Looking for something to do with your family this long weekend? You are in the right place as there are many things to do up in Cottage Country. The following list includes some of the activities taking place:

72nd Annual Winterama
(All Weekend Long - A full schedule of events can be found here - https://www.penetanguishene.ca/en/discover/resources/Winterama/Winterama-Schedule-3.pdf)

The long weekend is kicking off in Penetanguishene with the longest-running winter carnival in Ontario. Winterama promises to be bigger and better, with many events planned to entertain young and old alike. Some of the notable events taking place at Winterama this year are:

• Winterama Parade down Main Street (Saturday 11 am)
• Polar Plunge (Saturday 12 pm)
• Demolition Derby (Saturday 2 - 4 pm)
• Cardboard Toboggan Races (Sunday 10 am - 12 pm)

Skate Trail and Frosty Winter Fun at Discovery Harbour
(Friday 6pm - 9pm, Saturday 12pm - 9pm, Sunday 12pm - 4pm, and Monday 12pm - 4pm)

Come and enjoy outdoor skating on the 1km skate trail loop that circles around the historic site. Also take part in snowshoeing, crokicurl and a kid’s snow tube run! Skates, helmets and snowshoes are available free of charge. For full details visit - http://www.discoveryharbour.on.ca/dh/en/SkateTrail/index.htm


Ontario Family Ice Fishing Weekend

The Family Fishing Weekend is taking place on February 15th - 17th, 2020. During this time, Canadian residents can fish in Ontario without having to buy a fishing licence. While it will be free to fish, you must follow the fishing rules:

• follow conservation licence catch limits
• obey size limits and sanctuaries
• follow the fishing regulations

And if you do not have the equipment, there are several locations that offer free equipment rentals (just make sure to call ahead and check availability) - https://www.tackleshare.com/loaner-sites/.

For full details - https://www.ontario.ca/page/licence-free-family-fishing

Wye Marsh
Have Fun Outdoors this Family Day at the Wye Marsh. There will be fun and interactive activities all day, from 10 am to 4 pm. Explore the trails by ski or snowshoe and stop to hand feed chickadees. Warm-up by an open fire while roasting bannock and sipping cedar or wintergreen tea. Experience the best of winter fun by taking on the Wye Marsh Winter Olympic Challenge and see some of our native reptiles and amphibians up close and learn what makes them unique. For full details visit - https://www.wyemarsh.com/family-day

Backyard Bird Count Family Day Weekend
The annual Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) is happening on February 14th -17th, 2020. The four-day event is free and is open to bird watchers of all ages and skill levels. Participants watch birds for any length of time on one or more days of the count and enter their tallies. For full details visit - https://gbbc.birdcount.org

And lastly, there are many different places that you can go out and enjoy some skiing with the family!

• Snow Valley Resort Barrie
• Hockley Valley Resort, Mono
• Horseshoe Resort, Barrie
• Hardwood Ski & Bike, Oro Medonte
• Blue Mountain Resort, Blue Mountains

Rob Heming at Realty Executives on the Bay
specializes in tourism accommodation, recreational and multi-residential properties,

as well as fine homes and waterfront cottages.

Having insurance for your home or cottage is an essential part of ownership. If you leave your home or cottage unattended for weeks at a time, you should know that your homeowner’s insurance policy might not provide coverage in the event of a claim during the time the home was left unoccupied or vacant. As a result, any damages or losses that occur will have to be paid out of pocket. For these times, unoccupied and vacant home insurance products offer coverage for claims that would otherwise go unpaid by your home insurance company.

So what exactly is the difference between unoccupied and vacant?

• An unoccupied home is a furnished home that is empty for 30 days or longer with the utilities left on, such as those who have gone south for the winter or have had a medical emergency.
• A vacant home means an empty home without furniture, appliances or utilities hooked up for 30 days or longer.

As unoccupied and vacant homes and cottages present a greater insurance risk, insurance companies exclude these properties in standard property insurance policies. As a result, unoccupied and vacant home insurance is a specialty product that is designed to provide financial protection from damage or loss of a home that is uninhabited for periods of 30 days or more. Often, this type of insurance can be purchased as a separate policy or as an endorsement. When it’s purchased as a separate policy, you would no longer need to pay for a standard homeowner’s policy. However, if it is purchased as an endorsement, it serves as an add-on to your existing policy.

While unoccupied and vacant home insurance can get pricy, using the services of a home watch company could greatly reduce your insurance premiums. This isn’t a security service or a house sitting service. Home watch is a visual inspection of a home or property, looking for issues. If you decide to use a home watch service, it is recommended that you check with your insurer to find out how often they would require your home or cottage to be checked when you are leaving for a period of time. 

And of course, it never hurts to shop around to find the best deal as insurance companies use different formulas when deciding what your premium will be. So the prices could vary between different companies.

Rob Heming at Realty Executives on the Bay
specializes in tourism accommodation, recreational and multi-residential properties,

as well as fine homes and waterfront cottages.

Celebrating New Year’s Eve at the cottage is a great time to make some lasting memories. The quiet stillness of your surroundings blanketed in snow and the cozy warmth of the cottage all offer the perfect atmosphere for a celebration you won’t forget. Rob Heming has some great ideas to say goodbye to the old and hello to the new decade in his latest blog.

• Star-gazing. Being out of the city and away from artificial light can provide you with a perfect opportunity to see the night sky in all its splendour. Grab a lawn chair, some warm blankets and a hot drink and see how many constellations you can find.
• Go old school. Put away the electronic devices and drag out the board games. Why not rewind to the good old days and play charades, do crafts, have a singalong or tell stories.
• Make cottage resolutions. Make a list of all the things you want to do in and around the cottage during the coming year… not just a honey-do list, but activities and excursions as well!
• Build a fire. Whether it’s in the fireplace or a raging outdoor bonfire, the gentle glow of a fire and some toasted treats are always a crowd-pleaser
• Go for a walk. A midnight walk is a great tradition. Dress warm, grab a flashlight and a thermos and head out for the first stroll of the new decade!
• Fireworks over the lake. Set off some fireworks and watch the sky and the snow around you light up with colour. 
• Go bird watching. The winter months offer a different variety of birds to see so take some binoculars and head out for a walk with the family and see how many different types you can find. With the lack of leaf coverage in the trees, they are a lot easier to spot
• Plan a New Year’s Day breakfast. Pull out all the stops and have a big breakfast with all the trimmings. Potluck, buffet, leftovers, or classic bacon and eggs .. the choice is yours!

Make sure you pack all the provisions you will need for your time at the cottage, plus a little extra in case you get snowed in.  Be sure to check the local by-laws regarding open fires and fireworks. With a little planning and some creativity, celebrating the New Year at the cottage could become a tradition you continue for years to come!

Rob Heming at Realty Executives on the Bay
specializes in tourism accommodation, recreational and multi-residential properties,

as well as fine homes and waterfront cottages.

Every season is beautiful in Cottage Country but winter is often overlooked … especially by potential sellers. If you’re thinking about listing your cottage this season, there are many things you can do to make your property more appealing in the winter when you don’t have the warm weather and bright fall foliage to add to your curb appeal.

Keep the Heat On

Prospective buyers will usually look at more than one property at a time. Keeping the cottage cozy will more than likely encourage them to stay longer and consider your property more closely. If you’re not on-site during the winter, be sure to discuss this with your Realtor. 

Washable Mats - Inside and Out

Wet boots and shoes are inevitable in the winter. Having mats inside and out to catch the slush and snow will go a long way in keeping your floors clean and appealing. Washable mats are handy to have around and can easily be swapped out to be washed and reused. 

Add a Splash of Colour 

Winter can be such a grey and dreary time. Adding a splash of colour, such as fresh flowers, can bring warmth to a room and brighten the spirits of prospective buyers. 

Light and Bright

Change your current light bulbs to brighter wattages and open any curtains or blinds to let more natural light in. Prospective buyers will notice the light more during the short days of winter. Don’t forget the outside lighting as well. Most people will be looking in the late afternoon and into the evening so you want the outside to be well lit and inviting. You can even add inexpensive lighting to the walkways with solar lights or stake lights. 

Spruce It Up

Keep all walkways and stairs clear and free of debris. Trim back any branches that may have come loose in a storm. Clear any leaves away and make sure the gardens are neat and tidy. You can even add a potted evergreen to the front step for colour, or a nice neutral winter wreath to the front door. 

Staging is important 

You have created many memories at your cottage and prospective buyers will be looking to do the same. Pack up all personal items to allow the prospective buyer to visualize their own pieces in the space. Deep clean everything - windows are clean, baseboards, in the back of the cupboards and all those places you might not think of otherwise. Soft neutral tones are best for the decor such as throws and accent pillows. Do any necessary repairs and remember that a fresh coat of paint will often go a long way. 

Whether you’re buying or selling this season, Rob Heming can help! Call today, 705-321-4924.

Rob Heming at Realty Executives on the Bay
specializes in tourism accommodation, recreational and multi-residential properties,

as well as fine homes and waterfront cottages.

As the cottage nights become cooler, we immediately think about turning on the heat. Heating options can vary cottage to cottage but safety should always be a concern. From baseboard to fireplace, forced air to wood stove, here are a few handy tips to keep in mind when keeping cozy at the cottage.

• Have your heating system serviced regularly by a professional, including chimneys and woodburning fireplaces. Clean around heat sources and keep dust and other flammable items away from ignition sources.
• Keep firewood, piles of leaves and garbage away from the home. If a grass fire starts nearby, these items next to your home could easily become kindling. 

• Have your chimney cleaned twice a year and inspect your flue vents regularly. To prevent creosote from building up in your chimney flue, don’t burn cardboard, trash or green wood.
• Keep a Class A fire extinguisher on hand. Also, make sure smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors are installed in the proper locations and test them regularly.
• Don’t use gasoline, charcoal starter fluid or other flammable liquids to start your fire.
• Teach your children to stay clear of hot stoves and burning fires. Never leave young children unattended when you’re operating your fireplace or wood stove.
• Let ashes cool in a metal container before discarding. They can contain live coals. Never dump hot ashes inside or near your home; keep them in a metal container well away from your house and garage.
• Store your indoor wood supply safely away from your woodburning appliance. Check with your local fire department or wood stove manual for proper clearances.

Fireplace owners: Open the damper before you light your fire, and keep it open until the fire has burnt out and the ashes are cool. Use a screen to keep logs and embers inside your fireplace.

• Make sure the chimney cap is securely attached to the chimney.
• Make sure the chimney cap's mesh covering is intact and that no debris or animals are able to get through it.
• Cut back any tree limbs overhanging your chimney. Apart from the obvious fire hazard, they can also knock into the chimney during a storm and damage it or the chimney cap.
• Check the masonry around and on the chimney. Loose or cracked brickwork should be repaired before it gets worse. 

Woodstove owners: Have your fire department, building inspector, stove retailer or chimney sweep ensure your stove meets WETT (Wood Energy Technology Transfer) safety guidelines. If you’re installing a new stove, place it well away from walls, furniture, curtains and other combustible material, and make sure it has proper clearance, a floor pad and a ventilation system.

Baseboard heaters should be clear of all dust and debris. Furniture, curtains and anything flammable should be kept a safe distance from the actual heater itself. 

Nothing should get in the way of you and your family and friends enjoying the cottage at one of the most colourful times of the year! 

Rob Heming at Realty Executives on the Bay
specializes in tourism accommodation, recreational and multi-residential properties,

as well as fine homes and waterfront cottages.