walleye the
Thunder Bay’s arts & culture alternative
ARTS CULTURE MUSIC FOOD FILM
FREE Vo l 4 N o 8
AUGUST
2 01 3
t h e w a l l e y e . c a
The Boating Life
+
SUPERIOR SAILING P7
+
EUGENE LEFRANCOIS P 25
+
MASTERS OF THE WIND P 37
+
ECO DIVERS P 47
Photos courtesy of the City of Thunder Bay
Tbaytel Mobility
At Tbaytel, we understand what it means to be northern. After all, we’re northerners too. We like our
50
$
Data Flex & Unlimited Local Voice
winters cold, our pancakes Finnish and our coffee with a Persian on the side. And when it comes to mobility we understand your needs like no other carrier. That’s why we offer extensive coverage
• Unlimited Local Calling
• Unlimited Call Forwarding
where you need it most, affordable plans and
• 1GB Flex Plan
• Enhanced Voicemail
devices and local customer support who are
• Unlimited Text & MMS (Can/US/Intl)
• 100 FREE sent SMS messages while in the US
proud to call our neighbourhood home.
• Caller ID
Experience the Tbaytel difference and choose Tbaytel Mobility.
HOME PHONE | INTERNET | MOBILITY | DIGITAL TV | SECURITY Visit an Authorized Tbaytel Dealer Call 807-623-4400 | 1-800-264-9501
tbaytel.net Limited time offer. Device not included. New activations and upgrades must sign a 3 or 2 year commitment on applicable voice and data plans and keep both voice and data plans for the duration of the commitment. Customers that own their own device are not required to sign a multiyear commitment. Plan changes are not permitted for customers under a previous commitment. If making Long Distance calls on the Unlimited Local Voice & Data Flex plan the long distance rate would be .40 cents per minute. Text messaging must originate in Canada. Data overage is $0.01/MB. 100 free sent text messages per bill cycle while roaming in the US. $0.40/message thereafter. Customer must have completed at least 1 year of their 3 year commitment and sign a new 3 year commitment to be eligible for Tbaytel to waive the final 6 months of their existing commitment. Up to $150 after tax when customer provides proof of competitive contract cancellation.
1042_Tbaytel_Fall Mobility_WalleyeFIN.indd 1
13-07-22 9:51 AM
walleye the
Thunder Bay’s arts & culture alternative
Editor-in-chief Darren McChristie Editor Michelle McChristie Associate Editor Amy Jones Senior Editor Tiffany Jarva Contributing Editor: Rebekah Skochinski Copy Editors Amy Jones, Nancy Saunders Marketing & Sales Manager Logan Wright: sales@thewalleye.ca Photographers Storm Carroll, Tara George, Bill Gross, Dave Koski, Shannon Lepere, Darren McChristie, Chris Merkley, Tyler Sklazeski, Amy Vervoot
The Walleye is a free monthly publication distributed on racks throughout Thunder Bay and region. Reproduction of any article, photograph or artwork without written permission is strictly forbidden. Views expressed herein are those of the author exclusively. Copyright © 2013 by Superior Outdoors Inc. All Rights Reserved. Editorial and Advertising: Submissions must be accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Superior Outdoors cannot be held responsible for unsolicited material. Superior Outdoors Inc.
James Whalen tug boat docked at Kaministiquia River Heritage Park
Suite 242, 1100 Memorial Avenue, Thunder Bay, Ontario P7B 4A3
Art Directors Steve Coghill, R.G.D., Dave Koski, R.G.D. production@thewalleye.ca
Telephone (807) 624-1215 ; Fax (807) 623-5122
Business Manager Doug McChristie
Superior Outdoors Inc donates 1% of all sales to 1% for the Planet
Ad Designer Jessica Gagnon
Life in a Port City
E-mail: info@superioroutdoors.ca Printed in Canada
A
www.onepercentfortheplanet.com
TheWalleye.ca
On the Cover Ellia and Gregory Heroux of Sail Superior on board the Journeyer—a 38-foot sailing yacht. Photo by Shannon Lepere
Featured Contributor
Kyle Poluyko is The Walleye’s premier theatre critic and is equally comfortable writing about music—he thrives on the excitement of live entertainment. Kyle has a diverse background in theatre that has taken him to Toronto and Los Angeles and ultimately back home to Thunder Bay. Most recently, Kyle was the assistant director for Eleanor Drury Children's Theatre for two seasons.
Our community is rich with boating heritage. The Ojibway used canoes to travel the intricate network of lakes and rivers that covers northern Ontario and later, the Europeans adopted their ways to explore the area and establish fur-trading posts. Boats were used in some way in all of the north’s industries, for import/export and the local transport of goods—our growth and prosperity is largely due to our location at the head of the Great Lakes and terminus of the St. Lawrence Seaway. A trip down to the marina at Prince Arthur’s Landing proves that our passion for boating hasn’t waned. From small racing sailboats to dream yachts, the docks are full of beautiful vessels, each with its own story. In this issue we meet some of the boaters to get an understanding of what draws them to the boating lifestyle. Tiffany Jarva catches up with Captains Gregory and Ellia Heroux from Sail Superior, and Michelle Kolobutin gets the inside scoop about life on a saltie. We take a look at some of the shipwrecks and lighthouses of the Canadian waters of Lake Superior and our film columnist, Michael Sobota, tells us about Drowning in Dreams—a film about the Gunilda, which Jacques Cousteau called one of most beautiful shipwrecks in the world. In keeping with the nautical theme, Tanja Coghill tells us about her “bucket list” fishing trip on Lake Superior and Justyna Kondakow gives us her take on sailing attire (no boat shoes for this sailor!). James Whalen, the entrepreneur who envisioned our city as “the Chicago of the North” would surely be proud to see that our waterfront remains a hub of activity. If he were with us today, I imagine he’d enjoy sitting on a bench at Prince Arthur’s Landing, watching boats come and go, while reading The Walleye.
-Michelle McChristie
The Walleye
3
Shannon Lepere
Contents
FEATURES
■
FILM&THEATRE
6 CoverStory: The Boating Life ■ 8 Superior Sailing ■ 9 The Saltie ■ 10 Preserving Marine Heritage ■ 11 McKellar Marine Centre ■ 11 What Lies Beneath ■ 12 Shipwrecks of Thunder Bay
■ 20 Bay Street Film Festival ■ 20 Stage Preview:
FOOD
Graffiti Alley ■ 24 Third Time’s a Charm ■ 25 Eugene Lefrancois ■ 26 Artist’s Stark Images Challenge and Confront
■ 14 The Redhead and the Chef ■ 15 Little Harriett’s ■ 16 Gump-Inspired Shrimp Burgers ■ 18 Yo Ho Ho and a Bottle of Rum!
You Must See This Play ■ 21 Drowning in Dreams ■ 22 Can Graffiti Change Anything?
THE ARTS
■ 24 Thunder Bay’s First
CITYSCENE
■ 27 The New Nautical ■ 28 Willow Springs Farmer's Market
9
13
All Sewing Machine & The Quilter's Stash 920 B Memorial Ave. 807-345-7174
Full service sewing machine & quilt shop
Bring in this ad for
weekly specials
on fabrics & notions
4
The Walleye
■ 28 Run Or Dye ■ 29 Taking it Local ■ 29 The Beads Go On ■ 30 Fishing on The Big Lake GETAWAY
■ 32 Terrace Bay to the Slate Islands
MUSIC
■ 34 Bob Dylan Comes Home ■ 35 Boy Castle ■ 35 DRUMHAND ■ 36 Three Songs that will Float Your Boat
■ 37 Radio Waves ■ 37 Masters of the Wind ■ 38 Rusty Water and the Broken Troubadours ■ 38 Camden Blues Band
22
ARCHITECTURE
■ 42 Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship Griffon
HEALTH
■ 44 Medicines of the Forest ■ 44 The Paleo Diet Uncovered ■ 45 When the Water is Cold LIVING GREEN
■ 47 Eco Divers ■ 48 Reducing the Environmental Impacts of Boating ■ 49 Solving Mysteries
■ 17 Drink of the Month ■ 40 Off the Wall Reviews ■ 50 August EVENTS ■ 53 ZYGOTE bop ■ 52 The Wall ■ 54 The Eye
36
the
1
4
Live from the Rock Folk Festival
Pull-A-Log Park, Red Rock
August 9 – 11
Now in its 11th year, Live from the Rock Folk Festival is an annual tradition for many families in Northwestern Ontario. New artistic director Jennifer Ives has put together a stellar lineup for 2013, featuring both new and returning acts from all over the world. If you need another reason to take in the festival, consider participating in the Paju Mountain Run on August 10 or checking out Red Rock’s new Ice Age Mammals exhibit. Weekend passes for the festival are available at Fireweed on Algoma Street; check out the feature in the July issue of The Walleye for more details. livefromtherockfolkfestival.com
2
Dirty Girls Mud Run
Superior Youth Festival Marina Park
August 21
The Superior Youth Festival supports youth music, art, and culture by featuring local and regional musical acts, as well as performances by two rising stars of the Canadian music scene— Halifax’s electric live looping duo Scientists of Sound, and Poor Young Things, a band originally from Thunder Bay and now based in Toronto, whose debut album The Heart. The Head. The End. has been getting some serious buzz. The lineup also includes local favourites The Auditor General, Zack & the Morrises, and Mackenzie Heights, as well as Dryden artist Mad Flow. The event will also feature alternative performers, on-site concessions, prize draws, an artisan market, community group booths, and more. facebook.com/SuperiorYouthFestival
This Old Barn, Murillo
August 10
The name might inspire some giggles, but this five kilometre mud run is no joke. Racers walk, run, and crawl through a gruelling obstacle course (designed by members of the Lake Superior Scottish Regiment) featuring mud pits, a wall to scale, low crawls under ropes, tire obstacles, tunnels to climb through, muddy slopes, and more, all in support of the Canadian Cancer Society. And if you’re not quite ready to get dirty, you can still come along and cheer on your favourite team, all while taking in some of the live entertainment and food provided by This Old Barn. dirtygirlstbay.com
3 Murdo MacLeod
TOPfive
The Proclaimers Crocks
August 19
Best known in North America for their 1993 hit “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles),” The Proclaimers will hit the stage at Crocks this month for what promises to be an entertaining, high-energy show. The Scottish pop band, made up of twin brothers Charlie and Craig Reid, has made a name for itself by blending catchy melodies with political commentary, and has been relentlessly touring for over twenty years, bringing a little bit of Scotland to the rest of the world. This is a show you won’t want to miss—especially if you’ve been wondering all these years just what exactly the word “haver” means. loffredo.ca
Poor Young Things
5
Ribfest
The Waterfront District
August 23 – 25
In what just might be the most delicious event of the summer, The Waterfront District’s second annual Ribfest brings together four Ribber teams from southern Ontario to compete for the title of Best Ribs. In its first year, more than 20,000 people came out to get their fingers sticky and taste the mouthwatering fare, and with great musical guests, activities, and games for kids of all ages, and proceeds going directly back into the community, this year’s event promises to be even better. So come hungry, and don’t forget the wet naps! thewaterfrontdistrict.ca The Walleye
5
CoverStory
The Boating Life Living in the biggest city on the world's largest lake with hundreds of smaller freshwater lakes in every direction, the lure of boating is irresistible. We take a look at five different boats, the people who own them and how they are living the boating life.
Salvelinus
Oasis III
2010 Tournament 192
1980 C&C racer/cruiser sailboat
Length: 19’ 2”
Length: 32’
Beam: 8’ 0”
Beam: 10’ 2.5”
Draft: 1’ 2”
Mast: 44” 8’ Motor: 29 hp Perkins Perama M30 diesel
The Owners: Dave and Lois Nuttall
The Owners: Paul Cote and Julie Besse
The Builder: Grady-White Company in North Carolina
The Builder: C&C Yachts
The Specs: A day cruiser with an open bow that seats two and additional seating for six to eight.
The Specs: A fixed keel, racing/cruiser sailboat with sleeping for 5-6. Equipped with 175 watts of solar power, fridge, propane stove, and oven.
The Trips: Over a span of 50 years, Dave has covered virtually the entire shoreline of Lake Superior from Pigeon River to the south end of Pukaskwa Park. His favourite spots include the Slate Islands, the waters around Battle Island, the southern shore of St. Ignace Island, Paradise Island, and Loon Harbour. The Boating Life: Growing up in Nipigon, Dave’s initial boating experiences were limited to being a guest, in all manner of boats ranging from eight-foot blow-up rubber rafts to 30-foot steel-hulled cruisers. He bought his first canoe before he could drive (“This made for some long portages!” he says). But the first time he was on a cruiser and took a trip around St. Ignace Island from Nipigon, he says “I knew this was where I wanted to be.” His wife, Lois, had never been in a boat until she met him, and her boating experiences have been limited to the times they go out together.
- Amy Jones
The Walleye
Weight: 9,680 lbs
Motor: 150 hp four-stroke Yamaha outboard
The Advice to Beginning Boaters: Dave believes the most important piece of knowledge regarding boating on Superior is that any boat at a given time is adequate and also that every boat at a given time is inadequate. “If you boat on the big lake,” he says, “no matter what vessel you are in, sooner or later you are going to get caught in some weather you shouldn't be in. Don't try to fight Superior; seek shelter, and wait it out. Your life is more important than some deadline on the mainland.”
6
Draft: 5’ 8”
Weight: 2,075 lbs
The Trips: Paul and Julie have chartered a boat to sail in the Caribbean, but the majority of their sailing is along the rugged shoreline of Lake Superior, which they have circumnavigated. They have also sailed in Lake Huron, but much prefer the wilderness of our Great Lake, choosing to anchor in sheltered bays and going ashore for hiking, fishing, and kiteboarding. The Boating Life: Paul has boating in his blood and was responsible for introducing Julie to it over twenty years ago while they were still dating. Their love of sailing is infectious and although they have a few harrowing tales of huge waves and near hypothermic conditions, they would never trade the experiences gained all while trusting that “the boat can always handle more than humans can.” Julie struggles with motion sickness (and an initial fear that is long-gone) but is an expert at the helm. Paul describes the sailing experience as a “closed world” that allows them to explore, and improve their communication and cooperation with one another all while working with the wind to get them where they want to go. The Advice to Beginning Boaters: While sailing is admittedly technical and challenging, Paul says it is also “very healing and therapeutic.” Technology such as GPS and radar have made it more predictable, but the best thing is to get some hands-on training. “Joining the new crew program at the Thunder Bay Yacht Club is great because not only do you share a common interest, but you instantly become part of a community.” - Rebekah Skochinski
CoverStory
Glitter & Shame 2013 Lightning
Nina
1955 Sedan Cabin Cruiser
2000 Sea Ray 480 Sedan Bridge
Length: 19’
Length: 26’
Length: 48’
Beam: 6’6”
Beam: 8’
Beam: 15’ 6”
Draft: 4’ 11” (centreboard down)
Draft: 2’ 6”
Draft: 3’ 8”
Weight: 3,500 lbs (approx.)
Weight: 40,400 lbs
Weight: 700 lbs
The Owner: Lorrie Walsh The Crew: Tina Corness, Terry Cano The Builders: Nickels Boat Works, Flint, Michigan The Specs: A sloop rigged, trailerable sailing dinghy with a crew of 3. The Lightning has International Class status and is one of the most popular and competitive racing classes in the world. The Trips: Walsh has travelled from coast to coast in Canada and throughout the United States to compete in the Canadian, North American and World Championships. The Accolades: Walsh is the commodore of Temple Reef Sailing Club. Her numerous awards include a second place finish in the Women's North American Championships in 2008, and she was on the only all-woman team to qualify to sail in the World Championships 2009. The Boating Life: Walsh comes from a long line of sailboat racers. Her father and grandfather raced Lightnings, and she has crewed for her brother from a very young age (she competed in her first provincial regatta at the age of seven). Walsh says, “I've had to work very hard to learn things on my own and carve my own path within a fleet of local racers who are all truly seasoned and talented. Thunder Bay boasts many of the top sailors in the country, if not North America.” The Advice to Beginning Boaters: “It's pretty simple,” says Walsh. “Sail. Get involved, pay attention, ask questions. It's never too late to start. A book can tell you how you ‘should’ sail, but unless you immerse yourself in it, you can't experience it fully.”
Motor: Caterpillar 660 hp diesel engine x 2
Motor: 65-hp Gray Marine gas engine (hand-crank to start)
Mast: 26’ 2”
- Amy Jones
Family Ties
The Owner: Paul Morralee (local boating enthusiast and documentary filmmaker)
The Owners: Vivian and Todd Siciliano (Todd is the commodore of the Thunder Bay Yacht Club)
The Builder: Jon Olson (he named the boat after his wife) at Great Lakes Forest Products yard in Fort William
The Builder: Sea Ray (Meritt Island, Florida)
The Specs: A vintage wooden cruiser with a hull made from yellow cedar. It sleeps 5 comfortably. The Trips: Morralee and Nina have travelled 11,400 kilometres together to over 52 cities and towns in two provinces and two states, including Thunder Bay to Montreal and Ottawa to Kingston. The Fame: “People’s Choice” Award at the Ottawa International Antique and Classic Boat Show in 2011 and “Best Dressed” twice: Rideau Canal Flotilla (2008) and Ottawa Tulip Festival Flotilla (2006). Four documentaries have also been filmed from Nina: Superior & Beyond; Today’s Rideau I and II; Ottawa River Waterway. The Boating Life: Morralee grew up surrounded by boats on the Thames in England, where his grandfather owned a motor launch. He spent the latter part of his childhood on the Ottawa River and Deep River, and 11 years ago he bought Nina. He loves having the opportunity to explore Lake Superior as a whole, including its marine history, its ecology, geology, and its incredible remoteness and the feeling of truly getting away. “Boating is a great way to explore Ontario the way it was historically built: from the water up,” he says. The Advice to Beginning Boaters: “Do it. Get out there. Connect with nature. Talk with people who have done it. If you want peace and quiet we are surrounded by it.” And most importantly, Morralee says there is so much to explore and experience that it’s important to get over the fear of boating on Lake Superior, while at the same time making wise choices and really looking at this great lake of ours with true respect.
The Specs: A large volume sedan cruiser with full galley, three staterooms on the lower level, a spacious master stateroom forward, two toilets and two showers. The Trips: The Sicilianos love to visit the Apostle Islands in Wisconsin (“the Caribbean of Lake Superior”), Rossport for its rugged and well protected anchorages—the Otter Cove waterfall is a huge highlight—and the Slate Islands for the small herds of caribou and fantastic fishing. The Boating Life: Todd admits he has always loved the water, and got hooked on boating while fishing as a child with his dad and uncles. “Boating out of Thunder Bay is wonderful. Five minutes from the dock and I am alone, with the problems of the week behind me.” Todd and Vivian normally boat with three other couples, and will anchor and “raft” the boats together. “It is always a big party at sea with great friends, wonderful potluck meals, and magnificent scenery. Each anchorage holds a different experience. Some have hiking trails, some have great sand beaches, and others are in hot fishing areas. It all depends on what you’re in the mood for.” The Advice to Beginning Boaters: “Just do it and you will never be sorry. We live in one of the most spectacular areas in Canada, if not the world, and on the largest body of freshwater on the planet. There is something for everyone and the picture outside your window is different every day.” - Rebekah Skochinski
-Tiffany Jarva The Walleye
7
CoverStory
Superior Sailing
Father and Daughter Tap Into the Beauty and Exhilaration of Sailing Lake Superior By Tiffany Jarva
P
uffy white clouds roll above. Otherwise the sky is big and blue. It’s hot on land, but cooler by the shores of Lake Superior. People clad in shorts and sandals mill around on the boardwalk. Kids run through the splash pad sprinklers outside of Bight Restaurant. It’s a Friday afternoon in July and Thunder Bay’s annual Blues Festival is starting in a few hours. Boats are jockeying for the ideal listening position on the water, anchored as close to shore as possible. I am at Pier 3, down at Prince Arthur’s Landing Marina Park, about to embark on a Sail Superior harbour tour on the Journeyer—a 38-foot, California-made Downeaster 38 Ketch sailing yacht. Captain Gregory Heroux greets me on the dock. “There are 18- to 20-knot winds today,” he says, smiling. “It’s going to be a good day for sailing.” He disappears for a bit and then his 20-year-old daughter, Captain Ellia Heroux, introduces herself. Father and daughter have been sailing together for 10 years now. “She has achieved her Master’s License,” says Captain Gregory. “I am so proud of her.” And it certainly is a good day for sailing. I feel the shore-based stresses melt away, as the in-the-moment sailing zen quickly takes over: winds blowing, white-capped waves, water spraying, and the Sleeping Giant hovering ahead. I feel lucky when I hear there are only about eight to ten days like this during the season, which makes for a little bit more of an exciting sail, especially when we venture past the breakwall and out into the waters of the this great lake. Captain Gregory, with 40 years of varied sailing experience, explains the appeal of Lake Superior. “It’s always different,” he says. “It’s a freedom. You can go out and enjoy nature’s backyard.” After passing the breakwall, we change course and head toward the waterfront’s elevators, where a freighter is just leaving port. Crisp white sails billow in the wind. The red “tell tails” flop and then flow straight back, indicating effective use of the sail. While sailing, father and daughter are seamless. Their communication (direct commands like “trim the sail” and “take the wheel,”) is clear—because of their knowledge and experience they make sailing on Superior look effortless. Captain Ellia moves from side to side, up and down the boat, pulling, releasing, and tying off certain lines (ropes) when necessary, performing tacking maneuvers smoothly. Watching her, I can see why it’s not surprising that her first Atlantic crossing was when she was 11 years old. A fine arts and Asian studies student in Vermont, Captain Ellia has come home to sail and help her father for the summer. “I like the wind. I like the water. I like the challenge,” she says. “And I get to spend time with my dad. I like being out in the elements.” She pauses. “It’s exhilarating.” Captain Gregory says that the bigness, coldness, and remoteness of Lake Superior may deter people from getting out on the lake, but also contribute to its beauty, intrigue, and feeling of escape. When new to sailing or boating, he says it’s important to take steps that you are comfortable with, learn more and more, and invest in a good solid boat. Captain Ellia adds, “It takes legitimate skill but you can also have a lot of fun.” They both agree that that being on a boat equals a lot of good memories, especially when you’re with family and friends—whether it’s seeing a moose on the dock at Isle Royale, Wednesday night racing, or dealing with fresh snow and building a snowman on deck. “Superior is appealing because it’s not really populated,” Captain Ellia adds. “It’s wild. It’s beautiful.”
Shannon Lepere
Sail Superior offers a wide range of sailing experiences, from daily harbour tours and sunset sails to overnight customized charters, as well as sailing lessons. For more info navigate to sailsuperior.com.
8
The Walleye
CoverStory
The Saltie
A Modern Day Birch Bark Canoe Story and Photos by Michelle Kolobutin
F
ew panoramas are as picturesque as a sunrise over the Sleeping Giant with Superior glistening in the forefront. This backdrop often includes one of many ships that frequent our port. But where do they travel? What are they carrying? What do crew members do in port? These questions were answered when I toured a transatlantic cargo ship, a.k.a. saltie, Irma. At Keefer Terminal, Jon Henderson from Lake Superior Shipping escorts me to the docked ship. We climb up 80 narrow steps to the deck where Irma’s Captain, Master Piotr Szczesniak, welcomes me. I wasn’t sure what the inside of a cargo ship would look like, but what I see surprises me; it is quiet, safe, modern and immaculately clean. Irma is a 200-metre long, 13-year-old, Japanese-made ship that can manage
a cargo of 35,000 metric tonnes. She commences her season in Ijmuiden, Netherlands with a full-cargo of steel coils. Her westward route includes Cleveland, Burns Harbour, Milwaukee, and finally Thunder Bay. On arrival here, the ship’s belly gets pumped full of grain, which usually takes a couple of days. From here, Irma travels to Montreal (a 4.5 day trip), then to Casablanca or Morocco (ten days across the ocean), then Algeria, Italy, and finally returning to the Netherlands to make a six-week round trip. That may seem like a lot of carbon miles, but marine transportation is the most energy efficient way to ship cargo. Captain Piotr refers to Irma as his girlfriend. He explains that vessels are recognized in the feminine tense because seamen often spend more time on the ship than at home and their familiarity and
respect for the ship can be paralleled to that of their wives. The captain, specifically, has an intimate compatibility with the vessel’s unique characteristics, such as how she handles heavy seas and how she docks. To describe Irma’s 21-member, all-male Polish crew as hardworking would be an understatement. They work 12-hour shifts, four months on and two months off. Captain Piotr explains that there used to be an educational component crew were required to complete prior to being hired on a ship—a nautical university that educated crew on all aspects of ship life. In recent years, this requirement has become redundant as crew members are hired from various applied backgrounds, and now work in focused areas of the ship. What does the crew do during downtime? When he started his shipping career as a cadet in the 70s, Captain Piotr says
crew spent their time together. Besides playing cards, they would gather weekly for movie night. When they docked, they would swap movies with another ship. With the advent of the Internet and laptops, down time has become solitary, with crew staying in their hotel-style rooms. In ports, the crew come ashore to dine out and shop. The draw in Thunder Bay? Walmart, of all places. Captain Piotr excitedly shows me Irma’s bridge, and standing at the helm, I can’t imagine maneuvering this massive ship through the turbulent waters of Superior, let alone the ocean. Despite the ship’s vastness and the exotic ports she travels to, the Captain reminds me that her objective is not dissimilar to our city’s history, specifically the fur trade, using waterways to transport goods—he and his crew are modern day voyagers.
The Walleye
9
CoverStory
Preserving Marine Heritage Darren McChristie
The Quest to Save our Region’s Lighthouses Story by Tiffany Jarva
The non-profit group Friends of Trowbridge Lighthouse is still hoping to assume the operation and maintenance of ten lighthouses on Lake Superior, and provide opportunities like guided interpretative lighthouse tours, work parties for groups such as Boy Scouts, Girl Guides or other community organizations, week-long retreats for artists or conservationists, and other special events. Their mission is about preserving a huge part of Lake Superior’s history and providing access to the public. “Having the public be able to experience a part of our nautical history is our goal,” explains board member Paul Morralee.
Thunder Bay Main In 1837, the steamer Erin exported the first load of 10,000 bushels of prairie wheat from Port Arthur. In 1882 the CPR built a simple lighthouse. In 1937, a new lighthouse was built at the end of the breakwater on the north side of the main entrance as part of harbour improvements. While leaving the harbour in May 1971, the fully-loaded Simcoe smashed into the lighthouse and pier causing significant damage to both, including snapping a submarine cable, which provided electricity and phone services in the area. As a result, the harbour entrance had to be closed temporarily.
Angus Island Just east of Pie Island, the Angus light (established in 1927) is used to mark the shipping route into Thunder Bay’s harbour. From the 1930s through to the 50s, the tugboat James Whalen (which can be viewed at the Kaministiquia Riverfront Heritage Park) shuttled the keepers to and from the island.
Trowbridge Island Trowbridge Island houses the only original Fresnel lens that is still in operation on Lake Superior. There is a helipad, and walkways and stairs join the residence and
10
The Walleye
service buildings. Its location provides a great view of ships, including lakers and salties. A popular stop for kayakers, many have fond memories of the quirky Maureen Robertson, who leased the property from 1996-2010, and ornately decorated each room in a theme.
Porphyry Point Established in 1873, this was the second Canadian light station on Lake Superior. Early light keeper Andrew Dick maintained a large vegetable garden, and dinners included stored smoked meat, rabbit, and caribou steak. Thordoc, a lake freighter carrying flour, grounded on Porphyry Point, and apparently the crew threw over bags and bags of flour to lighten the load—ten years worth according to keeper Edward McKay. McKay was awarded the Ontario Medal for Good Citizenship and was presented to Queen Mother Elizabeth.
Lamb Island A tiny island off of Black Bay Peninsula, a lighthouse was built on Lamb in 1877. When the water pump on the tug Radville failed, keeper Charles Gibson was able to rig up a temporary fix using a washing machine motor, which ended up lasting for the next six months.
Battle Island
Otter Island
In 1991 Battle Island became the first automated and unmanned lighthouse on the Great Lakes. Charles McKay was the first light keeper and stayed for 36 years, receiving a medal from King George V for his years of service. In 1971, assistant keeper Willard Hubelit lost his finger when fierce waves slammed a lighthouse door on his hand.
Due to its wild shoreline appeal, Otter Island is popular with canoeists and kayakers. Rumour has it that the keeper at this remote station may have been the last to see the Edmund Fitzgerald before it sunk during that fateful storm in November, 1975. The entire crew of 29 men perished, and no bodies were recovered.
Slate Islands (Patterson Island) The Slate Islands lighthouse stands at 224 feet above sea level, making it the tallest on the Great Lakes. Keeper Charlie Lockwood died at the lighthouse and his wife kept his body on ice in the back shed until it could be properly buried on the mainland. Stories from light keeper Jack Bryson’s family indicate that Jacques Cousteau visited the lighthouse, as well as an albino caribou, and the ghost of Charlie Lockwood.
Number 10 Light (Shaganash) West of Shaganash Island is a smaller island known as No.10, where a light was placed to help guide vessels through the narrow eastern passage into Thunder Bay. In 1921 fire destroyed the station.
Caribou Island Considered one of the most beautiful lighthouses in Canada, a new state-of-theart flying buttress form was used when re-building in 1912, creating a very slender and stable 100-foot tower. One of the most isolated islands in the Great Lakes, dangerous uncharted shoals stretch out in the surrounding waters. In 1922, the CGS Lambton (a government issued boat for light keepers) sank 24 km east of the island. Reference: Great Lakes Lighthouses Encyclopedia by Larry and Patricia Wright (Boston Mills Press, 2006).
CoverStory
McKellar Marine Centre
Keeping Boats Afloat for Over 30 Years Story and Photo by Darren McChristie
L
ocated on the bank of the McKellar River sits an unassuming fenced plot of land, dotted with boats of all shapes and sizes. A tall crane, circa the 1950s, sits along shore, and a dozen boats are docked on the water a stone’s throw away from a modest house that is hidden behind a group of trees. A large garage houses Bill Zeleny’s latest acquisition—a 30-foot cabin cruiser, which he is outfitting for his wife. It’s his seventh boat, but who’s counting? This is to be expected for someone whose lifelong passion is boating. For over 30 years, Zeleny has been helping people keep their boats floating and running smoothly through his business McKellar Marine Centre.
Zeleny’s father, Steve, set the course for a life of boating for him and his family. He started boating in the 1930s, mainly on the Kam River, where he operated a converted lifeboat. Steve served as an officer of the Canadian Power Squadron and commodore of the Thunder Bay Yacht Club. These strong roots in boating provided Zeleny with the knowledge and desire to choose a life of boating. After attending Confederation College and Lakehead University, he asked himself what he wanted to do. “They always say, ‘do what you know,’” he says. “Well, I know boats.” In 1971, Zeleny made a conscious choice to create an atmosphere of boating when he purchased the land upon which he later
developed the small marina, garage, and boat yard. Today, Zeleny has the help of his three sons, Jeff (manager), Rob and Mark (yard officials), as well as Clyde Smart (technician), and Tracy Stieh (office manager). A short boating season means Zeleny and his crew are often hard at work during the summer, performing a variety of jobs and services. “Just today a guy came from Toronto—his boat had a vibration. He wanted to change a bearing and the oil, and do some laundry, get some food.... and get rid of his garbage,” says Bill. Though he still manages to find time to get out on the water, and spend time at his camp on Lake Superior during the odd summer weekend,
he counts the hours away from work, not the hours at work. “This weekend I’ll have just over 27 hours at camp,” he says. While selling parts and accessories are at the core of what they do, mechanical repairs are not far behind. Launching and hauling boats using their 10-tonne crane or 25-tonne hydraulic trailer and storing boats round out the rest of their business. Kindness is key to Zeleny’s philosophy, not only in business, but also in life. “I try hard to make other people’s lives better by doing what I can for them, we go the extra distance—that’s what has to happen in the world. Not enough people care for others more than themselves.”
What Lies Beneath:
Canadian Shipwrecks of Lake Superior Story and photo by Darren McChristie
O
ver 400 ships have met their demise in the tumultuous waters and on the rocky and unforgiving shores of Lake Superior. The Thunder Bay Museum has a new exhibit documenting many of the wrecks in Canadian waters. What Lies Beneath: Canadian Shipwrecks of Lake Superior features artifacts from many of the wrecks (including a well-preserved collection that is on-loan from the U.S. National Parks Service), maps, video footage, interviews, and interpretive panels. Diane Robnik, communications outreach officer with the Thunder Bay Museum, says that in researching the shipwrecks, she sought out first-hand accounts to ensure the survivors’ stories would be the focus of the exhibit. What Lies Beneath: Canadian Shipwrecks of Lake Superior will be on display until November 15, after which time it will be packed up and displayed regionally and nationally. The museum is open daily from 11 am to 5 pm and located at 425 Donald Street East. The Walleye
11
CoverStory CoverStory
SHIPWRECKS
Robert L. Fryer
1930
OF THUNDER BAY
Nipigon Bay
Mary Boyce
1928
James P. Donaldson
1923
Black Bay
Black Bay Peninsula
Gogebic
1919 Sibley Peninsula
Thunder Bay
Edward Island
Pie Island
Lake Superior
Jim Pullar
1909 Isle Royale
Leafield
1913
Preston
1901
1
12
The Walleye
The Walleye
CoverStory Joe Smith
1926
ONTARIO Kakabeka
1895
St Ignace Island
Pic Island Slate Islands
Theano
1906
“A rock suddenly loomed up directly in front of us, and although we at once reversed the engines, we had discovered our peril too late.” [Theano Captain, George Pearson] Scotiadoc
1953
Monkshaven
1905
“Just before we were rammed I saw something like a huge black shadow coming right at us.” [Scotiadoc’s Chief Engineer Albert Chalmers]
“We were forced to go without food or sleep for more than 2 days and 2 nights. Many of us could not have possibly lasted another 24 hours.” [Crew member, SS Monkshaven] Not intended for navigation purposes. Locations are approximate. Information provided by the Thunder Bay Museum.
The Walleye
13
Food
August drink feature:
Fresh Squeezed Lemonade Fresh local baking PIES CAKES COOKIES
316 Bay St. 766-9087
Mon-Fri 7:30am-10:30pm Sat-Sun 8:30am-10:30pm
Chris Merkley
see Superior, taste Superior, feel Superior
The Redhead and the Chef By Susan Pretty
L
ooking for something new and exciting to try? Remember this name: The Redhead and the Chef. This dynamic duo of Jennifer Biron, (the redhead) and Derek Cyrenne (the chef ) has been in operation since November 2012 and is serving up recognizable, approachable food that is prepared with a unique culinary flair inspired by Cyrenne, whose honest approach to food allows the quality of the product to speak for itself! Offering lunch two to three times a week, (and if we’re lucky, sometimes dinner) you’ll find delectables such as silky cream of perogy soup (the mini-perogies are out of this world), a giant Philly cheesesteak (Cyrenne’s favorite), and the almostfamous ginger cookies. And guess what—they cater too! Biron has vast experience in the hospitality industry, while Cyrenne, with 28 years of experience under his belt, doesn’t even flinch at the thought of a gala event for 750 people. They love to work with their clients to design a menu that will complement their event, budget, and guests. Sourcing out local foods, you’ll often see their smiling faces at the Thunder Bay Country Market, picking out local product for their dishes. Their dream, however, is to operate a food truck which, according to their research, comprise the fastest growing sector in the industry. The ability to move with the market and have a faceto-face relationship with their customers is the Redhead and the Chef ’s ultimate goal. Why? “It would allow us to offer foods people are looking for and an opportunity to showcase all of the wonderful products that Thunder Bay’s diverse agricultural scene offers,” says Biron. Ideally, the truck would travel the streets of Thunder Bay, visit its unique green spaces, and participate in various festivals serving a delicious menu of skillfully prepared dishes that would reflect the season and event. For details, visit theredheadandthechef.com or find them on Facebook.
14
The Walleye
Thunder Bay's premier waterfront restaurant + bar
www.bightrestaurant.ca
Open daily at 11:30 a.m. | For reservations 622-4448 | Marina Park, 2201 Sleeping Giant Parkway
Food
Little Harriett’s
Handmade, Natural Food for the Wee Ones By Andrea Stach
Y
ou are what you eat. Never is this more true than for the little growing bodies of babies. By feeding young children food made fresh local ingredients, free of chemicals and preservatives, we know that we are giving them the best nutritional start in life. As this can be tricky to do for busy families, Emily MacKay, a local baby food artisan, has come to the rescue of local parents and caregivers with Little Harriett's. A brand new business that currently calls the Thunder Bay Country Market home, Little Harriett's vision is to foster the beginning of a lifelong path to eating well. MacKay started selling her wares in mid-June and is offering two main products, all produced by hand in her licensed kitchen. The Aztec Warrior Cereal is a superfood-laden alternative to packaged dry cereals. Made from quinoa, handmilled oats, wheat-germ, flax seed, cinnamon, and chia, it comes in a Mason
jar that you can have personalized on the spot. The cereal is oven-canned, which gives it a 15-year shelf life, allowing you to stock up, or send some to a friend. Handmade arrowroot cookies are also available in a variety of sizes and shapes, perfect for little hands and mouths at snack time. Finding her inspiration from feeding and caring for her own young daughter Harriett, MacKay is motivated to give other parents in our community natural and healthy options to feeding young children. With support from PARO, she hopes to expand her product line this fall to include a brown rice cereal, and applesauce and juice made from local apples. And with everything being carefully taste-tested by Harriett, MacKay is certain that the little person in your life will enjoy the food too. For more information, visit littleharrietts.com.
The Persian’s Cool Cousin By Rebekah Skochinski
E
Darren McChristie
very good TBayer knows about the cinnamon donut smeared with strawberry pink icing, but in case you missed the memo, Merla Mae Ice Cream has taken our beloved treat to a whole new level. The Persian is now available in hard ice cream you can have scooped into a cup, or a cone, with the option of a waffle upgrade. Though not nearly as sweet as its inspiration, this pink-flecked invention is rumoured to have ground Persians in it. Regardless, the ice cream goes down like a treat. And will surely have you screaming for more. The Walleye
15
Food
GumpInspired Shrimp Burgers By Rachel Globensky
W
hen I learned the theme of the August issue of The Walleye was boating, I immediately—and weirdly—thought of the Bubba-Gump shrimpin’ boat (try saying that without the southern-fried accent) scene in Forrest Gump where Mykelti Williamson’s Bubba spends what looks like hours telling Tom Hanks’s Gump all about the different ways of preparing shrimp. To spare you the deets, and to avoid copyright infringement, I won’t list them here, but there are a lot—look up a movie clip to see!
One of the things Bubba mentions is a shrimp burger. Now, I’m not sure how his mama made ‘em, but this is how I would do it: on a grilled, fresh ciabatta bun with crisp lettuce, a sweet and spicy sauce and a cold pint of something from Sleeping Giant Brewery. It’ll taste just like heaven on an August day.
Now, make the shrimp burgers. 1 ¼ pounds peeled, deveined raw shrimp (31/40 count – that’s number of shrimpper pound) 1 egg, beaten 1 tablespoon mayonnaise 2 teaspoons lemon juice ½ teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon black pepper
First, make the sauce. Easy peasy, lemon squeezy. 1 cup mayo (the real stuff!) 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley 2 tablespoons prepared horseradish 1 ½ teaspoons Cajun seasoning 1 ½ teaspoons lemon juice ¼ teaspoon paprika
Mix all ingredients together, and let mellow in the fridge for a while.
MEMORIAL
Cut each shrimp into 3 pieces and set aside.
Mix egg, mayo, lemon, salt, and pepper together well.
3 tablespoons finely chopped celery 2 tablespoons finely chopped green onion 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
Add celery, onion and parsley to egg mixture.
1 ¼ cups crushed “buttery round crackers” (you know which ones I mean...)
Fold in cracker crumbs along with reserved shrimp. Divide mixture into 4 and form into patties. If you’ll be grilling them, pre-freeze the patties and start with a cleaned, cold, Pam-sprayed grill. Or, you can fry them in a heavy-bottomed pan on the stovetop (no need for pre-freezing).
Save $100.00 on the “Dock in a Box” 4'' x 8'' Stationary Dock Hardware Kit
901 Memorial Ave. 16
The Walleye
REG.
$459.95
SALE
$359.95
345-0501
Food
Stay 2 Nights, Save 2 Ways $
20
Gift Card
OUNGE STEAKL
&
15
% OFF OUR RACK ROOM RATE
Stay 2 or more nights between Thursday and Sunday and receive a $20 Gift Card to use in our Timbers or Runway 25 Steaklounge Restaurants and 15% off our rack room rate. After enjoying our great outdoors, it’s good to relax at Thunder Bay’s Largest Full Service hotel. Valid with rack rate only and bookings made for stays between May 30th and Sept 1, 2013 Thursday thru Sunday. Based on availability and advanced reservations. Not valid with any other discounts.
1 Valhalla Inn Road • For Reservations Call 577-1121 • Quote Rate Code: SAVE
Drink of the Month Prospector Steak House
The Superior Sip By Rebekah Skochinski
Let’s get real for a minute. It’s August (already!) and we are playing by summer rules: packing in as much sunshine, waves, and wind as humanly possible. Naturally, we are also consuming a lot of cool and refreshing liquids. So how brilliant is it that one can easily break away from the marina and step into the Prospector for The Superior Sip, which mixes Blue Curacao, Grey Goose vodka (you won’t feel a thing), freshly squeezed lemon, and 7 Up. And in case it goes down more like a slurp than a sip, we recommend chasing it with a couple of their renowned pillow-soft buns.
The Walleye
Chris Merkley
Prospector Steak House (27 South Cumberland Street) is a TBay mainstay with a well-earned reputation for fantastic beef (the prime rib is excellent) and one of the very few restaurants that still offers a salad bar, making it an ideal place to anchor after a long hard day of summer.
17
Food
Yo Ho Ho and a Bottle of Rum! By Jeannie Dubois, Certified Sommelier
W
hether known as rumbullion, saccharum, rumbustion, or liquor rhum, what we now call plain old rum has been associated with sailors and the sea from its very beginnings. Distilled from cane syrup or sugarcane juice, rum was first produced in earnest upon the discovery of the Caribbean by European explorers. The warm climate of “The Indies” (aka the Bahamas), which Christopher Columbus discovered in 1492 and claimed for Spain, was perfect for the proliferation of the sun-loving sugarcane plant. Subsequently, the savvy Dutch settlers were credited with creating a commercial market
for mass rum production and for proliferating the spirit throughout the Caribbean among English, French, Portuguese, and Spanish seafaring traders who travelled between the Old and New World. However, the European spirit market felt threatened by this New World liquor and refused to allow the import of rum from abroad for fear that English gin or French brandy production would be affected. So rum became the ubiquitous drink of the colonies and those who plied the waters in between. Rum’s association with the sea and sailors was solidified forever when the largest existing navy (British!) began a daily ration of
liquor in 1650 for all hands on deck. The allowance for each sailor of a half pint of rum a day led to the naval officers asking “what can you do with a drunken sailor?”
Serve up some Navy Grog on your next sail:
For years the ration was debated, until 1740, when Admiral “Old Grog” came up with a solution: mix a quart of water with a half pint of rum in a scuttlebutt and add extra lime juice and sugar to make it palatable (naval mixology 101). Making it one of the longest seafaring traditions of all time, grog was only rescinded by the navy in 1970, when the last rum rations were issued citing sailors needing steady hands with modern weapons on board (whew!).
3 tsp honey 1 ½ ounce Pusser’s (original) Navy Rum ¼ ounce fresh squeezed lime juice 2 ½ ounces chilled mineral water 2 dashes Angostura bitters Stir honey with rum in a shaker to dissolve. Add lime juice, water, and bitters, then shake with ice. Strain into an ice-filled rocks glass and garnish with a lime wedge.
Wednesdays: Draught Night ALL DRAUGHT BEER NACHOS
$4.50
$10
Come check out our new 242 RED RIVER ROAD
807-285-3188
SUMMER
&menu! drink
MONDAY
& TUESDAY
4 pm - 1 am
WEDNESDAY TO FRIDAY
11 am - 2 am SATURDAY
4 pm - 2 am SUNDAY CLOSED
18
The Walleye
Disclaimer: #Payments bi-weekly for 60 mths 2006 and 2007 models, 72 mths for 2008-2010 models, and 84 mths for 2010 to 2012 models @ 5.99% variable rate financing. O.A.C. All Payments include Taxes, Administration, Freight, PDI, OMVIC fee’s and up to 1 year’s licensing. Payments are based on $0 down payment. See dealer for details. *Price includes, administration fee, 1 year’s licencing, freight, PDI, and OMVIC fee, HST extra. See dealer for details.
Manufacturer’s warranty
dominion motors (thunder bay-1984) ltd
30-day/2500 km no-hassle exchange privilege
882 copper cresent phone: 343-cars (2277)
150+ point inspections
www.dominionmotors.com
24-hour roadside assistance
OPEN Monday - Thursday 8:30am-7pm Friday 8:30am-6pm saTurday 9am-3pm USED 2012 FORD F150 SUPER CREW XTR
2011 CHEVY AVALANCHE CREW 4WD
USED 2012 GMC SIERRA 1500 CREW 4X4
USED 2012 GMC SIERRA 1500 DENALI CREW
eco boost silver, 3.7L V6 Turbo, auto, am/fm/cd, pw, pdl, pm, Microsoft SYNC Bluetooth pkg, tilt, cruise, air, keyless entry, XM Radio, tint, stabilitrak, H.D. Trailer hitch, tube foot rails, fog lamps, 15,696km, stk 21823Z, daily rental
ONLY $24500 b/w# or $31,500* taxes included
2009 GMC ACADIA AWD
black, 3.6L V6, 6 spd automatic, traction control, am/fm/cd, XM satellite radio, steering wheel radio controls, Bluetooth, p/heated seats, leather interior, tri zone a/c, tilt/tel, remote entry/start, p/sunroof, loaded, 101,430km, stk 21864a
ONLY $22600 b/w# or $21,913* taxes included
2011 BUICK LACROSS CXL
carbon black, 3.6L V6, automatic, pw, pb, p/seats, tilt/tel, dual zone a/c, alloys, remote entry/start, OnStar, cruise, Bluetooth, fog lamps, 32,365km, stk 21892Z
ONLY $17500 b/w# or $22,913* taxes included
2010 BUICK LUCERNE CXL SEDAN
3.9l V6, automatic, am/fm/cd,/xm satellite radio, p/ seats, dual zone air, console, OnStar, heated steering wheel, Bluetooth, alloys, block heater, remote start, heated front seats, 61,934km, stk 21597Z
ONLY $19300 b/w# or $21,913* taxes included
black, 5.3L V8, 6spd auto, cruise, traction control, pw, pdl, am/fm/cd, Bluetooth, OnStar, steering wheel radio controls, p/heated front seats, air, tint, p/pedals, tube boards, remote entry/start, H.D. trailer hitch, 49,915km, stk 21598B
ONLY $26700 b/w# or $34,913* taxes included
2011 CHEVY EQUINOX LT FWD
3.0L V6, auto, am/fm/cd, tilt/tel steering wheel, alloys, cruise, keyless entry, fog lamps, xm satellite radio, OnStar, 52,382km, stk 21700Z
ONLY $18300 b/w# or $23,913* taxes included
2007 CHEVY IMPALA LS
bronze, 3.5L V6, auto, am/fm/cd, p/seat, air, OnStar, driver information centre, block heater, 105,933km, stk 21863A
ONLY $10,000* USED 2012 BUICK VERANO CX
silver, 2.4L 4cyl, auto, steering wheel radio controls, am/fm/cd, ps, pb, pw, pdl, tilt, air, alloys, cruise, OnStar, 30,619km, stk 21825Z, daily rental
ONLY $15500 b/w# or $19,900* taxes included
grey, 4.8L V8, 4spd auto, pw, pdl, air, cruise, OnStar equipped, console, cd, tint, keyless entry, block heater, rear step bumper, 26,550km, stk 21602Z, daily rental
ONLY $19900 b/w# or $25,913* taxes included
white, 6.2L V8, auto, am/fm/cd stacker, steering wheel radio controls, xm radio, ps, pb, pw, pdl, p/seats, air, tint, p/sunroof, 20” alloys, heated steering wheel, H.D. trailer hitch, Bluetooth, OnStar, rear view camera, remote entry/ start, cruise, heat/cool seats, skip plates, 43,056km, stk 21681Z 00 #
ONLY $325 b/w or $41,995* taxes included
2010 CHEVY EQUINOX 2LT AWD
USED 2012 GMC ACADIA SLT1 AWD
black, 2.4L 4cyl, auto, am/fm/cd, steering wheel radio controls, XM Satellite radio, Bluetooth, p/seat, heated seats, leather interior, air, alloys, rear view camera, keyless entry/ start, cruise, steering wheel radio controls, tint, p/sunroof, 89,192km, stk 21148B
white, 3.6L V6, auto, traction control, am/fm/cd, xm Satellite, DVD, Bluetooth, OnStar, tri zone air, remote start/ entry, leather interior, p/seats, heated seats, rear view camera, loaded, 16,600km, stk 21672Z, US vehicle, former daily rental
ONLY $16200 b/w# or $19,913* taxes included
ONLY $31600 b/w# or $41,253* taxes included
2010 KIA FORTE SX SEDAN
2011 CHEVY CRUZE LS
2.4L 4cyl, 6spd manual, traction control, am/fm/ cd, steering wheel radio controls, am/fm/cd, pw, pdl, leather interior, heated seats, cruise, air, tint, console, tilt, p/sunroof, alloys, 28,034km, stk 1009
brown, 1.8L 4cyl, auto, am/fm/cd, xm satellite radio, pdl, tilt/telescopic wheel, air, driver information centre, 34,176km, stk 21902Z ONLY $14200 b/w# or $15,913*
ONLY $11200 b/w# or $12,913* taxes included
2011 HYUNDAI ELANTRA TOURING GLS
navy blue, 2.0L 4cyl, auto, am/fm/cd, steering wheel, radio controls, heated front seats, air, fog lamps, p/sunroof, traction control, 28,432km, stk 21686A
ONLY $13500 b/w# or $16,900* taxes included
taxes included
2009 CHEVY MALIBU LT
white, 2.4L 4cyl, auto, steering wheel radio controls, heated front seats, remote start, OnStar equipped, p/seats, p/sunroof, 61,872km, stk 21699Z
ONLY $14300 b/w# or $16,413* taxes included
The Walleye
19
FilmTheatre
Bay Street Film Festival
Advancing Cultural Dialogue Through Film By Betty Carpick
N
etflix, Vimeo, and YouTube got you itching to experience films the old-school way? Bay Street Film Festival is cranking up for its ninth year of screenings, events, and parties from Thursday, September 5 to Sunday, September 8. As the premiere event for filmmakers from Northwestern Ontario and around the world, the festival will screen 33 films—everything from features to documentaries to shorts. Visiting and local filmmakers will be at 314 Bay Street and around town to share their stories. “We’re thrilled to celebrate the adventurous spirit of independent filmmaking and give audiences new ways to experience and enrich their love of film,” says Kelly Saxberg, chair of the festival. “Having emerging and established artists screen their original work contributes to our region’s cultural richness.”
On September 6, Saxberg’s documentary Life is But a Dream, about author Charlie Wilkins’s trans-Atlantic row, will premiere at the City of Thunder Bay’s Movie Nights in the Park. On September 7, The Talkies at the Thunder Bay Public Library is an opportunity to chat with filmmakers one on one. Wilkins will launch his new non-fiction book, Little Ship of Fools (reviewed in this issue of The Walleye) on September 8. This year, filmgoers can ensure their film viewing pleasure with the Best Friends of Bay Street pass. Every pass package includes a 2013 Bay Street Film Festival Pass and admission to the entire 2013–2014 Docs on Bay screening program, plus a chance to win four Winnipeg Jets tickets! Best Friends passes are $50 per person and available online through the festival’s website. Tickets for Bay Street Film Festival are $7 per screening or $20 for a festival pass. Students, seniors, and the unemployed can pay what they can. Advance passes are available at Calico Coffee House and Scandinavian Delicatessen. Visit baystreetfilmfestival.ca for festival updates.
20
The Walleye
You Must See This Play New Noise Productions Presses Play on a Thrilling TAPE By Kyle Poluyko
T
he heat of summer is known to raise tempers and tension. So, too, does TAPE, a play by Stephen Belber and the can’t-miss offering this summer from Andrew Paulsen and New Noise Productions. This one-act, 90-minute play, presented without interruption, is gripping and compelling from lights up to lights down. The intimacy of the setting, the intensity and urgency of the dialogue, and a question about a night in the past form an exhilarating and breathtaking thriller.
In a motel room in Lansing, Michigan, two longtime high school friends reunite on the eve of a special occasion. Vince (Andrew Paulsen) has come to see Jon’s (Justin Parcher) debut as a filmmaker at a local film festival. Vince is confident, intense, and funny, despite an awkwardness that would make anyone uncomfortable. He’s a full-time pot dealer and a volunteer firefighter— the latter he feels legitimizes himself and his purpose. Jon’s filmmaking has made him a more refined, politically correct and socially aware individual. As Vince and Jon now stand as opposites, there could be no better recipe for the tension that will build at breakneck pace as the story plays out in real time.
After reviving some inside jokes and trading a few friendly barbs, Vince poses a question to Jon about one night ten years earlier, a night he spent with a girl named Amy (played by Alycia Novak). Both Vince and Jon dated Amy in high school, yet that was never a sore issue. The issue for Vince, however, is that one particular night. His questioning of Jon quickly degrades into a fervent confrontation and interrogation over a grievous accusation. Boundaries are pushed and those aforementioned tempers flare. Before long, Amy arrives at the motel and the tension rises to explosive proportions as the layers of each character are peeled back, and three different, raw perspectives of that long ago night are exposed. What is memory? What is truth? And what, in fact, is friendship? Directed by Michael Sobota, TAPE opens at the Paramount Theatre with a preview on August 8 and regular performances August 9 and 10, and August 16 and 17 at 8 pm. Tickets for the August 8 preview are $10 with other performances $15 and are available at the Paramount Theatre, High Tide Tattoo Parlor, The Growing Season and Steepers.
FilmTheatre
The Second Most Pleasurable Thing We Do In The Dark: A Column About Movies
Drowning in Dreams By Michael Sobota
T
he Gunilda was a superior, beautifully elegant yacht. Built in Leith, Scotland in 1897, it fell under the ownership of American oil baron William Harkness, who sailed it into the Great Lakes. There, in 1911, it ran aground and sank in the dark waters off Rossport. The wreck of the Gunilda is prominent in Northwestern Ontario folklore, and it attracted Canadian filmmaker Tim Southam. How do you make a film about a yacht lying 80 metres beneath the surface of Lake Superior? By looking at the Gunilda as an object of desire, Southam focuses his story not on the yacht, but the man who desired her. The result is the extraordinary documentary, Drowning in Dreams, which captures a very human tragedy against the backdrop or our beautiful north shore and an elegant yacht. Produced in 1997, North of Superior Film Association brought the film to Thunder Bay that year for a packed, sold-out screening in the former Paramount Theatre. Southam focuses his film on Fred Broennle, a successful Thunder Bay diver and salvage operator. With his partner, King Hague, Broennle organized many
early dives down to the yacht's resting place. On one of the early dives, Hague did not return. Six years later, his decomposing body was found just outside the Gunilda, and footage shot of the recovery of his body is one gruesome part of this documentary. Broennle went on to spend all of his fortune, losing his home and his wife in the unsuccessful effort to raise the Gunilda. Using personal interviews with Broennle's ex-wife and his son, as well as Hague's widow, local citizens of Rossport, and friends and associates of Broennle, Southam crafts a mesmerizing tale of obsession and tragedy. Drowning in Dreams is one of the finest examples of local documentary film. You can access it through The National Film Board. I'll close this column with a list of five other feature films taking place on and in boats that are well worth viewing: Lifeboat (Alfred Hitchcock, 1944); Knife In The Water (Roman Polanski, 1962); Wind (Carroll Ballard, 1992—probably the best film to give you the experience of what sailing really is); Titanic (James Cameron, 1997); and a somber gem from Atlantic Canada's Shandi Mitchell, The Disappeared (2012). The Walleye
21
FilmTheatre
Explore & Enjoy Northwestern Ontario's Waterways Please practise safe boating
Bill Mauro MPP THUNDER BAY-ATIKOKAN Thunder Bay Constituency Office 240 Syndicate Avenue South • 623-9237 www.billmauro.onmpp.ca
SEA
KAYAKING COURSES AND CERTIFICATION
Can Graffiti Change Anything?
visit our website for more details 244 Pearl St, Thunder Bay, ON P: 807-684-9555
More than a store... A lifestyle.
An Examination Through Film By Betty Carpick
E
merging From the Rubble, directed by local filmmaker Dave Clement, is a film that takes a closer look at the graffiti culture in Thunder Bay. The 14-minute documentary focuses on an unauthorized graffiti site just outside the periphery of Prince Arthur’s Landing, the $130 million multi-use waterfront development that’s a cornerstone of Thunder Bay’s urban renewal. “I was inspired to make the film after I had seen the massive works at the Pool 6 site, and after some searching, met a few of the artists,” says Clement. A graduate of Confederation College’s film program, many of Clement’s films are informed by his interest in the complex relationships between people, environments, and the social systems that affect change. During the heady days of the western wheat boom, a string of 30 grain elevators was emblematic of the Lakehead’s growth and success. A century later, in contradiction to the civic policies defining public art, a massive pile of rubble from one of
22
The Walleye
the demolished elevators served as a surface for the work of graffiti artist SaVanT and others of his tribe. With graffiti’s popularity and legitimization into mainstream culture some works have a level of commercialization. But not so the dramatic display south of the present development, which will one day be reconstituted into a more sanitized vision. Clement protects the anonymity of the artists as SaVanT describes his need to reclaim a public space that is in fact, on private property. The permanence of the work is a testament to the thought, imagination, energy, and time that transformed the ruins into a detailed story. Says Clement, “I hope the viewer can take away a sense that the highly-planned, highly corporatized urban landscape fails to move some people to the extent they feel the urge to take such risks just to put different images out there. I want people to question what is art and what is crime as our city cracks down on graffiti and the law paints it all with one brush.”
Big Easy Wing Wednesday
$5
POUND OF
WINGS
$3
OFF
MOLSON DRAUGHT PITCHERS
Live Music Every Weekend
807-622-1111 | beauxdaddys.com | 1575 Hwy 61 Five minutes west of the airport
STUDIO 624-0022 Farmers Market
(upper level Dove building)
Saturday 8am - 1pm
joyceseppaladesigns.com
custom designing for all occassions
Enjoy the
Summer
The Walleye
23
Tricia Roy
theArts
Definitely Superior Art Gallery
Left to right: Lora Northway, Rusty Brown, Alana Forslund, Sarah Furlotte, David Karasiewicz, Renee Terpstra, and Michael Chan.
Third Time’s a Charm By Tricia Roy Members of the Die Active Art Collective on Cooke Street
Thunder Bay’s First Graffiti Alley The Cooke Street Project By Pat Forrest
T
o many, graffiti is nothing more than an eyesore, one that needs to be cleaned up or covered over as quickly as possible. But to a group of Thunder Bay artists and some north side merchants, graffiti is truly a thing of beauty. Thunder Bay’s first-ever graffiti alley has been launched on Thunder Bay’s Cooke Street to enthusiastic reviews. A Definitely Superior Art Gallery initiative aimed at “downtown revitalization like no other,” the Cooke Street project has seen several area businesses having their buildings adorned with graffiti by members of the Die Active Art Collective. The collective is entering its fifth year of successful, in-depth arts education programming at Definitely Superior. The program is aimed at mentoring and supporting future young artists while creating unique and contemporary publications, performances, and public art. The more than 440 emerging artists in Die Active, aged 14 to 30, bring arts projects to fruition with the assistance of mentors. The program involves youth outreach, the formation of a summer art collective, workshops,
24
The Walleye
community arts projects, public art interventions, exhibitions, and the creation of a zine that is disseminated across Canada and the U.S. Definitely Superior’s Community Outreach Coordinator Lora Northway says that the graffiti alley project is intended to showcase local talent while revitalizing and rejuvenating the city through art. “Our hope is that the area becomes a destination point in the city, an excellent tourist attraction and an ever-changing piece of art for the community to enjoy,” she says. “Most importantly, it becomes a reflection of the talented emerging artists in our city.” Northway adds that plans are also underway to work with different local artists and graffiti writers from across Canada each summer, thereby always changing and adding to the buildings to reflect the true nature of street art. Die Active and the Definitely Superior Art Gallery invite you to tour the Cooke Street Project (behind Red River Road, off Court Street). Guaranteed, you’ll come away inspired!
A
s I was heading down Bloor Street toward the crystalline angles of the Royal Ontario Museum, the text came in: we won! I arrived at the elegant hall and was greeted by earto-ear smiles. After two years of being selected as finalists out of close to 200 nominations, Definitely Superior Gallery was finally awarded the prestigious Premier’s Award for Excellence in the Arts in the arts organization category, chosen unanimously by seven jurors. As well, Minister of Culture Michael Chan informally gave DefSup’s representatives the award for best hair, and looking around, I had to agree. Pictures were taken and the celebrations moved to a skyline lounge, where the laureate in the individual artist category, choral conductor Lydia Adams, and her entourage were also basking in her accomplishment.
The award was somewhat of a surprise for everyone at DefSup, and no purpose had been allocated for the funds, so dreams of how the money would be put to good use drifted in the air around the table and out onto the terrace. One thing is for sure, with the same energy and spirit that won them the award, the money will be dedicated to even better programming and operations. Congratulations everyone!
CHANGES
consignment boutique Make a “change” today 113 S. May St. | (807) 285-0791
Changes will be closed for our annual vacation from
Aug 11 to Aug 26 When I get back all Summer items will be 30% off in the...
Convince me it's Summer sale
Have a safe and fun August. Keep the sun screen on and the bugs away.
theArts
Eugene Lefrancois
Artist and Advocate By Rebekah Skochinski
E
ugene Lefrancois pulls out stacks of his recent work, laying them out over the large wooden table in front of us, and tells me how his love affair with art began. “My mom said that I never met a wall I didn’t like,” he says. His eyes twinkle as he recalls how he used crayons, pencil crayons, lead, and even “rearranged the food [he] was eating.” One way or another, he has been drawing all of his life. Next, he shows me how he signs his name. “I sign everything Bub—my dad called me that when I was a week old.” I watch as he loops an infinity symbol (the same one that is on the Métis flag) around his nickname.
Birds of a Colour, 2013, watercolour on paper, 11" x 7.5"
Lefrancois was born in Beardmore (his mother is from Sand Point First Nation) and up until he was injured in 1985 he worked on lake boats and in bush camps as a pulp cutter. “I couldn’t do hard labour anymore and my dad brought me boards and a painter set and I have been going ever since.” Selftaught, he describes his work as Métis Woodland, and common elements are apparent but as Lefrancois explains, the muse could be anything. Sometimes he
wakes up with a remnant of a dream, or remembers things his grandparents told him, or he gets inspiration from something as simple as listening to the news. We go through everything that he brought in his valise, and I’m extra nervous about my tea mug perched nearby when he tells me all of the ink and watercolours are originals (he doesn’t make prints). As much as he loves art, Lefrancois is equally passionate about the community and is a trustee of the Thunder Bay & District Injured Workers Support Group. “I’m here to paint and to try to get more people enthusiastic about the arts and about the social concerns of others who aren’t in the same boat.” He has plans to build a studio so that he can create larger pieces, and perhaps get back into woodworking, but in the meantime he is happy to paint the days away. “The muse is in my packsack and I hope she never leaves.” You can find Lefrancois’ work at Ahnisnabae Art Gallery and Fireweed . You may also find him helping out at the Willow Springs Art Centre.
sh a nnonle pe r e .com The Walleye
25
theArts
Artist’s Stark Images Challenge and Confront By Jamie Monastyrski Ruth Cuthand, Treaty Dress, 1986. Acrylic on canvas. 121.5 x 172.9 cm. Collection of the Mendel Art Gallery.
Ruth Cuthand calls herself “an uppity Indian.”
T
he phrase comes from the artist’s 1990 series Misuse and Abuse, in which she examines the relationship between liberal white women and Aboriginal women, declaring in one graphic piece that “nobody likes an uppity Indian.” “It’s someone who speaks up and says what’s on their mind. A person who confronts,” she says from her home in Saskatchewan. “And yes, I consider myself uppity. I confront with my art.” Works culled from various stages of Cuthand’s 30-year career are currently on display at the Thunder Bay Art Gallery in a comprehensive, mid-career retrospective entitled BACK TALK, a word which references the way her works “talk back” to mainstream media and colonial society, addressing the frictions between cultures, the failures of representation, and the political uses of anger in Canada.
Ruth Cuthand, Dance Little Horsie, Dance, 1984. Acrylic on canvas. 134.8 x 109.7 cm. Collection of Gary Von Kuster.
26
The Walleye
Cuthand was born in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan in 1954, and is of Plains Cree and Scottish ancestry. She began her formal study of art in 1977 at the University of Regina, where she studied printmaking, but due to a chemical allergy she turned from the toxicity of printmaking to the less dangerous practice of painting. She continued her training in the University of Montana’s Master of Fine Arts program in 1985, while producing her series of dress paintings (pictured). “I like to go beyond the art school confines I was taught,” she says.
Cuthand’s work has been called political, dark, humourous, and culturally significant. The Trading series created in 2009 is all of this. It examines the trade culture during colonization, when the traders not only brought pots, beads, and metals, but also devastating disease. Cuthand’s images are microscopic views of diseases such as the bubonic plague, smallpox, and chickenpox, beaded intricately and skillfully, framed and labeled by disease. She continues to explore viruses and disease, and is currently creating another series titled Reserving, which will explore modern diseases like hepatitis and H1NI. “In art school I was taught to know who the audience is. And back then it was white society, so Indian artists were creating art to teach this society our culture and our ways,” she says. “I decided that society at large was smart enough to know all this already and I began to create art for Native people. They were my audience.” BACK TALK runs until September 8 at the Thunder Bay Art Gallery. The exhibition was co-produced by the Mendel Art Gallery and TRIBE, Inc., Saskatoon, and organized and circulated by the Mendel Art Gallery. This project has been made possible in part through a contribution from the Saskatchewan Arts Board Culture on the Go program. theag.ca
CityScene
The New Nautical By Justyna Kondakow
Why not dress in a ball gown on a sailboat? I need to do the giant sleeping in the giant lake justice. Thinking about dressing for Thunder Bay's natural beauty brought me back to my birthday last year. I was perched outside of The Sovereign Room smoking a celebratory Cohiba cigar, wearing a total of two layers of sequins, gold on top of turquoise, red high-waisted flood pants, and my cream
felt fedora hat. Sitting alone while my gang was inside, a girl approached me in search of fire. Upon lighting up her own, she asked me if what I was wearing was a costume. I would imagine this would be commonly taken as insult, but, like my outfit interpreted in her eyes, her question didn't make sense to me. Why not wear a disco ball and flood pants, smoking a stogie and looking like a badass version of yourself? I did my birthday justice and apologizing for it was not an option. Same goes for an extravagant excursion to scope out Thunder Bay from another angle. Sailing as a passenger is leisure at its finest. You are a witness to natural beauty, so pay respect to its captivating formations with your best threads. Yeah yeah “outdoorsies,” you have me beat on practicality, but if the boat capsizes, I can use my polka dots as a flag for rescue. You're welcome!
■ Polka dot gown: Changes Consignment Boutique ■ Hoop earrings: Sleeping Giant Antiques ■ Bracelets: Joe Fresh ■ Sandals: Payless
Shannon Lepere
S
lide aside the pile of striped shirts and give the gulls something to squawk about. Thinking about this month’s column, I recalled my dad telling me stories about windsurfing when he was a young buck. I immediately imagined myself surfing around, and how hilarious (and absurd) would it be if I looked like I came straight from the opera to surf. To which I thought “Why not do the same on a sailboat?” If I were invited as a passenger, I seriously doubt owners of the sailboat would have me swabbing the poop deck. I would probably be sitting back and enjoying the scenery. So what to wear? No doubt you've seen the photos before reading my words, and are likely even more perplexed after reading these words. “Ball gown on a boat? Eh?” I imagine you thinking, as you sigh. “She's at it again.”' I immediately rationalize my choice. Of course my outfit is appropriate for the occasion!
The Walleye
27
CityScene
Willow Springs Run Or Dye Farmer's Market A Colourful Run for Charity A Weekly Summer Celebration By Bobbi Henderson
C
ome out for a celebration of summer offerings at the new Willow Springs Farmer's Market. Situated a 20-minute drive from town, the market provides a proud addition to the expanding and unfolding dream for the non-profit inclusive centre aimed at enriching lives through art, creative life skills, gardening, and food. "The market has been a dream in the making for the past five years," says program coordinator Judi Vinni. I sat down with Vinni and Ayla Ludwig, the centre's food service manager, and enjoyed a refreshing glass of sparkling rhubarb juice and a slice of Ludwig's fresh baked pulla—a traditional Finnish bread, stone-baked with cardamom and local flour from Brule Creek Farms. Add in the talents of baker extraordinaire Roxanna Lysmo, and your tastebuds will be enticed with the market’s delectable and expansive menu, featuring homemade soups, salads, unique woodfired pizzas, almond biscotti, and a variety of fresh baked breads, like classic buttery croissants and gooey cinnamon buns. Listing an impressive lineup of local vendors, visitors will discover garden fresh produce, locally grown meats, eggs, cheese, honey, natural skin care, and more. Each week, Willow Springs plans to feature a local artist, host an art activity for children, and celebrate summer with musical guests. The market provides the perfect ingredients for laughter, joy, and hopefully a little dancing too. "People of all ages are coming and reconnecting with friends and neighbours," says Ludwig, adding, “It's so wonderful to see!" The Willow Springs Farmer’s Market is located in the former Koski store at 10160 Mapleward Road and is open from 4–8 pm on Fridays until October 4. willowsprings.ca
28
The Walleye
By Rebekah Skochinski
T
hunder Bay has many running events throughout the year, but up until now there hasn’t been one quite so colourful as the cheekily named Run Or Dye event. During each kilometre of the 5 kilometre route around Boulevard Lake, colour crews throw powdered corn starch dye at participants, and at the end of the route everyone has the chance to “tie-dye the sky” during the Dye Festival. The concept has roots in the Hindu celebration Holi, which traditionally marked the onset of spring but has since come to mean a time for frivolity. Beyond the colourful façade, the event serves a greater purpose—Run Or Dye has connected with the Children’s Centre Foundation to help give back
to the community. “Partnering with Run Or Dye has provided the Children’s Centre Foundation with a great opportunity to raise awareness to our Foundation, as well as promote the link between physical and mental health,” says Katie Robinson, fundraising coordinator. Run Or Dye has agreed to provide all friends of the foundation a $5 discount and donate an additional $2.50 to the foundation if you register with the coupon code TBAYCCF2 (coupon code is good until August 9). The entry fee is $45 if you register between August 1–13, and $55 if you register between August 14 and the August 24 race day (fees are in U.S. dollars). ca.runordye.com
HEAVENSENTNURSERY.CA (807) 627-8496
[ CLOTH DIAPERS AND ACCESSORIES
AVAILABLE AT THE
THUNDER BAY COUNTRY MARKET Saturdays 8am - 1pm & free home consultations
[
10
$
Timothy West
CityScene
P: 345-5446 316 Bay Street Thunder Bay, ON www.northernlightsgallery.ca
Fine Silver Leaf Pendant by Linda Brown
Taking it Local
A Spotlight on Human Rights in Thunder Bay By Julia MacArthur
On September 24, the City of Thunder Bay and the Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) will be hosting a conference called Taking It Local, to educate community members about human rights. I caught up with Rosemary Bennett, a Senior Communications Officer with the OHRC, to learn more about the project.
W
henever the OHRC is able to hit the road, Bennett gets excited. She acknowledges the importance of bringing the message of human rights out of the Greater Toronto Area and into rural and northern communities. When Bennett approached the City of Thunder Bay with the idea for a conference, they jumped on board enthusiastically. The conference will deal in part with emerging human rights issues, such as the recent inclusion of transgender rights in the Ontario Human Rights Code, while also focusing on areas of particular interest to Northwestern Ontario, such as indigenous rights, housing, and racism. The goals of Taking It Local include ensuring people know their own rights, and that they must respect the rights of others. Municipalities are often the level at which human rights are able to advance or be denied, Bennett says, due to their ground-level programming and policies. Often, competing human rights
become an issue, such as when two separate groups file complaints against each other. Bennett emphasizes that discussion and negotiation is key; no right is absolute and there is no hierarchy to human rights. The conference will provide information regarding human rights in Ontario, how to get legal advice, and how to file a formal complaint. In terms of community members promoting social justice and the rights of others, Bennett says that the most important thing to do when someone’s rights are being violated is “don’t let it pass.” “Speaking up at the time is very powerful, and often waiting until later is tacitly supporting the damage that has been done,” she says. She cites the example of hearing someone say “That’s so gay” at school, and not saying anything to challenge the person who says it. To enrol in the workshops, email communications@ohrc.on.ca or call Alicia Carr at 416-314-4526.
The Walleye
29
CityScene
Go Local
Thunder Bay Country Market 9th annual
SEPT 5-8
314 BaY Street above the hoito
filmS for the people
Raili Roy
baystreetfilmfestival.ca
$
7
per Session
$
20
festival pass
Students, Seniors & unemployed - pay What You Can
The Beads Go On By Rebekah Skochinski
J
olene Papich has been crafty ever since she was a child—whether fashioning necklaces out of dried macaroni or shaping floral wreaths—but it wasn’t until her stepmother asked her to make a beaded dragonfly that she found herself completely hooked on designing and creating jewelry. That was 13 years ago. Her business The Beads Go On focuses mainly on necklaces and bracelets using semi-precious stones, Swarovski crystal, and glass beads. Described as unique and funky, the inspiration for her designs is purely tactile. “It’s the way the stone feels that indicates what direction I will take with the piece,” she says. Her favourite stone is the snakeskin jasper. “I love the texture of it, and how it looks.”
An avid traveller, she also brings back stones and shells from the Caribbean. Recently, she has expanded to offer fused glass pieces, bowls, and plates. Working with her hands is a process that Papich finds very relaxing. “I love it,” she says. “It soothes the mind.” She also loves when she sees someone wearing her jewelry. “It’s so special when I see someone wearing one of my pieces, or hearing someone say they think something I made is beautiful.”
Papich has created custom jewelry for wedding parties, and for those needing an item to complement their outfit.
To learn more about this vendor visit thunderbaycountrymarket.com.
30
The Walleye
The trend in accessories is moving away from smaller and more delicate items to chunkier and bolder pieces, and you will see that reflected in Papich’s handcrafted work. Visit her booth at the market, where you will be sure to find something that catches your eye.
new fall collections arriving daily 122 W. FREDERICA ST WWW.JBEVANS.CA
CityScene
T
The Bucket List:
Fishing on The Big Lake A Family Adventure Story and Photos by Tanja Coghill
Looking for our
forever Homes!
here we were: a family of four and our expert guide, out on the deep, cool waters of Lake Superior, waiting for the first bite. All eyes were flitting back and forth across the perfectly perched rods, hoping for one of them to give that telltale jiggle or quick release from the downrigger that would signal that tomorrow night’s dinner was on the line.
caught, but we released them to demonstrate conservation to our boys. We were even lucky enough to bring home a delicious salmon that Archie had caught earlier in the day. He even cleaned the fish for us, something I was not looking forward to doing in my own kitchen. And after getting over the initial ick factor, the boys were right in there to watch the filleting.
To be honest, going fishing with my husband and our two boys, ages three and five, was not exactly on my bucket list. Don’t get me wrong; I love fish. I love to cook them and eat them. But the actual act of fishing has never been something I have ever been in love with. For my husband, going downrigger fishing out on Lake Superior with our two boys was clearly fulfillment of a dream. After the birth of each of our boys, I recall him saying something about having a new “fishing buddy.” I’m sure he pictured the boys deftly snagging fish after fish, while he proudly stood by and helped them with net in hand. Me? I pictured fishhooks in little boys’ cheeks.
As we walked back from the dock, with the sun fading in the background, Alex exclaimed, “This was the best day ever!” I’m just glad I didn’t have to pluck any fish hooks out of cheeks. And the real prize was the next day’s amazing Lake Superior fish dinner. To book your fishing adventure, call 624-7096 or visit archiescharters.com.
On the night we went fishing, we were greeted at the marina by our guide, Archie Hoogsteen of Archie’s Fishing Charters. He welcomed our family onto his boat and invited our two enthusiastic boys to take a look around while he prepared for our departure. Very quickly, we were off on our adventure. To watch Hoogsteen set up the lines is like watching any person of passion. He swiftly prepared all four lines while simultaneously steering the boat and answering all of Alex, our older son’s, numerous questions. It didn’t take long before there was a fish on one of the lines. Hoogsteen ensured it was snagged tight and let Alex bring it in—the look of joy on his face after landing the beautiful lake trout was priceless. Not long after that, Will our younger son, had the same opportunity. He was so proud to see his fish go into the cooler and subsequently asked to check on it many times. More fish were
sisters go togetHer
L - R: Cruizer, Leo and sisters Brandy & Sandy
See all of our dogs at newhopedogrescue.net • Find us at facebook.com/newhopetbay The Walleye
31
GetAway
Terrace Bay to the Slate Islands Shatter Cones, Caribou, and Butter Tarts
T
errace Bay has always been one of my favourite towns on the north shore of Lake Superior. Its quaint network of streets follows old shorelines (terraces) that overlook the lake, the residents are friendly, and the bakery in the plaza offers some of the best butter tarts I’ve ever tasted. The focal point of the downtown is a lighthouse, inspired by the one on the Slate Islands, that affords an unmatched view of the area. Just south of Highway 17, a curvy road leads to a large sandy beach, our launching point for a daytrip to the Slate Islands.
On a sunny day in August, our group headed down to the beach to meet our guide, Captain Paul Turpin of Discovery Charters. We boarded Discovery Two, a 24-foot Zodiac Bombard that can
32
The Walleye
Darren McChristie
By Michelle McChristie
accommodate a maximum of 18 passengers. With only six of us, we had plenty of room to spread out on this slick boat. Cutting easily through the choppy waves thanks to two 90-horsepower motors, the zodiac made short work of the 13-kilometre crossing to the Slates.
three years he’s been taking people to the Slates, Turpin has observed a growing number of visitors to the park. “I believe the history, the remoteness, the wildlife, and the outstanding amazement of Battle Island Lighthouse are the biggest attractions,” he says.
The Slate Islands are an almost-circular archipelago of more than 20 islands that was was formed billions of years ago when a meteorite struck the earth. Over the years, the islands have been logged and mined, but they have been protected as a provincial natural environment park since 1985. The park does not have any facilities, but there are a couple of cabins (the comfortable “Come-and-Rest” and the rundown “Devil’s Roost”) that are used by paddlers and boaters. In the
The Slates are home to one of the most southerly and most studied herds of woodland caribou in Canada. Although we saw fresh tracks on shore, the caribou eluded us. Any disappointment was overshadowed by the excitement of seeing a bald eagle fly past a shatter cone (a geological structure created by the immense shock waves of the meteorite impact—the one on the Slates is the world’s largest). Just in time for lunch, Turpin docked
the boat at the lighthouse complex. After scarfing down our sandwiches (we had picked up delicious boxed lunches from Drifters restaurant), we hiked up the trail to the lighthouse. Finding the lighthouse door open, we climbed the steps and soaked in the panoramic view of the lake. With turquoise water and rugged terrain, our friends were in awe. As we contemplated the similarities between the scenery around the Slates and the Caribbean, a cold wind blew-in some ominous-looking clouds. We boarded the zodiac and Turpin high-tailed it back to Terrace Bay, just as the rain began to fall. Luckily, comfort in the form of a cup of coffee and a butter tart was only about a kilometre away!
The Walleye
33
Music
Bob Dylan Comes Home Americanarama Packs Duluth’s Bayfront Park By Michelle McChristie
I
n June, the Amerincanarama Festival announced an additional stop in Duluth and with Richard Thompson, My Morning Jacket, Wilco, and Bob Dylan on the bill, this concert was a must-see. Having never seen Bob Dylan live, I wasn’t sure what to expect. After all, he is 72, and I had read reviews that lambasted him for his craggy voice and repeating the same setlist for the entire tour. With clouds looming over the hills of Duluth, Dylan fans filed into Bayfront Park. Walking through the gates past the hot pretzel, doughnut, deep-fried pickle, and malt vendors, I scanned the park in search of the patch of grass that would offer the best view of the stage for the next five hours. The stage at Bayfront Park is located on the Louis Paulucci Pavilion—an impressive structure that would tower over any bandshell. The pavillion honours the twin
ports’ industrial and shipping history, with four large steel pillars, a multi-tiered metal roof, and a wavy ridgeline. Organizers had fenced off the area closest to the stage and signs stating “No Chairs” told us this was our turf—we forgot them anyway. Dylan played his first few songs without an instrument in hand, backed by a flawless ensemble that he didn’t pause to introduce. The arrangements were more intricate than those on Dylan’s albums, and sounded amazing. His voice was gravelly, with painful-sounding high notes, and his lyrics were, at times, barely decipherable. But seeing him float around the stage, to and from his baby grand piano, standing with one hand on his hip, was mesmerizing. Along with newer material, Dylan played classics like “Tangled Up in Blue” and “A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall.” Just before “All Along the Watchtower,” a shooting star blazed across
the sky—heads turned and fingers pointed in unison. Make a wish. At the end of the song, Dylan and his band unceremoniously bowed and left the stage, but they were lured back by the crowd for one last song: “Blowin’ in the Wind.” He left the stage without speaking a single word; did he know he was in his hometown of Duluth? The preceding performers more than compensated for Dylan’s lack of charisma. Richard Thompson kicked off the festival with a handful of songs while the crowd, which eventually swelled to over 7000, claimed their patches of grass. Next, Kentucky’s My Morning Jacket took to the stage and limbered up with a few mellow songs. Just when it seemed their set had been designed for Dylan fans, they ripped into indie/roots rock. People near the stage were dancing, all types of boats were congregating offshore, and the beer was and Music for s activitie family le o the wh
Wilco’s set included “Via Chicago” with its short but spastic drum solos and flashing lights, and subtle romantic songs, like “Jesus, Etc.” Midway through their set, lead singer Jeff Tweedy introduced two local musicians from the band Low and brought Thompson back onstage to join in “The and Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald.” With Music for s ie it activ lyrics in hand, it was a spur-of-the-moment family le o h w e and true-to-Lightfoot rendition, andthlocals appreciated the nod to Gitche Gumee.
August 9-11, 20
August 9-11, 2013
August 9-11, 2013
Celebrating 11 Years nd August 9-11, 2013
flowing. Toward the end of the set, frontman Jim James draped a colourful jacket over his shoulders and added a psychedelic element with a portable sampler. Had My Morning Jacket closed the show, the audience would have been screaming for an encore, but with Wilco and Dylan still to come, the roadies were taking down their gear while the last chord reverberated.
a Music for s ie it iv t ac family le o the wh
Celebrating 11 Years 11 live
livefromtherockfolkfestiv Township of Red11 Rock
Celebrating 11 Years Township of livefromtherockfolkfestival.com Red Rock and Music for s ie it v ti ac ily ole fam the wh
Buy your passes at the gate Township of
Red Rock Celebrating 11 Years
34
The Walleye
11
livefromtherockfolkfestival.com
Mike Piankia
Music
Tyler Sklazeski
Boy Castle
Local Pop Punk at Its Best By Jacob Romu
I
’m not a huge pop punk fan, at least not anymore. I certainly spun some of the Canadian bands that cropped up during the heyday in the early 2000s, but I like to think I grew out of it. But what if I didn’t? What if I had stuck with pop punk? I mean, some people definitely did. Ladies and gentlemen, I’d like to introduce you to Thunder Bay’s own Boy Castle. They play pop punk (in 2013!) and they just released their Full of It EP. Musically and thematically it’s more developed than the pop punk I remember, but the youthful, teenage aesthetic is wholly preserved. Buzzy, the singer, has permanently adopted what I like to call the “pop punk dialect,” and delivers every line without a touch of cynicism. Full of It’s last track, “The Gateway,” features Devin Moody of July (a pop punk band out of Brampton) and stands out the most on the EP. Boy Castle is offering free downloads of their album at boycastle.com. Look out for their new drummer, Derek Shaffer, at their next gig— August 23 at Black Pirates Pub.
Considering a private high school for your son or daughter this fall? Consider a school close to home,
Quetico College School Two hours from Thunder Bay, near Atikokan. Full Academic Program Grades 9 to 12 University Preparation
www.queticocollegeschool.ca 807-598-1600 | 1-800-753-1747 Passion, Dedication and Excellence for Life
DRUMHAND
Artistic Maturity Meets Playfulness By Uko Abara
T
he second week of July brought DRUMHAND to Thunder Bay for their third of many stops on their Cheer On The Sun tour. Having recently released their album of the same name this past May, the group will spend the coming weeks playing different venues and providing drum workshops across Canada before their return to their home base of Toronto, Ontario.
Highlights included “Soapbox” which got the crowd dancing, and “Five Paces East” which showcased the use of rhythmic language instead of words. DRUMHAND returns to The Apollo on August 3. For more information, visit DRUMHAND.ca.
The Apollo was host to a high-quality and intimate performance. Although they were missing a member (Rebecca Hennessy), David Chan, Marcus Ali, Larry Graves, and Steve Mancuso put together a memorable show. The four-piece vocal, drum and percussion ensemble played a selection of tunes from their three releases and displayed the perfect balance of artistic maturity and playfulness. Their selections blended jazz, soul, and funk but most certainly emphasized their influences of folk music from parts of Africa and South America—the native regions of the variety of percussive instruments they played. The first half of the show included a performance of their lead single “Cheer on the Sun,” followed by a few original songs and an up-close and personal performance of “The Duel” to take the show into a break. In the second half, during “Deal with the Devil,” the group gracefully survived a trip to hell as the only string on their stomach harp snapped. The Walleye
35
Music
Burnin’ to the Sky
Three Songs that will Float Your Boat By Gord Ellis
The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald
Tempest Bob Dylan
Santa Maria Trooper
Gordon Lightfoot
In a career that has included many long, epic songs, Bob About 25 years ago, a friend and I agreed to go on Dylan’s “Tempest,” may be among the most challenging for a houseboat fishing trip with two people we didn’t I’ll never forget the first time I heard “The Wreck of the the listener, and yet is weirdly triumphant. The title track from know very well. The trip was on Lac Seul and it was Edmund Fitzgerald.” I was in my bedroom, listening Dylan’s 2012 album is about the sinking of the Titanic. When to be a full week. The whole thing started badly. to WLS from Chicago on an old radio. The hauntit was first announced that Dylan had written a song about The pair picked us up in their truck in Thunder ing, foreboding guitar lick that is the song’s signature the world’s most famous shipwreck, many assumed it was a Bay, and while we were driving to Sioux Lookout sounded like nothing on rock radio at the time. Then hoax. But at 14-plus minutes, the song is anything but. Dylan, asked us to crack them a couple cold ones. Things came Lightfoot, with that warm tenor, telling the grim whose voice these days sounds like a cross between Tom Waits only got worse on the houseboat. Both men were details of what was then a very fresh tragedy. Never has and Grover, sounds fully engaged as he sings over a backing binge drinkers, braggarts, and lacked basic pera song so clearly depicted the incredible power of Lake band (including violin and accordion) that probably sounds sonal hygiene. One of the men was only known as Superior like this song does. Lightfoot takes great pains much like the one that played hymns to the perishing as the “Animal,” and fit the description—he had a glass to show that despite the huge size of the Fitzgerald, ship went down. Dylan’s version of the story includes real and eye, bad teeth, and never changed his clothes. My and its able crew, they were no match for a November imagined events and mixes in Leo DiCaprio just to add to the friend and I did a lot of fishing that trip and stayed blast on the big lake. Anyone who has been on a ship strangeness. Yes, that Leo. The story—all 45 verses worth, with as far from the houseboat as we could. Trooper’s on Superior during a big blow knows all too well how no chorus—always circles back to the night watchman, who “Santa Maria” is not about that story, but judging quickly things can go sour. I still get chills when I hear “dreamed the Titanic was sinking.” I’m sure not everyone who from the lyrics, it could have been. “‘Superior,’ they said, ‘never gives up her dead when listened to “Tempest” the first time though made it to the end. the gales of November come early.’” “The Wreck of the However, repeated spins reveal the surreal majesty of this song. Edmund Fitzgerald” was a defining song for Lightfoot, It somehow captures both the horror of the event and the and remains the cornerstone of his concerts to this day. quiet beauty many people showed to each other as they went to their doom. It’s also a song only Dylan could have written.
807-346-9099 16 S. Court Street Thunder Bay, ON www.perfectfitlingerie.ca
Extended hours during Ribfest August 23rd-24th - 10am-8pm August 25th - 12pm-4pm
36
The Walleye
New Outdoor Seating to enjoy your Hot or Iced Freshly Brewed Tea!
$5 OFF
One coupon per customer. Valid until August 31st 2013 on regular priced merchandise.
205 S. Algoma St. 626-0130 www.internationalhouseoftea.com
Music
Masters of the Wind Story and Photos by Nancy Ewachow
Radio Waves Grand Marais Celebrates 15 Years of Public Radio By Rebekah Skochinski
I
f you've ever tuned in to public radio while visiting Grand Marais, you know that WTIP is CBC Thunder Bay's American cousin. The station hosts a diverse music festival every September, and this year is no exception. The Radio Waves Music Festival started as a thank you to the community as part of local radio station WTIP’s 10 year anniversary in 2008. “The first Radio Waves was one day and featured eight acts,” says Melanie Steele, WTIP’s development director. Since then, there has been a tremendous response and the festival has ballooned to a three-day affair offering something for every music fan: swing, rock, folk, jazz, country, and more, featuring local and regional artists. As if the good music wasn’t enough of a draw, the festival also offers great food, activities for the kids, dancing, and on-site camping. There is a suggested donation of $5 per adult for admission ($10 for the weekend) to help offset the cost of putting on the festival. “It’s important to note that Radio Waves isn’t a fundraiser for us,” says Deb Benedict, WTIP’s executive director. Rather, the festival is a community event that brings people together to enjoy and celebrate the musical talent and diversity in the area.
A
t a Raag Rung concert, the audience doesn’t have to be reminded of the local society’s motto, “Classical Music is Divine.” The concert at Confederation College on Thursday July 4, the second in Raag Rung’s 30th anniversary season, brought three “Masters of the Wind” to Thunder Bay with classical Indian raga and jazz fusion that enchanted the audience. Ronu Majundar, renowned player of bansuri (a wooden flute of pastoral origin) held the audience in his grip as he made sounds that soared like a bird in flight, performing traditional and contemporary music with equal ease. Joining him on saxophone was jazz fusion player George Brooks, an American introduced to Indian music as a young student, who has spent years playing and touring the world. The two wind instruments together brought out the spiritual aspects of the music, as did their improvisation. Ramdas Palsule, a tabla player, completed the trio,
stunning the audience with his speed and power during improvisation. The night began with a raga, a classical form that begins with a simple statement that gets an increasingly rhythmic treatment until what was simple becomes complex. The first half of the night ended with a free-form improvisation on a poly-rhythmic pattern. After intermission, pieces composed by Majumdar, Brooks, and Larry Coryell, leader of the group Bombay Jazz in which both musicians play, were performed. The relating of blues and jazz riffs to classical Indian improvisation was pleasing to the ear, since there is commonality in the approach, not least of which is the almost acrobatic abilities of the performers. One piece, “Eleventh House,” refers to an astrological house representing associations and friendship. This was the spirit of the evening, and the audience likewise appreciated the opportunity to be in such spectacular company.
The festival takes place September 6–8 at the Sweetheart’s Bluff in Grand Marais—an ideal setting for friends and family. And it’s so close that you can go down for a day or camp out and call it a weekend. Visit wtip.org for more information. The Walleye
37
Katrina Brkljacic
Music
Rusty Water and the Broken Troubadours Folk, Rock and Beyond By Meghan Jewell
R
usty Water and the Broken Troubadours will be “all folked up” in Thunder Bay on August 16, when they play The Foundry. Combining the flavours of folk, rock, and more, this group will sure to be calming, inspiring, and charming with their smooth soul, groovy tone, and free-spirited stage presence. Their music is honest, profound, and intelligent. With inspiration from bands like Pink Floyd, Bob Dylan, and Neil Young, Rusty Water and the Broken Troubadours have honed their unique melodious sound using their strong musical skills and thoughtful poetic lyrics. According to the CBC, “Their lyrics celebrate philosophy, poetically expressing man and his relationship with woman and divinity. To hear them live is to be transported to a time where twelve-minute-long songs exist again.” Rusty Water and The Broken Troubadours released their first LP titled Talking With Flowers in the spring of 2011. There is a sense of peacefulness, yet a raw passion from their lyrics and music. With Lee Seburn on rhythm guitar and vocals, Chris MacGillivary on vocals and lead guitar, and Morgan Williams on bass and vocals, this talented group plays beautiful harmonious music for folks who appreciate accomplished musicians and reflective lyrics. Rusty Water and the Broken Troubadours will hit The Foundry’s stage at 10 pm on August 16; cover charge is $5.
38
The Walleye
Camden Blues Band Hard-Rocking Rhythms at the Bluesfest After-Party By Kasey Patola
T
here was more blues than the Blues Festival at the Black Pirates Bluesfest After-Party on July 6. The Camden Blues Band's electrifying avant-garde, post-bop, blues-punk-rock had most of the club's audience on the dance floor. His current band— featuring Travis Doggett on bass, Greg Carveth on guitar and Andy Middaugh on drums—did a fine job providing dynamic frameworks for Camden to sing and solo over. Shaun Kelly's excellent sound production gave the band a warm, well-rounded tone—they sounded great.
Camden is a local musician whose dedication to his art is evident in every performance. Camden has been a mainstay of Thunder Bay music for over a decade and has continuously progressed his sound through various alternative genres. His gut-wrenching lyrics, hard-rocking rhythms, soaring solos, and experimental mashing of styles set him apart from most other blues and jazz musicians. He doesn't quite fit the mold, he makes his own. Yet another awesome live set reaffirmed that the Camden Blues Band is one of the bands that make me proud of our local music scene.
2 ND ANNUAL
AUGUST 23-25 Park Ave. & Court St. | Thunder Bay Ontario
Our Kids Count & Dew Drop Inn - Charities for this event
Motors & Muscles Sat. 24th & Sun. 25th
NO pets allowed - except guide dogs
Special appearance by
Celebrity Chef Corbin
of Restaurant Takeov er Sat. 24th @ 2pm
e
Car Show & Shin
We recommend taking Transit to Ribfest 2013.
Visit tbtransit.ca to plan your ride!
A weekend filled with food, live entertainment, vendors, crafters, children’s area & more!
Great fa mily event! For more info
www.thewaterfrontdistrict.ca N
W
E
Sponsored by:
S
Northwood Dental | ScotiaMcLeod | A1 Sewage Shoreline Motel | Thunder Bay Grounds Crew | Firedog Communications | Prezio Electric | Clow Darling | PepsiCo | Arctic Ice | CEDC
The Walleye
39
Off theWall
REVIEWS
Books
Music
Video
Happy-Go-Lucky: Silver Islet Shenanigans
Bill MacDonald
Prolific Thunder Bay writer Bill MacDonald is back with Happy-GoLucky: Silver Islet Shenanigans, his 26th book to date. Set in the late 1800s, the book is based on the diary of a young woman named Lucy, who worked as a prostitute at a house called Happy-Go-Lucky during the heyday of the Silver Islet offshore
My Mother’s Brisket & Other Love Songs
Rick Moranis
Although Rick Moranis was nominated for a Grammy for Best Comedy Album in 1983 and 2005, I am not sure who is left in the world to enjoy his new album. The album is a blend of klezmer, rumba, folk, and jazz, covering themes of family, love, food, and religions traditions. When I listen to it, I feel as though I came early to a Jack Benny show in the Catskills in 1957 and am catching the opening act I was hoping to avoid. I am sure there are many who will enjoy Moranis’s throwback Yiddish humour, I just don't think there are many of them left. Long before Jerry Seinfeld came around, Jewish comedians had left behind the Old World humour he seems to be wanting to bring back. Having said that, my friends who have more cultural affinity for the content than I did enjoy the track "The Seven Days of Shiva." - Patrick Thompson
Magnetic
Goo Goo Dolls
If bland became a band, it would be the Goo Goo Dolls on their new album. Lacking the hunger a much younger band would bring to songs about needs and desires, the band seems to be trying to audition for those Coca Cola commercials that come on before movies at the theatre—you know, the ones with young people who smile too much and are good shoving buddies in warm sunlight or on a lake under fireworks. In fairness, John Rzeznik, the trio’s primary singer, songwriter, and guitarist said this album was “really upbeat and fun,” and “I don’t think we’ve made a record like this in a while.” But, with lazy AABB rhyming structure and so-polished-it-sounds-forced music on every song, the album presents nothing new, which wouldn't be bad if it were 20-year-old kids singing with the urgency youth brings. In their 40s, the Goo Goo Dolls should have had the confidence to give us something more daring. - Patrick Thompson
40
The Walleye
mine. The diary was discovered by MacDonald’s grandmother, who bought Happy-Go-Lucky in 1912, and is pieced together with chapter headings by MacDonald, whose obvious passion for the history of Silver Islet and for maintaining the accuracy of Lucy’s story shows through in his careful deciphering and editing.
Offering rare insight into the day-today life in a late 19th century mining town, this is a great summer read for anyone interested in local history. - Amy Jones
Every Man Should Know
Harry Connick, Jr.
There seems to be some unwritten rule where contemporary jazz artists tend towards making adult contemporary albums somewhere mid-career instead of traditional jazz. Admittedly, Harry Connick, Jr. has been making records a long time, and another album covering the American songbook would be redundant; this album features his writing, and is semi-autobiographical. The breadth of style is pleasant: country with a hint of zydeco on “Greatest Love Story,” New Orleans jazz in “S'posed to Be,” and light bossa touches on “I Love Her.” These elements enhance the songwriting, instead of appearing gimmicky. Every Man Should Know is an album of tasty instrumental touches and well-chosen guest musicians, including Brandford and Wynton Marsalis. Long-time fans may appreciate the new turns in the music, and new fans may discover someone who mixes well with folks like Michael Kaeshammer in light jazz-pop. - DMK
Furiosity
Furiosity is Monster Truck’s debut full-length album. The Hamilton-based hardrock band was formed in 2009 by Jon Harvey (bass, lead vocals), Jeremy Widerman (guitar, vocals), Brandon Bliss (organ, vocals), and Steve Kiely (drums, vocals), and has been tearing up the stage with Slash and Alice in Chains. “The Lion” is a great track with complex pentatonic riffing and great attention to rhythmic details. It seems like there is a lot of bluesy riff-rock on the radio these days; I wish they’d just play “For The Sun” (the ballad) or Furiosity’s Hammondswirled fifth track, “Psychics.” The guitar tone is consistently awesome throughout but the songs are nicely varied, which is something that many of Monster Truck’s competitors fail to do. The lyrics, however, get incredibly cheesy towards the end and I had to skip “Undercover Love.” Furiosity would sit comfortably between my Clutch albums, although Monster Truck are more fun with greater pop sensibility.
Nothing too new in this brew. Start with a base of soft rock grinding into prog rock. Infuse with big, heavy, slow beats, sludgy bass, Procol Harum organ, "Dust in the Wind" arpeggios, keening harmonies, King Crimson confusion and the odd trippin’ out guitar solo. Stir in aching pangs of bourgeois infatuation amid the desperate hopelessness of existence, etc. and this stuff is ready for slurping while slow dancing around a fire on a silvery half moon night. The first song on the album, "Full Circle," has all the ingredients of a bona fide hit. It’s catchy, urgent and haunting. But you have to wonder what's going on with the production when the liner notes list eight engineers versus three musicians. For my money it's like this dirge that Sony left on my MP3 player as a sampler that pops up when I am wandering through a cemetery on a foggy night.
Monster Truck
- Jacob Romu
Dark Eyes
Half Moon Run
- Peter Jabs
Little Ship of Fools:
Sixteen Rowers, One Improbable Boat, Seven Tumultuous Weeks on the Atlantic
Charlie Wilkins Charlie Wilkins has been on another adventure and shares it in his forthcoming book, Little Ship of Fools: Sixteen Rowers, One Improbable Boat, Seven Tumultuous Weeks on the Atlantic. Wilkins recounts the fascinating details of planning, training, and packing for the trip. His depiction of life on board is both practical and philosophical, giving the reader a taste of the journey’s resultant smells, deprivations, and sore bums, as well as its deeper meaning. Stories of other Atlantic crossings are shared throughout the book, giving interesting historical perspective. Although this book is not coming out until September 15, it has been ordered by the Thunder Bay Public Library and you can place your hold on it in our online catalogue. For a sneak peek, check out the preview for Life is But a Dream: Big Blue Row—Shebafilm’s forthcoming documentary about the journey. - Joanna Aegard
Deep Water
Directed by Louise Osmond and Jerry Rothwell In 1968, London’s Sunday Times sponsored the first solo, non-stop, around-the-world boat race. The race would be a test of physical and mental stamina, covering 43,450 kilometres and taking sailors on the old “tea-clipper” route between Britain and Australia. Although it attracted nine sailors, Donald Crowhurst garnered the most media attention. Crowhurst was an amateur sailor and businessman who was set on designing and building his own boat (a trimaran) for the voyage, and applying an electronic navigation system he had invented. For Crowhurst, the race was a chance to attract publicity for his invention and win much-needed prize money to bail out his fledgling business. With archival footage and first-hand accounts of the race from the sailors and their families, Deep Water provides a gripping and emotional account of the race. The film offers insight into the psyche of solo sailors with a spotlight on Crowhurst and the inconceivable risks he took. - Michelle McChristie
AbAndon
all cutlery. lobster summer until sept. 1
735 Hewitson Street (807) 623-1960 | kegsteakhouse.com The Walleye
41
Chris Merkley
Architecture Food
Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship Griffon By Pamela Cain
I
n 1895, one would not have predicted that the newly constructed home of Thomas Marks, Port Arthur’s first mayor, would become a “stone frigate.” Once the home of prominent families, the magnificent house at 120 Court Street (presently renumbered to 125 Algoma Street North) became part of the property of Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship Griffon in the midst of the Second World War. Appearing in a supplement to the Manitoba Colonist in 1889, Thomas Marks’ proposed home features a modified Four Square design, a style especially practical for mail-order house kits from Sears and other catalogue companies. The simple box shape with two and a half storeys and a central dormer over the entry porch was dressed up by creative builders. The most prominent feature of the house is an octagonal three-storey tower in the far east corner. The shape of the tower roof is repeated on the dormers and covered porch entrance, suggesting Queen Anne architecture. Iconic columns support the porch roof and rest on Vert Island stone, which forms the porch and a low wall. The red sandstone is from a quarry located on the west shore of Vert Island in Nipigon Bay on Lake Superior, 15 kilometres southeast
42
The Walleye
of the town of Nipigon. Wooden shingles originally sided the upper storeys and the roofing of the tower and dormers, recalling the Shingle Style. The look was intended to blend into the landscape through creating a uniform, unembellished surface and reflecting a relaxed, informal style of living. In 1902, Mr. and Mrs. James Whalen purchased the property, naming it “Glenshire” and making it their home for over 28 years. Fittingly, James Whalen was known as the person who put the “port” in Port Arthur, beginning the shipping industry in Thunder Bay. After a short period as St. Joseph’s Academy, the Whalen house became part of the HMCS Griffon property. Naval reservists operating out of a leased garage in Port Arthur acquired the new “land ship” in 1941 through the military policy of “stone frigates,” the nickname for a naval establishment on land. New barracks were constructed in 1943, incorporating the Whalen house into the property. The exterior appearance of the house is maintained and the interior is currently used as administrative offices and officer’s quarters. Facing the lake, the home stands as a reminder of the early history of Port Arthur.
Pamela Cain is the heritage researcher for the Heritage Advisory Committee; for more information on the city’s heritage resources, visit thunderbay.ca/ living/culture_and_heritage.
Brook McIlroy is growing! We are currently hiring for an Architectural Technologist and/or Intern Architect to join our Thunder Bay office. Brook McIlroy is an award-winning architecture, urban design, landscape architecture and planning firm. We are seeking applications from talented individuals in the architecture or architectural technology field to join our growing Thunder Bay team. In addition to strong design skills, candidates must have excellent communications skills and be fluent in Revit and AutoCAD. Minimum 5 years experience in architectural design with proven skills in the production and coordination of contract documents. Candidates must have knowledge of building systems and detailing, developing contract documents and document checking. Please send resume, cover letter and portfolio samples to: info@brookmcilroy.com
brookmcilroy.com
architecture urban design landscape architecture planning
Don’t let your household hazardous waste end up here. throwing hazardous waste in the garbage or down the drain is dangerous to the environment. Bring it to the Household Hazardous Waste Depot free of charge.
www.thunderbay.ca
For more inFormation call inFrastructure & operations – 625-2195 The Walleye
43
Banksy
Health
Medicines of the Forest
The Paleo Diet Uncovered
By Stephanie Ritch, HBSW, RSW, RHN
By Paul Hemsworth
L
iving in Thunder Bay, we are surrounded by a bounty of forest medicine. Forest medicine is any plant or food that grows within nature and has medicinal properties. One local forest medicine is white sage (Artemisia ludoviciana), which has many uses, such as an antiseptic, decongestant, and emotional enhancer. Mainly, you'll see sage being used to re-balance emotions in a smudging ceremony. The sacred medicine is burned and the smoke is brought to your body to cleanse away negative energy. By bringing the sage smoke to your heart, eyes, mouth, and mind, you’re saying you want to feel better, see the good in life, and speak and think positively. The smudging ceremony is also a form of meditation, as you’re being mindful of that present moment while focusing on the act of cleansing and not worrying about yesterday and tomorrow. Locally, sage is found growing around train tracks, as the seeds are carried in from the west and it prefers dryer almost sandy clay soil. Sage is a skinny-stemmed plant that can grow from 0.6 to 1.5-metres-tall with short leaves, and when mature it has small white flower tips. It is best picked late summer and early fall, and make sure to leave the roots. Sage is hung to dry upside down before using the leaves, and women should not use during menstruation as they are already going through a powerful cleanse. The tastiest forest medicines around here are the raspberry and the blueberry—not only are they summer treats, but also natural medicines. These easily identifiable berries pack a huge nutritional punch as both have vitamin C, an antioxidant that your body can't make on its own and needs for collagen regeneration (which maintains healthy skin, joints, discs, bones, and teeth), to absorb
44
The Walleye
other vitamins, lower cholesterol, detoxify, and help maintain an overall healthy immune system. Combined, they are also a good source of fibre, vitamin A, calcium, magnesium, iron, and 15 health-building phytonutrients. Before picking any forest medicine, it is respectful to put wild or locally grown tobacco or another thank you gift down to honour the medicine's spirit. Lastly, please consult a professional and two field guides before using new forest medicines. Stephanie Ritch is a holistic nutritionist and counsellor, and works at the Healthy Families Wellness Centre; contact her at 475-8454 or find her on Facebook.
O
f all diets, the Paleolithic diet has been the most popular recently. Gym-goers swear by it. Books are flying off the shelf. There are even TED talks praising its benefits. But through all the hype, popularity, and craze, does it have a leg to stand on, or is it possible that this is just another fad diet that is lining the pockets of authors, bloggers, cooks, and doctors who promote its miracle powers? First let’s define the Paleo diet. Essentially, it is the diet of our Paleolithic ancestors: mostly meat, veggies, and fruits, with no grains, dairy, legumes or sugars. The problem is not the type of foods included in the Paleo diet, but rather that in today’s world we cannot emulate what they did back then. Today’s meat and veggies are highly farmed and modified and not at all like the wild game and vegetation once eaten. Similarly, today we eat with a global, rather than local, mindset. You like coconut milk? Do you think cavemen extracted milk from a coconut in Northwestern Ontario? How about peppers, sweet potatoes, and avocados? There is also an assumption that meat was consumed in high quantities like it is today. Unless you were Chuck Norris, you’d likely go weeks at a time without your bison. Just like eating vegan, gluten-free, no carb, high carb, no fat, high fat, low calorie, and high calorie diets, what it means to eat under the “label” of a diet is up for interpretation. You could eat Paleo and live until 120 while maintaining a high quality of life, vigor, and a good sex life. However, you could also eat Paleo and develop cardiovascular disease, have no energy, and become overweight. The bottom line is that the Paleo diet has a lot of merit: there is loads of research suggesting that certain grains, dairy, and sugars can be inflammatory and gut-damaging, and also a diet that is mainly plantbased with some lean meats and good fats can be very health-promoting. However, if you think that you can just eat bacon and burgers at every meal and you’ll be a health machine, think again. Paul Hemsworth is a strength & wellness coach and owns Hemsworth Strength & Wellness. You can contact Paul at 777-1717 or paul.hemsworth83@gmail.com. hemsworthstrength.com
Health
Ahnisnabae Art Gallery
When the Water is Cold
7-1500 James St. S Thunder Bay, ON 807-577-2656 www.ahnisnabae-art.com
Northwestern Ontario's largest selection of Native Art
By Judi Marton
‘Leadership’ by Roy Thomas
Darren McChristie
20" x 16" available as a canvas print or 10" x 13" paper print
W Painted Turtle
hether kayaking, fishing, or simply taking a leisurely boat ride, a great way to spend a summer day is out on the water. Since our summers are short, we have lengthy periods in the spring and fall in which the water temperatures are cool. Lake Superior in particular is known for its typically low temperatures, which are lower than 2 C (36 F) on average. You should always use caution when water temperatures are not at their peak, and the water is very cold. Most people think that falling into the water is no big deal. They can climb back into their boat, swim the short distance to the shore, or right their boat if they have to. The reality is, when dealing with cold water, those goals often can’t be reached. Cold water can be life-threatening. Dr. Gordon Giesbrecht, of the University of Manitoba, also known as Dr. Popsicle, has developed what he calls the 1-10-1 Principle to help you understand how your body will react. In cold water you will have one minute to get your breathing under control, as there is an initial gasp response followed by extreme hyperventilation, then up to 10 minutes of meaningful movement before the muscles in your extremities lose their effectiveness, followed by up to one hour before you lose consciousness due to hypothermia. If you are not wearing your lifejacket and survive the initial shock and gasp, you will have very little time before your arms and legs begin to stop functioning, preventing you from staying afloat. If you are unconscious, you will not be able to put on a life-jacket or PFD at all. Above all, always wear proper life-jackets or PFDs when you are on the water. Wear them and be prepared for the unexpected.
What is the difference between a life-jacket and a PFD? In general, a life-jacket provides much more flotation than a personal flotation device. As well, a life-jacket will turn the wearer onto their back so that mouth and nose are clear of the water even if unconscious. They are made in safety colours and often have reflective patches for visibility. PFDs are designed to be worn at all times and provide freedom of movement, better ventilation, convenience, and style. Always check the label for approvals.
For more information on boating safety go to boatingsafety.gc.ca.
The Walleye
45
Presents
Thunder Bay’s
SEXIEST
MAN
ALIVE! ULTIMATE GIRLS NIGHT OUT
DON’T MISS OUT ON 10 OF THUNDER BAY’S HOTTEST MEN COMPETING FOR THE TITLE AND GRAND PRIZE!
Tickets $39 + HST available at keynotevents.ca
46
The Walleye
Vote for Thunder Bay’s Sexiest Man on Terra Nova’s Facebook Page
Join for the Health of it! gamescomplex.com
(807) 684-3311
LIVINGGREEN
Going Green Starts Here! Reduce your load on garbage day— Get a Composter—just $25! Reduce household garbage by 30 percent or more AND create a free supply of great fertilizer! We’ll show you how! Rain Barrels $65 Put one under every downspout: free water for your gardens and a great way to deal with run-off problems. New accessories available too— stands, hoses and more!
Visit us on-line or at the office for details on upcoming events. Sign up for our on-line newsletter so you’ll be the first to know!
ecosuperior.org | 807 624 2140 562 Red River Road, Thunder Bay, ON P7B 1H3
Jim Bailey
Waste Reduction and Wise Water Use Programs are funded by The City of Thunder Bay and delivered by EcoSuperior
Len Mason with author/environmentalist Maude Barlow
Eco Divers
Cleaning Up Our Waterfront, One Dive at a Time By Jonathon Pukila
T
he lakes and rivers around Thunder Bay are among some of the most picturesque in the world. They are, after all, what drew early inhabitants to settle here, and they continue to attract visitors to this area. But upon closer inspection, they are anything but clean. Len Mason wants to change that. Since 2010, Mason’s group, Eco Divers, has traversed area lakes and removed any waste and garbage polluting them. The group has cleaned areas such as Silver Harbour Conservation Area and the Nipigon Marina. Many items, ranging from what Mason calls “the usual stuff” such as tires and shopping carts to toxic waste such as boat and car batteries, have been found deep in our lakes and rivers. One of the strangest items the group found was a safe that belonged to a homeowner. Most dives are labour intensive and time-consuming. Debris is removed
by dragging it out of the lake via ropes, or by putting it inside a lift bag, which functions as a miniature dredge. However, visibility is a major factor in whether a dive can be conducted. “When you dive, you tend to sink to the bottom first because that’s where everything is. You don’t know what you’re about to encounter,” Mason says, referring to “a spike or some sharp object.” This year the Eco Divers cleaned up an area of Thunder Bay’s waterfront as part of the Lake Superior Day festivities. Mason hopes that his team will be called by municipalities to clean their lakes and rivers and is always on the lookout for volunteer divers and non-divers to help with the work on land. “We need people with boats who are willing to pull rope, sign waivers, [and] to help with first aid,” he says. If you are interested in helping out, contact lmason@opseu.org.
The Walleye
47
LIVINGGREEN
Reducing the Environmental Impacts of Boating By Ellen Mortfield
camp is on a small inland lake, and there are boats and personal watercraft buzzing around constantly. Q Our Should we be concerned about the environmental impacts of all that motorized boating activity? Ontario, we love our A InboatsNorthwestern and time spent on the water, but you
are right to be concerned about the environmental impacts. Canadians own about two million recreational boats. In the U.S., about 12 million marine engines power watercraft. In addition to airborne emissions from boat motors, the environment is affected by vast quantities of petroleum products that leak out of boats during operation and refueling. According to one source, there’s the equivalent of 15 Exxon Valdez oil spills happening in North American waterways every year. That’s a lot of fuel, but because it comes out of one little boat at a time, at marinas, docks, and fishing spots all over the place, nobody really takes notice. There is also environmental damage caused to aquatic habitats by wake activity and propellers, especially when boat operators travel in shallow waters.
www.SuperiorOutdoors.ca
But even if you’re not willing to stick with
48
The Walleye
a canoe, kayak or sailboat, there are many ways you can reduce the impacts of boating. • Avoid fuel and oil spills by ensuring you do not overfill your tanks. Half a litre of oil will cover 0.4 hectares of surface area, so spills are no minor thing. • Whenever possible, refuel at an approved area on land using a fuel pump. Avoid transferring fuel to your boat in containers and on the water. • If you must use a container, make sure you use a large funnel or buy a siphon hose with an integrated pump to reduce spillage. Keep sorbent pads on hand to soak up any spills. • Use bilge filters or bilge pads to absorb oil and fuel so none gets pumped overboard accidentally. • Choose a boat with an inboard, fourstroke or two-stroke engine that has direct fuel injection. These are much
engines that constantly spew oil and gas into the lake.
better for the environment and cheaper to run, as an estimated 25 per cent of all fuel and oil used in a conventional twostroke engine ends up in the water.
• Clean your boat and dock using “green” cleaners like baking soda, vinegar, lemon juice, and elbow grease.
• Look for ways to increase your boat's fuel efficiency. Eliminate unnecessary idling, avoid running the engine at full throttle and get regular oil changes and engine tune-ups.
• Make sure sewage and garbage don't end up overboard. Recycle and compost garbage back on shore and use a pumpout service to empty your sewage tank.
• Inspect your fuel lines, clamps, and fuel filters regularly.
• Use a portable ashtray for cigarette butts. • Don’t cause a wake near shore; this causes shoreline erosion and can destroy habitat for fish, birds, and wildlife.
• If you’re an angler, consider investing in an electric trolling motor to reduce idling at slow speeds.
Taking care of our lakes and rivers helps guarantee lots more summer fun in years to come.
• Properly dispose of used fishing line and lures. Avoid lead weights and lures. • Avoid the temptation of a personal watercraft (jet ski). While most newer models have switched to fourstroke engines, there are still older ones on the market with two-stroke
SUMMER 2013
Superior The Beaver
Furbearing Conservationis ts
Vol. 7 No. 1
now available
> find it at outdoor stores and newsstands everywhere
Vol6No1
(display until Nov 15) Canada/US Winter $4.95
11
o u t d o o r s
LIVINGGREEN
Joya Rocker by
Gardening 411 custom orders available at
179 S. Algoma St. 622-2330 www.globaexperience.ca (Bay & Algoma Shopping District)
Your table is ready
...tonight
Solving Mysteries Story and Photo by Tara George
622-2478 555 dunlop street www.bistroone.ca
DO YOU KNOW? that it only takes 26 seconds for chemicals from your personal care products to enter your bloodstream?
(807) 343-9122 71 Algoma St. S www.streakofgreen.com Tues 9-8pm • Wed 10-6pm • Thurs 11-8pm • Fri 10-6pm • Sat 9-5pm Sunday & Monday Closed
Soil samples at L.U.'s FoReST Laboratory
M
ax Planck, the originator of quantum theory, once said, “Science cannot solve the ultimate mystery of nature.” He went on to explain himself further, but really Max, no need, I hear what you’re throwing down. Carrots growing one year and not the next, lettuce sprouting in only half of a planted row, one tomato plant with triple the number of fruit as its sister plant—it’s all a mystery to me! Despite being a scientist, I’ve never actually viewed or approached gardening in a very scientific manner. Maybe it’s because I’m in such awe of the whole process— dirt, seed, food—that it seems more spiritual, or a course of well-being, than a scientific experience. But really, I’m sure most of my gardening woes have very logical explanations and solutions. So, I decided to dig a bit deeper and start from the ground up, literally. I got my soil tested. From the beginning of my gardening mentorship, Kevin (of Belluz Farms) has stressed the importance of good quality soil, reminding me that “every time you harvest a vegetable you are removing nutrients from the soil.” Properly amending the soil to address any potential
deficiencies first required that I know what nutrients were currently available. Submission of a sandwich bag full of soil to the Lakehead University Forest Resources and Soil Testing (FoReST) Laboratory revealed all sorts of interesting results, namely that my soil was low in phosphorus and potassium. Although a nitrogen (N) result was not provided, knowing the ratio of phosphorus (P) to potassium (K) was helpful in selecting a fertilizer that worked best for my soil needs; fertilizers come in different N-P-K ratios. I applied a granular organic fertilizer around my new plants which, I later learned, was a good choice since it releases nutrients slowly. This is a perfect match for Mother Nature, who does most of my watering. I was tempted to ‘geek it out’ and apply fertilizer in a randomized fashion so that I could run comparison statistics on efficacy, but I think that the mystery of gardening is part of the allure for me, and for that, there is no statistical test. For more information on the FoReST laboratory soil testing visit lucas.lakeheadu.ca/forest. The Walleye
49
AugustEventsGuide August 4 – 5
August 9 – 11
August 11, 9 am – noon
August 21
Festa Italiana
Rendezvous Days and Powwow
Run for Epilepsy
Superior Youth Festival
Italian Cultural Centre Festa Italiana celebrates people of the various regions of Italy with a variety of entertainment acts and local community groups offering authentic Italian cuisine. contactus@italiancc.com August 7 – 8
Mosaic Toadstool Workshop
Vintage Pixie Studio Decorative toadstools are great addition to the garden and provide a place for the pixies to sleep. Cost is $95. All materials are provided. Students required their own glass nippers and safety glasses. All skill levels welcome vintagepixiestudio.com August 7 – 11
Canadian Lakehead Exhibition
CLE Grounds The CLE features local and regional artisans, farmers, a midway, concessions, and numerous other activities geared towards families and people of all ages. cle.on.ca August 8 – 17
Tape
Paramount Theatre A play that offers a compelling and disturbing look at raw friendships and young loves, presented by New Noise Productions. paramounttheatre.ca August 9 – 11
Live from the Rock Folk Festival
Pull-A-Log Park, Red Rock Now in its 11th year, Live from the Rock Folk Festival is an annual tradition for many families in Northwestern Ontario. Check out the feature in the July issue of The Walleye for more details. livefromtherockfolkfestival.com
Grand Portage National Monument This is one event you do not want to miss. Music, dancing, craft demonstrations, live re-enactments, and hands-on workshops ensure an exciting weekend at the Grand Portage National Monument. nps.gov/grpo August 10, 9:30 am – 5 pm
Dirty Girls Mud Run
This Old Barn, Murillo Dirty Girls Thunder Bay is Thunder Bay’s First 5 km mud run, complete with ten obstacles. Registration for this event is now full, but everyone is welcome to come out and watch the event and enjoy live entertainment, great food, a shopping and pampering area, and more. dirtygirlstbay.com August 10, 1 – 5 pm
History Day 2013
Silver Mountain Station Come and join local historians, enthusiasts, artists, and musicians as they celebrate our unique story in word and song. Greetings, presentations and music will take place between 2 and 3:30 pm, and a dinner buffet is available for an additional cost. silvermountainhs.ca August 10 – 11
War of 1812 Bicentennial Salute
Fort William Historical Park There’s plenty of smoke and gunfire as muskets crack and cannons roar while re-enactors demonstrate battlefield strategies employed during the War of 1812. fwhp.ca Until August 11
Grand Marais Summer Theater Festival
Arrowhead Center for the Arts, Grand Marais Featuring the plays Church Basement Ladies and The Odd Couple. arrowheadcenterforthearts.org
EVENTS GUIDE KEY GENERAL FOOD ART SPORTS MUSIC
50
The Walleye
Confederation College This event is to raise awareness and raise funds for the Northwestern Ontario Epilepsy Association (Epilepsy Ontario). It will consist of a 2.5 km and 5 km fun run, walk, and roll, along with a 10 km running race. * info@runforepilepsy.ca August 14, 2 – 8 pm
Third Annual Rural Health Fair
NorWest Recreation Centre Featuring health screenings, information on local supports and services, over 50 exhibitors, prize draws, food vendors, a Rural Cupboard food drive, and activities for all ages. norwestchc.org August 16, 9 am – 4 pm
Marina Park The Superior Youth Festival supports youth music, art, and culture by featuring local and national musical acts. The event will also feature alternative performers, on-site concessions, prize draws, an artisan market, community group booths, and more.
facebook.com/SuperiorYouthFestival
August 21, 6 – 9:30 pm
Garden Stepping Stone Workshop
Vintage Pixie Studio This is a unique spin on the garden stepping stone. Mosaic design is made with tempered glass and painted and embellished. No experience or tools required. Cost is $45. vintagepixiestudio.com
Easter Seals Drop Zone
August 22 – 23
August 16 – 18
Lakehead University Hosted by Little Lions Waldorf Daycare and Kindergarten, this is a two-day, fully immersive workshop focused on giving educators the knowledge and skills to teach multidisciplinary lessons that will strike awe and wonder in students of all ages. monarchteacher.ca
Maplecrest Tower Everyday people will become superheroes for a day by raising muchneeded funds for kids with physical disabilities, and challenging themselves in an exciting event that is both safe and fun, by harnessing up and rappelling down MapleCrest Tower. thedropzone.ca
Thunder Bay Agility Dogs
Chippewa Park Come watch dogs from near and far exhibit their agility, manoeuvering tunnels, jumps, planks, and weave poles, to name a few. chippewapark.ca August 18, 10 – 11 am
Thunder Bay Metre Eaters No Frills 5K Race
Chapples Park The race is a 5 km running race sponsored by Thunder Bay Metre Eaters. It is part of the Fresh Air Experience and Kiwanis Club Running Series. ) 577-5822
Teaching and Learning with Monarch Butterflies
August 23 – 25
Ribfest
Park Avenue (OLG Parking Lot) The Waterfront District BIA is pleased to present its Second Annual Ribfest, bringing to the Waterfront District a family-friendly, fun-filled, three-day, music and food extravaganza. thewaterfrontdistrict.ca Until August 24
“Internal/External Reference” - Patrick Doyle; Reflection on the Art of Alice Massaro; “Women Are Heroes”- Film
Definitely Superior Art Gallery “Internal/External Reference - Patrick Doyle - New Paintings - Regional: Simultaneously paleolithic yet modern, Doyle’s vivid paintings seem equally at home glimpsed by torchlight in a subterranean cave, or fluorescently illuminated inside a concrete/steel skyscraper (Gallery 1).
Reflection on the Art of Alice Massaro: An intimate and wondrous look into the artwork of celebrated artist, the late Alice Jean Massaro, who was well versed in printmaking and mixed media arts in her 40 years of practice (Gallery 2).
“Women Are Heroes” – JR - Short Film Documentary - Brazil (Ted Prize - 2011): JR is an internationally renowned photographer and urban “artivist,” who flyposts monumentally large black/white photographic images in public locations. Tuesday – Saturday, noon-6pm. All ages, by donation. definitelysuperior.com August 24, 8 am – 6:30 pm
Westfort Village Street Fair
Westfort Village Come out and celebrate the fair! There will be entertainment, games, bargains, food and fun for the whole family. my.tbaytel.net/westfortvillage August 24, 9:30 am – 5 pm
Run or Dye
Boulevard Lake Run or Dye is a fun-filled, colourblasted, 5 km race. Have fun getting fit while leaving the race looking like a rainbow! runordye.com August 25, 10 am – 4 pm
Cobblestone Faerie Cottage Workshop
Vintage Pixie Studio Whether for birds or fairies, these quaint cottages are a great addition to yards and gardens. Choose between a large (tall) cottage or a shorter (small) one. All materials are supplied as well as a light lunch. No experience necessary. Cost is $95 for small, $125 for large. vintagepixiestudio.com Until August 31
Cooke St. Project - Presented by Die Active Art Collective
Cooke St. Periodically visit the alley-like Cooke St. behind the main drag of downtown Red River Rd. (behind Eekos, The Foundry, The Sovereign Room, etc.), to see the progress of street art by young-blooded artists all summer long. A partnership with downtown north businesses. Come visit Cooke St; it’s changing! definitelysuperior.com August 31
Jeff Dunham, 6 pm & 9 pm
Thunder Bay Community Auditorium Jeff Dunham’s Disorderly Conduct Tour offers his global fan base a brand new show packed with more laughs than ever before. tbca.com
Music Events
Aug 10
Aug 2
Janie Chadwick
Beaux Daddy’s FREE • 7 pm • AA
CLE Spotlight (Night 4)
Razz Jazz Trio
House of David Gang Crocks $8 • 9:30 pm • 19+ Aug 3
Southern Comfort
Beaux Daddy’s FREE • 7:30 pm • AA
The Best Thing Since The Mill, Xander John Scott, and Android 16 Black Pirates Pub $5 • 10 pm • 19+ Aug 4
Sundays in the Park featuring Flipper Flanagan’s Flat Footed Four Chippewa Park FREE • 2 pm • AA Aug 7
Summer in the Parks featuring Thunder Bay Community Band, Outside the Lines, and Faye Blais Marina Park FREE • 6 pm • AA
CLE Spotlight (Night 1)
CLE Coliseum FREE with admission to the CLE • 8 pm • AA Aug 8
CLE Spotlight (Night 2)
CLE Coliseum FREE with admission to the CLE • 8 pm • AA Aug 9
Mood Indigo
Beaux Daddy’s FREE • 7:30 pm • AA
CLE Spotlight (Night 3)
CLE Coliseum FREE with admission to the CLE • 8 pm • AA
The Other Colour “Lights Go Out” Welcome Home Show Black Pirates Pub $5 • 10 pm • 19+
Beaux Daddy’s FREE • 8 pm • AA CLE Coliseum FREE with admission to the CLE • 8 pm • AA Aug 11
Sundays in the Park featuring The Model A’s
Rusty Water & the Broken Troubadours and Kind of Karma The Foundry $5 • 10 pm • 19+ Aug 17
Robin Ranger
Beaux Daddy’s FREE • 7:45 pm • AA
Electric Mayhem Metal Show featuring Tapout, The Vilification, and more
Chippewa Park FREE • 2 pm • AA
Black Pirates Pub $5 • 10 pm • 19+
CLE Spotlight (Night 5)
Us as Them Ladies Night
CLE Coliseum FREE with admission to the CLE • 8 pm • AA
The Foundry $5 • 10 pm • 19+
Fred Eaglesmith
Aug 18
Aug 13
Chippewa Park FREE • 2 pm • AA
Murillo Community Centre $25 • 8 pm • AA
Carly Thomas
Beaux Daddy’s FREE • 7:30 pm • AA
Of Entropy Farewell Show Black Pirates Pub $7 • 8 pm • AA Aug 14
Summer in the Parks featuring Robert Lem and the Westfort Wedding Crashers, Wayne Faulconer and Hillbilly Blues Boutique, and Mark Potvin’s Little Swing Band Marina Park FREE • 6 pm • AA
The Sword, Castle, and American Sharks with Uhussie
Sundays in the Park featuring JeanPaul De Roover
The Okee Dokee Brothers
Robin Ranger
Beaux Daddy’s FREE • 7:45 pm • AA
We-Can Fundraiser The Foundry $5 • 10 pm • 19+
Boy Castle
Black Pirates Pub $5 • TBA • 19+ Aug 24
Twisted Canoe
Beaux Daddy’s FREE • 7:30 pm • AA
Jean-Paul De Roover The Foundry $5 • 10 pm • 19+
ZOMBIE RAWK: Zombie Walk Afterparty Black Pirates Pub $5 • 10 pm • 19+
Birch Grove, Tofte $5-$10 • 3 pm • AA
Aug 25
Aug 19
Chippewa Park FREE • 2 pm • AA
The Proclaimers Crocks $25 • 8 pm • 19+ Aug 20
Justin Hines
Italian Cultural Centre $TBA • 7 pm • AA
Tech N9ne and Krizz Kaliko Crocks $20 • 9 pm • 19+
Crocks $15 • 9 pm • 19+
Aug 21
Aug 16
Crocks $20 • 8 pm • 19+
Crosstown
Aug 23
Aurbourne and Bleeker Ridge
Sundays in the Park featuring Applauze Productions
Benefit in Honour of Tracy Buchanan ADEN $TBA • 9pm • 19+ Aug 30
Crosstown
Beaux Daddy’s FREE • 8 pm • AA
Us as Them: The Last Waltz The Foundry $5 • 10 pm • 19+ Aug 31
Razz Jazz Trio
Beaux Daddy’s FREE • 8 pm • AA
Beaux Daddy’s FREE • 7 pm • AA
It’s Always Sunny In P.A. featuring Married Singlemen, Bay Street Bastards, and more
Bottom Rockers 8 Year Anniversary
Black Pirates Pub $5 • 10 pm • 19+
The Foundry $5 • 10 pm • 19+
Brought to you by:
The Walleye
51
theWall
132 Cumming St. Thunder Bay 807-622-9627
Thurs., Fri., Sat.
11am-5pm
Stalking the Bounty of Summer Story and Photos by Marlene Wandel
I
t starts with rhubarb. Stalking the bounty of summer is practically a full-time job, and thoughts of strawberryrhubarb pie get us ready to roll up our sleeves and prepare ourselves for the summer parade of berries.
After the slow, soggy start to spring, berry season feels like a juggling act. Thankfully, berries have the good sense to stagger their ripening, so there’s no need to panic about picking enough strawberries and enough blueberries all at once. It seems of paramount importance to gather enough of summer’s sweetness—to eat it, freeze it, jam it. The strawberry farm is on speed dial, in anticipation of the news of the first picking day. We pick a million baskets of strawberries over numerous visits and then join the fruit flies that have been waiting for us back at the house for an all-out strawberry feast. Impossibly, we trip over wild strawberries on our way back from those cultivated rows, and have to stop and pick those, too. The saskatoons, nipping on the heels of the strawberries, enjoy a moment in the sun, but nothing like the superstardom of the raspberries. Summer bike rides are mapped through the best alleys for raspberry foraging, where we are faced with the eternal moral dilemma of whether to pick the berries that are tantalizingly growing over a fence. It’s a tragedy to cycle by a yard, day after day, and watch the bounty of berries beyond all fence-line ambiguity become ripe, overripe, and then drop to the ground, untasted. It seems not only appropriate, but imperative, to knock on the door and implore “Your berries are ripe! You need to eat them!”
52
The Walleye
It’s a sort of sweet torture, going anywhere in the summer. There are patches of thimbleberries growing here and there; those impossibly tart little thimbles are hardly worth gathering, except in your mouth. Every hike and bike ride that reveals a patch of blueberries becomes a picnic. We are forever dumping out water bottles and filling them with berries. Sites of recent forest fires, blazing with fireweed against the charred stems, hold such promise, and like berry season itself, these patches are sweetly ephemeral, as the forest eventually reclaims the ground. Every few years, a cloudberry or two rounds out the season and reminds us that this landscape is host to a population of intentional northerners, and that life here, especially in the summer, is indeed sweet.
New items arriving daily info; vintagepixiestudio.blogspot.com
807 622-9627
Thunder Bay area waterways provide endless opportunities for boating, swimming, camping, fishing and exploring. Clean waTer is a preCious resourCe. protect our lakes and rivers from pollution. www.thunderbay.ca/water
The Walleye
53
Chris Merkley
theEYE - Tall Ship, Sorlandet
54
The Walleye
The Walleye
55
appening. H re a ir A h s re F d n a s e Fun Tim
L L I W R A F HOW YOU GO?
the perfect getaway - it’s in our nature visitthunderbay.com
790 tbaytourism _walleye.indd 1
13-01-31 4:18 PM