The Muskoka Messenger

Hannah and his brothers on the Hudson Ice Hounds were hoping to relive childhood memories when they took part in the Canadian National Pond Hockey Championships in Muskoka, Ontario, this winter.
Sherwood Park’s Glen Hannah was the only Edmonton area athlete listed at the event which sought to take hockey back to its roots, to allow grown ups to remember the days when they played for the Stanley Cup every winter weekend on the local slough and pretended to be their hockey heroes.
What he likely didn’t expect was to see some of those hockey heroes out looking to do the same thing.
Hannah, 43, called up the old gang from back home to attend the first ever staging of the Pond Hockey Championships, asking Matthew Pittaro and Marc Burton of Hudson, Quebec, Steve Wiggins, now in Vancouver and his brother Scott, currently residing in Alpharetta, Georgia, to come along for the ride after hearing about the event on T.V.
He wasn’t completely sure what to expect. But seeing guys like former NHL standouts Bryan Trottier and Steve Larmer suiting up on the other teams wasn’t one of them.
All-in-all the 130 team tournament was everything Hannah could have hoped for and more.
“It was great, a lot of fun,” he said. “You could see that everyone was having a blast and there were a lot of reunions for a lot of players. Our team being one. I hadn’t seen my brother or my friends for a couple of years. It was a great way to get together and have fun playing hockey at the same time.”
The only drawback was the mild weather which forced the cancellation of a number of games including one of Hannah’s due to the amount of water on the lake at the Deerhurst Resort in Northern Ontario.
The Hudson Ice Hounds finished out of the playoffs at 2-1-1- and were 40th out of 110 teams in the men’s draw, a decent showing for a bunch of guys just trying to recapture some childhood memories.
“We’ll take that,” said Hannah. That’s sort of where I imagined we’d end up. I would definitely do it again. I’m already looking at their Web site so I can sign up as soon as they start it up again for next year. I’m going to try and get more guys from the Edmonton area to sign up too. There are some guys at work that are already interested and I’m getting the word out.”
And he would also love to see someone in the Edmonton area get a similar Western Canadian Championship going out here, maybe even in Strathcona County.
“It would be a great event to hold out here,” he said. “I think it could become a pretty big deal here. With all those guys involved in the World’s Longest Hockey Game and so many great home-made rinks on acreages in this area that you could have teams playing on instead of just on a lake, I think you could end up having a really unique tournament. I know I’d sign up.”
For the record Trottier’s team advanced through to the final 16 before being knocked out while teams led by Larmer and storied Canadian cyclist Steve Bauer did not advance through to the playoffs.

The Conservative government’s cancellation last Monday of a promised $8,000 advance payment to former Indian residential school students over the age of 65 didn’t come as a surprise to Wasauksing First Nation resident Lola Tabobondung-Cusack.

“As far as I’m concerned, this has been going on for years and years,” said Ms Tabobondung-Cucack, who was eligible for the advance payment.

“Myself, I’ve never depended on the money coming through. I have no trust in the government.”

Indian and Northern Affairs Minister Jim Prentice announced the cancellation of the advance payment.

“We clearly have an obligation to all Canadians. We have an obligation to all taxpayers,” Mr. Prentice was quoted as saying by the Toronto Star. “We have an agreement in principle. It contemplates a process that will convert that agreement in principle into a final binding agreement. We would expect that to be adhered to.”

The advance payment of $8,000 to former students over the age of 65 was part of the agreement in principle signed in November 2005 by Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Chief Phil Fontaine and former Supreme Court of Canada judge Frank Iacabucci, who was appointed by the then Liberal government last May to work out a lasting resolution to the legacy of Indian residential schools.

The $8,000, which was to be paid out early this year, was to be an advance on the common experience payment included in the agreement in principle. The common experience payment includes a $10,000 base amount for the first year that a student was in one of the residential schools, plus an additional $3,000 for each subsequent year.

The residential schools, for First Nations children between the ages of five and 16, were in operation in Canada before Confederation in 1867. From 1874 to 1969, the schools were funded by the federal government and run by church organizations. After the federal government took over responsibility for the operation of the schools in 1969, many were closed in the mid-1970s, but the last one wasn’t shut down until 1996.

In the federal government’s 1998 Statement of Reconciliation, it acknowledges that the schools were operated during a time when “attitudes of racial and cultural superiority led to a suppression of Aboriginal culture and values.”

When the agreement in principle was signed, it was to be approved by cabinet by March 31, 2006 and to the courts for approval by May 1. Full payments were to start rolling out later this year.

Despite the March 31 deadline having been missed and the cancellation of the advance payments, Ken Young, the AFN’s special advisor to the National Chief, said that the agreement is going ahead and that “it’ll get done when it gets done.”

The delay, he said, is because a law firm that is involved in the negotiations and represents former students is concerned about having to justify its costs as required under the agreement in principle in order to receive payment from the government for work they’ve done.

Federal Minister of Health and Parry Sound-Muskoka MP Tony Clement told the North Star that he is aware there was a hold up in the process, with the government having trouble negotiating with one party.

“I know this must be incredibly frustrating for former students. We all feel for those who suffered. All I can say is we are working for a settlement to try to make it whole for those who suffered,” said Mr. Clement.

Under the agreement in principle, the common experience payment is to be available to all former students who were alive as of May 31, 2005. If a former student passed away after May 2005, the payment could be paid out according to the deceased’s will, or according to provincial or federal regulation, on the initiative of a family member.

In the Wasauksing First Nation alone, there are at least eight former residential school students still living.

You’ve marvelled at him on TV. Here’s your chance to meet Survivorman in person and enjoy a wellness weekend at Deerhurst Resort in Muskoka.

Muskoka, ON (PRWEB) March 29, 2006 — Survive in style and soak in the goodness of nature at the first ever “Spirit of Survivorman” Wellness Weekend May 5 - 7 at Deerhurst Resort.

Les Stroud, producer and star of the hit television show Survivorman, welcomes everyone to this unique weekend experience that will include lessons of survival from Survivorman himself, along with opportunities to re-connect body and soul with a fitness session, spa workshop and even a culinary demonstration highlighting the benefits of fresh, locally grown food products.

Survivorman is the highest-rated, most popular show in the history of both the Outdoor Life Network in Canada and The Science Channel in the US. Each program features Les stranded for a week in a remote area of the world where he must figure out a way to survive.

The “Spirit of Survivorman” Weekend at Deerhurst Resort is highlighted by an adventure hike with Survivorman, who will show you how to build a shelter, start a fire and identify edible wild plants. Your journey will end with a hidden wilderness surprise that you’ll have to see to believe.

The Saturday evening dinner includes a special presentation from Survivorman with rare footage from the show. You’ll even see Survivorman like never before, when he teams up with Northern Pikes musician Bryan Potvin for some musical entertainment.

The “Spirit of Survivorman” Wellness Weekend Package wraps up two-nights select accommodation with a Friday evening reception, two buffet breakfasts, fitness session, Survivorman Adventure Hike with Les Stroud, interactive lunch & “Savour Muskoka” culinary demonstration with Executive Chef Rory Golden, Saturday dinner and presentation by ‘Survivorman’, and an Aveda Spa workshop, all from just $429 per person (based on double occupancy, some conditions apply.

Full package details are available online at www.deerhurstresort.com/survivorman. For more information about Les Stroud, visit his website at www.lesstroudonline.com.

Deerhurst Resort, which was voted Best Resort in Canada by North American Inns magazine, is located on Peninsula Lake just east of the charming town of Huntsville, 30 minutes from Algonquin Provincial Park and “two turns and two Cd’s” north of Toronto.

Visit deerhurstresort.com for Deerhurst’s ‘Best Rate Guarantee’ or to join Deerhurst’s online e-club featuring the chance to win hotel discounts, vacation packages, golf packages and romantic weekend getaways for Ontario’s premier resort. Deerhurst Resort is proudly managed by Atlific Hotels and Resorts, www.atlific.com.

During March, Crime Stoppers of Simcoe-Dufferin Muskoka received 211 calls, which assisted police in clearing 13 cases, including possession of stolen property and alleged drug, Criminal Code and provincial statute offences.

The investigations led to 13 arrests, recovery of $1,800 worth of stolen property and seizure of $2,100 worth of illegal drugs. A total of 36 charges were laid. Callers to Crime Stoppers

never have to identify themselves and can become eligible for a cash reward. Anyone with information about a crime should call 1-800-2228477.

Since its inception on Jan. 12, 1987, the local organization has received 35 712 calls, which led to 3,053 arrests and 4,918 cases being cleared. Property worth $9,071,833 has been recovered and drugs with a street value of $33,608,277 have been seized.

New Culinary Tourism Strategy Aims To Attract More Visitors

NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE, ON, April 26 /CNW/ - The McGuinty government has a
new recipe to increase tourism to Ontario by showcasing the province’s wines,
cuisine and farm-fresh produce, Minister of Tourism Jim Bradley announced
today.
“Culinary tourism is growing around the world, as more and more people
plan their holidays around the celebration of food and drink,” Bradley told
the Wine Council of Ontario’s annual wine and culinary retreat. “With its rich
culinary traditions, fresh local foods and authentic regional cuisine, Ontario
has all the ingredients to be an exciting culinary tourism destination.”
Working together with the tourism and hospitality industries, the
government has developed a new Ontario Culinary Tourism Strategy - a 10-year
plan to make Ontario a leader in culinary tourism. The strategy recommends a
regional approach to develop new, high-quality culinary tourism products and
experiences in established and emerging areas, including Niagara, Toronto,
Ottawa, Muskoka, Prince Edward County and other destinations.
The strategy proposes to link growers and producers with stand-alone
restaurants and destination accommodations such as inns and resorts. It also
advocates the development and marketing of regional festivals and events that
profile culinary excellence. The strategy includes a plan to build awareness
of culinary tourism in Ontario, promote market-ready culinary tourism
products, develop innovative culinary experiences, invest in research and
raise quality standards.
Studies have shown that culinary tourists are older, better educated and
more affluent than the average tourist, and have a greater economic impact
than other visitors. Culinary tourism is also viewed as an important
contributor to community sustainability and growth.
“Culinary tourism is an authentic expression of our communities - one of
the ways we can tell our story and share it with pride,” said Bradley.
“Whether it’s a gourmet meal prepared by an internationally renowned chef, a
visit to a farmer’s market, or a weekend at a cooking school, visitors will
enjoy the many great tastes of Ontario.”
The strategy can be viewed at
www.tourism.gov.on.ca/english/ido/studies_copies.html. Information on
Ontario’s great culinary experiences and getaways is available at
www.ontariotravel.net/savour.

Report says Canmore housing prices well behind other resort communities

It might be unheard of for the word “bargain” to be in a sentence describing Canmore real estate, but according to the recently released RE/MAX 2006 Recreational Property Report, our local housing prices are still well behind those of other resort communities.

Still, the report says Canmore’s bull real estate market has seen condo prices rise 14 per cent in the last year and the local market shows no signs of slowing down any time soon.

Highlighting activity in 40 major Canadian resort centres, the report concludes that the aging baby boomer generation is fuelling unprecedented demand for retirement and recreational properties — so much so that the market is struggling to keep up, with limited inventory in 50 per cent of markets surveyed.

But Canmore — though pricey for the average service industry worker — still lags far behind Whistler, Canada’s most expensive resort community where the average home costs $1.1 million, and doesn’t even break the top seven, all of which are in Western Canada.

The only other Alberta community featured is Sylvan Lake, which sits fifth in the lineup with its average home going for $800,000 to $850,000, and eighth most expensive is Ontario’s Bala/Port Carling area in Muskoka.

Canmore realtor Jessica Stoner, who compiles local statistics to contribute to the report, said its release has already fuelled an interest in local real estate.

“We get inquiries about it from across the country,” she said. “Myself personally, I’ll probably have 10 inquiries about it. And I’m just one, so how many the other agents in my office are getting I’m going to guess is pretty similar. It’s a lot of interest.”

According to the report, Canmore’s “universal appeal as both a recreational hot spot and lifestyle destination has contributed to a record-breaking first quarter in terms of real estate activity.”

While the demand for three-bedroom units is making local condominiums a hot commodity at an average $362,466 — with the most active price range between $300,000 and $500,000 — the cost of a single family home also rose by seven per cent over the past year, now averaging $555,046.

The report concludes, “Prices in the area are expected to continue to climb unabated thanks to strong demand and a limited footprint for development.”

Century 21 realtor Terri Harrison said she agrees with the report, particularly that baby boomers in the market for an early retirement home are driving the market. She added that more and more buyers are looking for weekend homes they don’t intend to live in full time, marking a changing demographic for Canmore.

“I would have to agree 100 per cent that it’s the international appeal for recreational markets,” she said. “Although it’s been more unaffordable for people who want to live here full time, most of the purchasers know they don’t want to live here full time.”

But she added that the vast majority of her business still comes from within the province.

“We’ve got the Americans, we’ve got the U.K., but still 90 per cent is Albertans,” she said.

While Stoner said there are always factors that could cause that to change, such as dropping oil prices, a recession or large currency price fluctuations in Canada or markets outside the country, she said local housing prices are still expect to rise.

“We don’t foresee any change in the fact that the baby boomers are going to be retiring and they are going to be looking for retirement property and Canmore is always going to be attractive. We offer just about everything somebody who’s retiring and wants an active lifestyle is looking for,” she said, noting proximity to Calgary, access to an international airport, a good health care system, the lowest tax base in the country and stunning landscapes all as selling points for Canmore.

“None of that is going to change.”

MACTIER – It was approximately one year ago that the Moon River Métis Council became the 32nd chartered council within the Métis Nation of Ontario.

Since that time their membership has doubled. Some of the highlights of the past year have been: Métis awareness meetings that gives people a chance to acknowledge their Métis heritage; last fall’s Rendezvous–a gathering to celebrate heritage and an opportunity for harvesting to help Métis people in need, as well as others in their community; and, the Moon River Métis Council’s receipt of funding for research on the historic Métis community of Penetanguishene (the community from which most of the Moon River Métis have descended).

According to council president Louise Goulding, one of the biggest challenges faced by the Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) is the Ministry of Natural Resources’ refusal to acknowledge the fishing rights of members of the MNO with MNO harvest cards in treaty territory below the French River. A number of Métis people who have been fined as a result are taking their cases to court.

Aside from the general meeting, there was also a Métis cultural display and craft items for sale; numerous door prizes; and a ‘capote’ (a coat made from a Hudson Bay blanket) raffle. A table at the door provided a variety of information sheets, as well as forms for applying for Métis status.

The event provided a good opportunity for people to connect with their Métis heritage, and the delicious ‘fish fry’ dinner that followed the meeting was a relaxing finale that gave everyone a chance to socialize with family, friends and guests.

A general meeting of the Moon River Métis Council (MRMC) kicked off the event at the MacTier Community Arena. It was well attended not only by members of the local Métis nation and their families, but also by other members of the community.

Ms Goulding, president of the Moon River Métis Council, in her opening speech welcomed everyone and introduced the council members. Special guests in attendance who received recognition were: Ron LePage, president of the Georgian Bay Métis Council; Wayne Trudeau, president of the Northumberland Métis Council; Senator Vallee–provisional council of the Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO); Pauline Saulnier, regional representative–provisional council of the MNO; Scott Carpenter, community development officer; citizens of the Sudbury Métis Council, the Georgian Bay Métis Council, Northumberland Métis Council and the Oshawa Métis Council; and Peter Ward, solicitor.

Guest speakers included Tony Belcourt, president of the Métis Nation of Ontario; Gary Lipinski, chair of the Métis Nation of Ontario; Chief Wilfred King from Wasauksing First Nation; and, Chief Ed Williams from Moose Deer Point First Nation.

Various issues such as Métis harvesting, land, housing and education–not just in Ontario, but also across Canada–were given coverage by the speakers.

The Moon River Métis Council also presented a number of gifts. Bernard LePage accepted youth certificates of appreciation for his children Rose LePage and Jacques LePage (who were unable to attend) from MNO president, Tony Belcourt who presented them on behalf of the MRM Council. Appreciation gifts of maple syrup and smoked fish went to: Chief Wilfred King from Wasauksing First Nation and Chief Ed Williams from Moose Deer Point First Nation for attending; Tony Belcourt for all that he does for his people, the Métis; and Peter Ward, barrister, for assisting a couple of Métis harvesters with their issues.

And both MPP Norm Miller and Parry Sound-Muskoka MP and minister of health Tony Clement, who made special appearances at the meeting, received appreciation gifts for attending and assisting Métis people in the area.

Public health staff should have presented board members with recommendations about the operation of farmers’ markets before sending them to the Ministry of Health, says a United Counties representative.

Bill Gooch said staff and “people they asked” were the only ones from the Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit who reviewed a draft document from the ministry and had a chance to make a comment.

“Members of the board were never made aware of the existence of this draft and never made aware of the comments sent back to Toronto,” said Gooch, who is mayor of North Grenville.

He said it’s incredible to believe discussions about an issue that is so sensitive to tri-county residents wouldn’t be brought to the board table.

“I can see that (document) going from a draft to policy and … it’s totally avoided the political process and that’s wrong.”

Gooch has acquired a copy of the draft policy and intends to distribute the report at a counties’ committee meeting next week.

He contends the recommendations will further hamstring the operation of market vendors with unnecessary food-safety requirements.

“It’s evident that should the draft suggestions become law, it would mean the end of farmers’ markets,” he said.

He said the draft policy would require refrigeration of some food items in transit to the market, the availability of public washrooms and a wash basin at each vendor booth.

“There’s no way farmers can afford to meet those standards,” he said.

The board’s acting medical officer of health, Dr. Ranni Tolton, and director of health protection, Jane Lyster, were unavailable for comment.

But acting chief executive officer Joanne Pearce said both Tolton and Lyster met with farmers’ market officials from Brockville, Perth and Carleton Place who had input into the local recommendations.

“They came up with a full list that all the parties agreed were concerns. They’re the stakeholders. They’re the people who have to implement this,” said Pearce.

Marsha Countryman, president of the Brockville Farmers’ Market, who earlier endorsed the process and thought vendors’ concerns were being considered, isn’t so sure now.

“From what I’ve heard from others, it is much worse,” said Countryman.

Vendors and, to a lesser extent, groups putting on church suppers, school bake sales and other community benefits where food is served, have become increasingly critical about the stepped-up enforcement of regulations designed for restaurants.

Their anger culminated in a protest last summer outside the Laurier Boulevard offices of the health unit when scores of vendors and supporters from the Leeds and Grenville and Lanark Landowners Associations set up a temporary market and voiced their concerns.

In response to similar protests and complaints throughout the province, the ministry formed the Ontario Farmers’ Markets Food Safety Working Group, which prepared the draft policy that is now at the centre of Gooch’s concerns.

The working group included representation from Farmers’ Markets Ontario and staff from three health units, Huron County, Muskoka Simcoe District and Leeds and Grenville, which was represented by Lyster.

Other representatives included federal health inspectors and officials from the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care and the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.

Peggy Taylor, the second counties’ representative on the health unit board, said she hasn’t fully read the draft policy but referred to one statement that all prepared food must originate from an approved source.

“What’s an approved source?” she said, adding she hasn’t found a definition yet in the 48-page document.

The question is particularly relevant considering one of the main complaints from vendors is inspectors forcing them to construct separate cooking facilities at home for food normally prepared in their family kitchen.

Taylor said she wants more time to study the document before talking about it but she questioned why it relies heavily on a 2003 report about meat regulation and inspection from Justice Roland Haines.

That report was prepared in response to concerns at the time about mad cow disease (BSE) and safety standards at Ontario’s abattoirs, she said.

“These are meat recommendations. That’s not about a farmer’s market.”

Similarly, Taylor believes that Farmers Market Ontario represents many urban-based markets around Toronto and southwestern Ontario where public washrooms and running water are accessible.

“You can’t really fairly compare that to a church supper in Lyn or a farmer’s market in Cardinal or Prescott.”

She said she questions the time and effort being spent on the matter in light of the fact there have been no health problems reported in connection with farmers’ markets.

“Show me the problem. Have there been illnesses? No. It isn’t an issue. If that’s the case, why are we going down this road?”

People looking for a vacation home often have a dream place in mind. For some, James Ireland’s modern dwelling would fit the bill. But whatever style or location you’re looking for, it pays to do some research before taking the big leap

There are lots of stories of love at first sight — and probably nowhere are these tales more plentiful than in cottage country.

A couple heads to a lakeside inn for a long summer weekend. Three days and several sunset cocktails later, they can hardly remember the stress of the city. Every weekend should be this relaxing.

It’s in this somnambulant state that they start the drive home and notice a “For sale” sign outside a charming little cottage — right on the same lake.

A quick call to the agent and they’re in.

By the time they hit Highway 400, they’ve decided to put in an offer.

Perhaps this impulsive gesture will result in many more idyllic weekends and years of happy memories.

Or maybe they’ll learn two months later — after the deal has closed — about the overloaded septic system, the asphalt plant the local quarry is building, or the toxic algae bloom that arrives in the mid-summer heat.

Douglas Hunter, who makes his home year-round on Georgian Bay’s Severn Sound, hears many of these harrowing tales first hand from people in the surrounding areas.

“I do know areas up here where you always see cottages for sale, and it’s because people saw it on the wrong day.”

In The Cottage Ownership Guide, published this month by Firefly Books, Mr. Hunter offers advice to prospective cottagers on topics from making the initial purchase to bequeathing the property. He covers buying, selling, owning, renting, sharing and retiring to the cottage.

Mr. Hunter understands as well as anyone what an affair of the heart buying a cottage can be.

But the way that prices on most lakes have skyrocketed, Mr. Hunter thinks buyers need to be exceedingly cautious.

“The last thing I need to do is buy something that has huge issues I didn’t think about because I was too busy admiring the view from the dock.”

Stories abound in cottage country of vendors selling lots they didn’t own, or buyers finding out that their newly purchased cottage is actually on the next door neighbour’s property. Then there are the issues of septic systems, noisy neighbours and boat traffic.

Prospective cottagers look at a property on a quiet, Thursday afternoon, for example, then wake up their first Saturday morning to see 40 boats in the picturesque bay in front.

Buyers have to realize, Mr. Hunter says, “they own the cottage; they don’t own the water out in front.”

James Ireland of Toronto-based Stark Ireland Architects Inc. often starts with untouched land when he designs cottages for clients in Muskoka or on Georgian Bay. Purchasing the right piece of vacant property is paramount, he says.

Prospective buyers should judge a property not just on the beauty of the surrounding landscape but also on the lot’s suitability for building. How wild is the topography? Is the land at the water’s edge a rocky outcrop or sandy beach? Does it accommodate boating and swimming? Are people planning to arrive by car, boat or plane, and does the property suit that mode of transportation? And how gentle or precarious is the path from the cottage to the lake?

Buyers should also pay attention to how close the neighbouring properties are and whether there are trees that offer screening for privacy.

Taking best advantage of the views is one of the first considerations for Mr. Ireland when deciding where to place the cottage.

He adds that exposure to the elements — both psychological and physical — is an important factor because the weather can become so wild in rugged areas of Northern Ontario.

But even there, the air can become hot and still at the height of summer, so he recommends orienting the cottage to catch some of the summer breezes.

“Unless you get the siting right, everything else that follows is in the wrong place.”

Mr. Ireland also advises people to be aware of setbacks required by local building codes. On an island or a narrow point of land, for example, the setback may be coming from two different directions. It’s important to understand those restrictions when buying a vacant piece of land.

Mr. Hunter says many people also don’t realize how complicated the nature of the land is.

There are hassles with private roads, water access and easements. Cottages that share a private road also share the cost of maintaining it.

To avoid catastrophes, it’s essential to have an up-to-date survey, Mr. Hunter says.

A “western view” is considered a prime asset in many cottage areas, and even more prime if that view is also over the water, Mr. Hunter says. Because the sun sets in the west, watching it melt into the horizon at the end of the day can be a quintessential cottage experience.

But he adds that the property’s relationship with the sun changes through the seasons. If, for example, it’s really important to you to sip your morning coffee on a sunny dock, you should spend some time researching the sun’s path.

He also recommends taking on the role of “lake detective” to determine the safety and quality of the water, as well as its suitability for your favourite activities.

A few years ago, Three Mile Lake was the location of Muskoka’s first toxic algae bloom, which can make even entering the water unsafe for people and pets.

Mr. Hunter advises a call or visit to the local planning department — survey in hand — before putting in an offer.

A good home inspector is essential to check out the land, septic system and the condition of the building. People may not realize how much patchwork has been done in the past.

“It’s still handyman central up here.”

Those wild-west, do-it-yourselfer practices common 10 to 15 years ago may have created problems that only come to light for the new owner after they’ve taken possession of the cottage.

One issue people need to approach with their eyes wide open is the septic system.

Previous owners may have built a cottage that is too big for the size of the septic bed, and the new purchaser may be unable to obtain a permit to build one of the proper size.

“At that point you have a $300,000 camping site.”

Even when they’ve done their homework, people who make the leap and buy can still find the potential for unending conflict.

“There are lots of ways to get on people’s nerves in cottage country,” Mr. Hunter says.

Many areas have good cottagers’ and ratepayers’ associations that are a treasure trove of information about things such as taxes and municipal services. He suggests combing through the association’s newsletters and the area’s community newspapers.

“A lot can be going on at an association level that you might want to know about before you buy. Occasionally, the issues may be so serious that you might decide to look elsewhere for a property.”

Mr. Hunter notes that each lake has its own character, and finding one that comes close to your own vision of the cottage idyll will lead to happier experiences in the long run.

“If there’s a thriving wakeboard community, don’t show up with your kayak,” he advises.

Over all, people need to ask the difficult questions, just as they would when they buy a house in the city, Mr. Hunter says.

Once prospective buyers find a place that appears to offer everything they are looking for, they then need to ask: “What don’t I know?”

“At the cost that waterfront properties are, you want to give yourself the luxury of having done the research.”

Busy professionals who don’t want all the hassles of ownership are driving up demand

It’s never too soon to book a cottage for the summer holidays, and with many rental agencies now offering on-line reservations, finding a vacation property is faster and easier than ever before.

“The majority of our clients search for a cottage through the Internet,” says Cathy Muriella, classified manager for Tyler’s Cottage Directory. “We’re not a booking agency as such. Bookings are done directly between owners and renters, but we link them up through our website.”

The website — http://www.cottagerentals.com — has been developed from Tyler’s Cottage Directory, Ontario’s “bible” of holiday home rentals for more than 20 years. The directory is still available (it’s sold at major retailers such as Indigo/Chapters, Canadian Tire and Loblaws) and it follows, more or less, the same format as it always has. Divided into regions, it illustrates rental properties with a photograph, a brief description and prices.

The website takes the rental process one step further, however, because it provides more detailed information (unlike printed materials, websites can be easily updated).

It also enables renters to communicate directly with owners, some of whom have their own websites. The cottagerentals.com site provides links to the owners, and if would-be renters have questions about a particular property, they usually can get a quick answer.

Most cottage rental websites offer a range of helpful information, such as whether a cottage is on water or if pets are allowed. The only downside is that if owners don’t update their website information, a cottage that appears to be available for certain dates, may, in fact, be already booked.

While booking a cottage has become easier in recent years, thanks to the Internet, renting sought-after properties can still be a problem at certain times. The busiest months are still the traditional family holiday months of July and August. And an increasing number of vacationers who are not tied to the school holiday schedule — honeymooners, retirees, couples, empty-nesters and families with preschool children — are seeking rentals in June and September.

Peak demand during July and August also means peak prices, especially in popular regions such as Muskoka, Haliburton and Georgian Bay. A three-bedroom cottage on Lake Joseph in Muskoka, for instance, listed with Uxbridge-based Cottage Country Travel Services, costs $1,900 a week, with a minimum stay of two weeks. (In non-peak times, the price can be $1,700 or less.)

The high cost of renting a cottage isn’t surprising. Two-career families have changed the dynamics (and the economics) of cottage vacations. The days are long gone when the wife and kids spent the entire summer at the family cottage and hard-working daddy showed up on weekends to chop wood and mow the grass. Nowadays, many time-pressed professionals just want to get out of the city and relax in comfort, without having to cope with the chores that go along with owning a rural retreat.

As well, the rustic wooden cottages of yesteryear have largely given way to vacation homes which, while they may be considered “cottages” by well-heeled urbanites, are often just as luxurious as a city house. Must-have features include fireplaces, hot tubs and large decks where renters can barbecue, or sit and watch the sunset.

“Folks really don’t want to rough it any more,” explains Jan Field, co-owner of Cottage Country Travel Services. “They’re looking for a quick break for a week or two, and they’re prepared to pay a higher price.”

Ms. Field says her company, which offers 160 lakefront cottages within a four-hour drive of Toronto, strives to provide a personal service. She inspects all the rental properties and acts as a go-between for owners and renters, should any problems arise. (For further information, see http://www.cottagerental.com).

Another way to find a cottage for the high season and perhaps, cut rental costs, is to travel further afield than Toronto’s traditional cottage areas. You can find bargains — relatively speaking — in Eastern Ontario, the Bancroft area and the region north of Kingston, where a one-week rental in high season averages between $800 and $900.

Cost, however, isn’t always the overriding factor when seeking a rental cottage, according to Ms. Muriella of Tyler’s Cottage Directory. Renters are also looking for activities that they can enjoy as couples or with the family.

“Folks no longer want to just hang out at a cottage,” says Ms. Muriella. “They’re looking for other things to do around the area — play golf, visit a spa, go to the theatre, whatever. Those things are just as important to renters as enjoying a high degree of comfort.”