It's great to go up to the cottage to relax (or work if you're one of those people who can't stay put)...but it's also good to get out to find cultural events nearby.  

July 13, 14 & 15th is the 24th Annual Lakefield Literary Festival.  This festival is very popular so best to book your tickets ahead.  If you purchase a festival pass, it includes readings on Friday evening, Saturday afternoon, Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon, as well as the Courtyard Reception.  This is valued at $123 but costs $109 - sale of these passes will end on July 1st.  

This festival showcases Canadian authors and promotes the joy of reading and writing among children and adults.

See the poster in our bulleting board or for more information & tickets contact;   lakefieldliteraryfestival.com/
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Anstruther cottagers are very familiar with the road hazards on Anstruther; turkeys, deer. porcupines and for a window of time late spring there are turtles that are often seen on the road.  They are here now and we mention this  so that when you come up, you'll be watching the road because they don't move fast.

How's that for an amazing morning view.  6;07 am today, Thursday May 17, 2018



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For all those waiting on their boats to come out of storage - we are working overtime to try to avoid disappointing you.  The late thaw, May 2nd, has meant we are a couple of weeks short of our usual prep time.  To try to keep up, our dedicated staff have been working longer hours and more days than their usual workweek.  

The restaurant will only be open on weekends until the end of June and everyday except Wed/Thurs for July & August.  We will be open for breakfast and lunch on those days and Friday is our only dinner night.  As usual, we will have 1/2 price wings on Fridays.  Best to call ahead with reservations on fridays!

Renovations on our new showroom on Hwy 28/McFadden Road are now complete and we will be opening on Friday May 18th.  Mark will be staffing the Showroom for Boat and Dock Sales beginning May 18th, if you have lakeside Marina business questions, please speak with Lee in the Lakeside office.  

Every spring we get at least a few calls from cottagers who have arrived to find their dock missing from where they left it the previous fall.  

Last week we had a severe windstorm and a slide that is secured to a small floating dock is now missing as well as another 6x10 dock.  

If you find either - please contact the marina and we will connect you with the owner.

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We visited our showroom early this evening and on our return trip, we saw a big porcupine at the side of the road just past the turnoff for the public launch. 

It moved slow but was not going to stay still for a photo, it waddled down the ditch and up toward the trees.  He had a very awkward gait but moved faster than could reach for my phone.  We watched from the car and it began to climb the tree and continued climbing until it reached about 15' and stopped.  Porcupines climb trees?  Would never have guessed that if I hadn't seen it.  Do they sleep there?  Google says yes, it's where they rest.

Approaching a porcupine isn't a good idea but still wanting a photo and with it 15' off the ground, it somehow felt less risky than if it was on the ground so I went closer.  The angle wasn't good and it was hard to see him but at least I got a few.  As I took the photos, I remembered hearing that a baby bear had been seen near this area, between the public launch and the tower...and where there's a baby, there's usually a mama  -  so best to leave.  I went back to the car and started toward the marina again.  We didn't even make it as far as the hill that is on a curve and we saw that baby bear, it was on the side of the road on his way into the woods.  I parked and reached again for my phone for another photo, this time I wasn't going to approach for a better picture.   In 7 years here, this is only our 3rd bear sighting - that's a good thing though.​

We got our ice delivery, our water delivery and our propane exchange delivery.  All set!   Still need the 1.5 litre ice cream tubs and dairy - should have that for next week.

Just in time for the first long weekend of the season...MTO has decided to tear up hwy 28.  Clearly we are not experts in roads management but hwy 28 seemed just fine but who are we to question their professional judgement and timing for this job.  

Your travel time might be affected by this.  Also drive with care, the surface is not smooth and feels like slipping could happen if you break to abruptly.
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Hey Anstruther!  The 2018 cottage season is about to begin.  Don't forget to drop into the store to get a new fire permit.  Fire permits are free of cost and important to have.  If you don't have one, you could be fined if you have a fire.  

This is also a good time to replace your batteries on your smoke alarms at the cottage.  Remember to bring replacement batteries from home.




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Today is the first day of Nurses' Week, the week to recognize and appreciate the work of nurses.  Nurses' Week is held every May in recognition and dedication to Florence Nightengale.  Happy Nurses' week to all nurses out there!