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.

Where to Spend Your Fuel & Fun Vouchers

We are so happy to see the Fuel & Fun promo back again this Spring and it's even better than last year because there are so many more restaurants, shops and outfitters participating!

You can get a free $50 gas card and $50 in spending vouchers (two $25 vouchers) to use-as-cash at participating businesses around the region. For full details, see the Fuel & Fun Package at Fern Glen Inn.

We want to make it easy for you to choose where to spend your vouchers so we've compiled a list of participating businesses that many of our guests enjoy when they're out and about during a visit to the inn. Here are some of the places to eat, shop and do nearby...

Dining
3 Guys and A Stove Huntsville
Soul Sistas Huntsville
Spencer’s Tall Trees Restaurant Huntsville
The Nutty Chocolatier Huntsville
The Moose Café Dwight

Family Cafe Burk’s Falls

Yetti’s Pizza Burk’s Falls

The River’s Edge Restaurant Burk’s Falls

Village Pub & Eatery Burk’s Falls

Shopping

Petra’s Pottery Katrine

The Wooden Roo Burk’s Falls

Circling Hawks Centre Burk’s Falls
The Flower Garden Burk’s Falls
The Heritage House Burk’s Falls

Summer’s Attic Magnetawan

Baysville Country Store Baysville

Lake of Bays Brewing Company Baysville
Lindgren Pottery Huntsville
Muskoka Bear Wear Huntsville

Artisans of Muskoka Huntsville

Algonquin Basecamp Emsdale

Algonquin Outfitters Oxtongue Lake and Huntsville

The Old Palmer House Dwight
Johnston’s Cranberry Marsh & Muskoka Lakes Winery Bala

Doing

Algonquin Basecamp Emsdale

Algonquin Outfitters Oxtongue Lake and Huntsville
The Portage Store Algonquin Park
Riverbowl Burk’s Falls

Treetop Trekking Huntsville
Johnston’s Cranberry Marsh & Muskoka Lakes Winery Bala

There are many more great places to spend your vouchers throughout the region, perfect stops on your drive back home. For a complete list of businesses accepting the Fuel & Fun vouchers this Spring, visit Explorers' Edge.

Spring Events in Muskoka and Almaguin

Here's a list of events in Muskoka and the Almaguin Highlands this spring. Got a local event to share? Let me know and I'll add it to the list!

NOTE: Book by April 19 for a two-night stay between April 20 - May 31 and get a free $50 gas card and $50 in spending vouchers as part of Explorers' Edge Fuel & Fun promotion.

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TriSummit Triathlon Conference

Huntsville

Canada's largest triathlon and endurance sport conference will bring together the top educators, experts, coaches and athletes in the field. Three days of speakers, workshops, clinics and events to help you up your game. Great sale on the three-day registration package: just $150. Visit TriMuskoka for details.

May 3, 4, & 5

Petra's Pottery Mother's Day Open House

Katrine

This is a great opportunity for a day out at this beautiful off-grid studio and showroom featuring gorgeous hand-thrown pottery. Petra will giving demonstrations of her craft and also offering free refreshments and a draw. The location is made even more interesting by the fact that it's completely off-grid with a self-sufficient power system and a secluded location tucked back in the woods. For more details about the open house event, see our event listing here.

May 11 & 12, 10am - 5pm

Mother's Day

Fern Glen Inn

Treat your mom, your wife, your sister or yourself to a weekend away and let someone else do the cooking and cleaning. Our famous breakfasts are fresh, healthful, indulgent -- just what mom deserves! See our Real Simple Getaway for an itinerary featuring rest and relaxation; or check out our Adventure Packages for something a bit more active.

May 12

Victoria Day Long Weekend

Fern Glen Inn
Better known as the May Two-Four, it's the unofficial launch of the outdoor season, a weekend to get out of the city and into the woods. Spend the weekend at Fern Glen Inn and we can help you with plans to go canoeing, horseback riding, hiking, shopping, golfing or just chilling out in the fresh air. Book online or send us an email to reserve your weekend getaway.
May 17, 18 & 19

Spin the Lakes Cycle Tour

Huntsville and area

Take a tour around several of the Muskoka lakes along routes with breath taking views and spectacular rock cuts. You'll travel through several small towns and over terrain that consists of moderate rolling hills. This event is not a race and is geared for everyone to participate from the race enthusiast to the first time rider, with four distances to choose from: 20k, 50k, 110k or 170k. The event is fully supported with vehicles, food and water stations. Visit Bike Muskoka for details.
May 25

The Huntsville Half

Huntsville

Come on out and challenge yourself with a half marathon, 10k or 5k race. The half can be run by a two-person relay team. Live bands will be playing tunes along the route to energize your race experience. The course will take you across rivers, through peaceful fields and into one of the most beautiful hardwood forests in Ontario. Post-race in River Mill Park; runners and their support teams are welcome. Visit Huntsville Half for details.

June 8

Following the Footsteps of the Group of Seven

Huntsville
Town of Huntsville presents Sue & Jim Waddington - two adventure seekers who have made it their quest to photograph and document locations that inspired the artists known as the Group of Seven. Jim and Sue will share their stories and findings of more than 300 painting sites and corresponding artwork. You'll be entertained, educated and inspired. Register early as seats are limited. At the Active Living Centre, $5/person. Visit the active communities guide on and see page 22, course code 12052 for details.
June 10, 7 - 9pm

Almaguin Highlands Airpark Anniversary Celebration
Sundridge

The airport is celebrating 80 years of service with a weekend festival. Enjoy aircraft displays, helicopter rides, live music featuring the Northern Lights Steel Orchestra, barbeque, and prizes -- including the chance to win a free flight. You can also purchase a flight in a classic Harvard warbird trainer. Visit the Almaguin Highlands Airpark for more information.

June 15 & 16, 9am - 4pm

Adventure Night - Paddle

Kearney

Everyone is welcome to come out for a group paddle starting from the town dock in Kearney. Bring your own canoe/kayak or rent one for a special half-price rate from Algonquin Basecamp outfitters. Visit the Backcountry Adventure fb group for details.

June 17, 6pm

Muskoka 5150 and Sprint Triathlon

Huntsville

Beautiful scenery, challenging terrain, and cheering crowds make this an event that should not be missed either as a triathlete or a spectator. The races are based around the Canada Summit Centre, providing participants and spectators a safe and beautiful environment to participate in. A total of eight race distances to choose from, with the Sprint distances on the Saturday afternoon and the 5150 distances on the Sunday morning. See TriSportCanada for details.
June 22 & 23

Burk's Falls Rodeo

Burk's Falls

This weekend-long event includes rodeo and horse riding demos, live music, horse pulls, horseshoe tournament, vendors, concessions and licensed tent. For more information, visit Burk's Falls Buck'n Rodeo.

June 28, 29 & 30

Perry Township 125th Anniversary Celebration

Emsdale and Novar

Come wish our township a happy birthday as it turns 125 years old! There'll be food, birthday cake, live music, historical walking tours, rolling car show, museum open house and more. I can't think of a better place to stay than at a restored homestead farm! Visit Perry Township for details.

June 29

Algonquin Basecamp Grand Opening

Emsdale

The local outfitters and retail store Algonquin Basecamp (formerly Trailside Adventures) is launching their new name and new location (at the Almaguin Highlands Info Centre at the start of Fern Glen Road) with a weekend of sales, giveaways, and goodies. Sales on new items, including locally made Badger Paddles, as well as used rentals and consignment sales. Contact the store in advance if you have gear to sell. For more details, visit Algonquin Basecamp Adventure Outfitters and Supply.

June 29 & 30