*CLICK ALL PHOTOS TWICE TO SEE DETAIL/THEIR FULL SIZE* Maple Lake Ontario, Canada 1956 (spring)

All extended or immediate McCrackan family at Maple Lake Ontario Canada - 1956. My parents are at extreme right.

The 1956 McCrackan family compound on Maple Lake. Our (current) cottage is not shown and don’t look for ‘these’ cottages as they don’t, technically, exist.  In 1956 at McCrackan’s cottages there was no lake-bank to speak of and the trees looked really different than today–way more sparse.

Mom at Maple Lake Ontario - 'front' of the property - 1956. She was Mrs. Peggy (Jim) McCrackan by this time.

  My mom took this Maple Lake summer photo of me, my dad in the middle, and my bro at right. in about 1969. I don’t think it was posed but I like the composition, if not the pukey look on my face.

It’s never too early to begin planning for this coming summer’s good times and with the holiday season upon us it is easy to get a leg up on your summertime plans when you make it a dramatic Christmas! You can enjoy a great summer of drama, comedy and music and between now through January 15, 2012 you can do so for a great price! Pay just $11o for a season pass to all 5 shows at the Highlands Summer Festival and for just $67.50 you can take in the delightful offerings of the Highland Opera Studio with a season pass! Christmas gifting couldn’t be easier and your recipient is sure to be thrilled. Be sure to read about the many choices in entertainment in the Haliburton Highlands by scrolling below and clicking each graphic two times for full enlargement. Happy Holidays!

The TooNice Reggae Band performs tonight at the Wild Moose in Haliburton Ontario

TooNice

TooNice Reggae Band
September 2 2011

Influenced by Jamaica, Barbados, Southern California and the Canadian Shield, TooNice has created the sound of Central Ontario! Four members with diverse musical backgrounds have created the nattiest reggae sound around. Go wake the town!

Wild Moose Public House

1741 Wigamog Road Haliburton
Contact: Monica Horning

Tel: 705-457-4800
Email: wildmoose@wigamogresort.com

Oh hells, yeah!

We are so there!

Friday is really the last day for us here at Maple Lake to kick back and have fun before we must start packing and closing up the cottage for the winter so why not  have a last blast before we go?

The weather should be awesome during the day–so sun and fun it shall be–maybe grab a few photos and take a swim, perhaps a canoe ride. Then chill a bit and head out in the evening to check out this band! Hope to see you there!

lly  our last day here at Maple Lake as Saturday will b

August 27 2011 Maple Lake Ontario Canada Sunset

Obi - swam out and jumped on the raft and then... what?

The clouds are part of my favourite thing about Maple Lake...I'm aware that I'm supposed to worship sunny days but some clouds make for a prettier picture!

'Giant Water Bowl'

More to come!

Chris's 19th - Roger, Chris, & Jim - August 20, 2011

After tomorrow it is officially vacation for Roger and me:

Chris has to go to school and work and Jim has a still-new job clocking in 6 or 7 days a week–and a real-no-excuses boss. Fortunately, Jim had a trip back east my see his grandparents not too long ago. <3

Chris is flying into Buffalo, N.Y. –20 miles from the Falls– on Friday morning—leaving Sunday evening. My mom’s memorial is on Sunday August 28th …with folks coming in to the Haliburton Highlands so we decided to make it more vacation-y and stay overnight at a close to everything place in Niagara Falls. Three stars that my oldest son helped me very much in finding–for cheap–check out the topographic map of how easy it is to walk to the Falls! Excitement!

Niagara Falls Ontario--topographic & map view

… then the next morning at 11 a.m.–perfect-ish for a night owl like me…pick up Chris and do something by the Falls before heading back to Maple Lake  until Labour Day… is the plan.

PHOTOS: Chris’s birthday at Fridays’ tonight- He refused the singing. (boo):

Chris 19th birthday aug20-2011-fridays-schaumburg-il-by cyn-mccrackan

- Plus:  No one* takes my picture – further proof

*only me

August 19 2011 - Son's 19th birthday Fridays with entire nuclear family!

Some Friday's decor that made me nostalgic and I was already _in_ that frame of mind! * On another note: Was I the only chick that thought Linda Ronstadt was hot like 'this'--versus her hot pants-period (later)? I thought so. She's got really soulful eyes.

Happy 19th birthday, Christopher!

After dinner we saw this film:

It was just OK…not great. A couple of the science-based plot holes really distracted me from the film. Also, they wasted Frieda Pinto (sp?) other than as eye candy.

Nope, not a lawn chair in sight--we'll make do... Mom did! (Though I DO covet those Adirondack chairs in the background!)

Peggy McCrackan Gathering’ To Be Held August 28, 2011  at Maple Lake Ontario at 12 noon:

Frank’s Way – Take gravel road until sharp left, drive until you see cars can parked at the top of the hill with the Lake below – walk down gentle hill to bottom until just before you walk down into the lake–turn left–2nd white cottage, named  ‘Catawompus.’  Stop. You are there.

Directions To Maple Lake Ontario Canada – Frank’s Way – Margaret Victoria Adeline (Peggy) McCrackan’s Memorial Gathering:

Link to lake:

Or, click small link below map.

View Larger Map

Peggy McCrackan - Fall at Maple Lake (mid late 1950's)

Thanks to my spouse for putting the  directions to my mother Peggy McCrackan’s, memorial  together.  He’s been a real sweetheart of late with all things Maple Lake Ontario.  She passed on January 12 of this year.

He and our younger son Chris, opened up the cottage last month and spouse and I shall return soon.

Dad is going to be there before us–so go say ‘hi’ to him.

Peggy McCrackan - Obiturary (Arpil 9, 1927 - January 12, 2011)

Me and some of my kin at Maple Lake--years ago...

Above – Maple Lake Ontario Slideshow for 2008, 2009, 2010 & beginning 2011:

Full Moon Rail Line Ramble - August 13 - Haliburton Highlands

GET FULL MOON FEVER ON AUGUST 13!:

I always try to plan my time at Maple Lake, Ontario, Canada to coincide with the full moon. This year however, is a little different in that I’m heading up at a completely different time than I usually would. While this is exciting for me as weather conditions and such could be quite different–late summer in the Haliburton Highlands is something to behold–I’m going to miss the full moon.

BUT if you are in the Haliburton Highlands area now–or plan to be on Saturday August 13–you can enjoy this little adventure with Earth’s ethereal satellite. Read on for all the details! (CLICK to enlarge for better viewing.)

Haliburton Highlands - Full Moon Rail Line Ramble

Thanks to the Haliburton Highlands Visitors Center for  the great info!

Long time between posts, I know. Hopefully, the jam-packed menu of Haliburton Highlands good times coming up in the next couple of weeks will make up for it.
I’m going to highlight a few favourites, then follow with all the information you need on the rest of the activities (and there are many!!)

Minden Hills Bluegrass Festival

Want to hear some of the finest bluegrass music anywhere? This may sound a bit naive but I’m not sure I’ve ever heard Canadian Bluegrass music–so if it were possible for me to warp speed myself out of the American Midwest to Minden Hills, Ontario I’d see you there. This event, which takes place over two days, July 16-17 is a must see.

Living History Days - Day with a Black Smith

Living History Days! Again, this sounds fascinating because I’ve not ever encountered a ‘black smith’ shop. And costumed characters seal the deal for me!

9th Annual Stanhope Heritage Day

In it’s 9th year, Stanhope Heritage Day is teeming with some of my favourite activities like a BBQ lunch and the Stanhope Museum‘s famous ‘Citron Marmalade.’ But there’s much more than food being offered. there is music all day and uniquely skilled local residents demonstrating and in some cases inviting you to try rush weaving, tatting, carving, bookbinding, tinsmithing and much more!

Where Are the Whip-poor-Wills?

On a more informative and serious note is this informative presentation about the decline of the Whip-poor-will population by a staggering 50% in the last several decades. When an iconic species such as this is disappearing at this rate it is time to get informed and hopefully, join together to discuss possible solutions.

Highlands Summer Festival Presents - 'Looking'

I’m just realizing that there are over 20 separate events, some taking place over days or months to browse through. I’m ‘thumbnailing’ them all here–just  click to enlarge them and read all about them. I’m ever-impressed by the creativity, strong love and commitment to community and commitment to the arts, be they culinary, artsy-crafty, or fine arts like the play ‘Looking,’ by Norm Foster (see above).

I strongly encourage you to indulge yourself. There is so much to relish in the Haliburton Highlands!

After the jump: The entire list! What’s Happening This Week! July 13 – 20, 2011–AND BEYOND

All this good stuff is brought to you by and thanks to:

I Love Canada!!!!

Happy Canada Day!

Credit and thanks to the Haliburton Highlands Visitors Centre!!

 

I was born in Canada and despite moving to the United States as a kid, I will always be a Canadian (have the passport  to prove it). Part of the reason, probably a big part, is that I was raised by Canadians. My mother especially, was pretty hardcore Canadian. I’ll offer an example. I’d come home from elementary school after being taught American History. Mother would always remind me that there were two sides to the ‘history’ I was learning and I was being taught the ‘wrong’ side! Example phrasing: “It’s all lies.” A bit confusing, pretty much a guarantee that I wouldn’t exactly excel  in my history classes but her intent was pure–to help me stay true to my Canadian roots. I have to state that 1. It worked and two, in a slightly less adamant way (having struggled with American History, I wanted them to at least pass it!) I told both my kids the same thing– to at least to remember you should make up your own mind about what is true and what is not.

Second thing that kept me true to Canada was Maple Lake, Ontario. Spending  years, over time, on Maple Lake immersed in cottage country beauty, I knew that a little piece of heaven exsisted north of the border–one that I continue to savour to this day and plan to savour to my last.

Happy Canada Day!