Author: Cottage Life

Categories
Cottage Life

Ottawa bylaw cracks down on pond ice skating, handing out $125 fine

Photo by Shutterstock/canadastock

Skating on Beaver Pond in the Kanata Lakes area of Ottawa is a community tradition. Set against a wooded backdrop, a group of volunteers from the local neighbourhood have ploughed the pond every winter for the past nine years. But this winter, a leisurely afternoon of ice skating could land you a $125 fine.

On February 26, local teen Eric LeDain was out on the pond playing hockey with his dog when a city bylaw officer approached him. The officer told LeDain he was trespassing and had to leave the ice. He then handed the teen a ticket for $125.

The reason for the fine, explains Roger Chapman, the city’s director of bylaw and regulatory services, is that the pond acts as a stormwater retention. Several inlets flow into the pond, as well as runoff from nearby streets, which cause turbulent water beneath the surface. If enough water flows into the pond, it can erode the thickness of the ice quickly.

“There’s a real concern here for the safety of the children and adults that are skating on the surface,” Chapman says.

He adds that a risk assessment study of the pond was conducted a few years ago that showed the pond wasn’t stable enough to facilitate long-term ice skating.

Prior to LeDain receiving his ticket on February 26, Chapman says bylaw officers were out at the pond for three weeks educating the community on why the ice wasn’t safe and directing skaters to outdoor rinks set up by the city in nearby parks. There are also several signs posted around the pond warning of thin ice, telling people to stay off.

“After three weeks of trying to do some education and trying to get people to move to a better location for this type of activity, we were failing,” Chapman says. “So, we decided that a charge was appropriate. We did that, and ever since we issued the charge, we haven’t had anybody back on the pond.”

But the community isn’t convinced that the city made the right decision. Duro Oravsky, a local whose lived in the neighbourhood since 2007 and is part of the volunteer group that maintains the pond, says the ice isn’t dangerous for ice skating. The volunteer group uses a pump to flood the ice twice a week, simultaneously drilling a hole to check its thickness. They don’t start clearing the snow from the ice until it’s six inches thick, which is enough to support a person. At nine inches, the ice can support a car. Currently, the pond ice is 24 inches thick, and Oravsky says he’s never seen any rapid melting.

“It takes five to six weeks for all of the ice to disappear,” he says. “If it starts melting now, we’re talking about the end of April.”

The volunteer group has developed the pond into a community hotspot, ploughing a 400-metre skating oval and two rinks. They’ve also introduced a fire pit and built benches for people to sit and change into their skates.

“This was a community-based activity that we as volunteers put a lot of hours into,” he says. “And people enjoy it. It brings the whole community together. Everyone that we talked to, everybody’s thanking us for doing it. Nobody had concerns about it.”

Throughout the pandemic, people from around the city discovered Beaver Pond and came to check it out, increasing the number of skaters. Oravsky speculates that the spike in traffic may have prompted some of the complaints about the pond.

But the real issue, he says, is its designation as a stormwater retention. This designation comes with its own set of rules, including the warnings about quick-melting ice. While Oravsky isn’t debating the designation, he’s asking the city to work with the community to make the pond a safe space for ice skating.

During the week of March 5, one of the pond’s volunteer group members met with Ottawa mayor Mark Sutcliffe and the area’s councillor, Cathy Curry, to see if they could come up with a solution. Oravsky has yet to hear how the meeting went.

In the meantime, the ice sits empty, with the fire pit and benches dragged up onto the pond’s shore. “The ball is on the city side. It’s on them to communicate with us what the problem is and if there are any technical issues, like we need to measure twice a week or post certain signs,” Oravsky says. “Tell us what to do. Work with us to solve the problem so that people can actually go and enjoy the pond.”

Need more news?

Find your cottage state of mind all year round with our weekly newsletter, Dockside

Sign up here

Categories
Cottage Life

Municipality of Chelsea to remove “road docks“ along the Gatineau River

Photo by Shutterstock/Gus Garcia

Chelsea, Que. is cracking down on wayward docks along the Gatineau River. The municipality, which is a half hour drive north of Ottawa, announced that it would be introducing a new bylaw for private docks on municipal land starting April 15, with three different scenarios for dock owners.

The Gatineau River, which runs 386 kilometres from northern Quebec down to Gatineau, borders the east side of Chelsea. Hydro-Québec owned much of the land along the river near Chelsea until January 2020 when the municipality purchased 1.89 million square metres of waterfront property from the power company for $47,426.

“Hydro-Québec didn’t really manage or care about shoreline usage,” says Rita Jain, the municipal councillor for Chelsea’s river ward. “So, there were things, like docks, permitted that wouldn’t be now…It’s a tradition that’s been going on for many, many decades.”

The new bylaw’s three scenarios for dock owners cover the different categories of docks in the area. The first two scenarios involve owners whose properties are divided from their docks by Voie Verte, a biking and walking trail that runs along the river, or Chemin de la Rivière, a municipal road that runs along the river. These owners will have to apply for a dock permit—costing around $400 annually. If the dock meets the criteria of being connected to a private property, the owners will be allowed to keep it.

The third scenario is dock owners who don’t own adjacent property. These include “road docks,” a dock that’s been installed by a private citizen or community group that serves a personal use. These docks were put in under Hydro-Québec’s lax stewardship, with some having been in place for upwards of 40 years. However, since these docks don’t correspond to a property, the Chelsea council has determined that they must be removed or converted into municipal docks managed by the town and open to all residents of Chelsea.

The municipality will conduct an analysis of these docks and determine whether they’re fit to be converted into municipal docks. Staff will ensure eligible docks don’t impact the surrounding ecosystem, don’t infringe on nearby private properties, and are safe to use. Docks that don’t meet the criteria will be removed by the municipality or the owners.

“It’s a way of life here,” Jain says. “People have moved here because of the river and some families have been here for multiple decades, multiple generations even. To be told that they can’t have their dock is devastating.”

Demand for Ottawa-area cottages slows, prices remain high

During a council meeting on December 6, Jain proposed an amendment to the dock bylaw that would allow nine “road docks” to remain private. She estimated that approximately 300 community members used these docks and would be losing private access to the river. But council voted against her with mayor Pierre Guénard saying that the council had to serve all Chelsea residents, not just a specific few.

As part of roadwork being done along Chemin de la Rivière, a number of docks have already received notices saying they must be removed to make room for construction. Jain says many of these docks won’t be put back in in the spring because they won’t qualify for a permit.

The roadwork includes a new guardrail along the river to make the road safer. Initially, the municipality said it was going to charge residents with private docks $6,000 each to cut access points in the guardrail. However, after a February 20 meeting, the municipality has agreed to cut access points for free as long as the dock qualifies for a permit.

Check out these riverfront rentals that are a short drive from Ottawa

The municipality’s plan for its new dock bylaw will roll out over the next five years. In spring 2023, Chelsea will conduct a shoreline inspection of private land. In summer 2024, it will conduct a shoreline inspection of municipal land, including private docks. Over the winter of 2025-2026, council will determine which private docks will become municipal docks. And in summer 2027, the municipality will remove any unlicensed docks on municipal land.

Chelsea says it won’t accept permit applications until it’s completed its analysis and inventory of existing docks.

Need more news?

Find your cottage state of mind all year round with our weekly newsletter, Dockside

Sign Up Here

Categories
Cottage Life

Love crokinole? Take your game to the next level

Photo by Matthew P Wright/Shutterstock

For many people—cottagers included—the game of crokinole is a great way to pass time, socialize, and master the art of the finger flick. Invented in Ontario by Eckhardt Wettlaufer in 1876, this game is a time-honoured classic at many Canadian cottages.

The National Crokinole Association hosted the Frosty Flick tournament last February in Chatham, Ontario. We chatted with tournament organizer Terry Johnson and winner 46-year-old Ray Beierling of Dorchester, Ontario to learn a little about their love of the game.

Q: How did you discover Crokinole?

Terry: I’ve lived in Canada for about 20 years now, but I only discovered Crokinole and took it up last year. It’s easy to learn the rules, but harder to master technique and strategy, and can be played by everyone. It’ll be a while, if ever, before I get good enough to take the game really seriously, so I play for fun, and participating in tournaments as a recreational player is also an opportunity to meet interesting people from all walks of life.

Q: Congratulations on your tournament win, Ray. How long have you been playing Crokinole? 

Ray: I’ve been playing for over 40 years. Our neighbour watched us (my sister and I) before and after school sometimes and she taught us how to play. I just never quit playing. 

Q: What types of games did you get involved in when you were younger? 

Ray: We played at the babysitter’s and then at home a little bit with family. When we were kids there was a tournament at the Goderich Museum every year during March Break. We entered that and did quite well in our age group and from there, we just kept on flicking.

5 regional board games from across Canada

Q: What’s your favourite element of the game? 

Ray: The game requires dexterity, skill, strategy, vision and finesse. All of these elements make the game great. I’m not a fan of games of chance. I really enjoy that the game can be played at any level and the people in the Crokinole community are all amazing individuals. 

Q: How long did it take perfect or become competitively good at it? 

Ray: If I told you I’ve “perfected” the game, I would be lying. It literally takes minutes to learn and a lifetime to master. Every now and then, I can hold my own. 

Q: Do you play with a strategy in mind? 

Ray: Generally there are two strategies deployed in Crokinole: offensive (aggressive) or defensive (passive). I feel to be a top player, you need to work on both and know when to utilize each one. It’s not flashy or exciting to play a defensive style, but I think it’s equally important to develop this strategy. On a side note, scoring open 20s consistently is very important and limiting your own mistakes will help you immensely. 

Q: Is there a proper technique to do to avoid getting a bruised finger?

Ray: Since tournament boards are very smooth and fast, it takes very little force to strike the disc. Also, for more control and accuracy, it’s more of a pushing motion than a striking motion. If you are hurting your finger shooting, you’re shooting way too hard.

Q: Terry, why did you want to host a national tournament?

Terry: We were first asked to host a local event at Turns and Tales during “Crowfest” in October, which is Chatham’s fall festival. Everyone who came to that event had a lot of fun, so we reached out to the National Crokinole Association about hosting an event on their official tour, and we’re delighted that they agreed.

Q: Do you think the game will continue to grow in your community?

Terry: We were approached by several people at the tournament asking if we would consider staring a regular Crokinole group in Chatham, and that’s exactly the kind of thing that Turns and Tales is for, we’re giving it go.

Q: Ray, how many people did you compete against in the recent tournament? 

Ray: In this tournament there were 21 players registered in the Competitive Division. 

Q: How long does an average game last? 

Ray: In tournament play, singles games are played within eight minutes. Finals games are not timed and require more points to win, so they take longer. 

Q: Do you practice?

Ray: When I was younger, I practiced regularly before events—maybe half an hour at a time, usually two or three times a week. Most of my practice these days is club play and the odd informal night with friends. Usually the qualifying rounds in tournaments act as a warm up or practice for me. However, the competition is much deeper than it used to be, so the margin for error, even in qualifying sessions, is less all the time. The best practice I get now is once or twice a year sitting down with my brother and playing the evening away.

What if I’m bored of board games?

Q: What was the winning score of your final game? 

Ray: The final score was 10-6 however, the play was closer than the score would suggest. 

Q: Thoughts on winning the tournament?

Ray: I feel very fortunate to have won this tournament. The competition is stronger and deeper than ever. I was able to sneak into the playoff round and limit my mistakes in the finals. I had just enough to edge out the win… this time.

Q: How can people start playing, or get more involved?

Terry: If you’re interested in playing Crokinole, check out www.nationalCrokinoleassociation.com. There are several clubs throughout Southwestern Ontario and other parts of the world that welcome players all the time. The London Club, which I play in, is very inclusive and casual. There is about a 50/50 split of male/female players and ages ranging from 12 to 80 and up. As mentioned previously, you can learn to play in minutes. 

Q: Any additional comments to share?

Ray: Just a thanks to Turns and Tales Board Game Cafe in Chatham for hosting a great Crokinole event. It was amazing to see so many cameras and media coverage there. Traditional and social media is really helping the game rise in popularity again. Thanks to all those involved in these efforts. 

The next event on the National Crokinole Association Tour is in London Ontario on Saturday, March 25, 2023. Check out their site for the full tour dates. 

Need more news?

Find your cottage state of mind all year round with our weekly newsletter, Dockside

Sign Up Here

Categories
Cottage Life

Ontario government proposes tightening restrictions for floating accommodations

Photo by Shutterstock/Aleksei Kochev

Ontario’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry is asking the public to weigh in on proposed changes to how floating accommodations should be used on the province’s waterways.

The Ministry said it’s seen an increase in the types of vessels being used for overnight accommodation, including floating structures that resemble cottages buoyed by Styrofoam. These floating accommodations are allowed to moor on provincial land as camping units, but they can’t reside on the same tract of public land permanently. They must move every 21 days.

In March 2022, the ministry sought feedback from the public, Indigenous communities, municipalities, and other stakeholders on how floating accommodations should be used on public lands covered by water. The majority of respondents stated that current rules were too permissive, citing concerns over impacts on water quality, wastewater management, noise pollution, and lack of building permits or property taxes, among other concerns.

Based on these responses, the province has proposed making changes to the conditions that must be met when camping on water. The biggest changes include reducing the number of days someone can camp on water in one location from 21 to seven, requiring them to move to a different location at least one kilometre away, prohibiting camping within 300 metres of a developed shoreline, and redefining camping units as watercraft primarily used for navigation, excluding house-like structures on floatation systems.

The Township of Georgian Bay is one of the municipalities that’s been lobbying to have these rules changed. “They’re ugly, they pollute, they’re not subject to any of the controls that everybody else has to use, and they’re going for a free ride,” says Georgian Bay Mayor, Peter Koetsier about floating accommodations in the area.

Over the past year, he’s received multiple complaints from constituents about Live Outside the Box (LOTB), a company that manufactures floating accommodations out of shipping containers. Some of the accommodations have small motors to navigate the waterways while others use a barge to tow the structure. Koetsier says the municipality has no authority over the floating accommodations as they’re moored on provincial land. And when out on the water, which falls under federal jurisdiction, Transport Canada considers them vessels.

As vessels, the floating accommodations must follow small craft construction standards, but they don’t require a building permit from the municipality they’re being built in. They also aren’t required to pay taxes in the areas they’re moored.

“People are using it as an accommodation. If they have a fire and the fire department comes out to put out the fire, they haven’t paid a penny towards that because they haven’t paid any property taxes,” Koetsier says. “I think they should be treated just like any other accommodation and meet all the local bylaws and regulations.”

Koetsier adds that he hopes the provincial changes will help better police the floating accommodations.

Joe Nimens, owner of LOTB, says he isn’t concerned about the proposed changes. “We’re a registered manufacturer with Transport Canada,” he says. “We’ve been visited by every single government agency that has any interest in lakes or boats and invariably all of them have said: ‘You’re not breaking any rules.’”

In response to concerns over floating accommodations impacting water quality and aquatic life, Nimens says they use the same polyethylene-wrapped foam as a dock for their floatation system. All batteries, electrical systems, and septic tanks are contained above the waterline. And because the vessel has no hull, it won’t drag against the lakebed. “You could cut our house in half, you could drill 1,000 holes in it, nothing would matter. There’s no way for water to leak in to cause it to sink,” he says.

As for wastewater, Nimens says the floating accommodations use a septic system designed by Go-Green, a company based in B.C. The system breaks down the wastewater, removing any potential pollutants before releasing the water back into the lake. Environment Canada examined and approved the Go-Green system back in 2005.

“All these municipalities around us, they seem to think that what we’re doing is illegal. We haven’t had any kind of a fine, not a warning, nothing like that,” Nimens says. “We’ve sent emails to the municipalities and said, ‘You seem to have concerns. We’d like to talk to you. We’d like to find a way for us to all work together.’ But they won’t talk to us.”

Public feedback on the provincial government’s proposed changes to floating accommodations can be submitted here until April 11.

Feature Video


Categories
Cottage Life

What the heck is fungus wine? It might be your new go-to cottage sip

Photo by evryka/Shutterstock

What’s the perfect accompaniment to wine? In a certain corner of Bordeaux, France, the answer might surprise you. It’s a fungus!

Fungus isn’t exactly welcome with most grapes, but when it comes to botrytis wines, it’s a very good thing. Botrytis (also known as the “noble rot”) is a fungus that works wonders on thin-skinned white grapes (like sémillon, sauvignon blanc, and muscadelle), concentrating their sugars and developing a rich flavour. Once you try them, they may just be your favourite cottage sip.

Where do botrytis wines come from?

Nearly all of the world’s botrytis wines come from Bordeaux thanks to one thing: geography. Conditions are perfect for a hazy damp mist to linger around the riverbanks, inviting the fungus to reproduce.

Botrytis wines are often called Sauternes, after the region where they are commonly produced in Bordeaux, but you can also find them in Cadillac, Cerons, Loupiac, and many others.

What makes them so special?

Few wines are so labour-intensive to produce. Vines are handpicked several times during the harvest season.

Ian Carswell, the chef and owner of Black Tartan Kitchen in Carleton Place, Ont., knows firsthand what this hard work means. He harvested these grapes while working in France. “It was such a meticulous and time-consuming process. Every single cluster of grapes had to be inspected for the proper type of grey mould and any individual grapes that didn’t fit the bill were discarded.”

What do botrytis wines taste like?

Common tasting notes include honey, acacia blossoms, dried fruits, candied fruits, citrus fruits, typical fruits, and toasted sugar.

Carswell offers the following advice for those drinking botrytis wines for the first time: “There are a lot of preconceptions out there that all ‘sweet wines’ are syrupy and simple…botrytis wines offer a lot more complexity than most sweet wines and are often fruitier and more floral on the nose.”

Why cottagers will love them

Botrytis wines are almost always sold in half-sized bottles, so anyone who’s trying them for the first time doesn’t have to worry about investing in a pricey full bottle. Cottagers will also love that botrytis wines will easily keep in your fridge for two weeks when open (and possibly longer)—you can open a bottle this weekend and sip on it again next week…and even the week after that.

How should you drink botrytis wines?

Botrytis wines pair beautifully with sharp, spicy, and buttery foods. Think of them as the sweet component you need to balance a complex plate.

Carswell has some specific recommendations for cottage chefs. “The balance of sweetness and acidity in a good botrytis wine makes it very versatile with any white poultry, fish, or shellfish dishes. Fresh caught bass, perch, or pickerel, simply seared with butter and lemon would make a lovely pairing beside the smoke of a campfire. Chicken with rich, cream-based sauces in pastas or casseroles also pairs quite well if you are feeding a larger crowd at the cottage. It may be a bit contentious and not too common in cottage country, but speaking as a chef, I would be remiss not to mention that foie gras and Sauternes are very good friends!”

Where can you find them?

The LCBO carries botrytis wines. Some bottles to look for include Castelnau de Suduiraut 2015 ($26.95), Lieutenant de Sigalas Rabaud Sauternes 2009 ($20.95), and Château Rieussec Sauternes 2016 ($49.00—gorgeous now, but worth saving for the next 15 or so years if you can stand the wait).

Need more news?

Find your cottage state of mind all year round with our weekly newsletter, Dockside

Sign up here

Categories
Cottage Life

Cottage Q&A: Is feeding chipmunks okay?

By colacat/Shutterstock

I’ve always wondered: is it okay to feed chipmunks?—Nerissa Jones, via email

Yes. At least, it’s okay assuming that you’re feeding them food similar to what they’d eat anyway. 

“Natural foods such as unsalted nuts, fruits, and vegetables will do them no harm,” says David Hackett, a small mammals specialist with Nipissing University in North Bay, Ont. “In the fall, chipmunks are busily hoarding food in preparation for the potential hardships imposed by winter. Presumably, they will find enough wild food to last through the season, but they will also gladly accept help from humans.”

Wild Profile: Meet the chipmunk

Peanuts in the shell? Go for it—watch them stuff their wee faces! Cheetos and gummy worms? Hard no. Keep that stuff for yourself.

But feed in moderation or else your kind gesture could backfire. Chipmunks were put on this earth to hoard food. This means that unlike some other wildlife, they’re not likely to become dependent on humans as a food source. But “if you’re constantly supplying them, there is almost no limit as to how much they will take,” says Hackett. “If the food is not durable, and they’ve collected more than they can eat soon, then that food will begin to rot—potentially contaminating their winter larder.”

Also—and this is probably going to be obvious—if you feed a chipmunk, it’ll begin to check back frequently, hang around you more, and generally try to get all up in your business. “Luckily, chipmunks are not dangerous to us in the sense that bears are,” says Hackett. “Still, you shouldn’t let them climb on you. They may harbour parasites and viruses.” Ew. Not cute.

This article was originally published in the Winter 2022 issue of Cottage Life.

Got a question for Cottage Q&A? Send it to answers@cottagelife.com.

A voice from the wilderness

Get The Great Outdoors, our biweekly brief on all things nature

Sign up here

Categories
Cottage Life

New study explores the feasibility of an Indigenous-owned hockey franchise

Photo by Soloviova Liudmyla/Shutterstock

Hockey may be Canada’s game but it has a poor track record of including marginalized groups.

At a summit in Toronto this past January, in front of a crowd of 400, the non-profit organization the Carnegie Initiative announced that it was partnering with Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) to conduct a study on how to establish the first professional hockey franchise led by First Nations owners.

The Carnegie Initiative, which is named after Herb Carnegie, a black hockey star in the 1940s and 50s who spent much of his life fighting for equality in the sport, aims to make hockey more diverse and inclusive. This was the organization’s second annual summit.

The study referred to as The Spirit Project is being led by TMU professors Richard Norman and Cheri L. Bradish. According to Norman, the study will involve undergraduate students connecting with stakeholders, such as Ted Nolan, a former NHL star, a Carnegie Initiative board member, and a member of the Ojibway tribe. The stakeholders will provide the students with a broader knowledge of the current hockey landscape and First Nations culture. Using this information and their own research, students will develop a viable plan for creating a First Nations-led hockey franchise. The plans will be presented to the Carnegie Initiative in April.

“It’s not necessarily looking at playing at the NHL level,” Norman says. “Although, I think down the road, there’s always the possibility of an expansion franchise. But really, what I think it’s looking at is multiple leagues, men’s and women’s, and also how this might play out on the international side.”

First Nations have a long history with hockey. According to the nonprofit organization Native Hockey, Europeans first observed ice hockey being played by Mi’kmaq Indians in Nova Scotia in the late 1600s, using a frozen apple as a puck.

Fred Sasakamoose from Saskatchewan was the first Native player in the NHL, lacing up for the Chicago Blackhawks in the mid-1950s. He was followed by other great players, including Theo Fleury and Carey Price.

One of the goals of The Spirit Project, which will be carried on by graduate students after the April presentations, is to see whether an Indigenous team could play as its own nation on the international stage. “There are examples around the world, like Maori nations playing rugby as a separate entity from New Zealand,” Norman says. This could include men’s and women’s First Nations teams squaring off against Canada in the Olympics.

The international stage, however, may still be a few years off. In the short term, Norman says he hopes the study will provide grassroots initiatives to help connect First Nations youth to hockey. “The professional franchise would act as a conduit so that there’s representation from the front office to the coaching staff to everywhere, showing how Indigenous folks can be connected with the game and the different aspects of how that comes together,” he says. “Then also looking at on-ice and off-ice activities for indigenous youth to help their skills and development throughout the process.”

To support these initiatives, students will look at travel time to games, how to create leagues that provide different levels of play, and what the development of the sport, in terms of social change, looks like for First Nations youth.

“Looking into the future, there are going to be tensions,” Norman says. “But if we’re looking at true reconciliation and the decolonizing of our sports systems, and what that looks like, I think it does ask those deeper questions of what does nationhood look like, and what is sovereignty going to mean within the Canadian context.”

Feature Video


Categories
Cottage Life

15 maple syrup festivals and events you don’t want to miss

Photo by Colin Woods/Shutterstock

What better way to spend the tail end of winter than by making your way through all the maple syrup events happening across Ontario? There’s an abundance of sugar bush farms with mouthwatering treats to sample, which means there’s no shortage of maple-themed fun to be had. 

Whether you’re a die-hard syrup enthusiast or just looking for a fun day out, there’s sure to be a festival or event near you. Dive into our list of the top 15 maple syrup events across Ontario and start planning your next sweet adventure today.

Tap into Maple in Orillia & Lake County 

Hit up the maple syrup trail in Central Ontario from March 3 to April 2 to visit some of the best maple syrup producers in Orillia, Oro-Medonte, Rama, Ramara, and Severn. With over 20 locations and 10 maple syrup producers, there will be sweet treats and maple-inspired cuisine and experiences.

Check out this handy map to plan your journey. 

Maple Madness 2023 at Cataraqui Conservation in Kingston Ont. 

Time to gear up for the 40th anniversary of Maple Madness. Sign up online to participate in the March Break events or visit the Little Cataraqui Creek Conservation Area each weekend, starting on March 4. You can take a tractor ride to the sugar bush and learn how to make maple syrup before sampling the sweets and stacks of freshly made pancakes. 

Activities run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and self-guided tours are also available. Register online today. 

Pefferlaw Creek Farms 2023 Maple Weekends

You’re in luck this year because Pefferlaw Creek is not only having one but eight weekends of sugar shack fun, plus tapping tours and hiking from March 4 to April 23. 

You don’t need to book ahead, but you do need to bring your appetite—Pefferlaw Creek Farms will serve a delicious pancake breakfast and many samplings on weekends. Admission is $5 per person or $20 for a family. Forest trails will close at 5 p.m.

Ferme Proulx et Érablière in Ottawa

Satisfy your sweet tooth all season long with a visit to Ferme Proulx et Érablière—festivities start March 5. You can partake in outdoor farm activities and sugar bush visits from 9 to 5 p.m. and enjoy smores kits and snacks alongside a pancake breakfast.

Virtual tours are available Tuesday to Thursday between March 1 to April 14. Call 613-833-2417 or email info@proulxfarm.com to reserve.

Maple Magic at Regal Point Elk Farm

Join the Rotary Club of Wiarton on the weekends of March 18 and 25 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. for a full day of food and fun. From fresh pancake meals and maple taffy on snow to activities and an elk tour, there is something for the whole family to enjoy. 

Stop by 462081 Concession 24 in Georgian Bluffs and bring a donation to enter, which helps support the Rotary Club and more events throughout the year. 

32nd Annual Sweetwater Harvest Weekends at Wyemarsh in Midland, Ont. 

What’s better than one weekend of festivities? Two weekends, of course! Head to Wyemarsh on March 18, 19, 25, and 26 to learn about the history of local Indigenous People’s traditional maple syrup-making practices and check out live historical demonstrations after you and the family wonder through the sugar bush, snacking on some liquid gold along the way. 

Purchase tickets through Eventbrite, and come early because there’s limited parking. 

Annual Kemble Maple Syrup Tour at Kemble, Sarawak & Zion Keppel United Churches 

Stamp your maple syrup passport by touring six local maple syrup operations on April 1 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Kemble, Ont. Munch down on a maple-themed meal at Kemble-Sarawak United Church from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., making room for Belgian waffles, local maple syrup, baked beans, coleslaw, and peameal bacon. 

Pick up your passport ahead of time at Kemble Post Office, Josie’s Fashions in Wiarton, Bayshore Country Feeds in Owen Sound, or Balmy Beach Convenience from March 4 to 25—get yours soon because space is limited.

Maple Sugar Festival at Brooks Farms

Need March Break plans? Take that sweet tooth to Brooks Farms and devour a delicious pancake breakfast, followed by a sugar bush tour every day over the break. (Tours are available throughout the day.) You’ll also have the chance to hop on a wagon ride, warm up at the campfire, and sample different maple syrup products.

Get your Maple Sugar Festival tickets here. 

Elmira Maple Syrup Festival

Join the Elmira community for a full day of demonstrations, activities, and pancakes with maple syrup (or maple syrup with a side of pancake) on April 1. Take a bus ride to explore the nearby sugar bushes to find out how to tap maple trees, collect the sap, and prepare it for tasting. 

Before the event, grab an Elmira maple syrup festival sap pail for $10 by contacting Kyle Bosomworth at 226-979-9146. 

Spring Tonic Maple Syrup Festival at Tiffin Centre for Conservation and Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Area

Check out the Spring Tonic Festival on April 1 and 2 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. to catch a historical demonstration comparing how Indigenous People first maple syrup to how farmers make it today. Leave room for a yummy pancake and sausage breakfast with fresh syrup, and take part in various activities like a horse-drawn wagon ride. 

Download the self-guided maple syrup tour on your phone to explore Tiffin Conservation Area’s sugar bush.

Maple Grove Syrup Tours in Severn

You won’t want to miss the self-guided sugar bush tour, family-friendly activities and lots of maple syrup tastings at the Maple Grove Syrup Tours on April 1 and 2 at 2448 Burnside Line. 

Lunch and refreshments will be provided, along with a demonstration of turning sap into syrup. Grab your tickets on the website today. 

Belmore Maple Syrup Festival at Belmore Community Centre

After a three-year hiatus, Belmore Maple Syrup Festival is back and ready to welcome everyone with a pancake breakfast, live music, craft show, and kid’s room on April 6 and 8. Don’t forget to take a peak at the outdoor maple syrup demonstration. 

Grab your tickets at the door—children under five are free. All events are wheelchair accessible. 

Maple in Muskoka on Huntsville’s Main Street

It’s back again! On April 29, Maple in Muskoka is bringing the community together to celebrate the maple harvest from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Entry is free and the day will be packed with a maple marketplace, game zone, live music, drumming circle, busker square, a Rotary Pancake Breakfast and more.

Stay the whole weekend and explore the Muskoka Maple Trail on your own, too!

Festival of the Maples in Perth, Ont.

Head on over to the Festival of the Maples on Saturday, April 29, to visit local vendors and sample all the tasty treats that Eastern Ontario offers. Enjoy a full day of entertainment, awards, and the sap-tapping and wood cookie competition.

Catch King of Swingers, Duke LeBold, and Jonathan Cao performing on the street and stock up on maple products to use in future recipes.

Elmvale Maple Syrup Festival 

If you need an excuse to eat more maple syrup, visit Elmvale’s Maple Syrup Festival on Saturday, April 29, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. All proceeds go to schools, music programs for children, and more. 

While you’re there, check out the Arts, Craft, and Quits Show, take your shot at the Annual Log Sawing Competition, stuff yourself full during the Pancake Eating contest, shop at the local vendors, and join in on the local tours.

A voice from the wilderness

Get The Great Outdoors, our biweekly brief on all things nature

Sign up here

Categories
Cottage Life

What information are cottage sellers required to disclose to buyers?

Photo by Mircea Costina/Shutterstock

A small beach house in Bayfield, Ont. overlooking Lake Huron has become the focal point of a $2.2 million lawsuit, according to the CBC.

Michael Bousfield and Leah Stumpf, a couple from Guelph, Ont., were in the process of purchasing their dream vacation home when the seller told them three days before closing the deal that the property was uninhabitable due to an eroding shoreline. Having already arranged their financing, the couple was forced to proceed with the purchase and has since launched a lawsuit against the seller, as well as the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority (ABCA) and the municipality of Central Huron, after the two governing bodies wouldn’t issue a permit to fix the shoreline without the couple paying for a coastal engineering report.

The case will be heard in a Toronto courthouse.

Negotiating real estate deals can be tricky. As it turns out, sellers aren’t legally required to tell you everything about a property. To avoid any legal troubles, here’s everything you should be aware of when you’re looking at a cottage and whether the sellers are required to declare it.

Patent defects

Roof leaks, foundation cracks, and window breaks. According to the Real Estate Council of Ontario (RECO), a patent defect is any visible issue with a property. They’re easy to spot—this could be a stain on the ceiling from water damage or a missing safety rail. Due to their visibility, the seller is not required to disclose these defects. To ensure you don’t miss any patent defects, RECO advises that you ask the seller and their realtor specific questions about the state of the property, and hire a home inspector to have a thorough look.

Latent defects

These issues are harder to see, so hard that even a home inspector might miss them. They’re the kinds of things that only the seller would know about, such as a basement that floods each spring, a quickly eroding shoreline, or any hidden damage or mould. Sellers are required to disclose this information to buyers. “If a seller is aware of such a defect and doesn’t disclose it, they can be exposed to a lawsuit by the buyer,” RECO says. The latent defect must be disclosed before the buyer enters a contract of purchase. If the buyer discovers a latent defect after purchasing the property that wasn’t disclosed by the seller, they have two years from the day the defect was discovered to launch a lawsuit.

Stigmas

Stigmas don’t affect the property’s appearance or structure. Instead, they’re past events that could cause the buyer to rethink their purchase. For instance: a murder on the property, an illegal grow-op, a notorious individual who lived there, or even rumours about the property being haunted. Since some buyers may be more comfortable with these stigmas than others, the seller is not required to disclose this information unless it affects the price of the property. The onus to uncover any stigmas falls on the buyer and their realtor. RECO recommends asking the seller and their realtor direct questions about the history of the property, researching it online, and speaking to neighbours.

Seller Property Information Statement (SPIS)

When looking at a property, the buyer can request a SPIS from the seller. This is a form filled out by the seller that outlines all of the potential defects and damages they’re aware of on the property. It’s a good way to get an overview of any problems you should be looking for. However, an SPIS is voluntary. A seller is not required to fill one out. RECO emphasizes that real estate transactions operate on a “buyer beware” system. In most cases, it’s up to the buyer and their realtor to uncover a property’s flaws. If a seller is unwilling to provide a SPIS, the buyer should have the home inspected by a professional and ask specific questions about the state of the property before entering a contract of purchase. Sellers are legally required to tell the truth if asked about their property.

Buy, sell, rent, dream

Get The Key, our weekly newsletter on all things cottage real estate

Sign up here

Categories
Cottage Life

Cottage Q&A: What causes “winter burn” in trees?

By Suzanne Tucker/Shutterstock

The needles on some of my evergreens have turned brown. My neighbour at the cottage told me that she thinks it’s from winter burn. Could she be correct? Will the trees recover?—Linda Kerry, via email

Without seeing the trees, it’s impossible to know for sure—tree foliage can turn brown for many reasons. But your neighbour could be right.

“Winter burn occurs when a tree loses more water through its leaves than it can absorb from the frozen ground,” says Ryan Statham, the district manager at the Strathroy, Ont., office of Davey Tree Expert Company. There are multiple possible symptoms to look for, including brown, dry foliage; discoloured, damaged, or cracked bark; and in the spring, die back at the tips of the branches, with no new growth.

Cottage Q&A: Can I save my dying tree?

The severity of winter burn is—at least in part—a function of the weather conditions the tree experiences through the winter. Cold, dry air and high winds cause trees to lose water through their leaves—it’s called “transpiration,” says Statham. Other factors, such as a lack of snow cover to insulate the tree roots, or sudden temperature changes—a rapid thaw followed by a sudden freeze—also put trees and shrubs at risk for losing moisture without being able to replace it.

Happily, a tree in good health can recover from winter burn on its own. (Winter burn is more destructive to a tree that’s already stressed because of other factors—pests, for example.) But if you’re concerned for your trees, and you can get up to the cottage during a warm spell, “water them deeply,” says Statham. Apply mulch to the base of the trees to insulate their roots. Come spring, prune damaged branches. This will encourage the trees to produce more healthy growth, he explains.

Cottage Q&A: Preventative tree maintenance

As is usually the case with tree problems, “prevention is the best measure when it comes to winter burn,” says Statham. Trees that are directly exposed to wind are most vulnerable. Water thoroughly in the fall and apply three to four inches of mulch at the tree’s base. You could also treat the tree’s foliage with an anti-desiccant spray, says Statham. It acts as a waxy coating and helps to seal in moisture.

Got a question for Cottage Q&A? Send it to answers@cottagelife.com.

A voice from the wilderness

Get The Great Outdoors, our biweekly brief on all things nature

Sign up here