Hello all you lovely people!

I hope you’re enjoying the holiday season - be it outside in snowshoes or inside with warm cocoa. Things are changing quickly as Ontario goes into lockdown again. Normally on the last Sunday of the month, I like to recommend local events happening the following month. Because of the restrictions, I’m going to change it up a bit. Instead, I found online virtual events you can participate in. Also, for those who enjoy the wintery outdoors, I have hiking resources from Bruce, Grey and Simcoe counties. 

As we know “change never changes” so let us make the most of our circumstances as we take time to reflect and spend time with those who mean a lot to us. Even if it's our own selves, because you’re important to spend time with too!

Virtual Activities 

First - I found this link that will take you to Attractions Ontario. From there, there’s a bunch of virtual events. These include tours of the Art Gallery of Ontario, Canadian Museum of History, Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory, Jungle Cat World, and even a virtual roller coaster ride from Canada’s Wonderland! There is A LOT more so be sure to check out the entire list because there’s something for the kids, adults and the entire fam jam!

For more local virtual activities - did you know about Georgian Bay Huron Strong website?  Go here  OR download the app! It’s available for Android and Apple products. There’s online learning support, a list of virtual activities, and other local resources. For the kids, there’s a list of indoor activities and sibling activities. There’s also a list of “solo” activities in case mom/dad/guardian need a break! They also have the same lists, but different activities for teens. For adults, they have netflix parties and suggest Duolingo for learning a new language! Here’s also a list for the whole family to do!

The Georgian Bay Centre for the Arts is a wonderful resource for getting crafty and making art! They are located in Owen Sound and offer multiple curbside pickup crafts. 

Crock-A-Doodle in Blue Mountain also offers similar services! Just call and ask for a paint kit, along with any pottery piece you want! From mugs, plates, pencil holders, pet dishes, cookie jars, to animals galore, everyone will want to paint something! Plus, if you have little ones this is a great activity - You can just wash the paint off and let them start again! (And the paint doesn’t stain!)

Are you a gardener? Well then you may know that all the 2021 seed catalogues are coming out! Curl up with a couple catalogues - like the William Dam or Richter’s Herbs (PDF links). Gardening was a major growing (in both ways) trend last year so seeds will likely sellout quick again. Besides - growing your own food is sustainable and nothing tastes better than eating from local land! There’s also the Almanac Garden Planner so Spring doesn’t seem so far away :D

The Blue Mountains Library has a lot to offer virtually too. I mention some one these activites in the November blog  but you can also click here  to see their event calender for January.

Getting Outside 

For the Bruce, Grey, and Simcoe counties - each website has their own links and ways of sharing hiking trails. I’ve compiled it all in one place here so it’s easier to navigate. 

For Bruce County trails - this is the visual map. It numbers the trails so to learn what each trail is - use this as reference. 

For Grey County trails - this is the interactive map. It is easier to navigate via desktop rather than cell phone. When you scroll down there will be listings of locations. There are trails, parks, conservation areas, and other outdoor areas.  Each listing has a picture with a caption. To see where the listing is on the map (only works for desktop) - click on the tiny blue icon in the top right of the photo. To read more info about the listing itself - click on the photo. 

Georgian Bay Marketplace is getting ready to open! We hope you’re excited as we are. The planned date is January 15, 2021. There will be a giveaway to celebrate the opening, so make sure you're following us on Facebook and Instagram. We also will be posting vendor interviews so you can get to know our artisans, like you would at a farmer's market! Also - keep watching for February because there is something crazy awesome coming to help celebrate Love Day (formerly Valentines Day but let’s skip the romantics this year because everyone needs some love!!!)


Thank you for reading. If there’s anything I missed or you have suggestions about activities to do - drop them in the comments below or on FB and Insta. 

Stay safe everyone and please - practice extra caution when driving on the roads. A lot of the road salt got washed away before the big snow so sidewalks and roads are icy!!!

Love to all you wonderful beings. Thanks for tuning in!

​​

November is Here!
What’s Going On Locally? 
Georgian Bay Marketplace is here to serve its community, and so I want to share what is happening in the community this month! COVID can restrict gatherings but there are many social distance-safe and virtual events to attend!
 
Blue Mountain Village is still promoting Fallicious! It runs from October 13 until December 4, and all the restaurants will be offering menu specials! Furthermore, there’s “Enchant” where the village will be fully decked out in Christmas decorations from November 14 until December 14. A place to grab a meal and enjoy the seasonal décor!
 
The Town of Blue Mountains, along with The Blue Mountains Library offer many activities for adults and children. 
On Mondays there’s senior workouts. They take place online on Sharon Challis’s Facebook Page from 10 to 10:30 am. Here is the link! https://www.facebook.com/sharon.r.challis
On Tuesdays, the Marsh Street Centre hosts art activities, where acrylics, watercolors, and oil paints are available to use. Admission is $10 and you can bring your own snacks. It runs from 9 am to 12:30 pm. The library also hosts clubhouse crafts on Tuesdays at 4:30 – 4:45 pm. They include a list of the supplies to get and since the videos are posted on their Facebook page, you can go back and check out the other crafts too! https://www.facebook.com/thebluemountainslibrary
On November 11 and 18 (both Wednesday) the library hosts a webinar featuring techy topics. On the 11th, they will be discussing what is TikTok for parents. On 18th, will be more instructional about how to connect your device to others via Bluetooth. For the kids, at 7pm on every Wednesday, they host a live bedtime story reading.
On Thursday at 1 to 3 pm, the library also hosts a digital book club. It’s hosted live on Facebook and you can discuss whatever book you are enjoying at that time! If you are stuck about what to read, it may be an opportunity to find that new novel you have been hunting for!
Friday is outdoor story time (weather permitting) for the kids. It’s from 11 to 11: 30am. Bring a blankie in case its cold! Then, later in the evening from 7 to 11 pm is virtual trivia night!!! Go to the Facebook page for the game link- https://www.facebook.com/thebluemountainslibrary
Other webinars offered from the library include some about cinematography, photo, and video editing. There is also a live hosted symposium from the Ontario Archaeological Society on November 7 but you must register before.
Also, a webinar about the Trans Bhutan Trail will be taking place on 19 from 7 to 8 pm. The event be hosted via Zoom and is sure to be an enlightening experience about that region of the Earth.
Here’s a link to the library’s programs with more information - https://thebluemountainslibrary.ca/adult-programs.cfm?is=9
 
 
From November 10th to 30th the Blue Mountains Library’s art gallery exhibit will show locally collected art donated from the BVO. It will be sure to be interesting with a diversity of artworks and styles to observe.
 
On Saturday November 7 – there’s a couple artsy events going on in the community! Yay!
The Annual Square Foot Show is taking place at loftgalleryart.com. There will be 100’s of painting for $160 plus tax. A wonderful opportunity to support locally and go shopping in the comforts of your own home.
 
For Remembrance Day – The Town of Blue Mountains will be hosting a live event on their YouTube channel. This is in partnership with our municipality and the Royal Canadian Legion. It will be from 11 am to 2 pm. Here’s a link for their YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFK6LMfxyz-3cwEJ9pg9qCA
The Meaford Hall is hosting movies every Thursday. They play at 4 pm and tickets can be purchased through The Meaford Hall website. Starting on the 4th is “Just Mercy”, followed by “The Book Thief” on the 12th, “A Hidden Life” on the 19th, and “Midway” on the 26th.
 
On November 20th, The Red Bay Lodge in Mar, Ontario will also be hosting a Christmas Craft Show. This one will go until December 12th, and has various times depending on the day. If you’re an avid fisher, this destination will be interesting as it was also a historic fishing lodge https://brucegreysimcoe.com/festivals-events/events/the-red-bay-christmas-market
 
November 22nd, a live concert will be taking place. An electronic violinist, Victoria Yeh, has put together a 6 month live virtual concert series. For November, it will be featuring Paul DeLong and is filmed live at Collingwood’s Simcoe Street Theatre. https://victoriayehlive.com/
 
In Barrie, the MacLaren Art Centre is featuring an exhibition called the “The Uncanny Outdoors” which will be presented until November 22 and “Portraits from the Permanent MacLaren Collection”.  They offer several classes as well. For ages 10-14, on November 20 (PA day possibly for you parents) there’s will be a virtual art class. There’s a fee but it includes materials and the lesson. https://maclarenart.com/product/for-the-birds/ for more information! They also host an art event for youth aged 14-18 every Wednesday until December 16th. You must pick up your art kit the day before and then a zoom link will be sent for the instructional portion. You can register here at https://maclarenart.com/w-edge/. The instructor is Lisa Nackan - regional artist and arts therapist.  For the adults, on November 25th there is a master art class and poetry class. Click on https://maclarenart.com/learn-create/adults/ for more information.
 
If you’re interested in more art classes, be sure to check out Georgian Bay Centre for The Arts. They offer a class almost every day in November. From quilt making, to clay Christmas ornaments, acrylic painting, cookie decorating and beeswax candle making, and so much more!!! Find it all here at https://gbarts.ca/classes/ with event details and links to register.
 
Until November 8th there is a Barrie Ski Swap and Sale. Shopping is by appointment only so be sure to head over to BarrieSkiSwap.com for more info!
 
So, from west to east end of our area – there’s something to do for all of November!
If you need more inspiration – go to ApplePieTrail.ca where they have suggestions for activities in the Beaver Valley, Meaford, Thornbury, and Craigleith/Blue Mountain Village areas! Also – there’s https://experience.simcoe.ca/fallexperiences for seasonal activities in the Simcoe county and https://www.visitgrey.ca/play/seasonal-activities for Grey County.