We’ve created a list of things you might do this weekend before the arrival of summer.
1. Visit the 31st Annual Beaverton Antiques and Collectibles Show and Sale. You’ll find antiques, collectibles, and vintage décor scores for your cottage. The show features about 35 dealers, which makes it a nice size without leaving you feeling overwhelmed. Make sure you stop for a delectable piece of home-baked pie before you leave. Saturday, June 6, 2015: 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sunday, June 7, 2015: 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Admission: $4.00 (good for both days) Location: Beaverton-Thorah Community Centre, 176 Main Street, Beaverton Lunch and refreshments will be available. Parking is free.
2. Cycle the hills and valleys of this scenic countryside. From the “farm country ramble” to the “four village tour,” the Kawarthas offers a variety of excellent routes for all ages. The cycling routes throughout Kawartha Lakes allow you to enjoy both leisurely and challenging terrain and a variety of picturesque landscapes, with varying altitudes and exquisite views through both rural and urban areas. It doesn’t matter whether you ride a road bike, a mountain bike or something in between. The Kawarthas has cycling routes that will take you along the Trent-Severn Waterway, Trans Canada Trail or the Victoria Rail Trail, and through fields, forests, wetlands, and into the many historic towns and villages. The Kawarthas is a cycle-friendly community. Whether you are a beginning or advanced cyclist, you are sure to find a trail or route that lets you explore the Kawartha Lakes. For trail information, please visit www.explorekawarthalakes.com/en/experience/Cycling.asp.
3. On Saturday, make a special trip to Glenarm’s tiny Amish settlement for maple syrup, fresh eggs, and other delightful farm stand finds on the Glenarm Road. Don’t miss out on the freshly-baked cinnamon buns.
4. Make memories with your kids by taking them fishing on a lake known for inspired catches. Over 130 lakes – with a mix of both cool and warm water– are home to various sports fish. On the southern lakes, sedimentary rocks, shores lined with trees, and a diverse mix of cottages give the Kawartha Lakes a classically Canadian outdoor feel. For more information on lakes and fish species, please visit www.kawarthasfishing.com.
5. Learn a little Kawartha history as told through its plaques. Indeed, several monuments and plaques identify the people, landmarks, and events that have shaped the area’s history. For example, at the southeast corner of Road 48 and Road 46, you’ll find a plaque about the Portage Road. You’ll learn that this road follows the general route of the Indian portage from Lake Simcoe to Balsam Lake. For details about the location of historical plaques in the Kawarthas, please visit www.ontarioplaques.com.
6. Spend an hour hiking the length of Balsam Lake Provincial Park’s Lookout Trail. The trail wanders through diverse landscapes, including a cedar swamp, deciduous forest, and open meadow. The lookout tower is the highlight of the trail as it offers a view of Balsam Lake and the surrounding countryside. For details, please visit www.ontarioparks.com/park/balsamlake
7. Make a stop at Harmony Farm Market for artisanal cheeses, terrines, desserts, and preserves. Goldie Hawn has raved about the food. Aside from the restaurant, gourmet shop, bakery, and prepared foods, you’ll find books, jewelry, apparel, and CDs. Harmony Farm Market is 15 minutes from Bobcaygeon, Fenelon Falls, and Minden. For details, please call 705-488-3300 or send an email to info@harmonyfarm.ca.
8. Venture out in a canoe and enjoy the rugged wilderness.
9. Learn how our ancestors travelled in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries by visiting the Horseless Carriage Museum in Fenelon Falls. You’ll find carriages, old trucks, and gas pumps. Oh, and, by the way, on tripadvisor.ca, the museum is ranked number two of eight things to do in Fenelon Falls. The museum is at 1427 County Road 8 in Fenelon Falls. For more information, please call 705-738-9576 or send an email to info@horselesscarriage.net.
10. Marvel at the engineering feats of the Kirkfield Lift Lock - the second-highest hydraulic lift lock in the world. Kids love to watch the lift locks in action and climb the stairs to high places. For details, please visit www.trentsevern.com.
