New Years at Blue

New Years Eve for the whole family at Blue Mountain Resorts. For tickets visit www.bluemountain.ca or newyearsatblue.ca 

4 New Places to eat around town

We’ve got new places to eat around town and they all offer something different:

Shale Rock CoffeeHouse 

In Craigleith the ShaleRock Coffee House.  Offering light fare, gourmet coffee, tea and frozen delicacies made by Chef Patrick to go. Located in the Mac’s Milk plaza in Craigleith right beside Shan Home and gift.

Gustav Chophouse& Bar. 

As the name suggests Gustav’s offers classic chophouse fare with a modern touch. “We started designing the menu by including the best steaks you can buy, added in 100 years experience from the back of the house and offer professional service and presentation from the front of the house staff.  I’m very excited to be bringing back classic tableside service of Chateaubriand and Caesar salad.’ Says Executive Chef Jeff Anderson. The bar includes an extensive wine list, local craft brews and signature cocktails. Located in the lobby of the newly renovated Georgian Bay Hotel & Conference at 10 Vacation Drive in Collingwood.

BRGZinc.

Delicious Burgers served on Chef Patrick Buns.  Located at 316 Hume Street in Collingwood.  Open 7 days from 11:00am – 7:30pm 

Fish & Sips

A great new addition to Hurontario Street in Downtown Collingwood.  Everything you’d want from a fish and chips restaurant.  Lots of local craft brew on tap, plus a very decent wine list!  Located at 208 Hurontario Street.  

We hope you enjoy your dining experience at any one of these new fine establishments.  We sure did.

Happy Chomping!

Julie Card

Santa Claus is coming to Collingwood’s Downtown!

This Christmas season all kids (big and small) will have an opportunity to visit with Santa in his big sleigh when he comes to downtown Collingwood on Saturday, November 28, December 5, 12 and 19.  It is with great pleasure that we announce that Santa will be available for all to give him their wish lists beside town hall from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. on the Saturdays leading up to his big night. 

On Saturday November 28^th, December 5^th and 19^th, there will be a special surprise! You won’t want to miss Santa’s reindeer in training, as they will be joining Santa at town hall.  We are never sure who will be there; maybe you’ll be able to tell if they are descendants of Blitzen, Dasher or Donner.  The reindeer trainers will be on hand to answer all your reindeer questions.

After you have given your wish list to Santa, why not take the opportunity to explore some of the eighty plus boutique shops and artisans that downtown Collingwood has to offer.  Bursting with holiday decor and gift ideas, you never know what you will find, even for all those hard to buy for on your list.  Then reward yourself with something to please your palette from one of the more than thirty restaurants.  This holiday season, come downtown, and come home for the holidays.

For more information on events, activities and the businesses in Downtown Collingwood please visit our website at www.collingwooddowntown.com or call 705-445-5595.

10 REASONS TO START CHRISTMAS IN COLLINGWOOD DOWNTOWN

10 REASONS TO START CHRISTMAS IN COLLINGWOOD DOWNTOWN
The Fun Starts @ 10am with the Christmas Market!

Join us in Downtown Collingwood on Saturday November 21st to celebrate the start of the Christmas Season.  It’s a magical day that starts at 10am and goes into the early evening, featuring magical events for the whole family and a great chance to buy some great gifts too.

1.  Christmas Market 10 am – 4 pm

Begin the day by visiting our Farmers’ Market vendors who are joined by local artist and artisans bringing you the last of the seasonal harvest, exceptional meats, preserves and baked goods. It’s the perfect way to stock your pantry and buy some great gifts! The market is located in the public square between the Tremont and the Collingwood Library, just off Simcoe Street – both in European style huts and under the big tent.

2.  Engage your kids’ imagination with FREE activities at the Library 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. We’re getting ready to trim the tree with one-of-a-kind decorations.  Add a personal touch to your Christmas tree by making your own ornament. Drop by the FreeSchools World Literacy room (first floor of the library) to warm up and get creative. One ornament per child; while supplies last.

3. Fresh from the Fringe presentation of ‘The Emperor’s New Clothes’ 11:30 am/1:30 pm The ‘Fresh from the Fringe’ festival continues for its second weekend at the Simcoe Street Theatre with the children’s show, ‘The Emperor’s New Clothes’, at 11:30 am and 1:30 pm. Tickets are only $10 and are available at the door.

4. Visit with Santa’s Reindeer 1pm – 5 pm

Santa’s reindeer in training will also be joining us for the day as they bring holiday wishes from the North Pole – a delight for both young and old. Located in front of the Town Hall the reindeer and their keepers will answer your questions about Santa’s special training techniques as he prepares for the ‘big night’.

5. Dancing Windows 4 pm – 5 pm

Explore Downtown Collingwood’s window fronts as FleetWood Dance Centre fills them with live ‘Nutcracker’ dancers.  Make sure to check out the specials participating stores are featuring inside.

6. Silver Stick Hockey Tournament at the Arena

The Silver Stick Hockey Tournament is a tradition sure to bring great hockey to town.  Located at the Eddie Bush Memorial Arena, the tournament is an International Regional Qualifier.  Visit http://silverstick.org/Tournaments/1067/Collingwood_Regional  to see the complete schedule.   

7. Sip on Apple Cider Around a Crackling Fire 10:00 am – 4:00pm

This is apple country, and what finer way to start Christmas than sipping on a mug of our very own locally produced cider in company with friends and family, the scent of woodsmoke in the air,  and the warmth of a crackling fire.  Buy your cider at the Collingwood Community Food Co-op at 65 Simcoe and then stroll over to the fire located just beside the Tremont.

8. Santa Claus Parade 5 pm

Santa Claus will be in the Parade so be sure to be ready to cheer at 5 p.m. ! Anticipation begins as the annual Santa Claus parade makes it way north along Hurontario Street from Fourth to First Streets.   This year’s magical theme is ‘Christmas in Motion…. celebrating the fun you have with family and friends during the holiday’. The parade will feature floats and music, highlighting the joys of Christmas celebrations … the warmth and magic of celebrating the special time of the year with friends and family. The Parade will finish with the jolly old elf arriving in town in his very special sleigh… follow behind him as he makes his way down the street towards the town’s Christmas tree.

9. Light Up Your Christmas Spirit

Join Santa at the Federal Building, just south of Loblaw Great Food, and witness the official lighting of our own Town Christmas tree to mark the arrival of the festive season.  Head over to the Federal Building immediately after the Santa Claus parade.

10. Fireworks!

Following the parade, the day’s activities will end with a bang as fireworks fill the sky, marking the official beginning of the Christmas season in Downtown Collingwood. The Fireworks display is presented by PyroWorld and sponsored by Karen Fritz, Mortgage Broker, CENTUM Alternative Mortgages Ltd.

For further information, call 705-445-5595 or visit www.collingwooddowntown.com.

Massive Sale at Christie's in Downtown Collingwood

Massive Sale at Christie’s

In anticipation of an exciting announcement, Christie’s Clothing located in beautiful, historic Downtown Collingwood is holding a massive sale.  Shoppers can enjoy between 30%-70% for the month of November at 91 Hurontario Street.  This is an excellent opportunity to kick start your Holiday shopping.

All summer and fall stock is now on sale including a wide selection of men’s, ladies and children’s clothing, cashmere sweaters, outerwear, sleepwear, shoes, slippers and accessories.  Shoppers can choose from name brands including Lacoste™, Lacoste Sport™, Rainforest™, Acorn™,  Levi’s™, Tribal™, Quartz™, Royal Robbins™, Aventura™, Foxcraft™ and more.

From its intriguing window displays to the comfortable surroundings of the store, Christie’s is focused on satisfying its customers.  For nearly 40 years, this Collingwood family business has provided a wide range of options to the discerning shopper seeking fine quality, interesting fashions offered at competitive prices.

Stop by today for the best selection of colours and sizes.  We look forward to serving you!  We are open Monday to Saturday 9-5:30 and on Sunday 12-4.

Christie’s Clothing, 91-93 Hurontario Street, Collingwood ON 705.445.2761

http://www.christiesclothing.com/  

Beautiful Fountain at the Bellagio Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas

This gorgeous video of the fountain at the Bellagio Hotel and Casino shows the highlight of our recent trip to Las Vegas.  Dan and I were in Vegas for an annual Constant Contact Conference called OneCon (…if you only go to one conference this year…make it OneCon).  The conference was 3 days of learning sessions and collaboration with our Constant Contact colleagues and we came back thoroughly enthusiastic and armed with new information to share about Engagement Marketing.  

On our last night in Vegas we went to the ‘strip’ and had a lovely dinner on the terrace at Mon Amie Gabi (located under the 1/5^th sized exact replica of the Eiffel Tower) right across from the Bellagio Hotel and the spectacular fountain view .  So while this video has nothing to do with Collingwood and surrounds directly, I’m proud of Dan for embracing technology and taking such a great video from his iPhone plus we're very pleased to return to ‘home sweet home’ loaded (no pun intended) with great information to share with local small business owners and non-profit organizations.

And what happens in Vegas does not stay in Vegas!  There's a video of me dancing out there somewhere EEK!

Julie Card

Business Manager & Partner

www.mycollingwood.ca

705.444.3453

jcard@mycollingwood.ca

Great Stuff to do on Grey Road 2

Fall is one of our favourite times to get out and about especially on road trips that overlook the Beaver Valley.  It’s a gorgeous and delicious time to experience all things fall with the beautiful colours and delicious flavours of the season.  This time we decided to check out Grey Road 2. 

We started our drive by heading up Grey Road 19 which took us to Grey Road 2.  At the intersection we made a left hand turn, and just past Ice River Springs on your right you’ll see a little bridge that goes over the Upper Beaver River…right after that, hang a right into the parking area to find the Feversham Gorge.  If you click here we’ve included a link that describes in more detail the flora, fauna and type of hike – please note that proper hiking boots or shoes are required.   The hiking is trail is 1.9 Kilometres on the main trail and a great way to start the day. 

After our hike we checked out the little hamlet of Feversham…found a great new gift shop/emporium and stopped in at the General Store to buy a drink.

Then we were off to the Ravenna Country Market which is at the corner of Grey Road 2 and Grey Road 119.  Can’t say enough about how fabulous this place is.  Fantastic presses sandwiches, lots of gourmet to go frozen entrées, pies of all kinds, butter tarts galore and what I think is the best best best chocolate cake ever made in the world.  This is coming from a self-proclaimed chocoholic (that’s me).  Don’t let the unassuming packaging fool you with the 9” x 9” square foil pan. 

After lunch we decided a visit to Georgian Hills would be a great way to unwind and relax on their fabulous patio while sipping and overlooking the vineyards.

Next we were off to T&K Ferri Orchards (the T stands for Tom and the K stands for Karen) to grab some apples and they are incredible apples grown with what is referred to as a Super Spindle technique.  

What every you choose to do, we know you’ll love Grey Road 2.

13 Fun things to do on Grey Road 13

13 Fun things to do on Grey Road 13

Day tripping or just getting out and about for an hour or two led us to a drive along Grey Road 13 from start to finish so we’d thought we’d share some of the fun, neat and cool things we discovered on our gorgeous drive through the Beaver Valley.

Stop in at #1 Goldsmiths Orchard Market and grab everything you need for a gourmet dinner a la Maison. Technically, Goldsmiths is located right at the end of Grey Road 113 and Highway 26, but we included it because it’s a great place to shop and a stop not to be missed. It’s also where we decided to start our journey.

Next we followed Grey 113 until we met up with Bruce Street in Thornbury and then we hung a right and cruised on into cute as a button Clarksburg AKA Artsburg. We parked the car and headed out on foot.

Check out #2 The Honey House. You can get a bee education, grab some amazing honey to take home and do a little gift shopping while you’re there. Lots of bee and honey products to choose from at modest prices.

Stop in at #3a Matilda Swanson Gallery in Clarksburg and take in some gorgeous artwork from some of the 45 different artists they are showcasing and a visit to #3b The Loft Gallery right next door and meet resident artist Debra Lynn Carroll.

We also checked out #4 The Shabby Shack, relatively new to Clarksburg and bought a new quilt for our guest bedroom and a replacement knob for my dresser that had somehow gone missing during our recent move. Fabulous prices. 

Then we hopped back in the car and headed out of Clarkburg on Grey Road 13. We stopped in at #5 The Farmer’s Pantry and fed Mike and Molly, the goats, pet the bunnies and on our next visit look forward to some U-Pick Apple activity with the family. Dan grabbed a few bars of lavender soap which is his favourite.

Continuing on Grey 13, next we came to Heathcote where you’ll discover #6 Free Spirit Tours. If you have the time, take a paddle on the Beaver River. Good for all ages and abilities, you can take a guided paddle or go on your own, they offer 1, 2 or 4 hour paddle packages in SUPs, Kayaks or Canoes. This is a must do activity. When we had our relatives over from Switzerland last summer we did the 2 hour paddle and they said it was absolutely the highlight of their trip here in Canada and that included a trip to Niagara Falls and the CN Tower.

You can also fuel up at the #7 Blackbird Pie Company where you can order fresh made sandwiches on freshly baked bread and also stock up on some take it to go frozen entrées and of course you can buy pie…all kinds of pie. Think Pie Factory…Yum.

Back in the car we went and headed towards #8 The Beaver Valley Orchard and Cidery. They offer wonderful hard apple cider which is also quite dry…so perfect for my pallet and you can also order a cheese tasting plate which is delicious and comes with house made pate. You can purchase tasting flutes of cider and also pick up a 6-pack (or more) to take home.

Back in to the car we went and continued on to Kimberly. We popped into the #9 Kimberly General Store and bought a coffee and some of their home made granola.

Next, we continued our drive up the hill and stopped at the #10 Beaver Valley Lookout. Gorgeous views and they've got some picnic tables there as well so it’s a great place to stop for a picnic lunch that you might have packed yourselves or picked up at #7 The Blackbird Pie Company.

Then we popped into the #11 Eugenia Falls Emporium and grabbed some of our favourite Pickle Guy Products and a delicious Montreal smoked meat sandwich from Danielle’s . Right beside, you’ll find The Brilliant Bread Company where you can purchase…you guessed it…brilliant fresh bread made daily.

Walk across the street and check out gorgeous #12 Eugenia Falls. Patricia Schupp the owner of the Eugenia Falls Emporium is a wealth of local area knowledge and will tell you everything you need to know or what to know about the area.

Last but not least we come to #13 The Flying Chestnut Kitchen. It gets rave reviews and is open Thursday through Sunday from 5-close and offer Sunday brunch from 11-2. Reservations are highly recommended.

Whether you cycle or drive, we know you’ll enjoy your day trip on Grey Road 13. 

Taste of the Senses at Georgian Hills

SIDELAUNCH DAYS ARE COMING! COLLINGWOOD’S FIRST HARBOUR FESTIVAL

SIDELAUNCH DAYS ARE COMING! COLLINGWOOD’S FIRST HARBOUR FESTIVAL

August 1 – 3, 2015, Collingwood Harbour & downtown

Bring the whole family to this 3-day event featuring stand-up paddling (SUP) races and demos, water sport try-outs, sailing regatta, CAMH Arts & Music Festival,  a dockside bar & history lounge. Enjoy the music of a piano street jam, buskers and bands! Explore and enjoy kitefest, kids kite and kraft centre, food and merchandise vendors on the promenade and breathtaking first ever art projection onto the grain elevators! Go to the SideLaunch site - click here.

6Hours of Gibraltar

We need teams to register!!!

This is one of my favourite events of all time!  So much so, I volunteered to be part of the organizing committee for this year. 

6 Hours of Gibraltar - July 11, 2015

Our 4 man/woman/co-ed, group or solo mountain bike relay race promises fun, excitement, a great ride on a course that is not open to the public. Enjoy the day doing what you love – mountain biking. All proceeds go to My Friend's House, a safe place for women and children that need to escape abusive situations. Rain or shine, we’ll be there. Will you?

Register before June 5, 2015. We hope you can join us.
http://www.6hrsofgibraltar.com/ 

Collingwood Craft Beer & Cider Festival

Canadian Craft Beer Festivals is excited to announce the 1st annual Collingwood Craft Beer & Cider Festival taking place June 13-14, 2015 outside of the Eddie Bush Memorial Arena, Collingwood Ontario.

The Collingwood Craft Beer & Cider Festival will feature over 25 of Ontario's best small batch craft brewers and cideries, food trucks, local restaurants, educational seminars, and an amazing lineup of local musical talent.  Leading up the weekend, the Collingwood Craft Beer & Cider Festival will partner with a number of local pubs and restaurants to host a week of Tap Takeovers.  The participating vendors will graciously provide some of Ontario's best craft beers at their establishments during the week prior to the two day festival.

"Collingwood is quickly becoming Ontario's best kept secret when it comes to world class small batch brewers and cideries.  It's a take notice type of change in Collingwood as we see new breweries and cideries popping up throughout South Georgian.  We're super excited to support them in bringing recognition and acknowledgement to their great talents." says Brian Kerr, partner in Canadian Craft Beer Festivals.

The festival will present a number of brewery-hosted seminars featuring tastings of some extraordinary Ontario craft beers followed by question and answer sessions.  Saturday, Nick Aiello, a Prud'homme Beer Certified sommelier that has hosted tasting events throughout Ontario, will be pairing Ontario craft beers with some of the most incredible cheeses available.

The Collingwood Craft Beer & Cider Festival is a proud supporter of Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Georgian Triangle.  "Support through this initiative will have a BIG impact on the lives of local kids. It is wonderful to know that organizations such as Canadian Craft Beer Festivals truly believe in the work we do and the importance of investing in the next generation." says Jarvis Strong, Executive Director Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Georgian Triangle.

The Collingwood Craft Beer & Cider Festival is proud to offer $1 for every unused donated food or beverage token from the festival to the Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Georgian Triangle. "One of the most enjoyable aspects for us is the inclusion of a charitable partner at each festival.  Our goal is to align with charitable organizations that strive to make a positive difference in the lives of children; we are extremely pleased to be teaming up with the Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Georgian Triangle.  It's a great feeling knowing that the generosity of our attendees can help support such an outstanding organization." says Mike Watkinson, partner in Canadian Craft Beer Festivals. 

The Collingwood Craft Beer & Cider Festival anticipates attendance to reach 4,000 for its inaugural event.  "We have some of North America's great beer and cider talents living and brewing in Ontario and we're thrilled to be bringing them to Ontario's four season playground for this two day event." says Kerr. The event is a perfect opportunity for the South Georgian beer enthusiast, foodie and music lover to sample and explore the products of our Ontario Craft Brewers and Cideries.

For Further information and interviews, please contact Brian Kerr, Canadian Craft Beer Festivals at brian@canadiancraftbeerfestivals. Visit our Website. 

Confessions of a Fairy's Daughter

Theatre Collingwood is thrilled to present Confessions of a Fairy's Daughter on Saturday April 11, 2015 at 7:30pm at The Historic Gayety Theatre. Alison Wearing stars in this one-woman, award winning, play based on her best-selling memoir. Woven through music and imagery, this very humorous and amusing monologue moves from Alison's carefree childhood through to the moment she learns, at the age of 12, that her family is a bit more complex than she had believed.

A touching story about growing up in small-town Ontario while her family faced the fact that her father was gay, Confessions of a Fairy's Daughter is a tribute to the power of truth, humour, acceptance and familial love. Alison weaves a captivating tale of family life; deliciously imperfect, riotously challenging, and full of life's great lessons in love.

Winner of 5-STARS and the Outstanding Show Award from the CBC, Alison Wearing brings her very personal story to life, skillfully, warmly, and heartfelt. "When I first saw this production I was incredibly touched by how generous Alison was in sharing her story with us. It is a beautiful story about acceptance, love and respect, and I could not wait to offer it to our audience", said Executive Director, Erica Angus.

As with all Theatre Collingwood "one-night-only" shows, you can make your evening extra special by attending the very popular Red Carpet Reception. For this production the reception will take place at The Tremont Cafe following the production. Tickets for the Red Carpet Reception are $85 and include premium seating, the post-show reception with the performer, wine, delicious treats sponsored by The Tremont Cafe, a partial tax receipt and more! Alison Wearing will be doing a talk and book signing at this reception.

Theatre Collingwood would like to acknowledge Visit Blue Mountain.com, the Production Sponsor for Confessions of a Fairy's Daughter.

Taking A Small Break

Greeting from Dominican Republic!

My daughter Suzie and I are spending time on a Mother/Daughter vacation returning early next week.