December 2023 by The Walleye Magazine

FILM FREE ARTS Vol. 14 No. 12 MUSIC DECEMBER FOOD 2023 CULTURE thewalleye.ca

Holiday Gift Guide 100+ Local Gifts for Everyone on Your List

79 Editor-in-chief Darren McChristie Interim Editor Matt Prokopchuk Senior Editor Tiffany Jarva Copy Editors Amy Jones, Bonnie Schiedel Editorial Assistants Emily Turner, Sidney Ulakovic Marketing & Sales Manager Alaina Linklater alaina@thewalleye.ca Photographers Jack Barten Anna Buske Kevin Dempsey Damien Gilbert Ryan Hill Chad Kirvan Dave Koski Shannon Lepere Marty Mascarin Darren McChristie Sarah McPherson Lois Nuttall Laura Paxton Emily Turner Sidney Ulakovic Art Directors Steve Coghill, R.G.D. Dave Koski, R.G.D. production@thewalleye.ca Ad Designers Dave Koski 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 © 2023 by Superior Outdoors Inc. All Rights Reserved. Editorial and Advertising: Submissions must be accompanied by a selfaddressed, stamped envelope. Superior Outdoors cannot be held responsible for unsolicited material.

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Superior Outdoors Inc. 242 - 1100 Memorial Avenue Thunder Bay, ON P7B 4A3 Telephone (807) 344-3366 Fax (807) 623-5122 E-mail: info@thewalleye.ca

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Contents

19 101 86

Alexandre Nantel

The Music of Gordon Lightfoot

50 66

Fur Trade Fort William

FEATURES 9 Holiday Gift Guide 10 Trendsetter 11 Foodie 14 Music Fan 15 Jetsetter 18 Fitness Buff 19 Animal Lover 22 Collector 23 Entertainer 26 Youngster 27 Outdoors Enthusiast FOOD 28 THE GRINNING BELLY 31 DRINK OF THE MONTH 33 SUPERIOR SIP 34 A Family Affair 37 OFF THE MENU 39 A New Culinary Adventure

THE ARTS 46 A THOUSAND WORDS 49 Mindful Makers 50 Fur Trade Fort William 52 Hang Ten 54 Local Favourite Puts on the Glitz 57 FROM THUNDER BAY ART GALLERY’S COLLECTION 58 Through Paint 60 Pushing the Limits OUTDOOR 62 Cold Plunging in Superior

49 Northern Turf Equipment

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FILM&THEATRE 41 CONFESSIONS OF A DRAG DEALER 42 The Carousel of Time 44 THE SECOND MOST PLEASURABLE THING WE DO IN THE DARK. A COLUMN ABOUT MOVIES

Mindful Makers

CITYSCENE 65 EYE TO EYE: With Sam Belliveau 66 Settling In 68 All in the Family 70 WALL SPACE: Northern Turf Equipment 72 This is Thunder Bay 74 Made with Love 76 GO LOCAL Thunder Bay Country Market 79 Bookshelf 81 CANNABIS CORNER 82 SECOND CHANCES 84 Lingerie for Everybody MUSIC 86 The Music of Gordon Lightfoot 89 The Record Box 90 Doing What They’re Good At 92 Bringing Down the House 94 Kitchen Party at the Slopes 96 Years at a Time 98 BURNING TO THE SKY 101 TBSO PROFILE 102 Monkey Guitars 106 OFF THE WALL REVIEWS ARCHITECTURE 108 St. Mark’s Anglican Church TATTOOED YOU 110 A Tattoo Fit for a Mycologist GREEN 112 A New Approach 114 Deck the Halls Sustainably HEALTH 118 A Collective Responsibility THE WALL 120 On Summits and What Success Isn’t 122 Tbaytel December EVENTS GUIDE 124 LU RADIO'S MONTHLY TOP 30 125 December MUSIC GUIDE 126 HOROSCOPES 129 THE BEAT 130 THE EYE

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From Our Instagram Feed

Pick-a-Gift

You could WIN! • iPhone 15 • Apple AirPods

Making a List

was staring out the office window in early November at the dusting of snow on the ground from the season’s first flurries (while having a bit of a struggle coming up with an opening for this letter), when it hit me just how ridiculously fast this year seemed to pass. Even though 12 months had gone by, hadn’t I just seen 2022’s first snow, while hurriedly going through the usual mid-fall, prep-for-winterweather checklist of making sure yard equipment was stowed, winter clothes were ready, and snow shovels accessible? Given my penchant for sometimes leaving things in my non-professional life until the last minute, I chuckled thinking that, while at the time, this year’s holiday season still seemed far off, it too was very likely to come roaring up on me fast. Fast-forward to early December and many of us are probably working on to do lists of all kinds, including the ever-present gift lists. And here at The Walleye, we’re once again rolling out our annual local gift guide to help you knock at least some of those shopping trips off your inventory of things to do. Our elves have been busy scouring the city for terrific locally made and sold items that will delight those in your life, whether they be, at heart, an entertainer, an outdoors enthusiast, an animal lover, a collector, or have a number of other interests. Keeping with the spirit-ofthe-holidays theme, Chef Rachel Bayes has a delicious recipe for

The Walleye

a Christmas cake perfected in the Caribbean, while in Cannabis Corner Justin Allec has some great recommendations for a “green” holiday season, and Marcia Arpin learns more about a group of local knitters who have been working diligently on their craft and donating their work to those in need. Elsewhere in our December issue, Sidney Ulakovic speaks with local music legend Rodney Brown about his show with the Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra where they will pay tribute to the late Gordon Lightfoot, Taylor Onski catches up with filmmaker Adrien Harpelle about a documentary he’s helmed about the historic Chippewa Park carousel, and Kris Ketonen has the story about a new art exhibit at Fort William Historical Park. And, as this will wrap up our new issues for 2023, we’d also like to send a huge thank you to our dedicated and talented team of staff and contributors, as well as our present and past advertisers. This publication simply wouldn’t exist without that support. We also know that we wouldn’t exist without you, our readers, so a massive thank you for your continued support— not only of us, but of the artists, businesses, and organizations we feature. As the holidays quickly approach, we hope our December issue helps spread the season’s greetings. Cheers! -Matt Prokopchuk

In Error

On page 30 of our November issue, Tony McGuire was incorrectly identified as being a member of Gull Bay First Nation. He is a member of Bingwi Neyaashi Anishinaabek (Sand Point First Nation).

Featured Contributor

Angela Gollat

Angela has worked in the field of gender-based violence for over 20 years as a researcher of institutional responses to gender-based violence, as a community organizer, and as an arts-based educator. She is also a coorganizer of Project SATYA, a solidarity community advocating with victims/ survivors of sexual abuse within the yoga space. Balancing her work is a love of the outdoors, gardening, art-making, and sharing food with the people she loves. See Angela’s Thunder Bay District Health Unit column on gender-based violence prevention on page 118.

On the Cover

Holiday Gift Guide Photo by Shannon Lepere Special thanks to Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce president Charla Robinson, New Canaan Farm, Luke Farmer and Kyle Lansdell and the Farmer and Lansdell families (including GoGo and Bella), and Waterfront District BIA executive director Kara Pratt.

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TheTopFive

Advertsing Feature

Christmas Y O U R O N E S TO P

1 CPKC Holiday Train December 1

SHOP FOR HIM & HER

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The Walleye

2 A Christmas Carol

 VEJA SNEAKERS

3 Parade of Lights

December 1–3 and 6–9

Calling all shoe-lovers! Gift this unique colour combination from VEJA to set him ahead of the trends in 2024.

December 2

Cambrian Players, 818 Spring Street

Don’t be a Scrooge! Get out this holiday season to see Cambrian Players’ fresh take on an old tale with their production of A Christmas Carol: Every Man has the Power to do Good. This adaptation of the original Dickens story (written by Canadian playwright James Hutchinson) will kick off Cambrian Players’ 74th season and will be directed by Thomas McDonald. With 25 actors ranging in ages from 11 to 70, this show is truly a tale for the whole family. A Christmas Carol will run from December 1 to 3 and December 6 to 9, with a special matinee performance and tea on Sunday December 3 at 2 pm and a livestreamed performance on December 8. Tickets are $27 plus fees for general admission, and $22 plus fees for students and seniors. cambrianplayers.eventbrite.ca

MASON COAT A timeless coat from Z Supply available in camel, black, and houndstooth print. A stylish gift for the fashionista in your life to effortlessly elevate any outﬁt!

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GLERUPS Barefoot comfort for home, cottage, chalet & camp! Handcrafted with 100% non-itch wool and available in rubber or leather sole, in a variety of colours.

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4 Westfort Wonderland December 7 Westfort Village

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Get in the spirit with life-changing underwear featuring the BallPark PouchTM. Underwear, shorts, tees, loungewear and more. Fine tuned for maximum comfort.

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Kick off this year’s holiday season with the CPKC Holiday Train on December 1. From November 20 to December 19, the CPKC Holiday Train makes its way across Canada and the U.S. raising money for local food banks and raising awareness for food insecurity. This season marks its 25th year. Held at the CPKC train depot on Syndicate Avenue, this year’s train will feature a performance by Canadian indie rockers Anyway Gang for a night of music and holiday cheer. The train arrives at 8:30 pm, and the performance will run from 8:45 to 9:15 pm. While the event is free to attend, CPKC encourages cash and food donations, which will be donated to the Regional Food Distribution Association of Northwestern Ontario. cpkcr.com/en/community/HolidayTrain

Sleigh bells ring, are you listening? In the lane, snow is glistening. A beautiful sight, we’re happy tonight, walking in a Westfort Wonderland! On December 7 from 4 to 8 pm, families can enjoy a magical (and free!) evening in the heart of Westfort Village. Presented by the Westfort Village Association, the Westfort Wonderland will feature sleigh rides, a fire to roast s’mores, a tree lighting, food vendors, free warm drinks, and fun winter activities for kids of all ages. You may even spot some famous faces there, including the Grinch, Elsa, Santa Claus, and Westfort’s own Freddie the Yeti. westfort.ca/wonderland

Memorial Avenue Another Thunder Bay holiday tradition returns: the Thunder Bay Police Association Parade of Lights, now in its 24th year. Presented by Tbaytel, this stunning parade will be held on December 2 and will feature dozens of brightly lit floats cruising through the heart of our city. This year’s parade marshall is Mark Claypole, representing Special Olympics Ontario’s Thunder Bay chapter. Last year, the Parade of Lights raised over $40,000 for local organizations like Autism Ontario, George Jeffrey Children’s Centre, Special Olympics Ontario, and the Thunder Bay Therapeutic Riding Association. The parade begins at 7 pm at Manitoulin Transport, following its usual route down Main Street and Memorial Avenue, ending at Water Street. There will be a sensoryfriendly area on Fort William Road between Queen Street and Water Street. For the full parade route and more information about how you can donate, visit the Parade of Lights Facebook page.. facebook.com/paradeoflights.thunderbay Jamie Ruggles

BLUNDSTONE GENUINE SHEEPSKIN FOOTBED Give the gift of warmth with these insoles. The perfect stocking stuffer to slip in your favourite pair of boots for added months of warmth and comfort.

Jamie Ruggles

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

Thomas McDonald

BLUNDSTONES You’ll never have to sacriﬁce comfort or style with boots this versatile. We carry the largest selection of Blundstones in town. Come ﬁnd their new go-to boots!

CASUAL FRIDAY SWEATER Gift him his new favourite sweater. This Scandinavian menswear line features classic silhouettes that he can dress up or down, with this holiday inspired knit being one of so many sweater options.

Westfort Prodcutions

 SECRID WALLET

Protects both your privacy and your money with style. Available as a slimwallet, miniwallet or twinwallet.

CPKC Train Depot, 440 Syndicate Avenue

5 Big Wreck Concert December 18 NV Music Hall

Things are heating up this month with the return of some big-name acts to the local music scene. CanadianAmerican rockers Big Wreck will once again be playing here in Thunder Bay on December 18, as part of their 2023 North American tour. Held at NV Music Hall, this concert is presented by Thunder Bay’s Rock Station: Rock 94. Doors open at 7 pm, and the show will begin at 8 pm. When Big Wreck played NV Music Hall in 2019, the show sold out completely, so don’t wait! General admission tickets are $49.50 plus fees and taxes, available through Showpass. showpass.com/bigwreckthunderbay

The Walleye

CoverStory

Holiday Gift Guide 100+ Local Picks for Everyone on Your List

It’s no secret that we love local. This year, we’re excited to present our biggest holiday gift guide yet, packed with items from businesses, organizations, makers, and artisans right here in Thunder Bay and area. There are lots of ideas to inspire you, with categories for everyone from the Animal Lover, the Collector, and the Jetsetter to the Foodie, the Music Fan, and the Fitness Buff. Think merry and bright, NWO-style, and happy holidays from all of us at The Walleye! - Bonnie Schiedel

710 Balmoral St 8

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CoverStory

Trendsetter

trend-set-ter a person who leads the way in fashion or ideas By Sidney Ulakovic

1 Freezer Jacket You don’t need to drink craft beer to appreciate this jacket from Lake of the Woods. With a quilted look that sets it apart, this lightweight jacket has two exterior pockets, one hidden interior pocket, and is insulated for those chilly Northwestern Ontario winter days—stylish and practical!

Lake of the Woods Brewing Company $75

2 Essential Toque It’s all in the name. The essential toque from Mars is a great hat for everyday adventures and comes in 13 different colours. Your trendsetter will be heading back to get one for every day of the week (and then some).

Mars Clothing $25

3 SUSTAIN Lipstick Now this is a lipstick that packs a punch, from Indigenous-owned makeup line Cheekbone Beauty. SUSTAIN lipstick is available in a variety of gorgeous shades from nude to bold and are all named after the earth or land in one of the 7,000 Indigenous languages. They’re also crafted from sustainably sourced ingredients and vegan-friendly. Bonus!

Ritual Skin Co. $32

Puffy Sage Colour Block Bag 4

The 80s are having a moment in pop culture (again!), and your trendsetter can join in on the 80s mania with this fun colour block bag from Pretty Fly Co. Fun fact: this bag is made from recycled plastic. So aside from looking pretty fly (wink, wink), they can also feel good knowing it kept four plastic bottles out of the landfill.

an expert judge in matters of taste 7

KAFFE Susana Knit Cardigan 6

The perfect gift for the person who loves to break the mould. In a world of capsule wardrobes consisting exclusively of neutrals, dare to stand out in this vibrant pink knit from Lewk Clothing. Size inclusive and stylish pieces like this one are plentiful at Lewk. You’ll find something for your fashionista no matter what shape or size.

Lewk Clothing

$99

Maier Hardware

Zwilling Tradition Seven Piece Knife Set 2

$25

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A true chef knows the value of a good knife; imagine what they could do with seven! This knife set from Zwilling is made from high-quality stainless steel and features a lightweight, ergonomic design to assist in even the craziest kitchen creations.

Tbaytel

Kitchen Nook $349.95

Plans start at $45/month

Dermalogica Foliant Set 8

Sweet Cherry Spa

1 Traeger Ranger Wood Pellet Grill

$599.99

7 Samsung Galaxy Flip5 We’ve come full circle. Yes, you heard it here first: flip phones are set to make a comeback, and with colour availability in both neutrals and pastels in addition to Samsung’s seemingly endless options for display customization, how could they not? Snag one of these for the avant-garde person on your shopping list who would love something so far out of style it now has “retro” style appeal.

There comes a point in every trendsetter’s journey where they must face that trends come and go. And yes, skincare is trending right now, but healthy, glowing skin will always be the perfect base for any styles your fashion-forward friend may want to try next year. Let them find the exfoliant that’s right for them with this limited edition powder exfoliant set from Dermalogica.

By Kelsey Raynard

Move over barbecue, there’s a new grilling toy in town. The Traeger Ranger wood pellet grill provides all the complex, woodfired flavours that this brand is known for in a new portable design. Now, the foodie in your life can showcase their grilling and smoking skills just about anywhere.

5 2

8 3

3 Truffle Variety Pack The holidays are a time for indulging, and what is more luxurious than a box of locally made, rich chocolate desserts? The truffle variety pack by Cardinal Chocolate Company will satisfy any foodie’s sweet tooth. They are available for pickup at Red Lion Smokehouse seven days a week, and from Cardinal’s storefront from Thursdays to Saturdays.

Cardinal Chocolate Company

$15

$64

4 Tawâw Cookbook Acclaimed Canadian chef Shane M. Chartrand’s debut cookbook, Tawâw, explores modern-day interpretations of Indigenous cuisine and the legacy of cooking, eating, and sharing food within Indigenous communities. Filled with over 75 recipes as well as personal stories of food, life, and culture, this book is an excellent addition to any foodie’s collection.

$53

McChristie’s Bath and Body Co.

foo-die

Pretty Fly Co.

5 Solid Fragrance Smelling delicious and doing your part to help the environment—now that’s hot. McChristie's Bath and Body Co.’s solid fragrance comes in a recyclable tin and is part of their “Beauty Rewards” container return program. With so many different scents, from soft and romantic to bold and woodsy, this makes just the right gift for that person who doesn’t feel dressed until they’re wearing their (new!) favourite fragrance.

Foodie

Entershine Bookshop $34.95

5 EQ3 Raval Dinner Set

The EQ3 Raval dinner set isn’t your grandmother’s china. Classic, simple, and elegant, this dinner set is special enough for the holiday season while functional enough for everyday use. Best of all? It’s microwave and dishwasher safe.

Hygge Loft $179.99

6 Tri-Colour Fusilli Chances are the foodie in your life is pretty tired from preparing all the holiday meals. Give them the gift of a delicious, easy, and local dinner with a pack of tricolour fusilli from Big Lake Pasta. This pack is made from a blend of plain, spinach, and tomato pasta, and if you’re lucky, you may just be asked to stay for dinner.

Big Lake Pasta $6

7 Artisanal Cheese Gift Box

Sometimes a cheesy gift is the perfect gift. Each artisanal cheese gift box from The Cheese Encounter comes with a selection of six artisan cheeses, a jelly or mustard, a single origin chocolate bar, and a box of Lesley Stowe Raincoast Crisps. Not quite what you had in mind? They've got plenty of other options available. Pre-order necessary.

The Cheese Encounter $85

Locally Made Holiday Box 8

When you gift a Locally Made Holiday Box from The Good Food Box, you not only provide the foodie in your life with an excellent selection of locally grown and produced goods, but you also help support this non-profit, volunteer-powered, community-based monthly food distribution program based right here in Thunder Bay. Now that’s what we call holiday spirit!

GoodFoodBoxTB.org/ fundraising-boxes $60–95

The Walleye

FREDDIE THE YETI HAS BETTER STYLE THAN YOU. BUT NOT FOR LONG.

WESTFORT MERCH AVAILABLE AT WESTFORT WONDERLAND! Dec 7th 4-8PM

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CoverStory

Music Fan

Jetsetter

mus-ic fan

jet-set-ter

a person who believes that music makes the world go ‘round; a toe-tapper

By Jack Barten

Prince & The New Power Generation: Diamonds and Pearls Vinyl 1

Got a music lover on your hands eh? Well look no further than Diamonds and Pearls by the one and only Prince Rogers Nelson. Music lovers love Prince, and if they don’t love Prince? Then you don’t want to be friends with them. You’re welcome.

The Junk Zone: Spins Record Shop $60

TBSO Select Six Package 2

Who doesn't love a night at the symphony? With the Select Six package you can gift a music lover tickets to six different TBSO shows throughout their entire season. This saves you 10% on the usual price of tickets and presents your giftee with the greatest gift of all: many options for live music.

Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra $270

Burial Etiquette Tote Bag 3

We all have stuff to carry— especially the music lover who walks around with a special music player because their phone “doesn’t have a good enough DAC.” That’s where local screamo/ emo band Burial Etiquette has you covered. With this wonderful and practical tote bag, one can manage all their belongings throughout the day.

Burial Etiquette Bandcamp $15

Remo 6” Tunable Practice Pad 4

Do you know an aspiring drummer, or a pro drummer that keeps you up with their drumming? Well look no further than this tunable practice pad. With this nifty gadget, the Ringo in your life can work on their rhythms without making the entire neighborhood twist and shout.

Music World Academy

By Emily Turner

Sleeping Giant Folk Music Society T-Shirt 5

Nothing is cooler than folk music—except maybe local folk music. A music lover knows this age-old fact. Support the Sleeping Giant Folk Music Society with this lovely T-shirt printed right here in Thunder Bay.

Davines VOLU Shampoo Bar 1

Move over, mini plastic shampoo bottles you have to put in a plastic bag—eco-friendly shampoo bars are here to stay. These Davines shampoo bars will save your jetsetter the headache of travelling with liquid, plus will probably save their hair from unnecessary toxins as well.

Sleeping Giant Folk Music Society $25

Evoke Hair Salon + Spa

Ernie Ball Instrument Cable 6

a person who is constantly on the move, travelling from one place to another, usually by plane

$33

Vuori Performance Jogger 2

Fun fact: your music-playing loved ones always need a new cable for their electric instruments. This is a universal truth, guaranteed. With this beautiful orange Ernie Ball cable from Crossroad Music located on Fort William First Nation, you can ensure your gift recipient sounds their absolute best.

The most important thing for anyone who spends lots of time in an airport is comfortable clothing. But it’s nice to look good too. These ultra-soft, incredibly comfortable pants can help achieve both of those things. Available for both men and women.

Crossroad Music

Fresh Air

$40.79

$125

7 Nadjiwan: The Great Sea Vinyl

3 Three-Piece Packing Cubes

The unique sounds and experiences of Northwestern Ontario are not printed onto vinyl everyday. Experience local music at its best with The Great Sea by Nadjiwan.

headingnorthmusic.com $40

The Honest Heart Collective Toque 8

Do you support local music all throughout the year? Does your head get cold? The Honest Heart Collective’s beautiful green toque is the perfect melding of both these realities. Printed with their signature lion logo, as they say on their website, “Keep those ears warm.”

honestheart.co $20

8 5

Packing cubes are just one of those inventions that makes travelling so much easier. Save space and time (spent on packing) with this thoughtful and extremely useful gift. Available in a variety of colours.

The Finnish Bookstore

$38 1

Penbrooke Krinkle Suit 4

There’s nothing worse than an uncomfortable bathing suit when you’re just trying to do laps in a hotel pool or enjoy a lazy afternoon on the beach. This is the bathing suit of any avid swimmer’s dreams: comfortable, functional, and cute.

Perfect Fit Lingerie & Fashion

5 Laundry Strips No one wants to do laundry when they’re travelling, but sometimes it's just a must. Make laundry easier with these affordable, ecofriendly strips that work really well when they have to hand wash their clothes.

EcoSuperior $17.99

Matt and Nat Brave Backpack 6

Checked baggage can be expensive. Thankfully, a backpack usually works as a personal item. Anyone who travels knows the importance of bags with lots of pockets; this Matt and Nat backpack certainly has lots of those. Plus, it's stylish!

J.B. Evans Fashions & Footwear $160

7 Beam Travel Paints Sometimes, the greatest inspiration for art comes when you’re on the move. Now that Wilen Art & Supply has stocked the travel paint cards from Beam Paints, bringing paint on the go has never been easier. They’re the perfect gift for an artist who is constantly on an adventure.

Wilen Art & Supply $23

8 Lippy Clips: Keychain Lip Balm Holder

Lip balm is one of those necessary tools that is super annoying to have stuffed in a pocket, especially when you’re sitting a lot. Lovely Body has a good solution for anyone who tends to lose their lip balm before it runs out.

Lovely Body $12

$102 4

$55

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Wishing you a quiet and peaceful holiday season.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS from the Waterfront District

Happy holidays from the team at Ericksons LLP. We look forward to assisting you with your legal needs for 2024. For more information on what we do, and how we might be of service to you, please visit ericksonsllp.com.

Ph (807) 345-1213 Geraldton 16

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Manitouwadge

TF 1-800-465-3912

Marathon

Red Lake

info@ericksonsllp.com Thunder Bay

Terrace Bay

Dec 2 - Horse & Carriage Dec 9 - Horse & Carriage Dec 10 - Grinch Photos Dec16 - Horse & Carriage Dec 17 - Grinch Photos

11am-3pm 11am-3pm 10am-2pm 11am-3pm 10am-2pm

Join us for free family-friendly events in the Waterfront District throughout the month of December. Donations to the Dew Drop Inn are greatly appreciated. Grinch Photos can be purchased day of in person for a fee.

The Walleye

CoverStory

Fitness Buff fit-ness buff

Animal Lover an-i-mal lov-er

a person who is focussed on their well-being and likes to keep an eye on their pulse

a person who feels great fondness for non-human creatures

By Michelle McChristie

Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Balls 1

Let’s face it. Chocolate and peanut butter are a match made in heaven. Add in some extra protein and omega 3-packed chia seeds, and you have a locally made (and healthy!) treat that makes a great stocking stuffer.

Superior Bakes $3.49

2 Organika Electrolytes Every fitness enthusiast knows that hydration is essential, and this electrolyte mix packs a punch! Organika Electrolytes comes in a variety of thirst-quenching flavours and includes nutrients and electrolytes without sugar, caffeine, or artificial colours and flavours. Each bag contains 20 sachets.

Tim’s Whole Health $26.99

3 10 Minute Cushion Yoga, pilates, and reformer experts at the Bodymind Centre put a lot of thought into the items they curate for their boutique. This little cushion helps correct posture by using gravity to stretch the back over a specifically designed foam arch–it’s available in three levels/densities, each suited for unique needs.

Bodymind Centre $40

The Lighthouse Long Sleeve 4

Is it possible to have too many long sleeve T-shirts? We think not, especially when they look as good as this one from local apparel brand 807 Empire. This shirt pays homage to the Porphyry Lighthouse, Lake Superior’s second oldest, and is available in black, white, maroon, forest, and navy.

By Amy Jones

Faber Quicklock Telescopic 3-Section Pole Set 6

“Tell Your Dog I Said Hi” Unisex Hoodie 1

7 3

Gear Up $50.99

Ungalli

7 Suspension Trainer Convert any space into a gym with this portable, easy-to-set-up and use trainer. Simply anchor one end of the system to a closed door, hook, fixed bar, or beam (or branch!) to create an all-in-one training system that can be used for resistance exercises, like pushups, rows, dips, planks, and more. Also comes in pink.

$85

Like the Glide of a Dragonfly 5

In 2013, local kinesiologist, fitness instructor, and endurance athlete Natalie Lehto fulfilled her dream of running the iconic Boston Marathon. But, shortly after finishing, horror replaced joy as a bomb exploded, killing three people and injuring hundreds. Lehto recounts this experience and her struggles to overcome PTSD, family tragedy, and loss to finish strong through whatever life throws at her.

3Ride Bicycle Co. $25

The Walleye

2 Electronic Dancing Fish

8 6

Wellness 3D $99.99

Dæhlie Challenge 2.0 Jacket 8

This performance softshell jacket is constructed to keep water out while wicking moisture away from the body. Designed for cross-country skiing but great for any aerobic activity, it has extra quilting in the chest to provide warmth for working out on TBay’s colder days and two zippered pockets for keys and snacks. Available in dusty red and nine iron for women and estate blue and black for men.

Pet Gravity's Electronic Dancing Fish is the perfect stocking stuffer for your feline pal (don’t lie; we know they have a stocking). The realistic flopping fish experience, activated by a motion sensor, will keep your pint-sized predator busy while you unwrap your own gifts, and tucking some catnip in the two side pouches will make sure that they’ll really wear themselves out by the time you’re ready for your Christmas Day nap.

Thunder Pet $26.99

Eagle Themed Jewelry 3

If you have an eagle lover on your list, you can’t go wrong with a mixand-match set of eagle themed jewelry. Choose from carved eagle yak bone necklaces and unisex eagle and silver wings rings for a personalized set. And the best part is, all proceeds from the jewelry sales go to the Thunderbird Wildlife Rescue, which is committed to the care, rehabilitation and release of injured and orphaned birds of prey.

Fresh Air $219.99

807 Empire $37

We’re willing to bet there’s at least one person on your list who wants all dogs to know they say “hi,” and the good folks at Ungalli have made it easy for them with this unisex hoodie. Made with 50% certified organic cotton and 50% recycled polyester from plastic bottles, and ethically manufactured in Canada in sizes XS to XXL, this hoodie will make both the recipient and the environment very happy.

TBay winters are long, and with them comes ice and slush and everything in between. These telescopic poles provide extra stability on unstable or uneven ground in all four seasons— they come with two sizes of baskets for rough terrain and deep snow, plus a carbon steel tip for a non-slip grip.

Thunderbird Raptor Rescue

2 for $25 2

4 Dog Cakes Just like you, your canine friend deserves dessert! Lucky for them, Bay’s Barkery makes six-inch cakes specifically formulated for your dog, with ingredients like whole wheat flour, unsweetened apple sauce, and plain Greek yogurt, with a chicken broth topper (yummy!). You can even personalize your cake with your dog’s name. Happy holidays, Rover!

5 Cat Scratching Post For your friend or family member who can’t seem to keep their cat from scratching their furniture (or heaven forbid, climbing the Christmas tree), Kitty Kare has the perfect gift: a scratching post, handmade from recycled materials by Kitty Kare volunteers. Trust us, it’s the gift that keeps on giving!

Kitty Kare $25–30

6 Sitting Tiger Stuffie While you definitely don’t want to gift the young tiger enthusiast in your life with a real tiger, we’re sure they’ll also love this sweet homemade sitting tiger stuffie from JudyMade. All JudyMade’s soft toys have no hard parts, are washable, and stuffed with baby-safe poly, so they’re perfect for even the tiniest budding zoologists.

judymade.ca $26

7 Bat House Bats have gotten a bad rap over the years, but chances are there’s someone on your list who already understands the importance of these small flying mammals to our ecosystem, and would love to see this locally made bat house under the tree on Christmas morning. Plus, did you know that a single bat can consume up to 1,200 mosquitoes per hour? And since the bat nursery can house up to 300 bats, that’s… well, you do the math!

canadianbathouses.com $300

Northern Dogger Spent Grain Dog Treats 8

While you’re enjoying your Northern Logger, why not give your best furry friend the chance to join you with a Northern Dogger (spent grain dog treats, that is)? These dog treats are made with the same locally malted grains that Sleeping Giant uses in their craft beer—a natural byproduct of the craft beer brewing process, spent grains are naturally high in fibre and protein—a perfect Christmas morning treat for Spot.

Sleeping Giant Brewing Co. $9

Bay’s Barkery $22

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The Walleye 21 2023-11-16 10:59 AM

CoverStory

Collector col-lec-tor

a person with an affinity for art or other unique gifts

Entertainer en-ter-tain-er

By Sidney Ulakovic

1 Donut Tee The hype for vintage tees doesn’t seem to be going anywhere anytime soon, and, chances are, your collector just can’t pass a good one up. Give them the best of both worlds with this brand new vintage-style tee from Lost Art. This Canadian-made shirt has a distressed style with warm retro tones and a witty graphic that’s sure to get people asking where they scored such an awesome find.

Lost Art $42

2 Shoreline Sparkling Sparkle up their space with Canadian artwork. There are so many amazing artworks to choose from at Chenier Fine Arts. Shoreline Sparkling by Tammy Zebruck, an artist from Kenora, is a calming painting that looks stunning on its own or as the newest addition to your collector’s gallery wall.

Chenier Fine Arts $290

By Kelsey Raynard

James Brown Photography Puzzle 5

This 504-piece jigsaw puzzle is sure to keep your collector busy, and nothing will beat the satisfaction they’ll feel every time they stop to admire the completed puzzle adorning their space. Designed and crafted in Ontario, Coral Autumn by local photographer James Brown is one of a few different scenery options for these fun puzzles.

Fireweed

Get Stuff’d Pillow Cases 6

Wizard Bottle Opener

Few things are certain in life, but one thing you can count on is that collectors love a conversation piece. Give them something to talk about with a wizard bottle opener from Pike Lake Forge. These whimsical little guys are hand forged by aspiring blacksmith Kristen “Krev” Krievin, meaning each bottle opener is totally unique.

Pike Lake Forge $75

4 Coconut Earrings You can’t go wrong with gifting a statement accessory to someone who loves things that stand out. The African Boutique boasts all kinds of handmade AfroCanadian treasures, including these coconut-carved earrings that have your collector's name all over them.

The African Boutique $25

Crown and Birch

A good entertainer knows that presentation is of the utmost importance. The Rowan Chop & Serve Board from Finnport is a great gift for the host who likes to serve in style. Bonus: the underside can be used to chop and prep food, for even fewer dishes to wash.

Finnport

@gaudygrandma

7 Large Market Tote Not sure what to actually get your collector? How about this stunning oversized tote for them to carry all their hidden gem finds as they’re out and about? This vibrant exterior print is done in RS Gustafson’s signature Ojibwe florals, making this tote a very functional art piece for your collector to cherish.

3 Catan This niche-board-game-turnedmainstream-hit is an excellent present for anyone who likes to host game night. Catan is a dynamic, multiplayer game with various expansions available to purchase separately, keeping the entertainer in your life entertained for many game nights to come.

Let’s Play! Cards and Games $59.94 6

rsgustafson.com $78

8 The Müg Now, this isn’t your average mug. Handcrafted by Noël Keag of Stone Circle Pottery, The Müg is made with Lake Superior sand and available in two beautiful designs. Whether your collector lives on the lake or has ventured off to live elsewhere, give them a piece of home this holiday season with The Müg.

Whether you’re serving up a seasonal sangria, a batch of hot cocoa, or some ice cold water, the Alchemy footed pitcher from Crown and Birch is a great addition to an entertainer’s collection. Available in both small and large sizes, this food safe stoneware pitcher is as beautiful as it is functional. $35–43

6 Wine Cooler An impressive collection of wines makes a good host. A stylish and functional wine cooler to chill said wine to the perfect temperature makes a great host. This 22-inch wine cooler can hold 45 bottles of wine, has adjustable levelling legs, a reversible door, and freestanding installation options—need we say more?

Power Centre

$39.95

4 Alight Incense Help set the mood this holiday season with Alight incense from Pretty Fly Co. Available in an impressive variety of scents, this incense is made from organically produced and ethically sourced essential oils and botanicals from the U.S.A. Even better: a portion of proceeds from each is donated to various organizations and charities.

Pretty Fly Co.

$649

7 Mad Carver West Coast IPA

Give the gift of refreshment this holiday season with a four-pack of Mad Carver West Coast IPA by Dawson Trail Craft Brewery. It’s delightfully hoppy with an ABV rating of 6.2%. The host in your life is sure to love this local brew.

Dawson Trail Craft Brewery $13.50

8 Hometown Series Vintage Thunder Bay Coasters

This gift is equal parts functional, stylish, and nostalgic. The Hometown Series vintage Thunder Bay coasters showcase vintage maps of Port Arthur and Fort William—perfect for the host in your life who has a soft spot in their heart for all things local.

Authentique Gift Shop $32.99

$18

Stone Circle Pottery $65

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$Various

The Rowan Chop & Serve Board 1

These cute heart-shaped pillowcases from Gaudy Grandma are a fibre artist must-have. Help your collector turn their scraps into one of these adorable pillows! Available in a variety of pastel colours, these pillow cases can be ordered ready to ship or customized to your collector’s liking.

Alchemy Footed Pitcher

$55

1 Custom LED Sign If you’re looking for a trendy, modern, and unique gift for the entertainer on your list, look no further. NorthernLED specializes in custom LED signs (available in a variety of sizes, colours, and designs) that can brighten up any space. Locally made and fully customizable, the possibilities are endless.

@nrthrnled

$32

a person who is always ready, willing, and able to throw together a soirée

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CoverStory

Outdoors Enthusiast

Youngster young-ster

a small human under age 12 (or someone young at heart)

out-doors en-thu-sia-st

a person who really loves nature and being outside.

By Tiffany Jarva

The Tall Moose Saves Christmas 1

Local author and illustrator Stephanie Vincent showcases her love for adventure and art in this delightful book about a lovable moose who works together with his forest friends to help Santa save Christmas during a winter storm.

The Loop $16.95

Cosy Merino Cub Hat 2

Adorableness oozes out of this locally made cub hat that features the warmth and cosiness of 100% extra fine, ethically sourced Merino wool—especially perfect for the tiny ones who typically don’t like to wear regular winter hats.

Norm and Lou Handmade $48–62

Engage Loop Ear Plugs 3

Helping to protect small ears from big noises, Loop ear plugs are easy to use, comfortable, and stylish. Best for kids aged 6+, these tech-savvy ear plugs help kids to not only find quiet when needed, but also increase focus and concentration at school, home, and during play. Comes with a carry case and four sets of silicone ear tips.

Naturally Literate $55

Christmas Steaming Train Set by Brio 4

Spirograph Retro Deluxe Set

There are some gifts that never go out of style, and the retro Spirograph is on that list. Since 1965, Spirograph has inspired kids of all ages to create beautiful and intricate designs using mathematics combined with art. Updated engineered wheels and rings are designed to work with most pens, markers, or pencils.

2 2

Wilderness Supply

Chaltrek

$17.95

6 Eco Kids Finger Paint

2 Garmin STRIKER Ice Fishing Bundle

Spread some holiday paint this season with kid-friendly finger paint that features organic fruit and vegetable extracts and nonGMO ingredients like potatoes, rice, and beans. This set includes four colours: blueberry blue, cabbage green, watermelon red, and orange.

This package has everything any angler needs for a great day out on the ice. Easy to transport and equipped with a GPS, plus remarkably clear imaging, no person who is a fan of ice fishing is going to be upset to receive this set up.

KBM Outdoors $579.99

3 Go Girl It’s not always easy to be an outdoorsy woman. Thankfully, there are tools to help women out when nature comes calling and there’s no restroom around. A great gag gift that may just turn out to be a very helpful gadget.

Keiki Collective $28

7 Pokémon Crown Zenith Premium Treasures Collection

Perfect for the Pokémon enthusiast, this premium collection includes a colourful playmat that features the artwork of Morpeko and Marnie, and all the pieces to assemble Morpeko V-UNION. There are booster packs, a code card for Pokémon TCG Live, a super cool Morpeko pin, and more!

Gear Up $19.99

Northern Logger Beer Batter Mix 4

Beer and fish—two things that are just meant to go together. A lakeside fish fry has never been easier (or tastier) than with this beer batter mix. The perfect gift for someone who regularly has Northern Logger on hand.

Let’s Play! Cards and Games $54.94

Lakeside Studio and Café

Musher’s Secret All Season Paw Protection

Simple is often best for an outdoorsy person - and it doesn’t get any simpler than this handy coffee maker. Plus, it collapses down to just oneinch high. A gift any coffee-lovin’ adventurer will thank you for.

$29.95

$169.99

GSI Collapsible JavaDrip 1

The GameShelf

8 Kids’ Giftable Ornament Project

Toy Sense

By Emily Turner

How incredibly fun to watch a steam train choo choo around the base of your very own Christmas tree! Kids of all ages will enjoy building this holiday train set, which includes snow tracks, a North Pole train station with a Christmas tree, and Santa! The battery-powered engine produces safe-to-touch steam with an easyto-refill water load.

CoverStory

Sleeping Giant Brewing Co. $8.99

Give young ones the gift of giving! Drop by the Lakeside Studio and Café any time this holiday season for an opportunity to paint giftable ornaments. Kids can choose from 3D sculpted plaster ornaments, rustic wooden slivers, clear baubles, or even wood colour-ins for the littles.

Humans aren’t the only ones who need protection from the elements. And everyone knows it’s better to be outside with a furry friend. Show them you care about their canine best friend with this thoughtful wax. $21–44

6 Nikon Sportstar Binoculars

Whether they’re a birder, a hunter, a boater, or a hiker, they’ve probably thought at least once that it would be nice to have a set of high-quality binoculars with them. These Nikon ones will guarantee they won’t miss a thing on their next outdoor adventure, no matter how far away it is.

Imagetech $124.99

7 Polar Mitts Good mitts are one of those things that we all need, but hate to buy. Make sure they stay warm and stylish with these locally made, extremely comfortable, sheepskin gloves. Styles available for men, women, and children.

Egli’s Sheep Farm $47–75

8 Vintage Sauna Essential Bag

There’s nothing better than a good, long sauna after an adventurous day. This retro, 100% linen bag is an essential for any avid sauna-goer. It’s the perfect tote bag for the sauna enthusiast in your life.

Kangas Sauna $30

5 8

$4–10 per ornament

6 4

The Walleye

Food

Trinidad Black Cake

makes 2 8” or 1 10” round cake pan Quick Soaked Spiced Fruit: 2 c seedless raisins 1 c dried currants 1 c pitted prunes 1 c dried cherries 1½ c cherry brandy 1½ c dark rum 1 cinnamon stick 1 star anise pod

In a medium saucepan, combine dried fruit (except the candied peel), brandy, rum, cinnamon stick, and star anise. Over medium heat, bring mixture to the boil, then remove from heat, cover, and steep for at least 2 hours, but preferably overnight. Remove the cinnamon stick and star anise from the soaked fruit mixture. Transfer to a food processor, add the candied citrus peel, and pulse a few times into a chunky paste. Set aside.

¼ c mixed candied citrus peels

Burnt Sugar Syrup: ¼ c white sugar 2 Tbsp water

‘Tis the Season

THE G IN GR NIN Y L L BE

By Chef Rachel Bayes

ast December, I joined federal minister Patty Hajdu, mayor Ken Boshcoff, and chef Tim Matthews to judge a Christmas cake baking funpetition at the Thunder Bay Multicultural Association (TBMA). I was honoured, but also a little little apprehensive—I had visions of 1973’s relics of garishly coloured glacéed fruit jammed in dry, crumbly cake, and doused in strong liqueur that I would have to choke down whilst trying to hold a conversation with some of our local bigwigs. My fruitcake and social anxieties dissipated as I began chatting and laughing with my fellow judges over tea. In front of us sat about 10 of the most luscious-looking holiday cakes decorated with pineapple rings, maraschino cherries, nuts, and heavy syrups. One looked like it was straight out of a holiday magazine spread, a second was gorgeously scented with cardamom and orange, and another, a simple, unassuming dark pudding that almost looked burnt, stole our hearts: a Trinidad Black Cake. So named for the burnt sugar syrup incorporated into the cake

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batter, it’s believed this sherry-andcherry infused dessert holds its roots in British colonizer Christmas pudding. In true Islander form, however, over the years resourceful Trinidadian bakers have blended in earthy spices, bright fruit, and lots of booze (typically rum or sherry) to make it their own. In spite of its tumultuous past, Black Cake has been long celebrated as a symbol of the ingenuity, resilience, and creativity of Caribbean people, embodying the essence of the area’s slow, unhurried cooking style: some families start soaking dried fruit in rum each January for the following December, and the dessert’s elaborate baking process is a true labour of love. If you’ve waited too long to start your boozy fruit, you can always use the quick method below, but do start a jar soaking for next year! The winner of the TBMA bakeoff told me that once Black Cake has been baked, it’s recommended to pour over a daily shot of boozy soaking liquid until you serve the dessert, and top each slice with a good quality rum-raisin ice cream and another shot of booze.

Cake Batter: 2 c all purpose flour 1 tsp ground cinnamon ¼ tsp freshly grated nutmeg ¼ tsp ground allspice 2 tsp baking powder 1 c unsalted butter, softened 1 c dark brown sugar, packed 6 large eggs ½ tsp vanilla extract ½ tsp Angostura bitters (find at LCBO) ½ cup sliced almonds

Soaking Liquid: ½ c cherry brandy ½ c dark rum ¼ c sherry

Add the sugar to a small nonstick saucepan over medium-high heat. Let the sugar deeply caramelize, turning almost black (it might smoke a bit). Reduce the heat to low, carefully pouring in the water (being careful of the steam), and stirring well to incorporate. Leave the syrup in the saucepan while it cools, (about 15 minutes), and if it hardens too much before using, revive by stirring in a little more water and heating over low heat. Preheat the oven to 350˚F, and grease 2 8” or 1 10” round cake pan(s). In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and baking powder. Set aside. In a large bowl, cream the butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy; beat in the eggs, one at a time. With the mixer running, add ⅓ of the flour mixture, then ½ of the fruit paste, then another ⅓ of the flour. Switch to a rubber spatula and fold in the remaining fruit paste and flour. Add the burnt sugar syrup, vanilla, bitters, and sliced almonds. Fold quickly to incorporate so the syrup doesn’t harden. Transfer the batter to the prepared baking pan(s). Bake for 1 hour, then reduce the oven temperature to 250˚F, and bake for about 45 minutes more, until the cake is dark in colour and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. While the cake is baking, make the soaking liquid: in a liquid measuring cup or small bowl, combine the rum, cherry brandy, and sherry. Let the cakes cool for 5 minutes, then carefully run a knife around the edges of the pans. Slowly pour 1 c of boozy soaking liquid over each of the cakes, a little at a time, allowing it to soak in. (Reserve about ¼ c for serving.) Let the cakes cool completely in the pans.

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You can serve the cake immediately, but the flavour improves with time. Wrap the cooled cakes in plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 2 months. Pour ½ c of rum over the cake every 7 days (or 2 Tbsp daily, as suggested above!) to keep moist while storing. Brush with more of the soaking liquid before slicing and serving.

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Food Gunflint Trail

After Eight Spiked Cocoa

2023 brought us two new lawyers —

DRINK OF THE MONTH

Red Lion Smokehouse

Story by Jeannie Dubois, Photo by Jack Barten

THEY’RE SO GOOD THEY DESERVE A FULL PAGE

ll the trappings of a cosy English pub greet you as you walk in the door at Red Lion, from the warm, dark wood accents to the crisp, white subway tile, red telephone booth, and charming British wall accents. The only thing that could make it more authentic is a lovely hot drink, and loand-behold, the bonny Caitlin (quite literally) whips one up. The cascade of in-house chocolate/mint whipped cream into the handmade

Meet Jessica and Derek.

hot cocoa is aromatic and mesmerizing in the tasteful footed glass. The first sip of the peppermint schnapps and crème de cacao-imbued cocoa warms one to the toes and the extra added notes of freshly grated dark chocolate and a chocolate mint straw make it truly extravagant. Do we really have to wait until after eight to enjoy? Red Lion Smokehouse 16 Cumberland Street South 807-286-0045

READY. SET.

GLIDE. Explore over 400 km of groomed trails this ski season. Scan the QR code to find trail maps and conditions.

VISITCOOKCOUNTY.COM/XC

JESSICA MACAULAY

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DEREK FOX

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Food

Come Together

Not your neighbour’s German SUV The new VW Atlas. A bold choice.

Offerings for Every Occasion

Featuring a redesigned front grille, an available illuminated front light bar, and more.

By Jeannie Dubois, Certified Pommelier and Sommelier

his can be a time of the year filled with hustle and bustle, hither and yon, with the planning and shopping, and daily life in the mix. Breathe easy, as our community is rich with truly remarkable local

R SUPERIO SIP

vendors who can help you with their handmade culinary creations, making any hosting or guesting event easy and enjoyable. Whether you’re having people in or heading out to an occasion, stop into one of their spaces

and grab up some fresh goods that will let you visit for more than a moment, and perhaps even enjoy one of the finely paired drinks. Happy holidays Thunder Bay!

Downtown Volkswagen

downtownvw.com

Breakfast

Corner of Bay and Algoma 807-345-7179

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Pop by Dough Bagel Co., where owner Jessica Stolz is always busy baking up a delicious assortment of freshly made bagels and whipping up flavourful in-house cream cheese. Grab a bag of bagels to go with a side to smear on her pillowy creations. Fav Picks to Serve: Everything bagel with sundried tomato and feta cream cheese, or Hot Tomazzo with vegan plain cream cheese Pair With: Sawdust City Horchata White Milk Stout $3.95 for 473 ml Baileys Espresso Crème $32.10 for 750 ml

Brunch

Get in early to take away a box of some of the Frenchtrained baker Emily Kohne’s delectable pastries from Swell Bakery. Seasonal offerings are always in the works, but the standard options’ buttery, flaky goodness will wow any guest. Fav Picks to Serve: Pain au chocolat, or bacon and egg croissant Pair With: Dillon’s Tangerine, Lemon & A Hint of Mint Gin Cocktail $3.30 for 473 ml Nino Franco Rustico Brut Prosecco di Valdobbiadene $27.95 for 750 ml

Lunch

Find the incredibly talented chef Aakash Rathod’s Creative Cooking at George’s Market or Agostino’s Deli. The fresh flavours in his pitch-perfectly spiced to-go dishes will leave everyone satisfied and asking for more. Fav Picks to Serve: Vegetarian samosas, or butter chicken mac and cheese Pair With: Beau’s Lug Lite Light Lager $3.15 for 473 ml Perrin Studio by Miraval Rosé $19.95 for 750 ml

Appetizers

Drop by Matt Wilkins’s exceptional store, The Cheese Encounter, and have him help you put together the most incredible charcuterie to plate at home. The selection is deliciously endless, as is his product knowledge. Fav Picks to Serve: Elk, fig, and port terrine with Raincoast Crisps and Drunken Goat cheese, or nduja with La Panzanella crackers and Oro Nero with truffle cheese Pair With: Portlandia Pinot Noir 2020 $33.95 for 750 ml Thornbury Craft Co. Vanilla Bourbon Apple Cider $12.95 for 660 ml

Dinner

The main course is covered if you swing past Nomad by Pinetree Catering, where famed chefs Nikos Mantis and Shawna Deagle always have their freezer fully stocked with delectable, handmade sweet and savoury guestworthy pies. Fav Picks to Serve: Chicken pot pie, or roasted vegetable and ricotta lasagna Pair With: Fuller’s Vintage Ale $10.95 for 500 ml Radford Dale Vinum Chenin Blanc 2022 $19.95 for 750 ml

Dessert

No baking necessary when you run into Cardinal Chocolate Co., the newest venture by chef John Murray, who was exquisitely trained in England. Have him box up the most mouthwatering way to end a day—your guests will thank you. Fav Picks to Serve: Chocolate truffle variety box, or assorted bonbons and pâte de fruit Pair With: Tio Pep Extra Dry Fino Palomino Sherry $19.95 for 750 ml Graham’s Late Bottled Vintage Port $21.95 for 750 ml

The Walleye

Food

A Family Affair

WINTER WALKING TIPS

Bojan’s Café Serving Up Fresh Bakes and Coffees

Story by Susan Pretty, Photos by Sidney Ulakovic

 Italian meatball sub

 Butter pecan cappuccino

 Turkey and bacon sandwich

 Eggnog dalgona iced coffee and house baking

 Beef stew with croutons

hen asked how he came to own a downtown coffee shop, Jerry Decicco said he “manifested it.” While working as a stylist at Evoke Salon + Spa across the street, he kept a keen eye on this curated corner of Cumberland, and it all came together like magic. It wasn’t always a Cinderella story, however. Decicco— who, like his coffee, is a special blend of energy and robustness—was planning on opening a similar shop in a different downtown location, but COVID-19 squashed those dreams. It was only a matter of time before a grander scheme started to form. The wide-open, airy space is a stunner. Plenty of windows abound for great natural light, as well as people-watching while enjoying a latte. The wooden accents and Decicco’s bright, fresh, beautiful decor give the space a tropical feel, and this family business exudes comfort, replete with an array of books and a comfy fireplace. The café has the business crowd covered with a tasteful selection of coffee, tea, specialty coffees, and hot chocolate. Decicco’s sister Mary Lou (affectionately called Lou Lou by her little brother) staffs the counter and makes the best butter tarts one has ever tried. In fact, the café is a family affair, with other siblings and relatives pitching in with whatever is needed. (That includes Mama Decicco as well!) Let’s talk menu! Customers can expect a wide array of fresh baked goods (love those lemon crinkle cookies!), daily

specials, soups, sandwiches (try the Italian sub with chipotle aioli), and grilled items made to order. And don’t forget those leisurely weekend breakfasts to get your day started right. All cooking and baking is done in-house; in fact, Decicco had to excuse himself briefly from our chat to pull out something savoury and flakey from the oven (the egg spinach pie looks a treat indeed). There’s also the grab-and-go fridge, packed to the brim with salads, wraps, sammies—even a little charcuterie board. The possibilities are endless, and the only problem is deciding on what to choose. Pick up something tasty for the family for dinner—there’s something for everyone here. Beautifully decorated for the holiday season, this corner hotspot has a metropolitan feel. “We opened up Friday evenings to local artists who can showcase their work here in-store,” Decicco says. “It gives a sense of community and friendship and helps their work to be seen.” Look for Christmas baskets at various price points to make gift-giving that much easier. The New Year will bring many exciting events, one being a name change: Café Ora, which means “coffee hour.” The staff look forward to welcoming you to their warm and inviting café where every hour is “coffee hour.” Bojan’s Café is located at 30 Cumberland Street South. Search Bojan’s Café on Facebook for more info.

“We opened up Friday evenings to local artists who can showcase their work here in-store.” 34

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WINTER CYCLING TIPS

Path Picky

Lights

When you can, choose a path that is well lit and away from vehicles.

Shoes

Fat Tires

Wear warm shoes that have good grips and are waterproof.

We are pleased to welcome Jennifer Truong, who has joined our firm as an associate lawyer. We are also pleased to announce that Beth Calonego has become a partner in our firm. Jennifer is a graduate of Lakehead University’s Bora Laskin Faculty of Law, and holds an Honours B.A., and an M.A., from York University. She completed a practice placement with the office of the Crown Attorney in Thunder Bay, and was called to the Ontario bar in 2023. Jennifer practices family law. Beth has been in practice with us since 2013, and has distinguished herself in the areas of family law, real estate, and wills and estates.

1136 Alloy Drive, Second Floor (corner of Alloy Drive and Balmoral Street)

Thunder Bay, ON P7B 6M9 | TE L 807-623-4342

FA X

807-623-2098

JOHN W. ATWOOD (RETIRED), GILBERT L. LABINE, CHRISTOPHER M. ARNONE, NEIL J. MCCARTNEY, TERRY-LYNN MIETTINEN, KATE D. BRINDLEY, ELIZABETH A. CALONEGO,

Use a white front and red rear light/reflector when cycling around sunset/sunrise.

Crampons

Wider tires provide more stability on wet and icy surfaces.

Fenders

Add traction to your shoes with ice cleats.

Keep you and your bike dry with fenders.

Layer Up Layered clothing is key for any activity outdoors. Start with a base layer that wicks sweat, then a medium layer for warmth, and a jacket on top. If you can, opt for a wind and waterproof jacket. Cover your hands and head as they get colder quicker than your core. Wear winter goggles on windy days to protect your eyes from cold air and blowing snow.

Be Seen Be seen for safe travels, for yourself and others. Wear bright clothing during the day and reflective gear in dim light. Did you know, you can be seen 700 feet away if you wear reflective gear and only 100 feet away if you are wearing dark clothing?

JOHN G. ILLINGWORTH, MICHAEL D. BALLANTYNE, BROOKE B. ROGERS, JENNIFER V. TRUONG

ATWOODLAW.CA

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Food

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Whether you’ve been naughty or nice, the team at Cheadles is wishing you a safe and happy holiday season. P: (807) 622-6821 | www.cheadles.com | E: info@cheadles.com Since 1953, Cheadles has proudly provided client-focused legal services in Thunder Bay and across northern Ontario.

E OFF TH U N ME

Bar Italia

Review and photo by Jack Barten

ocated on Thunder Bay’s north side, Bar Italia is one of those cornerstone establishments that has stood the test of time. Since opening in 1990, the family-owned restaurant has become a local favourite, serving classic cuisine in a friendly atmosphere. Speaking of that classic cuisine, this month patrons will have the opportunity to try one of the all-time great pastas: gnocchi. For the uninitiated, gnocchi are small dumplings made with mashed potatoes, flour, and eggs. This gives them a unique flavour and texture that can be described as a

bit more doughy than what you’re used to (in all the best ways). But, what makes the gnocchi at Bar Italia even more special is that they are made fresh in-house. Fresh gnocchi are something one must try in order to fully understand, as they taste completely different from the gnocchi one may buy in the store. At Bar Italia, every individual dumpling has been made by hand using authentic ingredients—truly a bucket list experience. But if you aren’t sold a l re a d y, t h e n t h e re ’s everything surrounding the gnocchi. Served in a garlic Alfredo sauce with rapini and crispy chicken, everything

comes together perfectly. But before we get to that, some of our readers may be wondering what rapini is. Part of the broccoli family, rapini is a leafy green vegetable that has a bitter, slightly earthy taste, and is a favourite in Italian cuisine. The Alfredo sauce provides rich and decadent flavours courtesy of the garlic and cream, then the rapini cuts the sauce with a wonderful fresh, earthy taste. The crispy chicken gives great texture to every bite, and adds a bit of dimension to the gnocchi. When you combine all these elements together, you get a rich pasta dish that screams authentic Italian cooking,

and authentic Italian cooking is something we all need more of in our life. In this day and age, slowing down and enjoying some pasta made fresh from scratch is one of the best uses of time this writer can think of. And fresh pasta mixed with unique flavours and a friendly atmosphere means that Bar Italia is a must-visit restaurant this December. Because it’s made fresh by hand, Bar Italia’s gnocchi is only available on certain nights of the week. Ask your server, or check their social media @baritalia to confirm availability.

“When you combine all these elements together, you get a rich pasta dish that screams authentic Italian cooking.” Bar Italia 168 Court Street South 807-345-4767

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hef and entrepreneur Dawn Drouillard is best known for her renowned Fabulous Catering company in Minneapolis, which she co-owned with longtime business partner Eden Fitzgerald. They closed the company three years ago after 20 years in business. The Walleye caught up with Drouillard recently to talk about her newest venture: Marcy Green, a line of THCinfused finishing oils. The Walleye: Where were you born and raised and how did that influence your interest in food and the food you like to create? Dawn Drouillard: I was born in Grand Marais, Minnesota and I am a direct descendant of the Grand Portage Band of Ojibwe. I come from a food family. So many of the women in my life have been cooks, so I guess you can say it’s in my DNA. Most recently, I have been travelling around the country with Dana Thompson, co-creator of the James Beard Awardwinning restaurant Owamni. We are using pre-colonial

foods to raise awareness and education about Native American history and the modern food sovereignty movement. The launch of my Marcy Green business is a side project to my food sovereignty work. Marcy is fun and rebellious, too, so it fits in with the revolutionary spirit of the food sovereignty movement, but Marcy travels far too much to be put into a pre-colonial ingredient box. The only real parallel to food sovereignty work, besides the revolutionary nature of this work, is the health and wellness factor. Marcy uses organic avocado oil as a base and all of our flavours are gluten-free, dairy-free, zero sugar, zero carb. It is really my commitment to healthy cooking that has led me down the path to creating the Marcy Green brand. TW: Who is Marcy Green and how did you come up with her story and persona? DD: I came up with the concept of Marcy while collaborating with two friends when we were thinking about opening a coffee shop in the Marcy-Holmes

 Chef and entrepreneur Dawn Drouillard

neighbourhood of Minneapolis. Her origin story started to take shape and I just ran with it. The coffee shop didn’t happen, but Marcy Green did. For her background, Marcy Green is Mary Jane's cousin. She is from outside of Escanaba, Michigan. Something very dark happened to her there. (I'm not sure of the details, but I hear it had something to do with trains.) So, Marcy had to flee Michigan and she ended up traveling the globe on many wild adventures. On her quest she met many magical people who inspired her culinary finishing oil flavours. TW: Why did you launch this niche brand? DD: Because I think it's a great way to incorporate hemp-based products in an upscale way. Marcy Green elevates the culture of hemp and marijuana-based products. There’s much more to this industry than Cheech and Chong. It’s also a great alternative to alcohol-focused dining experiences. I don’t drink any alcohol, and alcohol culture has taken over so

many aspects of our society that I wanted to introduce something upscale and exciting for diners who want to break outside the alcohol culture box, yet still want to get a little buzzed and enjoy their time in a heightened state of mind. It’s a very healthy and flavourful way to incorporate hemp-based options onto your plate. It’s also super fun. Just like Marcy! TW: How many THCinfused finishing oils do you offer and where did the inspiration come from for each flavour profile? DD: Marcy has three signature oils. Mistress of Gaia is our super green antioxidant herb oil. It is best on eggs, soups, salads, or used like a chimichurri sauce on grilled proteins. La Mano de Oro is a Spanish herb oil inspired by a gentleman in Barcelona who had a golden hand. This oil is best slathered on pizza, flatbreads, or manchego cheese. Samaan Elektra was inspired by an incredible drag performer in Goa, India. This Indian curry oil features samaan chilies and is sublime on popcorn! It is also amazing

with rice and chicken. TW: Do you plan to expand the product line to retail? DD: Yes. I am working on finalizing my packaging and getting to the point where I can scale up to include distribution. TW: For people who have never used THC-infused products, a common question is: is it marijuana? DD: The Delta-9 THC used in Marcy Green is a derivative of hemp. The psychoactive compounds found in Delta-9 are also present in marijuana flower. [In the U.S.], after the passage of the Federal 2018 Farm Bill, plants containing less than .03 percent of Delta 9 THC by dry weight volume are considered industrial hemp and can be legally grown. For more information about what Drouillard’s new business offers, check out marcygreen. com and on Instagram @itsmarcygreene.

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FilmTheatre

Ten(ish) Years of Breaking Holiday Traditions

SSIONS CONFE DRAG A F O DEALER

Story by Jimmy Wiggins, Photo by InCompass Photography

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t’s always good to go out with a big bang and make a spectacle of things, right? Well, drag is no exception, and in Thunder Bay we absolutely love a good spectacle. So as 2023 comes to a close, it can only mean one thing: the annual HoHoHo Drag Show. HHH was one of our first recurring events and has been going on every year (give or take a pandemic or so) since 2012, making this upcoming show the tenth anniversary. Needless to say, it’s been a hit year after year. The show mixes timeless holiday traditions with modern drag performances. “HoHoHo is a legendary yearly event that gathers the entire queerdo community to celebrate all that the festive season has to offer, from iconic performances of new holiday hits to wild and festive reimaginings of your snowy season favourites,” says drag queen and MC Mz. Molly Poppinz. One of my favourite HHH traditions is the “Jingle Bell Rock” performance, inspired by the hilarious scene from Mean Girls. We’ve been doing it with various combinations of performers for several years and it’s always something I look forward to each time around. But don’t get it twisted. If you’re looking for a wholesome holiday show, fit for the whole family, keep looking. This may be a holiday show, but it’s anything but wholesome. In fact, if you’re exceptionally religious or easily offended, we suggest you skip this one. Some queens are known to bring the blasphemy and bring it hard. And although there are performances that follow

classic holiday traditions, in past shows we’ve had everything from Krampus demons to simulated sacrificial decapitations—and yes, a lot of fake blood. One memory of the show that will live in my mind rent free forever is watching a group of newbies arrive mid-show one year. I don’t know if they were expecting queens caroling all night, but what they got was not that. After seeing one of our queens (I’m sure you can guess which one) perform what can only be described in this publication as a holy birth gone terribly, terribly wrong, the group literally ran out the door in shock and horror as the rest of the audience cheered and applauded what is now known as an iconic performance. From the classic holiday jingles to performances that will make you question your life choices, there’s a reason this is a fan-favourite show. There’s always something for everyone at HoHoHo, even if the holidays are not your thing. “I think HoHoHo is one of our audience’s favourite events because it gives them something fun and seasonally minded to participate in while still giving a middle finger to the traditions of their childhoods that may have left them feeling stifled or undercelebrated,” says Mz. Molly Poppinz. “We the performers love the opportunity to take something people have loved for decades and breathe new life into it with our own unique personal styles. Traditions are great, but breaking them is even better.”

Mz Molly Poppinz

Catch the HoHoHo Holiday Drag Show, December 9 at Black Pirates Pub. Follow @wigginsproductions @tbaydrag and @tbshows for more info.

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FilmTheatre

The Carousel of Time

Local Documentary Tracks Restoration, Legacy of Chippewa Carousel Story by Taylor Onski, Images courtesy of Shebafilms

hippewa Park, it’s safe to say, is a mainstay of growing up in Thunder Bay. One of its most popular features is the over-centuryold carousel. Even just riding a horse

on the carousel, going in a circle to an old Victorian circus tune, exudes magic—which is exactly what local filmmaker Adrien Harpelle captures in his documentary, The Carousel

of Time. Over a five-year span, Harpelle chronicles the restoration of the carousel, and reflects on its legacy. After getting a “how-to” manual

 Lisa Parr, a specialist in the restoration of antique carousels, as shown in Carousel of Time

from Lisa Parr, an international expert on the restoration of antique carousels, the restoration project, led by Iain Angus, began, with painters, carvers, designers, and woodworkers volunteering their time to refurbish this important piece of Thunder Bay history. “The story wasn't immediately obvious until, weirdly, we went out there and kept meeting new people working on this, and we found the community and artistic aspects of the film,” says Harpelle. “Everybody in that movie was really cool to hang out with. We just got to see them do their work and get inspired.” Just some of these cool people Harpelle mentions are Vic Germaniuk, a carver who made each horse look as it did in 1915, and painters Michelle Reinelt and Linda Siczkar, who brought each individual horse and their personality to life with attention to detail and artistic skill. Younger generations also helped out, such as students at local high schools like Westgate and Superior Collegiate and Vocational Institutes, who made metal sheets and painted the tent’s scenic panels. “It’s giving ownership to a lot of people to say, ‘hey, I worked on that,’” says Harpelle. “It's creating an enormous amount of pride that is well deserved because people came together to create something really beautiful and our film is really a celebration of that.” After its premiere at Vox Popular Media Arts Festival, the film received positive reviews. It will soon be released on researchtv.ca, so anyone who likes carousels, appreciates learning about art and local history, and wants a feel-good movie about a community coming together to keep a wonderful local legacy alive can enjoy the film. “I hope people have an appreciation for older things, especially buildings, art, and architecture, because it’s really sad to see historic places and things be destroyed just out of negligence,” says Harpelle. “I’'s important to [...] preserve the work of people and ideas from the past. In a greater way, it’s a celebration of people.” For more information about the film and Harpelle’s productions, visit shebafilms.com and lipmediaproductions.com.

 Iain Angus, former Thunder Bay city councillor and head of the carousel restoration project, as shown in Carousel of Time

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FilmTheatre

More Holiday Movies By Michael Sobota

THE T D MOS SECONURABLE PLEAS G WE THIN HE DO IN TK DAR A COLUMN ABOUT MOVIES

Child (Julianna Layne), decorating a Christmas tree with her brother as her parents sit and watch, drinking wine: When it’s just us, it feels like child labour! Mom (Erinn Hayes): No, honey, it’s not labour if we don’t pay you. - From A Christmas Story Christmas

here are thousands of Christmas movies, now that Hallmark churns them out constantly. Before Hallmark made its mark, holiday movies were most often family stories. They were either based on existing literary works (“The Gift of the Magi”) or plays (The Long Christmas Dinner), or were wholly new narratives. Here are two wonderful family holiday movies to revisit and two that you should not waste your time seeing!

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Make the Yuletide Gay (2009) Writer/director Rob Williams has finely crafted a Christmas coming out story. Olaf (Keith Jordan) is a college student who travels home for the holidays to visit his midwestern Scandinavian parents Anya (Kelly Keaton) and Sven (Derek Long). Mom is full of holiday cheer and fills the house with baking and decorations. Dad, a bit dim-witted, attempts some match-making between his son and the attractive girl next door, Abby (Hallee Hirsh). But to their surprise, Nathan (Adamo Ruggiero) unexpectedly shows up at the door. Nathan is Olaf’s boyfriend in college but Olaf is not out to his parents at home. The narrative glides through easy double-entendres, some slapstick, and home-spun holiday humour to a warm, coming-out-atChristmas family conclusion.

The Man Who Invented Christmas (2017) This is one to avoid. It purports to be about Charles Dickens and how he came to write and self-publish A Christmas Carol. Bharat Nalluri directs from an embarrassingly inept and factually wrong script by Canadian actor/writer Susan Coyne. British actor Dan Stevens gamely maneuvers his way through the clumsy script in which Dickens frequently talks to his invented character, Scrooge (played by Christopher Plummer, in one of his last screen appearances—he was 88 at the time he grumbled through this role). The dialogue bounces from angry outbursts to tender apologies to cliché Dickenson aphorisms. I watched it to catch Plummer’s performance. Don’t bother.

Prancer: A Christmas Tale (2022)

This is the third Prancer movie. The original Prancer (1989) is one of the finest holiday movies ever made. I watched this one because of James Cromwell. He plays Bud, an aging hardware store owner in a small town, Brightridge, in what might be Maine or Vermont. His wife has died and he decides to close the store for good on December 31, much to the surprise and chagrin of the townsfolk. When he has an accident, his daughter and granddaughter arrive from England to help him out. A reindeer appears and disrupts Bud’s plans. Initially, only he and the granddaughter can see the deer, Prancer. Disclosure: right after graduating from university I joined a professional acting company with James Cromwell. He was very good and went on to a career in Hollywood. I came to Kaministiquia and watched every movie he ever made. He continues to be very good in this awkward, clichéd script, but he can’t save it from the holiday dust bin.

A Christmas Story Christmas: Ralphie Comes Home (2022)

Peter Billingsley has revived his childhood character Ralphie (seen in the original 1983 film) but sets it 30 years later. The original story took place in 1943. Here it is 1973, so the setting still retains a vintage atmosphere. But Ralphie is now 40 and has a wife and two children of his own. When he receives news that his dad has died, the family returns to his rural hometown to celebrate Christmas and support his mom. While not as creative as the original, the new narrative keeps most of the original characters and crafts new slapstick situations that almost match the original comedy. Almost. What works, again, are the smart-aleck remarks and the genuine warmth within the family dynamic and the life lessons the kids learn. The ending is corny, sentimental, and heartfelt. I think the story can pull in the original’s admirers and find its own new audience.

And here are six other family-focused holiday films: A Christmas Carol (1951, black and white, with Alastair Sim as Scrooge), One Magic Christmas (1985), A Muppet Family Christmas (1987), Home for the Holidays (1995), The Family Man (2000), and Arthur Christmas (2011).

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2023-11-16 9:34 AM

TheArts

TheArts A AND U O TH S DS R WO

A Photographer’s Eye Adam Sabaz Captures His Favourite Local Scenes on Land and Water

A  Drummer

 High Falls on Ice  MacKenzie Falls

 Still Life at Silver Islet

dam Sabaz’s social media accounts are called Thunder Bay Landscapes, and a scroll through his Instagram and Facebook pages reveals just that: a dazzling array of Northwestern Ontario beauty spots, like the Battle Island lighthouse, the ethereal MacKenzie Falls, and sailboats skimming over Lake Superior. “There’s no question that we live in one of the most beautiful areas in the world,” he says. “It’s not a stretch to think that you can drive 15 minutes out of town and be in these fantastic places. Why not take pictures of them?” Born and raised in Thunder Bay, Sabaz took a required photography course during his film production studies at Confederation College in the 90s, where he learned composition, lighting, and other basics. After graduation, he moved into the IT field instead and photography went on the back burner, he says. About five years ago, he bought a used DSLR camera (“I’m a hobbyist on a budget,” he explains) and started refining his skills with the help of YouTube videos and friend and mentor Blair Wright, another TBay photographer. Sabaz likes to mix his photography with his other interests, like sailing, music, and backcountry hiking and camping. “I’ve been sailing for about 10 years and we

do a number of offshore races. That’s where you get some really nice photos of boats going by the Sleeping Giant or Pie Island,” he says. A guitar player, he’s currently a member of Tourist Bureau and is one half of a new musical duo with Tammy Wilson. He likes the challenge of photographing other concerts. “I love live photography for the simple reason that it’s a different way to really embrace the music that’s being played,” he says. “Live music is very challenging [to shoot], because there’s a lot of movement, a lot of low lights. You’re really hamstrung on some of the stuff you have got to do technically, to capture the image correctly.” His camera comes with him on his outdoor adventures too, which he especially valued during pandemic lockdowns. “Being surrounded by all your environments and elements—I just found it put me in a really awesome mood every time I went out.” Ultimately, photography has taught Sabaz to be present in the moment, he says. “Things slow down and I take it all in. Even if I don’t have my camera on me, I’m still looking at the world with a photographer’s eye: looking for the light patterns, compositions, sky and sea, which often will change my mood and centre me.”

Blair Wright

Story by Bonnie Schiedel, Photos by Adam Sabaz

 Photographer Adam Sabaz

Tech Specs

Camera: Nikon D5600 DSLR

 Rock and Roll Pose  Geese in Field

 Sunset Sail Racing

Lenses for outdoors: Tamron 17-50mm and Nikon 50-200mm

Lenses for indoor music events: Nikon 35mm 1.8 and 50mm 1.8

 Snowy Street

 Lighthouse on Battle Island

To see more of Sabaz’s work, visit @thunderbaylandscapes on Instagram and Facebook or adamsabaz.darkroom.com.

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Mindful Makers

Crossroad Music

Art Collective Supporting Professional Development

Story and photos by Sidney Ulakovic

Fort William First Nations little guitar shop is full of goodies!

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TheArts

hen you’re struggling with mental health, the chance to have something physically outside yourself to direct your energy towards, where it doesn’t matter if you make a mistake, can be invaluable. Caroline Kajorinne Krievin, the founder and creative director of Mindful Makers art collective, recognized the value in this when she founded the organization in 2018. The aim of Mindful Makers is to support people with mental health and/ or addiction experiences who have a creative drive with free professional development opportunities. Starting with funding from the Workman Arts Scaling Project, Mindful Makers ran consistent multidisciplinary programming from fall to spring. Currently, the collective is running on a project-to-project basis, largely working out of the Baggage Building Arts Centre, their “incubation space,” as Kajorinne Krievin puts it, while also bringing the program into the community through partnerships with the Canadian Mental Health Association and Alpha Court. “We’re encouraging people to identify as an artist or maker before they identify as their diagnosis or stigma,” says Kajorinne Krievin. With roughly 50 members currently in the collective, Mindful Makers has established a sense of community among its members, who are able to take the lead in the collective’s programming. “We encourage peer support,” Kajorinne Krievin says. “People don’t necessarily feel comfortable going into the so-called mainstream art world. Even if it’s a small town, going to a big art gallery opening is kind of intimidating, so through exhibiting and showcasing our work, and just coming together, we’re lessening the stigma and social isolation that’s associated with mental health and addiction.”

As of mid-November, Mindful Makers is in the middle of an upcycling project in collaboration with CréAction Collective, a group that, similarly to Mindful Makers, provides creative support services, and community partners Alpha Court and the Canadian Mental Health Association. The project, called Gathering and Sharing Collective Voices, involves participants collaborating on a sculptural upcycled lamp, using pages taken from a dictionary to create the lampshade with their messages or symbols representing lived experiences. The project serves as a metaphor for its participants. “When you’re not functioning normally, you’re kind of stigmatized and labelled as not functioning well or broken,” says Céline Mundinger, founder and executive director of CréAction Collective. “There is beauty in everything and everyone. It’s a matter of how you look at it and how you put [it] together—how you collaborate.” Gathering and Sharing Collective Voices is one of many projects Mindful Makers has initiated over the years. From offering workshops and making supplies available to members who may not otherwise have access to them to providing opportunities to discover new coping skills, Mindful Makers has given members the space to focus on their practice, generating hope through the community it has built.

 Caroline Kajorinne Krievin, the founder and creative director of Mindful Makers

 Members working on parts of the lampshade for the upcycling project  Members work on the current project with CréAction Collective

Gathering and Sharing Collective Voices will be displayed at the Thunder Bay Art Gallery’s community room starting December 7. For information regarding membership, the upcoming spring program, or to make a donation, visit their website at mindfulmakers.org.

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TheArts

w e r c w e n got a

Thunder Bay firefighters are teaming up with Santa to deliver toys to children in need this holiday season.

 The exhibition space at the Thunder Bay Museum

Fur Trade Fort William Exhibit Chronicles Decades of the Fort’s Development Through Art Story by Kris Ketonen, Photos by Brenden Wright

new exhibit at the Thunder Bay Museum offers a visual chronology of the fur trade outpost Fort William in the 19th century. Fur Trade Fort William: A Chronology Through Art, 1805–1882 features 45 works of art by 18 different period artists, all offering their perspectives of the Fort through the years. “The idea was to be able to stand in a room, and looking left to right, [see] an inventory of every time Fort William was captured in a piece of art, to

have those all in the same place at the same time,” says Shawn Patterson, collections team leader at Fort William Historical Park. The exhibit includes all manner of artwork, he says. The centrepiece is Paul Kane’s oil painting Chief from Fort William (Portrait of Chief Maydoc-game-kinungee), which was completed in 1848 and is on loan from the Royal Ontario Museum. Also featured are watercolours by William Armstrong, as well as a number of works by amateur artists. “They’re

mostly people who had day jobs and who were travelling through Fort William on the way to somewhere else,” Patterson says. “While they were here, they happened to turn out a painting, some of which are pretty modest, to be perfectly honest.” Those amateur artists included sailors, surveyors, British spies, a governor general, and a French count who passed through the area in 1808, Patterson says. The count’s works, he adds, were only discovered a few months ago in the Yale University

archives. Patterson says the location of Fort William was a major reason so many artists captured it in their works over the years. “ R e m e m b e r, i f y o u wanted to travel into western Canada, and you wanted to stay on British and later Canadian soil, the only way of doing that was by canoe, and

the only way was by paddling up the Kaministiquia River,” he says. “So if you were even a little bit artistically inclined and you were blowing by the Old Fort, you might pause across the way and bang out a sketch of what the place looked like at the time that you were travelling through.”

Fur Trade Fort William: A Chronology Through Art, 1805–1882 runs until March 2024 at the Thunder Bay Museum.  A selection of artwork in the exhibit

 Chief from Fort William (Portrait of Chief Maydoc-game-kinungee) by Paul Kane, on loan from the Royal Ontario Museum

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Online at tbaytoysfortots.ca

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Visit the Toy Fire Station at Intercity Shopping Centre (Near Food Court)

Go to any TD Bank Location

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TheArts

Hang Ten

Vik Wilen’s Exhibition OLA Debuts this Month By Amy Sellors

ik Wilen didn’t know it was all going to turn out this way. She didn’t know she’d end up working as an artist, or that she’d be showcasing her paintings on surfboards in her first solo exhibition at Co.Lab Gallery & Arts Centre. She didn’t know she’d be running her own store at the Good & Co Market. “I never expected this would be my path,” says Wilen. “It caught me off guard.” Lake surfboards and wakesurf boards are an unusual canvas for painting, especially if they retain their functionality, which Wilen’s do. For the last six months, Wilen has been collaborating with Jackpine Wakesurf, a bespoke board company in Wisconsin, to create 10 beautiful, hand-shaped boards that are not just meant to be displayed, but also used—they’re functional art. “I’m a surfer, that’s why I’m doing this,” Wilen says. “My goal as an artist is to create beautiful art, but also functionalize it on products that support a healthy and active lifestyle. To have my art on a surfboard is kind of a dream come true.” To ensure the boards are functional and durable, Wilen’s original paintings are digitized, transferred to a fibreglass canvas, and sealed with an epoxy resin. Jackpine will have access to two of the paintings to create boards for their product line, but ultimately, these boards are one of a kind. These boards will be displayed, along with the original artwork they’re based on, in her exhibit OLA at Co.Lab Gallery & Arts Centre.

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Art and function are an unexpected relationship for Wilen. “I didn’t plan to start producing a bunch of stuff with my art on it,” she says. “I was offered an opportunity out of the blue with a company to put my art on buffs. Since that experience, I realized I wanted to create my own product line rather than work with a company.” This led to creating yoga mats. “This idea of functional products that can help us be active and can inspire us makes sense to me.” Wilen’s paintings reflect the outdoor landscape she loves. While most people in Thunder Bay grow up with a healthy love of the outdoors, it was Wilen’s time tree planting that took her love of the outdoors to a new level. “Being part of nature 24/7, for months on end, made me see nature in a different light,” she says. “I have no desire to draw anything else. I love trees. The aliveness, the shape, the longevity. My love of trees comes from planting these tiny little pods and being surrounded by trees.” While it may not have been her plan to become an artist, art was always a part of her life. As she grew older and faced challenges, Wilen’s desire to create art took over. “There is a therapeutic sense to artwork, whether you realize it or not,” she says. “It calms the body, calms the nervous system, and brings you to a present state of mind. That’s something I love when I paint.” As Wilen continues to paint and grow her business, Wilen Art & Supply, she sees the value in putting

 Artist Vik Wilen

Experience the joy of Christmas brunch, Complete with a delightful turkey carving station for a festive feast

 Wilen’s artwork being added to surfboards

her art on things that are small and practical. “I want people to be able to afford my art. I try to price my work reasonably,” she says. “I want people to be able to enjoy things they connect to. [...] That’s the root of why I’ve put stuff on things, like a mug. It’s cool when you’re enjoying your coffee, but it’s also a reasonable way to

enjoy an image you love.” Wilen loves to travel and when she’s somewhere else in the world, she looks to buy from local artists. “It brings me joy,” she says. Because Goods & Co has become a tourist hub, she’s poised to give that same vibe to people who visit Thunder Bay.

OLA’s opening night is Friday, December 1, 7 pm–11 pm. Wilen’s paintings and surfboards will be on display until December 12. Check out Wilen’s work at vikwilen.com.

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Local Favourite Puts on the Glitz Fireweed Crafts Unveils Celebration Mural Story by Pat Forrest, Photo by Emily Turner

he brightly coloured façade of Fireweed Crafts in Thunder Bay’s Bay and Algoma District has long beckoned shoppers in search of something local, handmade, and special. To mark their 40th anniversary this year, owners Kerrie Atkinson, Crystal Nielsen, and Ashley Hubbell decided the façade, which was originally designed and painted by Nielsen in 1996, was in need of a touch-up. They called upon local artist Michael O’Connor of MJO Studio, who is renowned for his murals, to undertake the project. O’Connor agreed, but soon came back to them with a

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bolder idea: to paint a mural along the entire side of the building to complement the front. With the goal of creating a work that would honour and celebrate the store, its artists, and the communities that support them, the project got underway. The result is a dazzling tribute to Thunder Bay, the region, and its people that features a big blue bear, the palisade at Fort William Historical Park, the Terry Fox Monument, a moose, Kakabeka Falls, the Black Bay bridge, the Sleeping Giant, the Silver Islet Sea Lion rock formation, grain elevators, and a freighter.

T h e b u s i n e s s ’s c o founder Atkinson says that the Fireweed name speaks to seizing opportunities and being resilient, just like the fireweed plant. That’s how it all got started. “Forty years ago, we decided we wanted to fill a void by giving artists a place to sell their works and have a regular income,” she says. “We started small, but we grew, and the model has always worked very well for us all.” While only six artists originally asked to be a part of the new business, now over 200 artists are represented, 80% from Thunder Bay and 20% from across Canada. Some, like

Jake Black, Alan Moon, and Nielsen and Atkinson themselves have been a part of Fireweed from the earliest days. The newest members include fibre artist Melanie Mathieson; Elsie Burgoyne, who creates felted pieces; photographer James Brown, who also produces jigsaw puzzles, mugs, and coasters; metal and Lake Superior driftwood artist Richard Kukkee; and Cheryl WilsonSmith, whose fused glass pieces are on display. Thanks to its new mural, the building is impossible to miss—and you won’t want to miss what awaits you inside.

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Eagle’s Gift

By Penelope Smart, Curator, Thunder Bay Art Gallery Artist: Rhonda Franks Title: Eagle’s Gift Date: 1988 Medium: Serigraph on paper Size: 57 × 76.5 cm (22 7/16 × 30 1/8 in.) Gift of Mr. N. C. Opperman, 1988 n this print, artist Rhonda Franks (b. 1959) captures the freedom and dignity of an eagle in flight. Across an expanse of a strange yellow sky, an eagle soars with a

wingspan that stretches (almost) across the page. A medicine wheel creates a circle like a sun or moon. On its right feather tip, a large white eagle feather floats down to earth, as if offered, sent, or cast into the air. Fellow birds swoop in the distance. As a title, or idea, Eagle’s Gift will have wide and varied interpretations. For many people, finding an eagle feather feels significant, and it’s hard not to pick it up and

HE FROM T BAY R E D N U TH LLERY’S ART GA TION COLLEC

wonder how it got there. For many Indigenous people, an eagle feather is a symbol of honour and a sacred gift with a direct connection to eagles and thunderbirds. Among nations, there are many different ways an eagle feather is a gift. Franks encourages viewers of her art to appreciate the gift of life, perceive themselves as equals with all plants and animals, and to seek selfawareness to live life in a better way. Franks was

struck with a serious illness in her 20s, which affected her muscles and ligaments, and limited her ability to create art. But Franks decided she wanted to paint at the age of five, and never looked back. Bor n in Bala, Ont., Franks is a self-taught Cree/Anishinaabe painter, and was influenced and encouraged in her art by her mother, also an artist. She works with watercolour, silkscreen, wax crayon, ink, and mixed media. Her work is

included in the collections of the Thunder Bay Art Gallery, the Canadian Museum of History in Hull, Que., and the Woodland Cultural Centre in Brantford, Ont., among others.

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Through Paint The Artistic Journey of Rufus Moonias Quisses

Neurodiverse Gift Guide

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 Artist Rufus Moonias Quisses  All Our Relations

n the comfort of his home studio, Rufus Moonias Quisses continues a painting journey he began in April 2020. The 36-yearold turned the COVID-19 isolation into his first attempt at painting on canvas. Although he had experience with coloured pencils and markers, the new medium had always fascinated him. He says he finds that paint allows him the freedom to stand in front of his easel and carve out the colours and lines exactly as he sees them. “Throughout my years I’ve seen paintings I never thought I could do myself,” says Moonias Quisses, who is from Neskantaga First Nation. Now, his portfolio tells the story of a seasoned artist, ready to paint, whether at home or in the park, where he likes to take his drawing book and pull inspiration from. His love of sketching helped him learn to find shapes and designs on the canvas, and his defined Anishinaabe Woodland style carries with it teachings from Elders that Moonias Quisses says helped him overcome everything he has been through. “When my mind is full, I can’t paint or find the motivation for it. So, I tried to talk it through with an Elder, and the best way was to let everything out, everything from my childhood until now,” the artist explains. In just three years, Moonias Quisses has created an extensive collection of work and gained over 3,000

followers on his Facebook account. His favourite piece is titled Bears, but as he continues to create, he finds himself focusing more on paintings surrounding Earth and feminine power. Most of his designs focus on animals and nature, but also display a snapshot of his life and journey. His use of colours and lines and connectedness brings life to his work and the viewer can see the nature surrounding the city through Moonias Quisses’s eyes. Moonias Quisses’s art can also be seen inside the Brodie Resource Library as a part of the Stories of Anishinaabe Resilience Project (SOAR). The artist started accepting commissions in 2023, and has also participated in teaching workshops for the community and plans to travel north to continue teaching. When asked what he hopes his viewers see in his art, Moonias Quisses says that “other people find their own meaning and see healing in the paintings.” “I don’t want people to see one specific thing,” he adds. “People connect with it and lots of people message me, and we talk about their feelings.”

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To see more of Moonias Quisses’s work, follow him on Facebook @rufusmooniasquisses. You can also purchase one of his pieces through his Facebook and Etsy accounts.

“When my mind is full, I can’t paint or find the motivation for it. So, I tried to talk it through with an Elder, and the best way was to let everything out, everything from my childhood until now.” 58

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Felting with Melanie Mathieson Story and photos by Autumn Leclair

rom forestry to felting, Melanie Mathieson truly does it all. Art has always been a prominent piece of Mathieson’s life. In 2014, when she saw a sculpture online and was inspired to make one of her own—replicating her German shepherd—her journey into the world of felting began. At the start of it all, Mathieson took classes in needle felting at the Thunder Bay Art Gallery, but it wasn’t until she was exposed to wet felting in 2018 that she became hooked. She is now a part of a number of felting guilds in Canada, as well as across the border in Grand Marais and Duluth, Minn. Mathieson attends felting classes to expand her knowledge of the craft and hone in her skills. With the vast amount of experience she has with felting, it allows her to experiment and truly create something unique. Mathieson not only cares about the look of her craft but the quality, and has a deep understanding of how the fibres of the wool work

together to create a beautiful and comfortable piece. A scratchy scarf won't be found at Mathieson’s booth at a felting event or craft show. Since 2016, Mathieson has been needling felt pictures inspired by nature and her own garden. Since then, she has created about 350 felt pictures. Mathieson takes her pieces to events everywhere from Thunder Bay to Duluth and surrounding areas. A major accomplishment was being invited to be a part of the Sioux Narrows Art Festival last August, as it’s been a dream of hers since childhood, when her aunt was a part of the festival. “The reason I got in was because my work was so unusual,” she says. One of the pieces Mathieson says she is the most proud of is the 18 by 30 inch felted image of a tree. She used dupioni silk that she painted with watercolour pencil bars. This piece is one of three, making a set. Mathieson is inventive—she mixes mediums

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 Artist Melanie Mathieson

that create attention-grabbing pieces. This image is one of the first pieces that came close to her vision for it, as the end product in felting can be unpredictable at times. “I enjoy the process of felting,” she says. “I don’t always know what the end result will be and that’s exciting to me.” To see more of Mathieson’s work, check her out on Instagram @alsatian_manor_art_ studio.  A felted image of a tree that Mathieson says she is very proud of  A variety of Mathieson’s needle felt images inspired by nature and her garden

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Outdoor

Emily Turner

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Outdoor

 The legend himself, Lucas Augustyn  Billie Bridgman enjoying the view

Cold Plunging in Superior Don’t Knock It ‘Til You Try It By Emily Turner

Emily Turner

like to take scalding hot showers. Ideal bath water temperature for me is when there is steam coming out of the tub, and I regularly practice hot yoga in a studio that can get up to 40°C. Yet for some reason, I am sort of obsessed with cold plunges in Lake Superior in the wintertime. I didn’t know cold plunges were something people regularly did for fun until last year’s Waasaashkaa surfing festival, when I met Thunder Bay’s cold plunging superstar Lucas Augustyn. Augustyn told me all about the joys of plunging, its physical health benefits (such as how it promotes blood circulation, supports the metabolism, and

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helps with muscle recovery, among other things), and the community of brave souls in town who meet regularly to plunge together. I was a bit shocked—but also sold. I had to give it a try. So, I tried to take a cold shower when I got home. And it was a big no from me. I forgot all about cold plunging and my plans to get into the lake after that terrible experience. But then a few months later, I saw that Arthur Fiedler of Art of Yoga studios was facilitating a yoga class and a cold plunge in the lake one mild Sunday morning. I mustered all the courage I had to give it a go. And let me tell you, I was immediately hooked. It was

Lucas Augustyn

nothing like taking a cold shower. First, the tingly, goosebumps set in, as you place one foot and then another into the water. Some people rush right in and immediately submerge themselves, but I like to take a minute, letting that tingly feeling creep up my body. As the water reaches your torso, your heartbeat quickens, and it takes some intuitive breathing to get it settled. The more you focus on your breath, the less you feel anything else. Slowly, intentionally, I like to move deeper into the water, eventually getting to the point where just my head and shoulders are free. At that point, there’s nothing else in the world but you, your body, your breath, and the water, for a good one to five minutes, depending on how long you last. Maybe it’s the magic of Lake Superior that makes it feel so special. Maybe it’s the excitement of doing something kind of crazy with friends—because it is certainly more fun (and safer) to do with others. Whatever it is, it is certainly healing. After that first time at Art’s, I made cold plunging a regular thing last winter, and I swear my skin was softer, my chest was less tight, and the wicked wind in the city didn’t feel nearly as cold by the end of the season. When spring came, I was almost a little disappointed to say goodbye to the cold. Now that it’s back, I have hopped right back into my routine. I still like my showers scalding hot, but they certainly don’t feel as good as a dip into the freezing lake. Take it from me, you’ll never really know how you feel about cold plunges until you give it a go.

 Laura Soos letting it sink in

 Plunging really is better with friends  Becoming comfortable with being uncomfortable

Billie Bridgman

Lucas Augusytn

 Getting ready for the first plunge of the season

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EYE EYE TO

As told to Matt Prokopchuk

am Belliveau is dominating professional strength competitions in Canada. The three-time winner of the Strongest Woman in Canada title, along with her fiancé, champion strongman Maxime Boudreault, called Thunder Bay home for a number of years. They’ve since moved to New Brunswick, where Belliveau is originally from, to continue competing and running their own gym and strength training facility. We spoke with Belliveau about how she got into strongwoman competitions, favourite places her career has taken her, and what’s on her music playlist. The Walleye: How did you get involved with strength training and competition? Sam Belliveau: I didn’t start strength training until a little later on in my life. This is probably coming up to my eighth or ninth year of being involved in a gym. I played nearly 20-some years of hockey, so I was always a very athletic kid. I was involved with so many sports like soccer, volleyball, baseball, so [when] that big picture of me and sports closed down, I needed an outlet. My cousin’s fiancé at the time was a fitness manager at a gym and he hired me to work the front desk and that’s kind of my first time in the gym. I started folding towels, scanning people in, and then all of a sudden I’m out back with a personal trainer telling me I have really great strength, my deadlift was great, my barbell work was good, and that’s kind of how I got the bug. It was such a big change, yet it was the right change for me. TW: What’s your favourite place your career has taken you? SB: Oh, so many great places. We literally travel the world now—we’re gone every

month on a new adventure. But for myself, I would have to say there’s a lot of places. Like when I did that world record [a one-arm, over-thehead 183.4-pound dumbbell raise], it was in South Carolina on the beach—things like that make it so fun and so unique. But I’ve got to say that [it was] my first Shaw Classic. I’ve been able to travel with Max and meet a lot of his friends, a lot of his competitors, and they’ve all kind of become some of my brothers. So being at the Shaw Classic in Colorado two years ago was my first platform along with the men. They have the professional men—all of them have the night show, but [retired strongman champion] Brian [Shaw] makes a womenand-men open category and we’re able to battle it out there in the morning before the professional men take the stage. So being able to share that platform with Max and all of his brothers is really unique. TW: What’s your favourite holiday tradition? SB: My family’s really big on Christmas, and I think Christmas is cool because I have a lot of cousins and they’re now all having little kids so now Christmas is still special, but it’s kind of changed a lot in the last few years, having the little ones now—we [the family] have like five or six little kids under five years old, and just to see the magic in their eyes and their excitement. I really like spending holidays with the family. It’s so cool to be able to [see each other] when we all get together and eat until we can’t stand any more, and laugh all day and all night—things like that are just so special. Life gets really busy, but I like the holidays where we can kind of soak in the moment and reflect on the year we just had. TW: What’s on your music

Sam Belliveau/Facebook

THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

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playlist these days? SB: Being a gym owner, we usually will spend all day, if our gym’s running, [playing] very heavy music, rock and roll. I’m a big 80s and 90s fan, so rock and roll from the 80s or 90s—I always said I was born in the wrong era [laughs]. But today I’ll be painting so I’ll switch things around and go to 80s and 90s country. I’m a big believer in whatever your mood is, crank the tune that kind of makes you flow. Whatever the mood I’m in is usually what I’ll be listening to.

TW: Is there someone you particularly look up to? SB: As I grow older and wiser and things are starting to make more sense in where I’m going in life, I’m starting to look up to people who have had either some very similar paths, the same drive, and I think I owe a lot of that to Brian and Keri Shaw. They’re both parents, they’re business owners, Brian is obviously one of the—if not the— greatest athletes in our sport. I’m just fortunate to be able to—like, Max and I really look up to them as

a couple, and everything they do in life, they always go for better and greater than they were before. I’m fortunate enough to be able to have them close by, and to be able to look up to. So definitely the two of them have been a pair that we’ve been looking up to for quite a while now. This interview has been edited for length and clarity. To hear more, find the expanded interview on our Eye To Eye podcast on Spotify, iHeartRadio, Google Podcasts, and more.

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CityScene

Settling In

New Friends of the Thunder Bay Public Library Bookstore Opens Story by Matt Prokopchuk, Photo by Emily Turner

Pam Cain, board secretary of the Friends of the Thunder Bay Public Library

he not-for-profit organization that helps support and fundraise for the Thunder Bay Public Library system has officially opened its new bookstore, and organizers say they’re settling nicely into their new space. The Friends of the Thunder Bay Public Library operated the bookstore in Victoriaville Centre for close to 30 years, says Pam Cain, the Friends of the Library’s board secretary. But with Victoriaville slated for demolition, Cain says they had no choice but to move, and with space available on the lower level of the library’s Brodie Street branch, the all-volunteer group spent this past summer hauling about 120 boxes of stock and setting up their new space. The location’s grand opening took place in midOctober. The stock the bookstore sells—including used books, CDs, DVDs, and other media—is all by donation, whether from the community or from the library system itself. Cain says that through various fundraising efforts (the bookstore is a primary one), the Friends group has donated nearly $1 million to the library since the 1980s—those funds, she says, have gone to things like the redevelopment of the Mary J.L. Black branch, and establishing a location in County Fair Mall. They also help fund new collections, programs, and other library

resources. Aside from the money it brings in, Cain says having an outlet like the store where people can donate things like used books helps in other ways. “It also assists in recycling books, keeping them out of the landfill,” she says. “People are able to find unique collections of books and people are also able to bring in books that they may have read, [even] brand new books. People donate them to us and we’re able to recycle them and get them back out into the community.” The new space, Cain says, is a bit smaller than the Victoriaville location, which has necessitated diligence by the bookstore’s volunteers in terms of what they’re able to accept and put out for sale. She adds that donations continue to come in regularly, including a large number of vinyl records earlier this year. “We [still] have some of those and that’s sort of created an interest in us selling some vinyl, so we have that available too,” Cain says. The bookstore is located in the Brodie Street branch and is open Monday to Friday from 10 am to 4 pm. More information, including what the bookstore accepts for donations, can be found at tbpl.ca/ bookstore.

Postively.

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CityScene

All in the Family Local Farm Receives 100-Year Commemoration

Story by Matt Prokopchuk, Photos courtesy of Peggy Blekkenhorst

 Nicole Pitton this fall with her farm’s Ontario Century Farm sign

ne hundred years and four generations—that’s how long one farm in the Thunder Bay area has been in the same family, and earlier this year, it was honoured with a province-wide designation as an Ontario Century Farm for the achievement. Peggy Blekkenhorst grew up on the farm in Gillies, which is now owned by her niece Nicole Pitton. The farm received the Century Farm designation this fall from the Junior Farmers Association of Ontario, a youth leadership development organization that primarily focuses on rural communities. A Century Farm is one that has been in the same family for 100 years or more. Blekkenhorst, who has been researching her family’s history, says these days the farm produces hay, and Pitton also does some hobby farming with the property, raising animals like horses, cows, and chickens (Pitton sells the eggs). Blekkenhorst says that’s significant, as over the decades, the land has been used, at various times and by various generations, for all of those agricultural activities, effectively bringing the farm’s history full circle leading into its century year. “She has the horses like her great-grandfather, she has the eggs like her great-grandmother and her grandmother, and she takes the hay off the fields like her grandfather,” Blekkenhorst says. “And she has beef [cows] from her uncle.” Blekkenhorst says the farm’s history dates back to the early 20th century, but was purchased by her Ukrainian immigrant grandparents Peter and Mary Cicinski in 1923, a little over 15 years after they moved to Canada. The eldest Cicinskis left Ukraine “because, staying in [...] Ukraine, they would never have the opportunity to own a farm,” Blekkenhorst says. “To own a farm for the family, for my grandparents, was a really big deal.” The first generation primarily produced crops like hay and oats, as well as root vegetables. Mary Cicinski also sold eggs and they had a dairy operation. “It was very

labour intensive,” Blekkenhorst says, as this was before the widespread mechanization of agriculture, meaning labour was predominantly performed by people and animals. Blekkenhorst’s parents Paul and Olga Cicinski took ownership of the farm in 1961, around which time they would go into dairy farming full time (although Blekkenhorst says her mother continued to raise chickens for eggs for the family), embracing the leaps in technology that era brought. The barn was renovated to bring it up to then-modern standards, milking machines were installed, and large-scale refrigeration infrastructure was added. “You could increase your herd from two or three cows—my parents usually had 24 to 25 milk cows,” she says. “That was enough to support […] our family.” The third generation to work the land was Blekkenhorst’s brother Peter Cicinski, who was named after his grandfather. He continued running the dairy operation until 2000, when she says he retooled the business to focus on beef farming, fully taking ownership in 2004. “At that time, a lot of the […] dairy farms in Gillies were leaving dairy,” Blekkenhorst says. “And I believe my brother was one of the last dairy farmers in the township.” The younger Peter Cicinski would operate the farm as a beef operation until his death in 2021, when Pitton took it over. The family sold the beef cows (except for one and her calf) and Pitton now runs it for the variety of uses it has to this day. Blekkenhorst says celebrating the area’s agricultural history and highlighting the versatility farming requires is important, adding that breadth of knowledge includes being up on the latest technology, knowing how to maintain and repair equipment, caring for large animals, having business and accounting knowledge, being a salesperson, and more. “In reality, to be a farmer, you have to be a jack of all trades, almost,” she says.

 The beginnings of the dairy herd  Peter Cicinski with his work horse

“She has the horses like her great-grandfather, she has the eggs like her great-grandmother and her grandmother, and she takes the hay off the fields like her grandfather.”

 Paul Cicinski with his first tractor

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CityScene

Northern Turf Equipment

WALL SPACE

 In the back, shelves house thousands upon thousands of parts. Steve Suttie mentions that the most popular parts to replace tend to be belts and chainsaw chains.

 A retro microfiche reader is tucked in a corner, and is still used on rare occasions to look up small engine parts. “It’s nostalgic to look things up this way once in a while,” Steve Suttie says.

 The service area is about 2,500 square feet. Post-sales service is a focus of the business. Northern Turf will pick up and return equipment that needs to be serviced.

 Service technician Nick Foglia works at one of the repair benches. Tom Suttie says they spend summers restoring snowblowers, and will often drop them off in the fall and pick up lawn equipment to service during the winter months.

 Tom and Steve Suttie in the new Northern Turf Equipment retail space. About two years ago, Suttie moved the shop from Simpson Street, where it had been located for almost 40 years, to Balmoral Street. Before striking out on his own in the 80s, Tom Suttie spent 16 years working on his trade and learning the business in his father’s small engine repair shop, Red River Service, which opened in 1933.

Expanded Sales and Service Spaces Story by Tiffany Jarva, Photos by Jack Barten

ince 1984, Northern Turf Equipment has been a destination for those looking f o r q u a l i t y, h i g h - e n d s m a l l engine equipment and repairs in Northwestern Ontario. Owner Tom Suttie runs the business with his son

Steve and wife Celina. About two years ago, Suttie moved shop to an 8,500-square-foot space—quite the journey from his beginning days working at his dad’s small engine shop on Red River Road decades earlier. “Customers really seem to

 The new retail space is about 6,000 square feet, offering more room for customers to check out equipment and accessories. Northern Turf sells about 300 to 350 snowblowers a year and about 400 to 450 chainsaws, lawnmowers, and trimmers.

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appreciate the new location, even thanking us for the extra parking,” says Suttie. “Some even helped us move stuff from the old place.” Suttie especially appreciates being able to combine service and sales, helping customers with a variety of projects,

and simply helping people on a daily basis. He says the expanded space allows customers to be able to browse more comfortably and gives the staff more room to breathe. Northern Turf Equipment is located at 710B Balmoral Street.

 A painting of the old shop on Simpson Street, created by Tom Suttie’s sister Jayne Agar. They outgrew the Simpson Street’s 2,700 square feet a few years before actually moving. Suttie says the industry has changed in the respect that years ago not everybody had a lawnmower or snowblower. Now, people often have two—one for home and one for camp. He explains that the evolution of battery units has also helped to increase their appeal.

 The outside space is close to 10,000 square feet—almost four times the storage space that they had at their previous location. The space allows for customers to easily drop off their equipment for servicing and storage.

 One of the company’s original signs is on display in the new retail space.

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CityScene

This is Thunder Bay Interviews and photos by Leah Morningstar This month we asked The Walleye readers: What’s your favourite holiday tradition?

Laura: We don’t do Christmas stockings in my family, we do Santa sacks. Ever since I was a kid, Santa brings a pillowcase-sized Christmas bag full of goodies, favourite treats, essentials like socks and toothpaste, lottery tickets, toys, and really random foods. It shows up every year— never fails. Thanks Santa!

Kallahan: We didn’t celebrate Christmas when I was a kid. But every year, my mom and sister and I would go to the Boxing Day sales at the mall, and finish off with a lunch at Moxies.

Keep the holidays merry and safe.

Yvette: I love driving around in the dark with my family looking at Christmas lights. We get hot chocolate at Robin’s and drive around—even my dog Annabelle comes with us.

Skylar: My family chooses a different kind of food to celebrate for Christmas dinner. Last year was Mexican inspired, with tacos and elote corn. I think this year we are making Indian food. It's way more exciting and delicious than the classic turkey dinner, which we probably still have leftovers of from Turkey Day.

We at Filipovic, Conway and Associates are proud to present our newest associate, Nolan A. McCallum, BComm (HONS), J.D. Nolan is a graduate of the Bora Laskin Faculty of Law at Lakehead University and was called to the bar in Ontario in October of 2023. Nolan has an Honours Bachelor of Commerce (First Class Standing) and a Double Minor in Political Science and Criminology from Lakehead University, Orillia Campus. In his spare time Nolan can be found working on his classic cars and volunteering with the rest of the Filipovic, Conway & Associates staff at the St. Andrews Dew Drop Inn. Nolan comes from the City of Orillia, Ontario, where he learned the significance of community involvement and small-town practice. He understands the importance of quality legal services geared towards the needs of northerners. We welcome him as the newest member of our firm. With the guidance of our team at Filipovic, Conway & Associates, Nolan will be practicing in the areas of Wills & Estates, Powers of Attorney, Real Estate, Corporate Law, Civil and Family Law. Nolan will also be available for the notarization of documents.

Nolan can be reached at 807-343-9090 or by emailing Nolan@filipovic.ca

Our Injury Lawyers can help. tbayinjurylaw.com • (807) 344-1000 72

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1020 East Victoria Avenue, Thunder Bay Phone: 807-343-9090 | Fax: 807-345-1397

www.filipovic.ca The Walleye

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holidays stressful?

CRISIS RESPONSE 24/7 PHONE/TEXT LINE CALL 807-346-8282 Toll-Free: 1-866-888-8988 www.thunderbay.cmha.ca

Made with Love

Read the North

Entershine Bookshop 196 Algoma Street South (807) 343-9109 www.entershinebookshop.ca

Chartwell Knitters Bring Warmth to Thunder Bay By Marcia Arpin

very Saturday, a group of dedicated Chartwell Thunder Bay residents gather to knit. The group was started by a volunteer seven years ago as a social gathering, and members were encouraged to bring knitting. This simple idea has resulted in oodles of mittens, hats, and scarves. More importantly, it has evolved into a day for chitchat, laughter, and jokes. While the knitters mingle, they exchange ideas, swap patterns, mentor, and teach each other. “We are a fun group who have donated knit wear for the needy and less fortunate in our city for many years,” says member Olga Yozipovic. In fact, this group and its members, who vary from week to week, have produced hundreds of knitted and crocheted hats in sizes ranging from preemie to adult, warm

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scarves and mitts, and large and knee-sized afghans, all of which have been knitted with love and affection and distributed to agencies throughout Thunder Bay. They have provided boxes of knitwear to The Salvation Army, Community Clothing Assistance (formerly called the Clothing Assistance Mission), Dew Drop Inn, The Mission to Seafarers, NorWest Community Health Centres’ Random Knits of Kindness Program, Boys and Girls Clubs of Thunder Bay, Underground Gym, Faye Peterson House, and the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre. Last year, the group was contacted by Hospice Northwest to be involved in their project to knit scarves that resemble a warm hug for grieving children. These magical scarves brought a smile and sparkle to the eyes of those who received

them. Executive director of Hospice Northwest Cherie Kok offers her gratitude to this group and retells the story of how “every child wore their scarves, and one child has worn their scarf so often despite the season’s temperature since he was

given it. The scarves offered comfort.” Yozipovic, who is 93, says that even though the group is older and slower working, their camaraderie and determination have created a colourful and beautiful assortment of

inventory for distribution. They are delighted that this year they will have surpassed last years’ seven orange crate boxes of knitwear. “We are thankful and privileged that in some small way, we can give back to our community,” she says.

If you would like to support our community, consider giving a donation to the Thunder Bay Community Foundation. Visit tbcf.org or call (807) 475-7279 for more information.

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Premium

Creative Cooking

AL GO LOC R E D N U H T TRY N U O BAY C T E MARK

W  Aakash Rathod of Creative Cooking

 Samosas going into the oven

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 Creative Cooking has also started selling their own butter chicken sauce

hen Aakash Rathod started his business, Creative Cooking, roughly a year ago, he says he wanted to highlight the authentic spices and flavours found in traditional Indian cuisine, and add a bit of a Western flair. Rathod says he began Creative Cooking by selling at various pop-up markets and last year’s Craft Revival, and operating as a home catering business before settling into the Thunder Bay Country Market earlier this year. And when he says he values the authenticity of the flavours found in India, he means it: Rathod says he travels back to India every year or two and brings back the fresh spices like red chilis, coriander, cumin, and turmeric that his business requires. “The spice season, usually it’s in April and May in India,” he says. “We get our raw spices from all the farmers around and then we dry them in our facility in our home, and then we grind them and then we season them so it’s good for the rest of the whole year.” As for the flavour, he says taking fresh, raw spices, sun-drying them, and processing them yourself results in a totally different experience than using the same spices prepackaged from a store. Once back in Thunder Bay, Rathod says, those spices are used in dishes that make use of locally produced meat, produce, and other goods. Rathod moved to Thunder Bay in 2016 and has worked in the kitchens of places like Red Lion Smokehouse, the Italian

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 Rathod applying a sauce to a dish

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Cultural Centre, and others. Now, with his market setup, he offers a menu that includes various types of samosas (with and without meat), mac and cheese dishes featuring butter chicken and jalapeño, and waffle pakora—highlighting how he’s managed to take Western dietary staples (beef in some of some of the samosas, mac and cheese) and incorporate them into more traditional Indian dishes. “There’s [traditionally] no such thing as beef samosa,” he says. “Beef is predominantly consumed way more in Western cuisine, so we really wanted to provide something a bit more than just vegetarian—the vegetarian samosa is super classic. It’s as authentic as you can get.” Rathod says he’s always tweaking the menu, although he maintains that his staple sellers like the samosas will remain. And he says he enjoys being able to continue working with the core flavours he’s known his whole life, passed down from people like his mother and grandmother. “It’s so traditional,” he says. “It’s really nostalgic when I use those spices […] and it brings the taste of home.” Find Rathod and Creative Cooking at the Thunder Bay Country Market. For more information on Creative Cooking, search for “Creative Cooking Thunder Bay” on Facebook.

with Superior Homes Thunder Bay

Website: www.SuperiorHomesThunderBay.ca Facebook: @SuperiorHomesThunderBay Email: Contact@SuperiorHomesThunderBay.ca

Wishing you a

HAPPY HOLIDAY SEASON

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ONE STOP SHOP

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307 Bay Street Thunder Bay, ON 807-577-8564 nomadbay.ca The Walleye

Bookshelf

Reads from Northwestern Ontario to Check Out

CityScene

orthwestern Ontario is rife with literary talent and releases from this past year are no exception. Here are 24 books penned by writers from our region; you’re sure to find something to either enjoy for yourself, or to give to the book lover in your life.

Kids/YA

Fiction and Poetry

The Little Bird Learns About Fruits and Vegetables

Avery the Dogless Orphan and the Interdimensional Stray

Zachry Hendricken

Prim Pawn

Kraut

Poetry from the Woodlands

Rebekah Hagglund

Graham G. Harris

The Tall Moose Saves Christmas Stephanie Vincent

Driftwood Tones: Nature Poetry of Beauty and Presence

Making Up the Gods

I Kill The Bird Quietly

Quicker Than The Eye

Marion Agnew

Sam Convey

Joe Fiorito

Pebble and Dove

Pallas

Amy Jones

Lisa Kuznak

Skating Wild on an Inland Sea

Terry-Lynn Johnson

Jean Pendziwol

Non-Fiction

The Song in the Spruce

Rose Addams

John Pringle

Margie Taylor

This Is My Family Julie Grabowski-McGowan

Shuniah-Ogama: Money Boss Robert Sanderson Trudeau

Reflections from the Woodlands

The Sage of Sapawe: Woodland Writings

Graham G. Harris

Loved Into Being Jill Bodak

Thunder Bay Climbing: A Guide to Northwest Ontario’s Best Kept Secret. 2nd Edition

Plant-Powered Punks Margot Freitag

Aric Fishman

Like the Glide of a Dragonfly: Healing and Finishing Strong After Surviving the Boston Marathon Bombing

Pit Jump Maze: Volume 1 Unlocking the Blue Door: Opening Up to Grief Tyler Ruetz Margaret Schweitzer

Natalie Lehto

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CityScene

WINTER FUN DAYS! Ice Skating, Snow Games, Arts & Crafts, Snowshoeing, and Tons Of Fun!

W e can hel p you

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Cannabis Gift Guide

BIS CANNAER N R O C

By Justin Allec

o doubt you have most of your shopping done already, everything hand wrapped with witty tags attached with bows, and… no? And you have no idea what to get your Uncle Bruce, whom you’ve run into a few times at the cannabis shop? Are you wondering what to get your family’s favourite cannabis enthusiast—I mean, aside from the obvious?

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If you choose not to find joy in the snow, you will have less joy in your life but the same amount of snow!

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GIFT CERTIFICATES

Toke House Hoodie

$49.99 For the couch, the car, the beach. For a day in class and a day out of class. It’s a wardrobe staple that can be comfortably worn on pretty much any day in Thunder Bay. It’s great to buy local; it’s even better to rep local. Available at Toke House

66°33' N Ceramic Hand Pipe

$50.90 Locally crafted Northern Heights ceramic pipes are utilitarian art for cannabis enthusiasts. Local artist Gayle Buzzi has a huge line of pipes available online and at J. Supply Co., but the efficient shape of this northern-made pipe is hard to beat. Available at J. Supply Co.

RAW Daze Of The Week Rolling Tray

$24.99 If you’re using dried flower, this is an essential tool of the trade for all kinds of functions. They also get dirty, so if you know someone who prefers that method, they could probably use a new one. The perfect stocking stuffer, it also features a dumb joke that’s good all year long. Available at Rainbow

Slow Ride Bakery Ginger Molasses Cookie (10.00 mg THC, 0.00 mg CBD, $4.50/pack) Ah, Christmas baking. Which these cookies certainly weren’t intended to be, but they do pair well with the season. Imagine how satisfied Santa would be to come down the chimney and find a pack of these out on the table with a glass of milk! And, while they’re still packaged sweets and not as good or soft as homemade, Slow Ride has figured out their extraction process so they’ve completely eliminated any cannabis-related flavour. Available at osc.ca

DUCO Windproof Camper Torch Lighter $9.99 Where there’s smoke, there’s fire. Enter the DUCO windproof lighter (available in five assorted designs) as the tool to use regardless of the conditions. Taking the classic flip-top design, DUCO’s lighter uses electronic ignition and refillable butane fuel to provide a consistent, fail-proof flame regardless of how windy it is. Easy to hold and easier to use, the DUCO is one lighter your favourite cannabis enthusiast won’t want to let you borrow. Available at Gear Up

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SleepingGiantLoppet.ca

Make his Christmas

Unmistakeably Mister J 128 Centennial Square, Thunder Bay, ON (807) 623-0537 The Walleye

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Keeping Money in Parents’ Pockets with Once Upon a Child Thunder Bay

D SECONES C N A CH

By Kelsey Raynard

ot to be a Scrooge, but ‘tis the season for excessive consumerism. From an environmental standpoint, holiday shopping generates an enormous amount of waste in the form of plastic packaging, unrecyclable wrapping, and general increased consumption. From a financial standpoint, the pressure to purchase new and expensive gifts can put significant strain on a budget. However, there are many ways we can still celebrate the holidays we know and love while keeping our money and environmental footprints in check. For those of us with children in our lives,

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shopping at Once Upon a Child Thunder Bay is one way to prioritize sustainability without sacrificing quality. Owner Kristi Heerema and her husband Chris celebrated the grand opening of Once Upon a Child Thunder Bay on October 5, and she says the response thus far has been overwhelmingly positive. “It’s been great. We had a great grand opening, with over 50 people lined up outside,” Hereema says. “Since then, it’s been steady.” Once Upon a Child carries an impressive variety of second-hand children’s goods, including all things baby—shoes, cribs, high chairs, strollers, toys, and clothing from newborn sizes all the way up to youth

size 18–20. The best part? Once Upon a Child pays cash for the items they collect and resell, keeping money in parents’ pockets during a financially strenuous time of year. Heerema says anyone who sells to them even has the option to trade in their items for store credit, where many parents simply exchange their child’s clothing for the next size up or in a new and updated style. “Kids grow so fast, and they sometimes grow out of things before they can even wear them. By shopping second-hand, you’re keeping clothing out of landfills, and we just think it’s so economical,” Hereema says. “The whole model just

really aligns with our values.” Whether you’re buying or selling children’s goods, chances are Once Upon a Child has something for you. This month, they are featuring a wonderful collection of children’s gifts that would look perfect under your Christmas tree. Up top, we have a brand new Classic Toys piano for the young Mozart in your life for $50. Next, we have a Melissa & Doug wooden transport truck set for $15. If you’re looking to gift children’s clothing, Once Upon a Child stocks many winter necessities at their store, including a Field & Forest camo jacket (size youth XL or 18–20 for $10)

and a Columbia winter jacket (size youth M or 10–12 for $40). On the left, we have an adorable Old Navy knit sweater (size 12 months for $5) and a pair of Carter’s corduroy pants (size 6 months for $5). Lastly, on the right we have a sparkly H&M dress, perfect for your holiday pictures (size 6–9 months for $5). This holiday season, make sure to check out Once Upon a Child Thunder Bay at 1092 Memorial Avenue and follow @onceupona childthunderbay on Instagram to keep up with their newest stock.

SAT 9:00AM - 12:30PM SUN CLOSED

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CityScene

Lingerie for Everybody

No Matter Your Size or Gender Story and photos by Leah Morningstar

Jennifer Hoard, owner and proprietor of Bella Curves

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ella Curves, on Thunder Bay’s south side, is a locally owned lingerie boutique that recently celebrated its one-year anniversary in October. Jennifer Hoard, owner and proprietor, knew the Thunder Bay market was missing something and knew exactly what to do about it. Enter: Bella Curves. Hoard initially began selling underwear and lingerie in 2010. It was frustrating to walk into an underwear store in the mall or the underwear section in a big box store and be unable to find sizes above extra large. Hoard opened a small storefront focusing solely on plus sizes and also sold products via house parties—like a Tupperware party but with beautiful lacy undergarments instead of food storage. After becoming a mother, Hoard decided to close the store to spend more time caring for her son. When her son was older and more independent, she began thinking about her old business again. She couldn’t stop wondering where Bella Curves would be if she’d never closed down. “When I closed the doors to my business I never actually felt like I permanently closed the book,” she says. “I always thought of it as temporary. We had a lot of stress in our family over the last few years and I really needed some joy in my life.” Hoard took the leap, reopened the business, and Bella Curves was reborn. Hoard felt good about providing lingerie in the plus sizes, but before opening again, she decided she wanted her store to be size inclusive. In other words,

she wanted more than plus sizes—she wanted all sizes. Bella Curves, in its second iteration, offers lingerie and underwear in sizes ranging from XS to 5XL. It also sells corsets, adult toys, sexual wellness products, items designed specifically for men, plus locally made art, custom printed shirts, and more. It’s been just over a year since the store opened, and Hoard has been nominated to sit on the board of the Fort William Business District BIA, the organization that represents businesses located within the downtown south core. She’s hoping her involvement will help bring new life to the area. But mostly, Hoard is hoping to be a safe space for anyone looking for that something special—not just women, but anyone. “I know that when I put on something sexy and beautiful, I start to feel better and my mental health improves,” she says. “It’s not a magical solution of course, but I know it’s not just me who feels this way.” Looking good might sound superficial, but there’s no denying the connection between looking good and feeling good. And feeling good is an option for everyone. “No matter who you are or what you look like, there’s something for you at Bella Curves,” Hoard says. “I can help you find something that will make you feel confident and sexy without any judgement.” Bella Curves 108 May Street North 807-251-4363

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Music

HOME OF

The Music of Gordon Lightfoot

Bounce your way to Giant Gymnastics today!

www.giantgymnastics.ca

Rodney Brown to Perform Tribute Concert with the TBSO

Giant Gymnastics is Northwestern Ontario's largest gymnastics facility offering a wide rage of programs.

Story and photo by Sidney Ulakovic

or a surprisingly wide age demographic, local folk singer-songwriter Rodney Brown is a man who needs no introduction. Whether you know him as a staple of Thunder Bay’s folk music scene or remember singing along with him to Christmas songs in your school gymnasium, it seems like everyone has a Rodney Brown story. These days, Brown is expecting another grandchild in the new year, gardening when the weather permits, working on his pool skills from time to time at Branch 5, and, as of September, preparing for The Music of Gordon Lightfoot, the show he will be performing with the Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra this December. Brown has previously worked with the TBSO on other projects, so when there was talk about doing a Gordon Lightfoot tribute show, working with Brown as the singer just made sense given the similarities between his and Lightfoot’s music. “His songs really lend themselves to orchestra,” Brown says. “Some of them already have really nice string parts and they’re very emotional and dramatic.” Principal pops conductor Jeff Christmas has been working closely with Brown as they sift through Lightfoot’s extensive discography to narrow down the setlist for their show. Audiences can expect to hear 21 Gordon Lightfoot songs that span his lengthy career, many of which people

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will recognize, along with a handful of more obscure tunes that will be sure to please any diehard fans in attendance. Brown will be playing guitar along with one of the orchestra members; he adds that the symphony will also include a drum kit and electric bass for this performance. While the audience can expect to hear Lightfoot’s historical songs we all know and love, this performance will explore some of the heartache in his work. “A lot of them are love songs,” Brown says. “He’s got ‘The Wreck of The Edmund Fitzgerald,’ ‘[Canadian Railroad] Trilogy,’—kind of historical, big songs, but the majority are painful love songs.” “ [ T h e re a re ] s t ro n g connections people have with these songs,” Brown continues. In the weeks leading up to the show, he says he has received messages from people looking for an inside scoop on the evening’s setlist with the hopes of hearing songs they remember singing in their choir or history class, using as a crutch to get through a tough breakup, or listening to on the car stereo driving out to camp. As people get excited about reliving so many memories, Brown says he’s looking forward to being on the stage. “For me, playing in front of a crowd that doesn’t have a mask on, people are smiling and singing along—I really appreciate the fact that I can still do it.”

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512 Marks St.(FWCI) S. 512 Marks St S. (parking offoff ofMarks MarksSt.) St.) (parking

WRAPPING PAPER IS NOT RECYCLABLE Due to the extremely high ink content of the paper, gift wrappings cannot be recycled, and must be put out with your regular garbage.

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The Music of Gordon Lightfoot with special guest Rodney Brown will be performed at the Italian Cultural Centre on December 1. The show is sold out. To stay up to date with Brown, find him on Facebook.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL 807-625-2195.

thunderbay.ca/christmas

1070 Lithium Dr. Thunder Bay www.lcpsca.com

623-0600 The Walleye

Music

Is your business holiday-ready?

The Record Box Here are 10 tips to ensure you make the most out of the festive season!

1 Optimize Online Presence

Update your website to make it mobile-friendly and easy to navigate. Online shopping is popular during the holidays, so ensure your business is optimized for a seamless experience.

2 Inventory Management

Plan early and anticipate demand by analyzing past sales data. Stock up on popular items and plan for potential surges in sales to avoid running out of stock.

3 Social Media Engagement

Use social media platforms to engage with your audience. Post regularly about your business hours, holiday offers, website, share festive content and consider running social media contests or giveaways to increase brand visibility.

4 Special Holiday Offers

Entice customers with exclusive holiday discounts, bundles, or loyalty rewards. Limitedtime offers create urgency, motivating people to make purchases.

5 Collaborate with Local Businesses

Partner with local businesses for joint promotions. Cross-promotion can help you reach a larger audience and create a sense of community support.

Great Music from Local Talent

t’s been another great year for local music here in Thunder Bay and across Northwestern Ontario. To help round out the gift-giving to the music lovers in your life, here are 23 albums released this year by musicians and bands in our neck of the woods. Please let us know if we missed any releases from this year, or give us a heads up about albums we should keep an eye out for in 2024.

Altamadum We Are

animal dreams Constant Reset

Annihilation Text Black Gate Infernum

Aysanabee Here and Now

Brian Campbell Follow These Tracks

The Canadian Shield Wrong Enough

Cartwrights Years at a Time

Chemical Bank Coup de Grâce

Chemical Bank Demo(n)s

The Doggett Experience How I Spent My Summer Savings

The Fixer Your Lie

Forever Dead! Here’s To Long Drawn- out Terrible Endings

Karma Karuna Magnitude

Liam Maguire The 807 Tape

Liam Maguire YBB Herb

Ryan McCulloch Combat

Nadjiwan The Great Sea

Pansophic The 2023 Massacre

People At Night A Beautiful Place

Slugbate Palmate

VHS KC Westfort Quest for the Mighty Riff Fallen Stars and Broken Dreams

ZakwithDaPack Lil Cupid

6 Convenient Gift Solutions

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7 Create a Festive Environment

Transform your space with holiday decorations, music, candles, and seasonal treats. A warm ambiance enhances the shopping experience.

8 Provide Exceptional Customer Service

The holiday season can be stressful for shoppers. Providing exceptional customer service such as greeting, and prompt assistance will make their shopping experience more memorable.

9 Express your Gratitude

Show appreciation to your customers and employees. Personalized thank-you notes, exclusive discounts, or a small gathering creates a sense of belonging and loyalty.

10 Plan for the Future

Prepare for the post-holiday season. Develop a sales plan and promotions to maintain customer engagement and keep the momentum going into the New Year.

The holidays provide an opportunity for you to create meaningful connections with customers and community. By embracing these tips, you can enhance your business’ success during the festive season.

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Doing What They’re Good At Big Wreck to Play Thunder Bay By Jason Wellwood

“M

y son got a cold just before we left on tour, so of course I got it in time for the first show,” Ian Thornley, singer/ guitarist for Big Wreck says, laughing. He is calling from P.E.I., where the band has a

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night off from their current North American tour, which will see them play Thunder Bay on December 18. “I saw some video and the first night was a little rough, but last night was much better. If a singer takes care of their

voice it should get stronger throughout the tour,” he continues. Anyone having seen Big Wreck over the years knows that Thornley’s vocals play a big part in the band’s sound, and taking care of that voice seems to be serving him, and the group, well. Since re-forming in 2010, the band has toured constantly and released five full-length albums—on top of their previous output, that brings their total to seven. Which, coincidentally, was the name of their last album. 7 was first released as three separate EP’s before being compiled as a single album, which is

the formula the band is using for their new album Pages. “It’s something we are trying out,” says Thornley, “I’m not sure if this is how people want to consume new music—in smaller chunks. I'm actually not sure if this is how I want to consume new music yet, but for now, this is how we are doing it.” The Pages 1 EP was released through Sonic Unyon on November 24, but fans will have to wait to hear parts two and three. “We haven’t even mixed the next one yet; we’ll do that in January,” Thornley says. “It’s nice because we can tour until we feel like we should

be in the studio, and then we go into the studio until we get the urge to jump in a steel tube and barrel down the road playing music with our friends.” “I'm really lucky to be able to make music for a living,” he adds. Big Wreck is touring across North America doing what they are good at, and by the time they arrive in Thunder Bay, Thornley’s voice should indeed be strong. Big Wreck plays NV Music Hall on December 18. To stay up to date with the band, check out facebook.com/BigWreck.

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Music

Bringing Down the House

Steven Page Trio Plays Intimate Show at McGillivray’s Landing

set, with a few people at the back of the room standing up to dance along. While there was an absence of percussion onstage, nothing felt missing between the way Page’s voice filled the room, the rich texture added from Fox’s cello, the chemistry between Page and Northey as guitar players, and the accompanying vocals from Fox and Northey rounding out their sound. Coupled with the venue, Page’s humour and storytelling between songs made the evening feel very intimate and garnered a lot of laughter from the audience. It was as though the smaller scale of the show gave the band permission to allow the audience a few steps further into their world, joking around like old friends. Although all three members have had prolific careers, it was apparent that this is a group that doesn’t take themselves too seriously as they riffed off each other’s banter and energy throughout their performance. The band played for two hours from a setlist that spanned Page’s career and beyond. Songs ranged from the trio’s new album Excelsior, Page-era Barenaked Ladies fan favourites, and a tongue-in-cheek acoustic medley of covers from Creedence Clearwater Revival to Kiss. As the show drew closer to the end, Page admitted he wasn’t sure what to expect playing a show of this size in Thunder Bay, but that the evening certainly exceeded his expectations. The audience evidently felt the same way, with the enthusiasm in the room reaching its peak as the set closed and brought everyone to their feet, demanding an encore and making it fair to say that this time Page and company are in fact responsible for bringing down the house.

Review by Sidney Ulakovic, Photos by Darren McChristie

his past November, Steven Page set the record straight, putting an end to a vicious rumour that has plagued him for decades: despite what people may believe, Barenaked Ladies are not responsible for burning down Coyotes back in the 90s. This, and many other quirky revelations, characterized the Steven Page Trio’s show in Thunder Bay, the second stop in their eight-city Northwestern Ontario tour. The show was presented by the Sleeping Giant Folk Music Society from their new venue at Fort William Historical Park. The stage was set at

McGillivray’s Landing as the room of over 200 attendees settled into their seats awaiting the band’s arrival onstage. The trio, consisting of Steven Page (formerly of Barenaked Ladies), Craig Northey (formerly of Odds) and Kevin Fox arrived decked out in their Sunday best, exuding an aura of professionalism. From the outfits to the first few notes played, it was abundantly clear these were seasoned musicians. The trio weren’t strictly business, however, and it showed as members of the audience swayed in their seats through the opening songs of their

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Music

the perfect gift

Ryan MacDonald performing during the 2022–23 Live@Loch season

Clay Breiland performing during the 2022–23 Live@Loch season

Kitchen Party at the Slopes Live@Loch Returns with New Season

Story by Matt Prokopchuk, Photos by Michelle Addison

new season of live music kicks off this month at Loch Lomond Ski Area as Live@ Loch’s 2023–24 shows have been confirmed and the local promoter behind the concert series says audiences can expect another batch of evenings full of music in a fun, laidback atmosphere. “It really kind of feels like you’re playing—like it’s a kitchen party, that’s how I would describe it,” says Michelle Addison, the founder of Go Beyond the Show and the one who’s been responsible for booking Live@Loch

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since 2019. “It’s like this fun kitchen party where everyone feels part of it.” The 2023–24 season is scheduled to kick off on December 22 with Clay Breiland, followed a week later by Jimmy Breslin. Artists like Connor Loughlin, Duelling Pianos, Maple Suns, and Just Me, among others, fill up the rest of the schedule, which runs until mid-March. Loch Lomond has a long history of hosting live music, and Addison says, in general, ski areas and resorts are often hotspots for bands and artists to play. “It’s more common than

you might think,” she says. “There’s a lot of ski hills, especially out west, that […] they’ll pull in really big names for performances.” Here at Loch, Addison says there’s already a fun-loving, laid back community in place and the concerts, regardless of musical genre, fit into that vibe. “It’s just a really fun atmosphere,” she says. “[Loch] doesn’t have an official dance floor, but there have been multiple nights where suddenly there is a dance floor happening.” The concert space in the lounge also now boasts a new inhouse sound system (as opposed to musicians having

to bring their own audio gear), Addison says, and a recently installed mural also brings an extra splash of colour to the space. For the nights when the hill is open for skiing, the concerts also make for a great backdrop to a night of recreation. And with many repeat performers on the bill from year to year, Addison says she feels the concert series has been well received so far. “The reception is very good, in a nutshell,” she says. “Everyone I asked is like instantly ‘yes.’ […] I just love that our artists love coming there.”

Connor Loughlin performing during the 2022–23 Live@ Loch season

“It’s like this fun kitchen party where everyone feels part of it.”

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Music

Years at a Time

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Marcin also recorded his parts in Markette, but added guitar overdubs to several songs from the band’s East End studio back in Thunder Bay. “Usually I write the songs and bring them to the band; this time it was a much more collaborative effort,” says Fraser. One song in particular, “Familiar Streets” was greatly elevated, according to Fraser, with the addition of Marcin’s “entire pedal board” ethereal guitar. Alex Armstrong joined the band shortly after the recording took place, but was able to add keyboards to the songs “Royal City” and “Penny In My Shoe.” Taking time with their overdubs also allowed for other additions: Raymond Little of The Thirties played solos on “All the kids have anxiety” and “Change of Heart,” while Casey Laforet of Elliott BROOD added solos to “Royal City.” The band has also been writing and getting ready for album number three, which they hope to record as soon as possible. They are looking forward to playing live again and even touring in southern Ontario this summer. Cartwrights received their album test pressings at the beginning of November, and Years at a Time will be coming in December. An album release celebration is scheduled to take place at Norteños Cantina on January 19.

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To keep up with the band, find them on Facebook at facebook.com/ cartwrights807, and on Bandcamp at cartwrights807.bandcamp.com.

Catching Up with Cartwrights

Story by Jason Wellwood, Photos by Mike Pianka

ummer 2023 was a busy one for Cartwrights: they played plenty of live shows and festivals around town, including a weekend at Live from the Rock Folk Festival,

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the Boreal Ultimate Music Society Parking Lot series, and opening for Elliott BROOD and The Sadies. Unbeknownst to a lot of fans, however, the band was waiting for the arrival of their second album, Years at a Time, which they returned to Markette, Mich., to record at Dead River Sound studios with Ryan Staples in August 2022. ”WIth the first record, we didn’t know what to expect and essentially recorded it all in one day,” says vocalist/guitarist Mike Fraser. “This album, we took our time and recorded for two days.” “We still recorded live off the floor though, the way so many amazing albums were,” adds drummer Stu Rankin. Bassist Wayne

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Music Managing cash ﬂow efﬁciently

lton John and Bruce Springsteen are musical giants of rock's golden era. However, both artists have less well-known musical partners who have had an undeniable impact on their success. Both Bernie Taupin (Elton John) and Stevie Van Zandt (Bruce Springsteen) have released memoirs that

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talk about the joy, frustration, and peculiar access to fame being the muse to a superstar can bring. B e r n i e Ta u p i n ’s Scattershot: Life, Music, Elton & Me is not a quick read. At 400 pages, it is as lengthy as memoirs go. Yet there is a lot of ground to cover, and Taupin has much

to say. The book covers his early days in England, and his disinterest in school. The oft-recounted chance meeting of the budding lyricist with the young Reg Dwight is here, but is fleshed out more than in Elton’s own book Me. I should say up front that I expected more of this book to be about

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and been the underboss to the Boss. Yet Van Zandt is both self-deprecating and funny about this, as he is with much of his story. We see Van Zandt in the early days in New Jersey, growing up as band leader and, ultimately, friend to Bruce Springsteen. They are both self-admitted “freaks,” and gravitate to each other. Van Zandt then charts his path with Springsteen: from being let go from the early E Street Band (for not nailing a guitar part on “For You”) to rejoining around Born to Run and being a co-producer on The River, which is his favourite album. But just before Born in the USA breaks big, Van Zandt leaves E Street to pursue his own musical dream and new fascination with world politics. It is not an amicable parting. What follows is a careful chronicle of some very influential political moments Van Zandt spearheaded, including the Sun City album and song. It’s clear that Van Zandt played a role in the ending of apartheid in South Africa, which is no small check mark. He takes understandable pride in this, although it came at a cost. His political solo albums mostly went unheard. Van Zandt languishes through much of the 90s, then, by a twist of fate, takes on one of the key roles in the cable TV show The Sopranos. That role changes Van Zandt’s luck and happens just as Springsteen decides to reunite the E Street Band. Cue the happy ending. This book is full of juicy rock and roll morsels, including Van Zandt’s many brushes with musical greats: everyone from blues guitarist Freddie King to Paul McCartney and Bob Dylan. And, of course, we get fascinating glimpses inside the lifelong friendship of Van Zandt and Springsteen. Unrequited Infatuations is a joyous and life-affirming read.

The Lyricist and the Underboss Tell Their Stories

his musical moments with Elton, and how they wrote some of the greatest songs of the 1970s and 80s. There is some of that here, but not enough. We do get tantalizing peeks at the pair's first trip to America and how that influenced Elton’s ultimate success. Taupin also touches on how he came to rewrite the words for “Candle in the Wind” (at Elton’s request) after Princess Diana died. We learn that he dislikes some classic 70s Elton albums like Caribou and Blue Moves and considers several of the 80s albums better. Mostly, though, we follow Taupin as he makes his way through life as a slightly nomadic and well-refreshed man about town. He hangs out and drinks with Keith Moon and Alice Cooper, and he goes to a dinner party with Salvador Dali. He goes on a blind date with Cher and later uses the experience as the basis for a less-thanflattering Elton John and Kiki Dee song called “Snow Queen.” Although many names are named, Taupin barely mentions the first two of his four marriages, which feels like an odd omission. He also spends a great deal of time writing about his love of horses, barrel racing, and rodeo. Interesting to some, but not what 95% of readers will have bought this book for. Overall Scattershot is a good read, and a rare view inside what has been a life lived mostly out of the public eye. S t e v i e Va n Z a n d t ’s Unrequited Infatuations is the memoir of the man who stood beside Bruce Springsteen during his climb to superstardom, then quit the band just as they got there. This decision pops up several times in the book, and clearly plagues and befuddles him. Why did he give up the job as “consigliere” to Bruce Springsteen? He could have done anything he wanted

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CHRISTMAS TREE RECYCLING From Dec. 26 – Jan. 12, bring your tree to one of the Christmas tree collection sites. Residents are reminded to remove all ornaments and plastic tree wrap before drop off, and do not put trees out for curbside garbage collection. The chipped trees are added to the compost pile at the City’s landfill site. In the spring, when the compost is mature, it is provided to residents free of charge to enrich flower gardens and lawns across Thunder Bay. Look for the CHRISTMAS TREE DROPOFF SITE sign.

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Music

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Alexandre Nantel

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brighten the day of our clients and residents with a friendly visit. Volunteer with St. Joseph’s Care Group and make a difference.

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Principal Timpanist, TBSO Story by Kris Ketonen, Photo by Antoine Duguay Birthplace: Montreal Instrument: Timpani/ percussion Age you started to study music: Piano at age nine How long have you been with TBSO: In his first season What’s on your personal playlist: Prokofiev’s symphonies, Respighi’s Roman Trilogy, Handel’s Messiah impani, glockenspiel, tambourine—Alexandre Nantel’s role with the Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra offers plenty of variety. “It’s always relearning, trying to fit in the band, and then just see what you can give to the rest of the band,” says Nantel, who joined the TBSO this season as the orchestra’s principal timpanist. “You always have new sonorities. It’s not like you have only one instrument.” Nantel got his musical start at age nine on the piano, shifting to percussion and jazz guitar in high school. However, when it came time to continue his musical studies at

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the Conservatoire de musique de Montréal, Nantel chose to stick with percussion. “Classical percussion is really wide,” Nantel says. “For sure there is the rhythmic purpose and function of percussion. It’s just so varied, you have so many choices.” And while Nantel has only been in Thunder Bay for a few months, he’s certainly enjoyed his time in the city so far. “I like it,” he says. “The city is surrounded by nature, all of that aspect. I think this is really different for someone who grew [up] in Montreal.” Nantel’s appreciation certainly extends to the TBSO itself, and his colleagues there, as well. “We’re small, like 30ish people,” he says. “Being offered to play timpani is like a big privilege, because you’re kind of the person who rules the back of the house and the orchestra.” “It’s really rewarding, plus because it’s a small band, you can really see the cohesion between the members of the orchestra.”

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Music

 The Monkey Guitars logo routed into the end of a guitar

Monkey Guitars

 Perry Chan’s guitar building shop

kind of a sound,” he says. To date, Chan has built 18 custom guitars. One distinguishing feature of Monkey Guitars is the customizability Chan offers to his clients. From the choice of tonewoods to the incorporation of unique features like laminated necks for added strength, each guitar is a personalized work of art. Chan enjoys inviting customers to try different guitars so that they can experience the diverse tones. “That way a customer can know what his or her guitar sounds like; they come and they play and say, ‘Oh, this is a little different in this way,’” Chan explains. Chan believes that connecting with local musicians will result in greater exposure and word of mouth, and with this in mind, Monkey Guitars has sponsored custom guitars for Stephen Clark and Jason Bozec from Pretty Ugly and the Sensational Hot Rods, and Jess Horricks of Phineas Gauge. Chan says that not all 18 of his builds have been purchased. “I keep building because […] like anything, you need practice. So I’m trying to improve and hone my skills,” he says. “And so I’ve got a bunch of guitars that are just sitting here.” In addition to custom guitars, Chan also offers guitar maintenance and repairs. “I figure if I build them, I should be able to service them.”

Music

 Some of Chan’s guitars hanging in a separate room, which used to be his main shop

For more information, check out Monkey Guitars at monkeyguitars.ca.

A Guitar Maker’s Journey in Thunder Bay By Nancy Saunders

efore moving to Thunder Bay in September 2020, Perry Chan lived in Scarborough, where he worked as an aircraft assembler at Bombardier. His hobbies included building race cars, going to the racetrack, and playing guitar. While Chan left his race car behind, he is now the owner of Monkey Guitars, a custom guitar building and service shop. Chan describes his progression from playing to building guitars in simple terms. “When I moved [to Thunder Bay] I was hoping to get back into playing,” he says.”And at some point, I was like, ‘I wonder how they build these things.’” In April 2022, Chan enrolled in the fiveweek acoustic guitar building course offered by Hamm-tone Guitars and School of Lutherie in Winnipeg. The transition from guitar enthusiast to craftsman was not without its challenges. “When you don’t really know too much, there’s a lot of information

102

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to take in in the five weeks,” Chan says. “And for me, I didn’t have a hobby of any kind of woodworking, so everything was new to me: the carving, the machinery, all that kind of stuff.” “I build three different body sizes for acoustic guitars, and one size for classical guitars,” he continues. “There are normal woods that guitar companies would use for building the guitars. […] I bring in a lot of lesser-known woods that are probably not as popular.” Chan is referring to woods sourced from around the globe, like Engelmann spruce, Indian rosewood, and Honduran mahogany. Each guitar takes Chan around three to four weeks to construct. This includes up to five days of French polishing, a technique Chan describes as old-fashioned and labourintensive, that enhances both the look and the tone of the instrument. “What I’ve been told by customers so far is that my guitars have a more earthy

Wrap up style and Confidence.

 Wood Chan has purchased for guitar builds

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103

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105

OfftheWall

Reviews

Cold War Kids

Legacies of Frailty

Water Made Us

Music That Humans Can Play

Cold War Kids have been known for making rhythmic, feel-the-beat-in-your-chest type music since their major hit “First” came out in 2014. Almost 10 years later, they’re evidently still producing that same great, pulsing sound that distinguishes them from other bands in the alternative rock scene. But they are also pushing their limits and demonstrating their versatility as a band as well with this newest work. The opening songs have that familiar Cold War Kids sound that makes you want to dance, but somewhere around track eight, “Braindead Megaphone,” something gets a bit funkier, a tad livelier. It becomes the type of music that should be played through surround sound speakers or blasted in a car with the windows rolled down. This is a refreshingly original collection of work that was pleasantly surprising.

Our winters are hard enough to crush the spirit, but music helps, and for me, it’s often music that reflects the elements of this blasted season: long nights, bitter cold, and a survivalist’s appreciation for warmth and distraction. Enter Woe’s Legacies of Frailty, album number five and the most accomplished collection of songs yet from these American black metal stalwarts. While possessing the requisite staples of black metal—furious tremolo riffing, unrelenting drums, and a production chilled blue—Woe’s style is decidedly robust, triumphant, even burly, which means the hooks are obvious and memorable. Hardly dumb, though, and a big reason for that is head honcho Chris Grigg’s vocals, which tend toward a hardcore shout/sing instead of the expected raspy hiss. With songs the duration of a northern squall, there’s time and time again to sink into the myriad twists and turns of riffs and drums, all with the bonus of tasteful synths colouring the edges. In these winter months, I’ll be drawing perseverance from Woe.

Jamila Woods is one of the marquee names that defined Chicago’s mid-2010s music boom. Her growth is evident in her music, and the very mature relationship themes covered in her third studio album Water Made Us are a breath of fresh air. Time and place are key for the listener; those looking for the electro-soul feminist anthems of Legacy! Legacy! won’t find them here. This album is destined to grow in the hearts of hopeless romantics as one of the most powerful, emotionally honest relationship albums. Woods approaches each track with a level of vulnerability not often touched in the mainstream— see “Bugs,” with the lyric “It’s not that deep/Lower the stakes of your love,” or the interlude “I Miss All My Exes.” Across 45 minutes, the album explores the delirious beginning, introspective middle, and painful end to any relationship with charm, brevity, and most of all, emotional relatability. Anyone who’s been in love should feel this.

Autogramm’s third album, Music That Humans Can Play, is an unabashed love letter to (and celebration of) a major part of the early 1980s pop music scene—the new-wavers, who cross-pollinated rock, power pop, bits of punk, and copious amounts of synth. While groups like The Cars, The Kings, and Next Position Pleaseera Cheap Trick immediately come to mind here, Autogramm still isn’t afraid to sample elsewhere: “Plastic Punx” is appropriately punky, and the icy, mechanical stretches of “Why Do We Dance” sound like they walked out of a Devo session. The most immediate hooks are in the opening trio of songs—“Born Losers” marries lyrics about trying to accept life’s disappointments with sunny melodies reminiscent of Jonathan Daniel’s songwriting (whose various glam-tinged projects never got the attention they deserved), the heavy guitars and echo-filled drums and vocals of “WannaBe” perfectly match its anthemic nature, and “Hey Allie” (especially!) is a gorgeous power pop gem, with its huge chorus hook, relentlessly upbeat pace, and even splashes of acoustic guitar. A great album for those looking for a batch of new songs, yet ones that still sound comfortably familiar.

Cold War Kids

Woe

-Emily Turner

-Justin Allec

Jamila Woods

-Michael Charlebois

Autogramm

Online services open 24 / 7 @ tbpl.ca

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Big Wreck

Pages is not a surprising listen for Big Wreck fans. It has great guitar, big vocals, and a touch of swirly 90s psychedelia—and that's just the first song, “In Fair Light.” The second song (and first single), “Bail Out,” starts heavy, with more of a metal feel, then the chorus kicks in with the familiar Ian Thornley vocals. It’s a surprise, but a good one. While some people complain artists are now releasing more EPs than full albums, the six songs and 32:59 runtime of Pages leave little to complain about. This album is a well-balanced mix of slower, longer songs and harder, rocking hits, essentially blending the best parts of the band. Big Wreck rarely disappoints and Pages easily sits alongside the first two albums as much as the newer material. Keep in mind, this is the first part of a three-part set. What a way to kick it off! -Jason Wellwood

Weekly Motivation Ben Lionel Scott

Whether it is a tough week at the office, a workout you’ve been dreading, or you’re simply feeling stagnant and unproductive, this podcast will completely flip that feeling onto its head. With a lineup of energetic guests, Weekly Motivation inevitably manages to twist that office perspective, praise the evolving workout results, and catapult you out of that rut. Considering the episodes are merely 10 minutes long, they sure do pack a punch. The episode “I Must Keep Going” really resonated with me, as guests spoke about the importance of maintaining unwavering self-belief and continuing to push forward. It’s really invigorating, as crazy as that may sound! Weekly Motivation is a real-life playlist that effectively demonstrates embracing change and that challenges only bring out our true strengths. -Andrea Lysenko

Doppelganger Naomi Klein

Canadian author Naomi Klein’s new book is an exploration of the idea of the doppelganger. In her own life, Klein was often mistaken for (and experienced criticism from the public meant for) her fellow author Naomi Wolf, a noted anti-vaxxer and conspiracy theorist. During COVID, the two Naomis became increasingly tangled in the public mind and this led Klein to reflect deeply on the idea of a mirrorimage, or doppelganger. With her inquisitive mind she followed Wolf, or “other Naomi,” deep into the world of conspiracies and rightwing paranoia. With scrupulous honesty about her own image and assumptions, along with humour and intellectual rigor, she cuts though popular and glib arguments of both the right and left to offer original ideas about the alienation and disorientation of people in this age of social media and polarized public discourse. Few books speak to the nature of our current times with more insight—and ultimately, more hope. -Angela Meady

The Ultimate Kids Christmas Book

Good Housekeeping

I really love incorporating Christmas activities into my holiday festivities. Who wouldn’t want to create 3D winter snowflakes, build a blanket igloo, or make salt dough stars or stockings? You can also turn your house into a holiday scavenger hunt, host a Santa-inspired gift swap, or “find your inner Santa” by spreading love and kindness. All of the fun activities, crafts, and recipes in this book have clear and simple instructions and will help individuals or families get into the holiday spirit. This book includes lots of interesting facts as well, like holiday traditions from around the world. There is also a list of classic holiday books and movies, many of which you can find at the Thunder Bay Public Library. This book is a gem—I am looking forward to making the white chocolate peppermint patties. Yummy! -Vivien Haberern

-Matt Prokopchuk

Walleye Reader’s Poll for Best Caterer!

Holiday Closure All Library locations will be CLOSED from Sunday, December 24 to Monday, January 1 inclusive.

Pages

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Architecture

 St. Mark’s Anglican Church main entrance  Stained glass windows

Architecture

 The original entrance

St. Mark’s Anglican Church

Story by Jennifer Bonazzo, Photos by Sidney Ulakovic

t. Mark’s Anglican Church is located in Rosslyn, nestled in the hamlet outside of Thunder Bay since its construction in 1956. Some might say it’s the heart of the community. After speaking with members of St. Mark’s about how the church came to be, it’s apparent it’s not the building but the congregation and community that radiate its country warmth. Raising this church was clearly a labour of love, and it stands today as a testament of faith to the people of Rosslyn and the families who live there. The idea of St. Mark’s started at a vestry meeting held January 25, 1953, where the question of whether a church could be

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built was posed. Services were being held at Rosslyn Hall, but the members longed for a real church. Another meeting held three years later showed they had the full support of the congregation, but unfortunately not the money. Despite having only $61 in their building fund, they didn’t let that discourage them. Soon plans were underway, and the entire community rallied together to donate their time and talents. W ith so many people working together, the church was completed in under a year. Design plans were donated by architect Harold Tett, who would also work on St. Michael’s and All Angels in the same diocese. Mike Spenchuk, who donated the land, turned the sod on April

16, 1956, and the cornerstone was laid on May 21 by Archbishop W.L. Wright. Building started shortly after. Immersed in the architecture are the heart and souls of the villagers. They are in the bricks laid by Milton Vibert, which were donated by the Superior Brick and Tile Co. Ltd., a former brickyard located in Rosslyn. They are in the trusses built by Artie Stephenson, and in every hour of labour by the Naida, Wing, and Sideen families, among others. The Romanesque architectural f e a t u re s s h o w i n t h e s o l i d brickwork and buttress details, small windows, and high-pitched roofline. A vestibule on the east end provided the original entrance. The congregation gathered for their first service on Christmas Eve, 1956. St. Mark’s has changed through the years. A bell tower built in 1982 has been removed, with stained glass windows added, many donated by the founding families. The biggest change was a renovation in 2006. Designed by local architect Walter Kuch, it addressed priorities such as accessibility, adding seating capacity upstairs and down, and expanding facilities such as the church hall, kitchen, and office space. Throughout the process, the original character of the church was preserved, with exterior walls left intact on two sides. When the west side of the church was dismantled, bricks were painstakingly taken down one by one to be reused. Once again, labour was largely provided by the parishioners. “The spirit of the village blossoms when there is a project,” says Jim Naida, a St. Mark’s member. This perfectly expresses how the people of Rosslyn came together to build their church—and solidified the foundation of their community in the process.

 The altar

 Entrance to the church’s nave

 Many of the church’s stained glass windows were donated by founding families

 Plaque with the date the church was established

Jennifer Bonazzo is a member of the Heritage Advisory Committee, which advises city council on the conservation of heritage buildings, sites, and resources, and their integration into development. For more information on the city’s heritage resources, visit www.thunderbay.ca/ en/city-hall/heritage-inthunder-bay.aspx

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TattooedYou

A Tattoo Fit for a Mycologist

Instant Classic.

By Leah Morningstar

Leah Morningstar

 Ben Bohemier’s mushroom tattoo  Bohemier with a variety of mushrooms

ycology is the biological study of mushrooms and fungi, and a mycologist is a person who studies and works with mushrooms. Ben Bohemier is a mycologist. One of the first things he said to me was “I love mushrooms, and fungi is my passion!” He then admitted to years of imposter syndrome wherein he wasn’t quite sure if he actually qualified as a mycologist. But he does qualify. Bohemier (whose Instagram account is @taigamushrooms) is currently working on his master’s degree in the forestry program at Lakehead University. His research and thesis is all about the chaga mushroom and its reproductive cycle. “The way it reproduces is very strange,” he says. “The body of a chaga can live in a birch tree up to 80 years before bursting through the bark and fruiting.” And he says a lot more about chaga before switching gears to talk about another kind of mushroom—specifically, the one on his left forearm. B e f o re s t u d y i n g c h a g a , Bohemier was working on his undergrad thesis, which is all about the schizophyllum commune, more

commonly known as the splitgill mushroom, and how light affects its growth cycle. Bohemier says that splitgill mushrooms are actually known as model organisms in the scientific community. Due to their exhaustive study, these mushrooms are well known and understood. They’re really easy to grow in a lab setting and they grow quickly. They’re used often in experimentation and observation and everybody (scientists, biologists, and mycologists) knows all about the splitgill. Because the mushroom is so well known, Bohemier was keen to get this tattoo as the tattoo is also an identifying marker. He asked Mr. Kristi Tattoo of Studio Four Four Nine to do the tattoo shortly after he finished his undergrad thesis. “When I roll up my sleeves, my tattoo is visible to everyone,” he says. “If another scientist or mycologist sees this tattoo, they’ll recognize the splitgill and they’ll know that I’m serious about mushrooms.” The tattoo is also a tribute to all mushrooms and fungi, as well as a celebration of all his accomplishments in university. Here’s to hoping Bohemier has many more mushroom tattoos— and accomplishments—in his future!

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Green

A FoodCycler turns food scraps into compost

A New Approach

The Municipality of Neebing and Recycling Food Waste By Sarah Siska, Coordinator, Thunder Bay + Area Food Strategy

hile waste management is often overlooked, it is a critical step in food systems. Promoting and developing innovative and effective waste management strategies is part of our goal for the food Infrastructure pillar of the Thunder Bay + Area Food Strategy. We’re interested in addressing waste management in ways that sustain the local economy, minimize environmental impact, increase equity, and improve people’s access to good food. The 2023 Food System Report Card noted that while there are several food waste diversion initiatives in the Thunder Bay region, efforts are not coordinated nor systemic, and only address a small fraction of the waste generated. We have an opportunity to come together to turn existing waste in the food value chain into circular opportunities, and we can learn from the Municipality of Neebing. As a rural municipality, Neebing had to think outside of the box when it came to diverting their organic

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waste. Despite a strong desire to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and extend the life of landfill sites, many Neebing residents worried about backyard composters attracting wildlife. As well, low population density made it challenging to efficiently collect and transport waste to a centralized composting facility. As a result, the Municipality of Neebing is one of 86 municipalities across Canada who have partnered with Food Cycle Science to subsidize personal composters for Neebing residents, reducing the price of a five-litre FoodCycler (a machine which effectively turns food scraps into a nutrient-rich soil amendment) from $815 to $300. Participating residents track their usage over a period of 12 weeks (and keep their FoodCycler after!) and the data is then used to assess how much food waste was diverted from the landfills. The pilot program, supported by Impact Canada’s Food Waste Reduction Challenge, ran from November 2021 to January 2022. With 36 participating households, it

cost the municipality under $5,000 and diverted 8.3 metric tons from the landfill. Not only that, but participating residents also got high-quality compost to add to their gardens, effectively turning socalled waste into a natural fertilizer—a circular food economy that reduces waste while supporting home food production. The first round of data showed that 63% of participating households noted an increased awareness that motivated them to waste less food in the first place. However, many also highlighted the importance of municipal subsidies. Food prices— and rates of food insecurity— continue to rise, and solutions cannot rely on additional costs for individuals who want to reduce their personal waste. Municipal subsidies can help to ensure that climate planning is a shared burden, and that communities can work together to find place- and context-driven solutions to collective problems. The Municipality of Neebing just finished its third intake program, and

data should be available in the spring. While this program is only available for Neebing residents, EcoSuperior sells backyard composters subsidized by the city for Thunder Bay residents—sales will begin again in May, weather permitting. From FoodCyclers to backyard composters to vermicomposting (composting using worms), there are countless ways we can transform our organic waste. Committing to composting not only plants the seed of regional circular economies, but it helps shift our understanding of organic waste from a problem destined for the landfill to an opportunity for our soils. For a detailed overview of food infrastructure in the Thunder Bay Area, visit foodsystemreportcard.ca. For more information on Neebing’s FoodCycler Project, visit neebing.org/en/living-here/ foodcycler-pilot-project.aspx

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Green would like to say

Deck the Halls Sustainably

THANK YOU

longevity—will this be an heirloom used year after year or something that will ultimately end up in the landfill? Ignore the trends and focus on what you love, and you will be more likely to cherish it for years. Making your own decorations or upcycling ones found at the thrift store saves money and the planet. There are endless DIY options for sustainable homemade decor. Gathering with children and loved ones to make simple salt-dough ornaments or popcorn garlands can be a time to relax and make memories, too. You can also consider bringing nature indoors with dried citrus, fresh-cut greenery, pinecones, or potted evergreens. When the season is over, these natural materials can be composted. Additionally, if you have a live Christmas tree, be sure to bring it to one of the dropoff locations to be composted by the City of Thunder Bay after the holidays. Set the table for guests with reusable tableware and opt for reusable tablecloths, napkins, plates, and cutlery. If you need more place settings, you can rent or borrow them for the day. A 2013 study published in the journal Flavour showed that people perceive food eaten from real plates and silverware as better tasting than the same food served with disposables. Consider skipping the Christmas crackers this year, which are non-recyclable and filled with disposable plastic toys; choose reusable and refillable ones or try eco-friendly favours like small potted plants, soy candles, or fair-trade chocolates. Focus this holiday season on nurturing your loved ones and the planet. Make it about spending time with loved ones rather than spending on unnecessary excess.

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magine a holiday season decked with opportunities to connect with loved ones rather than rushing around the mall, and countless moments of presence rather than endless presents. With stores stocked to the rafters with yuletide stuff and social media fueling the

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pressure to flood our homes with new festive finds, it’s easy to become wrapped up in the materialism of the season. But we don’t need to spend copious amounts of money on trendy seasonal items that often end up in the trash to create a holiday-ready home. There are so many creative

ways to celebrate the season as well as the planet. The most eco-friendly decorations are the ones you already own. Creatively reimagining what you already have over buying new is a great option. If you are investing in new items, consider their quality and

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to do . .

Stay Lit and Lovely THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

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Health

Advertsing Feature

A Collective Responsibility

“A building is just a building, it takes the people inside to make it a home. He thought of this as his home.”

Preventing Gender-Based Violence By Angela Gollat, Healthy Relationships Coordinator, Thunder Bay District Health Unit

t the urging of the Thunder Bay District Coordinating Committee to End Woman Abuse and the Naadmaagewin Indigenous Domestic Violence Committee, Thunder Bay city council unanimously declared intimate partner violence (IPV) an epidemic in September. While the term “epidemic” commonly refers to infectious disease, advocates have used it to alert communities and governments to alarming rates of gender-based violence (GBV) and the urgent need for a comprehensive strategy and funding. As of mid-November, 72 municipalities, inspired by advocate-informed recommendations from the Renfrew County inquest into the 2015 IPV murders o f t h re e w o m e n , h a v e made similar declarations. Gwen O’Reilly, executive director of the Northwestern Ontario Women’s Centre, emphasizes that “while the issue of GBV isn’t new, advocate participation on the inquest panel was—uniquely informing recommendations from years of experience.” In Thunder Bay, reported rates of IPV are particularly concerning, surpassing national rates by one and a half times and doubling provincial rates. Notably, 86% of reporting victims were women. While declaring IPV an epidemic is symbolic, it’s also a public acknowledgement of GBV as a human rights issue, supporting advocate’s calls for meaningful government action. From a public health perspective, this declaration recognizes gender and gender-based violence as

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critical social determinants of health with long-lasting adverse health, social, and economic consequences. GBV is rooted in gender inequality, intensified and perpetuated through systemic inequalities such as racism, colonialism, sexual orientation, gender identity, ableism, classism, and poverty, and profoundly impacting individuals, families, and communities. While interventions have historically targeted victims, preventing gender-based violence, taken up as a public health issue, demands a more holistic and equitable approach. The Thunder Bay District Health Unit’s Youth Violence Prevention Project (YVPP), in partnership with district school boards and funded by the Public Health Agency of Canada, is one example of an upstream GBV intervention. Delivering programming to youth across Thunder Bay and the district in grades seven to 10, YVPP implements crosssectoral recommendations for integrating GBV prevention within schoolbased education. However, funding for such interventions are typically project-based, compromising long-term sustainability and impact. The City of Thunder Bay’s declaration of an IPV epidemic is a call to action for governments and communities. Tangible steps include disrupting harmful attitudes that perpetuate GBV, learning bystander intervention, and advocating for policies prioritizing equity and prevention. Ultimately, GBV is not just a public health issue; it’s a shared responsibility we must collectively address.

Cheryl Family of Past Client

Cheryl Delorenzi became part of St. Joseph’s Care Group when her parents moved into Sister Leila Greco Apartments. It didn’t take long for her to appreciate the surroundings, and especially the staff.

“The apartments are really nice. When my parents moved in, we took their furniture and personal belongings and set it into their new home. It felt just like their home of many years.” Cheryl’s mom’s Alzheimer’s soon progressed and she was moved (next door) to Hogarth Riverview Manor. “This worked out really good for my Dad because he was able to see her every day. They were together, just like they had always been. Whenever we couldn’t be there, he was there. He would feed her breakfast or supper and just go lie down with her at night.”

“I think it’s really special that you can have assisted living and long term care homes together. This helps couples stay together and receive the care that each needs as individuals. It’s important.” Cheryl’s dad stayed in the apartment at the Sister Leila Greco until he passed, “and that was his extended family. They would just sit and visit with him and he loved it. They were really good to him. And he was good to them. They called him the Mayor. They miss him. I know they miss the mayor.” Cheryl admires the camaraderie among staff. “They all seemed to work and respect each other’s position on the floor. Whether it’s a nurse, the one giving the meds or the personal support worker, it seemed like they could rely on whoever was around.” Cheryl says that no matter a resident’s situation or illness, “you don’t really appreciate what they can do for you until you’re there. Not everybody’s meant to be a PSW or work in a long term care home or hospital. It takes special people.” The more she saw of the efforts staff put in, the more she was impressed – so much so that she decided to become a volunteer to help wherever she could. Cheryl and her siblings also donate to support activities for the clients at Sister Leila Greco, and she is a part of the Family Council. When each parent passed away, the family directed memorial donations to St. Joseph’s Foundation so that their legacy of support to the Care Group and specifically to Sister Leila Greco would continue.

Learn more about GBV nationally at canadianwomen.org and sign up for local updates and calls to action at nwowomenscentre.org/newsletter.

essential senior health-care tool. The family also donated an angel figurine, which is proudly displayed in the home. Cheryl has so many wonderful memories of the staff. “What I really appreciated was the PSWs that had the responsibility of caring for her each day. They would tell you stories: ‘last night your mom just needed a hug, and I was there to give her one.’” Staff would often just sit with residents in the evening. “‘I’m not supposed to be here too much longer, but everybody else is okay tonight so I’m going to stay with you’ That’s what I really appreciated. Those moments. If they’re doing it for one, they’re doing it for all.” Cheryl urges people wondering how their parents will be cared for later in life to consider the long term care homes available at the Care Group.

“I just want to tell people, look into it. It’s a great place to live. You will hear the stories of how well cared for your parents or loved ones will be.” “We are always afraid and concerned when our parents have to move somewhere new at this stage in their life. Just let them try it, because like my parents, they had a wonderful life and loved living at Hogarth. We’re giving them a good quality of life, activities to enjoy and amazing care by amazing people. Our family is grateful and think it’s wonderful.”

St. Joseph’s Foundation is honoured to share the “Caring Moments” stories from our clients and their families. Each story tells their personal experience with the care and compassion provided by the staff of St. Joseph’s Care Group. Become a part of the Caring Moments program and share your gift of gratitude through your personal story or by making a donation in appreciation of the care your family received.

Donate today

www.sjftb.net/caringmoments

When her mom passed away, Cheryl’s family wanted to give something back in appreciation for all that had done for her. They settled on a pill crusher, an

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TheWall

TIPS FOR REDUCING WASTE THIS HOLIDAY SEASON BECOME A MEMBER TODAY!

USE ALTERNATIVES TO TRADITIONAL WRAPPING PAPER Wrapping paper is not recyclable due to high ink content. Instead use kraft paper, newspaper, old sheet music or cloth to wrap your gifts. RECYCLE YOUR CHRISTMAS TREE Bring your natural Christmas tree to one of the many Christmas tree collection sites, where it will be chipped and then added to the compost pile at the City's landfill site. USE REUSABLE ITEMS WHEN ENTERTAINING Rather than disposable items, use reusable dishes, glassware, silverware and napkins. REDUCE YOUR FOOD WASTE Meal plan to avoid overbuying during the festive season and freeze leftover cooked meats and vegetables to use another day.

Making small changes this holiday season can make a big difference!

GIVE EXPERIENCE OR CONSUMABLE GIFTS Instead of traditional gifts, consider giving experiences like cooking classes or concert tickets, or consumable gifts like locally sourced gourmet foods or handmade products.

Sam Plavins on another excursion on the Jordan Trail, a long-distance hiking trail in Jordan

On Summits and What Success Isn’t

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Editorial by Sam Plavins, Photo by Caroline Prasetyo

t’s 2:35 in the morning. My feet are blocks of ice; my hands, clumps of frozen meat. I am breathless, but not because I’m moving fast. No, no, no, no, no. My pace is a sluggish, astronaut-on-the-moon type speed. The air is still, dry, and thin at 18,500 feet in Ecuador. Each step I take ends in a thud as my boots grind into the glacier rock beneath. My head is a woozy rush of thoughts: what the hell am I doing this again for? Why didn’t I tape up that bloody blister? And, most importantly, how much farther to the summit?! To be straight with you? I’m a disaster. But I chose this. I dreamed of it. Trained for it. And this misery is what I love. Some context: My first foray into mountaineering seemed like a joke. I was a 34-yearold indoor girl who couldn’t figure out how to inflate her self-inflating Therma-Rest. My crampons were sparkly and still in the box. I’d thrown myself headfirst into a sport full of risk and uncertainty, desperate to escape my predictable

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life. See, I’d followed that formula we’re all given. I’d nabbed a degree, climbed the corporate ladder, married my love, and popped out some kids. At the precipice of each of these monumental milestones, I’d waited for that rush of fulfillment I was promised. But it never came. I mean, it did. But then it disappeared. And each time it slipped away, I’d flog myself in shame. I had what everyone fought hard to get. By society’s standard, I was a success. Why couldn’t I be happy? What was wrong with me? What the deuce? Well? I was living the same lie you and I have fallen for. Guys—we have been duped! Sold a bill of goods, urged to have it all, because having it “all” was going to fill us up. I call bullshit. I was hypnotized by the idea that everything over here was going to make me happy. I was in a constant state of hustling. Chasing. Running. Never ever satisfied. I was climbing literal and metaphorical mountains in hot pursuit of that summit. And I reached it, many times in my life— only to admire the view for a few minutes, then realize “crap. I have to get down and start again.” Ask

me how it feels to climb back down when you’ve nothing left in the tank, when your legs feel like spaghetti, and your stomach is an inside-out knotted mess from eating away at itself. Fun fact: your body eats its own tissue at an altitude where the oxygen is just half that of sea level. Collapsing in the snow seems like the only option. But you cannot stay at 20,000 feet forever. Just like you cannot sustain joy, success, and fulfillment forever. Back on that mountain in Ecuador, I looked up at the summit so within my grasp. Then, I looked up at the stars. For the first time—maybe ever, in all the mountains I’d climbed—I noticed them. It was like someone plugged me into an adult-sized LiteBrite board, like the one I’d played with as a little girl. Constellations danced in golden orbs of fire and it suddenly hit me: I didn’t have to reach the summit to know I was good enough, to feel it had all been worthwhile, that I’d gotten my money’s worth, that I’d done a good job. That I was a “success.” In that freezing cold moment, I threw down my ice axe and told my guide Joaquin, “I’m done.”

“You sure, Sam?” he questioned. “More than ever,” I said. I’d had enough and was happy to turn around while I still had the juice to do so. My whole world experienced a paradigm shift from that point forward. I’d discovered that my joy wasn’t up there. Or over here. My joy was only found when I embraced the opposite—the pain. My joy crept in and sustained itself once I accepted that life is going to be fucking hard. And it’s up to me to assign the richest, deepest meaning to it. So here’s what I believe: joy is not a finish line. It’s not a summit. It’s not the children we have or the dreams we realize. Joy is in the living. It’s in the mess of our lives. The failures, the blisters, the false summits, the climbing back down, and the tiny realization that we’re a part of this massive thing called humanity. I’m still climbing literal and metaphorical mountains in life. But I no longer ask myself how much farther to the summit. The question I now ask is “how lucky am I to be on the mountain in the first place?”

ARTHUR ST. MEDICAL HEALTH CENTRE NOW OFFERS: STORAGE UNITS Multiple sized storage units climate controlled BOARD ROOM RENTALS 700, 1100 and 4400 sq ft board rooms fully equipped and WIFI READY. Catering available, Weddings, Showers, Conventions, Trade show, Markets, Celebration of life Available 24/7 after hours functions as well OFFICE SPACES FOR LEASE - BUILT TO SIZE 23,000 sq feet available Multiple floors Spectacular Views New High Impact LED Exterior Lighting Up to 23,000 sq ft available Built to suit Professional or Medical tenants welcome Retail or multi use markets WE OFFER: Plenty of parking Security on site Updated Security camera system On-site maintenance team On site Building Manager Close to the Airport and Hospital On the transit route

Close to all restaurants, retail, City Hall and Court House, and major city attractions. For all inquiries and bookings contact: BRIAN PHILLIPS 807-632-1566 brianphillips2007@icloud.com

1265 EAST ARTHUR STREET SUITE 102, THUNDER BAY ONTARIO

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DecemberEventsGuide December 1, 10 am

Indigenous Christmas Market

Lakehead University Agora

Check out the Indigenous Christmas market, where artists from Thunder Bay and the surrounding area will be selling their art and crafts.

facebook.com/lakeheaduniversityISSC

December 1, 7 pm

Ola by Vik Wilen Exhibition Opening

Co.Lab Gallery & Arts Centre Co.Lab Gallery & Arts Centre presents a series of incredible hand-shaped surfboards and wakesurf boards by Jackpine Wakesurf featuring the art of Vik Wilen, alongside a body of acrylic work by Wilen that pushes the limits of her originality and style. See this month’s Art section for more info.

colabgallery.ca

December 1, 8 pm

Eras Inspired Taylor Swift Dance Party The Foundry

Dance in your best dress for an epic and sparkly sing-along dance party. Capture all the pictures and trade friendship bracelets—December’s coming in in style. $45, 19+.

facebook.com/ foundrytbay

December 1, 8:30 pm

CPKC Holiday Train CPKC Train Depot

This season marks the Holiday Train’s 25th year. This year’s train will feature a performance by Canadian indie rockers Anyway Gang for a night of music and holiday cheer. Train arrives at 8:30 pm, and the performance starts at 8:45 pm. See this month’s Top Five for more info.

cpkcr.com/en/community/HolidayTrain

December 1, 9:30 pm

Music Bingo

Red Lion Smokehouse Music Bingo combines your favourite tunes with bingo. Each player receives a music bingo card with a mix of song titles and artists. Instead of calling out numbers, the DJ plays the music! Singing along is recommended. There will be three rounds of bingo; bring your friends, grab a beer, and get ready to win some prizes. No cover, 19+.

facebook.com/redlionsmokehouse

December 1 & 2, 7 pm

Paramount Live Presents: The Prom Paramount Theatre

The talented senior class of Paramount Live will take audiences on an uplifting journey of love, acceptance, and self-discovery with The Prom. Tickets are $22.63 and are available online. paramountlive.eventbrite.ca

December 1–3 & 6–9

Cambrian Players Presents: A Christmas Carol: Every Man Has the Power to Do Good Cambrian Players Theatre

An adaptation of the original Dickens story by Canadian playwright James Hutchinson. Ticket prices vary and are available online. See this month’s Top Five for more info.

cambrianplayers. eventbrite.ca

December 1–3 & 8–10

Twas the Night Before Christmas Arrowhead Center for the Arts, Grand Marais, Minn.

Put a holiday smile on your face with the Grand Marais Playhouse’s two productions of Twas the Night Before Christmas. Both plays are titled the same, with the kids’ script authored by Kathryn Schulz Miller, and the other by Ken Ludwig. Both are comedies. Friday and Saturday shows are at 7 pm CT; Sunday shows are at 2 pm CT.

grandmaraisplayhouse.com

December 1, 8, 15, 22, & 29, 9 pm

Sober Dance Party Fridays

Howl at the Moon

Get your groove on in an alcohol-free environment every Friday night at Howl at the Moon. Each week, DJs spin a great selection of tunes to start your weekend off right. No cover, all ages.

facebook.com/HowlTBay

EVENTS GUIDE KEY General Art Food Sports Music December 2, 9 am

Northwoods Fibre Guild Open House & Holiday Sale

Grand Marais Art Colony Studio 21, Grand Marais, Minn.

This open house and holiday sale features high-quality clothing and handmade gifts for sale, treats and refreshments, spinning and weaving demonstrations, and takehome craft kits.

grandmaraisartcolony.org

December 2, 3 pm

Christmas Charcuterie Workshop Bojan’s Café

Sweet & Savoury Grazing Co. invites you to get into the festive spirit and join them for a hands-on Christmas charcuterie workshop, where you’ll learn to create a delicious spread. Tickets are $110 (allows up to five additional guests to join your party) and are available online.

sweetandsavourygrazing.ca

December 2, 7 pm

Parade of Lights Memorial Avenue

Presented by Tbaytel, this stunning parade will feature dozens of brightly lit floats cruising through the heart of our city. This year’s parade marshall is Mark Claypole, representing Special Olympics Ontario’s Thunder Bay chapter. See this month’s Top Five for more info.

facebook.com/paradeoflights.thunderbay

December 2, 10 pm

Shrek Rave Atmos

Get out of your swamp and peel back a few layers with your most noble steed and booted felines at the Atmos (unofficial) Shrekthemed rave. The night will include Shrek-themed drink specials and music, a costume contest, and themed photo booths. Tickets are $20 and available online.

atmostbay.ca

December 2 & 3, 11 am

The Wish Market

215 Red River Road

Explore a winter wonderland-decorated holiday market at the premiere Wish Market event courtesy of the Boreal Museum. Discover 25 amazing local makers, crafters, and vendors while enjoying treats and delights. Santa will be there from 1 pm to 3 pm both days for photos with the family (including pets).

facebook.com/borealmuseum

December 2 & 3

All the DAZE Productions Presents: The Lion King Jr. Thunder Bay Community Auditorium

An adaptation of the Broadway production by Julie Taymor that will make the perfect outing for theatre lovers young and old. Tickets are $25 and available online. December 2 performances are at 3 pm and 7 pm; December 3 performance is at 7 pm.

tbca.com

December 2, 9, 10, 16, 17

Christmas Events

The Waterfront District

Happy holidays From The Waterfront District, which will be hosting free family events throughout the month. Come for a carriage ride or have your photo taken with the Grinch (for a fee). Donations will be collected in support of the Dew Drop Inn. Times vary by date, so be sure to check online.

facebook.com/waterfrontdistrict.bia

December 2, 6, 7, 9, 13, 14, 16, 20, 21, 23, 27, 28, & 30

Northern Nature Trading Mary J.L. Black Library

Northern Nature Trading is a special kind of swap shop. Bring in items you’ve found in nature and trade them for things in their collection. Start times vary by date; please check online to confirm.

nnt@tbpl.ca

December 3, 4 pm

Mboa Sú

Royal Canadian Legion Branch 5

The African Boutique and Na’Madam’s Cuisine is excited to invite you all to Mboa Sú. Get ready for a fun evening of delicious food, live dance performances, live music, karaoke, and some exclusive Christmas sales from The African Boutique. Tickets are $54.58 and available online or in person at The African Boutique.

theafricanboutique.ca

Until December 4

The Undercover Project Community Clothing Assistance

Help bring smiles to children’s faces. Each year, the Undercover Project extends a helping hand to over 1,000 children in Thunder Bay, providing them with socks, underwear, and a reason to smile. This year, the drive is focusing on collecting new underwear for children 4–14.

clothingassistance.com

December 4, 5, 11, 12, 18, 19, 9 am

Pierogi Days

Polish Combatants Branch No. 1

Head over to the Polish Combatants Branch No. 1 every Monday and Tuesday to buy perogies, cabbage rolls, vegan beet soup, and more. Pre-order, e-transfer.

807-345-1861

December 5–January 13

Janice Andrews: All is Well - A Retrospective and Canadian Contemporary 15 Definitely Superior Art Gallery

Janice Andrews: All is Well - A Retrospective is an exhibition being held in honour and memory of Janice Andrews, an active and well-recognized regional artist who showed her art throughout Canada and internationally, and who was known for her powerful visionary and vibrant, largescale impressionistic abstract visual art works. Canadian Contemporary 15 is an exhibition of 15 groundbreaking, influential visual art works by internationally critically acclaimed Canadian artists, from the collection of Dr. Chaudhuri. The gallery is open Tuesday to Saturday, noon–6 pm; please note the gallery will be closed for the holidays from December 17 to January 6. Admission is by donation, all ages, accessible.

definitelysuperior.com

tbaytel.net/connectedhomepromo

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The Walleye The Walleye

December 6, 13, 7:30 pm

Cribbage Night

Red Lion Smokehouse Every Wednesday this fall, Red Lion Smokehouse is hosting drop-in cribbage at the pub. Come on your own or bring your best cribbage-playing pal to enjoy a Hoppy Hour discount on a bar snack (with the purchase of a large draught).

807-286-0045

December 6, 13, 20, 27, 7:30 pm

Trivia Night The Foundry

Weekly trivia nights continue at The Foundry. There is a new topic each week, and there are fun, local prizes to be won. Registration starts at 7:30 pm, games start at 8 pm.

facebook.com/foundrytbay

December 7, 4 pm

Westfort Wonderland Westfort Village

Presented by the Westfort Village Association, Westfort Wonderland will feature sleigh rides, a fire to roast s’mores, a tree lighting, food vendors, free warm drinks, and fun winter activities for kids of all ages. See this month’s Top Five for more info.

westfort.ca/wonderland

December 7–9

Dark Sky Festival Cook County, Minn.

Cook County is home to some of the darkest skies in the world. Celebrate the wonder and history of astronomy with numerous events in and around Grand Marais and Grand Portage. Includes exhibits, demonstrations, documentary viewings, dinners, lectures, book readings, and more.

visitcookcounty.com

December 9

December 10, 4 pm

December 16, 10 am

December 28, 8 pm

Lakehead University Faculty Lounge

Red Lion Smokehouse

Waverley Resource Library

Red Lion Smokehouse

Snowflake Soirée

Check out a small business Snowflake Soiree featuring Dueling Pianos with Danny Johnson and Richard Tribe. Tickets are $65 each or $520 for a table of eight, which includes two bottles of wine. All tickets include a buffet dinner, a welcome drink, and live music and entertainment. Register and purchase tickets online.

lakeheadu.ca/conference-services

December 9, 9 pm

10th Annual HoHoHo Drag Show Black Pirates Pub

Join the #tbaydrag queens and kings as they deck the halls with wigs and glitter to bring you the biggest holiday drag show in town! 19+. See this month’s Film and Theatre section for more info.

@wigginsproductions

December 9 & 10

Bluey’s Big Play Thunder Bay Community Auditorium

Bluey’s Big Play is a brand new theatrical adaptation of the Emmy award-winning children’s television series, with an original story by Bluey creator Joe Brumm and new music by Bluey composer Joff Bush. Two shows each day at noon and 3:30 pm. Tickets are available online.

tbca.com

December 10, noon

Sip & Shop Vendors’ Gala

Palucci’s Wayland Bar & Grill

The Wayland is excited to host yet another Vendors’ Gala. This year’s gala will feature over 20 vendors, as well as cocktail and kitchen specials for you to enjoy while you shop. Kids are welcome (accompanied by an adult).

facebook.com/waylandbarandgrill

Arts & Craft Beer Night

Join Red Lion Smokehouse for a cookie decorating party led by head chef John Murray. Tickets include a pint of local craft beer or small wine, and a half dozen cookies to decorate and bring home. If you’re planning to eat dinner before, please inform your server upon arrival. Tickets $47.23 and available on Eventbrite.

807-286-0045

December 14, 8 pm

Crickets Comedy Club Presents: Mark Price and Steve Hytner

Some of TV’s most memorable characters will be spending the night in Thunder Bay and performing for you at Crickets Comedy Club. Steve Hytner played the memorable Kenny Bania on Seinfeld while Mark Price grew up before our very eyes as Skippy on Family Ties. Tickets $42.50 and available online.

facebook.com/cricketscomedyclub

Until December 15

Gear Up Contactless Winter Coat Drive Gear Up

The 17th annual winter coat drive continues as Gear Up and its partners work to “spread the warmth.” Donate clean, new or gently used items to the laundry bin at Gear Up’s right-side entrance. In support of Precious Bundles, Shelter House, and Grace Place.

gear-up.com

December 16, 9 am

End of Year Craft Market CLE Coliseum

Looking to finish up your holiday shopping? Look no further. With over 100 vendors, you’re sure to knock those last few items off your shopping list. Free admission.

facebook.com/shoplocaltbay

Thunder Bay Repair Café

Get help learning to repair your broken items! Register in advance to secure your spot with one of our handy fixers. Make sure to tell us about your item in need of repair when you register.

tbpl.ca

December 20, 8 pm

Quizmas

Red Lion Smokehouse

Gather your team, throw on a festive sweater, put on your thinking caps. This is a B.Y.O.P. event (Bring Your Own Pen, please!), and, most importantly, Quizmaster Supreme Ian Grant will be back for this one. Teams of up to six players allowed. Admission is $2 per person, with a minimum spend of $20 per person. Limited tables, booking recommended.

807-286-0045

December 23, 7 pm

Merry Pindergennoski StandUp Comedy Royal Canadian Legion Branch 5

Comedians Gurpinder Singh, Todd Genno, and Ron Kanutski create some Christmas comedy mayhem at the Branch 5 Legion. General admission seating tickets are $17.50 in advance (no refunds) or $25 at the door. 19+.

807-624-6996

Until December 24

Clay Collective NWO Ornament Fundraiser Goods & Co. Market

Clay Collective NWO’s third annual ornament fundraiser will run for the majority of the month out of their storefront in Goods & Co. Market. Potters can submit ornaments and other holiday themed ceramics to sell through the Clay Collective, with a portion of the proceeds going to the Northwestern Ontario Women’s Centre.

Wine Wednesday

Wine Wednesdays continue at Red Lion Smokehouse, and this month they invite you to savour the flavours of Italian wine. Sommelier John Murray will be leading an intimate group of wine fans in an informative tasting in the Cardinal Chocolate Co. private room. Tickets are $55.66 and are available online.

facebook.com/redlionsmokehouse

December 31, 6 pm

New Year’s Eve Masquerade Party Victoria Inn

The Victoria Inn will be hosting a New Year’s Eve Masquerade Party in support of Dorset Pier Community Cares. This event includes a threecourse dinner, silent auction, DJ, and 360 Photo Booth. Have fun ringing in the new year all while supporting a great cause. Tickets $150 each, $1,000 for a table of eight, and are available online.

dpcares.ca

Until February 4, 2024

Under The Scope: Medical History at Lakehead

Thunder Bay Museum This temporary exhibit will feature a timeline of the history of medicine in Thunder Bay and area, with a specific focus on epidemics and pandemics that have swept through the region. Visitors will be able to learn about the various diseases and viruses that have affected people here, while also exploring the roles of Indigenous medicine, prominent doctors and hospitals, and how massscale world events have affected public health.

thunderbaymuseum. com

clay-collective-nwo. square.site

Visit tbaytel.net/connectedhomepromo for full details.

TheWalleye Walleye The

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Music

LU RADIO’S MONTHLY TOP 1 Jeremy Dutcher* Motewolonuwok

Secret City

8 Ora Cogan* Formless

Self-Released

9 NOBRO*

17 Population II*

Électrons libres du québec

Bonsound

Set Your Pussy Free

Real Kind/Arts & Crafts

Javelin

Asthmatic Kitty

20 The Painters* The Painters

Mint

Chivi Chivi

7 Russell Louder* Fair-weather

Lisbon Lux

18 Emilie Kahn* 19 Sufjan Stevens*

The Hand That Fits The Glove

Goodnight Summer land

27 Metric*

Secret City

4 Faith Healer*

6 Helena Deland*

25 Buildings and Food*

2021

Maybe

Do Right!

Luminelle

AWAL

11 Hannah Georgas*

Departures

Jardin

Blame My Ex

Soul City Music Co-op

3 Apollo Suns*

5 Munya*

24 The Beaches*

26 Brendan Scott Friel*

I’d Be Lying If I Said I Didn’t Care

Eel

12 Allison Russell* The Returner

Fantasy / Concord

13 Haley Blais* Wisecrack

Arts & Crafts

21 Aiza*

Sovereignty

Hidden Pony

22 Blonde Redhead

Formentera II

Thirty Tigers

28 The Blaze Velluto Collection* What’s On Your Mind?

Duprince

29 Le Couleur*

Comme dans un penthouse

Lisbon Lux

30 Dubmatix*

The Dub Sessions Vol 1

Renegade Studios

Sit Down for Dinner

section1

15 Sampha

Mexican Summer

DEC 14

DEC 18

Wax Philosophic

7:30 pm / No Cover / 19+

10 pm / $5 / 19+

Branch 5 Legion

The Foundry

10 pm / $5 / 19+

Hunter Brothers Burning Down the Barn Tour

Thunder Bay Community Auditorium

Deep Freeze ft Son Hound + Teknosis + Killer

LU Vocal Ensemble: Medieval Legacy

The Wayland

Rogue w/ This Is stardrop The Foundry

10 pm / $5 / 19+

DEC 9

Fort William Male Choir

Trinity United Church

Hilldale Lutheran Church

9 pm / $10 / 19+

8 pm / $10 / AA

1:30 pm / $30 / AA

Boomtown

DEC 5

TBSO Voices: Messiah (Night 2)

Black Pirates Pub

The Wayland

10 pm / $5 / 19+

DEC 2

Cat Sabbath + Psycho Therapy + Brazen Bull Port Arthur Legion Branch 5

7:30 pm / $9–15 / 19+

TBSO Afterdark: Taylor Swift The Industry

7:30 pm / $100+ / 19+

Good Call Debut w/ Wolf Mother + Outlaw + VHS Black Pirates Pub 9 pm / $10 / 19+

Blood Red Moon The Foundry

10 pm / $5 / 19+

Forever Seger

Thunder Bay Community Auditorium 7:30 pm / $35+ / AA

Karaoke

The Foundry

8:30 pm / No Cover / 19+

DEC 6

Boney M.

Thunder Bay Community Auditorium 7:30 pm / $59+ / AA

Ira Johnson 8 pm / $5 / AA

DEC 7

Karaoke

Branch 5 Legion

7 pm / No Cover / 19+

Karaoke with Jesse Horricks

10 pm / $5 / 19+

8 pm / No Cover / 19+

The Wayland

* Indicates Canadian Content

DEC 4

Big Drum Social Howl at the Moon

6 pm / No Cover / AA

St Paul’s United Church 7:30 pm / $20–40 / AA

Headrush

The Wayland

10 pm / $5 / 19+

Luke Warm and The Cold Ones The Foundry

10 pm / $5 / 19+

Polish Hall Branch #1

TBSO Voices: Messiah (Night 1)

Fort William Male Choir Hilldale Lutheran Church 7:30 pm / $30 / AA

Humane Society Fundraiser Concert Black Pirates Pub 9 pm / $TBA / 19+

Social Club at The Foundry: Martin Blanchet The Foundry

Big Wreck w/ Texas King + Vilivant NV Music Hall

8 pm / $40+ / 19+

Karaoke with Jesse Horricks

DEC 19

8 pm / No Cover / 19+

8:30 pm / No Cover / 19+

DEC 15

DEC 20

Black Pirates Pub

8 pm / $5 / AA

Polish Hall Branch #1

Mixed Bag Heavy Show

Karaoke

The Foundry

Ira Johnson Howl at the Moon

9 pm / $10 / 19+

The Hung Wellgarians The Wayland

10 pm / $5 / 19+

Mother of Wolves

DEC 21

Open Mic Night Lakehead Beer Company

7 pm / No Cover / AA

8 pm / No Cover / AA

10 pm / $5 / 19+

Serena Ryder: Merry Myths Tour

Thunder Bay Community Auditorium 7:30 pm / $59+ / AA

Sea Shanty The Foundry

8 pm / No Cover / 19+

Karaoke

The Foundry

8:30 pm / No Cover / 19+

10 pm / $5 / 19+

Norteños Cantina

DEC 16

Tammy Wilson and Adam Sabaz Bojan’s Café

4:30 pm & 8:30 pm / $20 / AA

TBSO: Holiday Pops

Thunder Bay Community Auditorium 7:30 pm / $50 / AA

The Eggnogger

The Foundry + Black Pirates Pub 9 pm / $TBA / 19+

DEC 13

Lakehead Choral Group Christmas Concert St. Agnes Church

Howl at the Moon 7 pm / $15 / AA

Live@Loch: Clay Breiland 8 pm / No Cover / AA

TBSO Hilldale Chamber Series: Flight of Phantasy

Black Pirates Pub 9 pm / $TBA / 19+

The Hung Wellgarians The Wayland

10 pm / $5 / 19+

DEC 17

Open Jam

Branch 5 Legion

8 pm / No Cover / AA

DEC 27

Danny Johnson’s Piano Bar Shooter’s Tavern

8 pm / No Cover / 19+

DEC 29

Cat Sabbath + Psycho Therapy + Brazen Bull 9 pm / $10 / 19+

The JB Band The Wayland

10 pm / $5 / 19+

Live@Loch: Jimmy Breslin

Loch Lomond Ski Area 8 pm / No Cover / AA

Mixtape

The Foundry

10 pm / $5 / 19+

Hilldale Church

DEC 30

Santaween Xmas Costume Party ft. V3nom

Black Pirates Pub

7:30 pm / $15–30 / AA

Black Pirates Pub 9 pm / $TBA / 19+

Undercover The Foundry

10 pm / $5 / 19+

Thirsty Monks

Norteños Cantina 10 pm / $5 / 19+

7 pm / $10–20 / AA

Jamie Sky + Sara Kae

Boxing Day Party

Black Pirates Pub

Loch Lomond Ski Area

DEC 11

DEC 26

7 pm / $25 / 19+

The CCR Band

Branch 5 Legion

Norteños Cantina

7:30 pm / No Cover / 19+

Open Jam

DEC 10

St Paul’s United Church 7:30 pm / $20–40 / AA

7 pm / No Cover / 19+

Open Mic

DEC 22

DEC 12 DEC 8

Karaoke

The Foundry

Howl at the Moon

Boomtown

8 pm / No Cover / AA

I Killed Your Dog

Headrush

The Foundry

7:30 pm / $49+ / AA

Branch 5 Legion

23 L’Rain

Open Mic

8 pm / $45+ / 19+

Open Jam

Young

The The Walleye Walleye

NV Music Hall

4 pm / By Donation / AA

Lahai

124 4

7:30 pm / $20–40 / AA

St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church

Ishkōdé

Dead Oceans

Italian Cultural Centre

Thunder Bay Community Choir: Music for Advent

Here and Now

The Land Is Inhospitable And So Are We

TBSO Special: The Music of Gordon Lightfoot

DEC 3

14 Aysanabee*

16 Mitski

DEC 1

Finger Eleven

Healing Power

Sonic Unyon

Bonsound

Check out our weekly charts online at luradio.ca. Keep it locked on 102.7 FM, online streaming at luradio.ca.

Self-Released

10 Terra Lightfoot*

Inuktitut

Chart ranking reflects airplay for the week ending Tuesday, November 14, 2023.

Infinity Plus One

Dine Alone

2 Elisapie*

DecemberMusicGuide

DEC 23

Vega Reunion Show

Black Pirates Pub 9 pm / $10 / 19+

Morning Light

Groovy Classic Rock Debut Show 9 pm / $TBA / 19+

The JB Band The Wayland

10 pm / $5 / 19+

The Selfies The Foundry

10 pm / $5 / 19+

DEC 31

NYE @ BPP

Black Pirates Pub 9 pm / $TBA / 19+

The JB Band The Wayland

10 pm / $5 / 19+ Brought to you by:

The Foundry

10 pm / $5 / 19+

For more info visit tbshows.com

TheWalleye Walleye The

125 5

DecemberHoroscopes Aries

(March 21–April 19) It’s no secret that the first sign of the zodiac needs to lead the charge in the seasonal decorating. Yes, we all know that your tree has been up for a month now, and that’s okay! Someone needs to be the first in the neighbourhood, and it’s always reliably you. Always the feisty fire sign, your energy is full speed ahead. Plan a day of shopping with a pal (Goods & Co.?) and load up on local treasures. Romantically, the stars are aligned in your favour for the spiciest holiday yet! Look closely under the tree—the perfect gift awaits! Mercury swings into retrograde on the 13th, so keep communication a priority.

Taurus

(April 20–May 20) This is a festive season indeed. Plan a family cookie night where the gang comes over to swap some seasonal sweets. It’s a great way to exchange some baking and try some new noshes. Enjoy some downtime from the workplace and let yourself truly relax. Perhaps a cosy night in with some favourite classic movies is in order. Bulls can be notoriously stubborn about tradition, but do keep an open mind (and an open heart!) and there’ll be some lovely new memories to look back on. Remember: everyone loves fruitcake, especially yours. A special someone has the perfect gift for you.

Gemini

(May 21–June 20) The Twins are all about the festivities, and are usually the star of the office party or spearheading the ugly Christmas sweater event (Gemini refuses to let this tradition die). The merrymaking at the office will be full-steam ahead—there’s almost a sense of wanting to make up for previous years that may have fallen flat. It’s

126

The Walleye

By Sunny Disposish

okay to be boisterous, but just know that not everyone is as into Mystery Santa as you are, and it’s important to give colleagues their space as well. This airy sign might find themselves in new digs this season—perhaps a small seasonal gathering/ housewarming party would be just what the doctor ordered! The full moon in your sign on the 26th gives you a boost of energy.

Cancer

(June 21–July 22) Travel is strongly featured in your stars this month, Cancer, and that could include air travel as well. Don’t worry about those jitters— just make sure you make a list and check it twice, and get all your papers in order. A little bit of preparation will ensure smooth sailing for your seasonal travels. Whether you are heading home or zipping off to the tropics, a favorable vacation ensues. As the year end approaches, take some time to reflect upon the previous months as well as set some goals for the upcoming new year. New Year’s Eve finds you in a particularly bountiful mood and ready to watch the ball drop. Out with the old, in with the new! A fresh start awaits. What are you waiting for?

Leo

(July 23–August 22) It’s been a year, Leo! It’s had its ups and downs, but overall it’s been an incredible journey of self-growth and realizations. Things that were foggy before are now crystal clear to you. Take a close look at all your relationships and take note of where improvements can be made. Communication is key. This month’s theme is abundance. It’s not always about receiving—but you knew that. Generous Leo takes great pride in curating the perfect gift for family and friends. Nothing brings you greater joy than giving to others. Why not plan a

seasonal lunch with some cherished friends at Bojan’s Cafe? A surprise gift leaves you wondering. Stay late at the office party—you only live once, right?

Virgo

(August 23– Septembe You’re counting down the days on your advent calendar, Virgo, but please remember to enjoy the process. It’s not just all about the big day itself. Spend some time in the kitchen baking up some traditional fare, and if you have to wipe away a nostalgic tear, that’s okay, too. There are some turkeys in your family, but don’t let that spoil your fun. We all have those, and sometimes it wouldn’t be Christmas without them! Spend some time in nature with a loved one. You love supporting local, so don’t forget to order some nontraditional take-out—the more unique, the better! Curl up with some hot cocoa and a new book (or two!) and let yourself be immersed for a while. A furry friend brings joy.

Libra

(September 23– October 22) You may find yourself hosting a small soiree around the 21st. Enjoy some outdoor fun at a local park making snow angels. Spending time with young people opens your heart and brings tidings of joy while reminding you of the true meaning of Christmas. This is a lucky month for airy Libras, and you might find interesting coincidences occurring in just the nick of time. December marks a busy time for those under the sign of the scales. The kindness of strangers is overwhelming. Give thanks to a volunteer. New Year’s might be a bit on the quieter side this year and that sounds okay.

Scorpio

(October 23– November 21) It’s all about transformation

Advertsing Feature

for Scorpions this month! Now is the time for a fresh start. It’s easy to get caught up in the “new year, new me” hype, but why not you? This intense water sign has been doing some deep inner work for quite some time now, so New Year’s Eve has a special place in your heart this year. Whether you’re keen to say goodbye to this year, or eager to greet the new, it’s a good idea to celebrate in style. Grab that cheese board and that charcuterie board and gather your nearest and dearest. Pop the champagne and celebrate like never before. Cheers!

Sagittarius

(November 22– December 21) Happy birthday to the Archers! There’s plenty of reasons to celebrate this month, and another turn around the sun is one of many. Take matters into your own hands to ensure your special day is everything that you ever dreamed. The new moon in your sign on the 12th has this fiery sign going full speed ahead. This year has been something to celebrate! Things are heating up careerwise, and the new year brings an increase of abundance. Curling up with a good book by the fire brings a special joy. Adding a tea and a candle is icing on the proverbial birthday cake. Embrace the winter solstice.

Capricorn

(December 22– January 19) Happy birthday to all December Goats! This is a busy month for Capricorns, so make sure there’s time for some rest and relaxation as well. Feeling crafty? It’s all about the self-care. Spend some time relaxing at home making your unique, one-ofa-kind seasonal decorations. Listening to some favorite Christmas music invites some thoughts about the good ol’ days. Romance spices things up this month, and if you play

your cards right, you could have a special person in your life into the new year! Select the perfect gift for your new friend. A neighbour appears at your doorstep with tidings of great joy, and you plan on secretly returning the favour.

Christmas 50/50 Provides Some Remarkable Stocking Stuffers in More Ways Than One Will You Get “the Call” This Year?

Aquarius

(January 20– February 18) Aquarius loves sitting by a cosy fire having deep conversations. Pour yourself a warm cider and nestle in. Always the non-traditional one, airy Water-Bearers like to spend their holidays with a few wacky twists. Eschewing the norm, Aquarian folk enjoy creating new traditions. We are headed into the Age of Aquarius after all, and we look to you to set the example. Spirits are high this year within your household and small circle. As you spend time recapping your year—which you always do—know that there’s a lot to be thankful for. Raise a glass of eggnog and toast yourself. You deserve it!

Pisces

(February 19– March 20) A special someone coming home for the holiday makes your day, if not the entire month! There’s nothing that sentimental Fish enjoy more than having a houseful, particularly when it comes to some of the youngsters. Put on your fav album (Elvis’s Blue Christmas, of course) and stock up on the spirits. Gone are the crazy days of cramming in too much visiting in a short span of time. If there’s one thing we may have learned collectively, it’s to keep things simple and enjoy the small things in life. Hang those stockings from the chimney with care—you may find a special surprise in there. Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night! It’s been a very eventful year, and next year brings tidings of great joy to all.

The Christmas 50/50 Store will be open in the ISC until Thursday, December 28th.

Christmas gift-giving has changed over the years in Thunder Bay and Northwestern Ontario. Today, many people are searching for personal, local gifts to give their loved ones this Christmas. Homemade and homegrown are popular, as are gifts with lasting impact. The Christmas 50/50 Ticket Packages deliver on all points. For the second year in a row, the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation will open its Christmas 50/50 pop-up store at Intercity Shopping Centre’s food court where, for the holiday season, mall shoppers can buy their tickets in person. Plus, they get a festive gift card and envelope to put into a stocking or hide under the tree. “A lot of people loved the gift packages last year,” says Health Sciences Foundation CEO Glenn Craig. “It’s so easy. You get a card and envelope for your numbers, and you’re all set—you just sign your name.” Last year’s draw was a phenomenal success! Craig made a phone call to the Pace family four days after Christmas to give them the happy news that they were $2.5 million richer. This year, he’ll be doing the same—except that Craig will be calling a guaranteed

multi-millionaire. “Last year, the grand prize was a minimum of $1 million,” Craig says. “This year, we’ve doubled it to a minimum $2 million grand prize. I can’t wait to make that phone call!”

The Pace family (right of cheque) won the highest 50/50 grand prize to date - over $2.5-Million.

Local Programs Funded by Local Donors

There are also more ways to win. First of all, the $100 Special Holiday Ticket Package includes 500 numbers plus a bonus 200 numbers, giving people their best-ever value. Plus, there are several holiday bonus draws totalling an extra $100,000. The Thunder Bay 50/50 Draw is one of the biggest hospital lotteries in Ontario. Already this year, lucky winners have won $11.3 million dollars in early bird and grand prizes. Eleven winners in 2023 have received that famous phone call from Craig. Lucky number 12 will get their multi-million dollar call on December 29. But the draw is only part of the homegrown success story. Everyone wins because the other “50” goes directly to healthcare in Northwestern Ontario. In total, the Health Sciences Foundation will provide $7.4 million in hospital funding in 2023/24. “Success doesn’t mean we’re done. Success means we can do more, faster,” Craig says.

Photo rendering of Radialis unit

“People living in Northwestern Ontario have always had an independent spirit, but we are still community-minded,” Craig said. “We pull together when needed to help each other out. That includes ensuring we have the best healthcare possible.” Projects have come here that some people said could never be done: angioplasty, comprehensive cancer services including regional chemotherapy sites, the cyclotron (our hospital is one of a few in the country to have one), and now Ontario’s newest cardiovascular surgery program currently in development. Our hospital will be just the third hospital in the world to have a Radialis unit, which provides a

mammography alternative that can detect cancer more effectively in some women. What makes this unit extra special is that Radialis was researched, developed, and now manufactured right here in Thunder Bay. “Talk about homemade,” Craig says. “A new diagnostic imaging unit invented and built here that uses our own supply of radioisotopes from our cyclotron to help women across the region, funded by proceeds from the Thunder Bay 50/50. This is a great example of what we can do when the community comes together for better healthcare.” If you’re looking for a local gift for that special someone (or someones), head down to Intercity or buy your tickets online. It might be Glenn Craig who comes calling this year— not just Santa! “Proceeds from the Christmas 50/50 Draw will go to hospital projects such as emergency department renovations, construction of the new cardiovascular surgery wing, and a replacement Cath Lab,” Craig says. “Regardless of which lucky person wins the $2 million, we’ll all have better healthcare in our stockings this year.” Find out more at: thunderbay5050.ca.

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My Pottery By Sara Sadeghi Aval

Like pottery, stretched way too thin, And spun a bit too long. Or left in the fire, with no relief, Until it’s bled its colours gone Untouched clay never fears, A fall or break or crack. It simply sleeps beneath glass sand Untouched, it stays intact But you have never been a stranger To life’s forever moulding hands And fire makes your layers hard It is what Art demands.

This is

So if one day, your back should break Or you lose a piece or two I’ll gather them, paint your lines with Gold My hands will have to do You, are like pottery Spun way too thin, or stretched a bit too long You, are also just like Gold, And that's what makes you strong.

Make Better, digital painting, boy Roland

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