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.
“G.A.P. is an inclusive, open, and transparent grassroots organization, with the goal of reducing poverty within the greater Gravenhurst community.”
For this week’s MBW Shout Out, we are turning our attention to an amazing, volunteer-driven organization in Gravenhurst known as Gravenhurst Against Poverty, or “G.A.P.”. First assembled in 2017 by a group of concerned citizens, G.A.P. was formed in response to an increasing concern for those facing poverty within Gravenhurst and those who lacked access to food or food security. They began organizing food programs, rallying like-minded community partners and building their volunteer base in an effort to meet the needs of the community and do their part in reducing some of the barriers and challenges that those in need were facing. They raised both awareness and community support through several wonderful initiatives such as the Coldest Night of the Year, Sunset Salsa at the Muskoka Wharf, presence at the local Farmers’ Market, community gardens, food drives and more.
Then came COVID-19 and G.A.P. was forced to adapt on the fly as to continue to meet the needs of those most vulnerable. Originally, those in need were invited to partake in a community meal together at the Trinity United Church in Gravenhurst once per week – where they could also pick up fresh produce, harvest from the community gardens and grocery cards. However, with the arrival of COVID-19 and the need for social distancing, G.A.P. understood that they could not continue to gather at the church together. Feeling a great weight of responsibility to continue their programming and offering their supports, G.A.P. quickly adapted to offer a food & meal delivery program. In the first week, they delivered to 15 households. That number has now grown to 135+ households; with G.A.P. bringing meals, produce and grocery cards to over 340+ recipients.
In speaking with G.A.P., they said it simply wouldn’t be possible without the enthusiasm and incredible support from the local community. From the local businesses who are donating food, products and other various resources, to the fleet of volunteers assisting with all levels of the initiative, to the Red Cross, the District of Muskoka and many, many others. It takes a strong, connected, resilient network of people to bring all of this together and G.A.P. is still hungry to do more.
Looking to the future, G.A.P. is passionate about the potential of bringing a Gravenhurst Wellness Centre to reality, as well as working with the District to address immediate needs surrounding transportation.
First and foremost, we want to thank Gravenhurst Against Poverty and all of the amazing people connected to this organization. Bringing people together and helping to give back is an incredible thing, let alone to be continuing on through these challenging times. It is a true inspiration to us and we are grateful for all you’re doing. We will continue to follow G.A.P. on their journey and hope you will consider getting involved as well. Many hands make light work.
You can learn more and get involved by following G.A.P. 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 are now into the final days of summer and we want to make sure to get the most out of it before it’s gone! With this weekend and the Labour Day Long Weekend ahead, there’s still time to load up some snacks, some comfy Bear Wear and hit the road to check out one of our Top 5 Summer Destinations within Ontario. Let’s go!
#1 – Muskoka
Of course we chose Muskoka as our number one destination – we live here! From the beautiful dark night skies, the great fishing, paddling opportunities and unique shopping & dining options, Muskoka is far and away our favourite place to be for summer in Ontario.
Tip: Check out the Hardy Lake Trail, or the Torrance Barrens for some great hiking. Or if you’re looking to jump in the water, Kirby’s Beach in Bracebridge is great!
While not necessarily very far for us, being in Muskoka, our neighbours to the north-east offer a wide variety of outdoor activities and the chance to get up close and personal with the great Canadian wilderness. From camping, paddling, fishing and hiking to one of the several guided tours available, there are plenty of ways to experience Algonquin and we highly recommend adding Algonquin Park to your must-see summer destinations in Ontario.
Tip: Bring some good shoes and check out the Lookout Trail if you’re looking for a great place to go hiking with some Instagram-worthy views!
If Muskoka had a sibling… it wold be The Thousand Islands. Breathtaking views of the Canadian Shield granite rock, sprawling islands and beautiful blue water almost as far as the eye can see. From helicopter tours to boat cruises, there are plenty of ways to enjoy this magical place. If looking for something smaller scale, you can rent or bring a kayak or a bicycle and take things in at your own pace.
Tip: If you’re a real thrill seeker, we hear that there is a skydiving company in the area offering jump opportunities to the public. That certainly would be provide quite the view! You’ll have to let us know if you try it!
If you crave the outdoors and are intrigued by the idea that Ontario does in fact have a canyon… we recommend visiting the Ouimet Canyon Provincial Park. There is a boardwalk that connects two lookout platforms of the 150-metre wide gorge and 100-metre straight down drop. It really will take your breath away! This unique place is thought to have been carved out by water flow from a glacier that melted millions of years ago. Cool, right?
Tip: There is currently no over-night camping at Ouimet Canyon, but you can find some great camping spots nearby at the Sleeping Giant or Kakabeka Falls Provincial Parks.
YES – in addition to Ontario being home to a canyon, we also have mountains! About a 5-hour drive from Toronto, we recommend checking out the La Cloche Mountains Provincial Park. They do have ‘back country’ overnight camping available, along with great hiking trails, boating, fishing and swimming opportunities. The views here are stunning!
Tip: Be advised that there are no park facilities or organized activities here. This is you and the wilderness. Bring plenty of food, water and anything else you might need during your adventure.
Where ever the final days of summer take you, remember to keep it comfy, keep it cozy and we’ll be with you every step, paddle, cast, camp or stargaze of the way!
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.
Borrowing a famous Muskoka slogan, ‘Once Discovered, Never Forgotten‘, Sushi By The Water, a newly opened sushi restaurant in Gravenhurst, fits the slogan perfectly. This gem located along HWY 169 between Gravenhurst and Bala not only offers up one of the most breathtaking patio views in Muskoka, but they serve some of the best sushi we’ve ever eaten.
Owned and operated by three friends, Peter, Wang & Jiang, they made it clear early on that the focus would be on quality, not quantity. Peter & Wang were able to lure Jiang, a former Master Chef in a Toronto Japanese restaurant, with the appeal of Muskoka and his love for fishing. “Don’t be surprised if on a slow day, you will see Jiang fishing right off the patio.” Peter told us.
Opening a new business – let alone a restaurant – any time of the year or anywhere in the world is already difficult task, but when you pair it alongside the timeline of Covid-19, you might have thought it was a recipe for disaster. For Sushi By The Water however, it was a recipe that spelled opportunity. It gave them time to establish themselves and focus on their Take Out & Delivery service – and eventually their Patio Dining – while finding their rhythm and introducing themselves to the community. Establishing safety protocols and carefully allowing people to discover them gave them a chance to build confidence and momentum that should serve to carry them though their first (upcoming) off-season. We wonder if Jiang will hang around and try his hand at ice fishing!
We would like to acknowledge the hard work and the dedication it took by Sushi By The Water and their team to launch their business this year. We also want to thank them for bringing their incredible sushi to Muskoka… we literally cannot recommend them enough. Their Spicy Salmon Rolls and the Honey Butter Chicken dish is exceptional! Keep up the great work guys!!
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.
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!
