Our Canada

Loving Autumn in Rural Ontario

And why not! There’s lots to enjoy

- By Lorna Cassie-bywater, Midland, Ont.

Muskoka is the number one place to experience fall foliage at its best. Day trippers come by car and by bus to see the trees dressed in their finest reds, oranges, golds and yellows.

A new vista awaits around every curve of the road as you drive the highways and byways of Muskoka. In Dorset on Lake of Bays, people come in droves to view the colours from the Dorset Lookout Tower. A canopy of colour reaches as far as the eye can see.

Autumn also brings out scarecrows throughout the village of Dorset. This year, Knox United Church entered the scarecrow contest with the “Church Mouse.” It was made of straw, rope, twigs and an old discarded choir gown. The ”Church Mouse” sat on the stone fence in front of the church, while judging of the various scarecrows took place at the community centre.

At a pumpkin pie social in October, the final results of

the contest were announced. The ”Church Mouse” took second place and church members are already thinking about next year’s contest.

A flock of Canada geese wending its way across the still lake, and wisps of smoke drifting upward from cottages along the shore are certain reminders that autumn in Muskoka is about to make way for another season. Memories are made here all year long but autumn, with its everchangi­ng landscape, will forever hold me in its spell.

Small villages like Dorset offer so many activities for residents and visitors alike. Community spirit is alive and well here, and, as we watch the display of coloured leaves fade and fall to the ground, we await a white blanket of snow to greet winter enthusiast­s to our community.

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 ??  ?? Clockwise from top left: Hollow River Falls; autumn on Otter Lake; Knox United Church entered “Church Mouse” in the scarecrow contest and won second place. .
Clockwise from top left: Hollow River Falls; autumn on Otter Lake; Knox United Church entered “Church Mouse” in the scarecrow contest and won second place. .

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