Midwinter McKellar

Like other townships surrounding Georgian bay, McKellar is often blanketed with the term "cottage country" and rightfully so. Come summer, the population blossoms with visitors. The great summer migration north is a shining light for tourists and local business alike.

What is most often forgotten though, is midwinter.

The cold bitter weather sets in and gone is the glow of Christmas, leaving everyone shivering at the bus stop waiting for warmer weather to arrive.

What is often forgotten is how much there is to do in these frosty months. Sure, there is the hockey on TV and cavalcade of Hollywood award ceremonies, but these are crumbs of entertainment. The big question remains: what is there to do?

For this, I ask you to put aside your computer, just for two hours of the day, pull on thicker socks and even dawn the dreaded and not very fashionable snow pants.

Read our suggestions after the jump...


Here is my list of 3 things to do in midwinter McKellar:

3.) McKellar Library and the Evelyn Watkins Moore Heritage Room

The best place to start, when looking for something to do in any small town, is to check out the municipal buildings. The Township of McKellar is rather active, even in the winter months, operating its Pioneer College courses and preparing for the busy market seasons to come. But for those who don't have the time or the winter money set aside, there is the library and the museum.

The library has a warm, inviting feeling: with walls of well-loved books, plush leather chairs, computers, wifi, and even a coffee maker. There is a collection of movies, games, and a small section of books for sale -- cheap and great for starting some unique book art. The staff, especially Joan, are great for a warm welcome to the village and are always up for giving a cute little tour and or history of the library. The chairs are my favourite place to sit -- reading a fast paced action-adventure novel, pausing occasionally to look out over the blustery winds rolling across the frozen Armstrong Lake.

Curious about the name Armstrong? Pry yourself from the chair (I know, it's so comfy!) and take a left around the outside of the building. Down, around the back, you'll find the post office and the Evelyn Watkins Moore Heritage Room. If it's not open, don't worry, head back up to the township office and ask the intern if you can take a peek inside.

The room is a marvel of community spirit, put together by the volunteers of the Historical Committee. It is well organized, with clearly labeled artifacts and information on not just the village, but the whole township. For a history buff, it's an excellent insight into the day to day function and development of rural Ontario. There is even a collection of gorgeous thank you cards and gift cards with historical images of the area and a brief history behind the image.

2.) The Ice Village:

Around this time of year, Lake Manitowabing is completely closed over, save for a small oval opening, where the current from the Mill Pond River flows in.

Fishing has always been an important part of cottaging, but come winter, it's plain to see how important it is to the locals. A village of east coast coloured ice huts spring up in higgledy-piddledy fashion across the frozen water.

Take a cooler of snacks, chairs, some fishing gear and a few friends out on to the ice, auger your hole in the ground and fish the day away. I'm a non-fisher generally so I came to it with a slanted perspective and yeah, fishing can look boring but if your dressed warm and have a few friends with you, its actually really fun. Who knows? You might actually catch a fish! Be sure to check the ice before you go out, and stay away from open water!

1.) The McKellar Trail

McKellar has a set of steps on the side of the road leading into the woods. No, they do not go to Narnia, or to a building, they lead to the woods. We have much of it.

The trail is about an hour in length, but does not circle. In the winter it is a delightful look into the life that carries on, despite the snow on the ground and the chill in the air. Foot prints of deer, rabbit, and the occasional fox mark the path. They clearly find it easier than being buried chest deep in snow. Mind the droppings though.

I usually take the dogs with me down there. The wide open space gives them a chance to sprint wildly through the undergrowth and haul along with them thick sticks. My favourite part in the winter is the old machinery along the side. Half buried and completely rusted, I always like to circle around and try to wonder why no one came back to claim them.

I recommend taking snow shoes if the snow is very deep, though chances are someone will have come before you and broken the trail down. The last time I went, as luck would have it, I got to leave mine at the side of the road.

Watch out for the faces in the trees! And the bridges, while fun, tend to have a lot more snow on them. Make sure to dress appropriately!


-- By Kelsey Ward
Photos by Aimée Lynn Gleeson