Cottagers can get inspiration at upcoming show; Divorce Party the Musical at Stage West

   One-Tank Trip for Oct. 20/12

    (c) By Jim Fox

   Many cottagers are using their vacation dream homes year-round and will join the dreamers at the upcoming Fall Cottage Life Show.

   The event at the International Centre (6900 Airport Rd.) in Mississauga runs from Oct. 26 to 28.

A cottage on the rocks on the Trent-Severn Waterway near Port Severn. (Photo by Jim Fox)

   “Cottagers are spending more time at the lake, so they want that space to be livable all year round,” said Al Zikovitz, publisher of Cottage Life magazine and show producer.

   The show’s focus is to present exhibitors who are specialists in smart cottage designs, building and renovating, plus innovative building products and decor for cottages and country homes, he said.

   Are we there yet?

   “Whether you are on a lake or in the hills, the show is geared towards anyone who owns or dreams of owning a cottage, chalet, country home, hobby farm or rural retreat,” said publicist Peggy Sheffield.

The docks will soon be pulled up at this cottage at Bass Lake near Orillia. (Photo by Barbara Fox)

   More than 200 exhibitors will be there to give cottagers an opportunity to plan now for next year’s big projects.

   “Whether it’s a deck that needs replacing, a dock that needs to be ordered or a complete cottage reno or new build, doing the research now gives cottagers their best shot at having installations completed before the lazy days of next summer,” Sheffield said.

   This year’s big attraction will be a fully finished and decorated cottage set inside in a “little piece of cottage country,” with a natural stone and an evergreen garden.

   Designed and constructed by Canada Builds of Lindsay, Ont., it has 1,000 square feet (92.9 square metres) and features two bedrooms and two bathrooms.

   There’s an open kitchen and living room designed for entertaining, while there are “cottage-inspired touches,” including a tiled dog-wash station inside the back door.

   The company’s custom houses and cottages are “built in a controlled environment” and shipped to the building site and “married together” on a permanent foundation, with or without a basement.

   The model cottage is styled by Rebecca Purdy, who appears on HGTV cottage shows, and showcases furnishings and decor items from the show exhibitors.

   A really big show

   Along with the exhibitors, there will be the “fun stuff” such as boats, water toys, arts and decor, food, furnishings for indoors and out, and gift ideas for cottagers.

   The Cottage Kitchen will have cooking demonstrations, the Main Stage has seminars and panel presentations and the Great Outdoors is the place to “meet turtles, snakes, birds, and explore Ontario’s cottage country by snowmobile, dogsled, snowkiting or snowshoes.”

   Hours: Oct. 26, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Oct. 27, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Oct. 28, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

   Tickets: $15, adults; $8, ages 13 to 17 (no charge, 12 and younger); $22 weekend pass. Parking is free. www.cottagelife.com/shows; (416) 599-2000

Divorce Party the Musical playing at Stage West Theatre Restaurant in Mississauga. (Photo by Jason Gillman)

   The Big D at Stage West

   Is there anything funny about divorce?

   Well, Mark Schwartz, producer of the off-Broadway hit Menopause the Musical is back with Divorce Party the Musical now playing at Stage West Theatre Restaurant (5400 Dixie Rd.) in Mississauga.

   “Don’t get mad – get everything” is the mantra for this lively and biting musical making its Canadian premiere performances through Nov. 25.

   It tells of the story of Linda, reeling from the collapse of her marriage, who gathers together three of her friends, along with a massage therapist/pizza delivery boy/make-over guru and others, to party.

Divorce Party the Musical (Photo by Jason Gillman)

   With a “touch of naughty,” coupled with musical comic mayhem, “the girls cut loose on the realities of divorce, long-term relationships and moving on.”

   Performances run Tuesdays through Sunday evenings with matinees on Sundays and alternating Wednesdays, and include a lavish buffet. Tickets are from $45.99 to $92.99 depending on the day and time. www.stagewest.com; 1-800-263-0684

   Stage West All Suite Hotel recently became the Ramada Plaza Toronto Airport Hotel & Stage West Theatre, joining Ramada Worldwide, said Laurie Wallace-Lynch, director of marketing.

   The hotel has 224 suites, meeting and convention facilities, a three-story indoor waterslide and saltwater pool, fitness room and restaurant.

   The hotel and theatre continue to be managed by Stagewest Hospitality, which also operates casino resort properties in Alberta, as well as Stage West Calgary.

   Recent improvements include extensive renovations to the theatre buffet area, menu additions and also opening the dessert buffet at intermission.

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Jim Fox can be reached at onetanktrips@hotmail.com

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