Cleveland's House waterfront. Copyright Gabriele Wills

Windermere House in 2022. Copyright Gabriele Wills

One of the many, unique Muskoka boathouses. Copyright Gabriele Wills

RMS Segwun. Copyright Gabriele Wills

Based on a novel I began in 2000 but soon abandoned, Once Upon a Summer became a joyful, escapist COVID project in 2020, after I published my latest epic “Muskoka Novel”, Lighting the Stars, which took over six years to research and write. I was ready for something shorter and more contemporary, but still set in the landscape that nourishes my soul – Muskoka.
 
I chose 1987 and 1997 as the main time periods for several reasons: 

1. In 1987 there was no internet and no cell phones, so people only communicated by phone and regular mail.
2. 1997 was a time when the internet and email were young, and cell phones couldn’t text. So, communication was still mostly old-fashioned, and social media was barely in the cards.
3. I wanted to capture remnants of the antiquated, “all inclusive” summer vacations, which were fast disappearing, along with many resorts.
4. The delightful Pembrook sisters were still around!

 
As a teenager, I was fortunate to spend unforgettable summer weeks at my friend Fay Patterson’s island cottage on Lake Rosseau in Muskoka. We often went to nearby Cleveland’s House resort to pick up mail and savour ice cream cones. Over the last few decades, my family and I have occasionally stayed at Cleve’s – as it’s affectionately known – as well as many other resorts throughout Muskoka, including Windermere House before and after the devastating fire in 1996. 
 
But Cleve’s was the epitome of gracious, Victorian summer places to me, and inspired my Westwind Inn. This, however, is a work of fiction, so Westwind and all the characters in the novel spring from my imagination.
 
The supernatural element is a bit of spine-tingling fun, and symbolic in a literal way of how the past can haunt us. But several resorts reputedly have ghosts! Andrew Hind has two books detailing some of those: Muskoka’s Most Haunted and Muskoka’s Most Haunted 2.
 
I had a blast spending time with my characters, who have a habit of taking over "their" story so that every day held some surprises for me. It’s always a wrench to finish a novel and have to leave them behind. But like best friends, they forever have a place in my heart and mind.

Sadly, 2019 was the last summer for the iconic Cleveland’s House. It’s still shuttered in 2024, although there are plans for a redevelopment. For generations of guests who spent enjoyable holidays there, it will live on in their photos, anecdotes, and nostalgic memories. 


If you’d like to spend more virtual time in Muskoka, have a look at my 4 “Muskoka Novels" – an epic family saga set between 1914 and 1951. 

For more photos of Muskoka, see the Slideshow.

A classic Muskoka launch. Copyright Gabriele Wills.

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