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 in the heart of downtown Bracebridge, Veda Yoga was first opened in 2018 by Sarah Shaw. This was followed by their sister hot yoga studio in Huntsville in the summer of 2019. Sarah tells us that her vision was to create a place to foster community and healing through yoga, ayurveda and vedic astrology. The dream was for this space to be inviting, welcoming and a place to feel loved and energized. Prior to Covid-19, Veda Yoga offered a wide array of yoga practices and classes including: Healing Light Yoga, Restorative, Barre Classes, Power Yoga and more.
From Sarah: “By March 2020 between both studios, there were over 500 visits a week, 94 monthly recurring members, 37 Winter Warmer members and many more on class passes. When the doors closed on March 16th, the Veda Yoga teachers quickly responded by offering multiple daily free classes on Facebook Live. Two weeks later teachers were equipped with webcams and ethernet cables and classes resumed on Zoom. The online classes were so popular that the Veda Yoga website was completely recreated and divided into two; Veda Yoga in person classes and Veda Yoga Online. As the weather turned warmer, Veda Yoga took to the parks slowly increasing class sizes as restrictions lifted.“
“But it wasn’t all a bed of roses, and many members were not ready to return to their mats when the doors opened on July 20th or even come to the classes in the park, making it unsure whether the studios would make it or not. Understanding the dilemma, the students rallied together and created a Veda Yoga Festival – a day filled with yoga classes, a silent auction, market place and BBQ – with all proceeds going towards keeping the studios open, staffed and heated. The story didn’t quite end there as yet another mandated restriction made the original location for the festival non compliant just a week before the event. However the Bracebridge Agricultural Society Exhibition Hall came to the rescue and donated their huge space to allow the festival to proceed!“
We are thrilled to hear that the Veda Yoga Festival will be able to proceed this weekend – Sunday, September 27th – and hope that all involved have an enjoyable, fun, enlightening experience! We want to thank Sarah and all of the amazing people behind Veda Yoga for doing everything possible to continue serving our wonderful community through these crazy, uncertain times. There has probably never been a time where healing and connecting with an inner peace has been more needed than through this pandemic. Thank you for all you do and keep up the great work. We can’t wait to hear how the Festival goes on Sunday.
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.
Vision: “Every Child in Muskoka Who Needs a Mentor, Has a Mentor.”
Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) has been providing mentorship and making a positive impact for youth in Canada for over 100 years. They help to create meaningful relationships that ignite the power and potential of young people. BBBS has a chapter here in Muskoka – their office located at 49 Manitoba Street (Suite 205), Bracebridge – and they too have been carrying out the BBBS vision. Through One-on-One mentorship, In-School mentoring and the Prism Program, BBBS Muskoka has been supporting youth and their development right here in our community.
As with everything in the world, when the pandemic first rolled through, BBBS had to adapt to continue delivering on their services. At first, ‘Bigs’ (mentors) were encouraged not to meet with their ‘Littles’ (youth) as to prevent the spread of Covid-19. However, as it became more evident that things were going to be different for quite some time, the urgency to adapt was quite clear. The mutually beneficial relationship and bond between Bigs and their Littles would serve as a much-needed support through these difficult times of uncertainty. That is when BBBS of Muskoka began to encourage virtual one-on-one mentorship. Littles were provided with decks of cards and could play card games with their Bigs over FaceTime or Zoom. Another activity involved baking bagel pizzas together – Littles were provided all the ingredients to make them and then made them over FaceTime/Zoom with their Bigs. As restrictions have lessened since the lockdown and it has become a bit safer for some, the one-on-ones have thankfully resumed. With that said, the focus is still about enhancing the virtual means of connecting and helping to foster those connections until it is safer for everyone to return to ‘normal’.
We want to give our thanks and provide this shout out to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Muskoka for doing such wonderful work in our community. Supporting the mental health and the development of young people is a cause very close to our hearts so we are proud of all the amazing things BBBS of Muskoka has been able to do – not only through Covid, but just in general.
If you are looking to get involved as a mentor, as a sponsor or as a donor, we highly recommend getting in touch with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Muskoka today. Fundraising may look much different these days, but that does not mean that they do not still need our help. BBBS of Muskoka has launched a Virtual 50/50 Raffle Draw on their Facebook Page that you can support – or visit their website for all the ways you can get involved.
Again, thank you Big Brothers Big Sisters of Muskoka for all you do!
You can follow Big Brothers Big Sisters of Muskoka on Facebook.
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 can already hear the moans and groans that summer is over and back to school is here. But Fall doesn’t have to be so bad, and neither does returning to school or getting started with your virtual learning at home. It means getting to see the leaves change, it means re-connecting with friends and it means getting to rock your favourite comfy Muskoka Bear Wear hoodies while you study! Sweater weather is better, so here are 3 Muskoka Bear Wear hoodies to keep you warm and cozy this Back to School season.
Hoodies on, textbooks open! Get cozy in this super-soft, signature Muskoka Youth Hoody! This style is made of 80% cotton, 20% polyester, 16 oz. fleece durable fabric washed for shrinkage control. Complete with double lined hood, front pouch pockets & custom signature logo on the front & paw on the hood. These are even more adorable with the matching Youth Cottage Comfy Pants!
Turn heads in the hallways with the super comfy Ladies Camp Hoody! Now in solid colours, with no plaid micro-fleece or sherpa in the hood! It’s made of 80% cotton, 20% polyester, 16 oz. fleece durable fabric washed for shrinkage control. Complete with drawstring, front pouch pockets, NEW ARCH LOGO on the front & with a custom Paw patch on the hood. So Comfy to wear & goes nicely with our Ladies Camp Pants!
Cozy. Cool. Need we say more? This Classic Men’s style is made of 80% cotton, 20% polyester, 16 oz. fleece durable fabric washed for shrinkage control. Complete with drawstring, a SHERPA lined hood, front pouch pockets, Classic arch logo on the front & with a custom Paw on the hood. Get even more comfy by pairing your Sherpa Hoody with our new MBW Men’s Pants!
Muskoka Bear Wear has you covered for all your Back to School needs!
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 at 195 Wellington Street in Bracebridge, the newly opened Ice Cream & Bean has already become a huge hit with locals and visitors alike. Owned and Operated by Cindy, Ice Cream & Bean specializes in artisan ice cream from Belly (also located in Muskoka!), Genuine Tea and freshly roasted Balzac’s Coffee. Offering a wide variety of flavours and delights, Ice Cream & Bean strives to offer the best locally sourced products & ingredients and the best service in Muskoka. They even have an Espresso machine that was imported directly from Italy!
Opening a business at any time can be a daunting task, but opening during a global pandemic brings with it several additional challenges and Ice Cream & Bean stepped up to face them head-on. Without being able to seat guests inside, they built a patio for patrons to enjoy their frozen treats and hot beverages outside. They also enforced social distancing with floor signage as well as made hand sanitizer and masks available to visitors. The staff wore masks themselves and the team continued to practice a high level of sanitizing and cleaning routines to ensure patrons a safe and enjoyable experience.
Despite the challenges, Ice Cream & Bean remains focused on growing their menu and further connecting with the local community. They told us that they are close to acquiring their liquor license, which will bring with it several new specialty coffee options and frozen treats. They plan to install some propane heaters outside allowing for their patio to remain open further into the Fall. And they told us that they’re interested in exploring having live music at the shop when it is safe to do so.
We think it’s fantastic that Ice Cream & Bean was able to endure the challenges presented by Covid-19 and has been able to offer these delicious, high quality products to our community. We know times are tough, but sipping a hot coffee or enjoying some fresh, yummy ice cream can certainly brighten someone’s day and for that we are grateful to have Ice Cream & Bean in our community. Keep up the great work guys!
Our last few blogs were all about getting out there and making the most of what was left of Summer. Adventures you and your dog could go on, hot spots to visit in Ontario, going on cruises and all the exciting, adventurous things that come with Summer. However, for Labour Day Long Weekend, with Back 2 School right around the corner and wanting to make sure you have a chance to recharge the batteries ahead of the arrival of Fall, we’re recommending slowing things down and keeping it cozy, comfy and chill this Labour Day Weekend.
Step #1 – Get All Your Errands and Work Done ASAP!
Use your Friday evening or Saturday morning to get aaaaaaaall of your errands, work or responsibilities checked off so that you can be guilt-free to unplug and chill out. Get your phone calls or FaceTimes done. Pick up snacks and easy-to-make meals for while you’re hanging out this weekend. Lay out some comfy Muskoka Bear Wear for the rest of the weekend and get ready to chill.
Step #2 – Commence the Lounging!
Do your best to ignore your e-mails or messages and just kick back. If you love to read, get nice and cozy and cuddle up with that book you’ve been wanting to try but were always too busy. If you’re a gamer, fire up the console and let yourself drift into the game world. We recommend Animal Crossing on the Nintendo Switch. We know those adorable villagers would love to see more of you this weekend. Maybe you’re a movie or TV show fan… BINGE AWAY! Schitt’s Creek, The Office and Parks & Recreation top our binge list right now.
The bottom line: get comfy and try to get lost in something that brings you joy.
Step #3 – Rinse & Repeat All Weekend Long
Guys, it’s a long weekend! You already got all of your work and responsibilities out of the way during Step #1, so put your own mental health and wellness at the forefront and indulge in that chill time! Finished your book? Start another. Finished your game, TV show or movie? Start another! Finished your first round of snacks, grab some more! Do what makes you feel good and you won’t feel any regret that you didn’t make the most of your Labour Day Long Weekend.
Yup. We want to help you kick back and lounge through your Labour Day Long Weekend with $10 OFF our comfy, cozy chill-friendly pants! Visit our Exclusive Labour Day Sale Page for details!
