January

03 Wayne’s Tire is moving to larger premises. Gravenhurst’s development services committee has approved its site plan application for the construction of a 2,700-sq.-ft. service building at 427 Bethune Dr. Wayne’s Tire is currently located in the Industrial Park.

10 Algonquin Automotive has eliminated 12 non-production and salaried positions in its organization, including six in Huntsville, five in Bracebridge and one in its U.S. sales division. “What we are attempting to do is reduce our overhead because we are unable to predict our sales,” noted spokesperson Anne Cool. Severance packages have been offered.

17 The Gravenhurst Chamber of Commerce earned more than half-a-million dollars in revenue in 2006, but spent more than it earned. Altogether, it brought in $528,558, up from $515,698 in 2005. Expenses totalled $536,455, an increase from $504,939 the previous year. Payroll expenses of $170,992 were the largest single expenditure.

24 The purchase of the former Alcan aluminum foil plant on Keith Road by a company linked to Huntsville’s Fanotech Enviro Inc. is raising speculation that Fanotech may move manufacturing operations to Bracebridge. Fanotech manufactures garbage bins and hoppers, garbage truck loaders, waste transfer trailers, hoists and compactors.

31 Developers of the former Kay Oss property in Port Carling have gained tentative approval to dedicate one of the four retail buildings planned for the site to boat docking, with six of the 10 planned residential units constructed above the boathouse unit. The application will appear before Muskoka Lakes council for final approval Feb. 20.

February

07 Developers Clearbrook Building Corp. and Terry Moore have settled a dispute over water and sewer costs, clearing the way for the 40-lot Cutter’s Quest development near Bracebridge Sportsplex. Moore hopes to start building this spring, after completing drainage work on his property. Two homes are under construction in the Mattamy development south of Douglas Drive.

14 As part of the Ontario Tourism Campaign to showcase small-town Ontario, Spy Films is shooting segments of a commercial in Gravenhurst at The Sweet Life, The Bakery, Rocco’s Barber Shop and Taboo Resort this week. “They really loved our store,” said The Sweet Life owner Robb White. “You can’t pay for that kind of advertising. We’re really excited about it.”

21 In a move to encourage more retail development in downtown Bracebridge, a new Comprehensive Zoning Bylaw will bar new medical clinics, optometrists, chiropractors, dentists, lawyers, accountants, engineers and planners from Manitoba Street storefronts between Ontario Street and Monck Road. The downtown would become “a service-oriented, retail type of area,” explained councillor Lori-Lynn Giaschi-Pacini. Existing businesses would remain as “legal, non-conforming use.”

28 Bracebridge recreation officials hope to tap into sport tourism by spending $2,500 to send two representatives to the Sport Events Congress in Gatineau, Quebec, a three-day convention where rights holders can meet with municipal representatives interested in hosting events. “It’s a really good way to get this tourism foot in the door,” said Graydon Smith, culture and recreation committee chair. “I think it would be well worth attending.”

March

07 At the Berkeley Springs International Water Tasting held in West Virginia last month, Muskoka Springs Natural Spring Water shared first place in the best non-carbonated bottled water category with an entry from California. Since 2002, the Gravenhurst company has won four awards, including silver and bronze, under different brand names. Ramona Springs of Washago won silver in the competition.

14 Over 50 per cent of hotels and motels, 53 per cent of festivals and events, and 46 per cent of arts and culture ventures have replied to a $200,000 tourism survey aimed at strengthening the local economy by laying the groundwork for a long-term tourism strategy. Collected information will be analyzed to assess strengths and weaknesses, service gaps and attributes affecting the tourism industry.

21 Saunders & Associates owner Jim Saunders is protesting a bylaw restricting professional offices on Manitoba Street. Downtown Bracebridge has a good mix of professional and retail space and the free market should determine that mix, says Saunders, who is leading an initiative to have the bylaw amended and offices reclassified as professional buildings. “I believe the marketplace is always correct,” said Saunders.

28 First impressions are often key, says HomeLife Muskoka agent Charlene Lewis, who with interior designer Nancy Baker now offers a unique service that could reap huge benefits for those preparing to sell their house in Muskoka. Lewis will provide the seller with up to one full day of Baker’s expertise to get the house looking its best for prospective buyers.

April

04 By the time the doors reopened at the Bracebridge Salvation Army Thrift Shop, the lineup was around the corner. The new flooring, fixtures and paint job was financed through the store’s sales, said Captain Christopher Rideout. “The store had a good year and we decided to reinvest it all back here,” he noted. “The profits we make here will continue to be reinvested into the community.”

11 Thirty-two local women have joined the ranks of the 192 graduates of the Women in Business program presented by YWCA Muskoka. Classes in Gravenhurst, Bracebridge and Huntsville combine training in business and personal skills so women can achieve greater economic and personal independence. In its seventh year, the next session begins in October.

18 Two local businesses are expanding their horizons, thanks to recent site plan approvals by Bracebridge council. Canadian Tire will replace its existing gas bar and convenience store on Muskoka Road 118 West with a modern 1,116-square-foot facility. Dawson’s Electric plans to construct a 6,075-square-foot office, warehouse and storage facility on Muskoka Beach Road.

25 After an animated discussion, the Bracebridge administration and finance committee denied ice cream vendor David Toomey the right to set up shop at Kirby’s Beach. While already licensed to operate his truck in the parking lot of the former MacNaughtan’s Home Hardware, he was requesting permission to alternate locations between MacNaughtan’s and Kirby’s Beach to catch the busiest times. Mayor Don Coates and councillors Lori-Lynn Giaschi-Pacini and Scott Young voted against the request.

May

02 The Muskoka Lakes planning committee tentatively approved Muskoka Chair Company’s application to rezone land behind Bala’s Muskoka Lakes Sports Park for retail, manufacturing and storage. The company’s previous application on land near Cranberry Marsh Cove Resort was denied, citing concerns over suitability of land use.

09 Parry Sound-Muskoka MP and Minister for FedNor Tony Clement has announced $434,219 funding for 11 local initiatives. The FedNor youth internship program will receive more than $322,000 and Muskoka Community Futures Development Corporation will receive $130,478 to implement a business mentoring program.

16 Bracebridge’s new Heart of Muskoka branding will focus on the phrase theHeartofMuskoka.com, with a heart in the centre and Bracebridge, Ontario written below. “It’s professional . . . it can be easily used by anyone from the public or business sectors,” said director of economic development Cheryl Kelley. Half of the $11,498 cost was recouped through the Community Investment Support Program.

23 Muskoka’s No. 1 labour issue is ensuring a smooth transition from reliance on manufacturing, as people find employment in the service sector, according to the 2007 Trends, Opportunities and Priorities report. In Muskoka, 54.43 per cent of the workforce is in the service and retail sectors compared to 24.23 per cent in manufacturing and construction.

30 The new Bracebridge Home Hardware will celebrate its grand opening on Muskoka Road 118 Friday. Longtime owner George MacNaughtan sold the company to Rob and Kaija Clark of Gravenhurst earlier this year. “It’s a great location and we’ve had a lot of interest from the community,” said Rob Clark.

June

06 Local residents Joe and Jacquie Nelson have purchased Your Personal Winery at 532 Industrial Mall, Bracebridge, an authorized retailer for Winexpert. Now known as Nelsons Winery, the business will “continue to offer our customers the best ‘on-premise’ winemaking experience in our industry, and a 100 per cent satisfaction guarantee on all wine products sold,” said Jacquie.

13 Although Peter Barber opposes paying most of the cost for off-site sidewalks at his proposed condominium development at 200 Pine St., he has been “forced to concede in an effort to move forward.” After considerable debate over paving issues, the Bracebridge development services committee agreed to a reduced 15 per cent holdback on the development. Barber is trying to keep his condos priced below $150,000.

20 The Marriott Residence Inn at Muskoka Wharf is set to break ground on June 22 at the building site on Muskoka Bay in Gravenhurst. To be located beside the Muskoka Boat & Heritage Centre, the whole ownership condominium hotel will include 106 suites. Chamberlain Contractors from Toronto will build the hotel in one year, with occupancy planned for summer 2008.

27 While the Bracebridge BIA has been examining everything from wireless speakers to webcams, its primary focus of late has been on the creation of wireless Internet services, or Wi-Fi, to improve the downtown area and entice shoppers. “It seems to be the way of the future,” said BIA member and Bracebridge councillor Lori-Lynn Giaschi-Pacini. “I think we need to get onside.”

July

04 J.S.W. Manufacturing Inc., which operates a custom metal fabrication and welding plant in Bracebridge, was fined $50,000 in June for an Occupational Health and Safety Act violation that resulted in a serious facial injury to an employee. The Ontario Ministry of Labour found a brake press machine had no guarding device to protect the worker from the steel that was being processed.

11 The Bracebridge BIA has finalized a request for proposal that will see wireless Internet access available to all members by year end, as well as the installation of webcams to increase safety and curb criminal activity. Wireless speakers to pipe in background music, advertisements and public service announcements are expected to span the BIA area by fall 2008.

18 Built approximately 110 years ago as the St. James the Apostle Anglican Church rectory, the historic former home of the late Verna Duke is the new Muskoka Lakes’ visitor centre, to promote local destinations, events and activities. “We hope the Duke House will become a community focal point, not just for Port Carling but for the entire township,” said township CAO John Cosgrove.

25 A decision on the construction of two transportation depot facilities and possibly a convenience store on a four-acre property on Hwy. 118 just east of Hwy. 11 has been deferred by Bracebridge town council, noting concerns over increased noise and traffic, as well as highway access issues. According to his representative Rick Hunter, applicant Ray Morgan is revamping the proposal.

August

01 Eight Chinese journalists tasked with promoting Ontario tourism destinations visited Gravenhurst last week. “It’s a good place to have a holiday and relax,” said Lily Lu, editor of the Chinese edition of National Geographic Traveler, “and to see the home of The Great Man,” referring to Dr. Norman Bethune, who is revered in China.

08 Of 400 Canadian courses, Bracebridge’s Muskoka Highlands is the top 11 junior-friendly course offering a CN Future Links Junior Development Program, as named by the Royal Canadian Golf Association in July’s Golf Canada Magazine. “It’s a surprise,” said owner Don MacKay. “There are a lot of good courses there (on the list).”

15 Peter Swanek, who for seven years has been promoting and hosting jazz and blues concerts in his home in Innisfil, now lives at 830 Muskoka Rd. S. in Gravenhurst and has received a permit to hold concerts there for up to 150 people. Swanek hopes to open next year.

22 The Bracebridge administration and finance committee is recommending that council award a contract to supply a new fire tanker to Metalfab Ltd., whose $201,216 bid was accepted by the committee Monday. If the vehicle order is placed in September, it will be delivered in 2008.

29 The Muskoka Tourism Marketing Agency is supporting a provincial government initiative, calling for tourism operators to submit letters to American authorities who are proposing that everyone, including returning U.S. citizens, would need a passport to enter the U.S. at land crossings. The campaign hopes to ease the proposed restrictions.

September

05 Sault Ste. Marie native Marilyn Hug jumped feet first into her new job as co-ordinator of the Gravenhurst Business Improvement Area by organizing its biggest event, the Steamship Festival, only three weeks before it took place. Hug hopes to engage more input from business owners and welcomes merchants to drop by the BIA’s new office at 130 Muskoka Rd. N.

12 Goodfellow Construction, developer for the Legends at the Falls condominiums on Kimberley Avenue, has been granted a sign variance to allow the company to display an ‘A’ frame sign at four locations in Bracebridge. The variance requires the signs to be in place only from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day.

19 Bracebridge town council recently ratified the creation of an economic recovery team tasked with developing and implementing an action plan to respond to the impending closure of Dura. The team will also look at the state of the local manufacturing sector as a whole, as well as business attraction. The group likely will include people from the Canadian Automotive Workers and representatives from other levels of government.

26 In a bid to boost shoulder season visibility of Muskoka Wharf shops, merchants will be allowed to put free-standing sandwich boards along Muskoka Road 169 for the autumn season. Certain conditions apply, including the requirement that the signs be removed from the highway shoulders once snowplowing begins. In the meantime, wharf businesses will be developing large banner signs for permanent installation.

October

03 Despite declining numbers at its Highway 11 visitor’s centre, Muskoka Tourism says visits to its website have skyrocketed by 76 per cent over last year. “The news is largely good,” said marketing director Steve Inniss. “Most of our operators are reporting a better summer than in the recent past.”

10 Cequent Towing Products announced Thursday it will shut down its Huntsville plant by the end of December, leaving 163 people out of work; however officials are tight-lipped as to how and when the final layoffs will occur. Known as Hidden Hitch, the plant manufactures automotive aftermarket trailer hitches.

17 Muskoka Tourism representatives have been making the rounds of municipal councils with the findings of its Muskoka Assessment Project. Concerns raised by tourism operators included customer service, accommodations, signage, parking, labour issues and affordable housing shortages. “We didn’t expect a smooth ride . . . there are some very big issues here,” said marketing director Steve Inniss.

24 Over 100 people were on hand to celebrate the 14th annual Outstanding Business Achievement awards hosted by Bracebridge Chamber of Commerce last week. As well as recognizing the achievements of local businesses, former town councillor Jerry Fox received the Outstanding Contribution to Bracebridge award.

31 The Bracebridge “the Heart of Muskoka” branding strategy, phase two was presented with the Marketing Canada Award for Business Development in Branding (less than $200,000 category) during the Economic Development Association of Canada’s conference in Saskatoon. The strategy promotes the logo’s use for all businesses and local organizations.

November

07 The high-flying loonie, trading at over $1.07 US, is forcing many local businesses to tighten their purse strings. “The biggest hit is on our customers and their shipping levels,” said Muskoka Transport controller Steve Rettie. Less freight is crossing the border as “their products are now overpriced in the U.S., and purchasers are buying within the U.S. because it’s cheaper.”

14 Two touring buses, covered in a Muskoka-themed wrap depicting scenic landscape shots, are attracting attention in the GTA, Quebec, Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania and beyond. A partnership between Hammond Transportation and Muskoka Tourism, the buses also show local activities and the Muskoka Tourism logo and website address. The wrap is expected to last three years or more.

21 Torin MacPherson’s jingle “My Muskoka’s Downtown” was the unanimous winner of the Bracebridge BIA’s “We need a Jingle” contest. The August contest asked applicants to write, perform and record a 30-second jingle promoting the downtown shops, services and restaurants. MacPherson and Kathleen Bolger, who performed the jingle, received $1,000 in BIA gift certificates.

28 After a bit of last-minute negotiating, the Bracebridge development services committee last week approved site plan agreements for the Boston Pizza and A&W restaurants in the SmartCentres plaza on Depot Drive. Both buildings will now have an enhanced landscaping plan and feature a “Muskoka façade,” a common stipulation for commercial development approval in Bracebridge.

December

05 In its first entry at the Canadian Brewing Awards, Bracebridge-based Lakes of Muskoka Cottage Brewery captured gold. Muskoka Hefewissbier won the Wheat Beer German Style Hefewizer category and Muskoka Lager took the North American-Style Lager top prize. “We’re really happy to win on both sides of the spectrum so we’re not sacrificing quality in our lager,” said owner and brewmaster Gary McMullen.

12 After a year punctuated by resignations and infighting, last week’s annual general meeting of the Gravenhurst Business Improvement Area represented a chance for a fresh start. “The BIA must look toward future opportunities and strategic planning to meet the changing face of Gravenhurst,” said vice-chair Frances Garner. “Business brings business and it’s time for us to embrace the fast-approaching future of our town.”