GRAVENHURST – ‘No one said openin’ a brewery was gonna be easy.’

Sawdust City Brewing owenr Rob Engman gives the thumbs up at the Car Show Saturday aftern announcing the purchase of the old Canadian Tire Store in Gravenhurst.

After months of speculation, rumours and fighting with the CTC over environmental regs, it’s now official.

The old Canadian Tire store on the main street in Gravenhurst has been sold and Sawdust City Brewing take over June 10 to open a brewery and retail store in the fall – and hopefully, fans of the beer think - a pub after that in a couple of years.

Owner Rob Engman, of Gravenhurst, made the announcement Friday night at the Canadian Tire at a pre-Car Show warmup – just hours after the deal was finalized at 4 p.m.

And the dozens in the Chamber of Commerce members and show volunteers couldn’t have been happier, hoisting their glasses in toast and celebration.

The sale not only fills large vacant main street property vacated four years ago, but it extends the Uptown business area a few key blocks north.

It will be home to the third domestic district micro brewery in Muskoka, along with Gary McMullen’s 17-year-old Muskoka Brewery in Bracebridge and Darren Smith’s relatively new upstart in Lake of Bays Brewing a few years ago.

It’s already a well-established beer, about the same age as the Baysville beer.

Engman and his brewmaster partner Sam Corbeil, Bracebridge native (and former Mill Street brewer), began brewing in 2011 and have it well-established through the help of the Griffin Pub in Bracebridge.

They have more than a half dozen beers, including their signature Golden Beach Wheat Pale.

SawdustCity beers are now available in the LCBO and a few local pubs, including the Griffin and in Gravenhurst at Dock of the Bay at the Wharf and the Frosty Pint on Bethune.

According to Corbeil, who also lives in Gravenhurst and commutes back and forth to Black Oak in Toronto where they are currently brewing the beers, “we don’t much care for easy.”

They had planned to build on a lot at the MuskokaWharf next to the Muskoka Boat and Heritage Centre, where there was a sign up two years ago this summer.

But Gravenhurst’s Muskoka Road location, just three blocks north of the post office, proved a better location all around, Engman said.

“We’ve spent 18 months patiently perfecting our brews and honing our skills and now we feel it’s time to bring our beer home and finally give Sawdust City the brewery it so richly deserves,” said Corbeil in his very local and entertaining blogpost at www.sawdustcitybeer.blogspot.ca, which explains in fun detail the history of the formerly fledgling and now full-fledged company.

You’ll be hearing a lot more from them starting this summer.

“Keep an eye on this here blog over the up coming months, cause things are moving fast and the dust is really starting to fly!’

Until then, as Corbeil says signing off in his blog: ‘keep the beer in your mug and the sawdust beneath your feet.’

HUNTSVILLE – A Huntsville man, who in the methadone program, has gone missing and is being sought by his family and police after last being seen two months ago.

Ryan Stickland, 28, was last seen by his family in April.

Police report that on June 11, 2013, Ryan Sticland, 28, of Brunel Road, was reported missing to police by his father.

The missing man was last seen in Huntsville in April 2013.

He does not own a vehicle and is known to have substance abuse issues and was recently in the methadone program.

It is believed that Stickland may have travelled to either Montreal or Toronto.

He is described as: white, with a medium build, 185cm, 165 pounds, with brown hair, blue eyes, and a round face. He often wears a goatee-style beard. He has a ring in his lower lip and tattoo of a bird on his left shoulder.

The family says it is unknown what he was wearing when he was last seen.

And it is uncharacteristic for Stickland to be gone for long periods without making contact with family.

The attached photo was taken just this past March 2013.

Police ask that if anyone has contact with him to please contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or the Huntsville OPP Detachment 705-789-5551.

HUNTSVILLE – Two boaters are lucky to be alive thanks to alert fishermen, after their boat boat hit rocks and began to sink.

Police say that on Sunday June 16, 2013 just before 2:00am Huntsville Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) along with Muskoka EMS and Lake of Bays Fire were advised of a boating accident on Lake of Bays near Delbrooke Road area.

Two people were boating from a dinner party on Lake of Bays returning to their cottage when they crashed into the shoreline.  The boat began to sink and neighbours could hear calls for help. 

Fishermen were out on the lake and assisted in getting the boaters out of the water.

Huntsville OPP learned that the driver of the boat had been drinking.

Mark Weiland, 61, of Dwight, was eventually arrested and charged with Impaired Operation of a Vessel, and Exceeding more than 80mgs of alcohol per 100mltrs of blood under the Criminal Code of Canada.

The accused is to appear in Huntsville court on Wednesday July 10^th, 2013 to answer to his charges.

A female passenger suffered minor injuries as a result of the crash.

Huntsville OPP officers at the scene commend the males who were fishing out on Lake of Bays for assisting in getting the boaters out of the water. The outcome may have been different without their assistance.

GRAVENHURST - For many years now the Rotary Club has been honouring students of the month from GHS.

Rotarian Enno Hoekstra, left, and GHS v-p Kathy Brown congratulate students Kirsten Schofield, Andrew Drakin, Justin Smith with awards outside the Rotary’s Opera House meeting.
(Rotary photo by Barb McCabe)

The students are selected by their teachers for their leadership, enthusiasm and ideas. 

The three students recently presented to with awards at the club’s meeting last week by retiring vice principal Kathy Brown, are:

- Grade 9 student Kirsten Schofield, ”whose excellent work habits and diligence earned her this award.”

- Andrew Drakin’s “involvement throughout the school plus his initiative and personal time devoted to school activities” resulted in his recognition by teachers and Rotary. Andrew is headed to OCAD to study industrial design in the fall.

- Justin Smith was selected from the tech department “for his design ideas and in particular his design of the year book cover.” This design was judged best in the region.  Andrew will be heading to Durham College in the fall.

“We have such great students in our town and it is Rotary’s privilege to recognize just a few of them,” said Rotarian Bruce Dart.

GRAVENHURST – A little bit country – a whole lotta people.

Terri Clark was a huge hit with her one-woman show at the Barge Saturday night.

Terri Clark – sporting  a  cool black ”Gravenhurst Rocks’  T-shirt – wrapped up a great car show with a too quick one-hour solo concert that drew more than 3,000 fans young, old and family Saturday.

Gull Lake RotaryPark was a sea of country music fans – most who got the rare opportunity to see and hear one of Canada’s best exports for sawbuck.

While she had no band and only accompanied herself on the guitar, she was heard loud and clear throughout the park, from the bank filled in front to the back throughout the pine trees.

And it was clear everyone loved her – she has a nice casual onstage rapport with the audience, the largest cowd in years to see a Barge concert and on a rare Saturday night, too.

The Northern Girl’s performance (she was born in Montreal in 1968 and grew up in Medicine Hat, Alberta, before moving to Nashville when she was 18 and where still lives with her husband manager) was easy on everyone’s eyes and ears with her trademark white stetson and fine voice.

Contest winners from KICX-FM got beach seats.

Surrounded by kayaks, canoes and paddleboats in the water, she said she felt “an ocean away.”

But that didn’t stop the love from washing back and forth and lapping on the shoreline as shouts back and forth were exchanged with fun and emotion.

Clark was on hand early before the show to greet fans and sign autographs, many of them contest winners with KICX-FM in Orillia, a country station that helped sponsor the show and held a contest to meet Clark. The winners lined the beach in lime green Muskoka chairs.

Many got photos with her and autographs on old T-shirts.

It was good way to wrap up the 20^th annual Chamber of Commerce Car Show, which drew more than 500 automobile entries on a perfect day.

The Northern Girl had great rapport with the audience ‘an ocean away,’ but both loved it.

Next year, fireworks would be an even nicer finish.

But everyone went home happy – and that’s what it’s all about.

For most it’s the kind of show they like and don’t often get to see for $5 (children under 16 free).

That’s why ‘Gravenhurst Rocks’ and is gaining an enviable reputation as the events capital of Muskoka and central Ontario.

Next weekend at Gull Lake Rotary Park it’s the boat races both days and the start of Fred Schulz’s Barge concert season with the Muskoka Concert Band Sunday night, followed by the Gravenhurst Bifocals the next week.

On the other side of town – at the Muskoka Wharf summer’s warming up with the upcoming Antique and Classic Boat Show, the bike show, the Inland Boat Show and Dockside Festival.

It’s going to be a busy summer in Gravenhurst and it just got off to great start Saturday.

The largest crowd in years – more than 3,000 – packed Gull Lake Rotary Park.

Terri Clark fans clapped and swayed and danced to the familar Canadian country star’s songs.

Smartphones were working overtime as they captured the concert on cards and video.

Sitting in among some of the remaining cars from the afternoon made fora very pleasant and interesting evening.

Country couples snuggled on the banks of Gull Lake enjoying a Gravenhurst Saturday night.

GRAVENHURST – Call it born to run – The Boss would.

Red had to be the hottest colour coming in – with every 10th vehicle that colour. But they all looked shiny great.

Or if Willie Nelson was coming here Tuesday instead of Parry Sound, it would be as he sings – On the road again – just can’t wait to get on the road again.

That was the story this morning at GullLakeRotaryPark, where about 500 antique and classic cars and trucks began lining up at 6 a.m. for prime parking spots for the Gravenhurst Chamber of Commerce Car Show.

Or, more likely, many were setting up shop and tents with their hot rods at the top of the hill overlooking the Barge, where later tonight Canadian country star Teri Clark will perform, starting at 7 p.m.

They were with dozens of eager chamber organizers and volunteers who were hyped over the “super cool” chrome mobiles.

Tickets for the car show and concert are only $5 per person for the whole day and night.

Orville Hammond came down from Bracebridge in his old Taxi, but got within 50 metres of teh entrance and had to be towed in at the intersection.

And there’s lot’s to see and do – and hear.

The world’s love affair witht the automobile is in full gear here, where car and truck freaks shine up their chrome and compete for prizes and the chance to share their expensive hobby and knowledge with fans who are fascinated by all the old vehicles and crazy-looking contraptions that come in rainbow of colours.

Here’s a look at some of them in action arriving this morning. We like to see them driving – not sitting static in a ball field or under a pine tree, even if that lets you get close to them and talk to the owners.

Most of the hot rods should be around for the night, as the owners want to hear the Clark concert, too.

But you’d better get there early. Prime positions began filling up early, as car owners jockeyed for the best spots – not out in the sun or under pitchy pine.

Bring your picnic basket – but if you don’t there’s plenty of food, fun and live music in the afternoon.

This Rolls was among about 500 cars to roll in this morning.

The pink booths at the entrance sold tickets for the large crowds expected and directed drivers to the vehicle sign-ins for the competitions.

Evilwayz – read the licence plate on this fiery old beauty.

There were a lot of newer cars, but you can’t beat the beautiful lines on the classics.

You couldn’t miss most of the old cars – especially this banana-coloured coupe.

GRAVENHURST – The Gravenhurst Royal Canadian Legion Branch 302 has been awarded one of the Fire Marshal’s Public Fire Safety Council’s 2013 awards by the province for its work in supporting the Gravenhurst Fire Department’s public education program for the past 30 years.

Ontario Fire Marshal Ted Wieclawek, left, presented provincial Fire Safety council award to Gravenhurst Royal Canadian Legion president Jim Morrow and Sgt. at Arms Jim Reid. Branch #302 was nominated by Fire Chief Larry Brassard, right.

On Wednesday June 12th, branch president Jim Morrow and Sergeant at Arms Jim Reid were presented the award by Ontario Fire Marshal Ted Wieclawek at a luncheon at the Harbour Castle Hilton in Toronto.

The award recognizes the legion’s outstanding contribution to fire safety after over three decades of providing annual donations to the local fire department that supported smoke and carbon monoxide alarm purchases for the community and other fire prevention initiatives.

Earlier this year, the fire department nominated the legion after once again receiving another donation to be earmarked for the purchase of smoke alarms.

“Over the years, the legion has been a staunch supporter of our efforts to protect the community through our smoke alarm program, and I would venture to say that hundreds of alarms are in Gravenhurst homes because of the efforts of our fire crews being directly supported by the Legion and its members,” said Fire Chief Larry Brassard. “The legion is very deserving of this recognition and it was an honour for our department to nominate them for the award”, he added.

The department plans to expand the smoke alarm program this summer with firefighters personally visiting some of the more remote areas of the community to check for the presence of smoke alarms in residences. You can be sure that thanks in a large way to the generous support of the Legion, that some of these homes will be safer after these visits.

 PEACE OF MIND FOR YOUR PIECE OF HEAVEN

GRAVENHURST - Gravenhurst firefighters will be kicking off the “Peace of Mind for your Piece of Heaven” initiative for cottage country on Friday June 21, when they welcome cottagers to Muskoka at the McDonalds Restaurant from 2-6 p.m.

The program, which has run for several years brings the message to cottagers that fire safety is every bit as important at the cottage as it is at home. Fire safety means having working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms as well as a well defined and practiced escape plan.

“I think that most people would be shocked to learn that when a smoke alarm sounds, that they have less than a minute to react and exit their home or cottage,” says Fire Chief Larry Brassard in a news release Friday.

“An important part of being prepared is making sure the whole family meets outside in one pre-determined meeting place and is safe and accounted for,” he adds. Having an emergency plan for your cottage can also include knowing your proper address, having a means to call 9.1.1 and periodically checking your cottage for potential fire hazards– then eliminating them.

Kidde Canada, the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs, the Fire Marshals Public Fire Safety Council, McDonalds and Moose FM are co-sponsoring this year’s program in conjunction with fire departments throughout cottage country. Gravenhurst firefighters along with Sparky will be on hand to share information about the importance of alarms in any place that has sleeping accommodations – including bunkies and boats. They will also be offering on-site fire extinguisher training with their new ‘intelligent training system.’

“Any place where people can experience their dreams should be a place of saf ety – and cottage country is no exception.”

GRAVENHURST – All roads lead to GullLakeRotaryPark Saturday.

And they will be filled with antique and classic cars and country music fans.

The annual Gravenhurst Chamber of Commerce Car Show and country jamboree at night is expected to be the largest event of the summer.

With perfect mid-20s weather, music and events, thousands are expected to fill the lakeside park just off the main street.

It will one giant parking lot – with antique Fords from the ’20s (sorry, no Rob or Doug Ford), Chryslers from the ’30s and ’40s – and the great classic Chevys with the big tail fins of the ’50s – and more modern cars from the ’60s to the present – and that’s just on the ball field and under the pine trees throughout the large park.

So, don’t be confused by all the cars along Bethune Drive, they’re just the warm-up act.

And speaking of warm-up acts, Mark Wigston, Steve Strength and Steve Austin are warming up the crowds in the afternoon for the big evening Barge show.

Canadian country star Terri Clark will take to the waterfront stage for night of classic new country tunes.

Her show starts at 7 p.m.

And it’s only $5 to get a wrist band to get into the park for the whole day, where you can enjoy food including the Lions Club barbecue and a few other vendors.

GRAVENHURST - Local Rotarians are supporting the new Gravenhurst Centennial Centre expansion with ongoing support and sponsorship.

A $25,00o donation for naming rights to the Rotary Main Street hall between the arena and YMCA is a five-year commitment by the club.

This week they made their second $5,000 installment with a presentation.

Left to right: Rotary Club Member Brian Ferguson, Rotary Club President Steve Hayhurst, Mayor Paisley Donaldson
Deputy Mayor Jeff Watson, Rotary Club Member Gerry Flaherty, Centennial Centre Manager Deb Broderick
Rotary Club Member Barb McCabe.