March Goes Out With Snow Flurries

We woke to snow falling and a pair of muskrats playing on the lake – it was amazing to see them slide onto the ice and dive back in…..great entertainment, despite the snow.  Peter tried to capture their playfulness without frightening them.

Grandma MaryBelle had a visit today from daughter Ruth (R), Granddaughter Catharine (L) and Great-granddaughter Eloise – I thought four generations enjoying their time together deserved a photo!

Getting to Know Us

Ideal cottage for Couch Potato Getaways…..our two bedroom deluxe cottage offers a waterfront view from the kitchen and living room; two king beds with washrooms ensuite (Cottages 51 & 52) offer privacy and cozy at the same time.  The location in the woods make these cottages very hideaway.

Good news….Leafs are winning!

Gossip Girl Getaway coming soon….April 08-10  are you booked?

Easter Brunch is booking quickly – call to book your table – celebrate with your family.

Roadtrip

Food & Beverage took a roadtrip today to visit Humber College in Toronto – Jay Jennings (Kitchen) joins us in the limo for the drive, looking very Entourage-like.  We toured the Hospitality School culinary training facility before an enjoyable dinner in The Humber Room (student training restaurant).  It was a rare opportunity for the kitchen and service staff to socialize, to enjoy being guests and to discuss the workings of another restaurant as a group.  It was like being at a Food Critic Conference!  Everyone was most gracious: from Ted our Limo driver to Dean of the Hospitality School Alister Mathieson to the students and instructors we met.  I was very proud of our team!

Updates are being added to the web site to allow you to book events on-line and view cottage photos.  Very exciting for us….hope you like the new add-ons.

The View from Here

Imagine yourself in the whirlpool tub in the loft of Cottage 10 (3 bedroom deluxe).  That’s ice on the lake……no diving!

Looking out the window of Cottage 5 the ice looks inviting.

Signs of Spring

It’s a wonderful sight seeing the new babies with their moms around the barn.

Peter prefers splitting wood to visiting the gym…he’s getting back in shape.

Tom Wornoff proudly shows me his maple sap buckets – 75 buckets are collecting sap from the trees on his property.  Last night we celebrated the running of the sap at their farm – neighbourhood families gathered for a potluck dinner, maple syrup sampling and bonfire. Tom, an accomplished craftsman, is responsible for making the wine cellar table; dining room Gathering Table and wine cabinet.

Sound of the day:  ice cracking on the lake as the sun shone down.

Balancing Act

It was an emotional day here…..we attended the funeral of Kirk Wipper (a celebration of music and readings); both Debbie Spencer in Maintenance and Albert Barry, our Farm Manager, are mourning the loss of their mothers (both passed away late in the day Friday).   On the other hand, another calf appeared at the barn today – looking very spritely.  MaryBelle Elmhirst (92) spent the day with her daughter Ruth, granddaughter Catharine and great granddaughter Eloise…..how lovely to see four generations together.  

Early this morning I received an email from Ron Mackay (our neighbour who is wintering at his vineyard in Argentina) that I must share with you………

My neighbour knocked on my door at 2:30 am this morning…can you believe that? 2:30 am?

Luckily for him I was still up playing my bagpipes!

Making Way for the View

It was a big operation, cutting down the dead willow by the waterski dock (on the boardwalk) to open up the lake view from the dining room.  It always hurts to see a tree fall but it was safer to cut it down before the ice melts……big improvement in the Hearthside Room.

Today was the visitation for Kirk Wipper and people from around the world were in Keene to pay tribute to the paddler, teacher and passionate outdoorsman. It is anticipated the funeral tomorrow will be quite busy with well wishers wanting to say a final farewell.

Sneak Preview for Summer

It’s no longer a secret………….

Two Bennington 20 foot Pontoon boats will arrive soon for summer rentals.  The 20SFI boats will be added to our rental pool – what a great way to spend the day on the lake….easy to board, comfortable and good looking…..very cool!  If you think you would look good in this boat, call 1-800-461-1940 and reserve your dates.

March Dawn

First light on Rice Lake….Stephen sent a photo as he walked to work – at the same time we  looked out and marvelled at the sight.

Robins Building

Of course we have seen the robins for a few days now but I heard it was bad karma to feature a robin before the first day of spring….they are busy building nests – no straw or loose materials are too big to be carried away.  I could be wrong but there were a group of robins near the pond (water cooler) chirping about Gossip Girl Getaway…coming soon….are you and your BFF’s booked?

Thank you all for your lovely thoughts and stories about the late Kirk Wipper.  I was amazed to read the anecdotes on www.kirkwipper.ca Visitation and funeral arrangements have been announced:  Visitation 2-8 Friday at Keene United Church; Funeral 11 am Saturday Keene United Church.  The Canadian Canoe Museum will hold a Celebration of Life on May 01 – details to follow.

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