Stephen B. Leacock Museum - Orillia & Lake Couchiching - History

The Stephen Leacock Museum or the Stephen Leacock Memorial Home is a huge part of Orillia's literary history and has been situated on the shores of Lake Couchiching since 1928. The Leacock House, as it was known then, was built just minutes from the Port of Orillia on Old Brewery Bay and is open for viewing.

Stephen B. Leacock (1869 - 1944) was known worldwide for his profound knowledge, sense of humour and talent for writing; publishing books such as Sunshine Sketches of a Little Town and Nonsense Novels. The highly awarded author, economist and poli-sci fanatic led a very interesting, well rounded life and we are proud have his roots right here in cottage country. As well, the nearby shores of Lake Simcoe was home to Stephen Leacock and his family when he was a much younger lad, and is where he chose as his final resting place.

Leacock Museum

50 Museum Drive
Orillia, Ontario

Phone# 705-329-1908

Open 7 days a week from 9 am - 5 pm

Stroll the gorgeous grounds, gardens and museum then have afternoon tea and sandwiches or plan the perfect lakeside wedding!

Stephen B. Leacock

 

Lake Couchiching Sunset

Lake Simcoe & Kempenfelt Bay is the backdrop to Barrie's 6th annual Waterfront Festival this weekend!

The weather is supposed to hold up as...'gorgeous' in all of cottage country Ontario! and for the whole weekend too! How would you like to stroll along the sandy shoreline of Lake Simcoe while doing some shopping, eating and people watching or take a swim, a carnival ride or play a game of chance? You're thinking it about it aren't you? When was the last time you had a corn dog on the beach?

The 6th annual Barrie Waterfront Festival is held in the downtown area on Kempenfelt Bay and is great for all ages. There's lots of parking, just pack your beach stuff, sunscreen, water and wallet etc ;) then head out to the blue skies and blue waters of Heritage Park. There will be lots of live entertainment, a B101 & FM93 stage, midway, buskers and street vendors galore!

Festivities kick off at noon on Saturday, May 29th and continue until 11:00pm. On Sunday, the events start off at noon and wrap up at 6:00pm.

At last year's festival we chowed down on the best Poutine ever (twice), lost money on the games, did get a bit of a sunburn, bought some trinkets and we all loved it especially the kids! Everything at the park is somewhat contained yet you're outside so it's spacious, it's also busy yet fun and if we get a chance to go this weekend we'll make a day of it.

Safe journey wherever you're headed and thanks for visiting; feel free to leave a comment!

Cottage country Culture, Fun & the Outdoors ...experience the Arts, Fishing & ATVing!!

29th Annual Orillia Perch Festival 

Fun, family fishing derby and a chance to win products & cash prizes
it's the 2nd last weekend for the fishing derby, it ends May 8th, 2010!
Orillia, Ontario
Phone 705-326-4424
Toll Free: 888-326-4424

Group of Seven Outdoor Gallery

The Group of Seven Outdoor Gallery began with a just one hand painted mural, created in downtown Huntsville back in 1999. There are now over 75 hand painted, replicated murals painted by modern day artists throughout downtown core and even beyond into the Muskoka and Almaquin areas. 
Huntsville, Ontario
Phone 705-789-1400
 
10th Annual ATV Spring Jam in Parry Sound

Spring Jam - Canada’s Largest ATV Jamboree® and ATVOntario Prime Event
April 30, 2010 until May 2, 2010
Parry Sound, Ontario
Phone 705-774-9778

Lake Simcoe Smelt Fishing Update 2010!

This may not surprise you but...

...we (he) hasn't found any Smelts as of yet! A rumour circulated that the Smelts were in about 25 minutes away from our shoreline, but once we arrived there were no fish nor any sign of fish. However, we do believe 'the source' so, perhaps we just missed them...again!

My hubby is still perusing the shorelines but his hope is waning with each passing night ;) awww, such a diehard.

Smelt Fishing - Lake Simcoe 2010

To me, Smelt fishing is somewhat like waiting for Santa Claus...at the golden age of 50! There's lots of hype but it's simply not like it was when you were a kid.

The elusive Smelt fish have tickled the fancies of fishermen surrounding the great lakes for hundreds of years and around the shores of Lake Simcoe, it's no different. Once a year these scaled, slim lined beauties begin their spawning cycle within the shallows of Simcoe making them a vulnerable target to those in the want.

Smelt fish are used as bait to catch other fish but historically they are also a known delicacy, a tasty treat for the kings! Therefore, the spawning Smelts beckon not only the local racoon population but the fishermen want them too ;)

Check along the shoreline and shallows in the late to wee hours of the morning. You can spot them in their hip waders (the fishermen that is and by the way, that's not a sexy look ;), their flashlights, dip nets and buckets in hand... scoping, checking and re-checking the shorelines for nights on end. In that sense, it's worse than waiting for Santa Claus 'cause at least you have a clue when he's comin'!

For the past two weeks, late in the evening to early morning, my hopeful hubby sets out on his search. He faithfully, year in and year out, beats a path to his childhood hot spots. While the Smelt, well, they're nowhere to be found!

This evening may be the same scenario, but perhaps not? I'll keep you posted!

All Fish Seafood Recipes has oodles of recipe options for cooking up the Smelts, if you catch em' that is! I personally have never tried them, nor do I want to, so that means all the more for you. Although, I did read a rumour that the reason there are no Smelt fish left, is because Darryl Choronzey ate them all ;) ...shore lunch!!

Buy at AllPosters.com

Lake Simcoe Region - Ontario, Canada

Lake Simcoe & Lake Couchiching (Arial View)

North

South

Owning a piece of Lake Simcoe real estate is a much sought after dream wether you prefer year round or seasonal living, the choice is yours and the views are spectacular! Enjoy luxury estates, high end homes, summer cottages, winterized chalets, condos or private, secluded lakeshore lots.

Lake Simcoe is located in southern Ontario and is one of the largest freshwater lakes that freezes over completely in the winter. Ice fishing season booms on this lake every winter. Once the ice is safe fishermen of all ages begin to take to the lake hoping to land a huge Rainbow Trout or tasty Whitefish that melts in your mouth. The lake is bordered by Simcoe County, Durham Region, and York Region. The city of Barrie is located on Kempenfelt Bay, and Orillia is located at the entrance to Lake Couchiching. The watershed draining into the lake contains a population of roughly half a million people, including the northern portion of the Greater Toronto Area. Lake Simcoe contains smaller residential towns and communities, including Keswick on Cook's Bay, Sutton, Jackson's Point, Pefferlaw and Udora among others.

The lake measures approx. 30 km (19 mi) long and 25 km (16 mi) wide. The thumb forms Kempenfelt Bay on the west, the wrist Lake Couchiching to the north, and the extended finger is Cook's Bay on the south. From the east, the Talbot River part of the Trent-Severn Waterway is the most important river draining into Lake Simcoe, connecting the lake with the Kawartha lakes system and Lake Ontario. From its connection to Lake Couchiching the Severn River is the only drainage from the lake to Georgian Bay. The canal locks of the Trent-Severn Waterway make this connection navigable.

Orillia Chamber of Commerce

Barrie Chamber of Commerce

Trent-Severn Waterway