In the final episode of season 4, we ponder two of our favourite summer fantasies: reading and romance. Looking for a book recommendation for your last few weeks at the lake? Michelle sits down with Canadian author Carley Fortune to chat about her two best-selling romance novels that take place in cottage country. Then, to close out the show, we’ll listen to an old editor’s note written by Michelle about her favourite cottage love story of all time. 

Special thanks to:

Carley Fortune, best-selling author

Articles referenced:

“The Summer of Love” by Michelle Kelly (Cottage Life magazine, Early Summer 2018)

Carley’s 2023 summer reading list:

The Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

Sunshine Nails by Mai Nguyen

Hello, Beautiful by Ann Napolitano

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Anyone who has ever done-it-themselves knows the name Holmes. Canadian building legend Mike Holmes, along with his daughter, Sherry, and son, Michael, star in “Holmes on Holmes: Building a Legacy,” a new television series premiering next spring on the Cottage Life channel. Mike and Sherry chat with Michelle about the show and share their best tips when it comes to cottage construction. And what’s a hard day of work without a delicious meal to cap it off? David Zimmer’s essay about outdoor cookery answers the question: are we grilling or barbecuing tonight?

Special thanks to:

Mike Holmes, Canadian builder and television personality

Sherry Holmes, contractor and television personality

To watch Mike Holmes’ extensive back catalogue, check out HomefulTV.com.

Articles referenced:

“A Fiery Debate” by David Zimmer (Cottage Life magazine, Summer 2016)

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“The Lake,” a television series set in cottage country, just completed its second season on Amazon Prime. Creator and writer, Julian Doucet, gives us a sneak peek into the series, shot on location in and around North Bay, Ont., and shares his own experience as a cottager. Then, we turn to a term all cottagers know well: kitsch. We’ll hear an essay by Charles Wilkins that will make you cherish all of your tchotchkes. 

Special thanks to:

Julian Doucet, creator and writer of “The Lake”

Articles referenced:

“Exploring the Golden Age of Kitsch” by Charles Wilkins (Cottage Life magazine, March 1991)

Sources:

The Lake, on Amazon Prime

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Grab your trowel—it’s time to dig into the world of plants. Gardening expert Lorraine Johnson joins Michelle to share the benefits of native plants, which not only look great but have best adapted to the tricky growing conditions of cottage country. Then we’ll listen to an essay about one of the most delicious native plants: blueberries.

Special thanks to:

Lorraine Johnson, cultivation activist

Articles referenced:

“Summertime Blues” by Charles Wilkins (Cottage Life magazine, July/August 1994)

“The Natural Garden” by Lorraine Johnson, a four-part series:

“Native Intelligence” by Lorraine Johnson (Cottage Life magazine, April/May 2003)

“Ground Rules” by Lorraine Johnson (Cottage Life magazine, June 2003)

“The Wild Bunch” by Lorraine Johnson (Cottage Life magazine, August 2003)

“Going to Seed” by Lorraine Johnson (Cottage Life magazine, October 2003)

Sources:

For more information on Lorraine Johnson, visit her website. To learn more about the importance of native plants, visit networkofnature.org. 

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• cottagelife.com
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• Twitter: @cottagelife
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• Youtube: www.youtube.com/user/CottageLifeMagazine/

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You may know indie rock star Serena Ryder for her chart-topping hits, but did you know she’s also a cottager and mental health advocate? Michelle sits down with the singer to talk about her latest album, which chronicles her journey, as well as her piece of paradise that gives her solace. Former editor Penny Caldwell knows all too well about the serenity you can find at the lake. We’ll listen to her essay about how cottaging, if done right, can offer the ultimate state of relaxation.

Special thanks to:

Serena Ryder, singer and musician

Articles referenced:

“On the ever-present lure of the lake” by Penny Caldwell (Cottage Life magazine, Early Summer 2017)

Sources:

Listen to Serena Ryder’s mental wellness keynote speech, which inspired her latest album, The Art of Falling Apart.

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• Twitter: @cottagelife
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Lyme disease is on the rise—but ticks shouldn’t stop us from enjoying the wilderness. Epidemiologist Dr. Katie Clow specializes in blacklegged ticks and Lyme disease and answers our FAQs, including how long it takes a tick to start transmitting Lyme to how we can measure and mitigate our risk of dealing with ticks while at the cottage. Another bothersome cottage-country creature is the beaver. Writer Andrea Curtis shows how to embrace Canada’s largest rodent.

Special thanks to:

Dr. Katie Clow, epidemiologist, professor at the Ontario Veterinary College at the University of Guelph

Articles referenced:

“It’s About Dam Time” by Andrea Curtis (Cottage Life magazine, Summer 2023)

Sources:

For more information about Lyme disease risk areas, check out this interactive map. To submit a photo for identification and population monitoring, visit etick.ca.

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• Twitter: @cottagelife
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• Youtube: www.youtube.com/user/CottageLifeMagazine/ 

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Since the onset of the pandemic, cottage communities have seen unprecedented growth. Michelle chats with longtime contributor Philip Preville about his recent CL story “Talk of the Towns,” which explored how these communities are adapting to the influx of both part-time and full-time cottagers. What does this population explosion mean for culture in rural areas, and development and infrastructure? Then, we’ll listen to an essay that reflects on cottage life at the time of Canada’s 150th anniversary that will take you right to your piece of paradise.

Special thanks to:

Philip Preville, journalist

Articles referenced:

“Talk of the Towns” by Philip Preville (Cottage Life magazine, March/April 2023)

“On the Place that Will Always Be Home” by Marci MacDonald (Cottage Life magazine, Early Summer 2017)

Sources:

For more information on the great cottage-country migration and conversations on infrastructure development in rural areas, visit FOCA.

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• cottagelife.com
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/cottagelife/
• Twitter: @cottagelife
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• Youtube: www.youtube.com/user/CottageLifeMagazine/ 

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The climate crisis doesn’t have to feel overwhelming, we promise. In the premiere episode of season 4, Michelle sits down with renowned climate scientist Katharine Hayhoe to share how we can reframe the climate crisis as something we can take action on. Once we’re equipped with a few tips on how to feel empowered when it comes to the environment, we’ll listen to an essay by Wayne Grady about finding your own corner of unspoiled wilderness. 

Special thanks to:

Katharine Hayhoe, climate scientist

Articles/books referenced:

“Long-Range Forecast” by Katharine Heyhoe (Cottage Life magazine, June/July 2023)

“In Search of No-Man’s Land” by Wayne Grady (Cottage Life magazine, March/April 2021)

“Saving Us” by Katharine Heyhoe

“I work in the environmental movement. I don’t care if you recycle” by Mary Annaise Heglar (Vox, June 4, 2019)

Sources:

For more information on Katharine Heyhoe’s research and to learn more about the changing climate, visit katharineheyhoe.com.

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• Twitter: @cottagelife
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In the season finale, we commemorate our 35th anniversary by hearing from the founder of Cottage Life, Al Zikovitz. Michelle and Al chat about how the brand got its start, the culture it’s created, and how cottaging has changed over the last three decades. Then we’ll listen to an essay by treasured Canadian writer, and CL fan-favourite, Roy MacGregor.

Articles referenced:

“Rewriting the next chapter,” by Roy MacGregor (Cottage Life magazine, June/July 2022)

Connect with Cottage Life:

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The pandemic saw new levels of short-term renters flocking to cottage country. Michelle sits down with the executive director of the Federation of Ontario Cottagers’ Associations to chat about solutions to problem renters and what cottage owners who rent out their properties can do to keep their neighbours happy. Then, we’ll listen to an essay about a favourite culinary delight of late summer: fresh corn. 

Links:

Federation of Ontario Cottagers’ Association

Articles referenced:

“Kernel knowledge,” by Michelle Kelly (Cottage Life magazine, August 2007)

Connect with Cottage Life:

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• Twitter: @cottagelife
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• Youtube: www.youtube.com/user/CottageLifeMagazine/ 

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