#MBWShoutOuts Week 31: Gravenhurst Public Library


In response to the challenging times that we are experiencing together regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, we wanted to give props to some stellar local businesses who are stepping up to serve our great community.


Featured this Week:

Gravenhurst Public Library
Website: www.GravenhurstLibrary.ca

The Gravenhurst Public Library was founded in 1883 as a small Mechanics’ Institute and grew to a larger Library housed in the Carnegie Building with a $7,000 grant from Andrew Carnegie in 1923. In 2000, an even bigger space was purpose-built for the Library at 180 Sharpe Street West and that is where they called home for the last 20 years. What makes the Library special is their relationship with the Gravenhurst Archives, their outreach connection to numerous community organizations, the wide variety of their collection and their dedicated group of staff and board members.

Like so many organizations and businesses, Covid-19 significantly affected the Library. At the start of the pandemic, they were forced to close their doors to the public. Typically, the public relies on and accesses the Library on a daily basis – such as for accessing materials, use of the computer workstations & WiFi or to attend programs. With the Library’s closure, they had to get creative and do some reinventing. They launched a curbside pick-up service and found ways to connect with people via phone, e-mail, and social media. They also went as far as to deliver materials to people who were unable to visit the Library. 

The Gravenhurst Public Library also produced high-quality virtual children’s programming this past summer that was made available through their social media accounts. While the volume of programs offered has reduced since the end of summer with students having returned to school, the Library is still offering virtual Storytime on Tuesdays for pre-schoolers and on Sundays for adults. They are currently planning to launch some new virtual programming in late fall geared to kids ages 6 to 12.

Looking to the future, once the Gravenhurst Public Library re-opens to the public, patrons will be required to wear masks and to sanitize their hands before entering. Plexi-glass guards will be in place at all desks. The Library will also be limiting numbers and length of visits to 45-minute appointments as to allow staff the chance to clean between patrons. Visitors will be able to use the public workstations, access the WiFi, browse the shelves, as well as print, scan and fax with staff assistance. The curbside pick-up and delivery service will remain available as well. 

With the Library’s closure they have also been able to complete some much needed upgrades to the building’s interior such as new paint, carpeting and a yet-to-be installed new front desk. They have also added new moveable shelving to the main floor so that they can open it up and use the space in the future for larger programs.

We are simply blown away by the ingenuity and resilience that the Gravenhurst Public Library has shown through this pandemic. We want to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of everyone from their team to persevere through these challenging times and to continue to look for ways to serve our great community. Thank you to everyone from the Library!!

Be sure to follow the Gravenhurst Public Library on Facebook & Instagram


If you know a local business who deserves a shout out, send us a direct message with a photo and why they should be featured.

#StayComfy #StayCozy #MuskokaBearWear

Pumpkin-Carving Tips & Other Halloween Treats from Muskoka Bear Wear

Pumpkin-Carving Tips & Other Halloween Treats from Muskoka Bear Wear


We know Halloween is going to look a little different this year, so we’re sharing some of our best pumpkin-carving tips, along with a few other TREATS in this week’s MBW Blog!


Pumpkin-Carving Tip #1 – Make a Plan!

Before you start cutting up that poor pumpkin of yours, it’s best to make a plan. Take into account the fun, unique shape of your pumpkin and maybe even draw directly on to it, or prepare a stencil! That way you can make sure everything fits just the way you’re hoping for. There’s a saying… measure twice, cut once. Once you’ve made a cut, it’s pretty hard to go back.


Pumpkin-Carving Tip #2 – If Possible, Leave the Top On!

This is a tip right from the pros! Not only does removing the top of your pumpkin affect the structural integrity of it, but it also leads to the pumpkin drying out and rotting faster. The stem is where the pumpkin gets it’s nutrients and moisture – even after it’s been hollowed out! – so you want to leave that stem on there for as long as possible. It should buy you a couple extra days before you need to discard your pumpkin. So how do you get the insides out? We recommend cutting a hole in the BACK of the pumpkin (the side facing away from how it will be displayed) and removing the insides from there.


Pumpkin-Carving Tip #3 – Scoop Everything Out! EVERYTHING!

Icky, sticky, slimy, goopy pumpkin insides are either going to be your favourite or least favourite part of carving a pumpkin. Regardless, you want to get as much of that stuff out of there as possible! Don’t be afraid to scrape the inside of the pumpkin really good to get those insides out. Any left-over goop is likely to mold quickly and begin to rot your precious pumpkin faster than you be hoping it to last. The bright side is that the goopy pumpkin insides are GREAT for your and the seeds can be used for growing more pumpkins, pumpkin pie or roasted as a delicious snack!


Pumpkin-Carving Tip #4 – Keep It Comfy & Cozy!

Just in time for Fall, Halloween and the Pumpin-Carving season, we’ve released several new colours that are sure to help you stay comfy while you celebrate all things Fall!

We have new colours available in:

Ladies Quarter-Zip: Orange with Cream Logo
Ladies Sherpa Hoody: Orange with Cream Logo
Ladies Campfire Crewneck: Available in FOUR New Colours!


More Halloween-themed Activates & Crafts!

Whether pumpkin-carving isn’t really your thing, or maybe you’ve already finished carving all your pumpkins and you’re still looking for something fun to do with the family this Halloween, we turned to a website called “The Best Ideas For Kids” for an article with 50+ Halloween Crafts for Kids! 50! Ready to get started, you can find the article here.

#MBWShoutOuts Week 30: Belly Artisan Ice Cream, Huntsville


In response to the challenging times that we are experiencing together regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, we wanted to give props to some stellar local businesses who are stepping up to serve our great community.


Featured this Week:

Belly Artisan Ice Cream, Huntsville
Website: www.BellyIceCream.ca

Belly Artisan Ice Cream was first created 10 years ago, when then Chef, Shelley Westgarth had twins and wanted to explore a new opportunity. She started at the local farmers markets around Muskoka and quickly found success supplying clients like Whole Foods, The Royal York Hotel, Fortinos, and even Google with her delicious artisan ice cream. Ten years later, Belly has grown into their own custom-built manufacturing facility in Huntsville (at 88/90 West Road), and has been featured on the Food Network’s Food Factory, and Dragon’s Den – twice!  

In response to Covid-19, Belly launched curbside pick-up just as the pandemic was shutting down businesses all over the world. As a result, Belly had their busiest season ever! With a new demand for local products and a real desire to support small Canadian businesses, the Huntsville community fully embraced the new concept.  It was so successful that Belly has decided to keep the service permanently. 

This winter, for the first time ever, Belly will be staying open all season with a new expanded product line of take home desserts to pair with their handcrafted ice creams. Launching this weekend, Belly will be offering Sticky Toffee Pudding, Keto Pies, Keto Caramel sauce, Croissant Dulce de Leche, Bread Pudding and a number of other homemade treats. This Christmas, they will be selling their frozen Cookie dough balls for thaw-and-bake at home in 8 flavours that patrons can pick and mix how ever they like!

Talk about tackling adversity head-on! We think it is incredible to see an entrepreneur who, when faced with a challenge, rose to it and found a way to continue serving the local community. It is certainly an inspiring story and we want to recognize Shelley and her team at Belly for their hard work and commitment to the community. Way to go guys! We can’t wait to try some of these new menu offerings!!

Belly’s Curb-side Ordering Portal can be found here.

Be sure to follow Belly Ice Cream on Facebook & Instagram.


If you know a local business who deserves a shout out, send us a direct message with a photo and why they should be featured.

#StayComfy #StayCozy #MuskokaBearWear

Virtual Cranberry Festival Sale!

Virtual Cranberry Festival Sale!

Join us for our very first VIRTUAL CRANBERRY FESTIVAL SALE! That’s right, with the unfortunate cancellation of the annual event this year in Bala, we wanted to keep the tradition alive with our own Online Shopping Sale!


Fall in Muskoka is probably best known for two things. Firstly, the stunning display of Fall colours as the leaves change draws visitors from all over Ontario, across the country and even from around the world. Whether viewing the colours while hiking, cycling or boating, the breath-taking views are some of the best in the world. Secondly, Fall in Muskoka is known for the Bala Cranberry Festival – one of our favourite events each year! Offering visitors the opportunity to literally ‘take the plunge’ and walk waist-deep in the cranberry marsh, the event also serves up a wide variety of cranberry culinary creations – both sweet & savory – along with live music, games, shopping and more.

As amazing as the event itself is, it is actually much more than that. Despite being hosted within a small town with a population around 700, the event has drawn over half a million visitors since its inaugural year in 1984. The event has generated over $500,000 in funds raised that have been dispersed as community funding & scholarships; has featured over 125 local musicians; has supported hundreds of local community groups and non-profit associations; and has even been included as one of Ontario’s Top 100 Festivals & Event.

Traditionally, we’d be loading up the van and gearing up for an exciting weekend at the Cranberry Festival, but unfortunately the organizers of the event had to make the difficult, albeit socially responsible decision to cancel the event this year due to Covid-19. With that said, we want to keep that tradition alive and show our love for the Cranberry Season by launching our first-ever VIRTUAL CRANBERRY FESTIVAL SALE!


Here are the details

Starts: Friday, October 16th at 12:01 AM (ET)
Closes: Sunday, October 18th at 11:59 PM (ET)

Items Available:

Ladies Quarter Zip
Heather Burgundy & Dark Heather Purple
$49

Ladies Camp Hoody
Heather Burgundy & Dark Heather Purple
$49

Youth Cabin Hoody
Algonquin Red with Charcoal Plaid and Black with Pink Plaid
$29


In addition to hosting our Virtual Cranberry Festival Sale, we also want to spread the word about a fundraising initiative that has been launched by the organizers of the Cranberry Festival in order to raise funds for next year’s event. They have created a 2020 Collector’s Edition Button to commemorate the ‘festival that never was’.

The buttons are available for a $5 donation and can be purchased through the Cranberry Festival website here.


We hope you’re able to take advantage of our Virtual Cranberry Festival Sale event and we look forward to hopefully seeing you in-person at next year’s event!

#MBWShoutOuts Week 29: Iron Lodge Fitness, Gravenhurst


In response to the challenging times that we are experiencing together regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, we wanted to give props to some stellar local businesses who are stepping up to serve our great community.


Featured this Week:

Iron Lodge Fitness, Gravenhurst
Website: www.ironlodgefitness.com

Owned and Operated by Robert & Ashley Moody at 205 Margaret Street in Gravenhurst, Iron Lodge Fitness has been open for 3 years. They offer personal training, small group classes, 24-hr open-gym access, nutrition coaching, meal planning and remote training. More than a business, Iron Lodge prides themselves on being a tight-knit, supportive community of like-minded individuals who are motivated to help each other achieve their personal goals.

As was the case for everyone, the arrival of COVID-19 had a significant impact on Iron Lodge and their business. To add complexity to the situation, Robert and Ashley had just welcomed their second baby into the world the very week before the shutdown. Determined not to give up, the dedicated couple quickly pivoted to offering online classes and even loaned out all of their gym equipment – for FREE – to their members. They also began shooting and sharing full home workout videos through their social media channels – which included a team-up with the local Chamber of Commerce – in an effort to keep the community moving and healthy.

When the weather began to warm up in June, Iron Lodge partnered with the Town of Gravenhurst to offer outdoor workouts across various parks throughout the community. By the time July rolled around, Iron Lodge made modifications to their gym space and were able to host workouts in their parking lot. “It was hot some days, and it was cold somedays, but our members were so happy to be outside and getting back into somewhat of a ‘normal’ routine” Robert told us. Towards the end of July, Iron Lodge was finally given the green light to resume indoor training. They have taken great strides to ensure the safety of everyone in their space by having participants clean everything they touch before and after every class.

Looking ahead, Iron Lodge Fitness seeks to grow their following to reach more people and to help with their health, fitness and happiness. They are a family-run business committed to re-investing into the surrounding community. They have previously partnered with the local Girl Guides chapter and the local high school to help the next generation about the basics of health & fitness and to get them started on the right path early.

We want to acknowledge the tremendous hard work, spirit and dedication to the community that Iron Lodge has shown though the pandemic. To think that they managed all of this on top of a newborn earlier this year is just incredible. They have the right mind-set and we want to applaud them for all that they’re doing. Keep up the great work guys, we’re proud to share the community with such an inspiring group of people!

Be sure to follow Iron Lodge Fitness on Facebook & Instagram.


If you know a local business who deserves a shout out, send us a direct message with a photo and why they should be featured.

#StayComfy #StayCozy #MuskokaBearWear