Opportunity knocks

Many of my fellow bloggers are showing summer shots. We are having yet another snowfall. I feel the need of some colour in my life! I found this interesting opportunity in our local paper.

But if you have to ask the price, you probably cannot afford it!

It was built very recently. We attended several fundraisers there, but couldn't afford the last few at $125 a pop! 


Here are photos  we were attending the launch of the June 13/14 Spring Arts Tour.



At the same time, there was a June prom at Red Leaves and the young men and women looked terrific. It is a beautiful spot, for sure.

Well, if this is the place for you:

Red Leaves hotel up for sale
 The JW Marriott-operated hotel went into receivership in May last year.

June prom at Red Leaves

Red Leaves Resort hosted a June Prom on Friday, June 12, 2009.

What a luxurious location. Too bad they are in receivership...

Wonderful services, attentive servers, and a mix of responses to the quality of food.


The dresses were glorious rainbow colours of spring. Everyone cleaned up nicely!

Lots of beautiful flowing fabric, shimmering in the dusk, and impressive young people. The young men managed to put on their best duds; the young ladies needed to remove their high heels. All was normal!

The bonfire was quite fun outdoors.




They looked so lovely. having never been to a prom, I felt quite special just soaking in the excitement.

Always a shy, unattractive-feeling young lady with little self-confidence, my body image was terribly negative.
I look back now and wish for those hips again!

I was never in the 'in' crowd. I was happy to vicariously view the events!







They were quite happy to pose for me, these polite young people on their best behaviour!





Interesting matching turquoise ball cap and jacket!



The scenery around sundown was amazing.

June 13/14 Spring Arts Tour

What a great weekend for the Muskoka Lakes Spring Tour.





Watch for pretenders, though.
Some artists are taking advantage of the tour, without supporting the rest of the arts and business community.

You can see the true participants have proper signage and a number. The others have fake sign!

I have been impressed with those who have organzied to create some synergy, even in this economic climate, and continue to make a living through the arts, while supporting fellow artists in Muskoka.

I had the great pleasure of travelling to Red Leaves Resort to visit the amazing artists we have in our midst.

I was happy to see some of the artisans who will be opening up their galleries and/or studios to customers. It is cool and cloudy, and driving around beautiful Cottage Country, why not appreciate the beauty of our local artisans.


Penny Varney, an incredible community-minded person, whose volunteer work and donations continue to enrich the lives of Muskokans. I wore her jewellry (earring and necklace) to demonstrate my appreciation of her fine work. We happily chatted. (Photo my the infamous Tony Varney! He touched my camera! Hope it brings me luck...)




Gayle Dempsey - Muskoka Place Gallery cheerfully entertaining her fans. The smiles and the love was infectious. These fabulous folks with such talents.









Christine Marshall - Wildlife Gallery explaining her work to an interested guest.






Bonnie Bews - Hinterglas Paintings, I wrote about her open house last weekend at Hinterglas Castle.


Iris Gammon beside her painting.






A sculpture from the young artist, Elise Muller (right), delighted me.



Hard-working Elke Scholz was their with her daughter, such a marvellous artist! She works, also, with Hospice Muskoka doing art therapy.




I spotted a deer, poorly captured (photographically speaking), on our way home in the dusk. It was one of those moments when preparation did not meet opportunity, besides, I couldn't have figured out the right setting anyway. In the dusk, moving target and all. How beautiful she was and not so worried about us!

The sunset was glorious as we found our way home through the trees and sparkling lakes of Muskoka.

Stay tuned for some photos from a June Prom held at the same resort.