Featured Blog Posts
Latest Blog Posts
Garlic Mustard Chimichurri Recipe
June 7th, 2019
by Kyle Wagenblast, Executive Chef
Foraging is in full swing and while everyone is talking and raving about Wild Leeks (yes, they are amazing), we are diligently working on doing our part on another tasty, but invasive green: Garlic Mustard!
Garlic Mustard is an herb that was brought over by Europeans in the 1800s. It is high in Vitamin A and C, and it is very tasty. The leafs are tender and slightly bitter with tastes of mustard greens and garlic, while […]
A Newbie Goes Boating
June 4th, 2019
by Nicole Rogerson, Marketing Manager
I finally had the chance to experience the joy that is boating on Stoney Lake.
Here’s the thing: I know absolutely nothing about boats. I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve been on a motorboat. Usually, my idea of boating involves paddling in a kayak or canoe.
On a recent Monday morning, I came into work and settled in at my desk to check emails and catch up from the weekend. We’d just gotten […]
Dandelion Marmalade Recipe
May 30th, 2019
by Kyle Wagenblast, Executive Chef
It’s that time of year again where, whether you love them or hate them, the dandelions are out in full force. When they start lining up for Mount Julian, we start lining up our pots!
View this post on Instagram
Dandelions […]
Hanging Baskets Plant Care Tips
May 21st, 2019
by Bob the Gardener
Hanging baskets are a beautiful and versatile way to plant mixed blooms. They also make a great gift idea and, once planted, are relatively low maintenance. To keep your plants looking fresh all season, here are some of my care tips for hanging baskets:
Hanging Basket Maintenance
Water often and thoroughly.
Deadhead blooming plants (here is a useful article on deadheading flowers).
In a mixed basket, replace plants as needed.
Fertilize (see below).
Cut back leggy plants.
Fertilization
Second to watering, fertilizer is the most […]
What’s On This Victoria Day Weekend
May 13th, 2019
The Victoria Day long weekend feels like the official kick-off to cottage season. Although it’s not yet summer, the countdown is on! If you’re hitting the road for the long weekend and headed to or through the Kawarthas, here are some activities and events for a perfect family getaway:
Bethany’s Victoria Day Weekend
Where: Bethany Park, Bethany (Google Maps)
When: Friday, May 17-Monday, May 20
Event Website
Enjoy activities such as fireworks, family BBQ, karaoke, the 29th Annual Show & Shine, petting zoo, parade, 33rd […]
Trout Lilies & The Joy of Foraging
May 10th, 2019
by Ben Samann, General Manager
One of the joys of foraging is finding a community – countless happy little plants around us are known to many people as edible. So, when we hear of a new plant, we go online to find recipes, suggestions, and, importantly, conservation information.
A few years ago, we discovered trout lilies.
You’ve seen them, you just don’t know about them. They’re some of the first greens to pop up, and once they start, they’re everywhere.
It’s important to know […]
Top 5 Photo Spots at Viamede
April 25th, 2019
by Nicole Rogerson, Marketing Manager
Photos are one of the best souvenirs of a vacation. The memories and moments that can be captured in a single snapshot are wonderful ways to remember the trip, the people you were with, and the sights you saw. One of the fun things about Viamede is that there is such a wide variety of things to do and see, that it makes for tons of photo opportunities. It was hard to narrow it down, but […]
Ontario Turtle Conservation Conversation
April 16th, 2019
by Wendy Baggs, Education Coordinator, OTCC
The Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre (OTCC) is home of the “Kawartha Turtle Trauma Centre”. Our mission is to protect and conserve Ontario’s at-risk native turtles and their wetland habitats. The OTCC is a multifaceted hospital that uses a multi-pronged approach to conservation, employing Hospital, Science and Education. The centre is supported by a province-wide network of local veterinarians, private clinics, and other wildlife centres who perform admissions and emergency care. The OTCC holds “Turtle Trauma […]
Spring Has Arrived
April 8th, 2019
by Bob the Gardener
April showers bring May flowers! At this time of year, it’s time to prepare flower beds and lawns for spring. The time that you spend in prepping will help your plants thrive and makes maintenance easier later. Here are some simple steps for getting your gardens ready.
Flower Beds
Remove all leaves.
Cut back perennials if required.
Clean all leaves from Hostas if present.
Prune shrubs (flowering).
Lawn Care
Remove leaves from the lawn.
Around the end of April, cut the lawn on a high […]
Spring Cleaning at Viamede
April 2nd, 2019
by Ben Samann, General Manager
My family has a long tradition of spring cleaning. There’s something so satisfying to seeing the first signs of spring, going outside in a t-shirt, taking a breath of (what seems like) warm spring air, then dashing into some unseen corner of the house to purge whatever’s accumulated there.
Both at home and at Viamede, we’re often surprised by what comes out, really.
Every year, Viamede closes in April to get ready for summer (we will be open […]