June in Pictures

Every month offers something interesting to see, do or taste -- and June is no exception. Here are some of the moments of the month...

Many of our guests this month saw moose in or near Algonquin Park (one even right on Fern Glen Road!). This picture was shared by many-time-repeat guests Steve and Lesley, taken in Algonquin Park during a visit with us. Thanks for sharing!

Jim and I both ran in the Huntville Half, Jim the 10k run and I the 5k distance. Others did the half-marathon distance but not us! Following the run was a great music festival featuring The Sheepdogs (pictured above), the Sadies and local musicians. it was a fabulous event all around!

Jim's first swim of the season. The water was still too chilly for me, but it was warm enough for some families down the beach at Arrowhead Park. Jim was training for a tri...

... and here he is competing in his second sprint triathlon. The swimming leg was a hard go as the athletes were facing a current this year, but even so, Jim shaved two minutes off his time from last year. Yay Jim!

Back at home we've been watching our usual company of wildlife. A bunny (or is that a hare?) seems to have settled in under the Coop deck. We've also been seeing Cookie and Kit, our resident mom/daughter deer, on a regular basis. They're getting quite bold and many of our guests have seen them as well. We've seen frogs, fireflies, turtles, and we even glimpsed a young bear along the side of Hwy 11!

I found some empty turtle shells along the Seguin Trail. Snapping and painted turtles are a fairly common sight along roads and trails in the Spring.

Our new chickens have started to lay! Most of the eggs are still fairly small but they'll get bigger as the chickens mature. You can also see in the photo they range in colour from pale beige to a deep brown. One thing's for sure: they all taste great!

We added some new Muskoka chairs for the front deck and did our usual sprucing up of some older furniture and decking with fresh paint and planters.

Now how's that for a quiet, sunny spot to sip your morning coffee?

It's easy to "love thy neighbours" when said neighbours offer to bring your fresh, sweet strawberries from the local pick-your-own farm! Time for me to make some jam and get ready for July...

Summer Events in Muskoka and Almaguin

There are numerous organized events in Muskoka and Almaguin in the summer months. Festivals, art gallery tours, competitive sports, live theatre, community fairs, wildlife education... and the list goes on. Find something that tickles your fancy and come on out for a great summer getaway.

This list features some of the highlights around Huntsville, north Muskoka, Algonquin Park and the south end of the Almaguin Highlands. Check back often as we'll add events as we hear about them. Got an event going on? Let us know so we can add it, too.

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Muskoka 5150 & Sprint Triathlon Weekend
Huntsville
Beautiful scenery, challenging terrain, and cheering crowds make this an event that should not be missed either as a participant, a volunteer, or a spectator. The races are based around the Canada Summit Centre, providing athletes and spectators a safe and beautiful environment in which to participate. Visit TriMuskoka for details.
June 22 & 23

Burk's Falls Buck'n Rodeo
Burk's Falls Fairgrounds
Get your yeehaw on with a rodeo weekend featuring: rodeo events, live musical entertainment, dancing, horseshoe tournament, horse pulls, kids play zone and more. Visit Burk's Falls Buck'n Rodeo for details.
June 28, 29 & 30

Algonquin Basecamp Grand Opening

Emsdale

Our friends at Algonquin Basecamp Outfitters (formerly Trailside Adventures) are celebrating their new name and new location -- inside the Almaguin Highlands Info Centre on Fern Glen Road -- with a weekend-long event. Saturday highlights include new gear sales (including locally-crafted Badger Paddles), Nova Craft canoe sale (both new and seconds), all-day giveaways plus free cake and coffee. Sunday features a gear exchange and consignment sale, used canoe/kayak sale, and a draw to win a weekend canoe rental. Visit Algonquin Basecamp for details.

June 28 & 29

Canada Day Long Weekend

Fern Glen Inn

Kick off the summer with a weekend getaway immersed in the iconic Canadian landscape of forests, rocks and fresh water. Whether you're looking for adventure or a relaxing escape, we've got you covered. Check out our Great Canadian Summer Getaway packages or our Canada Day Weekend package for exploring Algonquin Park and the area; or you can just unwind here at the inn for a little R&R. Visit the Fern Glen Inn website for more info or Book Online.

June 28 - July 1

Doors Open Huntsville
Huntsville
Go behind the scenes of some of beautiful heritage properties as part of Doors Open Ontario. Explore the community on a historic walking tour and enjoy fantastic dining and shopping throughout the weekend. Visit Doors Open Ontario - Huntsville for details.
June 29 & 30

125th Anniversary of Township of Perry

Emsdale and Novar

Our little town turns 125 years old! Come celebrate with a family bbq, historical walking tours, tree planting, rolling car show, museum tour, displays, live music and more. Visit Township of Perry for details.
June 29

West Wind: The Vision of Tom Thomson
Outdoor Theatre, Algonquin Park
This award-winning 2011 documentary presents the most up-to-date commentary on Canada’s best-known artist — the man whose name is synonymous with the rugged Algonquin landscape. Also featured are startling revelations about incidents that followed Thomson’s mysterious 1917 death at Canoe Lake.
June 30, 9 - 10:30pm

Strawberry Social and Steam-up Day

Muskoka Heritage Place, Huntsville
Costumed narrators, historical demonstrations, strolling minstrels and the Portage Flyer train gets all "steamed up" for the season. Free admission to The Muskoka Museum. Regular admission prices for the Pioneer Village and Train. Includes Strawberry Scones while supplies last. Visit Muskoka Heritage Place for details.
July 1, 10am - 4pm

Creative Changes Art Show and Sale

Kearney Community Centre

Show and sale featuring paintings, pottery, woodcarving, jewelry and more from a variety of artists and artisans. $5 admission for Friday evening wine & cheese reception; free admission for Saturday and Sunday show and sale. Contact the Kearney town office for details. 

July 5, 6 & 7

Amy Sky

Algonquin Theatre, Huntsville

Multi-talented Juno Award winner returns to the stage for another evening of memorable and moving music. Visit Huntville Festival of the Arts for tickets and info.

July 6, 8pm

Madison Violet

Algonquin Theatre, Huntsville

If the Indigo Girls and Lucinda Williams had a love child it would be award winning Madison Violet. Combining brilliant lyrics with tight harmonies this duo wrap you up and take you for a joyous 'roots musical' ride. Visit Huntville Festival of the Arts for tickets and info.

July 11, 8pm

Muskoka Novel Marathon
Huntsville
Writers and those aspiring can buckle down for a 72-hour writing marathon. Now in its 12th year, the Muskoka Novel Marathon has raised almost $50,000 to help fund Huntsville’s adult literacy over its history, and launched several authors on literary careers. Visit Muskoka Novel Marathon for details.

July 12-15

The Limberlost Challenge

Limberlost Reserve, east of Huntsville
This endurance event is a trail runners dream with challenging terrain alongside lakes, through wetland, up and over steep inclines, and through the occasional creek or mud hole. Includes a well marked course, post-race meal, chip timing and points-qualifying distances. Four race distances to choose from: 14k, 28k, 42k, and 56k. See The Limberlost Challenge for details.
July 13, first race starts at 8am

Discover Trout Fishing in Algonquin Park
East Beach Picnic Pavilion, Algonquin Park
Algonquin Park is home to one of the world's best trout fisheries. Many anglers familiar with warm water fisheries to the south find Algonquin's Brook Trout and Lake Trout a mystery and often find themselves in a frustrating fishing situation. Join retired senior fisheries specialist, and owner of Dragonfly Guiding, Greg Betteridge to discover the ecology, behaviour, and techniques necessary to increase your chances of catching Algonquin's two famous trout species. Visit Algonquin Park for details.

July 13, 3 - 8:30pm

Nuit Blanche North

Downtown Huntsville
Artists take over the streets of downtown Huntsville for a free fun-filled evening of interactive art and performances. From giant mosquitos, floating scarecrows, an explosive fire show, and the Midnight ‘No Man’s Land’ Cabaret show as well as a whole host of other performances and activities, there's something for everyone. Visit Nuit Blanche North for details.
July 13, 8pm - 2am

Midnight Madness

Downtown Huntsville
Huntsville’s quaint Main Street is closed to cars for an evening street festival with family fun, live music, great food and shopkeeper specials. Visit Downtown Huntsville for details.
July 19

Jazz in the Garden

Spencer's Tall Trees Restaurant, Huntsville
Bring your lawn chair and sit amongst the beautiful gardens at Spencer’s Tall Trees Restaurant and listen while smooth jazz fills the air. Visit Huntsville Festival of the Arts for details.

July 21, 1-3pm

Whitehorse

Algonquin Theatre, Huntsville
Featuring mesmerizing guitar work and smoldering vocal chemistry this husband and wife duo exploded on the folk/roots/rock scene. Accomplished artists in their own right, the synergy created by their musical union has created a new legion of followers. Visit Huntsville Festival of the Arts for tickets and more info.

July 24, 8pm

en Plein Air

Downtown Huntsville
Cheer on renowned local artists and area dignitaries as they create masterpieces of art on the streets of downtown Huntsville over the space of four short hours. After watching your favourite work of art being created, you'll have the chance to take it home with you at the live auction at 3pm on the Town Hall steps. Visit Huntsville Festival of the Arts for details.

July 25

Loggers Day

Logging Museum, Algonquin Park
Head to the park for this entertaining and educational day when the Algonquin Logging Museum comes to life, brought to you by The Friends of Algonquin Park, the Algonquin Forestry Authority and Ontario Parks. Take in the demonstrations around the Logging Museum trail and try the old-timer loggers' lunch served in the sawlog cookery from noon till 2pm (or while quantities last). Visit Algonquin Park for details.
July 27, 10am - 3pm

Canada Day Weekend Package

Canada Day falls on a Monday this year, giving us a long weekend to kick off the summer season! There will be fireworks and festivities, birthday cake and big wigs in many of the local towns, plus an overall atmosphere of cheer.

It's a great weekend to get out of the city and into the iconic Canadian landscape of forests, lakes and rugged granite outcrops. Is there a better place to celebrate Canada's birthday than on the Canadian Shield?

To make it easy for you to get out and enjoy this beautiful country, we're offering a Canada Day Weekend Package. It includes three nights at our restored farmhouse inn -- we can even tell you about the history of the property and Canada's Land Grants Program from the early days of the nation. Of course breakfast is included each morning, plus use of the property as well as maps and directions for exploring the highlights of the region. We're also including a free one-day Parks Pass for admission into Arrowhead and Algonquin Park so you can immerse yourself in some classic Canadian wilderness.

Canada Day Weekend Package includes:

• 3 nights accommodation in a Coach House room (queen size bed and ensuite bathroom)
• delicious, full served breakfast each morning
• use of property and guest facilities
• marshmallows to roast over an evening bonfire (weather permitting)
• one-day Ontario Parks Pass for admission into Arrowhead and/or Algonquin Park

Conditions:

• minimum 3 night stay
• maximum two people per room
• mention Canada Day Package when booking

Rate:

$349 per couple + HST

1-night and 2-night stays also available.

Book your Canada Day weekend getaway today:

Call toll free 1-866-311-8519 or book online at www.ferngleninn.availability.ca

Roasted Rhubarb

Roasted rhubarb with custard and crumbled vanilla cookies

When it comes to cooking methods, roasting is a great way to coax the best flavour and natural sweetness out of many vegetables and fruits. Rhubarb is no exception. In fact it could be argued -- with apologies to rhubarb lovers everywhere -- that this infamously tart stalk needs all the help it can get!

Rhubarb is wonderful in pies, cakes and jams, especially when paired with strawberries, apples or ginger, but it also stands well on it's own. Stewed rhubarb is a classic condiment or sauce and is dead simple to make. Simply cook rhubarb and sugar in a saucepan, with a bit of water to cover the bottom of the pan and stirring occasionally, until the rhubarb cooks down. You get pure rhubarb flavour to spoon over ice cream (my grandpa's favourite) or another sweet base.

The problem with stewing is you need to stir it. By the time the rhubarb is cooked, it's lost all body and structure and disintegrates into a soupy, well, stew. Some people think this is good (my grandpa, for one) but it's possible to have all that pure rhubarb flavour and keep some body and texture, too. This is where roasting comes in.

I can't promise that roasting will convert rhubarb haters to fans, but it will certainly bring out the best of this rosy stalk.

Roasted Rhubarb in Wine

Serves 4-6, depending on use

The key to this dish is to not stir the rhubarb after it has started to soften. Stir once after 15 minutes while it's still firm, then leave it alone. The sugar, wine and juices from the rhubarb will cook into a lovely syrup while the rhubarb softens but still holds its shape.

• 1 pound fresh rhubarb, cut in 1 1/4 " pieces 
• 1/4 cup white wine (fruity, not oaky) 



Raw rhubarb with sugar and wine

• 1/4 cup sugar (add 1 to 2 Tbsp more if your wine is dry or if you prefer a sweeter dish) 

Preheat oven to 375°F.

In an un-greased, 8" square glass or ceramic baking dish, mix together rhubarb, wine and sugar. Roast for 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and stir gently but thoroughly to make sure sugar is dissolved. Return pan to oven and roast -- without stirring it again -- until the rhubarb pieces are fork-tender and the edges are starting to caramelize but there is still liquid in the pan, about 30-45 minutes longer depending on the thickness of your stalks.

The wine, sugar and juices will have cooked to a simple syrup which will thicken slightly as it cools.

For best results, let the rhubarb cool undisturbed in the pan. Serve it slightly warm, or let it cool to room temperature then cover and refrigerate until ready to serve it chilled.

Roasted rhubarb

Variations:

• Add an empty vanilla bean pod, cardamom pods, ginger root or orange peel in with the rhubarb at the start of cooking. 
• Replace the white wine with blush or rosé wine for a pretty pink tone and an extra touch of sweetness. 

Serving Suggestions:

• Spoon the warm or chilled rhubarb on ice cream, cheese cake, custard, pound cake, or shortcakes. Layer it in a parfait with strawberry yogurt and crumbled meringues. 
• Mix it with strawberries and fill a pastry cup or a shortcake biscuit.
• Use it as a condiment (along with caramelized onions) for roast pork or lamb burgers.

Rosy rhubarb! Made with more red stalks and blush wine.

Roasted rhubarb and strawberries with pastry and cream

Picture Perfect Spring

If I had to choose a favourite sign that Spring is in full swing and Summer is almost here... well I just couldn't. There are too many happy harbingers, from hummingbirds to asparagus to lilacs and other blooms. So instead of trying to pick just one, I'll share a selection of photos that make my heart sing at this time of year.

Hummingbird at the feeder

Protecting his territory

Pink apple blossoms for pink-fleshed apples

Aspargus is ready to eat!

A pair of ducks on the pond

The world is green again!

Huntsville Half - Band on the Run 2013

Saturday June 8, 2013. Races start and finish in River Mill Park in downtown Huntsville. Same location for the post-race music festival.

More than just a race event, the Huntsville Half - Band on the Run is a festival of running and music. This, the second year of the event, features multiple distances from a 1 km kids run to a 21 km half-marathon, plus a fantastic line up of musicians as part of the music festival.

Race Events

• Half Marathon (21.0957 km – to be exact)
• Half Marathon Relay
• 10 km
• 5 km
• Kid’s Race

Canoe-Heads are welcome on the 5 km run. Yup, some people do this portage-style, carrying a canoe over their heads!

Music Festival

The post-race music festival will be rocking River Mill park in downtown Huntsville all afternoon. Free for event participants. Non-racers can buy tickets in advance ($10 here) or at the door ($15). 

• Local fave Tobin Spring and Laganza are opening on the main stage, followed by
• Three-time Juno Award winning band The SHEEPDOGS
• with special guests The Sadies

It gets even better...

After the race (definitely after the race!) you can rehydrate with a sampling of local beers from a licensed beer garden just steps away.

And even better still...

We've partnered with the fine folks behind the Huntsville Half to offer a VIP Package when you stay at Fern Glen Inn and run in the event.

Your Huntsville Half Race Weekend package includes:

• An upgrade of your race entry to a VIP race package
• Your race kit will be waiting for you at check-in on Friday night
• 2 nights accommodation for two people
• Full, delicious breakfast each morning
• Use of 120-acre property with private trails and guest lounge
• Free 16oz stainless steel water bottle

Rate: $219/couple + tax

Book online and mention Huntsville Half in the Notes section or call us toll free at 1-866-311-8519. Make sure to register for the race in advance on the Huntsville Half website.

Not a runner? You can come out just for the music! $10 in advance (purchase online here) or $15 at the door.

Looking forward to seeing you!

Petra's Pottery

I've been meaning to write about Petra's Pottery since I first visited her lovely studio and workshop tucked away in the woods just north-east of us.

Petra loves her craft and has been honing it for over a decade. Her pieces and glazes are beautiful to look at, but Petra wants us to do more than admire them -- she wants us to use them.

"Put them in the dishwasher", she says, if that's what it takes to get us to enjoy her collection of dishes, serving pieces and gift ware on a daily bases. They are not meant to be tucked away in a cupboard and only brought out for "special occasions". Every day is special!

Another compelling reason to visit the showroom is it's completely off-grid, as is the artist's home a few steps away. Petra and her husband, Peter, have been off-grid and meeting their own energy needs for over 30 years. They use solar power as well as capturing the energy from a small creek on the property; plus they built their house to be incredibly efficient regardless of the power source.

 If you needed another (or perhaps a specific) reason to visit Petra's showroom yourself, well now you've got it.

Petra is holding an Open House on Mother's Day weekend. There will be free refreshments (coffee, tea, lemonade and Petra's famous carrot cake!), a free draw, demonstrations by the artist in the studio workshop, and a broad selection of products to browse in the showroom.

It's a great opportunity to treat your mom or yourself to a day out and a change of pace. Psst. We also have rooms available if you want to make a weekend getaway out of it!

Petra's Pottery Open House 

Saturday May 11 and Sunday May 12
10am - 5pm
647 Skyline Drive, Katrine
Visit Petra's Pottery website for directions.