November 13th is World Kindness Day so we turned to RandomActsofKindness.org for some ideas on how you can spread some love and kindness to those around you. In fact, they have a list of 7 ways you can make kindness part of your normal daily routine, so let’s dive in!
#1 Send an uplifting text to a friend or family member.
You can make someone’s day just by sending them a quick message to let them know you’re thinking of them. Maybe you’re thanking them for something that did for you recently or just saying how much you appreciate them.
#2 If you drive, let someone merge in front of you, or let someone else go first at a stop and do it with a wave and a smile.
We’re all in a hurry to get somewhere, which means it can really have a big impact to let someone go ahead of you when out on the road. Maybe it’s letting someone have that prime parking spot, or pull ahead of you at the drive-thru, but certainly don’t underestimate the impact of such a gesture when driving.
#3 Include intentional moments of laughter and delight in your daily routine.
Is there any better medicine than laughter? If you find it, let us know! In the mean time, we highly recommend a good ‘ole belly laugh at least once a day. Whether you pull up something funny to watch on YouTube, or you can find humour in the world around you, be good to yourself and let yourself have some fun each and every day.
#4 Go slightly outside of your comfort zone once a day to make someone smile.
Alright, you don’t need to hang up-side-down from a tree to pull this one off! The sentiment here is that we all might be missing a chance to show kindness because we’re too shy to seize the moment. Well, we say go for it. If that means being a bit silly, or being the butt-end of a joke, it’s all fun if it helps someone smile.
#5 Share an appropriate compliment with a co-worker or friend.
We can all agree that sometimes being at work isn’t the number one place you’d choose to be at any given time, so why not offer a pick-me-up to those around you by sharing a compliment with one of your co-workers. Tell them that they handled an interaction with a customer well, or that you appreciate their work and you can have an huge impact on someone!
#6 Reach out to a friend or family member of you haven’t spoken to in a while.
It’s natural to want to feel included and thought-of by those we care about, so instead of waiting for that extended family member to reach out, why not be the first to say hello. A thoughtfully-written letter, e-mail or text will go a long way at not only nurturing that relationship, but spreading kindness and joy in all you do.
#7 Gift someone to a small treat – maybe it’s a friend, a stranger, or even yourself!
This one is our favourite because it’s something you can do for a stranger, a loved one or even for YOURSELF! Yes, YOU! We all deserve kindness, so why not pay yourself some kindness by treating yourself to a little something-something. Maybe it’s a delicious snack, or just going for a cruise with the tunes up, be kind to yourself and you will see an immediate impact on your well-being.
How many things from this list have you done today? What about this week? Well, with World Kindness Day on November 13th, we’re reminding you to be kind to those around you, your friends, your family and to yourself.
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.
Lake of Bays Brewing Co. opened their doors in 2010, starting out as a brewery in Baysville, Ontario. Since then, they’ve expanded their beer lineup to include everything from Light Lagers to Double IPA’S to Stout’s. In 2018, they ventured off into the world of restaurants and opened the Huntsville Brewhouse, known for their delicious locally sourced menu and in-house brews. After the success of the Brewhouse, Lake of Bays Brewing Co. wanted to introduce their wide array of beers and menu options to the beautiful town of Bracebridge, and that’s how the Bracebridge Barrelhouse came to be. Located at 295 Wellington Street, the Barrelhouse has quickly become a favourite among locals eager enough to venture into the beautiful new space.
The original plan for the Barrelhouse was to open the restaurant back in the Spring. However, when COVID-19 hit, that put a delay on their plans. But, their team worked extremely hard they were able to open their doors in mid-August.
Since then, they have put several measures in place to ensure everyone has a safe and enjoyable visit at both the Huntsville Brewhouse and Bracebridge Barrelhouse. You’ll be met by their lovely host who will ask you to sanitize your hands before being seated. Tables are spaced out 6ft apart, making sure guests are staying socially distant. All staff are required to wear their masks, and continually sanitize areas in the restaurant. For those who prefer, the Barrelhouse is taking limited reservations every day. They are also offering take-out, so you can still take home their delicious menu.
The Bracebridge Barrelhouse currently has a beer on tap called Paws of the North, where a dollar from every pint is donated to Paws of the North Rescue here in Muskoka! They also just launched their Toasty Toes pack this year, which features two mystery beers, and 1 of 4 socks in each pack. Lastly, they are constantly rotating their taps at the restaurants since they brew-in house, so there is always something new and exciting to try!
We think it is incredible what the Bracebridge Barrelhouse has been able to do in such a short period of time, especially through these challenging times! It is certainly a testament to their dedicated, hard-working team to have pulled this together and we are grateful to have this new, exciting restaurant destination right here in the heart of Muskoka. Keep up the amazing work!
Be sure to follow the Bracebridge Barrelhouse 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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
