June 2024

Naturally Beautiful Art from the Elements

Editor-in-chief

Darren McChristie

Editor

Adrian Lysenko

Senior Editor

Tiffany Jarva

Copy Editors

Amy Jones, Bonnie Schiedel

Editorial Assistant

Sidney Ulakovic

Marketing & Sales Manager

Alaina Linklater alaina@thewalleye.ca

Photographers

Jack Barten

Anna Buske

Ryan Hill

Chad Kirvan

Dave Koski

Shannon Lepere

Darren McChristie

Sarah McPherson

Lois Nuttall

Laura Paxton

Sidney Ulakovic

Art Directors

Steve Coghill, R.G.D.

Dave Koski, R.G.D.

Miranda van den Berg production@thewalleye.ca

Ad Designers

Dave Koski

Cory Schick

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 © 2024 by Superior Outdoors Inc.

All Rights Reserved.

Editorial and Advertising: Submissions must be accompanied by a selfaddressed, stamped envelope. Superior Outdoors cannot be held responsible for unsolicited material.

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Telephone (807) 344-3366

Fax (807) 623-5122

E-mail: info@thewalleye.ca

Where can I find The Walleye? thewalleye.ca/wherecan-i-find-the-walleye/ Ad

June 19th

52

63 The Folks You Call

A Cultural Immersion

A New Era for Native Pool Boy

Looking For That Last Shot 72 OFF THE WALL

I Choose You, Pikachu Tattoo

Act Local

81 A Shift in Mindset

Workplaces Working Out with the Active Commute

WALL

Preservation is in Your Hands

The Spark of Creativity From Our Instagram Feed

Often when I'm stuck with writer’s block, I’ll go for a walk in the forest to clear my head (this has happened many times, especially with my editor’s letters over the years). Whether it’s bird calls, the sound of rushing water, or even just the fresh air, I feel like immersing yourself in nature provides inspiration and lights a spark for creativity—especially being surrounded by the boreal forest and Lake Superior, it’s hard not to feel that inspiration no matter what your creative medium is. I would even venture that this is why we have so many talented artists in Northwestern Ontario.

For our June issue, we’re focusing on artists who are not only inspired by nature but who incorporate elements in their work. As part of our cover story, Sidney Ulakovic stops by Willow Springs Creative Centre to find out about their Donning Nature Open Studio; Bonnie Schiedel attends Fort William First Nation’s fifth annual

Featured Contributor

hide camp; and Kelsey Raynard explores the legacy of amethyst art. Plus, we profile nine artists who use nature in their artwork.

Also in the pages of the issue, Nancy Saunders talks to Wake the Giant Music Festival’s Sean Spenrath about a special collaboration, Matt Prokopchuk goes Eye to Eye with the founder and CEO of Inside Up Games, Conor McGoey, and in honour of Father’s Day, our pommelier and sommelier Jeannie Dubois presents some twists on some classic cocktails. June also brings Pride Month, and drag dealer Jimmy Wiggins breaks down some events happening around the city for the month-long celebration.

With this month marking the official start of summer, what better time to feel inspired by nature? And who knows—after reading this issue, you might be inclined to transform that piece of birch bark or driftwood into a work of art.

-Adrian Lysenko

On the Cover

Originally from Ingersoll, Ont., Courtney moved to Thunder Bay in 2012 to attend Lakehead University. Since 2022, she has been serving the community as a practising family law and child protection lawyer at Cheadles LLP. When not in the office, she can be found enjoying time with friends and family, chasing behind her dog through the wonderful hiking trails all over Northwestern Ontario, or writing your favourite monthly Walleye architecture article.

Check out Courtney’s architecture profile on Celebration Circle on page 78.

Quiet Superior Cove by Mac Squires

Courtney Turner

Pride Month 2024 1

June 1–30

Various Locations

The theme for this year’s Pride Month celebration is Rise Up, and we cannot wait to rise up in solidarity to celebrate people of all genders, identities, and orientations. On June 1, Pride Month kicks off with a 5:30 am sunrise ceremony at the Spirit Gardens atop Mount McKay/Anemki Wajiw. For the rest of June, there are more than 20 events to attend thanks to Thunder Pride, Rainbow Collective, Thunder Bay Indigenous Friendship Centre, and countless community members, businesses, and sponsors. Don’t miss the Pride Parade on June 15, starting at 11 am at Hillcrest Park. To see the full calendar of events and find out how you can support the 2SLGBTQIA+ community this June, visit Thunder Pride’s website. thunderpride.ca

Applauze Productions’ Chicago 2

June 5–8

Trinity Hall

The razzle dazzle of the longest-running American musical in Broadway history is coming to Thunder Bay: Applauze Productions is bringing Chicago to the Trinity Hall from June 5–8. With murders, mistresses, media, and unforgettable music, this is sure to be one killer show. Chicago will be directed by Thomas McDonald, with musical direction by Denise Krawczuk, choreography by Emma Dubinsky, a band led by Danny Johnson, and a talented cast of more than 20 local jazz performers! Doors open at 7 pm with curtain at 7:30 pm each night. General admission is $30 and senior/student tickets are $25, available through Eventbrite or Applauze Productions’ website. applauzeproductions.com

Kite Festival

June 9

Chippewa Park

Summer is officially here, and what better way to kick off this season than a day of high-flying fun? The city’s Kite Festival is returning this June 9 at Chippewa Park. From 11 am to 3 pm, attendees can enjoy food vendors, amusement park rides, community groups, arts programming, and a large dedicated community kite flying area (of course). Don’t miss out on this free, familyfriendly event, which has been named one of the Top 100 Ontario Festivals six times! For more details on the Kite Festival (and other fun upcoming events this summer), check the city’s website or follow @ ThunderBayCultureandEvents on Facebook. thunderbay.ca/en/recreation/events

3

June 8

NV Music Hall

You can’t talk about Canadian hip hop without talking about k-os. Since the late 90s, k-os has received critical acclaim for his funky, soulful music, with hits like “Man I Used to Be” and the forever catchy “Crabbuckit.” Catch k-os this June 8 at NV Music Hall, where he will be performing all his classics as well his newer singles. Tickets are $40 for general admission, or you can snag a meet-and-greet and a photo with the artist with a VIP ticket for $70 (available online through Eventbrite). Tickets will be available at the door in limited quantities. Doors open at 9 pm and the event is strictly 19+. facebook.com/RobbieGPresents k-os

5

Lakehead University RetroGraduate Exhibition

Until June 15

Definitely Superior Art Gallery

Experience the work of some of Thunder Bay’s newest artists at the Lakehead University RetroGraduate Exhibition at Definitely Superior Art Gallery. DefSup’s partnership with the visual arts department at LU allows four recent Honours Bachelor of Fine Arts students to showcase the best of their work from their four-year degree. At the same time, you can also catch Conflix , a screening featuring more than 15 thesis films by Confederation College film graduates. Don’t miss out on this awesome, multidisciplinary celebration of young talent and art in our city. The RetroGraduate Exhibition runs until June 15, and the DefSup Gallery is open from noon to 6 pm Tuesday through Saturday. Check out DefSup’s website, Facebook, or Eventbrite for more information. definitelysuperior.com

Keegan Richard

Alyssa Angus

New episodes every Wednesday following City Council meetings

Available wherever you get your podcasts

710 Balmoral St

Naturally Beautiful Art from the Elements

A sand castle, a dandelion necklace, a really cool stick, gooey mud, interesting pebbles and shells arranged just right… natural materials are often our very first forays into art. As we get older, we can lose that joy and wonder of exploration— but fortunately, there are lots of folks who keep it as part of their adult lives. In

this issue of The Walleye, we celebrate some of the local artisans and makers who put their own unique and beautiful stamp on the world using components from the forests, fields, and beaches of Northwestern Ontario.

- Bonnie Schiedel

MBB Pottery, Karen Breukelman

Beyond Ourselves

Willow Springs To Unveil Wearable Art Through Performance

Story by Sidney Ulakovic, Photos courtesy of Willow Springs Creative Centre

At the height of summer, Willow Springs Creative Centre is set to become a fantastic living garden of wearable art crafted from natural materials in Donning Nature: Fertile Grounds of Collaborative Exchange. Over the two-day exhibition, models will showcase the artists’ earthly creations, giving the audience the chance to embrace an otherworldly experience.

Willow Springs Creative Centre was established in 2006 by Judi Vinni, the coordinator of the centre

and one of four primary artists in Donning Nature. The centre was founded on the basis of promoting growth through creative expression and community development by offering programming in naturebased art, gardening, and food. The concept for Donning Nature sprouted three years ago, and Vinni and lead artist of the project, Julia Tribe, applied and were eventually successful applicants for funding from the Ontario Arts Council. Tribe’s background as an artist lies largely in

theatre costume and set design, and they wanted to bring her expertise to the forefront with this project. Their intent was to allow artists to explore their relationship with nature through the crafting of wearable creations and have their efforts culminate in two immersive and interactive performance pieces.

“It was really to say ‘we have time,’ because we never have time, right?” Tribe says of their intent. Since Donning Nature’s chosen medium and delivery are ephemeral in essence, Tribe says she hopes the experience has a grounding effect but also encourages participants to reflect upon what exists beyond ourselves, as the artists have done throughout its creation.

“When we were developing this project, we were just emerging out

of COVID, and artists had not had an opportunity to be together,” says Vinni. “We were wanting to bring people back together, and so we held a spring retreat last year where we had over 30 makers, artisans, [and] artists [...] come together for the day and really start this project off.” According to Vinni, many of the artists at the initial retreat continued to contribute and will be participating in the culminating performances. Aside from Tribe and Vinni, Donning Nature is the collaborative effort of two other primary artists, Tuija Hansen and Julie Rosenthal, and includes involvement from community partners EcoSuperior and the Thunder Bay Art Gallery.

Because the participating artists and makers hail from varying cultural backgrounds, Donning Nature

 Crone Mask, 2023, by Julia Tribe and modelled by Judi Vinni

 Willow and puff grass crown made and worn by Judi Vinni

 Reed Dance Collar, 2023, by Talita Jolene

 Little Nature Fairy, 2023, by Matylda Jasic

inevitably grapples with identity, and what the primary artists hope to achieve in its presentation is more of an immersive art exhibit versus a runway. While the story of Donning Nature will largely be told through the wearable art itself, Vinni says there are plans to host a workshop at Willow Springs with local writer Eleanor Albanese to collaborate on a script, as well as plans for a soundscape to be designed by Zoe Gordon, which will be played live at both performances.

“It’s really featuring the timely relationship to nature and how we can raise that consciousness of sustainability and wellness through working as an ally with nature,” Tribe says. Donning Nature is fundamentally a befitting cultural critique given the current landscape in fashion—the widespread use of unethical labour,

the persistence of microtrends, and the sheer amount of textiles overflowing landfills—and will inspire viewers to ponder fashion’s relationship to the environment and perhaps see where there may be urgent need for growth. “We crave our connection with nature. It is an inherent thing in human beings,” Vinni says. “This is just a chance to really celebrate it.”

To learn more about Willow Springs Creative Centre and their project Donning Nature: Fertile Grounds of Collaborative Exchange, visit willowspringscreativecente. ca. The performances will take place August 24 and 25 at Willow Springs. Tickets will be available via Eventbrite.

 Handspun and handknit Branch Gloves, 2024, made and worn by Julie Rosenthal

 Tuija Hansen with her work Foraged Dye Mushroom

 Betula Gown, 2024, by Nicole Beaudoin

Judi Vinni and Julia Tribe

 Cattails Lady, 2023, by Julia Tribe and modelled by Lisa Macchione

Going to Hide Camp

Crafting Materials for Art and More

Story by Bonnie Schiedel, Photos by Chondon Photography, courtesy of Fort William First Nation

Hide camp smells like wood smoke. Two hide camp mentors are looking at a manual and discussing a new-to-them tanning technique, and there’s a deer brain in a snap-top plastic container on the table in front of them (brains are used as part of the tanning process). Conversations buzz, punctuated by bursts of laughter and the sounds of tools—bone, antler, metal, stone and wood—being used to clean and soften deer and moose hides. Bright hand-lettered signs label various items in Anishinaabemowin: mookomaan for “knife” and bashkweginoon for “hides,” for example, in keeping with the camp’s theme of language and rejuvenation. At Fort William First Nation’s fifth annual hide camp,

held at the south end of James Street just past the bridge last May, there’s something special going on.

Hide camp is an outdoor gathering where animal skins donated by community members and hunters are scraped, soaked, wrung out, dried, worked, and smoked over a series of days to create soft, supple, durable hides. A longtime way of life that was almost lost due to colonization, hide tanning has recently returned to a number of First Nations communities and organizations across Canada in the form of hide camps. Camp coordinator Jean Marshall of Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug First Nation was introduced to hide tanning at a workshop taught by master hide tanner Nate Johnson, furthered her

knowledge at a month-long residency at the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity, and has since helped to bring the camps to FWFN and other communities in the northwest. This year’s camp kicked off with a panel at Confederation College, where members of the hide team, both Indigenous and non-Indigenous, shared how they came to learn the skills and how it’s touched their lives. The discussion with the audience was wide-ranging, from climate change, sustainable practices, and honouring the animals to a deeper understanding of culture, ancestors, art, and language.

Artists Shelby Gagnon and Mary Magiskan, both of Aroland First Nation, attended that first hide camp in 2020, continued to go to other camps, and are now part of the hide camp team as mentors. “When you’re working on hides, people just start talking […] and it’s this very meditative thing [and] sometimes emotions come out too. It’s been a very healing journey for me,” says Gagnon. She

has started building her own canvases using deer rawhide, sinews and red willow. “It’s pretty much like a big drum in the end. So I’m painting it or hit [it] a certain way, and it’s like a drum beat,” she says. “This life of this deer: it’s trying to honour that and paint things that I feel I could connect with, that I’ve been inspired by, like land and teachings.”

Magiskan says that working with hides has completely changed her artistic process. “You can really tell the difference [between factory hides and hand-tanned hides]. It’s really opened up a whole other world for me,” she explains, adding that hand-tanned hides are softer and easier to put even a small beading needle through. “Even the quality of my bead work has changed, and my quill work, because it just has a deeper meaning with the smoked hide. I know how much work was put into that hide, and how many people put their energy into it, and you can really feel that.”

Participants and mentors scraping a moose hide

Hide camp helper Lak Williams working on a moose hide

Participant uses a wooden tool to work a hide

Hides are smoked in a Fort William First Nation community teepee, painted by FWFN member Ryan Newman

Bone tools created by hide camp Fire Keeper, Elder Andrew Mandamin

Purple Reign

The Legacy of Amethyst Art in Thunder Bay

Story by Kelsey Raynard, Photos by Adrian Lysenko

Creating art from the elements is a tale as old as time, and the abundance of amethyst that exists within our region is even older. Whether you’ve lived here your entire life or are a traveller just passing through, amethyst art is an excellent way to bring a piece of Thunder Bay with you wherever you go.

Amethyst is a semi-precious variety of quartz, and the purple colour is owed to the iron content of the soil along the North Shore of Lake Superior. With such an abundance of this gemstone in our area, amethyst mines have long been a draw for tourists and a source of material for

artists, crafters and jewellers alike.

Amethyst Mine Panorama has been in operation since the 1960s, and they have been mining, manufacturing, and selling art made from amethyst in their family-run business ever since. With a mine operation located at 500 Bass Lake Road in Shuniah and a gift store located at 400 Victoria Avenue, Amethyst Mine Panorama has been instrumental in making amethyst art accessible to the masses for decades.

Owners Tim and Lori Lukinuk say that amethyst, and the art that is created from it, has become

emblematic of our city. “Legacy is a good word to describe it,” Tim explains. “All of the amethyst mines in the area are certainly one of things that make Thunder Bay so unique and special.”

While some pieces of amethyst from Amethyst Mine Panorama are sent away to be carved and returned back to be sold in store, the majority is processed and turned into art right here in Thunder Bay. After a piece is mined, Tim processes it in his lapidary workshop, where it is tumbled and polished into smoother, more manageable pieces. Then, Lori and the other workers at the gift shop transform the amethyst into works of art: from jewelry to picture frames, Inukshuks, clocks, and more.

However, Tim says that the unprocessed amethyst clusters are enough for many shoppers, and are works of art all on their own. “Mother

Nature is the ultimate artist,” he laughs. The allure of this natural material, combined with the strong reminder of the region it’s sourced from, is why he thinks so many people are drawn to amethyst. “It’s not always easy to find something locally made, locally handcrafted, or locally artistic, but when you visit Thunder Bay, there’s amethyst art here made by us and our small family business,” he continues. “It creates an emotional connection to the art.”

While the store on 400 Victoria Avenue operates year round, the mine is seasonal, and will open to the public on June 1. If you’re hosting guests from out of town this summer, or simply want to be reminded of the beauty that exists right here in Northwestern Ontario, head out to Amethyst Mine Panorama for an immersive, elemental art experience.

Boreal Musings

Mac Squires

What is your artistic medium?

Since 1980 I have been drawing boreal forest scenes using black and white ink.

What type of natural materials do you use in your art?

My drawings may be on white birch tree bark, fungi, wood, or rocks, but my favourite medium is the birchbark. Each scene is developed around the features of the natural medium.

How does nature inspire your art?

I am fascinated by the effects that I can achieve by combining black and white ink with the texture and colour variations of the natural medium. Much of a picture is already there waiting for me to coax it out for others to see. My pictures represent niches within the boreal forest, sometimes including associated wildlife. I came to love that forest while growing up in it in central Newfoundland. That love continued to evolve throughout my professional forestry career as I took part in forestry events west across Canada from Newfoundland Island and a trip into Alaska. I try to help people see the forest as a constantly changing part of the living earth.

Favourite piece you’ve made?

The one that I enjoyed the most while drawing it is one titled Bearing Up – During Covid 19 It is now owned by a resident of Toronto. It depicts a momma black bear guarding her three cubs that are climbing into a white pine tree. However, my all-time favourite is one called Ice-out –Almost that I retain in my own collection. It depicts a springtime lakeshore scene viewed through a manually altered boreal forest as a flock of returning ducks look for a place to land near the ice edge.

Contact/socials:

Email: squiresm@tbaytel.net

Phone: 807-767-3180

MBB Pottery

Karen Breukelman

What is your artistic medium? I work with clay, making functional and decorative pottery.

What type of natural materials do you use in your art?

Since January, I’ve been using unrefined, wild clay that was dug less than 500 feet from where I create, and fire the pots made from it. The Slate River Clay Collection is locally made with local clay.

How does nature inspire your art?

Since the clay I’ve been using is unrefined, used straight out of the ground, it is an unpredictable medium. I never know until a piece is fired if there will be small stones and other textures or even what the exact colour of the clay will be. This has inspired me to embrace the imperfections and make pottery that will showcase the character of this unique clay.

It is so gorgeous—a deep red brown colour with a hint of purple, smooth with natural sheen to it. I try to choose glazes that will complement it and highlight its natural beauty.

Favourite piece you’ve made?

My favourite piece is actually a set of soup mugs that I made as a gift for my daughter’s wedding shower. I love knowing that she and her future husband will have pottery in their home in Orillia made with clay from the land where she grew up—a little piece of home for her to take back with her.

Contact/socials

Instagram: @mbbpottery

Facebook: @mbbgreenhouse (My Blooming Business)

Website: mbbgreenhouse.com

Email: info@mbbgreenhouse.com

Links

Iceout Almost

Bearing Up

Lady Mary Creations

Mary Magiskan

What is your artistic medium?

Mostly beadwork, birchbark, and dyed porcupine quills.

What type of natural materials do you use in your art?

[Other than birchbark and quills] I also enjoy working with pine needles and animal hide leather, and fur like moose, deer, and or caribou.

How does nature inspire your art?

Most of the materials I use in my art are natural and come from the land and or an animal. My grandparents were hunters and had an active trap line so that nurtured a spiritual connection for myself and nature.

Spirit of the Forest

Jari

and Alisa Siltamaki

What is your artistic medium?

Favourite piece you’ve made?

My favourite piece so far is called star flower power. It's a hair barrette and it's my favourite because it was the first time I incorporated caribou fur tufting with my porcupine quillwork and birch bark. I also used a drawing my dad did as the design so it was like a family collaboration, which made it that much more dear to me.

Contact/socials:

Instagram: @lady_mary_creations

Facebook: @LadyMaryCreations

Our artistic medium is woodworking—working with a variety of tools including a wood turning lathe. Jari is the main creator of products with [Alisa] contributing with some products but more working the business side of things and social media.

What type of natural materials do you use in your art?

We work primarily with driftwood we’ve collected on our beachcombing days. Majority of the wood we use is cedar. We also use other types of wood from our own backyard. Sometimes we use stone incorporated into our pieces, as well as thrifted finds. How does nature inspire your art?

Driftwood has character. It’s been shaped by years of waves, water, and all the elements. It’s unique, interesting, and has a beautiful patina. So often pieces of art all on its own waiting to be

discovered; one-of-a-kind. We look at a piece of driftwood and it speaks to us. We can see the vision of what it is and what it will become: a beautiful piece of art. It inspires us when we see that special something in a particular piece and from there we create. So much beauty to be found.

Favourite piece you’ve made?

Jari: It’s a tie between the woodcock nestled on a piece of driftwood with bulrushes and the kingfisher perched on a driftwood branch.

Alisa: The driftwood signs that say “Love” or “Home,” but a classic favourite is also the various styles of mushrooms.

Contact/socials:

Instagram: @_spiritoftheforest_

Facebook: @spiritoftheforestcreations

Email: spiritoftheforestcreations @yahoo.com

Lake Superior Mermade

Raeghan Howard

What is your artistic medium?

The artistic medium I use is wavewashed natural treasures washed up on the shores of Lake Superior. What type of natural materials do you use in your art?

I primarily use pebbles, beach glass, pottery, and driftwood, but I also use birchbark, dried floral and leaves, as well as “found objects” such as fishing lures, buttons, and metals that turn up on the shores. I combine these found treasures with glue, and sometimes paint or ink to make them all come together into a scene, portrait, or design. I then frame the piece in a shadow box enclosed in glass.

How does nature inspire your art?

Nature is at the very essence of the kind of art I do, [starting] from the gathering of materials (nothing is more relaxing or “therapeutic “ to me than hunting for treasures on the shore while the waves lap the shore or crash into the rocks). I have always loved being by the water; whether it’s a tropical beach on vacation, a quiet northern lake, or the vast, rugged and beautiful shores of Superior. Water and coast inspires every piece I make, from my name Lake Superior Mermade (a play on words—a creature who lurks in and around the water and then “makes” things with the treasures she finds) to the content of creations; often scenes of and in nature, on the shores of Superior, or pebble “family portraits” looking out at the Sleeping Giant (Naniboujou).

Favourite piece you’ve made?

The one that comes to mind most recently was from a mother who wanted a “family portrait” as a gift for her trans teen. She wanted to show the family enveloping them in love and safety, and to have the colours of the transgender flag incorporated into the piece. I used white, pink, and blue beach glass, and the blue piece was actually “safety glass” (a type of glass used with wire running through it to prevent it from shattering if broken) for the teen, with their family surrounding them.

Contact/socials:

Address: 316 Bay Street (Current + Coast Collective)

Instagram: @lakesuperiormermade

Facebook: @thefamilystoneart

Email: lakesuperiormermade @gmail.com

Website: lakesuperiormermade. etsy.com

The Beads go on

Jolene Papich

What is your artistic medium?

Jewelry created with sand from the shores of Lake Superior. I can also use the sand from any special beach—bring me the sand, and I can work with you to create your special piece.

What type of natural materials do you use in your art?

Lake Superior sand, and many different gemstone beads.

How does nature inspire your art?

With nature all around us, it’s hard not to be caught up in how it inspires all artisans—from colour combinations I see in the flowers in my garden, leaf colours in the fall, a good sunrise or

sunset. I especially found a lot of inspiration for my tie dyes from the colours of the Northern Lights this year. Even the sand from Lake Superior—it is just amazing how different each beach sand is. One can be light coloured, bits of white with a very coarse texture, and the beach down the road is a very dark grey and very fine.

Favourite piece you’ve made?

My favourite piece is my Lake Superior Sand bracelet with amethyst gemstone beads making up the bracelet.

Contact/socials:

Instagram: @thebeads_go_on Facebook: @TheBeadsgoon

Sleeping Giant Stone

Deborah Spear

What is your artistic medium?

I have been carving stone for 20 years.

What type of natural materials do you use in your art?

I prefer the softer stones such as alabaster and soapstone, which can be quietly carved using hand tools.

How does nature inspire your art?

Living so close to the natural beauty of Lake Superior is inspiring every day—the wind and wave-worn patterns of the stone close to the water’s edge, the lichen that grows on the trees and

the rocks. We have an abundance of wildlife close by, which also influences my carvings.

My connection to the beautiful area we live in is reflected in my photos and videos of my art in nature—a loon or otter sculpture in running water, a lynx sculpture photographed in a natural setting.

Favourite piece you’ve made?

I do not have one specific favourite sculpture. I most enjoy carving animals rather than abstract forms.

Contact/socials:

Instagram: @sleepinggiantstone

Lunar Moose Treasures

Ellie Törnblom

What is your artistic medium?

I utilize natural materials to create pieces of jewelry.

What type of natural materials do you use in your art?

My work includes the use of butterfly wings, wasp nests, birchbark, and semi-precious gemstones.

How does nature inspire your art?

Each creation serves as a testament to my profound connection with nature. By repurposing natural materials that would otherwise go unnoticed or discarded, I breathe new life into them, transforming them into objects of beauty that transcend their original purpose. In my hands, butterfly wings become delicate canvases, each one a testament to the fleeting beauty of nature. Wasps' nests, once seen as mere remnants of

insect activity, are elevated to the status of intricate sculptures, their intricate patterns and textures carefully preserved and showcased. Birchbark, with its innate resilience, serves as both a canvas and a medium, lending depth and texture to my creations. With each piece I create, I invite viewers to embark on a journey of discovery, inviting you to explore the hidden treasures that lie waiting to be uncovered in the world around us. My work is a reminder of the inherent beauty and resilience of nature.

Favourite piece you’ve made?

My favourite piece, hands down, is specifically the piece I created from the great spangled fritillary butterfly I received last year.

Contact/socials:

Instagram: @lunar.moose.treasures

Facebook: @lunarmoosetreasures

Burgerology 101

By Chef Rachel Bayes

There’s a reason burgers top the most-ordered list at fast food restaurants, and our local from-scratch burger joints are always busy: burgers are damn delicious! A juicy chargrilled or flat top-fried patty on a toasted bun, smothered in rich sauces and crisp toppings? Yes, please, always.

Best Burgers, Two Ways Makes 8 patties

Simple:

2 lb ground meat (your favourite mix of beef, game, and/or pork)

Salt and pepper to taste

Extra Mile:

2 lb ground meat

1 large egg

3 Tbsp milk

2 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 tsp onion powder

¼ tsp cayenne pepper

¼ tsp sea salt

¼ tsp freshly ground pepper

¾ cup breadcrumbs

Mix well, and portion into patties.

Mix together all ingredients except the breadcrumbs. Once the mixture is uniform, mix in breadcrumbs and portion into patties.

Come on, baby, light my fire: If you're using a grill, lightly oil the grates to prevent any sticking mishaps. Ditto for the pan if you’re cooking on the stovetop.

Preheat the grill/pan to medium-high heat. Once the cooking surface is nice and hot, gently place the burger patties on it. Let them sizzle for about 4–5 minutes on each side, or until they’ve reached your desired level of perfection. Remove them from the heat and let them rest for a few minutes.

Now, assemble away! Whether you prefer classic buns or trendy lettuce wraps, pile on your favourite condiments and toppings to customize your burger perfectly. Don’t let anyone harsh on your burger mellow for loving what you love: burger love is burger love.

you go traditional (the OG thick patty) or smash burger (thin patty with crispy edges, trendy but scrumptious), you do you. There are, however, a few things to keep in mind to make your burger the best:

• Use the 80/20 rule: Whether you grind your own or buy pre-ground beef (e.g. chuck, brisket, short rib, sirloin, or round) or game (like moose, venison, or bison), aim for a 20% fat content for juiciness. If the red meat is lean, you can add some ground pork

• Handle with care: Avoid overworking the meat to keep it tender and juicy

THE GRINNING BELLY

Whether you season the meat simply with salt and pepper or mix in a cornucopia of spices and binders (like egg and breadcrumbs), and whether

• Size matters: Shape your patties about 1 inch wider than the bun, as they’ll shrink during cooking

• Mind the dent: Make a slight indentation in the centre of each patty to prevent it from puffing up while cooking

• Season strategically: Hold off on seasoning until just before grilling, as salt

can toughen the meat if added too early

• Sear for flavour: Let the patties brown before flipping and develop a good sear (about 3–5 minutes) on a well-oiled grill or pan. You can press down on the burger with a pot lid to make smash burgers, but remember they’ll take less time to cook.

• When’s it done? Health Canada recommends ground meat be cooked to an internal temperature of 160⁰F. Still, some might want their burgers cooked to medium-rare (130135 ⁰ F), medium (140145⁰F), or medium-well (150-155 ⁰ F). A probe thermometer will help you out, and keep in mind the burgers will “carry-over cook” about 5 ⁰ F after being removed from the grill, so watch that temp! Let the burgers rest for 5 minutes before serving to redistribute their juices

Because I love me a well-organized chart, here’s one to plan your best burgers, stem to stern. Clip it and put it on the fridge for the next time the burg-urge strikes!

Toasted or not:

Brioche

Ciabatta

Hawaiian

Kaiser

Milk

Onion

Pita

Potato

Pretzel

Sesame seed

White/whole

wheat

Sauces Toppings Sides

Barbecue

Blue cheese

Chili

Chimichurri

Chutney

Coney

Guacamole

Hot/Buffalo

Ketchup

Mayo

Mustard (any!)

Pesto

Queso

Ranch

Relish

Romesco

Salsa

Thousand Island

Tuom/aioli (mucho garlic!)

Avocado

Bacon

Caramelized onions

Cheese (feta, cheddar, Swiss, goat)

Fried egg

Grilled pineapple

Jalapeno/banana

peppers

Lettuce (leaf or iceberg)

Mango

Onion rings

Pickles (dill, onion, sweet)

Red onions

Roasted or sautéed

peppers

Sautéed mushrooms

Tomato

Baked beans

Baked potatoes

Caesar salad

Chips

Coleslaw

Corn on the cob

Green salad

Grilled seasonal

veggies

Mac & cheese

Marinated veggies

Onion rings

Pasta salad

Potato salad

Potato wedges/fries

Gin Gin Mule Pocket Change Bar

Story by Jeannie Dubois, Photo by Jack Barten

The newly opened hot spot in downtown Port Arthur is the niftily named Pocket Change, with a quiet exterior that belies its richly textured interior space. From the cool lavender lighting, which highlights the super rad skateboard wall, to the warmly polished wood bar that sports progressive menu QR codes, owner Connor Remus has created a multi-layered cosmopolitan bar experience. Direct from the craft cocktail menu, the diligent Carrie mixes up their cunning hat-on-a-hat cocktail, the Gin Gin Mule, aptly named for both the stunning Empress gin that gives the drink its charming indigo colour, and the addition of ginger beer and bitters, garnished with candied ginger no less. Throw in some freshly squeezed lime juice, simple syrup, and mint leaves to offset the botanical gin and bright ginger flavours, and one has to say change is good!

Desi Chatko

New Can-Indian Grab-and-Go Story and photos by Sidney Ulakovic

You’ll have to think past butter chicken when you’re checking out one of the city’s newest Can-Indian fusion restaurants, Desi Chatko, where founder Pratik Patel is serving up authentic Indian street food with a twist.

Patel moved to Thunder Bay from India in 2017 and brought with him a passion for cooking and serving food, having assisted his father with the family restaurant growing up and eventually running his own for two years. His latest culinary endeavour, Desi Chatko, is a combination of his experience both owning a restaurant in India and working in fast food in Canada, where he was inspired by the quick turnaround standards for the time it should take for a customer to get their meal from the moment they order it. “I liked that concept,” Patel says of North American fast food service. “I wanted to bring that for Indian [food].”

Looking at Desi Chatko’s menu, there’s certainly a classic fast-food feel with the inclusion of items like burgers and milkshakes (and prices to match), but once you receive your order you’ll see it’s unmistakably

Indian inspired—think burgers made of Amul cheese and coated in masala sauce or club sandwiches spread with vibrant homemade chutneys. The menu differs from traditional fast food in that every item is vegetarian and is based on authentic Indian dishes, only reimagined with Patel’s spin. One of the most popular items is the basket chaat: a helping of what is essentially bite-sized openface samosas, topped with a sweet and savoury tamarind date sauce, presented with an eye catching pomegranate and cilantro garnish, and assembled fresh for every order with drive-thru speed.

As Patel settles into the new space, he hopes to expand the menu and looks forward to sharing his heritage with the community through food. “Desi is from [our] culture. It’s how we live in the Indian community,” Patel says with a smile. “Chatko means ‘if you eat one time, you will come again.’”

Desi Chatko is located at 635 Arthur Street West. You can also find them on Skip The Dishes and Uber Eats.

 DC Special club sandwich

 Basket chaat

 Cheese masala bun burger

 Pratik Patel, founder of Desi Chatko

(O’Connor)

(Neebing)

(Dorion)

(Gorham)

Dab the Dad

Classic Cocktail Twists for Fathers with That Rizz

By Jeannie Dubois, Pommelier and Sommelier

The lovely, early onset of spring in our little northern corner of the world has been a delightful boon, which hopefully hails a long and languid summer ahead. However, it does mean that those dads have been out mowing, raking, trimming, chopping, and even flipping burgers ahead of

Oaxaca Old Fashioned

Ingredients:

1½ oz reposado tequila (think Espolon)

1½ oz joven mezcal (think Ojo De Tigre)

2 dashes Angostura bitters

¼ oz agave syrup

Ice

Flamed orange peel for garnish

Method:

Combine the tequila, mezcal, bitters, and agave syrup in a rocks glass with a few cubes of ice. Stir until chilled and well blended. Carefully hold a small piece of orange peel (think a bit larger than a toonie) skin side down over the glass and gently pass a lit match under to warm it. Once warm, lift both above the drink and carefully squeeze the peel to release the skin’s oil. This is the fun part! The oil will ignite briefly and will season the drink, and then you can add the peel to the glass for even more flavour. Don’t forget to blow out the match!

SUPERIOR SIP

schedule, so may need a welldeserved break by the time their special day rolls around.

If you’re on barbecue duty on Father’s Day to give that great guy some time off his feet, perhaps you can stir up an inspired cocktail to say thank you when he’s truly kicked up his feet to rest.

Cryo-Palmer

Ingredients:

(serves 4)

8 black tea bags (preferably English Breakfast)

5 Tbsp sugar

3½ c pre-made lemonade

1 c vodka

Lemon wheels for garnish (4 ice cube trays for process)

Method:

Bring 3½ c of water to boil in a medium saucepan. Remove from heat and add tea bags and sugar. Let steep for 4 minutes. Discard tea bags and let cool slightly. Pour slightly cooled tea into two ice cube trays and chill remaining liquid (there should be about ½ c left). Pour pre-made lemonade into remaining two ice cube trays and chill remaining liquid (about ½ c). Freeze ice cube trays until solid (3–4 hours). When set, blend lemonade cubes, ½ c vodka and remaining lemonade in a blender until smooth. Transfer to a pitcher. Rinse blender and repeat with tea cubes, remaining vodka, and remaining tea. Using Collins glasses, tilt to one side and fill halfway with lemonade mixture from the pitcher. Slowly return glasses to upright position and pour in blended tea mixture from blender, creating a swirl. Garnish with a lemon wheel and chill out like Arnold on the course.

Cervez-ito

Ingredients:

4 lime wedges

12 mint leaves

1 tsp simple syrup

1½ oz white rum

Can golden ale (to fill) Crushed ice

Method:

Set aside 1 lime wedge, and squeeze the juice from the remaining 3 wedges into a pint glass. Drop the spent wedges into the glass and muddle lightly until juicy again. Set aside 3 mint leaves, then put the rest in the glass and add the simple syrup. Fill the glass with crushed ice then pour the rum over all. Stir upwards from the bottom with a long handled spoon to evenly disperse ingredients. Top the glass with golden ale, garnish rim with remaining lime wedge, and place remaining mint leaves on top for a super chill deck drink.

Old Pal

Ingredients:

1 oz rye whiskey (think Dillon’s)

1 oz Campari

1 oz dry vermouth (think Martini)

Lemon peel for garnish

Ice

Method:

Add rye, Campari, and dry vermouth to a cocktail shaker filled with ice and stir until well chilled. Strain into either a chilled coupe glass or an ice filled rocks glass and garnish with lemon peel. Choose straight up or on the rocks as per Dad’s preference!

Calypso Coffee

Ingredients:

1 c brewed strong black coffee

1 oz coffee liqueur (think Kahlua)

1 oz dark rum (think Kraken)

1 tsp sugar

1 oz double cream

Ice

Coffee beans or grated dark chocolate for garnish

Method:

Pour the hot coffee into a heatproof mug (clear glass has the best effect). Stir in the liqueur, rum, and sugar and mix until the sugar has dissolved. Place a handful of ice in a cocktail shaker and add the cream. Shake a few times until the outside of the shaker feels frosty. Slowly strain the cream on top of the coffee mixture—if you pour over the back of a teaspoon, it slows the pour and ensures the cream will float. Dad likes it sweet? Top with grated chocolate. Dad likes savoury? Top with a coffee bean.

Lumache Rigate

Alla Vodka

Caribou Restaurant + Wine Bar

Story and photo by Jack Barten

For 25 years, Caribou has been one of the most popular restaurants in Thunder Bay. With a classic yet exciting menu, the cervid-named restaurant has been a local favourite since day one. so it’s only natural that all this experience is masterfully showcased in their lumache rigate alla vodka. A true comfort dish, the lumache rigate alla vodka combines oven-roasted tomato sauce, chili, cream, butter, basil, vodka, and parmesan cheese

to create a crowd-pleaser. Lumache is a traditional pasta hailing from the Piedmont region in Italy, made to resemble the shell of a snail; Big Lake Pasta’s version, used in this dish, is infused with Calabrian chilies to add a bit of heat. Next, there is the sauce: garlic, basil, and plum tomatoes are roasted with olive oil in the same pan to ensure concentrated and consistent flavours, then the roasted vegetables are puréed with cream and red pepper

paste to create a complex and creamy sauce with a slight hint of warm spice. Then, to order, the chef sautés onions and flambés vodka, adding the sauce and pasta to create a rich and cohesive texture. The resulting dish is a homestyle pasta, with the lumache exquisitely cradling the sauce, ensuring a decadent mouthfeel and satisfying bite. The sauce itself is well balanced, with the acidity of the tomato, the spice of the chilies, and the cream combining in a familiar and dynamic manner. Finally, one will no doubt appreciate the generous portion of parmesan cheese topping the finished pasta, further contrasting the light spice and making the pasta just that much more creamy.

When you make the obvious decision to order this pasta, you

will also have the option of adding shrimp to the dish (which is pictured here). The addition of shrimp makes for a great variation in texture, and adds a great note of fresh seafood and a hearty protein that some will surely love.

While many of us may roll our eyes at hearing “practice makes perfect,” with the lumache rigate alla vodka, Caribou makes the adage hard to argue with. So, next time you find yourself looking for a comforting and authentic pasta dish, look no further than one of your old favourites, Caribou Restaurant.

Community Gardens are Good Medicine

By Sheena Campbell, Thunder Bay Indigenous Friendship Centre, Wiisinadaa Let’s Eat Nutrition Support Worker

As I sit on the edge of one of the newly built garden boxes at the back of the Thunder Bay Indigenous Friendship Centre, thinking about how to maximize the limited space to grow produce, I take the time to reflect on the last year, and the countless conversations I have had with my clients and community members accessing our monthly food bank about being food insecure. I have met people in tears, heard stories of families only having enough for one meal a day, and had conversations on how the lack of food has caused detriment to both physical and mental health.

It’s a large issue that our city and beyond is facing and I can’t help but think about how important community gardens are, not only for food security but for all aspects of one’s health and well-being as considered by the medicine wheel—physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual. Healthy food is good medicine for the body, but community gardens go further than that. They encourage people to reconnect with the land, release stress, and experience healing, while also creating a sense of belonging and togetherness. This is incredibly important to Indigenous people and a teaching given to me by Elders and cultural teachers, which I ensure I incorporate in all my programs.

I run Wiisinadaa: Let’s Eat, a food-based diabetes prevention and management program that seeks to improve the health outcomes for urban Indigenous people by increasing access, knowledge, and skills around healthy eating, nutrition, traditional foods, and traditional ways of knowing. I do this by offering cooking classes, nutrition education, foraging opportunities, food supports, gardening, and more.

Last year was the first time I had been part of a community garden, thanks in part to Roots Community Food Centre’s community garden plots at Volunteer Pool. My coworker from the Healthy Living program and I, along with some of our clients, spent the season learning, weeding, watering, and growing our own plot. This yielded enough to have a food preservation class in partnership with Roots, and facilitate our own baking and cooking classes for clients to learn how to use the produce we grew.

What I witnessed through this programming was a beautiful unfolding of new friendships, growth in confidence, improved moods, and the determination to achieve goals. I had one client specifically tell me that when he doesn’t have to worry about food, he feels less tired and mentally well enough to

tackle other aspects of his life. This creates a domino effect where he feels he can then be present and better support his family.

I truly believe society needs to put more focus on community gardens. Not only are they a practical means for food security in a time of increased costs of living, but the happiness and sense of pride that comes when a person gets something fresh from a community garden they contributed to cannot be matched.

As I get up from sitting on the edge of that garden box, I have a greater vision for what I want to see

grow there this season—some carrots and beans, some lettuce, and maybe some dill. In the other box, I can see tobacco and sage, and maybe some sweetgrass, too. I see the involvement of the Friendship Centre community, the laughs and the connections. I see people taking home fresh produce, and more cooking classes where people don’t feel hungry and can enjoy the fruits of their labour.

To get involved in the Wiisinadaa program, reach out to Sheena at sheena.campbell@tbifc.ca or 807-345-5840 x 9088.

Witchy Kitchen Baking

Up Delicious Hocus Pocus

By Susan Pretty

Introducing Pam Tallon and Andrew Yates, the team behind Witchy Kitchen and its magically delicious wares. While selling seedlings and produce at their Growing North booth at the Kakabeka Farmers’ Market, the couple toyed with the idea of bringing in some baked goods once a week. With encouragement from their friends and family, they began branding their baked goods under the Witchy Kitchen name, with some very positive results. Fittingly, the Witches Walk in September of 2023 was one of the first events where they were fully branded with their new name. “It ended up being the perfect launch pad and we absolutely loved it,” Tallon says.

Witchy Kitchen offerings include

cupcakes (the ones with chai penuche icing though!), cake pops, and cinnamon stars. Witchy Kitchen also takes custom orders, and has put together an entire Harry Potterthemed menu (complete with golden snitch cake pops), as well as curling, golfing, Taylor Swift, and unicorns, to name a few. “Special events such as baby showers and graduations have kept us quite busy, including creating entire package branding for custom sugar cookie sets,” Tallon says. “We are looking forward to some weddings coming up this fall and all the excitement those bring.”

After one bite of Witchy Kitchen’s delightful concoctions, you too will be wondering “What is this sorcery?”

Pam Tallon and Andrew Yates

Witchy Kitchen’s selection of magical treats are available to order through myLocalism. ca, or Facebook or Instagram @witchykitchen.tbay. Select items are also available at Beefcake’s Burger Factory on Hodder, Bean Fiend, or Bean and Olive. Prepare to be spellbound!

Murder, Stardom, and Fame

Applauze Productions Presents Chicago

By Sidney Ulakovic

The show is about murder, stardom, fame, and the lengths some people will go to have their moment in the spotlight,” says actor Chris Jason about the upcoming Applauze production of the musical Chicago. Chicago follows the nightclub sensation-turned-murderess Velma Kelly (Jessie Kajorinne) and vaudeville wannabe-turned-media darling Roxie Hart (Tara Rowe) as they compete for their turn centre stage in the media circus led by Billy Flynn (Daniel Hannah), a lawyer with the gift of the gab. Neither woman will settle, saying any lie and spinning any tale until they are the name on everybody’s lips. The cast of characters is padded out with husbands who probably deserved their death sentence, merry murderesses, prison matrons, reporters who feed the media frenzy, and onlookers looking for their own five minutes of fame.

Director Thomas McDonald is excited to reimagine this classic musical. “It’s the quintessential musical theatre,” says McDonald. “[It] felt timely and exciting to explore this story set in the 1920s in the middle of the 2020s—to see what has changed and what remains the same.” Applauze Productions is no stranger to musical theatre

with a seedy underbelly, having produced both Cabaret and the Drowsy Chaperone and Spring Awakening in the past, and the timing seemed right for Applauze to tackle a production with mature themes.

In addition to the direction of McDonald, Chicago’s crew off the stage boasts a wealth of talent. Audiences can look forward to hearing classic songs from Chicago under the musical direction of Denise Krawczuk, a live band helmed by Danny Johnson, electrifying choreography by Emma Dubinsky, and lights and sound designed by Russell Krawczuk.

“This is an excellent example of what Thunder Bay theatre can produce, and it deserves an audience,” says Jason. “The amount of talent, effort, time, energy, and love everyone puts into this is incredible.”

Chicago runs June 5–8 at Trinity Hall, 30 Algoma Street South (using the Park Avenue entrance). For more information, visit applauzeproductions.com or find them on Facebook or Instagram.

Trevor Barker and Tara Rowe

All the Daze Productions Goes Somewhere Over the Rainbow

Story by Taylor Onski, Photos by Dan Lloyd

When Marley Martell was just five years old, she received a one-of-a-kind gift: ruby slippers like Dorothy’s from her favourite story, The Wizard Of Oz Now, 10 years later, Martell is in a full circle moment playing Dorothy in All the Daze’s production of Oz

“The Wizard of Oz is the type of show where I could be anyone in Oz, because I love it so much,” says Martell. “I’ve never stopped being a fan, but I definitely chilled out for a while. But it’s nice to get back into the story and watch different adaptations, read different things, and figure out how to play Dorothy and build her character.”

Following Dorothy’s twisted journey from Kansas to Oz with unlikely friends the Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion, Oz will take audiences back to the world of emerald cities, ruby slippers, and witches many may remember seeing for the first time as a kid. However, this adaptation will be a little different, welcoming the China Princess from L. Frank Baum's original books, and featuring an eclectic soundtrack.

“We have ‘Over the Rainbow,’ which is the song most expected and

known,” says Martell. “But there’s also a variety of new songs. There’s some country, hip hop, ballads, and big musical theatre numbers. It’s just a really fun combination of everything.”

This group of teens is excited to take on the challenge of making this classic their own, and adding it to a longstanding tradition of stories retelling Dorothy’s adventure on the Yellow Brick Road. As for Martell herself, the devoted Wizard of Oz fan is a great ambassador for this story because much like Dorothy, she knows the meaning of working with a cast of characters and actors.

“I’ve made so many friends through theatre. It’s fun to connect with people,” says Martell. “[Director] Marcia [Arpin], is really good at building an interesting scene onstage. So I’m excited for the audiences to see the compositions of the scenes and how they’re done.”

Performances for Oz are on June 21 at 7 pm and June 22 at 3 pm and 7 pm at Magnus Theatre. To purchase tickets, visit magnustheatre.com.

Marley Martell

Environmental Art Movies

By Michael Sobota

FTHE SECOND MOST PLEASURABLE THING WE DO IN THE DARK

A COLUMN ABOUT MOVIES

If we dig precious things from the land, we will invite disaster. Translation of a Hopi prophecy sung in the film Koyaanisqatsi

ilms used to be made mostly in natural environments—that is, the outdoors. This took advantage of natural light, and occasionally natural sound once sound became added to the movies. For better control of both light and sound, movies moved indoors to sound stages. Today, many movies are made on computers using digital, AI, and CGI technologies. But there are some amazing documentaries made the old-fashioned way that show us art and artists in the environment, in nature. Here are four worthy examples.

Umbrellas (1994)

Christo was a French artist (born in Bulgaria) who became famous for his controversial wraps. He wrapped things up. Swaddled them. Whole buildings (the German Reitstag), bridges (the Pont du Neuf), whole islands. He and his life partner Jeanne-Claude went on to create elaborate, site-specific, environmental art installations, such as Umbrellas, which consisted of installing 3,100 umbrellas in California and Japan (1,340 blue umbrellas were shipped to Japan, yellow umbrellas were used in California), mostly in rural environments. The movie Umbrellas, made by co-directors Henry Corra, Albert Maysles, and Grahame Weinbren, documents the planning for this piece—which began more than two years in advance, with almost an additional year for installation—as well as the struggles with local officials (such as farmers and politicians) to get the rights to do the installations, the assembling and installing of the umbrellas, and the deaths of two visitors to the installation during a storm. The film won the Grand Prize at the Montreal Film Festival the year of its release.

Koyaanisqatsi (1982)

Director Godfrey Reggio created a trilogy of what are now referred to as his “Qatsi” films. Koyaanisqatsi is the first and, in my opinion, best of these. What Reggio and his cinematographer Ron Fricke do is film nature, raw and also humanized—or, nature altered by what humans have done to it. The opening three minutes of Koyaanisqatsi encapsulate this premise. The movie opens on images of what look like pictographs on a cliff or cave wall somewhere in the American south. The image holds and then transforms into sparks and fire, shot in close-up and slow motion, as we see just the edge of a huge space ship rising incredibly slowly from its launch pad. Reggio has turned these images created centuries apart into environmental art of great currency. He then moves us around the world. We see construction sites despoiling, or “improving," the natural world. We see thousands of humans in their cars on freeways and on escalators in subways. Layered over all of this is a mesmerizing modern score composed by Philip Glass.

Bending Sticks: The Sculpture of Patrick Dougherty (2013)

Patrick Dougherty is an American environmental artist, sometimes referred to as the “arboreal poet.” Dougherty makes art from sticks. The documentary film about his work is co-directed by Kenny Dalsheimer and Penelope Maunsell. Dalsheimer also provides the cinematography while Maunsell serves as editor. Dougherty makes what is called “site specific art”—that is, he hauls in wood (er, sticks), usually pliant saplings, to a specific site and then constructs and manipulates the sticks into three-dimensional sculptural forms designed for that site. In the film, he is shown tromping through the woods gathering sticks/ saplings and carrying them out on his back like a 14th- century peasant gathering firewood. For some sculptures, he requires truckloads of these materials. His art sometimes results in free-standing sculptures that might be statues or huts. Others are enormous, swirling bales of sticks that look like a hurricane has flung them against a wall. The filmmakers move around this work from all angles, while Dougherty provides a lively commentary.

And here are six more environmental art films that you can make site-specific in your home screening room: Running Fence (1977, another Christo installation film), The Gates (2007, a Christo installation in New York city), 100 Mules Walking the Los Angeles Aqueduct (2014), Dialogue Earth (2019), 2040 (2019), and Earth Protectors (2023).

Leaning Into The Wind (2017)

Director, editor, and cinematographer Thomas Riedelsheimer gives us the story of the British/Scottish artist Andy Goldsworthy, who has been creating environmental art since the 1970s. In Riedelsheimer’s film we see both rural and urban creations. Goldsworthy sometimes worked with his wife, sculptor Judith Gregson. He is fascinated by wind and motion and utilized both in his creations. We see long thin rods dangling from trees, and a slithering, snakelike tube in a country stream that might be a kilometre or more in length. Riedelsheimer gets Goldsworthy, often barefoot, to do some set-up visuals that are natural environmental art. We see him bending into a fierce wind on a hilltop, his body pummelled by the wind, ready to fly like we used to sometimes do as children. We see him standing on a cliff with his mouth stuffed with orange-gold leafs, then spewing them out. There is a haunting score by Fred Frith that uses a lot of flutes interlaced with natural sounds: a chainsaw, running water, or blowing winds.

The Old Same Story

New Documentary Brings Life to Kam Theatre Lab

By Adrian Lysenko

Paula Thiessen’s journey into making her documentary Kam Theatre Lab: The Old Same Story started when she moved to Thunder Bay more than 10 years ago.

“I just met this community of artists, and I guess I would say activists, and I was fascinated by how cohesive they were and how striking they were in their involvement in the arts and politics and care for each other,” she says. “And then I found out that a lot of them were involved with this company called Kam Theatre Lab.”

From 1974 to 1989, the Kam Theatre Lab was a professional theatre company that performed Canadian plays and combined mime, music, dance, and circus skills with more traditional plays. The company also toured productions throughout Northwestern Ontario and commissioned local scripts.

“At first, I was wondering if it was important beyond my own interest in the community, [but] the more I really learned about them, [...] I realized that they were really distinctive,” she says. “We're a small community in the north that had four different theatre companies running at the same time. [...] So why did they survive for 14 years? And they were different, especially in the early days, like the first 10 years.”

Although she doesn’t have a background in filmmaking, Thiessen was inspired and encouraged by local filmmaker, artist, and writer

Eleanor Albanese to start the documentary. “I saw that you can do it even if you yourself don’t have a film media background,” she says. “You can surround yourself with the technicians you need, and I can do a little bit myself. But it was just being inspired by others like Eleanor, I think, that helped me think that I could do it myself too.”

Some of the local talent Thiessen has enlisted are filmmaker Sarah Furlotte, sound artist Zoe Gordon, and for music, Rodney Brown and Damon Dowbak (both of whom were involved in the theatre company). Last April, Thiessen held a fundraising event for the documentary at Definitely Superior Art Gallery, where masks, posters, select photos, and scripts were on display for the public and past members of the group to reminisce. “The event was so much fun just because people came together and got to look at the old posters and look at the masks. The masks are works of art and of themselves.”

The filmmaker plans to launch the documentary on the summer solstice (June 22), which marks the theatre company's 50th anniversary.

For more information about the Kam Theatre Lab: The Old Same Story, visit facebook.com/ KamTheatreLabDocumentary.

Members of the Kam Theatre Lab on tour

Raymond Mercier

CONFESSIONS

OF A DRAG DEALER

Previewing Pride

A Sneak Peek For Drag Fans

By Jimmy Wiggins

By now you’ve almost certainly seen the massive 27-date (and counting) calendar of Pride events happening this year—the most events in TBay Pride history. This year has something for everyone, from relaxed and casual events to high energy parties and rowdy nightlife. Several social, educational, cultural, and family events are taking place, all in the name of Pride. Below is a bit of a preview of some of the drag events happening in June.

Story Time with Thunder Bay Drag Queens

June 8 at Mary J.L. Black Library

Story Time has been a popular event for families and small children since it started in TBay back in 2019. Contrary to what some ill-informed folks on the internet might want you to believe, Story Time is a familyfriendly event where drag queens read children’s books, sing songs, and engage in learning activities while fostering acceptance and appreciation of diversity.

The Glitter Ball

June 8 at Magnus Theatre

Outdoor Stage

This year’s Glitter Ball will feature not one, but two headlining queens: Kaos (Calgary) from season 3 and Pythia (Montreal) from season 2 of Canada’s Drag Race. Both queens have exceptional, high art looks and both lean more towards the alternative side of drag (and can perform the house down boots). Expect more than a few “wow!” moments at this show.

Drag Brunch

June 9 at Dawson Trail Brewery/ Station 22

A classic in both drag and queer culture, Drag Brunch is a drag show during brunch. Think dinner theatre with mimosas. It’s a more intimate experience where the queens and kings come to your table during their performances. The song choices tend to lean more on the lighter side than what you might see at a nightclub. Needless to say, drag brunch is always a great time.

Queer Trivia Night

June 12 at Lakehead Beer Company

Queer Trivia is exactly what it sounds like—a trivia night with questions that focus on queer history and culture, where participating teams can win prizes and bragging rights. Hosted by drag queens, Queer Trivia is a very popular event and will no doubt bring a packed house again this year.

Fort William First Nation Drag Show

June 13 at FWFN Youth Centre

The FWFN Drag Show was born out of Drive-By Drag during the pandemic, when queens and kings would travel from spot to spot to put on mini-drag shows for fans in their driveways and yards. We had such a great response from the FWFN community that when restrictions were lifted, many people in the community wanted a full show, so that’s what we’re giving them. It’s an outdoor event that's grown bigger and better every year, with plenty of food, drinks, dancing, and tonnes of laughter. It’s a great show for the whole family.

Pride After Dark (19+)

June 15 at Black Pirates Pub

After the Pride Festival at Waverley

Park wraps up and the sun goes down, Pride After Dark is where the party starts. It’s the biggest showcase of drag in Northwestern Ontario. Period. Not only do we have all of the local fan favourite queens and kings under one roof, but we also bring in queens and kings from around the region to perform. It’s a wild and crazy night for adults only. Last year we had a lineup down the block, so be sure to show up early and catch more queer artistry than you can shake a wig at!

Drag Bingo (19+)

June 19 at Norteños Cantina Drag Bingo is also exactly what it sounds like (are we seeing a pattern here?)—bingo hosted by a drag queen. If you’ve never seen Mz Molly Poppinz host a drag bingo, you’re missing out on a powerhouse MC in her element. This very adults-only show brings an entertaining twist to the traditional game and features lots of laughs, limitless shade, and a few performances between games. If you’ve never been to Drag Bingo, I highly recommend you check it out.

For more details follow @wigginsproductions, @tbaydrag, and @tbshows.

10x10 Theatre Festival

Thunder Bay’s Theatrical

By Taylor Onski

While the 10x10 Theatre Festival held their 10th anniversary showcase outdoors last year, this year theatre and education director and 10x10 facilitator Jordan Blaxill is thrilled to bring the festival back to the Magnus Theatre stage.

“This is the third year we’ve run it in the theatre and we’re excited to be back inside,” says Blaxill. “We can get the players back on the mainstage, which I know is something that means a lot to people.”

Out of the 28 plays submitted this year, 10 made the cut to debut on the Magnus stage, and feature both returning and new faces to the playwriting community. Ron Fromstein, whose familial stoner comedy Like a Kite won fan favourite at last year’s festival, is back with a different (but different-in-a-goodway) story.

“We’ve got comedies that will make you laugh, and serious dramas that will make you think,” says Blaxill. “We’ve got one play set up in Northern Ireland during the troubles and one that’s a series of standalone monologues at the start, but they kind of intertwine throughout.”

Showcase

Turns 11

With 32 local residents participating, ranging from 10x10 first-timers to festival veterans, this festival welcomes in the warmth of summer for artists and audiences alike. The festival's power really comes from this celebration of local theatre—something that is essential to really keeping theatre arts alive in our community.

“Globally, attendance at art and professional theatre events is way down compared to where it was [pre-pandemic],” says Blaxill. “A big part of the education department is fostering that connection between the community and professional theatre. For the most part, everyone who comes to our door is from Thunder Bay. Having that bridge to the community [with 10x10] is important for any professional theatre because they’re rooted in the community.”

10x10 runs June 7 and 8, with an evening performance on the 7th, followed by a matinee and evening performance on the 8th. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit magnustheatre.com.

River Flows in the Gallery

Local Artist and Ceramicist Mounts Exhibit

By Pat Forrest

Thunder Bay artist and ceramicist Sarah Link has had an affinity for rocks and moving water that goes back to her childhood.

“Growing up, I spent my summers in the northern California redwoods staying with my grandparents,” she says. “The property bordered the Smith River. Meandering, the river would change its course in the winter due to the storms, and I could see how the rocks had shifted during that time.”

It was, says Link, a carefree time. “I spent a lot of time tubing down to the river’s mouth, entering the Pacific Ocean where my grandmother would pick me up. During the evenings, I drew pictures of boats and read a lot of Joseph Conrad books,” she says. “The river played a big role in my life and the rocks had special meanings, implying to me that things are always changing, and we have to leave some things behind to embark on new adventures.”

Link is known for her intriguing and collaborative installations, and River (2007), now on exhibit at the Thunder Bay Art Gallery, is no exception. As the name implies, River (2007)

was first put on display in the old Eaton’s building 17 years ago when Link and her friend, professor and sculptor Roly Martin, decided to mount an exhibition called River and Field Seeing it, Glenn Allison, thencurator of the Thunder Bay Art Gallery acquired River (2007) for their permanent collection.

The collaborative work incorporates a movement piece, Grounded (2008) by performance artist Kathleen Baleja, and an original soundscape, “Common Ground” by musician Dianne Potts, bringing together different artistic elements to create a unique experience for visitors.

“Choosing the right artists to work with is so important but when you do, it all comes together beautifully and you look at each other and say, ‘That’s it!’” she says.

Link has been producing porcelain forms to mark important occasions in her life for years. She says that there is a story in each and every one of the forms.

River (2007) is on display at the Thunder Bay Art Gallery until June 16.

Image: Jim Oskineegish, Power of the Soul – Jimi Hendrix, 2010, Courtesy of Ahnisnabae Art Gallery and the artist, detail

Scared Moose

By Penelope Smart, Curator, Thunder Bay Art Gallery

Artist: Sam Ash

Title: Scared Moose

Date 1983

Medium: Acrylic on canvas paper

Size: 40.5 x 51 cm

Gift of Joanne McMacken, 2023

People of the eyes” is a phrase of identity and pride in the Deaf community. These words describe people who process information visually and have little or no functional hearing. Because Sam Ash was a Deaf artist, these words

FROM THE THUNDER BAY ART GALLERY’S COLLECTION

speak vividly to and of his work. This exhibition includes a new suite of 29 paintings on view for the first time. A show like this showcases the support and generosity of donors who help us grow our acclaimed collection.

Ash’s paintings are wide eyed and expressive. A self-taught artist, Ash mixed personal experiences with stories from his Anishinaabe culture to create a singular voice as a Woodland artist. As a characteristic of Woodland style, Ash’s figures, animals, and beings are represented in profile. You can’t help but look directly into

the wild, fierce, or soft eyes in his images. His paintings communicate inner feelings.

In 1951, Cree-Ojibwe artist Sam Ash was born in Sioux Lookout. At the age of two, he became Deaf due to illness, and, a few years later, he was sent to Sir James Whitney School for the Deaf in Belleville, Ontario. He grew up to be a Woodland painter, who, in his own words, “was better than Morrisseau.” Ash loved to joke, and his mischievous sense of humour pops up in his titles. Ash knew American Sign Language (ASL), but his friends, including former sign language interpreters, recall “Sammy” often communicated in handwriting— in a lively, looping script—on the pieces of paper he kept in his pocket.

Throughout his life, Ash saw himself as an artist with something to say. Sam Ash passed away in 2021 and is buried in his home reserve of Mishkeegogamang Ojibway Nation in Northwestern Ontario.

Sam Ash: People of the Eyes is on view at the Thunder Bay Art Gallery until June 16.

Avenue II Community Program Services (Thunder Bay) Inc.

We are currently recruiting for:

Avenue II provides support to adults with developmental disabilities in all aspects of daily living.

Requirements: Secondary Education, Developmental Service Worker Diploma, Social Services Worker, Child and Youth Worker, or an equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered. Casual positions are expected to work a flexible schedule which includes: weekdays, weekends and statutory holiday coverage. Casuals may apply for internal positions upon hire.

A valid driver’s license and a reliable vehicle with appropriate insurance are preferred. A vulnerable sector criminal records check, proof of vaccination, and a valid First Aid certificate are all requirements for employment

For more information: www.avenueii.com

Please submit a cover letter and resumé to: humanresources@avenueii.com

Northern Exposure

Jeff Robinson Photographs Thunder Bay’s Wild Landscapes and Inhabitants

Story by Bonnie Schiedel, Photo by Jeff Robinson

For some photographers, it’s all about the process, the gear, and the technology. For Thunder Bay’s Jeff Robinson, though, photography is primarily a way of preserving memories of his outdoor adventures. “I like exploring, I love being outside, I love wildlife. So yeah, in my mind it’s always more about just collecting the experience […] and more about just being an outdoorsperson,” he says.

Born and raised in Thunder Bay, Robinson studied biology at Lakehead University and earned a master’s degree in amphibian ecology. He spends as much time as he can exploring the Northwest as well as his rural property in Sunshine, camera in hand, and he also fits in some photography time during lunch breaks and after hours in his role with the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, which sometimes takes him to some remote areas. Robinson bought his first digital camera 20 years ago, but it’s only in the last decade or so that he’s been focused on improving his skills through trial and error, a few photography books, and some how-to websites. “For every photo I have that I’m proud of, there’s hundreds, literally, that [the result] wasn’t what I saw, it wasn’t what I experienced,” he says.

Some favourite subjects include the northern lights, waterfalls, and birds. Robinson particularly enjoys wildlife and landscape photography because of the element of the

unexpected, such as a chance sighting of a great grey owl. He recently got a new 600mm telephoto lens, which allows him to capture vivid wildlife shots from a distance without disturbing the animal, and he’s also mindful of not heedlessly trampling vegetation in pursuit of a shot. “I try to be as least disruptive as possible.”

What’s up next? Spring’s migration of birds, of course, as colourful little warblers and other birds return to Northwestern Ontario. “For three weeks before the leaves really flesh out on the trees, there’s good opportunities to get really good views of the birds. Once the leaves come out and they start nesting, they’re much harder to see and find. So I do look forward to that every year.”

Robinson’s love of animals—both domestic and wild—carries over to the fundraisers he does by selling calendars featuring his images. Over the years he’s raised money for local organizations like Thunder Bay & District Humane Society, Paws for Love, Murillo Mutts Respite Refuge, and most recently, Thunderbird Wildlife Rescue and Northern Reach Network. “That’s a way for me to do something I enjoy and to give back,” he says.

To see more of Jeff Robinson’s work, go to northernexposurebyjr. weebly.com or @northernexposurebyjr on Facebook.

 Bald eagle taking flight

 Beaver snacking on willow twig

 Eastern screech owl looking down tree trunk

Tech Specs

Camera: Canon 6D Mark ii camera

Lenses: Sigma 150-600mm F 5.0 - 6.3 telephoto lens for wildlife photos, Samyang 14mm F2.8 wide angle lens for landscape and night photography

Drone: DJI Mavic Air 2

 Lens ball in the forest

 Smallmouth bass in Shebandowan Lake

 Photographer Jeff Robinson

 High Falls on the Pigeon River

 Northern lights pillars

 Swamp River at sunrise

 Kashabowie River in the fall

 Moose in the forest

Brooke Robinson

 Northern lights corona

 Silver Islet silver mine from above

 Shebandowan lightning

 Snowy star trail

body

Roaring Beauty

A Weekend Exploring Northwestern Ontario’s Wondrous Waterfalls

Story and photos by Deana Renaud

It was Friday, and early summer in Northwestern Ontario. With the work week in my rear-view mirror and waterfalls on my mind, I cruised down the red dirt back roads of Dorion to one of my favourite places, Wolf River Falls. My heart was thundering with anticipation as I pulled up to the trailhead, and I could hear the faint call of roaring water in the distance. I carefully descended the steep hill, minding the little wooden ladder and ropes on the way down.

The view from the bottom of the canyon was a testament to nature's enduring power and delicate beauty. The explosive torrent burst from the cliffside and cast rainbows in the mist, a true invitation to lose yourself in the timeless embrace of liquid silk tumbling from the heavens. So, I gave into the beckoning call. I threw off my tank top and hikers and jumped in the dark pool beneath the falls. In the cool embrace of the cold water, with mist on my cheeks, I felt a profound connection to the untamed heart of the wilderness.

After a peaceful, refreshing dip, I made my way back up the trail. I was in a particularly adventurous state

of mind, so I opted to camp out at Wolf Lake and fell asleep dreaming of majestic torrents.

Early the next morning, full of coffee and excitement, I drove to the Highway 11/17 junction to visit a hidden gem in Greenstone, Gorge Creek Falls. When I got to the trailhead, I climbed up a hill to the far power line. The massive palisades of the Orient Bay corridor shot into the heavens off to my right. I turned onto a bush trail and followed flagging tape that led me alongside a fairytale creek and eventually to the magnificent falls.

The sheer magnitude of this monster took my breath away. I scrambled right to the base of the falls and investigated the face of this 80-metre giant. A liquid curtain gracefully descended upon me. The ethereal beauty of the cascading water was otherworldly, and I stood at the base and embraced the sheer force that enveloped me. Each drop of water that caressed my skin stirred my soul and quickened my spirit. There is something profound that happens when you immerse yourself, where you are not merely an observer but an integral part of nature's timeless symphony. When I was finished appreciating

 Wolf River Falls

 Aguasabon Falls

the wonder of Gorge Creek, I travelled east to magnificent Terrace Bay. I spent another beautiful night in my cosy little tent on a quiet beach and woke up thrilled to visit my next falls, Aguasabon. I pulled into the parking area with first light and sauntered down the boardwalk to the viewing platform. I was spellbound by the sheer magnificence of this incredible attraction. A huge surge of water was exploding over rugged cliffs, sending misty plumes into the vast gorge below. In the distance you can see the churning water dance its way to Lake Superior. I sat at the lookout with a coffee in my hand and took in the glorious view.

After my coffee was done, I decided to hike the Casque Isles

trail to Lyda Bay—a beautiful backcountry beach where I enjoyed a sun-soaked lunch with my toes in the sand. It was the perfect way to end my weekend of adventure.

As the sun set on my drive home, I felt so grateful. Each plunge into dark mysterious pools, each mistkissed moment, each freshwater shower etched itself onto my heart. These are the treasures that remind me of the inherent beauty and wonder of this place we call home. Until the next time, may the call of rushing water summon you and keep your heart forever wild.

Play Hard, Reward Yourself

Canyon Country Co-op

By Sidney Ulakovic

Find your local experience at visitthunderbay.com

There’s something very satisfying about eating in your car after a long day of fresh air and highway. If you’re heading back home down Highway 11/17 (or out to chase waterfalls, for that matter) and itching to stretch your legs and grab a snack, look no further than Canyon Country Co-op. The co-op is one of the few places you can stop for gifts, groceries, and grub on the stretch of highway between Nipigon and Thunder Bay. Aside from being a one-stop shop for essentials and locally crafted goods from the surrounding area,

they also serve up hot fried food from their Grill Shack. The Grill Shack opened for the season in March and may look unassuming, but inside that little shack you’ll find all kinds of delicious comfort food classics—burgers and fries, onion rings, poutine, and hot dogs galore. If, unlike me, you prefer not to use your dashboard as a dining table, there’s also outdoor seating for you to make use of as you enjoy your tasty treats.

This feature is proudly sponsored by Visit Thunder Bay.

 Deana Renaud at Wolf River Falls

 Deana Renaud at Gorge Creek Falls

1 Patagonia Baggies

Shorts

Stuff We Like

For Father’s Day

By Kelsey Raynard

Sunday, June 16 is Father’s Day, a day to celebrate the fathers and father figures in our lives (brothers, uncles, grandfathers, and friends, we see you!). While any of the gifts on this list would make an excellent token of gratitude for the men who love and support us unconditionally, don’t forget the one gift all dads love the most: quality time. Corny dad jokes not included. Here is Stuff We Like for Father’s Day

Fresh Air

710 Balmoral Street

If your dad is still stocked up on socks and underwear from Christmas, gift him a pair of Patagonia Baggies shorts this Father’s Day, available at Fresh Air. Built with 100% postconsumer recycled nylon from recycled fishing nets, these shorts are as stylish as they are sustainable.

$79

2 Stony Wilds Snapback

J.B. Evans

122 Frederica Street West Style meets functionality with the Stony Wilds Snapback. From the golf course to the Father’s Day party you’re throwing him, this hat will keep Dad shaded and cool with its moisture wicking technology. Multiple colours available at J.B. Evans Fashions & Footwear.

$49.99

3 Yeti Roadie 24 Hard Cooler

Gear Up For Outdoors

894 Alloy Place

The Yeti Roadie 24 Hard Cooler delivers all the quality expected of a Yeti cooler in a slimmer and more lightweight design. Whether Dad is packing snacks for the family barbecue or beers for a trip to the beach, this cooler will keep the goods ice cold for days. Literally.

$350

4

Lawn Mower

Northern Turf Equipment

710B Balmoral Street

Is it a cliché that all dads love to mow the lawn? Is it still a cliché if it’s actually true? The Toro 17750 LawnBoy mower features a lightweight yet durable design and a 140cc Briggs & Stratton engine, so Dad can brag about his newest lawn toy to all the neighbours.

$499.99

5

“Old Guys Rule” T-Shirt

Authentique Gift Shop

313 Bay Street

Local legend. Old guys rule. If you don’t know me, you’re not from around here. Did you know it was possible to pack three dad jokes into one single T-shirt? This hilarious gift is sure to put a smile on any dad’s face. Available in sizes L & XL at Authentique Gift Shop.

$29.99

6 Golf Gift Card

City of Thunder Bay

thunderbay.ca/en/recreation/golf

If your dad deserves a little “me time,” why not give him the gift of a tee time? Redeemable at either Strathcona or Chapples Golf Course, these gift cards can be used for all services/memberships and are available in a variety of denominations. Check out the city’s website for their online golf store. Fore!

$Various

7 Deep 6 Irish Coffee Cream Ale (Pre-order) Lake of the Woods Brewery lowbrewco.com

For dads who like the finer things in life, this Deep 6 Irish Coffee Cream Ale is aged for six months(!) at the bottom of Lake of the Woods, hand-numbered, and packaged in a custom container. With only 1,000 bottles available for pre-order, this is a special gift that is worth the wait.

$49.95

8 Seafood East Coast Lobster

1515 Brown Street

Treat your dad to a seafood feast from East Coast Lobster this Father’s Day. With hundreds of fresh and frozen seafood products, as well as pre-portioned seafood bundles, there are endless options to prepare your dad a meal fit for a king. Dad bod sold separately.

$Various

Creating Space

Poetry Nights Return to TBay

By Sidney Ulakovic

When Andrei Rosario, operator of Sleepy Gee Events, gathered seven local poets to perform spoken word poetry in his first Poetry Night this past November, he wasn’t expecting the event to sell out in just two weeks. Attendees snapped along as the featured artists performed their work, and were eventually given the opportunity to get on stage themselves with a closing open mic segment—many of whom, according to Rosario, embraced the opportunity. “From then on, I knew there was a huge interest in poetry nights,” Rosario says. Encouraged by the enthusiasm of both the poets and community, Rosario hosted a second successful event earlier this year and is now looking forward to the third installment of Poetry Night at the end of this month.

Being interested in poetry himself, Rosario attended similar events hosted by The Creative Company in years past and found the experience of spoken poetry highly moving. “It was such a safe and welcoming space and people were so vulnerable with their life experiences,” Rosario says. “I wanted to make sure that space is continuously being provided.” As The Creative Company eventually phased out spoken poetry events due to lockdown restrictions, Rosario missed the magic of spoken poetry and wanted to provide a platform for the talent he saw in the city, prompting him to organize and host poetry nights of his own.

The next Poetry Night is

scheduled to occur on June 29 at the Port Arthur Legion Branch 5 in collaboration with Thunder Pride and Rainbow Collective as the finale of their official calendar of events celebrating Pride Month. Given spoken word poetry’s legacy as an act of resistance and capacity to bring social injustices to light, the theme for the evening will be “Queer Showcase.” Rosiario says the event will feature performances from five local poets who are openly identifying members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community: Kris Tonkens, Amanda Nistico, Sam Convey, Clover Beaver, and John Forget. “There’s a well-known history of the 2SLGBTQ+ community of members being silenced,” Rosario says. “Having this sort of event gives those people in the community an opportunity to not only express themselves as an artist [but show] that they also have a voice.”

Rosario says that as this upcoming event provides an opportunity for historically marginalized voices to shine at the forefront and share their life experiences through art, he hopes all in attendance will leave with a greater understanding and appreciation of one another.

To stay up to date with upcoming Poetry Nights, follow @thesleepygee on Instagram, where you will also be able to find information about purchasing tickets to their next event.

 Andrei Rosario, operator of Sleepy Gee Events

Poetry Night at Port Arthur Legion Branch 5

 Kris Tonkens performing at a previous Poetry Night

Andrei

Rosario

Andrei

Rosario

Sidney Ulakovic

Sundays with Sue

Tarot Card Readings at The Mystic Garden

Story and photos by Leah Morningstar

Reading tarot cards is a form of spiritual guidance that uses a deck of 78 different cards to gain insight into the past, present, and future. It sounds like “fortune telling,” but that’s really only part of it. A common misconception is that reading tarot is only about predicting the future; it’s really about interpreting the cards to answer questions and provide advice and counsel about all aspects of life.

Sue Pretty has been reading tarot cards out of the Mystic Garden for just over a year now. She’s been interested in astrology and divination from a very young age, but learning about tarot cards is a more recent development. At first Pretty practiced privately, pulling cards and doing readings for herself. Gradually she moved to pulling cards for her

match different decks with different customers. For instance, during my reading, we used Pretty’s favourite decks, but we also used a deck with a goddess theme (make of that what you will).

Pretty asked me to pull three cards from the first deck we used. The cards I pulled (pictured) were The Magician, 10 of Pentacles, and Justice. Pretty told me what the cards meant to her as the reader, and asked me for my own interpretations. We talked about their application to my life and what they could mean for me. We did this again with the other decks, but only one card instead of three.

for Sundays with Sue is a laid-back weekend mood while you shop. I aim for insightful conversation, guidance, and maybe even some laughter or tears.”

friends and for customers at The Mystic Garden. “While working part time on weekends, I would often pull a card for a customer while they browsed,” she says. “This led me to rent a space upstairs on Sundays for full readings. Before I knew it, an entire year had passed!”

When I visited Pretty at Mystic Garden, she greeted me at the door and led me to the upstairs space she uses on Sundays. The Mystic Garden is an old house converted into a store, so the rooms are small and cosy. I sat across from Pretty and she showed me several decks of tarot cards she’d brought with her. She explained how she has a couple dozen different decks and often switches up what she brings with her on Sundays. She has her favourites, of course, but tries to

I’ve been to other tarot readers in the past and they often instructed me to ask them questions before pulling a card. Pretty does that too sometimes, but says she isn’t solely about answering questions. Sometimes she lets the conversation flow and the reading is more like an easy conversation. “I consider myself to be a spiritual coach of sorts and what I hope to manifest

We definitely had a few laughs; no tears this time though. It was incredibly easy to speak with and spend time with Pretty. She created a friendly and safe space and gifted me with my own little tourmaline gemstone, and homemade cookies to take home. If you’re interested in tarot readings, I would encourage you to turn one of your upcoming Sundays into a Sunday with Sue. Go out for brunch, take a leisurely stroll along the waterfront, then browse the magical and witchy wares at The Mystic Garden before enjoying a peaceful and positive experience with Sue Pretty.

Readings are approximately 45 to 60 minutes long and cost $60. Book directly through the Sundays with Sue page on Instagram or Facebook.

Sue Pretty

DJ Shub Coleman Hell

Drives the Common Man

Ira Johnson Band Thunder Spirit

Chester Knight

Selena Filice Family Law Civil Litigation – Corporate and Estate

Zacharia Warkentin

Keeping It Green

Waverley Park Celebrates Historic Milestone

By Matt Prokopchuk

Ahistorically significant city park will celebrate a milestone birthday this summer, as officials with the local citizens group dedicated to its preservation say they’re actively pursuing further improvements.

The Coalition for Waverley Park will host a picnic on June 23 to mark the greenspace’s 150th anniversary. Keith Nymark, past president of the coalition, says people are encouraged to dress up for the event, which will also include children’s activities and entertainment by the Roy Coran Big Band, Rodney Brown, and the Thunder Bay Clown Club; plans are also in place for an on-site video screen showing displays of the park’s history.

And that history is quite rich. Designated as parkland in 1871 (the COVID-19 pandemic pushed the 150th anniversary celebrations from 2021 to this year), and, according to the city, officially opened in 1906, it is the second-oldest municipal park in Ontario. Heather Morrison, a board member with the Coalition for Waverley Park, says the space only became available as a park in the first place because horses couldn’t traverse the steep incline of Waverley Street. That necessitated the construction of the longer, more gradual incline of what is now Red River Road.

“The area in between Waverley hill and Red River Road then became designated as a park,” she says. “But it’s because horses couldn’t manage the hill.”

Waverley Park’s prime real estate in the historic north core has, at times, also made it a target for prospective development. Morrison says that the land was almost sold off in 1884 to a hotel developer but citizens pushed back. Over

a century later, in the 1990s, Waverley was again eyed for construction—this time for condominiums—and there was “a huge hue and cry by the neighbourhood and people who thought […] ‘no, we don’t want condominiums there, we want the park,’” Morrison adds. In fact, the Coalition for Waverley Park was formed in response to that proposed project. “It’s interesting to me that it was the citizenry that said ‘we want the park,’” she continues. “And it’s happened twice in its history.”

Today, the park’s status as open greenspace appears secure. The coalition and the city partnered on the funding and construction of a new performance pavilion, which opened in 2018. Now, that space is used for weekly outdoor summer concerts (this year, they’re being held every Monday starting July 8 and running through the summer), continuing the park’s history of hosting live music. It’s a longserving site for Remembrance Day ceremonies at the war cenotaph, and Nymark adds that the coalition is also raising money for the restoration of the Hogarth Fountain, the 10tonne Portland stone structure built in England in the 1700s and donated to the city by Madge Hogarth in 1965. Nymark and Morrison say they’re also pushing for the installation of more seating in the park and opportunities to gather.

“We want to help it become a gathering place, like a piazza is in Europe, where people come [for] an evening to visit, to listen to music, to throw a frisbee, to do whatever—just sit and enjoy the beauty of the park,” Morrison says.

The anniversary celebration will take place at Waverley Park on June 23 from 1 to 4 pm. Find @TheCoalitionForWaverleyPark on Facebook.

 Summer concert at the Waverley Park pavilion

 The Hogarth Fountain in its current state

With Conor McGoey

As told to Matt Prokopchuk, Photo by Lois Nuttall

Conor McGoey has turned a lifelong love of card-based and board gaming into an extremely successful business. The founder and CEO of Inside Up Games, based here in Thunder Bay, has designed and published numerous games that are distributed internationally. Their most recent crowdfunding campaign for an expansion to the award-winning Earth raised over $1.3 million. McGoey spoke with The Walleye about how he got into gaming, learning to play piano, and a cool story behind a valuable possession.

The Walleye: How did you get involved with gaming?

Conor McGoey: I have three siblings and growing up, we played a lot of card games and a lot of board games, playing the games people would have grown up playing: the obvious ones— Monopoly, Clue, Sorry —and then going a little bit deeper and playing stuff like Hotels or 13 Dead End Drive . A big one that I loved playing with my younger brother was a game called HeroQuest As a teenager—that was when the

first television made its way into our house—I got into video games. And when I worked in film, I was working long, exhausting days, and a friend invited me and my girlfriend at the time (who’s now my wife) over to his house to hang out, have dinner, and play a game with him and his girlfriend, and we played Blokus It reminded me how much I loved playing board games. I loved the mental challenge, the strategy, the hurdles, the doublecrossing or the cooperation or whatever it is—the story that basically unfolds from the game you’re playing. My wife and I then decided we would start growing our board game collection. We found more games, and I was the one who would get the new games and teach them to our group of friends, and I just really enjoyed the whole process.

TW: Are you a music fan?

CM: I always wanted to be a piano player and I still take piano lessons, but I’m not musically inclined. I was a piano player as a kid, and of course, I was a stubborn kid and thought it was dumb and quit after too short a period of time. But as an adult,

there’s an app that allows us to do piano lessons via app, and you could do the whole family, so I’ve been using that for four or five years now. I do love music. I always have music playing at the office, but you do not want to hear my singing voice, I’ll put it that way.

TW: What has it been like getting back into learning music?

CM: It’s something I want to be better at and I want to do, but it also takes up the majority of my brain. I’m easily distracted about being roped back into thinking about work. Because I worked in the film industry for years, when watching a movie, I can unfortunately be taken out of the movie when thinking oh, I love the way that was shot or that would be very difficult to do. So those things I pull out. Whereas piano really takes that full attention of me to be like oh my goodness, how am I doing this? and to get to a neat point of learning to read sheet music where I realize my fingers were actually playing the notes faster than my brain could comprehend what the notes were.

TW: What is your most treasured possession?

CM: I’m weirdly not that attached to physical things. The biggest physical attachment I would have had until starting my own family would have been the house I grew up in. I

grew up in a house on Brodie Street and I still to this day love that house. And I almost bought it. Relationships are the [things] that I cherish much more than any sort of physical object. But a little bonus tidbit: one of the funny things about Brodie Street was there was a piece of oval glass in the front wooden door—it’s a house from the early 1900s—and it was what I thought of when I thought of that house growing up. I let the people across the street know that whoever bought that house, if they ever saw the front door come off the house, I would want to purchase it. Believe it or not, the lady across the street remembered that, found my parents’ name in the phone book, contacted them, and let them know the door was taken off the house and I should stop by. So I bought our old front door and spent the winter with my dad in his woodshop refurbishing the door, and installed it in my current house. So I said I wasn’t a big fan of physical things, but that’s kind of that one way I was able to bring a little bit of my childhood home into my current home.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity. To hear more, find the expanded interview on our Eye To Eye podcast on Spotify, iHeartRadio, Google Podcasts, and more.

EYE TO EYE

The Interpretative Specialist

By Taylor Onski

“

Ialways loved learning about history and going to historic sites while growing up on the East Coast,” says David Shepherd, interpretive specialist at Fort William Historical Park. “In school, I focused on tourism and interpretation and wanted to work at Fort William Historical Park because it would offer me a chance to blend my love for history, schooling, and professional training in a fun and exciting place.”

In 2016, Shepherd became the environmental ecological specialist at Fort William Historical Park, where he organized canoe brigades, developed Science Day camps for March and summer break, oversaw the David Thompson Astronomical Observatory, and developed STEMbased education sessions. Then, in late 2017, Shepherd’s skills lead him to be hired as an interpretive specialist. From overseeing interpretation on the historic sites to sitting on various committees, writing and directing Living History Site performances, training staff in

BRIDGING THE PAST

interpretation, and researching history to craft presentations on the Fort’s history, it’s safe to say this is a role in which no two days are similar.

“If there is something that I am passionate about, I am encouraged to research the topic and develop interpretive programming around it,” says Shepherd. “For example, growing up on the East Coast and being a sailor, I am currently developing a deep dive into maritime activities at Fort William with a focus on the sailors, shipbuilding at Fort William, and shipping activities on Lake Superior.”

Needless to say, working at the Fort allows creatives and history buffs like Shepherd to ignite their passions and share them with visitors from near and far. With summer events this year including the Great Rendezvous and Celtic Day, Shepherd is excited to put all those plans into motion to bridge the past and present a little bit closer together.

“Meeting people from all over the world and getting a chance to share

the unique history of this area is really satisfying,” says Shepherd. “To be able to do that and work at a place where I get to study and research history, I feel like I won the jackpot!”

For more information, visit fwhp.ca.

The Walleye

David Shepherd, interpretive specialist at Fort William Historical Park

Timeless Shoe Repair

Story and photos by Adrian Lysenko

Especially nowadays, with our throwaway culture, the art of shoe repair is more important than ever. Cobblers not only repair and restore shoes, but they’re artisans in their own right. This is especially the case for Martin Sugg, owner and operator of Timeless Shoe Repair.

“My favourite part of the job is taking a beat-up, worn out, wellloved item, and making it appear new again,” Sugg says. “The look on a customer’s face when they see their treasured items brought back to life is so rewarding.”

Formerly on Central Avenue, Sugg (the city’s only cobbler) has now set up his shop in the same building as Quality Cleaners. “When I was around 18 years old, I needed a job so I answered an ad for a shoe repair technician. It was a good fit as I have always been good at working with my hands and dealing with people,” he says. “I’ve been repairing shoes for about 21 years. I worked for 10

years in the industry, then left to pursue other interests for about a dozen years, and then returned to the industry that I always loved the most, and have been at it now for 11 years.”

Sugg is also an award-winning cobbler, having taken home various trophies from the Shoe Service Institute of America’s Silver Cup, including the Robert DiRinaldo Grand Silver Cup, in recognition of achieving and maintaining the highest standards of excellence in the shoe repair industry.

“I think my favourite jobs have been working on competition shoes. The shoe repair competitions that I’ve entered present a unique challenge to perfect every detail in the repair. Waiting for judging results and the anticipation of possibly winning an award is always fun,” he says. “I’m currently waiting on results from the latest contest, which required the craftsman to repair a shoe in the

WALL SPACE

 Martin Sugg putting the finishing touches on a boot through the finishing machine

most creative way. So rather than restoring to original manufacturer specifications, we were allowed to put our own creative spin on the repair.”

In addition to shoes, Sugg also repairs a variety of items. “This market is unique because of the broad spectrum of repairs that we see here. We work on boots, shoes, belts, purses, backpacks, sports equipment, luggage, and so much more,” he says. “There aren’t too many shoe repair markets that see rock climbing shoes, ski boots, western boots, and dance shoes all in one day.”

For more information, visit timelessshoerepair.com or find them at 941 Simpson Street.

 Shoe and boot soles

 An outsole stitcher

 A shoe stretcher

 Various rolls of leather

The Folks You Call Family

Loughlin and New Musical Traditions

By Justin Allec

Local Celtic-inspired folk group Loughlin have a more complicated background than most other Thunder Bay bands, and that’s because it’s a family affair. Last year, in the spring of 2023, musician Connor Hamilton was playing some small acoustic gigs with fiddling friend Lauren Differ Saxberg around town. Under the Tbay Trad name, they mixed traditional folks songs with an old-world flavour with their own originals. However, it wasn’t long before the duo began adding members. Hamilton’s bandmates from the Bay Street Bastards Ryan Redemption (bass) and Graeme Todd (percussion) joined up, only to be followed by the other Hamilton siblings, Ian and Kennedy. With an array of traditional instruments at their disposal such as bouzouki, accordion, tin whistle, and banjo, the band then added another member— the Hamiltons’ father Ian Hamilton on guitar.

“Me and my brothers were always playing music, trying to learn the next instrument: starting on the piano, then moving onto guitar, then onto the next thing. There was a bit of sibling rivalry, sure!” Connor laughs. The Hamilton house was full of music, first with Ian’s more traditional material, then the kids rebellious forays into punk and metal. While speed and attitude are still

present in Loughlin’s Irish reels and jigs, it’s the storytelling aspects— tragic stories of love and honour— that keep Connor interested. As veterans of the Thunder Bay music scene from different generations, the addition of the elder Ian makes sense to Connor given Loughlin’s focus: “[Ian’s] bringing his knowledge and history, but we’re all adding our own parts,” he says. All members of the band bring their best to the material, even if there are some advantages the youngsters have in the modern digital studio.

The invitation to play the upcoming Live From The Rock Folk Festival positively floored Connor, who will be attending for the first time as both a musician and a fan. Father Ian played the first iteration of the festival, so it's appropriate that twenty years later he takes the stage again with the rest of Loughlin’s found family playing loud. “I’m really excited to be a part of it,” Connor says. “The workshops, getting to play with different musicians—it’s a great opportunity for people to see the band!” With one EP out in the wild and an album close to being polished, Loughlin are striding ahead confidently, as a family.

BURNING TO THE SKY

Kacey Musgraves

A Deeper Well

Story by Gord Ellis, Photo by Andy Witchger

This spring, I was listening to the radio and heard a song that made me sit back. It was a gentle tune, with gorgeous, layered vocals and a spare arrangement built on a finger-picked guitar. The bass line bubbled on the surface and sounded more than a little like the one from Lou Reed’s “Walk on the Wild Side.” Yet it was the lyrics that blew me away. They were raw and honest, yet sung in such a way that you could feel the healing.

No regrets, baby

I just think that maybe

You go your way, and I’ll go mine

It’s been a real good time

But you’ve got dark energy

Something I can’t unsee

And I’ve got to take care of myself

I’ve found a deeper well.

The singer delivers these devastating words like she is singing a lullaby. It’s brilliant and also seems

unaffected. The voice is ethereal, almost wispy, and floats out of the speakers.

The artist singing these words is Kacey Musgraves, and the song is called “Deeper Well.” It turns out “Deeper Well” is the centrepiece and title of an album that has its feet planted in ground that includes Americana, classic country and the singer/songwriter pop of artists like Alison Krauss and Sheryl Crow.

Musgraves has been around for a while now, and has already written some songs that are modern day classics. Her song “Butterflies” is an unabashed love song and got her some attention on both country and pop radio. The romantic, torchy hit “Slow Burn” showed off her incredible voice, as well as her ability to write a song that was both unique and had a taste of a familiar hook, in this case an echo of Neil Young (I’ll

let you guess which song).

Yet on Deeper Well, Musgraves has turned to an even more organic sound, and sounds better than ever.

The writing is also truly incredible.

On “Cardinal,” Musgraves brings a smooth, Fleetwood Mac-ish groove, which slips along on a steady 4/4 beat and has that chiming acoustic floating overhead. Yet it’s the vocals and words that carry the day. Musgraves taps into an old saying that “when cardinals appear, angels are near.”

I saw a sign or an omen

On the branches in the morning

It was right after I lost a friend

Without warning Words unsaid Scarlet red.

Some have said Musgraves is a Dolly Parton for the modern day. Although I happen to think Dolly is doing quite well covering that herself, the sentiment is well meaning. Musgraves has been socially progressive in a music genre that sometimes can be conservative and backward, and has tackled topics such as LBGTQ rights, safe sex, recreational marijuana use, and

questioning modern religion (see her song “Follow Your Arrow”). She remains a polarizing figure in country music due to what the industry feels is a rebellious attitude. Although it seems inconceivable to this columnist that anyone in Nashville could feel threatened by Musgraves, that is the undercurrent.

Yet because of this, Musgraves has been embraced by the outlaw faction of Nashville, which includes people like Jason Isbell, Margo Price, and Shooter Jennings. Not a bad place to be. She has also become a huge live draw, with fans that have a passion that would make Swifties nervous.

If you have not yet discovered Kacey Musgraves, you owe it to yourself to give her a listen. Deeper Well is an album for our times.

P.S. If you haven't heard Musgraves's reimagining of Bob Marley's “Three Little Birds” you need to. It's really a new song but fully honours the genius of Marley. Brilliant.

Treasure Exchange Days are perfect for anyone searching for that special something or wanting to get rid of an item no longer needed. Exchange reusable items like furniture, small appliances and toys – for free!

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 14

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.

• On Saturday, 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.

A Cultural Immersion

Wake the Giant Gears Up for Fifth Milestone

By Nancy Saunders

Wake the Giant is gearing up for its milestone fifth event this September. "We want it to be more than just a music festival,” says Sean Spenrath, one of the festival organizers. “It’s a cultural immersion. […] It’s always been about showcasing Indigenous talent and culture. We’ve had over 33 performers, of which more than half have been Indigenous.”

This year’s festival lineup features Canadian rockers the Arkells, DJ Galantis, indie pop band Walk Off the Earth, and the homecoming of

Coleman Hell as afternoon headliner. DJ Shub will present his new project, War Club Live. Chester Knight, Ira Johnson Band, and Thunder Spirit are all part of the impressive roster, along with Mi’kmaq singer, songwriter, producer, and composer Drives the Common Man, who is presented by the Downie Wenjack Fund.

Spenrath, who works at Dennis Franklin Cromarty High School (DFC) with fellow Wake the Giant organizers, reveals the backstory of Coleman Hell’s return. "Coleman actually reached out to us wanting

to be part of the festival again. He's been a big supporter from the start, and we're thrilled to have him back."

This year’s emcee, DFC’s Student Chief (and TikTok sensation) Nolan Aysanabee, was also in attendance at the first festival in 2019, when he travelled from Sandy Lake First Nation to take part in Wake the Giant activities.

“It's amazing to see how far [Aysanabee] has come,” says Spenrath, crediting his return in part to the opportunities and growth Wake the Giant provides. “[The first Wake the Giant] was [his] first kind of look at Thunder Bay and DFC, and now that he’s graduating it's just cool to see where he started. He was a young kid kind of trying to find out, ‘Can I come to Thunder Bay for school here?’” Spenrath says. “Then fast

forward four years later to graduating as Student Chief. He's on stage at Wake the Giant. All that good stuff; just tremendous growth. [It’s] what we envisioned for Wake the Giant: let’s bring these kids in, give them the opportunity to see Thunder Bay, experience it and teach them a little bit about all the amenities, and set them up for success at the end of the day.”

“We’ve had a hundred students performing on stage, which is really cool,” continues Spenrath. "It's highlighting the Indigenous acts and really showing the culture and giving the kids representation up there."

Spenrath explains that Wake the Giant emerged from the desire to create a welcoming space, especially for Indigenous youth who may feel marginalized. "Students would tell us they didn't always feel welcomed in Thunder Bay. […] We wanted to show the kids there are people out there that support you.” The festival is a celebration of their talents and resilience. It’s the culminating event in DFC’s student orientation series that also includes an The Amazing Racestyle event, where DFC students from remote communities get to know the city, and The DFC Experience, an event consisting of workshops in art, technology, athletics and music, hosted by industry role models.

Tickets are on sale now for the Wake the Giant Music Festival at the Thunder Bay Waterfront on Saturday, September 14th. Get your tickets and learn more about the Wake the Giant movement by visiting wakethegiant.ca.

A New Era for Native Pool Boy

Content Creator Sean Morriseau

By Melanie Larson

If you’re familiar with Native Pool Boy, chances are you’ve seen his content on TikTok. Since joining the platform in 2018, Fort William First Nation’s own Sean Morriseau, known online as Native Pool Boy, has made a name for himself as a content creator, comedian, and storyteller. However, Morriseau is always adapting, and his recent foray into songwriting is proof of that.

Last August, Morriseau released the song “Street Lights Bring Me Home,” which became the first in a series of singles recently uploaded to his YouTube channel. Although these tracks are the first to be released under the Native Pool Boy moniker, they’re definitely not a first for Morriseau.

“I’ve been making music for 10+ years now and […] I’ve always had an interest in creating something

Shares New Music

that is personal and original to me, whether that’s my music, videos, or even my stories and published work,” he explains. “Being able to express myself through creative avenues allows me to be myself without fear.”

When it comes to expressing himself through music rather than comedy, Morriseau sees the former as a more intimate undertaking. “My music is a reflection of who I am […] not a reflection of who Native Pool Boy is,” shares Morriseau, referring to his alter ego. “When I write my music, I’m writing about personal experiences, relationships, and situations that I have gone through that most times are very relatable, but also emotional and impactful.”

Morriseau’s autobiographical approach to songwriting also highlights his knack for immersive

imagery, which he lovingly describes as “giving credit to surroundings.” Morriseau also credits artists like Noah Kahan and The Lumineers for influencing the folk and country pop soundscapes of his recent tracks. For those eager to hear more from the Native Pool Boy catalogue, rest assured that new music is right around the corner. As Morriseau explains, “I’m always releasing new music every other month just because I enjoy the process of creating a song and sharing it with the world.”

Stay up to date with Morriseau on social media @NativePoolBoy or catch his comedy group “Got Land?” at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa on June 6.

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Looking For That Last Shot

DJ MIKEYY Releases Debut Album

Story by Sidney Ulakovic, Photo by David Pistol

Thunder Bay-born house producer DJ MIKEYY invites listeners to step under the big top to party at “CLUB SICKO” like it’s the end of the world—because on his debut album, SICKO SESSIONS, it is.

The nearly hour-long album, released at the beginning of May, features 10 tracks influenced by past and present styles of funk, soul, hip hop, and house and an apocalyptic setting developed through narration and dense sampling. Work on the project started in 2021 and, according to DJ MIKEYY, was mostly finished as of about a year ago, with all the mixing and mastering being completed at his home studio.

“I love using samples,” DJ MIKEYY says. “[They] have a lot of history in hip hop and that sort of production technique has always inspired my natural curiosity for making music.” DJ MIKEYY explains that when he started work on the album in Thunder Bay during a COVID lockdown, he didn’t have many avenues for collaboration, prompting him to flesh out his sound through the use of audio samples. The voice you hear narrating at certain points throughout the album is that of Thunder Bay radio personality Ted Jessop, and DJ MIKEYY also pays

was kind of like, if this was the last night on earth judging by the state of the world, how many people would be at the club looking for that last shot of finding love, obviously in a desperate situation.”

homage to his roots in Thunder Bay at the start of the track “CLUB SICKO.” with the inclusion of audio from local news anchor Ryan Bonazzo. “Using samples and other people’s voices sort of brought a story out of my music,” he says. “It gave me a chance to use words, themes, and motifs, and craft it around a narrative that I had in my head.”

Prior to the release of S ICKO SESSIONS, DJ MIKEYY teased the album with a five-song EP titled CLUB SICKO, and ultimately decided to incorporate it as a single track on the album. “I just felt that it was the strongest component to the album,” he says. “So I wanted it to have its own moment.” The EP was released alongside an accompanying collagelike visualizer that ties together archival nightlife footage and reflects the montage-esque qualities that emerge in the album’s sound.

“I was really just trying to put the listener inside the cover art—that sort of head-of-the-devil in a club setting.”

SICKO SESSIONS is veiled in irony, as it operates through a genre widely associated with nightlife and is, at most times, highly energetic, but also ultimately shrouded in the darkness of the world it exists in. “The idea

For tickets, group outings and birthday parties visit: borrdercatsbaseball.com or call (807) 766-CATS

SICKO SESSIONS is available on all streaming platforms. To stay up to date with DJ MIKEYY, you can follow him on Instagram @djxmikeyy.

Mourn Me

PINK IVY

The debut EP from TBay’s alt-pop princess PINK IVY has arrived. The cyber-emo pop project encompasses a lot of the elements listeners have come to associate with a PINK IVY song from the assortment of singles leading up to this release—love gone awry, heartbreak, and power imbalances—but on Mourn Me, PINK IVY has enough sonic variety to set it apart from what we’ve heard and make the timing feel right for a longer project. A majority of the songs include her staple trap influence, but we see less of that this time around in her lyrics and delivery. The lead single, “Blurred,” is truly the highlight for me; with a beat that’s retro Nintendo meets trap, its anthemic chorus pulls you in, giving the project a real energy at the midplay point, and the inclusion of male vocals fills the sound out while also calling back to her debut single, “Wolves.” Mourn Me is a demonstration of growth, as listeners find PINK IVY lyrically reflecting on past regrets and finding power in her fragility.

-Sidney Ulakovic

Slow Burn

BADBADNOTGOOD

Whether it’s Charlotte Day Wilson, Sam Herring, or even Ghostface Killah, guest vocalists seem to be the glue that holds together BADBADNOTGOOD’s music.

The Toronto instrumental troupe is phenomenally talented in their own regard, but these collaborations tend to elevate their releases above highly technical jam sessions. Luckily, Slow Burn features Baby Rose on every track. The American neo-soul singer evokes Nina Simone and Shirley Bassey vibes, and as the name of the EP suggests, the songs are a nice change from the frantic speed of BBNG’s previous releases. From the first few bars of the opening track “On My Mind,” featuring crisp drums and a mellow organ, listeners can savour Rose’s vocals layered with the band’s stellar instrumentation, while the bittersweet “One Last Dance” serves as a great bookend. Ideally played late at night, Slow Burn embodies a smoky jazz bar.

-Adrian Lysenko

Cyan Blue

Charlotte Day Wilson

There may be no Canadian artist more deserving of a breakthrough than Charlotte Day Wilson. The 31-year-old Toronto artist has been at the precipice of it after earning multiple Juno nominations following her debut album in 2021. Perhaps there is no greater indication of the respect she’s amassed than her frequent collaborations with the likes of Daniel Caesar and BADBADNOTGOOD, artists who have come to define the Canadian R&B genre in recent years. But her solo work transcends any particular scene, and it’s beginning to transform her into a global artist. With only one feature on her sophomore full-length, Cyan Blue, Wilson’s hauntingly beautiful voice gets more of a spotlight than ever. She pierces through the tumult of heartbreak with a delicacy and emotional vulnerability, making it an easy listen for melody seekers, and a romantic solitude for those looking to go deeper. Wilson continues to prove her place among the best in R&B, not just in Canada, but worldwide.

-Michael Charlebois

Heavy Soul

Joanne Shaw Taylor

Joanne Shaw Taylor’s ninth studio album, Heavy Soul, is another impressive milestone in the career of the muchacclaimed British blues singer, songwriter, and guitarist. Every facet of the release sparkles. Shaw’s smoky vocals on the seven original songs are particularly strong, as is the exuberance of her delivery. While virtuosity is a hallmark of Shaw’s solos, there is an intelligence, clarity, and precision that sets them apart. Riding driving rhythms and piano accents, “Sweet ‘Lil Lies” speaks to the deceptions that undermine many relationships. “Devil in Me” is the album’s outlier, a rocking warning that a slighted lover can have a darker side. The most soulful track is Shaw’s exquisite cover of “Someone Like You,” Van Morrison’s timeless longing for that special soulmate. Heavy Soul stands as an example of musical experience as art.

-Ken Wright

Tigers Blood

Waxahatchee

Heartwarming, tear-jerking, and comforting are just some adjectives that come to mind to describe Waxahatchee’s newest album Tigers Blood. It is an imposing collection of catchy and thought-provoking songs by the American singer-songwriter that are easy and fun to listen to, and that could probably make anyone cry if they were in a vulnerable mood. The first song, “Three Sisters,” with its steady beat and repetitive lyrics, doesn’t exactly prepare you for the incredibly fierce songs that follow, which get more and more instrumentally and vocally interesting as the album unfolds. “Right Back to It” is the song that really got my attention— it’s the most notable tune on the album, with its groovy beat and elegiac lyrics. Every track has its own unique twist to it, yet they all work together to make one hell of an emotionally striking album. It’s one of the most poetic albums that I have come across recently and it’s definitely left me wanting more from Waxahatchee. There’s really no way to overstate how impressed I was with this piece of indie music; very few artists seem to make music as interesting as this nowadays.

-Emily Turner

Drifting Off with Joe Pera

Joe Pera

If you combat nagging or ruminating thoughts at bedtime, then you are in luck! With his soft, soothing voice and perfect cadence, Pera will lull you into a state of calmness and take you on a dreamy journey before you have even realized it. Although each episode is conceptually different, they all share perfectly suited soundscapes, and the narration is spot on every time. I’m blown away by the consistency Pera sustains; whether it’s discovering Ireland, admiring waterfalls, or talking video games, the undeniable fact that this podcast is an indispensable sleeping aid remains the same. Don’t get me wrong, it wouldn’t be a Pera production without meandering rambling interjected with humour, but somehow it all fits. It’s a kind of therapy or distraction perhaps—one that helps pull off that weighted coat of anxiety so you can give your body and mind some much needed rest.

-Andrea Lysenko

Becoming a Matriarch

Helen Knott

Captivating from the first paragraph, Becoming a Matriarch by Helen Knott is the autobiographical story of one Indigenous family’s history from the perspective of its women. Knott details her journey from child, to mother, to auntie, to future matriarch, to grandmother, guiding readers through a narrative that is interlaced with empowering statements on female solidarity, vivid illustrations of the strength of community, and metaphors that emphasize a deep connection to her ancestors and the land of Turtle Island. Raw emotion seeps from the pages as Knott describes both her personal grief and the harsh reality of Indigenous peoples’ everyday experiences in colonized Canada. A masterful storyteller, Knott intricately weaves the stories of four generations of Indigenous women into a tale of growth, resilience, new beginnings, and unwavering love. This is essential reading for all Canadians.

-Kate Lorenowich

The Invisible Hote

Yeji Y. Ham

Magic realism meets historical fiction in the unusual book The Invisible Hotel. The story of Yewon, a young woman who works as a store clerk in a village in South Korea, unspools with a dreamlogic as it alternates between real-life scenes such as visiting a Seoul nightclub with friends and flashbacks to childhood and her father’s death, and otherworldly scenes like her mother scrubbing her ancestors’ bones in the bathtub every day or a mad man wandering around the village carrying windows for a house that will never be made. Everyone has their own story and is carrying their own pain, and there are endless keys to endless rooms in an invisible hotel where some people live and others only visit. Yewon moves like a ghost through her own life and doesn’t understand why she keeps ending up in this hotel, which she doesn’t believe exists. There is a quiet terror permeating this story that reminded me often of the Stanley Kubrick horror film The Shining. Here, people are suffering intergenerational trauma stemming from the war in the 1950s as well as the continued unresolved separation of North and South Korea. Their stories are slowly revealed and start to intertwine with each other, both in real life and in the hotel where no one wants a room—they just want to get out. A unique first novel by Canadian author Yeji Y. Ham.

-Angela Meady

Celebration Circle

By Courtney Turner

The eye-catching Celebration Circle is an open-air pavilion and outdoor theatre located in Marina Park. Nestled within the Spirit Garden, the Celebration Circle and surrounding landscape was designed with spirituality, meditation, and of course, celebration in mind. The Celebration Circle was built in 2012, as a collaboration between the architects and designers at Brook McIlroy Inc. and Ryan Gorrie, an artist, architect, and member of Bingwi Neyaashi Anishinaabek (formerly known as Sand Point First Nation). A number of other artists and

woodworkers were also consulted and contributed to the project.

The process of building the large pavilion panels surrounding Celebration Circle was based on traditional Indigenous woodworking techniques. The crosshatching seen throughout the architecture was created using cedar boughs fixed to spruce trusses. Young spruce trees were locally sourced in the spring to create a series of trusses for the panels by Indigenous artist George Price. Traditional bentwood techniques, where wood is heated to increase its flexibility, were used

in creating the dome-like shape of the pavilion panels.

If you find yourself inside the Celebration Circle, you will be able to see across the lively waterfront district and enjoy views of the lake and shoreline. Adorning the outside of Celebration Circle, you will find nine Woodland art stylized steel laser-cut panels designed by local Indigenous artist Randy Thomas. Just beyond the Celebration Circle, also within the Spirit Garden, you can enjoy the Honouring Circle.

The design and layout of the Celebration Circle is a carefully planned and inviting public space for community members to gather and share. The architecture of the Celebration Circle is deeply

integrated in the surrounding space, which encourages park users to spend some time taking in the natural landscape of the waterfront district. It is an absolute must-visit in Marina Park and an excellent spot to enjoy the shoreline.

Courtney Turner is a member of the Heritage Advisory Committee, which advises city council on the conservation of heritage buildings, sites and resources, and their integration into development. For more information on the city’s heritage resources, visit thunderbay.ca.

Brook McIlroy Inc.

Adrian Lysenko

David Whittaker

Adrian Lysenko

New Stained Glass Panels Celebrate Lives of All Cancer Patients

by Graham Strong

Before Elaine Hrominchuk passed away after a long battle with cancer, she wanted to make sure that patients at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre had the best close-to-home care available. That’s why she left a large gift in her will, split equally between the Northern Cancer Fund, the Northern Cardiac Fund, and the emergency department.

Stepson Lance Reid and close family friend Mike Foreman, co-executors of her will, wanted to find a way to celebrate her gift—and her life. “Mom loved the idea of putting her name on a butterfly on the Donation Wall,” Lance says. “Mike and I thought we could do one better for her.” They commissioned local stained glass artist Jack Floyd to create the installation for a quiet, sunny spot in the Patient Resource Centre of the Cancer Centre waiting room. They decided four separate panels representing the four seasons would be a touching tribute to Elaine and her garden in Stanley.

Jack used a new technique, layering stained glass and covering it with resin to create a 3D effect. Each panel

represents a birch tree as it changes through winter, spring, summer, and fall. “The real challenge was, how do I represent each season properly?” Jack says. “For example, spring is a messy season, but it doesn’t have to be. That’s why I put the flowers around the base of the birch tree and that flock of bluebirds flying by.”

The metal frame adds weight to the piece, both artistically and literally for durability. Jack brought local metal artist Luc Despres of Despres Metal Artwork into the project to add the right touch. “He knew exactly what I needed, and they turned out perfectly.”

If the name “Floyd” sounds familiar, it should. “My family owned Floyd’s Glass for, well, forever,” Jack says. “I got involved in the business in 1972 and took over in the mid-80s. So I have a lot of years messing around with glass. I love the medium—it keeps me creative.”

Jack came up with the new layering technique almost by accident, and says that he hadn’t seen this type of stained glasswork before. It was fun

and experimental for him. “I’ve done stained glass for years, but I just started this technique about a year ago or so,” Jack says. “I have a barrel full of cut and broken glass. I took some old wooden frames, layered some glass inside of them, and poured resin over them. I really liked the results.”

Jack was confident enough to bring that technique to Elaine’s project—and the results are stunning. He connected with the project immediately, and loved the idea of hanging the four panels in a sunny window in the Cancer Centre waiting room. “I really like their idea of creating a quiet little corner,” Jack says. “If someone can walk in and see that and forget their problems for a few minutes, that’s a good thing.”

Today, the sun pours through the four stained-glass panels, celebrating Elaine’s generosity and life and the lives of every cancer patient who sits in that waiting room. Lance, Mike, and Jack hope patients in the Cancer Centre will find peace and enjoyment from the stained glass for years to come.

I Choose You, Pikachu Tattoo

Childhood Joy Immortalized in Ink

Story and photo by Leah Morningstar

Tattoo by Amaris Hietamies of Metsä Tattoo & Artistry

You can’t tell from the photo, but Jennifer Keating is pretty much covered in colourful tattoos. She recalls how many of her friends started getting tattooed as teenagers but she just couldn’t. “I really wanted a tattoo but I wanted something big and meaningful, and I wanted to think about it for a really long time.” Her first tattoo, at age 27, was definitely big and meaningful: a full arm piece consisting of blueberries and raspberries and amethyst. It was designed and tattooed by Ray Atwood and represents Keating’s love for her favourite things to collect out in the bush of Northwestern Ontario.

But we’re actually not talking about that big and presumably beautiful tattoo right now. In fact, we’re not even going to see it. Keating did indeed start her tattoo journey with a full sleeve, but we’re focusing on one of her smaller pieces today: this adorable little Pikachu holding a bottle of ketchup. This is the most recent addition to Keating’s collection, completed just a few months ago by Amaris Hietamies of Metsä Tattoo & Artistry. It’s so simple and so silly, but it represents a lifelong love for the popular animé cartoon Pokémon

Keating’s love for Pokémon started when she was a young child. The stillpopular Japanese anime debuted in the mid-90s; if you don’t remember it from your own childhood, there’s a good chance your children or grandchildren know all about it. In the world of Pokémon, fantastical creatures

of all shapes and sizes live alongside the humans. Pokémon trainers form loyal friendships with their chosen Pokémon creature and together they go on adventures, battling in friendly competitions with other trainers and creatures by using the unique magical power each creature possesses. The main character of the show is a boy named Ash and his creature companion is the bright yellow pointy-eared Pikachu.

As a child in the 90s, Keating remembers the show made a huge impression on her; she saw it once and she was hooked. She started collecting the trading cards, she had posters on her bedroom walls, and she played the Nintendo games. “I loved how Ash and his friends would go out on an adventure without their parents. They travelled all over, training their Pokémon companions, getting into trouble, and solving problems. I loved their independence.”

Pikachu holding the ketchup bottle really resonated with Keating when she was younger. She even remembers the exact episode when Pikachu discovers that his favourite food is ketchup. She remembers thinking that not only are these characters out on adventures without parents, but they also love ketchup. Sometimes when you’re a kid, all you need is adventures and ketchup to be happy. That childlike joy and that love of adventure has stuck with Keating well into adulthood. She may be “all grown up” now, but there’s no law that says you have to stop loving the things you loved as a child.

This project is funded by the City of Thunder Bay and the Ontario Ministry of Environment, Conservation, and Parks, and is delivered by EcoSuperior with additional support from the Council of Great Lakes Region and Stormwater360 Group. To learn more, visit ecosuperior.org.

Think Global, Act Local

Collecting Litter and Data in Thunder Bay’s Storm Drains

Story by Kennedy Bucci, Rethinking Waste Coordinator, EcoSuperior, Photos courtesy of Sam Kannegiesser

Every year, a shocking 70,000 pounds of plastic debris ends up in Lake Superior. As a major city on the shore of Lake Superior, we have a responsibility to protect our freshwater resource from further pollution. This summer, EcoSuperior is installing trash capture devices, called LittaTraps, into storm drains around the city. LittaTraps are filters that sit inside storm drains and passively collect debris from stormwater runoff. They act as a type of source control to catch litter before it reaches the aquatic environment.

Surface runoff is a major source of pollution to aquatic environments. As surface runoff travels along the hard surfaces in our watershed, it collects pollutants like oil, fertilizers, bacteria from pet waste, cigarette butts, and other plastics. Once in the environment, plastic slowly breaks up into tiny plastic pieces called microplastics, which will never truly disappear. Recently, fish in the Great Lakes were found to contain the highest number of microplastics ever reported: up to 915 particles found in a single fish, with an average of 60 particles per fish. Research has shown that microplastics at concentrations currently found in the Great Lakes can cause harm to fish, including causing developmental deformities, decreased energy and nutrient uptake, and changes to reproduction.

Storm drains are an important, though often overlooked, part of a city’s infrastructure. Without storm drains, excess precipitation would pool on the ground, causing flooding in our streets and basements. During big rain

events or spring snow melt, the soil in our environment can quickly become saturated with water. Urban areas have high levels of impervious surfaces, like asphalt and concrete, which means the available soil gets saturated even quicker. Rather than absorbing into the soil, excess precipitation becomes surface runoff and flows into our storm drains, which lead directly to rivers and lakes without treatment.

EcoSuperior’s LittaTrap project will divert plastic pollution, including microplastics, from Lake Superior. We will also be collecting and monitoring the contents of the LittaTraps to help us measure our positive impact and give us a better understanding of local sources of pollution. With this information, we will be able to make recommendations to improve our waste management and mitigate plastic pollution in our city. Finally, we will be uploading the data to the International Trash Trapping Network, which is used by scientists and advocates around the world to inform plastic pollution research and mitigation efforts. Although they are often overlooked, the trash capture devices in our city’s storm drains will play an instrumental role in keeping Lake Superior clean and informing the global fight against plastic pollution.

Paddling Superior ~ What’s not to Love

9 days: Rossport-Silver Islet - Jul Pukaskwa-Michipicoten - Jul 7 days: Jackfish-Hattie(Pukaskwa)- ul Lake Superior Park - Aug

6 Days: Dog River/Denison Falls - Aug

3 Days: Weekend Getaways- Jul & Aug J

“YES is focused on helping local businesses build their seasonal teams.”

Building Summer Job Connections

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With summer on the horizon, YES is focused on helping local businesses build their seasonal teams Every partnership with a local business helps link employers with new prospects and job seekers with meaningful opportunities to help build their careers

June Behind the Business Feature

Jennifer Mitchell/Sarah Blando

The Refill Co.

Meet Jennifer and Sarah, the founders and entrepreneur duo behind The Refill Co.

The Refill Co. was born from years of pondering a simple question: why isn’t there a place where cleaning products can be refilled instead of purchasing them in new plastic bottles every time? This curiosity led Jen to research the concept, and she was pleasantly surprised to discover many stores in other cities already offering this sustainable shopping option. Inspired by these findings, she approached her sister Sarah with the idea. Together, they decided to bring this eco-friendly shopping experience to the Thunder Bay area.

Jennifer and Sarah, who have lived in the Murillo area for over 25 years, joined forces to establish a bulk refill and package-free/plastic-free shop. Both married with young boys, the sisters have always been close and share a deep love for nature. Their upbringing was filled with hiking, gardening, camping, playing sports, and enjoying the outdoors, fostering a strong appreciation for the environment and its wildlife. This shared passion for sustainability

inspired them to create a business that aligns with their values and promotes eco-friendly living within the Thunder Bay community.

To learn more about The Refill Co., visit therefillco.net or follow them on Instagram @therefillco.

Q&A with Jennifer and Sarah:

What drew you to entrepreneurship?

We started The Refill Co. while we were both on maternity leave, looking for a way to stay at home with our babies while also working to provide for our families through something we are passionate about. Despite having no business background, we were drawn to entrepreneurship by the idea that we could make an impact in our city, no matter how large or small. We hope to show people that anyone can make a difference by starting right where they are with what they have. We love researching and finding new products that can replace less sustainable options. By offering these eco-friendly, sustainable choices all in one place, our goal is to make it easier for people to make simple swaps and reduce their waste.

What Inspired you to launch your business?

Years ago, we discovered that the bulk food stores were offering a “Bring your Own Container” program in their store. We started questioning why this isn’t an option for items like shampoo, soaps, and cleaners. Often you buy a container of soap from the store and use it for a couple of weeks before recycling it, even though that bottle is in perfect working condition. We began researching this idea of refilling and discovered that many other cities already had refill stores and programs like this. From there, we wanted to create an option that allows those bottles to be reused again and again in our community!

Knowing what you know now, is there anything you would have done differently when you were first starting out?

If we could do it over, we would have prioritized creating an e-commerce platform from the start. Initially, the idea seemed overwhelming, so we focused solely on our brick-and-mortar location. However, we now realize the importance of having a convenient

and user-friendly online presence. This would have allowed us to perfect the system before launching, instead of working through issues in real-time with our customers. What advice would you give to someone who is trying to become an entrepreneur?

The advice we would give to aspiring entrepreneurs, or to our past selves, is that you may never feel completely “ready” to start, but you should go ahead and do it anyway. There were many times we felt unprepared or lacked a business background, but if you’ve done the research and initial work, don’t be afraid to jump in and start—you’ll learn along the way! You don’t need to have all the answers to begin. Our guiding principle, which we share with our customers, is start where you can with what you have. This applies not only to waste reduction but to all aspects of life.

What are you working on now?

Currently, we are focused on improving our e-commerce platform to make it more convenient and affordable for our customers, as we know our location can be a challenge. Additionally, we are actively searching for a new location within city limits that meets our needs. We are also exploring the possibility of launching a subscription-based service.

Is there anyone specific you would like to thank?

We'd like to express our heartfelt gratitude to our dedicated customers who have been with us since day one. Your support, feedback, ideas, and love mean the world to us! To every person who shops with us, shares our shop with a friend, or sends us well wishes, thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Additionally, we are immensely thankful for our exceptional employees. Their dedication and seamless integration into our business have been instrumental to our success. We consider ourselves incredibly fortunate to have them as part of our team, and we cannot thank them enough for their hard work and friendship!

A Shift in Mindset

Intuitive Eating Counselling Available in TBay

Story and photo by Sidney Ulakovic

Intuitive eating” is a phrase that seems to be en vogue with many content creators on social media as of late, and registered dietitian and certified intuitive eating counsellor Cayla Mantis says there’s a wealth of science and research to support its numerous health and wellness benefits.

Mantis has been a dietitian for nearly 15 years, with much of her background lying in paediatric nutrition in a hospital setting. “My own intuitive eating journey started a couple of years ago,” Mantis says. “The biggest thing that I found was this shift in mindset that happened— like a positive shift towards food and my body—and this translated in my personal life [and] professional life.”

Inspired by the positive transformation she experienced, Mantis pursued an education update to become a certified intuitive eating counsellor, which she completed last January, prompting her to offer these nutrition services among others with the opening of Nourish Intuitive Eating Counseling in February.

The general public’s understanding of intuitive eating tends to overlook its complexity, with many drawing the conclusion that it means to simply stop eating once you’re full. Mantis says the concept of intuitive eating was established by two dietitians decades ago, and its claims have since been validated by research, with over 200 studies being conducted to support these findings. “[Intuitive eating is] a self-care framework,” Mantis says. “It’s a non-diet approach, so there’s no restriction in any way. It’s weight

inclusive, meaning [...] intentional weight loss is not the focus, and the main goal of intuitive eating is to establish a healthy relationship with food and body.”

Mantis’ holistic approach is guided by 10 principles that outline the framework for intuitive eating and take into account both physical and mental health. These principles range from honouring your hunger to making peace with food and practicing body respect. The focus of these services ultimately lies on reconnecting with your body. “The goal isn’t to wake up every day loving your body. The goal is to appreciate your body for what it is and respect it.”

According to Mantis, a large body of research exists to prove that dieting for the purpose of intentional weight loss is ultimately harmful, causing lasting physiological effects and highly pervasive emotional and mental health consequences. “When I started the intuitive eating process, I really started reflecting back on my job as a dietitian and my training, and the way we were trained, it was really weight-focused [...] and that was so problematic,” Mantis says. “Throughout my career, I have seen so much suffering, so much guilt and shame around food and body. And this is where intuitive eating comes in; it helps overcome that.”

Nourish has only been open a few short months, but Mantis says the practice has opened doors for her to work with other organizations and introduce the intuitive eating framework to their approach with clients. Her goal is to eventually offer these services remotely province-wide.

Mantis encourages anyone who thinks intuitive eating counselling may be right for them to schedule a free discovery call. For more information, visit nourishintuitiveeating.ca.

Cayla Mantis, registered dietitian, certified intuitive eating counsellor, and owner of Nourish Intuitive Eating Counselling

Workplaces Working Out with the Active Commute Challenge

By Leena Pehkonen, Public Health Nurse for Healthy Living, Thunder Bay District Health Unit

TBayOnTheMove’s Active Commute Challenge (ACC) is back for the month of June. From walking, biking, rollerblading, public transit, to even kayaking, city and district-wide residents are once again replacing their vehicles with active commutes.

Last year, 40 workplaces participated in the ACC. Some of the top workplaces included Service Ontario, Gateway Casino, Toy Sense, Bay Credit Union, Ontario Power Generation, Nishnawbe Aski Development Fund, Confederation College, Thunder Bay District Health Unit, Tbaytel, Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, and Lakehead University. Our final total was 22,119 km of active commutes— that’s 4,524 kg in greenhouse gas emission saved.

Over 40% of Thunder Bay’s annual greenhouse gas emissions come from transportation. The gasoline and diesel we use to fuel our cars, SUVs, and trucks impacts the quality of air that we breathe and contributes to climate change. The City of Thunder Bay declared a climate emergency in 2020 and its Net-Zero Strategy envisions a future where residents drive less and walk or cycle more. Along with improving our walking

and cycling infrastructure, initiatives like the ACC are an important part of our collective response to the climate emergency and meeting the City of Thunder Bay’s net zero target.

Active commuting not only reduces your carbon footprint— it increases your physical activity. The Canadian 24-hour movement guidelines recommend adults engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity per week. Only about half of adults are meeting this guideline. By actively commuting, you are incorporating physical activity right into your day. This comes as an advantage for those who struggle to find the time to exercise. Swapping your vehicle with an active commute even once a week will help you achieve the recommended physical activity guidelines. And when you move more, you feel better!

The physical health benefits of active transportation are well established. Less attention has been paid to the benefits of active transportation for mental and social well-being. Evidence shows that people who actively commute report stronger mental health than nonactive commuters. It is shown to reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, and improves your

overall well being. Incorporating active commuting into your workplace increases work productivity and job satisfaction, while contributing to a positive workplace culture shift— all the more reason to get your workplace on board.

This year, we are empowering organizations to have dedicated Workplace Champions. Workplace Champions help spread the word for the ACC and are vital to recruit and motivate participants. Workplace Champions are provided with the tools and resources to help make this challenge a success within your organization. Contact Leena. Pehkonen@tbdhu.com if you are interested in learning more about this role.

Check out TbayOntheMove.ca to register and start logging all of your active commutes for the month of June! A big thanks to our ACC partners and sponsors— we have tons of amazing prizes up for grabs this year. If your organization is interested in supporting the ACC, email Leena. Pehkonen@tbdhu.com.

When: 11am to 4:30pm, July 6 and 7

Where: Wasaya Airlines Terminal Thunder Bay Airport

Preservation is in Your Hands

Editorial by Len Maki, Friends of the LPH Greenspace

Lately, the former Lakehead Psychiatric Hospital (LPH) and surrounding lands have become a topic of discussion. The recent vandalism inside the building also brings to focus the issue of what to develop and what to preserve, and why. Maps in the city archives show trail use as far back as the 1920s, but modern use dates to the Boy Scout Jamboree in the mid 1990s. Wildlife is abundant and the trails are accessible to all to walk,

PRIDE & PATIOS

bureaucratic review process, which can take many years. The Friends of the LPH Greenspace has engaged in significant advocacy efforts hoping to preserve some of this area as trail/recreational use. At one point, Thunder Bay City Council passed a motion to preserve the trail area/ greenspace. Unfortunately, this was overruled, as the current provincial government wishes this land to be sold as one piece. The city has designated the area as “future

(Boulevard Lake/Centennial Park/ The Bluffs). Of course, the issue of housing availability and urban infill is very important and at some point, this area may be sold. If and when this happens, there is an opportunity to make this area meet both environmental protection and development needs.

To preserve this greenspace in a meaningful way, we need political will, which requires citizen action. This can take a number of forms: telephone calls, letters, and emails to both local and provincial officials (the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing in particular). Also of utmost importance is showing that stewardship of the area continues, and that it is kept clean and safe. Together we can make this a win/ win for all.

Addendum: On May 13th, the Thunder Bay Fire Rescue responded to a fire inside the former LPH. If anyone has information or footage of this or other illegal activity at this location, please share it with the Thunder Bay Police Service.

JuneEventsGuide

June 1–30

Pride Month

Various Locations

Throughout the month, take part in events for people of all genders, identities, and orientations, including a sunrise ceremony hosted by the Indigenous Friendship Centre, a Border Cats Pride Night, and Pride Parade. See this month’s Top Five for more info.

thunderpride.ca

June 1, 10 am

Trail Clean-Up and Education Day

Marina Park

Join the Waterfront Trail Rotary Community Action Team on International Trails Day for a fun-filled day of trail clean-up and education. Various outdoors organizations and agencies will be on hand to discuss all things trails. Rain or shine. Free to attend.

thunderbaywaterfront trail.com

June 1–3, 5–6, 9–10, 15–16, 18–22, & 29–30

Thunder Bay Border Cats

Port Arthur Stadium

The sport of the summer is back for another season.

The Thunder Bay Border Cats are gearing up for a summer of baseball following their return to the ballpark last year. Tickets available online.

northwoodsleague.com

June 1–2, 10 am

Robbie Craig’s Northern Projects Show

Hampton Inn and Suites

Canadian visual artist

Robbie Craig will be showcasing a wide variety

of originals, prints, canvas prints, and other treasures at this two-day event. Free to attend.

rcraig.org

June 1, 7:30 pm

Cambrian Players Presents: Sleuth

Cambrian Players Theatre

The ultimate game of cat and mouse is played out in this celebrated suspense thriller. Cambrian Players is pleased to present the 1971 award-winning play Sleuth by Anthony Shaffer and directed by Thunder Bay’s own Stefani Celine. General admission tickets are $27.96 and available online.

cambrianplayers.com

June 1, 10:20 pm

Interstellar

Cinema Presents: Argylle

Chippewa Park

The greater the spy, the bigger the lie. You can catch this spy action comedy screening outdoors at Chippewa Park, where you can enjoy the movie from the comfort of your car. Tickets are $12 and available online. interstellarcinema.ca

June 2, 10 am

Gutsy Walk

Boulevard Lake

Gutsy Walk is a fun-filled, family-friendly, and noncompetitive day to walk in support of those impacted by Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Registration required. gutsywalk.ca

June 2, 11:30 am

13th Annual Pride Youth Awareness Brunch

Airlane Hotel & Conference Centre

Enjoy delicious food, engaging speakers, and plenty of opportunities to connect with other like-minded individuals at this brunch to celebrate and raise awareness for 2SLGBTQ+ youth in our community. All proceeds go to Thunder Pride Association. Tickets available online.

thunderpride.ca

June 2, 9, 16, 23, & 30

Sundays With Sue

Mystic Garden

Sue Pretty has been reading tarot cards and offering spiritual guidance out of the Mystic Garden for just over a year now. Available by appointment. See this month’s City Scene section for more info. sundayswithsue.ca

June 3–5 & 10–12, 17-19, 24-26, 9 am

Pierogi Days

Polish Combatants

Branch No. 1

Head over to the Polish Combatants Branch No. 1 every Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday to buy perogies, cabbage rolls, vegan beet soup, and more. Pre-order, e-transfer. 807-345-1861

June 3, 10 am

Thunder Bay Weavers & Spinners Guild Drop In

Jumbo Gardens

Community Centre

Drop in to the Thunder Bay Weavers and Spinners Guild to socialize, work on fibre art projects, get advice, and meet other textile and fibre enthusiasts. Free for guild members. $2 drop in fee for visitors.

ohs.on.ca/thunder-bayguild

June 5, 12, 19, & 26, 11 am

Lil Wednesdays

Goods & Co. Market

Goods & Co Market is happy to offer a safe and comfortable area for kids of all ages. Parents and guardians can come in, order a coffee and a snack, and catch up with friends while the kids have some fun. goodscomarket.ca

June 2, 9, 16, 23, & 30, 10 am

Sunday Skate

Cinema 5 Skatepark

The Female Skateboard Collective is hosting Sunday Skates for anyone who identifies as female and the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. All ages and abilities are welcome. A $5 donation is required to join.

facebook.com/female skateboardcollective

June 4, 7 pm

Tuesday Trivia Lakehead Beer Company

Trivia buffs, prepare to prove yourselves at Lakehead Beer Company’s trivia night. Up to six

people per team. Prizes for the winning team. No tickets required. lakeheadbeer.ca

June 5, 12, 20–22, & 26, 6:30 pm

Wednesday Night Races

Thunder City Speedway

The dirt track is back for Wednesday Night Races at Thunder City Speedway. General admission is $20. Cash only. Plus, this month will feature a special action packed 3-day show held from June 20- 22; full details online.

thundercityspeedway.ca

June 5–8, 7 pm

Applauze Productions Presents:

Chicago: The Musical

Trinity Hall Theatre

Set in the legendary city during the roaring “jazz hot” 20s, Chicago tells the story of two rival vaudevillian murderesses locked up in Cook County Jail. General admission tickets are $30 and available online. See this month’s Top Five for more info.

applauzeproductions.com

June 6-9, 9 am

NextGen Golf Canada Prairie Championship

Whitewater Golf Club

Whitewater Golf Club is thrilled to welcome the finest young golfers from across Canada to showcase their skills. Details about the 2024 NextGen Prairie Championship, including eligibility requirements, are available online.

golfcanada.ca

June 6, 6:30 pm BYOCraft!

Mary J.L. Black Library

Just like the title says— bring your own craft or project to the library to tinker with and work on. Grades 7–12. tbpl.ca

June 6,13, 20, & 27, 3 pm

Blissful Beading Country Park Library

Drop in after school and relax while you create beaded trinkets, necklaces, keychains, and more. Ages 4+.

tbpl.ca

June 7, 2 pm

Mini-Tipi Making Workshop

Brodie Resource Library

In this workshop, you will learn all about tipis while making your very own miniature tipi. Space is limited to 10 spots. All supplies are provided. All ages.

tbpl.ca

June 7 & 8 10x10 Festival

Magnus Theatre

With 10 plays, each 10 minutes long, featuring many talented actors and directors, the 10x10 Festival has become a celebrated occasion. See this month’s Film & Theatre section for more info. magnustheatre.com

June 8, 9 am

Dog Friendly Run/Walk

Kamview Nordic Centre

Enjoy the fresh air and peaceful surroundings along the trails at Kamview with your furry friend. Everyone is welcome to participate, with or without a dog. Dogs must be leashed. tbnordictrails.com

June 8–9, 10 am

Quilts at the Village

Oliver Paipoonge

Heritage Park

This event, hosted by Canada Paula Brasil Studio, will transform Oliver Paipoonge Heritage Park into a vibrant quilt wonderland for a weekend that celebrates quilting artistry with vendors, demos, lectures, and more. General admission is $8. canadapaulabrasil.ca

June 8, 11 am

Book Signing:

Here are the Seeds by Olivia Amoah

Entershine Bookshop

Join Entershine Bookshop for a signing of Here are the Seeds, a vivid and engaging tale of two children who decide to grow a garden from seeds, illustrated by their current artist-in-residence, Olivia Amoah (also known as Modoodles).

entershinebookshop.ca

June 8, 2:30 pm

Story Time with Drag Queens Waverley Resource Library

Join the always delightful Lady Fantasia La Premiere and Mz Molly Poppinz for a fun-filled and inclusive storytime. tbpl.ca

June 9, 11 am

Kite Festival

Marina Park

The Kite Festival is an award-winning event that brings together professional kite flyers, demonstrations, and activities for all ages every June. See this month’s Top Five for more information about this year’s festivities. thunderbay.ca/en/ recreation/kite-festival

June 9, 2 pm

In Conversation

With: The Art of Burglary by

Joan Baril

Entershine Bookshop

Join Entershine Bookshop, in partnership with Michael Sobota, for an intimate conversation with local author Joan Baril about her debut short story collection

The Art of Burglary. In addition to a reading by the author and a Q&A

session, books will be available for purchase and/ or signing.

entershinebookshop.ca

June 10, 6 pm

Thunder Bay Geology and Lapidary Club

Waverley Library

The Thunder Bay Geology and Lapidary Club is a vibrant community of people primarily interested in the geology of Northwestern Ontario. Open to the public.

tbpl.ca

June 13, 6:30 pm Craft Night

West Thunder Community Centre

West Thunder invites you to get crafty and give yourself a chance to unwind, get inspired, and share your talents with others. Bring your own craft project to work on, whether it’s knitting, jewelry making, or anything in between. Donation required for admission. facebook.com/west thundercommunitycentre

Starting June 14 how to write a poem: rhyme, rhythm, and repetition in the permanent collection

Thunder Bay

Art Gallery

how to write a poem is an exhibition about finding poetry within artworks from the Thunder Bay Art Gallery’s Permanent Collection, featuring the work of Ahmoo Angeconeb, Benjamin Chee Chee, Jane Ash Poitras, Robert Houle, and Michael Belmore, among others. theag.ca

June 14, 6 pm

Canadian Wrestling’s Elite Presents: Cruel Summer Tour

Moose Hall

CWE is ecstatic to announce the legendary D-Lo Brown will make a special appearance for the Cruel Summer Tour across the province of Ontario. General admission is $30 at the door. Advance tickets available at Comix Plus Music Exchange for $25. facebook.com/CWE

Canada

Until June 15 Lakehead University RetroGraduate Exhibition

Definitely Superior

Art Gallery

The Lakehead University RetroGraduate Exhibition allows graduates to gain experience in the planning and presentation of their first show outside their post graduate education. definitelysuperior.com

June 15, 7:30 am Tbaytel Motorcycle Ride for Dad

Superior Inn Hotel and Conference Centre

The Tbaytel Motorcycle Ride for Dad includes a full day of exciting activities for riders, passengers, and spectators. Held in support of prostate cancer care through the Northern Cancer Fund. General registration for all riders and passengers is $65 and available online. ridefordadtbay.ca

June 15, 10 am Thunder Bay Mining Day

Marina Park

The ninth annual Thunder Bay Mining Day will occur with an emphasis on the green aspects of mining and careers in the mineral development sector in Northwest Ontario. Free to attend.

nwopa.net

June 15, 10 am Walk to End ALS

Boulevard Lake

The ALS Canada Walk to End ALS is a communitydriven event for people living with or affected by ALS as well as those who want to help create a world free of ALS. A walk will occur in Thunder Bay in support of their cause. Registration is available online. Donations appreciated. alscanadawalktoendals. als.ca

Until June 16

Sam Ash: People of the Eyes

Thunder Bay

Art Gallery

“People of the eyes” is a phrase of identity and pride in the Deaf community. This exhibition features work of Deaf Woodland artist Sam Ash. See this month’s Art section for more info. theag.ca

Until June 16

Sarah Link: River

Thunder Bay

Art Gallery

On view for the first time, this sculptural installation includes more than 600 hand-thrown porcelain stones, or forms, created over 30 years by Thunder Bay-based artist and ceramicist Sarah Link. See this month’s Art section for more info. theag.ca

Until June 16

Ziigwan: New Acquisitions to the Permanent Collection

Thunder Bay

Art Gallery

Ziigwan means “spring” or “early spring” in Anishinaabemowin. This salon-style exhibition presents a chorus of voices, some new to the permanent collection, of second- and thirdgeneration Woodland style artists. theag.ca

June 16, 23, 30 Weekend

Wine Down

North Shore Winery, Minn.

Each Sunday of the summer, North Shore Winery hosts great musicians and bands on their outdoor stage and natural amphitheatre. Seating is available, but bring your own blanket or camp chair for a spot in the intimate festival field. northshorewinery.us

June 20, 9 am

En Plein Air Workshop

Chippewa Park

Enjoy the wonderful experience of painting outdoors at Chippewa Park with instruction from watercolour artist Biljana Baker. Every artist will paint a landscape, and the day will end with a group session, appetizers, and open discussion. Registration is $200 and available online. biljanabakerartist.ca

June 20, 7 pm

Michael Flatley’s Lord of theDance

Thunder Bay

Community Auditorium

For its 25th-anniversary tour, fans can expect new

staging, costumes, and choreography. Tickets are $70+.

tbca.com

June 21 National Indigenous Peoples Day

TBA

This is a day for all Canadians to recognize and celebrate the unique heritage, diverse cultures and outstanding contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. Keep an eye on Facebook for events planned in the area.See this month’s Top Five for more info. facebook.com/NADTBAY

June 21 & 22, 7 pm

All The Daze Productions

Presents: OZ

Magnus Theatre

Journey to the world of Oz with the latest production from All The Daze. Tickets are $25 and available online. See this month’s Film & Theatre section for more info. allthedaze.ca

June 22, 9 am

High Noon 24 Hour Trail Race

Kamview Nordic Centre

At the third annual High Noon race, the goal is simple: challenge yourself to cover as much distance as you can in the allotted time. Your final distance is all up to you. Run, walk, or crawl, this is your race and a chance to test your true grit. Register online. Registration fees vary. upriverrunning.com

June 22, 10 am

Summer Party

Boulevard Lake

Shop Local TBay will host a day of fun at Boulevard Lake in support of PRO Kids featuring an artisan market, food vendors, kids entertainment, and more. Donations appreciated. facebook.com/ shoplocaltbay

June 23, 1 pm

Waverley Park

150th Anniversary Celebration

Waverley Park

Better late than never.

Waverley Park turned 150 years old three years ago

during the pandemic. This historic date will be celebrated this month with an old-fashioned picnic, entertainment, and children’s activities. See this month’s City Scene section for more info. facebook.com/The CoalitionForWaverley Park

June 24, 8 pm

Jimbo’s Drag Circus World Tour

Thunder Bay

Community Auditorium Best known for competing on the first season of Canada’s Drag Race, Jimbo has quickly become a drag icon garnering international recognition. Tickets are $70.50 and available online. 19+. tbca.com

June 29, 5 pm

Poetry Night: Queer Showcase

Port Arthur Legion Branch 5

The next Poetry Night is scheduled to occur in collaboration with Thunder Pride and Rainbow Collective as the finale to their official calendar of events celebrating Pride Month. See this month’s City Scene section for more info. @sleepgygeeevents Until August 29

Legacy of Hope Foundation

Presents Indian Day Schools in Canada

Thunder Bay Museum

The Indian Day School travelling exhibition seeks to educate and raise awareness among Canadians on the subject of Indian Day Schools to support healing and reconciliation. thunderbaymuseum.com

Until September 8

Ukrainian Matrix

Thunder Bay Museum

This community-led exhibit showcases physical expressions of Ukrainian culture and traditions, and highlights their roots. Alongside the exhibit will be a variety of programming reflecting different aspects of Ukrainian culture. thunderbaymuseum.com

June 2

Open Jam

Branch 5 Legion

8 pm • Free • AA

June 3

Open Mic

The Foundry

7:30 pm • Free • 19+

June 4

Remembering

Riker: A Birthday

Celebration

Cinema 5 Skatepark

1 pm • Free • AA

Jazzy Tuesdays ft

Mood Indigo

Anchor & Ore

6 pm • Free • AA

Pat Silvaggio

Norteños Taqueria

7 pm • Free • AA

The Gin Tonics

The Social

8 pm • Free • 19+

Mitch Tones

The Waterhouse

9 pm • Free • 19+

Blood Red Moon

The Wayland

10 pm • $5 • 19+

Saddle Up Saturdays ft DJ Mo

NV Music Hall

10 pm • $5 • 19+

Sour Crème & the Silver Spoons

The Foundry

10 pm • $5 • 19+

Latin Dance Night ft DJ Alex Mex

Norteños Cantina

10 pm • $5–10 • 19+

June 5

Ira Johnson

Howl at the Moon

8 pm • $5 • AA

Danny Johnson’s Piano Bar

Shooter’s Tavern

8 pm • Free • 19+

June 6

Open Mic Night

Lakehead Beer Company

7 pm • Free • AA

A Night in New York

Pocket change Bar

8 pm • $65.23+ • AA

June 7

Jazz & OldFashioned Fridays ft

Mood Indigo

Anchor & Ore

6 pm • Free • AA

Sober Dance Party

Fridays

Howl at the Moon

9 pm • Free • 19+

PINK IVY Debut

Black Pirates Pub

9 pm • $10 • 19+

Dame Mas Dance presents Fiesta Blanca

Norteños Taqueria

10 pm • $10 • 19+

Headrush

The Wayland

10 pm • $5 • 19+

The Gin Tonics

The Foundry

10 pm • $5 • 19+

June 8

Andy Wolff & Friends

Port Arthur Legion

2 pm • $5 • 19+ k-os w/ Robbie G

NV Music Hall

9 pm • $40+ • 19+

Mitch Tones

The Waterhouse

9 pm • Free • 19+

Headrush

The Wayland

10 pm • $5 • 19+

Undercover

The Foundry

10 pm • $5 • 19+

June 9

Open Jam

Branch 5 Legion

8 pm • Free • AA

June 10

Sea Shanty

The Foundry

8 pm • Free • 19+

June 11

Jazzy Tuesdays ft

Mood Indigo

Anchor & Ore

6 pm • Free • AA

June 12

Ira Johnson

Howl at the Moon

8 pm • $5 • AA

Danny Johnson’s Piano Bar

Shooter’s Tavern

8 pm • Free • 19+

June 13

Open Mic Night

Lakehead Beer Company

7 pm • Free • AA

Bill Durst: An Intimate Evening with Joe DeAngelis

Port Arthur Legion

8 pm • $10 • 19+

June 14

Jazz & OldFashioned Fridays ft Mood Indigo

Anchor & Ore

6 pm • Free • AA

Sober Dance Party

Fridays

Howl at the Moon

9 pm • Free • 19+

Razor’s Edge

The Wayland

10 pm • $5 • 19+

V3nom

The Foundry

10 pm • $5 • 19+

Thundergun

Norteños Cantina

10 pm • $5–10 • 19+

Throwback

Norteños Taqueria

10 pm • $5-$10 • 19+

June 15

DTG w/ Lil Windex + Kryple

NV Music Hall

7 pm • $30+ • 19+

Mitch Tones

The Waterhouse

9 pm • Free • 19+

Saddle Up Saturdays ft DJ Mo

NV Music Hall

10 pm • $5 • 19+

Summer Dance

Party ft DJ Big D

Norteños Cantina

10 pm • $5 • 19+

Razor’s Edge

The Wayland

10 pm • $5 • 19+

DJ Rogue

The Foundry

10 pm • $5 • 19+

June 16

Open Jam

Branch 5 Legion

8 pm • Free • AA

June 17

Open Mic

The Foundry

7:30 pm • Free • 19+

June 18

Jazzy Tuesdays ft Mood Indigo

Anchor & Ore

6 pm • Free • AA

June 19

Ira Johnson

Howl at the Moon

8 pm • $5 • AA

Danny Johnson’s Piano Bar

Shooter’s Tavern

8 pm • Free • 19+

June 20

Summer in the Parking Lot Kick Off

Da Vinci Centre

6 pm • $7 • AA

Open Mic Night

Lakehead Beer

Company

7 pm • Free • AA

June 21

Jazz & Old-

Fashioned Fridays w/ Mood Indigo

Anchor & Ore

6 pm • Free • AA

Sober Dance Party

Fridays

Howl at the Moon

9 pm • Free • 19+

Throwback

The Wayland

10 pm • $5 • 19+

Back Forty

The Foundry

10 pm • $5 • 19+

June 22

Start of Summer

Ceilidh

Port Arthur Legion

7:30 pm • $20 • 19+

Killer & Friends

Black Pirates Pub

9 pm • $10 • 19+

Mitch Tones

The Waterhouse

9 pm • Free • 19+

Saddle Up

Saturdays ft DJ Mo

NV Music Hall

10 pm • $5 • 19+

Hard Copy

The Wayland

10 pm • $5 • 19+

Mother of Wolves

The Foundry

10 pm • $5 • 19+

June 23

Open Jam

Branch 5 Legion

8 pm • Free • AA

June 24

Edouard

Lamontagne

The Barrel House

7 pm • $24 • 19+

Sea Shanty

The Foundry

8 pm • Free • 19+

June 25

Jazzy Tuesdays ft

Mood Indigo

Anchor & Ore

6 pm • Free • AA

June 26

Ira Johnson

Howl at the Moon

8 pm • $5 • AA

Danny Johnson’s

Piano Bar

Shooter’s Tavern

8 pm • Free • 19+

June 27

Summer in the Parking Lot

Da Vinci Centre

6 pm • $7 • AA

Open Mic Night

Lakehead Beer

Company

7 pm • Free • AA

June 28

Jazz & OldFashioned Fridays w/ Mood Indigo

Anchor & Ore

6 pm • Free • AA

Sober Dance Party

Fridays

Howl at the Moon

9 pm • Free • 19+

Three Kord Killers

The Wayland

10 pm • $5 • 19+

Blood Red Moon

The Foundry

10 pm • $5 • 19+

Undercover

Norteños Cantina

10 pm • $5 • 19+

June 29

Strikepoint

St. Paul’s United Church

7 pm • Free ($25 donation suggested) • AA

Mitch Tones

The Waterhouse

9 pm • Free • 19+

The Gin Tonics

The Social 9:30 pm • Free • 19+

Saddle Up

Saturdays ft DJ Mo

NV Music Hall

10 pm • $5 • 19+

Three Kord Killers

The Wayland

10 pm • $5 • 19+

4Pillar Djs

The Foundry

10 pm • $5 • 19+

June 30

Open Jam

Branch 5 Legion

8 pm • Free • AA

Brought to you by:

For more info visit tbshows.com

Aries

(March 21–April 19)

June is full of rainbows this month, and Rams are all over it. Usually a little extra anyway, it’s time for Aries to shine even moreish 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, Aries’s 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 previously, 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 work-wise, 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. Keep in touch with others.

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 Geminis like to have not one but several birthday celebrations, and some even like to dedicate the whole month to their solar return. Either way, a bit of extra celebrating certainly doesn’t do any harm, especially after a long winter. Plan to spend some time moon gazing, or even get the camera out for some sensational shots over Lake Superior. Many happy returns of the day.

Cancer

(June 21–July 22)

Activities are ramping up this month, Cancer, and you wouldn’t have it any other way. Invitations abound and the 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 back-up support is 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 is also on the list of a good time. Take some time out to enjoy the full Strawberry Moon on the 21st—or make it a theme and whip up a strawberry margarita while stargazing!

Virgo

(August 23–September)

Sometimes we get a little gloomy without quite knowing why. Mood shifts are common this month, so be extra compassionate. Practicing “earthing” might be a great idea. This concept is simply spending time walking around barefoot or lying in the grass looking at the clouds. Incorporate a picnic into this idea and Virgos 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. This sign’s 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 over to Goods & Co. to find 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— and it’s patio season!

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, go, go for a while, but now is the perfect time for some rest and relaxation. You’ve earned it. All work and no play is a no go. Perhaps time to think about a road trip?

Sagittarius

(November 22–December 21)

Finally, the month of the summer solstice. The full moon on the 21st will be a powerful one. Archers love being on the road, whether it be by air or by wheels (don’t forget the snacks). 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, and seeing family members face-to-face instead of on a computer screen is golden. Crack a sudsy bevvy 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 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. If you are a dad or you’re celebrating a dad or father figure, 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. A letter may be received via snail mail that makes your day.

Aquarius

(January 20–February 18)

It’s time to take stock, Aquarius. The year is at the mid-way point and now is a good opportunity to check in with yourself. Are your goals on track? Dust off your journal and do an assessment. Air signs love a good list, so don’t forget about the bucket items as well. Have some fun with it! Spending time outdoors is good for 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 6th encourages a new start. Bring some pals along for the ride—the more the merrier.

Pisces

(February 19–March 20)

It’s the summer solstice month, and dreamy Pisces certainly enjoys the longest day of the year. 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.

Colossal Crossword Fun Games for Everyone

Across

1. Day of the Full Moon... Springtime festival commemorating the birth, enlightenment and passing of The Buddha 6. __-med student

9. Spanish actress Ms. Pataky

13. 'Method' suffix (Step-by-step in procedure)

17. Foot-to-leg connection

18. L'Anse __ Meadows (Newfoundland attraction)

19. KD serving from the box, __ '_' Cheese

20. Author Ms. Morrison of 1987 novel Beloved

21. "Republic of __" (St. John's set TV series of 2010 to 2014)

22. Public transit service in St. John's

24. Trim

25. Super __ (Canadian French-language specialty channel)

26. Ms. Falco's of "The Sopranos"

27. Large birchbark canoe historically used in Quebec for travelling with cargo

29. 17th Greek letter

30. Non-noisy

32. Conrad of "Casablanca" (1942)

33. Cutlass __ (Former Oldsmobile model)

35. Patsy Cline hit

38. Rowed the boat

41. Guitar legend Chet

43. Story, in a house, in Quebec

44. Savvy

45. "O __ __ me!" (Wah!)

46. __ bread

47. Coinage

48. Dress code faux pas in the boardroom perhaps: 2 wds.

49. Much/frequently: 2 wds.

50. Cain and Abel's brother

52. Old films TV network

53. Northwestern Ontario town on Pelican Lake, __ Lookout

55. Capture

57. Rome's coins-tossing Fountain

59. Tub

61. Escape

63. Adhere

65. Brazilian city, __ __ Janeiro

68. Lacrosse stick

70. Walkie-__

72. Singer, Tennessee __ Ford

73. Job applicant's submission

74. Slippery as __ __

75. Footprints

76. French composer/pianist Erik

77. Aware

78. 'Sky' in Spain

79. Book of maps

81. Variantly-spelled Blackbirds

83. Trophy-receiving athlete, e.g.

86. Linwood __ (Canadian novelist of Take Your Breath Away)

88. Keanu Reeves movie, "47 __" (2013)

89. City in Finland

91. "Right Round" by Flo __

92. Name of Nova Scotia's provincial Lichen which grows on broad-leaved trees: 2 wds.

94. Monetary units in Oman

95. Brouhahas

96. __ on a log

97. Kiev's country [abbr.]

98. Barn toppers

99. "Auntie __" (1958)

100. Rocker's sound boosters

101. Canadian lyricist Mr. Dubois

102. Meredith's "Family Ties" character Down

1. Darth __, "Star Wars" (1977) villain

2. 1864 Tennyson poem about a shipwrecked sailor, __ Arden

3. It's 1995 and Shania Twain releases 'The Woman in Me' ...and because of the album's phenomenal success, she does this: 3 wds.

4. Milan opera house, Teatro __ Scala aka La Scala

5. Polar Bear's trait for detecting its meal the Seal: 4 wds.

6. Canadian actress/activist Ms. Anderson

7. Montreal thoroughfare known in English as Mountain Street, __ __ la Montagne

8. Consequence of the overhunting

of flightless seabird the Great Auk on Newfoundland's Funk Island

9. Goth/rock music fans

10. Chem. research room

11. It afflicted French-explorer-in-Canada Jacques Cartier's 1535 expedition crew

12. Vase's looped handles

13. "Perfect! I'll see you then!": 3 wds.

14. Bridges, tunnels, buildings... Aecon Group Inc. is a Canadian one: 2 wds.

15. Canadian satellites name

16. "Be the One" by British pop singer Dua __

23. Stadium feature on #78-Down: 2 wds.

28. UNESCO-designated nature area for sustainable development and learning such as Riding Mountain (Manitoba) or Clayoquot Sound (British Columbia): 2 wds.

31. US collection agcy.

34. What a road's dashed middle line looks like, Crosswords-style

36. Birthday number

37. Canada's last alphabet letters

39. 'Synth' suffix (Artificially made)

40. Judge

41. Barley bristle

42. Also

43. Lindsay __, Host of "Canada's Got Talent"

44. Galaxies sci.

46. Queen Victoria's husband, Prince Albert of __-Coburg and Gotha

©2024: Kelly Ann Buchanan

51. Academie Canadienne du Cinema __ __ la Television

54. 1997 Peter Fonda beekeeper role

56. Maintenance service for a cyclist: 2 wds.

58. YouTube hit, __ video

59. Pre-DVD machines

60. Milieu

62. And others, commonly: 2 wds.

64. Zippo

66. Hagar The Horrible creator Mr. Browne

67. poet mr. cummings, and others

69. Traveller's item

71. 'Prop' suffix (Fuel)

75. Poetic contraction

77. Refuge

78. Rogers __, in Toronto

80. Limerick's rhyming scheme

82. Satin-like

84. Mouse-like field critters

85. Sheriff-organized search party in a Western

86. Sharon, Lois & __ (Canadian music trio)

87. Verdi opera

88. Gym-goer's counted curls

90. Earth crust's upper layer

93. T.O. Blue Jays game official

Answers available at thewalleye.ca/games

barfly

By Jonathan Focht

six lips flap, bombastic hip hop beats itself, bottles clink glasses and glasses smash the hipsters— it’s eardrum gymnastics!

wasps are caught without passports so you’ll have to order a sting. I order men my age to pour me hazy pints then rain green queens on the bar top.

all these nights ask of me is a number and a breath. chances are abundant even slumped in dim shade— the seat to my right is empty for now.

We are pleased to welcome Jessi Ruberto, who has joined our firm as an associate lawyer.

Jessi is a graduate of Lakehead University’s Bora Laskin Faculty of Law, and holds a Bachelor of Administration from Lakehead, as well as an MBA from the University of Fredericton.

He practices in the areas of Real Estate, Corporate Law, and Wills. Prior to law school, Jessi served as a Residential/ Commercial Real Estate Agent, and as a Property Agent with the City of Thunder Bay’s Development Services Department. He became the City’s Senior Development Officer at the Community Economic Development Corporation, working on business growth and investment attraction.

1136 Alloy Drive, Second Floor

JOHN W. ATWOOD (RETIRED), GILBERT L. LABINE, CHRISTOPHER M. ARNONE, NEIL J. MCCARTNEY, TERRY-LYNN MIETTINEN, KATE D. BRINDLEY, ELIZABETH A. CALONEGO, JOHN G. ILLINGWORTH, MICHAEL D. BALLANTYNE, BROOKE B. ROGERS, JENNIFER V. TRUONG

(corner of Alloy Drive and Balmoral Street) Thunder Bay, ON P7B 6M9 | TEL 807-623-4342 FAX 807-623-2098 ATWOODLAW.CA

2024-03-20 12:50 PM

Ruby-throated hummingbird portrait, taken in photographer Jeff Robinson’s front yard in Sunshine, Ont., on June 1, 2019

-Photo by Jeff Robinson