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August 27, 2009
When New Meets Old...
Anyone who thinks that new can’t compliment old and still maintain the integrity of old, has never been to Fanshawe Pioneer Village! Fanshawe is a wonderful heritage village that honors the “old” while conforming to modern realities! (More)

August 12, 2009
Search Me...
About a month ago Judi and I were coming home from the Brockville Riverfest. On our way back home we traveled along Highway #2. We reached Trenton at about 4 o’clock in the afternoon. Just as we reached the eastern outskirts of the city, we heard a roar overhead! (More)

July 18th, 2009
Living History...
On July 1st of this year our 15 year old nephew became a soldier! No, he did not join the Canadian Armed Forces! He did, however, join his fellow students and their history teacher in a re-enactment demonstration at the Cobourg Waterfront Festival. (More)

July 15th, 2009
Special Feature – St. Lawrence Shakespeare Festival
Every once in a while we visit an event that is so outstanding that we want to share it with others! The Festival that we attended last Saturday evening was such an event! (More)

July 8th, 2009
Bayside Boutique and Gallery
I am standing in a room surrounded by wonderful original art. Beside me is my longtime friend, floral artist Mary Kendrick. Outside the room’s windows I can see the sun dancing over the wave of a lake as they roll onto the shore! (More)

July 3rd, 2009
Sunset Cruises - Captain Randy Potts
I would not have believed if I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes! One day last spring I drove to Bracebridge to meet Captain Randy Potts. Randy owns Sunset Cruises and the M.V. Idyllwood (More)

June 30th, 2009
Timber Works - Wood Turning
Back in January I wrote about a couple, Nancy and Rolly Hill that we met at the Kleinburg Binder Twine Festival. It was a wonderful festival, because we also met a fabulous “wood turner”, Arnold Veen! Arnold owns Timber Works Wood Turning and presents his creations all over Southern Ontario. (More)

June 23rd, 2009
McLean Berry Farm
"A short time ago I traveled north to the Buckhorn area to visit the McLean Berry Farm and Sam McLean. This is my article about Sam, his family and their farm." (More)

June10th, 2009
IlluminAqua
On Friday, June 12th Welland’s Merritt Park Theatre hosts the first in a series of seven concerts. IlluminAqua is about to start its 3rd triumphant season. (More)

June 6th, 2009
Special Article... New and Improved!
Hershey Chocolate has now left town and the festival has a new name, but the spirit and tradition lives on! Smiths Falls has always known how to throw a great party ... (More)

June 1st, 2009
Special Article… Special Festival
It has been designated as one of Ontario’s “Top 100 Festivals” by FEO (Festivals and Events Ontario)! It has won numerous awards of excellence! And, it is one of the top 5 festivals that Judi and I have visited! I am talking about the Mississauga Waterfront Festival! (More)

May 15th, 2009
The House That Jack Built…
A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to attend a play in Toronto, “The House That Jack Built”. The play was created and produced by members of the Suitcase Theatre Company. I had been invited to see the play by one of its creators, Whitney Smith. It was a “Puppet Musical” and had been developed especially for kids! (More)

May 10th, 2009
Toronto Harbourfront Centre
If you have never been to Toronto’s Harbourfront Centre, you have missed a lot of fun and entertainment!. (More)

May 9th, 2009
Choosing Where to Go...
Going to a festival or event is very personal. Where you decide to go will depend on many factors, interests, location, costs, dates, etc. Finding out about festivals and events can be frustrating. (More)

May1st, 2009
Stratford Festival
My earliest memory of the Stratford Festival was when I was a kid in public school! Just getting there was a big adventure! My school friends and I excitedly boarded the school bus and then we were off! (More)

Archived Articles



Sunset Cruises - Captain Randy Potts
I would not have believed if I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes! One day last spring I drove to Bracebridge to meet Captain Randy Potts. Randy owns Sunset Cruises and the M.V. Idyllwood. The Idyllwood is a 40 foot 1920’s era yacht that was faithfully restored by Randy. He has the photographs and memories to prove it! It took Potts several years to complete the restoration, but the end result is a boat that any owner would be proud of! The Idyllwood, under the capable hands of Captain Randy cruises the Muskoka Lakes. Don’t let his youthful looks deceive you, he has been a licensed Captain for over 20 years and has been at the helm of some mighty impressive ships, including the famous R.M.S. Segwun.

The Idyllwood accommodates 12 guests in refined luxury. When I traveled all the way to Bracebridge, I did want to see the M.V. Idyllwood, but, frankly I was more interested in Randy’s latest restoration project, the Peerless II. For 49 years the Peerless II roamed the Muskoka Lakes delivering gasoline and home heating fuel to the cottagers and residents of the lakes. In 1994 the Peerless II was taken out of service and sold to become a private vessel. Then in September of 2003, Captain Randy Potts and Sunset Cruises purchased the Peerless II. You would have thought that Potts’ experiences of restoring the Idyllwood would have made him think twice about taking on a project of this magnitude, but obviously that was not the case!

So here I was, standing on the bare deck of the Peerless II, as Randy described what he had already done, what was left to do and what it was going to be like when he was finished. Back on the Idyllwood, Randy showed me photographs of the restoration so far. As I said before, I couldn’t believe my own eyes! The work that had been done was incredible, and to think Randy was working alone during most of the restoration!
At that point last year, Randy had hoped that the restorations would be far enough along in the fall of 2009 that he would be able to take the restored Peerless II on its maiden voyage. However, time and circumstances have delayed the launch date. The fall of 2010 is now the planned launch target. I have already registered my name as a passenger on the maiden cruise. It should be quite the experience! If you like cruising the Muskoka Lakes and want to be part of history, I would suggest you put your name on the waiting list! I am sure space will be limited!

In the meantime, the summer is now upon us and the M.V. Idyllwood and its Captain, Randy Potts, are ready to go! So, if you want to see and learn more about Muskoka and the Muskoka Lakes, don’t miss a cruise on the Idyllwood! Randy knows more stories about the lakes then anyone I know and he is glad to share them with his passengers! Rain or shine, cool or warm, the Idyllwood is equipped to handle all climates! Well, perhaps not ice or snow! Find out more about Captain Randy, his boats and the 2009 cruising schedule by visiting the Sunset Cruises website at http://www.sunsetcruises.ca.

 


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