June 2022 by The Walleye Magazine

FILM FREE ARTS Vol. 13 No. 6 MUSIC JUNE FOOD 2022 CULTURE thewalleye.ca

Our Stores

Community Cornerstones

For neighbours, “special pricing” is just the price

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Contents

Editor-in-chief Darren McChristie Editor Adrian Lysenko adrian@thewalleye.ca Assistant Editor Rebekah Skochinski Senior Editor Tiffany Jarva Copy Editors Amy Jones, Bonnie Schiedel Editorial Assistant Sara Sadeghi Aval Marketing & Sales Manager Meagan Griffin sales@thewalleye.ca Photographers Olivia Bosma Kevin Dempsey Damien Gilbert Chad Kirvan Dave Koski Shannon Lepere Marty Mascarin Darren McChristie Sarah McPherson Lois Nuttall Laura Paxton Art Directors Steve Coghill, R.G.D. Dave Koski, R.G.D. production@thewalleye.ca Ad Designers Dave Koski Miranda van den Berg 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 © 2022 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 July Issue June 15th

Meet Your REDI Librarian

42 80

Blues House Party

10x10 Showcase

FEATURES 9 Our Stores Community Cornerstones 10 At Your Convenience 12 General Stores, Through the Years 14 Corner Store Profiles

FOOD 18 THE GRINNING BELLY 19 DRINK OF THE MONTH 20 SUPERIOR SIP 23 DISH(ES) OF THE MONTH 25 Epic Cones 26 Bombay One Stop FILM&THEATRE 28 Breaking Character 30 THE SECOND MOST PLEASURABLE THING WE DO IN THE DARK. A COLUMN ABOUT MOVIES 33 10x10 Showcase 34 CONFESSIONS OF A DRAG DEALER

90 33

TheTOPFive

THE ARTS 36 A THOUSAND WORDS 38 TBay’s Second Drive-By Art Gallery 40 Supporting the Human Need for Creative Expression 42 Boasting Northwestern Ontario Talent 43 FROM THUNDER BAY ART GALLERY’S COLLECTION 44 DefSup RetroGraduate Exhibit

Bombay One Stop

OUTDOOR 46 Mazukama Falls

72 52

Piece of History Returns to City Hall

100

CITYSCENE 48 WALL SPACE: Sleeping Giant Brewing Co. 51 CANNABIS CORNER 52 Piece of History Returns to City Hall 55 Celebrating Our Neighbours 56 EYE TO EYE: With Alan Cranston

63 64 66 67 68 70

Meet Your REDI Librarian GO LOCAL Thunder Bay Country Market Cycle Shop Goes Above and Beyond Inspirational Ski Jumping Event Stuff We Like THE ENTHUSIASTS This is Thunder Bay SECOND CHANCES

MUSIC 72 Making an Impact with Music 75 The Waverley Park Concert Series 77 The Flash of a GoldToothed Smile 79 BURNING TO THE SKY 80 Blues House Party 83 Creating New Memories 84 Songs From the Road, Vol. 1 86 Thunder Bay Hops with the TBSO 89 Rocking the Tree Planters Circuit 90

OFF THE WALL REVIEWS

ARCHITECTURE 92 Roy Building 94

Tbaytel JUNE EVENTS GUIDE

LU RADIO'S MONTHLY TOP 30

TATTOOED YOU 98 It’s Extra Flamey GREEN 100 Wolverines Under Threat 102 LET’S GET GROWING 103 Easing Climate Anxiety, One Conversation at a Time 104 Preventing the Invasion HEALTH 106 Active Commute Challenge THE WALL 108 Coming Out of the Shadows 110 HOROSCOPES 113 THE BEAT 114 THE EYE

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From Our Instagram Feed

Featured Contributor Taylor Onski

Whether as an actor, crew member, or writer covering local productions, Taylor deeply values the magic of theatre. A part of the local theatre scene since age 12, Taylor essentially grew up on Thunder Bay stages. So when the opportunity came to combine her love of theatre and writing with The Walleye, she leapt at the chance to talk to talented theatre artists around town (many of whom she’s honoured to call friends). Check out Taylor’s profile of the 10x10 Festival on page 33. (She will also be one of the festival’s 10 directors, many of whom, again, she’s honoured to call friends.)

A Community Hub

hether it was to read some comic books, grab a blue raspberry Slush Puppie, or play a game of Street Fighter II, a trip down to the general store is one of my cherished childhood memories. Unlike a box store or the mall, our general store offered us a treasure trove of loot and served as a meeting place. Now that I’m older, my shopping list has changed a bit—aside from the staple blue raspberry Slush Puppie—but our nearby stores still serve as a community hub. For our June issue we’re all about general, convenience, and variety stores in the Thunder Bay area. We profile 12 stores, finding out what they offer and what makes them unique to their specific community. Plus, Matt Prokopchuk writes about the importance of corner stores, and Bonnie Schiedel digs through Thunder Bay Museum's archives looking at our city’s general stores through the years.

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Also in our June issue, Ken Wright previews the return of Thunder Bay Blues Society’s Blues House Party, Deana Renaud goes chasing waterfalls on the Mazukama Falls trail, and Taylor Onski gets a sneak peek at the 10x10 Showcase. This month also brings the official arrival of summer, and to help celebrate the return of warmer weather, pommelier and sommelier Jeannie Dubois presents some recipes for pitchers and punch bowls, Stuff We Like features ideas for the campfire, and we gather up our lawn chairs for the Waverley Park concert series. Especially now that we’ve (hopefully) emerged from the colder months, there’s no better time to head to your nearby store or take a trip to an establishment you’ve never been to before. There, you’re more than likely to find some friendly conversation, homemade food, local products, and maybe even a blue raspberry Slush Puppie. -Adrian Lysenko

On the Cover Blueberry Pie by Chelsea Cameron-Fikis

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“My son and I can

achieve our dreams” You belong here 6

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Waterfront District’s

TheTopFive

1 Thunder Pride June 4–30 Various

2 The Trews

Keegan Richard

Thunder Pride is back for the month of June, opening with a drumming circle at the Spirit Gardens and closing with a spiritual healing night, with a whole lot of fun in between! There will be a Back to the 90s party at Goods & Co. Market with entertainment by Nancy Freeborn and DJ Sugarman. Also on the schedule: a Pride pool party at the Canada Games Complex, a Unicorn Glitter Ball Dinner and Dance at The Chanterelle featuring Canada’s Drag Race superstar Tynomi Banks, plus a city-wide Drive-By Drag Show and a literary and poetry night. There’s truly something for everyone, and everyone is invited. Tag #YQTPride2022 on your socials to share the pride. Find them on Facebook or Instagram for a full list of planned activities. In the name of love! facebook.com/ThunderPride

Brown & 3 Rodney Friends

June 8

June 10

Let’s try this again! As part of their I Wanna Play tour, The Trews are stopping in Thunder Bay (five months later than originally planned) for a concert that will knock your boots off! With plenty of radio hits, seven critically acclaimed studio albums, and several EPS and live records under The Trews’ belt, fans can expect a great show. The Trews are hot off the release of their new album The Wanderer, which guitarist John-Angus MacDonald says is “a really strong rock record from start to finish.” The name of the tour also fits their pandemic-released anthem, “I Wanna Play,” which has been described as an ode to what it felt like as a band during lockdown. Plus, they’ll be joined by special guests The Honest Heart Collective. Doors open at 7:30 pm; the music starts at 8:30 pm. cabinmedia.ca

Folk musician and Thunder Bay legend Rodney Brown is no stranger to the city and to the stage. In fact, you might say he’s a friend! Join Rodney Brown and a few of his friends for a summer concert steeped in some nostalgia. On the second weekend in June, local musicians Damon Dowbak, Sean Mundy, Dan Zadkovich, and Jeff Korkola will join Brown for an evening of great live music. They’ll be playing from a roster of original tunes as well as 70s covers, which will be totally far out. Tickets are just 10 bucks at the door and the music will keep you groovin’ from 8 pm until 11 pm. See you at the clubhouse! tbshows.com

NV Music Hall

Indigenous 4 National Peoples Day

June 21

Anemki Wajiw Calling all dancers! Anemki Wajiw is the place to be on June 21 for a pow wow and a day of celebration to recognize National Indigenous Peoples Day. Grammy-nominated drum group the Black Lodge Singers will be the host drum group, with opening remarks beginning at noon and the grand entry at 1 pm. Enjoy delicious eats like bannock and taco in a bag and visit the many artisan vendors who will be onsite for the festivities. In the evening, there will be a community feast with light entertainment and the pow wow will conclude with a giveaway around 7 pm. Join the local Indigenous community for a celebration of life and a time for healing through dance and song. The event is free and all are welcome. Follow along on Facebook for the latest updates. facebook.com/NADTBAY

Port Arthur Legion Branch 5

5 Summer Exhibitions June 24

Thunder Bay Art Gallery

The Thunder Bay Art Gallery is celebrating the opening of Woodland Pop! and I, Voyageur: In Search of Frances Anne Hopkins on June 24, with an evening of music, food, fire, and of course some full-on, super fresh art! Woodland Pop! is a group exhibition that will showcase the marvels and meaning and influence of new artistic expressions of Woodland style. The scope of the works from emerging and mid-contemporary Indigenous artists Bree Island, Rez Doge, digital animation (still), 2021 will include visual art, digital painting, NFTs, two-spirit and queer aesthetics, tattooing, contemporary beading, and more. The second exhibition is the work of Naomi Harris, a Canadian photographer who recreated the journey of 1860s British painter Frances Anne Hopkins, who travelled by canoe from Montreal to Thunder Bay with her husband and a crew of fur traders. theag.ca

The The Walleye Walleye

7 5

where ever you find yourself, be ready with our summer collection

A portion of all clothing sales in JUNE is donated to isthmus thunder bay 710 BAL MORAL S TREE T 8

The Walleye

F RE SHAIRE XPER I EN C E.C A

CoverStory

Our Stores Community Cornerstones

eneral, convenience, variety, corner. They come in all shapes and sizes, and yet the one thing that neighbourhood stores have in common is they’re a gathering place for the people who live nearby. More than just a place to grab a carton of milk or a freezie on a hot summer’s day, they offer the familiarity of seeing a friendly face and sharing a small part of our day-to-day lives. For June, now that it’s so nice out (fingers crossed!), The Walleye visited twelve places to see what makes them so special and we encourage you to do the same. Did we miss your favourite local spot? Reach out and let us know! - Rebekah Skochinski

Mrs. L’s Confectionery Photo by Jack Barten

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Courtesy of the Thunder Bay Museum

CoverStory

General store exterior, undated and unnamed

Courtesy of the Thunder Bay Public Library

Local grocery store interior, undated and unnamed

At Your Convenience

Fisher Stait Grocery Store, date unknown

Local Corner Stores Still Serving Their Neighbourhoods By Matt Prokopchuk

eorge Luscombe knows the trials and tribulations of owning a neighbourhood corner store. The owner and operator of Mrs. L’s Confectionery on Cameron Street has been at the helm of the business for seven years now after purchasing it from his mother, who bought the store in 2003. And while he says that competition from corporately owned convenience stores like Circle

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K is stiff, he feels that a locally owned shop maintains an important tie to its area. “The people know when they come in who they’re going to be talking to,” Luscombe says. “With me, there’s a lot of conversation between me and my customers.” Mrs. L’s sells a variety of groceries and features a food counter offering up comfort food staples like burgers, fries (a big seller, Luscombe says),

hot dogs, and poutine. And while Luscombe and his family have been involved with the business for nearly 20 years, neighbourhood residents have been used to having their own independent corner store there for much longer, with city archival records showing a number of similar businesses coming and going from the same property over the decades. Having that connection

to—and being integrated into—the neighbourhood, Luscombe says, is very important. “I have one particular customer, every couple days he comes in and he buys hot dogs and he’s been doing that since he was seven,” he says. “He’s in his early to mid-20s now […] and the thing is, he calls and he says ‘Okay, I’d like this,’ and I know exactly what he wants on it. It’s those personal touches.”

A number of other similar independent corner stores continue to operate in neighbourhoods all over Thunder Bay, providing that type of service and maintaining their positions as a sort of small commercial anchor for nearby residents. However, Leslie McEachern, the city’s director of planning services, says over the past several decades there has been a general shift away from each neighbourhood

CoverStory having its own local shop to larger, more centralized business nodes servicing wider areas. That shift, she says, can be seen in the number of buildings that used to house corner stores being redeveloped into other small businesses or apartments. “I think you’ll find, scattered throughout our historic neighbourhoods, buildings on corners that you know you can see, from the architectural design of the

building, that at one point they were something other than a house,” McEachern says. “You will see them sort of slowly transitioning into residential uses to reinvent and adapt—it’s essentially an adaptive reuse of an existing building.” Hand-in-hand with this shift has been the rise of the corporately owned corner store. In Thunder Bay, Circle K is widespread; its owners, Quebec-based Alimentation

Couche-Tard, rebranded all of its former Mac’s stores to the Circle K name years after acquiring Circle K in 2003 and Silcorp Ltd. (former owners of Mac’s, along with Becker’s and Mike’s Milk) in 1999. “Those stores started to become more and more prevalent,” McEachern says. “I think we’ve seen a growth in that market over the last […] 30 to 40 years [and it’s] probably when we started to see it transition.”

Province-wide, over the past 15 years, the number of convenience stores (both corporately owned and independent) in Ontario has dropped from around 11,500 to 8,500, says Dave Bryans, the CEO of the Ontario Convenience Stores Association. And even with large chains like CoucheTard expanding its reach, Bryans says the majority of convenience stores in the province (62%) are still

independently owned. Like Mrs. L’s—although Luscombe says he is looking to sell the business. “I’m ready to slow down,” he says. But the value of the connection his business continues to have to the neighbourhood is undeniable. “The neighbourhood has been phenomenal since we’ve been here,” he says. “We couldn’t have done it without them.”

George Luscombe, owner and operator of Mrs. L’s Confectionery

Jack Barten

“The people know when they come in who they’re going to be talking to.”

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CoverStory

 General store interior, undated and unnamed

General Stores, Through the Years

 Store owner Peter Belluz and his son and dog are shown in this undated image

Story by Bonnie Schiedel, Photos courtesy of the Thunder Bay Museum

he local general store is part of what gives flavour to a neighbourhood. Through the decades and right up until today, it’s where you can pick up a staple like a loaf of bread or a book of matches, treat yourself to the latest candy or pop, read the posters to see what’s going on in the area, and shoot the breeze with neighbours and the familiar proprietor. Here, we get a fascinating glimpse of local stores—some images dating back a century or more—to see how much has changed, and more importantly, how much has stayed the same.  Store interior, undated and unnamed

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 The interior of the W.F. Hogar store, circa 1920s

 Store interior, undated and unnamed

 The handwritten notes on this image say: Attridge & Seppala, 50 Ontario Street, 1914

 Store interior, undated and unnamed

(L to R) Bill Attridge, J. Brooks, Dad

CoverStory

 This 1929 photo shows the interior of the Peter Belluz General Store

 Two unnamed men at the counter of a general store, undated

 Interior of the first Belluz store, undated

 Handwritten notes on this photo say: Ambrose Ferguson, Bill Smiley, 1911

 Two unnamed people are shown at a store counter, undated  Store interior, undated and unnamed

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CoverStory

Silver Islet General Store 186-120 Highway 587, Silver Islet 629-9829 Current owners: Jeff and Sandy Korkola

Good and services offered: Provisions and supplies, unique Canadian and locally made gifts and local Rose N Crantz coffee. The store also rents mountain bikes for day excursions around Sleeping Giant Provincial Park and houses the original 150-year-old restored Brunswick Balke Collander pool table in President Sibley’s Pool Room (available for play by appointment) Customer favourite food offering: Silver Islet cinnamon (Sin) buns “When you walk in the store, the past is very much present,” says Jeff Korkola, co-owner of the Silver Islet General Store. “It is a living museum, filled with historic artifacts and images from the early mining days.” The Silver Islet General Store was built in 1871 by the Silver Islet Mining Company. Jeff and Sandy Korkola purchased the store in 2020 and worked to renovate the building throughout 2020 and 2021. The store operates 100% on solargenerated power, including all lighting, pumps, fridges, freezers, coolers, and coffee makers. This summer, the Silver Islet Tea Room will be open, and the large deck overlooking Lake Superior and the new Silver Islet Harbour. The owners plan on hosting special events such as high tea, and the popular Saturday night moonlight tea. “The Silver Islet General store is a gathering place and the heart of the community in one of the most beautiful areas in all of Ontario,” Jeff says. “It really is a one-of-a-kind general store.” -Story by Adrian Lysenko, Photos provided by Jeff and Sandy Korkola

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Jena and Tyler Curtis, owners of Wildwoode Variety

Wildwoode Variety 5531 Dawson Road, Kaministiquia 767-7901 Current owners: Jena and Tyler Curtis

Good and services offered: Take-out food (burgers, pizzas, panzerottis, wings, fried food, breakfast sandwiches), typical convenience store items (gas and diesel, lottery, chips, pop, basic grocery needs, propane exchange), fresh coffee all day long, cut and split firewood for sale, slushie machine in the spring, seasonal ice cream shack, and an LCBO outlet Customer favourite food offering: Kam Firehall burger “Every store is unique to its area and responds to its community needs,” says Jena Curtis, co-owner of Wildwoode Variety. “We are lucky to be able to serve the main community of Kaministiquia, and the Kamlanders have welcomed us with open arms from day one.” Having taken over the business in 2016, the owners state that the variety store (including the Wildwoode Campground) dates back almost 50 years, based on conversations with various people from the area. “Being situated on Highway 102 we see a lot of campers travelling through, so our community grows exponentially in the months that folks start heading out to camp,” Jena says. “Our slogan is ‘the country store with a little bit of everything’ and we have a knack for cramming as much selection into our tiny space as we can.” -Story and photos by Adrian Lysenko

Jesica McNabb

Dawson General Store 3130 Dawson Road 767-8669 Current owners: The McNabb Family (Mike Sr., Mike Jr., Nancy, and Jesica) Good and services offered: Everything you would expect to find at your local general store/gas station sprinkled with a variety of local products, fresh bread, produce, homemade food, and many novelty items Customer favourite food offering: Mike’s famous smash burgers (offered as a Sunday special) Originally the Leppanens General Store, Dawson General Store was opened by the McNabb Family in February of last year. Since then, it’s become a favourite for those living in the area and beyond. “Our amazing neighbours tell us daily that we, surprisingly, offer the atmosphere and products you would expect to find at your local farmer’s market, paired perfectly with everything you need to make life happen for you and your entire family,” Jesica says. -Story by Adrian Lysenko

CoverStory

Rox-Anne Moore, manager and Andrew Piilo, owner of Hopper’s Variety

Hopper’s Variety

AJ’s Trading Post 3677 Highway 61, Slate River Valley 473-8444 Current owner: Gerald Muller

Goods and services offered: Convenient general store offerings along with lots of local stuff from places like DeBruin’s Greenhouses and Thunder Oak Cheese Farm Customer favourite food offering: Homemade lasagna “I like to say we’ve been using local before it was cool,” says owner Gerald Muller. In addition to general store items and sourcing local goods to sell, AJ’s offers homemade goodies like beef on a bun, pizzas, chili, and ribs—all made on-site. “Our lasagna is really popular and one of our top sellers,” says Muller, who was also committed to sourcing local ingredients for many years as a chef at Nor’Wester Hotel before taking over at AJ’s. -Story by Tiffany Jarva, Photos by Jack Barten

Chapman’s Gas Bar 698 City Road, Fort William First Nation 622-1245 Current owners: Christian and Cheryle Chapman Goods and services offered: Gas bar, convenience store, locally made crafts, tobacco products, food products, candy, lottery products, and various beverages Customer favourite food offering: Chips and drinks “Our customer service makes us unique,” says Gail Franklin, manager of Chapman’s Gas Bar. As a frequent stop for the community, Chapman’s aims to keep everything stocked and available. “The kids took over in 2011 and kept the same level of service,” she adds. The welcoming staff and variety of products make it a summer road trip hotspot, and there’s always sure to be a gas pump open in line. A unique feature to the store are the locally made crafts that can often be found inside. -Story by Sara Sadeghi Aval, Photos by Jack Barten

2168 Highway 588, Nolalu 475-8804 Current owner: Andrew Piilo

Goods and services offered: Convenience and general store items like groceries, snacks, hardware, motor vehicle items and more—also, an LCBO outlet, a laundromat, Andy’s Eats homemade meals, and a nine-hole golf course Customer favourite food offering: Homemade sandwiches and breakfast sandwiches from Andy’s Eats, locally produced honey, Sprucedale Farms fudge, and Chocolate Cow items “We really try to support local farmers and local craftspeople,” says manager Rox-Anne Moore. What makes Hopper’s Variety unique is that it isn’t just a convenience store. “It feels more like a true old-fashioned general store,” Moore adds. “We do everything.” In addition to convenience store items, Hopper’s has both an auto parts and a hardware section, including a plumbing component. “You can buy your fencing for your chickens and pigs, and your groceries at the same time,” Moore explains. Moore is also the owner’s sister, and she shares that for years her family has been saying, “The impossible only takes a little bit longer.” -Story by Tiffany Jarva, Photos by Jack Barten

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CoverStory

Sharon Ambro, co-owner of Alley's Corner Variety

Alley's Corner Variety 700 Franklin Street South 622-5361 Current owners: Sharon Ambro and Heather Ambro-Bergeron (L-R) Gillian McAleer, Linda, and Leanne Giba

Lulu’s Variety

Krista Silvaggio and Chris Matson

Green Acre Variety 1226 Highway 595, Kakabeka Falls 475-5631 Current owners: Krista Silvaggio and Chris Matson Goods and services offered: Homemade food, LCBO outlet, live bait, bottle depot, fuel, propane, Lickety Splitz ice cream truck, groceries, snacks, Purolator depot, Canada Post, ATM, and lottery Customer favourite food offering: Pizza, panzerottis, and bacon cheeseburgers In addition to being a place to grab a tasty ice cream cone and gas up, Green Acre is also known for its yummy take-out menu. Try cheesy chimichanga burritos, cheeseburgers with caramelized onions, or homemade pizza with a variety of toppings to choose from, and a gluten-free option. "Our delicious homemade food is what makes us unique," says owner Krista Silvaggio. -Story by Tiffany Jarva, Photos by Jack Barten and submitted by Krista Silvaggio

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201 Highway 130, Oliver Paipoonge 285-3288 Current owner: Linda Giba

Goods and services offered: Typical convenience store items (snacks, beverages, quick groceries), an LCBO outlet, pre-made deli sandwiches, hot lunch items from Tuesday to Friday, house-made frozen pizzas, pasta sauce, coney sauce

Good and services offered: Snacks, candy, groceries, lottery, HAGI Bingo, tobacco/vapes, coffee/hot beverages, roller grill items (hot dogs/ pogos), small selection of fried foods (fries, mozza sticks, chicken tenders, etc.), frozen beverages (frappe, Slush Puppies, and Fizz), and ice cream cones (soft cones, hard cones, twisters, floats) Customer favourite food offering: Chicken tenders, hot dogs, and fries, or in the summer, Slush Puppies, a carbonated version called Fizz, or the milkshake alternative, a Slush Berg, which blends real vanilla ice cream into your choice of Slush Puppie

Lulu’s Variety sits on the corner of Highway 130 and Rosslyn Road, a popular stop-in for residents of the Rosslyn and Slate River areas and a great place for industrial and construction workers to grab a burger or house-made deli sub for lunch. Linda Giba and her daughter Leanne first took over the long-standing convenience store 11 years ago, neither with any experience owning a store. It was hard work and a lot of trial and error, but Lulu’s quickly found local fans with its new offerings. “Our customers are really great people,” says Leanne. “We see lots come in after work, grab a pizza and snacks for the kids, maybe some wine. We like to be able to offer that in one spot for them.”

“I think Alley's is a rare example of something that was once a common fixture in our community: the neighbourhood store—locally owned [and run] by your neighbour,” says Heather Ambro-Bergeron, co-owner of Alley's Corner Variety, who took over ownership with her mother Sharon Ambro in 2009. “Growing up in this neighbourhood, we had a handful of similar stores, but as shopping habits changed and more national chains moved in, we're left as one of the last independents standing.” The owners say there has been a variety store in the location as far back as the 1930s. “The original store was called Nelson's Grocery and, fun fact, we believe Mr. Nelson still haunts our store,” Ambro-Bergeron says. The owners say the current structure was built in the early 1980s, as part of the local Cow Palace convenience chain. When the Cow Palace closed down, a local couple from the neighbourhood, Watson and Elaine Everall, established Alley’s Corner Variety in 1999.

-Story by Kat Lyzun, Photos by Jack Barten

-Story and photos by Adrian Lysenko

Customer favourite food offering: Breakfast sandwiches, burgers, take-and-bake pizzas

CoverStory

George Luscombe, owner and operator

(L-R) Louisa Po and Lovella Righit Po

Po’s Variety 444 Churchill Drive West 475-7117 Current owners: Louisa and Kyaw Soe Po

Goods and services offered: A small range of confectionery items such as pop and chips and a multicultural menu featuring pizza, Thai, Chinese, and Indian dishes Customer favourite food offering: A tie between the fresh, hot pizza, and Po’s specialty Chinese fried rice “Should we order pizza or Thai food?” Never debate with your roommates again, as Po’s Variety offers their customers a range of delicious multicultural take-out options. New to the Thunder Bay convenience store scene, Po’s Variety has quickly made a name for itself and owners Louisa and Kyaw Soe are deeply appreciative of the community support. “I hear from many customers who say it’s so cool we have both Asian food and pizza at the same time,” Louisa says. With everyone in your household able to satisfy their take-out cravings, Po’s Variety is sure to be around for some time. -Story by Kelsey Raynard, Photos by Jack Barten

Wally Bannon, co-owner of Bannon’s Gas Bar

Bannon’s Gas Bar

Mrs. L’s Confectionery

800 City Road, Fort William First Nation 626-9821

1120 Cameron Street 623-5797

Current owners: Wally and Janice Bannon, June Gustafson

Current owner: George Luscombe

Goods and services offered: Convenience store, gas bar, restaurant, candy, chips, snacks, beverages, grocery options, and an outdoor patio Customer favourite food offering: Pickerel dinner “We provide an experience that includes lowerpriced gas and services to the large Aboriginal contingent in Northwestern Ontario,” says Wally Bannon, business co-owner. Familyowned and operated since 1970, the restaurant attached to the gas bar has become a local favourite, with fresh pickerel leading the way. “I’ve learned that the customer is always right, and they like to have the best prices,” says Bannon. With exceptional service and homecooked style food on their menu, Bannon’s is tough to beat. -Story by Sara Sadeghi Aval, Photos by Jack Barten

Goods and services offered: Classic convenience store fare such as milk, bread, pop, chips, lottery, Slush Puppies, and a fullservice menu including burgers and fries, and hard ice cream in the summer Customer favourite food offering: Thick, freshly cut, french fries made from locally grown potatoes Since 2003, Mrs. L’s Confectionery has been providing their neighbourhood with fresh, fast food and friendly service. Owned by the Luscombe family, Mrs. L’s is hard to miss with its iconic blue exterior. Once you’re inside, owner George Luscombe guarantees you will be met with a smile and a friendly face. Luscombe attributes his success to the loyalty of his neighbours, and once you try their salty fries and coney sauce, you will understand their devotion. -Story by Kelsey Raynard, Photos by Jack Barten

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Food

Butter Tarts

Makes 12 tarts 3 c all-purpose flour ½ tsp baking powder ½ salt

½ c lard ½ c unsalted butter

1 large egg 1 tsp white vinegar about 1 c cold water

Tart of Gold

THE G IN GR NIN Y L BEL

By Chef Rachel Bayes

ow do I love thee, oh butter tart? Let me count the ways… Flaky pastry shell. Rich, buttery, caramel-y filling. Gooey or eggy? Raisins️, plain, or pecans? It’s all semantics: any way you slice it, the butter tart is an iconic Canadian delicacy; the sweet OG hand pie. The Women’s Auxiliary of the Royal Victoria Hospital Cookbook, circa 1900, boasts the first published butter tart recipe in Canada, but it’s rumoured that this sweet treat has darker roots. The Filles du roi (King’s Daughters)--young women who were sent from France to Quebec in the late 1600s to “help colonize” the area—brought recipes from their homeland, but had to adapt them to use locally available ingredients. The French tarte au sucre—sugar pie with a creamy cooked pudding filling—is likely an early predecessor of the butter tart. However, some Scots say butter tarts were derived from the ecclefechan, or border tart—butter pastry filled with spiced nuts and fruit—named for a region of southeast Scotland called the Borders.

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This recipe checks all the butter tart boxes: it’s got a flaky, buttery crust and a richly flavoured, gooey inside. It’s easily adaptable, so you can put delicious pecans in them (or soggy Sultana raisins, if you must). Heck, you can even throw in cooked bacon bits, if you’d like! Some pro tips: • Use softened butter and lard – I know, but trust me, it’s easier to cut in softened fat over chilled, and since you’ll be refrigerating the dough after, the fats will regroup and make the flakiest crust you ever did see. • Bake in the lower part of the oven – Not the bottom bottom, but like, the bottom third, I would say. This will result in simultaneously golden tart bottoms and edges. • Let the tarts cool all the way before removing them from the pan - Otherwise you’ll end up with something resembling Eton Mess. Yes, you’d still be eating that mess, but you’ll get 1/10 for presentation.

Whisk together dry ingredients in a medium-sized bowl.

Cut in the lard and butter using a pastry blender (or two knives) until mixture resembles coarse oatmeal. In a measuring cup, combine the egg and vinegar. Add enough cold water to make one cup. Gradually stir in the liquid, adding just enough to make the dough cling together.

Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and gather into a ball. Divide into two equal portions and wrap them tightly with plastic wrap. Place one in the freezer for later use and place the other in the fridge to chill for an hour. Roll the dough on a floured surface to about ⅛″ thick. Cut as many 4″ circles as you can. Re-roll the scraps and cut out more circles to make 12. Fit the pastry circles into a muffin pan and place them back in the fridge until ready to fill. Preheat oven to 375°F and position the oven rack in the lower third of the oven.

¾ c packed brown sugar ⅓ c unsalted butter 1 Tbsp table or whipping cream

In a medium, heavy-bottomed saucepan, melt the butter and brown sugar.

1 large egg, beaten

Remove the pan from heat and stir in the cream and vanilla. Let cool to touch (about 5 minutes) before whisking in the beaten egg.

½ c chopped pecans, walnuts, raisins, chocolate chips, or cooked bacon bits

Divide the pecans (or what have you) among the pastry shells and pour in the filling until half full.

1 tsp vanilla extract

Bake for 13–15 minutes or until the crust is lightly golden around the edges and filling is bubbling. Let cool completely in the pan. The best way to remove the tarts from the pan is to place a cooling rack (upside down) on top of the tarts and carefully flip the pan over. You can then flip each butter tart right side up, pour yourself a good cup of coffee, and enjoy a bite of your hard work.

THIS FATHERS DAY, MAKE IT

BEERS, BUNS, & SAUSAGES

Food

Lavender Lemonade

DRINK OF THE MONTH

Calico Coffeehouse

Story by Rebekah Skochinski, Photo by Jack Barton

irst there was crimson and clover, and now there is lavender and lemonade. For many of us it feels like we’re coming out of hibernation, and to see the reopening of Calico Coffeehouse after so many months is a balm to our introverted souls. On a recent sunny Friday morning we stopped in for an iced treat while regulars flitted in and out and lyrics to “Lean on Me” rang out over the speaker. If you’re looking for a friend to help you carry on, this Lavender Lemonade—made in-house

with fresh-squeezed lemons and a touch of lavender syrup, served over ice with a wedge of lemon—is going to be your best new pal, whether to sit or to stroll. A pretty violet hue, the lemonade has a floral flavour of lavender, which makes a lovely bedfellow for the citrusy lemon (the plant is part of the mint family, after all). It’s lively and full of hope—like sipping summer through a straw. Over and over. Calico Coffeehouse 316 Bay Street 766-9087

AVAILABLE AT: TH E CH EESE ENCOU N T E R & NO MAD

CHARKUU102.COM The Walleye

Food

Pitchers and Punch Bowls

R SUPERIO SIP

Summer Inspired Drinks For Sharing By Jeannie Dubois, Certified Pommelier and Sommelier

reat city on the lake, we have made it through an interminable winter and have arrived on the other side. Time to embrace the warm summer sun that will surely shine on our shores and also embrace one another in the flesh again, grateful for the opportunity for community and comradeship to finally be restored to us all. Tis the season for deck and patio, outdoors and open air. If

Pommy Punch Ingredients:

4 c pomegranate juice

2 c orange juice (fresh if possible— strained/premade, no pulp) 2 c chilled limeade (the Simply brand has a pre-made) 1 750 ml bottle prosecco

Lime and orange slices for garnish

1 c pomegranate seeds Ice

Method:

In a punch bowl, combine pomegranate juice, orange juice, and limeade. Pour in prosecco, float lime and orange slices on top. Ladle into icefilled glasses, sprinkle with pomegranate seeds and serve.

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Ginger Garden Shandy Punch Ingredients:

1 12 oz bottle ginger beer

3 11 oz bottles of Hoegaarden (or traditional wheat beer) 1 thinly sliced lemon

Mint sprigs for garnish Ice

Method:

In a punch bowl, combine chilled beer with ginger beer. Stir in most of the lemon slices and some mint sprigs. Fill rock glasses with ice. Add remaining lemon slices to glasses and ladle in shandy. Garnish glasses with a mint sprig and serve.

you’re feeling celebratory, mix up a punch bowl or pitcher perfect for sharing with family and friends under the wide blue sky our city affords us. Easy to prep ahead and even easier to pour out, these fresh and flavourful, company-friendly cocktails beat the heat but also give you the time to be a gracious host and enjoy every minute of companionship. Cheers!

Di-vine Pitcher

Garden Patch Pitcher

Ingredients:

½ c clover honey

½ c fresh lemon juice

3 small melons (honeydew, cantaloupe, watermelon)

cold

chilled

2 lb red seedless grapes, plus 1 c sliced

1 large cucumber, peeled and chopped into small chunks

¾ c vodka, very

1 L sparkling water,

1 750 ml bottle sparkling rosé wine, very cold

500 ml vodka, chilled

Lemon wedges for garnish Method:

Combine grapes, honey, and lemon juice in a blender until smooth. Add vodka and cut grapes. Cover and refrigerate until very cold, at least one hour. Add sparkling rosé to the pitcher just before serving. Fill cocktail glasses with ice, garnish with lemon wedges, and fill from pitcher to serve.

200 g white sugar

6 limes, juiced, plus wedges for garnish Small bunch of mint leaves Ice

Method:

Place the mint and cucumber in a container, and pour vodka over. Cover and refrigerate for at least 24 hours (up to one week, stirring daily). Strain through a fine sieve when ready to prepare the pitcher. Pour vodka, lime juice, and sugar into a pitcher and stir well. Using a melon baller, scoop out as many melon balls as you can. Add them to the pitcher and cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Top with sparkling water when ready to serve. Fill cups with ice, pour from pitcher, and add mint leaves and lime wedges to serve.

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Food

he old adage “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it” serves as the motto of the Sal restaurant. Initially opening in 1964 under the ownership of a Greek family as the Salsbury Grill, this Westfort restaurant has become a staple in the heart of the Westfort Village, and is also the restaurant we’re highlighting this month for our off the menu feature(s). Yes, plural. After the extended winter we’ve had, it only felt right to reward you, dear readers, with not one but two delicious options from this establishment. First, meet the burger nip. A true nod to the roots of the Sal, this dish has been on the menu since its inception and continues to remain a favourite among loyal patrons. And it’s easy to see why. Served on a kaiser bun, the beef patty is topped with delicious melted cheese, and comes with a side of french fries. The true secret of the burger nip, however, remains in its sauce. This burger is drenched with a housemade gravy, created from a recipe that has been passed down from owner to owner and will never be publicly shared. According to current owner Aaron Gillingham, the Sal goes through about 175 pounds of “Westfort gravy” every week. However, it was also important for Gillingham to blend the new with the old and make a few updates to the menu, one of which was adding tacos. Inspired by his time working in Calgary and Ottawa managing restaurants and noticing a taco trend, Gillingham personally introduced this feature to the Sal. Although it took a little bit for some customers to get on board, they have quickly become renowned classics on the menu and, like the burger nip, will not be going anywhere any time soon, as they are permanent

Korean Chicken & Classic Fish Tacos The Burger Nip

Story by Chiara Zussino, Photos by Lois Nuttall

menu items. The fish taco consists of a soft taco shell and a layer of fresh pico de gallo, with just enough cilantro so it's not overpowering, followed by the flaky, crispy fish, which, when paired with the chipotle aioli, creates the best combination of savoury goodness. Topped

with a cabbage blend and cheese, this is the epitome of a classic fish taco. For a taco with a twist, Gillingham chose to use Korean chicken in an unconventional way by serving it in a taco, and although it seems like an unlikely match, it’s truly a star out of their taco options. Like the fish taco,

it is made in a soft shell with barbecue crispy fried chicken with soyoli drizzle, cheese, cabbage, and for that extra bite? Cilantro and pickled onion. Our advice? Run, don’t walk, to the Sal to try these phenomenal dishes. You’ll thank us later!

) DISH(ES E H T F O MONTH

The Sal 118 Frederica Street West 577-8635

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Food

Epic Cones

Making Thunder Bay Even Sweeter Story by Olivia Bosma, Photos by Selena Owen

he word “epic” is an understatement when referring to the incredible homemade ice cream and desserts sold at Epic Cones. Founded by husband-andwife team Adam and Danielle Turuba in 2018, Epic Cones offers the people of Thunder Bay fun and delicious treats throughout the summer that are safe for those with peanut and tree nut allergies. “Our son has a severe peanut allergy, and it was hard to guarantee that what he was eating was 100% safe when we would go out for ice cream. We had a few close calls.” Adam says. “Then one time we went on a trip to Toronto and found an ice cream shop there that was peanut safe but had so many toppings, and I thought that it would be a great idea to start something like that in town.” After getting inspiration from the shop in Toronto, the Turubas purchased a trailer and an ice cream machine and started the first completely peanut- and tree nut-free ice cream shop in Thunder Bay. “When we first started it was part-time, an at-events-only kind of thing,” Adam says. “But we quickly gained a lot of customers. I never realized how many people are allergic to peanuts and tree nuts, so what makes our business unique is that we can really guarantee that we are safe for those with these allergies. No doubts or worries about it.” On their menu, customers can find a large assortment of treats that are sure to suit their summertime cravings, from

soft-serve vanilla, chocolate, and twin cones to their specialty creations. “Our specialty cups are pretty popular,” Adam says. “A specialty cup comes with our ice cream served with an assortment of homemade toppings— homemade apple crumble, Oreo brownie explosion, strawberry shortcake, just to name a few. The apple crumble and brownie explosions are top sellers.” Aside from being completely nut-free, the Turubas are always looking to expand their menu to make it safe for those with other food requirements as well. “We currently offer a few glutenfree options for those with gluten intolerance and we are always looking to create even more options,” he says. “We have had customers ask about keto desserts, so we are also currently working on creating some delicious keto-friendly options for this summer.” Epic Cones will be operating throughout the summer from Wednesday to Sunday at various locations. On Sundays, they can be found in the parking lot of Oriental Garden, and for Wednesday through Saturday, they will share their location on their Facebook page. So, if you find yourself hankering for an incredible homemade summer dessert, head on over to Epic Cones and you will definitely fix that craving. For more information, find Epic Cones on Facebook @epicconesthunderbay.

“Our specialty cups are pretty popular.” The Walleye

Food

Bombay One Stop Home is Where the Food is

Story by Sara Sadeghi Aval, Photos by Aravinth Sundararaj

“Keeping the shelves full is our aim, and we take their suggestions.”

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n March 25, Bombay One Stop opened its doors in Thunder Bay to deliver curated Indian goods and ingredients, after owner Hiren Sathwara spent nine months turning his idea into reality. Employee Nil Sanghvi, who has spent the last few years in the supermarket i n d u s t r y, s a y s h a v i n g a grocery store with traditional ingredients local to India allows him and the community to “bring the feeling of home here with food.” The minimart is located on Victoria Avenue and offers spices, snacks, pastries, candles, pain relievers, hair oils, and more. Looking for curry to go? They also have you covered. Sanghvi has noticed customers from as far away as Kenora and Sioux Lookout visiting the store. Out-of-town customers are provided with the store’s inventory list and allowed to place orders on hold for pickup, an extremely curated approach to filling shelves. “Keeping the shelves full is our aim, and we take their suggestions,” says Sanghvi. The store currently operates

with three employees, and Sathwara is hoping to add a kitchen to the endeavour. Of course, all in due time. “[Sathwara] just felt there was a lack of variety in the items offered in the city, and since this is a taste people love from all over the world, the community is happy to see this place,” Sanghvi says. Adding to Thunder Bay’s growing and diverse flavours, Bombay One Stop is a prime example of meeting community needs. Sanghvi thinks of the student population and the comforts of home-cooked meals. As for his experience as an employee, he’s found it a professional and enjoyable place to work. His favourite item to sell has been the Zandu Balms, a solid and effective medicinal balm that customers find beneficial. “It’s very much a family place, and we are budget-friendly for everyone,” he adds. Bombay One Stop is located at 2605 Victoria Avenue East; follow them on Instagram @bombayonestop.

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FilmTheatre

“I was the first mobility aiduser to walk in Toronto Fashion Week, and one of the first globally.”

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Breaking Character

Model and Musician Rachel Romu Stars in New Docu-Series Story by Ayano Hodouchi-Dempsey, Photo by Bishwesh Uprety

f you haven’t watched Breaking Character, you should. The first show helmed by a showrunner with a disability to create a documentary series for cable TV in Canada, Michelle Asgarali’s Breaking Character follows six people with disabilities as they navigate their lives and careers on the stage, screen, and runway. One of them, the model and musician Rachel Romu, is from Thunder Bay. As a teenager, Romu was a long jumper, representing Canada in the inaugural Youth Olympic Games in 2010. With their sights on the Olympics, they accepted a scholarship to University of Toronto, but “my health had other plans for me,” Romu says. A spinal tumour required two surgeries, and Romu found themself struggling in their day to day life. They were eventually diagnosed with a genetic connective tissue disease, hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. The diagnosis helped Romu come to terms with the fact that they needed a cane to prevent their hip from dislocating. Modelling came after Romu became a “full-time cane user,” they say. They were feeling alienated by the lack of representation of people with disabilities in the entertainment industry, where fake representation was the norm. “Able-bodied people would put [a disability] on for a photo or acting job. Then they take it off,” Romu says. Modelling was something that pushed Romu’s physical limits, and brought back the confidence they had as an athlete with control over their body. “I was the first mobility

aid-user to walk in Toronto Fashion Week, and one of the first globally,” they say. “Twenty-two per cent of Canadians aged 15 and older identify as having a disability. So why aren’t 22% of models disabled?” Romu admits that they often feel compelled to overcompensate for their disability by trying to exceed expectations. “When it comes to my runway walk especially, I know I put this pressure on myself. My walk has to be five times as good, my quick changes have to be perfect. The dresser who’s helping me backstage says, ‘You were so great, I didn’t even need to help you,’ because I fear that I won’t be fully considered in the same way.” The producers of Breaking Character invited Romu to the show after seeing a segment about their runway debut at Toronto Fashion Week on TVO. Filming took place last summer, and Romu says knowing that Asgarali has a disability gave them confidence that they would be portrayed as a multidimensional person. “A lot of people are afraid of doing or saying the wrong thing,” Romu says, explaining that every disability is different, and without having a conversation, you can’t know what a person with a disability needs. “So asking somebody what they need to do the job is coming from a good and caring place. Assuming they can’t do it without having the conversation is coming from a place of fear that can be yucky at the end of the day. I want an opportunity to prove myself, like everybody else.”

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Want to participate?

It’s easy – just follow these steps. • Clearly label items ‘FREE’. Place them at the curb after 5 pm on Friday, June 17.

• Keep items that aren’t ‘give aways’ like bikes, toys and tools well away from the curb to prevent misunderstandings. • Post your items on social media using the hashtag #TbayTreasureDays to be able to share and explore treasures throughout Thunder Bay! • Tour your neighbourhood to see what great deals you can find at the curb.

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• On Sunday, remove all uncollected items by 7 pm. Items left at the curb are subject to enforcement as per City By-laws. They will not be collected by the City. Treasure Exchange Days are an action item from the Solid Waste Management Strategy.

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FilmTheatre

Dads and Film

By Michael Sobota

Beginners (2010)

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

Christopher Plummer was 82 when he made Beginners. In it he plays Hal, the elderly father of Oliver (Ewan McGregor). Following the death of his wife, Hal comes out to Oliver. He also reveals he has terminal (stage four) cancer. Oh, and also a young lover. Plummer won his first and only Oscar for playing this role. The story, written and directed by Mike Mills, is autobiographical. It is also stodgy, clunky, and full of fuzzy, philosophical clichés about relationships and a dog. It is saved by the committed, earnest performances of McGregor and Plummer.

A lot of people don’t think it’s a big deal to make fun of other people, um, who are different from you. You know, bullying and intolerance can have a deadly effect. And I’m here because I’m walking across America on behalf of my son, Jadin, to speak out against bullying. - Joe Bell (Mark Wahlberg) speaking, awkwardly, to high school students in Joe Bell

Leave No Trace (2018) Leave No Trace is one of the finest films of this century. A dad, Will (Ben Foster), an Afghan war veteran, is living with his teenage daughter, Tom (Thomasin Mckenzie), off-grid, hiding in a northern Oregon forest. They are skilled survivalists. One day, after a simple mistake, they are caught and returned to “civilization” and “rehab.” Will and Tom cling to each other. Will chafes and withers while Tom is introduced to things she knew nothing about (a rabbit growers club, a potential boyfriend). Dad and daughter escape their incarceration and return to the forest. But Tom knows she cannot stay with her dad. Cowritten by Anne Rosellini and Debra Granik, who directed it, the story moves toward a deeply moving conclusion and one of the greatest love scenes ever captured on film.

Cowboys (2020)

Written and directed by Anna Kerrigan, Cowboys features Sasha Knight playing Joe, the young transgender son of Troy (Steve Zahn) and Sally (Jillian Bell). Troy and Sally are estranged and when Sally refuses to let Joe be himself, Troy kidnaps his son and runs off into the Montana wilderness. For a while, they move and drift through the forest and are happy. But Troy doesn’t really have a goal in mind or a plan and they are soon being hunted by police and forest rangers. The script is smart. The characters are credible. Zahn and Knight have genuine on-screen chemistry, and we believe them as father and son. The story is well-paced with several edgy turns, including a heartfelt, surprise ending.

And here are six more stories about dads, their children, parenting, compassion and empathy: To Kill A Mockingbird (1962), Raising Arizona (1987), The Lion King (1994), Fly Away Home (1996), Manchester by the Sea (2016), and Stillwater (2021).

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une marks the official beginning o f s u m m e r. I t is also Pride month. And shining in its sunny centre is Father’s Day. From Oedipus to Hamlet to Star Wars and The Godfather trilogy, movies have

entertained and sometimes thrilled us with stories about fathers. And more recently, some of those dads have taken pride in themselves or their gay sons. Here are four stories of courage and currency about dads.

Joe Bell (2021)

Joe Bell was co-written by Diana Ossana and Larry McMurtry (who won an Oscar for their Brokeback Mountain script). This was McMurtry’s final screenplay as he died before the film was released. Osana and McMurtry based the script on a true story about a dad, Joe (Mark Wahlberg), who reluctantly accepts his teenage son, Jadin, when he comes out to the family. Jadin is continually bullied at school. In the film, we see Joe embark on a crosscountry trek to talk about his son and bullying to other teen kids in schools. At night we see him camped at the roadside, having conversations with Jadin. They talk while Joe walks to the next town. Joe’s initial school talks are awkward and more like lectures. Then the script reveals that the son committed suicide after an isolated weekend where he couldn’t reach anyone for help. Joe, the father, is alone on this trip. His conversations with his son are his efforts to come to grips with and understand what happened, and learn empathy in his relationships.

If the ‘Best of Thunder Bay’ issue had a law firm category ... WE’D BE A SURE THING

Call for Directors Cambrian Players is always looking for new or returning talent to help bring stories to the stage. We look for passionate, innovative individuals to steer a cast and crew to their vision. Cambrian Players is seeking expressions of interest from those who would like to direct a play during our 2022 - 2023 season and beyond. Directors are asked to submit their resume, and ideas for plays they wish to direct. Interested in directing but unsure of a play choice? Cambrian may offer suggestions for plays to produce!

Visit cambrianplayers.com/join-cambrian-players to apply. Applications due by June 15th, 2022. 1136 Alloy Drive, Second Floor Thunder Bay, ON P7B 6M9

For more information email info@cambrianplayers.com

tel (807) 623 4342

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FilmTheatre

The directors for the 2022 10x10 Showcase

10x10 Showcase

10 Plays, 10 Minutes, Tenfold the Local Talent By Taylor Onski

nly at this year’s 10x10 Showcase can you find cowboys, talking parrots, and gods with too much power all in one venue. A longstanding local theatre festival, 10x10 gives local talent the opportunity to bring an original play from script to stage. Local playwrights are invited to submit a 10-minute play. After being reviewed by a jury of Canadian theatre professionals, the 10 selected plays are handed off to 10 local directors, who cast local talent and then rehearse for about five

weeks to bring the plays to life for the showcase. M a g n u s T h e a t r e ’s education director Jordan Blaxill hints this year’s lineup will feature a wide array of plays audiences will enjoy. “We’ve got a mix of fun comedies and plays with more serious and weighty themes,” Blaxill says. “We’ve got a Western. We’ve got people dressed up as parrots. It’s going to be a lot of fun stuff.” Having acted in past showcases, Blaxill knows how great of a time 10x10 is for local theatre buffs. To Blaxill, 10x10 is a unifier that brings many people

together, and that unifying power makes the festival a well-regarded, soughtafter event in Thunder Bay’s theatre landscape. But as much as 10x10 unifies local talent, it also gives people with little or no previous theatre experience the chance to dip their toes into theatre, whether as an actor, director, or playwright. “10x10 allows people to have a go at something they might haven’t done before, such as people who haven’t done a lot of acting and want to try committing to a short 10-minute play,” Blaxill says. “Or if you’re

really into acting and want to try directing, but don’t want to commit to directing a two-and-half to three-hour long production, 10x10 enables you to give theatre a try in a safe and supportive environment. It’s a great starting point for people who then want to take what they’ve experienced and expand on it in the future.” 10x10 runs June 17–18 at Magnus Theatre. June 17 will be the gala performance at 7:30 pm, and June 18 will feature a matinee performance at 2 pm and an evening performance at 7:30 pm.

“We’ve got a mix of fun comedies and plays with more serious and weighty themes.”

For more information, find Magnus Theatre and Magnus Theatre in Education on Facebook or visit magnustheatre.com/10x10.

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FilmTheatre

Shut Up and Drag

By Jimmy Wiggins, Photo by R. Macsemchuk

hen the pandemic hit in 2020, many of us in the queer community were left uncertain about how Pride would look, or if there would even be a Pride celebration. At the time, in-person events were not an option as large public gatherings would have been both irresponsible and against government regulations. Drag folk specifically were worried about the kind of impact it would have on their careers, and it left a lot of us in the dark. But if there’s one thing queer people are, it’s resilient. Like most people, during lockdown I spent a lot of time scrolling aimlessly online. Every so often I’d check in to see how other drag scenes were adapting to this new way of life, especially in the weeks leading up to Pride. One event that kept popping up in different cities, mostly in the U.S. and parts of the U.K., really caught my attention. The premise was simple. Instead of large groups of fans flocking to one location to see the queens and kings perform at a bar or theatre, the queens and kings would travel to the driveways of their fans and perform mini shows. This blew me away and it checked all the boxes—drag performers could do what they love and entertain, fans could enjoy a drag show and actually have a Pride celebration, and because everyone was outside with no close contact between performer and audience, COVID guidelines were being followed. It was a win-win situation. Depending on what city or part of the world you’re in, this event goes by different

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names. Some call it Driveway Drag or Drive-Thru Drag, others call it Drive N’ Drag. In TBay, we call it Drive-By Drag (DBD), and it’s helped bring some much-needed joy and magic to people during a very dark time. Even when restrictions were lifted, fans were still very excited to have queens and kings perform in their yards or driveway. “It’s another way to celebrate Pride for those who may not usually enjoy more typical spaces where drag is featured,” explains local queen Amber Ail. “My favourite stops are when someone invites all their neighbours, or when a neighbourhood pools for a show, and we dance in the street to people all around us. Literally bringing Pride to the people’s doorstep!” For some, it’s about giving back and including those who might want to see a show but for physical or mental health reasons, just can’t. DBD is a way to make sure they get to celebrate. “To me, DriveBy Drag is the most integral part of Pride,” says local king Ivan Love. “It shows our love for our community and how we are willing to go out of our way to make sure everyone who wants to experience and celebrate Pride gets to celebrate. It gives opportunities for those who perhaps cannot make it to a venue or even leave their homes a chance to see a drag show.” Drive-By Drag has become a huge success, selling out in 2020 and again in 2021. It’s well on its way to becoming a staple event for our community, and I couldn’t be more proud to be a part of the amazing team that helped put it all together.

Drive-By Drag 2022 will take place on June 25. Keep an eye out online for how to book your show. For more information, follow Wiggins Productions, Thunder Pride, and Rainbow Collective on social media.

(L–R) Amber Ail and Mz. Molly Poppinz

“My favourite stops are when someone invites all their neighbours, or when a neighbourhood pools for a show, and we dance in the street to people all around us. Literally bringing Pride to the people’s doorstep!”

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TheArts

Sleeping Giant sunrise

Milky Way, Cloud Lake

Shooting Stars

Photographer Ryan Hill Loves to Capture Sports Action and the Night Sky Story by Bonnie Schiedel, Photos by Ryan Hill

ears of playing and watching sports have given Ryan Hill of PICme Photography a bit of an edge when it comes to sport photography. “When I see somebody move their shoulder a certain way in hockey, I can predict what they’re going to do. If I see a kid moving his foot on a baseball field, I know he’s Summer storm

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going to take a swing or a step,” he explains. “One thing I love about sports photography is trying to catch emotion and action at a high rate of speed. It’s really fun and really challenging to get the shot of somebody smiling after they score a goal or take a slap shot.” Hill got started in photography nearly six years

ago, when a friend passed along a DSLR camera that had belonged to her dad. For the most part, he is selftaught, and credits a fellow photographer, Kay Lee, for sharing his knowledge. “He has been absolutely instrumental in teaching me about lighting. He is my harshest critic, and one of my best friends. And I truly think

A AND THOUS DS WOR

without having somebody that can unbiasedly critique your work, you can’t improve as a photographer.” In addition to sports photography, Hill does a mixture of wedding, family, video, and corporate shoots, but he’s also into astrophotography: “Taking pictures of the Milky Way, taking pictures of the Photographer Ryan Hill

northern lights, and more recently taking pictures of deep space objects like nebulas and galaxies and stuff like that. That’s one of my favourite things to shoot because as much as it is the actual photography, [it’s also] the post-processing in Photoshop and the different softwares to clean up the images,” he says. “It’s like

photography slash digital art. So that’s one thing I absolutely love to capture. And there’s something very peaceful about being out in the middle of nowhere at two o’clock in the morning when it’s pitch black. It’s just kind of quiet, and it helps regenerate my soul.” Looking ahead, he’d love to capture some elite hockey action. “I have a nephew who’s very entrenched in the hockey world,” he says, referring to Nicholas Holomego, a recent OHL draft pick. “I would love to follow him as he goes up through the ranks; I would love an opportunity to shoot at that level, just once…I've been taking pictures of him since he was seven years old on the hockey rink, and he’s getting into these upper echelons of hockey [so] I think it would be cool to be following that.”

TheArts

Lightning storm, Boundary Drive

To see more of Ryan Hill’s work, visit picmephotographytbay. com or on Instagram @ picmephotographytbay.

Tech Specs

Nikon Z6II and Z6 Nikon 35 F1.8, 50 F1.8, 105 F1.4, 70-200 F2.8 Nikon 24-70 F4 Berlin, wedding portrait Kam River Fighting Walleye, game-winning goal

Wedding, Brad and Darien Nicholas Holomego, first career goal with U18 Kings

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TheArts

TBay’s Second Drive-By Art Gallery City-Wide Art Show a Huge Hit

Small crowd gathered at Marilyn Boyle’s exhibit

Story by Sara Sadeghi Aval, Photos courtesy of Manula Wedow

Lida Van Bers standing in front of her collection

Navjot Kaur Dureja and her display Rebecca Crowhurst’s intimate gallery display

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or Manuela Wedow, the days of floor-to-ceiling glass window galleries and formal settings are long gone. The future lies in driveby galleries. That’s right, driveby. As part of the second annual Thunder Bay Drive-By Art Gallery tour, Wedow has been working diligently to register artists, network in the community, and encourage artists of all skill levels, while ensuring the tour remains free for the public to enjoy. The idea started when Wedow saw an Instagram post from a woman in Tulsa, Oklahoma whose gallery exhibit had been cancelled due to the pandemic, so she collected her artwork and displayed it in her yard. Wedow was quickly inspired to bring the idea to Thunder Bay. Last year, over 50 artists signed up to share their art in their front and backyards, and this year, even garages. “Often, for gallery exhibits, an artist must carry their collection, and damage occurs. We want to protect the artwork and the artists,” Wedow says. “And for gallery exhibits, the artist must suit the gallery.” The comfort of displaying art at home eliminates that. Many of the participants are not full-time artists, but are what Wedow refers to as “closet artists,” or individuals whose hidden talents are worthy of an audience. By allowing these artists the opportunity to set up in their own homes and authentic environments, Wedow is fostering a community of encouragement and comfort. “I want to shine a light on all our artists, and I want them to feel comfortable. Our youngest participant is 11 years old. Once people join our Facebook group, they stay,” she says.

Wedow herself is an artist, and founder of Riklan Designs. She maintains that she has evolved through her artwork and “became the person she is today.” Her involvement in community art classes from local mentors gave her the same motivation and encouragement she is hoping to impart to these up-and-coming artists. This year’s groups have been allowed to team up, with five artists allowed per lawn. Wedow has found that after introducing this rule, artists have been networking and meeting each other more naturally, opening doors for each other in the art world or simply supporting one another in what is perhaps their first show. Once the City of Thunder Bay heard about Wedow’s endeavour, they collaborated with the Thunder Bay Tours app to guide drivers to each artist’s location. Wedow has separated shows on the north and south sides of the city on different days to accommodate drivers and artists who would like to see work they otherwise would not have the chance to. June, July, and August will each have their set of shows. “There are so many craft shows and tables in town, and it’s difficult for painters, especially large-scale painters, to fit in, and I wanted something just for the artists,” Wedow says. Once registration is complete, those interested in the tour can find artist bios, pictures, and locations on the Tours app, making it a perfectly curated show for you. “All we ask is you come out and show some love,” Wedow says. To register as an artist or find out more information, email riklandesigns@gmail.com.

HAVE YOUR SAY IN YOUR CITY – And help us grow Thunder Bay’s big possibilities.

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TheArts

Supporting the Human Need for Creative Expression The Grand Marais Art Colony Celebrates 75th Anniversary By Ayano Hodouchi Dempsey

Byron Bradley, co-founder of the Grand Marais Art Colony

“One of the things our founder loved about being up here was the geography of the place.” Copy of 1954 brochure cover

he oldest of its kind in Minnesota, the Grand Marais Art Colony has been attracting artists and students from the region and beyond since 1947. Founder Birney Quick, a faculty member of the Minneapolis School of Art (now the Minneapolis College of Art and Design) started a summer program for outdoor painting in Grand Marais 75 years ago. “One of the things our founder loved about being up here was the geography of the place,” explains executive director Lyla Brown. “The trees, the lake, the bedrock—and also the distance from people, and reconnecting with nature.” Over the decades, artists have converged in a former Catholic church, two blocks away from Highway 61, to exchange ideas, techniques, and skills, and to learn from each other. Brown

says artists and students always comment about the natural beauty of the area, and how amazing it is to explore the region and come back to the studio to create something in a supportive atmosphere. The Art Colony offers a wide range of classes throughout the year for youths, beginner adults, and intermediate artists. There are also studio sessions for advanced artists, where you share a studio with other artists. Most classes sell out quickly, attracting not only locals, but students from all over Minnesota and, preCOVID, even Thunder Bay. In recent years, space became a limiting factor for the Art Colony, which Brown says was operating at 130% capacity. “Our oldest building, a former church, which we call Founders Hall, is a beautiful studio. It’s also a beautiful exhibition space.

GMAC's original church structure

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TheArts But you can’t have both things going on at the same time.” The organization was looking for a space in town when two buildings on the highway came up for sale a few blocks away. The acquisition of those properties increased the Art Colony’s space by 60%. One, named the Pill Box because it used to be a pharmacy, is used for classes. The other, Studio 21, was renovated into a gallery store and a new print studio that is twice as large as the old one. “The new studio has 190 square feet of wall space,” Brown says. “So you can put up a huge number of prints.” The executive director says the Art Colony is at a pivotal point, trying to reposition itself as “not just a Minnesota organization.” “We look out and we can see Lake Superior. We think about all the other arts organizations and artists who work in the Great Lakes region and how the Art Colony can serve as a point of connection,” she says. With that in mind, the Art Colony invited seven artists from all around the region to exhibit five works each for the 7-5 exhibition, running from June 10 through August 28. The seven artists (Magdolene Dykstra, Danny Saathoff, Anthony Ingrisano, Mary Brodbeck, Jonathan Herrera Soto, Mika Laidlaw, and Leslie Smith III) also represent the seven different mediums (drawing, sculpture, painting, printmaking, print, ceramics, and mixed media) the Art Colony has classes in. There will also be a historical timeline of the Art Colony displayed at Founders Hall, at 120 West 3rd Avenue. For more information, visit grandmaraisartcolony.org.

Acrylic on Panel, Anthony Ingrisano

Legacy, Mika Laidlaw, slipcast stoneware

Afloat, Mary Brodbeck, woodblock print

 Wooden Low Relief Sculpture, Danny Saathoff  Lovepoems 62, Jonathan Herrera Soto, charcoal rubbing on newsprintyellow iron oxide and acrylic medium on paper

Upward no 2a, Leslie Smith III, graphite and acrylic collage on arches paper

 Goldenrod, Magdolene Dykstra, yellow iron oxide and acrylic medium on paper

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TheArts

Boasting Northwestern Ontario Talent Artists Take Part in Toronto’s Indigenous Fashion Arts Festival By Roxann Shapwaykeesic

 The Nora dress, part of the NDN Rose collection by artist Dr. Celeste PedriSpade of Lac des Mille Lacs First Nation

 Pedri-Spade’s the Alyssa dress, part of the NDN Rose collection

 Previous examples of the work of artist Marlene Kwandibens of Whitesand First Nation

 Kwandibens’s work, featuring the Beadsmith Centerline Products

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he Thunder Bay region is sending another batch of talent to the Indigenous Fashion Arts (IFA) Festival in Toronto. The show boasts Indigenous designers, workshops, panel discussions, and a marketplace with over 60 exhibitors. Anemki Art Collective consists of dozens of artists from the region and 22 of them will travel to Toronto to showcase their crafts in the marketplace. Longtime beader and collective member Marlene Kwandibens of Whitesand First Nation is participating for the second time. “I like to go out there and meet people and see if my work is in line or even ahead of the pack…It's always good to gauge your personal growth when it comes to beadwork,” Kwandibens says. She is showcasing well over 100 original beaded earrings, bracelets, and jewelry. The festival will be a chance to see others' crafts as well as lift up her peers by mentoring newcomers to the sellers table. “I'll be paired up with someone new so I can coach them. It's growing your communities. And that's the aspect that I really enjoy about being a part of the art collective and their activities,” Kwandibens says. Meanwhile, on the runway, returning artist Dr. Celeste Pedri-Spade of Lac des Mille Lacs First Nation is showcasing seven new dresses, each named after the youngest females in her family line. The collection is called NDN Rose, a homage to her great-grandmother. Many of the women in her family have inherited the name Rose in honour of her memory. “I think in a way all my work is about honouring the role of women within our respective

families and communities […] and creating art that speaks to their power, their strength, their leadership,” Pedri-Spade says. Pedri-Spade learned to sew and work with materials from her mother, a traditional regalia maker. “I always find that making is like healing. She taught me that making things has always been an important part of her healing journey.” P e d r i - S p a d e s ’s 2 0 2 0 showcase was described as “wearable art.” And after the birth of her first daughter in 2020, she wanted to do something a bit more personal. Her current exhibit is described as a reflection of the maternal line that is carrying forward and healing through generations of strong Ojibway women— from Rose, to her grandmother, mother, aunts, and cousins finding new life and good medicine in their daughters and granddaughters. Formerly known as Indigenous Fashion Week, the festival will take place at the Harbourfront Centre in Toronto from June 9–12. It’s the third biennial event showcasing dozens of Indigenous artists from across Canada and the world. Sage Paul, co-founder/ executive artistic director of the event, describes his year’s theme, Walking with Light, as recognizing “the relational undercurrents of the visionaries, stewards, knowledge keepers, and connectors we value in our community.” Pedri-Spade’s exhibition will be included in the June 10 Sovereign Matriarchs curation, and Kwandibens’s art can be found all three days in the marketplace. For more information, visit indigenousfashionarts.com.

TheArts

HE FROM T BAY R E D THUN LLERY’S ART GA TION E L COL C

Billy and the Chiefs: The Complete Banned Collection By Penelope Smart, Curator, Thunder Bay Art Gallery Artist: Sonny Assu (Ligwilda'xw Kwakwaka'wakw) Title: Billy and the Chiefs: The Complete Banned Collection Date: 2015 Medium: Acrylic on hide Purchased in part with the support of the Elizabeth L. Gordon Art Program, a program of the Walter and Duncan Gordon Foundation and administered by the Ontario Arts Foundation. Purchased with the support of the Canada Council for the Arts Acquisition Assistance program. Additional support from private donations. Partially donated by the artist. In this image, an elk hide drum sits on a turntable in the artist’s studio. This drum, or record, is one out of a collection of 67 drums in the installation Billy and the Chiefs: The Complete Banned Collection by artist Sonny Assu (Ligwilda'xw Kwakwaka'wakw). Installed along an entire length of the Thunder Bay Art Gallery wall, these multi-coloured

drums create a frequency, a hum. This installation was inspired by the album Indian Music of the Pacific Northwest Coast, recorded by Dr. Ida Halpern during the latter years of the potlatch ban (1947–1953). This album holds over 300 ceremonial Northwest Coast songs, including songs sung by Assu’s great-grandfather, Chief Billy Assu. Assu was captivated by the idea that, during that ban, his greatgrandfather was allowed to sing these songs for the sake of anthropological preservation but was unable to legally practice the culture outside of these recording sessions. Each drum can be “played,” or spun, on a record player. View the entire installation at the gallery as part of The World We Know: New Acquisitions to the Permanent Collection, which runs April 8–June 12.

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TheArts

Visitors of the gallery behind Brynn Monteith’s ceramic forest

DefSup RetroGraduate Exhibit New Generation of Students Hits the Art Scene By Sara Sadeghi Aval, Photos by Keegan Richard

ot unlike birds leaving the nest, the 2021 and 2022 Lakehead University fine arts graduates debuted their work at this year’s RetroGraduate exhibit and entered the world of professional art, some of them for the first time. This year’s show included nine students, and a variety of mediums. Each student displays the result of their university evolution, focusing on the development of their approach, from the small

Katie Untinen’s tri-canvas piece

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ceramic forest created by Brynn Monteith that has taken over the main gallery to the steampunk-esque sculptures by Christopher Rantala that are fully functional and include moving parts. As one walks through the gallery, the themes of environment (both natural and artificial), pollution, and internal reflection are visible— themes that feel very fitting for a generation creating art through a global pandemic and environmental decline.

The exhibit is a showcase of meaningful creations and snapshots of each student’s talents. Katie Untinen’s largescale paintings impress with the level of blending and use of colours. Her piece depicting fires in Fort McMurray is both haunting and captivating. The highlight of Nathan Cross’s work must be his three-piece set of face sculptures. Each head rests on a custom platform and behind each face hangs a textile background. With

all six eyes looking up, the onlooker naturally does the same, and embraces the self-reflection and struggle the trio encourages. “My artwork reflects the feelings and effects that addiction encompasses, and is influenced by the growing number of people around me with mental illness and addiction,” says the young artist on his inspiration. Hanna Marion, the artist behind the unique forest scenes and perfect depictions

of light filtering through trees and leaves, says her art is her “way of sharing deep appreciation for the natural world while also exploring different mediums, styles, and techniques.” Monteith’s ceramics sit in the spotlight in the secondary gallery, a mixture between sculpture and the unique wiring she integrates into her pieces. Camille Vernier displays her take on Woodland pop art with a futuristic twist in her paintings.

Closeup of Monteith’s ceramic display

TheArts David Karasiewicz, creative director at Definitely Superior Gallery, talks about the longstanding relationship between the gallery and Lakehead University. With a 35-year history of fine art professors being heavily involved with DefSup, it’s no wonder their primary goal has always been to “support the artists of the future,” as Karawiewicz says. Many of the artists who participate i n t h e R e t ro G r a d u a t e exhibit go on to create art professionally, while others enter the teaching sector. Creating a space for firsttime artists remains a priority for both the gallery and the university. “Many of these

artists were not able to share their art with the public. Even a piece like Katie’s, seeing it online and in-person are completely different,” explains the director, setting a good reminder that the pandemic may have slowed artists down but has not stopped them from creating. Congratulations to Taylor Anderson, Christopher Rantala, Nathan Cross, Brynn Monteith, Hanna Marion, Katie Untinen, Camille Vernier, Julia Mills, and Erika Niva on their exceptional work. The show is open to the public until June 5. Follow @defsup for more details. Two patrons admiring Nathan Cross’s piece

Painting by Hanna Marion The opening night crowd

Piece by Taylor Anderson

A miniature Hoito by Christopher Rantala

Camille Vernier’s take on Woodland Pop

Brynn Monteith’s ceramic sculpture

Christopher Rantala demonstrates one of his sculptures

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Outdoor

Mazukama Falls

Exploring the Beauty and Wonder of Nipigon’s Waterfall Trail By Deana Renaud

Mazukama Falls

pring breathes life into the wilderness of Northwestern Ontario. That which was once frigid and frozen melts away into a flowing landscape of new growth, life, and movement. The changing environment and welcome warmth bring about the most powerful and aweinspiring time of year—waterfall season. The region surrounding Thunder Bay is full of opportunities to explore rushing torrents, flooded gorges, and rivers exploding from cliff sides. We have unprecedented access to the beauty and wonder of watercourse deluge. One of my favourite waterfalls in the region is Mazukama Falls. Let me take you there. Head down the majestic North Shore. About 20 kilometers east of Nipigon, along Highway 17, turn onto a gravel road. The parking area is only 200 meters off the highway. You can park near the load liners on the left side of the road. The trailhead is just across from the parking area and is well marked.

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As soon as you set foot onto the trail, you immediately recognize something unspeakably beautiful about this place. The forest lazily hangs over the path and it feels as though you are stepping into a fairy tale. Wrapped in the outstretched arms of birch, poplar, pine, and cedar, you follow the trail steadily upwards and reach a creek. As you turn left following the signage, make your way along the glorious cascading water pouring through vibrant sections of red rock. Make sure you take your time and explore, as there are several smaller waterfalls along the path that are incredibly stunning. The trail also has some interesting features, including a creek crossing and rope-assisted scrambles through the steeper sections. Climbing up the final ascent, you can see the glorious Mazukama towering over the tree line. In the spring, the sound is thunderous, and the first view is breathtaking: water plunging over the colorful cliff side 25

Outdoor

Wingtip Lookout

meters to the world below. You can stand directly at the base as cool mist sprays onto your cheeks and the roaring cascade lands at your feet. A truly epic experience. After spending some time at the base of Mazukama, you can continue along the trail and get access to a beautiful lookout by following the rope climb just to the left past the falls. You can also continue the mapped route and make your way to Wingtip Lookout, which climbs through my favourite segment of the trail called Stairway of the Saints. It leads up a rock scramble and

The author’s dog, Nakita, at Mazukama Falls

into a sheltered crevasse in the cliffside. Wingtip Lookout sits at the top of Kama cliffs and offers a magnificent view of Lake Superior. If you aren’t up for another climb, you can continue through the loop trail into a mosscovered cedar forest, or head back down the way you came. The Mazukama Falls trail system has the most incredible sights and spectacular views. It has epic lookouts, magical forests, amazing waterfalls, and is the perfect place to celebrate spring here in the north.

Deana Renaud at the Stairway of the Saints

 Deana Renaud monkeying around on Mazukama Falls trail

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CityScene

 Sleeping Giant Brewing Co.’s brewery  The beer canning line

Sleeping Giant Brewing Co.

WALL SPACE

Story and photos by Adrian Lysenko

hat started as sharing home brew with some friends has turned into an award-winning brewery, and this June marks a big milestone for Sleeping Giant Brewing Co. as they celebrate their 10th anniversary. Since moving to their current location on Macdonell Street in 2016, Sleeping Giant

Brewing Co. has expanded their packaging and production line, where they brew their flagship beers like Northern Logger, 360 Pale Ale, and Skull Rock Stout. Also located at the brewery is a taproom near their many stainless tanks, so patrons can sit and enjoy a brew right where all the magic happens.

 The lab: This is where beer is tested to ensure it has the correct alcohol content, the colours are right, and for overall quality control so the brewery maintains a consistent and excellent product.

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CityScene

 Stainless tanks: Stainless tanks containing Lime-berjack beer.

 Labels: Sleeping Giant Brewing Co. employee Melissa Davidson applies labels to Lime-berjack beer cans.  The brewhouse: “We do different sizes of batches,” says Darren Stewart, an employee at the brewery. “So with Northern Logger we do a triple batch, which requires someone coming in at 6 am and someone else coming in at 1 pm to finish it off. That’s the most we’ll brew in a day, and Northern Logger maxes out our kettle and everything.”

 The grist room: “This is where we mill our grains,” says Stewart. “The silo pulls it from the outside with an auger system, it goes into a flow scale up top here, and it weighs all our malt that we need here. We preset the amount for the brew, it weighs it all, mills it, and this auger system brings it to the hopper.”

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CityScene

BIS CANNAER N R O C

Having an Average Weekend

A Look at Your Basic Tools for Cannabis By Justin Allec

urn your eyes away from the shining, elaborate glasswork and whatever this week’s edible trend is to some r a t h e r m o re o rd i n a r y items. Yes, let’s hear it for your basic tools, the kind of things you just need to have on-hand if you’re going to indulge in cannabis. There’s nothing too fancy or expensive here, but each item can save you trouble and make it easier to get to the headspace you want.

Rolling Tray

You need a good working surface. Fresher cannabis is fairly sticky, so a rolling tray is a good idea to keep your desk, table, textbooks, and countertops clean. Grind it up, dump it here: banked sides keep all the cannabis in place, even if you don’t use it all at once.

Papers

We took a deep dive into papers a few years ago and found that, for taste and performance, bleached rolling papers aren’t all that nice. Instead, try a brand that uses natural fibres such as Pure Hemp or Element, which burn evenly but allow you to taste each delicious terpene.

Pokey Stick

What? That's the technical name! A good pokey stick is a helpful friend. Use it to clean pipes, put the finishing touches on joints, pack bowls, clean out grinders—whatever you need. I’m fond of using paper clips or thicker-gauge wire as you can heat the stick up for even more effective cleaning.

Grinder

If you’re still using scissors to chop up your cannabis, you’re doing it wrong. A

grinder is easily worth the cost in terms of saving time, effort, mess, and cannabis. There’s about a hundred models on the market and some are pretty fancy, but if you don’t want to bother with kief-filters and different cutting blades, a simple two-piece grinder will serve you well.

Pipe

The last resort or your first choice? A simple pipe— be it made of glass, wood, stone, metal, whatever—is a cheap addition to your kit that gives you a way to deal with roaches or when you just want to relax with just a teeny bit.

Lighter

The ubiquitous Bic is my go-to lighter for bowls, though I prefer a wooden match for joints. I’ve found that other lighters such as Zippos and your standard barbecue lighter taste

terrible, though they’re fine for bongs. Butane torches are a fun idea for extreme wind or cold, though they’re almost too powerful.

Lock Box

Be responsible. Always keep your cannabis kit together, secure, and out of the reach of children and pets. Up high and out of sight doesn’t always mean inaccessible.

Filters

Though it imitates the filter from a cigarette, a joint’s filter is simply a small bit of paper rolled up to provide a holding surface. Some brands of papers come with their own filters, though for my purposes a length trimmed from cardstock works fine.

Cleaners

Your glassware and tools could use a good cleaning every few weeks

to keep things tasting and smelling fresh. There’s a host of commercial cleaners available—Orange Chronic and Formula 420 are both excellent—but your local shop should have a few available. These are usually friendlier to your glassware, your health, and the planet than harsh industrial-grade cleaners from Canadian Tire.

Scissors

I bashed scissors above, but you can use a small, sharp pair in your kit for trimming stems, shaping papers, cutting filters, and other random uses.

Roach Container

If you’re conservative about your cannabis, you need something airtight to put your nasty, stinky roaches in to save for your grandfather joints. Sealer jars work well, and you can always add a dryer sheet (or potpourri) to deal with the odour.

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CityScene

Piece of History Returns to City Hall

Restored Stained Glass Transom Window Now on Display By Kris Ketonen

fter being lost for decades, a piece of Thunder Bay history has found its way home. The stained glass transom window, bearing the words “City Hall,” first hung at the entrance to the municipal offices in the second Fort William City Hall, which opened in 1905. But when that building was demolished in the 1960s to make way for a new, more modern building, the window was lost. Until 2019, that is, when historian, antique collector, and furniture upholsterer and restorer Chris Mills

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came across the stained glass window in a Thunder Bayarea barn. The window, Mills says, was “covered with 50plus years of grime and dust, and was without a frame, so the bottom of the stained glass was curled up.” “It took months of cleaning and repair to uncurl the stained glass so it was flat, and I replaced only two pieces of glass that were significantly damaged beyond repair,” he says. “After doing my research, I came upon proof that it was the stained glass that was above the main door to the old Fort William City Hall.”

City clerk Krista Power says the original plan was to have the window restored in time for the City of Thunder Bay’s 50th anniversary in 2020. However, the COVID19 pandemic derailed those plans, and full restoration of the window didn’t take place until 2022, Power says. The restoration itself was handled by Jack Floyd, who ran Floyd’s Glass for more than 40 years. “The text itself, the ‘City Hall,’ that’s all original glass, and the border, all that jewelling work, and the bevels, that’s all original,” Floyd says, adding that the amber glass panels

surrounding the words “City Hall” are new. “Then I had a friend of mine build the wood frame.” Power says it’s important to preserve pieces of city history like this one. “It’s just an amazing opportunity to return something that was there more than 40 years ago,” Power says. “We have pictures of city hall staff from […] the 1940s standing in front of this sign, and to see it today with city hall staff, and people having the opportunity to enjoy it— it’s just a wonderful piece of our history that’s returned to its home.”

“After doing my research, I came upon proof that it was the stained glass that was above the main door to the old Fort William City Hall.”

The transom window is displayed in the main lobby of Thunder Bay City Hall.

Fancy Pants Thursday, June 2 Dress up and enjoy a beer-inspired menu from Pinetree Catering and live music from Martin Blanchet Jazz Quintet. Introducing TEN Our special-release, celebratory brew COMING SOON.

Exclusive TEN year anniversary merch COMING SOON to our retail locations and online.

Birthday Beer School: Beer & Memories Thursday, June 9 SGBC Co-Owners, Kyle and Drea Mulligan, take you on a journey from SGBC’s start in 2012 to today, accompanied by local eats and treats. Throwback Birthday Bash Saturday, June 18 Get your party pants on! We’re throwin’ it back to celebrate 10 years of SGBC. Throwback music by DJ Wurlwind, dance party, Instabooth, and cupcakes. Dress up from your favourite decade and dance the night away!

to our local bars and restaurants for pouring Superior beer over the last TEN years!

TEN, merch, and event tickets available online sleepinggiantbrewing.ca

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WE’RE READY WE’RE READY FOR YOU

Since the fire at our old location, we have been busy prepping at the new one directly across the street -- an even bigger and better retail space for our bicycle sales, service and repairs in the heart of downtown Thunder Bay. MTB • BMX • E-BIKES • ROAD BIKES | SHOES & SAFETY GEAR

SERVICING ALL MAKES & MODELS OF BIKES!

FOUNDED IN NORTH VANCOUVER IN 2001

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Now located inside Goods & Co.

251 Red River Road |

CityScene

Celebrating Our Neighbours Event Underlines the Importance of Community By Pat Forrest

t took a tragic event almost 20 years ago to lead to a movement that has spread joy and promoted fellowship around the world ever since. The inaugural Neighbour Day was launched in Australia in 2003 and was promoted as an opportunity for people to check in on their neighbours. The impetus was the discovery in a suburban Melbourne neighbourhood of the remains of Elsie Brown, who had been deceased for two years, forgotten by neighbours, friends, and family. Neighbour Day began in recognition of the impact that loneliness and lack of social connection has on individuals and communities. Here in Thunder Bay,

Neighbour Day is in its third year, city council having voted to establish the third Saturday in June as the date of the event. This year, the many celebrations are taking place on June 18, and there are lots of ways to get involved. This is the first time that the event will allow for what organizing committee member Ally Drombolis calls gathering “semi-in-person.” “We will still be reminding people to be diligent and take the necessary steps in light of the ongoing pandemic, but we will nevertheless be headed in the right direction of being able to get together again,” she says. Activities include printing a downloadable Neighbour

Day card and leaving it on neighbours’ doorsteps, or emailing out a Neighbour Day postcard, both provided by the City of Thunder Bay. Residents can vote on their favourite neighbourhood restaurant, store, and hidden gem and can even single out a favourite neighbour or neighbours. They can also share stories of kind and generous neighbours. Children can join in on the fun through a variety of Kid Zone activities including drawing and colouring pictures of what it means to be a good neighbour— both close up or socially distanced. They’ll also be able to colour ready-made images of superheroes and of ways to be a good

neighbour. Many neighbourhoods go all out artistically, decorating their sideways with chalk images, adorning their windows with neighbourly messages, and hanging lights and other decorations. Neighbourhood block parties and musical performances have been popular as well, as are neighbourhood cleanup projects. Some become Block Connectors: residents dedicated to building connections with and among neighbours. These folks inspire their neighbours to share their gifts, skills, passions, and talents with each other while respecting safety guidelines.

“Neighbour Day began in recognition of the impact that loneliness and lack of social connection has on individuals and communities.” For more information on Neighbour Day and for inspiration on how to get involved, visit thunderbay. ca/neighbourday.

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CityScene EYE EYE TO

With Alan Cranston As told to Matt Prokopchuk, Photo by Shannon Lepere

ot many can say they’ve been employed by the same company for over half a century, but Alan Cranston is one of them. Cranston, whose name is synonymous with the local sporting goods store Fresh Air, officially retired earlier

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this spring, having started in 1970 working at The Cycle Shop (which would morph into Fresh Air Experience) as a high school student. He would continue in various management roles and be a fixture in the business’s c o m m u n i t y o u t re a c h . Cranston spoke with us about

his career, a local partnership that’s very special to him, and what he’s looking forward to doing more of in retirement. On his 52 years in the outdoor recreation business: Everyone thinks that when you open a store to sell whatever—whether it’s

bikes, skis, footwear, or any other type of retail stuff— that what you want to do, your whole goal in life, is to sell as much stuff as you can [and] make as much money. But right from the get-go, in 1970, we put a bike race on when all we sold was bikes. That was the first bike race in Thunder Bay. Quickly you realize, ‘Oh jeez, this is kinda cool,’ because all of a sudden all these people are looking for your shop to be part of their life—because biking was taking off and it was so cool, and all of a sudden here’s a shop that wants to do what you’re doing. Same thing happened when we did skis and camping and footwear. We got involved in that community […] and we did education stuff—lots of education. That was kind of my gig, doing all of those, and all the events. […] There was no reason for me to ever leave and go find another job because I had the dream job. On a longstanding bike clinic with George Jeffrey Children’s Centre: About 25 years ago, one of the [physiotherapists] approached me about putting on a bike clinic essentially just to try and get some of these kids that were probably able to ride a bike as long as there was some adaptive needs to the bikes. We said, ‘Sure, let’s do that.’ […] It’s a two-day thing. We’ve been doing it for 25 years now […] and all these kids are there—for some of them it’s the first time they’ve ever been on a bike, and there’s huge grins, lots of smiles. Sometimes parents will tear up a little bit because all of a sudden their son or daughter can get on something and propel themselves down through the parking lot at George Jeffrey’s, and the kids are beaming, parents are beaming and it’s just a very cool thing. [Cranston says this is an initiative he will continue to be a part of post-retirement].

On what he hopes to spend more time doing in retirement: I’m going to spend a lot of time at camp this spring and summer. We bought a camp about five years ago and now [I] can go out and spend that peak time of the year, a lot of days out there. We’ve got a young golden puppy that’s eight months old right now and needs lots of training and I’m able to do that, just because I’m [now] free all day. So, if I go out, the dog comes with me. It’s awesome for the dog and I’m quite enjoying that. […] And I’ll continue doing volunteer stuff. So I’m quite happy to be retired, more or less, and just doing stuff that I want to do. On what his favourite outdoor activity is: Cross-country skiing— that and hiking. Thunder Bay is one of the three main centres for cross-country in Canada and we have such a strong ski community here just in terms of size, the expertise it carries, […] and high-level volunteers that’ll end up going to a World Cup or Nationals. Thunder Bay’s a special place. On who he looks up to: T h e r e ’s s o m a n y — whether it’s athletes that have done amazing stuff, or community leaders that have done so much. I’d say Peter Crooks. Peter was the venue manager for the [Nordic World Ski Championships] when they were here and then he got hired on as the area manager at Kamview, and developed tonnes of stuff there. He’s a communityminded guy as well—retired now, still volunteering in the ski business and he just helps everyone out. If there were more people that were givers of their time, as opposed to takers, we would be so much better off. This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

RODNEY BROWN

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CityScene

Meet Your REDI Librarian Focusing on Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Anti-Racism By Jenna Johns

had the absolute pleasure and privilege of joining the Thunder Bay Public Library team in November 2021, stationed at the Brodie Library, after a very busy summer providing support with First Nations community evacuations. My brand-new role serves a specific function for the TBPL system—I focus on anti-racism, equity, diversity, and inclusion, or REDI for short. What does this entail? I work to assess, build, implement, and evaluate strategies and processes to engage community members, create authentic relationships, and work together with diverse communities to create change in a respectful and reciprocal manner. I help support organizational change and use a community-led, assetbased, participatory approach to engage and include community members in planning processes in a way that centres those being engaged by meeting them where they are in life and other social/ emotional spheres. I have learned that two central and important aspects of librarianship are readers’ advisory and collection development— making sure that the right books are on the shelves and in the hands of library members. Librarians ensure that we systematically curate resources to meet community needs. This is where I shamelessly plug the amazing and vast print, audio, and e-book resources we offer, both in the library and online through CloudLibrary. Prior to joining the library staff, I had no idea how much you can access with a library membership card and four-digit PIN (even from the comfort of your own home!) Here are a few examples of some collections I have carefully put together thus far. In February, in honour of

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Black History Month, I gathered together a comprehensive collection and display for the branch encouraging community members to include diverse authors in their reading plans. In March, I focused on International Women’s Day, bringing together topical pieces, ranging from historical to contemporary, highlighting the growing feminist movement and notable people therein. In April, TBPL partnered with the Thunder Bay Museum to focus on Holocaust literature, and we continue to have a display of youth, teen, and adult resources at the branches. Finally, for May, I pulled together a shelf of mental health resources to support people as we all come out of our winter hibernation and the days become longer. June is an extremely important month for the library (and myself) as it is both National Indigenous History Month as well as Pride Month. With a specific position within the library focusing on equity, we are able to offer resources that are better representative of our community. In June, I hope to have a display featuring local notable Indigenous people, artists, musicians, and creators. If you have someone in mind that you would like us to feature, please reach out to me jjohns@ tbpl.ca. A short biography and a photo is all that is required. In addition to the impressive Indigenous Knowledge Centre that my co-librarian has been developing, we can now offer specially curated and organized collections of other culturally specific resources. Before I started with TBPL, I was sure that working in such a notable and significant repository of information like the Thunder Bay Public Library—and particularly the historic Brodie

Jenna Johns, Thunder Bay Public Library’s Community Hub Librarian - Racism, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (REDI)

branch—was going to be the most exciting part of this new prospect. Earning a living while being surrounded by books all day sounded quite magical, but I quickly learned the truth. The best

part about working at the library is standing beside the amazing assistants, technicians, librarians, management, and board members to provide the best service possible to all community members. The

library is about so much more than what’s inside— it’s about who is inside. You are welcome at your library, so stop by soon to say hello!

“My brand-new role serves a specific function for the TBPL system—I focus on anti-racism, equity, diversity, and inclusion, or REDI for short.”

Sally & Jim Members since 2015 Road warriors since forever

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CityScene

My-Pride Farm

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

Mike Visser, owner of My-Pride Farm

Story by Wendy Wright, Photos by Anna Buske

n the outskirts of Thunder Bay on Oliver Road, near Murillo, sits Mike Visser’s far m, My-Pride Far m. An ethically sound veal producer, Visser has fresh, farm-to-table, hormonefree veal cuts and valueadded processed products like garlic coils, burgers, pepperettes, and jerky. Visser is known at the Thunder Bay Country Market for producing what his customers want and progressing the truth in the conversation regarding the production of veal calves. I t w o u l d b e irresponsible not to bring up the misinformation that

surrounds veal production, particularly around the age and treatment of the animals. As Visser explains, “The animals are not babies, and are actually the second oldest livestock product at market weight.” The only market weight livestock that is older is the beef cow—chicken, pork, and others that come in at a younger age than the veal calf’s 10 months. Visser raises approximately 100 head of cattle in large areas with free choice of food and water and plenty of bedding to go around for the individual animals to be comfortable. These are not the animals you may have

heard rumoured to be forcefed in box stalls. “There are good farmers and there are bad farmers, just like in any profession,” Visser adds. “My animals are raised in a nice manner.” These misconceptions are rampant in some circles, and it is only fair that all sides are known by individuals making decisions on what to feed their families. Veal is high in vitamin B12 and iron and a low-fat option for omnivores. In addition, the veal calves are the offset of the dairy industry. A little-known fact is that veal calves are actually the male calves born on a dairy farm that are not utilized for milk production.

The farms work together to produce nutritional food to consumers, with veal farmers raising these particular animals to market weight while dairy farmers produce dairy and dairy products for the community. Recently, Visser was awarded the Premier’s Award for Innovation for the work he is doing at MyPride Farm. Local farming is a mainstay for our area, especially in light of the recent pandemic. Producers are working together and being recognized for their accomplishments. There is variety at the local market, so why not try some veal and help dispel the myths?

“Veal is high in vitamin B12 and iron and a lowfat option for omnivores.”

Find My-Pride Farm on the first floor of the Thunder Bay Country Market and on Facebook @mypridefarm

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MONDAY EVENINGS JULY 4 - AUGUST 22 6:30 PM - 9:00 PM The Coalition for Waverley Park and the Thunder Bay Musicians' Association Local 591 are excited to announce that concerts will be returning to the Waverley Park Band Stand every Monday evening.

The United States and Canadian Recording Companies furnish funds in whole or in part for the instrumental music for these performances through The Music Performance Trust Funds as arranged by Local 591 CFM, Thunder Bay Musicians’ Association.

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CityScene

Local artist Shelby Gagnon works on a mural at 3ride

Cycle Shop Goes Above and Beyond 3ride Earns a Bicycle Friendly Business Award Story by Kris Ketonen, Photos by Jack Barten

Thunder Bay cycling shop has been recognized by a provincial organization for its efforts to go that extra mile for its customers. 3ride Bicycle Co. has earned an Ontario By Bike Bicycle Friendly Business Award from the non-profit Transportation Options, an award for businesses that have “gone above and beyond, offering extra services and amenities to cyclists stopping at their locations,” according to a press release from Ontario By Bike/Transportation Option. But 3ride owner/operator Michelle Scott says there’s something else on offer at the local shop as well: a welcoming atmosphere. “It’s nice to have the recognition, but also just for people to know that we are here. We’re open to anyone that comes through town, or even local residents, to stop and say ‘hello,’” Scott says. “I know some bike shops can

feel somewhat cold and intimidating. We’d like to be recognized as a community hub. Whether you ride or not, we’d like you to feel welcome in the shop.” 3ride is also marking the opening of its new location in the Goods & Co. Market in downtown Port Arthur (they were previously located across Red River Road from their current spot, but the previous store was heavily damaged in a fire that occurred in fall 2021). The new location, Scott says, is serving 3ride and its customers very well so far. “The response has been unbelievable,” she says. “The thing that surprises me is, we’ve been downtown for coming on nine years and there’s some people that had never even seen, or had a chance to visit, our shop.” “It was kind of nice just to gain the exposure,” Scott adds. “When we first opened up our secondary 3ride location here in Thunder Bay [3ride first opened its

doors in Vancouver in 2001], we were BMX-specific, so you wouldn’t necessarily have come to us as your neighbourhood bike shop because of that.” N o w, t h o u g h , t h e product line carried by the shop has expanded to include mountain, hybrid, and electric bikes, among

other offerings. 3ride is also a sponsor of the Blacksheep Mountain Bike Club, which supports and promotes the local mountain bike scene. “We’ve sort of done a 360 in terms of what 3ride represents, and we look forward to facilitating the growth of the cycling community,” Scott says.

“We’d like to be recognized as a community hub. Whether you ride or not, we’d like you to feel welcome in the shop.” For more information, visit 3ride.com and transportationoptions.org.

(L–R): Adam Wolski, Cruz Cabral, Cody Hoff, Michelle Tolone-Scott, and Brad Scott of 3ride

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CityScene

Inspirational Ski Jumping Event

Olympic Ski Jump Medalists Visit Thunder Bay Story and photos by Olivia Bosma

here is something special about watching the Olympics—seeing athletes represent our country, competing for that coveted spot on the podium. As a country, we have been able to witness some incredible athletes make history throughout the years at the Olympic games. Such an occasion occurred this year at the 2022 Winter Olympics, when Mackenzie Boyd-Clowes, Matthew Soukup, Abigail Strate, and Alexandria Loutitt took the bronze medal in the mixed team ski jumping competition. On May 16, Olympic athletes past and present came together when Mackenzie Boyd-Clowes and Matthew Soukup travelled to the Fort William First Nations Arena to attend an event alongside local retired Olympic ski jumper Steve Collins, to bring more awareness to the sport in the hopes of bringing ski jump training back to Canada. “Working with Ski Jump Canada as an ambassador, we are trying to develop ski jumping in Ontario again,” says Collins. “We want to build attraction to the sport, and we have to have it in an area where there is skiing. We are working greatly with the First Nations community as well, hoping to get the people involved in sports again.” The event held at the arena brought a large crowd, including students from several schools.

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During the event, Boyd-Clowes and Soukup shared their stories and encouraged the students and everyone in attendance to follow their dreams and passions no matter the obstacles they may face. Unfortunately, in Canada, the lack of funding for ski jump training facilities is a major obstacle preventing many potential athletes from the chance to train. Many athletes, including Soukup, must train in other countries instead of in their home country, which is why Collins is advocating for funds. “I think, for the most part, for these athletes to come through and win the bronze medal at the 2022 Olympics, Canada has got to recognize that money needs to be put into ski jumping in Canada as a Nordic sport,” says Collins. “They have to make a stand and give these athletes funding to help them compete on the world stage. So, we will continue to raise more awareness.” During the event, Thunder Bay mayor Bill Mauro also took to the podium to say a few words. “I want to comment on the history and the incredible level of success that Stevie Collins brought to the sport of ski jumping in Canada and the profile that he brought to the city of Thunder Bay,” Mauro said. “Steve Collins had a tremendous career through all the years he was able to do it. He did us all proud then and he is doing us proud now.”

 (L-R) Canadian ski jumpers and Olympic medalists Mackenzie Boyd-Clowes and Matthew Soukup  Local retired Olympic ski jumper Steve Collins

Text or call 633-0587 to order, or just drop by!

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The Pie-rogy . . . . . . . $33 Fresh garlic and herb infused olive oil, Mozzarella, Cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese, thinly sliced B&B Farms potatoes, sautéed onions and DOUBLE bacon. Finished with a splash of Alfredo sauce. Chef’s Daily Special . . . . . . . $33 House-made pizza sauce, Mozzarella cheese, local meats and fresh seasonal veg. The Big Bad Wolf . . . . . . . $37 House-made pizza sauce, Mozzarella cheese, Maltese mild Italian sausage, pepperoni, ham and bacon. Drizzled with Mikes Hot Honey. Meet Meat . . . . . . . $37 House-made pizza sauce, Mozzarella cheese, chicken, ham, bacon, pepperoni and seasoned ground beef. The Dawson General . . . . . . . $37 House-made pizza sauce, Mozzarella cheese, seasoned ground beef, bacon, onions and pickles. Topped with a blend of Cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese. Finished with a splash of our secret burger sauce. Adult 1/2 & 1/2 { half Pickle Pie & half Pie-rogy } . . . . . . . $32 Kids 1/2 & 1/2 { half Pep and Cheese & half Hawaiian} . . . . . . . $27

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CityScene

Stuff We Like

For the Campfire By Kelsey Raynard

t may seem like an eternity ago, but summer 2021 threw us a couple of curveballs. With a fire ban in effect for over 90 consecutive days, many of us are now eager to dust off the ol’ fire pit and spend our summer nights in the most quintessential northern way possible: with a fire at our feet, sticky fingers from one too many s’mores, the starry night sky above us, and a cold beverage in hand. Here is Stuff We Like for the Campfire.

1 Personalized Marshmallow Sticks

Nor’Wester Designs norwesterdesigns.com Never fight over the pointiest roasting stick again! These handcrafted, personalized marshmallow sticks extend over 30 inches and come in a variety of colours, allowing everyone around the campfire a chance to roast the perfect marshmallow or spider dog. Parents of multiple children, you can thank us later.

$7.50

2 Freestyle Rocker Chair

Chaltrek Work & Play Outdoors 404 Balmoral Street Many of us have fond memories of our grandparents in a rocking chair beside a wood-fed fire. Now you can channel that same energy outside with the Freestyle Rocker Chair from Chaltrek. With a built-in handle for portability and a collapsible frame, you can bring these cosy vibes to any campsite this summer.

$115

3 UCO Original Candle Lantern

Gear up for Outdoors 894 Alloy Place Light the way to and from your campfire with this trusted, time-tested lantern from UCO at Gear up for Outdoors. This handy piece of campfire gear comes equipped with a collapsible frame and a refillable candle that lasts up to nine hours, making it the perfect addition to your next camping trip.

$29.99 4

4 Stainless Steel Double Wall Beer Mug

Kitchen Nook 168 Algoma Street South After a long day at the lake, nothing beats a satisfying beverage around the fire. Whether you’re sipping your morning coffee or enjoying a cold beer at night, keep your drink exactly the temperature you like with this stainless steel double wall mug. We will cheers to that!

$45

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5 Grip-On Campfire Popcorn Popper

Best Buy 767 Memorial Avenue Step aside, s’mores. Just because you don’t have a sweet tooth doesn’t mean you should go hungry around the campfire. With a removable wooden handle and a nonstick cooking surface, this easy-to-clean campfire popcorn popper is sure to be a new crowd favourite.

$45.95

6 Breeo Smokeless Fire Pit

Creekside Nursery 683 Woodcrest Road A portable fire pit that is virtually smokeless? It almost sounds too good to be true! Step up your backyard fire game with a smokeless fire pit from Breeo. Sleek, modern, and backed by a lifetime warranty, there’s nothing left for you to do but kick back and enjoy. But don’t forget your fire permit!

$579.99

7 More Campfire Stories from Northwestern Ontario

Entershine Bookshop 196 Algoma Street South Storytelling around a campfire is a tradition as old as time. Whether you prefer the spooky variety or just a trip down memory lane, why not incorporate a few stories from Northwestern Ontario into your rotation? Stir up your imagination with this unique collection of adventure stories written by Shannon Robertson, set in some of Ontario’s most beloved parks.

$22

8 Gourmet Marshmallows

Totally Toasted Marshmallows & S’more facebook.com/ totallytoastedmarshmallows A new local business is offering gourmet marshmallows with flavours that include Nutella, cinnamon sugar, salted caramel, and cookies & cream—need we say more? Impress your campfire guests young and old with Totally Toasted Marshmallows, available in packs of 8, 12 or 40. Bon appetit!

$10–40

CityScene

(L–R) Mrs. Elaine and Mrs. Karen looking for Mr. Darcy

(L–R) Thunder Bay Jane Austen Society members Irene Warmenhoven and Elaine de Boer

The Thunder Bay Jane Austen Society

THE SIASTS H T EN U

By Deanne Gagnon

n 1997, a trip to Europe ignited the Thunder Bay Jane Austen Society founder Irene Warmenhoven’s love for Jane Austen. “It happened on the honeymoon of my second marriage, which was a limited mini-tour of Europe,” she says. “On the tour we had two whole weeks in England so we picked Bath, Oxford, and a small town that was supposed to have beautiful art, Cheltenham. Well, I got caught up in history, art, and Jane Austen on my honeymoon.” “We went to Cheltenham for the day, found an old English bookstore, walked along the street to a park that was rolling green and went up to what looked like a little Greek temple. It was

where Jane Austen went, and in that temple, on the second storey, there was the kind of actual, original beautiful clothes that she wore,” she says. “Not behind a piece of glass. I walked right up close and looked at this garment and said ‘Someday I will make this outfit.’ It was the fact that Jane Austen had been there; she’d walked on that grass where I walked and I was just thrilled to see the beauty of how the women dressed.'' The Thunder Bay Jane Austen Society was not actually founded until 16 years later, in the spring of 2013, when by chance Mrs. Irene, as she is known to the group, was in the former Unveiled Bridal Boutique looking for beaded fabric to make a Regency piece for a

ball she was attending. One of the seamstresses heard her mention the Regency era. “Suddenly I hear a scream in the back room, and she comes out and says ‘Did I hear you say Regency and Jane Austen? I love Jane Austen!’ Mrs. Elaine and I became a Jane Austen group of two for about a year and a half before the next member joined.” Over the years, the society has fluctuated between 10 and 40 members, ranging from children right through to septuagenarians. They hold many gatherings throughout the year, such as sewing and dressmaking workshops, fancy picnics, promenades, games of pall mall (which is similar to croquet), dance lessons, cooking

workshops, and actual Regency baking. This month a dressmaking workshop will be held; also this year, there will be a fancy picnic held in Kakabeka Falls, and a Christmas soiree in November. “We have a lot of Jane Austen members who have never read a book, but who have seen all the movies,” Warmenhoven says. “And then we have people that can quote actual verse from some of her books. We have all levels and would love to see our membership grow.” If you have a love for Jane Austen or the Regency era, or perhaps Bridgerton has piqued your curiosity about life during that time, the Thunder Bay Jane Austen Society is the place for you.

“We have a lot of Jane Austen members who have never read a book, but who have seen all the movies.”

Find the Thunder Bay Jane Austen Society on Facebook for more information and dates of upcoming events.

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CityScene

This is Thunder Bay Interviews and photos by Olivia Bosma This month we asked The Walleye readers what’s on their summer bucket list.

Nolan and Cameron: Nolan: We are going to go camping and fishing for sure, and I am going to try adapted BMX biking in my wheelchair for the first time. Cameron: I am just along for the ride, wherever he takes me.

Jim: My summer bucket list is going to catch some walleye! I am going up to Raith with my nephew and my brother to catch some nice fish and enjoy the nice weather.

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Elise: My life bucket list is to visit as many places in Europe as I possibly can. So, this summer I will be checking visiting the U.K. off my bucket list. I am going to be visiting my aunt in England and then hopefully visit Ireland and Scotland afterward as well.

Alexa: My summer bucket list is to visit as many waterfalls in Northwestern Ontario as I am able to. We have so much beautiful scenery around our part of Ontario that I haven’t seen yet and I didn’t realize until a few months ago that there are so many waterfalls around. So, I made that my summer plan. It should be fun!

Saeideh: I am going to continue my education this summer. My plan is to prepare myself to get my PhD at Lakehead University.

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CityScene

Creating Community with Vintage Retro Finds

D SECONES C N CHA

By Kelsey Raynard

hopping has always been an important form of social connection— from shopping trips to Duluth with family to browsing stores at Christmastime for loved ones to socializing at the mall with friends (I used to work at Dairy Queen in the Intercity Shopping Centre food court so I consider myself an expert here). But we also know that excessive

shopping—especially for disposable, plastic-wrapped products—can hurt our wallets and the environment. This doesn’t mean we have to sacrifice the social joy and community that shopping can bring, however. This month, we are proud to feature Jessica Martinez of @ Vintage_retrofinds. Originally from El Salvador, Martinez is using her love of thrifted

housewares to build her own community of vintage buyers and sellers in Canada, on Instagram, and beyond. For almost two years, Martinez has been staging and selling a wide variety of used home goods on her Instagram page. As with many of the sellers we’ve spoken with, Martinez’s abundant personal collection and entrepreneurial spirit

pushed her to start her own business. “I always liked home decor and staging, so I used to go to the used store and try to find pieces,” she says. “Everytime I bought more, I would say, ‘I have too much; I have to stop buying these!’ But then I thought, hey, I think I should make an Instagram page and try to sell some of my collection. So that’s how I got started.” After spending so much time at thrift stores, Martinez decided to expand her offerings to vintage clothing as well. Now with over 2,000 followers, Martinez says she has made countless friends through @Vintage_ retrofinds and can even choose pieces based on the style of her most loyal buyers. “I would spend hours liking different posts, finding different friends, and eventually I had more and more people following me. Now sometimes when I go to the store and find something, I think about a specific person and this person is the one who buys it! From 2,000 followers, I know who's going to like it,” Martinez explains. It is precisely this sense of camaraderie, cooperation, and mutual support that makes the thrifting community of Thunder Bay so special. No matter who you are, where you come from, or what you’re looking for, there’s a good chance one of our lovely sellers

can help you achieve your goals. With trendy wicker, bright ceramics, and summery picnic gear, the upcoming collection from @Vintage_retrofinds is sure to impress. Pictured, we have a number of brass candle holders, perfect for setting the mood at your next summer soirée ($8 each). If you’re looking for a more cohesive look, there is a circular five-candle brass holder that would make a gorgeous centerpiece ($16). In the middle, we have a multipurpose wooden cane box ($8). Front and centre, you’ll see a retro floral ceramic vase begging for a bouquet of wildflowers ($24). In the back, Martinez has a stunning oval french provincial mirror—almost as tempting to stare at as to to stare in ($40). Beside the mirror, you’ll see a set of three stone tea lights, a great finishing touch for any patio set ($18). Lastly, we have a vintage bohemian basket, perfect for filling up with snacks for a backyard picnic. Martinez says that she has met so many great people in Thunder Bay from Instagram, and owes the growth of her business largely to word-of-mouth (or word-of-social-media in this case). Make sure to follow @Vintage_retrofinds on Instagram and share her page to spread the love.

“I think I should make an Instagram page and try to sell some of my collection. So that’s how I got started” 70

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Music

Making an Impact with Music Sara Kae is Rising Story by Olivia Bosma

ometimes thoughts, feelings, and emotions a re b e s t c o n v e y e d through song and music. This is why so many beloved songs are known to have a deeper meaning, something listeners can connect or relate to. This was the case with the original song, “Rise,” written and performed by local singersongwriter Sara Kae. “My love for music began when I was a kid, listening to my dad play music around the house. We would always listen to Johnny Cash,” Kae says. “Around the age of eight or nine and watching and listening to my dad play the guitar, I realized that I really wanted to learn to play too and perform. My dad really fed my love for music.” After learning to play the guitar, Kae performed in talent shows until the age of 12. “It was around that age when I realized I really wanted to have a go of having music be part of my career, in whatever capacity it could be.” After completing school in the GTA—where she graduated from Metalworks Institute as a vocal major in the Music Performance and Technology program—and working as an on-air radio personality in Toronto, Kae made her way back home to Thunder Bay, where she also completed a diploma in music business. She is now working with the Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra and

focusing on using her music to make a difference in our community. “Growing up as an Indigenous child and in an Indigenous household, I became aware as I got older about the negative societal judgements that surround Indigenous people and it made an impact on me,” she says. “I wrote this song as a message to not only my younger self, but to any Indigenous youth who are feeling the same way I did. I want to empower others however I can.” Having written “Rise” back in 2020, Kae is now about to share this very special song on June 1 at the Goods & Co. Market, where guests can indulge in an evening of great music, food, and drinks. “This release would not be possible without the help of Dave Antonacci, who is the executive producer of Rocket Fuel Records, and who encouraged me to release this song,” Kae says. “And the producer Kaevox, the Whitefish Bay Singers, Cecile Hookimaw, and Michelle Addison. I want to say a huge thank you to all of them. I am so thrilled and cannot wait to share this song with our beautiful community.” For more information, visit sarakae.com.

“I wrote this song as a message to not only my younger self, but to any Indigenous youth who are feeling the same way I did. I want to empower others however I can.“

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Music

The Waverley Park Concert Series Conserving Beauty, Bringing Joy By Olivia Bosma

here is something different about an outdoor concert from one held indoors. An outdoor concert stimulates all five senses. It’s feeling the warm summer breeze tickle the hairs on your arms, breathing in the sweet smell of nature, savouring the delicious taste of your favourite summer drink, and watching the beautiful sunset, all while letting your eardrums dance as the music of many talented musicians is being played for you. The Coalition for Waverley Park is offering you this experience throughout the summer with the return of the Waverley Park Concert Series. “We are so thrilled to be able to hold this concert series again this year,” says Keith Nymark, chairman of the Coalition for Waverley Park. “We are really looking forward to this year’s concerts and seeing the good people of

Thunder Bay come out to enjoy themselves again.” The Coalition for Waverley Park began working with the Musicians’ Association in 2018 to develop a series of concerts held every Monday for eight weeks throughout the summer featuring new local musicians and bands along with some returning performers. “Waverley Park is the second oldest municipal park in Ontario,” says Nymark. “The Coalition for Waverley Park was created in 1994 as a way to maintain the history and the beauty of the park, and we have been successful.” The coalition was behind the fundraising that allowed the beautiful Waverley Park pavilion to be built and later completed in 2018. “After the pavilion was built, we approached the Musicians’ Association Local 951 here in the city and suggested that the pavilion would be a great venue for musicians,” Nymark says.

“We just wanted to create something that the people of Thunder Bay could enjoy, while giving local artists a chance to play. So, we developed the idea for the concert series and the first one was a hit.” After having two successful summer concert series in 2018 and 2019, the coalition was unable to host the last couple of years due to the pandemic. However,

plans for this summer’s return are well underway and highly anticipated. More information on the concert series will be available on the coalition’s Facebook page in the coming weeks. So, if you want to experience a relaxing and wonderful summer evening, visit Waverley Park on a Monday night this summer and have yourself a great time.

“Waverley Park is the second oldest municipal park in Ontario.”

For more information, find them on Facebook @TheCoalitionForWaverleyPark.

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Music

The Flash of a Gold-Toothed Smile ZZ Top Delivers

Review by Justin Allec

he narrative around ZZ Top has always been a bit silly on the surface. The bearded “twins” of Billy Gibbons and Dusty Hill, the fashionably matching guitars, the lazily synchronized dance moves, the “ironic” fact that drummer Frank Beard is clean-shaven—it’s all subversive, a distraction from the fact that this trio has put out some of the hardest-hitting blues rockers in the last 40 years. As for seeing them in person, well, Thunder Bay had a little longer to wait. There was an unusual level of anticipation running through the Thunder Bay Community Auditorium the night of May 4. It wasn’t exactly the fact that this ZZ Top concert was supposed to have happened

two years ago, or that this would be many people’s first big concert since life was attempting to resume. No, I think the only question on everyone’s mind was what the band would do since the passing of bassist Dusty Hill in 2021. The image we all had of ZZ Top—twin beards with twin axes riffing out at the crossroads with thunderous backbeat—had changed, and no one really knew what to expect. It turns out that we shouldn’t have worried. Trust in the blues, trust in ZZ Top. The stage set up was minimal, with stacks of amps flanking Beard’s flashy kit, but the band didn’t need much to absolutely rule the night. ZZ Top, you see, has style to spare, and that style is captivating. With no opener and little fanfare

except for the piped-in roar of a chopper, Gibbons, Beard, and long-time guitar tech Elwood Francis casually started rocking and did not stop for the next hour and a half. The set was broad, but when a band has more than 40 years together, you know you’re going to get to hear some interesting cuts. The first chunk of the concert saw Gibbons setting the mood with classic material like “I’m Bad, I’m Nationwide” and “Jesus Just Left Chicago.” While these aren’t ZZ Top’s catchiest songs, they do show the band (even with Francis filling in for the departed Hill) at their best by allowing Gibbons and Francis to riff and solo in conversation, each note just swaggering around the TBCA, taking its time to land

just right. The band seemed to be treating their radio hits the same way. For example, “Gimme All Your Lovin’” came early in the set but the trio stretched the ending, so it felt less like a Top 40 cut, more like the sweaty blues workout it’s supposed to be. “Legs” and “Tube Snake Boogie” received a similar treatment, which really showed how much fun these songs can be. Gibbons didn’t say much from the stage in the way of banter. Really, he didn’t need to. The band closed with the classic “La Grange,” which takes every attractive part of the band’s sound and adds even more swagger towards a triumphant finish. Everyone was there for the music, and ZZ Top did more than deliver.

“The first chunk of the concert saw Gibbons setting the mood with classic material like 'I’m Bad, I’m Nationwide” and “Jesus Just Left Chicago.'”

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The Lasting Legacy of the Blues

Music

G BURNINE H T O T SKY

By Gord Ellis

t’s been said before, but it’s worth repeating: without the blues there would be no rock, jazz, soul, disco, or rap. Modern country may seem a world away from Muddy Waters and Robert Johnson, but the line goes straight back to them. The plaintive tales of Jimmie Rodgers and Hank Williams were just a reimagining of the blues. And Johnny Cash was a blues singer in cowboy boots. Gospel music is infused with the blues. So what is it about the blues that has allowed it to morph in so many directions, but still survive as its own art form? This is a question that’s been explored by scholars and debated by critics. The elements of the blues go back to Africa and arrived on North American shores via the slave trade. The blues was shared through a capella singing, but later it would be played on the simplest of instruments. The incredible beauty of the earliest blues songs flies directly in the face of what the people singing it were experiencing. Yet the blues itself would begin to change as it was brought to the clubs and saloons. What began as music that was soothing to the weary and downtrodden began to take on other elements. Christian church music was an influence, as well as folk songs. Listen to the early recordings of Lead Belly and you will hear many of those influences converging. The stark country blues of Robert Johnson is often seen as the game changer. Johnson, who was both a commanding singer and guitar player, changed the

face of blues. His music was darker, scarier, and almost psychedelic in its imagery. As a young man, I can remember listening to the recordings of Johnson in bed. It was dark, and with headphones on, the pictures Johnson painted in my mind were both exciting and mildly horrifying. The references to hellhounds and the devil certainly didn’t do much to dispel the legend that he had sold his soul to Satan at the crossroads. It was these same tunes that a generation of future guitar legends was inspired to electrify, and basically create the genre we now know as classic rock. But the electrification of the blues via electric guitar came well before Clapton and Hendrix. Everyone from Sister Rosetta Tharpe to John Lee Hooker to Muddy Waters plugged in and harnessed a different kind of energy. The blues became louder and more aggressive, and you could dance to it. Blues also began to add drums, bass, keyboards, and horns. This smoother, jump blues style became a genre all its own, and broke off into jazz, swing, and rockabilly. I n 2 0 2 2 , t h e re a re still many bands that have kept strong ties to traditional blues. Just drop the needle on The Black Keys to see how blues conventions remain in use and continue to be recycled. There is a direct line from Howlin’ Wolf’s “Smokestack Lightnin’” to the Keys’ “Howlin’ for You.” As Muddy said, “the blues had a baby and they called it rock and roll.” The rap and hip hop world continues to mine

the blues and its funky love child, soul music, for beats, shouts, and riffs to sample. This is perhaps the sincerest form of flattery, although the rappers generally have made about a million times more money than the blues and R&B artists they lift from. The blues also lives on

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American blues musician and songwriter Robert Johnson

“The blues had a baby and they called it rock and roll.”

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Music

Blues House Party

Thunder Bay Blues Society is Back By Ken Wright

Ray Bukovy

 Dave Jonasson

Christopher Tennant

 Dr. Buck, The Bluesbangers

 The Chain

he Thunder Bay Blues Society (TBBS) charged into 2020 with a full head of steam stoked by past successes and the promise of one of their best seasons ever when, like so many other organizations, they were ambushed by COVID-19. “When the world shut down, it was like starting over,” says TBBS president Rob Croves of the let down and disruption. After a two-and-ahalf year forced hiatus, the society is back, and determined to regain that momentum with Blues House Party 3 at the Port Arthur Polish Hall on June 11. “It’s been one of our most popular events and a great showcase for local bands,” says Croves of previous House Parties, which sold out quickly. Ve t e r a n b l u e s musicians responded with enthusiasm. “It seems it was the established bands who wanted to play—the well-known bands with a following,” Croves says. The Blue Pretenders will crack open the proceedings with Dr. Buck & the Bluesbangers coming next. The Roosters, who represented Thunder Bay at the Blues Foundation’s International Blues Challenge (IBC) in Memphis, Tennessee in 2019, will then take the stage. Headlining and making their first House Party appearance

will be The Chain, who were Thunder Bay’s representatives at the IBC in 2014. A g re a t n i g h t o f performance will be capped off by a blues jam. “That’s the part I personally like the best,” says Croves. “There’s not a lot of places that feature live music anymore, and it’s rare to have 16 blues musicians under the same roof on the same night.” The possible combinations are both exciting and unique. Early response from the public has been encouraging. “Enquiries about the event came in quickly,” Croves says. “I sense that people are anxious to get out again.” Out of necessity, caution and constraint have played oversized roles in our lives for the past two years. We’ve missed a lot, and our concept of “normal” has changed. The old adage, “Absence makes the heart grow fonder,” springs to mind, because now, more than ever, it’s the comfort of the familiar that we crave. So let’s reacquaint ourselves with the familiar, with familiar friends and faces, with familiar music and musicians, with the shared experience of live entertainment. For more information, visit thunderbaybluessociety.ca.

“It’s been one of our most popular events and a great showcase for local bands.” The Walleye

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Music

Creating New Memories Dallas Smith Returns to Touring By Kris Ketonen

anadian country star Dallas Smith is bringing a huge dose of excitement with him as he hits the road for his first tour in years. “It’s been great,” Smith says, as he prepares for the Some Things Never Change tour, which visits Thunder Bay this month. “It’s a little overwhelming with everything firing back up, trying to get a full tour up and running…it’s not something that I’ve done in the last couple of years.” The tour kicked off on

May 24, and will wrap up at the end of June in Toronto. “I’ve got pretty much a full record of songs that I’ve released over the last couple of years that I haven’t been able to tour on and play live,” Smith says. “That excites me a lot. Bringing these songs to life for the first time on stage, in front of people, is something I’m really, really looking forward to.” “Touring is just a giant camp,” he says. “You get to hang out with your friends, and make noise, and create some memories, make new

friends. It’s something that’s really, really missed.” But it won’t just be S m i t h c re a t i n g t h o s e new memories. “I think everybody’s missing this,” he says. “If you’re a music fan, it’s part of your soul, going to watch live music. It was so important to me as a kid, and throughout my life—seeing live music with a group of people you don’t know, and sharing that memory.” A new record—his first since 2020’s Timeless—is also in the works, Smith says,

adding it will likely be ready by late summer or early fall. And then, after this tour, and a couple of Canadian festival dates at the end of July, Smith’s focus will shift to his family. “I plan on probably doing a little out-of-country vacation at some point with the family,” Smith says. “We’ve all done individual travel, but not together as a family, so it’ll be nice to do that after a couple of years, and after that long tour. So that’s kind of the next thing.”

“If you’re a music fan, it’s part of your soul, going to watch live music.”

Dallas Smith plays the Thunder Bay Community Auditorium on June 9. For more information, visit tbca.com

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Music

Artist Evan Wouthuis, a.k.a. Yakob Woods

Songs From the Road, Vol. 1 An EP for Life’s Moments

By Sara Sadeghi Aval, Photos by Jessy Sicard

ften, we connect music to moments in our lives—from the first dance at your wedding to the track playing at the gym when you broke your personal record, music plays a big part in memories. Artist Evan Wouthuis, a.k.a. Yakob Woods, says his goal with his music is to “contribute to the moment,” and he is a firm believer that listening means “not just using your ears. [Music] becomes a part of your surroundings.” Woods’s debut EP, Songs From the Road, Vol. 1, consists of five tracks he wrote, recorded, and sung himself. With his folky voice made for the live stage, and heartfelt, quick-witted lyrics,

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Woods encompasses the man travelling with his guitar who lives on the album’s cover. The original artwork was an earlier project of Woods’s that he found fitting for the album (you can find more of his original artwork @nomap.png). Woods’s introduction to creating music, oddly enough, was the moment he acknowledged his jealousy of a high school performer’s rapping ability. “After a few minutes of silent reflection, I realized [...] he had the courage and ability to create art and express himself without fear of judgement and that was something I wish I had,” he says. After dabbling in rap, Woods

developed his own sound. He was not unfamiliar with musicality—he started guitar lessons around the age of nine and began writing lyrics in grade ten. “I wanted to make music I could play around a campfire, so that’s what led to Songs From the Road, Vol. 1,” he says. The release took Woods two years to complete, and his recording process varies depending on his inspiration—which could come from anywhere, anything, or any place. “I will always record the guitar first, over a simple drumbeat in the background to keep time. I will then usually record vocals. After that’s done, I will add instruments

[…] then give everything a quick mix and send it to my mixing and master engineer Milo (@mavnofficial) who will send me the final product,” says the artist on his formula. As the weather warms up, listening to Woods’s EP feels like opening the door to summer. The songs on the album are filled with move-along beats curated to help you groove through moments of the day. As for the musician’s favourite song? “All I Want” is dedicated to his girlfriend and is also his first single. “It’s been two years, and I’ve loved every moment of it,” the artist gushes about his muse.

“I wanted to make music I could play around a campfire, so that’s what led to Songs From the Road, Vol. 1.”

You can find Yakob Woods on Instagram @evanwou and on all music streaming platforms.

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Music

Thunder Bay Hops with the TBSO The Eighth Annual Brew and Beethoven

Review and photos by Sarah McPherson

Local band Kutch playing orchestral arrangements of original songs with the TBSO

ay 7 was one of the first warm days in Thunder Bay this year, making it the perfect day to wrap up with a crisp beer and some wonderful classical music. The Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra held their eighth annual Brew and Beethoven concert at O’Kelly VC Armoury, where patrons eagerly welcomed the frosty cans of Sleeping Giant Brewing Co. beer included with their tickets to the show. The room bustled with beer lovers and music lovers alike, all coming together for a shared night of local brews and local talent. The evening sun poured in through open windows as the orchestra began to play, beginning with the overture to Beethoven’s Symphony No. 8. The TBSO divided their show into three sets with brief intermissions. The first set featured a balanced blend of Beethoven’s second and eighth symphonies. The second set highlighted a careful combination of modern and traditional pop music, including music from Lady Gaga, David Bowie, and Moe Kaufmann’s “Swingin’ Shepherd Blues.” The orchestra performed the

classic Gabriel’s Oboe, from the 1986 film The Mission, with principal oboe Colleen Kennedy beautifully playing the soft melody. For the third set, to round off the evening with a more boisterous presentation, the TBSO was joined by local band Kutch, playing orchestral arrangements of original songs. Guest conductor Jeff Christmas expressed his joy in the return of Brew and Beethoven to the community. “Another piece of the puzzle after this pandemic—we got our B and B back,” he said. Christmas chatted with the crowd between songs, emphasizing the relaxed and comfortable nature of the show. Many of the audience members had never attended a Brew and Beethoven concert before— according to raised hands when the question was posed by Christmas early on—though applause and foot-tapping around the room proved the audience’s enjoyment of the perfor mance throughout the evening. For more information about upcoming performances by the TBSO, visit tbso.ca.

“The room bustled with beer lovers and music lovers alike, all coming together for a shared night of local brews and local talent.” 86

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BLUES HOUSE

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Music

Rocking the Tree Planters Circuit Whitehorse Makes their NWO Debut

Story by Michelle McChristie, Photos by Darren McChristie

t was a concert that was eight years in the making. The Sleeping Giant Folk Music Society worked hard to get Whitehorse to play in Thunder Bay back in 2014, but the band cancelled their tour because Melissa McClelland and Luke Doucet were expecting their first child. So, it was welcome news to their members when the duo announced a post-pandemic (can we say that yet?) tour of northern Ontario for May 2022. Thunder Bay was the largest stop on the Making Promises tour, which Doucet dubbed the “tree planters circuit” in a social media

post. In Fred Eaglesmith and Stompin’ Tom Connors style, they played Atikokan and Geraldton on either side of our bustling metropolis and, with a capacity crowd at the Port Arthur Polish Hall, it was clear they were as thrilled to be on stage as fans were to be in the audience. “It’s nice to see most of you,” said McClelland, referring to the mostly masked audience. McClelland and Doucet have spine-tingling chemistry that is sexy in a subtle way—he’s the humble cowboy with the guitar licks and she is the confident and stunning songstress who also plays a mean bass and

guitar. They entertained the audience with stories about being locked away at home for two years and channelling their energy into songwriting. While everyone can relate to the trials and tribulations of married life with the added stress of a pandemic, not many of us can wrap our heads around the creativity, talent, patience, and camaraderie required to write enough material for four albums amidst such turbulent times (did I mention they have a seven-year-old?). Backed by drummer Johnny Obercian for most of the show, they played

a mix of sweet duets, including songs from their two 2021 albums, like “I Wanna Make Promises (That I Can’t Keep),” plus some fan favourites, like “Emerald Isle,” “Baby What’s Wrong,” and the one that had everyone dancing in their chair, “Devil’s Got a Gun.” The show left some satiated and others craving a little more. If you were there and fall into the second category, rest assured that the Sleeping Giant Folk Music Society has been toiling away behindthe-scenes to book acts for their 2022–2023 season.

“McClelland and Doucet have spinetingling chemistry that is sexy in a subtle way.”

The Sleeping Giant Folk Music Society will kick off their 21st season with Old Man Luedecke, Fortunate Ones, and The Once on November 10, 2022. For season passes and memberships, visit sleepinggiant.ca.

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OfftheWall

Reviews

We’ve Been Going About This All Wrong

Just Like That

Omnium Gatherum

Bonnie Raitt

Sharon Van Etten

If there’s one artist I’d actually want to release a “pandemic album,” it’s Sharon Van Etten. Produced at home during the darkest days of COVID lockdowns, Van Etten’s sixth album, We’ve Been Going About This All Wrong, draws on the range of emotions we all felt during that time, from the mundanity of being stuck at home to the small joys found in everyday life to the fear and uncertainty about the future. And no other songwriter can walk that line between despair and optimism quite like she does; certainly no other performer can elicit her brand of musical catharsis. Although the album is a bit less guitar-heavy than her previous albums, fans of Van Etten won’t find any surprises here—this is an album by an artist confident in her vision and focused on perfecting it. The mid-to-slow tempo songs interspersed with a few upbeat bops (exemplified at either end of the spectrum by the radio-friendly “Mistakes” and the delicate, understated “Born,” both standout tracks), the opaque lyrics occasionally breaking through with a goosebump-inducing moment of specificity, the vocals that transition from low and smoky to a soaring wail: it’s all here, and sharpened to a razor-fine point. Opting not to release any advance singles, Van Etten intends We’ve Been… to be listened to in order, at once—a journey that synthesizes our collective experience of the past two-plus years into a gorgeous, urgent, powerful album that is both insular and universal.

Unsurprisingly, having something meaningful to say—the crux of Bonnie Raitt's legendary 50-year career—underpins her 21st album. Its title, a clip of a song lyric, references how, in our uncertain times, life can change, “just like that.” The 10-time Grammy winner tackles some flesh and blood topics. “Livin’ for the Ones,” an elevating eulogy to the recently departed (“the ones who didn’t make it”) and the funky “Waitin’ For You to Blow,” an addict’s mocking of recovery’s “fickle beast,” are salient examples. My favourite track is her cover of the Bros. Landreth’s love-gone-wrong song, “Made Up Mind.” It’s a microcosm of the elements upon which Raitt’s greatness pivots: propulsive rhythms, emotive vocals, truth in lyrics, bluesy riffs, blissful slide guitar that invariably sings from the sweet spot, and a philosophy that life is a voyage, not a harbour. -Ken Wright

King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard

King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard is a band that goes beyond being an enigma wrapped in a conundrum, and we love them for it. Releasing their 20th album since their formation in 2012 is intense enough, but this is their second album this year and in 2017, they put out five of them! Their latest record, Omnium Gatherum, was released on April 22, a quick follow-up to the epic long-song album they released in March called Made in Timeland, which only had two 15-minute tracks. While Omnium Gatherum differs from Made in Timeland in that it’s packed full of amazing music in 16 tracks; fans of the long song will not be disappointed upon experiencing the lead-out track, "The Dripping Tap," which clocks in at 18 minutes and 17 seconds. With each new project, these Australians push genre-bending to new limits, and Omnium Gatherum truly is the apex. If you haven’t listened to them yet, I highly recommend any of their stuff, but this latest album is a great place to get started!

Arcade Fire In an interview leading up to the release of Arcade Fire’s new album WE, Win Butler told Apple Music, “In order to write music, you have to have this antenna up that kind of picks up little signals from the future and signals from the past,” which is precisely the type of pretentious thing that artists say that makes people dislike artists. Arcade Fire’s bonafides across nearly 20 years in the music industry has long let them get away with stuff like that. But as the pandemic has deepened the divide between those who are earning comfortably and those who are getting blasted by debt and inflation, it appears Arcade Fire are living as the former while trying to speak for the latter. Sure, there’s moments—a memorable groove at the four-minute mark of the “Age of Anxiety I,” a cool synth and string outro at the end of “Rabbit Hole”—but for a band that so perfectly captured the spirit of the everyday person on The Suburbs in 2010, Arcade Fire’s latest falls flat and feels out touch. -Michael Charlebois

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-Amy Jones

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Outta Sight

Big Time

The Sheepdogs

Angel Olsen

If you're up for some guitardriven, good-time rock and roll, then the Sheepdogs new album Outta Sight may fit the bill. Since 2004, these Saskatoon road warriors have been playing their retro rock on stages at Glastonbury, Lollapalooza, and Coachella. They are following in the footsteps of Canadian 1970s bands like April Wine, Chilliwack, and Bachman Turner Overdrive. Outta Sight continues with their retro rock sound. It’s a pop-rock homage to the music of the 70s. There are some straight-up rockers, a little psychedelia, and even some country rock and steel guitar. The Sheepdogs have always nailed their harmonies and they do it superbly again on this album. The vocals are on top and the production is clean and uncluttered. Favourite songs include “So Far Gone” with its J.J. Cale vibe, and “Here I Am,” which is a great rock and roller with some wonderful harmonies. If you're looking for some music to add some sizzle to your barbecues this summer, Outta Sight by the Sheepdogs will certainly heat things up.

Angel Olsen’s new record is somewhat stripped down compared to her last few releases. Yes, there are some horn and string arrangements, but on Big Time the conspicuous synths have been replaced with delicate slide guitars, giving the album a bit of a tender country vibe rather than something heavily produced. This bare-bones approach allows the American singer-songwriter’s haunting voice to take centre stage. Written during the time Olsen’s parents passed away, the album features melancholy songs touching on loss (“Ghost On” and “This is How it Works”) but also includes tracks about new love (“Big Time” and “All the Good Times”) reflecting on her coming out as queer and providing some light to the dark. Although a bit mellower, Big Time has Olsen going full circle to her first albums, which possessed a raw vulnerability not shrouded by production. -Adrian Lysenko

-Gerald Graham

Stories of Anishinaabe Resilience (SOAR)

Unreconciled: Family, Truth, and Indigenous Resistance

Locally produced and recorded, SOAR connects with survivors of St. Joseph’s Residential Schools and their families to help raise some long-anticipated awareness. Medicine opens the doors to discussions that are deeply influential and raw as “boarding school” stories are shared, exposing the scarring life impacts they had. On the first podcast, Summer Reilly, granddaughter of the late Dolores Wawia (also known as Frog Lady), recounts beloved memories of her grandmother’s perseverance and wisdom. Reilly recalls when her grandmother came to speak to her 45-minute history class about her experiences at a residential school. She not only spoke for over two hours, but not a single student got up to leave, which shows you the power of education and knowledge. SOAR is part of a larger project involving beautifully created local art pieces along with research/teachings that have been assembled from multiple museums and archival resources, with the ultimate goal being to have the truth about residential schools be accurate and accessible.

Personally, I continuously choose titles by Indigenous authors because I am Métis and always seeking to learn more about what that means in a larger sphere. This book makes me so mad at the so-called Canadian government and the Indian Act of 1876. As treaty partners, it is our responsibility to acknowledge and seek to learn about the longstanding history and relationship between First Nations and Canadian settlers. If you have ever questioned the broken relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people in so-called Canada or why racism is so abundant in our city, I suggest you run to the shelf and grab this title. The second part of Unreconciled: Family, Truth, and Indigenous Resistance is what really drew me in and kept me reading. Importantly, Wente touches on his infamous and controversial Avatar film review, which resulted in a backlash from non-Indigenous critics. In response to this, the author states, “It wasn’t just time for us to have a seat at the table; it was time for us to build a table of our own.”

Robyn Medicine

Jesse Wente

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Architecture

Roy Building

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for Belgium. His efforts as viceconsul saw him awarded the Chevalier de l'Ordre de Léopold, the oldest and highest order of Belgium. Victoria Avenue was cut through between Simpson Street and Syndicate Avenue around 1889, and soon after King left the west end to focus his business efforts here. Partnering with Eucher Pelletier, who had previously supplied general merchandise out of a tent at the base of Victoria Avenue at Simpson Street, they built and opened a large general store. Business flourished and King soon bought out his partner. The store itself evolved into a department store. Architect John C. Stinson prepared the plans for a $30,000 three-storey business block for King in 1906. As a replacement for the original timber-built store, its life was short lived. In July

 John King Department Store

 Victoria Avenue, circa 1892 Courtesy of the Thunder Bay Museum

s the Town of Fort William began to develop in its early days, so did the local business enterprises of French-Canadian John King, born Jean Roy near Rimouski, Quebec. Arriving via Prince Arthur’s Landing aboard the wooden steamer Francis Smith in July 1878, King, who already had some experience building the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) near French River, began building its road beds here at the Lakehead. Leaving the CPR in 1886, King, in his late 20s, opened a store in the west end (Westfort). This business venture was the beginning point of a path that would see King succeed as a well-diversified entrepreneur. He would also go on to become a hardworking member of the Fort William Board of Trade, local municipal leader, and even vice-consul

Courtesy of the Thunder Bay Museum

By Laurie Abthorpe

Architecture Building’s construction. Similar pilasters with carved capitals are featured on its upper levels and a continuous parapet and moulded cornice stretches across both structures, unifying the buildings. The Roy Building name in relief, however, centres upon the Roy Building itself. Unlike previous buildings, the Roy Building we see today was developed to

house multiple commercial ventures, not just King’s. From the centre storefront, King did operate his retail liquor store. The two other storefronts were leased out. The one on the east side was first occupied by McCartney & Burke Jewelers, and the one the west side housed C. E. Chapple Ladies Furnishings. The upper floors contained both office and residential suites.

Laurie Abthorpe is the heritage researcher for 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 thunderbay.ca.

Courtesy of the Thunder Bay Museum

floors, each separated by pilasters with carved capitals. Window openings on the second floor are arched with stepped voussoirs above. The surrounding wall surface is rusticated. Similarly, the third floor window openings are also arched; however, Gibbs surrounds are used as their ornamentation. The neighbouring building to the east received a facelift during the Roy

Courtesy of the Thunder Bay Museum

1908, fire ripped through the property, leaving just the store vault and remnants of the building’s brick walls. Set on re-building, King took out permits for a $50,000 business block in September 1908, commissioning the Roy Building we see today. Designed by Stinson and Hood in the Edwardian style with Classical details, the Roy Building’s stone façade is split into six bays on its upper

 Men inside John King's store on Victoria Avenue, circa 1909

 The Roy Block fire, circa 1908

 Interior of the John King Department Store’s clothing department

Courtesy of the Thunder Bay Museum

 Shulte Limited on Victoria Avenue

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JuneEventsGuide

EVENTS GUIDE KEY General Art Food Sports Music

Due to ongoing and changing pandemic-related restrictions, we recommend checking for updates with each venue.

June 1, 7:30–9:30 pm

June 3, 9 pm

June 4, noon–3 pm

June 4, noon

June 5, 10 am

Until June 5

Goods and Co. Market

Goods & Co. Market

Spirit Garden

Marina Park

Prince Arthur’s Landing

Celebrate local talent Sara Kae’s new single “Rise.” Enjoy music, visual arts made by Indigenous artists, and a chance to win prizes from your favourite artists, restaurants, and businesses. Tickets are available for purchase. See this month’s Music section for more information.

RetroGraduate Exhibit Definitely Superior Art Gallery

Celebrate the next generation of artists at this year’s RetroGraduate exhibit. DefSup and Lakehead University’s fine arts department showcase this year’s graduate work and celebrate their first steps into the professional art world. See this month’s Art section for more info.

definitelysuperior.com

June 1, 6–10 pm

13 Moons Exhibit Opening Giinawind Co.

Join Giinawind Co. as they celebrate their 13 Moons exhibit opening night and the beginning of National Indigenous History Month. The exhibit features 13 ribbon skirts representing each moon and phase. All work on display will be available for purchase and viewing for the month of June. Appetizers and nonalcoholic beverages will be served. Tickets are $25, ages 16-plus welcome.

giinawind.com

Sara Kae’s Single Release Party

Goods Goes Country

Giddy up for Goods’ first country night. Enjoy drinks and swinging tunes, and give line dancing a try. Live performance by Matt Flank. Tickets are available online. This is a 19-plus event.

@goodscomarket

June 3, 9 pm

Fancy Pants

B.A. Johnston w/ Pedestrian Lifestyle and Cartwrights

Celebrate 10 years of jazz with the Martin Blanchet Jazz Quintet and a beerinfused menu by Pinetree Catering. Tickets are available individually or by the table. This is a 19-plus event.

Hamilton’s B.A. Johnston is back in town with two class acts, Pedestrian Lifestyle and Cartwrights. Welcome back live music and rock the night away. This is a 19-plus event. Tickets are available in advance for $15.

@goodscomarket

June 2, 6 pm

Sleeping Giant Brewing Co.

blackpiratespub.com

June 3, 8:30 pm

June 4–30

Thunder Bay Community Auditorium

Various Locations

Canadian-born comedian Jeremy Hotz is taking to the Auditorium stage this summer. Laugh the night away with Hotz’s witty and keen observational comedy style.

tbca.com

Walk in support of funding Type 1 diabetes research. As the JDRF organizes walks coast to coast, take a step in the right direction. Register yourself or a group of friends and raise money together.

standup4cleanup. weebly.com

jdrfwalk.ca

healthsciencesfoundation.ca/walk-for-breath-

Live Music with The Gin Tonics

Atmos

Welcome artist Khiva to town and enjoy the unique soundscapes, fierce beats, and ethereal sounds she brings to the stage. The producer/vocalist paints a vivid dreamscape as you dance the night away. Local talents Tension and HEKS will also share the stage. Tickets are available online.

atmosttbay.ca

Celebrate Pride all month long with Thunder Pride. Visit your favourite spots in town and join the party with scavenger hunts, trivia nights, discussion groups, movies, and the city parade on June 18. For a complete list of events, visit the Thunder Pride official website. See this month’s Top Five for more info.

June 4, 9 pm

Sugar Shakedown

Black Pirates Pub Find summer love, or your new summer song, at the Sugar Shakedown, featuring Miss Temperance, DJ Luv, David Shaw, Doran, and Peter Wragg. Advance tickets are available online. This is a 19-plus event.

thunderpride.ca

blackpiratespub.com

Reels

Sun Life Walk to Cure Diabetes

Celebrate four years of StandUp4CleanUp with music, food, and drinks at the clean-up location where it all began. Grab your gloves and a friend and help Stand Up 4 Thunder Bay.

ATMOS Presents Khiva

Thunder Pride

Fourth Clean-oversary

Join the fight against lung cancer and help raise funds by participating in this year’s Walk/Run for Breath. Choose a 2 km or 5 km route around Marina Park. There are no registration fees, and donations are accepted online or in person. All funds raised will stay in the Thunder Bay community.

June 4, 9 pm

Black Pirates Pub

@sgbco

Jeremy Hotz

TBay Walk/Run for Breath

June 4, 1 pm & June 5, noon

The Junk Zone

Enjoy a weekend of live music, food, and an outdoor swap/flea market at The Junk Zone. The Gin Tonics acoustic rock trio will be playing both days. If you have stuff to sell, contact The Junk Zone for a spot.

June 5 & 12, 11 am–3 pm

Pretty Little Pop Ups Market North End Community Centre

Treat yourself to this two-day pop-up with local vendors to shop from. Don’t miss out on the last two summer markets from Pretty Little Pop Ups. Follow the event page for more details.

633-0606

facebook.com/ prettylittlepopupstbay

June 4, 5, 11, & 12

June 7, 4 pm

Various Locations

Fort William Country Club

Tbay Drive-By Art Gallery The second annual DriveBy Art Gallery is here. Download the Thunder Bay Tours app and visit all the artists in town in the comfort of their backyards, garages, or front lawns. Support and encourage the hidden artists of Thunder Bay. Are you an artist? Don’t forget to sign up for July shows; registration is open June 13–24. See this month’s Art section for more information.

Women’s Golf Day

Ladies, don’t miss out on registration for this summer’s nine-hole social league at the Fort William Country Club. The club offers flexible and convenient schedules, complimentary beverages, and prizes. Call the pro shop for more information.

475-4721

riklandesigns@gmail.com

Adventure-ready smartphones tbaytel.net/mobility TM

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Rogers and the Mobius Design are trademarks of or used under license from Rogers Communication Inc. or an affiliate.

June 8, 7:30 pm

The Trews I Wanna Play Tour NV Music Hall

Bringing a taste of the East Coast to Thunder Bay is The Trews. The Canadian rock band from Nova Scotia is taking over NV for a night of music from their latest album, Wander. See this month’s Top Five for more info.

nvmusichall.com

June 9, 8 pm

Dallas Smith Some Things Never Change Tour

Thunder Bay Community Auditorium Juno-winning country artist Dallas Smith is bringing his sound to Thunder Bay. Tickets are available online. See this month’s Music section for more info.

tbca.com

June 10, 8 pm

Back to the 90s Dance Party

Goods and Co. Market Celebrate Pride with Goods and Co. in this throwback night of dancing, games, and trivia from the 90s. DJ Sugarman is spinning all night while you grab your Pride cocktails at Woodside Bar. Wear your best threads for a chance to win the best costume. Tickets are available online.

@goodscomarket

June 10, 8 pm

Rodney Brown and Friends Port Arthur Royal Canadian Legion Branch 5

Join music icon Rodney Brown on the legion stage with friends Damon Dowbak, Sean Mundy, Dan Zadkovich, and Jeff Korkola as they cover your favourite hits from the 70s and some originals. Tickets are $10. This is a 19-plus event. See this month’s Top Five for more info.

June 11, noon

XXL Scrunchies First Pop-up Vitality Beauty & Co.

XXL Scrunchies invites you to their first popup market. Shop their apparel, swim scrunchies for the summer, and goodie bags with special discounts. The first 25 people will receive a free mystery scrunchie. RSVP online.

xxlandco.com

June 11, 10 pm

90s Night The Foundry

DJ Big D is blasting the top hits from the 90s and grooving all night long. Tickets are $10 at the door. This is a 19-plus event.

@foundrytbay

June 11

Blues House Party 3

Port Arthur Polish Hall The Thunder Bay Blues Society is ending their COVID hiatus with their first show back at the Polish Hall with The Blue Pretenders, Dr. Buck & the Bluesbangers, The Roosters, and The Chain. See this month’s Music section for more info.

thunderbaybluessociety. ca

Until June 12

The World We Know Thunder Bay Art Gallery

View recent additions to the AG permanent collection. Celebrate the generosity and support surrounding the gallery and the ever-growing collection of paintings, sculptures, beading, and more.

theag.ca

June 13, 9 pm

The Glorious Sons Unfinished Business Tour

Thunder Bay Community Auditorium From Kingston, Ontario, The Glorious Sons are rocking the Auditorium for one night only, with special guest J.J. Wilde, as part of their Unfinished Business tour. Tickets are available online.

tbca.com

June 14, 8 pm

June 17 & 18

10x10 Showcase Magnus Theatre

The 10x10 Showcase is back again, with 10 amazing 10-minute plays for your enjoyment. Partnering for the first time with Magnus Theatre, the 10x10 team puts together this showcase to highlight playwrights, actors, and directors in the city. Tickets are available online. See this month’s Film and Theatre section for more info.

Hexis Canada Tour

magnustheatre.com

Black Pirates Pub presents Hexis from Denmark, Svneatr from Vancouver, and local talents Femur and Burial Etiquette. Combining hardcore and black metal styles, Hexis will rile you up. Tickets are available online.

Various

Black Pirates Pub

blackpiratespub.com

June 17, 6 pm

The Unicorn Glitter Ball Dinner and Dance The Chanterelle

Enjoy an extravagant night of glitter and glamour with a four-course meal from The Chanterelle and Tomlin, with Canada’s drag superstar Tynomi Banks hosting. After dinner, put on your dancing shoes and hit the floor. This is an all-ages event. Tickets are available online.

thechanterelle.ca

June 17 & 18, 7:30 pm

Monster Truck Nitro Tour

Thunder City Speedway Canada’s most competitive Monster Truck tour hits the Thunder Bay Speedway for two days and three shows. Watch the 10,000-pound monsters compete in racing, stunts, and freestyle. Tickets are available online.

monstertrucktour.com

June 18

Neighbour Day Thunder Bay and Tbaytel want you to celebrate your neighbours on Neighbour Day. Make cards, show love to your area, and share your stories. Visit the City of Thunder Bay website for event details, including activities in your neighbourhood. See this month’s City Scene section for more info.

thunderbay.ca/en/recreation/neighbour-day

June 21, noon

National Indigenous Peoples Day Anemki Wajiw

Join Thunder Bay’s Indigenous community to celebrate and recognize National Indigenous Peoples Day with a pow wow, the Black Lodge Singers, dancing, bannock, and tacos in a bag. This is a free event to attend and all are welcome. See this month’s Top Five for more info.

facebook.com/NADTBAY

June 21, 5:30 pm

Free Yoga for the Summer Solstice Hillcrest Park

Celebrate the beginning of summer and National Indigenous Peoples Day with Modo Yoga as they guide you through a free yoga class with Hillcrest Park’s beautiful views. Visit their website for event details.

modoyogo.com/ thunderbay

Until June 19

June 23, 8 pm

Thunder Bay Art Gallery

Port Arthur Royal Canadian Legion Branch 5

Katie Lemieux’s Ending Up Enjoy Katie Lemieux’s first solo exhibition featuring her riveting sculpture style and emotional display of nonverbal communication.

theag.ca

June 20–23

Chicago: High School Edition Paramount Theatre

Paramount Live presents their production of Chicago: High School Edition. Watch this epic love story unfold onstage with murder, betrayal, fame, and the American dream. This is an all ages show. Tickets are available online.

@paramountlive

Bill Durst and ThunderMug

Your favourites are back at the Legion clubroom. Sing the blues with Bill Durst and ThunderMug, and relive your top tracks. Tickets are $10. This is a 19-plus event.

portarthurlegion.ca

June 24–September 25

I, Voyageur: In Search of Franny Anne Hopkins Thunder Bay Art Gallery

The AG invites you to go on Naomi Harris’s 70-day canoe trip through this exhibit featuring the work of the Toronto artist, who voyaged on the same route as Frances Anne Hopkins, dressed in 19thcentury period clothing.

June 24–September 25

Woodland Pop! Thunder Bay Art Gallery

Enjoy this group exhibit exploring new Woodland style art, including digital art, NFTs, two-spirit and queer aesthetics, tattoos, beading, and more.

theag.ca

June 25, 9:30 pm

High Noon 24hr Trail Race and Relay

Kamview Nordic Centre Join the Up River Running team in the inaugural High Noon relay and race. Choose between a solo, four-person, or eightperson relay and cover as much distance as possible in 24 hours. Register online.

upriverrunning.com

June 26, 9 am

First Sunday Skate of 2022 Marina Skatepark

The Female Skateboard Collective invites you to their first Sunday skate of the year. Whether you’re a pro or a beginner, the collective encourages you to come out and learn, experience, and grow. This is a free event to attend.

@female_skateboard_ collective

June 30, 7:30 pm

Snake Oil

Thunder Bay Community Auditorium Watch as this talented group gives you a taste of your favourite rock stars from the 80s and 90s, using music, visuals, costumes, and theatrics to make you truly believe. Look out for their versions of Alice Cooper, Ozzy Osbourne, Joan Jett, and more. Tickets are available online. All ages are welcome.

tbca.com

theag.ca

portarthurlegion.ca

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LU RADIO’S MONTHLY TOP 1 Destroyer* Labyrinthitis

Merge

7 Fontaines D.C. Skinty Fia

19 OMBIIGIZI*

Sewn Back Together

Partisan

Arts & Crafts

8 Tess Roby*

20 Arcade Fire*

Ideas of Space

SSURROUNDSS

CILU 102.7fm’s Monthly Charts for this issue reflect airplay for the month ending May 17, 2022. Check out our weekly charts online at luradio.ca and tune in to the Top 20 Countdown, Mondays from 7-9 am, or catch one of the rebroadcasts throughout the week! Keep it locked on 102.7 FM, online streaming at luradio.ca.

26 Apples*

About the Future

Self-Released

Columbia

9 Sophia Bel*

Anxious Avoidant

Bonsound

10 Altameda* 2 PUP*

THE UNRAVELING OF PUPTHEBAND

Little Dipper

3 Pierre Kwenders* José Louis and The Paradox Of Love

Arts & Crafts

4 Wet Leg Wet Leg

Domino

Born Losers

27 Maylee Todd*

Pheromone

11 Basia Bulat* The Garden

Secret City

12 Julie Doiron*

I Thought of You

You’ve Changed

13 No Frills*

Downward Dog

Self-Released

14 Luna Li* Duality

In Real Life

Maloo

Stones Throw

21 Emma Beko*

Digital Damage EP

Self-Released

22 Toro y Moi MAHAL

Dead Oceans

23 Julie Doiron & Dany Placard* Julie & Dany

Costume

28 Dana Gavanski* When It Comes

Flemish Eye

29 Gus Englehorn* Dungeon Master

Secret City

30 Samantha Savage Smith* Fake Nice

Saved By Vinyl

15 Frog Eyes* The Bees

Paper Bag

16 Nobro* 5 Sunglaciers* Subterranea

Mothland

6 Apollo Ghosts* Pink Tiger

You’ve Changed

Live Your Truth Shred Some Gnar

Dine Alone

17 Father John Misty Chloë and the Next 20th Century

Sub Pop

18 Georgia Harmer* Stay in Touch

Arts & Crafts

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24 Missy D*

Case Départ

Birthday Cake

25 Patrick Watson*

Better in the Shade

Secret City

* Indicates Canadian Content

Advertising Feature

NWO Innovation Centre BTIF Project MDAC (Medical Diagnostics & Consulting)

Mark Mosley, a respiratory therapist, founded MDAC (Medical Diagnostics & Consulting) in 1995. For 25 years, he and his team have been providing cardiac and respiratory diagnostics to the community. With 20 staff members, a pulmonary function lab, numerous cardiac holters, ambulatory and ECG monitoring, and a sleep lab, keeping records and referrals updated and accessible remains vital. “Our goal is to provide these services promptly,” says Mosley. With the help of the BTIF project, he was able to add a physical server and expand their infrastructure for holter monitors. As a long-time service provider in the health industry, Mosley

has created relationships with physicians across the region and is continuing to expand MDAC’s reach. Mosley has previously integrated labs in Toronto as well as North Bay and wants to “enhance the service we’re currently providing to more patients.” By obtaining funding from the Innovation Centre, the team could implement and license a working station and purchase a physical server and software licensing. “We used to operate on a standalone system; now, we can have two technicians working off the same database,” explains Mosley. With the high volume of patients, referrals, and results, streamlining and operating without interruption sustains

their workflow. Mosley could also purchase more heart monitors, with holter recorders available between 24-hour and 14-day monitoring. “The monitors have threechannel recording, meaning the number of beats, days, and events like atrial fibrillation are individually recorded,” explains the founder. Once the monitors are returned, the results must be briefly interpreted and sent back to the patient’s referring physician for diagnosis. They can even be printed as short samples to summarize the patient’s status. Mosley shares that some local cardiologists have also been requesting monitors be sent directly to patients throughout Northwestern Ontario, which

means more hardware and working stations are needed. “My staff is trained and ready, but I need more stations,” he adds. Mosley explains he has utilized the BTIF project in a “number of projects in the office,” encouraging others to investigate funding. As Ontario’s healthcare moves to remove physical paper faxes and switch to platforms like Ocean, an electronic referral system, accepting new patients and staying efficient will continue to be one of Mosley’s priorities. “Short of doing everything for you, the Innovation Centre team is illustrative in guiding through the process and are clear about what we can do together,” says Mosley.

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TattooedYou

It’s Extra Flamey Story and photo by Leah Morningstar

Tattooed by Velle, Hallowed Tattoo Studio racy Pollard is a colourful character. She paints, draws, and crafts, and does it all with a lot of colour, including dying her hair bright colours and decorating her skin with dozens of beautiful tattoos. She has roses under her collar bones, a piece of pizza on her leg, and there’s definitely more than one Muppet tattoo adorning her skin. One of the most important tattoos in Pollard’s collection is her tribute to Willow and Tara, two characters from the popular supernatural drama Buffy the Vampire Slayer. If you’re not familiar with the show, it ran from 1997 to 2003 and followed the adventures of Buffy Summers and her friends as they battled evil forces, including vampires. In season four, one of Buffy’s best friends, Willow, began dating a woman named Tara. It was an important moment in TV history as, up until then, it was incredibly rare to portray a same-sex couple in a loving relationship. The characters even shared a brief on-screen kiss. When Willow confessed her love for Tara, she was holding a candle and said, “I

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brought one. It’s extra flamey.” That awkward little moment became a bastion of representation in the queer community. That candle, that scene, those characters, and the entire show meant so much to Pollard. “It was the early 00s and I was freshly out, a snappy little bisexual in her 20s. Representation was laughable, at best, back then,” she says. “VHS copies of queer cinema were still being passed around discreetly, and a little rainbow flag lapel pin felt edgy and important. Things were changing, but slowly. Then Buffy, or more specifically, Willow and Tara, arrived on the scene.” Twenty years after the show aired, Pollard designed this tattoo and had it tattooed (by her friend, tattoo artist Velle) as a birthday gift to herself. The tattoo is a tribute to beloved characters of course, but it’s also a subtle nod to love, to representation, to fierce magical women, and to moments that burn bright in your mind and heart. Pollard hopes her candle tattoo can encourage other young queer people to be extra, extra flamey. Happy Pride everyone!

STOP AND SMELL THE FLOWERS

ALC./VOL.

EXPLORE NATURE AND WILDLIFE

FREE HOME BEER DELIVERY AT LOWBREWCO.COM #MAKEITLAGOTIME

WWW.LAKEHEADCA.COM @lakeheadregion

10X10 Short Play Festival

Thinking of buying or selling? Message or call us today! SARAH KERTON Broker

C. 807.632.3635

CHRIS HOULE Broker of Record

C. 807.620.9057

10 Playwrights 10 Plays 10 Minutes Each June 17-18, 2022 | 3 Performances Tickets & Information:

magnustheatre.com | 807.345.5552

50Theatre in Education

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Green

Wolverines Under Threat

Wildlife Conservation Society Canada Monitor Animals

Matthew Scrafford

By Kim Latimer

Matthew Scrafford

“We’ve found 12 wolverine reproductive dens where females give birth to their kits.”

Liam Cowam

Learn more about wolverines and other species at risk as well as recent study findings, updates, and information on captures and live traps at wcscanada. org, on Facebook @Wolverine.Research, or on Twitter @WCS_Canada.

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olverines are a threatened s p e c i e s . Scientists with the Wildlife Conservation Society Canada (WCSC) have monitored them in northern Ontario since 2003. What we know is that human disturbances are driving them farther and farther north, an indication that their species is impacted by the strain of forestry, mining, and climate change, and the human development of roads and forest cutblocks that support industry. “They are tenacious and will sometimes steal from a trapper’s sets. But most people don’t know much about them; they’re a forgotten species that has an incredibly interesting ecology,” says Dr. Matt Scrafford, conservation scientist at WCSC, a non-profit organization specializing in ecological field research of threatened species in northern Ontario. He’s been working with the wolverine program for five years, conducting a large field study in the Red Lake area. “We’ve found 12 wolverine reproductive dens where females give birth to their kits. We’re working with the government to protect the larger areas around these dens from human disturbances,” Scrafford explains. “Prior to our study, only one den location was known in Ontario. Now that we’ve found 12, we have a much better idea of the habitat characteristics of denning areas and how to protect them.” Wolverines typically give birth to one or two kits each spring and some only give birth every second year, so they’re classified as having low-reproductive potential. This, paired with their low densities and significant loss of habitat, has scientists concerned. Wolverines are now listed as a “threatened” species, and are in need of protection, monitoring, and research to help them recover.

“Their range has receded significantly in Ontario and they’re facing habitat loss and increased mortality risk from roads and other industrial developments,” Scrafford says. In Red Lake, WCSC scientists are using live traps and GPS collars to understand wolverine distribution, abundance, sources of mortality, and reproductive ecology. They have detected a minimum of 53 wolverines and discovered a disproportionate ratio of males to females (35 males and 18 females). Scrafford says the females are particularly important to the longevity and recovery of the species, however they are much more rare and sensitive to human disturbance. “Specific areas of their range are important to them for reproduction, and they return to these areas each spring. These areas are usually in older, more mature, and unfragmented forests with a lot of structure on the forest floor, including areas with downed trees and tree-root balls, large rocks, or moraines where they can burrow or dig caves for den sites.” With the new data, WCSC is better able to predict where wolverine denning areas occur and expand protection for them. This information is critical for maintaining and possibly expanding wolverine numbers in Ontario. Scrafford says the data is extremely applicable to other areas of Ontario and can be applied to forest management plans and environmental assessments, taking into consideration if plans can be tweaked or changed to protect them. “W ith forestry and mining expanding into new areas of northern Ontario, our data will allow us to understand how these human developments will affect wolverine populations and help with wolverine conservation in Ontario.”

Advertising Feature

June Entrepreneur of the Month

Behind the Business with John Fresco, Owner of Fresco’s Deli

Meet John Fresco, owner, operator, front-of-house staff, and sandwich artist behind Fresco’s Deli. Fresco’s Deli has been a staple in the Westfort Village since 1990, when John opened his doors beside his father’s barber shop. John grew up in Westfort and has a deep appreciation for the area. Coming from an entrepreneurial family, John always had a dream of operating his own business. John and his father worked together to prepare the store for operation. Now, 32 years later, John is still serving his loyal customers daily, slicing deli meat, grating cheese, and serving up the ever-popular Italian special. As the only employee of Fresco’s, John is a one-man operation. He loves chatting with customers about the most recent news and politics, and takes pride in the quality of his service and products. To learn more about Fresco’s Deli visit frescosdeli.com or find them on Instagram and Facebook @ frescosdeli.

Q & A with John

What drew you to entrepreneurship? I followed in my father’s entrepreneurial footsteps (he was a business owner since 1961). Growing up in a traditional Italian family where food was very important gave me a good understanding of the products I sell and serve. I also saw a need for this type of retail here in Westfort due to the large Italian population. One of the best parts of this business is how I get to interact with people and talk sports, politics, current events, and whatever other topics of the day. I also liked the idea of being my own boss and having control over my future. What inspired you to launch your business? I was young and energetic, and it was my dream. I had attended Confederation College and built the building while I was working at the paper mill. When a strike happened at the mill, I decided the time was the right time to

start my dream. With help from my father, we decided to open an Italian deli. I love the adventure of going to work each day, serving my regular customers and meeting new ones from far and wide. I’m a people person and love to talk. It is rewarding to see customers come back to see me after moving away and returning to the city to visit or live. Knowing what you know now, is there anything you would have done differently when you were first starting out? No, I love what I do! I thoroughly planned this career early on by attending school and getting the building ready while working at the paper mill. So when the strike happened, it allowed me to chase my dream. Running a store in Westfort just seemed like a natural fit for me, working beside my dad made it even better! I had the chance to spend so much time with him and learn from his wisdom! What advice would you give to someone trying to become an entrepreneur? Make sure this is what you really want to do in life and it won’t seem like work. Be financially stable and smart when starting out because lots of uncertainties can arise. You have to be able to think fast on your feet. Being an entrepreneur means being flexible and adapting quickly to different situations. I also believe you need to be very focused, passionate, and determined, and

plan to be in it for the long haul! What are you working on now? I am always trying to get new product lines in from different suppliers and get new and unique products in. I am also working on bringing in more local suppliers to support other local businesses. The local companies I work with are all amazing, like Roma Bakery—they have supplied my store with delicious baked goods since day one. I love the idea of small business owners supporting other small business owners! Is there anyone you would like to thank? First and foremost, my late father, who had the vision of helping me to open and own a deli in the community I grew up in. From the beginning, he was my strongest supporter who was always there to help and give me sound advice. I would also like to thank my brother Bryan, who helped in many ways in his younger years, and my mom who helped clean snow, sweep the sidewalk, and still provides me with homecooked meals at lunch. I am grateful to my wife and my sons for their patience, support, and help over the years. To Tony and Derek for their loyal support and sound advice. Last but certainly not least, all of my loyal customers who have supported me over the years. It has been 32 amazing years serving the community. Grazie and ciao. “Little mustard, little mayo.”

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How Do You Plant This? By Hedy Koski

•

You may have heard “dig a hole twice the size of the root ball.” Yes, this is correct. For example, if the pot is eight inches in diameter, dig four inches wider on either side.

•

When it comes to depth, be careful. You don’t want to dig down too much and add very loose soil under the root ball, because the plant may sink over time in the loose soil and become lower than the ground level (especially if it’s a tree). As you are digging, keep the plant in the pot and lower the pot in the hole to measure the depth (this may take a few tries). Once you have the top of the soil in the pot level with the ground or even slightly higher (never lower), then you have reached the perfect height.

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•

Working in a garden centre, I am often asked how to plant particular trees, shrubs, or perennials. Luckily, planting any of these is done pretty much the same way. Here are a few things I recommend:

If the tree you purchased is a burlap-wrapped root ball, then just cut away the twine and burlap material from the top and look for where the trunk flares out to roots. This is considered ground level.

• Make sure the plant is thoroughly watered prior to planting. If the soil is dry in the hole you dug, fill it with water and let it soak in prior to planting. Plants are less shocked when well-watered before planting.

Plant with stake

•

Bone meal, mycorrhizae (MYKE), or transplanting fertilizer—there are many fertilizers on the market to use when planting. Whatever you do, use one of them. All of them have different directions on the label to follow. They all promote root development (more roots = healthier plant).

• Removing the pot can be difficult. I sometimes lay the plant down sideways and squeeze or even kneel on the pot to loosen it. If that doesn’t work I cut the pot off. Try not to pull on the plant too hard, as this may damage some roots. If you notice a mess of roots, especially if they are twirling around the bottom, make sure you spread them out, or even cut some of the roots. This will not hurt the plant.

Dig the hole

Add peat moss

Remove from pot

Fertilize

Pack soil level

Water thoroughly

• Once the root ball is placed in the hole at the correct height, turn the plant if needed for the best side showing. Remember to keep it straight. You will need to fill the sides with soil. Mix some of the soil you removed and amend it (about 25%–50%) with something good like peat moss, black earth, or compost. Pack down the soil you added. I step on it and keep adding until everything is firm and level. • To stake or not to stake your trees depends on many factors: size of the tree, size of the root ball, wind exposure and so on. If in doubt, ask a nursery professional.

t Let’s Gewith Growing Hedy • Water your plant. Don’t let them dry out. For most plants (not all) it takes two to three years to become drought resistant, so keep watering. I recommend adding mulch—it holds the moisture in longer.

Now how much water? Well, that’s another issue. Stay tuned next month for watering tips.

Green

Easing Climate Anxiety, One Conversation at a Time

Heather McLeod, creator of the Something Different This Way Comes podcast

By Susan Goldberg

“What she pointed out was that the secret sauce, the secret to success in our local business community, has been collaboration.”

New Podcast Aims to Build a Community of Hope and Action

hen Heather M c L e o d watched David A t t e n b o r o u g h ’s documentary A Life on Our Planet with her kids, what was supposed to be a comforting family activity was anything but for her older son, Ben. Attenborough’s warnings about the dangers of rising carbon emissions deeply unsettled the 13 year old, to the point of tears. And when McLeod tried to comfort him, she found she couldn’t. “I realized I couldn’t make it better for him, because his point was very valid: we are not sustainably managing our lives. And I didn’t know enough to be able to help him—or me— find a way through that worry.” McLeod decided to turn to the tool that has helped her manage

anxiety throughout her life: conversation. “I started finding people to talk to, people I trust, people I’m inspired by, people here in Thunder Bay who do helpful things in their dayto-day lives. And that really helped me have hope for the future.” Now, in order to share that hope, McLeod has turned those conversations into a podcast series. Something Different This Way Comes, which dropped on May 3, is a weekly series of conversations with Thunder Bay locals who offer smart, imaginative, and actionable takes on sustainability and climate change. The first episodes feature (in addition to McLeod’s kids): Erin Beagle, executive director of Roots to Harvest; Brendan Grant of Sleepy G Farm; Summer Stevenson, sustainability

coordinator for the City of Thunder Bay; and Chamber of Commerce president Charla Robinson. Each conversation, says McLeod, veers into unexpected—and d e l i g h t f u l — t e r r i t o r y. Robinson, for example, debunked the myth that business communities are defined by competition. “What she pointed out was that the secret sauce, the secret to success in our local business community, has been collaboration. And that really became clear especially during COVID.” McLeod has worn many hats over the course of her working life: musician, journalist, and documentary maker for the CBC, children’s book author, and, most recently, as a certified financial planner. Something Different draws, fittingly, on all these different skill sets:

in addition to research, interviewing, and editing, she also wrote and performs the music on the podcast (which she recorded in a blanket fort on the bottom bunk of her sons’ bunk bed). Her training as a financial planner has taught her about, as she puts it, “the false attractiveness of a straight line.” So often, she muses, her clients want there to be a single, clearly defined path toward financial security. “But life doesn’t work like that. And neither does climate. So what are the strategies you can have in place to be ready for all the curveballs, while also celebrating today?” With Something Different, McLeod hopes to create a community that can “feed hope, not worries” about climate change.

Listen wherever you find podcasts, and join the conversation at somethingdifferentthiswaycomes.ca.

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Preventing the Invasion By Erin Moir and Robert Scott

s a community located on the north shore of Lake Superior, Thunder Bay is home to many important, well-adapted wildlife. But there are always lurking threats to any ecosystem, and Thunder Bay is not immune. Invasive species are introduced to an ecosystem outside their natural range and impact the ecology, economy, and society. For example, an invasive species may impact lumber yields, suffocate important wetlands, or threaten commercial fish populations. Recently detected in Thunder Bay by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), the spongy moth (Lymantria dispar dispar) was introduced to North America in the 1860s by an entrepreneur who aimed to start a North American silk production industry. Like the emerald ash borer, the spongy moth is an invasive insect that threatens local tree species. It consumes broadleaved trees, including maples, oaks, birch, and poplars. However, if conifers are the only source of food for them, they will choose to eat the needles. The ability of the spongy moth to adapt to an available food source demonstrates the threat it poses to our ecosystems. The spongy moth can be somewhat difficult to distinguish from other moths; however, there are multiple identifying features. • Males are 20–25 mm, mottled grey, have large, feather-like antennae, and can fly • Females are 31–35 mm, cream-coloured with splotches, and cannot fly

• Egg masses look creamto rust-coloured, and are covered in woven fibre material • Larvae (caterpillars) appear spiky, with five pairs of blue dots and six pairs of red dots along their back, 50–60 mm Keep an eye out for egg masses year-round, caterpillars in late spring, and moths in mid to late summer. Egg masses can be destroyed in a mixture of soapy water or burned. Sadly, the spongy moth is not the only invader to the Thunder Bay area. Species such as garlic mustard, Himalayan balsam, and Japanese knotweed are all invasive plants that are commonly planted in backyard gardens. Need help identifying an invasive species? Want to lear n how to eradicate these from your backyard or laneway? Resources are available at EcoSuperior Environmental Programs, through our website at ecosuperior. org and by visiting invasivespeciescentre.ca. Additionally, you can participate in a Garlic Mustard Pull, held annually in June. The event offers community members an opportunity to learn to identify and eradicate garlic mustard from the banks of McVicar Creek. Watch EcoSuperior’s social media and website for upcoming details.

The spongy moth is an invasive insect threatening local tree species

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Put the sizzle back into Summer The season of sizzling grills, crackling campfires and waves crashing ashore is here! Get ready for summer by getting your hearing checked at Superior Hearing, Thunder Bay’s only locally-owned hearing clinic.

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Health

Active Commute Challenge

By Jonathan Chien, Health Promoter and April Hadley, Health Promotion Planner - Healthy Living Team, Thunder Bay District Health Unit

n 2021, the Canadian S o c i e t y f o r E x e rc i s e Physiology (CSEP) released the 24-hour movement guidelines for adults 18–64 years old. These guidelines provide clarity about exactly how much physical activity adults should strive for daily. In a week, adults should engage in 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity, and several hours of light physical activity. Sedentary behaviour, such as sitting, should be limited to eight hours or less daily. Similarly, recreational screen time should be limited to three hours or less. Another often overlooked element of a healthy 24 hours is sufficient

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sleep. Adults should aim for seven to nine hours of sleep per night, with consistent bed and wake up times. These guidelines are informed by the best available evidence, and even small lifestyle changes toward the outlined recommendations can have health benefits. One way to help increase your physical activity is to engage in active transportation. Active transportation is using any human-powered mode of transport for your commute. While a very low percentage of Canadians (7%) embrace active transportation for their daily commute, promoting active transportation is one

of the primary strategies for equitably increasing daily physical activity. Encouraging active transportation using a variety of approaches— including promoting healthy public policy and improving the built environment to support active transportation—can facilitate more individuals engaging in physical activity. Looking for ways to increase your physical activity? Join the TBay On The Move Active Commute Challenge! This friendly workplace challenge encourages city and districtwide residents to switch their ride and rethink how they can actively commute to and

from work during the month of June. Will you walk, run, bike, bus, skate or paddle? Any commute other than driving alone is encouraged! After you register for the Active Commute Challenge, you can record all your active commutes and track your progress. You also have the chance to win some amazing prizes—even just one active commute makes you eligible. Or why not add some friendly competition and challenge other workplaces to get active? You can check out the leaderboard to see which workplace is leading the charge. Actively commuting to and from work makes it easy

to build physical activity into your day. It can also increase your productivity, reduce your carbon footprint, and can save you a lot of money on fuel. So get out of your comfort zone and try commuting to work differently in June. Already actively commuting? Be sure to register and log those commutes. Working from home? Try a substitute commute. Do something active like walk or bike to the start or end of your work day, or do something active on your break. This challenge is for everybody. For more information, visit TBayOnTheMove.ca.

CHILL OUT

this summer Becky Forester, Broker

(807) 626-3011 BeckyForester.com

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TheWall

Coming Out of the Shadows Editorial and photo by Marlene Wandel

here’s a new fish in the neighbourhood. It’s been there for months, but we’re just starting to talk about it. To be clear, something to talk about was never the problem; in a neighbourhood of parks and a view of the Sleeping Giant, it was not uncommon to catch up with the neighbours for a bit of sidewalk chit-chat. But the double-barrelled insults of a relentless pandemic compounded by an endless winter knocked down our social mojo for what felt like forever. Who knows how long that fish hung there, waiting to be noticed, to be talked about, while we cowered indoors? It feels like waking up from

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a too-long sleep to find a world irrevocably changed. What remains after the lockdowns, this winter of discontent, is somehow less. While gathering was taboo, our spaces to do so disappeared; the biggest neighbourhood gathering we experienced in the last two years was the cremation of the Finlandia. While the symbol burning felt like the last straw, the community space was already lost. While there is hope for the new development to bring life into that space, what is remembered is that the loss of the Hoito and the consequent loss of the Finlandia to the community at large was also a COVID loss, long before the fire. Around the corner, the Lakehead

Unitarian Fellowship Hall also quietly disappeared as a community space while we weren’t paying attention to things outside our sphere of fear. How did COVID so diminish our sense of community? And how do we grow it back? How do we recover from a time when so many of us feared another’s breath? How do we return to seeing a smile as a gesture of friendship, not as a worrisome reminder that someone isn’t wearing a mask? We were all supposed to be in this together, but the one thing we never

were was together. We all knew we missed live music and community events, but the collateral losses of happenstance encounters with friends and acquaintances were surprisingly deep. It's true the COVID pandemic isn’t over, in the sense that COVID isn’t gone; it does feel like that whack-a-mole cycle of lockdowns and restrictions that killed our hope and joy for two years might finally have receded. This spring, it doesn’t seem pointless to make plans, and the things that once drew us out of

our houses and out of ourselves are back on the calendar. The antidote to this inertia of loneliness is togetherness. This spring, we can get together and sweep the neighbourhood for the detritus of winter and COVID and start to reclaim our connections to each other. After two years of clandestine conversations across the back fence, it’s time to meet the neighbours out front again. On a fine Wednesday in summer we can even walk down to Summer in the Parks, together. Just like we used to.

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JuneHoroscopes Aries

(March 21–April 19) June is full of rainbows, and Rams are all over it. Usually a little extra anyway, it’s time for Aries to shine even more than usual. The winter clothes are put away, the summer sparklers are on tap, and Aries be feeling extra cute. Always the one in the spotlight, your friend circle seems to be growing in leaps and bounds. Meeting new people and making new connections is always tricky when stuck at home, so now it’s kind of like making up for lost time. Don’t forget to build in a little bit of quiet time, however. One can’t go at full speed all the time. Communing with nature always seems to do the trick. Instead of fireworks, try stargazing for a more zen experience.

Taurus

(April 20–May 20) Time to plan some summer fun, Taurus. You may have had to put plans on hold last year, but nothing doing this time around. It’s time to book those flights or plan that excursion. It’s really going to happen this time! Stay positive and everything will fall into place. It may be time to shake things up career-wise. If Bulls find themselves in a bit of a slump at work, it might be time to think about pursuing a new avenue or taking on a special project. Sometimes a change is as good as a rest. Your charm and charisma are in full force. Ask for what you want, and you might just receive it.

Gemini

(May 21–June 20) Happy birthday month, Gemini! It’s a great month for the sign of the Twins, and it looks like all things are coming up rosy. Some Gems like to have not one but several birthday celebrations, and some

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By Sunny Disposish

even like to dedicate the whole month to their solar return. Either way, a bit of extra celebrating certainly doesn’t do any har m, especially after a long winter. The supermoon on the 14th only adds to the general good vibes. Plan to spend some time moon gazing, or even get the camera out for some sensational shots over Superior. Many happy returns.

Cancer

(June 21–July 22) Activities are ramping up this month, Cancer, and you wouldn’t have it any other way. Invitations abound and your social calendar starts to get busy. Crabs love summer, and being surrounded by family and friends out at camp—or anywhere close to water—is just what the doctor ordered. A new job or hobby might find you expanding your inner circle and enjoying some late nights. Some confusion might surround you during the full moon, but all will be revealed shortly thereafter. Make plans to go for ice cream or gelato with young ones. Happy solar return to all the late June Crabs out there. This is the month to have your cake and eat it too.

Leo

(July 23–August 22) Career-minded Leos are in a good place. The team is shaping up nicely and everything seems to be running well. The backup supports are so strong that one can even envision summer holidays without returning to a disaster. Home projects and gardening are bringing a lot of satisfaction right now. Plan to spend some time in the kitchen or with the grill creating a tempting new dish. Of course, it’s always pleasant to not have to do dishes, so enjoying a dinner out

should also be on the list. Take some time out to enjoy the Strawberry Moon on the 14th, or make it a theme and whip up a strawberry margarita while stargazing.

Virgo

(August 23– September 22) Sometimes we get a little gloomy without quite knowing why. Mood shifts are common this month, particularly with the recent Mercury retrograde. Luckily, the planet stations direct on the 3rd, but there will be some residual rockiness. Practicing “earthing” might be a great idea—simply spending time walking around barefoot or lying in the grass looking at the clouds. Incorporate a picnic into this idea and you will be shaking off the scaries in no time. Add a few furry friends (I mean, what dog doesn’t love the outdoors?) and you’ve got yourself a lovely new summer routine. A special occasion in the near future has this earth sign looking forward to a glam evening out.

Libra

(September 23– October 22) Don’t be so hard on yourself, Libra. Your pleasing nature wants everything to be perfect all of the time, but cut yourself some slack and shake it off. Nothing can go impeccably all the time. Try to think of the mistakes as learning curves instead. Why not get out and about with some pals? Heading out shopping for the perfect Father’s Day gift might be in order. A bit of escapism is okay in moderation. Curl up with a good book and tune everyone else out. Kick those self doubts to the curb. Incorporating a yoga or mindfulness practice does wonders for body and soul.

Scorpio

(October 23– November 21) It’s finally barbecue season, and Scorps are always happy to get their grill on. Outdoor gatherings figure prominently this month, particularly around Father’s Day. It’s a good idea to get the family together to celebrate the warmer weather. This is a favourable time for home repair, doit-yourself projects, and general yard work. Enjoy life at a slower pace this month. It’s been all go for a while, but now is the perfect time for some rest and relaxation. You’ve earned it.

Sagittarius

(November 22– December 21) Nothing says Father’s Day like a quick getaway. Archers love being on the road, whether it be by air or by wheels. Pack up an overnight bag and get ready to have some fun. Seeing some new sights always puts a spring in this fire sign’s step. Seeing family members face to face instead of on a computer screen is golden. Crack a sudsy bevvie and enjoy some warmer weather and a few laughs. A windfall comes your way at the end of the month, you lucky duck! Ruling planet Jupiter always has your back when it comes to a few extra shekels. Don’t spend it all in one place.

Capricorn

(December 22– January 19) Relationships flourish this month, Capricorn, which is music to your ears. Nothing makes you happier than when previous trying times get smoothed over. Past grudges are forgotten and previous rivalries are forgiven. Everyone is on the same team now, and the united front presents a force to be reckoned with. Don’t forget to tell Dad how much

he means to you this month. If you are a dad or you’re celebrating a dad, this is the time to spoil them in style. Spending quality time is a gift that keeps on giving. The stars are aligned for written communications. You may receive a letter via snail mail that makes your day.

Aquarius

(January 20– February 18) It’s time to take stock, Aquarius. The year is at the midpoint and now is a good opportunity to check in with yourself. Are the goals on track? Dust off your journal and do an assessment. Air signs love a good list, so don’t forget about the bucket list items as well. Have some fun with it. Spending time outdoors is good for the mind, body, and soul. Now is the time to try something fun and exciting, like foraging or something in nature. The new moon on the 28th encourages a new start. Bring some pals along for the ride—the more the merrier!

Pisces

(February 19– March 20) Finally, it’s summer solstice month. Dreamy Pisces certainly enjoys the longest day of the year, and the equinox is no exception. Sometimes referred to as “litha” in pagan circles, it’s a good time for getting outside and shaking off the winter doldrums. A bonfire and a swim sound right up your alley this month. It’s no secret that the sign of the Fish always connects with being close to or immersed in water. Family connections are strong, and there’s a great possibility of welcoming a new family member into the fold (yes, furry ones count too). Enjoy the laughter that abounds now.

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TheBeat

Mr. John Ellis By Joan Baril

“Is it over?” I asked my father when he walked in the house after work. It was April 23, 1953 and I was 18 years old, teaching Grade 2 at Oliver Road School and living at home. “Shh,” my mother whispered to me. “Be quiet. Of course, it’s over. It was on the radio.” My father’s face was grey as he closed the front door. The first thing he did was remove the lead truncheon and the handcuffs from the pockets of his dark blue mackinaw, setting them, as usual, on the seat of the chair near the door. Next, he took off the mackinaw and carefully placed it over the back of the chair, and after unbuttoning his navy blue police tunic, added it to the pile. His peaked hat usually topped the lot but after he set it in place, it slid to the floor. He didn’t seem to notice, so I picked it up, brushed the flat top, and put it in the usual spot. I couldn’t silence my questions. “Did you meet him?” I asked. For some macabre reason, I was interested in this strange man whose real name was Camille Branchard but who always used the pseudonym John Ellis when he came to town for a hanging. My father took the cup of tea handed to him by my mother and settled into his favourite armchair, placing the cup and saucer on the end table beside him. “Not really,” he said. “My job was just to stand by as witness, and afterwards, see poor dead Mr. Hlady bundled up and taken off to the cemetery. This cup of tea is the best thing that has happened to me all day. I hope to God I never have to go through that again.” “Would you take a bit of dinner?” My mother said. “It’s

fish and scalloped potatoes.” My father shook his head as I knew he would. My mother had told me that after my father had witnessed a hanging a few years back, he couldn’t eat for two days. She went into the kitchen and I took the opportunity to ask some questions. “Was it really horrible?” “It was fast, Janet. John Ellis does a quick job, that’s one thing. Ten seconds and it’s over. He carries his own rope in a suitcase when he comes to town. Weighs the man so he can get the right length.” “Why a certain length?” “If it’s too long it takes too long and if it’s too short it can rip the head right off the fellow.” A mental picture flashed through my mind. For the first time, I felt the reality, the ghastly reality, of what we were talking about. My father was going on. “You know Janet, Mr. Ellis is proud of what he does, believes he’s doing the right thing, upholding the law and so on.” He sighed and shook his head, if he could not understand it. “Does Mr. Ellis really wear a hood when he walks to the scaffold with the condemned man?” “Nay, Janet. That’s for the movies.” “But the judge who sentenced him wore a black cap,” I said “Since you’re of an age and so interested,” said my dad, “I’ll tell you that judges in Canada do not wear black caps. The only person who wore a hood was poor Mr. Hlady himself, so no one could see his face as he stood on the trap. It’s as if he’s not a real person, hooded like that, like some kind of animal. “Did he have any last words?” I said undeterred. “Not that I heard, but me and Sergeant McQueen were

Mr. Ellis, digital illustration, boy Roland

standing well back from the gallows.” I opened my mouth to ask another question. I wanted to know what it was like afterwards when, as a witness, my father had to look at the unhooded face, but he held

up his hand before I could speak. “I’ll only tell you this. It’s wrong, Janet. Wrong to kill a man no matter what he’s done. I hope to God this is the last hanging in Port Arthur. You’re young and

maybe you’ll see the law changed because, in the name of God, it is wrong, wrong, wrong. After that I said nothing.

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TheEye

Milky Way, Hurkett shipwreck -Photo by Ryan Hill

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