The tournament is open to players of all ages and abilities. Each team will have the chance to play up to eight games in the tournament, with the top four teams playing in the celebrity showdown games.

Participants will play 30 minute matches, in a round robin best-of-seven style. Matches will be hosted at private cottages on Lake Rosseau and Lake Joseph.

Following the tournament, there will be a Rock The Pickle Gala with food, drinks, and entertainment.

The cost of entry is $2,500 per team of two. Participants can register at rockthepickle.com.

The post Register For The Rock The Pickle Pickleball Tournament appeared first on Muskoka411.

Guests got to explore the picturesque lakefront estate, engaging in a range of camp activities with VR goggles simulating diverse vision impairments. They experienced a heartwarming time cuddling puppies in the dedicated puppy pit, while savoring beverages from local producers and indulging in gourmet feasts. The crescendo of the event featured a mesmerizing concert by The Jim Cuddy Band.

Thanks to the overwhelming generosity and unwavering solidarity of attendees, the Cookout with Cuddy event has raised just over $300,000 and counting! We are deeply grateful to every individual who contributed to this outstanding achievement, as well as to those who continue to donate in support of CNIB Lake Joe.

David Throssell, on behalf of IG Private Wealth Management – Throssell Group, expressed his deepest gratitude for the incredible presence and unwavering support shown at Cookout with Cuddy. He said, “Your heartfelt dedication not only amplifies the momentum of positive change but also resonates deeply with CNIB Lake Joe’s mission, enriching the lives of those it serves.”

In addition to the attendees, CNIB Lake Joe would like to extend heartfelt thanks to the valued sponsors whose support played a crucial role in making this event an overwhelming success. We express our gratitude to Mantella Corporation, Medcan, Salex, Randy Blain Construction, Jayne’s Cottages, Sofina Foods, True North Log Homes, and all other sponsors who contributed.

The funds raised through Cookout with Cuddy will enable CNIB Lake Joe to continue providing essential programs and services that empower individuals with vision loss to live life to the fullest. These programs include accessible recreation, skill-building workshops, and personalized support that enhance independence, foster social connections, and promote personal growth.

The post CNIB Lake Joe Celebrates Overwhelming Success Of Cookout With Jim Cuddy appeared first on Muskoka411.

The boat rally launched in 2013 following the success of its sister event, the Car Rally for Kids. Combined, the two events have raised over $25 million for various charities over the years. This year’s boat rally on Aug. 19 and 20 is an outdoor event where fundraising teams will compete in an Amazing Race-style competition followed by a gala dinner on Saturday evening. The first five teams that raise more than $20,000 get to have a celebrity navigator along for the ride. One of those celebrities is actor John O’Hurley, best known for his role as J. Peterman on Seinfeld.

“It’s nice to be able to return to such a wonderful organization and such a wonderful event,” O’Hurley said. “We’ll be up on [the lakes of] Muskoka with our boat rally trying to raise money for the hospital there at Sunnybrook and also for the Ronald McDonald House here in Toronto, so it’s going to be a lot of fun, but most importantly, we have a good core objective by the end of the weekend.”

O’Hurley had been participating in the car rally for a few years when he decided to join the boat rally in 2017. Both events offer an obstacle course-style challenge where participants have to complete special tasks while solving clues in their race to the finish line.

In 2020, the boat rally was replaced with an online auction while 2021 had all participants on boats with their respective bubbles for a boat parade and concert on the water. The modified approach meant there were no celebrity meet-and-greets, so while he was sad to be away from the rally during COVID, it feels wonderful to be back at it now, O’Hurley said. 

A dozen celebrities, including NHL player Sam Gagner and actor Billy Baldwin, have flown out for the event. Since many have participated in the rally before, it’s like seeing family, O’Hurley said, adding that it’s a way to express the community they feel with each other and do some good at the same time. The event is always a lot of fun, but more than anything, it’s about helping people, especially children, dealing with cancer and other chronic conditions. 

“I’m lucky enough to be the father of a healthy 15-year-old who has just been a joy to raise,” O’Hurley said. “[Participating in the rally is] my thanks for the fact that God blessed me with a wonderful child and I don’t have to go through these incredible emotional and financial difficulties of having a child with some of the afflictions that Sunnybrook is able to pinpoint, with both their cancer treatment and their research.”

Sunnybrook’s Odette Cancer Centre provides care for a wide range of cancer patients while also working on cancer prevention, detection and education. The centre oversees clinical trials and research to help improve patient outcomes, and it’s one of the largest cancer programs in North America.

The other charity benefiting from the boat rally is Ronald McDonald House, which provides accommodations and other resources for sick children and their families. Their facilities allow families to stay together near the hospital where their child is receiving treatment, reducing the cost and complexity of an already difficult process.

Heading into the rally this weekend, O’Hurley is excited to see how much is raised for the two charities, and he encourages permanent and seasonal residents alike to support their fellow Ontarians through the event. Being a part of the boat rally is a summer tradition that O’Hurley plans to uphold for years to come, and it doesn’t hurt that the events bring him back to beautiful Muskoka.

“I see no end in sight,” he said. “I enjoy it and it brings me up to Muskoka, which I just think is one of the truly great lake vistas in North America. It’s just so much fun up there, and I can understand why people embrace it as their summer home.”

For more information on the Boat Rally for Cancer, or to make a donation, visit the event website. For regular updates throughout the weekend, follow the event on Facebook.

The post Actor John O’Hurley Joins 11 Other Celebrities In Boat Rally For Cancer This Weekend appeared first on Muskoka411.

The OPP investigation determined that the operator was traveling on Lake Joseph when the MVS struck a pressure crack.

63-year-old William Taylor of Waterdown, Ontario was ejected from the MSV and sustained fatal injuries.

The investigation is continuing with the assistance of the OPP Traffic Incident Management Enforcement (T.I.M.E.) Team.

The post OPP Provide Update To Fatal Snowmobile Collision On Saturday appeared first on Muskoka411.

Canadian singer-songwriter Trevor Guthrie will be joining four other Canadian artists for a concert on the water this Saturday as part of the Boat Rally for Kids, a fundraising event in support of Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital.

The event first launched in 2013 as the Boat Rally for Kids with Cancer, aiming to raise money and awareness for pediatric oncology. Along with the Car Rally for Kids in Toronto, the boat rallies in Muskoka have helped raise over $25 million for SickKids, the Pinball Clemons Foundation and other causes that support children. Last year’s boat rally was cancelled and replaced with an online auction due to COVID, so Joel Hock, co-founder and organizer of the event, and the rest of his team are excited to bring back some of the camaraderie and socialization of past events.

“That’s one of the main reasons why we’ve been so successful over the years is we want the integration and we want people to understand that we just don’t put a logo up on a PowerPoint on a screen,” Hock said. “We want you to talk to these kids and their parents and we want you to truly understand what they’re going through and how they’re fighting and how wildly enthusiastic and exciting these kids can be even knowing what they’re going through.”

Holland Bloorview is Canada’s largest children’s rehabilitation hospital and offers a range of services and resources for kids with disabilities. Last year’s online auction raised over $60,000 in support of building an accessible playground at the hospital, and Hock is hopeful for another great year of fundraising on the waters of Lake Joseph and Lake Rosseau.

“Rising tides lift all boats, so the opportunity that if everybody comes together, then guess what? The kids are going to benefit from all of the new programming and resources that will be raised,” Hock said.

This year’s event will still look a little different as participants stay on their own boats with their fundraising groups to ensure everyone’s safety. A concert will follow the Christmas in August themed boat parade, and teams that raise $5,000 or more will have dinner delivered to their boats by sea-doo.

“It’s still going to be a lot of fun because we’re giving awards for the tackiest boat and the best themed design,” Hock said, adding that the event includes a silent auction and a live auction as well. “You can come out safely and see all the different people and understand what’s going on and raise money for a great cause.”

Canadian singer-songwriter Trevor Guthrie has been participating in the boat rallies for years. His family has a property on Lake Rosseau and they’ve been attending the event ever since they heard about it early on in its existence.

“It’s so fun and it’s such a great cause that we just keep signing up every year,” Guthrie said. 

He’s excited to support Holland Bloorview and see his fellow performers while also making his return to the stage for the first time since COVID cancellations. Though he’s excited about the music he’s been writing during the downtime, he’s thrilled to finally be back in front of an audience.

“I was lined up to be playing in Europe with Armin and some other DJs I’m working with and that all got shut down,” Guthrie said. “I’ve just not been able to perform like many other artists, so to come out to be able to perform for such a great cause and for something that I’m very familiar with, it’s a treat.”

Along with being his first time back on stage in months, it’ll be his first time performing in a concert on the water, although he’s no stranger to making music on the lakes of Muskoka.

“I shot my video for ‘Summertime’ on Lake Rosseau at the cottage and the whole thing was we wanted to have a bunch of boats out and have a concert on the lake,” he said. “It was terrible weather, so we weren’t able to do it. Now I’ll be able to realize that vision through the boat rally, so it’s going to be fun singing to boats here and there and everywhere.”

For more information on the Boat Rally for Kids, click here. Watch the video below to hear from this year’s Boat Rally Ambassador.

The post Trevor Guthrie To Join Four Other Canadian Musicians At Boat Rally For Kids On Saturday appeared first on Muskoka411.

“We all need to be respectful of our properties, protecting the natural environment and ensuring a natural vegetative buffer between cottages and the waters edge,” says Mayor Harding.

“Ignorance is not an excuse. If you are not 100% sure – call before you cut or dig!”
One of the levels of increased service approved by Township Council through its 2021 Budget is By-law Enforcement. The By-law Enforcement Department staff complement has been increased to three members, which now allows for extended hours of enforcement during the summer months.

The Township of Muskoka Lakes is committed to helping owners achieve approval through
compliance with regulations. Building owners or occupants who have concerns or questions
regarding by-law compliance for a project are asked to contact the By-law Department at 705-765-3156.

The post Stop Work Order Issued On Two Lake Joseph Properties appeared first on Muskoka411.

Gather your closest friends, make your favourite Docktail, and get ready for a docking good time as we ‘gather’ together to help raise some funds at this year’s socially-distanced, and virtual, CNIB Lake Joe Dock-To-Dock: Party With A Purpose FUNdraiser.

Having to forgo a large scale event due to COVID-19 concerns, Muskoka’s Party of the Year will look a little different; instead of 700+ attendees gathering onsite at the CNIB Lake Joe camp, donors and guests are being invited to host their own micro-Dock Party for what will likely go down in the books as Muskoka’s largest synchronized, socially-distanced, Dock Party.

Hosted by the Lake Joe Vision Team and fundraising committee, the fourth annual event will encourage people to host their own Dock Party wherever they may be – be that on their dock, their patio, their balcony, or their boat. The Dock-to-Dock theme will be adhering to current COVID-19 restrictions, while still creating an epic afternoon for them and their closest cottage revelers.

Participants are invited to register their dock online at cnib.ca/docktodock and tune into the radio station 104.1 The Dock, for a live Dock Party and telethon from the safety and comfort of their own docks and homes on Saturday, August 15 from 3 to 5 p.m. 104.1 The Dock will not only be broadcasting but also livestreaming across Canada on the iHeartRadio App, available on your smartphone or tablet.

“CNIB Lake Joe is a one-of-a kind camp in Canada, offering a wide range of innovative programs to help participants develop new skills, build confidence, gain independence, and have fun within a community of people who understand them and celebrate their uniqueness,” says Tara Oliphant, manager of philanthropy for CNIB. “CNIB Lake Joe’s annual summer event is part of our ongoing efforts to connect with our friends and neighbours on the lake, our community partners, and local businesses. Without the support of this event, CNIB would not be able to offer best-in-class services for campers and their families who want to experience activities so many of us take for granted.”

The first 50 dock hosts who commit to a fundraising goal of $1,000 or more will receive a specially curated “Dock Box” with goodies to help elevate their event. Each “Dock” will be asked to pledge a fundraising goal or raise funds towards a wish list item that will be recognized with an engraved placard featuring their dock or group.  Those who wish to join in on the fun without hosting a party can take part in the live telethon which will also form a listener group whose overall donation will be recognized on site at the camp.

CNIB will have a party pontoon cruising the three main lakes for live and virtual visits with local celebrities, live entertainment, CNIB representatives, and exciting giveaways to support participating Muskoka docks with their fundraising.

For more information, to donate or to become an event sponsor of CNIB Lake Joe’s Dock-to-Dock: Party with a Purpose event, please visit cnib.ca/docktodock.

The post Dock Party Fundraiser For CNIB Lake Joe Camp Goes Virtual appeared first on Muskoka411.

The District of Muskoka and area municipalities continue to work together to advocate collective concerns to the Province regarding high water levels in Muskoka.

Residents with properties located on Lake Muskoka, Lake Rosseau and Lake Joseph are being asked to complete an online form to report water levels as taken from structures on their property such as a boat house or a non-floating dock.

The water level report form is available on the Engage Muskoka Platform and can be completed by residents from May 13 through to June 5. Residents are being asked to submit one form only throughout the reporting period.

The information collected will be used to build a data profile for infrastructure impacts in relation to water levels in Muskoka.

For more information, visit the Engage Muskoka website.

The post District Asks Residents On Lake Muskoka, Lake Rosseau And Lake Joseph To Submit Water Level Measurements appeared first on Muskoka411.