Monday, December 29, 2014

Winter Work at Arowhon

We have decided to work as much as possible this winter to complete all our planned projects earlier!  So then if there is time, we can tackle more jobs!  I always have a wish list in my pocket.  One family of “regulars” have asked for a deck on Birchview!  What would you like to see at Arowhon Pines?  Let us know and we will add it to the list.

To bring in the new year, the temperatures this week turn VERY cold – tonight it’s minus 23 degrees Celsius and snow is in the forecast.  Luckily our carpenters, Pat Land and crew are bundled up and used to working in this.      

An addition is being built at the back of the kitchen to accommodate a gorgeous new staff dining room and more storage.  Although every room is getting a new touch here and there, we’ve concentrated on renovating the remaining rooms in Sherwood and Bridgewood.  When we demolished some walls in the fall, we found Knob and Tube wiring (not live of course) which was a method of electrical wiring used until the 1940s - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knob_and_tube_wiring.  As well, there was cardboard from boxes, used for insulation, addressed to Mrs. M. Kates (who was Lillian, Eugene Kates’ mother).  I love finding all these interesting things.      

Here are some photos.  We’ll keep you updated as it progresses!

In the meanwhile, Happy New Year to all!



Thursday, December 18, 2014

ALGONQUIN toques

Theresa & Adam's new ALGONQUIN toques from www.norquayco.com.  They also make gorgeous artisan canoe paddles.  Made In Canada.


It's still summer...in Australia!

Hello Theresa, David and Adam,

This is DL from Adelaide, South Australia, writing to you. My dear sister-in-law, EL, has just forwarded to me a lovely email you sent her.  I’d like you to know what a thrill that gave me. In fact, it gave me goose-bumps because, just before opening E’s email, I’d changed the desktop background photo on my computer from the Via Rail cross-Canada train to – wait for it – the Arowhon Pines dining room!!

I loved reading your message, and seeing the photos of the dining room in snow. What a contrast – and what beauty of a very different kind, too.  My stay with you, though brief, was absolutely marvelous, and I enjoyed staying in my beautifully refurbished room in K and E’s cabin. The meals in your dining room were sensational!

I took a series of magical photos of Arowhon Pines at dusk, and am attaching some for you. The first one is the one that I’ve got on my desktop now. I hope you enjoy them.

Warmest regards,
DL


Friday, December 12, 2014

Merry Christmas!



Click to view our December Newsletter with winter photos and
a new recipe for Arowhon Caramelized Apple Tarts - perfect for the holidays!

Gorgeous winter photos of Arowhon Pines

Although Arowhon is closed for the winter, some of our staff are still working, renovating the kitchen and cabins – we checked up on them on Monday!   

Arowhon is as pretty as ever, surrounded by a frozen Little Joe Lake and snow covered trees.  On the way back to the city, we talked about how great it would be to invite guests for a day of dog sledding, skating on the lake, and having hot chocolate around the fireplace in the dining room.  We quickly talked ourselves out of it!  For now, our contractors will be the only ones enjoying the spectacular icy views! 

There are many people who visit Algonquin in the snow.  Click http://www.algonquinpark.on.ca/involved/calendar for a list of winter events in the Park.  If you do go, send us your photos!