods
  • Mike Clark Septic
  • Moyne’s Ford
  • Pontypool Country Market
  • Raymar Concrete Forming
  • Urban Landscape and Design

Finally, good coaches are always welcome! You can find the application forms and the schedules for all of the teams at http://www.manvershockey.com/

 

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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 – Part 2

Posted in People in Bethany, tagged , , , on September 20, 2013| Leave a Comment »

– second in the three part series on Bethany councilor

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

When Councillor and former Reeve David Marsh decided to step down from his seat of 25 years in 2010, he left big shoes to fill.  Heather Stauble was eager to fill them.

A focus for Ms. Stauble has been and continues to be her opposition to the proposed wind turbines in the area.  Her ward has been front and centre in the debate about the wind turbines since the issue was raised, with the public under Ms. Stauble’s leadership taking an active part of protesting them in the area.

She states the inefficiency and expense of the turbines as a main detriment, along with the disruption of the tranquility of the area.

Bethany is part of the Oak Ridge Moraine, famous for the scenic, rolling hills and peaceful lifestyle for both those living in the communities and wildlife in the countryside.  The noise and astounding height of the turbines (comparable to a fifty story building) will undoubtedly impact every aspect of the environment of the area, without enough of a positive return for the community.

Based on research, Ms. Stauble doesn’t believe wind turbines have much value; small, personal models can store wind power in their batteries and be used in remote areas but with the turbines getting bigger, wind power produced can’t be stored.  They also require a backup of coal or natural gas when the wind isn’t blowing.

On a positive note, Ms. Stauble feels optimistic about Health Canada’s recent announcement that it will do a study on the noise effect of wind turbines.

“It’s really significant for us,” she says.  “It’s not easy to get Health Canada to do a research study.”

I have plans to try and persuade Councillor Stauble to do a guest post for me in the near future with the hope her extensive knowledge of wind turbines can educate others far more effectively than I could.

Part 3 coming soon

Live, Stay and Play

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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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Winter is Just Around the Corner!!

Posted in Businesses in Bethany, tagged , , , , , , , , , on November 7, 2012| Leave a Comment »

Devil’s Elbow Ski Area

The trees around Bethany Ontario are looking bare and snow has already been sighted.  The wind has a familiar bite and it’s time for many to start thinking about ski season!!!

Those in Bethany know all about one of the great winter attractions of the Kawarthas – Devil’s Elbow Ski Area. Tucked away in the rolling hills of Manvers Township, it is minutes away from Peterborough, Lindsay, Port Hope and Oshawa and just up the road from Bethany Village.

John and Velfred Holmberg, owners of Devil’s Elbow Ski Area

There is something for everyone at the Elbow, from novice to expert,

Ski Patrol

skiers and snowboarders alike. And this year, there are an additional 2 terrain areas to enjoy. Lineups aren’t an issue with 6 chairlifts and 8.5 km of trails winding through forests for the Nordic skiers.

Open to the public every day, except Christmas Day, 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., December – March.  This might make me unpopular with the non-skiers, but I really hope there’s more snow than last year!

Last weekend was the Annual Open House at Devil’s Elbow Ski Area.  It was a reunion of sorts, with great opportunities to take advantage of pre-season discounts to buy a season pass, register for lessons and racing programs – Alpine, snowboarding and junior racing- and meet the ski patrol.

Bethany Parnell

And many enjoyed Parnell’s Ski Swap and Sale!  Skiis could get tuned up and it was great chance to meet up with old friends.  The concession stand was open and ready for business and the kids got some pre-ski season exercise running up and down the hills. It was a fun weekend with everyone preparing for the upcoming season!

Cory Parnell, host of Annual Parnell Ski Swap and Sale

Twins Audrey and Hannah and Kailyn, Betty Ann and Carol at ‘The Grill’

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The Rolling Hills of Bethany Ontario

Posted in Day to Day Life, tagged , , , , , , , , , on October 9, 2012| Leave a Comment »

Driving into Bethany

For  a while now, my husband Jeff has been coming home after spending the day in the Village of Bethany, full of stories and observations about the area.  He is a real estate broker and together with his father, they have been developing an estate community in Bethany.

This got me thinking.  I’m big into blogging these days.  I’ve started my own blog to try and promote my novel (Baby! Baby? Baby!? – nothing at all about real estate or Bethany) and I’m quite enjoying it.  So when Jeff and I talked about getting the word out about Bethany, I thought a blog might be the thing.

Bethany, Ontario is a tiny, picturesque village along Highway #7A, nestled among the rolling hills of Manvers Township, now the City of Kawartha Lakes.  Like other small towns and villages, Bethany grew up around the railway system in the mid 1800s.  The Post Office gives as taste of the village’s history.  Built in 1870s, it is the oldest free standing post office in Ontario.  In and around Bethany there are restaurants, B & B’s, artist studios, a ski resort, an equestrian centre, riding camps and a guitar boutique.  It’s also a community that supports local athletics and celebrates holidays and special events together at Bethany Park.

Devil’s Elbow Ski Resort

The View

Autumn is my favourite time of the year to visit because of the spectacular fall colours.  From the end of September to the last big winds of the fall, a gorgeous array of scarlet and orange, golden yellow and vivid red foliage are laid across the hills surrounding Bethany.  We have so many pictures of the area as Jeff tries again and again to capture the beauty of the season on film.  I think he does a pretty good job, but there is nothing comparable to driving along 7A and Ski Hill Road to see the colours of fall.

One of the best places to appreciate the loveliness of the surrounding area is high on the hills of Bethany Village.  This is what takes Jeff out of the bustle of Toronto into the peacefulness of Bethany.  His father first began to develop the area into a community in the 1980s.

Rustlewood Avenue in Bethany Village

The building lots of Bethany Village are incredible – many are forested, set among a mature hardwood forest with all the amenities you would expect in qn upscale estate community.  There are three different builders associated so there are a wide variety of house styles available.  Jeff has been working in Bethany since before we were married and we did have the option of relocating in the village at one time, but because of my career and Jeff’s burgeoning real estate practice, we stayed in the city.  I grew up in several small villages (Roseneath, Garden Hill) and had an idea of what living in Bethany would be like but city born-and-bred Jeff…let’s just say there might have been a little too much culture shock for him at first!  Every time I visit Bethany, I can’t help but think how differently our lives would have turned out if we had chosen small town life.  The quiet and serenity of listening to birds rather than buses, of watching my children run amok among the trees, and of seeing the stars spread out over the night sky makes me miss small town living and the more natural environment I grew up with.

I’m a small town girl at heart and I can’t wait to share my small town stories about Bethany with you.

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