Dorset, Ontario
Dorset, Ontario is a small community located within both Lake of Bays Municipality of the District of Muskoka and the Township of Algonquin Highlands of Haliburton County. As of 2009, Dorset has a local permanent population of approximately 400 although these numbers increase more than tenfold in the summer months due to cottagers and vacationers.
Geography
Dorset is located within the Canadian Shield ecological region of Canada. The region has many lakes surrounded by mixed hardwood forests of predominately Sugar Maple, Red Oak, White Ash, and Yellow Birch as well as softwoods such as Eastern White Pine, Black Spruce, Eastern Hemlock, and Balsam Fir. Spruce bogs, wetlands, large granite rock outcroppings are also common in the local area.
Dorset borders the coast of Lake of Bays as well as Trading Bay (a bay of the same lake). The two bodies of water are connected via the natural Dorset Channel that runs through the middle of Dorset.
Transportation
Dorset is easily accessible by Ontario Highway 35 as well as Muskoka Road 117. Bracebridge & Huntsville are the nearest local population centers which are approximately 60 and 40 kilometers away respectively.
Industry
Historically, Dorset has been primarily dependant on of the forestry industry; although over the years this dependence has diminished and tourism has taken over as the dominant contributing industry to the local economy.
Tourism
Dorset depends on tourism as it is a major contributor to the local economy. The Summer months tend to be the busiest time of the year for the community as thousands of people from the Greater Toronto Area and abroad flock to their cottages and enjoy the clean lakes and natural scenery. In Autumn, many visitors also come to see the changing fall foliage in the local forests. Dorset's relatively close proximity to Algonquin Provincial Park makes it a prime spot for tourists to rest and enjoy the area over lunch or dinner to and from the park. The community hosts a few restaurants, an ice cream shoppe, as well as a general store, and LCBO liquor store.
Attractions
The Dorset Fire Tower is one of the few surviving fire towers in the Muskoka / Haliburton region and is open year round; although the access road is not plowed or maintained in the winter months. The tower is located on a high ridge above the community and the tower accesses a panoramic view of the surrounding hills and picturesque Lake of Bays. The tower as well as well as the ridge is a dominant geographical feature in Dorset as it can be seen from almost anywhere within Dorset. In 1963 the former Dorset Fire Tower was shown in the opening credits of the old CBC TV show The Forest Rangers.
The Dorset Heritage Museum is located on Main Street and features many displays about Dorset's significant historical past as a major logging community.
Festivals & Annual Events
Every third weekend of February, the Annual Dorset Snowball Winter Carnival; which includes many family activities such as hot air balloon rides, helicopter rides, dog sledding, minnow races (see below), craft show, bake sale, broom ball tournaments, mini snowmobile rides, family skating, as well as a pancake breakfast hosted by the Dorset Fire Department. This event attracts hundreds of vistors from all over Ontario.
Minnow Racing
Minnow racing is a very important sport in Dorset and is important to the economy. Dorset is the world capital for minnow racing and attracts many sweedish minnow breeders. During the world championships held in Dorset, the economy and population is boosted by 60%. The winner of last years competition was a black backed shiner mix named "Skippy". Betting is highly accepted and anticipated in the heart-pounding races. They are run similarly to horse races with lanes and numbers. The current reccord is 34.6 seconds for a 20 meter lap. This was set by Skippy last year. Next years top prospect looks like "White Lighning" who is a rooky in the event being only 4 months old. He is a pure bread whiteshine minnow bread by Matt. He has a long powerful stroke, full of energy, and a good finishing kick. His breeder/trainer Matt says that he is looking to beat the current world record. There are exibition races in which anyone can participate if you sign up at the community center.
Noteable Residents
1.Ethan
2.Caleb
3.Rick
4.Ruth
5.Ron
6. JJ
7.Lance
8.Matt
9.Alex
External Links
http://www.muskoka-ontario.com/dorset/
http://www.dorsetsnowball.com/