January 2024 by The Walleye Magazine

FILM FREE ARTS Vol. 15 No. 1 MUSIC JANUARY FOOD 2024 CULTURE thewalleye.ca

Behind every live stream 5G is here! We are growing 5G across the city and region. Now available in select areas of Thunder Bay, Kenora and Dryden.

The Walleye

Getting 5G ready is as easy as 1-2-3: 1. 5G+ Unlimited Data Plan 2. 5G ready mobile phone 3. Compatible SIM card

Contents 7 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 Designer 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 © 2024 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. 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

TheWalleye.ca Where can I find The Walleye? thewalleye.ca/wherecan-i-find-the-walleye/ Ad Deadline for our February Issue January 17th

56 28

Under the ‘Scope

Superior Seasons Farm Store

42 31 Brown Street Pedestrian Bridge

78 74 64 58

FEATURES 9 Best of 2023 10 Food 11 Arts 13 City Scene 15 Living Green/ Health 15 Music 16 Film and Theatre 17 And the Winner is… FOOD 18 THE GRINNING BELLY 19 DRINK OF THE MONTH 21 Education Requires Access to Good Food 23 SUPERIOR SIP 24 Meet the Alternative 27 OFF THE MENU 28 Superior Seasons Farm Store 31 Pocketchange FILM&THEATRE 32 The Play That Goes Wrong 34 Spotlight on Inclusivity 36 THE SECOND MOST PLEASURABLE THING WE DO IN THE DARK. A COLUMN ABOUT MOVIES

The Healing Power of Music

TheTOPFive

Remember the Magic

THE ARTS 39 FROM THUNDER BAY ART GALLERY’S COLLECTION 40 Artistic Commutes 42 A THOUSAND WORDS 44 Unmistakably Cute OUTDOOR 46 Winging it on Whitefish

CITYSCENE 48 SECOND CHANCES 51 GO LOCAL THUNDER BAY COUNTRY MARKET 53 EYE TO EYE: With Darcy Fleury 55 A New Way to Enjoy an Old Favourite 56 Under the ‘Scope 58 A Lifetime on the Ice 59 CANNABIS CORNER 60 STUFF WE LIKE MUSIC 62 Cat Sabbath 64 The Healing Power of Music 66 In Their Element 68 BURNING TO THE SKY 71 TBSO PROFILE 72 A NonCompetitive Space 74 Remember the Magic 77 Small-town Superstars 78

ARCHITECTURE 80 Brown Street Pedestrian Bridge TATTOOED YOU 82 Bears and Blooms GREEN 84 The Best of Eco HEALTH 86 Weekly Smudging Ceremony THE WALL 88 The Conundrum of Simpson 90 92 93 94 96 98

OFF THE WALL REVIEWS

Tbaytel January EVENTS GUIDE LU RADIO'S MONTHLY TOP 30

MUSIC GUIDE

HOROSCOPES THE BEAT THE EYE

The Walleye

Sarah McPherson

From Our Instagram Feed

In Error

Hopeless Ghost performs at Black Pirates Pub’s 15th anniversary celebration in May 2023

A Look Back

n a lot of ways, 2023 seemed to be a big leap forward for Thunder Bay’s arts and culture scene. The prevalence of live shows on local stages, art exhibits in our many galleries, new restaurants and other businesses opening, and full-scale returns of many tent-pole annual events has been refreshing to see. So what better way to celebrate than with our first issue of the new year, where we hear what you have to say about who topped your lists of 2023’s favourites in our annual Best of Thunder Bay survey, with this year’s being the largest yet, at 175 categories. Not only does this give us a chance to celebrate all the amazing talent and ingenuity in our city and area, but it also might just lead you to a new favourite. Speaking of reflecting on 2023, film columnist Michael Sobota gives us his picks for his favourite movies of the year, music columnist Gord Ellis examines new releases

The Walleye

from three legendary artists that show just how much clout they still have today, and EcoSuperior has a look at their year, and how the organization continues to move forward. Elsewhere in our January issue, Michael Charlebois catches up with Shy-Anne Hovorka about her concert this month with the TBSO, Emily Turner has the scoop on a new urban-styled bar opening in the city’s downtown north core, and Sidney Ulakovic speaks with Cambrian Players about their efforts to make their theatre space more accessible. So as we get ready to take on 2024 and what it will bring, we hope this issue gives you pause for thought to celebrate our unique and awesome scene. Congratulations to the winners and nominees! -Matt Prokopchuk

On page 99 of our September 2023 issue, Brook McIlroy was misidentified as being the architect for the Superior Lofts project. The architect was Moote Architect.

Featured Contributor

Angela Meady

Angela Meady is a lifelong lover of reading who grew up in a house full of kids and books in the East End. After getting degrees at U of T, she was a librarian, supporting literacy and finding the perfect book for others. She enjoyed watching children who attended her storytimes return with children of their own. She writes and edits books, including two on Slovak Canadian history published this year. Angela lives with her writer partner and dramatic black cat. See Angela’s review of Cracking the Nazi Code by Jason Bell on page 79.

On the Cover

Best of 2023 by Vik Wilen

OUR VERY BEST FOR THE NEW YEAR

TELECO is here when you need us with the latest wireless devices and affordable plans from Tbaytel that will start your year off right. Plus, our experts are here to help you choose a plan so you can experience the fastest 5G+ speeds on Northwestern Ontario's best wireless network.

The latest devices and fastest Unlimited 5G+ plans 601 Central Avenue 345-2900 • www.teleco.ca 5G compatible smartphones are required. Go to tbaytel.net for full details.

The Walleye

International Baccalaureate Programme

Are you... Curious Enthusiastic about learning Looking for challenges Motivated Internationally minded Searching for leadership and volunteer opportunities? ....Then the IB Programme might be for you!

Information Session Wednesday, January 31, 2024 7:00 PM Superior CVI Cafetorium See you there! IB WORLD SCHOOL Ms. Karen Watt IB Coordinator (807) 625-4001

Superior CVI 333 High St. N Thunder Bay, Ontario superior.lakeheadschools.ca

International Baccalaureate Programme Aiming to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect. | ibo.org

Academic Integrity — Intellectual Promise 6

The Walleye

JB Evans

TheTopFive

Lakehead Thunderwolves

1 Hockey Games January 5, 6, 12, & 13

James Mirabelli

Fort William Gardens

2 Canadian Wrestling Elite 15th Anniversary Tour

January 6 Moose Hall

Did you know Canada has a professional touring wrestling organization celebrating 15 years as “Canada’s elite wrestling alternative?” If you’re looking to shake things up in January, this is the perfect event for you. On January 6, Canadian Wrestling Elite (CWE) is bringing their 15th anniversary tour to the Moose Hall, where various Canadian and international wrestling icons (like 2 Cold Scorpio) promise to deliver a show you won’t forget. For those interested in meeting the stars outside the ring, VIP tickets for priority access meet and greet are available for $29; otherwise, general admission tickets are $24 in advance and $27 at the door. You can find tickets in town at Comix Plus Music Exchange, Good To Go Lotto (inside the Memorial Avenue Walmart), 807 Cards & Collectibles, and online through CWE’s website. cwetickets.com

4 The Sheepdogs

January 21

Thunder Bay Community Auditorium Longtime Canadian rockers The Sheepdogs are bringing their Backyard Boogie Tour to the Thunder Bay Community Auditorium on January 21. Hailing from Saskatoon, The Sheepdogs recognize that many music lovers across Canada (specifically those in rural communities) are forced to travel long distances in order to see a good concert. In honour of these music lovers and to their dedicated fanbase, the Sheepdogs’ Backyard Boogie Tour will specifically hit smaller Canadian cities that are often overlooked by larger acts (hello Thunder Bay!), promising a night of small-town rock and roll magic. The show begins at 7:30 pm and tickets are $61, available on the TBCA website via Ticketmaster (please note ticket prices are subject to change). tbca.com

Spring, summer, fall, hockey season! Our hometown university hockey team is back with a number of exciting games this month. On January 5, 6, 12, and 13, you can catch Lakehead playing against the Queen’s Gaels, the RMC Paladins, and the Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks. All home games are held at the Fort William Gardens and start at 7 pm. Tickets can be purchased online via the city’s website or inperson at the Fort William Gardens box office (adult tickets are $16, while it’s $11 for full-time students with valid student ID, children 16 and under, and any person with a disability). thunderwolveshockey.com

3 Winter Fun Days Starting January 7

Marina Park & Neighbourhoods Throughout the City Fight off the winter blues and keep busy this January at Thunder Bay’s Winter Fun Days! Starting on January 7 and continuing every Sunday until March 17, you can enjoy a wide variety of free, family-friendly winter programming (from skating and snowshoeing to scavenger hunts and community arts projects) at Prince Arthur’s Landing, the Baggage Building Arts Centre, and various neighbourhoods throughout the city. This year’s Winter Fun Days kick off with a skating party at Prince Arthur’s Landing on January 7, followed by a sports-themed printmaking project with the Community Arts & Heritage Education Project on January 14. All events are free to attend and will be held every Sunday from 2 to 4 pm. Check out the city’s website for details about the location and program specifics from week-to-week. thunderbay.ca/en/recreation/winter-fundays.aspx

Centre Mountain 5 Banff Film Festival World Tour

January 28

Thunder Bay Community Auditorium Thrill seekers, movie lovers, and mountain goers unite! The yearly showcase of the “world’s best mountain films” returns to the Thunder Bay Community Auditorium on January 28 at 7 pm. For over 45 years, the Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival has been a globally renowned celebration of adventure, exploration, and mountain culture; a selection of the films shown at this festival (which happens every November in Banff) then make their way around the world in this film festival world tour. If you’re looking for a night of breathtaking scenery and heartstopping adventure, this is one show you don’t want to miss. Tickets are available on the TBCA website via Ticketmaster (please note ticket prices are subject to change).

tbca.com

The Walleye The Walleye

710 Balmoral St 8

The Walleye

CoverStory

Best of 2023

Emily Turner

The Walleye is thrilled to present our biggest-ever list of businesses, individuals, locations, and organizations in the 12th annual Best of Thunder Bay issue. TBayers voted for their local go-tos in 175 categories, ranging from Best Cup of Coffee and Best Place for a Shag to new categories like Best Bannock and Best Dog Park. All that excellence is definitely something to celebrate, don’t you agree? So here’s to the winners and nominees who brought their A-game to 2023 with plenty of creativity, professionalism, and hard work. As we head into 2024, be sure to check out some new faces and re-visit your old favourites too. - Bonnie Schiedel

The Walleye

CoverStory Food 1. Best Finn pancakes

1. Kangas Sauna 2. The Hoito 3. Niva’s Restaurant*

2. Best cup of coffee

1. St Paul Roastery* 2. Rose N Crantz Roasting Co. 3. Calico Coffeehouse

3. Best tea

1. International House of Tea* 3. Calico Coffeehouse 3. The Sweet North Bakery

4. Best breakfast 1. Rooster’s Bistro* 2. Niva’s Restaurant 3. Tina’s Breakfast and Lunch

5. Best bakery 1. Holland Bakery

9. Best appetizers 1. Tomlin Restaurant* 2. Madhouse 3. The Foundry

10. Best Coney sauce

1. McKellar Confectionery 2. Westfort Coney Island* 3. Hodder Greeks

11. Best pizza

1. Both Hands Wood-Fired Pizzeria & Bakery* 2. Tomlin Subdivision 3. Eat Local Pizza

12. Best fries

1. Prospector Burger Barn* 2. Hodder Greeks 3. (tie) Beefcake’s Burger Factory (tie) Nippers Takeout

13. Best perogies 1. Port Arthur Polish Hall Limited (Court Street South)* 2. Royal Canadian Legion Branch 149 3. Slovak Legion

Emily Turner

14. Best cabbage rolls 2. Swell Bakery 3. The Sweet North Bakery*

6. Best butcher/deli

1. Maltese Grocery* 2. Agostino’s Deli 3. European Meats & Deli

7. Best specialty food store (new question)

1. The Cheese Encounter 2. Compass Foods 3. Bulk Zone

8. Best independent grocer (new question)

1. George’s Market & Celebrations 2. Maltese Grocery 3. Westfort Foods

The Walleye

1. Port Arthur Polish Hall Limited (Court Street South)* 2. Royal Canadian Legion Branch 149 3. Slovak Legion

15. Best wings

1. On Deck 2. Chicago Joe’s* 3. Tomlin Subdivision

16. Best nachos 1. Madhouse* 2. The Foundry 3. On Deck

17. Best taco 1. Norteños* 2. El Tres 3. The Sal

18. Best poutine

1. Pou-Tinerie (Hodder Greeks) 2. The Sovereign Room* 3. Prospector Burger Barn

1. Prospector Burger Barn 2. Beefcake’s Burger Factory* 3. Tomlin Restaurant

Best Independent Grocer

20. Best veggie burger

By Bonnie Schiedel

19. Best burger

1. Bonobo’s Foods* 2. Prospector Burger Barn 3. Tomlin Restaurant

21. Best sweet potato fries 1. Madhouse* 2. The Foundry 3. Daytona’s

22. Best prime rib

1. Prospector Steak House* 2. The Keg Steakhouse + Bar 3. Lot 88

23. Best ribs

1. Prospector Steak House 2. Red Lion Smokehouse 3. The Keg Steakhouse + Bar

24. Best fried chicken

1. The Sovereign Room* 2. (Tie) Daytona’s (Tie) Tomlin Subdivision 3. Tomlin Restaurant

25. Best sandwich 1. Nomad Bakeshop & Sandwich Bar* 2. Maltese Grocery 3. Agostino’s Deli

George’s Market & Celebrations “George and Dolores always ran their business as a neighborhood store, a community store. And they always really enjoyed that part of their business,” says Charmaine Thompson, coowner of George’s Market & Celebrations. “We try to carry that on.” For more than 60 years, George’s has been greeting regular customers by name, carrying quality products, and doing their best to make an ordinary shopping trip something special. Charmaine and husband Danny (Danny is George and Dolores’s son) have both worked at the business since they were 17-year-olds in the 80s, eventually taking over when George and Dolores retired. Today, they’re joined by daughter Graysen Thompson—her first day at the store was when she was just one day old—making this a third-generation family business. Honouring and building on George and Dolores’s approach to business is part of their success, says Danny. “What my parents were

really good at [knowing], and they taught us too, is what’s constant in your life will be change.” Originally opened in 1961 as Midway Grocery, a convenience store that carried everything from snow shovels to nylons, the business moved next door in 1982 and was renamed George’s Market, with new stock of fresh fruits, vegetables, and greenhouse plants. More departments were added over time. “You have to look at what you’re doing all the time, and be able to understand what the people want and make those changes, to be able to last,” says Danny. Carrying products from 50-plus local vendors sets them apart too. “It fits in exactly with our core values of helping local people in our community,” he says. “And they’re great products.” Plus, authenticity matters. It helps you be a better entrepreneur when you’re just being yourself, says Graysen. “We genuinely love our customers. We love our staff. We love what we do. Everything has got to come from the heart first.”

CoverStory 1. (Tie) The Bean Fiend Cafe and Sandwich Bar* (Tie) The Sweet North Bakery 2. Fox on the Run 3. (Tie) Kangas Sauna (Tie) Soup Mama

27. Best dessert

1. Dolce Coffee House* 2. Tomlin Restaurant 3. Caribou Restaurant + Wine Bar

28. Best ice cream/gelato

1. Prime Gelato* 2. Merla Mae 3. TJ’s Ice Cream Shoppe

29. Best cocktail 1. Barkeep

33. Best mocktail 1. Barkeep 2. Tomlin Restaurant* 3. Woodside Bar

34. Best business lunch

1. Daytona’s 2. Bight Restaurant & Bar 3. Madhouse*

35. Best quick lunch

1. Rebel Salad 2. The Growing Season 3. Nomad

36. Best sushi

1. Wasabi Japanese Restaurant* 2. Sushi Station 3. Osaka Sushi

37. Best pasta

1. Nook* 2. Bar Italia 3. Giorg Cucina é barra

38. Best bon bon spareribs Kay Lee

1. Mr. Chinese* 2. Chinese Express 3. (tie) Oriental Garden (tie) Ling Lee's 2. Tomlin Restaurant* 3. Woodside Bar

30. Best locally made beer

1. Northern Logger – Sleeping Giant Brewing Company 2. Border Run – Dawson Trail Craft Brewery* 3. Bae’s Haze – Dawson Trail Craft Brewery

31. Best beer selection

1. Sleeping Giant Brewing Company* 2. Red Lion Smokehouse 3. Dawson Trail Craft Brewery

39. Best noodle bowl 1. Golden Wok* 2. Noodle Bowl 3. Oriental Garden

40. Best Indian restaurant 1. Masala Grille* 2. Monsoon 3. Indian Bistro

41. Best Middle Eastern restaurant 1. Royal Aleppo Food*

*2022 winner

51. Best food truck/trailer

59. Best barista

43. Best smoothie

52. Best take-out

60. Best head chef

1. The Bannock Lady 2. Kokum’s Bannock and Beyond 3. Bannon’s

1. Thai Kitchen* 2. Tomlin Subdivision 3. Rebel Salad

53. Best caterer

44. Best salad

1. Salt & Pepper Catering 2. Pinetree Catering* 3. Daytona’s Kitchen + Creative Catering

1. Rebel Salad* 2. The Growing Season 3. Madhouse

45. Best vegetarian/vegan restaurant 1. Bonobo’s Foods* 2. The Growing Season 3. Rebel Salad

46. Best restaurant with gluten-free food (new question)

54. Best roastery 1. St Paul Roastery*

47. Best kidfriendly restaurant 1. Daytona’s 2. The Sal 3. (tie) Niva’s (tie) Rooster’s Bistro

48. Best restaurant 1. Tomlin Restaurant* 2. Nook 3. (tie) Caribou Restaurant + Wine Bar (tie) Lot 66

49. Best fine dining

1. Tomlin Restaurant* 2. Caribou Restaurant + Wine Bar 3. Giorg Cucina é barra

1. Moss L. (Rose N Crantz) 2. Crystal Co (Up Shot Coffeehouse) 3. Shelby Schalkx (Sweet North Bakery) 1. Steve Simpson (Tomlin Restaurant) 2. Andrew Stone (Daytona’s) 3. John Murray (Red Lion Smokehouse)*

Arts 61. Best book 2022–2023

1. Like the Glide of a Dragonfly by Natalie Lehto

1. The Growing Season 2. Bonobo’s Foods 3. Rebel Salad

1. Madhouse* 2. The Foundry 3. The Sovereign Room

2. Best Bite Shawarma

1. Mini Donut Shoppe* 2. Local Motion by Pinetree Catering 3. Epic Cones

1. The Growing Season* 2. Kelly’s Nutrition Centre & Juice Bar 3. Merla Mae

50. Best pub food

32. Best wine list 1. Caribou Restaurant + Wine Bar* 2. Tomlin Restaurant 3. Lot 66

42. Best bannock (new question)

Emily Turner

26. Best soup

2. Rose N Crantz Roasting Co. 3. Wolfhead Coffee

55. Best patio

1. Nook* 2. Bar Italia 3. Bight Restaurant & Bar

56. Best new restaurant 2022–2023

1. Norteños Cantina 2. The Industry Social House 3. Grotto Trattoria

57. Best server

1. Hayleigh LaVallee (The Foundry) 2. Mel McLuckie (Tomlin Restaurant)* 3. Trevor See (Giorg Cucina é barra)

58. Best bartender

1. Jackie Stroud (On Deck) 2. (tie) Donato D'Angelo (Tomlin Restaurant) (tie) Onur Altinbilek (Black Pirates Pub)* 3. Brad Valila (The Industry Social House)

2. Skating Wild on an Inland Sea by Jean E. Pendziwol 3. I Kill The Bird Quietly by Samantha Convey

62. Best photographer 1. Damien Gilbert 2. Keegan Richard 3. Laura Paxton

63. Best videographer

1. Damien Gilbert 2. Westfort Productions* 3. Apple Wagon Films

The Walleye

CoverStory exhibited Give and Take at the Co. Lab Gallery & Arts Centre this past fall, featuring their visual interpretations of words “insect,” “fungus,” and “bone.” “[We] really just wanted to do something that would showcase to people the different type of work we do, but also the similar type of work we do as well,” he says.

69. Best clothing designer 1. Ungalli Clothing Co.* 2. Majesty Makings 3. Joyce Seppala

70. Best potter

2. Keegan Richard 3. Bianca Artistry

1. (Tie) Bee Natural Pottery (Tie) Black Dog Ceramics* 2. Phire Pottery 3. Sweet Earth Ceramics

65. Best makeup artist

1. Knits by Nat*

1. Bianca Artistry* 2. Jamie Morrison 3. Scotia Kauppi

71. Best crafter

Shannon Michelle Photography

-Matt Prokopchuk

66. Best drag king/queen 1. Ivan Love*

Jeanette Posine

Best Bannock

64. Best visual artist 1. boy Roland*

The Bannock Lady

2. Amber Ail 3. Mz. Molly Poppinz

Story by Tiffany Jarva, Photo by Sidney Ulakovic

The Walleye

67. Best public art installation

Well before he became a celebrated, full-time visual and tattoo artist in Thunder Bay, boy Roland knew that art was going to be central to his life and career. “I was always drawing as a kid, like even all through high school,” he says. “I took as much arts programming as I could.” Even with assignments in other classes, he says he tried to find ways to incorporate a more artistic approach. “I’d be like, ‘I’ve got a presentation in biology, can I turn this into a small animated film instead?’” It’s been a busy 2023 for boy Roland as, aside from his tattoo work at Finders Keepers Tattoo, he says he’s had his work displayed as a banner outside the Thunder Bay Art Gallery, painted a large shipping container for Westfort Coney Island, and, along with Dave Mancuso and Vicki Nerino,

1. Lakehead Beer Co. mural 2. Betty Carpick: The Land is Dancing 3. City bus murals

68. Best art exhibit 2022–2023

1. Helen Pelletier: Wiigwas Manidoog Descendants (Thunder Bay Art Gallery) Chondon Photography

fluffy bannock—the anchor of The Bannock Lady’s business, which now has a permanent home at Intercity Shopping Centre. Customer favourites over the years include the bannock burger and bannock deluxe tacos. “My favourite part is talking to customers and meeting new people every day,” says Posine, who is enjoying working more hours now that many of her summer employees have gone back to school. One such customer suggested that she try serving chilli with her bannock and as a result, chilli is the latest item on The Bannock Lady’s menu. Can’t make it to the restaurant? Posine says in the new year, watch for select menu items like chilli with bannock on Skip the Dishes and Uber Eats.

Dave Andrew

ears ago, when Jeanette Posine, owner of The Bannock Lady, noticed that local Indigenous food wasn’t available at Thunder Bay’s Folklore Festival, she signed up for a food booth. “We grew up with bannock,” she explains. “My mom showed me how to make it the traditional way, which is flatter, using a little bit of oil.” Posine knew that she wanted to create something with a more modern twist. “I tried recipe after recipe all night until I got the recipe that The Bannock Lady still uses today,” she says. Inspired by a recipe that has been passed down through generations, Posine uses three simple ingredients: flour, baking powder, and water. She has created her own signature light and

Cody Angus/TBay Alive

Nat Jurcik with her niece

2. Vicki Nerino: Kindred (Co. Lab Gallery & Arts Centre) 3. Radical Stitch (Thunder Bay Art Gallery)

Natalie “Nat” Jurcik knitted her first scarf just over ten years ago. “It was way too long for me,” Jurcik laughs. “And now what I do snowballed from this accident.” Jurcik has just returned from the One of a Kind event in Toronto, which champions makers and crafters—an energy that she enjoys embracing. “I love going to big shows and engaging with people— it’s really cool. I love my customers.” You can find Knits by Nat products at many local shows and artisan events like Thunder Bay’s Craft Revival as well as markets in places like Winnipeg, Barrie, and Terrace Bay. Jurcik says she especially appreciates the flexibility of working for herself. You can find her cosy hats, scarves, baby boots, and blankets online at knitsbynat.ca or in person at Ungalli Clothing Co., Creekside Nursery & Garden Centre, and Bill Martin’s Nurseryland. Knits by Nat will be expanding in 2024. -Tiffany Jarva

2. Gaudy Grandma 3. (Tie) Amanda Talarico Artistry (Tie) Majesty Makings

72. Best jewelry maker (new question)

1. North Shore Jewelry 2. Cree Stevens 3. Lunar Moose *2022 winner

CoverStory

1. Waxxed Candle Co.

(Tie) Leyah Nguyen (Tie) Nerissa McRury

77. Best dance studio

1. Art in Motion 2. Morgan’s School of Highland Dancing 3. Fay Gleeson Dance Centre

Since 2019, Kate Strange of Waxxed Candle Co. has been sharing her infectious Aussie energy and beautifully scented candles with our community. “I derive inspiration primarily from the vibrant energy around me,” she says. “My creative endeavors are fueled by tapping into the dynamic vibes of my friends, family, both near and far, and the diverse influences within Thunder Bay. This collective energy serves as a source for inspiration in my life and my upcoming projects.” Initially started as a creative outlet to feel closer to her sister back home, Waxxed has now evolved into a thriving local business with a growing team and a number of successful partnerships; as an active member of the local business community, Strange hopes to have a lasting positive impact on Thunder Bay. Supporting Waxxed, she says, is simple: “Stay lit, show kindness, and burn a candle.” -Kelsey Raynard

2. Peace & Quiet Candle Co. 3. Heart + Soul Candle Co.

74. Best tattoo artist

1. Meg Niittynen (Ink Factory Tattoos)* 2. Remy Chunick (Identity Tattoo & Piercing) 3. Vanessa Presenger (Studio 449)

75. Best piercer

1. Alex Cummins (Identity Tattoo & Piercing)* 2. Matt Bressmer (Creation Body Piercing) 3. Tabatha Andreason (Creation Body Piercing)

76. Best dancer

1. Leah Boczek 2. Sara Sorrell 3. (Tie) Emma Dubinsky (Tie) Heather Morgan

78. Best dance instructor

83. Best place to impress a visitor

87. Best hairdresser

1. Marina Park/Prince Arthur’s Landing* 2. Kakabeka Falls 3. Hillcrest Park

1. Jillian Hill (Lunar Hair Studio) 2. Kristyn Schmerk (Alchemy Hair Studio) 3. Tara Dayton (Pure Salon & Day Spa)

84. Best beach (new question)

88. Best barber

1. Chippewa Park Sandy Beach

1. Bryan Fresco (The Barber Shop)* 2. Joe Slyford (Rebel Barbers & Company) 3. Darius Visser-Di Carlo (The Barber Shop)

1. Heather Morgan 2. Tatyana Popovic 3. (Tie) Ashley Harju (Tie) Sarah Tassone

79. Best beadworker 1. Jean Marshall*

2. Sister Bear Designs 3. (Tie) Birch and Beads (Tie) Courtney Forbes

City Scene 80. Best Thunder Bay-ism 1. “Persian”* 2. “Camp” 3. “Shag”

81. Best place to people watch 1. Marina Park/Prince Arthur’s Landing* 2. Intercity Shopping Centre 3. Goods & Co. Market

82. Best walkable neighbourhood 1. Bay & Algoma* 2. Mariday Park 3. Vickers Park

89. Best esthetician While it’s not the only sandy public beach a short drive from town, Sandy Beach is arguably one of the most spacious, and with so many other advantages Sandy Beach has going for it, it’s not hard to see why it’s so many people’s go-to beach. Sandy Beach sits on the shore of Lake Superior, offering a picturesque view of the Sleeping Giant that makes the perfect backdrop for a serene winter stroll or a picnic and dip in the lake on a hot summer day. Only minutes away from Chippewa Park’s amusement rides and playground, Sandy Beach is an essential stop on a jam-packed day of fun with the family. Ultimately, its namesake beach of soft sand makes Sandy Beach a beloved and convenient escape to soak in the area’s natural beauty in our short— but highly anticipated— summer months. -Sidney Ulakovic

2. Wild Goose Beach 3. Boulevard Lake Main Beach

1. Current River 2. McIntyre River 3. Kaministiquia River

86. Best weekend getaway Rose Valley Lodge Grand Marais, Minn. Sleeping Giant Provincial Park

90. Best day spa 1. Drift Day Spa* 2. Pure Salon Day Spa 3. Terra Nova Salon & Day Spa

91. Best clothing store 1. The Loop 2. Mars Clothing* 3. Lewk Clothing

92. Best market vendor 1. pie.ology* 2. Wintering House 3. Thunder Oak Cheese Farm

93. Best general/ country store

85. Best urban river (new question)

94. Best window display

1. The Loop* 2. Kitchen Nook 3. Goods & Co. Market

95. Best new business (new question)

1. Lewk Clothing 2. Norteños Cantina 3. Lakeside Studio and Café

96. Best influencer (new question) 1. Stephanie Hunt

1. Scotia Kauppi (Sweet Cherry Spa) 2. Adele Pacholczak (La Mirage) 3. Raili Pearen (Evoke Salon & Spa)

1. Dawson General Store*

Keegan Richard

73. Best candle maker (new question)

2. Silver Islet General Store 3. Green Acre Variety

After working for years in retail management, Stephanie Hunt decided to share her love of fashion and her joy in helping people feel self-confident through social media, spreading her message that beauty is much more than skin-deep. “I hope to empower women to feel beautiful in their own skin, to be authentically and unapologetically themselves, to be kind to themselves, to love themselves fiercely, and to know that your size doesn’t determine your worth,” she says. Hunt’s mental health advocacy and body positivity is a testament to the fact that influencers can have an impact on the lives of their supporters near and far. “I preach daily to love your authentic self wherever you are in your journey, whether that’s mental health, body image, personal, or professional,” she says. “When I receive messages from my followers sharing that I somehow make a positive impact in their lives and help them to love themselves a little bit more, that gives me the courage and inspiration to keep going.” Follow her on Instagram @_stephhunt. -Kelsey Raynard

2. Amanda Bay 3. (Tie) Damien Gilbert (Tie) Jamie Smith

The Walleye

CoverStory 103. Best comedian

1. Aaron Gee 2. Mark Menei* 3. Ron Kanutski

104. Best busker

1. The Bay Street Bastards 2. Arden Bruyere* 3. Cory Hoogsteen

105. Best grassroots organization

110. Best hotel

1. Delta Hotels by Marriott Thunder Bay* 2. The Courthouse Hotel Thunder Bay 3. Best Western Plus Norwester Hotel & Conference Centre

111. Best library (new question) 1. Waverley Resource Library

Kendall Williams and Melissa McClement

Best New Business Lewk Clothing

Story by Sidney Ulakovic, Photo by Shannon Lepere

“I

t’s been a roller coaster,” says Melissa McClement, co-owner of Lewk Clothing, with a beaming smile as she reflects on their first year in business. McClement and business partner Kendall Williams took a leap of faith and opened the boutique in November of 2022 and haven’t looked back since. If you haven’t yet had the pleasure of shopping there, Lewk Clothing is a women’s clothing boutique in the heart of Westfort Village that specializes in inclusive sizing, carrying sizes extra small to 3X (or 4X if they’re able to stock it), and they’re one of the only local clothing stores that carries such an extensive size range. “We have a group of women who, one’s a size four, one’s a size 16, one’s an 18, and they said

The Walleye

it’s the only place in Thunder Bay where they can go for lunch, then come over here and all shop together,” says McClement. Many women have experienced the frustration and defeat that often accompanies shopping for new clothes. McClement and Williams’s mission with Lewk is to change that experience.“We’re always trying to uplift [people] as they’re trying on the clothes,” McClement says. “We just want them to walk out of here confident and feeling good.” Evidently, Lewk’s pursuit of body-positive retail space has resonated with women in Thunder Bay. “It’s not just about the retail and sales,” Williams adds. “It’s like this larger conversation and loving who you are and where you are at that time.”

97. Best X poster 1. Jamie Smith @JamieSmith807* 2. Sazón Goya @GETDUCKETS

98. Best Instagrammer

1. Jamie Smith @unctuous_bloviator 2. Damien Gilbert @dmangilbert 3. Amanda Bay @bayawesome

99. Best podcast

1. thamichaelated* 2. The Dog Classroom 3. Accidentally the Boss

100. Best elected politician 1. Patty Hajdu* 2. Shelby Ch’ng 3. Ken Boshcoff

101. Best local activist 1. Kris Tonkens 2. Kevin Cernjul 3. Jason Veltri*

102. Best current radio personality 1. Danny Foresta* 2. Mary-Jean Cormier 3. John Ongaro

2. (tie) EcoSuperior (tie) Rainbow Collective of Thunder Bay 3. (tie) Grassroots Church (tie) Grace Place

106. Best place for a shag

1. Moose Hall* 2. Canadian Lakehead Exhibition Colosseum Building 3. Canadian Lakehead Exhibition Heritage Building

107. Best indoor wedding venue 1. The Chanterelle* 2. Fort William Historical Park 3. Valhalla Hotel & Conference Centre

108. Best outdoor wedding venue 1. Rose Valley Lodge 2. Fort William Historical Park 3. Stepstone Wedding Centre*

109. Best real estate agent

Dylan Darbyson

Sidney Ulakovic

1. Roots Community Food Centre (formerly Roots to Harvest)*

Since 1951, Waverley Resource Library has been a warm and welcoming place for the bookish and notso-bookish alike. From the Die Active graffiti art mural on the exterior ramp to the lower-level auditorium that’s been home to so many puppet shows, story times, and public events, it’s a much-loved member of the Thunder Bay Public Library family. In addition to book-related events and free access to books and other forms of media, Waverley is host to a diverse array of gatherings: kids’ coding lessons, the Thunder Bay Repair Café, the Thunder Bay Geology and Lapidary Club, Potala Tibetan Buddhist meditation, and an Indigenous medicine pouch workshop, to name just a few. Another 2023 event was the Refugee Library, where you could check out a “living book” by having a conversation with a refugee living in Thunder Bay. Add in friendly and knowledgeable staff and it’s easy to see why Waverley is a TBay gem. -Bonnie Schiedel

2. Mary J.L. Black Library 3. Brodie Resource Library

112. Best place to take a selfie 1. Marina Park/Prince Arthur’s Landing 2. Hillcrest Park* 3. Top of the Sleeping Giant

1. Wendy Siltamaki* 2. Sarah Kerton 3. Neil Irwin *2022 winner

CoverStory

1. Fort William Country Club 2. Whitewater Golf Club 3. Strathcona Golf Course

114. Best dog park (new question) 1. Centennial Park Leash-Free Area 2. Neebing Playfield Dog Park 3. Beverly Street Dog Park

115. Best place to play pool 1. On Deck 2. Shooter’s Tavern* 3. Elks Lodge

116. Best place to watch the game 1. On Deck 2. 5 Forks Restaurant 3. Mike’s Roadhouse

117. Best local NHL player (currently playing) 1. Jordan Staal 2. Matt Murray 3. Eric Staal*

118. Best local athlete 1. Molly Carlson

120. Best secondhand clothing curator (new question)

1. Jewels of Crown 2. The Shop, Hammarskjold High School 3. Weyward Sisters

1. Fresh Air 2. Gear Up for Outdoors 3. Wilderness Supply

123. Best bike shop (new question) 1. Fresh Air 2. Rollin’ Thunder 3. 3Ride

124. Best urban park Luis Adrian Reyes

1. Centennial Park* 2. Vickers Park 3. Boulevard Lake

125. Best playground 2. (Tie) Hannah Gula* (Tie) Jonathan Portinga 3. Graham Ritchie

119. Best cannabis store

1. High Society Cannabis Co. 2. Toke House 3. Rainbow Cannabis & Accessories

1. Tim’s Whole Health 2. Kelly’s Nutrition Centre & Juice Bar* 3. Compass Foods

121. Best guided outdoor experience (new question)

122. Best outdoor store (new question)

1. Boulevard Lake* 2. Centennial Park 3. Vickers Park

126. Best antique store

1. Sleeping Giant Antiques* 2. Black Cat Antiques 3. Sunshine Antiques

127. Best local food producer

1. Belluz Farms 2. Heartbeat Hot Sauce* 3. Sleepy G Farms

1. Lovely Body products 2. Waxxed Candle Co. candles 3. Ungalli Clothing Co. clothing

129. Best health food store

Living Green/Health

1. (tie) Outdoor Skills and Thrills (tie) Sail Superior 2. Such a Nice Day Adventures 3. Boreal Museum

128. Best locally made non-food product (new question)

130. Best place for a bike ride 1. Shuniah Mines/ Trowbridge Forest

135. Best personal trainer 1. Natalie Lehto 2. Gillian Whybourne 3. (tie) Amy Slemko (tie) Andy Noga*

136. Best gym/ fitness club

1. Within You Fitness & Lifestyle Coaching 2. RISE Functional Fitness 3. (tie) Intrinsic Fitness & Lifestyle (tie) Push Fitness Centre

137. Best yoga studio

1. The Bodymind Centre*

Music 141. Best live music venue (new question)

1. Black Pirates Pub 2. Marina Park/Prince Arthur’s Landing 3. Thunder Bay Community Auditorium

142. Best recording studio

1. Lionheart Studios 2. Blueprints 3. Thunder Sound Studio

143. Best album 2022–2023

1. We Are - Altamadum

Darren McChristie

113. Best golf course

2. Boulevard Lake* 3. Centennial Park

131. Best hiking trail

1. James Duncan Nature Trail 2. Top of the Giant Trail (Sleeping Giant Provincial Park)* 3. Kabeyun Trail (Sleeping Giant Provincial Park)

132. Best mountain bike trail (new question) 1. Drift (Trowbridge Forest) 2. Balsam Connector (Trowbridge Forest) 3. Conveyor Belt (Trowbridge Forest)

133. Best day paddle

1. Hazelwood Lake Conservation Area* 2. Oliver Lake 3. Kaministiquia River

134. Best group fitness instructor 1. Natalie Lehto 2. Gillian Whybourne 3. Andy Noga*

2. Discover Yoga Studio 3. Ananda Studios

138. Best yoga instructor 1. Helen Arpin 2. Mia Mickleburgh 3. Erin May*

139. Best place to camp

1. Sleeping Giant Provincial Park* 2. Quetico Provincial Park 3. Neys Provincial Park

140. Best reason to live in Thunder Bay

1. Proximity to nature/ the outdoors* 2. Affordability/quality of life 3. The people/community

2. Your Lie - The Fixer 3. Quest for the Mighty Riff - VHS

144. Best music video 2022–2023 1. (tie) “Crown On” - stardrop (tie) “Smoke Show” The Fixer 2. “Juicy” - stardrop 3. (tie) “Rockstar” Dallas, Yung Shalack, Zakwithdapack, Bluntdaddy (tie) “Suffocate” -The Honest Heart Collective

145. Best singer 1. Nancy Freeborn* 2. Chris Talarico 3. Ryan MacDonald

146. Best guitarist 1. (tie) Greg Schultz (tie) Cam Thomas 2. Nathan Bortolon 3. Lance Hardy

The Walleye

CoverStory 152. Best rock band 1. The Honest Heart Collective* 2. Altamadum 3. V3NOM

161. Best country band 1. Back Forty*

153. Best folk group

1. (tie) Flipper Flanagan’s Flat Footed Four (tie) Loughlin 2. Long Haired Businessmen 3. (tie) Bay Street Bastards (tie) Cartwrights

154. Best metal band 3. Femur 2. Teknosis* 3. Killer

Onur Altinbilek

Black Pirates Pub

Story by Matt Prokopchuk, Photo by Sidney Ulakovic

“W

e’re definitely the old dog in the neighbourhood,” says Onur Altinbilek, the owner of Black Pirates Pub, about his establishment’s longstanding history (since 2008) of being a haven for live music in the downtown north core. “But at the same time, I still love what I do.” When Altinbilek opened Black Pirates, he says he did so with the goal of serving food and drink, but that “the focus was always live music.” To that end, the bar has seen countless bands and artists, both local and from afar. While many concerts have been memorable, Altinbilek points to the pub’s yearly anniversary bashes as being among the most special. “[It’s] a giant showcase in May of tonnes of local bands, sometimes up to 20plus,” he says. “I really look forward to those because I do a new T-shirt every year to kind of commemorate the

The Walleye

anniversary and [...] it feels like you shed your skin.” “Some bands have played 10 anniversaries, some bands were just new last anniversary,” Altinbilek continues. “You’ve got kind of a new day feeling.” And although he values always looking ahead, don’t expect Black Pirates to change significantly—at least not while Altinbilek’s at the helm. “It always looked the same, that’s one of the things that I will stay true to,” he says. “It will always look the way it looks, but we’ve catered to different crowds over the years and different things have worked for us year in and year out.” Behind the scenes, Altinbilek also gives a lot of credit to his sound engineer, Shaun Kelly, saying he’s “the best at what he does.” “Shaun is the only one who’s been with me since the beginning,” he says. “That should say it all.”

147. Best bassist 1. James Cole 2. Will Trembley 3. Martin Blanchet

148. Best drummer 1. Colin Craig 2. Brendan Byers 3. Jay Savage

149. Best keyboardist/pianist 1. Danny Johnson 2. (tie) Sean Gormely (tie) Glenn Jennings 3. Richard Tribe

150. Best DJ 1. Big D*

Keegan Richard

Best Live Music Venue

2. Wurlwind 3. BLVCKSHEEP

151. Best solo artist

1. Jean-Paul De Roover 2. Pink Ivy 3. (tie) Dallas (tie) Cole Myronuk (tie) stardrop

155. Best rap artist

1. Chepnko 2. Dallas 3. Yung Shalack

156. Best jazz act 1. Mood Indigo* 2. Mark Potvin 3. (tie) Martin Blanchet Jazz Quintet (tie) Robin Ranger

157. Best punk band 1. Forever Dead! 2. Killer 3. Ddumaurier

158. Best electronic act 1. BLVCKSHEEP 2. (tie) Bevz (tie) RKill 3. (tie) MØTH (tie) Rhombi (tie) DJ MO

159. Best blues act 1. Mark Potvin 2. The Bustle 3. Sunday wilde*

160. Best choral group

1. Sounds of Superior Chorus* 2. Fort William Male Choir 3. Lakehead Choral Group

2. The Scott van Teeffelen Band 3. Tim Albertson

162. Best cover band 1. Boomtown 2. Throwback 3. Viva/Undercover*

163. Best music instructor 1. Arley Cox 2. Denise Krawczuk 3. Katherine Nemec*

Film and Theatre 164. Best local film 2022–2023 1. Bridges to the North Tony McGuire 2. Return to Ombabika - Ma-Nee Chacaby, Zoe Gordon, Shayne Ehman 3. (tie) Call Me if You Miss Me - Pablo Balboa (tie) I See It Too - Daniel Cossio

165. Best film director 2022–2023

1. Michelle Derosier 2. Ryan La Via 3. (tie) Tony McGuire (tie) Kelly Saxberg

166. Best film festival

1. Vox Popular Media Arts Festival 2. Terror in the Bay Film Festival* 3. Banff Mountain Film Festival

*2022 winner

CoverStory

1. Mean Girls Paramount Live 2. Mama Mia! St. Patrick High School 3. Into the Woods All the DAZE Productions

168. Best theatre director 1. Thom Currie

169. Best theatre troupe 1. Badanai Theatre* 2. Cambrian Players 3. Paramount Live

170. Best actor (all genders)

1. (tie) Spencer Hari (tie) Leigh Wood 2. (tie) Sydney Rollick (tie) Amy Sellors 3. (tie) Felicia Crichton (tie) Jamie Morrison (tie) Tegin Menei* (tie) Jessica Smith

171. Best new event 2022–2023

Shannon Lepere

2. (tie) Take It In Strides Run (tie) Wizarding Winter Market 3. (tie) 2023 Canadian XCM National Championships (tie) Haunted Harbour

1. Lakehead Japanese Cultural Association’s Summer Matsuri 2. Candi Badanai* 3. Marcia Arpin

172. Best festival 1. Wake the Giant*

173. Best free event

1. Live on the Waterfront* 2. Thunder Bay Buskers Festival 3. (tie) Craft Revival (tie) Festival of India/ Festival of Colours (tie) Thunder Pride

174. Best familyfriendly event (new question) 1. Thunder Bay Buskers Festival 2. Teddy Bears Picnic 3. Thunder Pride

Emily Turner

167. Best theatre production 2022–2023

2. Country on the Bay 3. (tie) BrewHa! (tie) Thunder Bay Buskers Festival

175. Best question we forgot to ask 1. Best bookstore 2. Best chiropractor 3. Best locally made dog treats

 Shannon Baraniuk and her dog Scout

And the Winner is…

or The Walleye’s 12th annual Best of Thunder Bay readers’ survey, we asked TBayers to pick their local favourites in our largest selection of categories yet. Those who did were entered into a draw for a chance to win $1,000 in gift cards from a variety of this year's Best Of survey winners—which Visit Thunder Bay generously increased to $1,750. Shannon Baraniuk is this year’s lucky contest winner. Baraniuk, who was born and raised in Thunder Bay, works for Synergy North and also runs her own business, Blue Trail Collars, selling her handmade dog collars at local craft shows. Baraniuk says her five-year old Australian cattle dog Scout inspired her to get into the business because, as Baraniuk says laughing, she “tried to find a collar that fit her personality because she’s

crazy.” Being an avid sewer since her teenage years, it wasn’t a huge leap to turn her skill into a successful small business. A s i d e f ro m s e w i n g , Baraniuk says she also enjoys hiking and reading, pointing to the area’s abundance of hiking trails as her favourite reason to live in Thunder Bay. “I’m an avid hiker so I do love spending time outside, and there’s no place better than Thunder Bay and the surrounding area,” she says. Baraniuk adds that she fills out the Best Of survey every year because “it’s important to highlight what’s available, what’s local, and to recognize people for the effort they put into the community.” Thank you to Visit Thunder Bay for the generous sponsorship, and congratulations, Shannon!

The Walleye

Food shale mountain pathways, and down into the vaults under Edinburgh. All that walking made us hungry, so we ate often, and tried everything. Fresh seafood, meat pies, and scones were favourites; blood pudding and haggis—not so much. One Scottish staple I fell in love with was a hearty smoked fish and potato chowder called Cullen Skink. “Skink” comes from the Gaelic word for shin, as typically, soup stock was made from beef shin and knuckle bones. In the 1890s, Cullen, a fishing village on the northeast coast of the country, began using plentiful and locally produced finnan haddie

(cold-smoked haddock) instead of the hard-to-come-by beef in this recipe. And it stuck. Fragrant and cosy Cullen Skink is now widely available in many a Scottish pub and restaurant, often served with a thick slice of bread and butter to rejuvenate the weary traveller. As with many regional specialities made globally, there are so many variations on this simple dish that you can really make it your own, using cream, milk, or water, and mashing the potatoes to make the stew thicker. What’s better on a cold day in January than a warm bowl of smoked fish chowder?

Cullen Skink

Iain Cameron

serves 4

Who or What is a Cullen Skink?

THE G GRINNIN BELLY

1 Tbsp butter 1 medium onion, small dice

Melt the butter in a saucepan over a medium heat. Add onion and sauté for 5–8 minutes until translucent but not browned.

2 medium potatoes, peeled and diced into ½“ chunks 1¼ c water

Add potatoes and water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat slightly and simmer for 10–15 minutes.

½ lb smoked haddock 1 c homogenized milk

Meanwhile, place haddock in another pan and cover with milk. Cook gently for 5 minutes, or until just tender. Remove haddock from milk with a slotted spoon (*reserving the milk*) and transfer to a plate to cool slightly. When cool enough to touch, flake into large pieces, removing any bones.

Salt and pepper, to taste ½ small bunch parsley, finely chopped

Put the reserved milk and flaked haddock in the pan with the potato mixture and cook for another 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, and sprinkle with parsley to serve.

By Chef Rachel Bayes

his past November, I embarked on a bucket list trip with a childhood friend, her mom and sister, and two of their friends: 12 days in Scotland. We spent time in Oban, Edinburgh, and Glasgow, and toured the West Highlands in between. The dramatic shift in landscape between medieval streets, rugged mountains, rolling pastureland, and long, narrow lochs was incredible! Spending half of November in a country that has 100+ words for different types of rain might not sound warm and welcoming, and with massive storms Babet and Ciarán having rolled through the U.K. just

The Walleye

before our trip, I was skeptical. I packed lots of wool and rainproof layers, and hoped for the best. But, somehow, we lucked out on the weather—it was sunny and mild for all but two hours one morning. Unbelievable! Picking sea glass on the shore of the North Atlantic at St. Andrews on a bright, calm day belied the seething tempest that mere days before had flung kelp and other ocean debris far onto parking lots and second-floor balconies. Taking advantage of the balmy weather, we walked everywhere we could—on cobblestones and winding stairways, over muddy shortcuts and

Expecting to be a parent?

Come check out new maternity wear and care Apparent. LOCATED AT: 222 MILES St. E. or CONTACT US: FACEBOOK: @ITSAPPARENTLY INSTAGRAM: @A_PPARENT EMAIL: ITSAPPARENT@OUTLOOK.COM

Food

Welcome to

The Tropic Thunder Norteños Cantina

Story by Jeannie Dubois, Photo by Jack Barten

Join us on: January 16th – St. Martin January 17th – St. Bernard Learn more! Visit: tbcschools.ca

right, adobe tones greet you as you walk in the door, circling round to cool, succulent hues that meet in the middle at a beautifully rendered mural of the inimitable Frida Kahlo in the recently opened Red River Road evolution of Norteños. With a back bar stacked with every iteration of tequila and mezcal, a menu filled with savoury street food from birria to papas, and a stage that hosts a plethora of Latin acts and beyond, the new groove is very cool. The Tropic Thunder, however, which the superlative

DRINK OF THE MONTH

Cale Graydon presents in a bevelled rocks glass, is the complete opposite of chill. With a tagine spice rim and a jalapeño garnish, it comes in hot, but is perfectly balanced on the palate with warm agave notes nestled under the juicy lime and orange flavours, finishing with a little twist from the in-house jalapeñopineapple syrup. Muy caliente! Norteños Cantina 235 Red River Road 807-343-3640

The Walleye

WINTER CLEARANCE

Social_with cars copy

SALE SAVE UP TO

70% OFF SELECT FALL & WINTER MERCHANDISE

Why Taos? German engineering everyone can get into That’s why.

Downtown Volkswagen downtownvw.com 20

The Walleye

Food

Education Requires Access to Good Food

By Sarah Siska, Coordinator, Thunder Bay + Area Food Strategy, Photo courtesy of Sierra Garofalo

hile a new year brings many changes, one familiar sight at both Confederation College and Lakehead University is the return of students to the classroom after a well-deserved break. Yet, a troubling trend intensifies: the relentless rise of hunger and food insecurity on postsecondary campuses across the country. Recent data reveals a stark reality. According to Food Banks Canada’s 2023 HungerCount, postsecondary students represent 8% of food bank users in Canada, up from 5% in 2019. And, a 2021 survey by Meal Exchange covering 13 campuses (primarily in Ontario) and over 6,000 students ranked Lakehead University as having the nation’s second-highest rate of student food insecurity, at

an alarming 73.8%. Sierra Garofalo, director of food security for the Lakehead University Student Union (LUSU), has seen a significant increase in emergency food needs over the years. In November 2022 the LUSU food pantry was accessed 225 times by 175 students, whereas November 2023 had 311 visits by 235 students. Further, for the 2022–2023 year, 90% of emergency food pick up clients were international students. The growing need confirms for Garofalo that emergency food is just reflecting the problem of student poverty; what we need are preventative solutions. She calls for students, institutions, communities, and governments to collaborate on solutions that address the root causes and systemic inequalities.

Robin Gathercole, president of the Student Union of Confederation College (SUCCI), knows there is a problem on campus, but wants to look beyond band-aid solutions to fix it. While the SUCCI Food Bank only has the capacity for emergency access, Gathercole understands the stigma associated with emergency food access and wants to focus on solutions that prioritize dignified food access on campus. Gathercole’s goal “is to work toward campus food security by both reducing costs and teaching students self-reliance,” he says, noting that, if given the opportunity, students can grow food for themselves and their campus communities, reducing the challenges of accessing (and affording) food after a long day of classes. To be successful, students

The LUSU Food Resource Centre at Lakehead University

need to feel supported, nourished, and part of a strong community. For Garofalo, this can all happen through food. Similarly, Gathercole promotes this connection between food a n d l e a r n i n g t h ro u g h lunch and learn events, encouraging students to learn from professors and peers over a free meal, emphasizing the importance of good food for successful education. Garofalo wants to see students assert their power to express their foodrelated needs, asking, “How can post-secondary students come together to transform food systems on their campuses, to create community and support cultural diversity?” LUSU has started this work with the development of a Student Food Advisory Council as a shared space for interested students to advocate for food systems transformation on campus. As for Gathercole, he wants to see campus food systems grow beyond emergency responses and

toward resilient systems that empower student selfreliance. With big plans to develop food access infrastructure on campus— including community garden plots, both for students’ personal use and to provide fresh food for campus grocers and food services—he hopes the college community will come together to reduce hunger on campus. Student empowerment has to be matched with recognition; while students are keenly aware of their needs, institutions must match this awareness with tangible financial and infrastructural support. All of us—students, alumni, and community members—can support students’ access to nutritious and dignified foods. And together, we can work towards eradicating poverty and inequity underlying food insecurity. For more information on campus food resources, contact Sierra at frc@ lusu.ca or Robin at succi@ confederationcollege.ca.

The Walleye

Managing cash ﬂow efﬁciently

F F IC

TA X

-E

Sharing your wealth

Preparing for the unexpected

It’s your financial well-being. Are you keeping score?

SNAPSHOT

Optimizing your retirement

To achieve true financial well-being, you first need to know if you’re on track to meet your financial goals. Try the IG Living Plan Snapshot™ tool to get your score now.

T E GI

Planning for major expenditures

Visit www.snapshot.ig.ca

Marie Baldi, Executive Consultant Keith Anderson CFP, Senior Financial Consultant Cody Atkinson CFP, Senior Financial Consultant Chris Baldi, Associate Consultant Lise Anderson, Executive Assistant Investors Group Financial Services Inc. 807.345.6363 l Marie.Baldi@ig.ca Trademarks, including IG Wealth Management, are owned by IGM Financial Inc. and licensed to its subsidiary corporations. © Investors Group Inc. 2019 INV2090MA_E (11/2019)

The Walleye

Food

Be Kind, Rewind

R SUPERIO SIP

A Tasteful Year in Review By Jeannie Dubois, Pommelier and Sommelier

nother year has come and gone, and the wheel of time brings us into a new year with fresh prospects and resolutions to fill as we ease into the snowy season up here in the great, white north. The past year was a very interesting one in the beverage industry at large, as the prevailing trends were profoundly more about product ethos than they were about flavour profile in essentially all of the sectors. A general upward trend in consumer savviness coupled with difficult economic conditions, and a burgeoning societal mindfulness paired with a growing social media consciousness has created a market that is much more sensitive to dynamics that aren’t just about taste. Inclusivity has become an operative word in the beer, wine, and spirit industries, with attention brought to the producers creating philanthropic products and having labour forces that reflect more equalized values. As well, sustainability continues to be a strong word in the industry and is a soughtafter selling point with consumers. Whether it’s sourcing local ingredients or conscientious packaging, the desire to create more viable solutions for the good of the planet continues to thrive in production and dispersion. Inflation has also hit everyone hard, and with the stubborn rise in the cost of goods, consumers

are demanding the best value for their dollar. This is no less so in the beverage industry, where luxury items or premium products now have the bar set very high on delivery of the best the brand can offer for the money set out. From Facebook to X/ Twitter, through Instagram and TikTok, and now onwards into Threads, social media has also influenced us, and part and parcel with that is the window into the celebrity world. Many celebrities are not only a persona, they are a brand, and as part of that branding are currently very, very into making self-reflective beverages (which sell very, very well). Another surprising little trend that has picked up some momentum is all about the throwback. If you ever had a hot minute with Smirnoff Ice, now is your time to shine, as there has been a resurgence in the vintage-ish ready-to-drink cocktails that were once the only ones available on the market. Lastly, the two outliers that have seen the most growth over the past year are in opposite corners, with non-alcoholic beverages experiencing dynamic growth and quite frankly, exceptional improvement in quality and taste, while cannabis legalization has created a boom in unique new infusions that feature both CBD and THC. And that’s the year in review!

Diversified Beer:

Society of Beer Drinking Ladies New Zealand Style Pineapple Dry Hopped Pilsner $5.85 for 473 ml SOBDL creates collabs for community/ connection in Ontario and encourages dynamic diversity in the industry.

Sustainable Cider:

Ernest Cider Winter’s Blush $3.65 for 473 ml A B-Corporation Certified company, Ernest meets rigorous standards of social and environmental accountability, and transparency.

Premium Wine:

Leaning Post Pinot Noir $24.95 for 750 ml Award-winning Stoney Creek winery owners Nadia and Ilya Senchuk produce small-scale, premium terroirdriven wines that are world class.

Celebrity Spirit:

Nostalgic Cocktail:

NonAlcoholic:

THC/CBD Beverage:

Wayne Gretzky Maple Cask Finish Canadian Whisky $35.95 for 750 ml Hailing from Brantford, Ont., and perhaps the most famous hockey player of all time, Gretzky has his name on both spirits and wine.

H2 Craft Spiritless Hibiscus NonAlcoholic Gin & Tonic $2.75 for 355 ml Owners Dave Holland and Julian Holland have been un-distilling since 2018, utilizing locally sourced products in Ontario to create un-spirits.

Mike’s Hard Lemonade $12.75 for 6 x 355 ml Since 1999, Mike’s, made by Mark Anthony Brewing, has long been a summer staple and is currently enjoying a vintage-driven renaissance.

Botany By Collective Arts White Peach & Cardamom Sparkling Botanical Water $9 for 355 ml (available at Tokyo Smoke) Not only is Collective Arts Brewing behind a wide variety of beers, ciders, and spirits, but they also consciously create CBD and THC infusions.

The Walleye

Food

Meet the Alternative

New Ownership Behind Local Plant-Based Meats and Cheeses Story and photos by Sidney Ulakovic

F  Co-owners Martina Vaillant and Hudson Morash

 Vegan and gluten-free ginger molasses cookies  Meet the Alternative’s turkey, pepperoni, cheddar, mozzarella, and brie

ans of Meet the Alternative, allow us to introduce you to Hudson Morash and Martina Vaillant, now officially co-owners of the local Thunder Bay producer of plant-based meats and cheeses. For those who are unfamiliar with Meet the Alternative, the new owners say that the business was founded in 2018 on the premise that there was still a hole in the market for delicious meat and cheese alternatives that replicate the flavour, texture, and eating experience of their traditional counterparts. Since then, Meet the Alternative has seen two owners before going on the market again earlier this year. “I actually have been eating Meet the Alternative cheese for a long time because I can’t have dairy at all,” Vaillant explains. “I saw online that [the business was for sale again] and I was like ‘Oh my god, I can’t let this cheese go again.’” Fuelled by a passion for plant-based cheese, Vaillant purchased the business in October with her partner Morash, and the two dove right in from their (health unit-approved) home kitchen, where you can find them joking around as they prepare tried-andtrue Meet the Alternative recipes and experiment with some of their own. People can still expect to see Meet the Alternative staples like the mozzarella and havarti “cheeses” or deli-inspired “meats” such as turkey and pepperoni available in their

usual locations—Compass Foods, Dawson General Store, and Superior Seasons—with the potential for new homes on the horizon. “We’re expanding,” says Morash. “We aim to have more of a presence on shelves and fridges of more local stores.” Lakeside Studio & Café is expected to be the first expansion, as Meet the Alternative introduces their baked goods there. While Morash and Vaillant are having a blast in the kitchen, they’re equally excited about engaging with their customers and the opportunity to get creative with their products. Many people who eat plantbased foods are united in not particularly enjoying the alternatives presented by big brands. “I think it’s important for something that is good to exist,” says Morash of the plantbased alternative market. Vaillant explains that whenever Meet the Alternative is tagged in a social media post, she always reaches out for feedback. “There’s no way to give feedback that’s meaningful to, like, President’s Choice, this giant corporation that’s making things a certain way,” Morash adds. “But for us, we can do something different if you ask for it. We’re open to it.” Follow Meet the Alternative on Instagram @meetthealternative to stay in the know on new products or location availability.

“We aim to have more of a presence on shelves and fridges of more local stores.” 24

The Walleye

Take Advantage of the Hot Job Market Don’t settle for the first job offer that comes along. Visit YES for: Free professional employment and training assistance Local business connections that provide a strategic advantage Proven job search tools, strategies and programs for adults and youth

YES Employment Services 1116 Street (OffPractitioners Memorial atprovide Dunlop) OurWaterford Career Development free professional assistance and connections to meaningful employement. Call: 807-623-0768 E-mail: resource@yesjobsnow.com Scan the QR Code to win an Amazon ECHO SHOW 10 (3rd GEN)

The Walleye

Need someone to talk to? We’re here to help.

The Walk-In Counselling Clinic provides quick access to single-session counselling services to people of all ages, on a first come, first served basis, at no cost to the participant.

Talk to one of our professional counsellors. Wednesdays 12 noon-6:30pm at the following locations: (no clinic 5th Wednesday)

1 3

Both locations open to all ages.

2 4

1st & 3rd Wednesday Each Month

2nd & 4th Wednesday Each Month

THUNDER BAY COUNSELLING 544 Winnipeg Avenue

CHILDREN’S CENTRE THUNDER BAY 283 Lisgar Street

To call-in, dial: 807-700-0090 Services en français disponibles.

! s t a r g n Co

WATERFRONT DISTRICT Winners of the 2023 Walleye Best of Thunder Bay!

The best way for kids to stay protected? Catch up on missing vaccines.

Take advantage of additional routine vaccine clinics for school-aged children Protect your kids from measles, tetanus, mumps and more. Visit our website or call us for clinic details.

TBDHU.com/schoolimmunizations Call 1-888-294-6630 or your closest branch office

The Walleye

Food

E OFF TH U N E M

The Sal

Review and photo by Jack Barten

estfort Village is truly one of the great boroughs of Thunder Bay. With a great sense of community and a diverse roster of businesses, Westfort is truly one of the happening places in the city. With that being said, here’s an idea for our adventurous readers out there: go to Westfort, exit your vehicle, and just say out loud: “What’s The Sal?” The result of this action (I would imagine) would be every resident of Westfort Village descending upon you and forcing you into their hallowed Sal for good eats and a history lesson. Opening way back in 1964,

The Sal is Westfort’s beloved diner-style restaurant, serving lunch, dinner, and all-day breakfast. This brings us to the appropriately titled Westfort Wonder. The Westfort Wonder is The Sal’s take on the classic Monte Cristo sandwich. Starting with egg-battered white bread infused with local maple syrup, the artisans of The Sal then melt both cheddar and Swiss into this glorious base. After this sweet alchemy, ham, bacon, and over-medium eggs are all assembled to make the finished Westfort Wonder. When one bites into it, the flavour that first jumps out at you is the

sweetness of the bread from the previously mentioned local maple syrup, which combines really well with the savoury cheese and meat. Speaking of the cheese, the combination of cheddar and Swiss lends itself perfectly to a sweeter bread base, as neither cheese is sharp enough to overwhelm the delicate maple flavours. After your brain is done fawning over the cheese and bread, you process the bacon, ham, and egg. Each of these three elevates the other aspects of the sandwich: the bacon adds salt and texture, the ham combines with the sweet flavours, and then the egg

brings home the show, adding moisture and texture to every bite. Everything really does come together Wonder-fully (get it?). But after all that, if this sandwich isn’t enough for you, there’s also the home fries. Perfectly salty and crispy, these are the final word in breakfast side dishes, and pair fantastically with the sweeter flavours present in our beloved breakfast sandwich. The Westfort Wonder is truly one of the wonders of Westfort, and makes the journey to the village worth it any day of the week.

The Sal 118 Frederica Street West 807-577-8635

The Walleye

Food

Superior Seasons Farm Store

Goods & Co. Grocer Offers Exclusively Local and Regional Products Story and photos by Sidney Ulakovic

s demonstrated by Thunder Bay's exploding food scene, few things are better than sharing and enjoying a locally made meal. TBay foodies are fortunate to have the means to do that every day in their homes with the help of Superior Seasons Farm Store. If the name rings a bell, you may be familiar with the online farmers market of the same name, which has been managed by Belluz Farms since its inception in 2010. The idea was to have a convenient distribution model for local farmers and consumers to access as needed. Fast forward 10 years to the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, and suddenly it became important to be able to order food online. Towards the end of that year, a space in a promising venue we now know as Goods & Co. Market became available, and the decision to expand the business to brick and mortar made sense. Superior Seasons Farm Store, open five days a week, continues to make access to local and regional food convenient with the bonus of being able to browse the market in person. Their mission, “Support Local,” is proudly written on a chalkboard that boasts their current list of suppliers, which sits at a whopping 125 different producers, some homegrown in Thunder Bay and others sourced throughout Ontario. Like any commercial grocery store, Superior Seasons is stocked with fresh produce, preserves and dry goods, personal care products, and all sorts of other goodies. “We’ve always been based on [providing products

with] whole food ingredients without any processing,” says co-owner Kevin Belluz. Although Superior Seasons’ expansion has been exciting, Belluz says it’s not without its challenges, one of which, he says, is the consumer tendency to think local food is synonymous with expensive food, thus deterring people from exploring the market. “Grocery stores’ food has really gone up in price and most of our local suppliers’ prices have stayed roughly the same,” says Belluz. “And so the difference between the grocery store and local stuff now is decreased a lot, so pricing wise is closer than ever.” As grocery store prices continue to skyrocket, Belluz urges people to reconsider the power of their dollar, as Superior Seasons’ intent is to give consumers the opportunity to support an ethical food system. “How they grow is as important to us as what they grow,” Belluz says of their suppliers. “The nice thing about all local farms is that they are more connected into the local community,” Belluz continues. “They go to local events; they talk to local people. There’s a natural community and then also a responsibility that then comes onto the farm.” Superior Seasons will be closed along with Goods & Co. Market until January 20. In the meantime, you can find Superior Seasons on Facebook and Instagram to stay up to date with the market and see local product highlights.

“We’ve always been based on [providing products with] whole food ingredients without any processing.” 28

The Walleye

This is A P P LY N O

(807) 475-6110 | 1-800-465-5493 (toll free) recruitment@confederationcollege.ca

confederationcollege.ca The Walleye

Put your family’s Health first this New Year!

Dr. Ally Biniaris

two DELICIOUS things UNDER ONE ROOF

Scan for more info

FAMILY CHIROPRACTOR

COMMON REASONS TO VISIT NECK / BACK PAIN HEADACHES / VERTIGO PREGNANCY SUPPORT

SCIATICA INCREASE SPORTS PERFORMANCE CONCUSSION REHAB

KNEE PAIN WHIPLASH etc. Advanced training in care for babies, paediatrics, and perinatal women!

807-475-8454 404 Vickers St. S.

1181 Golf Links Rd. @dawsontrailcraftbrewery @station.22

BECOME A MEMBER TODAY!

A SMALL DONATION MAKES A BIG DIFFERENCE IN YOUR COMMUNITY. To learn about the benefits of membership visit us at: theag.ca/membership

The Walleye

Food

Connor Remus

Pocketchange

Pocketchange will be open Wednesdays to Sundays. Follow their Instagram @pocketchange.bar for their official opening date, which will be released soon.

The Urban Bar We’ve Been Waiting For Story by Emily Turner, Photos by Connor Remus

ew year, new bar! Local photographer and long-time bartender Connor Remus and partners are bringing the newest entertainment addition to Red River Road with the opening of Pocketchange, a speakeasy-inspired urban bar that complements the downtown north core scene. Taking cues from establishments Remus visited during his time in Toronto and other big cities, his hope with Pocketchange is to “bring something hype and trendy and fun,” to Thunder Bay, he says. There will be something for everyone at Pocketchange, with large screen TVs to watch the

game, some artsy selfie mirrors, and a full-time, inhouse DJ. Asian-inspired food, made on site by a small team in a shiny, new kitchen space, will perfectly satisfy those snacky cravings when you’re enjoying a drink out. Enjoy these light speciality apps as you sip on modest but gratifying drinks such as a negroni with a Shiro Shochu base— “not your grandma’s negroni,” according to Remus—and other handmade cocktails that are “fun and friendly, and quick to execute.” Rest assured, beer-lovers, there will be local brews for you too. Located at 234 Red River Road, in between The Foundry and NV

Music Hall, not only will Pocketchange bring the “taste and feels of the big city right to downtown PA,” Remus says, it will also fill a space that has been unoccupied for a couple of years—the old Babylon Lounge space. Modernized with a few important changes to the original décor, this chic, comfortable new space isn’t quite a cocktail bar, but it is also far from a dive bar. Enjoy the latenight vibes on Friday and Saturdays and grab your brunch there on Sunday mornings, because at Pocketchange “there’s no reason to say no,” as their slogan goes.

The Walleye

FilmTheatre

The cast of Badanai Theatre's production of The Play That Goes Wrong

The Play That Goes Wrong A Family-Friendly Theatrical Farce

Story by Taylor Onski, Photo by Minic Winters

adanai Theatre will bring some light and laughter amidst the winter blues of January and February with their production of The Play That Goes Wrong. The winner of the 2015 Olivier Award for best

The Walleye

entertainment or comedy play, which is presented by the Society of London Theatre, this production blends the classic murder mysteries of Sherlock Holmes and the slapstick and hilarity of Fawlty Towers and Monty Python.

“It was the easiest and funniest script I read. I've never laughed so hard at a table read before,” says actor Teddy Kellogg, who plays the production’s overly excited and zealous first-time director Chris,

as well as Inspector Carter in the play within the play. “I’m excited to bring my kids. The kids will love it for people getting hit in the head and the parents will love it because it reminds me of watching murder mysteries with my parents.” As the Cornley Drama Society local theatre troupe performs its latest production of The Murder at Haversham Manor (past productions include Snow White and the Tall, Broad Men and The Lion and the Wardrobe), they hope this is the play they get right. However, the title of the show says otherwise. “Anything you can think of happens to this poor character called ‘the set’: loved, abused, tormented, smashed,” says Kellogg. “This door needs to fall now, so that person trips and goes over there. This water needs to be spilled here so that person slips.” While the play may go wrong and the set is demolished by the end of the night, for actress Cady Dreger who plays Sandra and Florence Colleymoore, navigating choreographed chaos and developing multiple characters makes this experience right. “There are so many moving parts to this,” says Dreger. “We all have to make sure that we're executing our roles with such specificity and precision. In that sense, it is one of the more challenging, but definitely one of the most fun works I’ve ever been a part of.” While this production strays away from Badanai Theatre’s known roster of musicals, Dreger notes that this show will have just as much of the camp, energy, and enthusiasm as those memorable musicals— minus the tap shoes. “There’s so much happening on the stage at all times that if you go with a group, everyone's going to have a different takeaway,” says Dreger. “If you have the opportunity to see the show a couple of times, it's going to be a different experience every time.” The Play That Goes Wrong runs from January 18 to 20, 25 to 27, and from February 1 to 3, and 8 to 10 at the Paramount Theatre (24 Court Street South). To purchase tickets, visit badanai.eventbrite.ca.

Find Your Place in With Us No matter where you find yourself in Grand Portage, there will always be a place for you.

GrandPortage.com

“WHEN YOU

#CHOOSETBAYFIRST

EXTERIOR FINISHING T H U N D E R B AY, O N T. 882-A Tungsten Street • 807-623-1135 www.exteriorfinishing.ca

YOU CHOOSE

#TBAY PEOPLE.” # “Just an FYI, although our name doesn’t say it, we do interior renovations as well. If you are considering any type of interior renovation this winter, please give us a call for a free estimate.”

@choosetbayfirst The Walleye

FilmTheatre

Spotlight on Inclusivity Cambrian Players Launch Accessibility Fundraiser

Story and photo by Sidney Ulakovic

“A

Cambrian Players' theatre space on Spring Street

If you’re interested in donating, sponsoring, or volunteering in support of Spotlight on Inclusivity, please visit cambrianplayers.com.

pie.ology HAND PIES M ADE WI T H HE AR T

eat . more . pie.

Our hand pie shop at 119 May Street S., is open Tuesdays, Thursdays & Fridays, 11:00 am - 3:00 pm. Or catch us at the Thunder Bay Country Market on Wednesdays More news & goodies: Pie.ology pie.ology_ from 3:30-6:30pm and Saturdays from 8:00am - 1:00pm.

The Walleye

nyone in Thunder Bay should be able to attend one of our performances,” says Ken Horton, fundraising coordinator for Cambrian Players. It’s a straightforward sentiment complicated by the theatre group’s first permanent home, the former Polish Hall and designated heritage building at 818 Spring Street. Cambrian Players purchased the building in 2017 and embarked on giving their new home some much needed TLC, which included some major repairs such as a new roof. As they approach their milestone 75th season, the group has launched its next big project for the building with a Spotlight on Inclusivity, a fundraising campaign for renovations required to make Cambrian Players’ theatre accessible. “We want to be an inclusive theatre,” says Horton. “But if you can’t get into the building, that’s going to make it harder. That’s a barrier to being able to perform with us and to attend our show.” Spotlight on Inclusivity intends to raise $150,000 to address accessibility barriers with the current space. Renovation priorities include an exterior lift for the front entrance, a main floor washroom, and automatic

doors for both the main entrance and new washroom. The campaign was softlaunched during Cambrian’s performances of A Christmas Carol: Every Man Has the Power to Do Good, with proceeds collected from pre-show buskers going towards the cause. As these performances wrap up, Cambrian has launched a platform on its website for online donations via CanadaHelps. In the new year, Horton says Cambrian will pursue grants with all levels of government in addition to seeking corporate sponsors and in-kind help from community partners and volunteers. While Horton says there’s a laundry list of additional upgrades to the building and technology that Cambrian Players would be thrilled to make, the decision to invest in their permanent home so it can represent and include anyone in Thunder Bay ultimately takes precedence. “Our lights board has a floppy disk,” Horton laughs. “We’re still willing to work on the best tech of the 1990s for your lighting design because that still works for us. We need to make it so that people can get in there and feel that this is their community theatre.”

KEEP AHEAD OF OUR

THUNDER BAY Make

Great

Entertainment Your New Year’s Resolution!

WINTERS WITH ARIENS

Machines that are passed down from one generation to the next. No, it’s not just a snowblower. It’s an Ariens.

$2,341 KEEP AHEAD Deluxe 24" 254 CC

(921045)

OF OUR

Deluxe 28" 254 CC (921046)

Deluxe 28" SHO 306 CC

$2,430*

$2,628 *

THUNDER BAY (921048)

* Plus PDI & Taxes

January 21, 2024

January 28, 2024

February 3, 2024

WINTERS Ariens is #1 Selling the two-stage Brand of snowblo in the worl wers d!

WITH ARIENS

February 5, 2024

February 14, 2024

March 14, 2024

Machines that are passed down NORTHERN TURF from one generation to the next. EQUIPMENT No, it’s not just a snowblower. NEW LOCATION: 807-623-1941 It’s an Ariens.

at www.tbca.com Order tickets online ul Shaffer Drive or in-person at 1 Pa :30pm to 5:30pm Wednesdays from 12

710B BALMORAL ST. NORTHERNTURF.CA

NORTHERN TURF EQUIPMENT

Classic Plus 24”

MON - FRI 8:30AM - 5:00PM SAT & SUN CLOSED

The Walleye

FilmTheatre

Best Movies of 2023 By Michael Sobota

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

To be honest, when I found out the patriarchy wasn’t just about horses, I lost interest. -Ken (Ryan Gosling) in Barbie.

o my great surprise and enjoyment, there were more than enough feature movies for me to curate a column about favourites from this past year. And I would wager that some of my favourites are also the best movies of 2023. Audiences slowly, carefully returned to seeing films on the big screen, while distributors more cautiously planted their titles on online platforms or streamed them. And with some titles not breaking until later in December, I may miss some worthy films. Yet, happily, here are four of the best films from this past year, with my usual addition of six more to conclude 2023.

Barbie

(American) Millions of young girls flocked to see Barbie; within two weeks of its mid-summer release, it had broken more than a billion dollars at the box office, making director Greta Gerwig the first female to solely direct a feature in the billionaire club. But Barbie was never intended for girls. Gerwig and her partner Noah Baumbach crafted a smart, mature, intelligent script intended for those girls’ parents and other adults. Any film that deconstructs the patriarchy, examines toxic masculinity, parodies the corporate entity that created and hustles the dolls, delivers a powerful monologue about what being a woman and a mother is, and includes a snappy, sassy, dirty joke about sugar daddies is intended for mature audiences. With a sharp cast performing both corny and droll humour, with a bright, colourful pastel design and that intelligent script, Barbie was two hours of summer joy.

The Holdovers

(American) Paul Giamatti and Dominic Sessa give us two of the finest acting performances of the year. Paul Hunham (Giamatti) is a teacher marooned into spending the Christmas holidays at a private boys’ school with his student, Angus Tully (Sessa). An equally stunning performance is provided by Da’Vine Joy Randolph, a kitchen staff leader also stuck at the school during these holidays. They play out a script written by David Hemingson, carefully guided through sensitive relationships by director Alexander Payne. The surrounding ensemble cast provide humour and plot complications and are all stellar. The Holdovers is full of joy and sorrow and some of the smartest scriptwriting of this year. I saw it twice on the big screen and would eagerly go again.

Maestro

(American) Director, star, and cowriter (with Josh Singer), Bradley Cooper gives us the life of one of the 20th century’s greatest orchestra conductors and music composers, Leonard Bernstein. Well, he gives us most of that life, centering on the central relationship between Bernstein and his wife, Felicia Montealegre (Carey Mulligan). They have a sensuous, serious bond that gives them three children. But Bernstein simultaneously had other lovers, mostly male, that Felicia openly knew about. Covering nearly four decades of his life, the movie opens with a startling sequence that moves from Bernstein’s bed, tracking him through hallways and onto the stage to conduct his first concert with the New York Philharmonic. This is the first of many bold, sometimes lurching events that keeps propelling the movie forward. It is Cooper and Mulligan who hold the centre steady and engage us. You will also hear some of Bernstein’s popular compositions, and see an astonishing six-minute sequence that recreates his conducting of Mahler’s Symphony No. 2. Marvelous.

You Hurt My Feelings (American) Arriving in late spring, You Hurt My Feelings was all but forgotten in the stampede created by “Barbenheimer” (the release of Barbie and Oppenheimer). Director and screenwriter Nicole Holofcener carefully crafts a story about relationships—and in particular, trust. It centres on a writer, Beth (Julia LouisDreyfus), her husband Don (Tobias Menzies), and their son, Eliot (Owen Teague). Beth is struggling to get her second novel published and overhears her husband, while talking about it with a friend, disparaging the writing. Her husband is a psychologist/couple’s therapist. Their son is also trying to be a writer. The heart of the movie explores their relationships, primarily about trust, with richly layered performances from these three fine actors and the surrounding ensemble. You Hurt My Feelings is a quiet, funny, serious cinematic masterpiece.

And here are six more films from 2023 which are very worthy of your attention: Asteroid City (American), BlackBerry (Canadian), Blue Beetle (American—yes, a CGI-laced superhero movie makes my end-of-the-year list!), Brother (Canadian), Kindling (British) and Master Gardener (American).

The Walleye

Advertising Feature

HOME OF Bounce your way to Giant Gymnastics today! 2023 has been an exceptional year for Thunder Bay-Atikokan, marked by significant community achievements and progress. I am proud to share that we have secured an impressive $300 million in investments for our riding this year alone. Of this total, $10 million has been allocated to support 72 diverse projects through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC). One of our notable accomplishments this year was hosting a record-breaking 33 ministers in our riding. The importance of bringing decision-makers directly into our community to witness firsthand the unique challenges and opportunities we face in Northwestern Ontario cannot be overstated. Not only do these engagements enable effective and appropriate advocacy in my role, moreover, our sector experts and leadership are afforded faceto-face time with the ministers so they can directly present tailored solutions to address our region’s specific needs.

www.giantgymnastics.ca Giant Gymnastics is Northwestern Ontario's largest gymnastics facility offering a wide rage of programs. NOW NOW OFFERING OFFERING NINJA NINJA ZONE!! ZONE!! Visit Visit our our Facebook Facebook page page for for more more information. information.

Programs Offered: Programs Offered: • Gymnastics •Gymnastics •Gymnastics •Rhythmic •Rhythmic Gymnastics Gymnastics • Tumbling •Tumbling •Tumbling • Trampoline •Trampoline •Trampoline // Foam Foam Pit Pit • NINJA ZONE •Ninja •Ninja Zone Zone • Birthday Parties •Drop •Drop In In Classes Classes •Birthday •Birthday Parties Parties • March Break Camp •March •March Break Break Camp Camp • PA Day Programs •PA •PA Day Day Programs Programs • Summer Camp •Summer •Summer Camp Camp • The highest Level NCCP •The •The highest highest Level Level NCCP NCCP certified gymnastics certified certified gymnastics gymnastics coaches in Thunder Bay Bay coaches coaches in in Thunder Thunder Bay

807-683-3730 807-683-3730 512 Marks St.(FWCI) S. 512 Marks St S. (parking offoff ofMarks MarksSt.) St.) (parking

A particular highlight of these visits would be hosting the first ever Health and Mental Health and Addictions Roundtables in Thunder Bay. These forums provided a crucial platform for leaders in these fields to convene and further collaborate on strategies to increase our capacity in connecting the dots on the care continuum. Looking ahead to 2024, my commitment to serving our community remains steadfast and I am certainly inspired by what we have already accomplished together. We are already preparing to announce several new funding initiatives, and I am eager for our community to launch pilot programs that will benefit our constituents. I am profoundly grateful for the trust you have placed in me as your MPP, and assure you that I will continue to work tirelessly to safeguard the voice, contributions, and potential of our residents in Northwestern Ontario. Queen’s Park will know us well.

2024 EXPLORE CARD PARKING PASSES ONLY $40.00 +HST AVAILABLE TO PURCHASE ONLINE OR BY CALLING US AT (807) 344-5857

As we welcome the New Year, I extend my warmest wishes to everyone for a safe and healthy year ahead. Happy New Year, MPP Kevin Holland

WWW.LAKEHEADCA.COM @lakeheadregion The Walleye

Thank you Thunder Bay for voting us Best Tea

205 South Algoma Street

Visit our full selection online: internationalhouseoftea.com

Never miss an issue Subscribe and get The Walleye delivered right to your door! For tickets: magnustheatre.com | 807.345.5552

25 YEARS IN BUSINESS You could say we know our stuff.

We are Northwestern Ontario’s largest local accounting firm. Offering you quality accounting, auditing, tax planning and business advisory services. Serving Thunder Bay and area businesses since 1998.

1070 Lithium Dr. Thunder Bay www.lcpsca.com

623-0600 38

The Walleye

SUBSCRIBE at www.thewalleye.ca or call 807-344-3366 for only $35.00 a year!

TheArts

Beaded Wall Pocket

HE FROM T BAY R E THUND ERY’S LL ART GA TION C E L L O C

By Penelope Smart, Curator, Thunder Bay Art Gallery Artist: Unknown Title: Beaded Wall Pocket Date: 1920–1940 Medium: Textile, beads, thread, ribbon cotton Size: Varying sizes Collection of the Thunder Bay Art Gallery, from the estate of Mrs. Adelaide Taylor, 1987 eaded wall pockets—how do you choose just one? This year for the Best Of issue, I’m breaking with convention and sharing multiple works from a group of 10 wall pockets from the gallery’s permanent collection. These little gems (the smallest is about the size of your hand) are some of the oldest works in our collection, dating from the 1920s to the 1940s. That’s right—pure vintage. Beaders will notice that their varying patterns, designs, bead colours, and even type of beads connect to older and traditional florals. That being said, what’s old is new again when you consider how contemporary beadwork is flourishing, and that many artists are inspired by beading that speaks to the past and the present. It’s unfortunate that we don’t know the names of the artists who made these works. Beaded wall pockets are decorative objects that were made to store household items, and some beaders sold decorative

works like wall pockets to supplement their income. Designs in these pieces point to Métis, Anishinaabe, and Cree motifs, and possibly others. Starting in January, come see all of the wall pockets on view in our community room, as an accompanying exhibition to Radical Stitch.

VISIT US IN-STORE AT 470 HODDER AVE - THUNDER BAY ON - P7A 7X5

OR ORDER ONLINE AT WWW.SKAFEXPRESS.CA

WE ALSO OFFER A WIDE SELECTION OF BOARD GAMES & PUZZLES

FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY | Hobby card supplies also available! MON-SAT 11AM TO 7PM - (807) 683-3943 - SALES@SKAFEXPRESS.CA

The Walleye

TheArts

Artistic Commutes

New Art Bus Commemorates Women’s History Month Story by Kat Lyzun, Photos courtesy of the City of Thunder Bay

he City of Thunder Bay has unveiled its newest art bus, this time with a theme of honouring women who have played important roles in the history and development of the city and area. The Women’s History Art Bus, presented in December 2023, features portraits of some of the extraordinary women recently inducted into the city’s Women’s History Month exhibit. Among them are Eva Maude Powley, the second women in history to be called to the Bar of Upper Canada; beloved CBC radio host and journalist Lisa Laco; venerable city councillor Rebecca Johnson; and the women known as the Rosies of the North, who built Hurricanes and Helldiver warplanes at Canadian Car and Foundry (or Can Car) during World War II. Local artist Shelby Wideman says that when she learned

The Walleye

of the city’s call for artists, she knew this was a project she wanted to be part of, and was thrilled when her design was chosen. “I could not contain my excitement. My co-worker thought I had just won the lottery,” she says of receiving the call. “When I read the project brief for the art bus, I immediately had an idea for how it was going to look. I envisioned a design showcasing portraits of the remarkable women nominated in this year's exhibit, alongside those celebrated from past years. I was inspired by pop art and graffiti-style aesthetics. The attention-grabbing nature of pop art served as a guideline for me to incorporate dynamic, eye-catching colours.” Art buses have become an important part of the cultural fabric of the city, with their vibrant colours brightening up the streets on even the gloomiest days. “Art buses

TheArts like the Women’s History Bus serve as an excellent example of how public art can enrich our daily lives,” says Louisa Costanzo, the supervisor of cultural development, community programming, and events for the City of Thunder Bay. “This particular bus celebrates and honours the remarkable contributions of women, showcasing their impact on our community and globally.” Wideman says that as she researched her piece, she found herself inspired by these women and how their influence spans history and often extends beyond our community. “Throughout the design process, I couldn’t help but reflect on the incredible women in my own life who serve as my constant sources of inspiration,” she says. “From my mother and sister [and] my grandmothers [to] the support of friends and coworkers, these remarkable women continuously motivate me to be the best person I can be.”

Look for the Women’s History Art Bus around Thunder Bay. To learn more about the city’s celebration of Women’s History Month and the women who have been honoured, visit thunderbay.ca/en/cityhall/women_s-historymonth.aspx.

BREAKFAST

FOR RESERVATIONS

CALL (807) -285-9338

SCAN ME

The Walleye

TheArts

The Sky Watcher

A AND THOUS DS WOR

Photographer Lauri Kangas Looks Up to Capture Remarkable Images Story by Bonnie Schiedel, Photos by Lauri Kangas

P  Amethyst Bay Morning Aurora

 Aurora Borealis

 Ouimet Canyon Colours

 STEVE Phenomenon

icture an eight-year-old Lauri Kangas at a relative’s camp at Shebandowan Lake in the 1960s, looking up at the night sky and seeing a bolide meteor— an intensely bright meteor that “made night into daytime, it was so bright,” says Kangas. “That got me into astronomy, and I’ve been into it all my life.” Several years later, family friends gave his parents a 35mm film camera. “They couldn’t figure out how to use it, so they gave it to me, and I figured out how to use it. And then I just fell in love with it from that point on.” Those two pastimes have been abiding interests throughout Kangas’s life, prompting him to name his photography portfolio website watcheroftheskies.ca (a name suggested by a friend, referring to the Genesis song title). Born and raised in Thunder Bay, Kangas moved to southern Ontario for the duration of his career as an IT professional. After he retired, he owned an astronomy store for several years, then he and his wife Diana decided to return to the Northwest, first to Diana’s hometown of Fort Frances for about 10 years, and then back to Thunder Bay several months ago. No matter where he lived, photography was a part of his life. Kangas switched to digital cameras soon after they were introduced in the early 2000s, and soon launched his first portfolio website. In addition to his astrophotography images, his work includes images like mammatus clouds (a cell-like pattern of clouds tucked under

Tech Specs

Cameras: Canon 6D DSLR Canon 6D Mark II DSLR

The Walleye

the base of a storm cloud), spectacular sunrises, sunsets, and moonrises, and a category called “atmospheric optics,” or the interaction of light with the Earth’s atmosphere. Think: light pillars, rainbows, fogbows (an arc of fog), and yes, those gorgeous morning sunbeams fanned out over the Sleeping Giant. His images have been published by a variety of websites and magazines, including nasa. gov, spaceweather.com, and Sky & Telescope. Most recently, Kangas was named as a “citizen scientist” co-contributor of a 2023 academic paper by Boston University astrophysicist Yukitoshi Nishimura, seeking to better understand the night sky phenomenon of “STEVE,” which stands for Strong Thermal Emission Velocity Enhancement. The article included Kangas’s images of STEVE—a brightly coloured arc of light in the night sky, accompanied by vertical bands of green light called the picket fence effect. Kangas took those photos in Fort Frances. Contributing to his longtime passion for sky science was “absolutely amazing,” he says. “It’s cool to be published in a scientific paper [alongside] the credentials of the people way beyond my pay grade.” No doubt that awestruck kid at Shebandowan all those years ago would agree. To see more of Lauri Kangas’s work, visit watcheroftheskies.ca or vimeo.com/lakangas.

Lenses: Sigma 20mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 IS Canon 24-105mm f/4 IS USM

Diana Kangas

TheArts

 Photographer Lauri Kangas

 Caribou Island Sunrise  Rainy River Rainbow

 Moonlight Magic

 Full Sky Aurora Borealis

 Bald Eagle

 Smokey Sunset

 Comet NEOWISE

 Mammatus Clouds

The Walleye

TheArts Wainio says that she has always embraced her creativity. “There was never any one moment that I realized I was creative. I grew up that way and was always encouraged to make things, which I loved,” she says. Recently, while doing an artist’s residency in Japan, Wainio wrote and illustrated a manuscript for a children’s book, featuring her bird character, Koo the raven, and Koo’s pen pal, the rabbit who lives on the moon. Coming out of the pandemic, it was the ideal environment to let the creative juices flow. “I’ve always wanted to go to Japan. Being there in the beautiful countryside, with views of the mountains and the ocean, in the company of creative people, was a dream come true,” she says. As for what the future holds, Wainio would love to continue to produce children’s books, but she will also keep selling her whimsical prints on her website. You’ll also find a paper doll kit to purchase as well as a calendar and a sketch book of her time in Japan. For more information, visit hannawainio.com or follow @hwainio on Instagram.  Koo and Tsuki picnic; a sample page from Wainio's picture book

Unmistakably Cute Hanna Wainio Brings “Nice and Cosy” to People’s Lives Story by Pat Forrest, Images by Hanna Wainio

hunder Bay visual artist and illustrator Hanna Wainio says she wants to make everything around her “as cute as possible.” It’s working. “I always want to give people a feeling of comfort and cosiness,” she says. “I create the chance for everyday magic in my work, putting nice things, cosy things, out there. I work from a place of love, things I loved as a child. I want to put more of that in the world.” Wainio, who went to school in Toronto—first for visual arts at York University and then for freelance illustration at what’s now called Seneca Polytechnic—moved back to Thunder Bay in 2019 and says that coming home and slowing down made her realize what she had

The Walleye

been missing. Reactions to her unique designs, whether on display at a craft show or online, are typically very heartwarming. “The response I typically get from people is that my work takes them back to their childhood. They also say that they see themselves in my characters,” she says. Wainio was lucky to grow up in the most creative of environments. Her mother, Judi Vinni, is also an artist and community animator who operates Willow Springs Creative Centre on Mapleward Road. Since the centre’s opening in 2000, Wainio spent most of her summers at art camps under the guidance of her mother and her colleagues. Later, she helped in running the camps.

 Hanna Wainio

u o Y k n a h T Thunder Bay! Proud to be your neighbourhood market since 1961.

 Koo at her desk; inspired by Lofi Girl

 Moonberry stamps; stamp designs for Wainio's picture book

Groceries | Florals | Catering | Homemade Meals | Gifts georgesmarket.ca

William W. Perry Associate Lawyer

General and Commercial Litigation Environmental Law Mining Law

T: 807-623-1111 www.weilers.ca

Portraits - Branding

201-1001 William Street Thunder Bay, ON P7B 6M1 nuttallphotos.com 1-807-626-0512

LLP

A proud tradition. A progressive approach. The Walleye

Outdoor

Winging it on Whitefish

A New Dimension in Wind Adventures Story and photos by Darren McChristie

here’s a new sport coming soon to a beach near you. It involves the delicate balance between opposing forces, it's both graceful and complex, it’s considered one of the fastest growing sports in the world—and no, it's not pickleball. Wing sports bring entirely new forms of wind-powered activities to water, land, ice, and snow. In its most popular form—wing foiling—a handheld inflatable wing is used to harness the power of the wind, allowing the rider to “fly” over the surface of the water on a hydrofoil board. Sounds totally complicated, because it is. However, one of the reasons for its incredibly rapid growth is its ease of use and accessibility—several years of worldwide lockdowns also had something to do with it.

The Walleye

As they say, boredom breeds creativity. To understand how wing foiling works, you need to have stayed awake during science class, in particular during lectures on the principle of flight (Bernoulli’s principle). Basically, it explains why airplanes and birds are able to fly. Well, it turns out that you can take the same basic wing shape, attach it to the bottom of a surfboard—or, in this case, a hydrofoil board— and, if there is enough forward movement from the handheld wing, the combined force will lift you and the board out of the water so that you are hovering over the surface. It provides an incredible sensation of flying (think Aladdin’s flying carpet without the genie!). Windsurfing pioneers Jim Drake and Uli Stanciu invented

Outdoor the wing in the early 80s, but it failed to take off (pun intended) due to the drag on the boards they were using. Since then, wings in various sizes have been introduced with limited success. It wasn’t until the hydrofoil was paired with a wing did the sport really see success. The first commercially available wing was produced in 2019 and the sport has since grown exponentially, with over 40 new brands offering their own take on wings and hydrofoils. As an early adopter of novel ideas, I was immediately intrigued by wing foiling and the potential for use in our neck of the woods. For the same reason the sport has become popular worldwide (ease of use, accessibility, and a relatively easy learning curve), I figured I would give it a go. Back in 2020, I purchased a 4 m2 wing, and a couple hydrofoil boards (useful for winging and kite boarding). On an unseasonably warm December evening, I packed my wing and made the short trek to old faithful Whitefish Lake. Despite the balmy 14°C (!), I was there with my skates, not my hydrofoil, to enjoy 10 inches of smooth, black ice along with strong westerly winds. My plan was to use the same wing used for wing foiling, for a lesser known version called wing skating. One can never be too sure of the safety of early lake ice, and the sunny day and recordbreaking heat made me second guess my decision. At the shimmering sight of water as I drove into the boat launch parking lot, I was sure I was out of luck. I backed my truck down to the edge of the lake and was surprised to meet a couple of skaters and their dog who had just come off the ice. They reported that a skim of water was covering otherwise stable ice and someone had just skated across the entire lake. I quickly pumped up the wing, laced up my skates, strapped on my helmet (safety first!), and headed out without hesitation. The ice was relatively smooth, albeit a bit soft and dotted with a bit of melting snow. Not ideal, but still doable. With 20 km/h winds from the west I was able to easily explore most of the middle

of the lake. Ice skating has even less drag than hydrofoiling, so the wing was perfectly matched for the conditions. My dull skates carved easily into the soft, icy surface of the lake and I was soon gliding all over the lake, navigating around rough patches, and blasting through puddles. As I got comfortable with the conditions, the urge to hit mach speeds became almost unbearable. I decided to go for it when a sudden gust of wind hit me like a slap in the face, and I was forced to release the wing or face an almost certain broken ankle—the ice was too soft to stop! One of the reasons for the popularity of the sport became apparent as, upon release, the wing flew to the end of its leash and lost all of its propulsion and I glided to a safe speed. As the sun set, I headed to shore happy with the short solo session (and for having paid attention in science class). Thanks, Bernoulli.

The Walleye

CityScene

Before and after: Susan Goldberg's Haddon Hall walnut and birch end table

Mastering Mid-Century Modern with Milk + Bread Art and Vintage

D SECONES C N A CH

By Kelsey Raynard

rc h i t e c t u r a l a n d graphic design trends come and go. We can easily look back to the shag carpets of the 70s and the pastel everything of the 80s with nostalgia and perhaps a slight sense of humour. However, there are some trends that have stood the test of time, one of which is the mid-century modern movement. This month, we are proud to feature Susan Goldberg of Milk + Bread Art and Vintage, who is both restoring midcentury modern pieces to their former glory as well as sharing the rich history that

The Walleye

accompanies them. Milk + Bread’s name was inspired by Goldberg’s original artistic endeavour: m a k i n g c o l l a g e s f ro m old milk and bread tags (upcycling is clearly not new to her). However, like many of the thrifters we have featured in Second Chances, G o l d b e r g ’s p e r s o n a l collection of refinished midcentury modern furniture slowly grew too large for her to keep—hence, Milk + Bread’s Instagram account was launched as a place to sell her pieces. But what is mid-century modern and what makes it

so appealing to thrifters and refinishers such as Goldberg? “The mid-century period runs anywhere from late 1950s through to the late 1970s,” she explains. “There’s a very specific aesthetic I’m drawn to: sometimes it’s an atomic quality, sometimes it’s certain lines, sometimes it’s certain manufacturers.” Characterized by simple, clean lines, a functional design, and the use of natural materials like wood and teak, the MCM universe is diverse. “The really fun thing about what I’m doing is that I get to learn a self-directed master’s program in mid-century

modern design,” Goldberg laughs. “I’ll find a piece, search about the designer, where it was made, and all the stories behind it. That’s half the fun.” While this type of furniture reigned supreme in the 50s, 60s and 70s, Goldberg emphasizes that mid-century modern is anything but outdated. “This era has a really timeless, classic, and beautiful design. That’s why so many people still like it now; these pieces look great in modern homes, and they’re generally wellmade and designed.” This month, Goldberg is showcasing a gorgeous,

refinished Haddon Hall walnut and birch end table (measuring 17.5"L x 13"D x 24"H for $245). If you want to see the power of furniture refinishing, just take a look at the before photos! Lastly, on top, we have a set of midcentury teak salt and pepper shakers for $45. In addition to her fur niture refinishing, Goldberg also curates and sells a wide variety of unique MCM house furnishings. To check out her pieces and to read more about the interesting history behind them, make sure to follow @milk.n.bread on Instagram.

We know... •Employment & Labour Law •Environmental Law •Estate Administration •Estate Litigation •Personal Injury •Real Estate Law •Tax Law •Wills & Estate Planning •Indigenous & First Nations Law •Civil Litigation •Construction Law •Corporate & Commercial Law •Estate Planning •Insurance Law •Medical Malpractice

...the North.

•Motor Vehicle Accidents

This winter, slips and falls will unfortunately happen. Please stay safe. If you or a loved one has been injured or if you' ve been in an accident, our dedicated, local personal injury team has the experience and the knowledge to assist you. We are just a call away. For more information contact us today.

Ph (807) 345-1213 Geraldton

Manitouwadge

TF 1-800-465-3912 |

Marathon

Red Lake

www.ericksonsllp.com Thunder Bay

Terrace Bay The Walleye

The Walleye

North Star Naturals Story by Matt Prokopchuk, Photos by Emily Turner

little over a decade ago, Shelley Wupori was spraying her horse down with a product aimed at controlling bugs when a thought hit her. “So, I’m spraying and my horse is coughing, and I’m like ‘What in the world is in this stuff?’” she says. “Of course, you flip any bug spray bottle and […] you don’t understand one word of it— you just won’t.” That started her quest to use and develop less harmful alternatives that rely on ingredients like essential oils rather than manufactured chemicals, but which produce the same results. Today, Wupori has translated that skill into her current business, North Star Naturals, which offers things like face and body products, essential oil diffusers—including ones for vehicles—lip balms, bath oils, makeup removers, and more. Along the way, she says she purchased Panetta Products, another maker of natural body care products, and effectively merged it with her own business. Aside from her dedication to selling products featuring ingredients that she says are Canadian-sourced, animal cruelty-free, and organic, she’s also committed to making them affordable. “The second you slap ‘organic’ on something, the price mark always jumps, and I find it astronomical,” she says.

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

“I really try and strive to keep […] my price point manageable for everybody to use.” For years, Wupori says she would sell her wares at various markets in and around Thunder Bay, and was, as she puts it, “in and out” of the local market scene. That included a stint this past fall as a popup vendor at the Thunder Bay Country Market. She says that experience went so well she decided to move in as a permanent vendor starting in early November. “After that first day, even though it was a really slow day, I was so busy and I had such great feedback and I loved the energy,” she says. “I’m upstairs; I love the vibe up there—it just works for me.” And aside from enjoying her time at the market, she says it allows her to potentially help more people. “I really strive for skin ailment help,” she says. “I mean, the people that love it just because it’s awesome is great, but I really love when somebody can use my stuff for healing purposes.”

 Shelley Wupori of North Star Naturals at the Thunder Bay Country Market

 Lip balms  Body butters in regular and travel sizes

North Star Naturals is located upstairs at the Thunder Bay Country Market. For more information, check out facebook.com/ bzsnorthstarnaturals.

 Car diffusers

The Walleye

Are you in crisis?

Gunflint Trail

Call or text, any time. There are options 24/7.

7:09

thunderbay.cmha.ca/

Talk to Text Phone Line

1-866-888-8988 807-346-8282

HOMEMADE. MEXICAN. STREET FOOD VOTED BEST TACO AND BEST NEW RESTAURANT! THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR YOUR SUPPORT

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

TWO NEW LOCATIONS!

OPEN AT 11AM TUESDAY - SUNDAY NORTEÑOS CANTINA 235 RED RIVER RD nortenoscantina.com

The Walleye

NORTEÑOS TAQUERIA 698 ARTHUR ST W nortenostaqueria.com

CityScene

Thunder Bay police chief Darcy Fleury at Hillcrest Park

With Darcy Fleury

EYE EYE TO

As told to Matt Prokopchuk, Photo by Lois Nuttall

hunder Bay’s new police chief has been on the job for a little under eight months now. Darcy Fleury was officially sworn in in midMay, taking over a police service that has been under intense scrutiny—including by multiple expert reports—for a history of systemic racism and mishandling investigations into the deaths of Indigenous people. Fleury, who is Métis from Minnedosa, Manitoba, comes to the city with over 35 years experience with the RCMP, where he has served in places like Kenora, Toronto, Edmonton, and Iqaluit, among many others. We spoke with Fleury about where he got his passion for the job, the most memorable place his career has taken him, and what he enjoys doing away from work. TW: In terms of policing in Thunder Bay, what have been your early impressions? DF: When I first arrived and

[attended] the briefings [...] my observations of the work being done here is that there’s some really good stuff being done here. The officers are very eager to assist and do the jobs that they’ve signed up to do. Everybody’s really really active—I don’t see many idle hands in this building; it seems like every time I come in, there’s movement all the time. People are really doing a hard job, so [I’m] very impressed with the amount of hard work that they do. TW: In your public remarks when you were sworn in, you were quoted as saying that you were fortunate to find your passion at an early age. Where did that come from? DF: I was around 10 years old in Minnedosa and the RCMP serviced that town, and the hockey coach was an RCMP officer [Claude Foucher]. He was always very nice and always took time to come and

check on me and my family and how we were doing, and was just a really friendly person. I think that left such an impression that I wanted to grow up and help people and that’s where I got that inspiration from. TW: Tell me about one memorable place your career has taken you. DF: I think I’d have to say Iqaluit because Iqaluit was my first [in uniform]— in Toronto and Kenora I was not in uniform, I was in plainclothes units. So the biggest impression I had after that nine-year mark, when I was in Iqaluit, was those verbal skills that come to play when you’re in a tough situation and you need to talk somebody [down] who’s a bit violent. So I think the impression that that made on me— being firstly for nine years not in uniform and then in a uniform presence—left a really big impression as to the kind of work that we do on a daily basis. TW: Outside of work in Iqaluit, what do you remember about living there? DF: A couple of things on that: [firstly], the

camaraderie within the organization. The people who I worked with on a regular basis, we became very close friends. Many of my closest friends in the RCMP came from my days in Iqaluit. Also, it’s a smaller community, and the people who we worked with and agencies that we worked with—everybody kind of has to work together. So again, the partnership building and being part of the community, that’s important. In the Arctic it is quite different, so it’s interesting for sure. TW: Many of the places you’ve lived have been coldwinter locations. How do you best get through those months? DF: My wife and I have a large movie collection. We do a lot of movies. I haven’t done it for a while, but I was playing basketball, volleyball, whatever I could get into. So I’m hoping I can find some local slower leagues—let’s put it that way—that I can get participating in and that kind of stuff. TW: Obviously you’re a big movie fan. What are some that have stood out

to you? DF: I like war movies, things like Saving Private Ryan, the 300 movies, those types of things. I can even repeat them sometimes because I like them so much. I like to go to the theatre. I just like the environment; it’s so relaxing. TW: Outside of work in general, what do you enjoy occupying your time with? DF: We like to go hiking. Prior to coming here, my kids were only half an hour away from where we lived in Alberta, so we spent as much time as possible with our kids. Again, we are big on movies—they are as well—and we enjoy time like that. The occasional book here and there. TW: What is the most recent book you’ve been reading? DF: I am currently reading Seven Fallen Feathers. I was gifted that book and I’m about halfway through it. 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.

The Walleye

BLUES HOUSE PARTY 5 ER

U TH

Y BA

PR E S E N T S .. .

DAVINCI CENTRE 340 WATERLOO ST. S. SATURDAY MARCH 23, 2024 THUNDER BAY BLUES SOCIETY IBC FUNDRAISER

Fo r ti c ket pr i ces a n d ba n d i nfo r ma ti on , v isit

w w w. t h u n d e r b a y b l u e s s o c i e t y. c a

Thunder Bay Country Market We Make It, Bake It, Grow It

WORKSHOPS

TO BUILD A BETTER FUTURE FOR PEOPLE & THE PLANET!

Farmers are still farming! And artisans are still crafting.

Experience the difference. Always, only fresh and local, year-round at the Market.

Visit Us:

Find/Follow Us:

Open Year Round on Wednesday 3:30-6:30pm & Saturday 8:00am-1:00pm

CLE Grounds - Dove Building Northern & May Street tbcm.ca @tbaymarket

The Walleye

EcoSuperior offers tailored workshops suitable for workplaces, schools, youth programs, groups & community organizations. Learn more & book at ecosuperior.org

CityScene

A New Way to Enjoy an Old Favourite Mount Baldy’s Winter Trails

 A group ride at Mount Baldy  Brandon Smith and Garth Kayes with a wall map of the winter trails inside Mount Baldy’s chalet

Ramsey Smith

Smith. “The owners [of Mount Baldy] have been more than generous to help us maintain breakdowns and fuel supplements, which the donations go directly towards.” It’s a bit of a throwback to his youth, having grown up in Current River and spending most winters snowboarding at Baldy. “My connection with this mountain brings me and my family a lot of joy during the cold, winter months. The sense of community keeps me social during winter's isolation.” Smith says the trails are “built to western mountain trails design, with direct climbs to weaving pedal-free descents.” Although the trails are unnamed, he and his sons have named a few segments in the Strava activity app—one of their favourites is affectionately known as The Grim Reaper. It’s an intermediate (blue) run about halfway down the mountain, on a skier’s right, that follows their new access trail. “It has a couple rowdy, steep sections,” Smith says. “It’s a blast to hit up on your way back to the chalet to warm up with friends and enjoy Mount Bady’s awesome cuisine and bevvy menu.” If you’re interested in checking out the trails for fat biking or snowshoeing, Kayes suggests grabbing a free map from the chalet, adding that the trails also show up on mapping and navigation apps, like Google Maps, iPhone Maps, and Google Earth. Plans for a “kickoff to winter fat biking group ride event,” including a bonfire at the scenic lookout, are in the works to encourage newcomers to get out and enjoy the trails.

 Ramsey Smith enjoying the winter trails

To keep tabs on trail developments, join the Mount Baldy Winter Trails group on Facebook. Trail users need to check-in at the chalet to obtain a pass, which is valid for 15% off fat bike rentals at Rollin’ Thunder and Fresh Air.

Brandon Smith

or Brandon Smith and Garth Kayes, the winter trails at Mount Baldy have been a labour of love. With the help of Colin Chaschuk from Chaschuk Enterprises Ltd., the pair has worked tirelessly to develop the trail system, which is nearing completion (when snow arrives!) for winter fat biking and snowshoeing. Trail development started in 2018 when Kayes—a forestry manager with Resolute—designed and flagged out the trails. He worked with Chaschuk Enterprises, a local forestry contractor, who harvested, removed, and processed the trees. “All fibre processed on site was trucked to the Thunder Bay pulp mill biomass power boilers,” explains Kayes. The power boilers generate heat for local mills and the energy for the local grid. They also had some help from Mount Baldy summer students. “It was nice working with local teenagers interested in learning our trail building craft,” says a grateful Kayes. Since then, Kayes says their volunteer crew has grown considerably, with like-minded friends pitching in to assist with “trail clearing and new trail segment enhancements with a goal of providing epic trail fun for community members of all ages and abilities.” Fortunately, one of these friends is Juan Baztarica—a professional trail builder who works with local company Precambrian Natural Surface Trails. “His experience has benefited our trail building efforts further yet, offering a keen eye to improve the existing network and insightful plans for future development,” says Kayes with enthusiasm. Kayes and Smith are using their own equipment to maintain the trails and their use is by donation. “Garth and I are kind of adventure junkies, so it just so happens that we have all the toys, quads, brush saws, hand tools, etc.,” explains

Lyle McDonell

By Michelle McChristie

The Walleye

CityScene

 The exhibition space

Under the ‘Scope

Museum Exhibit Spotlights Lakehead’s Medical History By Matt Prokopchuk

n exhibit showing at the Thunder Bay Museum chronicles the history of medicine in our region, with a specific focus on how we’ve dealt with various epidemics and pandemics over time. Under the ‘Scope: Medical History at the Lakehead opened in November and, according to press materials about the exhibit, its goal is to highlight the various diseases that have swept through the region, while also focusing on the roles that Indigenous medicine, prominent doctors and hospitals, and major historical events like the two World Wars have had on public health. “It’s still an important topic to

talk about,” says Scott Bradley, the executive director of the Thunder Bay Museum. “There’s still COVID-19 running rampant around Canada and we’re getting into the flu season, and so it’s an important reminder that we still have to take care of our health [and] pay attention to the guidance of our health professionals.” The exhibit was guest curated by two Lakehead University students, Emily Hunt and Haileigh Riddell, who Bradley says were the ones who brought the idea to museum officials as they were passionate about the subject matter. They and the museum’s curatorial staff were responsible for putting everything

Sidney Ulakovic

 An iron lung, which has been part of the Thunder Bay Museum’s collection for years

The Walleye

together. Bradley says the Lakehead’s experience with illnesses, such as tuberculosis, sexually transmitted diseases, smallpox, and polio are examined in the exhibit. “All of these things had an impact on the Lakehead,” he says, adding that, while the region was historically quite isolated, it still didn’t prevent these medical scourges from taking hold. Visitors to the museum will learn about this history, Bradley says, through a series of text panels that detail the effects these various illnesses had on the human body, when they were prevalent, and their impacts on public health. Information about how Indigenous communities dealt with these epidemics and pandemics is also included, he says, as are physical artifacts from bygone eras, including period-specific medical professional uniforms and devices—including an actual iron lung that Bradley says has been in the

 Some of the exhibit's information panels

museum’s collection for a long time. An interactive quiz is also included, he adds. “We hope that people learn […] Thunder Bay and the Lakehead region have a long history of experiencing and dealing with epidemics and disease outbreaks, and that there are considerable efforts [that] have gone into that over time,” he says. “There are things that we still need to consider and think about as […] peoples of this area, and we need to make sure that we take responsibility for each other.” Under the ‘Scope: Medical History at the Lakehead is being shown on the second floor of the Thunder Bay Museum, and runs until February 4. For more information, visit thunderbaymuseum.com.

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

The Walleye

Debbie Hoyle on the ice

Courtesy of Debbie Hoyle

Courtesy of the Thunder Bay Women's Hockey Association

CityScene

Hoyle circa 1974–75

A Lifetime on the Ice Debbie Hoyle's Love of Hockey By Gail Murray

ebbie Hoyle remembers watching the Toronto Maple Leafs’ hockey games on an old black-and-white TV in Orillia, Ont., with her grandmother, a Leafs fanatic, in 1958. “Renowned sportscaster Foster Hewitt called the Saturday night play-by-play of the Original Six teams,” she says. “My grandmother’s enthusiasm made me want to generate that same excitement, so at age four, I made a promise to myself to become a hockey player.” And she did—first by skating on the frog

The Walleye

pond in Huntsville, Ont. with her brothers and the neighbourhood kids, where she was the only girl. Her first stick was one she and her brothers made out of a piece of lumber from her dad’s garage with a crushed can as their puck. Hoyle was one of the pioneers of the women’s game in Huntsville; in high school in 1972, she and a handful of other girls got together, laying the groundwork for girls’ hockey in the area. Games were played sporadically until 1974, when a team formed that eventually became the Huntsville Honey Bees.

In those early years o f w o m e n ’s h o c k e y i n Huntsville, Hoyle and her teammates had the privilege of hosting a two-week international exchange tournament in 1981 with a women’s team from Denmark. Women’s hockey was taking off, and in the spring of 1982, her team won the provincial D division championship. In February of 1983, Hoyle and the Huntsville Honey Bees headed to Denmark for two weeks of international hockey (which she tied in with her honeymoon), losing only one game during their

overseas visit. When Hoyle moved to Thunder Bay in 1984, she resumed playing hockey on outdoor rinks, as there was no women’s league in the area. She describes how in June 1988, a group of hockey enthusiasts, including Hoyle and led by Jackie Hrabok, got together to start up the Thunder Bay Women’s Hockey Association, where she has been playing ever since. H o y l e i s e x t re m e l y passionate about hockey. “Playing hockey is a part of my life that defines who I am,” she says. “There is nothing like the sound of your skate blade cutting into the ice when the gate opens, and the smell of the air in the arena while doing a few laps before a game.”

When a hip replacement loomed a couple years ago, Hoyle delayed her surgery date twice so that it would coincide with the hockey off-season, explaining she “just didn’t want to miss a season.” In May 2018, Hoyle and her teammates from the Huntsville Honey Bees were honoured by being inducted into the Huntsville Sports Hall of Fame. What is next for Hoyle? At age 69, she just became a grandmother to a future hockey buddy, and she says she will play hockey until she physically can’t. “If you are capable in participating in any sport or activity, regardless of gender or age, you should go for it!” she says. “Follow your passion and your heart.”

CityScene

System Failure

BIS CANNAER CORN

What is Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome? By Justin Allec

ver the last decade, some cannabis users have found themselves stricken with bouts of recurring nausea, v o m i t i n g , a n d s e v e re abdominal cramping. This collection of symptoms has become known in the medical world as cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS). Like a lot of the physiological questions around cannabis, there still isn’t much known about CHS because there hasn’t been time or funding for the necessary research. What happens to some cannabis users—which can mean someone who uses multiple times a day, or even someone who uses only once every few months—is that it leads to cyclical bouts of these painful symptoms even when they’re not indulging. Though these cases are still rare, it has been reported that CHS can be so severe that some users require emergency room intervention. The only readily available treatment that seems to relieve the CHS symptoms is hot showers—the longer the

better. However, the water treatment can also lead to added danger in the form of dehydration, and in some extreme cases, kidney failure. The only actual so-called cure for CHS, at this point, is total abstinence from cannabis. The prodromal phase of CHS (the period between the initial symptoms and the fullfledged condition) matches a lot of the negative effects of cannabis use: increased thirst, mild abdominal pain, nausea, anxiety, sweating. These symptoms worsen over time, and depending on usage, can take years to compound. The hyperemesis phase, or full-blown CHS follows: nausea, painful retching, abdominal pain, usually in day-long cycles. This phase can last anywhere from two weeks to three months depending if users continue to abstain from cannabis use. Eventually, the body enters a recovery phase where the worst of CHS’s symptoms have passed, but any cannabis use at this point acts as a relapse and triggers the symptoms all over again If CHS only affected chronic users, it would be

easy enough to point your finger at the cause, but the fact that even occasional use could trigger CHS in some people is concerning. “Habitual use” is too vague as a causation for science.

S t u d i e s h a v e n ’t b e e n thorough enough to account for all background factors, but the result for all people who experience CHS is the same grouping of symptoms. Why some users and not

others is a big question and one that the medical system might be forced to answer as cases of CHS increase and we get closer to a 10-year mark for legalization in 2028.

The Walleye

CityScene

1 Gym Membership Downtown Fitness 7 Court Street South Fitness resolutions have undoubtedly become a cliché at this point. However, they are still the most common resolution made every new year, indicating that people have a genuine desire to better their physical health, if only they had the proper tools to help them achieve their goals. Enter Downtown Fitness: they are a locally owned gym with a supportive group atmosphere, offering weekly, monthly, and annual membership options, as well as personal and group training opportunities, to help you begin your fitness journey—and stick with it.

Stuff We Like For New Beginnings By Kelsey Raynard

New Year’s resolutions can be tricky. There is no denying the marketing tactics that shame us for our holiday season consumption (I’m looking at you, diet culture) and push us into resolutions that are unsustainable at best, and downright harmful at worst. However, there is also no denying that the start of a new year has symbolic significance and can be a very empowering time for many people to make changes in their lives. So, whether it be a new habit, a new hobby, or a new and fun experience, we encourage you to kick off 2024 in the happiest and healthiest mindset you can. Here is Stuff We Like for New Beginnings.

$Various

Explore Card Parking Pass 2

Lakehead Region Conservation Authority lakeheadca.com Getting outside more and enjoying all the natural beauty Thunder Bay has to offer is an admirable goal for 2024. Enjoy our region’s conservation areas with a Lakehead Region Conservation Authority (LRCA) Explore Card for only $40. With over 2,500 hectares of land owned by the LRCA and 10 designated conservation areas (including the Cascades, Silver Harbour, Little Trout Bay, Hazelwood Lake, and more), this parking pass will not only help you fill 2024 with adventure, but will help to support the LRCA and their conservation initiatives.

6 3

$40

4 1

3 Skis Fresh Air 710 Balmoral Street Starting a new hobby is another common New Year’s resolution. With a seemingly endless winter season and unlimited access to the outdoors, why not try your hand at crosscountry skiing? Fresh Air’s friendly and knowledgeable staff can help you start your skiing journey and will set you up with all the gear you’ll need to explore the many ski trails our community has to offer.

$Various 7

4 Craft Soda Sleeping Giant Brewing Co. 712 Macdonell Street “Dry January” has become a popular New Year’s endeavour for those looking to reduce their alcohol intake (whether just for a month or in the long term). However, giving up on booze shouldn’t mean giving up on delicious drinks. Sleeping Giant Brewing Co.’s craft sodas (currently available in flavours like blueberry soda and ginger ale) are refreshing and delicious non-alcoholic drinks made with all-natural ingredients, right here in Thunder Bay. We’ll cheers to that!

$2.50–2.75 each

The Walleye

5 Yoga Membership Bodymind Centre 105 Villa Street #8 Yoga can help us achieve many common New Year’s goals: improved fitness, stronger mindfulness, and daily meditation. The Bodymind Centre has a wide variety of yoga and pilates classes that (as their name suggests) aim to improve the health of both your body and mind from a holistic perspective. Check out their website to learn more about their membership options and class offerings.

$Various

6 Painting Kit The Creative Company 1134 Roland Street New beginnings can be mental, physical, spiritual, and even artistic. Enter 2024 embracing your creative side with a painting kit from The Creative Company. Designed by a wide variety of local and Canadian artists, each painting kit comes with an array of paint colours, an 11”x14” printed canvas, a “pointers” sheet to help you get started, a quality brush set, and a flower paint palette: perfect to get you started on your artistic journey.

$40

7 Cooking Classes A Fine Fit Catering afinefitcatering.ca While many resolutions are fueled by restrictive diets and self-punishing behaviour (I’m looking at you, again, diet culture), beginning the new year with aspirations of eating delicious and healthy food should be something to celebrate. A Fine Fit Catering offers a number of cooking class options for those looking to level up their cooking game, with both virtual and in-studio sessions available for groups of many sizes. Bon appetit!

$Various

8 New Instruments Music World 443 Simpson Street I cannot be the only one who grew up in Thunder Bay with the recorder as their major childhood musical experience (Hot! Cross! Buns!). If you’re looking to try your hand at a new instrument in the new year, head over to Music World; their helpful staff and impressive selection of instruments—everything from guitars, drums, keyboards, and even banjos— will help make 2024 your most musical year yet.

$Various

THE STORY BEHIND THE MASK

Gourmet Dinner Silent Auction LiveMusic Dancing

February 10, 2024 6:00PM-1:00AM Chanterelle 100% of proceeds going to The Alzheimer Society of Thunder Bay Purchase tickets here:

Bid or purchase an authentic and handcrafted Venetian mask here:

The Walleye

Music

 Jamie Moroz

 Mike Nazvesky

Cat Sabbath

Good Times and Healing Through Music Story by Jason Wellwood, Photos by Ryan Trush

o one knows the healing power of music better than Jamie Moroz. He lost his son, well-known Thunder Bay drummer Daniel Moroz, in 2021 and that was almost the end of music for him. “I gave up doing most of the things we loved doing together, it just didn’t feel the same anymore,” he says. But music came calling. Along with singer Cat Doyle, Jamie had previously been in a “Westfort garage band,” as he puts it, that slowly morphed into a Black Sabbath cover band. The impetus for getting Jamie behind the drums and on stage again? A memorial

The Walleye

for Daniel which took place at the Thunder Bay Community Auditorium. “Sometimes, the right people just come into your life,” says Jamie, who somehow found a left-handed, Gibson SG-playing guitar player (just like Black Sabbath’s Tony Iommi) in Mike Nazvesky. “I’m not going full Iommi though and cutting off my fingertips—I have to draw the line somewhere,” Nazvesky says, laughing. The final piece of the puzzle was located four hours away, with bass player “Marathon” Martin Tremblay (who lives in, you guessed it, Marathon). Since starting out, the band has been building a head of

steam and can quite often be found playing alongside Ramones tribute band Psycho Therapy. While the band stays strictly in the Black Sabbath realm, they haven’t ruled out going into solo material from the legendary band’s members, Ozzy Osbourne and Ronnie James Dio being the most likely discographies to branch out into. The band has recently moved into Dio-era (Heaven and Hell, Mob Rules) Black Sabbath songs to add to their repertoire, though they haven’t yet gotten into the later years of the band. There is still a lot of material to play. “We know over 30 Black

Sabbath songs, so the setlist is different every time,” says Jamie, who plays his son’s drum kit live. “It makes it way more fun for us, and for the audience as well. We have a lot of fun and it feels good to play music again.” “Music helps heal,” says Tremblay. Cat Sabbath will be performing on their own February 9 and 10 at the Wayland. The second annual Daniel Moroz Scholarship Fundraiser will take place April 20 at eVents.

Voted BEST NEW BUSINESS

Thank-you WE ARE ABSOLUTELY THRILLED!

Lewk

INCLUSIVE CLOTHING FOR WOMEN

 Martin Tremblay

115 W. FREDERICA ST 807.473.0219 WWW.LEWKCLOTHING.CA

 Cat Doyle

The Walleye

Music

David Jackson

his mom on stage. Rex, who is now eight, felt an emotional response after hearing Hovorka singing in the house about three years ago, and ended up writing the song’s chorus. “The important part is not that he was five and wrote a song with mom. The important part is that he was five years old, and he understood what it meant to acknowledge the history of Canada,” she says. Hovorka has collaborated multiple times with the TBSO, and says her familiarity has helped her grow as an artist. “The first time I was like a frightened bird,” she says. “But when you have an orchestra backing you up, it really adds power to the music.” “I feel really connected to this particular orchestra because I know them as people, and as this beautiful entity of people.”

 Shy-Anne Hovorka

Shy-Anne Hovorka Takes Reconciliation Approach to TBSO Show By Michael Charlebois

hen Shy-Anne Hovorka stepped a w a y f r o m performing in 2014, she had just released her acclaimed fourth album, Bones, and had accumulated a series of awards for her work as a multiinstrumentalist and recording artist. She intended to continue writing songs, but became focused on her job as an educator and her own educational pursuits. Nine years later, with a proper work-life balance in order, Hovoroka is back both as a recording artist and performer. She will join the Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra this month to play songs off of her latest album, 2022’s And Then…. “The whole show is

The Walleye

a focus on reconciliation,” Hovorka says. Hovorka, who is Indigenous, says the findings o f t h e re m a i n s o f 2 1 5 Indigenous children buried at a former Kelowna, B.C. residential school spurred the project. When the TBSO approached her to give her latest work the backing of an orchestra, she decided to take a reconciliation approach. She collaborated with Lenka Lichtenberg, a JewishCanadian musician who was born in Prague in the former Czechoslovakia. Lichtenberg approached Hovorka in 2020 for a creative project that turned a book of poetry that her grandmother had written during the Holocaust, into music. The project, titled

that have had a history,” she says. “So I just want to recognize there’s a lot of work we all need to do.” Hovoroka’s son is also credited with a writing feature on the song “Crying Bones,” and will be joining

Hovorka and the TBSO will play at the Italian Cultural Centre on January 26. Tickets are on sale at tbso.ca.

 Lenka Lichtenberg

Bo Huang

The Healing Power of Music

Thieves of Dreams, won the 2023 JUNO Award for Global Music Album of the Year. Now, Lichtenberg is joining Hovorka on stage for the TBSO show. “As Indigenous people, we’re not the only ones

KINDERGARTEN INFORMATION SESSION

Join us for our Kindergarten Information Session: Shine bright. Be you! Date: Monday, January 15, 2024 Drop in 5:30-7:00 pm Time: Location: École Elsie MacGill Public School gymnasium (130 Churchill Drive West) Visit lakeheadschools.ca for details, activities, and prizes! Lakehead Public Schools is excited to welcome new students in September 2024! @LakeheadSchools @LakeheadSchools

The Walleye

Music

In Their Element Sara Kae and Jamie Sky Play Howl at the Moon

Story by Sidney Ulakovic, Photos by Bill Gross

 Sara Kae Jamie Sky

The Walleye

n a Wednesday evening in December, curious passersby on Cumberland Street stopped to peek in Howl at the Moon’s street-facing window at a stage wrapped in colourful Christmas lights, and many eventually wandered inside as local singersongwriters Sara Kae and Jamie Sky performed intimate acoustic sets. Like peanut butter and jelly, Kae and Sky is a combination that just makes sense. With both singers having voices that could break your heart, it’s no surprise these two charmed onlookers with their stunning vocal runs, eyes closed as though their voices were conjured from some other dreamy place. These two naturals were clearly in their element, and those in the audience were left delighted (and possibly slightly tearyeyed) by a night of insightful storytelling. Kae opened the evening, warning the audience to bear with her due to a persistent cold. If Kae was feeling under the weather, the audience never would have known. As always, her performance was beautiful, moody, and captivating. Carter Fontaine, who accompanied Kae onstage at Wake the Giant, was present alongside her, switching from keyboard to guitar as each song required. Witnessing Kae perform in a capacity this low-key after her festival debut felt like being in on a really juicy secret. Perched on a barstool with one leg crossed over the other, Kae did a set of original songs dotted with a few holiday covers, sharing stories before her own songs about the inspiration behind them. Her vocals were breezy and effortless as she took the audience through piano renditions of original songs “You’re the One” and “Ground Zero”

(both, as of mid-December, yet to be released on major streaming platforms), as well as “Rise” and her latest release “Constellations”—an entrancing standout even without all the added production of the studio recording. Audiences were in for a treat with Kae’s closing number, a song called “Wonder,” which she says has only been performed live on one other occasion. Fontaine’s lively guitar playing rushed along with the “what if” thoughts of the song and pleading in Kae’s voice as she held remarkable notes over the song’s thematic peak—a touching song to leave us with. Sky took the stage shortly afterwards, just her and her guitar, the spitting image of what you’d picture when thinking about a cosy café set, and opened with a cover of Ed Sheeran’s “The A-Team.” Anyone familiar with Sky would know this song has been in her arsenal for years, but this particular performance was approached with a deeper maturity, her voice buttery and warm, as she took command of the room. Following Kae’s lead, Sky also performed a combination of originals and covers, impressing everyone with a ballsy Rihanna cover that demonstrated just how impressive her vocal range is. But it was the quality of Sky’s originals that made her set, with the combination of lyrics and vocal performances on “Songs About You” and “3 A.M.” teetering on devastating. All in all, it was an exceptional evening, and more than likely that a few members of the audience left feeling especially contemplative as Kae and Sky’s voices followed them home that night.

Bring in the New Year with better hearing Prioritize your hearing health, and book a comprehensive assessment.

CRAFT CARES 2024

January 1 - February 28 A PORTION OF THE PROCEEDS FROM EVERY SLEEPING GIANT BREWING COMPANY BEER PURCHASED AT PARTICIPATING ESTABLISHMENTS WILL BE DONATEED TO LOCAL CHARITIES AND ORGANIZATIONS.

FOR A FULL LIST OF PARTICIPATING ESTABLISHMENTS AND THEIR SELECTED CHARITIES OR ORGANIZATIONS, VISIT SLEEPINGGIANTBREWING.CA/CRAFTCARES

DONATED TO LOCAL CHARITIES AND ORGANIZATIONS TO DATE! The Walleye

Music

What’s Old is New Again

G BURNINE TO TH SKY

By Gord Ellis

ate last summer, as I was driving down Highway 11/17, a song came on the radio. The opening drums had an in-the-pocket groove and you could hear someone counting down the opening. The guitar came in, with a couple power chords that had a distinct sound—distorted, but crisp. Then the singer started with a deliberate, very English accent singing “Don’t get angry with me…” This was The Rolling Stones! But then I had to think about it again. Was this new music? It sounded like something from a different time and place. Was it an old 70s song revived and gussied up with studio trickery? By the end of the song, I was truly jazzed. As soon as I had a chance, I

The Walleye

did my due diligence. The song “Angry” was, indeed, a brand-new Rolling Stones song, recorded in the winter of 2023 and on the air by the summer. The producer of the record, a chap named Andrew Watt, shared a (rare) writing co-credit with Jagger/ Richards. He also gave the record a little more studio sheen than normal, while still allowing the grit through. The song “Angry” was the lead-off single to the album Hackney Diamonds, which arrived in September. The songwriting, muscular musicianship, and vocal perfor mances by Mick Jagger on the album had many people talking about the Stones in terms not heard for many years. The best album since Tattoo You in 1981? Or Some Girls from

1978? Both were a long time ago. Both the single and the album also hit the charts and made a pretty decent showing for themselves. Who could have imagined that 60 years on, The Rolling Stones would be recording, performing, and sounding like a group in its prime? Then there is Dolly Parton. She is younger than Jagger/ Richards by three years (they are both 80), but Parton has a career dating back nearly as long as the Glimmer Twins. Dolly conquered country in the 1960s and was flirting with pop music by the 80s. She had occasionally dipped her toe into rock and roll, but never dove fully into it. Until 2023, that is. Dolly Parton’s monumental album Rockstar dropped earlier this fall after a massive marketing

campaign that had the tiny songstress nearly everywhere (including as a halftime performer in a Dallas Cowboy cheerleader outfit!). It could all have been an over-hyped disaster if Parton didn’t have the musical chops she has. Yet a cursory listen to Rockstar reveals an artist tackling challenging material. Parton covers the Heart chestnut “Magic Man” with a little help from Ann Wilson, and then steamrolls through “Wrecking Ball” with her goddaughter Miley Cyrus. There is a stormy, rocking duet with Stevie Nicks on her song “What Has Rock and Roll Ever Done for You?” Then, as if to put an exclamation point on the whole thing, she tackles Prince’s iconic “Purple Rain.” This is a song that takes some soul to sing, and Parton nails it. Rockstar is far more fun and successful than I thought it would be, and I had high expectations. At 77, Dolly Parton has kicked

off a career in rock and roll that no one could have seen coming. You have to wonder what would have happened if Parton had gone this route 30 years ago. Finally, 2023 saw the return—for the last time—of the Fab Four. The song “Now and Then” was an old John Lennon demo first worked on in February 1995 by Paul, George, and Ringo as part of The Beatles Anthology project. The song remained unfinished because the vocal Lennon had recorded on tape in the 70s was murky and bled into the piano. However, new technology opened the way for the uncoupling of John’s vocals from the piano. The original recording was brought back to life and worked on again with contributions from all four Beatles. The song “Now and Then” is the last recording that John, Paul, George, and Ringo made together, and it charted in 2023. How cool is that?

The Walleye

NOW HIRING

create community change

R A E Y NEW S L A O G

& WASTREVICES SOLID G SE IN L C Y REC

Apply now at onwa.ca/careers

FOR YOUR NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION, COMMIT TO REDUCING WASTE. HERE IS HOW: 4

Refuse | Say no to plastic bags in stores – bring your own instead.

Reuse | Charitable organizations and thrift shops are happy to take reusable items you no longer need.

Reduce | Take reusable containers and bags for lunches.

Repair | Be handy! Fix those items instead of replacing them.

Recycle | Recycle everything you can.

Rethink | Think about waste before you buy. Avoid ‘disposable’ products.

2 3

For more information on reducing waste, please visit: thunderbay.ca/recycling

The Walleye

Music

Jaedon Daly Section Violin, TBSO

TBSO E PROFIL

By Matt Prokopchuk Birthplace: Hamilton, Ont. Instrument: Violin Age you started to study music: Violin at age eight How long have you been with TBSO: In his first season What’s on your personal playlist: Laufey, Remi Wolf, Doja Cat, Janine Jansen

t was attending a concert at his Hamilton, Ont. elementary school by a student ensemble called the East Hamilton Strings that hooked Jaedon Daly and made him realize he wanted to give music a shot. “I was supposed to sign up with a bunch of friends, and none of them signed up and I was the only one [from our group] there,” he says, laughing.

“Now it’s my career; it’s my livelihood today.” Daly, who plays both violin and viola (although his TBSO gig is as a section violinist) received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music performance from Wilfrid Laurier University and University of Toronto respectively, while playing with a number of ensembles down south, including the

Etobicoke Philharmonic Orchestra, the Scarborough Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Counterpoint Community Orchestra—Canada’s and the world’s first 2SLGBTQIA+ orchestra founded in 1984, according to their website. Daly first played with the TBSO on a fill-in basis last season while he was completing his master’s, before coming north as a full member this season. Daly says he feels the orchestra plays at a very high level, and that, as a queer Black musician, he has felt

very comfortable playing with the local ensemble since coming to Thunder Bay, acknowledging that, at times in his career previously, he has felt isolated. “It’s been a very positive experience,” he says of playing with the TBSO. “I felt everyone’s made me feel right at home and I haven’t had any issues in the orchestra expressing myself, […] so I really appreciate that here.” “Even our dress code is very open to people who are outside of the gender norms, so it’s very nice.”

The Walleye

Music

A NonCompetitive Space Inspire Northwest Offering Family-Oriented Music and Movement Classes

Story by Matt Prokopchuk, Photo by Emily Turner

MARCUS POWLOWSKI MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT, THUNDER BAY - RAINY RIVER 905 Victoria Ave E, 2nd Floor, Thunder Bay

(807) 625-1160

Marcus.Powlowski@parl.gc.ca 72

The Walleye

obyn Saxberg says she wanted to do something a bit different with the way she teaches music. The longtime local singersongwriter, who now owns Inspire Northwest and is also the program director there, says she has experience teaching in more formal programs, and using structured rubrics, but that with her classes now, she wants to tailor them to the specific needs she’s identified within the local community. “I’ve been a singer-songwriter for more than 20 years and I have a two-anda-half-year-old and a four-anda-half-year-old at home. I’m also neurodivergent, so it gives me a really unique perspective on the challenges facing families right now,” she says. “It’s harder to be happy these days, it’s harder […] to keep the stresses at bay because we’re pulled in so many different directions, and so many people are working harder and longer.” Saxberg’s family-oriented music and movement programming includes classes for children two years and under (a musically oriented playgroup-style class), ages one to four (although kids of other surrounding ages can participate), and sensorysensitive programming. Classes will run on weekends during this year’s winter months. She says she also intends to offer family meditation and sound healing classes as well. Her space includes a store consisting of books by local authors, and musical toys and instruments, as well as a “parents’ swap space” where families can donate used items and take something in return.

“We keep the class sizes small so that more family can come,” she says, adding that her programming doesn’t include homework and is designed to be a non-competitive space. “A child, and sometimes the parents as well, can feel anxiety and pressure from that competition,” she says. “My focus is on inclusivity and creating a calming environment that fosters creativity.” Heading into 2024, Saxberg says she’s currently sharing space with Applauze Productions in a multi-suite building on Red River Road (which also includes a number of other musically oriented businesses), but is planning to move to her own space in the same building early in the new year. She says the new space will feature a social area called the Juice Box—a play on the juice bar she plans to install and the jukebox-like décor she will use. She adds that she is focusing on keeping costs low and that she reserves two spots as free spots in classes for low-income families. Saxberg says she feels that the lessons learned through music early in a child’s life will help them, no matter what they intend to do in life. “Teaching children an appreciation for music at an early age can help them with everything,” she says. “You need rhythm for reading a book, you need rhythm for learning a sport […] so it can help them with learning overall the earlier they get started on it.” Inspire Northwest is located at 215 Red River Road. Learn more and stay up to date at inspirenorthwest.ca and facebook.com/TbayInspired.

Email or Call us!

sales@impactpromos.ca

807-622-8640

d e c n e i r e p x e u o Y e Hav d e s s e n t OR wi

Report and get Support: We want to help.

The Walleye

Music

The Dulcisono Women’s Choir at the 2023 Holiday Craft Revival

Susan Kelly, whose life and career will be honoured at Dulcisono’s January concert

Remember the Magic

Dulcisono Women’s Choir Celebrates 20 Years By Matt Prokopchuk

n all-female choir in Thunder Bay is celebrating a major milestone this month, and will be performing a concert honouring its history. The Dulcisono Women’s Choir is hosting Remember the Magic on January 14 at St. Paul’s Anglican C h u rc h o n R i d g e w a y Street. The concert marks 20 years performing (the group effectively lost a year due to COVID-19). Dulcisono artistic director Theresa Thibert says the date is significant, as she’s been told that the first meeting that led to the choir’s creation was held on the same day back in 2003—although, she says, the concert date wasn’t specifically chosen for that reason. “We didn’t plan it

The Walleye

to be January 14, but when I talked to the founding director, she told me that the first day that they ever met as a group of women was January 14, 2003,” Thibert says. “I looked at that a couple days ago and I was like, wow, that’s something in the universe. [It’s] kind of cool that it lined up like that.” Potential cosmic intervention aside, Thibert says the concert will feature pieces that the choir has performed over the years, and will include styles and genres ranging from modern popular standards to more classically oriented fare. She adds that they will also be including a piece featuring lyrics in a number of African dialects. “[It will be] just a lot of variety of different

women’s choir choral music,” Thibert says. The concert will also feature the Dorian Singers and the glee choir from Nor’wester View Public School. The 20 year milestone also offers the opportunity to celebrate the group’s history, and to that end, the choir will perform a composition written by member Kim Fuzzen—also called “Remember the Magic”—honouring the late Susan Kelly, a Dulcisono founding member and longtime Thunder Bay music teacher who died in 2021. “Susan […] was a really well-respected singer and musician, especially within the […] choral community, so it’s really nice to be able to sing that and put that out there in her memory from

us,” Thibert says. Having youth voices participating in the piece’s performance is also significant, she adds, as teaching was a huge part of Kelly’s life. The concert also celebrates the group’s longevity and how it’s evolved from a meeting between a group of women under the direction—and at the home—of founding conductor Susan Marrier with the goal of studying and singing different choral works to an intrinsic part of the city’s music scene. She adds Marrier’s original mission was to “strive for excellence in choral music, but also to study, continue to evolve as a choir, and […] to just continue to always improve as a group.”

“[It will be] just a lot of variety of different women’s choir choral music”

Remember the Magic starts at 3 pm. Tickets are $20 general admission and $15 for students and seniors and can be purchased from choir members, by contacting the group through Facebook, or at the door. Follow Dulcisono at facebook. com/Dulcisono.Choir.

For a full listing of all the organizations who received funding, visit tbcf.org

Connect with us! @TBayCF @tbaycommunityfoundation (807) 475-7279 tbcf.org

info@tbcf.org Thunder Bay Community Foundation

The Walleye

Music

Small-town Superstars

The Sheepdogs to Rock Every Canadian Nook and Cranny Story by Michael Charlebois, Photo by Mat Dunlap

t’s been nearly 20 years since three friends from Saskatoon overcame the odds to become one of Canada’s most popular bands and a globally recognized rock outfit. The Sheepdogs have played at iconic music festivals like Coachella and Glastonbury, met their idols like Crosby, Stills and Nash, and have even performed a set at the Grey Cup. Despite the accolades, the humble group just wants to give fans from every corner of Canada

the chance to experience their feel-good brand of rockn-roll. “There’s music fans everywhere,” says bassist Ryan Gullen. “Not just in major cities in Canada.” Their latest tour will include stops like Parry Sound, Ont., and Cranbrook, B.C., and the band will touch down in Thunder Bay on January 21. Touring has long been a part of the band’s DNA, and Gullen says the group has a renewed energy after getting back on the road. “When you’re

from Saskatchewan, that first step in making a band is getting out and being able to expose yourself to new people because you’re so geographically isolated,” he says. “So it does bring us back.” “Even at [my] most optimistic, it’s hard to believe being in a band this long,” Gullen adds. Since 2004, lead vocalist Ewan Currie, drummer Sam Corbett, and Gullen have all stayed true to the shared goal of making their style of music

for a living. “It started in a way that we did not have massive expectations,” he says. Nearly 20 years later, Gullen says the reach of their music continues to be a motivating force. “Those moments happen all the time. You go to a country where the people don’t speak English […] but they’re singing your lyrics,” he says. “That is, at its essence, one of the wildest things you can experience.” The purpose of this tour is to provide that moment for

fans who might not otherwise get to experience a show like the one The Sheepdogs put on. “We come from Saskatoon where shows would never come, so we’ve always made it a mission to play everywhere. We try to do that every chance we can.” The Sheepdogs will play at the Thunder Bay Community Auditorium on January 21. Visit thesheepdogs.com for more info.

The Walleye

OfftheWall

Reviews

Years at a Time

Chamber of Reflection

One More Thing

Melt the Honey

While the album was recorded over a year ago, the wait has been worth it for the new album from Cartwrights. The growth in songwriting and sound on Years at a Time is apparent right from the first track. The upbeat, garage rock feeling of “All the Kids Have Anxiety” is a look at today’s youth through the eyes of someone who is a teacher and has been there, done that. “If Ever” adds a little country beat to the band and later they delve into a melancholy singersongwriter feel (with a gorgeous ambient guitar wash in the background) that evokes John Prine. “Royal City” also features a solo from Elliott BROOD’s Casey Laforet. The ebb and flow of the sequencing takes you on a ride that leaves you emotionally spent as you reach over to start it all again. I suspect there will be a lot of love for this album this year. A personal favourite of 2023.

Leave it to Vancouver metal weirdos Ritual Dictates to deliver a paean to October’s rust in the middle of the winter. Chamber of Reflection is a twovery-long-songs EP, but within those songs, to paraphrase a demon, there are legions. Much like their antecedents Strapping Young Lad, Ritual Dictates throw a lot of metal at you with elaborate song structures that skulk, sprint, and sparkle. First song “Blaspheline or: Demon Black” throws in a thrashy, arena-worthy black metal opening before coalescing into a doomier mid-section; a blown-out finale sews up even more extremity in an ending that would make Type O Negative proud. Second song “Romanticism in Crapulence” takes every sexy, sultry, razorsharp kiss of the gothy, grungy metal canon and mashes it into an operatic closer to break everyone’s heart. Let the snow blow outside; I’m going to be shut in with the burly, dark romanticism of Ritual Dictates.

If you’re anything like me, you’d probably like to kick off the new year with some new music. The comforting yet stimulating sounds on Lime Garden’s newest album One More Thing may be exactly what you’re looking for, especially if you’re a fan of Paramore, boygenius, Lake Street Dive, or any other femaleled bands. With strong vocals and playful, rhythmic beats, this album is best described as indie-electro-rock. The lyrics are simple but deep, and every song has a slightly different twist to it that makes for some extremely easy listening. My personal favourites are “Love Song,” “I Want to Be You,” and “Looking,” but I’ll be adding much more than just those three to my library when the album officially comes out. Relatable, inspiring, and just a little bit quirky–it is exactly what indie music should be.

The latest album from Torontobased indie rockers PACKS filters 60s psychedelic rock through 90s grunge and wraps it all up in 2010s lo-fi sensibility. With lead singer Madeline Link’s stretched-out, artfully apathetic melodies complemented by oozing riffs and a noisy instrumental interlude, Melt the Honey certainly feels sticky. Throughout the album, PACKS’s signature distortion is at play, making it sound as though it’s playing through blown-out speakers in a car you’ve been hotboxing with the band on a stuffy summer day—but in the best way. Melt the Honey’s heat-induced haziness is furthered by Link’s lyrics, playful and vivid but never spelling it out, leaving plenty of room for the listener’s mind to wander. As a whole, PACKS doesn’t stray especially far from territory visited in past projects, but however slight, Melt the Honey does see an evolution in its vision: it’s comparatively bursting when held up against the band’s more stripped-back Crispy Crunchy Nothing, but still manages not to suffer from overproduction. As this is their second album released in the span of a year, PACKS’s style progression on Melt the Honey is no small feat, and with this creative momentum, we may be fortunate enough to hear another one before the year wraps up.

Cartwrights

-Jason Wellwood

Ritual Dictates

-Justin Allec

Lime Garden

-Emily Turner

PACKS

-Sidney Ulakovic

The Walleye

Before and After Neil Young

Neil Young is like the Energizer Bunny of pop music: he just keeps going and going. I’ve been a fan of his for years, but admit to being partial to his acoustic ballads like “Harvest Moon” and “Heart of Gold.” His new album, Before and After, is a reworking of some of his lesser-known tunes—some as early as his days with Buffalo Springfield. I like the album for its simplicity. It is almost all acoustic and features just Neil and his guitar, harmonica, and keyboards. Listening to it is like having him show up in your living room for a private concert. His voice, like a good wine, has aged very well. There is a gentleness to many of the ballads, but he doesn’t shy away from social issues like the environment and consumerism. Favourite songs include a great rendition of “Comes a Time” and the piano ballad “My Heart.” I haven’t bought a Neil Young album in a few years, but Before and After is definitely on the shopping list. -Gerald Graham

The Bakersfield Three

Cracking the Nazi Percy Code: The Untold Jackson and the Story of Canada’s Olympians: The Greatest Spy Chalice of the

Olivia LaVoice

When three friends either go missing or are found murdered within a span of 30 days, suspicions are high and their families are determined to get some answers. What they weren’t prepared for were the shocking revelations and clues discovered that would send them, and the city of Bakersfield, Calif., into a dizzying whirlwind of horror and disbelief. Upon initial glance, Micah Holsonbake, James Kulstad, and Baylee Despot appeared to be living their best lives. But a love triangle quickly emerged that was drowning in betrayal, drug abuse, torture, and murderous plots. Olivia LaVoice’s extensive background in forensic science and journalism brings a unique and passionate perspective to the podcast. One key aspect for me was the mothers’ fight for justice—it was palpable as their raw emotions were met with such determination. Although a little drawn out at 15 episodes for the series, it was nonetheless a chilling listen to say the least. -Andrea Lysenko

Gods

Jason Bell

While doing research for his philosophy PhD, author Jason Bell uncovered the classified archives of Canadian philosopher Winthrop Pickard Bell, which detailed his surprising secret life as A12, a spy for British intelligence during the two World Wars. It is an incredible but previously unknown story about a real-life 007 from Halifax. While a student in Germany, Winthrop Bell was recruited into espionage and his German language skills, intelligence, and connections allowed him to operate as a journalist in public, while infiltrating political circles and reporting to Canadian Prime Minister Robert Borden and the British government in secret. At one time, he was operating within the same intelligence beat as then-corporal Adolf Hitler (for the other side), and the author uses primary documents and diaries to reconstruct a fascinating account. Winthrop Bell was the first person who had discerned the nascent Nazi party’s plans for Jewish genocide and world domination. The fact that his advice was not always heeded and the subsequent tragic consequences also makes this book a thoughtful polemic for our times.

Rick Riordan Rick Riordan brings us back into the world of Greek mythology, with Greek gods standing in the way of college admission for our title character, Percy Jackson. The Chalice of the Gods, the latest in the Percy Jackson series, lands chronologically right in the middle of its 15 predecessors, bringing the reader back into Percy’s world. The story starts as Percy navigates his final year of high school and looks onward to his future as a student, and his life as a demigod, learning that both are intertwined. The book’s childlike wonder gives young readers looking to get into the Greek mythology world an imaginative boost, while allowing those who grew up with the original series a chance to escape back into the pages. A great read for all ages, this book can be found in our children’s section along with the remainder of Rick Riordan's ever expanding mythological universe. -Philip Mayo

-Angela Meady

January is Gluten-Free MONTH at Red Lion Smokehouse January 8th to January 31st, 2024

16 Cumberland St. S

807.286.0045

The Walleye

Architecture

Brown Street Pedestrian Bridge

Story by Jennifer Bonazzo, Photos by Dylan Darbyson

ould the Brown Street pedestrian bridge be one of Thunder Bay’s best-kept secrets? Located on the corner of Brown and Gore Streets, the bridge has existed since 1906 but archival details of its origins are remarkably scarce, with the exception of the determined efforts of Westfort locals to save it. Their appeals in no small part led to it being rebuilt a hundred years after its initial construction. There are things we do know about the bridge’s beginning. After the turn of the century, the town of Fort William and Canadian Pacific Railway were in talks about railway access and bridges at different locations. One of the discussion points was the need for a safe place for workers to cross over the railway tracks at Brown Street. An agreement in 1905, signed by mayor

The Walleye

Edward Rutledge, city clerk Alex McNaughton, and a CP Railway official addressed this concern, including as item #8 that “the Company will at its own expense […] construct an overhead foot bridge across the Company’s tracks at Brown Street.” This pedestrian foot bridge would provide direct access from Brown Street over to Kingston Street, towards the elevators and where a railway yard had apparently once been located. The bridge was originally built in a practical design. It was constructed of steel under a wooden walkway, with rails on either side, and an additional handrail for pedestrians. The Thunder Bay Museum has a few photos of the original structure, including a pair likely from the early 1900s, an undated postcard that viewed the bridge from the old Brown Street Fire Station, and

Architecture a 1995 newspaper photo from the Chronicle Journal. The latter was taken as the uproar about the aging bridge was starting to arise. By the time the bridge had been in use for 90 years, it was falling into disrepair. Realizing this, the railway had asked city council if the bridge could be dismantled. According to local newspaper reports from 1995, council debated and held a meeting to solicit input from the public, but discussions about it appeared to stall for nearly 10 years. The bridge was closed by the railway in May 2004, citing safety concerns, which led to a renewal of discussions, this time about both the jackknife bridge over the Kaministiquia River and the Brown Street pedestrian bridge. Three proposals were submitted by the railway, two of which included closing the pedestrian bridge. This was not something city locals were ready to accept, and a petition with over 500 signatures was presented to council asking them to have the railway keep their promise to maintain the bridge “in perpetuity” per the 1905 agreement. Equally persuasive were dozens of letters from the Westfort Village Merchants Association imploring council to keep that connection to their community. The decision would drag on for another two years, with the railway finally offering $600,000 in lieu of their release from that promise. It was refused, and in the end, CPR was required to rebuild the bridge. Today, if you walk along the bridge you’ll encounter a structure made of steel, this time with wire mesh along the sides and top to enclose it. You can also decide if it’s a secret worth sharing.

 An undated photo (likely from the early 1900s) of the Brown Street pedestrian bridge

Courtesy of the Thunder Bay Museum

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

The Walleye

TattooedYou

Bears and Blooms

In Memory of a Beloved Grandmother Story by Leah Morningstar, Photo by Meg Arpin Tattoo by Meg Niittynen of Ink Factory

ello, it’s me again: the lady who writes about tattoos! Last year I wrote about the little trout tattoo I had done in honour of my dad who had recently passed away. This year, I want to tell you about the tattoo I got for my grandmother—a bear paw print and a blooming wild lupine on the back of my left shoulder. Meg Niittynen of Ink Factory did an amazing job creating something vivid and memorable for me. But first, some backstory. My grandmother lived in Dryden from 1949 up until her passing in 2015. One of her favourite places to visit was my uncle’s camp, which is closer to Sioux Lookout. When my aunt and uncle would visit my grandmother after being at camp, my grandmother always asked “Did you see any bears?” She loved bears. But they always had to tell her that, sadly no, they didn’t see any bears—not on the way there and not on the way back. She also loved lupines, those pink and purple flowers that seem to grow everywhere along the sides of the Trans-Canada Highway here in the north. If we were driving somewhere in the summer, it was very likely my grandmother would ask to stop so she could gather lupines from the side of the highway. One of her goals was to get lupines growing in the ditches closer to my uncle’s camp. She would spend weeks gathering wild lupine seeds every summer,

saving them to scatter all along the camp road. She spent years doing this and not once did a lupine ever bloom near camp. I think she was a bit disappointed, but she never stopped trying. A couple weeks after my grandmother’s passing, my aunt and uncle took her ashes to scatter at camp. After turning off the Trans-Canada onto Highway 72 towards Sioux Lookout, a lone black bear crossed in front of their vehicle. They joked that the elusive bear sighting didn’t happen until after she had passed on. Then later, when they were just about to turn into the camp driveway, they noticed a lone pinky-purple lupine plant growing in the ditch. Again, the bloom only showed up after she had passed on. When my aunt and uncle relayed this story, I got chills. Was it a coincidence that the two things my grandmother always wanted to see at camp both made an appearance on the day she found her final resting place? Or was my grandmother watching from the great beyond and making her presence known? Ultimately it doesn’t matter how or why, what matters is the feeling. I like the idea that my amazing grandmother popped in to say hello because it makes me feel good. And I also feel pretty good knowing that my grandmother is now at rest in Northwestern Ontario, forever surrounded by bears and lupines and the rest of the glorious wonders of the boreal forest.

Thank you for voting us BEST CATERER! Contact Us for a quote today:

(807) 623-8775 or snpcatering.com

The Walleye

Advertising Feature

January Behind the Business Feature

Alyssa Mervin (MSW RSW), Clinical Director and Founder, Elevate Therapy

I founded Elevate Therapy in 2020 as a part-time online business in response to an increased demand for virtual psychotherapy services during the beginning of the pandemic. In 2021, after being isolated for so long, there became a need for in-person connections once again which led me to acquire a singular office. For many years I had dreamed of creating a therapeutic space that encompassed the components of trauma-informed care and considered all aspects of safety and comfort, including the environment in which we are asking people to do really difficult, vulnerable, emotional work. I considered this when I designed this first office. I opted for an office with large windows, natural organic elements, and calming tones and textures that provided a sense of safety and relaxation. The overwhelmingly positive feedback I received affirmed the impact of the environment on the therapeutic process. As demand continued to increase, I hired another therapist in 2022. Faced with an increased interest in our services, we welcomed the beginning of 2023 by embarking on a new chapter, moving into a larger office space and adding more therapists to our dedicated team. In designing our new space, we prioritized evidence-based research that once again emphasized the benefits of natural light, soothing colours, comfortable furniture, and organic/natural materials on stress reduction and improved mental health outcomes. Feedback on the new space has been consistently positive, with both therapists and clients noting a tangible sense of comfort and ease.

With a current team of eight therapists and ongoing growth, Elevate Therapy continues to evolve, prioritizing the well-being of both clients and therapists alike. We currently offer individual and couples therapy, supporting people with a range of concerns including trauma, depression, anxiety, relationship concerns, ADHD, grief, perinatal and postpartum concerns, infertility, self-esteem, chronic pain, and more. Find Elevate Therapy at elevatetherapy.ca, on Instagram @elevate. therapy, or search Elevate Therapy on Facebook.

Q&A with Alyssa Mervin What drew you to entrepreneurship? I think what drew me into entrepreneurship was the desire for autonomy. I consistently felt drawn to the idea of creating something from the ground up and bringing my vision to life. I wanted to provide an elevated therapeutic experience for my clients and starting my own practice was the best way to do that. Additionally, I tend to be drawn to continuous learning and finding creative solutions to problems. This, combined with the opportunity to build a dynamic team, foster a positive work culture, and make a positive impact on the lives of others, was a driving force. What inspired you to launch your business? The desire to make a meaningful impact is what inspired me to launch Elevate Therapy. I have spent countless hours dreaming with my colleagues and friends about different ideas on how to enhance therapeutic care based

on the feedback I was getting from my clients and the research I had done. As the business continued to evolve and grow, my dreams extended to envisioning a space that not only excelled in caring for our clients but also prioritized the well-being of our therapists. Founding Elevate Therapy has provided an opportunity to align my values and passions with my work, create opportunities for others, and contribute to our community in a meaningful way. Knowing what you know now, is there anything you would have done differently? I don't know that I would have done anything differently. This isn’t to say the journey was seamless or easy. There were many, many, bumps in the road along the way. I experienced a lot of anxiety, uncertainty, and self-doubt, but I think it was all a necessary part of growth. If there’s one aspect I might consider doing differently, it would have been to simply be kinder with myself through the process. What advice would you give to someone who is trying to become an entrepreneur? The first piece of advice I would give is to practice finding the balance between staying true to your vision while also being willing to adapt and change as needed. If you remain curious, attentive, and responsive to the needs of your community, I don’t think you can go wrong. The second and, in my opinion, most crucial piece of advice is to be kind to yourself and find joy in the journey. For me, entrepreneurship has been difficult and has come with stress, continuous challenges, and a whole lot

of self-doubt. I’ve learned practicing self-compassion is paramount as we navigate the complexities of growth and step outside our comfort zones. This process has forced me to cultivate a stronger relationship with myself, which has positively impacted both my professional and personal life. What are you working on now? Currently, we are still in the initial stages of our expansion, with ongoing renovations in a few more offices. Our next goal is to enhance our online presence and provide accessible resources to our community through social media and our website. And finally, we want to continue to expand and diversify our team to ensure we can continue to meet the needs of our community. Is there anyone specific you would like to thank? This is a long list. I have so many people to thank along this journey. To my incredible friends, family, and partner, your unwavering love, care, and patience sustained me through many moments of selfdoubt. Your support, both emotional and physical, is the driving force behind my journey thus far. I would also like to express my heartfelt gratitude to my exceptional team of therapists. Their kindness, dedication, expertise, and compassion make them the most incredible group of people to work alongside. Finally, to every client I have had the privilege of working with, I want to express my deepest appreciation. Trusting me to bear witness to your most vulnerable stories is an honour I don’t take lightly. I am so incredibly grateful that I get to call this my job.

The Walleye

Green Park. Almost 700 pumpkins were on display and lit along the park wall and then collected for compost, which diverted 32 metric tons of waste from the landfill. The year wrapped up with the launch of a reusable mug exchange program in partnership with Calico Coffeehouse and the HuskeeSwap Program. You can join the club at Calico by purchasing a Huskee mug for $20, ordering your favourite beverage, and then bringing it back (clean or dirty!) during your next visit to refill. No need for a disposable cup again! EcoSuperior is grateful for the support of all levels of government, numerous community groups, and individuals that support the organization. In 2024, EcoSuperior will continue to offer meaningful environmental programs and initiatives to build a healthy future for people and the planet.

EMBRACE WINTER

The Best of Eco A Year in Review

By Erin Moir and Ashley Priem, Co-executive Directors, EcoSuperior

coSuperior celebrates another successful year! After 28 years supporting Thunder Bay towards a sustainable future, EcoSuperior continues to engage community members, create connections to Lake Superior and our living landscape, and increase climate resiliency. As the organization has grown over the years and the environment has changed, so have the programs, including categories like active transportation, water, land connections, education, waste, and energy. From programs to the way the organization operates, sustainability is always top of mind. Early 2023 started with

The Walleye

disrupting leadership models and creating two co-executive director positions that draw on the strengths of both individuals and increase sustainability and resiliency as a small not for profit. The co-executive director model also contributes to staff well-being by reducing leadership burnout and sharing the creative and operational responsibilities of the organization. Spring meant hosting the 27th annual Spring Up to Clean Up campaign, which engaged over 7,500 residents, school groups, and businesses who removed litter from city streets, parks, and alleyways. Spring Up to Clean Up promotes civic pride and reduces the amount of debris entering our

local waterways before ending up in Lake Superior. By the end of June, over 1,200 students were inspired to help build a healthy future for people and the planet through classroom and schoolyard workshops, and a Climate Change Youth Forum. Students learned to take action and address where they can make sustainable choices in their lives. The learning included a new pollinator program that highlights the need for increased biodiversity and greenspaces in the city. September saw another successful Rain Garden and Green Infrastructure self-guided tour. Over 200 gardening enthusiasts toured five of the 17 newly planted gardens in 2023. These gardens not only enhance the beauty of your yard, but they also help slow down stormwater run-off, attract pollinators, and reduce the risk of flooding in your neighbourhood. In the fall, the community showed its excitement for the annual Pumpkin Parade at Hillcrest

At your doorstep access to the best of winter sports - from serene snowshoeing and crosscountry skiing to the thrills of ice climbing, ice fishing and snowmobiling. Nipigon isn't just a destination; it's an adventure that starts right outside your motel door. Transform your winter into an unforgettable journey of frosty fun and cozy evenings.

nipigon.net/stay

Exclusive dealer for Mercier Hardwood in Thunder Bay

Pierce Florcraft now offers AIR MILES® Reward Miles ®TM

Trademarks of AIR MILES International Trading B.V Used under license by LoyaltyOne, Co. and Pierce Florcraft.

1141 Roland Street, Thunder Bay, ON P7B 5M5 Find Us on Facebook

(807) 623-5710

You’re a VIP.

Get Exclusive Access Insider access to discounts, giveaways, news & events Get exclusive

JOIN FOR FREE thewalleye.ca/insider

Insider The Walleye

Health

Weekly Smudging Ceremony By Gina Fata, Cultural Communications Specialist, Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre

ave you ever heard the saying "You can’t pour from an empty cup"? It is a reminder that we need to take care of ourselves before we can help others. This is especially true in the workplace, where self-care is crucial for maintaining a healthy work-life balance. While self-care may be a trendy topic these days, it has been a part of Indigenous cultures for generations. One traditional Indigenous

ceremony that promotes balance and well-being is smudging. Smudging involves burning sacred medicines like tobacco, sage, cedar, and sweetgrass to cleanse the mind, body, and spirit. It is a powerful tool for reducing stress, improving mood, and promoting relaxation. When we smudge, we are taking time to pause and become calm, grounded, and present in the moment. Many people find it to be a helpful tool to

improve their well-being. Staff at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC) now have the opportunity to participate in weekly smudge ceremonies. The wellbeing of staff at TBRHSC is critical to the hospital’s function, culture, and patient experience. The hospital is hosting weekly smudge ceremonies for staff to reconnect with themselves and have a moment of self-care during their busy day. By attending smudge ceremonies, staff can clear their minds and emotions, release negative thoughts and feelings, and reconnect with themselves. Patients who are cared for by staff who are healthy will receive better care and experience empathy, compassion, and respect in every encounter.

The smudge ceremonies are led by Annette Klement, cultural safety educator, and Elder Kerry McLaughlin, spiritual care associate. Participants will not only experience the smudging ceremony but also learn about Indigenous culture through teachings, singing, and the hand drum. “The spirit lives within the drum,” explains McLaughlin. For those who are unable to attend, Elders can come to them to perform a smudge ceremony. Many patients, their families, and caregivers who access care at the TBRHSC practice traditional ceremonies, including smudging, as a part of the healing process. “This is a starting point for cultural education and knowledge. It will allow for cultural safety within the hospital with staff being able to better connect with their patients,” says Klement. The weekly smudge ceremony will allow staff to experience and learn about Indigenous culture. When staff can partake in, and learn, cultural teachings, they will better interact with patients and families. When your healthcare team understands your culture and traditions, it allows you to feel safe and seen. This is key in TBRHSC’s vision of “exceptional care for every patient, every time.” Smudge ceremonies are also available to patients wanting to access traditional ceremonies for their healing journey. Those who wish to partake in a smudge can have a member of their care team contact Spiritual Care or the Indigenous Collaboration Department to make arrangements. The smudge ceremony will take place every Monday and Friday, allowing staff to start and end their week in a good way.

Kitchen Exhaust Cleaning Specialists Ph: 807 626 8022 Email: office@thesteamguy.com www.linkedin.com/in/geraldineholden thesteamguyinc 86

The Walleye

We go in deep... to remove the risk of kitchen fire.

825 Fort William Road Unit 2 Thunder Bay ON P7B 3A4 Contact 807-343-3000

Grand Opening Event Save the tax on special orders

B O G O B l i nds 25% off all in-store orders of area rugs Draw: enter to win a $500 gift card to be used in-store With all promotions, some exclusions apply Sales ending in February

80+

EMPLOYERS READY TO HIRE

Wednesday, January 31, 2024 10:00AM-3:00PM

Confederation College | Shuniah Building

FREE EVENT

WE LOOK FORWARD TO WELCOMING YOU

for more information: confederationcollege.ca/ career-and-job-fair

The Walleye

TheWall

The Conundrum of Simpson

It's Time to Rename Thunder Bay’s Most Infamous Street Story and photos by Darren McChristie

e o rg e S i m p s o n ( a . k . a . “The Little Emperor”) was, according to most historical accounts, a horrible person. He was a ruthless governor of the Hudson Bay Company known for harsh cutbacks in an effort to improve efficiency. During his life, he fathered at least 11 children by at least seven different women, only one of whom was his wife. Like many other fur traders at the time, he had numerous relationships in which he fathered illegitimate children with Indigenous women through a practice known as marriage à la façon du pays—basically, a common-law relationship with no obligation to his partner or their kids. Non-white wives were not welcome in the Simpson household. He often assigned his rejected wifes to new partners. After the birth of one of his sons, he abandoned his wife and children to marry his 18-year-old cousin. Although he was celebrated as a staunch businessman and world explorer, he should be remembered for treating Indigenous women as nothing more than sexual objects to be used and then abandoned. It’s no wonder that the street named for such a despicable person has historically been associated with the sex trade, illicit drugs, and violence. Isn’t it time we ditch his name as an act of reconciliation? The Maamawe, Growing Together

The Walleye

I have made it my study to examine the nature and character of the Indians and however repugnant it may be to our feelings, I am convinced they must be ruled with a rod of iron, to bring and keep them in a proper state of subordination, and the most certain way to affect this, is by letting them feel their dependence upon us. -Sir George Simpson, 1822

Strategic Plan is meant to guide the city’s direction for the next five years. It outlines four guiding principles: truth and reconciliation, safety and well-being, growth, and sustainability. The city could take a symbolic step in achieving the goal of integrating Indigenous perspectives by renaming one of its most notorious streets to reflect the fact the city is built on Indigenous land and to step back from immortalizing colonial villains. Sure, merely changing the name of a street might not do anything in the short term to create the kind of neighbourhood hard-working families and businesses desperately need, but it is a visible starting point for real action on truth and reconciliation. There are examples of the decolonization of street names all over Canada. In Victoria, Trutch Street, which was originally named after a 19th-century politician known for his racist views and mistreatment of Indigenous people, was renamed as Su’it Street for the Lekwungen word for “truth.” Saskatoon voted in favour of renaming John A. MacDonald Road to miyo-wâhkôhtowin Road, which means “good relationship.” Fort Frances renamed the east and west sections of Colonization Road Agamiing Drive (meaning “at the shore” in Anishinaabemowin) and Sunset Drive respectively, and Gimli, Man. also renamed four streets that

contained the word colonization. Recently, Toronto announced plans to move forward with the renaming of Yonge-Dundas Square, two subway stations, and a library. The trend is sweeping across much of Canada and the U.S. The City of Toronto’s reconciliation action plan actually outlines how the city will “work with language speakers and Knowledge Carriers, and ensure that Indigenous language is given priority in the naming and renaming of City streets, parks and other City assets.” Isn’t it time Thunder Bay took the initiative and did the same? Even the positive aspects of Simpson Street are overshadowed by neglect. The growth of the trees planted during the revitalization efforts of 1997 seemed to surpass the expectations of the city planners. The sheer girth of their trunks are bursting through the surrounding lockstone. Dozens of the trees have been haphazardly cut down and replaced with orange pylons, perhaps in an attempt to save the sidewalk plows from hitting their stumps. Is this a permanent solution? The city dissolved the Simpson/ Ogden Business Improvement Area (BIA) back in 2018 and, as a result, there is no funding or initiative to plant flowers in garden beds or deal with the trees bursting their grates. Although there are several successful

long-standing businesses on the street with some notable improvements, they are interspersed with boarded-up and burned-out buildings. I wonder why the city doesn’t force the owners to tear them down? The Simpson/ Ogden area is largely currently left out of the Downtown Fort William Revitalization Advisory Committee’s Strategic Renewal Plan. There appears to be no plans to improve or change the current state. Neighbourhoods with broken windows and buildings in a perpetual state of disrepair are often linked to increased crime and disorder. A 1982 study by Wilson and Kelling theorized that disorder, such as vandalism and broken windows, often leads to increased fear and withdrawal from residents which then allows more serious crime to move in. Fix the windows and tear down derelict buildings and residents will feel safer and be more active in their community. It’s a chicken and egg scenario. Simpson Street remains in a vicious cycle of disorder and neglect. Let’s break the cycle and give the community a fresh start by renaming this infamous street with one that proves Thunder Bay really cares about our Indigenous population. Action speaks louder than strategic plans.

The Walleye

JanuaryEventsGuide January 3, 1 pm

Goat Yoga

Townline Equestrian Centre

Murillo Mutts Respite Refuge invites you to find your zen with goats. Afterwards, you can grab a nice warm hot chocolate and tour the farm. $20 per person.

facebook.com/murillomuttsrefuge

January 4, 11, 18, & 25, 3 pm

Blissful Beading County Park Library

Drop in and relax while you create beaded trinkets, necklaces, keychains, and more. Anyone ages 4 and up is welcome to come and craft.

tbpl.ca

January 5, 6, 12, 13, 7 pm

Lakehead University Men’s Thunderwolves Hockey Fort William Gardens

Come on out and support Lakehead University’s Men’s Thunderwolves Hockey Team at the loudest and proudest arena. Tickets are $16 for adults and $11 for children 16 years and under. See this month’s Top Five for more info.

thunderwolveshockey. com

January 6, 13, 20, & 27, 11 am

Peddlers Pop Up Market The Hub Bazaar

January 5, 3 pm

2024 Norpine Fat Bike Classic Cascade Lodge and Restaurant, Lutsen, Minn.

Ride the beautiful woods along the North Shore of Lake Superior. This year there will be three events to choose from: the Long Pine Race (25 miles), the Short Pine Race (14 miles), and the Dark Sky Tour (about 4 miles). There’s also a free group ride at Pincushion Mountain singletrack trails. Cost varies by race, registration is available online.

superiorcycling.org/ norpine

The Peddler’s Pop Up Market will run every Saturday until spring. The perfect after-brunch stop to do some local shopping over the weekend.

facebook.com/thehubbazaar

January 6, 6 pm

January 7, 14, 21, & 28, 2 pm

Winter FunDays Various Locations

Enjoy free indoor and outdoor programming for the whole family this winter. Winter FunDays kick off on Sunday, January 7 and run every Sunday until March 17 starting at 2 pm. The weekly activities will be held in neighbourhoods throughout the city. See this month’s Top Five for more info.

thunderbay.ca/en/recreation

January 7, 14, 21, & 28, 7 pm

Weekly Healing Circles Howl at the Moon

NAN Hope will be hosting weekly healing circles facilitated by Ron Kanutski. The healing circle is a safe, confidential space to speak and receive support from others. Free to attend.

nanhope.ca

January 7 & 14, 20 & 27, 21 & 28

Beginner Stained Glass Workshop

CWE Live in Thunder Bay The Moose Hall

Canadian Wrestling’s Elite kicks off 2024 and the 15th Anniversary Tour with six events in six nights across Ontario, including an event in Thunder Bay. Tickets are $24 and available online. See this month’s Top Five for more info.

incredevent.com/ cwe-15th-anniversary-tour-ontario

Lakeside Studio & Café

Learn how to make your own stained glass window hanging from one of three beginner-friendly designs. Each class consists of two days of instruction, so you must attend both days to finish your piece. Ages 14+. Tickets $250 per person, which includes your materials. Times vary by date. Register online.

lakesidepotterystudio. com

tbaytel.net/fibre

90 2

The The Walleye Walleye

EVENTS GUIDE KEY General Art Food Sports Music January 9, 7 pm

Tuesday Trivia The Social

Trivia buffs, prepare to prove yourselves at The Social’s trivia night with questions that cover a range of categories. Up to six people are allowed per team, and the winning team can expect a prize for their efforts. No tickets are required, but participants are encouraged to come early and secure their table.

thesocialtbay.com

January 10, 11, 13, 17, 18, 20, 24, 25, 27 & 31

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

January 11, 18, 25, 1:30 pm

Wit Knits

Mary J.L. Black Library

New and experienced knitters aged 55+ are invited to join Wit Knits weekly gatherings to knit (or crochet), share stories and laughs, and connect with fellow group members while you work on your project.

tbpl.ca

January 11–14, 5 pm

Skins Spiel

Kakabeka Falls Curling Club

Show off your curling skills at Kakabeka Falls Curling Club’s 25th annual Skins Spiel with a chance to win cash after each game. Saturday night’s competition will have live entertainment. Registration is $250 per team and can be completed online.

kakabeka.curling.io

January 12, 19, & 24

Beginner Glass Fusing Workshop Lakeside Studio & Café

Learn the basics of glass fusing as you create your own dreamy glass suncatcher. Ages 14+. Tickets are $100 per person, which includes your materials. Times vary by date. Register online.

lakesidepotterystudio. com

January 12 & 13, 7:45 pm

Kam River Fighting Walleye Home Games NorWest Arena

It’s game day at NorWest Arena. Come out and support the Kam River Fighting Walleye when the puck drops at 7:45 pm. Ticket prices vary and are available online.

fightingwalleye.com

Until 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, large-scale 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 until January 6. Admission is by donation, all ages, accessible.

definitelysuperior.com

January 13, 10 am

Lakehead Dart League Fun Tournament Moose Lodge

The Lakehead Dart League will host a dart tournament for both league members and anyone else who would like to compete, with cash prizes for the first, second, and third place teams. The kitchen will be open and other games will be available. Register at the door. Free for members, and $10 for other players.

thunderbaydarts.com

January 13, 8 pm

Crickets Comedy Club Presents: Richard Steudle Crickets @ The Odeon

Crickets Comedy Club is pleased to welcome Richard Steudle back to our stage to headline a hilarious weekend of laughs. Tickets are $20 and available online.

facebook.com/cricketscomedyclub

January 15, 5:30 pm

Kindergarten Information Session

École Elsie MacGill Public School

Lakehead Public Schools is excited to welcome new students in September 2024. Stop in for a free information session to get prepared.

lakeheadschools.ca

January 16, 10 am

Puppy Perks Storytime Brodie Resource Library

Families can visit Brodie Library for storytime with adorable puppies. Join Tammy from PAWsitively Social for this fun-filled opportunity to learn how to safely approach dogs and socialize with them. All ages, drop-in. Disclaimer: number of dogs, size, and dog’s desire to be handled may vary.

tbpl.ca

January 16, 23 & 30, 11:15 am

Baby Time

Waverley Resource Library

A drop-in literacy based program for babies from birth to 24 months. This program combines stories, music, rhymes and play.

tbpl.ca

January 17, 2 pm

Altered Art

Brodie Resource Library

Recycle and give new life to old paintings. This program will allow you to transform an ordinary piece of decor into your own work of art using a variety of materials. Supplies will be provided. Ages 18+. Registration is required and begins January 3.

tbpl.ca

January 18–20 & 25– 27, 7:30 pm

Badanai Theatre Presents: The Play That Goes Wrong Paramount Theatre

Directed by Spencer Hari, this 1920s whodunit has everything you never wanted in a show—an unconscious leading lady, a corpse that can’t play dead, and actors who trip over everything (including their lines). Nevertheless, the accident-prone thespians battle against all odds to make it through to their final curtain call. Tickets available online. See this month’s Film and Theatre section for more info.

badanai.eventbrite.ca

January 19, 26, 27, 28, 7:30 pm

North Stars Home Games

Fort William Gardens

It’s game day at Fort William Gardens. Come out and support the Thunder Bay North Stars when the puck drops at 7:30 pm. Ticket prices vary and are available online.

facebook.com/TBNorthStars

January 19–21, 8 am

Robin’s Minor Hockey Classic Various Arenas

The Robin’s Tournament is one of the largest minor hockey tournaments with over 135 teams each year, including 35 entries from out-of-town. This year marks the 46th year the Port Arthur Minor Hockey Association has hosted this popular regional event, with Robin’s Donuts as the premier sponsor for 31 years. For a detailed schedule, visit their website.

robinstournament.ca

January 20, 1 pm

Author Reading: Margaret Schweitzer Mary J.L. Black Library

Local Murillo author Margaret Schweitzer returns to the library to read from her new novel, Miss Putnam’s Garden.

tbpl.ca

January 20, 7 pm

Lisa Baker Comedy Tour

The Prospector Brew House

Lisa Baker won The Comic Strip’s Funniest Person with a Day Job competition in 2016 and hasn’t looked back. She’ll be performing in Thunder Bay with support from Mark Menei and Lee Noyes. Tickets available on Eventbrite.

@prospectorbrewhouse January 22, 6 pm

Potala Tibetan Buddhist Meditation Waverly Resource Library

The Potala Meditation Centre invites you to an evening of mindfulness meditation practice and an introduction to basic Buddhist principles as found in the traditional lam rim teachings. Lam rim means the stages of the path to enlightenment. There are no prerequisites and all are welcome.

tbpl.ca

January 24, 6 pm

The Brodie Files: True Crime Edition Brodie Resource Library

Fraud, bootlegging, robberies, hijackings and murder: the district of Thunder Bay has borne witness to many unique and interesting crime stories. Delve into these cases while also learning more about Brodie Library’s local history collection. Registration required. Disclaimer: Due to the sensitive nature of this program, it is only offered to adults and covers crimes that have occurred prior to 1970.

tbpl.ca

January 25–28, 30 & 31

Magnus Theatre Presents: Two Indians Magnus Theatre

This play by Falen Johnson follows Win, who lives on a First Nation, and Roe, who lives in the city, where she fled after a terrible family tragedy. After years apart, the two cousins reunite in a Toronto alley to recreate a ceremony from their childhood, but can they remember how? Has the world changed too much? Have they? Times vary by date and tickets are available online.

January 25, 7 pm

Art Battle

Black Pirates Pub

Enjoy a wonderful night of creativity and community at this live painting tournament showcasing local artists. Artists will transform blank canvases into beautiful pieces of art in just 20 minutes; votes determine the winner. All ages, tickets $20 plus tax.

facebook.com/BlackPiratesPub

January 26, 4 pm

Margarita Night Port Arthur Legion Branch No. 5

Every fourth Friday of the month, the Port Arthur Legion will host a Margarita Night in their clubroom.

facebook.com/portarthur legion

January 26, 6 pm

‘Til Death Do We Part Murder Mystery Dinner Party Black Pirates Pub

Join Black Pirates Pub for an evening of mystery, murder, and more. This event includes dinner, an option to stay for the afterparty, great music, and a lot of character fun. Roles will be assigned two weeks before the event and information sent by email. Tickets $80 per person and available online.

facebook.com/BlackPiratesPub

January 27, 2:30 pm

Story Time with Drag Queens Waverly Resource Library

Join the always fabulous Lady Fantasia LaPremiere and Mz. Molly Poppinz for a fun-filled afternoon storytime on Family Literacy Day.

tbpl.ca

January 27, 7:30 pm

Improv Comedy Show Cambrian Players Studio

Are you ready for a night of affordable fun and laughs? Enjoy a night of improv comedy with Cambrian Players. If you like Whose Line Is It Anyway then you’ll love this. They create these funny, one-act plays without a script, but you probably wouldn’t know it by watching. Tickets are $5 with cash at the door.

January 31, 7 pm

IB Program Information Session Superior CVI

Are you curious, enthusiastic about learning, looking for challenges, motivated, internationally minded, and searching for leadership and volunteer opportunities? The IB Programme might be for you. Stop in for a free information session to get prepared.

facebook.com/cambrianplayersimprov

lakeheadschools.ca

January 28, 7 pm

Wine Wednesday

Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival World Tour Thunder Bay Community Auditorium

The tour shows the best adventure films from the Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival, which takes place annually in November in Banff, Alberta. Don’t miss the breathtaking scenery and adventure that awaits! Tickets are available online. See this month’s Top Five for more info.

tbca.com

January 31, 10 am

Confederation College’s Career and Job Fair Confederation College Shuniah Building

An essential event to help students, upcoming graduates, alumni, and community job seekers get connected to our employer partners. The event is designed to help individuals learn about opportunities and make connections with key local, provincial, regional, and national employers. Free to attend.

confederationcollege. ca/career-and-job-fair

January 31, 8 pm

Red Lion Smokehouse Wine Wednesdays continue at Red Lion Smokehouse, and this month they invite you to ponder the varying flavours of New World wines versus the Old World. Sommelier John Murray will be leading a group of wine fans in an informative tasting in the Cardinal Chocolate Co. private room. Tickets $55.66 and available online.

facebook.com/redlionsmokehouse

January 31

YOUth Knitters Various locations

Knit or crochet hats or scarves for those in need and get volunteer hours. Volunteers must be ages 13–18. Register online.

tbpl.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. See this month’s City Scene section for more info.

thunderbaymuseum. com

magnustheatre.com

The Walleye Walleye The

391

Music

LU RADIO’S MONTHLY TOP 1 Jeremy Dutcher* Motewolonuwok

Secret City

7 André 3000

New Blue Sun

pic

8 Feeling Figures* Migration Magic

Perennial / K

9 Emilie Kahn* Maybe

Inuktitut

Bonsound

3 Munya* Jardin

Luminelle

25 Ginger Beef*

Idée Fixe

Self-Released

Run With Me

17 Sampha Lahai

Young

18 MOONRIIVR* Vol. 1

Victory Pool

4 Bloodshot Bill* Psyche-o-Billy The Glove

Self-Released

5 Autogramm*

Music That Humans Can Play

Stomp

Fire in the Rose Gar den

Mothland

6 Apollo Suns* Do Right!

19 Hannah Georgas*

15 TV Erased*

If You Get, I Want

Stress Test

92 4

The The Walleye Walleye

Self-Released

Real Kind/Arts & Crafts

20 Nobro*

Set Your Pussy Free

Dine Alone

21 SWiiMS*

KARPEH

Lisbon Lux

Latchford

I’d Be Lying If I Said I Didn’t Care

Blue Note

Fair-weather

KAYTRANADA/RCA

30 Andre Bisson*

22 Cautious Clay

14 Russell Louder*

Lover/Friend

Strings

Into the Blue Night Mint 400

Departures

27 Kaytranada*

Drip Audio

Here and Now

13 Night Lunch*

Sonic Unyon

29 Josh Zubot*

11 Aysanabee*

Prism Tongue

Healing Power

Self-Released

Mint

Formless

26 Terra Lightfoot*

Mr Frog

The Hand That Fits The Glove

12 Ora Cogan*

Ginger Beef

28 ex-cowboy*

10 Faith Healer*

Ishkōdé

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

16 Bry Webb*

Secret City

2 Elisapie*

Chart ranking reflects airplay for the week ending Tuesday, December 12, 2023.

23 Aiza*

Sovereignty

Hidden Pony

24 Haley Blais* Wisecrack

Arts & Crafts

courtesy earshot-online.com * Indicates Canadian Content

JanuaryMusicGuide JAN 1

Open Jam

The Foundry

8 pm / No Cover / AA

Open Mic

Branch 5 Legion

Margaritaville Acoustic Night Norteños Cantina

JAN 8

Sea Shanty The Foundry

8 pm / No Cover / 19+

6 pm / No Cover / 19+

JAN 10

Ira Johnson

Norteños Cantina

Howl at the Moon 8 pm / $5 / AA

Danny Johnson’s Piano Bar Shooter’s Tavern

8 pm / No Cover / 19+

JAN 4

Open Mic Night Lakehead Beer Co.

Margaritaville Acoustic Night 6 pm / No Cover / 19+

Ira Johnson

Howl at the Moon 8 pm / $5 / AA

Danny Johnson’s Piano Bar Shooter’s Tavern

8 pm / No Cover / 19+

Sober Dance Party Fridays Howl at the Moon

9 pm / No Cover / 19+

Country Night ft. Back Forty The Foundry

10 pm / $5 / 19+

Blood Red Moon The Wayland

10 pm / $5 / 19+

Webby D

The Foundry

Throwback The Wayland 10 pm / $5 / 19+

JAN 14

Dulcisono: Remember the Magic

St. Paul’s Anglican Church 3 pm / 15+ / AA

Open Mic

Norteños Cantina

JAN 11

Open Mic Night Lakehead Beer Company

Open Jam

Branch 5 Legion

JAN 12

Viernes Cubano Latin Night (Pajama Party) Atmos

JAN 17

Margaritaville Acoustic Night Norteños Cantina

6 pm / No Cover / 19+

9 pm / $10+ / 19+

Pressa

NV Music Hall

Consortium Aurora Borealis: Mozart Meets Beethoven

Sober Dance Party Fridays

7:30 pm / $15–$25 / AA

Throwback

St. Paul’s United Church

Dirty Mines The Wayland

10 pm / $5 / 19+

DJ Rogue

The Foundry

10 pm / $5 / 19+

Student Saturdays ft. DJ Mo NV Music Hall

10 pm / $5 / 19+

JAN 7

Open Mic

Norteños Cantina

4 pm / No Cover / 19+

Ira Johnson

10 pm / $5 / 19+

The Foundry

8 pm / $5 / AA

Howl at the Moon

Cartwrights

Norteños Cantina 10 pm / $5 / 19+

JAN 20

TBSO Pops: Quartetto Gelato

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

Student Saturdays ft. DJ Mo NV Music Hall

10 pm / $5 / 19+

Tea Time Drive The Wayland

10 pm / $5 / 19+

Reckless Abandon The Foundry

10 pm / $5 / 19+

8 pm / No Cover / AA

7 pm / No Cover / AA

Ira Johnson

JAN 21

Open Mic

Norteños Cantina

4 pm / No Cover / 19+

The Sheepdogs: Backroad Boogie Tour

10 pm / $5 / 19+

Mother of Wolves Norteños Cantina 10 pm / $5 / 19+

V3nom

The Foundry

10 pm / $5 / 19+

Phoebe the Feeb + Page 38 Black Pirates Pub 9 pm / $10 / 19+

Open Mic Night Lakehead Beer Company

7 pm / No Cover / AA

JAN 26

TBSO Northern Lights: Shy-Anne Hovorka

Italian Cultural Centre 7:30 pm / $20+ / AA

Sober Dance Party Fridays Howl at the Moon

9 pm / No Cover / 19+

Sour Crème & The Silver Spoons The Foundry

10 pm / $5 / 19+

Page 38

Norteños Cantina 10 pm / $5 / 19+

JAN 27

8 pm / No Cover / 19+

8 pm / No Cover / AA

Open Mic Night

JAN 22

Lakehead Beer Company

7 pm / No Cover / AA

Black Pirates Pub 9 pm / $10 / 19+

Sober Dance Party Fridays 9 pm / No Cover / 19+

The Foundry 10 pm / $5 / 19+

NV Music Hall

JAN 28

8 pm / No Cover / 19+

Norteños Cantina

JAN 24

Margaritaville Acoustic Night Norteños Cantina

6:30 pm / No Cover / 19+

Ira Johnson

Howl at the Moon 8 pm / $5 / AA

Blood Red Moon

10 pm / $5 / 19+

Sea Shanty

JAN 19

Killer Album Release Party

The Foundry

10 pm / $5 / 19+

The Foundry

Danny Johnson’s Piano Bar Shooter’s Tavern

8 pm / No Cover / 19+

Karaoke JAN 2, 6, 16, 23, 30 The Foundry

8:30 pm / No Cover / 19+

JAN 4, 11, 18, 25 Branch 5 Legion

JAN 4, 11, 18, 25 Norteños Cantina

Student Saturdays ft. DJ Mo

Shooter’s Tavern

9 pm / $40+ / 19+

Atmos

Open Jam

Branch 5 Legion

Danny Johnson’s Piano Bar

7 pm / No Cover / 19+

Danny Johnson’s Piano Bar

7:30 pm / $54+ / AA

Howl at the Moon

Virtual Riot

Throwback

Howl at the Moon JAN 13

7 pm / $TBA / AA

Thunder Bay Community Auditorium

9 pm / No Cover / 19+

The Wayland

Robin Ranger

8 pm / $5 / AA

Howl at the Moon

9 pm / $45+ / 19+

JAN 6

JAN 25

The Wayland

10 pm / $5 / 19+

4 pm / No Cover / 19+

7 pm / No Cover / AA

JAN 5

NV Music Hall

Tea Time Drive

10 pm / $5 / 19+

7:30 pm / No Cover / 19+

JAN 3

Student Saturdays ft. DJ Mo

9 pm / No Cover / 19+

JAN 4, 11, 18 The Westfort

10 pm / No Cover / 19+

JAN 4, 6, 11, 13, 18, 20, 25, 27 Howl at the Moon 8 pm / $5 / AA

JAN 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20, 27 The Hodder 9 pm / No Cover / 19+

JAN 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20, 27 The Social

9:30 pm / No Cover / 19+

JAN 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20, 26, 27 The Bar

10 pm / No Cover / 19+

Open Mic

JAN 6, 13, 20

4 pm / No Cover / 19+

7 pm / No Cover / 19+

Open Jam

Branch 5 Legion

8 pm / No Cover / AA

The Westfort Proz JAN 11, 18, 25

Polish Hall Branch #1 8 pm / No Cover / 19

JAN 29

Open Mic

The Foundry

7:30 pm / No Cover / 19+

Brought to you by:

JAN 31

Margaritaville Acoustic Night Norteños Cantina

6:30 pm / No Cover / 19+

The Walleye Walleye The

593

JanuaryHoroscopes Aries

(March 21–April 19) Happy New Year, Aries! Being the first sign of the zodiac, you are always the one to take the lead arranging celebrations to welcome in the new year. Whether it be hosting New Year’s Day brunch, or having an informal drop-in, social Rams always enjoy the fresh feel of a brand new year. 2024 will be a good year for the fire signs, yours especially. Plans will come to fruition, and that long-awaited vacation will start to appear a little closer on the horizon. This year may see a partnership take the next big step. Raise your glass and toast to the stars— they’ve got your back!

Taurus

(April 20–May 20) As a Taurus, you may naturally resist change, but this month encourages you to approach it with openness. Be willing to step outside your comfort zone and explore new opportunities. Whether it’s in your career, relationships, or personal development, change can bring about positive transformations that align with your goals. Put quill to paper and commit in writing. Bulls love a good nap, so do spend some time resting on the couch this month and just be. New Year’s Day brunch sounds delicious, so do make some plans.

Gemini

(May 21–June 20) January is for gym memberships, and Gemini is no exception. The sense of community might be just the thing to ramp up your well-being for the New Year. The beginning of the calendar year gives us the chance to start fresh. Use this quiet time to set goals for the year, both spiritual and practical, and set those

The Walleye

By Sunny Disposish

intentions into place with a blessing for new beginnings that will carry you through the year ahead. Always the social butterfly, this airy sign finds beauty in winter every day.

Cancer

(June 21–July 22) January highlights the importance of spending quality time with loved ones. Whether it’s a heartfelt conversation, a shared meal, or simply enjoying each other’s company, prioritize the bonds that bring warmth to your heart. Indulge your senses in the pleasure of good food. Experiment with comforting recipes and savour the joy of preparing meals that nourish both body and soul. Invite friends or family to join you in creating a feast, fostering a sense of togetherness and celebration.

Leo

(July 23–August 22) The full moon in your sign on the 25th has Lions roaring with delight. Pursuing your passion is key this month, Leo! Do the things that make you feel lit up. If you are running a little low on gas, make a list to help remind you of all the things you love to do. Ask others for their input if you feel called to do so. Career-wise, you’re keeping very busy in that aspect. Keep lists to stay organized. Lions can be fairly sociable, so plan a night on the town! Dinner and a show could be just the ticket to warm your heart and have a few laughs with friends. Leos steal the spotlight at the best of times, so keep that good vibe going!

Virgo

(August 23– Septembe Last month was a whirlwind and you are still recovering! Spend some time

doing some grounding and meditating. A good method for this is to hang out in the kitchen. Bake a loaf of bread or the fam’s favourite comfort meal. Some good soulwarming food is sometimes just what the doctor ordered. Furry friends play a role this month—make sure they are amply covered when it comes time for snowy strolls this winter. You may have an epiphany late in the month—make sure you get those thoughts down on paper. You may find yourself hosting or attending a small party night. Enjoy yourself!

Libra

(September 23– October 22) January bursts into your life with a zesty flair, urging this air sign to embrace the vibrancy of the season. Dive into winter activities with unbridled enthusiasm—think ice skating, cosying up by the fireplace, and spontaneous snowball fights that spark joy. The sign of the scales’ social charm is at its peak, drawing attention like a magnet. Amidst the snowy landscapes, a potential love interest enters the scene, igniting sparks that dance in the winter air. Craft a new creative cocktail and see what the night brings!

Scorpio

(October 23– November 21) It’s time to take a breath of relief, Scorp. The tree is down, the clutter is cleaned, and you’re all about making changes for the better this year. Spend some time outside in nature to clear your head. It’s okay to hug a tree—just make sure you ask it first. Light some candles and curl up with a new book you were gifted during the holiday season. Spending solitary time in silence is a great way to hear your

own inner voice, which will help you chart your path for the future. Luck is on your side in and around the new moon on the 11th, so don’t be shy. Pay attention to your dreams—you are being given a message and it’s in your best interest to listen.

Sagittarius

(November 22– December 21) Your infectious optimism is a potion, stirring up a magical aura around you. The month encourages you to embrace your inner wanderer, seeking excitement and spontaneity. Dive into the unknown with enthusiasm, as this fearless fire sign is wont to do. Whether it’s exploring hidden gems in your city or embarking on a spontaneous weekend escape, let the universe surprise you. Archers are starting the new year off right and everything you wish to manifest will be yours! Amidst the whirlwind, a touch of romance may spark, adding a sweet and mysterious flavour to your journey. Embrace the magic, Sagittarius, as you dance between the thrilling and the snug, creating a January that's as bewitching as it is comforting.

Capricorn

(December 22– January 19) Happy birthday month, Goats! There’s a reason why this earth sign is considered the GOAT and January is going to prove exactly why. A whirlwind of change awaits, and it’s all for the better. As you pack your bags, remember that every box holds the potential for a brighter, more fulfilling chapter. Embrace the unknown, Capricorn, for January unfolds as a month of triumphant transitions, where you boldly step into a future teeming with possibilities.

The new moon in your sign on the 11th finds you toasting your new path. Happy solar return! This earth sign has worked hard and now it’s time to reap the rewards.

Aquarius

(January 20– February 18) Your spiritual side has you branching out into nature! Already a lover of the outdoors, Aquarians are ramping it up this month. Elements be darned, inclement weather is not going to put a spoiler on this airy sign’s day. There’s great satisfaction to be had when taking down the seasonal decorations and writing in your crisp, fresh 2024 planner. Reacquaint yourself with your slow cooker and have a hearty stew burbling happily upon your return from a skiing or snowshoe adventure. Break bread with family at the table. Many happy returns of the day for late January Aquarian babies.

Pisces

(February 19– March 20) The month is your playground for creativity, encouraging you to explore artistic pursuits that set your soul on fire. Whether it’s painting, crafting, or diving into DIY projects, let your hands become conduits for the beautiful visions swirling in your mind. The universe applauds your inventive spirit and suggests that you revel in the joy of bringing your ideas to life. Enlist friends or family to join in, turning these endeavours into shared moments of connection and laughter. As you immerse yourself in these new activities, you’ll find that your days are infused with a sense of purpose and fulfillment.

THIS IS GOING TO BE BIG!

ÇA VA ÊTRE ÉNORME!

The Ontario Winter Games return to the North. Get ready to cheer on young, aspiring Ontario athletes on their path to greatness!

Thunder Bay 2024

Les jeux d’hiver d’Ontario retournent dans le nord. Préparez-vous à encourager les jeunes athlètes en herbe ontariens sur le chemin de la gloire!

Ontario Winter Games

PRESENTED BY / PRÉSENTÉ PAR

www.tbaygames2024.ca

PARTNERED WITH / EN PARTENARIAT AVEC

VOLUNTEER SPONSOR / PARRAIN BÉNÉVOLE

Jeux d’hiver de l’Ontario

The Walleye

TheBeat

Winter Poem By Elizabeth Pszczolko

Your fingers pulse with returning blood after near frost-bite. They smell of sulfur from the match you used to light the woodstove. Your dog sleeps at your feet, hind legs twitching in a running-dream. Earlier, in the parched cold that comes after a storm, you saw three sets of wolf tracks on the side road running south full tilt. They disappeared where the wind, coming across an open field, scoured away the loose snow, leaving a small spray of blood, frozen, pink braille on the ice. No feathers, no fur, just raised scarlet drops, each with a tiny snowdrift on its lee-side. Two sets of tracks ran west across the field and into the poplars. You could not find the third anywhere.

The Walleye

Later, sleeping, you dream of something rumbling up the lane through the trees. You think it’s the township plow. But it’s only your cat, purring up against your pillow. You reach out and feel, under the black silk fur and fragile ribs, the animal within the animal, something from a long time ago. And you wonder then if this was how love began.

Winter Warmth. digital illustration, boy Roland

OPEN Mon to Fri 8am-6pm

since 1997

The Walleye

TheEye

Sunrise on the Thunder Bay waterfront, December 14, 2023 Photo by Jamie Ruggles

OPEN FAMILY DAY

Sauna + 90 minutes = keep warm with our sauna rentals

♥

Valentines group rates available I Day SAUNA

Restaurant: 8am-3pm daily • Sauna: 8am-8pm daily • Grab & Go Fridge: 8am-8pm daily 98

The Walleye

379 Oliver Road, Thunder Bay, ON P7B 2G1 807 344 6761 info@kangassauna.ca

CONNECT TO DOWNHILL EXHILARATION

visitthunderbay.com

The Walleye

GORE MOTORS HONDA

“TakeaLookInside”

LED Headlights High & Low Beam

INTRODUCING THE NEW 2024

CR-V

LX-B 2WD STARTING FROM

37, 555

Features You’ll Love!

Images forillustration Images are are for illustration purposes only. only. pursposed

Heated Front Seats

Starting from value includes freight, PDI, levies & fees. Does not include applicable taxes, license & registration. Honda SensingTM Safety Technologies

ECON Mode & Eco AssistTM

1.5L Turbocharged Apple CarPlayTM 4-cylinder engine & Android AutoTM

Remote Engine Starter

RESERVE YOURS TODAY!

MADE WITH DOMESTIC & IMPORTED PARTS. DEALER ORDER/TRADE MAY BE NECESSARY. CONTACT GORE MOTORS FOR MORE INFORMATION.

100

The Walleye

January 2024

Articles inside

Education Requires Access to Good Food