LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Ed. note: Bob Barnes led losing battle for Northlander Train to stop at Train Station. Another nail in our coffin. “We have a problem, Houston” is a useful and appropriate quote. I ask: What do you think our problem is? I have my own opinion. Under the watch of our present […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com GRAVENHURST — Today’s war stories are live by the hour on TV — gruesome and graphic as ever. In 1944, during the battle of Normandy, news from the French front was slower returning home than progress marching forward. Eighty-two years later, a heroic and tragic story has surfaced in a personalized […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com GRAVENHURST — Penny Varney has seen a lot of businesses come and go in Gravenhurst. Notably around the main intersection of Bay, Brock and Muskoka Road. Including two of her own.’ Right where she and her husband, Tony, had a pharmacy for decades; and where her Penny Varney Jewellery, Gifts and […]
BRACEBRIDGE — An Etobicoke man faces five charges of impaired driving after his vehicle was stopped headed northbound in the southbound lanes of Hwy. 11 early Sunday morning. On March 22, at 2:25 a.m., OPP officers responded to multiple 911 calls about the pickup truck. Police say the vehicle travelled some distance before turning around […]
GRAVENHURST — With spring officially here, the Gravenhurst Bifocals Concert Band welcomes the changes of season and time with an eclectic and entertaining performance this coming Saturday afternoon. The March 28 show at 2 p.m. features a large range of musical styles from various parts of the world, will include “Evangeline, Canadian Folk Song Fantasy, […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com PORT CARLING — The first day of spring today brought a threat of freezing rain. But that’s nothing like 51 weeks ago when Muskoka got walloped with an ice storm it hadn’t seen in many years causing severe damage to homes and businesses. It left municipalities to clean up a mess […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com GRAVENHURST — Police are investigating after a man and woman posing as bylaw officers wrongly accused a man of illegally parking in an accessible parking spot Monday. After being contacted, the Town of Gravenhurst says it is aware of a local incident in which two individuals impersonated town bylaw enforcement officers […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com OPINION GRAVENHURST — I’ve often said residents new to towns like this should be obliged to take a course on its history. A few lectures and some Q&As. Town archivist and historian Judy Humphries would be the perfect professor along with the several other fine purveyors of the past on the […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com GRAVENHURST — GHS robotics students, Muskoka Ringette, Hospice Muskoka and Big Brothers Big Sisters are among 11 community groups award Terence Haight grants this year. The 12-year-old program awarded them a total of $30,000 this year. Funding comes from a $1 million-plus gift to the community by the late Terence Haight, […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com GRAVENHURST — It seems size does matter. Four inches, in fact. It’s the difference in extra height a new Northlander train will mean for passengers boarding in Gravenhurst. “A Hail Mary” attempt this afternoon, according to Mayor Heidi Lorenz, wasn’t enough to convince most councillors of the merit of keeping a […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com MUSKOKA — Whenever the Northlander train returns to the rails, it will be running on a stretch track it owns locally. Last Friday the provincial transportation agency announced it had bought the CN track between Washago and North Bay. Local MPP Graydon Smith told Probus members this morning, in Gravenhurst, that […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com GRAVENHURST — My great aunt Mabel was a local playmate of the month — twice in 1901. I was reminded of that at the 125th Opera House celebration. She and her sister, Mae, were among dozens who performed opening night in 1901. My great grandparents, Mary and Helen, and their family […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com GRAVENHURST — A 125th weekend celebration of the Opera House reminded everyone of the greatness and grandness of the venerable music and still standing old community hall. And why people still come here. An opening night Thursday, which was more Grand Ole Opry, began brilliantly with the haunting lights out radio […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com MUSKOKA — “Free” twice-daily express Air Canada buses exclusively for its passengers to its Toronto Pearson airport global flight hub “puts Muskoka on the map and on its app.” That’s District Chair Jeff Lehman on the tarmac of Muskoka Airport Thursday boasting about a three-way Muskoka partnership with the airline and […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com GRAVENHURST — Chad Evans may or not be run out of town here Tuesday after appearing before the town’s council with an update on the speed, progress — and timing — of Ontario Northland’s new promised return of passenger rail service. A public push for accountability on a planned shelter box […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com GRAVENHURST — Friday the 13th may be bad luck in some places. But not at Bethune Bistro — and for downtown Gravenhurst. Bei Bei was happy to reopen her restaurant yesterday after unceremoniously being closed by the health unit before Christmas when she was written up over the kitchen. This morning, […]
BRACEBRIDGE — Two drivers are in court next month facing impaired driving charges after collisions last week and this. On Thursday March 5, at 7:10 p.m., officers responded to a report of a single vehicle collision that occurred on Highway 11 South near Taylor Road in Bracebridge. Police arrested and charged 26-year-old Joshua Jones, of […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com GRAVENHURST — A scary incident in which a vehicle was lit on fire at gas pumps here March 1 has led to two charges against a teenager from Huntsville. On Wednesday police charged the young man after beginning an investigation the day after the Sunday evening incident. They say that on Monday, […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com GRAVENHURST — Overture, curtains, light … tonight’s the night. No more rehearsing or nursing apart We know every part by heart This is it, you’ll hit the heights And oh what heights we’ll hit On with the show this is it. And with apologies to Mel Blanc, Bugs Bunny and Rod […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com GRAVENHURST — Another attempt at air flight service between Toronto and Muskoka is being launched this afternoon. This time with Air Canada under its wing. But their jets won’t be landing here, where staff at the Muskoka Airport are “excited” about the new major air carrier’s service connection. Beginning June 15 […]