IMAGE FILE: Clockwise from top left: Pottery Lane Studio & Gallery (clay), Red Thread Design (fashion) , Opal Wing Creations (jewellery), Box Boy (wood), Cori Lee Marvin (watercolour)

WHEN: Friday July 23 noon – 7 pm
Saturday July 24 10 am – 6 pm
Sunday July 25 10 am – 4 pm
Admission. $2, children under 12 free

Wow. So this celebration has been going on my whole life. I remember it going back to young childhood and it seems it started at the perfect age for me–when I was four.
This year we traveled back to Maryland to see my folks then took this week “off” (euphemism for madly tried to catch up) so we can leave later this weekend for Maple Lake. So again I’m missing the Art & Craft show though I know that I’ll still be able to enjoy some of the featured attractions individually during the few weeks I’m at the Lake.

And remember: Admission is good for all three days, just be sure to have your hand stamped at the gates for readmission.

Webcam shot from Southern Ontario Today:

Chapleau River, Ontario - 7.22.10

WHERE: Head Lake Park, Haliburton Village
MORE info/directions www.railsendgallery.com

705-457-2330

July 23,24,25 Haliburton Art & Craft Festival – Make it part of your Haliburton Highlands Summer
More to see and do at the 2010 Festival

There’s more to see, do, and hear this year with Buskers throughout the park, afternoon Kids Art Attack, a Lakeside Lions Club BBQ and the Rails End beer tent (a family friendly spot), Artist demos, Brigitte’s Picks of the Show and the Library in A Box. Make a day of it, or make it a weekend. Admission is good for all three days, just be sure to have your hand stamped at the gates for readmission.

Visit www.railsendgallery.com

for a list of participating artists and daily events schedules.

The Haliburton Art & Craft Festival is presented by Rails End Gallery & Arts Centre.

Rails End Gallery & Arts Centre is a registered Canadian charity devoted to bringing art to life in Haliburton and a member of the Ontario Association of Art Galleries (OAAG), the Ontario Crafts Council (OCC) and Arts Council ~ Haliburton Highlands.

Info thanks to the County of Haliburton, Department of Economic Development, Tourism & Marketing.

Lake Of Bays

Haliburton Highlands Short Term Weather

Summer has certainly reached the Haliburton Highlands and on the whole, the weather for the next 2 weeks should be NORMAL. Isn’t that fantastic?!

I had high hopes after the less-than-great summers of 2008-09 and Mother Nature seems to have come through for us.

The remainder of this weekend calls for light rain and a high temperature of 68°F. Light rain continues overnight Sunday with low temperatures a mild 63°F. There could be 0.6 inches of rain in this 24-hour period.

Monday morning is more of the same with a prediction of cloudy with showers and the day starting at about 64°F.  By Monday afternoon  the weather shifts to cloudy with sunny breaks and a high temperature of 75°F.

Monday evening calls for variable cloudiness and a high of 75°F. Overnight Monday, expect cloudy periods which change to mostly clear as the temperature drops to 57°F.

Links to some fun activities this week in the Haliburton Highlands:

Haliburton Highlands Long Term Weather July 20 -25

Tuesday, you can expect variable clouds with a high of 75°F and an overnight low of 57°F. There is no rain in the forecast.

Wednesday also calls for variable cloudiness. The high will be 77°F–which will feel like 88°F– and the overnight low should be about 63°F. There is no rain in the forecast.

Thursday will be a sunny day with a high temperature of 79°F–which will feel like 91°F with an overnight low of 64°F. Again, there is no rain in the forecast.

Friday, July 23 bring clouds and showers, a high of 79°F, which will feel like 93°F and a muggy overnight low of 66°F. More than 10mm of rain is possible so it looks like some significant storms are rolling in.

Saturday, there will be a chance of thunderstorms, a high of 75°F and another muggy overnight low of 68°F. There may be 0.4 inches of the wet stuff.

Finally, on Sunday expect a sunny day, a pleasant high of 75°F and an overnight low  of 66°F. There is no rain in the forecast.

Have a great week! Scroll down for more webcam shots of Southern Ontario and this week’s bug report.

Bug Report July 18 - 23

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Charter. All opinions are 100% mine.

I’m not a big television watcher but I am a serious one and like most folks my non-television schedule can be quite packed so scheduling the watching a television show or movie can be quite a challenge.

I think we can all agree that years ago when the VCR came ’round it was a convenience that ranked up there with the microwave–you know, the type of thing that you wonder how you ever did without?

More recently, DVR technology has been yet another step in the “can’t do without” direction regarding home entertainment. But the one downside to using my DVR to record my must-watch television shows and movies? Unless I program it to record the shows I wish to see–I can miss them. Worse, is when I think I’ve programmed it correctly, then go to watch a favourite show–only to realize that “something” went wrong (code for “I messed up”). How disappointing!

You can imagine then how incredibly enthusiastic I was when the On Demand viewing option became available. On Demand serves me in two important ways. One, it’s a little insurance policy that I will not miss my show if there’s a glitch and the the DVR does not record it. Two, I don’t even have to bother thinking about recording a host of shows both network, basic cable, and premium cable because with the ever-growing roster of television shows available On Demand, with a few simple clicks I can pull up for example, the last episode of LOST and enjoy it on my schedule. This kind of conversation has actually occurred in my home:

Me to my spouse: “Did you remember to record LOST (the ABC network hit/(Hawaii & LA-filmed) struck-on-an-island series that recently ended a phenomenally popular six-year-run)?” Spouse: “Yep!” OK! The two of us get comfy on the TV-room sofa, hit the DVR play button and… nothing.

“What happened?,” I say. “I don’t know, he says…I set it up…” “Oh well, I respond, we’ll just watch it tomorrow On Demand.” And we do. There is no blaming or upset for missing a show so compelling that we watched every episode for 6 years.

Pretty cool, right?

More recently, on the AMC television network, the show “Mad Men” has gotten a lot of praise and currently, quite a few Emmy nominations. Even though I’d not heard of any of the actors in the show previously they were now becoming names that you heard with some frequency. My curiosity has gotten the best of me–but I’ve missed the first three seasons and would feel weird jumping in without even knowing where they left off at the end of season three. So what do I do now? Check out the On Demand home page , of course! My plan is to work my way back, episode by episode, like I did with another television show I enjoy, Sons of Anarchy (on FX) which I’d love to see On Demand. I can watch whenever I wish, night or day! You can, too!
You will ‘Like’ their Facebook page as well.

Greetings!

I have an important and fun bit of information that I’m going to share and that, if you live in the Haliburton Highlands area or plan to be in the area on June 19, 2010 you’ll be intrigued to hear about. First click on the announcement below:

Minden Kinsmen Truck Pull and Show and Shine June 19, 2010

This year marks the 23rd year that the Minden Kinsmen Club has sponsored the Truck Pull and Show and Shine
in a continuing effort to support the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and the community as a whole.
The Truck Pull and Show and Shine will take place on June 19^th 2010 at the Minden Fairgrounds. This is a fun family event which children under age 12 enjoy for FREE (ages 12-16 are $6 -adults, $12).

What will you see?  I’m happy to report that there is something for everyone. New this year is the ATV Mud Bog with prizes presented at the event. Less messy but just as entertaining is the Vintage Vehicle Show for vehicles of an 80 year-and-older vintage. The fun continues with a Truck Pull which starts at 12 noon. There are more details on the flyer above so be sure to click on it to enlarge it for better viewing.

In addition to the activities mentioned, The Truck Pull and Show and Shine will feature Food, Refreshments, Camping and Beer Tents on Site!

Want to know more? Contact the Haliburton Visitor Info Centre at 1-800-461-7677.

This is a non-paid post in support of the Haliburton Highlands continued vitality.

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Hampton Hotels. All opinions are 100% mine.

The Hampton Inns are running a sweepstakes in which the grand prize winner in going to have to make one of those rare life choices: Which 100 of my friends shall I invite for a FREE weekend at any Hampton Inn? (And if I do win the grand prize I will not worry a whit about the hotel taxes because I’ll be awarded $5000 to help pay the tax for the weekend!)

I’ll be quite forthright. I don’t have 100 friends that I see face-to-face but I’ll bet I could get 100 Internet buddies rounded up! That would be my first inclination. However, in-line with how many people feel that due to our ever-changing lifestyle more folks are considering family as friends (you’ve heard expressions like “My mom is my best friend” and the like) I might just invite every relative and FoR ( friend of relative) that I could contact.

Years ago, my grandmother made sure that my extended family got together for ginormous family reunions. Unfortunately times change, people leave us and traditions fall by the wayside. But one thing that hasn’t changed is that we all enjoy good food, great company and fun times shared so I think then that I’d invite friends yes, but family too–even family I’ve not ever met but know of and we’d meet up at the Hampton Inn in Barrie, Ontario for the weekend. I really love  Barrie, Ontario as I’ve watched the lovely city on Lake Simcoe grow before my eyes as I frequently stop over on my way to our cottage which is north of there.

The Barrie downtown has one of the most scenic waterfronts in Ontario–Lake Simcoe,whichfor me is a must-visit.  Barrie downtown has quite a number of exceptional restaurants and unique shops too as well as an outdoor farmer’s market.  This area depicts turn of the century Ontario architecture, and many of the buildings have been restored to their original state which evokes a charming, small-town atmosphere. A portion of Barrie’s history can be viewed through the Ontario Historical Association Plaques if you want to dig more deeply into the city’s roots. The family aspect of the “100 friends” might particularly enjoy this because we have roots in the not-too distant area.

This is one side of Barrie, but the flip side is the highly-charged outdoor sporting opportunities and a vibrant nightlife offering a taste of excitement and fun-filled adventures for anyone wishing to partake of them. With 100 people to keep busy, Barrie seems to me the ideal locale to enjoy my Grand Prize from Hampton Chain of Friends Sweepstakes .
So what are you waiting for? Wouldn’t you dig a weekend away with 100 of your closest friends? Want a few more details that make this getaway sweepstakes even more enticing? Alrighty!

• There is no purchase required.

• The contest is quite inclusive about who can enter. Eligible folks include residents of the 50 US States, Washington, D.C., Canada (excluding Quebec), the United Kingdom and Mexico!

• The contest is currently underway and I’d urge you to enter NOW but the official last moment to do so is at 11:59pm CT on 9/4/10.

Oh yes, one more thing that is awesome about the Hampton Chain of Friends Sweepstakes: The sweepstakes is open to everyone! You don’t have to be a  Hilton Honors member.  You don’t even have to have previously stayed at a Hampton though I daresay once you do you will be likely to do so again.

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Hey Folks!

Welcome to your weekend! (More events to be talked about here in a few hours!–plus later tonight, the weather for the weekend and week-to-come).

I’m sure you noted the name of this blog. Not much thought needed to go into naming it as it is written on behalf of the Haliburton Highlands and more specifically when an occasion arises, the Maple Lake area, which I believe is properly referred to as the Township of Dysart et al.

There’s a fantastic FREE opportunity, Young Eagle Flights for kids ages 8-17, to fly for free out of Stanhope Airport this weekend which calls to mind some of my own recollections of the airport.

My memories of Maple Lake–and one cannot separate Maple Lake from the airport if you take a quick peek on the map*–is how awesome it is when a plane takes off over the water. I’ll be in my default place–in the lake–hear the sound of the small aircraft engine, and look up to see the undercarriage of said small aircraft zipping by overhead, then watch the plane as it disappears into the distance.

*in the aerial photos it looks closer to Green Lake which it indeed may be

I’ve always loved that. However, when I was younger and my mom was around she expressed her displeasure with the noise. That left me perplexed but I’ll leave it at noting that we all have our own reactions/perceptions of things large and small. So dear mum would gently curse the plane flying just a short distance above us and I would silently cheer for the plane and think “Wow!”
My mum cannot make it up to the lake anymore but every time a plane flies out of Stanhope airport I think of her–then I think, “Cool!”

Free small airplane flights for kids age 8-17 (click on Visit Website for details)

Visit Website
Haliburton/Stanhope Airport Haliburton/Stanhope Airport road Minden
Contact: John Packer Tel: 705 754 2611
Email: airport@halhinet.on.ca

For four years now the Beer Store and its employees have done an annual bottle drive in aid of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

You probably have known a friend, colleague or loved one who has experienced a battle with cancer–perhaps you’ve fought it yourself.  Despite great progress in helping people live with cancer certain types of cancer can be more persistent and deadly and so efforts  to fight this battle must also persist. The Beer Store wishes to help and you can help, too–it is super-easy!

On May 29 & 30 donate your empty beer, wine and spirit containers at your local Beer Store to help find a cure for leukemia and other blood cancers. For more information or to volunteer, please go to www.bottledrive.ca or call 1-866-600-0567.
Volunteers are needed at Beer Store retail locations across Ontario to assist in greeting customers and collecting their empties on:

Saturday, May 29 between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. and Sunday, May 30 between noon and 5 p.m.
You do NOT need to be employed by The Beer Store
Anyone interested in helping this great cause is welcome to come out and volunteer! If you are interested in helping out, please contact the Beer Store, indicating what days and times you’d be available, your community, and the location of The Beer Store nearest you.
All Beer Stores over Ontario
Tel: (866)-600-0567

Fundraising Book Sale
May 29 2010

The Gooderham Fire & Rescue Auxiliary is holding a large Fundraising Book Sale on Saturday, May 29 from 10am -2 pm. All proceeds from this event go to support the Gooderham Volunteer Fire Department.

There will be a a large selection of books from many genres:, romance, fiction, children’s books, cookbooks and more–like records/CD’s, puzzles and knick knacks! There will also be a hot luncheon available. This fundraiser is in support the Gooderham Volunteer Fire Department. You can give to this worthy cause while enjoying a relaxing book-browsing experience as you are “bound” to find some great reading and great bargains.

If you have any books you would like to donate for the sale, please contact Jennifer at 447-2556

Gooderham Community Center Off County Road 507 entrance to Hunter Lumber
Contact: Jennifer Horner
Tel: 705-447-2556
Email: goodhorner@bell.net

Have a great weekend!

Happy Victoria Day and official first weekend for cottaging!

If you had a chance to see a weather forecast or read my post  about  the Haliburton Highlands Holiday Weekend & Long Range Weather Forecast for 5.21 – 5.28 you already do know that the weather this entire week is going to be near-perfect for year-rounders, cottagers and visitors alike.

Today (Saturday) will be nicer than yesterday and tomorrow nicer than today and it keeps going in that pattern for about 5 days straight!

I so wish I could be there!

Regardless, I’ve copied many goings-on in the Haliburton Highlands this weekend and beyond into the album below. There are some fantastically fun things going on all the time. Plus, there is community information from when and where to sign up for swimming lessons to the homeowners association. There are some charitable and community causes that need support. All you need to do is grab the family, show up and be thoroughly entertained. There is plenty more, including talent up from Toronto as well as well-known area entertainment. I encourage you to thumb through and simply click to full size if a page looks interesting. Enjoy!

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Lunchables. All opinions are 100% mine.

My best memories of my son’s grammar school years are  when we went on field trips with the school together. Whether it was a local symphony or the Chicago Symphony, an architectural boat cruise down the Chicago River or a biology field trip to preserved prairie-land, these trips held great meaning for me personally as a shared scholastic experience with my children.

More importantly though was what the kids gained from the experiences.  A field trip is a unique, beyond-the-classroom immersion into real-life situations that would otherwise not be experienced. The depth of meaning, the level of comprehension, the enjoyments of “these up close and personal” activities all serve to pull the children into the experience like no textbook can. Further, an immersive group experience can sometimes be the light that flips the switch of true comprehension about a particular idea, place or thing(s).

To my great disappointment, with my younger son, field trip activities began to appear less and less until they simply were non-existent. The reason cited was a simple one: not enough money in the school budget for anything “extra.” As a mother this really broke my heart, not only for my son but for all children who might never otherwise experience some of the wonders beyond the classroom.

I’m very happy to be able to talk today about Field Trips For All which is the first effort from the folks at Lunchables as part of their new initiative called “Project Potential.”

Project Potential is an effort to literally help kids reach their life enrichment potential that otherwise they might not ever get a chance to do.

This is enormously important because field trip elimination is affecting scores of school districts across the spectrum. Huge numbers of school districts which are grappling with tight school funds/budgets that just don’t stretch far enough for anything “extra” are cutting out fieled trips all together.

There is some hope on the horizon with the very good news that Lunchables is aware of this dilemma and is taking action to address it by encouraging, as I am doing as well right now, anyone over the age of 6 to nominate a deserving classroom by clicking over to http://www.lunchables.com/potential/ and submitting a nomination for that classroom to receive a worthwhile, outside-of-the-classroom enrichment experience.

I’m sure without too much thinking you yourself can think of a deserving classroom to be nominated to be one of 50 lucky classrooms who will be selected to go on an inspiring, educational field trip and quite possibly have an experience that will be cherished for years to come.

Why not talk this contest up?  There’s only gain to be had and speaking for myself it is very easy to think of some great classrooms with fantastic teachers and kids who deserve the nomination.

The more that word of this contest gets around the more classrooms will have a chance to be one of the 50 winners–so go ahead and drop a comment here about who you nominated and a bit about why you nominated them! Who do you think this educational prize should go to? I’m picking Mrs. Parr’s class at Hunting Ridge school in Palatine, Illinois because they are the greatest bunch of kids ever and because she is the most dedicated, motivated, committed teacher I may ever have met.

Whether you are a ‘foodie’ or simply someone that enjoys good company and the enjoyment of food from around the world check out the Epicurious Club get-together this month.

Enjoy gardening but you’d love to extend the gardening season a bit and learn about cost effective and environment-friendly ‘low-tech greenhouses’? Read below about the Extending Garden Season workshop.

Finally, world renown pianist Lucille Chung is the featured performer on May 1st in the Haliburton Concert Series. Get more details below about the Concert Series and check out the music video of Ms. Chung in performance live at the Santander Festival, in Spain!

These are just a few of the exciting, entertaining, fun happenings in the Haliburtons Highlands so be sure to click through to the What’s Happening This Week website to find out what else is happening and what is up next!

The Epicurious Club
April 29 2010

Here are the details:

April celebrates Cajun cuisine of the Acadians – Join us at the home of Epicurious Club Member Joan Barton for Cajun favorites that are sure to inspire. For the Epicurious, come and enjoy food from around the world each month without leaving Highlands East! We meet the last Thursday of each month for a Pot Luck dinner. You bring a food or beverage item of the country or cuisine selected! It’s that easy, it’s free and we dine at members homes. This club is open to all ages, all genders and all foodies! Cheers to good food!

Extending Garden Season workshop
May 1 2010

View and learn about hoop-houses, tunnels, and cold frames…cost effective and environment-friendly ‘low-tech greenhouses’. 10:00 to 3:00 $5 Registration includes lunch. Sponsored by Environment Haliburton! Haliburton Highlands Local Food Coalition, and other local food advocates. To register call:

Melanie at HKPR Health Unit (705 457 1391 x245)
Home of David Bathe near Gelert Francis Road Minden
Contact: David Bathe Tel: 705-286-2950

1220 South Wilberforce Road
Contact: Joan Barton
Tel: (705) 448-3074
Email: highlandscultural@gmail.com

Haliburton Concert Series
May 1 2010

Lucille Chung

May 1st is the first concert for the year, and features pianist Lucille Chung. Lucille was born in Montreal and is now based in New York. She has performed all over the world with more than 50 orchestras. The concert is at 7:30p.m. The three-concert classical music series is sold only as a subscription. The total cost for three concerts is $50 for adults and $25 for students. The other concerts feature Quartetto Gelato on September 11th, and Made in Canada Ensemble (string and piano) on November 13th. To order your subscription, contact Brenda Robinson at 457-2695.

Northern Lights Performing Arts Pavilion
County Road 21 and Gelert Road
Contact: Brenda Robinson
Tel: 457-2695
Email: brobinson@interhop.net

bibianorucolina — June 18, 2008 — Lucille Chung, piano, plays 3 Scriabin Preludes. Live at the Santander Festival, Spain

Thanks to What’s Happening This Week! April 26 to May 2, 2010 for the great information!

This is an unsponsored post in support of the many activities and services in the Haliburton County (Ontario) area.