35 Years. 80 Builds. One Muskoka Family.

There is a road on the Joe River, winding through the pines along Carlingford Road, where a story began. Bob and Marnie Clarke first discovered the vacant Lake Joseph prop­erty in a way that now feels like family legend: after jumping out of a realtor’s boat to get a closer look, they purchased it that very afternoon. What followed was the beginning of a Muskoka life they had been working toward for years.

In the summer of 1991, shortly after the birth of their first daughter, Kelcie, Bob and Marnie moved into the Joe River cottage – a 1,400-square-foot Normerica post-and-beam retreat assembled largely by hand, without power, with family and friends raising it board by board through long Muskoka summers. It was the first Clarke build, and it became the family’s northern anchor, even as their permanent home and professional lives remained in the Greater Toronto Area for more than two decades.

Thirty-five years and 80 builds later, that same spirit still drives Clarke Muskoka Construction: the belief that a home is not simply a structure, but the beginning of a life. It is a milestone worth celebrating, and one that could only have been earned the way the Clarkes have always done things – one family, one property, one carefully considered build at a time.

Bob Clarke’s relationship with Muskoka did not begin at a building site. It began at a cottage dock, where a young man fell in love with both Marnie and the land her family summered on at Mary Lake. Weekends be­came the norm. The smell of pine sap and lake water, the particular quality of light on granite at dusk – these were not amenities. They were necessities. In 1987, at just 24 years old, Bob and Marnie borrowed $35,000 to purchase 2,000 feet of shoreline and 50 acres on Big Island, Lake Vernon. Within two years, he had subdi­vided it into seven lots, sold them all, and continued building toward the Muskoka future that would eventu­ally define the family.

Before Muskoka became their full-time home, Bob and Marnie built, renovated, and refined their eye for property across the GTA. Married in 1986 – and celebrating 40 years this October – they lived in 11 different homes: six new-construction homes in Meadowvale, Erin Mills, and Sheridan Park, and five homes in the Princess Anne Manor area of Etobicoke. Every one of those homes was renovated, improved, and made their own, all while they were also building in Muskoka for themselves and others.

Until 2013, Bob’s full-time career was in sales and marketing in the military electronics field, while Marnie worked as a laboratory manager and visiting scientist in GTA primary schools. When their second daughter, Darby, went off to university, the timing was finally right. Bob and Marnie made the big move north, settling first full-time in Muskoka at Roberts Bay on Lake Joseph and committing fully to their real estate and con­struction careers.

The build at Carlingford Road was humble by the standards of the luxury estates Clarke Muskoka Construc­tion would eventually be known for. But it was entirely theirs: conceived, raised, and lived in with the same hands-on devotion that has defined every Clarke project since. Over time, Bob and Marnie channelled that same restless energy into acquiring vacant lots and older cottages for renovation across the Big Three lakes, steadily building the portfolio of expertise, relationships, and reputation that Clarke Muskoka Construction carries today. As the company has grown, so has the team behind it. Clarke Muskoka Construction now in­cludes an internal project management team of six and three local lead carpentry teams, supported by trusted local contractors and suppliers across every discipline: electricians, plumbers, tilers, masons, landscapers, roofers, painters, dock builders, material suppliers, and design groups.

Listening, understanding, and then executing a client’s vision is what makes Clarke Muskoka Construction so highly sought after. Bob and Marnie have built across the full spectrum of scale and style, from classic Mus­koka vernacular rich in timber and stone to sleek contemporary builds that frame the lake like a living paint­ing. Boathouses, renovations, and 8,000-square-foot luxury estates have all passed through their hands.

Marnie Clarke, an accomplished interior decorator, works with every client from conception to completion, guiding selections on flooring, millwork, surface materials, tile, and colour with the same care she brought to furnishing the family’s own properties. The result is never simply a cottage. It is an interior world that feels, from the first moment, as though it was always meant to be yours.

All aspects of the natural surroundings are taken into consideration with every build. Lake views, mature for­est sightlines, and the magnificent outcroppings of Precambrian granite that define this landscape are not ob­stacles to be worked around; they are the canvas. It is that instinctive respect for the land, as much as any technical skill, that has made Clarke Muskoka Construction the builder of choice for families looking to call Muskoka their home away from home.

The Clarke legacy is not only written in timber and stone. It is carried forward in the people who share the name. Bob and Marnie have two daughters, Kelcie and Darby, and perhaps nowhere is the depth of the fami­ly’s Muskoka roots more evident than in Kelcie, who spent her earliest summers at the Joe River cottage and has chosen to plant her own life in the same landscape that shaped her parents. Now married and a mother herself, Kelcie is raising the next generation of Clarkes here, working alongside the family through Clarke Muskoka Realty & Clarke Muskoka Construction and building a life that is, in every sense, a continuation of everything Bob and Marnie began.

For Bob and Marnie, watching their grandbaby grow up in the shadow of those same pines is the truest meas­ure of what 35 years of work has meant – not the number of builds, remarkable as 80 is, but the simple and profound fact that Muskoka is home. For them, for their children, and now for the generation that follows.

Clarke Muskoka Construction’s singular advantage has always been the breadth of its perspective.

As both builders and real estate professionals through Clarke Muskoka Realty, Bob and Marnie offer clients something rare in this market: a genuinely complete vision of what it means to find, acquire, design, build, and live in a Muskoka property. They have held every role in that story themselves. Some of today’s calls come from the children of clients for whom they built twenty years ago. Some come from families looking to pass something forward – a legacy prop­erty, a gathering place, the next chapter of a well-lived life. All of them come to Clarke Muskoka Con­struction for the same reason: it has not simply built in Muskoka. It has built Muskoka, one extraordinary home at a time.

Here’s to 35 years, and to all the builds yet to come.

The post Clarke Muskoka Construction Celebrates Three And A Half Decades Of Crafting Dreams On The Big Three Lakes appeared first on Muskoka411.

As seen in CFIB’s Canada’s Entrepreneurial Drought, Part 1: The Shrinking Business Landscape report, business exits in Canada have outpaced new business entries since early 2024, and the problem seems to be getting worse. In the second quarter of 2025, exit rates reached 5.6%, while entry rates fell to 4.8% in Q4 2025, marking some of the highest closure rates and weakest startup activity outside the pandemic.

Today, CFIB is releasing Part 2 of the report series, Canada’s Entrepreneurial Drought, Part 2: Fixing Canada’s Shrinking Business Landscape, which outlines practical reforms to reverse the drought and improve Canada’s business environment.

“Tomorrow’s federal spring economic statement is an opportunity for the federal government to address Canada’s entrepreneurial drought and restore small business confidence,” said Michelle Auger, CFIB director of trade and marketplace competitiveness. “Governments have spent years prioritizing big business needs, while small firms have been largely ignored. Canada cannot afford to keep losing more businesses than it gains, it’s time for all governments to put small businesses first and reverse the entrepreneurial drought.”

CFIB identified three priority areas of action to fix Canada’s entrepreneurial drought: reducing the cost of doing business, cutting red tape, and responding to the ongoing transformation of Canada’s labour market.

Some key reforms for governments include:

Reducing the costs of doing business:

• Reduce the federal small business corporate tax rate (SBCTR) from 9% to 6%; and
  • Provincial governments should permanently lower their SBCTRs to 0% by 2030.
  • Federal and provincial governments should raise SBCTR thresholds to at least $700,000 and index it to inflation.
• Make financing more accessible and affordable.
• Create a level playing field and ensure government programs and procurement processes are accessible to small firms.

Cutting red tape and reducing internal trade barriers:

• Measure and publicly report the regulatory burden.
• Eliminate two regulations for every new one introduced (a “2 for 1” rule) to cut red tape.
• Streamline internal trade by expanding mutual recognition beyond its current scope to include food and alcohol and ensure the Canadian Mutual Recognition Agreement and provincial legislation are applied consistently and transparently, with minimal carve-outs.

Addressing labour market challenges and improving business succession:

• Improve workforce quality through training incentives and stronger partnerships with educational institutions.
• Keep, protect and defend the Temporary Foreign Worker Program and consult the business community in advance of future reform.
• Increase awareness, particularly among young entrepreneurs, about the opportunities and advantages of purchasing an existing business.
• Allow small corporations to defer the tax on capital gains from the transfer of a business to the owner’s children.

“The entrepreneurial drought won’t fix itself. Canada needs to give businesses clear reasons to start, stay and invest, yet current government policies are failing to inspire confidence among entrepreneurs,” said Brianna Solberg, CFIB director for the Prairies and the North. “If governments are serious about Canada’s economic strength, competitiveness, and productivity growth, they need to start reflecting this in their policies.”

Visit cfib.ca/drought for more information.

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The OAA regulates the practice of architecture in the province to protect the public interest. Its biennial Design Excellence Awards program celebrates the work of Ontario practices anywhere in the world. This year’s collection features a diverse range of building
types, including sustainably designed community centres, innovative housing solutions, revitalized academic and cultural facilities, and transformative public spaces.
An esteemed panel of design experts has chosen 10 winning projects for this year’s Design Excellence Awards. The selection process began with 96 submissions, which were narrowed down to a shortlist of 20 finalists. Each winning project was carefully evaluated against
key criteria, including creativity, context, sustainability, good design/good business, and legacy.

Submissions also required inclusion of Energy Use Intensity (EUI) metrics, reflecting the OAA’s commitment to pursuing climate stability in the public interest and ensuring sustainable, resilient design remains a critical component of any successful project.

“The 2026 Design Excellence Awards showcase exciting examples of the quality work being performed by members of Ontario’s architecture profession, as well as the clear impact our built spaces can have on our communities,” says OAA President Lara McKendrick. “This year’s winning projects highlight a diverse range of building types and innovative approaches. By mandating the submission of Energy Use Intensity metrics for all candidates, the OAA is pleased to actively advance climate stability and ensure
sustainable design remains a core priority for the profession.”

The 10 winners, in alphabetical order, are:
• Angle of Repose
Algonquin Highlands, Ontario
Reasonable Projects Inc.;
• Beaverton Heights Modular Transitional Housing
Beaverton, Ontario
Montgomery Sisam Architects;
• Carmen Corbasson Community Centre
Mississauga, Ontario
Diamond Schmitt Architects;
• Kìwekì Point
Ottawa, Ontario
Janet Rosenberg & Studio Inc. (Prime Consultant and
Landscape Architect) and Patkau Architects Inc. (Architect);
• Koffler Scientific Reserve
Toronto, Ontario
Montgomery Sisam Architects;
• Schwartz Reisman Innovation Campus, University of
Toronto
Toronto, Ontario
Teeple Architects (Architect of Record; now Teeple Architects
Canada Inc.) and Weiss/Manfredi
Architecture/Landscape/Urbanism (Design Architect);
• The Marianne and Edward Gibson Art Museum
Burnaby, British Columbia
Hariri Pontarini Architects (Design Architect) and Iredale
Architecture (Architect of Record);
• Toronto and Region Conservation Authority
Headquarters
Toronto, Ontario
Bucholz McEvoy Architects and ZAS Architects Inc.;
• Toronto Public Library – Bridlewood Branch
Toronto, Ontario
Ken Fukushima Architecture in association with David
Fujiwara Architect; and
• Ulster House
Toronto, Ontario
LGA Architectural Partners Ltd.

These projects, along with the teams behind them, will be celebrated during the OAA Conference at the Celebration of Excellence, held at Tapestry Hall in Cambridge on the evening of Thursday, May 14.

At the event, the OAA will also reveal which projects won the Michael V. and Wanda Plachta Award (for projects that cost less than $8 million to build) and the Lieutenant Governor’s Award for Design Excellence in Architecture (the best Design Excellence project
located in Ontario).

The event will also reveal the winner of the People’s Choice Award—the top project as voted by the public. For this last award, a special two-week online voting period begins today on Wednesday, April 8, with individuals encouraged to select their personal favourite among the 10 winners. Cast your vote now on the OAA Website. The Celebration of Excellence will also fete Brigitte Shim and A. Howard Sutcliffe, joint recipients of the Lifetime Design Achievement award, who are the founding partners of Shim-Sutcliffe Architects. Established in 1991, the firm is acclaimed internationally for its timeless designs that integrate architecture, landscape, and interior spaces.

Earlier in the day, additional OAA Award winners will be honoured at a special Recognition Lunch. The Ottawa/Gatineau-based Juxta Architects Inc. is the winner of Best Emerging Practice—a biennial award for a nascent firm that demonstrates a clear vision, well
articulated goals, and proven strategies.

Michael McClelland is the recipient of the 2026 Medal of Service, celebrated for his outstanding dedication and leadership as an OAA member. A renowned expert in heritage conservation and adaptive reuse, he has shaped communities through transformative projects like Toronto’s Distillery District and Union Station’s revitalization. His dedication to advocacy, mentorship, and design excellence has made a profound mark on Canada’s architectural landscape and beyond.

In addition, William N. Greer, William Lobban, and Jacqueline Toi Mei Chan will be posthumously added to the Honour Roll, which recognizes prominent deceased members of the profession.

Profiles of the 10 Winners and 10 Finalists are available on the OAA Website and will be published in the forthcoming OAA Awards 2026 book and shared via the Association’s social media channels.

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Explorers’ Edge’s 2026–2027 Business & Operational Plan sets the course for the year ahead, outlining how we will strengthen tourism across Muskoka, Algonquin Park, Parry Sound, Almaguin Highlands, South Algonquin, and Loring-Restoule. Covering the fiscal period of April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027, the plan focuses on optimizing and scaling the work already underway while deepening our impact as a Destination Development Organization.

The plan reflects a region that continues to perform strongly. In 2025, hotel performance in the Explorers’ Edge region showed RevPAR growth of 7.4%, outperforming the Ontario provincial average of 1.6%. With peak summer demand approaching capacity, the opportunity ahead is clear: extend the season, grow shoulder-season visitation, increase visitor yield, and ensure more tourism benefits remain in the region.

At the heart of this year’s plan is the continued growth of the Explorers’ Edge Regenerative Travel Agency. Through curated travel packages, bookable experiences, and day itineraries, this work moves us beyond traditional destination marketing toward a more integrated model that supports local operators, creates new revenue opportunities, and encourages longer stays and deeper visitor engagement.

What the plan prioritizes

For 2026–2027, Explorers’ Edge is focused on five key priorities:

• Optimizing and expanding the Regenerative Travel Agency and bookable visitor experiences
• Strengthening shoulder-season tourism and year-round visitation
• Supporting tourism operators through partnerships, product development, and training initiatives
• Advancing inclusive and regenerative tourism practices across the region
• Leveraging new transportation opportunities and emerging travel trends to increase visitor access

These priorities are supported by six broader project areas that will guide our work this year: revenue generation, growing the Regenerative Travel Agency, sub-regional product development, investment attraction, differentiated marketing for higher conversion, and workforce training and development.

A plan rooted in destination development

This plan reinforces that Explorers’ Edge is more than a marketing organization. We operate as a Destination Development Organization with work spanning marketing and PR, products and experiences, operator and workforce development, infrastructure, governance and government relations, regenerative community development, and revenue generation.

Guided by our Region-Centric Regenerative Tourism Approach, the plan is designed to support long-term destination stewardship, community resilience, inclusive tourism development, and positive economic, social, cultural, and environmental outcomes across the region.

Join our Online Ask Me Anything

To support transparency, dialogue, and industry engagement, Explorers’ Edge will be hosting an online Ask Me Anything focused on the presentation of the Fiscal 2026–2027 Business & Operational Plan.

This session will provide stakeholders, partners, and industry members with an opportunity to hear more about the plan, ask questions, and better understand the priorities, opportunities, and direction for the year ahead.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER Tuesday, April 14 at 10:00 a.m.

Read the Plan

We invite industry partners, municipalities, stakeholders, and community members to review the full plan and stay engaged as we continue working together to strengthen the visitor economy across the Great Canadian Wilderness.

The post Explorers’ Edge Just Released Its 2026–2027 Business And Operational Plan appeared first on Muskoka411.

Enter The Dock Ledge, a game-changing, Ontario-made innovation designed to transform how we experience life at the dock.

What is The Dock Ledge?

The Dock Ledge is an adjustable, in-water aluminum platform that attaches directly to your existing wooden dock. It creates a shallow, stable area in the water—perfect for those who want to stay cool without fully submerging or committing to a swim.

Why Cottage Owners Love It:

• The Ultimate Chill Spot: Create a submerged lounge area where you can sit, relax, and enjoy a cold beverage while staying waist-deep in the refreshing lake water.
• Perfect for Kids & Beginners: It provides a confidence-boosting “stage” for kids learning to swim or a stable platform for launching kayaks, paddleboards, and canoes.
• Easy Setup & Storage: Proudly manufactured in Gravenhurst and Etobicoke, the ledge features an effortless initial setup (10-15 minutes) and folds up easily for winter storage.
• No More Muck: If the lake bed under your dock is rocky or weedy, The Dock Ledge allows you to bypass the bottom entirely, giving you a clean, solid place to stand.

A Local Success Story

“Every Dock Ledge is manufactured locally in Ontario, ensuring superior quality control and supporting Canadian craftsmanship,” says Joe Jarvis, inventor of The Dock Ledge. With a 30-Day Happiness Guarantee and a warranty that doesn’t even start until the Victoria Day long weekend (for off-season purchases), they are making it easy for lakeside residents to invest in their summer memories early.

Exclusive Offer for Muskoka411 Readers

Ready to upgrade your dock game for the 2026 season? The Dock Ledge is offering an exclusive discount for readers of Muskoka411.

THE DEAL: Save $25 OFF your order! CODE: Use code MUSKOKA411 at checkout. VALID UNTIL: February 28, 2026.

Don’t wait for the ice to melt to start planning your best summer yet. Visit thedockledge.com to see the platform in action and secure your spot on the ledge! Life is better at the dock.

*This Article Is Sponsored By The Dock Ledge 

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Crowd-pleasing for a reason.

6 pieces of Signature Chicken, Medium Taters, 2 Biscuits, and a Medium Gravy.

Grab it in-store or on the MB App for $23.99 🍗

https://smooth.menu/mary-browns/menu/

2) Big Mary Monday — all day, every Monday for $4.99

The post Check Out These Offers From Mary Brown’s Chicken In Bracebridge appeared first on Muskoka411.

The Dock Ledge is a proprietary aluminum platform that attaches quickly and
securely to any existing wooden dock, acting as an in-water extension. It creates a
comfortable space that allows users to relax, stand, or play without having to leave
the water entirely. This patented design elegantly solves common waterfront
frustrations, including docks that are too high for easy access to your paddleboard,
mucky or rocky lake bottoms, and water that is too deep for comfortable standing.

“We believe every moment spent at the dock should be effortless and enjoyable, not
a choice between a mucky bottom or constantly treading water,” said Joe Jarvis,
Inventor of The Dock Ledge.

“We developed The Dock Ledge to give people a stable, comfortable, and adjustable
in-water space for their docks. Whether you’re setting up a swim-up bar for relaxing
with friends or giving kids a safer, lower platform to launch their water sports
adventures, this product is a game-changer for dockside living.”

The platform boasts several key features aimed at maximizing convenience and
durability. Installation is quick, requiring only a screwdriver, wrench and a measuring
tape. Assembly and installation takes approximately 15-20 minutes. Its adjustable
height allows it to adapt to various dock heights and water levels, and the entire unit
is designed to fold up easily for convenient off-season storage.

The Dock Ledge is proudly designed and manufactured in Ontario, Canada,
supporting local production in Gravenhurst and Etobicoke. The company is
launching two versions: The Dock Ledge, perfect for typical cottage use, and The
Dock Ledge Pro, which features additional supports and beefier materials for
continual active use at camps, resorts, or high-traffic properties.

The Dock Ledge is currently running a special introductory price until December 31,
2025. While it’s cold outside now, it’s never too early to start planning your next
summer season. Visit our website to learn more or order your
Dock Ledge today.

*This Article Is Sponsored By: The Dock Ledge

The post The Dock Ledge: From Swim-Up Bar To Water Sports Launchpad, The Versatile New Platform For Every Dock appeared first on Muskoka411.

With the holiday shopping season kicking off this weekend, the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) is calling on Canadians to choose local first.

“The holiday season is make-or-break for thousands of small businesses across the country,” said Ryan Mallough, CFIB vice-president of legislative affairs. “We’ve seen a really great uptick in people buying local and Canadian goods as the Canada-U.S. trade battle continues. We want to see that trend continue on Small Business Saturday to kick off a strong finish to what has been an extremely turbulent year for small businesses.”

Small Business Saturday, presented by CFIB, is an annual celebration promoting shopping local at the start of the busy holiday shopping season. The initiative is part of CFIB’s ongoing efforts to champion small business resilience amid rising costs, labour shortages, and economic uncertainty.

According to CFIB’s latest data, one third (33%) of small businesses count on the upcoming holiday sales. Compared to last holiday season, one in five (20%) small firms expect lower sales revenue, while just over half (52%) expect sales to remain flat. CFIB’s Monthly Business Barometer^® has shown lack of consumer demand as the top barrier to small business growth for more than two years.

“Supporting small businesses and choosing to shop intentionally is one of the easiest ways to strengthen our communities and economy. When you shop local, 66 cents of every dollar goes back into the community,” Mallough said. “This holiday season, support Canadian-owned businesses including franchises or check out your local business first instead of ordering from an online giant. Let’s make every dollar count.”

Canadians can visit SmallBusinessEveryDay.ca for free tools and resources to participate in Small Business Saturday^® and support local businesses year-round.

Methodology
Final results for the Your Voice- September survey. The online survey was conducted between September 11-25, 2025, n= 2,478. For comparison purposes, a probability sample with the same number of respondents would have a margin of error of at most +/- 2.0%, 19 times out of 20.

Small Business Saturday^®
Small Business Saturday^® is brought to you by CFIB and Amex^®. It encourages shopping small and provides posters and other promotional tools for businesses.

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Muskoka Business Week is a coordinated, region-wide initiative led by the Muskoka Lakes Chamber of Commerce and supported by partner chambers, economic development organizations, area municipalities, and community groups, including the District. Scheduled strategically during the off-season, the week features 11 events across Muskoka designed to encourage collaboration, networking, entrepreneurship, and workforce development. 

“Muskoka’s business community is the heart of our local economy and a driving force behind our region’s growth,” said Jeff Lehman, District Chair. “Muskoka Business Week is a celebration of innovation, collaboration, and the entrepreneurial spirit that makes our region such a remarkable place to live and work. The District is proud to partner with our Chambers of Commerce and community organizations to strengthen local supports for businesses across Muskoka.” 

This year marks the evolution of earlier pilot efforts into a comprehensive, coordinated week of programming. Activities range from business networking events and workforce development opportunities to a full conference that highlights shifting trends in entrepreneurship and economic growth. 

Muskoka Business Week 2025 Schedule Highlights 
(Hosted by the Muskoka Lakes Chamber of Commerce and partners) 

• Monday, Nov. 24 – Owner Shift Workshop (Work Boot Consulting) 
• Tuesday, Nov. 25 – Business Before Hours (Gravenhurst Chamber of Commerce) and Business After Hours (Muskoka Lakes Township) 
• Wednesday, Nov. 26 – Touring Trades (Employment North) 
• Thursday, Nov. 27 – Shift Happens Conference (Muskoka Futures) – a signature event featuring learning, collaboration, and discussions on adapting to change 
• Friday, Nov. 28 – Expert Exchange Workshop (Muskoka Small Business Centre & the District of Muskoka) 

The District is a sponsor in support of this initiative and continues to collaborate closely with chambers and economic development partners to promote a resilient, innovative, and connected regional business community. 

Residents and businesses are encouraged to explore the week’s events at: www.muskokalakeschamber.ca/news-events/muskoka-business-week 

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