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:
Muskoka Steamships & Discovery Centre, Gravenhurst Website: www.realmuskoka.com
If you have been to or through Muskoka, there’s a good chance you will recognize the stunning Muskoka Steamships – the Wennonah II and the Segwun. Resting peacefully at the Muskoka Wharf in Gravenhurst for most of the year, these humble, but majestic ships have been offering up public cruises through the major Lakes of Muskoka for decades. With an impressive heritage that spans the entire history of Gravenhurst … literally – the Steamships first set sail in 1866, while Gravenhurst was founded 21 years later in 1887 – the Steamships have been attracting visitors from the around the world to our mini slice of heaven here in Muskoka.
With 2020 however, came COVID-19 and that meant the Steamships had to make the difficult decision to close and cancel their early-season cruises. Locals grew to miss the familiar ship whistle ringing through town as the ships used to come and go from the Wharf. But, with hard work and dedication, the stellar team behind the Steamships and Discovery Centre introduced some new Safety Measures for passengers and were able to resume public cruises on August 1st.
With touch-free temperature checks and pre-cruise screening and contact-tracing, reduced passenger capacity, increased staff training, cleaning and sanitizing along with mandatory masks, physical social distancing and more, the Steamships have really stepped their game up to ensure a safe experience for all who choose to enjoy a cruise this summer.
We would like to acknowledge and give props to the team at the Steamships for their perseverance and their commitment to safety. This certainly has not been an easy or straight forward summer, to be clear, so we’re proud to see the Steamships up and running again and have heard nothing by glowing response from those we know who have already sailed this summer. Way to go to all involved and wishing you a successful, albeit shortened, sailing season and all the best moving forward.
While no one wants to admit it, we’re coming into the final few weeks of summer and that means making sure to appreciate as many moments as we can – especially those with our furry best friends. To help out, we’ve compiled a fun, simple bucket list of four things you and your dog can enjoy together before we inevitably fall into fall.
#1 – Take In A Sunset
Sunsets happen each and every single day – albeit sometimes behind a few clouds – but we think everyone could benefit from stopping and enjoying even one special sunset before summer’s end.
#2 – Time On The Dock
If you’re going to be near water between now and the end of summer, we’re prescribing some time on the dock. Is there anything more calming than listening to the water lap up against the side of the dock, the birds, the breeze. Slow things down a bit so you and your puppers can enjoy some time on the dock.
#3 – Matching Outfit Day
• BONUS • For added fun, try a Muskoka Bear Wear Doggie Bandana when coordinating your outfit. They are currently available in a wide variety of colours and sizes for just about any dog! And, that’s not even the best part, with each Doggie Bandana sold, we donate $5 to our local Muskoka OSPCA – so you can feel good knowing you’re supporting local animals while your dog is looking awesome! Now that’s PAWsome!
#4 – Go For A Hike
Next to “Want a treat?”, “Wanna go for a walk?” has to be every dog’s favourite question in the world. With new smells, new sights and getting in some exercise, every walk is an adventure for your dog. Try finding someplace new to explore together, or stopping somewhere just to relax and take it in. We’re confident it won’t just be your dog enjoying the time out!
We think the above ideas make an achievable bucket list, what do you think? Be sure to tag @muskokabearwear on the adventures that you take us and your dogs on!
Oh, and that reminds us… we’re extending our Canada’s Cutest Pet Contest! Send us a pic of your Pet wearing our Ontario Made custom Doggie Bandana for a chance to win a $25 Online MBW Gift Card!
Post your photos with the name of your Pet anytime on Facebook or Instagram& don’t forget to use the hashtag #muskokabearwear or send them by DM.
We’ll be selecting 3 lucky winners each day and we will also be matching that with a $25 Donation for each Winner to our local Muskoka OSPCA. As always, we will continue to donate $5 from each Doggie Bandana sold as well.
The winners will be selected daily from August 14th – 20th 2020 with the final winner announced Friday morning August 21st, 2020 and all will be included in our next social media campaign! Good Luck everyone!
To help inspire you – and just because we love dogs so much – here are some adorable dog pictures that we’ve been tagged in!
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.
For this, our 20th week of MBW Shout Outs, we’re heading to Torrance, Ontario to feature PIE, the Wood-Fired Pizza Joint.
First opened in 2016, PIE was built in an old boat garage on what many see only as a scarcely populated stretch of road between Gravenhurst and Bala. But after some hard work and ingenuity, PIE created a unique space for locals and visitors alike. And they must be doing something right as they’ve served over 200,000+ pizzas since 2016. From the Pepperoni Classic to the Masi Caprese and Green Egg & Ham, they offer a wide variety of unique pizza pies that are sure to offer something for everyone.
Just as it affected everyone else however. Covid-19 came along and forced PIE to rely solely on their takeout service after an initial 14-day closure. Fortunately, with a great team in place, PIE was able to navigate their way through the various re-opening phases and are still doing everything they can to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for their patrons. They have been able to expand on their service options and are doing what they do best: slinging delicious pizzas! They told us how grateful they were for the ongoing support of the community and their stellar team.
Well, we want to congratulate PIE and acknowledge their amazing team for all their hard work and commitment to their business, obviously, but also to serving the community. Delicious, fresh, hot pizza can be a huge mood enhancer and during these tough times, there can never be too many of those. Way to go guys – keep up the terrific work!
Signaling that dinner is ready doesn’t have to be the first time everyone makes their appearance in the kitchen or dining room. Try baking grandma’s recipes together as a family! Or another great way to elevate your family dinner is to get everyone involved in the preparation. Whether that’s washing or chopping ingredients during food prep, or choosing what plates and table settings will be used, there’s plenty of jobs to go around. This is a great opportunity to connect with each other and create lasting memories.
#2 – Grow Your Own Ingredients or Keep It Local!
Few things are healthier or more rewarding than preparing a meal using ingredients that you grew or sourced locally. It’s likely that the more produce you grow, the more fresh fruit and vegetables that will be part of your regular diet. In addition to the boost in nutrients and vitamins for your body, you’re also helping the environment by reducing the environmental impact of food production. So get those green thumbs going, or acquaint yourself with the local food & farmers’ markets and keep it fresh and keep it local for dinner this summer.
#3 – Sale of the Week Items
Whether it’s dinner at home around the table, or BBQ in the backyard, takeout on a patio, a picnic or something else altogether, Muskoka Bear Wear is there for you to help keep it comfy and these Sale of the Week items should help do the trick!
So remember, the 3 ways to elevate family dinner this summer: Do it together, keep it local and rock some comfy Muskoka Bear Wear.
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.
Located less than a kilometre from Bala Falls, Cottage Cravings boasts an award-winning café and gift shop and has been serving locals, cottagers and visitors alike in Bala for over 8 years. Offering a wide variety of soups, sandwiches, coffee, ice cream, frozen yogurt, baked goods, a deli counter and an assortment of ready-to-make frozen meals, Cottage Cravings has been hard at work to keep the community well fed!
In March when the pandemic first began to affect businesses here in Muskoka – and throughout the rest of Ontario and Canada – Cottage Cravings braced for what would be a unique summer ahead. Driven by a passion to serve community, they endured to offer take out and expanded upon their selection of frozen meals which enabled them to continue to support essential workers, local contractors and seniors. They installed barriers, sanitized between guests and did everything they could to ensure a safe environment for their team and patrons.
Once permitted to re-open their patio, Cottage Cravings worked with the local municipality of Muskoka Lakes to expand their patio and even introduce an outdoor hand-washing station. As something like this was not mandated or required, it serves to demonstrate their willingness to go above and beyond for their patrons.
We spoke with the owners, Randy & Henny Brown, who remain humble through all of these challenges. They were quick to tell us that without the hard work and dedication of their amazing team that none of it would be possible.
Well, we’re blown away by all the effort that Randy, Henny and their whole team have made to be there for their community and want to recognize and acknowledge that through this Muskoka Bear Wear Shout Out. It certainly makes us feel proud to share the community with such awesome people! Way to go guys!
Summer sure has had it’s share of heat and as we enter the second half, we’re serving up some tips on how to stay cool and beat that heat with Muskoka Bear Wear!
#1 Jump in the Lake – Go Swimming!
Whether it’s a pool, a pond or one of the many gorgeous, pristine lakes throughout Muskoka or the rest of Ontario, go jump in!! Make a splash! Few things will cool you off quicker than that first plunge into the water. If you’re sweltering in the heat, don’t wade in, don’t tip your toes in, just shout ‘cowabunga’ and jump right in!
#2 You Scream, I Scream, We all Scream for Ice Cream!
Cone, cup, bowl… it doesn’t really matter. If you need to cool off fast, the best and most delicious thing you can do is grab some ice cream or frozen yogurt. With so many flavours and options there has got to be a frozen delight for you. Classic, creamy soft-serve vanilla, banana splits, root beer floats, rainbow sorbet, moose tracks, cookie dough, chopped fruit, nuts, whipped cream, chocolate sauce…. if the heat ails you, ice cream is your salve! Have another scoop, we won’t tell anyone!
And if you’re looking for a great local place to get some ice cream we recommend checking out Melody’s Muskoka Ice Cream in Gravenhurst, Ontario! They just introduced homemade ice cream pies. Need we say more? Learn more by checking out Week 18 in our #MBWShoutouts here.
#3 Grab Some of our Sale of the Week Items!
Whether you’re chilling on the patio, hanging on the beach or any of about ten thousand other fun things this summer, Muskoka Bear Wear is right there with you and your family every paw print of the way! Check out our Sale of the Week page for great deals to help you beat the heat and keep cool this summer!
