Muskoka Granite is among the densest natural stone on earth, with low water absorption and high resistance to cold temperatures. A distinctive feature of Canada’s Muskoka region, Granite is the perfect solution to many of today’s interior and exterior design and construction projects. Bring the beauty and simplicity of natural Muskoka Granite to your home or cottage.
Todd Adair* President Sales Representative
The Muskoka real estate market still continues to confound predictions – it’s continuing to be as hot as ever, and it’s still a great time to buy at all levels of the market. We’ve never been busier at Cayman Marshall Realty!
I’ve noticed that lots of folks are choosing to stay at their cottages well into the fall, rather than returning to the city at the end of August. Muskoka is becoming a real alternative to urban living, especially as the pandemic makes the fresh
air and open spaces of our region a healthy and low-stress option.
Our cover story this month, about a gorgeous classic Muskoka-style home built by SML Contracting, shows how year-round living in the area became a reality for one Ontario couple heading into early retirement. The owners enjoy it every bit as much in winter as in summer.
Take advantage of the last warm summer days on the dock, go for a dip before the first crisp breezes start to blow, and enjoy our August issue!
August has always been one of my favourite months. Not only do I get to celebrate my son’s birthday, but also, August feels like a fresh start. Perhaps I’ve been conditioned to this idea, thinking back to the days where August was all about getting ready to return to school, with a fresh outlook and a fresh wardrobe (with the new fall fashion trends, of course).
SML certainly knows how to keep it fresh, with their Pinterest-worthy paradise in this issue. And to keep
the positive perspective going, visit page 22, where we highlight some of Muskoka’s beloved businesses and how they have stepped up for their community during the pandemic (and continue to as I write!).
As the kids get back to school –however that looks for your family –I encourage our devoted readers to still keep that school-aged mindset, and take this time to embrace a fresh, even hopeful outlook on our world’s current situation.
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AUGUST 2020
EDITORS
Todd Adair*
Kallan Koch
Lauren Lowe
ART DIRECTOR
Kelsey Kennerell
GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Cathryn Haynes
PHOTOGRAPHERS
Andre Carriere
Michael Cooper
Chris Hutcheson
David Lasker
Emma Lovell
Micheal Muraz
Mark Wilson
ADVERTISING DIRECTOR
Kallan Koch
CONTRIBUTORS
Todd Adair
Martha Uniacke Breen
Kallan Koch
Charlie Vanderpol*
Published in Canada
FOR ADVERTISING
INQUIRIES PLEASE EMAIL info@caymanmarshall.com caymanmarshallcollection.com
All square footages are approximate. Some square footages include living space in the lower level. Information is subject to errors and omissions. Not intended to solicit properties currently for sale.
Cayman Marshall International Realty Inc., Brokerage www.caymanmarshall.com
Sales Representative* Broker & Broker of Record**
Dan Wynnyk Senior Vice-President, Senior Investment Advisor
Protect your car and cottage vehicles from environmental debris this season. Toja Grid Modular Pergola System offers a range of outdoor living solutions; the only limit is your imagination. Visit us today at tojagrid.ca!
By Martha Uniacke Breen
“Dream cottages” today generally have a few things builders hadn’t thought of a couple of generations ago. A separate bedroom for each kid, even little ones; a doubleheight vaulted great room, lit by a big window framing a breathtaking view; year-round access, since there’s lots of fun to be had in winter as well as summer.
But all these modern comforts won’t entirely replace the appeal of the cozy, classic Muskoka cottage design, with its nauticalinspired charcoal-painted wood (or shingle) siding, peaked gables and crisp white trim. This picturesque style, a regional adaptation of the New England/Adirondack/Cape Cod style but unique to Muskoka and the surrounding lake country, endures both in restored early1900s cottages and in modern reproductions. And it’s as practical and charming as ever.
When Mike and Martha Wlodek headed into early retirement, they dreamed of retreating to a cozy countryside nest they could enjoy all year round. The couple and their four kids had summered in their old cottage on Raven Lake, near Dorset, for years, but it wasn’t quite what they had in mind. For one thing, explains Mike, it was a bit primitive, as cottages go – it wasn’t winterized, and even if it had been, getting up the icecovered hill into the property was basically out of the question.
But a months-long search failed to turn up the retirement refuge they saw in their dreams. Almost casually, Martha suggested they take another look at Raven Lake; what if they built a new cottage on the land they already owned and just had the road fixed?
Mike wasn’t completely sold, until nature played a hand. That summer, a tornado went through, knocking down hundred-year-old pines and hemlocks on the shoreline below the cottage. Disaster turned out to be a blessing: the former cabin-in-the-woods suddenly had a million-dollar view.
The former cabin-inthe-woods suddenly had a milliondollar view.
“Some friends of ours had just finished a beautiful cottage that was exactly what we were thinking about and recommended their builder, SML Contracting,” recalls Mike. They called company principal Bruce Fitter, and a few days later he was walking the property with them, making suggestions that blended perfectly with the couple’s ideas. The dream was on.
“We wanted to build on the same footprint, which through grandfathering rules allowed us to stay in the same spot, only about 20 feet from the water,” says Martha. “We wanted room for the whole family as well as guests. And we loved the classic Muskoka style, with the charcoal grey siding, white trim and black window dividers.”
According to SML project manager Jay Brubacher, the site was the kind of jewel the company rarely gets to see. “It’s on a point, and absolutely stunning,” he says. The
“We wanted room for the whole family as well as guests.”
old cottage footprint was big enough to accommodate a comfortable new two-storey house, with room for all four kids and even a houseful of friends, without being (or looking) too massive. Set on a hill above the entry drive, the house could be oriented to make the most of its new, open view, with room for a wraparound stone patio and outbuildings for storage and extra guests.
As you approach from the (newly graded, and now quite navigable) entry road, a new garage-cumstorage shed matches the charcoaland-white trim of the main cottage; it’s big enough for offseason items such as canoes and Jet-Skis in winter, and skis and snowmobiles in summer. Up a flight of stone steps to the top of the hill, there’s that wide-open view; set before it on a slight angle, the cottage looks almost modest, with its dark walls, steep roofs and white trim.
Inside, everything’s clean, white and welcoming. Walls throughout are finished in shadowline planking, a more craftsmanlike alternative to shiplap. The woodwork details help to give the cottage a hand-crafted look: exposed rafters line the great room’s vaulted ceiling, and a mezzanine railing allows the upper floor to share in the view. In the dining room at the far side, the more intimate nine-foot ceiling is elegantly coffered. (Actually a bit of clever improvising, chuckles Brubacher: one length of the coffer conceals ductwork.)
Off one corner of the great room is a variation on the classic screen porch: a four-season room lined with sliding glass doors in place of screens, and furnished with favourite pieces rescued from the old cottage such as log chairs. (The Wlodeks properly call it “the Algonquin Room” instead of “the Muskoka Room,” since geographically, Raven Lake is closer to the park than to Lake Muskoka.)
Upstairs, the mezzanine railing lines a wider-than-standard hallway, and there’s enough room for all four of the Wlodek kids to pass each other on the way from their bedrooms. (It’s also exactly the right size for a lucky find: a full-length, and frequently used, shuffleboard table.) Each of the four bedrooms has its own private view through a dormer window, and shadowline wall planks are replaced with cozy board and batten.
Despite its thoroughly modern comforts (roomy, grey-painted kitchen tucked under the mezzanine;
well-appointed laundry and pantry; a private main-floor retreat for Mike and Martha’s bedroom suite, tucked away from what one day will inevitably be a house full of grandkids), the classic look is front and centre, especially in finishes. Designers Michelle Metrow and Carolyn Vink carried through on the classic Edwardian-era look with pine antiques and, especially, in details like the main bathroom’s classic white subway and hex tiles, complemented by matte black fixtures. Elsewhere, the woodwork references the 1920s with deep baseboards and carpenter-finished door and window casings. The bright, spacious rooms may be modern-day, but the feeling is pure, cozy century cottage.
As Brubacher observes, “I’m a big fan of fine workmanship. Everywhere you look, it’s all hand-finished shadowline planking, tongue-and-groove ceilings, board-and-batten, even the exposed rafters. The details in this house really were very beautifully done.”
“The details in this house really were very beautifully done.”
page to promote local mom-and-pop shops such as The Muskoka Drive-in Theatre, Melody’s Muskoka Ice cream and Sushi by the Water restaurant. #MBWShoutout
One of the biggest fundraising successes was achieved by the Muskoka Builders Association, who helped raise over $140,000 for the Muskoka COVID-19 Relief Fund. Money is going to local food banks, shelters and hospitals. Donations came in from over 100 different local construction companies all across Muskoka.
Businesses that were forced to curtail or shut down operations decided to switch their facilities to producing products that are in the greatest demand right now. Muskoka Brewery stepped back from their usual brewmaster operations to produce much-needed hand sanitizer. Performance auto parts maker MBRP in Huntsville produced free shields for local businesses.
And then there’s all the less heralded, lower-profile ways this community has shown its heart. The kinds of things you may not give much thought to, but turn out to be among the most important in a crisis like the one we’ve been experiencing. Checking on elderly neighbours and offering to buy groceries or cut the lawn. Always wearing a mask when in public. Maintaining social distancing and avoiding large social gatherings – in a place as convivial as Muskoka, that last one may be tough for some of us, but remember, it won’t be forever.
Muskoka is truly a place of wonder and beauty. It is known for its crystal-clear waters, expansive lake views and pristine wilderness. A kind of place one could only dream to plant roots in. Though these elements are very important, it is not the sole reason why I have chosen to call Muskoka my home. It’s more than just a tight-knit community like the one I come from; it’s a community of people who are ready to step up for each other.
Lomo al Trapo is more than a meal; it’s an experience – an awe-inspiring process that brings people together around the grill. That’s exactly what makes this meal one of Chef Rene’s favourites.
“The sense of wonder people have when they see how it’s made is only matched by the quality of the flavours created,” he explains.
Directly translated, Lomo al Trapo is “beef tenderloin in a towel,” and it is exactly that. To make this traditional Colombian dish, a beef tenderloin is encrusted in salt, swaddled in a towel, tied and placed directly on the fire. The preparation of this meal harkens back to a more primal way of cooking: no pots or pans needed – just a good bed of coals and a hefty cut of quality meat.
• Tenderloin roast, trimmed of sinews and excess hard fat (can be a centre cut, full piece or large end)
• Olive oil
• Kosher salt (important due to grain size and texture)
• Fresh rosemary, thyme and oregano
• 100% cotton butcher twine
• 100% cotton cloth (must be large enough to wrap around entire tenderloin, can use two if using large tenderloin)
Before you begin preparing the meat, it is important to start a very good fire using wood or charcoal (briquettes will not work). You want a good foundation of hot coals. By cooking the tenderloin directly on a bed of coals, you’ll be able to draw out the most incredible aromas, flavours and textures that other cooking methods would never be able to achieve.
Once you have a good fire prepared, place the cloth over a cutting board and pour a generous layer of salt over it. You want the salt to be about ¼” thick, keeping it an inch away from the edges. Spread the herbs over the lower portion of the cloth, closest to you. You’ll roll this edge first. Place the tenderloin over the herbs and roll the cloth and tenderloin away from you, tightly tucking the loose edges in as you roll. Keep the bundle as tight as possible.
Cut a length of butcher twine long enough to wrap around the tenderloin. Tie it around the end closest to you first – the ideal technique is the basic butcher knot, but a slip knot will also work. Continue to tie rings around the bundle two inches apart until everything is tightly bound.
Place the roll directly on the coals of the fire and let it cook for 10 minutes on each side for a perfect rare. The purpose of the cloth is to hold the salt in place until it forms a crust. Don’t worry as the cloth begins to burn away, as the salt will protect the meat.
After 20 minutes, use tongs to take the bundle off the coals and place it in a metal container to rest for 7 to 10 minutes. Using scissors or a knife, cut the cloth open. Remove the cloth and salt from the meat. Slice the tenderloin into rounds.
Because Lomo al Trapo cooks on direct heat, the result is a wonderful gradient from deep red in the centre to more well done at the edges. If you’d like it less rare, you can place the slices on a hot grill for a few seconds per side.
TO SEASON OR NOT TO SEASON?
This cooking method is so rewarding, you’ll find that even unseasoned meat is superb on its own. However, if you’re looking to enhance the flavour, try rubbing rosemary, thyme, garlic, quality butter or olive oil into the tenderloin before wrapping it in cloth.
Lomo al Trapo pairs perfectly with a gremolata or chimichurri sauce.
muskoka’s electricians
Comfortable, safe and connected. During an outage, KOHLER generators keep your lights on, your fridge cold and your temperature where it should be. They start automatically and can power your entire property including both, your cottage, and your boathouse. No matter the weather, McNair and KOHLER generators work to keep the lights on at your cottage.
We craft homes with unique natural beauty and sustainable techniques. We are committed to open communication, quality craftsmanship, unmatched customer service and eco-friendly design. Experience the joy of building a custom home or cottage that perfectly suits your family’s needs. We would be honoured to welcome you home.
SLY FOX GOLF CLUB
The first thing that greets you when your boat lands at the dock at Sly Fox Golf Club, at the southern entrance to the narrows separating the two bodies of Wahwashkesh Lake, is a plaque mounted on MacRae Rock, a sizable chunk of glacier-polished granite located on the shoreline. The plaque tells the story of two boys who lived, played and worked there more than 80 years ago. Their young lives ended tragically in August 1944, at the height of the fighting during World War II, when the two brothers died in action just one day apart.
The younger brother, George Dougald MacRae, had joined the Royal Canadian Air Force, graduating as a pilot with the rank of flying officer. His older brother, Jamie Duncan MacRae, was a lance corporal in the Hamilton-based Argyle and Sutherland Highlanders infantry regiment. The Argyles landed in Normandy just in time to join an
Allied pincer movement, the “Falaise Gap” operation, mounted in mid-August 1944, which was designed to entrap a retreating German army. But in the heat of battle, Jamie MacRae was killed by enemy artillery fire – less than 24 hours after his brother went down in flames over Warsaw, a thousand miles away.
Their home, the main lodge of the sportsmen’s resort, has stayed remarkably unchanged since the late 1930s and early 1940s, when as teenagers the two MacRae brothers guided the resort’s clientele to the best hunting in the nearby woods, and fishing in Wahwashkesh Lake, the largest freshwater lake in the Parry Sound district.
While the resort still caters to hunting and fishing, the current owner, Herb Schmidt, has built a unique nine-hole executive golf course called the Sly Fox Golf Club. Sly Fox is the third golf course Schmidt has designed and built, and took more than six years to complete. It features two
miles of underground irrigation, capable of pumping 100 gallons per minute to service the sprinkler systems.
The property, first developed in 1903, now consists of the 4,000-sq.ft. main lodge with a large wraparound porch, nine individual cottages, eight finger docks, and roughly 2,400 feet of water frontage, encompassing nearly 40 acres on a peninsula, surrounded by Crown land and water.
As the plaque says, “This memorial is located at the site of the MacRae Family Hunting and Fishing Lodge, known as ‘The Linger Long Lodge.’”
The brothers made the ultimate sacrifice for peace and freedom. And today, we honour their memory. The plaque concludes: “This memorial is placed here by those for whom this lake is a very special place and who enjoy Lake Wahwashkesh Lake ‘in peace and freedom.’”
Our attorneys understand how important issues are. We will guide you through the legal process and even represent your case in court. Oldham Law Firm is a full-service law firm with experience and proven results, serving clients in the districts of Muskoka and Parry Sound and now has a convenient Port Carling location for its Muskoka clients.
• Real Estate Law
• Civil Litigation and Dispute Resolution: Including Personal Injury, Insurance, Property Disputes, Contract Disputes
• Employment and Labour Law
• Construction Law
Transactions and Disputes
Estate Litigation • Business and Corporate Law • Municipal Law • Wills and Estate Planning • Family Law
An exclusive listing with Cayman Marshall is a level of service uniquely created to get your luxury property front and centre to interested buyers: quality over quantity.
Exclusive listings start with a personalized marketing plan rolled out to the more than 27,000 people in our database and visitors to our website. When you list exclusively with Cayman Marshall, our team will have the sole right to showcase your property for the duration of the listing. Concessions can be made for other brokerages, but only for genuine, qualified prospects.
Regardless of whether you’re a motivated buyer or seller, an exclusive listing with Cayman Marshall is a great option for those that want an alternative to MLS.
“Become so skilled, so vigilant, so flat-out fantastic at what you do that your talent cannot be dismissed.”
– Oprah Winfrey
When we opened the doors of Cayman Marshall International Realty Inc. as a small boutique brokerage firm to serve the Muskoka real estate market in 2012, we did so with the intention of redefining the level of service that clients could expect from our real estate professionals. Since then, we have grown into an impressive team of top-producing realtors and brokers committed to ensuring our clients receive the highest level of service when buying or selling property in one of Canada’s most sought-after luxury destinations.
We at Cayman Marshall have been entrusted with the most prestigious waterfront properties in Muskoka. As leaders in luxury and waterfront real estate, we have had record sales on many of Muskoka’s finest lakes with sales now surpassing the billion-dollar mark we’ve secured our position as a leader in luxury real estate.
We have offices in Port Carling, Huntsville/Lake Of Bays and Toronto. Our in-house IT professionals have developed proprietary online tools and software, interactive and intuitive websites, lifestyle tours, stunning photography and an astonishing network of over 400 local and international referral partners to ensure our clients’ listings get the exposure they need to attract the most discerning local and international buyers.
We now print four issues per year, with an annual distribution of 200,000. Each magazine is delivered to the front door of homes and cottages of highnet-worth clientele throughout Ontario.
We are proud to mention that the Cayman Marshall Port Carling brokerage was just voted (by a large panel of international judges) to be the “Best Real Estate Agency in Canada”, two years in a row – a title that we cherish!
The Cayman Marshall team celebrating 2018 sales in Montego Bay Jamaica.
Cayman Marshall was named one of “Canada’s Fastest Growing Companies” by McLean’s Magazine two years in a row (2018 & 2019). We have also been named one of Canada’s fastest growing companies by the Globe and Mail this past Fall. We expect to keep our title as the disrupter in luxury real estate.
Founded on the principles of teamwork, service and value, Cayman Marshall is the best advantage for buyers and sellers alike in Ontario. If you’re looking for a real estate solution that’s undeniably different, please reach out to myself or one of my teammates and start experiencing the advantage!
Todd Adair
purchased the entire company. In Todd’s downtime, you will find him buying, building or renovating his own real estate projects, on the water wakeboarding and kite surfing, or hacking up the fairways of a local golf course. However, Todd’s most important job is being a husband and father to his family of four.
for the past three years. Kallan is an outdoors enthusiast and enjoys all that Muskoka has to offer. With many years of experience in customer service, we are delighted to have her on our Cayman Marshall team!
Ray has been enjoying Muskoka for the past 40+ years and is happy to call it home with his wife Johanna and their two boys. His passion for Muskoka is equally shared with everything real estate and his “this is what I do because I love it” approach.
Cayman Marshall team was a great fit for Michael. His “customer first” dedication to his clients has always resulted in successful long-term relationships. With a passion for boating and water sports, Michael looks forward to enjoying all that the Muskoka Lakes has to offer.
Jeff entered into real estate in 2008 facing a down market and a recession. Overcoming the odds, Jeff has now become a “top producer” in his industry. Working and living in Muskoka comes with a deep appreciation; it is this appreciation that Jeff portrays to his clients every day.
Kristin and her family enjoy calling Muskoka home. In 2015 Kristin began her career with Cayman Marshall and has been lucky to work alongside some of the most talented agents in the business. During her spare time you can find Kristin and her family experiencing all the outdoor activities that Muskoka has to offer.
in Muskoka. Dave lives on Lake Rosseau and spends much of his time on the water. His commitment to customer service, professionalism and honesty provides his clients with an enjoyable and successful real estate experience. she is an excellent addition to the Cayman Marshall Team.
Cat is now thrilled to be building a career in Sales with the Cayman Marshall Team.
Licensed Assistant
Steve is a strong relationship builder,
intimate knowledge of Muskoka lakes and area has made him a consistent top producer. Steve is an avid cyclist and golfer and maintains residences in Toronto and Muskoka and ties to both communities. His mantra and favourite quote is to “get up, dress up, show up, and never give up”.
Her love for renos gives her an inside scoop in the world of home and cottage ownership and being the newest member, looks forward to being a valuable asset to the team!
on the lake and always wanting to pursue her career. With over five years of experience in customer service and relations, Charlie is determined and focused on customers and team members of Cayman Marshall making her a great addition to our team.
Growing up in Toronto, Amanda spent summers going to camp in Muskoka and always enjoyed the atmosphere and beauty the area had to offer. With over six years of experience in customer relations, Amanda is an ideal fit for the Cayman Marshall team.
summers on the lakes and winters on the snowmobile trails. Jess’ understanding for Muskoka is what helps her succeed in making the real estate transaction successful and enjoyable for all her clients.
TORONTO OFFICE: 99 Yorkville Avenue, Suite 200, Toronto, ON M5R 3K5 647-696-4733 CAYMANMARSHALL.COM
HEAD OFFICE: 202-97B Joseph Street, Port Carling, ON P0B 1J0 705-765-5759
BRANCH OFFICE: 133 Highway 60, Suite 8, Huntsville, ON P1H 1C2 705-765-5759
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