Parry Sound Sideroads & Shorelines

January 2017

PARRY S OUND SIDEROADS & SHORELINES

HOCKEY TOWN

Parry Sound’s puck passion

AMAZING TRAILS

No matter the winter activity there’s a way to get moving!

BOAT HUNTING

A sneak peek at some great choices for this summer

EXTREME

winter fun!

You Dream. . .

And leave the details to us

6 Designer’s Lane at Oastler Park Drive and Hunter Drive Parry Sound • Muskoka • Georgian Bay 705.746.8686 www.northernliving.ca

MODERN AMERICAN BLACKSMITHS

JANUARY 2017 3

CONTENT FEATURES

22 PUCK PASSION

Parry Sound’s love for hockey runs deep.

32 MAKING TRACKS

Our area is blessed with a wealth of marked snowshoe or mixed-use trails.

37 WHATEVER FLOATS YOUR BOAT

Picking the right boat doesn’t have to be a daunting choice.

60 WOMEN: EMBRACE WINTER

Warm to the season with the Active Women’s Winter Weekend.

32 Making tracks

12 Sledding!

37

8

Never too early ...

Amazing trails

4 PARRY SOUND SIDEROADS & SHORELINES MAGAZINE

GUIDE

8 DISCOVER

Amazing winter trails are an invitation to hike, bike, snowshoe, ski and more.

12

22 Puck passion

EXPLORE

Parry Sound is the perfect region to check out kilometres of groomed snowmobile trails.

21 LOCAL FINDS

Celebrate ‘Cosy Nights’ with these items we found in and around Parry Sound..

28 OUT THERE

Make winter great again ... with these tips on seasonal gear.

42 TRAVEL

44 Warm up to chili

There’s a lot to consider if you’re planning to escape the cold for an all-inclusive resort.

44 SIMPLE AND DELICIOUS

How about keeping warm with some new takes on chili? And would you like corn bread with that?

48 SHOWCASE

Long view on the Big Sound: this waterfront home is a witness to four-season beauty.

58 ARTSCENE

‘Newfoundland runs aground in the Sound’: it’s time for the annual March Hare literary/music fest.

62 EVENTS

48

No need to hibernate with all these January, February and March happenings.

What a view JANUARY 2017 5

EDITOR’s NOTES

Winter is an invitation to explore possibilities Far from being an excuse to cower indoors, the start of a true Parry Sound winter represents a friendly summons to experience a host of seasonal events and activities.

In this edition of Parry Sound Sideroads & Shorelines we invite you to discover amazing winter trails at our doorstep, whether by snowshoe, crosscountry skis, fat bikes or just the soles of your boots!

We hear about an initiative called the Active Women’s Winter Weekend, encouraging friends to make Feb. 11 to 12 a time to try some of these sports, plus curling, yoga and musicality. It’s also a fundraiser for youth involvement in winter sports.

If you want to take in nature’s beauty and see a little more of it across the region – without all the exertion – then hopping on a snowmobile is probably more your speed. The Parry Sound Snowmobile District is a sought-after destination for riders from outside the area, as well as appreciated by those

ON OUR COVER: Greg Mason – fully equipped with safety gear – makes the most of the shift in seasons, in this interesting SUP excursion on Cole Lake, Carling.

January 2017

D OUN PARRYDSSSHORELI NES SIDEROA

who live right here. Read about what makes it so special and get to know a few of the trail groomers who are out there helping to keep the trails as smooth as possible.

And it wouldn’t be winter without a game of shinny on the lake or at the local rink. Parry Sound’s “puck passion” is examined in this edition as well, as we trace it from a certain “#4” (and others from our region’s past) to a rising OHL player.

When you get back indoors, you might want to have some delicious chili waiting for you, simmering on the stove.

Food writer Emily Blackman offers her take on this winter staple (page 44).

Of course, we know not everyone confirms their winter RSVP, so in this edition we offer not only a travel piece on planning an all-inclusive trip down south to escape the cold, but also a sneak peek at some 2017 boat models you might want to start shopping for ...

After all, summer is only five months away.

&

(Photo courtesy White Squall Paddling Centre)

HOCKEY TOWN

Parry Sound’s puck passion

AMAZING TRAILS

No matter the winter activity there’s a way to get moving!

Sideroads

&

Shorelines

Vice-President and Regional Publisher: Dana Robbins Regional General Manager: Shaun Sauve Publications Manager: Janice Heidman Editor-in-chief: Jack Tynan Regional Editor, Special Publications: Dave Opavsky Distribution Manager: Andrew Allen Advertising Sales: Kim Munroe • Robyn Heatherington Kira Stevenson Sales Associate: Tamara McWhirter Advertising Co-ordinator: Tony MacDonald Regional Director, Creative Services: Katherine Porcheron Creative Services Supervisor: Juanita Gabriel Creative Services: LuAnne Turner Nick Bornino Jennifer Dallman Contributors: Nora Alexander, Emily Blackman, JP Bushey, Glenda Clayton, Cody Storm Cooper, Kim Goggins, Andrew Hind, Jennie Pillgrem, Craig Ritchie, Patti Vipond Published six times per year, in January, March, May, July, September and November

66A Bowes Street, Parry Sound, Ontario P2A 2L3 Ph: 705-746-2104 Fx: 705-746-8369

Story idea? Email us:

BOAT HUNTING

A sneak peek at some great choices for this summer

jtynan@metrolandnorthmedia.com

EXTREME

winter fun!

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Parry S OUND

COME SEE US! Parry Sound Sideroads

12/20/16 12:39:57 PM

& Shorelines will be in the Metroland booth (#239) at the Jan. 20-29 Toronto International Boat Show.

Drop by and say “hi!” (torontoboatshow.com)

6 PARRY SOUND SIDEROADS & SHORELINES MAGAZINE

Parry Sound Sideroads & Shorelines is a publication of Metroland Media Group Ltd. Dana Robbins, Vice-President and Regional Publisher

Accepting New and Emergency Patients.

We Welcome Children!

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(705) 746-8317

www.georgianbaydentistry.com JANUARY 2017 7

DISCOVER

a m azi ng

Winter Trails Parry Sound area has kilometres of them!

STORY By Glenda Clayton PHOTOGRAPHY BY Peter Istvan

F

rom skis and snowshoes, to fat bikes and kick sleds, there are many fun ways to stay active this winter and enjoy our “snow” season in Parry Sound District.

The Lynx Trail at Georgian Nordic and Parry Sound’s Waterfront Trail are both recognized as “Amazing.” Initiated by Georgian Bay Biosphere Reserve in 2014, the Amazing Places program works with community partners to encourage people to get outside and experience the exceptional Winter is fun when you're out on an amazing trail.

8 PARRY SOUND SIDEROADS & SHORELINES MAGAZINE

biodiversity, topography and landscapes of the Biosphere region.

Georgian Nordic Ski and Canoe Club began with a small group of local outdoor enthusiasts who merged their love of paddling and skiing into one organization.

“The club started out skiing from Pinecrest Road in Nobel to Nine Mile around 1979 on a single track through the woods set by a snow machine,” shares Cec Smith, club president.

An old garage was acquired and located

Parry Sound Waterfront Trail.

on Nine Mile Lake Road. This served as the warm-up hut and became the official starting point of the trail system. The location proved to be a challenging initiation for first-time skiers.

“The trails all started at the top of the Nine Mile Lake hill and so your first five minutes were an exhilarating run downhill and required lining up a small bridge,” says Tim Dyer, a long-time club member.

The entrance trail was rerouted to provide new skiers a more welcoming start to the trail system and now the club boasts more than 30 kilometres of trails groomed for both classic and skate skiing techniques. Snowshoeing has become increasingly popular and several trails are designated for snowshoe use. The old garage was replaced by the insulated “Jackrabbit Burrow.” (During its

construction, several women apprenticed with skilled trades people through a program run by Georgian College.) The Jackrabbit Burrow offers ski rentals and a great facility to warm up and share stories of the trail.

The Burrow is also the meeting place for the Jackrabbit Ski Program. This program brings over 100 kids together each winter to learn to ski and has been going strong for three decades. Led by a group of enthusiastic and experienced volunteers, the program develops skills through games, activities and trail skiing, producing a number of highly ranked provincial ski program athletes.

The Sounder Ski Tour also has a long history with the club. The tour began in 1981 and featured a 50-kilometre event. “A highlight of the Parry Sound winter was the potluck supper and dance for the ski tour,”

Georgian Nordic Ski and Canoe Club boasts more than 30 kilometres of trails groomed for both classic and skate skiing techniques.

JANUARY 2017 9

The Lynx Trail is groomed for both classic and skate skiers.

Parry Sound Waterfront Trail users can climb the steps to enjoy the scenic viewpoint from Belevedere Hill.

shares Dyer. “It was always a sellout and the food on offer was so good.” The Sounder still runs each winter and features races of various lengths for both classic and skate skiers. The club welcomes recreational and racing skiers of all ages to this event.

True to the club’s name, an annual canoe race was launched in the late 1970s.

Founding club member Fern Harris says the event was very popular when it began.

“Thursday or Friday night before the race, club members would run the river section and put up signage and clear a few portage trails. Around 50 canoes would put in at Hurdville and we’d pull out in Parry Sound.

There were 23 rapids or lift-overs on the route and the average racer took about four hours to complete the course.” (Safety concerns led to the club to discontinue the race after five years.)

10 PARRY SOUND SIDEROADS & SHORELINES MAGAZINE

Bikes may need to be added to the club’s name since Get Outdoors Parry Sound (GOPS) has an agreement with Georgian Nordic Ski and Canoe Club to make the trails accessible for mountain biking in the summer and fat tire bikes during the winter.

GOPS is devoted to promoting cycling, hiking, walking and all things outdoors in the Parry Sound area.

“When the snow and temperature conditions are optimum, riding on a fat tire bike through the woods on beautifully groomed trails, is quite a thrill,” says Peter Istvan of GOPS.

Waterfront trail People new to fat tire bikes may want to take their first ride on Parry Sound’s Waterfront Trail. Gently winding its way

“When the snow and temperature conditions are optimum, riding on a fat tire bike through the woods on beautifully groomed trails, is quite a thrill”

Fat tire bikes add a new element to the Georgian Nordic Ski and Canoe Club.

along the rocky shoreline of Parry Sound, this 6.5-kilometre trail provides scenic views of “The Sound” and the inner harbour. Trail heads can be found at the bottom of Bay Street, Champagne Street, Prospect Street or Salt Dock Road.

In winter months, the Waterfront Trail becomes part of the Parry Sound Snowmobile Club trail network. This ensures the trail is well packed and readily accommodates fat tire bikes, kick sleds or simply travelled by foot.

The Waterfront Trail began life in Parry Sound’s industrial past. It was a rail spur line for the CN and CP railroads. This spur line moved lumber, coal and later oil to the large tanks located around the inner harbour.

The spur line was last used in 1984 and the oil tanks were demolished. In 1986, the Parry Sound Rotary Club spearheaded the

transformation of the abandoned railway line to recreational trail.

There are several interpretive signs found along the trail. These are excellent spots to stop and learn about local history, including the Algonquin Regiment and the contributions of Company Sergeant-Major Francis Pegahmagabow as a solider and activist for indigenous rights. There are also signs that mark where Tom Thomson sat to paint iconic Parry Sound scenes.

There is no better way to enjoy winter than to get outdoors. Grab skis, snowshoes or a fat tire bike and head to the amazing trails at Georgian Nordic and Parry Sound’s waterfront. With stunning views and fresh air, winter just might become your favourite season.

Glenda Clayton is the species at risk coordinator for the Georgian Bay Biosphere Reserve.

Learn more ...

Amazing Places: visitamazingplaces.ca Georgian Nordic Ski and Canoe Club: georgiannordic.com Get Outdoors Parry Sound: getoutdoorsparrysound.com

JANUARY 2017 11

EXPLORE

It’s all about the ride Although Parry Sound has a lot of great destinations, snowmobilers enjoy the journey itself

By Kim Goggins

12 PARRY SOUND SIDEROADS & SHORELINES MAGAZINE

G

Travelling along Trail 102.

(Photo courtesy PSSD 10)

listening trails as smooth as table tops are one reason thousands of snowmobilers flock to Parry Sound District each winter but it’s also the picturesque landscape of the Canadian Shield that grabs them on their first visit and won’t let go.

“We’re not running farmers’ fields,” notes Bruce Clarke, vice-president of West Muskoka Trail Riders, one of eight clubs in OFSC District 10. “We have some real pretty trails going through the bush. You see things you’d never otherwise see.”

Lisa Ernst, governor of OFSC District 10 and president of West Muskoka Trail Riders notes that it’s also the challenge of the trails that attracts seasoned snowmobilers. “… Because we’re on the Canadian Shield we have to get around the big rocks.

It’s challenging – there’s a lot of corners, there’s a lot of ‘hoop-de-doos,’ there’s a lot of holes. You’ve got to watch where you’re going all the time,” she says. “The challenge of the trails is one of the reasons people snowmobile here. You’re not getting bored … The trails are adventurous. There are a lot of little trails; there are big wide trails. We have the whole spectrum of the trail system so it’s not like you’re sitting on a rail line and you’re givin’ ’er as fast as you can to get to the other end.”

Mary Jo Vanden Heuvel agrees, and says the unique topography of the area is what draws her and her husband Fred up to Parry Sound from their home in Southwestern Ontario several times a season.

“It’s quite flat here. It’s all farmland. So the experience is quite different up in the Parry Sound area,” she explains. “There’s just that much more forest and the landscape is so much different once you get up into that area – the forest and the rock and the hills.

We don’t have that at home.”

With Toronto less than three hours away and cottagers who are choosing to build fourseason cottages rather than the traditional three-season of the past, there are more people than ever coming to Parry Sound to ride the trails each winter.

According to the OFSC in a February 2015 press release, its extensive system throughout the province provides more kilometres of snowmobile trails than provincial highways

and OFSC District 10 claims almost 1,000 kilometres of these pristine trails.

Snowmobiling has an estimated economic impact of about $1.7 billion in Ontario, and spinoffs of the sport are clearly shown on any given weekend the trails are open with snowmobiles taking up most of the space in parking lots of restaurants, gas stations and resorts.

“Essentially, people come up to go snowmobiling on some very good trails and they bring their wallets,” says Dave Matson, president of OFSC District 10. “All the resorts, all the gas stations, all the restaurants actually do rely on snowmobiling in the winter time. If snowmobiling wasn’t a good winter sport that people enjoy, these people would probably just have to close up and go somewhere else for the winter.”

It’s obvious these businesses ‘get it’ by the way they cater to their sledding clientele.

“It’s nice to get up there,” says Vanden Heuvel. “I think in that area they really look after their tourists and they consider snowmobilers as tourists. It’s not just summer tourism up there. The trails lead to restaurants and gas stations and it’s just a holiday when we go up. It’s beautiful.”

The trails also lead to many destinations that are only accessible in the winter and Washago residents Lorey Sargent and Kevin Janes, who trailer their snowmobiles up at least once a year, enjoy the views.

“District 10 keeps their trails in fabulous condition. Trails are well marked and wide. Scenery is beautiful. Lots of options for snowmobilers (including) short or long loops,” says Sargent. “It’s also in close proximity to the suspension bridge that goes over the French River – absolutely gorgeous.

The Seguin Trail also travels along the shoreline and gives a sensational view of the Sound.”

“There’s just that much more forest and the landscape is so much different once you get up into that area.”

JANUARY 2017 13

(Photos by Kira Stevenson)

Family Friendly The selection of trails also makes this area perfect for long-time enthusiasts as well as newbies; friends getting together for a weekend ride or families with young children.

“There are so many kilometres of trails and different trails that are a lot safer for families,” says Jason Sinasac, the groomer/ operator and trails coordinator for West Muskoka Trail Riders. “Then there’s the Seguin Trail where it’s get on and go. A lot of the branching trails are twisty and windy and have a lot less traffic on them so they’re safer for a family. If you’re new try getting out during the week when it’s less busy.

Never try to go out on the weekend if you’re a beginner, that’s for sure.”

Matson agrees and suggests mid-week is a good time, after the rush of the weekend and the trails are groomed smooth again.

He points to the loops that can be found on the back of the official OFSC District 10 map as a good place to start when planning a trip, regardless of experience.

“We’re developing loops that go from a day loop or a two-day loop or even a threeday loop through different trails within the district,” he says. “There’s some very not-sochallenging trails and there are some very challenging trails.”

Dubbed the ‘D10 Out & Back Tour Guide,’

“The challenge of the trails is one of the reasons people snowmobile here. You’re not getting bored … The trails are adventurous.” it includes tours like the Horsefly Lancaster, Yellow Jacket Arrow, The Deerfly Sea King, Blackfly Voodoo, The Hornet, Dragon Fly Hercules and the Mosquito, and each shows a small map as well as total kilometres and total water crossings. You can also contact any of the eight clubs in the district to ask what loops are good for your experience level. (See the list of clubs and websites in the sidebar, page 17.)

If you want to try the sport before investing the money, you may want to consider renting a machine. Parry Sound Near North Recreation and Rosseau Road Powersports & Marine both rent snowmobiles right near the trail.

Ernst reminds those new to the sport to drive within their means to stay safe on the trails. “What I mean by that is if it’s your first time out and your buddy has been sledding for the last 20 years and he’s going to be just ‘zippety-doo-dahing’ don’t try to keep up with him. Ride your own ride,” she says.

“That’s really important.” It’s also important to remember the rules of the road, which hold true on the trails, along with some extra guidelines to keep you safe.

“If you look at the (OFSC District 10) map, it has the hand signals,” she says. “If I’m in a line up and I’m the first person and there’s three people behind me, I would put up my glove up to tell the sleds coming the other way that there are three people

14 PARRY SOUND SIDEROADS & SHORELINES MAGAZINE

behind me. The last person does a little wave or puts their fist up in the air to let the people coming know they’re the last one.”

Anyone with a valid driver’s licence is allowed on the trails with a snowmobile.

Those 12 and older without a driver’s licence must have a snowmobile licence.

OFSC District 10 offers driver training every third Saturday of the month until March for those 12 and older who are new to the sport.

See drivertrainingd10.weebly.com for more information.

Where to eat on the trails As soon as the snow starts flying and the trails are close to opening, Lisa Ernst always gets a call from Crossroads Restaurant in Rosseau asking when the trails are going to open.

“She knows it’s coming,” laughs Ernst.

“At any given time when the trails are open, you’d be hard-pressed to get a seat in there. We pack it out. If you drive by there will be like 50 sleds sitting there. We don’t even have fuel in Rosseau anymore.

People come for the food.” She says the same of the small community of Ardbeg.

“There’s nothing there except train tracks and Loggers (Station House) Restaurant and you can pull in there and there will be a couple of hundred sleds sitting in there (on a Saturday).”

and he says local restaurants that get a big thumbs up are Loggers Station, Duck Nest, Ahmic Harbour Hotel and Magnetawan Grill. “They’re all good places to eat,” he promises.

Mary Jo Vanden Heuvel agrees that pub food and appetizers – and maybe a hot bowl of chili or homemade soup – is a definite must for eating on the trails but she also looks for ambiance and sledder-friendly restaurants. “(We need) lots of parking and someplace to hang up your helmet and they don’t mind a table being wasted with all of your helmets and gloves and all of your paraphernalia because you’re just peeling off layers as you come into a restaurant or bar,” she says. “It’s nice when they can accommodate that and we’ve been to a few places over the years where the entrance is filled with pegs or cubby holes for helmets and stuff.

Those are the people who really want the snowmobilers to come and visit. They set it up so that you can get rid of your gear.”

(Photo courtesy Jamie Blake)

For a groomer like Six Star Snow Riders’ Bob MacKay, who can be pretty hungry after a long shift on the trails, there is nothing he likes better than the wings at H&H Restaurant and Resort on Kapikog Lake.

They have “German cuisine but in my opinion they make some of the best chicken wings around,” he says. “They also have German beers and Schnitzel.” The Lighthouse Restaurant is also a favoured spot, adds MacKay, noting they have the best clubhouse sandwich he’s had in a long time with real, not processed, turkey.

Restaurants on the trails that Jason Sinasac enjoys, whether he has just finished grooming or been out snowmobiling, himself, are Memories of Muskoka, Sprucedale Hotel and Boston Pizza right in Parry Sound, which is popular spot for many sledders.

“It’s not far off the trail and it’s our favourite,” notes Lorey Sargent.

Snowmobiling for more than 30 years, Dave Matson talks to a lot of snowmobilers

Memories of Muskoka restaurant, South Seguin, Parry Sound.

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(Photo courtesy Bob MacKay)

GROOMED FOR SUCCESS

By Kim Goggins

A

t 3 a.m. the silence is a welcome change from the roar of sleds throughout the day. Snow falls steadily and lays a heavy quilt of white on the trees, while the moon faintly lights the trail ahead.

For many a snowmobiler that has witnessed this tranquil scene, it’s breathtaking.

The slope of the hills winding around outcroppings of granite and through thick forest is the reason they believe Parry Sound offers some of the best snowmobiling anywhere.

For most trail groomers, there is nothing else like this time of day, surrounded by the serenity of nature. Deer, moose, owls and other wildlife not often seen during the day are part of their nightlife. When everything goes right, it can be a very peaceful job.

That is, when everything goes right.

“This job is not for the faint of heart,” laughs James Bingham, working supervisor

for the Magnetawan Ridge Runners, who has been grooming the trails in that area (as a volunteer) for seven seasons. “I have been stuck in a blizzard in a swamp and off the trail and in at least three feet of snow when it was pitch black. It took hours to get to me.

The other groomer out there took as long as I did to get to where I was. So I was waiting three hours for him to come and it was two or three hours (of trying to get the groomer unstuck) and I was wondering if we were ever going to get the thing out. Then we got it out and it was another three hours back.”

For exactly this scenario, extra clothes and a winter emergency kit are a good idea for groomers who typically look after the trails overnight when the temperature is sure to stay at least five degrees below zero allowing for the freshly smoothed trails to ‘set.’

“I’m always prepared for the worst,” says Bob MacKay, who is the working supervisor for Six Star Snow Riders and has been

16 PARRY SOUND SIDEROADS & SHORELINES MAGAZINE

grooming trails for close to 17 years. “I have ice crossings (about two-to-three feet deep) that take me sometimes four attempts to get across. I have to build ice bridges and try to hook them up from one side to the other side. When we open and go north there’s one spot at a beaver pond that takes two groomers, one guy (Eric Kalbe) bringing me snow to make a bridge while I’m watching the ice crack around me and still continuing to make my bridge.”

Most of the industrial groomers used by Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs District 10 (which joined with Parry Sound Snowmobile District 10 in November 2016) are 7,000-pound beasts on tracks that are three-to-six-feet wide. The heated cab seats two people but rarely can passengers tolerate the long hours that the drivers put in each night so the passenger seat is typically empty. The blade in front is used to knock down moguls in the snow and

The Clubs Although the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC) District 10 and Parry Sound Snowmobile District (PSSD) 10 agreed to work as a single grooming and operational district for this season, the snowmobile clubs that reside within the boundaries of PSSD haven’t changed. Websites for each club can be found on the District 10 page at www. pssd.ca. They include: Carling Trailblazers Snowmobile Club – email admin@pssd.ca Cramadog Snowriders Corp. – email cramadogs@gmail.com Magnetawan Ridge Riders – email admin@pssd.ca North East Georgian Bay Snowmobile Club – email admin@pssd.ca Six Star Snow Riders – website sixstarsnowriders.com South Seguin Snowmobile Club – email admin@pssd.ca West Muskoka Trail Riders – email lisaernst608@gmail.com

WORRIED ABOUT YOUR

TAXES?

Lots of fun in the snow There is always happening on the trails in District 10. Don’t forget to mark these event dates in your calendar: Feb. 4: Pointe au Baril Winter Whirl (North East Georgian Bay Snowmobile Club) Feb. 4: Annual Raffle & Ride Event – Trail 10 (Six Star Snow Riders) Feb. 18: Poker Run – (South Seguin Snowmobile Club and Six Star Snow Riders) Feb. 18: Trail Lunch & Club Meet & Greet (Magnetawan Ridge Runners) Feb. 25: 15th Annual Radar Run on Horseshoe Lake (South Seguin Snowmobile Club) Feb. 25 and 26: Drag at the Mag (Magnetawan Ridge Runners) March 4: Annual General Meeting at the MacTier Legion (Six Star Snow Riders) April 15: Crane/Blackstone Bride Removal (Six Star Snow Riders For more information visit www.pssd.ca

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“They really look after their tourists and they consider snowmobilers as tourists. It’s not just summer tourism up there. The trails lead to restaurants and gas stations and it’s just a holiday when we go up. It’s beautiful.”

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the drag on the back flattens out the snow.

Think of a Zamboni going over an ice rink, suggests Bingham, but not as fast. Due to the windy trails and hilly terrain, most only move three-to-nine kilometres an hour, making the nights very long.

“We use a combination of industrial groomers. One of them is made by Bombardier, the BR 180,” notes MacKay, “and it’s very similar to what you’d see on ice road trucks. They groom ski hills with these and up north making ice roads for Arctic expeditions. (One of) ours is a two-seater, more designed for working in the bush than on a ski hill.”

Being trained on the groomer is a long process of many shifts in the passenger seat, learning how to handle the machines, as well as annual courses on how to operate a chainsaw and WHIMIS. Knowing how the machines operate is a good idea, too, because they will have to fix any problems that arise out on the trails.

“Nobody just jumps in a groomer and goes out to make a trail,” says MacKay. “There’s an art to it. Every day is a different scenario of what you have to do and it depends largely on the weather. We groom at night time, therefore our trails last longer, are more sturdy because they’re not destroyed as soon as we make them. They get a chance to set.”

Jason Sinasac of West Muskoka Trail Riders has been working the trails for about 22 years and before that, as a teen, he helped his dad groom for three years. He also knows the dangers that lurk in the dark, especially for a novice.

“It’s not just getting in the machine and following the trail. You should really know

18 PARRY SOUND SIDEROADS & SHORELINES MAGAZINE

the trail before the snow even falls and what’s underneath and before even getting in a machine,” he suggests. “If you send someone out that doesn’t know the terrain or anything like that they can get themselves into a lot of trouble falling through water holes. They can even get turned around trying to get down to a lake or something like that.”

Getting to know the trails intimately usually happens in November, after hunting season, when groups of volunteers head out on trail clearing missions. This is when fallen trees are moved, branches and bushes are cut back, and even when bridges and culverts are rebuilt or rerouted. It’s grueling work that most sledders don’t even realize happens before the snow falls.

“You meet new people and it’s very empowering that way,” says Bingham. “You have close bonds with them because you have this common interest. It has to be a definite interest because it’s a lot of work; it’s like a job. It’s volunteer but absorbs hundreds of hours to do it right.”

OFSC District 10 President Dave Matson, who is also past-president and director of Cramadog Snowmobile Club agrees, noting that without the dedication of volunteers, it’s likely that snowmobiling wouldn’t exist as it’s now known.

“Snowmobiling is definitely volunteerdriven,” he says.

Then the snow comes and much more work is required before the trails are even opened. In the swampy areas, they bring out the old Alpine workhorses to go through the swamps so the frost will get into them and freeze up. Then the groomer goes out

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Each groomer has his own way of perfecting the many kilometres of trails he is responsible for and there is a lot of pride in the finished product – both for looks and for safety. to push the snow down and pack it with the drag on the back that looks like a weighted flat pan. Then it has to be left to freeze and then the grooming can begin a week to 10 days later.

Each groomer has his own way of perfecting the many kilometres of trails he is responsible for and there is a lot of pride in the finished product – both for looks and for safety.

“We pride ourselves on our corners. Our corners are flat,” notes MacKay. There are no bankings in our corners. Of course, when snowmobiles ride they all ride the bottom of the corner and push the snow to the outside so that makes for a bank. The more banking

you have the more dangerous it is because they all run at the bottom of the corner, going in both directions. So we make our corners without banks and that lets a person ride on the right side and the oncoming people can ride on their right side and hopefully the two don’t collide.”

Replacing safety signs along the trails and fixing the groomers when they break down also go hand in hand with a groomer’s seemingly endless job.

So what makes them return every winter?

“When a rider stops you on the trail (and says), ‘You guys are the best’ (it feels good),” says MacKay. “Stuff like that makes it worthwhile. It’s a good feeling.”

Bob MacKay at the wheel of a Six Star Snow Riders groomer.

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20 PARRY SOUND SIDEROADS & SHORELINES MAGAZINE

Cosy Nights

LOCAL FINDS

NORTH FACE NAVY HOODIE $129.99 found at White Squall • LADIES’ PURPLE SHIRT & TIGHTS $100/each found at White Squall NAVY BLUE MOCASSINS $77.98 found at The Wolf Den • NAVY patterNED pants $100 found at White Squall • RED-striped woven throw 32”X72” $299.99 found at Hilltop Interiors • kNITTED SLIPPER SOCKS $17.98 found at The Wolf Den • 10” RED CERAMIC serving BOWL $14.95 found at Walmart • flameless candles w/remote $29.99 (set of 3) found at Lane Family Pharmasave • DEER PRINT CERAMIC MUGS $12.99 each found at Lane Family Pharmasave • WOODEN SERVING TRAYs $129 (2) found at Parry Sound Furniture • RENTED MOVIES found at Videoflicks • orr: my story hardcover $20 found at Bobby Orr Hall of Fame JANUARY 2017 21

(Photo by Thom Morrissey)

22 PARRY SOUND SIDEROADS & SHORELINES MAGAZINE

Oscar Crafts from Parry Sound enjoys some shinny on Cole Lake.

Puck Passi n Love for hockey runs deep in Parry Sound

By Andrew Hind

P

against 16-year-olds and arry Sound is a was hockey’s most hockey town, its anticipated prospect. He significance to didn’t disappoint; in an the wider hockey world NHL career tragically cut out of proportion to its short after only a dozen modest size. Much of this, years due to bad knees, undoubtedly, is due to Orr won the league the fame of arguably the scoring title twice (the greatest player of all time, Bobby Orr on Parry Sound’s championship 1961-62 Bantam team. only defenceman to have for even people with no (Photo above and those on page 25 courtesy the Bobby Orr Hall of Fame.) done so), won a record interest or knowledge of hockey will undoubtedly know that North America and the world,” says Cheryl eight straight Norris Trophies as the NHL’s Bobby Orr, the legendary Boston Bruins Ward, manager of the Bobby Orr Hall of best defenceman and three consecutive defenceman, is the town’s most famous Fame and the Charles W. Stockey Centre Hart Trophies as the league’s most valuable in which it is housed. These tourists spend player. He was inducted into the Hockey native son.

But hockey’s significance to Parry Sound their money in area accommodations, Hall of Fame in 1979 at age 31, at that time isn’t limited to Orr, as great as he is. The restaurants, gas stations, retail outlets and the youngest player inducted. Though Orr community has had a thriving grassroots more. The economic impact of the Hall of is one of hundreds of players in the Hockey Hall of Fame, he’s perhaps the only one with hockey program for over a century, which Fame is significant.

This tourist boon owes itself to the legend a hall of fame of his very own. both entertained generations of locals but “The Bobby Orr Hall of Fame has also funneled a number of players to the and appeal of one man.

Born in Parry Sound in 1948, Robert the largest collection of Orr’s personal pro ranks. The game is also a driver of the local economy, both in terms of tourists Gordon Orr began skating at the age of memorabilia anywhere in the world,” headed for the Bobby Orr Hall of Fame and four. He spent countless hours on the enthuses Ward. “We are the proud curators teams and their families coming to town for Seguin River, perfecting the skating stride of his many artifacts. Highlights include the that would one day make him the most puck with which he scored his first NHL tournaments.

“Hockey has put Parry Sound on the map. feared defenceman – and arguably the best goal, his 1970 Stanley Cup ring, several The Bobby Orr Hall of Fame is a real mecca player – in National Hockey League history. Parry Sound Shamrock jerseys, his Order of for hockey fans, with more than 5,000 Orr began playing organized hockey at Canada, his first NHL contract, and the puck people visiting every year, from all over age five, and by the age of 12 was playing with which he scored ‘The Goal’ – the one

JANUARY 2017 23

(Photo: Parry Sound North Star)

Whether you’re a player or spectator, young or old, whether the playing surface is a frozen pond, outdoor rink or an arena, as soon as the puck drops the cold is forgotten and the passion for the game takes hold.

(Photo by Thom Morrissey)

so famous from the photo of him seemingly flying through the air in celebration – to win the Stanley Cup. There isn’t a finer collection of Bobby Orr memorabilia anywhere.”

In addition to Orr’s memorabilia, there are a number of interactive games and activities related to hockey to engage and entertain visitors. Ever want to call a game like Foster Hewitt? Try your hand at being a sportscaster in the play-by-play booth ... watch a clip from a real NHL game, and record your own call of the play? Test the accuracy of shot in the Top Shot Electronic Hockey Net, or play a modern version of the classic table hockey game? For hockey fans it’s an immersive, thrilling experience.

“The facility also houses the Parry Sound

Sports Hall of Fame, which for the last 13 years has been celebrating athletic excellence of significance to the community. The gallery reveals how rich Parry Sound’s sporting history is and how many exceptional athletes there have been with ties to the community, including, as one would expect, a number of hockey players,” continues Ward.

Bobby Orr undoubtedly put Parry Sound on the hockey map, but Parry Sound was producing talented professional players even decades before he first laced on skates for the Boston Bruins. Most of them are today enshrined in the Bobby Orr Hall of Fame.

Prior to the emergence of Orr, the most celebrated player to come from Parry Sound was Wilfred ‘Bucko’ McDonald, who enjoyed a decade-long NHL career playing for the Detroit Red Wings, Toronto Maple Leafs, and New York Rangers. McDonald, a rocksolid defenceman, won three Stanley Cups, and upon retirement returned to Parry Sound where he coached youth hockey and became a mentor to the young phenom, Orr.

24 PARRY SOUND SIDEROADS & SHORELINES MAGAZINE

The next NHL star could very well have been another Orr: Bobby’s father, Douglas.

Born in Parry Sound in 1925, he excelled as a young hockey player, exhibiting many of the same attributes that would later make his son famous – flawless natural skating ability, deft stickhandling ability, and a free-wheeling style. Douglas Orr caught the attention of Boston Bruins scouts in the early 1940s and was invited to play in their farm system, but gave up a promising pro-hockey career to join the Royal Canadian Navy during the Second World War, where he served on a corvette escorting convoys across the North Atlantic. Never losing his passion for hockey, he returned to Parry Sound to become an ardent supporter of youth hockey.

Les Tabobondung almost became the first Parry Sound First Nations person to make the NHL. A talented player, he tried out for the Detroit Red Wings and Chicago Hawks on a couple of occasions, and scrimmaged with legendary players like Bobby Hull and Stan Makita. Yet it was as a member of 195657 Junior C Shamrocks, the first Parry Sound

The only team more revered in Parry Sound than the 1956-57 Junior C Shamrocks is the 1961-1962 Bantam All-Stars.

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team to win a provincial championship, that Tabobondung became a local hockey icon. To his ever-lasting pride, his son Barry was drafted by the Philadelphia Flyers in 1981 and went on to enjoy a 10-year career playing in minor-pro leagues across North America.

The only team more revered in Parry Sound than the 1956-57 Junior C Shamrocks is the 1961-1962 Bantam All-Stars. It was a team loaded with talent, including Bobby Orr, Simon Stanley, Rod Bloomfield (who had also played on the Shamrocks, and would enjoy a successful minor pro career before being cast as Paul Newman’s skating double in the movie Slapshot), Cliff Shur, Gaye Norrie, Bob Cardy and Jimmy Whittaker (drafted 12th overall by the Detroit Red Wings in 1966). This stacked team didn’t lose a single game while winning four championships that season, a feat unlikely ever to be repeated.

The focus of the sport is typically on professional hockey or the developmental programs of youth hockey, the stepping stones to pro careers. By the age of 20, players have advanced out of the junior ranks and either ‘made it’ by earning a pro contract or given up on their dreams.

Yet, passion for hockey isn’t confined to professional hockey players, nor to those attempting to reach that childhood dream.

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The Future

Aidan Dudas has been labelled the next star after Bobby Orr to come out of Parry Sound

Y

ou can take the boy out of Parry Sound, but you can’t take the Parry Sound out of the boy.

Aidan Dudas has spent his life playing hockey – and starring – in his home town of Parry Sound, where he became coveted by Ontario Hockey League scouts for his playmaking ability and smooth skating. Selected in the first round of the OHL draft by Owen Sound, this year he’s moved away from home for the first time and is playing as a 16-year-old for the Attack. Nevertheless, he’s quick to speak of Parry Sound when discussing his success.

“Hockey is part of the fabric of life in Parry Sound. When you come to Parry Sound you can easily see it’s a hockey town. The community really embraces its teams and it brings the community together in a way that doesn’t happen in larger cities where there are other sports and attractions. That passion makes you want to succeed, to push yourself. It’s also why we have great hockey programs,” explains Dudas, who started playing hockey at four years of age and spend countless hours playing on the 100-foot backyard rink his father built every winter.

(Photo: OHL Images/ Owen Sound Attack)

competition and the enjoyment of team camaraderie doesn’t fade simply because the scouts never came calling. For them, recreational hockey leagues fill the void.

These so-called ‘beer leagues’ are filled with players whose skill hasn’t quite kept pace with their passion for the game and yet the quality of play can be quite high and the competitive fires undiminished by age.

Perhaps the best of these recreational circuits is the Parry Sound Industrial Hockey League.

“The PSIHL has been around for 50 years and has developed into the most competitive recreational league in our area,” explains Kelly Draycott. “We have eight or nine teams per year that play 40-50 games, as well as a round-robin playoff that see the top three teams compete for the ‘A’ Division trophy, teams ranked fourth through sixth playing for the Division ‘B’ Trophy, and seventh to ninth placed teams play for the ‘C’ Division championship.”

Teams are put together by friends and coworkers and then pay a $3,800 team registry free. All players must be at least 19 years old. In order to keep hockey affordable, the PSIHL holds a number of fundraisers each year to offset the cost of ice time and teams are sponsored by local businesses in exchange for ads on their jerseys.

“There’s a real love for hockey in Parry Sound,” says Draycott, who should know, having played Junior C for the Bruins before giving up playing hockey for refereeing the sport. “The game is always really popular in small towns like Parry Sound. I think it’s partly because there isn’t much in the way of entertainment or night life during winter, and partly because of the history of hockey here.

“Everyone either plays or watches hockey, and that passion runs deep.”

A simple game born on a pond, hockey is part of the fabric of life in Parry Sound.

Whether you’re a player or spectator, young or old, whether the playing surface is a frozen pond, outdoor rink or an arena, as soon as the puck drops the cold is forgotten and the passion for the game takes hold.

He’s an extremely intelligent young man, on and off the ice, who works tirelessly to advantage of every opportunity afforded him.

Dudas, who played for Team Canada’s silver medal team at the Youth Winter Olympics this past February, brings more than just skill to the Owen Sound Attack.

He’s also an extremely intelligent young man, on and off the ice, who works tirelessly to advantage of every opportunity afforded him.

“It was tough leaving home, but I’m trying to everything in and learn a lot. Owen Sound has been a great experience. Playing against older, faster guys and being around 19- and 20-year-olds at the rink every day has helped me mature a lot, both as a player and a person,” Dudas explains. “Coming to Owen Sound has been an important step in my career. Thankfully, it’s a small town like Parry Sound so the transition off the rink hasn’t been that hard.”

Dudas has been labelled the next star after Bobby Orr to come out of Parry Sound.

It’s a mantle Dudas doesn’t shy away from at all, even as he respects the size of the footprints he’s been asked to follow.

“I was aware of Bobby Orr growing up. Everyone is,” says Dudas. “You go to the rink and it’s called the Bobby Orr Community Centre. You know he’s a legend and everyone looks up to him both as an athlete and human being. I met him once and he’s a great guy. In some ways we’re similar. We’re both players who focus on moving fast and making plays. And we’re both similar sizes; when Bobby Orr was my age he was 5’6” and 140 lbs whereas I’m 5’7” and 160 lbs. Hopefully, I’ll grow as fast as a man and player as he did!”

26 PARRY SOUND SIDEROADS & SHORELINES MAGAZINE

You need to do something special with a whole bunch of people.

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Why? Because the Stockey Centre, The Bobby Orr Hall of Fame and the Bobby Orr Community Centre have just the right space for you and your event. Whether it is your wedding, a meeting, a training session, a trade show, a private concert, or your family celebration, there is a space for you in our unique centres at exactly the right price.

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Events at a Glance in Parry Sound January

February

March

TIFF Film: Genius

TIFF Film: Lo and Behold

TIFF Film: Things to Come

Thursday, January 5

Thursday, February 2

Thursday, March 2

GCHI DEWIN: Indigenous Storytellers Festival

Active Women’s Winter Weekend

Friday, March 3

Friday, January 13

February 11-12

Reel Paddling Film Festival

Lee Ann Womack

Art Classes and Wine Glasses

Saturday, March 4

Monday, January 16

Tuesday, February 14 & 28 and March 14

March Break Headquarters

TIFF Film: Denial Thursday, February 16

TIFF Film: Manchester by the Sea

Snowfest

Thursday, March 16

TIFF Film: The Dressmaker Thursday, January 19

Robbie Burns Banquet & Ceilidh featuring Scantily Plaid Saturday, January 21

Art Classes and Wine Glasses Tuesday, January 10 & 24

March Hare

March 13-17

February 17-20

Tartan Terrors

Classic Albums Live: Rolling Stones' Stickey Fingers

Saturday, March 18

Wednesday, February 22

Wednesday, March 29

Find tickets and details at stockeycentre.com

Vitaly Beckman Alan Doyle Thursday, March 30 JANUARY 2017 27

OUT THERE

(thinkstockphotos.ca/Creatas Images)

Make Winter

... with these tips on seasonal gear

By JP Bushey

B

eing able to enjoy the outdoors through each of the four seasons is one of many things that makes the Georgian Bay area special. I just can’t imagine living somewhere the lakes didn’t freeze, or where I couldn’t fill my lungs with cold, clean air. We’re really lucky to have so many activities out in the snow or on the ice. Winter is a magical time to connect with nature, spend time with friends and family and enjoy life outside. No matter where or how, our region offers as many fun and safe options for outdoor recreation in winter as at any other time of year.

If you spend a lot of time outside this time

of season, you’ll want to be equipped and prepared. Just as we guard against things like heat or UV rays in summer, winter has its own tips, tricks and gear that makes any activity enjoyable. Certain little details can make all the difference. With so much to do outside, let’s look at a few tips I’ve picked up during a lifetime spent outdoors.

Walking is a great way to stay fit and depending where you are, get close to nature. Whether you cruise the Fitness Trail, the streets in town or a back road out in the country, always be mindful of your footing.

Just like driving on the highway, traction and stability are key. Even surfaces that appear

28 PARRY SOUND SIDEROADS & SHORELINES MAGAZINE

stable can be slippery. If you walk on land or safe ice, consider adding traction to your footwear. Slip-on, grippers are the way to go.

They come in many styles and varieties, but they all do basically the same thing. Once on your regular boots, they provide enhanced grip, using metal treads. Some systems use steel teeth, almost like a saw blade. Others have little studs, like you’d find on a snow machine track. Opt for models that give grip to both the balls of your feet as well as the heels. Some strap on, others are a molded rubber shell you insert your whole boot into.

They’re lightweight and really do a great job.

Great Again

Dressing for a bit of exercise in winter makes a big difference, too.

Today’s modern, wicking fibres let you move freely, but stay dry and warm.

you from land to ice, they’re a must. Adding the dimension of lake travel to your route is spectacular. On many area lakes, safe ice can be a haven for deer, as the snow on land gets deeper and deeper. Definitely consider walking with a camera.

I’ll always be a big fan of getting kids outside and winter walks are the perfect way to do it. A lightweight, stable sleigh is a great tool for taking young children along.

Many manufacturers offer plastic, ‘tubstyle’ toboggans that are ideal for piling a child or two into. Up front, add a generous, continuous section of light rope. Step into the loop and set it around your body, just

Ice picks are a mandatory tool. They’re worn around your neck, and can be quickly deployed, should you fall through.

(Photo courtesy JP Bushey)

With sand and salt covering the ground in many areas this time of year, be sure to do a little basic maintenance on your grippers, to prevent corrosion or deterioration. Rinse them clean with war, soapy water every few uses. Models that use rubber can be preserved by adding talcum powder a few times a season. It keeps the rubber supple and prevents cracking. During the off season, I store mine in a baggie with talcum powder in a cool, dry place. This way, they’re always in good shape and last a lot longer.

Don’t think that enhancing your traction is for ice-travel only. These little devices are just as valuable over land. If your walks take

JANUARY 2017 29

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above your waist. Pulling the toboggan is far easier than it is when holding a rope in your hands. Children are fascinated by snowy branches, little birds and the winter landscape in general. Bundle them up warm and take them along! Even a half-hour walk through the streets in town is time well spent.

All that cold, fresh air is also a godsend at bedtime (believe me).

Dressing for a bit of exercise in winter makes a big difference, too. Today’s modern, wicking fibres let you move freely, but stay dry and warm. Really look closely at these high-tech, base layer options. On walks or hikes, allowing excess heat to escape through the top of your head is a good idea.

While traditional toques are great for sealing in body heat when you’re more stationary, insulated headbands are great for regulating your temperature when you’re active. They cover your ears and forehead from wind, yet help prevent excess heat from building up. The top of your head is your chimney.

Venting off a little extra heat can be a good thing. I’ve always got a spare toque in my jacket for times when we slow down or take a break.

Being a complete ice fishing nut, I spend a huge amount of time on our area lakes all winter. Lakes generally have you more out in the open, and the effects of cold and wind can be more pronounced. At first ice, especially, extra care and common sense

30 PARRY SOUND SIDEROADS & SHORELINES MAGAZINE

(Photo courtesy JP Bushey)

TOWN HOCKEYpuck passion

Mitts don’t allow heat to escape from between the fingers, and they trap and hold a lot more air, inside.

must be used when accessing our lakes. I love to fish as much as anyone, but no fish is worth my safety. On-ice adventures must always be approached with a handful of gear for safety and comfort.

Ice picks are a mandatory tool. They’re worn around your neck, and can be quickly deployed, should you fall through. The basic concept involves fairly sharp, metal spikes that you grip in each hand. Should you fall through, the picks dig into the ice like claws, and allow you to pull yourself up onto the ice again. Performing this critical step in a self-rescue situation is nearly impossible without them. You’ll barely notice you’re wearing them and they can save your life.

Any activity that involves the use of your hands, like ice fishing, means you need your hands to be warm. An old trick that makes a lot of sense is choosing mitts over gloves. The science behind this is pretty simple. Mitts don’t allow heat to escape from between the fingers, and they trap and hold a lot more air, inside. Dressing your body in layers has a similar effect: more room for warm air to be trapped and held. Mitts will keep your hands

warmer than gloves. The colder it gets, the more you’ll see this benefit. If you’re on a snow machine or ATV, the added effect of wind chill really factors in, too.

Speaking of snow machine or ATV travel, there’s no better way to access great fishing or see the sights along the trails. I’m a firm believer in having things compartmentalized and organized. Fishing tackle, safety gear or camera equipment isn’t much good if it’s all over the place, tangled up or damaged.

Sturdy, tight-sealing boxes and cases really shine, this time of year. I’m really partial to the modular approach. On my winter fun vehicles, everything from my lures to my first aid kit to my cell phone live in its own sealed compartment. Plastic storage totes are ideal, here. They come in any size, they’re pretty durable and they keep things protected from the elements and ready at a moment’s notice. In the off-season, these same tubs store all my gear. They stack neatly and keep moisture and critters out.

Keeping things dry out on the ice is vital. I never go anywhere without a special container that’s only job is keeping the contents dry. In winter, “wet” equals “cold.”

“Wet” can also mean “frozen and unusable.”

I’ve always got fire-starting material (matches, a bit of newspaper and cedar kindling), tow ropes, spare gloves, hats and my first aid kit inside a container. Slush, wet snow or water never gets near these items.

A few dry, fluffy towels are also a simple item that’s great to have and easy to store.

Being able to dry your hands off or wipe something clean makes a big difference.

When it’s below zero, only a bone dry rag or towel will do. There’s noting better than watching someone release a huge fish and offering them a dry towel to warm their hands immediately after!

Without our wintery wonderland, life in the Georgian Bay area just wouldn’t be the same. Getting outdoors this time of year truly is a great way to take it all in. We’re so fortunate to have the changing seasons. I’d encourage anyone to create their own list of ‘winter activity must-have items.’ Tailor them to your activity of choice. Definitely make use of both old and new, as far as materials and technology. Some things get better with age, while new horizons for the outdoors enthusiast are always breaking.

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S

By Andrew Hind

nowshoeing is about as Canadian as hockey and poutine. It’s iconic to the Native Peoples whose innovations allowed them to endure harsh Canadian winters, to the fur traders who risked the wilderness in search of pelts, and to settlers who had to rapidly adapt to local conditions. Even if you’ve never strapped on a pair of snowshoes, you’re probably familiar with the sport’s allure – walking effortlessly across a sea of pristine, new-fallen snow, through wilderness transformed into a soft white wonderland, surrounded by a hush so complete you can almost hear the snowflakes dancing on the breeze as they drift down from grey skies above.

Snowshoeing has seen huge growth in popularity over the last decade, as people begin to discover it’s a great way to keep active as a cross-training activity, a fun family outing for all ages and skill levels, and a way to see the wilderness in an exciting new light. If you don’t already love winter, snowshoeing might just change that.

Best of all, there’s few places more ideally suited to embrace this winter sport than Parry Sound.

How to Start Some people are daunted by snowshoeing, convinced there must be some secret to being successful or concerned it’s unduly physically taxing.

Such concerns are unwarranted.

“Anyone can snowshoe and, unlike skiing which has something of a learning curve, even beginners can excel. In fact, most people agree that snowshoeing is

(Photo courtesy White Squall, Parry Sound)

“I love its slower pace and how quiet it is. You’re more in tune with nature than you are skiing, allowing you to see birds and animals and really appreciate the quite of the forest.” almost easy as walking,” says Don Brisbane, an avid snowshoer and member of the Georgian Nordic Ski and Canoe Club.

“I love its slower pace and how quiet it is.

You’re more in tune with nature than you are skiing, allowing you to see birds and animals and really appreciate the quite of the forest.”

Dyer agrees that even novices can succeed at snowshoeing. “Getting going on snowshoes for beginners is as simple as can be. Rent some and head out!” He does, however, offer some advice to make one’s initial outings more enjoyable.

“Learning to pace yourself to avoid

sweating – and to adopt a relaxed motion through varied terrain – is all a part of the magic of just doing it. Bringing along a backpack with spare clothes, thermos and snacks is important,” he explains. Start off close to home and as your adventures expand, so you’ll need to bring more safety gear and clothing. Snowshoeing is a timetested way to enjoy our winter snows for all ages and abilities. It’s low-impact and can be as aerobic as you want. And you can go almost anywhere with them.”

Wearing the proper clothing is important for a successful snowshoeing outing. You need a wicking layer to remove the moisture

d d

quickly so that you don’t get cold when you stop for a few minutes on the trail. Wearing hiking boots with a good sock or snowshoe boot with a ‘gator’ is better than big bulky winter boots.

Finally, some people find it beneficial using poles when snowshoeing. They are especially helpful for balance in hilly terrain or when off-trail, and poles gets the upper body moving as well as the legs for an even more comprehensive workout.

Finally, it’s important to know your trails.

Some are multi-use and might require you to jump out of the way of a racing skier or snowmobile.

JANUARY 2017 33

d

Buying Snowshoes Snowshoes have come down in price in recent years and are improved in quality all the time. Beginners don’t need to spend a lot of money; much all depends on what you want to do.

“Snowshoes come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. The key is to get one large enough to support your weight without being unwieldy,” explains Tim Dyer of White Squall in Parry Sound. “This is a trade-off because a shoe for deep powder has to be bigger than one for compressed snow. The trend in the past few years has been towards smaller sport shoes meant for trail and compressed snow, but not deep powder.

Smaller snowshoes let you turn and climb quickly, but if you need to go through feet of powder snow, then you need to go bigger or go home!”

Most snowshoes today are made with a metal or synthetic frame and web, lightweight yet still robust and durable. A good pair of snowshoes will last you decades.

And yet, there’s something nostalgic and almost magical about traditional wooden framed snowshoes with leather bindings, still being made right here in Canada. Wood snowshoes require a bit of maintenance in the form of the occasional varnishing of the webbing and woodwork.

(thinkstockphotos.ca/Ingram Publishing)

(thinkstockphotos.ca/plprod)

Most snowshoes today are made with a metal or synthetic frame and web, lightweight yet still robust and durable.

A good pair of snowshoes will last you decades.

“Make sure you have a decent binding that is trail-proven and user-friendly,” explains Dyer. “There is nothing more frustrating than fiddling with a harness while out in the bush with your mitts off. Ask questions, and check that the staff member selling you the shoe knows what they are talking about.”

Where to Snowshoe Parry Sound is blessed with a wealth of marked snowshoe or mixed-use trails. The two most popular snowshoeing destinations are Killbear Provincial Park and the trails at Georgian Nordic Ski and Canoe Club trail.

Killbear is officially closed during the winter, but visitors are nonetheless welcome to visit to the park to snowshoe. “No fees are collected and services are minimal during the winter. We keep the washrooms at the main office open and we periodically groom a short (six-kilometre) cross-country ski loop,” explains Kenton Otterbein, noting that most people head to the shore for the spectacular view of frozen Georgian Bay – a sight unmatched along any other snowshoe trail in Parry Sound District.

Many hail the trails at Georgian Nordic Ski and Canoe Club as the finest in the region, which perhaps explain why members of the 30-year-old cross-country ski club come from as far away as Barrie and Toronto.

“Snowshoeing has become more popular among our members in recent years and so the club began converting cross-country mountain bike trails into snowshoe trails,” explains Brisbane, one of the volunteers responsible for maintaining Nordic Ski

34 PARRY SOUND SIDEROADS & SHORELINES MAGAZINE

Club’s trails. “Today, among the more than 35 kilometres of groomed trails are three specifically for snowshoeing: the Fisher, at five kilometres in length, and the Rattlesnake and Eagle trails – both two kilometres long.”

A snowshoeing advocate himself, Brisbane prefers the Rattlesnake Trail to the others. “It can be completed in an hour and a half at a relaxed pace, so it’s not a major undertaking to complete, and it goes behind a pretty beaver pond so there are some nice views.”

In an effort to encourage a new generation of winter sportsmen, Georgian Nordic offers a jackrabbit program every Saturday morning through the winter wherein little ones learn how to snowshoe or ski. Brisbane notes that snowshoe trails are usually open

by Christmas and remain open, weatherpermitting, through March Break.

There are, of course, many other fine snowshoe trails in the area, including Rugged Hiking Trail in Parry Sound and Humphrey Municipal Trails. Staff at the White Squall Town Shop can provide a comprehensive listing. They also offer guided tours on occasional Sunday afternoons in January and February. They are informal snow hikes and start at the White Squall Town Shop at 19 James in Parry Sound. (Pre-registering is mandatory, 705-746-4936, info@whitesquall. com).

So when the flakes start to fall this winter and you feel the tug to embrace the season, grab a pair of snowshoes and venture out into the wilderness for a true Canadian adventure.

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36 PARRY SOUND SIDEROADS & SHORELINES MAGAZINE

BOATING PREVIEW 2017

Picking the right boat doesn’t have to be a daunting choice

By Craig Ritchie

W

alk through any boat dealership or one of the big winter boat shows and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the incredible choices available today. In a market with dozens of different brand names and each of them offering dozens of different models, there’s certainly no shortage of choice. Fortunately, picking the right boat for you and your family doesn’t have to be such a daunting task.

It all comes down to thinking about what you want to do with your boat. Will you mostly use it for fishing? For watersports? Do you need overnight accommodations? Or will you tow it and explore a number of different lakes?

No matter what your needs, there’s a boat out there just for you.

As a nod to the annual Toronto International Boat Show (Jan. 2029, torontoboatshow.com), where you’ll find Parry Sound Sideroads & Shorelines represented at the Metroland Media booth (#G239), here’s a look at just a few of the 2017 models, and the kind of families they best serve.

JANUARY 2017 37

The Watersports Family Yamaha 212 Limited

Powered by twin Yamaha 1.8L High Output marine engines, the 212 Limited has plenty of get-up-and-go Stanley Islander 21 CC

You want to wakeboard. Your son wants to wake surf. Your daughter wants to be pulled around on a tube. And Dad’s still a die-hard waterskier. Satisfying such vastly different demands with a single boat would seem impossible. Then you meet Yamaha’s 212 Limited and realize it’s not impossible at all.

With comfortable seating, an entertainment center complete with storage for drinks and glasses, an integrated removable cooler, an overhead Bimini top and an extended swim platform with twin rear-facing seats that are the perfect place to set up for watersports, the all-new-for-2017 212 Limited even Yamaha 212 Limited includes Yamaha’s Connext helm control system, with a seven-inch multi-function display and joystick controls to make operation easier than ever. Powered by twin Yamaha 1.8L High Output marine engines, the 212 Limited has plenty of get-up-and-go with the maneuverability that only twin engines can provide.

own when it comes to the kind of versatility island cottagers need. Its 16-degree deadrise hull and wide beam let this boat glide over barely-submerged rocks with ease, yet still handle the big waves when it needs to.

The Towable Runabout Crownline Eclipse E4 XS

The Island Cottager Stanley Islander 21 CC

Island cottages have a unique charm of their own, but they also bring special challenges – many of them related to getting people and things back and forth.

You need a boat with comfortable seating for passengers, yet extreme durability for all their gear and those days when you’re hauling cargo to the dock and back to shore. (You didn’t really want to put that old barbecue on the upholstery, did you?)

No one understands these unique challenges better than Stanley Boats.

Stanley builds a full range of durable, welded aluminum boats right here in Parry Sound, and perhaps none manage that balance between ferrying people and gear better than their Islander 21 Centre Console. With its open layout and full walkaround utility, the 21 CC is in a class of its

You need a boat that can do it all, yet still fit on a trailer so you can enjoy all your favourite lakes. Then look no further than Crownline’s awesome new Eclipse E4 XS, which blends the versatile layout and comfortable amenities of its popular Eclipse line with the lighter weight and easier trailerability of outboard power.

With accommodation for up to 13, the E4

Crownline Eclipse E4 XS

38 PARRY SOUND SIDEROADS & SHORELINES MAGAZINE

XS offers incredible versatility in its unique seating layout – including its remarkable transom seat that changes from forward facing to rear facing to completely flat in the push of a button. There’s a huge aft swim platform and a ski tow as standard equipment, along with a transom shower to spray the sand off your feet and help keep the boat interior clean. Cavernous storage lockers throughout handle all your gear, while the standard four-speaker Jensen waterproof AM/FM marine stereo with Bluetooth connectivity sounds great. The passenger console even conceals a spacious head compartment with a standard light, opening screened port window, a Portapotti, and cabinetry with a sink and solid surface counter top for all-day comfort.

JANUARY 2017 39

The Big Water Explorer Formula 350 CBR

Want the freedom to explore any part of Georgian Bay? Formula’s all-new 350 CBR delivers all the benefits of a big water cruiser with the versatility of a bowrider in a single package. Expanded bow and cabin space make it the perfect crossover, complete with a bow entertainment zone and flush cockpit.

A spacious, aft-facing sun lounge makes the most of the summer warmth, while its adjacent extended swim platform brings you closer to your on-water adventures. With its twin outboards, you have the power to go places while enjoying easy maintenance and Formula 350 CBR great fuel economy.

Stand-up headroom throughout gives you a break from the sun. With a cabin big enough to handle overnight trips, no part of the Bay is out of reach. High-end galley styling, an enclosed head, double settee and full-sized memory foam bed deliver all the comforts of home.

The Offshore Angler

Boston Whaler Conquest 285 Forget little bass and perch – your idea of fishing is heading out to the open waters of Georgian Bay where massive salmon and lake trout live. Which means you need a boat substantial enough to handle the big water, yet with plenty of room to fight big fish and hold all your gear. You need a Boston Whaler.

The unsinkable legend, Boston Whaler’s Conquest 285 is as good as it gets for big water anglers. Built for the open ocean, this unique design provides plenty of protection from the elements while retaining an open stern section for fishing. Wide gunnels

make mounting downriggers easy, while a self-bailing cockpit and non-skid floor handle spray or rain with ease. The cuddy cabin can even sleep four, making weekends away more comfortable than ever. And with a pair of Mercury 225 Verado outboards as standard equipment, this bog rig will run at almost 50 mph, putting you on your fish in no time.

The Hard-Core Cruiser Sunseeker Predator 57

When you tell people you spend summers on the boat, you really mean it. So you want the ultimate cruising machine that

The unsinkable legend, Boston Whaler’s Conquest 285 is as good as it gets for big water anglers.

Boston Whaler Conquest 285

40 PARRY SOUND SIDEROADS & SHORELINES MAGAZINE

With a cabin big enough to handle overnight trips, no part of the Bay is out of reach.

Sunseeker Predator 57

can take you and your guests anywhere on the Great Lakes, travelling in comfort and style. Something capable, comfortable, and luxurious – like the Sunseeker Predator 57.

With its luxurious accommodations for six in three separate suites, and amenities like a gar barbecue, outdoor kitchen, full indoor galley, power sunroof, retractable high definition TV and even a hydraulicallyoperated rear swim platform, this is no ordinary weekend runabout. It even has a garage at the back where you can keep that little runabout when you’re not using it to run back and forth to shore to pick up guests or buy more champagne.

The big Predator isn’t just a showboat – it can go with the best of them hitting top speeds approaching 40 mph with its massive twin diesels.

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Smoker Craft Pro Mag 182 Completely redesigned for 2017, Smoker Craft’s all-new Pro Mag 182 is designed for versatile anglers who fish for everything, from bass to pike to panfish to lake trout.

Built like a battleship, the Pro Mag runs on a 17-degree deadrise hull that can tame rough water yet still sneak into those shallow, stump-filled bays where trophy bass live. There’s comfortable seating for up to eight people, and plenty of space to store all of their gear. There’s a huge raised casting deck in the bow with a 68 L aerated live well, and a large, lockable rod storage compartment in the center that keeps up to six rods rigged and ready to go. In the stern, another raised casting deck with a massive 106 L aerated live well accommodates a tournament-load of fish easily.

With its versatile layout, wave-eating hull design, the ability to accept outboards of up to 175 horsepower and an extensive option list, Smoker Craft’s Pro Mag 182 appeals to serious anglers who fish for everything in the swim.

There’s a huge raised casting deck in the bow with a 68 L aerated live well, and a large, lockable rod storage compartment in the center that keeps up to six rods rigged and ready to go.

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TRAVEL

Dominican Republic

W Choosing the right all-inclusive for you STORY AND PHOTOS By Jennie Pillgrem

“Keep price in mind, but don’t get stuck on it.

You won’t remember the price 10 years from now. Instead, pick your must-haves.”

42 PARRY SOUND SIDEROADS & SHORELINES MAGAZINE

inter is here. The car has to be cleared of snow, the windows scraped and the driveway shovelled. And there is, of course, the possibility that it will happen all over again tomorrow. After a while you get to that point where enough is enough. Time for a vacation.

I haven’t always been an all-inclusive vacation fan, but having spent some time as a travel agent, I know now that I was just going about choosing an all-inclusive vacation the wrong way.

There are so many benefits to booking an all-inclusive vacation. You only have to worry about one booking. No coordinating of flights, airport transfers, hotel and meals.

It is all done for you ... except for the packing.

But as easy as it sounds, it is a good idea to do some research and give some thought to finding the right resort for you and your interests. David Coffey, Managing Director of Travel Service for CAA North & East Ontario offers some good first steps in deciding which resort is for you.

“Keep price in mind, but don’t get stuck on it. You won’t remember the price 10 years from now. Instead, pick your musthaves,” he advises. “Is it a bright, white sandy

Endless Summer We go

beach and turquoise water? Being able to wake up, pull the curtains and gaze at the ocean? Is it a bumping night life, or even offresort options? All of these will help narrow the destination options, which is a great first step.”

Coffey says it’s also important to think about what kind of resort experience you desire. “At one extreme, there are 1,200room resorts sprawled over acres. This means lots of choice in restaurants and onsite amenities, often a great pool complex and watersports and many different room categories to choose from. It also means lots of walking around the resort and lots of other people enjoying it with you.

“Then at the other extreme, you might stay at a 60-room boutique, adults-only resort: quiet, compact, private with a focus on fine dining and spa experiences, but fewer options for dining, watersports and you may have to go offsite for serious nightlife.

Neither is better, but the experiences are worlds apart and it is important to consider how the size and amenities available on a resort can influence your trip.”

Once you have narrowed down your choices, have a look at a hotel review site for some reviews of your potential resorts.

Monarc.ca is a Canadian hotel review site and as stated on the website there are “reviews by authenticated and certified true Canadian travellers.”

After your arrival there are a couple of things you can do to help you get the most out of your stay. Usually the morning after you arrive there will be a meeting with the local tour company representative.

“They are a great source of info both on and off-resort,” explains Coffey. “They can arrange local trips if you want, and they are usually the holder of information relating to your return trip. It may sound counterintuitive to focus on your return arrangements – ‘I just got here, isn’t it time to hit the swim up bar?’ – but often there are vouchers to collect and your company’s local rep may only be onsite for limited hours or specific days. So getting your details locked down early can save you multiple trips to try to connect with them later.” They can also be the reinforcements you call in if you do have some kind of unresolved issue with the resort, Coffey adds, “So make friends with them early!”

In terms of meals at an all-inclusive, if you would like to experience any of the nonbuffet restaurants, it is a good idea to book them early. Space is limited and it disappears quickly.

Now, all that’s left is to enjoy yourself.

But for added peace of mind, always make sure you have adequate travel insurance. If you believe you are covered with insurance already, be sure and check exactly what it covers. You can usually purchase insurance through the tour company at the time of booking for a reasonable price.

Your holidays are important. Take the time to do a little research before going.

Ask questions. And consider the advantages of booking through a travel agent. The product you book will be the same and so will the price. It can save you time, your needs will be taken into account and all of the small details will be taken care of – from the stopover hotel to parking and travel insurance.

However you book your vacation, if you do a little research before actually booking you can help ensure that you will be visiting the resort best suited to you. After all, a vacation is meant to be enjoyed.

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SIMPLE AND DELICIOUS

Some like it

Hot! Get creative with new takes on chili this winter Recipes and photos by Emily Blackman

O

ne of the best ways to spend a wintery evening is warming up with a big pot of chili after a day out on the pond playing shinny or hitting the slopes with friends and family.

The delicious blend of spiced meat and vegetables soothes and restores like nothing else. Usually when you think of chili, tomato-based chili comes to mind but there are many other options to choose from.

Chili can be as versatile as a curry, using the spices and ingredients as a painter uses colours. It is a great way to have fun and get creative in the kitchen.

44 PARRY SOUND SIDEROADS & SHORELINES MAGAZINE

White Chicken Chili INGREDIENTS 2 yellow banana peppers 4 green peppers 8 cloves garlic 1 onion, halved 1 pickled jalapeno 4 cups chicken stock 2 tbsp olive oil 1 tbsp ground cumin 1 tsp ground coriander 8 chicken thighs, skin and bones removed 2 cans chick peas, drained 2 cans navy beans or canellini beans, drained 1 lb Monterey Jack cheese Salt and pepper 1 lime Cilantro 2 tbsp of pickling juice from a can of pickled jalapenos Method 1. Line a tray with aluminium foil and place the banana peppers, green peppers, garlic and onion on the tray and coat with one teaspoon of olive oil, salt and pepper. Place a rack in the top third of the oven and turn the oven on to broil. Put the tray of vegetables in the oven to char, turning the vegetables every few minutes to get an even char. This process should take about 15 minutes.

2. When the vegetables are charred, take them out of the oven and wrap them in the foil from the pan and let set for 5 minutes to loosen the skin on the peppers.

3. In a large mixing bowl, pour in the chicken stock. Then place the peppers in the stock to cool down. Remove the skins from the peppers and leave in the bowl with the stock to be strained out later and set the skinned peppers aside.

4. In the bowl of a food processor, place the peppers, onion, garlic and the pickled jalapeno and purée until smooth.

5. In a large pot or dutch oven, heat the remaining olive oil over medium heat and add the ground spices. Cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.

Add the puréed peppers, beans, chick peas and strain the chicken stock into the pot.

6. Add the chicken to the pot and bring to a simmer. Once the chicken has reached 155 F, remove from the pot and set aside. This should only take about 10 minutes. Keep simmering the beans for another 45 minutes.

7. While the beans are simmering, shred the chicken and grate the cheese.

8. Once the beans are finished, remove one cup of the beans and purée in a food processor. Add back into the pot the puréed beans, shredded chicken, half of the cheese, the juice of one lime and the pickling juice.

Stir until well combined and serve, topped with cilantro leaves.

JANUARY 2017 45

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Cornbread Biscuits INGREDIENTS ½ cup cornmeal ½ cup flour 2 tbsp sugar ½ tsp salt 1 tsp baking powder 1/8 tsp baking soda 1 egg 1/3 cup yogurt 1/3 cup whole milk 3 tbsp butter, melted Madeleine pan or mini muffin pan Butter Method 1. In a large bowl mix together the cornmeal, flour, sugar, salt, baking powder, and baking soda.

2. Add in the egg, yogurt, and whole milk, mix thoroughly.

3. Preheat the oven to 425 F. 4. Brush the pan with butter and fill with the batter evenly.

5. Place in the oven and bake for approximately 10 minutes, until the edges are golden brown and the cornbread is cooked all the way through.

6. Serve – with lots of butter – immediately!

Kale and Sausage Chili INGREDIENTS 1 large onion, large dice 1 small bunch kale 4 cloves garlic, minced 1 tbsp ground cumin 1 tbsp ground coriander 1 tbsp chili powder 1 sprig fresh marjoram 2 tbsp olive oil 1 28oz can of whole peeled tomatoes 1 cup of beef stock (optional) 4 sausages, hot Italian or chorizo 1 lb of ground beef 1 can black beans 1 can red kidney beans Salt and pepper

Method 1. In a large pot or dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat, then add the onions.

Cook the onions for about 8 minutes, until they are soft but not browned. Season with salt and pepper.

2. While the onions are cooking, prepare the kale. Remove the spine in each leaf of kale and thinly slice into strips and put it in the pot with the onions to cook down.

3. Add in the garlic, spices and the sprig of marjoram and cook for one minute, until fragrant.

4. Place the ground beef in the pot with the onion mixture to reduce the heat. While the beef is cooking, remove the sausage meat from the casings, then place in the pot with the beef.

5. Once the meat has almost all been cooked through, add in the beans and tomatoes. When adding in the tomatoes, pour in the liquid, then crush each tomato by hand and drop them into the pot. (This step can be messy!) If there is not enough liquid in the pot to cover most of the chili, add the beef stock. Check for seasoning and add any extra salt or pepper needed.

6. Bring the pot to a simmer and lower the heat to minimum and let simmer for 45 minutes and serve!

Chili can be as versatile as a curry, using the spices and ingredients as a painter uses colours.

JANUARY 2017 47

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(Inset photos: Cody Storm Cooper Photography)

SHOWCASE

Long view on the Big Sound Waterfront home a witness to four-season beauty STORY By Patti Vipond | PHOTOS: CODY STORM COOPER PHOTOGRAPHY & MIKE TIMMINS

(Photo by Mike Timmins)

A defining characteristic of a beautiful view is that it is a joy in every season.

Rain or snow only adds another facet to its prism of perspectives. A case in point is the glorious 11-kilometre view stretching from one side of Georgian Bay’s shimmering Big Sound to the other from the waterfront windows of Peter Kropf’s home in McDougall. The Kropfs enjoy the panoramic scene in every season, often from the spacious deck across the second level of the four-level stone residence.

JANUARY 2017 49

(Photo by Mike Timmins)

This design allows maximum space for interior décor and gives unobstructed views of the Big Sound and surrounding landscape through numerous large windows.

(Lower photos: Cody Storm Cooper Photography)

50 PARRY SOUND SIDEROADS & SHORELINES MAGAZINE

(Photo by Mike Timmins)

“I

t’s a million dollar view,” says Kropf, who designed the four-bedroom, four-bathroom home. “The house faces southwest and the view constantly changes. We watch the ice come in and go out in the spring. In the meantime, there’s ice fishing, sledding and beautiful sunsets.

In the summer, we see the Island Queen tour boat sail by from Parry Sound.”

Though Parry Sound, home of Kropf’s manufacturing company Kropf Industrial Inc., is only about a three-minute drive south of the 1.23-acre property, its forested landscape and 228 feet of shoreline gives the 3,600-square-foot home complete privacy.

A paved driveway, whose hill has a built-in snowmelt system, winds through the trees

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(Photos: Cody Storm Cooper Photography)

The main living area also has an inviting dining room that includes a library. “If your wife loves books, then you need a library and a place to put it.”

52 PARRY SOUND SIDEROADS & SHORELINES MAGAZINE

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“A 27-foot vertical rock wall made the property very inexpensive to purchase,” explains Kropf, who bought the property in 1996, built in 1998 and moved in during 2000. “I worked on the house’s design for a couple of years. The garage had to be at the top because – though you can drive down to the waterfront – it couldn’t be a winter driveway. In order for the elevation to work, there had to be at least three levels below the garage.”

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JANUARY 2017 53

Brooklace Kitchen & Bath

Lifyestyle Inspired Design 6 Wakefield Street, Parry Sound 705.774.8860

(Photos: Cody Storm Cooper Photography)

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concrete, and the decks and garage are finished in porcelain tile. For comfort, floors throughout the home are warmed by a hot water heating system. All floors can be reached via a professionally installed Concord Elevator with features such as safety interlocks and call buttons.

“It’s good for sending groceries from the entry to the kitchen and moving appliances as well as for moving people,” says Kropf.

Inside, staircases gracefully reach down through the middle of the bright, open residence. This design allows maximum space for interior décor and gives unobstructed views of the Big Sound and surrounding landscape through numerous large windows. Neutral coloured walls and flooring enhance the natural light, giving the home an airy ambiance.

The third level, located beneath the top floor, contains the master bedroom with full ensuite and walkout to a private balcony, plus a second large bedroom and bath.

The home’s open plan second floor is the

54 PARRY SOUND SIDEROADS & SHORELINES MAGAZINE

family’s main living area with walkouts to the deck from the kitchen and living room. The cherrywood kitchen, built using superior quality materials, has granite counters and lots of space for family meals. In the living room, a two-storey stone gas fireplace in the centre of the room extends up to the third storey. The second and third levels also share a 16-foot window whose rounded top illuminates the third level’s hallway. The main living area also has an inviting dining room that includes a library.

“If your wife loves books, then you need a library and a place to put it,” said Kropf with a smile.

Two more bedrooms and a bathroom are on the lower level, along with a recreation room and games room. A walkout leads to a terraced area whose stairs that lead to a granite slab patio by the water and a large dock for summer fun. Outside, the landscaped lawns and gardens are watered by a pop-up irrigation system, ensuring a lovely look even during hot summers.

“We have very much enjoyed living here,” Kropf said.

This home at 30 Oakridge Road N. in McDougall is listed for sale at $1,495,000

by Michael Timmins of Royal LePage Team Advantage Realty, 49 James St. in Parry Sound.

For more information, or to arrange a showing, please contact Michael at 705-746-5844 (office), 705-746-0291 (cell) or email miketimmins@ royallepage.ca. To see photos, go to www. miketimmins.ca.

real estate

The

MATT MOSHER

Gord Pollock

Sales Representative

Broker

Cell: 705-774-8944 Office: 705-746-9336 Email: info@mattmosher.ca www.MattMosher.CA

Cell: 705-774-0955 Granite Properties Ltd. Office: 705-746-2158 Brokerage

Perfect Place

Independently Owned & Operated

www.gordpollock.ca

Brokerage • Independently Owned & Operated

Parry Sound-Muskoka Realty Ltd., Brokerage

HUMPHREY!

FARMHOUSE ON WATERFRONT

Real Estate of Parry Sound & Area

4 B/R Home + Den 1.35 Acres Garage 30’ x 40’ Access to Trails Ensuite

-

Great value at $325,000

Parry Sound-Muskoka Realty Ltd., Brokerage $369,900

90 Chur Lee Rd., Whitestone Lake, Whitestone

One of a kind cozy insulated bungalow on 15 acres w/350 feet of frontage on the large, full service Whitestone Lake. Amazing southern sunset views over glistening water.

PEACEFUL SETTING

$219,000

77 Horseshoe Lake Rd., Seguin 3 bedroom tastefully decorated bright home on a stunning 1.84 acres south of Parry Sound. Enjoy great privacy & fabulous views overlooking a pond from your living room & master bedroom w/walkouts to decks & covered porch.

Great location, deeded access to 6 Georgian Bay beaches, extremely well maintained home, detached garage, paved driveway, this is a must see! $224,000

Contact Me For A No Obligation Consultation “Connected To More”

Each office independently owned and operated Office 705-746-9336 NEW LISTING

BAYVIEW SUBDIVISION!

200 feet waterfront Several outbuildings Charming Log Cabin Many Upgrades Walk-in Cupboard

Cell: 705-938-0191 www.daniellebeitz.com

Sales Representative

3 bedrooms main level, finished lower level, double lot, double deep garage with workshop, new hot water on demand heating system and more! $347,500

ACREAGE PLUS!

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You Tube Channel “daniellebeitzremax” $1,499,000

26 Grey Owl Lake Rd., Grey Owl Lake, McKellar 34.5 stunning acres of true beauty with 2435 ft. of water frontage on Grey Owl Lake. Approx. 410 ft. of lake frontage w/mix of smooth rock and sand entry. Multiple views and exposures w/point of land and your own private bay.

NEW PRICE

$319,900

11 Tramway Ave., Georgian Bay Byng Inlet Drive to 3 bedroom cottage/home on Georgian Bay in Byng Inlet.

Stunning sunsets w/western exposure on 0.63 Acres w/184 feet of shoreline. Spacious kitchen, second living room/den w/vaulted ceiling & walk out looking out to waterfront.

TOUCH

DEEDED ACCESS

$34,900-$79,900

Owl’s Nest & Canning Rd., Whitestone Lake, Whitestone 1 of 4 beautiful building lots with deeded water access and water frontage & private round road access. Each with 25% ownership of access with an existing dock. Level, well treed lots with gentle entry to waterfront, sand beach with stunning western exposure.

GREAT PRIVACY

$349,900

23 Jacklin Cres., Seguin Large family 4 bedroom, 2 bath home just south of Parry Sound.

Features open concept spacious dining room/kitchen, pantry, vaulted living room ceiling. 2 large lower living areas with potential for work out room or home based business.

JANUARY 2017 55

real estate

Bernice JACKSON

Holly M. Cascanette

Sales Representative

Sales Representative*

Direct: 705-746-1970

Direct: 705-346-2121 • Office: 705-746-5844 Email: bernicejackson@royallepage.ca www.bernicejackson.ca

email:hollyc1970@gmail.com

Parry Sound-Muskoka Realty Ltd.,Brokerage Each Office Independently Owned & Operated

BEAUTIFUL SIMOLEA LAKE! – MCKELLAR

$399,000

490’ of shoreline on beautiful level lot, 1.75 acres, very private, 2 cottages - 1 winterized and finished the other is unfinished on the inside. Newer septic (approx. 5 yrs old), large workshop plus sep storage shed. This would make an amazing family compound! File#1547

EXCEPTIONALLY PRIVATE LOT 99' X 236'

290' OF GEORGIAN BAY WATERFRONT IN POINTE AU BARIL!

4 bedrooms, 3 baths, Enviroshake, lifetime warranty roofing system, Unique cooled wine cellar, Mins to Fitness Trail, beach & downtown, Relax in the screened in sunroom. $355,000

3 bedroom, 2 bath turnkey cottage, Insulated & heated, Family room with fieldstone fireplace, airtight insert, Great snowmobiling, Potential 4 season gate away. $579,900

OTTER LAKE – YR ROUND ROAD ACCESS!

EXECUTIVE HOME STEPS TO GEORGIAN BAY

$379,900

3 bdrm, 2 baths, fully winterized home/cottage. Open concept, 2 fp, mnfl laundry, updated/renovated, in-floor heating, hot tub, newer main deck, 3 sheds, boathouse, 1.60 beautiful acres, western exposure, year round access and only minutes to town.

Enjoy miles of fabulous boating on Otter Lake. File#1563

FABULOUS CARTER’S LANDING! – OTTER LAKE

Over 3200 sq. ft. finished, 4 bedrooms, 3 baths, Open concept great room w/ Gas fireplace, Chef`s dream kitchen w/large island, Granite counters & Stainless appliances. $549,000

320' GEORGIAN BAY WATERFRONT! Classic Granite shoreline & landscape, 2.4 acres of Privacy, Insulated & heated cottage w/full walkout basement, ICF foundation, Open concept design w/ Vaulted Pine Ceilings in the Great Room. $475,000

Full-Time, Award Winning Real Estate Professional for 25 Years!

To Buy or Sell... Call Holly Today! 705-746-1970

Are your recreational and leisure needs changing?

Is it time to sell the Cottage? Last year’s CottageLife Show saw a sharp increase in attendance and I found a lot of people wanting to buy in the Georgian Bay, Parry Sound/Muskoka areas. Don’t miss out and have your property SOLD in the best time of year.

Go to parrysoundmike.com and see what I can do for you!

$449,900

3 bdrm, 4 bath, dbl gar, open concept, soaring cathedral ceilings, fp, main fl family rm, modern kitchen w/centre island, in-law potential with separate entrance, 1/22 ownership of beautiful sandy beach, and private boat slip. Enjoy waterfront ownership without the expense! File#1538

PARRY ISLAND – GEORGIAN BAY WATERFRONT!

Sales Representative

$369,900

Get your Property Seen! • Newspaper • Magazines • Youtube • Extensive on-line Marketing

3 bdrm, 1 bath, 2 fp, well cared for winterized cottage with large eat-in kit, situp bar in family rm, sep hot tub bldg., large insl. 3 car gar., amazing dock w/boat lift, new septic (2016), large storage sheds, amazing sandy beach. Beautiful views and crystal clear water completes this property. File#1549

56 PARRY SOUND SIDEROADS & SHORELINES MAGAZINE

Recreational • Waterfront • Vacant Lots • Rural Residential www.parrysoundmike.com | 705-774-1559 Royal Lepage In Touch Reality Inc., Brokerage • 21 High St. Unit 5 Corner Plaza, MACTIER • 888-686-7501

Helping You is What We Do!

real estate

Claudette & Nicole Boyd, Brokers 705-774-4936/705-773-8365 5 AVERY COURT

6 ISLAND VIEW DRIVE

11 MANN AVENUE NORTH

$409,000

$358,000

$435,000

8 years new. 2,800 sq. ft., 4 bedroom, 3 bath, m. bedrm ensuite & walkin closet. Level partially fenced yard.

Attached 1.5 garage. File# 1460

Unique 4 bdrm with 1.5 baths, office, sunroom, woodstove, gardens and views of Georgian Bay. 20’5x23’ dream workshop/2 car garage with in floor heating. File# 1509

Attractive 5 years new 2,100 sq. ft., 4 bdrm, 3 ½ bath home. Spacious with gas fireplace & patio doors that lead to deck. Drive through single car garage. File# 1557

15 WINNIFRED AVENUE

19 BELVEDERE AVENUE

33 CHURCH STREET

$359,000

$395,000

$350,000

Nicely landscaped 2,560 sq. ft. 4 bdrm, 2.5 bath town home. Central vacuum, master bedroom with walk-in closet & ensuite, main floor laundry, front & rear foyers. File# 1545

Architecturally designed 3 bdrm, 2 ½ bath with original charm & character. Wrap around veranda with views of Georgian Bay. Many upgrades.

File# 1456

Solid brick family home with income apartment. Original features throughout plus modern upgrades. Paved drive, plenty of parking, private fenced yard.

File# 1462

Sellers What’s your home worth?

If you are interested in selling and would like us to assist you, call for a no obligation evaluation.

Team Advantage Realty Brokerage, Independently Owned & Operated 49 James St., Parry Sound ON P2A1T6

Buyer - Find your perfect place?

Be in the know. Call us to get on our list to send you information on upcoming properties.

ThinkBoyd.com

705-746-5844 toll free 877-586-4913

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claudetteboyd@royallepage.ca

…your real estate resource

• nicoleboyd@royallepage.ca JANUARY 2017 57

ARTSCENE

“I grew up listening to wonderful stories and funny anecdotes ... and they provided me with a wealth of material.”

Pamela Morgan

Dave Paddon

Unique event travels from the Rock to New York City, Toronto ... and Parry Sound!

R

ex Brown, Newfoundland historian, writer, storyteller and organizer of The March Hare, will tell you, “Words are meant to be heard.” He is one of the founders of an event that began as a single evening gathering in Corner Brook over 30 years ago and is now a much anticipated event in several communities across Newfoundland every year. An excursion to Toronto became an annual event, and now after a gig in New York City, the crowd from Newfoundland takes the road north to Parry Sound, bringing together writers and performers, words and music.

This year’s edition of the Sound Hare could just as easily be titled “Newfoundland’s Treasures.” Michael Crummey, Andy Jones, Pamela Morgan and Dave Paddon make up the the all-star cast appearing in Parry

Sound at the Charles W. Stockey Centre on Friday, March 3.

one of many who have influenced a younger generation who recognize the value in tradition.

PAMELA MORGAN For almost 40 years, Pamela Morgan has been a leading performer in the Celtic music scene and one of the original members of the acclaimed Newfoundland band Figgy Duff.

Led by Morgan’s mesmerizing voice, they performed strikingly original and beautiful arrangements of traditional Newfoundland Celtic music and their own impressive and powerful compositions.

In the early 1990s, Morgan founded her own record label. Recording her own work and that of Anita Best and the late Emile Benoit, she brings the past together with the present. At the forefront of the vibrant musical scene in Newfoundland, Morgan is

58 PARRY SOUND SIDEROADS & SHORELINES MAGAZINE

DAVE PADDON Dave Paddon, known as the “poet pilot” began writing recitations about a decade ago after moving back to Newfoundland, following 20 years away “up in Canada.” Born and raised in Northwest River, Labrador, his parents and grandparents worked with the legendary Grenfell Mission, a charitable organization that provided health care and educational services to the residents of northern Newfoundland and Labrador.

Paddon began flying Twin Otters and Helicopters in Labrador in 1976. Recently retired from a career as an Air Canada pilot,

ARTSCENE

(Photo by Holly Hogan)

An acclaimed storyteller, Andy Jones is also the author of several award-winning books for children.

Paddon has become a crowd favourite at storytelling and ballad singing events in Newfoundland and on the mainland.

“In terms of my recitations, they are all rooted in my life in Newfoundland and Labrador,” Paddon says. “I grew up listening to wonderful stories and funny anecdotes while spending time in trappers’ cabins.

Seems like everyone was a ‘character’ in those days and they provided me with a wealth of material.”

Michael Crummey Michael Crummey is a novelist and poet. His most recent book is Little Dogs, a collection of new and selected poems.

Crummey has been writing poems since he was 17 years old, and talks about the difference for him between fiction “about the world out there” and his “personal” poetry. His poems are about his family, with parents “the living links” to the past, a time that is mostly gone now. Crummey writes about “what we can carry with us of the past” in his poetry and his fiction.

Crummey’s publisher describes his poetry as “generous, genuine, rich and warm, with some form of grace always present to

Michael Crummey

Andy Jones

redeem whatever hardships his characters endure. Both lyrical and political, Crummey shows the inevitability of loss and suffering in our lives without letting us lose sight of what’s worth loving, holding onto and fighting for.”

ANDY JONES Andy Jones has been a professional writer and actor for over 40 years. You may remember him as one of the groundbreaking members of the Newfoundland comedy troupe CODCO, in both its theatrical and television incarnations. Since then he was continued as a playwright and an actor – most notably his role in the hilarious and heartwarming film Rare Birds, co-starring with William Hurt.

An acclaimed storyteller, Jones is also the author of several award-winning books for children.

This year, March Hare participants will honour the late David “Smoky” Elliott (1923-1999), a poet who was one of the founders of The March Hare. Elliott grew up in a succession of Newfoundland outport communities. At 15, he left school to become a telegraph operator. At 25, he entered

Memorial University of Newfoundland where he became the first honours graduate in English. He was a civil servant, soldier, clinical psychologist, editor and, finally, at Sir Wilfred Grenfell College, university professor.

For almost 30 years, The March Hare has been taking their show on the road sharing what was once called “foolishness” with the rest of us. Musician Jim Payne expresses it best ... “When my father was home on Saturday night, there would a time going on in our kitchen and I was supposed to be in bed but I would be sitting up on the top of the stairs, trying to hear everything I’d could going on down in the kitchen.

“In those days of course, they’d used to refer to it as people going on with their ‘old foolishness.’ These days, they call it folklore.

You can get a degree in it now. I was talking to a fella the other day and he had a master’s degree in old foolishness. Not sure how long he had to go to school to get something like that.”

Old foolishness will be on full display at the Stockey Centre when the March Hare crowd from Newfoundland visits for an evening guaranteed to leave the audience with a few tears and a lot of laughs.

JANUARY 2017 59

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BEARLY USED BOOKS

Katherine Wheatley will entertain at the Active Women’s Winter Weekend.

(Photo by Dean Palmer)

Warm to the season with the Active Women’s Winter Weekend

By Nora Alexander

I 45 Seguin St. Downtown Parry Sound 705-746-4731 www.bearlyusedbooks.ca

f you’ve ever doubted that someone can make a complete reversal regarding how they feel about winter, then you need to meet Dympna Hayes. While living in Burlington and commuting to a job in Toronto, she disliked winter and found it a season to endure.

Her feelings changed in 2011 when she and her husband James moved to Parry Sound and later opened Harmony Outdoor Inn. “Living here has enabled me to rediscover the winter I remember from childhood,” says Dympna. “Winter for me now is beautiful. It is snowshoeing across an unbroken blanket of white snow or skating on a frozen lake.” The Harmony Outdoor Inn – and its woodland property located just two minutes from downtown Parry Sound – is the site of one of the programs being offered in the Active Women’s Winter Weekend, on Feb. 11 and 12.

During this weekend event, women choose from an exciting variety of programs that include: cross-country skiing, curling, snowshoeing, fat biking, yoga and musicality. The programs begin on Saturday afternoon, Feb.11 and run Sunday, Feb. 12, in both the morning and afternoon. Sunday morning programs include a light breakfast and a healthy lunch. All activities take place at different venues around the Town of Parry Sound and proceeds from the weekend support youth programs at the local ski and curling clubs.

60 PARRY SOUND SIDEROADS & SHORELINES MAGAZINE

Try the newer sport of winter biking with fat tire bikes at the Active Women’s Winter Weekend, Feb. 11 and 12.

Of course, a weekend of winter activities wouldn’t be complete without the popular “après” and this will be provided by the Saturday evening program. After a delicious meal, singer/songwriter Katherine Wheatley, born and raised in Parry Sound, and the performing duo Gathering Sparks provide entertainment. Finish the night dancing to

feel at ease. Without gravity getting in the way, you will progress through the stages of learning to ski. By the time you actually have two skis on your feet, you will be comfortable and having fun.

The Active Women’s Winter Weekend is the perfect time to try something new or to further develop your skills. Maybe you would like to try the newer sport of winter biking on fat tire bikes.

Maybe you would like to skip a curling game instead of always playing the position of lead. Or maybe you would like professional musicians to awaken your soul with sweet songs and harmonies after your personalized yoga class.

popular tunes. And yes, in case you were wondering, men are invited to this Saturday evening event.

Complete descriptions of the programs and registration details are found on the event website, activewww.ca. Visit the Active Women’s Winter Weekend Facebook page to learn about weekend accommodation and special promotions.

This February, let the Active Women’s Winter Weekend help you to feel better about winter.

Nora Alexander is fortunate to live in Parry Sound during the winter. She is the chair of the Active Women’s Winter Weekend committee and one of the ski coaches.

(Photos: Explorers’ Edge)

Participants design their own weekend and there is something for all interests and ability levels. There is nothing intimidating about the programs. For example, suppose you wish to learn how to cross-country ski and you are a “Never-ever” (never ever been on skis). The program’s certified coaches know just how to start you off and make you

The Active Women’s Winter Weekend is the perfect time to try something new or to further develop your skills.

JANUARY 2017 61

EVENTS

11, 12 Active Women’s Winter Weekend.

(See page 60.)

Jan. 12-14: 30,000 Island Men’s Invitational Bonspiel

winter fun 12 Kevin Callan, Whisky & Treetops. Canadore College plays host to Winter Squall Night Series with Kevin Callan, one of Canada’s best known outdoor adventures.

His latest paddle is in the wilds of northern Scotland’s Spey River. The trip takes him through mountains, celtic countryside, past whisky distilleries and ending at the North Sea. The storyteller is ready to take attendees on a tale of a lifetime.

29

12-14 30,000 Island Men’s Invitational Bonspiel. This annual event takes place at the Parry Sound Curling Club and is perfect for curling lovers of all ages. www.parrysoundcurlingclub.ca 16 Lee Ann Womack performs pieces from her first album in seven years, The Way I’m Livin’, as well as many other familiar hits at a concert at the Charles W. Stockey Centre for the Performing Arts at 8 p.m.

17-20

Parry Sound Snowfest Activities for this annual event include free skating at the Bobby Orr Community Centre, kids activities inside/outside, a bonfire at the Kinsmen Park and fireworks. www.parrysound.ca

18 Rotary Ski-A-Thon.

Georgian Nordic Ski Club’s Nine Mile Lake Trails hosts.

The Rotary Club of Parry Sound and Georgian Nordic Ski and Canoe Club (GNSCC) are organizing the fourth annual event to raise money for the GNSCC’s youth program. For details and updates, check the Events link at www.georgiannordic. com

Sounder Ski Tour. Georgian Nordic Ski Club Nine Mile Lake Trails hosts the Sounder Ski Tour. Whether you are a recreational skier, a fitness enthusiast, or a person who likes to ski fast, there is a place for you on the start line.

For details and updates, check the Events link at www.georgiannordic.com.

Feb. 25: Rosseau Lake College Winter Carnival

Jan. 29: Sounder Ski Tour

62 PARRY SOUND SIDEROADS & SHORELINES MAGAZINE

25 Rosseau Lake College Winter Carnival. The public is welcome! The 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. open house features brunch and many outdoor fun winter activities. Watch for the winter carnival poster on the RLC Facebook page or contact Pam Bissonette at 705-732-4351, ext. 13.

4-5 Curlers Care 2-4 Support Our Troops Bonspiel. Funds raised by participating teams in this third annual event go to the Support Our Troops Fund and Canadian Armed Forces members, veterans and their families. In lieu of entry fees, teams are asked to collect pledges.

If you have an event for publication in our March 2017 edition of Parry Sound Sideroads & Shorelines, please email sjohnson@metrolandnorthmedia.com no later than Feb. 1.

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