Cottage Country-Up North News May 24 weekend

Let the north inspire you as it did me listening to CBC Freshair interview the author of a new book about getting out of Toronto and going Up North

Huntsvlle Ontario gets ready for the G8 .

The Globe and Mail did an indepth story on Retiring to Cottage Contry, Also see Cottage Living

and there is the housing-cottage development on Georgian Bay near Honey Harbour in the Toronto Star homes section.

Ontario Studio Artist Tours, Art Galleries, Fall Colour Road Trips

Fall in Ontario would not be complete without a visit to one of the many artists participating in the many Fall Studio Art Tours north of Toronto. Many of the artist tours are within close proximity to Toronto, however there are many exceptional artists and tours further north. Here is a sample list of the many tours. One of the long sustaining fall art tours takes place on Thanksgiving weekend-The Studio Images Tour in Simcoe County celebrates 25 years of artistic spirit, this year's tour features over 40 artists at 24 unique stops.

Studio Tours for This Weekend on Sat and Sunday September 27, 28.

• Deer Trail Studio Tour, Elliot Lake region
• Bancroft and Area Autumn Studio Tour
• Purple Hills Fall Studio Tour (Creemore region south of Collingwood)
• The 22nd Annual Elora, Fergus Studio Tour
• 20th Annual Hills of Erin Studio Tour (Erin and Hillsburgh area)
• Merrickville Artists Guild Studio Tour
• 4th Temiskaming Studio Tour, New Liskeard area
• Norfolk Studio Tour (Norfolk Country area including the community of Simcoe)
• 24th Annual Kawartha Autumn Studio Tour
• North of 89 Studio Tour (Shelburne area)
• Sudbury Arts Tour
• Apples and Art Studio Tour (Cornwall area)

Combine your artist tour with one of the more than 25 road trip fall colour routes, north of Toronto

Ontario Travel to Spring Maple Syrup Festivals Continues in April

2008 Maple Syrup Season McDonalds Corners
March 1 –April 30, 2008
See how Maple Syrup is made at the sugar bush. Sleigh rides, taffy-on-snow and artisans in the Museum on weekends, tours, nature trails, heritage displays, pancake meals, and maple products for sale Web: www. wheelersmaple. com

Shaws Maple Bush Tours
March-April. Between Barrie and Orillia, there is a Pancake House, and maple bush fun. Percheron horses will take you through the maple wonderland. When the snow melts we trade the sleigh for a wagon. Rides are available on weekends during March and April, usually around lunch time

Elmvale Maple Syrup Festival
April 19, 2008
more info http://www.elmvalemaplesyrup.ca/index.html

Maplefest
Millbrook April 19-20, 2008
Enjoy a heritage maple syrup festival in a historic town and sugarbush, including: bucket sap collection, horsedrawn wagon rides, interpretive trail walks, live entertainment and pancake breakfast.
Web: www.millbrook.ca

Powassan Maple Syrup Festival - Powassan, ON
April 26, 2008
More info http://www.powassansyrupfestival.ca/