On Thursday April 30, 2026 at 8:00 p.m., Bracebridge OPP officers were conducting a RIDE program on Medora Street in Port Carling and noticed a vehicle attempting to avoid the checkpoint. Officers located the vehicle a short time later and subsequently arrested and charged 27-year-old Ryan Barker of Bala, ON with Impaired Operation, and Over 80.

He will appear in the Ontario Court of Justice on June 16, 2026 to answer to his charges.

If you suspect someone is driving a vehicle of any kind while impaired, please call 9-1-1. Police will make every effort to locate the involved vehicle and conduct an investigation, many times, these investigations result in charges and removing impaired drivers from Muskoka roads.

For more information on impaired driving, please visit https://www.ontario.ca/page/impaired-driving.

The post Bala Resident Charged With Impaired Driving At A RIDE Check appeared first on Muskoka411.

At approximately 8:00 a.m., members of the Bracebridge OPP Detachment, Emergency Response Team (ERT), Crisis Negotiators, and Canine Unit responded to a disturbance at a residence. A significant police presence was required to ensure the safety of everyone involved. The situation was safely resolved, and there is no threat to public safety.

Police tell Muskoka411 one male was taken into custody at the scene.

The OPP is thanking members of the community for their patience and cooperation during the response.

The post One Person Taken Into Custody In Port Carling After Disturbance At A Residence appeared first on Muskoka411.

Curling was introduced to Canada in the early 1800s by Scottish immigrants. By the mid-19th century, clubs had spread across the country, and indoor rinks began to emerge, helping to popularize the game. The Royal Montreal Curling Club, founded on January 27, 1807, remains the oldest curling club in North America still active with members.

To the untrained eye, curling may look simple: slide a 40-pound granite stone down the ice toward a target known as the “house.”

But every shot requires careful calculation—players must consider weight, angle, ice conditions, and spin to gain an advantage.

Teammates then sweep furiously with specialized brooms to control speed and direction, sometimes altering a stone’s path by mere centimeters. In close games, the difference between victory and defeat can come down to a single precise shot—either nestling a stone perfectly against the center button or knocking an opponent’s rock out of scoring position.

Unlike many sports, curling can be a lifelong game. Players can start as juniors and continue well into retirement, as success depends less on raw athleticism and more on precision, strategy, and experience.

At the Port Carling Curling Club, located at 26 Duke Street, organizers are hoping to expand their teams and give the community the opportunity to learn the fundamentals of the game.

Founded in 1925, the Port Carling Curling Club welcomes curlers of all skill levels—from seasoned players to curious beginners.

They offer junior programs that allow kids to learn teamwork, communication, and discipline in a fun and supportive environment. And programs for adults and seniors who enjoy staying active and socially connected, while competing in locally held competitions.

But what makes curling worth trying?

On a larger stage, Canada is considered one of the world’s powerhouses when it comes to curling.

In the World Curling Rankings, Canada consistently ranks among the top five nations in multiple categories, including men’s, women’s, mixed, and wheelchair curling.

We can look at legendary Canadian athletes such as Jennifer Jones and Brad Gushue who have helped cement the country’s reputation through Olympic medals and world championships.

Jones won Olympic gold at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi and captured multiple world championships and national titles during her career. Her undefeated Olympic run remains one of the most dominant performances in curling history.

Gushue, who led Canada to Olympic gold at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin and bronze at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, has been a pillar for men’s curling in Canada for nearly two decades.

So, it comes as no surprise that Canada returned to the Olympic podium again during the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan–Cortina.

The men’s Team Canada curling team, skipped by Brad Jacobs, won gold after defeating Great Britain 9–6.

And the women’s Team Canada curling team, led by Rachel Homan, captured bronze after defeating the United States 10–7.

As of March 11, 2026, the wheelchair curling events at the 2026 Winter Paralympics in Milan–Cortina are still in the round-robin phase, and no medals have been awarded yet.

All of these athletes share the same beginnings on the road to the Olympics—they all started at local clubs.

These community rinks are where future champions first learn how to deliver a stone, sweep effectively, and work with teammates under pressure.

Currently, the Port Carling Curling Club has 34 adult members and 11 junior players, but organizers say they would ideally like to reach around 75 members to sustain the facility long-term.

The club currently runs a Monday night group and a Wednesday night group which are looking for additional players. As well as a Thursday night league.

Operating the club costs approximately $60,000 annually, yet membership fees currently generate only about $10,000.

Despite these challenges, volunteers continue to keep the ice running and the leagues active.

Rachel Facchini, who participates in the club, shares her testimony:

“Our experience with the curling club has been fantastic. From day one, the atmosphere has been welcoming, friendly, and inclusive. The club is truly member-driven, creating a strong sense of community and shared pride. The youth curling program is especially impressive—well organized, supportive, and a great way for kids to build skills, confidence, and friendships. It’s a fun, community-focused sport, and we’re grateful to be part of such a positive environment.”

Curling is a sport that thrives on community participation.

However, with such limited participation, much of the facility goes unused during the week—despite the tremendous effort required to maintain the building and ice.

The aging facility also faces maintenance and repair costs that are difficult to cover without a larger membership base.

That is why the Port Carling Curling Club is inviting Muskoka residents to step onto the ice and discover why curling has been a Canadian tradition for generations.

Because sometimes, all it takes is sliding one stone down the ice to understand why curlers fall in love with the game.

The Port Carling Curling Club Memberships include:

$350 — Full membership (returning members, unlimited play)

$300 — Full membership for new members

$250 — Snowbird membership (half season)

$40 — Junior membership (equipment included)

For more information reach out to hello@portcarlingcurling.ca and on the Port Carling Curling Club website here.

The post A Stone’s Throw Away from Discovering Port Carling’s Curling Club appeared first on Muskoka411.

Fresh off a run of tour dates across Europe and Japan, Lucky brings his celebrated lonesome folk and country sound back to the heart of Muskoka. Known for his warm baritone voice, evocative songwriting, and deep-rooted storytelling, he continues to captivate audiences around the world.

Lucky’s latest album, The Wind (released November 1, 2024), has already surpassed half a million streams and earned international critical acclaim. Publications like KLOF Magazine praised it as “up there with the best, alongside Guy Clark, Tom Rush, and Townes Van Zandt,” while Great Dark Wonder wrote that the album “deepens Lucky’s growing reputation as a laureate poet of the rootless and restless.” Bandcamp featured The Wind in its Best of November list, celebrating Lucky’s “patient country-folk tunes about the irresistible lure and aching solitude of life on the road.”

A seasoned touring artist, Lucky has performed extensively throughout Canada, completed multiple European tours, played dates in Japan, and embarked on a 35-show tour across the United States. His music—often compared to Gordon Lightfoot and Kris Kristofferson—reflects a lineage of Canadian roots tradition, including the legacy of his grandfather, Canadian country pioneer Smilin’ Johnnie Lucky.

With more than 15 years of touring and a reputation as one of Canada’s hardest-working independent songwriters, Zachary Lucky has firmly established himself as a leading voice in contemporary Canadian roots music.

Event Details:
Date: November 29, 2025
Location: Muskoka Place Gallery, Port Carling
Artist: Zachary Lucky – Lonesome Folk & Country

The post Canadian Songwriter Zachary Lucky Returns To Muskoka For Exclusive Fall Performance appeared first on Muskoka411.

Victoria Gregorio felt it in her bones, soaked and shivering in the driveway as she helped her father get the boat ready for another season on Six Mile Lake. She stepped inside to warm up, peeling off damp clothes, when she saw it — her father’s old Tommy Hilfiger sweater draped over the corner of his bed.

She pulled it on, heavy and warm, the fleece thick with years. Instantly, she was ten years old again, back on the lake, sitting beside her father. She could smell the woodsmoke curling off the campfire, hear the slap of water against the dock, taste the air steeped in pine and gasoline.

She looked down at the sleeve and ran her fingers over a small burn mark near the cuff. A spark from the fire, one summer night long ago. The memory flared: laughter in the dark, the glow of embers, the smell of a burning marshmallow gone too deep into the flames. The sweater carried all of it — every scuff, every fray: a record of summers past. A soft armour against forgetting.

Her father walked in, chuckling when he saw her. “Why are you wearing that old thing?”

Gregorio shrugged. “Because they don’t make anything like this anymore.”

She said it without thinking, but it hung in the air, undeniable. Clothes like this — heavy, built to last, made to be lived in — didn’t seem to exist anymore. Not in a world of stitches made to split and fibres made to fade. This sweater had endured. It had been through something. And somewhere along the way, it had gathered a soul.

Instead, most store racks were filled with fast fashion — made quick, sold quick, discarded quicker still. No story, no character, no longevity. Just profit.

Her father smiled, like he’d been waiting for her to figure it out. “Then make it yourself,” he said.

He had been one of eleven children, raised in a Macedonian household where nothing was wasted and no one waited for help that wasn’t coming. He built his own business that way — with his hands, his grit, and a belief that if something didn’t exist, you built it yourself.

He raised his daughter with that same ethic and a simple creed, now tattooed down her spine: “What you don’t change, you choose.” She wasn’t going to choose disposable clothes or the status quo. She wanted to make something with meaning, made to last — the kind of thing you’d fight to keep.

So she did.

She started working on Uncommon in 2020, spending more than a year developing custom fabric and building relationships with Canadian suppliers. The brand wasn’t built overnight — it was sewn together slowly, from scratch.

She sold her first 100 hoodies at Stackt Market in Toronto — made by hand, with no advertising, no social media, and no brand recognition. They sold out. Then she stepped back — took time to refine the business, the brand, the mission.

Uncommon officially launched to the public on October 15,  2024, on her father’s birthday. It was a full-circle moment — not just for the brand, but for the philosophy behind it.

Uncommon isn’t about chasing trends. It’s about slowing down, buying less, choosing better. It’s about clothes that become part of your life — vessels for memory. “We’ve been taught to buy fast and forget fast,” Gregorio said. “But I wanted to build a brand that asks something different of people. What if you bought one thing you really loved — and never let it go?”

She designed her first hoodie to feel like the sweater that started it all: heavy, soft, structured. “I wanted something that, after five years, would still feel like the one you reach for first,” she said. “Most sweaters don’t even survive the first wash.”

Even the swimwear came from a desire to do things differently — to make pieces that felt tailored, secure, and built to last. “You want your bathing suit to feel comfortable and supportive — something you’re actually excited to put on,” she said.

Gregorio sees Uncommon not just as a business, but a long-term mission: to break the status quo and rebuild consumer values from the ground up. Her philosophy is rooted in her father’s lessons: buy less, buy well, invest in what you love. “He always said, think about cost-per-wear. If it lasts and you love it, it’s worth it.”

When manufacturers told her no, she found a way around it — launching her own production company, Common Ground, to make Uncommon’s pieces the way she wanted. That network now helps other Canadian brands produce high-quality clothing close to home.

Uncommon grew quickly, fuelled by word of mouth and a loyal online following. Customers connected with more than just the fit — they were buying into a philosophy. Clothes made with care, designed to last, from a brand that cared where and how they were made.

“I wanted people to feel good about the clothes and where they came from,” Gregorio said. “Not just the fit, but the story.”

That story included a commitment to keeping production in Canada, supporting local jobs, and insisting on ethical manufacturing. It wasn’t the cheapest way — but it was the right one.

This summer, Gregorio brought Uncommon home. The brand’s first storefront opened in June, above Duke’s in Port Carling, with its windows open to the lake and light spilling across the floor. Inside, it’s raw and restrained — the stainless steel counters rest on stacked cinder blocks, with folded hoodies, swimwear and accessories placed neatly on soft wood tables. There’s a fridge with cold drinks, a breeze off the bay, and just enough room between the racks to let the clothes breathe. Gregorio is there most days, chatting with locals, explaining the brand, swapping stories.

“People ask me what makes us different,” she said. “It’s the idea that you’re not just buying a thing — you’re buying something you’ll live in, that’ll hold memories.”

Her father’s old sweater reminded her what that feels like. And in a way, she’s never really taken it off.

*This article is sponsored by Uncommon, a Canadian clothing brand inspired by the stories we wear.

Want to feature your business on Muskoka411? 

Email taylor@muskoka411.com for more information.

The post Uncommon: A Muskoka Inspired-Clothing Brand with Soul appeared first on Muskoka411.

“They’re such a welcoming community, they’re always willing to help out … and this time they’re the ones who need help,” said Kathryn McNully, who owns and operates Poppys.

Tickets cost $25 and are available online and in-store. The whale, a plush toy by London-based Jellycat, retails for $1,100. McNully said all raffle proceeds, and part of Poppys’ sales, will go to the Community Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador’s North Shore Fire Recovery Fund, which supports families displaced by the Kingston wildfire.

“I thought what better to do than raffle this whale off, because the whale seems just very appropriate … to represent Newfoundland,” McNully said.

According to the foundation, the fund has raised $26,474.63 toward its $150,000 goal. CFNL, a registered charity, is waiving its cost recovery fees, allowing all donations to go directly to the affected communities.

The Kingston fire began in early August and has grown to more than 8,000 hectares, sweeping through several coastal communities and destroying homes, Cabot Academy elementary school in Western Bay, and local infrastructure.

“It’s devastating … we believe the elementary school is completely wiped out,” McNully said. “We still don’t know the extent of the damage just because it’s still ongoing, and it’s been such an unpredictable fire.”

McNully said her sister and uncle were among those evacuated, while her mother still lives in Small Point. “We believe our house is okay, but the town said that it’s still such a wild and unpredictable fire, we don’t know,” she said.

Small Point has long been a special place for her family. “I spent my summers picking berries with my pop, learning how to fish, learning how to fly fish, spending time with my cousins going up and down to the beach … watching whales on morning walks around the point,” McNully said. “It just feels like such a slice of paradise … it’s just one of a kind.”

She named the store after her grandfather, Vernon Hollett, whom she called Poppy. He is buried in Small Point.

“I just feel like now’s the time that we kind of have to learn from the Newfoundlanders and really give what we can and just do what we can to support this community,” she said.

The post Port Carling Store Raffles Giant Stuffed Whale For Newfoundland Fire Relief appeared first on Muskoka411.

The Shack Truck is popping up dockside at SWS Boatworks Lake Rosseau (3 Lock Street E) in Port Carling for the ultimate burger bash. Guests can arrive by car or boat to enjoy ShackBurgers, Crinkle Cut Fries, and hand-spun Shakes served straight from the truck, from 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Saturday and Sunday, and 12:00 PM to 7:00 PM on Monday.

And to add to the fun, Shake Shack will be giving away 100 free Shakes with purchase to the first 100 guests in line on all three days!

The tour will continue throughout the summer, bringing Shake Shack to top destinations and burger lovers across the province, see full details below on where the truck will be next.

• August 2–4: Dockside at SWS Boatworks Lake Rosseau, Port Carling —  Arriving by boat is encouraged!

• August 9–10: 316 Main St, Bar Tiki, Sauble Beach

• August 16–17: Drake Motor Inn, Wellington, Prince Edward County

• August 23–24: Friday Harbour Resort, Lake Simcoe

• August 30–September 1: Woodbine Beach Boardwalk, Toronto

Port Carling Information: 

Location:
SWS Boatworks Lake Rosseau
3 Lock St E, Port Carling, ON P0B 1J0

Dates:
August 2–4 (August Long Weekend)

Time:
12-8PM Saturday & Sunday
12-7PM Monday

WHAT’S HAPPENING:
This August long weekend, Shake Shack is pulling up to the lake! As part of our Canadian
summer tour, the Shack Truck is rolling into Port Carling for three full days of burgers, boats, and Shack vibes.

We’re teaming up with SWS Marina to bring the full Shake Shack experience to Muskoka —
including ShackBurgers, CrinkleCut fries, hand-spun Shakes, music, backyard games, photo ops, exclusive merch and more. Whether you’re spending the day on the dock or cruising around the lake, this is your chance to grab your Shack fix without leaving cottage country.

WHAT MAKES THIS POP-UP SPECIAL:
You can pull your boat right up to SWS and we’ll deliver Shake Shack directly to your boat. The ultimate Muskoka summer move.

ON-SITE HIGHLIGHTS:
Shack Menu Favourites – Burgers, Fries and Shakes
Music
Backyard games – cornhole, connect four, and more
Instagrammable moments + custom photo ops
Exclusive Shack Truck merch

GIVEAWAYS:
We’re giving away 100 free Shakes with purchase to the first 100 guests in line on all three
days!

*This Article Is Sponsored By Shake Shack

The post Shake Shack Truck Is Coming To Port Carling appeared first on Muskoka411.

On May 30, 2025, at 9:00 p.m., Bracebridge OPP officers responded to a call regarding a disturbance on Ann Street in Bracebridge. Officers conducted an investigation into the incident and subsequently arrested and charged 43-year-old Marcus Berger of Bracebridge, ON with Operation while Impaired, Operation while Impaired – Over 80 and Operation while Prohibited. He will appear in the Ontario Court of Justice in Bracebridge on July 8, 2025 to answer to his charges.

On May 30, 2025, at 10:40 pm., Bracebridge OPP officers responded reports of concerning driving from a member of the public on Highway 11 North in Gravenhurst. The vehicle was located and officers conducted a traffic stop near Cedar Lane in Bracebridge. Police arrested and charged 66-year-old Barbara Rosebrugh of Huntsville, ON with Operation while Impaired and Operation while Impaired – Over 80. She will appear in the Ontario Court of Justice in Bracebridge on June 24, 2025 to answer to her charges.

On May 31, 2025 at 12:20 a.m., a Bracebridge OPP officer was conducting general patrols proactively on Muskoka Road 118 in Muskoka Lakes Township and conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle driving in a concerning manner in Port Carling. Police arrested and charged 43-year-old Jason Bock of Oakville with Operation while Impaired and Operation while Impaired – Over 80. He will appear in the Ontario Court of Justice in Bracebridge on June 24, 2025 to answer to his charges.

Impaired driving continues to be a significant factor impacting the safety of Muskoka roads, if you are concerned that someone is driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, please call 9-1-1 to notify police.

The post Bracebridge OPP Report More Impaired Drivers To End May appeared first on Muskoka411.

Victor’s focus isn’t getting the biggest or most beautiful listings. Instead, she aims to help people. She works with Toronto-based brokerage Royal LePage Signature. The brokerage has three offices and 1,300 agents across the GTA, bringing together a large Toronto network with her deep knowledge of Simcoe-Muskoka. She grew up at the Woodville Livestock Auction Sale Barn in a home her grandfather built. She went to high school in Lindsay, Blacksmithing college in Haliburton and lived in Toronto for 20 years. She now resides in Washago and has a cottage in Port Carling.

“I grew up in the Kawarthas, I spent my summers in Muskoka, so it’s not like I’m this city person coming in who doesn’t have a history here,” Victor said. “I have a very, very deep history… There aren’t many areas north of Toronto that I’m not pretty well versed in.”

Her personal experience living and cottaging in the area gives her firsthand knowledge of how to help her clients. Whether people are downsizing, looking for their first waterfront property or moving from the city, she helps coach them on what to consider.

For older people seeking a forever home, proximity to a hospital may be crucial. For those new to rural living, details like the need for proper insulation or a generator are essential in the buying process.

“I’ve got a buyer’s guide that basically outlines things that you should consider when you’re purchasing a rural or a waterfront property,” she said. “Can you get high-speed internet? Is it a year-round road? Is it a four-season property?… All those types of things.”

She covers everything from taxes on secondary residences to getting proper status documents on pre-construction properties to ensure her clients have the knowledge they need. She has extra insight thanks to her experience as both an agent and a client in the region.

Victor also offers a robust roster of inspectors and a rich knowledge of the listings in the area. She keeps an eye on properties that have been suspended, expired, delisted or terminated since they often go back on the market. If a client reaches out with criteria of what they want, she’s likely to have a property or two ready to recommend.

“I live and breathe like real estate, and I keep on top of what inventory is coming up,” she said. “It’s not just about looking at the MLS, trying to find what’s there, but it’s also going out hunting for the right property for your clients.”

The real estate market has been in its worst state in decades over the last few years. Victor said it’s been like standing in quicksand with high prices and constant changes. Now, the time has come for people who have been chasing down the chance to buy.

Muskoka and the surrounding areas are full of potential properties this spring, and Victor has the quick decision-making and strong connections to maximize the market’s offerings.

“For the last two years, even if you wanted to buy, it was really challenging to get financing,” she said. “Things have started to lighten up a little bit, and because of that, there are some crazy opportunities to get into the market.”

One of those opportunities comes in the form of an exciting commercial listing in Huntsville. Home of the beloved Westside Fish and Chips, 126 and 128 Main Street offers a mixed-use marvel to potential property owners in Muskoka.

The investment opportunity includes multiple income streams as well as a chance to capitialize on the area’s dedicated local population and strong tourism industry.

“126 and 128 Main Street is a prime Muskoka location overlooking Hunter’s Bay with tons of potential to expand or build your business and generate income from the laundromat, apartment [and] retail space in addition to the large iconic West Side Fish and Chips restaurant space,” Victor said. “This mixed-use property can be used as is or converted to suit your needs in this prime location.”

While she has a strong network in the city, she also has boots on the ground in the Muskoka market, offering the best of both worlds. She meets up with other agents every week for gatherings they call listings and lattes.

They discuss showings, inventory and property values, highlighting her collaborative approach to local real estate. She thinks highly of her fellow agents in and around Muskoka, and the feeling is mutual.

“A pleasure to do a deal with—professional, reliable, and easy to work with,” fellow real estate agent Jason Schlegel said about Victor. “Highly recommend!”

When she sells a property, she also has an array of specialty services to offer her clients. She provides listing strategy options, customized marketing materials, and high-end photography and videography.

Her approach helps her sell more than just a property — she sells a lifestyle. Her team of contractors, cleaners and designers makes the process as seamless as possible.

“When it comes to selling, I do it all,” Victor said. “I’m a one-woman show, and I do all my own staging, so I’m able to move very quickly and nimbly because I include staging in my listing package. If people need help with repairing flooring or swapping out light fixtures or painting a kitchen… I have the teams of people that can do that.”

Along with a solid network of resources, she has connections to agents throughout the province. Between her brokerage network, her connections from living in Toronto, and her strong relationships with local agents, she has a major advantage when selling properties. Many listings get sold before they ever fully reach the market.

She also knows how emotional it can be to sell a property, especially a cottage where so many special memories take place. She offers patience and empathy to her clients, so that every need, whether emotional or logistical, gets addressed.

“Alexis is a cut above the rest when it comes to getting your home sold,” said Cheryl Coffin-Laugalys, one of Victor’s clients. “She invests in you, as the client, and doesn’t quit until your home is sold to your satisfaction. From photos to staging to listing to showings, no one will get your home sold the way Alexis can!”

To learn more about real estate agent Alexis Victor, visit her website. Watch the video below to hear about mistakes to avoid when buying a cottage property.

This article is sponsored by Alexis Victor Real Estate.

The post Putting The Real In Muskoka Real Estate With Agent Alexis Victor appeared first on Muskoka411.

Owners Paul Stevenson and Tammy Jacklin opted to continue the campaign for local education, which was started by former operator Ashley Hrinkanic, after taking over in 2023. The two Gravenhurst locations raised money for Muskoka Beechgrove Public School before taking on another four years committed to schools. First came Gravenhurst Public School, then K.P. Manson, and now Glen Orchard Public School in Muskoka Lakes is getting its turn. Smile Cookies cost $1.50 each, with all proceeds in Gravenhurst going to the school’s technology and equipment fund.

“It’ll help all of our students from kindergarten all the way up to Grade 8, moving forward in the school year and next year, so any support is welcome,” said Grade 4 teacher Matt Cobean, who is acting as head of the Smile Cookie campaign at Glen Orchard.

Cobean said everyone at Glen Orchard is “over-the-moon excited” to be this year’s recipient for the campaign. The school recently received a donation to fund a new playground. Now, it can focus Smile Cookie funds on equipment and technology needs.

Once they see how much the Tim Hortons locations raise, the staff will sit down together to decide how to spend the money. They’re considering additional laptops, outdoor equipment for their new playground, and a projector to use in the gym for assemblies, parent council meetings and movie nights. But they won’t make any final decisions until they see the results.

“It’s such a great feeling to know that local businesses are putting money back into local schools,” he said. “It’s the perfect opportunity to give schools what they need, and it’s a wonderful thing that those owners are doing.”

Between staff and students, the school will have all hands on deck to decorate cookies as well as posters to promote the campaign. Cobean has been going around Gravenhurst distributing flyers to local businesses with the hope of garnering as much support as possible.

He knows teachers at Beechgrove and Gravenhurst Public School who have benefited from Smile Cookies in the past few years. After lending his support to their school campaigns, he’s asked them to do the same for Glen Orchard. The response has been as enthusiastic as he expected from the tight-knit community of Gravenhurst.

“It’s good to know that you can ask anyone at a different school within Gravenhurst and they’ll be ready to help, almost at a moment’s notice,” Cobean said. “It’s a great feeling.”

Gravenhurst Tim Hortons raised about $22,202 for Muskoka Beechgrove, $19,806 for Gravenhurst Public School and $18,494 for KP Manson. The totals and the impact they had on each of the schools were more than the Tim Hortons team could have imagined.

“It’s huge,” said Kristina Brownlee, general manager of the two Gravenhurst Tim Hortons locations. “We’ve raised way more than we expected for all the schools.”

It was special for them to see the success last year because several team members have children at KP Manson. This year, they’re hoping to match or surpass that total, which allowed the school to upgrade its outdoor learning space.

Each year, they do assemblies at the schools to announce the totals and present the cheques. Brownlee said it’s an awesome part of the process to witness the joy it brings students.

“The kids, holy, they could break your eardrums, they’re so excited,” she said.

She and her team are excited to start yet another campaign dedicated to the area’s children. They don’t have an early estimate of the sales since they haven’t received preorder forms from Glen Orchard quite yet, but they’re gearing up for another big win for Gravenhurst’s schools.

“Everybody loves it,” Brownlee said. “They all work harder just to get those Smile Cookies out because they know it’s going to benefit all the kids.”

To support Glen Orchard Public School through the Smile Cookie campaign, visit the Gravenhurst Tim Hortons locations at 150 Talisman Drive and 2329 Highway 11 South from April 28 to May 4.

The post Gravenhurst Smile Cookies Support Glen Orchard Public School Starting April 28 appeared first on Muskoka411.