The Call of 3928 West Canal Road There’s something quietly magical about 3928 West Canal Road. Perfectly positioned within Severn Township, it rests at that natural entry point where the smooth landscape of Southern Ontario gives way to the ancient rock of the Canadian Shield — a shift you can feel as soon as you cross into Sparrow Lake. This gorgeous, expansive property sits lovingly on the banks of the Severn River, where time slows and water speaks. Easily accessible from Highway 11, you can step onto your dock and take a short, scenic river ride into beautiful Sparrow Lake — leaving the city behind, yet feeling perfectly connected to adventure. The home itself — almost 3,000 square feet — unfolds gracefully over two levels. Sunlight spills through windows everywhere, reflecting on the water. Three fireplaces invite warmth, conversation, and quiet evenings where time seems to pause. There’s room for everyone: three bedrooms, two family rooms, and an open-concept kitchen that gathers people together. Step out, and the level yard welcomes barefoot play, laughter, and evenings by the fire pit under the stars. Down by the water’s edge, a gentle shoreline opens to a private dock and deck. Beneath the trees, a shaded nook offers a perfect spot for morning coffee or quiet reflection as the river drifts by. From here, adventure radiates in every direction. Hiking trails wind through pine-scented forest air. Calm paddling routes call your name. In winter, snowshoeing and snowmobiling paths are right at your doorstep. And of course, there’s that irresistible truth — from the Trent–Severn Waterway, you can literally boat around the world. It makes me smile (and maybe dream a little) to picture leaving your calm cottage dock and gliding into the St. Lawrence Seaway. For full details, see MLS #S12330700 — and imagine yourself stepping into your next Muskoka chapter.
There’s something quietly magical about 3928 West Canal Road. Perfectly positioned within Severn Township, it rests right at that natural entry point where the smooth landscape of Southern Ontario gives way to the ancient rock of the Canadian Shield — a visible shift you feel as soon as you cross into Sparrow Lake.
This gorgeous, expansive property sits lovingly on the banks of the Severn River, where time slows and water speaks. Easily accessible from Highway 11, you’ll find yourself moments from the city yet miles away from its pace – and from your dock, it’s only a short, scenic river ride into beautiful Sparrow Lake.
The home itself – almost 3,000 square feet – unfolds gracefully over two levels. Large windows invite the light and the view inside, while three fireplaces add that unmistakable Muskoka warmth. There’s space for everyone here: three bedrooms, two family rooms, an open-concept kitchen that gathers people together, and a walkout leading straight to the shore. The level yard invites laughter, play, and barefoot evenings by the fire pit under the stars.
Down by the water’s edge, a gentle shoreline opens to a private dock and deck – and beneath the trees, a shaded nook for quiet reflection or morning coffee.
From here, adventure radiates in every direction: hiking trails that wind through forest air, calm paddling routes, and winter paths perfect for snowshoeing or snowmobiling. And of course, there’s that irresistible truth – from the Trent–Severn Waterway, you can literally boat around the world. It always makes me smile (and maybe dream a little) to imagine setting out from your calm cottage dock and one day gliding into the St. Lawrence Seaway.
For full details, see MLS #S12330700 – and imagine yourself here, where the river begins to whisper “welcome home.”
Subject: Keep Muskoka Sparkling – Renew Your MLA Membership
Open Letter to Our Clients
When you close your eyes, can you hear it? The gentle lap of water against sun-warmed rock, the call of a loon across the bay, the scent of pine carried on a soft breeze. Muskoka has a way of weaving itself into our hearts, becoming not just a place, but a part of who we are.
That is why your membership in the Muskoka Lakes Association matters so deeply. Since 1894, the MLA has been the voice and the guardian of this shimmering paradise, protecting our water quality, standing watch over our precious shorelines, and celebrating the timeless joy of cottage life.
Your 2025 membership was gifted to you, and I truly hope you’ve felt the connection it brings, because updates keep you informed, events gather us together, and our community cares as much about Muskoka as you do.
Now, as the season turns, I warmly invite you to renew your membership for $150 and continue standing with us in protecting all that makes Muskoka magical, the sparkling lakes, the whispering pines, the rugged granite, and the laughter of families at the water’s edge.
Renewing is more than a transaction, it’s a declaration: I belong here. I care about this place. I will help protect it for generations to come.
Your renewal keeps Muskoka’s waters clean, our traditions alive, and our voices strong.
Please take a moment today to renew your membership at www.mla.on.ca.
Thank you, from my heart, for being part of this story. Together, we keep Muskoka shining.
Exploring Muskoka by Gravel Bike: Two Rides from Port Carling
Bayley and I both got gravel bikes recently and decided to try out some local routes around Port Carling. I usually have to bribe Bayley with a coffee and snack stop to get her to join me. This time it worked out well and we ended up discovering a few great spots.
Windermere Loop
Our first ride was a loop up towards Windermere. Brackenrig Road is hilly and full of winding sections but it makes for a nice route and isn’t too busy. Falkenburg Road is paved and surprisingly lush with trees all around almost like riding through a rainforest. Doherty Road was the highlight for gravel with long sweeping descents and quiet surroundings. Along Doherty there’s a little cemetery in Ufford that is very well kept and was kind of neat to come across in the middle of a gravel ride. After Doherty there were a few more ups and downs on Windermere Road before we rolled into Windermere. We stopped at the pub at Windermere House for lunch and a beer. The food was regular pub fare and a bit pricey but sitting out on the patio with our bikes right beside us was great. We were the first ones there just after noon but by the time we left the patio was almost full. After lunch it was an easy ride back down Brackenrig into Port Carling. The only real gravel stretch on that ride was Doherty so if you’re looking for a mostly gravel route this one has a lot of pavement but it was still a really nice ride.
Mortimers Point Ride
Our second ride was out towards Mortimers Point. Ride with GPS thought there would be quite a bit more gravel than there actually was but it still turned out to be a good route. Foreman Road was in pretty rough shape but traffic was light so it wasn’t a big deal. We turned onto Cooper Point Road which was proper gravel and really scenic with rolling hills but nothing too steep. Near the end of Cooper Point Road there’s a short singletrack trail maybe about 500 meters that links over to Pleasant View Point Road. It was fun to ride on the gravel bikes though we did have to hop off once to climb over a log. After that it was back on pavement but on quiet roads all the way to Mortimers Point Marina where we stopped for smoothies and iced coffee. The ride back down Mortimers Point Road and Eveleigh Road was smooth sailing though both of those roads are paved. In town the traffic always feels a bit hairy but it’s also fun flying through on the bikes. Overall the only real gravel section on this ride was Cooper Point but it was worth it for the scenery and the snack stop.
Both rides were great ways to see Muskoka from a different perspective and even if they weren’t pure gravel the mix of quiet roads and beautiful views made them worthwhile.
Dear Mayor Lorenz and Members of Gravenhurst Council,
[Insert 2–3 sentences about your personal connection to Muskoka. Are you a resident? Cottager? Life-long visitor? Mention the lake or area if you can – anything that makes this real to you.]
I’m writing to express serious concern about the proposed development of the former Muskoka Regional Centre by Cliff Bay Muskoka Corp., and especially their request for a Minister’s Zoning Order (MZO).
An MZO would allow the developer to bypass all local planning processes—no public hearings, no zoning review, and no opportunity for appeal. That’s not how responsible development should happen in Muskoka.
[Optional: Insert 1–2 sentences about what concerns you most. This could be environmental, community, traffic, transparency concerns, etc.]
I respectfully urge Council to:
Pass a resolution opposing the use of a Minister’s Zoning Order for this site
Insist that any development follow the regular municipal planning process, with environmental review and public consultation
Refuse to support or endorse any resolution that facilitates the MZO
Thank you for your time and for standing up for Muskoka.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your connection to Muskoka – e.g., Resident on Lake X]
[Optional: Address or contact info if you’re comfortable]
Optional: CC Key Provincial Contacts
Even though the MZO decision lies with the Province, your email will have more impact if you also copy the key decision-makers:
MPP Graydon Smith (Parry Sound–Muskoka, Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry) – graydon.smith@pc.ola.org Note: While MPP Graydon Smith does not control the MZO decision, his ministry oversees Crown lakebed leases. He has described himself as a “strong voice for Muskoka” during the 2022 campaign and in flood season messaging. Muskoka needs that voice now more than ever.
Minister Rob Flack (Municipal Affairs and Housing) – rob.flack@pc.ola.org Note: Minister Flack is the one who ultimately decides whether to approve or deny the MZO request. He has the authority to sign the zoning order that would override local planning rules and fast-track this development.
Last Look at Clevelands House Resort Before Demolition | Aerial Tour of Muskoka’s Lake Rosseau Gem – Cottage in Muskoka/ Lenore Inniss
Enjoy our latest YouTube video where we pay tribute to Clevelands House on Lake Rosseau, a beloved Muskoka landmark set for demolition. Our exclusive drone footage captures the resort’s charm and the stunning natural beauty of Lake Rosseau, offering a unique farewell to a place many have held dear.
The Beauty of Clevelands House
Explore the scenic wonders and historical charm of Lake Rosseau and Clevelands House Resort through breathtaking aerial footage. You can view and share more aerial footage of Clevelands House Resort and Lake Rosseau on our instagram reel here.
A Final Farewell to a Muskoka Icon
Clevelands House in Minett, Muskoka Lakes was beloved by so many, its demolition marks the end of an era in Muskoka’s storied landscape.
Muskoka Ice Out: a Sign of Spring
Experience the Muskoka Ice Out phenomenon, a herald of spring and a captivating natural event captured in our exclusive footage. We do not anticipate spring floods so far this year, so this phenomenon marks the beginning of boating season!
Preserving Memories: a Legacy at Clevelands House
Reflect on the legacy of Clevelands House Resort and how it has shaped the community and memories of those who visited this iconic site. Check out the comments on our Clevelands House pics here, and join in the conversation!
Just one of the many Clevelands House pics you’ll find on our Instagram page, @cottageinmuskoka.
As we say goodbye to Cleves, we cherish the memories and beauty captured in our exclusive aerial footage. This farewell tour not only commemorates a significant piece of Muskoka’s heritage but also celebrates the natural beauty and community spirit that continue to thrive in the region. Stay connected with us for more Muskoka real estate insights and captivating content from the heart of cottage country.
My parents live in Port Carling, in an old house now known as ‘Caledonia House’ (formerly Heart’s Content). It has spent portions of it’s life as a: private home, resort, music venue (more on that soon), and who knows what else. But the coolest part? It didn’t start out where it lives today – it was moved across Indian River and Mirror Lake by barge! Here is an excerpt from the 1995 book Indian River Tales by Ann Duke Judd.
The Vedette and Heart’s Content, Indian River and Mirror Lake, Port Carling. From Indian River Tales by Anne Duke Judd.
The Moving of Heart’s Content
“The old Heart’s Content was built around 1916 at Indian Point. In early spring, around 1928 it was put onto two scows, using horses and the high water to help.
Cribwork on the scows kept it level at the old elevation; the scows were borrowed from one of the lumber companies, and Allan Dixon was in charge of the operation. One scow sprang a leak, and since there was no electrical power at the point, it had to be hand-pumped all night. Art Duke and others took turns keeping the pump going.
The next day, they set off across the river, but about half way across Mirror Lake, the steering mechanism on the Vedette broke, and she had to be taken up to Port for repairs. The wind blew the scows and house down to Arcadia point. The centre timber caught on trees along the riverbank and pulled out – fortunately, the two outside timbers stayed secure and the house remained level.
A second time, the men attached the scows to the Vedette, and pulled their cargo close to its new site on the eastern shore – but because the boat could not tow it in from the front, the lines had to be untied while the Vedette manoeuvred to the stern to push it in.
Again, the house got away, the wind blowing it ashore at the Schreibers’. By the time it was securely tied at the proper place on the shore, daylight was gone. There was electricity on this side, but it was not very reliable then, so an electric pump was left running overnight.
The next morning, Heart’s Content was moved ashore, and lowered – one crib timber at a time – onto its site at the bottom of Silver Creek Hill.
Here it remained the home of Arthur and ‘Did’ Duke (née Elizabeth McCulley) and their sons Thomas and Reay until 1948, when the couple’s retirement home was built. The sign still identifies that home, now the residence of Rev. Tom Duke and his wife Charlotte. Tom’s main memory of the house moving is the disappointment he felt at having to go to school, and miss the excitement of the move.”
Modern day Caledonia House on Mirror Lake, Port Carling, Muskoka Lakes, ON. Modern day Caledonia House, Mirror Lake, Port Carling, Muskoka Lakes, ON. Caledonia House sign – located on Mirror Lake in Port Carling, Muskoka Lakes, ON.
I’ve just spent my first Christmas away from my family – because I’m in the UK! You can find more info on that in my last post, but long story short, I was on an extended trip and didn’t want to travel home for Christmas and help spread Omicron to Muskoka. Since I’ve just experienced my first British Christmas, I thought I would write about a few differences between Canadian Christmas and Christmas in the UK.
The Queen’s Christmas Broadcast
Every year, the Queen delivers a Christmas message reflecting on current issues and concerns the UK faces, and what Christmas means to her and her followers. More than 9 million viewers tuned in for her address this year. Though this isn’t a tradition in every household, it is in many, and even families who don’t watch every year seem to tune in from time to time.
For some, it is a very serious occasion – my dad Steve remembers visiting his Great Grandmother (born in England) every year on Christmas morning. She would be dressed up for the occasion, and he and his brother Chris would be kicked out of the room for the Queen’s Christmas message. You are also supposed to stand for the National anthem (God Save the Queen). Or maybe for the entire speech… it’s been different depending on who I’ve asked. This investigative reporter has been inundated with sherry and pigs in blankets, so I’ll settle on reporting that some standing is certainly involved.
Obsession with Chocolate Orange
As kids, we would often get a Terry’s chocolate orange in our Christmas stocking. I know many families enjoy chocolate oranges at Christmas, but England takes it to another level entirely. I pointed this out to my friend when Christmas items started appearing in stores at the beginning of November. My friend responded with “well, we definitely have a few but I don’t think there’s that many?” And so my quest to find as many chocolate orange items as possible began.
I made an instagram post the other day where I counted through 49 of them (forgetting about the chocolate orange milk in our fridge, and the chocolate orange subway cookie we had picked up). This also doesn’t include a few items that we had seen in November but could no longer find, like yorkies and lion bars. Cookies, chocolate, even diet bars – if you like chocolate orange, England is the place for you.
I wasn’t kidding when I said OBSESSED!
Christmas Day Foods
Many of the traditional Christmas dinner items in Canada are the same as in the UK – some sort of fowl as the main, stuffing, potatoes, sprouts, green beans, gravy, and cranberry sauce. The stuffing is different – it does use breadcrumbs, but it seems much heavier on the sausage and has the addition of chestnuts. British Christmas dinner includes a few things that the Canadian version doesn’t – Christmas pudding (except for in some families), and pigs in blankets (an absolute must here).
It’s also traditional to have mincemeat pies on Christmas Day and at Christmas celebrations here – something I’ve never known anyone to do in Canada (but let us know if your family does!).
White Christmas
In recent years, this has changed a little… but growing up you could pretty much always expect to have a white Christmas! In England this is a rarity. We actually ended up having snow on Christmas night this year… and at home in Port Carling there was none! Notwithstanding this role reversal, generally you can expect snow in Muskoka and a green (no, really!) Christmas in England… well, and grey. Grey skies always.
Brussels Sprouts Products
Okay, so we may have sprouts at Christmas… but we don’t love them nearly as much as the Brits do. I was amazed when Christmas season hit and they started popping up everywhere – I’ve seen Brussels Sprouts:
Ornaments
Socks (I bought these – Brussels ‘pouts,’ and all the sprouts had big red lips!)
Stress balls
Truffles
Milk Chocolates
Gift bags
Wrapping paper
Gin
A suit (seriously, yes – I’ll include a picture)
Sauce
Cards
Source: amazon.co.uk
Boxing Day
Boxing Day is one of the biggest shopping days in Canada – that’s not much of a thing in England. I found most shops closed, aside from grocery stores. There is a different tradition though – a boxing day dip! The friend I’m staying with has parents who live near the coast, where people run into the ocean on Boxing Day – sometimes for charity, sometimes just for fun. Sounds a little less cushy than our tradition!
Source: thenorthernecho.co.uk
My friend’s mum also told me about her grandparents, who were married on Boxing Day. A lot of people struggled for money back then, so they would get married on Boxing Day to take advantage of the Christmas leftovers. Smart!
And that’s it – all the differences between Christmas in England and Canada that I’ve found so far. Did I miss anything? Leave a comment and let me know! And Happy New Year to all!
I am lucky in my career. I live in a gorgeous place, spend much of my time with people I admire, and tour incredible cottages on the regular. I am also lucky to live in a place with a bustling summer season, and a real estate partner I can take turns covering in-person business with during the slower winter season.
I decided to take advantage of that this year, and take a trip to visit a friend in England. I booked my trip for four months down the road (in the end of October), crossed my fingers, and waited. When the time finally came there were no travel advisories. I had been double jabbed, and I was all set to go. After six amazing weeks of exploring England, driving the North Coast 500 in Scotland, visiting endless castles, and taking my first trip to Ireland (Dublin), it was time to come home.
Urquhart Castle on Loch Ness in Drumnadrochit, Scotland – said to be a favourite haunt of Nessie!
There was only one problem… Omicron! My return was originally scheduled for December 15th, in time for me to be home for Christmas. By a week before my planned return the new variant had started to become a major news story. By a few days before? Cases were surging, and travel advisories were being issued. The UK was ahead of Canada in cases – Omicron was set to be the dominant variant in London (where I’d be flying out of) by December 16th – just one day after my flight. I didn’t want to risk flying home & potentially being part of the spread, so I hopped online and booked a new flight – for March! Thank goodness I did. Cases continued to surge, and I was able to book a booster shot here sooner than I would have been able to at home.
Spofforth Castle, Harrogate, England
Anyway, remote work it is! And there’s another way I’m lucky – aside from a few in person meetings like showings and listing appointments, I’m able to do the majority of my work online. I will have to post another blog about that… it’s amazing how much we are able to do remotely these days! And I have my partner Catharine Inniss on the ground in Muskoka to cover the rest.
If you want some information on the market, or if you’re looking to buy or sell, please don’t hesitate to contact Catharine at 705-801-2304, or to email me at len@cottageinmuskoka.ca.
A bridge at Hardcastle Crags, Hebden Bridge, England
See you next time, when I talk about some differences between Christmas in Canada and Christmas in the United Kingdom! Merry Christmas everyone – I’m off to eat some pigs in blankets!
I hope that you are all doing well, and coping with self isolation. These are certainly trying times for all of us. We are are all in the same situation with different circumstances. Some of us are coping well and some of us are finding self isolation very challenging, and most of us are somewhere in the middle, with good days and bad days, good hours and challenging hours.
I am continuing my theme of kindness for April. I say that kindness is the new black, and everyone needs to choose to wear it. Kindness applied to yourself first, will contribute to your strength and resolve. Self care will spill over onto others, and afford you the ability to help those around you.
Start with the outward display of kindness – taking good care of yourself. A routine is recommended by experts and will give you some structure to your day. Some days you will just be in survival mode, some days you will actually feel like you are accomplishing something.
Reach out to your friends and clients. Share your positive energy. And when you need some positive energy, reach out! A phone call checking in on clients and expecting nothing in return will help them and make you feel good. Do all the good deeds you can, from the safety of your own home.
Life is definitely not normal now, but that doesn’t mean that we cannot be grateful for the good things that we do have, and reach out when we need help. Please call me if there is anything I can do for you. We are all in this together.
Catharine Inniss 705 801 2304
Lakelands Association of REALTORS® Board of Directors, President 2020