November 2023 by The Walleye Magazine

FILM FREE ARTS Vol. 14 No. 11 MUSIC NOVEMBURGER FOOD 2023 CULTURE thewalleye.ca

Live Music Lives On

Sounds of the City Volume XII

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Contents Editor-in-chief Darren McChristie Interim Editor Matt Prokopchuk Senior Editor Tiffany Jarva Copy Editors Amy Jones, Bonnie Schiedel Editorial Assistants Emily Turner, Sidney Ulakovic Marketing & Sales Manager Alaina Linklater alaina@thewalleye.ca Photographers Jack Barten Anna Buske Kevin Dempsey Damien Gilbert Ryan Hill Chad Kirvan Dave Koski Shannon Lepere Marty Mascarin Darren McChristie Sarah McPherson Lois Nuttall Laura Paxton Emily Turner Sidney Ulakovic Art Directors Steve Coghill, R.G.D. Dave Koski, R.G.D. production@thewalleye.ca Ad Designers Dave Koski Georgia Thomas The Walleye is a free monthly publication distributed on racks throughout Thunder Bay and region. Reproduction of any article, photograph or artwork without written permission is strictly forbidden. Views expressed herein are those of the author exclusively. Copyright © 2023 by Superior Outdoors Inc. All Rights Reserved. Editorial and Advertising: Submissions must be accompanied by a selfaddressed, stamped envelope. Superior Outdoors cannot be held responsible for unsolicited material. Superior Outdoors Inc. 242 - 1100 Memorial Avenue Thunder Bay, ON P7B 4A3 Telephone (807) 344-3366 Fax (807) 623-5122 E-mail: info@thewalleye.ca

TheWalleye.ca Where can I find The Walleye? thewalleye.ca/wherecan-i-find-the-walleye/ Ad Deadline for our December Issue November 15th

81 40

The Glorious Sons

Meet My Sister

42 30

Bridges to the North

104

110

Prioritizing Men's Health

Q&A with Molly Carlson

TheTOPFive

FEATURES 11 Live Music Lives On 12 A Stage for Everyone 14 Band Profiles 18 14 Local Live Music Venues 20 The Big Stage FOOD 24 THE GRINNING BELLY 25 DRINK OF THE MONTH 26 OFF THE MENU 28 SUPERIOR SIP FILM&THEATRE 30 Bridges to the North 32 THE SECOND MOST PLEASURABLE THING WE DO IN THE DARK. A COLUMN ABOUT MOVIES 34 A Story of Redemption 36 The Circle of Life 39 CONFESSIONS OF A DRAG DEALER 40 Meet My Sister THE ARTS 42 A THOUSAND WORDS 45 FROM THUNDER BAY ART GALLERY’S COLLECTION 46 A Vibrant Hub for Creatives OUTDOOR 48 Finding Calm in Chaos CITYSCENE 50 GO LOCAL THUNDER BAY COUNTRY MARKET 52 EYE TO EYE: With Ron Kanutski 54 WE REMEMBER 58 WALL SPACE: Cardinal Chocolate Company 62 STUFF WE LIKE 65 Taking Out the Trash 67 CANNABIS CORNER 68 Imagetech 71 SECOND CHANCES

73 74 76 79

Five Questions for Joe Fiorito THIS IS THUNDER BAY Q&A with Molly Carlson Breathe, Stretch, Strengthen

MUSIC 80 Still Dreaming 81 The Glorious Sons 82 The Steven Page Trio 84 Prodigal Sons 86 BURNING TO THE SKY 88 Expanding Experiences 90 TBSO PROFILE 91 Empowerment Through Reinvention 92 Ringing in the Christmas Season 94

OFF THE WALL REVIEWS

ARCHITECTURE 96 North Central Station 98

Tbaytel November EVENTS GUIDE 100 MUSIC GUIDE 101 LU RADIO'S MONTHLY TOP 30 TATTOOED YOU 103 A Tribute to a Beloved Son GREEN 104 Angela Brecka: Farmer and Foodie 106 Are We Really Listening? 109 LET'S GET GROWING HEALTH 110 Prioritizing Men's Health THE WALL 112 The Trickle-Down Trick 116 NOVEMBER HOROSCOPES 117 THE BEAT 118 THE EYE

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From Our Instagram Feed

In Error The Walleye interim editor Matt Prokopchuk and Fred Penner in Kenora, 2016

In Concert

’ve been told that my first concert was seeing Fred Penner perform at the Thunder Bay Community Auditorium when I was around four or five years old. I only vaguely remember the show, which is why seeing him some 30 years later at Kenora’s Oktoberfest (I’m serious!), playing a mixture of more adult-oriented fare and, yes, some of those childhood favourites, was a real trip. There’s something about being immersed in live music that really stimulates the senses, and with that aspect of our lives having effectively been put on ice for two-plus years, in our November issue we’re taking a look at the current local scene. Our cover story will feature seven bands and artists who are storming the stages in town, as well as a look at 14 venues that welcome musicians, both local and from away. Also, Kelsey Raynard speaks with several TBay promoters to get a sense of how they’ve managed the past few years, and we delve into

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On page 61 of the October issue, the photo caption at the top of the page neglected to include the cadets of the Lake Superior Scottish Regiment.

Featured Contributor Erin Moir

the history of the iconic Thunder Bay Community Auditorium. Keeping with our theme, film columnist Michael Sobota profiles four films where music plays a central role, music columnist Gord Ellis reflects on seeing one of his favourite artists live for the first time in well over a decade, and drink columnist Jeannie Dubois features a selection of wines and spirits where musicians are heavily involved. Elsewhere in the November issue, Bonnie Schiedel speaks with champion high diver Molly Carlson, who has roots here, Taylor Onski reviews a Magnus Theatre performance of Meet My Sister, and in honour of Remembrance Day, Kat Lyzun delves into the local history of a celebrated WWII fighter plane. So as you continue to make your own memories in front of the stage, we hope our November issue shines those stage lights bright on the talent and venues our city has to offer. Keep the music playing. -Matt Prokopchuk

Erin has been contributing to The Walleye for almost a decade as part of her role as education director and now co-executive director of EcoSuperior Environmental Programs. Erin moved to Thunder Bay to attend Lakehead University and graduated from the Department of Outdoor Recreation, Parks and Tourism, and the Department of Biology—then never left. Always drawn to the outdoors, Erin thrives on sharing her passion for environmental education. When not saving the planet, Erin is enjoying the ski hill, floating on the lake, or connecting with the forest.

On the Cover

Thunder Bay blues rockers The Bustle Photo by Chad Kirvan

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Christmas

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TheTopFive

1 Novemburger 2023 November 1–30 Various Locations

What’s better than eating a delicious burger from one of your favourite local restaurants? Supporting a great cause while you do it! Novemburger is returning for its fifth year and is bigger, bolder, and better than ever, with TBay Modular Floors as the presenting sponsor. For the entire month of November, over 20 local participating restaurants will be selling their signature Novemburger and competing for the titles of top Novemburger of the year, most Novemburgers sold, and people’s choice. Plus, $2 from every burger sold is donated to the United Way of Thunder Bay, helping to support vital programs and services carried out by local organizations throughout our city; over the past four years, over 30,000 Novemburgers have been sold. For the full list of participating restaurants, visit their new webpage. novemburgeruwaytbay.ca

TBSO Presents: 3 All That Glitters with Spencer Hari

Fort William Gardens, Waverley Park, and Fort William First Nation

Emily Turner

Commemorate this year’s Remembrance Day and honour the Canadian Armed Forces who have sacrificed their lives throughout history at an indoor or outdoor service. The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 5 in partnership with the O’Kelly Armouries will be holding their service at Waverley Park starting at 10 am. This service will feature laying of wreaths, an air force demonstration, musical tributes, and more. Fort William First Nation will also be holding their annual ceremony on Anemki Wajiw. For those wishing to attend an indoor service, the Fort William Gardens will once again host thousands of attendees starting at 11 am, with The Last Post and a moment of silence. This service will also feature keynote speakers, the Nor’wester View School Choir, historical monuments on display (including WWII vehicles), and the passing of the torch from a veteran to a current member of the Canadian Armed Forces. thunderbay.ca

4 Craft Revival

November 17 Da Vinci Centre

Need an idea for a date night in November? Look no further. On November 17, local talent Spencer Hari is teaming up with the Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra for his first full-length TBSO performance, All That Glitters. While Hari is no stranger to the stages of Thunder Bay, he is bringing his signature wit, charm, and undeniable talent to the Da Vinci Centre for a night full of surprises—and, most importantly, glitter. The show begins at 7:30 pm and tickets are $40 for general admission, $20 for children and students, and $300 for tables of eight (plus applicable fees). Get your tickets now on the TBSO’s website (please note prices are subject to change via Ticketmaster). tbso.ca Kay Lee

November 11

Kay Lee

2 Remembrance Day

5 Paramount Live

Presents: The Prom

November 26

Waterfront District and Prince Arthur’s Landing

Sociable Thunder Bay

Everyone’s favourite holiday shopping experience is back! Craft Revival is returning to the Waterfront District and Prince Arthur’s Landing on November 26 from 10 am to 4 pm. This year’s Holiday Craft Revival event will feature an impressive display of more than 200 local artisans and crafters, selling everything from handcrafted jewelry to unique ceramics and everything in between. With over 20 participating locations, the event will be adorned with seasonal decorations and twinkling lights, and will feature live music performances. You can even take a ride on Bella and Clover, the festive horse and carriage from The Dell Farm. For the full event breakdown, including artisans and locations, visit the Craft Revival website and follow @craftrevivaltbay on Instagram. craftrevival.ca

November 29–December 2 Paramount Theatre

Forget your boring high school reunion, it’s time to relive prom night! The talented senior class of Paramount Live is gearing up to bring you the heartwarming hit The Prom. For four nights, this group of young actors is taking audiences on an uplifting journey of love, acceptance, and self-discovery (the prom nights of today are much more inclusive than the prom nights of yesteryear). With dazzling performances and unforgettable moments, this show promises to leave you dancing in your seats. The show will run from November 29 to December 2 at the Paramount Theatre, with curtain at 7 pm. Tickets will go on sale on Paramount Live’s Eventbrite page. paramountlive.eventbrite.com

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CoverStory

Live Music Lives On

Sounds of the City Volume XII

Keegan Richard

ive music has got something special going on: the energy of the performance, the connection between the musicians and the crowd, the thrill of recognizing the first few beats of a favourite song. We didn’t know what we had ‘til it was gone…and thankfully live music is back! In this 12th annual music issue of The Walleye, we salute Thunder Bay’s hard-working performers, promotors, venues, and everyone else who makes the magic happen. Rock on. - Bonnie Schiedel

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CoverStory

 Frank Loffredo

A Stage for Everyone

The Past, Present, and Future of Live Music in Thunder Bay Story by Kelsey Raynard, Photos by Emily Turner

or a city of just over 100,000 people, Thunder Bay has historically enjoyed a wonderful diversity of incredible live music acts both large and small. However, like all areas of life, the COVID-19 pandemic has changed this landscape dramatically. How has the local music scene changed since March of 2020? What does the future hold for lovers of live music? We spoke to three local promoters—Frank Loffredo, Michelle Addison, and Elly Tose—to get their perspectives on how Thunder Bay can rebuild and reimagine our local music scene. First and foremost, there

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is no sugarcoating the impact that COVID-19 had on the entertainment industry. “It just decimated every segment of the music scene,” says Loffredo, a longtime promoter in Thunder Bay and owner of Crocks/Loffredo & Associates. “The ones who are doing okay are at the top end. The music scene rises from the bottom, so a lot of the more [so-called] invisible venues are the ones who suffered the most.” Addison, owner and founder of Go Beyond the Show, adds that the length of time it took before venues were allowed to re-open had a negative impact on not only the owners of those venues,

but the artists themselves. “It was almost as though they had been deemed not valuable enough to come back sooner. There was a lack of confidence and even a lack of self-value and worth because of how slow it was,” she says. However, in order to keep artists and audiences safe, promoters and venues were forced to be both adaptable and creative in their ongoing efforts to keep the music scene alive. “We were doing everything we could to keep everyone safe and, at the same time, carry on with our mandate, which is bringing live music to Thunder Bay,” says Tose, who is the administrative

coordinator for the Sleeping Giant Folk Music Society. From backyard and patio shows, to virtual screenings, to socially distanced festivals, all three promoters commended the spirit of creativity and endurance that persisted throughout the earlier COVID years. Nowadays, live music is returning to Thunder Bay, albeit slowly. While many bands, venues, and promoters were forced to withdraw from the music scene during this time, the ones who have endured are facing challenges not unfamiliar to the rest of society. Loffredo, Addison, and Tose all remarked on the rising cost of, well, pretty

much everything, from gas prices, venue bookings, and artists’ fees, to hotel prices, and the bus rentals that facilitate touring in the first place. In terms of silver linings, Loffredo says that the bands who have survived bring a tenacity and persistence that reminds him (and the audiences) of the power of live music. Interestingly, Addison says that audiences are now emphasizing the importance of music as an experience, rather than just a show. “COVID helped us realize as fans how much we love to have memories and experiences more than things,” she says. “That’s really what we had

taken away: the ability to make memories in meaningful ways, and fans have really embraced the notion of making memories again through the arts.” Despite the challenges of the past few years, optimism remains. Loffredo, Addison, and Tose all commended new and upcoming local venues, such as Norteños Cantina, for championing live music and finding innovative ways to incorporate it into their business. “As I see so many more venues popping up, I really start to get excited at the possibility of more unexpected places and unique opportunities to listen to music and create really rich experiences,” Addison says. “If you want to play live music in Thunder Bay, there’s a venue or stage for you.” And Loffredo, who has been in this business for decades, feels that this period of time may be a blank slate for our city, and if people are passionate enough to keep it alive, could usher in a new era of live music in Thunder Bay.  Elly Tose

CoverStory

 Michelle Addison

WINTERERS’ GATHERING & ARCTIC FILM FESTIVAL NOVEMBER 16-19, 2023 Celebrate the crafts, customs, landscape, history, and stories of winter travel and traditional life ways in the North. Featuring winter-centric coursework, a tent camp, gear swap, dancing, film festival, and our Featured Speaker Tim Cahill.

NORTH HOUSE FOLK SCHOOL 500 W HWY 61, GRAND MARAIS, MN 218-387-9762 • NORTHHOUSE.ORG

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Keegan Richard

CoverStory

Mother of Wolves What’s your style/genre? Rock/hard rock/classic rock. We play a wide variety of genres for our covers, everything from Lady Gaga to Dolly Parton. Zeppelin to Alanis or Nirvana. However, as for our own music, we would consider it 70s hard rock.

V3NOM What’s your style/genre? Mainly rock covers with a touch of pop punk covers. What’s new? We are currently taking new pop/ dance songs and putting our own rock twists to them. How long have you been around? We’ve been playing music our whole lives, but we have been V3NOM for three years. Best song you’ve written? We do have an unreleased original ballad-style song called “The Wrong.” We will perform it one day. Favourite song you cover? This is a toss up between two: “Another One Bites the Dust” [Queen] or “Kryptonite” [3 Doors Down]. If you could collaborate with any musician/band, living or dead, who would it be and why? Probably Van Halen (Roth era) or Guns N’ Roses (Adler era). They were the poster children of nobullshit, in-your-face rock and roll, and we have so many questions that we would love to ask them. Also, who hasn’t been inspired by Eddie Van Halen and Slash? What would be your dream gig? Our dream gig would probably be Wake the Giant, because it would

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be an amazing feeling playing for our city. What’s the best thing about performing live shows? The best thing about performing live shows is when the audience really gets into it and sings/ dances with you. Lively interactive audiences have the power to push the show to the next level and you always get that at a V3NOM show! Where do you draw inspiration from in your music? We draw inspiration from the bands we love. For example, if you ever shut your eyes and listen to Dre [V3NOM co-lead singer] sing a Green Day song, you’ll honestly convince yourself that you are listening to Billie Joe Armstrong. We take pride in paying respect to the people that inspire us and we would never want to do them dirty. What do you hope people take away from your music? We just want people to come out, forget about life for the three hours you get to see us perform, and have an absolute blast! We put on a really fun, interactive show and our main goal is to bring everyone together through the power of good music and good entertainment. Contact: facebook.com/thebandvenom

What's new? 2023 started off for us with bang. We hit the ground running, played a lot of shows in order to get the funds to start some recording (which we did with Jean-Paul De Roover at Blueprints Studio), which is now available on all major streaming platforms. We had a great summer playing shows like Pride, Boreal Ultimate Music Society’s Summer in the Parking Lot at the Da Vinci Centre, and Rock the Dock (Amberlite Resort), to name a few, as well as the downtown core. We were also fortunate to play two weddings. Moving into fall, we've gotten back indoors and are getting back into some writing! How long have you been around? Going on six years (even during COVID-19). Best song you’ve written? Nate says “1969,” Paula figures “Magic Man,” and Landon thinks it is our song “Burning Witch” (not recorded). Favourite song you cover? Nate likes “Mr. Brightside” by The Killers and “Call Me” by Blondie, Landon likes “Zombie” by The Cranberries, Harley can’t pick a favourite, and Paula loves the classics (Queen, Zeppelin, etc.). If you could collaborate with any musician/band, living or dead, who would it be and why?

The Beatles, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Tool, Queen, Zeppelin. Nate: For me, The Beatles are (in my opinion) the best songwriters going, and I love the stank of the Peppers. Landon: Adam Jones (Tool), as I find his writing to be transcendent. Paula: Freddy Mercury and Robert Plant are huge inspirations, and their vocals hit the high heavens. What would be your dream gig? Any large festival or venue. What’s the best thing about performing live shows? Hands down, the crowds and our fans. Their energy and interactions are what inspire and fuel us to put on a great show. We love watching people dance and have a good time. We also encourage people to dance by giving the best dancer a free Mother of Wolves T-shirt. Where do you draw inspiration from in your music? Nate/Paula/Harley: We just allow the music to “speak to us” and just let it flow—maybe come from a higher “frequency.” Let it come from the heart. Landon: Life experiences, and situations that I’ve been through. The joys and sorrows. Family and friends and enemies. What do you hope people take away from your music? We hope they enjoy it, have a good time, let it move them in their bodies and/or minds. Contacts: @mother.of.wolves.band on Instagram or Mother of Wolves on Facebook.

Mark Schutte

CoverStory

Back Forty What’s your style/genre? PowerCountry™—it is best experienced, not described. What’s new? Our singer Tim Albertson just released a new single a few weeks ago. “Did It for a Girl” is available on all the major platforms. We have a new guitarist in the band, Andrew Edwards. He brings decades of twang-bangin’ country experience. How long have you been around? Since 2016. Best song you’ve written? Tim Albertson has one coming out next year that is our favourite right now. Favourite song you cover? Kiss, “Detroit Rock City.” We were asked to have a few rock songs for a private gig, and what’s more rock than that song? If you could collaborate with any musician/band, living or dead, who would it be and why? We would absolutely cream for a chance to play with The Highwaymen. Four legends of country music, self-explanatory.

What would be your dream gig? The CLE 2024—hint hint! What’s the best thing about performing live shows? The energy. Meeting new people as well. Whether it’s another band, production, fans, or vendors, we have met so many awesome people and formed great relationships. Where do you draw inspiration from in your music? As a cover band, we have quite a process when choosing songs. We listen to the crowds more than anything. What do you hope people take away from your music? A new outlook on country music. We hear it every show: “You know I don’t really like country music, but you guys were awesome!” Contact: backfortyentertainment@gmail.com

Loughlin What’s your style/genre? Traditional Celtic. What’s new? I have just gotten back from spending a month in Scotland and Ireland, ready with lots of ideas to start writing new songs. We have plans to start recording new material soon.

festival in Glasgow would be incredible. They bring together some of the top Celtic musicians from all over the world. What’s the best thing about performing live shows? For hundreds of years the people of the British Isles have relied on music and storytelling as their form of entertainment. We enjoy continuing the tradition of playing music that brings people together.

How long have you been around? We have all been playing traditional Celtic music for a majority of our Where do you draw inspiration lives but we got together as a group from in your music? in February 2023. I often try to weave personal Best song you’ve written? experiences with traditional themes from Scotland and Ireland. Some “Rivers Won’t Flow” is the most are stories of historic moments and well-received song, but “Hanged others are the day-to-day struggles for the Sea,” musically, is my people go through. favourite I’ve written. What do you hope people take Favourite song you cover? away from your music? Our favourite right now is “Spancil There’s beauty in sadness. Without Hill”: a story of a young man who the darkness and sadness you can has come across the ocean to try never truly appreciate the happiness to make a living in California but of life. Although a lot of our lyrics dreams of going home to Ireland. are quite melancholic, the music If you could collaborate with any is upbeat and there are always musician/band, living or dead, moments where the characters in who would it be and why? the music find happiness in their Probably The Pogues. They did an situations. excellent job of bringing traditional music into the mainstream spotlight Contacts: @Loughlin_music and Shane MacGowan’s poetic genius is unmatched. Spotify/Apple Music: Connor Loughlin What would be your dream gig? Playing at the Celtic Connections

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CoverStory This tells me I’m in the ballpark of achieving what I set out to do and fills me with a great sense of accomplishment. Favourite song you cover? My main bent is writing songs, but we do cover songs. It’s fun to have a room full of people all singing the same song. Lately, we have had a great time playing a rocked up version of Tina Turner’s “The Best.” RIP. Tony McGuire/Theymedia

If you could collaborate with any musician/band, living or dead, who would it be and why? I feel as though I already am collaborating with the souls I am destined to be. It all feels right; the people I know fill my heart to the brim.

Phineas Gauge What’s your style/genre? Rather eclectic, I daresay; my life’s purpose has largely been to write songs that are interesting, challenging, and emotionally resonant. Some have said we are Thunder Bay’s Ween. What’s new? My old bandmate, Aysanabee from The Communication, was nominated for a Juno this year! I'm working on a song called “Reality Cheque” about how we need to better develop our conscience alongside the efficiency we have garnered. How long have you been around? We are as old as dirt. I started writing around 12 years of age, and quickly came to the conclusion that was exactly what I wanted to primarily do for the rest of my life. Since both my parents were/are career musicians, I was immersed in music from before the internet was everywhere, when house phones were prevalent, and Nintendo was the big thing. Best song you’ve written? A song is a parcel of wisdom and emotion, as unique and varied as there is any given thought and emotion culminating in a state of being at any given time. They are all my babies, and I love them all. There are some that have a more universally accepted appeal, such as “Where Am I.” There are some that are deeply personal, such as “A Good One at That,” that still elicit a very strong emotional response. Ask a different person acquainted with Phineas Gauge songs what they favour and you will get a different answer every time.

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What would be your dream gig? Were I a rich man, I have long since reached the conclusion that I would fly my friends around to varying mainly tropical places around the world, and we would play our music at unique livestreamed house parties. What’s the best thing about performing live shows? I suppose the best thing is sharing the energy with fellow musicians and the audience, whatever the song may be—we all look up after the song is over, and are like “Wow, that was an interesting moment that we just shared, and we all feel more close and open for having shared it.” Where do you draw inspiration from in your music? I grab little pieces from all my friends and family, a series of gems I hold up to the light, to better understand what I want to be. There is also the beauty and mystery of nature, the petal of a sprout, so vibrant and green. The veins in a hand, telling a story. All the things we fashion out of nature, from the vestments we adorn ourselves in, to the technology that now encompasses us on such a grand scale and continues to evolve as we do—it’s all very inspiring. What do you hope people take away from your music? Go create positive change with whatever it is you do. A grassroots approach. If we all helped one another with our backyards, there would be far less to complain about I reckon. I want people to feel, and to care. Contacts: jesshorricks@gmail.com linktr.ee/jesshorricks

The Hung Wellgarians What’s your style/genre? Well, since we are strictly a cover band, we don’t really have a style/ genre. We try to select tunes based on what people will like and dance to, as well as what we want to play and/or never play again. We try to stay diverse in our sound, moving from country to rock to ska to punk throughout our sets.

Terence: Led Zeppelin. Does there need to be a why? What would be your dream gig? Travis’s dream gig is to pack the Thunder Bay Community Auditorium with all of his admiring hometown fans for a one-night party. Terence’s would be an early Lollapalooza, because every cool band ever played there. Noah’s dream gig would have to be Monsters of Rock/ Donington back in the 80s with all the classic rock bands, or the U.S. Festival in ‘83 playing with Judas Priest.

What’s new? We received a cease-and-desist letter concerning our former band name from a lovely gentleman from south of the border, which encouraged us to transform into The What’s the best thing about Hung Wellgarians! playing live shows? How long have you been around? Playing live is what it’s all about— having a crowd enjoying your music, Well, I guess this iteration with and the energy from the crowd Travis Plouffe (guitar and lead vox), giving you energy to play harder Noah Anderson (lead guitar), Steve and better for the audience. Getting Kondreska on drums, and myself, to see your friends and family having Terence Etienne, on bass, has been a great time is awesome and really, gigging for a little over a year now. there’s nothing like being told how It’s been a blast playing at all of the much people enjoyed your show. venues around town since this time last year. It’s awesome to see more Where do you draw inspiration in venues bringing in live acts! your music? As a cover band, I think our Favourite song you cover? inspiration mainly comes from our Well, we couldn’t all agree on one own personal tastes. We try not to so here’s a quick list: do songs the guys in the band don’t Travis: “Superstition” by Stevie like, as songs we all like get played Wonder better. There’s almost 35 years between our oldest and youngest Noah: “Little Bones” by The members so we definitely have a Tragically Hip few decades of musical selection Steve: “Fly” by Sugar Ray between us! Terence: “Time Bomb” by Rancid What do you hope people take away from your music? If you could collaborate with any musician/band, living or dead, I think first and foremost, we want who would it be and why? people to have as much fun hearing us as we have playing for them. So Again we couldn’t agree on this so pick up an instrument! Get together we’ll drop in everyone’s take. with your buddies and make noise. Noah: Collab with AC/DC (ideally It’s fun, it’s personally rewarding, Bon Scott era) because it’s what gave and you can share it with others. him the dream to rock and roll and We would definitely like to take this be in a rock band, which he has now opportunity to thank all the venues accomplished. And AC/DC is pure that support and promote live rock and roll. No-bullshit hard rock. music in Thunder Bay, as well as all the local talent out there working Steve: Gowan. Steve finds him hard to bring good quality music to to be an amazing performer and Thunder Bay! songwriter but personally, Steve’s a bit of a strange animal so that might Contacts: be why! The Hung Wellgarians on Facebook Travis: Taylor Swift because she’s @thehungwellgarians on fire and he loves her and she’s a great songwriter.

CoverStory

The Bustle

What’s new? We are excited to announce that our band won the local Thunder Bay Blues Society Blues Challenge and we will be representing Northwestern Ontario at the International Blues Challenge (IBC) from January 16 to 20, 2024 in Memphis, Tennessee. This prestigious music competition takes place on historical Beale Street and is the world’s largest gathering of blues musicians. We also recently performed in the Blues Shakedown concert at the Da Vinci Centre and are honoured to have shared the stage with Shawn Holt and Toronzo Cannon. We are also excited to be recording some of our songs next month at Pickled Egg Studio with audio engineer Bernhard Wolski.

the Royal Albert Hall where all the greats have played. Jenny is inspired to play Massey Hall after seeing Gordon Lightfoot perform there. And Jen has always wanted the experience of playing the Winnipeg Folk Festival. What’s the best thing about performing live shows? Connecting with each other on stage. We’re like an old married couple. We’ve played together for many years and yet we’re always surprising each other with a slight turn on a vocal phrase, guitar solo, or drum fill. These small surprises are what energize us and put a smile on each of our faces. We also love dancing and singing with everyone in the crowd. Music is a social endeavour and experiencing that with an energetic group of people is humbling and what truly excites us!

Where do you draw inspiration from in your music? We are inspired by a lot of artists! How long have you been around? Jenny pulls from the Rolling Stones and has a deep appreciation for We played in a band called The Angies, an all-female Rolling Stones blues artists like Muddy Waters, cover band, from 2017 to 2019. The Buddy Guy, and Taj Mahal. You three of us have been back together can hear hints of Marcus King and Susan Tedeschi in Jen’s vocals. Jen since 2021 to share our love of the also follows the lead of the John blues and create original tunes. Mayer Trio when writing songs. Best song you’ve written? And Sam pulls her guitar grit from artists like Stevie Ray Vaughan, We love the song “Killing Me” Billy Gibbons, and Angus Young. because it’s the first song we wrote We also draw inspiration from each together and also the one that we other and push each other in ways find is most well-received! At the that perhaps we have not been same time, it’s also hard to just pick pushed before. For example, Sam one. We find that there are parts of and Jenny have never stepped in each of our songs that get stuck in our heads and we love a good hook. front of a microphone on stage until this band and this has opened up Favourite song you cover? so many creative possibilities. We've only played one cover live: What do you hope people take “Voodoo Woman” by Koko Taylor. away from your music? It’s got such a nice groove and Jen Too often, we get pulled away by embodies Koko’s spirit! the stress of life. We hope our music If you could collaborate with any and live performances can bring musician/band, living or dead, people back to the here and now, who would it be and why? where we can sing, dance, connect For Sam, it would be Marcus King. with each other, and feel alive. We He lives and breathes blues so also hope people—young and naturally and she finds him to be old—can relate to the stories we an inspiration to guitar playing, are telling. It’s not always pleasant. singing, and music composition. Sometimes it can even feel Jenny would love to be in the same downright sad and awkward. And, room as John Lee Hooker and if they’re willing, we invite people find out how he is able to sit on a to feel it all and discover something groove for seemingly hours and about themselves they didn’t know keep it absolutely electric. And Jen before. And we hope we can inspire would love to collaborate with John other women in music. Wherever Mayer and find out his recipe for you are out there: You are worthy! creating the tastiest grooves in a Contact: three-piece dynamic! The Bustle on Facebook What would be your dream gig? Sam fantasizes about playing at

Chad Kirvan

What’s your style/genre? We share a love for the blues, in all of its forms. It’s a language that allows us to wholeheartedly express ourselves and explore our creativity as musicians.

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8 Dylan Darbyson

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4 Emily Turner

242 Red River Road 807-285-3188 thefoundrypub.com Established: 2012 Capacity: 193 Did you know: The Foundry is named after the Woodside Brothers Foundry company. The Woodside brothers were the first people to generate electricity in the city back in 1888.

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955 Oliver Road 807-343-8551 facebook.com/ TheOutpostCampusPub Established: 1991 Capacity: Approximately 700 Did you know: The Outpost has just done renovations to its space, which allows it to accommodate larger crowds. The revamp also now includes a new mural done by four local artists that showcases some Thunder Bay-area landmarks like the Sleeping Giant, Anemki Wajiw, and the persian.

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14 Local Live Music Venues

The Foundry

Emily Turner

Harbour Expy

Paulucci’s Wayland Bar & Grill

Arthur St.

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Edward St.

The Westfort 1408 Brown Street 807-475-9114 facebook.com/thewestfort Established: 1956

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Emily Turner

1019 Gore Street 807-577-5863 faceboom.com/ waylandbarandgrill Established: 1937 Capacity: 284 Did you know: The Wayland building was originally located on the Kaministiquia River. In 1936, it was moved to its current location on Gore Street by putting skids underneath it and using Clydesdale horses to haul it over in the middle of the day.

Emily Turner

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782 Macdonell Street 807-620-0196 industrysocialhouse.com Established: 2023 Capacity: 270 Did you know: The Industry has in-house DJs from 4Pillar who will be spinning on a regular basis, and has plans for upcoming events with the TBSO in the near future.

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The Industry Social House

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115 Cumberland Street North 807-285-7588 cinema5skatepark.ca Established: 2022 Capacity: 300+ Did you know: The skatepark stage includes skate features that bands can incorporate into their shows; October’s “Punk N Pancakes” show was the first to feature the mini ramp, meaning members from the public and the park’s skate team were skating while the bands were playing. Shows raise money for local youth initiatives.

229 Van Norman Street 807-344-2071 facebook.com/ portarthurlegion Established: Current building opened in 1950 Capacity: Up to 230 (Imperial Hall), 185 (Club Room) Did you know: The Branch 5 Legion started hosting weekly blues jams around 2012–13, which continue to this day. The founder, local musician Tracy K, worked under the mantra of “not a shiny penny,” meaning they were being held in a regular, everyday setting.

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Black Pirates Pub 215 Red River Road, Suite 101 807-285-0152 blackpiratespub.com Established: 2008 Capacity: 210 Did you know: The space that’s now the home of Black Pirates Pub has a long history of being a live music venue. Back in the day, the location was home to The Office, and it has hosted many memorable performances (including a lot of great blues shows) over the years.

8 Cumberland Street South 807-767-4513 facebook.com/HowlTBay Established: 2023 Capacity: 70 Did you know: Elvis has been known to occasionally stop by Howl at the Moon to sing a few songs. Next time you’re there, you may run into one of TBay’s best Elvis impersonators.

NV Music Hall 228 Red River Road 807-345-5112 nvmusichall.com Established: 2015 Capacity: 700 Did you know: NV Music Hall hosts a variety of musical acts across all genres from beloved local rockers The Honest Heart Collective to international hip hop star Nelly, one of the biggest names to grace NV’s stage to date.

377 Memorial Avenue 807-285-1144 shooterstavern.com Established: 2009 Capacity: 105 Did you know: Shooter’s is home to a weekly piano bar. Every Wednesday night, local pianist Danny Johnson takes the stage at 8 pm, and there’s no cover to watch him play.

7 Dylan Darbyson

Shooter’s Tavern

Atmos 211 Red River Road 807-620-0708 atmostbay.ca Established: 2018 Capacity: 110 Did you know: Atmos specializes in bringing EDM acts to Thunder Bay and boasts a state-of-the-art PK Sound system, which they say delivers festival quality sound that’s accompanied by advanced stage lighting, screens, and projectors for an immersive live show experience.

Sidney Ulakovic

Howl at the Moon

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Norteños Cantina 235 Red River Road 807-343-3640 @nortenos.cantina Established: 2023 Capacity: 232 Did you know: Norteños will be doubling down on live music. The Westfort taqueria will be moving into the Ramada by Wyndham Thunder Bay Airlane Hotel in order to accommodate a stage and offer live music at their southside location as well.

Port Arthur Polish Hall 102 Court Street South 807-344-3772 papolish.weebly.com Established: 1952 Capacity: 360 Did you know: The Polish Hall has served as a venue for a lot of memorable shows, including many presented by the Sleeping Giant Folk Music Society, such as Del Barber, William Prince, Ariel Posen, Whitehorse, and the Derina Harvey Band.

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Autumn LeClair

CoverStory

 The Thunder Bay Community Auditorium today

The Big Stage

Celebrating the Thunder Bay Community Auditorium By Matt Prokopchuk

oday, it’s often called one of the finest concert halls in North America, home to the only professional symphony orchestra between Toronto and W innipeg, and lauded by numerous international performers who have graced its stage over the past 38 years as a gem of an arts venue, particularly for its acoustics. But the Thunder Bay Community Auditorium was almost never built as the planning phase, which spanned years, was fraught with civic and local political opposition. The Auditorium opened

on August 16, 1985, but talk of building a performing arts centre in the city dated back to the early 1970s. Several locations were considered, including the downtown south core and a site on Balmoral Street, before its current location was finalized. Still, opposition to the project on city councils of the day ran deep; despite his background in Vaudeville, then-mayor Walter Assef famously declared he would never set foot in the building should it be built, and he didn’t attend the Auditorium’s gala opening upon its completion. A significant

demographic swearingly against it. [...] It really did follow partisan demographics, I would think.” Boshcoff and current Auditorium general manager Trevor Hurtig say the venue plays a significant role in attracting top-calibre entertainment to the city. Hurtig has a long history with the facility, dating back to 1994 when he interned there in audience services, and has subsequently held a variety of other positions there during various stints. “It does an important job of giving the residents of Thunder Bay the exposure to world-class entertainment and cultural events that would be a lot more difficult if we didn’t have a leading-edge performing arts facility of this sort,” Hurtig says, adding that its role in

 A view of the audience, 1985

Courtesy of the Thunder Bay Museum

 The view of the Auditorium house from the stage

portion of city residents also opposed the project, with a plebiscite on whether to build the Auditorium only passing with 50.4% in favour, according to a lecture at the Thunder Bay Museum by Gary Polonsky, who was the chair of the board tasked with getting the facility built. Contemporary media reports from 1983 (when the issue of whether to tender bids for construction was being debated by council) show that councillors approved the project by a 9–3 vote (Assef being one of the three dissenters), with some changing their vote over time to be in

favour, based on the wishes of the public. Current Thunder Bay mayor Ken Boshcoff was a city councillor (then called an alderman) during the years when the Auditorium was being debated, and recalls how heated an issue it was. “Raucous would be an understatement,” he says of council meetings at the time. “It was more of a bloodbath,” he adds. “There were people who swore the concept was evil and was going to sink us.” Nowadays, given his decades in politics, Boshcoff says the arguments for and against the facility generally play out similarly whenever big-ticket projects are proposed. “It was almost like a textbook model in political science,” he says. “Your arts community [was] for it, the hardcore, older

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 A news report being filed from the mezzanine prior to the 1985 gala opening

while also continuing our mandate of providing something for everybody,” he says. Boshcoff adds that having a performance venue for organizations like the Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra e x p o s e s m o re p e o p l e , including youth, to the arts and promotes it as a possible field of study. Going forward, Hurtig says the Auditorium, as is the case in much of the entertainment world, continues its recovery from the halt of

live entertainment due to the COVID-19 pandemic amid some lingering uncertainties, as well as dealing with current economic conditions, like the rising costs of living, that have people being careful where they spend their money. As for his favourite show at the Auditorium, while he says there are many, Hurtig ultimately points to a pair: an October 2016 show that featured Paul Shaffer and his band from the David Letterman

show, as well as when B.B. King played here in 2007. “I love the blues; I love the guitars,” he says of the King show. “There’s been a few shows over the years where you just get that feeling that you’re standing in front of a living legend.” And with the Auditorium at the centre of the local arts scene, Thunder Bay residents will be able to experience that feeling for years to come.

 East side view of the Auditorium during construction, 1985

 The Auditorium’s stage under construction, 1985

 The Canadian Brass on stage during the 1985 gala opening

Courtesy of the Thunder Bay Museum

 Bob Hope with his band on stage during the Auditorium’s gala opening, 1985

Courtesy of the Thunder Bay Museum

become a white elephant and only serve the interests of the arts elite. But he feels the facility’s track record of acts booked over the decades has quashed those concerns, giving credit to his predecessor Bob Halvorsen for promoting the venue to a wide variety of acts—something Hurtig says they’re striving to continue. “We’re running this building as efficiently as we possibly can to try and make sure that we’re doing our fiscal responsibility

 Stage lighting installation at the Auditorium

Courtesy of the Thunder Bay Museum

hosting events like graduation ceremonies, lectures, and other community events are also a core function. “If you look at our calendar, most weeks there’s something happening here that’s exposing people to arts, entertainment, music.” Hurtig, too, remembers the fractious debate around the facility’s construction (he was in high school at the time), recalling that a popular argument against the Auditorium was that it would

Courtesy of the Thunder Bay Museum

CoverStory

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MEET SANTA. SLEIGH RIDES. BONFIRE & S’MORES. REFRESHMENTS & SNACKS.

THURSDAY DEC 7TH

4-8PM

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Shakshouka

Food

serves 6

2 Tbsp olive oil 1 medium onion, diced 1 red pepper, seeded and diced 4 garlic cloves, minced 2 tsp paprika 1 tsp cumin ¼ tsp chili powder

796 ml can whole or diced tomatoes salt and pepper, to taste

Dinner, Sunny Side Up

THE G IN GR NIN Y L BEL

By Chef Rachel Bayes

‫ةكوشكش‬, or shakshouka, is Maghrebi Arabic for “a mixture,” and refers to eggs poached in a fragrant sauce of tomatoes, peppers, onion, garlic, olive oil, and aromatics like cumin, paprika, and cayenne pepper. Typically served alongside pita or crusty breads, fresh salads, spreads, and cheeses, it’s perfect, really, for an anytime

meal in November. A few countries in Northern Africa claim to have invented the OG shakshouka—Algeria, Libya, Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Turkey, and Yemen—and there are as many variations of the sauce as people who make it. Versions leaning into sweet, spicy, or salty can be made by adding sheep milk cheeses,

chorizo sausage, harissa, or preserved lemon. During the 1950s and 60s, Maghrebi Jewish immigrants brought the dish to Israel, where it’s served up as part of a hearty Israeli breakfast, but this meal is so versatile, you can eat it whenever you darn well please!

6 large eggs

1 small bunch fresh cilantro, chopped 1 small bunch fresh parsley, chopped ½ c crumbled feta (optional but so good!)

Heat oil in a large sauté pan* over medium heat. Add onion and red pepper, cooking for 5 minutes or until the onion becomes translucent. *many recipes show shakshouka made in a cast iron pan, but you can easily use a stainless steel pan, too—just use a pan that’s got a heavy bottom, to prevent burning

Add garlic and spices and cook an additional minute or two, stirring frequently.

Pour tomatoes and juice into the pan, breaking down the tomatoes using a large spoon. Season with salt and pepper and bring the sauce to a simmer. Cook until heated through and veggies are soft. Use your large spoon to make small wells in the sauce and crack the eggs into each well. Cover the pan and cook for 5–8 minutes (or throw in a 350°F oven), or until the eggs are done to your liking.

Garnish with chopped herbs, and feta, if using. Serve immediately.

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Shop family-owned businesses and celebrate our winter heritage. Scan this QR code to view our incredible schedule of events

Food OF DRINK H T MON

The Aperol Spritz Bean & Olive

Story by Jeannie Dubois, Photo by Jack Barten

ool, white-washed walls juxtaposed with warm, blonde wood, along with a pert foliage wall and crisp, copper bar accents give the newly opened Bean & Olive a distinctly cosmopolitan yet Nordic vibe. Nestled in the foothills of Loch Lomond, catering both delicious coffee and cocktails, it is fully stocked with fresh salads and sandwiches, pastries, and snacks, as well as delectable specials and seasonal offerings. The pièce de résistance is offered

up by the lovely owners Jill and Mark McLeod: a classic Aperol spritz, served up in a bougie beveled gold-rimmed coupe glass garnished with a fresh orange slice. A perfect blend of Aperol, Perrier, and prosecco, fresh, effervescent, with a hint of savoury herb, the spritz resembles sunset in a glass—the ultimate après-ski!

Bean & Olive 1725 Highway 61 807-577-2326

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Food

Thunder Bay African Restaurant

E OFF TH U MEN

Review and photo by Jack Barten

hunder Bay’s food scene is becoming increasingly diverse. Nestled in this northern town we have everything from Mexican to Thai, and we also have a growing African food scene. This leads us to our Off the Menu featured restaurant for November: Thunder Bay African Restaurant. Àmàlà is a traditional Nigerian swallow food that

incorporates yam and a variety of different sauces and proteins to make for a unique and delicious experience. For the uninitiated, swallow food means you don’t chew àmàlà like other foods; instead, you take a piece of the yam and roll it into a ball, mixing it with the other components of the meal, then swallow it without chewing. This makes for a fairly unique experience (at least in

the context of typical Canadian cuisine) that you really have to try for yourself to understand. Àmàlà is made in a variety of ways depending on who is making the dish. Thunder Bay African Restaurant's version is served with mackerel, shaki (also known as cow tripe), roundabout (cow intestines), and cow liver. All these proteins offer their own unique textures and flavours that make the dish

feel varied yet cohesive. With that many proteins, one may ask how they tie them all together? Well, this dish is perfected with the base of stews and sauces that make up the vibrant colours found nestled among the fish and meat. First, you may notice the vibrant green of ewedu, a Nigerian soup made with jute leaves that has been compared to okra. This adds a great bit of freshness to cut through the more savoury flavours. Also present in the dish is gbegiri. Gbegiri is a traditional soup made from a variety of beans and spices, and it does a wonderful job of combining

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the freshness of the ewedu and the spiciness of the meat and fish. The flavours of all the elements are really the star of the show as everything comes together perfectly bite after bite. Àmàlà is one of those food experiences that sticks with you—with its unique tastes and textures, it really is a musttry for those foodies who seek out everything Thunder Bay’s food scene has to offer.

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Food

R SUPERIO SIP

All the Right Notes Musically Inclined Beer, Spirits, and Wine By Jeannie Dubois, Pommelier and Sommelier

Beer:

Rush by Henderson Brewing Co. (Golden Ale) $3.40 for 473 ml Blend of Vienna and rye malt with a magnum and sasquatch hop addition Any band that is still relevant after 50 years deserves their own beer, as Geddy, Alex, and Neil of Rush, playing out of Toronto do.

s a nation, we have a rich culture of musical talent that is pride-worthy, and is also epically re-listenable, whether you do a deep dive into the classics like Joni Mitchell, Leonard Cohen, Neil Young, and Buffy Sainte-Marie, or fastforward to some newer crews like Shawn Mendes, Arcade Fire, The Weeknd, and Broken Social Scene. Alas, the dewy days of summer music festivals have

Wine:

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or venturing out to Osheaga in Montreal. More of an armchair listener and want to put on the soft, warm sound of a vinyl in the cozy, comfort of your own home? By all means, kick up your feet, drop the needle on your favourite track—and, for an added bonus, pour out a musically inspired bevvie, in collaboration with a cool Canadian artist, while you sing or sway along to your favourite tune. Collaboration,

Spirits:

Cuddy by Tawse Winery (Cabernet/ Merlot, 2020) $27.95 for 750 ml VQA Ontario blend of cab sauv, cab franc, and merlot The wine is red, but the band is Blue Rodeo— hailing from Toronto— and the wine is named eponymously for the inimitable front man Jim Cuddy.

Where you Make the Steak Great! 28

passed into the twilight of memory for another year, as the nip in the cool air clouds our foggy breath and bright hoar frost tips our fading lawns at the end of the season up here in the Bay. But fear not, music fans, as the anticipation of next year’s lineup is right around the corner, whether you are tarrying out to Shambhala in Salmo, heading down to North by Northeast in Toronto, popping over to the Winnipeg Folk Festival,

The Tragically Hip Ahead by a Century Chardonnay by Stoney Ridge Estate Winery (2021)

$21.95 for 750 ml VQA Ontario A commemorative chardonnay for the dear departed Downie and the whole Hip crew from Kingston.

Virginia Black— American Whiskey $51.55 for 750 ml Blend of two-, three-, and four-year-old rye bourbon Our man Drake, the international sensation who calls Toronto home, went bold on a collaboration to create a whiskey that broke LCBO sales records.

Book Your Reservation: lot88steakhousethunderbay.com 807.767.3897 || 45 Court St. S

by definition, is the act of working with someone to create something, and whether in small or large part, there are some spectacular Canadian artists out there who have lent their ideas or ethos to some really remarkable beverages. So, sit back, relax, and plan the festival stages you’ll visit next year (or just enjoy the needle drop in the moment) with a thoughtfully crafted Canadian drink in hand.

Past Collabs That Will Pop Up Again

City and Colour Imperial Maple Wheat Beer by Flying Monkeys Craft Brewery (Dallas Green!) Road Apples Cider by Thornbury Craft Co. (more Hip!) Hucklejack Canadian Lager by Lone Oak Brewing Co. (Dean Brody!)

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FilmTheatre

Bridges to the North director Tony McGuire

Bridges to the North A Story 15 Years in the Making

Story by Roxann Shapwaykeesic, Images courtesy of Theymedia

a c k i n S e p t e m b e r, Bridges to the North premiered at the Vox Popular Media Arts Festival in Thunder Bay. The documentary was produced by Theymedia, Webequie First Nation, and Marten Falls First Nation, and directed by Gull Bay First Nation member Tony McGuire. “It was astounding to see everyone laughing in unison, and at the end, coming up with hope and being like, ‘You know what, I'm angry, but I’m full of hope.’ And that was what I wanted,” says McGuire of the premiere, where the film won a People’s Choice Award. Through McGuire’s media and consulting work in the remote communities, the footage in the documentary goes back a decade and a half. “I filmed continuously for 15 years. I was able to use that footage to describe and give a starting

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point for the story,” says McGuire, who filmed another year and a half while navigating the unique challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. The documentary was created to give a voice to Webequie and Marten Falls, and their desire to see year-round roads built to communities that are fly-in and winter road-access only. Other communities in the area oppose these plans. “To sum up [the film] is to sum up everyone else's voices. The doc encapsulates all those voices, but really focuses on their desires to have roads to their community, which they will decide on for their own concerns and their own sovereignty. They just wanted their voices heard,” says McGuire on the many facets and opinions on this kind of infrastructure.

In November 2021 a funding announcement confirmed the film’s go-ahead. “On one of the biggest days of my life where I received funding for a film, my brother died,” McGuire says. “The night my biggest high hit was also the biggest low. It happened during

lockdown and I couldn’t grieve, we couldn’t do a fire. The man who I turned to whenever I did our rituals left me. Six months into making the film, I saw how much of his voice was in the film. I finally acknowledged what he meant, what it meant to lose him, and the film was my sacred ritual.” McGuire explained the film isn’t just about the road. It’s telling the story through the lens of people in Webequie and Marten Falls, where his brother was from. “It’s a documentary about people.”

After watching the film, McGuire says many viewers changed their stance on building roads. “Afterwards, people were like, ‘What can I do to help?’” McGuire says. “It was going to be a hard story to tell, but we have something accurate and most importantly, Anishinaabe-told.” To learn more about the documentary and Theymedia, go to facebook.com/theymedia.

 Bruce Achneepineskum, Chief of Marten Falls First Nation, being interviewed in Bridges to the North

ABOUT BASKETEERS

Annually, Basketeers raises funds to help women rebuild their lives free from violence and abuse in partnership with Faye Peterson and Beendigen Inc. in Thunder Bay. Since 2018, Becky Forester and Katie McGowen, two dedicated sisters, have successfully generated approximately $20,000 in support of Thunder Bay Basketeers. This year, they are once again joining forces, this time partnering with Beauty Bar 61, with a shared goal of raising $5,000.

4 in 10

women have experienced violence in their lifetime

600+

shelters for women facing domestic abuse in Canada

BASKET RECEPIENT TESTIMONIAL

“It’s not easy leaving everything behind, all of my stuff gone. I thank you from the bottom of my heart. I now at least have something to move into my apartment, my new life. Its great to have organizations around like yourself to help women in need. Keep up the good good. Thank you.”

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO DONATE HTTPS://GOFUND.ME/6534039B The Walleye

FilmTheatre

Movies and Music

THE ST ND MOLE O C E S B A R PLEASUG WE THIN HE DO IN TK DAR

There’s a power to what it is that we do. No one, till right now, has publicly acknowledged that.

- Janice Pendarvis, a backup singer, in 20 Feet From Stardom.

By Michael Sobota

A COLUMN ABOUT MOVIES

Stop Making Sense (1984)

Music from the Big House (2010)

I got a chance to re-see the restored, high-definition version of this movie, called “the best concert film ever made” by film critic Brian Tallerico, on the big screen at our SilverCity just last month. Director Jonathan Demme captures the Talking Heads at the peak of their mid career (the band was active from 1975 through 1991) with innovative film techniques that match their energy and dynamism on stage. The film opens with David Byrne walking from the back to centre stage with his acoustic guitar. He plunks a cassette tape into a boombox (remember those?) and proceeds to power his way through “Psycho Killer.” As stagehands roll platforms and scenery onstage behind him, he is joined by Tina Weymouth on electric bass and they riff into “Heaven.” From there, everything just keeps ratcheting up. Eventually there are a dozen musicians surrounding Byrne, including two of the most energetic backup singers I have ever experienced, Lynn Mabry and Ednah Holt, pushing and swirling the music into an eclectic, energetic high. Magnificent.

Canadian blues singer Rita Chiarelli takes a trip down to the birthplace of the blues. She goes into the Louisiana State Penitentiary (also known as Angola) to lead some workshops, and join with inmates for performances of shared joy. This is a maximum-security prison, so all the inmates have been convicted of charges like murder, rape, or armed robbery. They are also superb musicians. We get to meet them and hear a bit of their personal stories—and more than a bit of the shared music that elevates their incarceration into layers of rhythm and accomplishment. Chiarelli shines at the centre of this music and contributes some of her own original songs. Steve Cosens’s cinematography is subtle, not flashy, letting the music be the focus. We meet the inmates like regular people, working toward forgiveness in the music they all make together.

usic and movies are like bread and butter, salt and pepper, tea and sympathy. They are natural partners and their partnership is often integral to the success of each. Here are four movies that celebrate musical groups, bands, artists, and that rapidly disappearing phenomena, the back-up singer.

20 Feet From Stardom (2013)

Most movies about music focus on the band or the lead singer. But Morgan Neville’s 20 Feet From Stardom starts away from centre stage. This is an exhibition and celebration of backup singers. Relatively few bands have them anymore, and certainly not local ones. Here we see some of the best in the world, with on-screen testimonials from the likes of Bruce Springsteen, Sting, Bette Midler, and Mick Jagger. And we experience Lisa Fischer, Patti Austin, Darlene Love, and others singing and strutting their choreographed moves that exemplify the harmonies and joy of backup singing. This is a powerful testament to the unsung who sing right in front of us, only 20 feet away from the featured vocalist. The movie won the 2014 Oscar for Best Documentary Feature Film.

Here are six more adventures in movie music: Purple Rain (1984), That Thing You Do! (1996), Dreamgirls (2006), Pitch Perfect (2012), Sing Street (2016) and Green Book (2018).

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Band Aid (2017)

The movie is almost a one-woman show for Zoe Lister-Jones, who served as its producer, writer, director, and featured actress. She also hired an all-female crew to get the film made. The story is a simple rom-com. Anna (ListerJones) and Ben (Adam Pally) are an unhappily married couple. She is an Uber driver and he is an athome slacker. They bicker and fight over just about everything, from who should do the dishes sitting in their kitchen sink to what they should watch on television. About 10 minutes into the story, Anna has a thought: “What if all of our fights were songs?” Together with their neighbour, they form a band and begin building their careers from pick-up gigs to small-hall concerts. The music ameliorates their angst to a degree, but eventually the story has to propel them to look more closely at what is causing all their bickering and anger. There are some preachy scenes, notably from Anna’s mom (Susie Essman), and the tension resolves too easily, but both Lister-Jones and Pally can sing and are talented musicians, and this is an entertaining comedy with good music and a talented cast.

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A Story of Redemption

Gabe Ferrazzo as Ebenezer Scrooge

Cambrian Players Debut 74th Season with A Christmas Carol Story by Sidney Ulakovic, Photo by Thomas McDonald

s the Christmas season really here until you hear Ebenezer Scrooge mutter “Bah humbug?” To debut their 74th season this winter, Cambrian Players has announced they will be performing A Christmas Carol: Every Man Has the Power to Do Good, an adaptation of the original Dickens story by Canadian playwright James Hutchinson. For director Thomas McDonald, the play will mark his third directorial credit with Cambrian. “This version really struck a chord, because it explores

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Scrooge’s relationships in a stronger way,” McDonald says, adding that audiences can expect a deeper exploration of Scrooge’s early life to better understand his motivations. The show will be performed by a cast of 25 actors; as of midOctober, the casting had yet to be revealed, aside from the lead role of Scrooge, which will be played by Gabe Ferrazzo. Ferrazzo has been involved with Cambrian in some capacity for over 50 years, whether building sets, acting, or directing. “It’s been incredibly enlightening for me,” says Ferrazzo of playing

the lead role. He has played many iconic roles over the years, but says that Scrooge is the only character he has been able to lose himself in. “You reach a certain age where there’s more behind you than in front of you,” he says. “This is Scrooge at his most vulnerable, facing the things he’s done and realizing that he messed up his life and now he just wants some sort of redemption.” While this adaptation expands on the play’s existing relationships, audiences can still expect to see a fairly traditional version of A Christmas Carol set

in its customary time period and painted in Christmas colours. “The other great thing about this, aside from being a really interesting version of the story, is it allows us to do a multigenerational show,” McDonald says. “Our youngest performer is 11, all the way up to folks in their 70s.” McDonald and the cast look forward to the audience—children, seniors, and everyone who falls in between—being able to see themselves reflected in the characters onstage in this spin on a classic Christmas tale.

A Christmas Carol opens on November 29 and runs until December 3, returning after a quick break to show once more from December 6 to 9. Tickets are available at cambrianplayers. eventbrite.ca. Proceeds from the “Pay What You May” showing on November 30 will go towards renovations to make Cambrian Theatre accessible for their 75th season.

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FilmTheatre

The cast of Lion King Jr. rehearses for their early December performances

The Circle of Life All the DAZE Productions brings Lion King Jr. to Thunder Bay

Story by Kelsey Raynard, Photos by Dan Lloyd

ince 2016, All the DAZE Productions has been an important part of the musical theatre scene for youth in our city. Now, they are bringing one of their biggest shows yet to the Thunder Bay Community Auditorium: Lion King Jr. Founder Marcia Arpin has seen multiple classes of students move through her programs, and with this number continuing to grow, she says that they need to bring in scripts that cater to a diversity of ages and roles. Lion King Jr. will feature an impressive 50 actors on stage, all between the ages of seven and 17. Even the backstage crew is made up largely of people who have been with All the DAZE since the beginning, or are graduates who have returned to help the organization continue to flourish. Arpin explains that such is the circle of life in the theatre community—as actors grow up in the theatre environment, they broaden the horizons of what the organization can accomplish, all while passing the torch to the younger actors who will one day become teachers themselves. The

parallels between this story and the story of Lion King Jr. are not lost on Arpin either. “It is symbolic, and it wasn’t an accident,” she laughs. “This show is a full circle moment, and this is one of the main messages of the play.” Just as Lion King Jr. stresses the importance of community, Arpin also emphasizes that it truly does take a village to make a production of this scale come to life. “I want to thank Neighbourly Realty as our show sponsor. Our shows wouldn't go on without our parental support, our community support and the support from our sponsors. We can never say thank you enough,” she says. With dancing, singing, gymnastics, puppetry, and more, Arpin promises that there is something for everyone at this show. Plus, at an hour in length, it is the perfect outing for theatre lovers young and old. Lion King Jr. runs December 2 and 3 at the Thunder Bay Community Auditorium. Tickets are $25 each, available at tbca.com.

“It is the perfect outing for theatre lovers young and old.” 36

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Divas & Legends Drag Cover Show

FilmTheatre

SSIONS CONFE RAG OF A D R DEALE

Story by Jimmy Wiggins, Photo by TBay Alive

hey say that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery and when it comes to Thunder Bay drag, this statement rings true. In the early stages of my career, one of the most successful shows was The Cover Show—a show where local bands would pay homage to their favourite mainstream and underground artists. However, unlike a regular cover band, which plays a mix of songs from a wide range of artists, The Cover Show featured each band playing songs from a single artist’s catalogue. It became wildly popular and has become one of the longestrunning live music events in Thunder Bay, and one of my favourite events to run. Cut to several years later, when my main focus wasn’t just live music, and drag shows were becoming popular. We began to develop a kind of drag cover show where local queens and kings would dedicate their performances for the night to a single pop diva or rock legend. And thus, the Divas & Legends Drag Cover Show was born. Over the years DAL has seen drag queens covering major pop icons like Lady Gaga, Cher, Whitney Houston, Adele, Celine Dion, Britney Spears, Rihanna, Beyoncé, J.Lo, Fergie, and Ariana Grande, to name a few. The drag kings, on the other hand, typically take on acts with a little more edge like Red Hot Chili Peppers, David Bowie, Queen, Eminem, Linkin Park, Bruno Mars, The Used, ICP, Panic! At the Disco, Beastie Boys, and even the King of Pop, Michael Jackson, among others. “Celebrity impersonation is a large [part] of the art of drag,” explains local drag king Ivan Love. “DAL is an opportunity for the local drag community to show off specific skills in the

art of impersonation. It’s a big challenge to flex those skills.” To do well at DAL, each drag queen/king in the show needs to know enough about the artist they’re covering to really bring them to life with the audience. Whether they’re doing a physical impersonation or replication, or embodying the essence of another artist, knowing the things that make that artist a celebrity is a must for the performance. “I always find DAL to be the most challenging of our annual shows,” explains Ivan Love. “I’m a creative person and I can easily come up with my own ideas, but to study and recreate another artist’s concepts is an important exploration of my art that is exciting, frustrating, and essential to staying current in my drag. My favourite thing to do with my sets is to try to replicate at least part of an iconic music video scene or costume for the stage. It gives both my fans and the fans of the celebrity some Easter eggs to watch for.” Later this month, we will be hosting the latest edition of DAL that will feature some of the city’s top drag artists as well as a few up-and-coming performers paying tribute to icons like Taylor Swift, Britney Spears, and Dolly Parton, just to name a few. “You can expect custom props and costumes to mimic iconic moments of my celebrity, and some legendary dance moves,” says Ivan Love. “Expect to laugh your bottoms off!” Catch the Divas & Legends Drag Cover Show, November 18 at Black Pirates Pub. Follow @wigginsproductions, @tbaydrag, and @tbshows for more info.

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Amy Sellors, Stephen Sparks, Suzanne McKenney

Suzanne McKenney, Amy Sellors

Meet My Sister

Magnus’s Season Opens with a Warm Hug of a Play Review by Taylor Onski, Photos by Matthew Goertz

hen I first heard the premise of Bonnie Green’s Meet My Sister, I expected a dramedy about dementia. Having lost my maternal grandmother to dementia in 2022 and helping my paternal grandmother navigate it, with her being in a long-term care home, I was nervous to see this show. But Meet My Sister lives up to Magnus Theatre artistic director Thom Currie’s motto that audiences will get a new experience each time they walk into the theatre. This charming and honest story gave me that new experience

of both an escape from the reality of watching a loved one go through dementia and a comedic play telling me that I am not alone. While the overall structure is akin to Dock Spider (two contrasting people stuck in a small space trying to navigate a relationship with each other and a third party), Meet My Sister simply showcases what Green’s writing does best—make people laugh, think, and enjoy some chaos. From concluding that owls are better messengers than postcards, puns, and lines such as “my ears are pulsing” and

“materialism…ew,” Green’s dialogue is another character in and of itself, where you just cannot wait to hear what comes next. Amy Sellors and Suzanne McKenney as sisters Blanche and Stella respectively worked magic on the summer stage. Blanche is home with her mom and works in the city. Stella, who is coming from B.C., relies on a spiritual advisor, and knows when Mercury is in retrograde. Needless to say, these sisters could not be further apart. Nevertheless, when Sellors and McKenney are onstage, it’s like watching

Venus and Serena play tennis— the tennis ball being Green’s witty dialogue that goes back and forth between the actors, while your head bops back and forth between the two as they trade shots about who is the favourite child and getting certain heirlooms. Lila Cano voices the mother character, who hides inside her locked room to avoid being moved to Pleasant Poplars, an assisted living facility, after a stroke and worsening dementia. Even though we do not see her, Cano captures the god-like strength of a mom’s voice that commands the

attention of her children and audience. Stephen Sparks as Sly, Blanche’s high school crush, mixes perfectly with Sellors and McKenney as his quips and ideas bring a lot of laughs and he delivers the “oh my gosh” moments to full effect. Meet My Sister focuses on the relationships between loved ones and the elephant in the room of dementia in such a way that I left knowing that no matter what dementia does, there will always be someone there to help those affected by it.

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 Intricate Beauty

Photo Sharing

SAND A THOURDS WO

Photographer Laura Heerema Finds Inspiration in Thunder Bay Landscapes

 Breaking Through

Story by Bonnie Schiedel, Photos by Laura Heerema

“M

 Baby Fox  Dancing in the September Sky

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 Greeting the Sun

y friends called me ‘Snow White,’” says Laura Heerema, laughing as she refers to the animals that meandered through the yard of her former home near Rosslyn. Whether it was birds visiting her garden’s water feature, owls nesting in a nearby tree, a deer munching on a stray apple, or a lynx simply strolling through, she was often able to take striking wildlife images just steps from her own door. Heerema started snapping pictures with a point-and-shoot camera when they moved to Rosslyn about 20 years ago, capturing moments with her young family, as well as the landscape and wildlife in and around Thunder Bay. “I love everything about nature,” she says. “There’s something in all of creation that just brings me such peace and awe of the Creator.” Wanting to start a small sideline business selling photo greeting cards, she visited a local camera shop and started chatting with photographer John Ongaro. “He was intrigued by the photos I was capturing,” she says. Ongaro introduced her to a couple local photography groups, which is where Heerema met some peers and started learning the ins and outs of composition, light, gear, and more. “We all have a different way of capturing things and we all learn from each other. I’m so

inspired by the different views that people share,” she says. Just over two years ago, Heerema was in a serious car accident that nearly tore off her left thumb and resulted in permanent disability in her hand. “That has caused a lot of challenges with the camera gear that I use. Before, I would be able to go for a whole day and go shooting, and now it’s very limited because my hand gets cold very quickly,” says Heerema. “There’s a lot of nerve damage and I’ve lost the use of my thumb.” The weight of camera gear and tasks like switching lenses are difficult, so she is changing her approach by using a tripod, saving up to purchase lighter lenses, and enlisting her husband Mark as an assistant. “I don’t have the energy that I used to […] but I do have a great group of friends that will say, ‘Okay, look at this,’ or ‘look at that,’ so my focus, pardon the pun, is just to keep on enjoying what we have on offer and when I can get [a shot], great. You know, I’m not as hard on myself as I used to be, at getting that perfect shot. But there’s always something to see and to share with everybody else,” says Heerema. “I’m not giving up on that, because I truly believe it’s the gift that I’ve been given to share with everybody.” To see more of Heerema’s work, visit facebook.com/ LauraHeeremaPhotography.

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TheArts

 Photographer Laura Heerema

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Untitled

HE FROM T BAY R E THUND ERY’S LL A G T R A CTION E L L CO

By Penelope Smart, Curator, Thunder Bay Art Gallery Artist: Roger Kakepetum Title: Untitled Date: 1985 Medium: Acrylic on paper Size: 24 3/16 × 19 5/16 in. Donated by Dr. James Donaldson and Mrs. Ann Donaldson portrait of a plump bird on a pine branch is a good fit for fall. Better yet, a bird that can kick up quite a racket “drumming” is a great choice for this issue. While I can’t be 100% sure, this bird is most likely a ruffed grouse (Bonasa umbellus), which is a mid-sized grouse native to North America. Many people, including myself, have memories of walking in the woods with family, including the dog, on the lookout for these birds during the fall hunting season. Their brown, grey, and white plumage is highly effective camouflage and their distinctive whitetipped tail feathers are used as decorative materials. While these woodland birds spend most of their time on the ground in thick brush, they are known to perch in trees, too. The artist, Roger Kakepetum, is from Sandy Lake First Nation. He paints in the Woodland style and

has a knack for capturing forest animals in their natural state. This painting is a recent donation to our permanent collection. Did you know that the ruffed grouse is often incorrectly called a “partridge” and confused with the grey partridge, which is a different species of game bird that was introduced to North America? Interestingly, the ruffed grouse is the only species in the genus Bonasa. I’ve also heard children call this creature a “ruffled grouse,” which isn’t entirely inaccurate as the bird appears to have layers of white, brown, and grey plumage—not to mention that when the male displays his tail feathers, it is quite a show. If you’re going to call this beautiful, chunky bird anything other than a grouse, try the nickname “thunder chicken” instead, which refers to the drumming sound the male ruffed grouse makes to declare his property rights.

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A Vibrant Hub for Creatives

Artisans Northwest to Hold 48th Juried Show By Sidney Ulakovic

he longstanding collective Artisans Northwest will once again provide a platform for local artisans to showcase their work this November when they return with their annual juried exhibition. “There’s a high level of craftsmanship and quality involved,” says president of the Artisans Northwest executive board Ellie Törnblom of the annual fine arts and crafts show. This year’s show will once again be held at the Valhalla Hotel and Conference Centre on November 4 and 5, opening at 10 am both days. The show

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 Oil painting by Jasmin Strevel

will be entirely in-person, and attendees will have the chance to see and purchase the work of 46 locally and nationally celebrated artists, including painters, jewelry makers, fibre artists, metal workers, potters, and more. “It’s had its own humble beginnings like any other organization,” says Törnblom as the collective inches towards their 50th anniversary. Artisans Northwest was founded in 1975 and is now one of the longestrunning fine arts and crafts shows in the city. The show has gone through various iterations over the years before settling

on the annual show leading up to the holiday season, with special consideration given to the venue’s capability of reflecting the calibre of the work it will host. “For the last 50 years, we’ve been one of the main ways that [artists] can come and show their work in a setting that [...] gives it a proper platform,” says Törnblom. For members and the board, a focus is on diversifying the artwork showcased each year. “This year in particular we have quite a variety,” says Törnblom. Attendees can expect to see mediums on display that Artisans Northwest

hasn’t seen for some time, including fine artworks made in charcoal and pencil crayon. “I think Artisans Northwest holds a special place in the community because it’s one of the only truly juried shows,” says Törnblom. The peer review required prior to gaining membership with the collective serves to aid artists in establishing and maintaining a career, she explains. While there are more avenues available to artists to promote their work now than ever, Artisans Northwest remains a highly regarded event to showcase the work of artists

who have mastered their craft. As much as the show is an honour for the members of Artisans Northwest to be a part of, it’s also been a pleasure for the greater community as it has continued to bolster Thunder Bay as a vibrant hub for creatives in Northwestern Ontario for almost half a century. To stay up to date with Artisans Northwest and the accomplishments of its members, follow them on Instagram @artisansnorthwest.

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Outdoor

Anything that gets your blood racing is probably worth doing. - Hunter S. Thompson

Finding Calm in Chaos Kitesurfing on Ontario’s Largest Lake Story and photos by Darren McChristie

here is chaos everywhere I look. Breaking waves are visible in all directions—some of them taller than I am—obscuring the view of shore just over a kilometre away. It’s freezing outside; the northwest wind is fierce. But, I’m in my happy place and the intensity of the situation I put myself in is exactly what I came for. It’s late October and I’m kitesurfing on the world's 32nd largest lake with a handful of friends from the area. I can’t think of a more enjoyable way to spend an otherwise dreary October day.  Shawn O'Neill heading to shore

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Lake Nipigon (Animbiigoozaaga’igan) is the largest lake located entirely within Ontario. Our group of intrepid adventurers has chosen the eastern shore of this lake after careful analysis of the predicted wind. The location on this day is perfect: a strong onshore wind from the northwest at over 25 knots, a wide sandy beach, and over 50 kms of open water allowing for clean unobstructed wind. It's the kind of wind you don’t want to open your umbrella in. Pure gold. The first sight of the breaking waves after the

two-hour drive from Thunder Bay brings an immediate sense of relief. After all, wind and weather prediction is not a perfect science. Today, the forecast is accurate and we are all stoked. We have been here before and been burned with zero wind—imagine pulling into a ski resort to the sight of snowless runs. I’m feeling a lot of nervous energy, though it’s not due to inexperience. I like to think heightened anxiety is completely normal given the situation we are about to put ourselves in. I’m not sure what the others are feeling—it’s hard

 Waves are building on Lake Nipigon

to tell because everyone is so pumped, even borderline giddy, with anticipation. Kitesurfing is a gearintensive sport. We each packed two or three kites (9 m², 12 m², and 14 m²), an air pump to inflate the kite, two control bars with 25-metre lines, a couple of kiteboards, a harness, wetsuit (or drysuit), neoprene booties, and gloves. After considering the strength and direction of the wind (“feels strong”) we decide to use our smallest kites. Strong winds mean we can use a smaller kite, which is quicker turning and more responsive. Wind direction is one of the most important considerations when kitesurfing. We generally don’t kite in offshore winds for obvious reasons. When shit hits

 Enjoying the onshore winds

the fan, we don’t want to be dragged out into the middle of the lake. The sandy beach at Poplar Point is also great for launching and landing kites, but it’s the bus-sized waves and signature big lake rollers that lures us here. My adrenal gland begins to release adrenaline into my bloodstream and I don’t feel the cold at all as I begin the process of setting up lines and pumping up my kite. It all takes all of 15 minutes, but it feels like an eternity. The hardest part of the process is squeezing into a thick wetsuit—it's like I’m putting on a straitjacket. I just want to get out there. When things go wrong in kitesurfing, they can really get ugly—we like to refer to these instances as kitemares. Oftentimes, it’s the launch

Outdoor

 Post session discussion on the beach

 No flying reindeer required

 Julian Holenstein chasing waves

 Kitesurfing the clear waters of Lake Nipigon

where things can go awry. Sending the kite into the sky during an ill-timed gust can lead to unintentional lift off. Fortunately for me, I have a smooth launch and grab my surfboard and venture out into the breaking waves. I feel comfort as I enter the water. My wetsuit gets soaked and warmth begins to set in. The waves are breaking on shore, so getting up on the board needs to be carefully timed between breaks. Once up and riding, time seems to slow down and the waves look even bigger

than they do from shore. The water is clear and I can see the sandy lake bottom as I glide across the surface. While riding, I am acutely aware of my fellow kiters— where they are and what they are doing. We all have one another's backs. Each of us kites for our own reasons. While some enjoy popping off the lip of a wave to launch themselves into the stratosphere, others like surfing the face of a breaking wave. I spend most of the session cutting upwind over the waves toward open

 Tuomas Minor gets inverted (complete with Halloween costume)

water and then turning back toward shore when I encounter a massive roller. This is what I’ve come for: a sense of relief and calm I can only seem to find in this chaos. It’s not safe for me to think about my list of unfinished work around the house or bills I have to pay— inattention out here could mean serious trouble. I am safe, provided I stay focused. I scan the horizon looking for the largest waves and they are everywhere. It is an epic day. And then there's the adrenaline rush. I don’t like the

sound of “adrenaline junkie,” but I have to admit, I crave it. Fooling my fight-or-flight response in this manner brings me a sense of euphoria—pure joy. When the kiting is good, my mind is clear and I feel a decreased sensitivity to pain, as well as improved vision, hearing, and other senses. It's extremely addictive and I know that our group of kiters shares a strong bond rooted in this compulsive desire for adventure. After a couple of hours, I begin to really feel comfortable,

and the cold creeps in as a result. The adrenaline is wearing off and I know I’m getting tired—my mind is beginning to wander and some of the other kiters are starting to head to shore. Back at our trucks, we all share stories (and a few pops) while we devour snacks to replenish our energy levels. I know the days that follow will seem mundane and boring in comparison, but the mindfulness kitesurfing provided will get me through until the next windy day.

 An epic day on Lake Nipigon

The Walleye

CityScene

 Feng’s mochi desserts

AL GO LOC R E D N U H T TRY N U BAY CO ET MARK

 Milan Feng, owner of A Very Delicious Cake

A Very Delicious Cake

Story by Matt Prokopchuk, Photos by Emily Turner

 Feng’s space at the Thunder Bay Country Market

The Walleye

hen Milan Feng came to Thunder Bay about eight years ago, she says she had trouble finding traditional, fresh desserts in the style made in her native China. Feng has now turned that observation into a thriving business at the Thunder Bay Country Market. Feng, who opened A Very Delicious Cake at the market in September, says that one of her friends in China taught her how to make desserts like mochi, adding that after moving to Canada, she missed some of the cuisine she had a hard time finding here. “I tried to start making, myself, some desserts from China and […] that was a very, very [big] accomplishment for me,” she says, adding that her friends and family enjoyed what she was creating. That led to her thinking about starting a business, which she calls one of her hobbies. “I really enjoy it,” she says. At the market, Feng sells a variety of fresh desserts like mooncakes, which are made with choux pastry and

either a red bean or purple taro filling, as well as mochi, which is based around sticky rice flour and originated in Japan, but has variants in many Asian countries. Feng and her husband first visited the Thunder Bay Country Market about four years ago, she says, adding that she was impressed with what she saw. “The first time we went to the market […] I thought ‘wow, Thunder Bay has so many people selling fresh vegetables and all the crafts,’” she says, adding that she has subsequently explored the place well. That put the thought in her mind that, should she open a business, the market would be a good fit. “I found [that] ‘oh, this should be a good place […] for me.” A Very Delicious Cake is located at the Thunder Bay Country Market just inside the main doors. You can follow Feng and her business on Instagram @avery_deliciouscake.

How many more Markets

until Christmas?

NOVEMBER SUN MON TUES WED THUR 1

DECEMBER FRI

SAT 4

3:306:30PM 5

8AM1PM 14

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8AM1PM 30

6 3:306:30PM

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FRI 1

8AM1PM

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SUN MON TUES WED THUR

8AM1PM 21

3:306:30PM 24

3:306:30PM

25 31

last market! 8AM1PM

MARKET CLOSED

Visit Us:

Find/Follow Us:

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

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

PROGRAMS E H T AT S P CAM EUM MUsSrun from Thank you Thunder Bay for 24 years of supporting Shelter House and the TB Food Bank. We were so excited to be back indoors for a sit down dinner with the help of: • • • • • •

Lakehead Unitarian Fellowship Thunder Bay Potters’ Guild and Community Potters Impala Canada Tbaytel Miller Precast Ltd. our amazing volunteers

All in attendance enjoyed a wonderful meal thanks to our meal sponsors; find a full list at emptybowlsthunderbay.com.

STAY TUNED FOR OUR 25th ANNIVERSARY PLANS

elf! o S r to t e t e No emb or f m Re n up M sig SEU MU MPS CA

pm am amp All c m - 4:0a0m and 9:300pm) 0 a :3 9:30etween 9:00pm and 4

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W Full /week | No cost: 40 0 5 mp ers $ 1 :$ ay ca on-Memb bers D m e A N P M 30 |

tion le ailab registra mp v a e r a to ces a cess t of c d spa early ac the star e t i y e m Li rs hav eb of ag be eme 6 years m M um m.co be 0801 623- ymuseu rn/ Muse ers must 7 . 0 p St. E 8 nderba om/lea Cam u nald c o h . t D m 25 ion@ ymuseu m|4 ucat a m.co u ed hunderb e s mu t rbay unde h t . www ers:

b Mem

2023-24 THUNDER BAY MUSEUM THEME CAMPS*

Oct. 2nd and 27th ‘23: BOO-Tea-full Fall Nov. 17th ’23: UP! UP! and Away Jan. 26th and Feb.2nd ‘24: Musical Theater Mar. 1st ’24: Toys R’ Us March Break - Mar. 11th to 15th ‘24: Where in the World is . . . Let’s ﬁnd the elusive crook Charlie Quinn Apr. 26th ’24: Chop to Chomp: Pizza Time June 14th ‘24: Dock of the Bay AND Remember the Summer Camps Too! *Camp themes are subject to change The Thunder Bay Museum reserves the right to cancel Camps due to Covid-19 restrictions, staff availability or low registration numbers.

The Walleye

CityScene

With Ron Kanutski

EYE EYE TO

As told to Matt Prokopchuk, Photo by Lois Nuttall

omedian, musician, emcee, mental health counsellor, cultural teacher, and facilitator— Ron Kanutski continues to enjoy a career that takes him in so many directions. The local entertainer and community builder is also an avid motorcyclist; after speaking with The Walleye in early October, he would embark on a solo ride to Las Vegas. Kanutski spoke with The Walleye about his love of bikes, watching his daughter Sara Kae’s burgeoning music career, and what’s on his music playlist these days.

The Walleye: Tell me about your interest in motorcycling. Ron Kanutski: I’ve ridden motorcycles most of my life. That was the first thing I had— my motorcycle license—when I was 16. I rode bikes for a while and then I kind of put it away for a bit and had a family. Then I got… I guess you’d call it your mid-life crisis, and I decided [it was] time to get back into biking. So I started, made a purchase and really enjoyed it, but I didn’t do any major rides—nothing more than eight hours, one direction. I really do enjoy it. I love the fresh air, and I love

looking at the land from that perspective when you’re on two wheels and you’re not confined by walls and doors and windows. TW: You’ve had your hat in so many rings career-wise; what’s the attraction to having such a varied professional life? RK: I was trying to find something that delivers purpose, but as I got older, it was like, I wanted to include passion into that. I’ve lived a very purposeful life, I think, for many years, and then I decided I wanted to incorporate things that I enjoy. For the most part, I find that I get sort of an interest

in something and then it just drives me and motivates me to chase it a little bit more. I watch some people just try so hard: “I have to get to this speed,” or “I have to perform on this stage” and I’m like nah, that’s not for me. I just think it’s better to do things that you enjoy doing and if something’s not coming, why push it or force it? I’ve watched people chase their dreams, and some people achieve it and they make it, and then other people literally get unwell trying to. I just want to wake up and be happy with what I’ve done and hopefully other people who were in the circle with me, they had a good time too. TW: What’s it been like watching Sara’s career unfurl? R K : That, for me, is amazing, because she’s doing everything that I wanted to do. The reason why I didn’t do it is because I lacked the self-esteem and I lacked, I guess, the drive or the belief to chase it. She just rose up to the occasion and she just made me so proud and it’s really great to see her. Right now she’s on the Indigenous Music Countdown and she’s recording her music. And to this day, I’m still sitting here with written songs that I’ve never taken to a studio, and I keep saying “Tomorrow, tomorrow, I’m going to do it tomorrow,” but for some reason, I don’t carry it out. There’s a lot of things I want to do but I just never follow through, and my little girl said “This is what I’m going to do” and she did it. She went to Metalworks Studios, she was

the top student there—I’m very proud of her. TW: What’s on your music playlist these days? RK: Boy oh boy. I’m floating around some of the old classics, but who I really enjoy in this community right now is Cat Sabbath. [They’re] one of the greatest bands that has come down the line in this community in years. I’m an Ozzy [Osbourne] fan, I’m a Black Sabbath fan, and Cat Sabbath is a female-led Black Sabbath cover band and I love them. I had them for my 25th wedding anniversary. They’re fantastic. They let me get up and sing with them; that is even a bigger highlight. Fantastic individuals. An upand-coming band that I really enjoy watching is Lakeside District—amazing sound, I think it’s very unique. For the really heavy thrash metal, Teknosis. I don’t care how lazy I’m feeling, I will haul myself down to see Teknosis play anywhere in this community. Anything with Robin Ranger and Martin Blanchet, top notch always. Andy Wolff and The CCR Band as well, they play the Creedence Clearwater Revisited music—amazing. Just great, if you love CCR music. To me that’s some of the top groups in this town right now. I just love it. This interview has been edited for length and clarity. To hear more, find the expanded interview on our Eye To Eye podcast on Spotify, iHeartRadio, Google Podcasts, and more.

We give because ... our donation means TBPL’s fantastic family programs can remain free and accessible to everyone.

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tbpl.ca/donate (807)345-TBPL

Gifts to the Thunder Bay Community Foundation ensure your Legacy will strengthen our community into perpetuity. To learn more, visit tbcf.org.

Nurture your Passion. Build our Community. Create a Legacy.

SPONSORED BY

OLA

An exhibition by HAND SHAPED

www.vikwilen.com

WE INVITE YOU TO THE OPENING SHOW

DEC 1 ST 7-11 PM

SURF & WAKE BOARDS ALONG SIDE

FINE ART

@ CO.LAB GALLERY IN GOODS & CO The Walleye

Courtesy of the Thunder Bay Museum

CityScene

 Construction of the Hurricanes at Can Car

The Local History of the Hawker Hurricane

EMBER WE REM

By Kat Lyzun

uring the Second World War, the small city of Fort William, Ontario became a vital part of the Allied war effort. What is now the Alstom plant on Montreal Street was known as Canadian Car and Foundry (Can Car), and for a time was the largest aircraft company in Canada, producing thousands

of aircraft for the Royal Air Force. Can Car entered the aviation game in 1936, producing a biplane called the Grumman G-23 Goblin. By 1938, with war on the horizon, the British were looking for places to produce aircraft away from the front lines. Fort William, in the centre of

Canada, was not an obvious choice for a warplane facility. But after successful lobbying by cabinet minister C.D. Howe, who was also representing the Port Arthur riding, Can Car secured a contract to manufacture one of Britain’s most advanced fighter planes, the Hawker Hurricane. David Kemp is a director

 Hawker Hurricane on display at the Hangar Flight Museum in Calgary

Courtesy of David D. Kemp (personal collection)

 Fully assembled Hawker Hurricane

The Walleye

with the Northwestern Ontario Aviation Heritage Centre. He explains that the Hawker Hurricane was an ideal aircraft for the plant to adapt to. “It was really a transitional aircraft between the biplanes of the First World War, the 20s and 30s, to monoplanes [with one set of wings],” he says. “It was much more efficient, with less drag because there was only one wing and none of the struts and wires and such things. [The Hurricane] was the first monoplane that had been built in Britain, and it turned

Courtesy of David D. Kemp (personal collection)

Made in Fort William

out to be a good one.” The wings and frame from the cockpit forward were metal, but the rear fuselage was covered with fabric, which made it much easier to repair if a bullet or shell went through it. It was a strong, sturdy plane that played a critical role during the war, including repelling aerial attacks during the Battle of Britain. Between 1940 and 1943, Can Car built 1,400 Hawker Hurricanes, or about 10% of the total Hurricane production. Elsie MacGill, the first female aeronautical engineer in Canada, had been working at Can Car since 1938, originally designing a training plane intended for the Royal Canadian Air Force. When the plant shifted gears to start producing the Hawker Hurricane, it was MacGill’s job to ensure they could build the planes to Hawker’s specifications. This she did with great success, earning her the moniker “Queen of the Hurricanes.” Under her leadership, Can Car’s enthusiastic and skilled workers were soon manufacturing these aircraft just as well as their British counterparts—a remarkable feat. It also mattered that MacGill was a woman, as some 40% of the workers in the plant were women as well. These “Rosies of the North” are featured in an excellent interactive website (rosiesofthenorth. ca) and a documentary by

CityScene

local filmmaker Kelly Saxberg. The plant went on to produce Curtiss Helldivers once the Hawker contract was up, and while the Helldiver was a more sophisticated plane, the Hurricanes were dependable workhorses. Of the 14,000 ever built in total, 47 are known to still be out there worldwide on display, being restored, and so on. Of those, 19 are still airworthy. The neatest thing about that? Ten of those airworthy planes were produced right here at Can Car. A d d i t i o n a l s o u rc e s : Aviation in Thunder Bay by Jim Lyzun; the Northern Ontario Aviation Heritage Centre.

Courtesy of the Thunder Bay Museum

 The Hawker Hurricane

 Can Car aircraft manufacturing during World War II

Courtesy of the Thunder Bay Museum

 A Hawker Hurricane’s first flight at the local Can Car plant

The TheWalleye Walleye

55 55

Presented by Rotarians of Thunder Bay

Saturday, December 2 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Sunday, December 3 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. C.L.E. Coliseum Building 425 Northern Avenue, Thunder Bay $ 2 Admission – no charge for children under 12

An exhibition and sale of fine arts, crafts and festive treats made by artists, artisans and specialty food vendors of Thunder Bay and Northwestern Ontario [Proceeds support local charitable organizations]

For more on the show and the participants, visit

www.lakeheadrotary.com

A limited number of booths are available to rent. Contact Show Producer at ckuschak@shaw.ca for information and form

Celebrate year

EXPLORE CARD PARKING PASSES MAKE GREAT STOCKING STUFFERS! ONLY $40.00 +HST

AT 37 CUMBERLAND ST S DROP-IN FOR CAKE on November 4th between 12-4 pm!

WWW.LAKEHEADCA.COM @lakeheadregion 56

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Book an appointment this month for a chance to win a ton of products. (807) 622-6989

evokesalonandspa.com

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1 2 t h

Tell us your favourite TBay people, places, and things for a chance to a win $1000 prize package courtesy of:

of Thunder Bay

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VOTE ONLINE thewalleye.ca/BOTB2023

The Walleye

CityScene

 Chef John Murray says he’s passionate about both high-end pastry making and wine, and this shines through at the new Cardinal Chocolate Company.

Cardinal Chocolate Company An Intimate Space Featuring Decadent Desserts and Wine

WALL SPACE

Story by Tiffany Jarva, Photos by Jack Barten

hef John Murray has been wanting to return to serious, high-end pastry making since studying at Yauatcha Patisserie—a Michelin-starred Chinese teahouse in London,

England—about 10 years ago. “I always loved making desserts and pastries. Cardinal allows me to do a little more of this,” explains Murray. Housed in Thunder Bay’s Red Lion Smokehouse

 Delightful handmade chocolate espresso and peanut butter bonbons.

The Walleye

restaurant, Cardinal Chocolate Company is a late-night dessert and wine bar; it’s Murray’s love letter to fine dessert dining and wine tasting. When Murray completed his chef training in the U.K., he initially focused

on the savoury. As a finalist during a Roux Scholarship competition, Murray was able to nail the savoury lamb dish but felt that he was lacking when completing a pastry challenge. So he set off to

study in the Yauatcha pastry kitchen for a year with awardwinning Australian chef Shane Osborn. Now, after years of creating inspiring dishes like gourmet s’mores at the Red Lion, Murray has branched out and created a lovely space that is a nod to his grandmother’s vintage basement decor, complete with cardinal motifs, vintage glass jars, antique mirrors and bird cages, chandeliers, and lace-covered tables. The Cardinal’s decadent dessert menu features handmade confections like chocolate truffles and bonbons, plated desserts like dark chocolate tart and peanut butter cheesecake, and high tea with a selection of sandwiches like egg salad and spinach, smoked ham and cheddar, and delightful scones. Murray is a trained sommelier who is also passionate about wine and will be bringing in some exclusive wines, offering monthly Wine 101 tastings, and private party opportunities. Cin cin! Cardinal Chocolate Company is located at 16 Cumberland Street South, a n d i s o p e n T h u r s d a y, Friday, and Saturday from 8 pm to midnight, with plans to further expand hours. Its grand opening is November 4. Find them on Instagram.

 Dark chocolate tart with salted caramel, homemade honeycomb, and fall-inspired dark chocolate tuiles that look like leaves.

CityScene

 Tasty, handcrafted chocolate shot glasses that can be filled with wine or liqueur.  There are cardinals woven throughout the decor of the space, including this music box, which belonged to Murray’s grandmother—cardinals were her favourite bird, and the Caradinal Chocolate Company is named in her honour.

THE BEAS T!

344-3340 877-351-5604

383 Fort W illiam R d.

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Mud Flaps

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 Vintage glass jars of dried botanicals, like rosehip, dot the space and are used for flavouring the chocolate ganache. “Little jars also remind me of my grandma,” says Murray.

GIFT CA R DS

(Acros s from PU S H Fitnes s )

 In the Red Lion production kitchen, Murray preps a bourbon-soaked peach cheesecake with a homemade graham wafer base. The same wafers are also used for the popular Red Lion gourmet s’mores.

RIGHT PART AT THE RIGHT PRICE FOLLOW UP SERVICE CAN’T BE BEAT

STEP BARS Maximum Protection for Your Car or Truck!

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THIS WINTER

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Shop for YOUR Automotive Needs at

383 Fort William Road

(807) 344-3340 (877) 351-5604 dcperformance@shaw.ca

The Walleye

O Come All Ye Shoppers Celebrate in our parkette light festival and tree lighting

Shop, Stamp & Win at our area’s participating businesses Check out all the sales, deals and gift ideas in Fort William

toffee coffee s, cupca s & kes

wills, volun bills & teers

Nails, H & Self C air are

rings, roses & warm things

suits, ties h o & dresses my!

ne & i w , e n Di ublime feel s

books, toys & overjoys

www.fortwilliambusinessdistrict.com 60

The Walleye

ings h t , s l o o t & homnegs i furnish

Ho-Ho Handmade

holiday market Come grab gifts and treats from local vendors. Tinsel, Toys, and All the Joys: bring toy and food donations Follow Carolers to shop local from our areas businesses Horse and Carriage rides from Abbott's Dreams

Friday November 24 12pm- 6pm inside Victoriaville

www.fortwilliambusinessdistrict.com The Walleye

Stuff We Like

CityScene

For Getting Through November By Kelsey Raynard

Apologies to all the Scorpios out there, but for many of us, November can be a bit tough. Our short autumn season is basically gone, it is too early to start getting ready for the holidays, and most of us retreat inside to brace ourselves for the impending cold weather and snow. But fear not, fellow readers of The Walleye—I am here to share a little retail therapy that can help brighten even the gloomiest of days. Here is Stuff We Like for Getting Through November.

Kay Lee

1 Coola Sunless Tanner Ritual Skin Co. 8 Court Street South Of all the things I mourn after summer is over, my tan is usually high on the list. Keep that summer glow going with Coola’s sunless tan sculpting mousse, available at Ritual Skin Co. Made with certified organic and natural ingredients, this sunless tanner is the healthiest way to extend your tan into the winter months. Bonus: the piña colada smell might even transport you to a sunnier place (at least temporarily).

$70

2 Tropic Thunder Shake The Growing Season 201 Algoma Street South Brighten your spirits with a Tropic Thunder shake from The Growing Season. While a bright, fruity smoothie can most definitely boost your mood, the health benefits are an added bonus. Made with mango, pineapple, banana, oat milk, and whey powder, the Tropic Thunder shake is the perfect way to boost your nutrition as the weather cools down and cold and flu season approaches.

$8.50

Pre-Owned Tablet/iPad 3

$Various

4 Luxe Plush Robe J.B. Evans 122 Frederica Street West November is the time to indulge in all things fuzzy. Fuzzy blankets, fuzzy socks—why not add a fuzzy robe to the list? The Luxe plush robe by P.J. Salvage (available at J.B. Evans) is like wrapping yourself in a warm hug—the kind of self-care we can get behind. Made from 100% poly silk blend, one touch and you’ll be sold.

Sidney Ulakovic

Lovely Body 266 Red River Road Dry, chapped lips are just one of the many joyous side effects we get to experience as we move into the winter months. Fight back against the cold November air with a Pineapple Shimmer nourishing lip balm by Lovely Body. These balms are made with a blend of oils and vitamin E to keep your lips feeling smooth and healthy, while their biodegradable, pale gold shimmer give your lips a subtle pop.

6 Hot Yoga The Bodymind Centre 105 Villa Street #8 Goodbye cold weather, hello hot yoga! Get your sweat on at one of the many hot and warm yoga classes offered at The Bodymind Centre. Their wide variety of classes mean that yogis of all ages and experience levels are welcome, while their heated studio helps to loosen tight muscles and improve flexibility. With drop-in passes and various membership options, this is one surefire way to warm up this November.

$18 drop-in passes

Marnics Mobile 910 Memorial Avenue When the weather outside is frightful, binge Netflix. (That’s how the song goes, right?) Long November nights mean more time to catch up on your favourite shows on a pre-owned tablet from Marnics Mobile. These tablets are certified pre-owned, fully tested, and come with a one-year warranty, bringing you all the tech you need at a fraction of the price.

Pineapple Shimmer Nourishing Lip Balm 5

$140

7 Spicy Caesar Barkeep 15C St. Paul Street Warm yourself from the inside out with a spicy Caesar from Barkeep. Their house-made Caesar mix is loaded with flavours of bright tomato juice, savoury fish sauce, tangy pickle brine, classic Worcestershire sauce, and a whole lot of Heartbeat habanero hot sauce. This cocktail is a great reason to brave the cold and venture downtown for a night out, but for those looking to stay in, jars of mix are available to purchase and take home.

$12 cocktail/$15 1L jar

8 Tropical Houseplant Thuja Floral Design 285 Bay Street While the changing autumn leaves are a welcome sight for many, the bare branches of November leave something to be desired. Bring some greenery back into your life with a tropical houseplant from Thuja Floral Design. From brightly coloured foliage to minimalistic succulents, Thuja’s wide variety of plants are guaranteed to brighten up your living space. (Bonus points if you can keep it alive throughout the winter!)

Erin May

$Various

The Walleye

NOW BOONG HODAY PAR ES

Ghidrah

Hourly tours! Students of all ages and families welcome!

Let Your Money Grow With You

Saturday November 18, 2023 11:00am-3:00pm An exciting day of exploration and discovery. Drop by and meet with faculty, staff, and current students to learn about programs, admission requirements, tour our campus, get a look at student life, and more!

We can help with answers to money-related questions. Thunder Bay Counselling provides impartial support to people of all income levels who are struggling with financial issues. If you’re ready to talk, we’re ready to listen.

confederationcollege.ca/openhouse

This is

tbaycounselling.com

The Walleye

Walk Like A Penguin! To prevent trips, slips & falls • Feet wide • Knees bent • Arms out and free for balance • Shorter steps • Dress warm • Go slow!

For more info, please visit: tbdhu.com/penguinwalk

The Walleye

Taking Out the Trash

CityScene

Catching Up with Eco Divers Thunder Bay By Matt Prokopchuk

he head of an organization dedicated to cleaning trash out of bodies of water in and around Thunder Bay says it’s important to remember that just because trash is out of sight underwater doesn’t mean it should be there. Len Mason is the founder and coordinator of Eco Divers Thunder Bay, a group that has been around for about 14 years. They have pulled countless items up from beneath the surface, including tires, appliances, toilets, fencing, broken lawn furniture, and other scrap, along with much smaller items. He says the divers who volunteer to go on these cleanups are fully trained (they also have to pass his inspection—Mason is a longtime expert diver) “Garbage does not belong anywhere, whether it’s land or water,” he says. “Everybody who’s involved with Eco Divers feels the same way; it’s just the right thing to do.” Eco Diver crews consist of members who actually do the diving and locating of garbage, as well as others who remain on shore “pulling rope,” as Mason describes it. Divers go underwater with one end of a rope and attach it to either a large piece of trash or a mesh bag filled with smaller items. The crew on shore then pulls the rope (and the trash) back up onto land. The group operates on no stable funding, Mason says, relying on sponsorships, donations, and other

ad hoc financial help. Their only excursion this past season was to Biinjitiwaabik Zaaging (Rocky Bay First Nation), where they have done several aquatic cleanups. In the past, they’ve done dives at Thunder Bay’s marina, the mouth of the Current River, Silver Harbour, and Nipigon’s marina, as well as the town’s Lagoon (Mason says they’ve pulled 500 tires out of those waters alone). With so many dives and recoveries, there’s bound to be some odd finds. At various locations, Mason says crews have come across a large safe with no door (he himself found that one), part of a 9 mm pistol (subsequently turned over to police), and even a vibrator (“someone [initially] thought it was a flashlight until we got it to shore and [we] emptied the mesh bag,” he says). Other finds have been more meaningful. Mason says last year at the marina, crews found an expensive purse that was lost in the water at Wake the Giant. After drying it and its contents out, they were able to use the ID and locate the purse’s owner and return it— the car key fob even still worked. In all, Mason says he and the people who dive and work with him enjoy using their expertise for a positive goal. “We have the ability to do it, so we do it, and everybody’s happy when we’re done,” he says. “Everybody walks away from an eco dive feeling good about themselves and that they’ve done good for the environment.”

 A cleanup at the mouth of the Current River by Lorne Allard Fisherman’s Park  A cleanup at the Pool 6 site in Thunder Bay

 A cleanup at the “Lagoon” in Nipigon; the group has retrieved its 500th tire out of the waters

To learn more about Eco Divers Thunder Bay, visit facebook.com/ecodivers.thunderbay.  Nova and Len Mason beside their 500th tire

The Walleye

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Cannabis, Pregnancy, and Parenting

CityScene

BIS CANNAER N COR

By Justin Allec

ongratulations, you’re pregnant! I’m both happy and saddened to inform you that welcoming a new child into your home means your usual routines will no longer apply. Eight hours of sleep will be elusive, conversations will rotate around feeding and poop, and responsibility is your new mantra. Parenting is a doubt game, and the influence of cannabis can only increase the questions. W h i l e re s e a rc h i n t o cannabis and pregnancy haven’t been exhaustive, there is some consensus on safe practices for before, during, and after pregnancy. Research with a formerly controlled substance is always difficult, but the availability and

popularity of cannabis means a growing body of evidence is pointing to some commonsense conclusions. Many “expecting” books that detail pregnancy compare it to a marathon. As such, it’s something you can prepare your body for, and if you’re a regular cannabis user, this can mean beginning to abstain or reduce the quantity of your intake. The better health your body is in leading into pregnancy, the easier it will be overall. However, if you’re a regular user and you become pregnant, don’t panic either: there’s no evidence to suggest that cannabis use will be harmful to the baby at this early stage. Once you know for certain you’re pregnant, or even if

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you suspect, it’s time to stop using cannabis. No amount is considered safe, regardless of the method of ingestion. Studies have linked cannabis use during pregnancy to low birth weights, the increased risk of stillbirth, and negative effects on the baby’s brain development that can lead to long-term learning and behavioral issues. There are some social media rumours that posit cannabis as a solution to morning sickness or insomnia, but there is no scientific evidence to support these claims. If cannabis was your primary method of self-care, I’m afraid you’re going to have to find other ways of finding your happy chemicals. If you find yourself slipping into using cannabis, then you need to have a serious conversation with your health provider and support network.

Cannabis’s role in your post-pregnancy life depends largely on whether you’re breastfeeding. If you are breastfeeding, then you will have to continue to abstain from cannabis. Because cannabis isn’t soluble in fat, it can’t be broken down before getting into breast milk, which means that up to 3% of the THC you’re consuming will be directly passed onto your baby, leading to lethargy, moodiness, poor sleeping habits, and other developmental issues in the little person. And cannabis likes hanging around in your system: it can appear as soon as 20 minutes after you’ve consumed, and last for up to six weeks, which means the claim of “pump and dump” after smoking is garbage. If you are formulafeeding, then it is fine to use cannabis again—with

caution. Cannabis affects your mental health, so it shouldn’t be used to treat postpartum depression, despite the appeal. Both moms and dads should note that cannabis affects your situational awareness, overall mood, and it delays response times, which means you aren’t going to be able to parent the way your child deserves. This goes for simple things, like supervising them on the playground, but also sleeping arrangements and hunger cues. If you’re dealing with kids, abstaining is the best bet. Parenting is a big job, and it's nice that we have releases like cannabis available. A child changed your life, which means your life has to change. If your brain isn’t present, then as a parent you can’t be either.

The Walleye

CityScene

“[There are] so many [memories] in the history of photography.”

Gregg Johns, owner of Imagetech

Imagetech

Gregg Johns Approaches 35 Years in Business Story and photo by Sidney Ulakovic

f you talk to any local photographer about how they got started, more often than not they’ll attribute some of their success to the expertise of Gregg Johns, owner of Imagetech. The shop is one of the last locally owned digital photography equipment supply stores. Johns has owned and operated Imagetech for 34 years, where he’s given the novice the confidence to get started, the professional a fresh perspective, and all sorts of invaluable advice to anyone who falls in between. For Johns, being a shutterbug seems to run in the family. Johns’s father, a professional photographer and cinematographer, became his mentor, and he worked in the field alongside his father for many years doing a variety of work from studio photography to commercial advertising. When Imagetech first opened, the business operated with a focus on photo production and lab services, but Johns quickly realized he would have to be flexible

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as photography transitioned from analog to digital. “That’s where I saw the opportunity to transform my own company,” Johns says. In the late 90s, Imagetech shifted towards retail equipment supply and custom photo services. “The word ‘image’ was kind of evolving,” Johns says of the cultural attitude and technological advancements at the time—hence the name Imagetech, which originated from the technical imaging movement. Yo u ’ d t h i n k t h a t d i g i t a l photography equipment would be a tricky business to be in when most people now have a camera that fits in their pocket thanks to smartphones, but Johns says that’s not entirely the case. “It’s fun to be in a camera shop in this current day,” he says. Recently, Johns has seen a resurgence in demand for compact digital cameras, as customers are looking for higher quality photos than their phones are capable of capturing, with the bonus of them being comparably

smaller investments to allow customers the opportunity to dip their toes in the world of photography. Today, Imagetech remains fully stocked with something for the novice to the professional photographer. “[There are] so many [memories] in the history of photography,” says Johns as he reflects on the incredible support of the community over his decades in the field. While his versatility in the face of advancing technology and shifting trends has kept the business viable, it’s his combination of expertise and approachability that keeps people coming back. Johns has become a pillar

in the local photography community, including teaching a photography course in the cinematography program at Confederation College for almost a decade. His reputation precedes him, as he now watches a younger generation walk through the door looking for a hand getting started. Looking to get into photography or update your gear? Pay Johns a visit at 679 Memorial Avenue or browse online at imagetech.biz.

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CityScene D SECONES C N CHA

Jewels of Crown Bringing Vintage Glam to Goods & Co. By Kelsey Raynard

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any of the sellers we have featured in Second Chances operate primarily online, partly due to the move away from in-store shopping during 2020 and 2021. However, local thrifters now have a new physical space to visit on their next hunt for vintage goods, as Jewels of Crown has officially moved their studio into Goods & Co. Market for a brand new shopping experience alongside North Shore Jewelry. Jewels of Crown owner Carly Vieira has been a trailblazer in the thrifting renaissance we have been enjoying here in Thunder Bay, and Jewels of Crown has been around (in some iteration or another) for over 10 years. From a personal closet of thrifted goods and a booth at the Thunder Bay Country Market to an online store and a weekend studio, Vieira says that her business has evolved with her through the varying stages of her life. And now, the thrift store many of us have come to love is entering another era. Jewels of Crown celebrated its grand opening in Goods & Co. with North Shore Jewelry on October 6, and Vieira says that the two businesses coming together was a natural fit. “First of all, I don’t do vintage jewelry; that’s another world completely,” she laughs. “I’ve always thought it would be a great partnership to work with someone who does jewelry, because people come in looking for both. Together we have this harmoniously

curated space.” In addition to the expanded options for her shoppers, Vieira also says that she is excited for the opportunity to connect with her customers on a more regular basis. “I am so looking forward to being available and accessible five days a week now,” she says. “In the new space, customers can expect a higher turnover as well; because the space is smaller, the amount of product I can keep out is limited. I think it will be evolving all the time.” Jewels of Crown is no stranger to Goods & Co., as the studio has been a part of past Walk-In Closet events hosted within the market. However, Vieira is excited to call the market home for the foreseeable future. “I have to give a shout out to Goods & Co. It’s such a great local space, and so beautiful too,” she says. “I think it perfectly represents my business as well; the people who shop here are the same type of people who come to my shop. Sharing a space with all of these lovely people just makes sense.” As for the future, Vieira hopes that Jewels of Crown continues to grow and evolve with the different stages of her life (as it always has), and we couldn’t be more excited for this new chapter. Visit Jewels of Crown in Goods & Co. Market (251 Red River Road) and follow @jewels_of_crown on Instagram for updates and #inspo.

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CityScene those blues are true. I’d say northern Ontario is where I first learned to see. But the north is also where I learned that everything is deeper and darker than it appears on the surface. That sense of the deeper levels remains, and that is the lingering influence of home. TW: Quicker Than The Eye is your third published volume of poetry. You have written a novel, a memoir, and collections of your writing from your time in the Arctic, in Montreal, and in Toronto. Do you have a favourite book amongst your published works? JF: I don’t have a favourite among my books, but I do have a deep affection for the three collections of poetry. I think I have more in me. I hear them asking to be the favourite.

Five Questions for Joe Fiorito

Distinguished Journalist Publishes a New Poetry Collection By Michael Sobota

orn and raised on Thunder Bay’s south side, Joe Fiorito now calls Toronto home, and has had a distinguished career as a journalist for several national media outlets. Fiorito has also published a number of books, including his nationally bestselling 1999 memoir about his dad, family, and growing up in Fort William, The Closer We Are to Dying. Fiorito’s most recent book is his third volume of poetry, titled Quicker Than The Eye. Here are five questions with Joe Fiorito. The Walleye: You have written or co-written or edited a dozen books. You’ve worked for the CBC in the high Arctic and as a journalist for the Montreal Gazette, the National Post, the Globe & Mail, and the Toronto Star. My first encounter with your writing was poems contributed to the Lakehead University literary

magazine when you were a young man. What has been the role of poetry throughout your writing life? Joe Fiorito: I started as a poet and turned to journalism because the wages of poetry are slim. As a newspaper columnist, however, I had free rein to use all the tools of literature when I wrote, in a way that no one else was doing. Now that I’ve retired, I have returned to poetry, but I like to think I never left it. TW: When you are writing poetry, who are you writing to? JF: When I write, I have no one in mind except the people who let me listen to what they had to say. I’m one of those who thinks poetry ought to be not always popular, but always accessible in some way. TW: Your newest volume of poetry, Quicker Than The Eye, contains some 60 poems. What is their gestation? Do you do extensive revisions or

any revisions at all? JF: Some of the poems in Quicker have their origins in my childhood; others are so new they are still hot in my hand. I tend to work from my notebooks, of which I have hundreds. I also have a bank of images in my head, and they are as vivid as photos; if an image sticks with me, it eventually becomes a poem. Along the way, I rewrite heavily. I write until there is no other way to say what I mean. But I’m always a bit unsatisfied—I’d like to write everything I’ve written all over again. TW: Fort William and Northwestern Ontario are present or referenced in your current work. Tell us about this influence. J F : I h a d a t r i c k y, complicated childhood growing up in the west end of Fort William. I relied on the look of the mountain, the lake, and the sky for certainty; all

The Walleye

CityScene

This is Thunder Bay Interviews and photos by Leah Morningstar This month we asked The Walleye readers: If you could see any band or musician, from any time period, who would it be?

Katherine: Modest Mouse! They were the first band I fell in love with when I was a brand new baby-teenager. You always remember the band you loved when you were 13. And I love Isaac Brock’s vocals.

Genevieve: Oh, Bruce Springsteen. No, Alanis Morissette. But also Fleetwood Mac. There are way too many I think.

The Walleye

Stephanie (daughter) and Sandy (mom): We would take my little brother to see Imagine Dragons because they’re his alltime favourite.

Nathan: That’s such a hard question! I think it’s gotta be Twenty One Pilots. Or maybe Oliver Tree.

Aster: David Bowie!

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CityScene

 Molly Carlson dives from the 21-metre platform on Stari Most (Old Bridge) during the first competition day of the fifth stop of the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series in Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina on September 7, 2023

Q&A with Molly Carlson

Champion Diver Talks about Her Olympic Dreams, Thunder Bay Roots By Bonnie Schiedel

olly Carlson is having a memorable year. As one of Team Canada’s elite high divers, the Thunder Bay-raised athlete travels the world to dive from both 20metre pool platforms and incredibly scenic cliffs and bridges. So far in 2023 she has racked up first- and secondplace showings in the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series in international locations, earned Canada’s first ever silver medal at the World Aquatics Championships in Japan, and became the first female to perform the difficult standing front quad half pike dive. Besides her athletic skills, she’s renowned on social media (about four million followers and counting) for her joyous approach to life and for speaking candidly about her experiences with anxiety and learning to love herself. The Walleye reached Carlson in Montreal where she now lives and trains. The Walleye: When you were in Thunder Bay last winter, you and your

The Walleye

partner [British diver Aidan Heslop] did a diving demonstration at the Canada Games Complex. What was that like, going back to where it all started? Molly Carlson: That was so special. I didn’t realize how emotional I would get on that trip. To see all these young athletes with so much hope and excitement about doing the sport that I love was inspiring. And yeah, jumping off the 10 metre, it looked way higher than I remembered. TW: What do you like to do when you’re back home in Thunder Bay? MC: Honestly, just not cook! To have family cook for you or to bring you persians are probably the best things that I could ever ask for. I love it. We live in this highrise apartment in Montreal, we travel underground on the Metro, we never go outside when we’re in this training lifestyle. So to go back to Thunder Bay and to reconnect with nature is so important. TW: You started #BraveGang, an online community where people can

share stories about how they have overcome fears in their lives. Why do you think that’s made such a connection with people? MC: It’s my outlet where I can share the truth behind this crazy life. It’s so fast paced and exciting and full of victories and accomplishments and it can be a lot, but I also suffer with extreme

anxiety, so to be able to share that side of my mental health [is important]. I want to help people and remind them that it’s okay to not be okay sometimes. It’s been really powerful and relatable to a lot of people online. TW: You’re giving ballet a try—what does that mean for you? MC: Ballet has been such a dream come true. First of all, it helped my diving tremendously—my posture and my form and my balance. And, when I’m diving or doing ballet I’m so in the moment that it’s like the first time my brain is silent from all the worries and the stresses. I’m not even good at ballet, I just love going. And I think I’ve been showing people that you don’t need to be amazing at your hobbies to feel proud of yourself. TW: What are you planning for in 2024? MC: I’ve been doing all of this work of building up the [Brave Gang] brand and the community authentically, but we want to give back and I’m going to start travelling across the country and speaking to schools and students about mental health and sports and self-care and self-love. So I’m so pumped about that, because […] I can inspire the next generation to be kind to themselves. TW: The diving community hopes that the 20-metre platform event is going to be an official event in the 2028 Olympics. Do you have a longterm plan for that? MC: Oh, your girl will be a 2028 Olympic champion. [laughs] I’m definitely training for that event. And hopefully it comes true: the more we can get this sport known through social media and excitement, the more countries will join and we need just a few more countries to get that solidified for 2028. So no matter what I’ll be high diving until then, and if it doesn’t happen or does I’m sure life will still be great. This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

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Breathe, Stretch, Strengthen

CityScene

Exploring the Yoga Scene in Thunder Bay

 Art of Yoga, where the motto is “inclusivity and simplicity,” is located in Shuniah, off Lakeshore Drive

 Modo Yoga, a hot yoga studio nestled in the Lakehead University gym, is heated by radiant ceramic panels

 Ananda Studios, the perfect addition to the south side of town, is located on Victoria Avenue

Erin May

Emily Turner

known as restorative yoga, is about targeting the connective tissue in your body through passive poses held for a longer period. It’s hard to say what style is best for you until you try them all. Regardless of style, all yoga is a chance to deepen your mind-body connection, and you don’t need to be flexible to try it out. All you really need is patience and a willingness to give it a shot. As Arthur Fiedler, owner of Art of Yoga studio, reminds all of his students, we must “let go of expectations and stress and be in the present” when we are practicing. Oftentimes, it comes down to finding your studio and community to practice with, at least while you are starting your yoga journey, which can be a steep learning curve for some. Luckily for us in Thunder Bay, there is a strong, supportive yoga community to help you start out. Every studio mentioned here—Modo Yoga, The Bodymind Centre, Art of Yoga, and Ananda Studios— offers beginner-friendly classes that are accessible to all. They are even happy to supply the mat. You’ll never know how you feel about yoga until you give it an honest shot.

Emily Turner

“Y

oga changes lives. It connects your body back to your breath,” says Deb Zweep, owner of the Modo Yoga Thunder Bay studio. “It gives your mind rest from all of the busyness of our lives so when you leave your mat, you have a little more peace in your life.” But what is yoga? Oftentimes, when yoga is talked about, it is in abstract terms, or in a way that is only understood if you’ve done yoga before. To many people, yoga is a mystery. But with so many welcoming, accessible yoga studios in town, there’s no need for it to be. Yoga dates back to ancient times, and the word itself is derived from a Sanskrit term. Traditionally, it is about the union of mind, body, and spirit. For many, the spiritual aspect of yoga is what brings them to their mat. But as Shaye Mascarin, owner of Ananda Studios explains, “Yoga is different every day for everybody. That’s the beautiful thing about it: the endless ways we can practice and make it exactly what we need in that moment.” Even without the spiritual component, yoga has incredible physical and mental benefits. Erin May, owner of The Bodymind Centre, adds that “there is a different type of yoga for everyone.” The most common types of yoga are hatha, vinyasa, and yin. Hatha and vinyasa are similar, though vinyasa is typically faster-paced and what people often call “power yoga.” Both emphasize the importance of controlled, mindful breathing. As Zweep explains, yoga connects your body back to your breath; it does this through grounding, intentional movements. Regardless of how fast or slow you move through the poses, a focus on breath is integral, especially in hatha. Yin, also

Scott MacKay

By Emily Turner

 “Saying you’re too tight to do yoga is like saying you’re too dirty to take a bath,” says Erin May of The Bodymind Centre, located off Water Street

The Walleye

Music

Still Dreaming

Bay Dream Records Shifts Focus to Live Entertainment Story by Michael Charlebois, Photo by Doni Song Productions

hile hip hop is being celebrated around the globe this year to commemorate 50 years since its beginnings in New York, local hip hop is gaining even more momentum thanks to a group of young individuals who are going the extra mile. The local appetite for hip hop in Thunder Bay—largely isolated from the genre’s historically metropolitan roots— has been moderate at best. As there was no recording studio here that specialized in hip hop, Liam Maguire opened up Bay Dream Records in 2020 to try to fill a gap in the landscape. Now, with a slew of releases from the artists under their label, including Maguire himself, Bay Dream Records has transitioned into the world of live performance in order to help fund their operation. “We’re still making music, but the focus has definitely shifted,” Maguire says. “In the music industry, if you really want to make a living off of it, it’s pretty much impossible just releasing music. That’s why we’ve been doing the live events. It’s more of a business. It also helps get the word out about us.” Since the shift, they’ve had a busy few years, performing at over 30 shows and hosting around 15

themselves. They’ve hosted the likes of 2000s Canadian rappers Choclair and LB Spiffy at local venues such as Atmos and The Westfort. They’ve also collaborated with Norteños Cantina to offer karaoke services on Thursday nights. “Getting into this […] I tried not to think of it as a rapper, but more so as a business perspective,” Maguire says, adding the key to growth locally is to connect Thunder Bay with other cities. “Someone was from Kenora, and they said they drove down to Thunder Bay just to come to Thunder Bay because there’s no recording studio around there.” He says the opportunity to bring Bay Dream to a wider market is in the plan down the line. “I want to grow the local scene for sure, but I think to really grow […] you have to branch out,” Maguire says. “One thing I want to do is put on bigger and bigger live events in places with a larger entertainment market.” “I’d like to dip my toes into Canada-wide tours and establish networks in all these different places.” To learn more, visit baydreamrecords.com.

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The Glorious Sons

Music

Canadian Rockers Take New Album on the Road Story by Kris Ketonen, Photo by Matt Barnes

t’s fair to say the recording of Glory, the new album from The Glorious Sons, wasn’t exactly a simple process. It was, however, certainly a worthwhile one. “I think it's the most Glorious Sons record to date,” Jay Emmons, guitarist and vocalist, says. “I think we took a few chances on this one,” he adds. “It’s a little bit rootsier. It probably doesn’t live in the hard rock world as much as some of our other stuff does, but I think everybody's super proud of it.” Glory has its roots in the COVID-19 pandemic, Emmons says, and the band’s efforts to be productive. “We would basically block out these recording sessions for weeks at a time,” he says. “I think we ended up cataloguing about 35 songs from that period. None of them were really meeting the mark for [lead singer Brett Emmons], except for a handful.”

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The band, Jay says, went to Nashville to work with producer Jacquire King, who’s worked with such artists as Kings of Leon, Tom Waits, Buddy Guy, and Shania Twain. “It just didn't feel right, right from the beginning,” he says. “It wasn't a great fit for us, or for Jacquire, I don't think.” So The Glorious Sons decided to cut their losses, and brought in Danish producer Frederik Thaae, who the band had worked with before. “We had a great rapport with him,” Emmons says. “All of a sudden these songs just started coming out of Brett, and he was inspired, happy, and Fred was kind of leading the charge for everybody.”

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And while Glory may sound a bit different than other Glorious Sons releases, Emmons wouldn’t have it any other way. “I think that the main goal with any project that Glorious Sons works on is that it’s not going down the path that we’ve been down before,” he says. “It’s kind of breaking new ground, exploring a new sound.” The Glorious Sons play the Thunder Bay Community Auditorium on November 25. For more information, visit theglorioussons.com.

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Music

The Steven Page Trio: Craig Northey, Steven Page, Kevin Fox

The Steven Page Trio

Group’s Thunder Bay Stop One of Several Northern Ontario Dates

for us to be able to [play in] other parts of the country,” Page continues. While he doesn’t think of himself as a folk musician, folk music and folk festivals were a big part of Page’s childhood; his parents were involved in the Mariposa Folk Festival, one of the longest-running of its kind in North America. “So I grew up going to that,” he says. “Then as a teenager, the music that I connected with had certain roots in that kind of secondwave folk movement of the 60s.” One of the first things he did when he became a solo artist was to book as many folk festivals across Canada as he could. “The ability to come and play to Canadians where they live is really important to me,” he says. As important as touring is to Page, he is intimately familiar with the isolation that can accompany it. “Being ‘at sea’ is the biggest thing about traveling as a musician. You can feel lost, you can feel at sea, you can feel isolated, as you’re never in one place very long,” he says. “You feel this kind of sense of being unmoored.” In recent years, Page has spoken openly about mental health and his own challenges, emphasizing the importance of addressing the associated stigma. “When I started doing mental health speaking, every time I’d go up and do a talk I would think, these people must think, ‘what does he have to offer me?’” he says. “I think there's a sense of, ‘well, he’s lived a completely different kind of existence from me.’” Page says that sharing his own

struggles and healing path “gives people the opportunity to hear how similar most of our lives are.” He sees it as his obligation and responsibility to continue striving to connect with audiences on these topics, through both speaking engagements and his music. While the upcoming tour requires a significant amount of time on the road, Page credits bandmates Craig Northley (guitar) and Kevin Fox (cello) and their team for making the experience enjoyable. “They're just good people, you know,” he says. “Everybody's there to catch each other, which is really nice. […] They're my closest friends and the easiest people to be around.” Page praises his bandmates as “amazing singers and songwriters in their own right,” adding that “to be able to have them backing me up is a real privilege.” The two join Page’s distinctive sound—one that has remained easily recognizable throughout his decades-long career as an award-winning musician. The Steven Page Trio’s northern Ontario tour offers the opportunity to enjoy an exceptional live concert in a variety of intimate settings, and to witness the talent of some of Canada’s premier musicians. The Steven Page Trio performs November 4 at Fort William Historical Park’s McGillivray's Landing. For more information, visit sleepinggiant.ca or stevenpage.com.

Story by Nancy Saunders, Photo by Robert Georgeff

he Steven Page Trio is performing November 4 at Fort William Historical Park’s McGillivray's Landing. The show is part of a northern Ontario tour that includes stops in Geraldton, Atikokan, Fort Frances, Kenora, Red Lake, Dryden, and Sioux Lookout, and is being presented locally by the Sleeping Giant Folk Music Society. Thanks to a collaboration between communities, for the last 15 years towns have been able to secure live entertainment by high-profile performers at an affordable price. It also sees artists play smaller, more

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intimate venues—an appealing and unique experience for both performers and their fans. Page, previously of the Barenaked Ladies, has been touring continuously since the release of his last album, Excelsior, in September 2022. The northern Ontario shows will be his first time doing this type of regional tour. "I've heard about this circuit from other musicians. I always thought it sounded awesome,” he says. “I was immediately like, yeah, let’s do it!” “[We] always focus on the major markets, but there are so many places to play and it’s just an experience

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“They all seemed to want to be a part of her care circle; her guardians. It was just like an extended family.” Frank Family of Past Client

Frank Zanatta’s experience with the Care Group began when his mother moved into Bethammi Nursing Home, but soon he learned from personal experience just how important the organization can be to people of any age.

“When your loved one moves into long-term care, you just don’t know what to expect, what I would have to do, what they were going to do,” he recalls. With Frank busy in his career, his spouse took on much of the initial visiting and care, “and thank goodness she did. But then we were able to realize that everything is good… mom’s being taken care of. She’s having fun, she’s having that social interaction. It was home for her. They became like family to my mom.”

year additional hoyer lifts are installed and available.” Frank says the more he got involved, the more he learned that many people don’t know what and how much the Care Group does. “Then you tell them, ‘well, I’m a stroke survivor.’ Oh yeah, they understand. ‘You go there for physiotherapy… or maybe your parents have to go into long-term care, but it’s so much more.’”

“You don’t know how important it is to you, being able to sleep at night and understand that mom is okay.”

“Once the community knows and understands all that the Care Group does in and for our community, I think then they’ll really understand the scope of everything and the amount of people that they touch, and the amount of funding that they need.”

Frank was particularly appreciative of the Care Group’s care and compassion when his mother was nearing the end of her life. “That’s when they even took it up a notch. They moved my mom to a private room and all the staff came in, gave me a hug. It takes a special type of person to be able to do that. It was an experience that allowed me to move on.”

Frank says that if he could say anything to people who are reading this it’s to “reach out and do something… it would be to give of your time or to donate and support their need for equipment and care. It doesn’t necessarily have to be with the Care Group, there are a lot of groups out there that need volunteers.”

Then came a surprise and an experience with another special group of St. Joseph’s Care Group staff. “It was nine months after retirement that I had a stroke. My rehabilitation was at St. Joseph’s Hospital, they take a lot of time and effort and expertise with rehabilitation. They helped me get back to a place where I could function again.”

“If everybody can help with one small part, it makes it a lot easier for the people who are doing the heavy lifting.” Finally, it’s important to thank those people. “We always thank them after but sometimes we forget to thank them before. It’s a tough job.”

Once he was better, Frank wanted to give back for all the care and got in touch with the St. Joseph’s Foundation. “I asked, ‘how can I help?’ I was invited to become a Director and it just progressed from that to being on the Executive and now being the Chair of the Foundation’s Board.”

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

The Board will sometimes tour facilities. “I always ask, ‘how many more of these (pieces of equipment) do you need?’ And lots of times the staff will say, ‘we always have a need for new and additional equipment which is keeping up with technology.’ ” “When my mom was in Bethammi, they didn’t have enough of the hoyer lifts to safely lift her out of her bed. We saw the need to ensure the safety of both clients and the staff when doing transfers. I am happy to see that each

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Music

Prodigal Sons Wax Philosophic Live at Norteños Cantina

Review and photos by Jack Barten

 ZakwithDaPack and Liam Maguire

Wax Philosophic’s Reach and D-Cyphur

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f all the people who have a connection to the building formerly known as The Apollo, few can claim to evoke more sentimentality than the members of Wax Philosophic. Formed in 2000 by locals Jenero, D-Cyphur, and Reach, the trio has been playing The Apollo stage since before this writer was born. This backdrop proved to be the perfect storm for their 23rd anniversary show at their home stage at Norteños Cantina (housed in the former Apollo). The evening started with openers Liam Maguire and ZakwithDaPack of Bay Dream Records. Maguire went up first and got the growing crowd warmed up, donning a mysterious hood and verbally lighting up the room. Maguire impressed with clever and articulate verses throughout his set. Then ZakwithDaPack took to the stage, with a set infused with old-school sensibilities. ZakwithDaPack further built on the electricity with his onstage charisma and high-energy bars. After this set, both members of Bay Dream Records hit the stage together, exchanging parts on past collaborations and capturing the attention of the room. The team from Bay Dream did a perfect job getting everyone ready for the main

event, the 23rd anniversary of Wax Philosophic. The set started off quiet, with the MCs standing towards the back as the beat built up the atmosphere in the now-packed bar. Then suddenly the duo exploded onto the stage with a level of charisma that was entrancing to those in the audience, as instantly the room was glued to everything Wax Philosophic was presenting. E v e r y s o n g t h e g ro u p performed was so articulate, and every word and syllable was easily distinguishable and sharp to the ears, showing the group’s years of experience. The onstage energy was also incredible, with the two MCs jumping into the audience and then back on stage, never missing a beat. It really was a sight to behold. To make matters even better, DJ/ producer Jenero provided miraculously well-produced, energetic, and concerted beats. Everything about this set was perfect. The evening went on with track after track of some of the best live hip hop music one could ever hope to see. But with 23 years of experience, anyone who has ever seen Wax Philosophic already knows the group is great, and seeing them on their 23rd anniversary on the stage where it all started really was a special experience.

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Music

G BURNINE H TO T SKY

The Boss and Me

Story by Gord Ellis, Photo by Danny Clinch

ruce Springsteen came onto my musical radar in 1975. My family had moved to Edmonton for a year as my dad took a sabbatical from his high school teaching job. I was 13 at the time and completely infatuated with the music of Elton John. However, there was an FM rock station in Edmonton that had a very cool DJ. He played the big hits of the day like EJ, but also played music that I’d not heard before. That included music from Born to Run by Bruce Springsteen. The DJ was a big fan of the Boss and slowly, but over time, I became one too. The music on Born was big, passionate, and different than the pop/rock I’d gravitated to. So began my lifelong journey as a Springsteen fan. In 1984, this columnist was working in Toronto at Ontario Place. That job would allow me to be in the perfect place to see my first Springsteen show. It took place at the CNE and was part of a midsummer run of shows supporting the newly released Born in the U.S.A. At the time, Springsteen was a big draw, but he had not yet achieved superstar status—that would come a few months later. However, experiencing Bruce Springsteen live was, in many ways, a life-changing event. The performer, the band, and the crowd all seemed to

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be as one. It was as close to musical religious experience as my 21-yearold self had experienced at the time. Springsteen was not a kid in 1984. He was just a few years from 40 and was already making sly references to age even then. He was acutely aware that much of the audience in the crowd was 10 to 15 years younger than he was, and that age gap would increase as the hits kept coming. Yet his sheer vitality, and the power of the E Street Band, would provide inspiration for years to come. I saw the Boss one more time on that tour and then twice the following year. The 1985 version of the Born in the U.S.A. tour was larger—and more of a spectacle— than the previous year, and it would spell the end of an era. Springsteen would start writing differently after that, and disbanded the E Street Band. I remained a huge fan, but raising kids and having a busy career meant there would be a huge gap in seeing Springsteen live again. The E Street Band reunion tour in 1999 was the next time I’d seen him live, after a nearly 14-year break. It was, again, a transformative experience. Fast forward to March 2023. After another big break in the live Spingsteen concert timeline, and for my first big post-COVIDrestrictions concert, my wife Cheryl and I travelled to St. Paul, Minn. to see Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band. For some reason, this show felt extra important to me.

Nearly 40 years had passed since that first Toronto concert. Bruce was still here, although two key members of his band, Danny Federici and “The Big Man” Clarence Clemons, had passed in the time since the reunion

tour. Would it still feel the same? And could Springsteen, now in his early 70s, still pull off the self proclaimed “magic trick” he has been laying out since 1972? When the lights went down, and the Boss walked out, dramatically backlit for maximum effect, it was a euphoric moment. My wife would later tell me “you had both arms in the air!” It was a big deal for me—and most of the building. Yet it wouldn’t have been nearly as inspiring if that 70-year-old man on the stage had not been able to deliver. The voice was there, full volume and still operatic at times. During a three-hour show, he played the hits, some deep cuts, and enough songs off his excellent 2020 album Letter to You to be wholly satisfying to fans new and old. At the end of the show, with just an acoustic guitar in hand, he sang “I’ll See You in My Dreams” and I could feel the emotion well up in me. Sadly, a Canadian leg of the latest Springsteen tour was recently postponed due to the singer suffering a peptic ulcer. However, I do hope to attend the rescheduled date in Montreal with my brother Roy (also a big fan) in 2024. It will be like seeing an old friend.

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Music

 The Roy Coran Big Band

Expanding Experiences Roy Coran Big Band Kicks Off New Season Story by Matt Prokopchuk, Photos by Dana Fiorito

“T “

he thing that we’re trying to show now is that a big band is not just ‘In the Mood’ and Glenn Miller, it can be so much more,” says Ted Vaillant of the Roy Coran Big Band on what the group aims to do with its concert seasons, the latest of which gets underway this month. The artistic director of the iconic, decades-old Thunder Bay group has been in his position for about 10 years now, succeeding band founder Roy Coran after his death in 2013. “We’re going to do [a] 60s [show], and we’re going to do a show at the end of the year of James Bond tunes,” he says, referring to other shows on this season’s calendar. “We’re going to do a show right after Christmas where we’re going to highlight female composers, female performers.” The group is currently 20 members strong, Vaillant says, featuring 17

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instrumentalists, two singers, and Vaillant. Showcasing the band’s versatility throughout their seasons is key, as he says these days the public generally favours a concert format rather than dances with live music, as was traditionally popular for big bands or jazz bands. “We’re trying to expand people’s experiences,” Vaillant adds. The band’s first show, featuring selections of music from the 1960s (“from Motown classics to the hits of Burt Bacharach,” according to a press release) takes place at the Da Vinci Centre on November 4, and will include Nancy Freeborn as a guest performer. That will be followed by their matinee Christmas concert on December 17 at the Italian Cultural Centre. The new year will then include the aforementioned femalefocused and James Bondthemed concerts on March 2 (at the Victoria Inn) and May 4

(back at the Da Vinci Centre), respectively. And while the band works to expand the expectations of what people can expect from a big band with a lot of history, tradition, and success behind it, the group’s namesake is never too far away; during his lifetime, Coran was a prolific and celebrated musical arranger. “Over the years, we’ve tried to incorporate something by Roy in everything we do, if we can,” Vaillant says. “He wrote an arrangement of ‘Jingle Bells’ that’s been the closing of our Christmas concert for so many years now.” Single tickets to all shows are $25 ($15 for students) and available at Music World Academy (cash/ cheque only). Follow along with the band at facebook.com/ roycoranbigband.

 Artistic director Ted Vaillant conducting

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Music

Michael Quigley Principal Bassoon

TBSO E PROFIL

Story by Kris Ketonen, Photo by Max Zheng Birthplace: Montreal Instrument: Bassoon Age you started to study music: Piano at about age nine, bassoon at 14 How long have you been with TBSO: In his first season What’s on personal playlist: Music he’s performing with the TBSO this season The Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra’s Michael Quigley’s love for the bassoon came about quite accidentally. Quigley, who’s in his first season with the TBSO, began his musical career on the piano at about age nine, but that didn’t exactly stick. “Neither of my parents were musicians, but they thought it was better to give me something to do to keep me busy,” he says. “I really hated it. After two years I quit and thought I’d never touch an instrument again.” That all changed in ninth grade. “I had to take one year of some kind of art elective in high school,” Quigley says. “The plan was to take music and then start doing computer science.” “I remember signing up to

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play the bassoon, not knowing what it was. And I remember shortly after I wrote down on the little signup sheet that I’d play bassoon, the band director came and he’s like, ‘Oh, you’re gonna play bassoon? You should play in our band.’” “I just kind of got roped into it. I kind of accidentally just fell in love with the instrument, and kept playing it since then.” Quigley went on to study at Wilfrid Laurier University, and transferred to the University of Toronto to finish his degree. He then did a master’s degree at the Manhattan School of Music. Now, Quigley has joined the TBSO, which is his first orchestra job. “I did a community orchestra, I think it was in grade 12,” Quigley recalls. “It was my first time playing in an orchestra rather than a band.” “In bands, you’re often doubled up on parts, like multiple people are playing the same thing. But being in the orchestra, even if you’re not the soloist or something like that, you’re still on your own part. You’ve still got something unique that you have to do.” “I think that made me want to play in orchestras.”

Music

Empowerment Through Reinvention New Singles and Videos from stardrop Story by Jason Wellwood, Photos by Scott MacKay

ometimes it’s meeting the right people at the right time that really makes a project click. Such is the case with stardrop. It was meeting and working with producers Tennyson King and Dan Hosh that helped to refine her music, and then working with videographer Scott MacKay really brought stardrop to life. “I wanted to step into something bigger than me,” says the artist formerly known as Danielle Pollari. While she calls her prestardrop projects “cringey,” it was her love of acting, art, and music that planted the seed of who stardrop is. Taking the messages she was writing in her music and embodying them fully, bringing them to life, being powerful, fearless, and larger than life, was the goal. "We went into the studio to make an R&B

record, and this was during COVID, but in the process it became a pop record,” she says. “Happier, honest, and cheeky.” In fact, the video for “Juicy,” released in August and shot at the CLE, is a perfect encapsulation of this: it’s bright, vivid, bouncy, and stardrop’s smile is honest and instantly infectious. “Crown On” is the latest video release from stardrop and tells a tale many of us know so well: we really want to do something great, but feel like we aren’t worthy. It’s a story of empowerment, self love, and knowing your worth. Many of us can relate to lip syncing into a broom handle— though not all of us have done it to an audience in a bowling alley, as she does in the video. While stardrop’s music this time around is pure pop, there’s room for experimentation in

dance, jazz, and R&B, which may also happen. In the meantime, seven songs were completed from the original sessions, so more singles and videos are to come before all of them are released as an album. As an independent artist, funding and time can make things slower to arrive than desired. However, stardrop is aiming to tour in 2024, and while we may have to wait to see the songs performed live, the work behind the scenes continues so that the message, the music, and the visuals are all a cohesive experience. To stay up with the latest on stardrop, go to facebook.com/artist. stardrop, or follow her on Instagram @stardrop.music.

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Music

Ringing in the Christmas Season

Lakehead Choral Group Set to Perform Under New Director Story by Pat Forrest, Photos by Sidney Ulakovic

T  The Lakehead Choral Group

 Alto Kerry Malone  Accompanist Sean Kim

he Lakehead Choral Group has announced the appointment of Diana Hannaford-Wilcox as their new musical director and, under her leadership, they’re busy rehearsing for their upcoming Christmas concert, Ring Those Christmas Bells. Hannaford-Wilcox is a well-known accompanist, piano teacher, conductor, and composer. She’s also the musical director for St. Paul’s United Church, including its handbell choir. Bells are going to be a theme of this year’s event, with the handbell choir members even making an appearance as special guests. Some of the songs to be performed will include “Madrigal of the Bells” by Linda Steen Spevacek, “Ring Those Christmas Bells” by Marvin Fisher and Gus Levene, “Holiday Bells” by Earlene Rentz, and “Nutcracker Jingles” by James Pierpont. Hannaford-Wilcox believes that the concert will help bring the Christmas spirit to everyone who attends. “I think everyone will feel joy and the spirit of the season,” she says. “This is my first concert with the group, and I am so excited to challenge them musically while, at the same time, help to bring out the love of singing and of working together as a group.” The choir’s accompanist, Dr. Sean Kim, shares HannafordWilcox’s enthusiasm. “For me, sharing the joy of the Christmas season with not only the choir but also friends and family

and choral music enthusiasts means a lot,” he says. Like Hannaford-Wilcox, Kim is also a very busy musician, serving as St. Paul’s Anglican Church’s music director, the artistic director for the Oras Chamber Choir, and accompanist for St. Agnes Roman Catholic Church and the Lakehead University Vocal Ensemble, while also teaching piano and harmony. He is the co-founder of Opera Northwest with Theresa Thibert. Founded in 1956 by a local musician and teacher—the late Jim Jewitt—today The Lakehead Choral Group has 33 members, including some who have been a part of it for 50 years. They are a mixedgroup (soprano-alto-tenor-bass) community choir, currently with 14 sopranos, 10 altos, four tenors, and five basses. They are always looking for members, so if you love to sing, you can join them on Wednesday nights starting January 10, 2024 at 7 pm in the music room at St. Patrick High School as they begin to work on their spring show. Ring Those Christmas Bells takes place at 7 pm on December 13 at St. Agnes Church on the corner of Mary and Brown Streets. Admission is $20 for adults and $10 for students. Keep up with the group’s activities by following them on Facebook.

“I think everyone will feel joy and the spirit of the season.” 92

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

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We cater to all your musical needs big or small!

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OfftheWall

Town

Elliott BROOD One half of a pair of new releases, Town (the complement to Country) finds Elliott BROOD taking a country mouse/city mouse approach to their latest songs. This Toronto band has shifted and shucked genres and venues for more than 20 years, so if they want to release a double album, they’re more than justified. As such, Town is full of rollicking, rolling tunes—the kind the trio is now noted for playing, suitcase bass drum be damned. The album has eight songs total, and there are some—like the barn-burning opener “Rose City,” or the stomping kitchen-party shout-along of “Dried Up”—that do match up with the rowdiest night at the Palomino Club. But this is town music, so despite those flirts with big city dance halls, Elliott BROOD keeps the rest running down gravel roads. In the back half you get some delightful songs, with the indie riot of “Stars Align” and the gentle percussion of “Sinking Stone” demanding repeat listens. However, the foil of all double albums occurs early, where the back-to-back waltzes of “Paper Money” and “Evelyn” just aren’t as good. Pairing this release with Country, though, and you’ll be bound to find more than an album’s worth of good tunes.

Reviews

Here and Now

Falling or Flying

Healing Power

Aysanabee's music is always powerful, but his newest EP is especially emotionally gutting. Described as an exploration of “Indigenous love and loss in the modern era,” the album features raw, honest lyrics—yet this is definitely uplifting music, the type of finger-tapping tunes with groovy, rhythmic beats that make you wanna bop your head and move around. While the first song on the EP, “Waste My Time,” echoes the same fantastic vibes as his most popular hit “Nomads”—both perfect songs for your next main character moment—the second song on Here and Now, “Letting Go,” has a unique, almost jazzy beat to it that reminded me how talented this emerging superstar is. This is the type of healing music that always hits home, no matter the status of your love life.

U.K. R&B artist Jorja Smith burst onto the scene with a once-in-ageneration voice that helped her quickly gain traction and score a handful of crossover hits very early in her career. Recently she has been reclusive; she seemingly retreated from her early momentum and moved to her hometown of Walsall to record the follow-up to her acclaimed debut. The long-awaited Falling or Flying is carried by its singles: jungle summer anthem “Little Things,” and a gorgeous title track. Despite its highs, the album can lag between these songs. There are some beautiful moments in those valleys though; the production is intentionally slick and subdued, as Smith floats between lush arrangements instead of stealing the show with her vocals. On first listen, the album could be dismissed as another letdown from a late2010s artist failing to recreate early excitement, but the beauty in the closer “What if My Heart Beats Faster?” suggests there may be room to grow for this one

Terra Lightfoot’s staple electric guitar and soaring vocals remain at the forefront of her fifth studio album, Healing Power, which was conceptualized during a lengthy world tour. Healing Power’s opening tracks feel breathless, as though you’re rushing to keep up in her frenzied world. This project marks Lightfoot’s third collaboration with producer Gus van Go, and it’s clear the pair continue to build upon their creative chemistry. Lightfoot and Van Go play with pacing throughout the project; vocal layering on the album’s livelier tracks amplifies Lightfoot’s sound while also providing the opportunity to explore more subdued valleys after reaching some of the album’s vocal and instrumental peaks. Healing Power boasts clever hooks throughout, and each song is distinguished from the last, with the album as a whole still remaining incredibly cohesive as each song melts into the next. At most times Lightfoot is snappy, racing, and passionate. Healing Power bursts with energy, and, admittedly, it’s hard not to tap your feet along, but when Lightfoot does take a moment to breathe, the album is graced with little moments of tenderness that invite listeners to root themselves in the world she’s built.

Aysanabee

Jorja Smith

-Emily Turner

-Michael Charlebois

-Justin Allec

Terra Lightfoot

-Sidney Ulakovic

Christmas time is coming...

Order your Christmas Cakes by November 30th 270 Bay Street 807-345-4727

@sweetnatabakery sweetnatabakery.net Mon - Sat: 8am to 5pm, Sun: 10am to 3pm

The Walleye

PORTUGESE SWEET COOKIES (honey and sweet potato) SWEET EGG CHESNUT VARIETY OF CHRISTMAS COOKIES TORTAS (LARGE SIZE)

CHRISTMAS CAKE! Fruit Cake Mix Cake Nut Cake

Bide Your Time Skydiggers

The second EP release this year from Canada’s Skydiggers features another engrossing, entertaining set of songs. Lead-off song “Employee of the Myth” is instantly catchy, and the storytelling and its folky feel sets the tone for the songs to follow: uplifting, heartbreaking, and sometimes surprising (the horn in “One Song at a Time” was a fantastic addition). The feel of classic Skydiggers is here, building from sparse folk to a little more filled-out folk rock, the songs all feeling like they would be just as at home around a campfire as they would on a big stage. Skydiggers have always been great at telling stories through song, and the only real issue with Bide Your Time is that it feels too short. Which isn’t a bad problem to have at all— in fact, for vinyl enthusiasts, both EPs were combined and released as a special vinyl release on November 1. -Jason Wellwood

ZOE Science & Nutrition Jonathan Wolf

Ever wonder how long is too long to have diarrhea? Or what the acute and long-term impacts of eating too fast really are? And what does organic really mean? These and many other common (and sometimes uncomfortable) questions are answered on ZOE Science & Nutrition. Every episode brings forward a crew of specialists who teach you how to eat, age, and care for yourself in positive and attainable ways. I enjoy the quick-fire questions in the beginning, which get the listener pumped up for the information to come, and help start a wave of pondering. I recently listened to the gut microbiome episode and was fascinated by the impact that our tummy-bound microbes have on not only on digestion (which most already knew), but also on brain health and even forecasting potential health issues decades in advance. Wolf presents easy-to-understand information that is relatable and applicable to everyday life, making this podcast a keeper.

Quicker Than The Eye

The Crossing

Joe Fiorito’s third book of poems, Quicker Than The Eye, is a bounty of literary pleasures. Fiorito’s pen is a surgical knife. He writes short, sharp verse about old friends, new friends, family, and lingering loves. He captures history and currency with equal skill. His observations are as intimate as your bedroom or kitchen or the neighbourhood pool hall. There is droll humour in these pieces, but also layered sensuality—and yes, earned sadness. This volume contains some 60 poems; each of them get their own page, and each of them ask for your careful attention. This is work to be read, reread, and savoured. The gifts in here can be gifted, too. Put this volume on your holiday gift list.

Juno Award-winning Inuk singersongwriter Susan Aglukark’s career spans 25 years, and her 2022 album The Crossing turns stories into songs. As soon as the music starts on the title track, the percussion draws in the listener, in much the same way as it did on “O Siem” from the 1995 album This Child. The Crossing is a 12-track album including lyrics and songs written in Indigenous languages. The powerful song “Be Set Free,” with its upbeat pace and twang, feels like an anthem for a movement. “People’s Soul (Arviat)” has a familiar feel, and the chorus is comforting. The folk sound along with Aglukark’s voice and emotional lyrics make for a meaningful listening experience. With words that speak to struggles endured and hope ahead, there is an uplifting feel to the tracks on this album. This CD and more can be found at the Thunder Bay Public Library in the Indigenous Knowledge Centre collections. Highly recommended.

Joe Fiorito

-Michael Sobota

Susan Agluklark

-Thunder Bay Public Library Staff

-Andrea Lysenko

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Architecture

 The North Central Station fire hall on Water Street  The station’s clock tower, which is used for hanging fire hoses

North Central Station

Story by Jennifer Bonazzo, Photos by Emily Turner

his month we feature the fire hall known as North Central Station, located at 60 Water Street South. Our city has an interesting history when it comes to our fire stations, both former and current. On our city’s website, people can read about how they have been built, and how they have been decommissioned for various reasons. In this case, city council realized they needed to replace the aging Central Station at 13 Court Street North, largely due to safety concerns over the modern vehicles not being able to easily come in and out of doorways built for horsedrawn carriages. Once decided, council quickly moved forward with their plans. In February of 1984, a resolution was passed to look for an architect, with the firm of Fraser and Browne Architects winning the contract. This firm was one known to the city, having previously

96 96The Walleye The Walleye

designed the marina service building at the waterfront, and a former entity of their firm, then known as Mickelson, Fraser and Haywood, had also designed the Vickers Fire Station. The location on Water Street was also identified in a timely manner, with the vacant lot having already been rezoned in 1974 for a potential 250-unit apartment building that was never built. According to the building permit issued in June of 1985, the lot size was 150 feet by almost 200 feet, which would more than accommodate the station. It seemed the logical place to build. And build they did. Contractors Stead and Lindstrom (1977) Ltd. was awarded the construction contract in March of 1985 and work started immediately. This company, too, was no stranger to city contracts, having previously completed work

for the waterfront by building docks in Pier 1. By all accounts, the station was completed on time and on budget, with the cost of the building coming in at around $2.1 million. The North Central Station opened in 1986, the same year the Court Street hall closed, but with a decidedly more contemporary look. Like most fire halls designed at that time, it is modern and somewhat utilitarian in appearance, with its red brick reminiscent of the Junot and Brown Street stations. The main building is three stories tall with five bay doors and an attached clock tower for hanging hoses, and two more bay doors on the building’s south side. Three faint string courses delineating the floors can be seen, with four bay doors located around the back. North Central is now known as Station #3. It is the largest in our city, and has the largest apparatus floor (and the only one with pole holes). According to acting deputy chief Martin Hynna,

the Apparatus and Equipment Division is permanently located there, but four platoons rotate to ensure 24-hour coverage, with a district fire chief and three firefighters working there. Equipment includes the Harbour Rescue #1 (a 24-foot marine rescue boat), and a 14-foot airboat, likely due to the station’s proximity to the marina. More information on our fire stations—past and present— can be found on the City of Thunder Bay’s website.

Architecture

 The bay doors open, showing the station’s interior and fire trucks  Two trucks parked inside the station’s garage

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

 The fire pole; North Central is the last station in the city to have one still in use  One of the marine craft stored at the North Central Station; this one can be used on ice and open water

 The view down the tower  The shop where the fire trucks get serviced

 The hose room, where all the hoses get stored after they dry out

The Walleye

NovemberEventsGuide OctoberEventsGuide November 4, 8, 9, October 1,1,102,am 11, 15, 16, 18, 22, 23, 25, Creekside & 29, & 30

Trevisanutto’s Fall Northern Nature Artisan Market Trading Creekside Nursery & Mary J.L. Black Library Garden Centre Northern Nature Trading is

Creekside andofTrevisanutto’s a special kind swap shop. annualinfall market returns. Bring items you’ve found This year’sand market have in nature tradewill them for over 90inlocal food things theirartisans, collection. Start vendors, times varyand by more. date; please check online to confirm. creekside.ca

nnt@tbpl.ca

October 1, 11 am November 1, 8, 15, 22, & Sunday 29, 7 pm Brunch Red Lion That Smokehouse Name Tune

Red Lion Smokehouse will be Sleeping Giant Brewing Co. poaching eggs and mixing Get ready to put your music beer-y cocktails until 2 pm. knowledge to the test every Call to book and secure Wednesday night in Sleeping your spot. Giant’s taproom for Name

807-286-0045 That Tune. Compete to identify the catchiest tunes across all genres, October 2, 3, 9,and 10,win 16, great prizes and bragging 17, 23, 24, 30, 31, 9 am rights as the ultimate music maestro of Thunder Pierogi DaysBay!

facebook.com/ Polish Combatants SleepingGiantBrewingCo Branch No. 1

Head over to1,the November 8, Polish 15, 22, & Combatants 29, 7:30 pmBranch No. 1 every Monday and Tuesday Cribbage to buy perogies,Night cabbage rolls, Lion veganSmokehouse beet soup, and Red more. Wednesday Pre-order, e-transfer. Every this fall,

Red Lion Smokehouse is 807-345-1861 hosting drop-in cribbage at the pub. Come on your own October 3–5, 10–12, or bring your best cribbage17–19, pal 24–26, 4:30 pm playing to enjoy a Hoppy Hour discount on a bar snack After School Art (with the purchase of a large Escapes draught).

Gallery 33 807-286-0045

An after-school art program November 8, 15, 22, & for students 1, aged 5–17. 29, 7:30arepm Classes once a week and separatedNight by age group. Trivia Students will do a variety The Foundry of projects from drawing, Weekly continue painting,trivia andnights crafting. Fee for at The Foundry. Thereand is a for new students is $430 new topic each week, and returning students is $395. there are fun, local prizes to facebook.com/gallery33.tbay be won. Registration starts at 7:30 pm, games start at 8 pm.

facebook.com/foundrytbay

November October 4,1–30 2 pm

Novemburger Babies & Brews

Various Red LionLocations Smokehouse

For the entire month, over 20 Connect with other new local momsparticipating and dads atrestaurants Red Lion will be selling their Smokehouse. Bringsignature your Novemburger, with out $2 from little one and hang with every burger sold donated other new parents. Nursingto the United Way Thunder is welcomed andofboth Bay. See thisinclude month’s Top Five washrooms changing for more info. facilities.

novemburgeruwaytbay.ca 807-286-0045

November 2, 8 pm October 4, 11, 18, 25, Art 7 pm Battle

Thunder BayTune Name That

Black Pirates Pub Sleeping Giant Enjoy a wonderful night of Brewing and Co.community at creativity

Get live ready to put tournament your music this painting knowledge to theartists test every showcasing local and WednesdayThunder night in Sleeping connecting Bay to Giant’sand taproom Name towns cities for around the That Tune. Compete to world. Artists will transform identify the catchiest tunes blank canvases into beautiful across all pieces of genres, art in justand 20 win great prizes anddetermine bragging the minutes; votes rights asAll the ultimate music winner. ages, tickets $20. maestro of Thunder Bay! facebook.com/

facebook.com/ BlackPiratesPub SleepingGiantBrewingCo

November 10, pm 17, & 24, October 4,3,7:30 9 pm

Cribbage Night Sober Dance Red Lion Smokehouse Party Fridays

Every Wednesday this fall,

Howl at the Moon is Red Lion Smokehouse

Get yourdrop-in groovecribbage on in an at hosting alcohol-free environment the pub. Come on your own every Friday Howl at or bring yournight best at cribbagethe Moon. week, DJs playing palEach to enjoy a Hoppy spin great selection tunes Houradiscount on a barofsnack to start weekend (with theyour purchase of aoff large right. No cover, all ages. draught).

facebook.com/HowlTBay 807-286-0045

November 4, 8 am October 4, 11, 18, & 25, One Stop and 7:30 pm

Shop Trivia Night

CLE Heritage Building The Foundry

November am12, October 4,4,5,9:30 7, 11, 14, 18, 19, 21, 25, 26, 28 Country Christmas

Crafts & Antiques Northern Nature Fair Trading Vanderwees Garden Mary J.L. Black Library Gallery Northern Nature Trading is

Vanderwees a special kindwill of host swap shop. their annual Country Bring28th in items you’ve found Christmas Crafts & Antiques in nature and trade them for Fair. There willcollection. be over 75Start things in their tables of locally made items times vary by date; please from vendors. Free to checklocal online to confirm. attend. nnt@tbpl.ca

vanderweesgardengallery. October 6, 8 pm com/pages/events

Sober Dance November 4, 6:30 pm Oliver Road Diwali Night Community Moose Hall Centre

Enjoy an evening of feelHosted by rel-Event Thunder good songs from across the Bay, Diwali Night is an decades that’ll be sure to enchanting celebration full of get you dancing. This is an joy, culture, and togetherness, 18+ event and tickets are featuring an unlimited three$7.50 per person and can course meal, 360-degree be paid via e-transfer to photo booth, live DJ, games, beautifulemma2012 prizes, and more! Tickets are @gmail.com. $45 and available online.

807-767-8318 diwalinight2023.eventsmart. com

October 6, 6 pm

Witches Walk

November 4, 8 pm Prince Arthur Hotel Cardinal Community Centre

Chocolate The second annual Witches Walk, inGrand support of Company Community Living Thunder Opening Bay, will start at the Prince

Cardinal Chocolate Arthur Hotel, where you Company will get your map before

Come celebrate the official exploring the participating opening of in Thunder Bay’s merchants the waterfront newest and chocolate district. wine When you’re done bar, Cardinal Chocolate exploring, head back to the Company, located 16 Prince Arthur for anatevening Cumberland Street and South. of dancing, drinks, entertainment. Tickets $25, facebook.com/cardinal. available through Eventbrite. chocolate.company @gmail.com.

cltb.ca

Shop ‘til you drop at this fall Weekly trivia nights continue market that promises fun at The Foundry. There is a for the whole family. Home new topic each week, and decor, cosmetics, woodwork, there are fun, local prizes to arts and crafts, and more will be won. Registration starts at be available for sale. Free to 7:30 pm, games start at 8 pm. attend.

facebook.com/foundrytbay facebook.com/groups/ OneStopandShop

EVENTS GUIDE KEY General Art Food Sports Music Theatre November 4 & 75, 10 am Until October

Artisans Northwest 35th Annual Annual Juried Regional Juried Exhibition Exhibition, Valhalla Hotel and CanadianCentre Conference Contemporary 15, View and purchase the work of 46 locally and nationally Hito Steyerl Film

celebrated artists, including Definitely Superior painters, jewelry makers, fibre Art Gallery artists, metal workers, potters, and more. See this month’s DefSup presents three Art more newsection shows.for The 35thinfo. Annual Regional Juried @artisansnorthwest Exhibition, co-presented November 5, 11 am Arts, by Vox Popular Media features contemporary art Wizarding Winter by 45+ diverse regional Market artists, related to the theme Sleeping Giant Canadian Brewing Co. of “Elucidate.” Contemporary 15 exhibition Join in for a butterbeer or features groundbreaking, two in a 15 funky new Diagon influential visual art Alley at SGBC’s firstworks ever by internationally Wizarding Wintercritically Market, acclaimed Canadian artists at the brewery. There will from the collection of Dr. be some new vendors and Chaudhuri. Hito to Steyerl’s artists on hand help How Not To Be Seen_A create a magical vibe! Fucking Didactic Educational. sleepinggiantbrewing.ca MOV File is an immersive contemporary 15-minute art film investigating November 5, 1 pm the troubling effects of digital Wall Tapestry media and new technology. The gallery is open Tuesday Weaving Workshop to Saturday, noon–6 pm. Lakeside Studio and Café Admission by donation, all Participants will learn about the ages, accessible. intricacies of weaving—one of definitelysuperior.com the oldest art forms—in this cosy fibre arts workshop. October 7, 11 am Learn how to build and use a loom, Gunflint Scramble how to create woven fabric by Bearskin Lodge, Grandwill hand, and more. Students take home a mini wall tapestry. Marais, Minn. lakesidepotterystudio.com Take a day trip across the border to participate in the first annual Gunflint Scramble, November 5, 12, 19, a 20-mile mountain bike& 26, 7 pmon Minnesota’s famed race Gunflint Trail.Healing Beautiful Weekly scenery, punishing climbs, Circles and a friendly atmosphere Howl at the Moononline. await you. Register NAN Hope will be hosting gunflintscramble.com weekly healing circles facilitated by Ron Kanutski. The healing circle is a safe, confidential space to speak and receive support from others. Free to attend.

nanhope.ca

November 7, 28 13, 814, October 7,6,20, pm20, 21, 27, & 28, 9 am

Ghost Walk Pierogi Days Waverley Park

Polish Combatants Branch Join Lucky Paranormal on No. 1 a paranormal ghost walk Head over to the history, Polish that blends local Combatants No. 1 ghost stories,Branch and our own every Monday and Tuesday paranormal encounters. With to buy perogies, cabbage access to state-of-the-art rolls, vegan beet soup, and paranormal equipment, you’ll more. Pre-order, have the chance e-transfer. to become a paranormal investigator. 807-345-1861 Tickets are $25 and available November 6, 13, 20, & 27, online.

7 pm

luckyparanormal.com/

Quiz events Nights

Sleeping Giant Brewing Co. October 7, 8:30 pm

Put your skills to the test OffSleeping The Cuff with Giant Brewing Co.’s quiz nights at their Comedy taproom. Join as a team Atmos or as an individual and win great prizes. registration Thunder Bay’sNo best comics fee and free to participate. perform completely Registration at 6:30 pm, improvised material based quizzes beginselected at 7 pm. on randomly topics pulled from a hat. All sleepinggiantbrewing.ca audience members will be November 10, 7 pm to given the opportunity write down topics when Skating Wild onthey arrive and dictate where the an Sea$10 and showInland will go. Tickets Book available Launch online.

Thunder Bay Art Gallery campfirecomedy.ca

The Thunder Bay Art Gallery October 7–13 is delighted to host the launch of theWeek latest book Cadets by local author Jean E. Around town Pendziwol, accompanied by Early Octoberby has been an exhibition Montrealdesignated Cadets Week based illustrator Todd in Ontario, andauthor this year, Stewart. Both and Thunder is hosting the artist will Bay be present. Free secondRSVP annual festivities. See event, required. this month’s City Scene for theag.ca more info.

canada.ca

November 11

Remembrance Day Various Locations

Three Remembrance Day ceremonies will be held in Thunder Bay and on Fort William First Nation to commemorate the veterans of Canada’s wars. See this month’s Top Five for more info.

thunderbay.ca

November October 1111, & 1:30 25, pm 6:30 pm & 8:30 pm Christmas Dessert

North of Superior Tea & Bazaar Film Association Lakeview Presbyterian

Church SilverCity Thunder Bay Cinemas A variety of specialty desserts

will offered along with tea Thebe North of Superior and Featuring crafts, Film coffee. Association continues baking, and season toonie-plus its 2023–24 with tables. Tickets areMiracle $7 and showings of The will available for purchase Clubbeand The Quiet Girl. at thescreen door. Wheelchair Films every second accessible parking lot Wednesdayatatthe 6:30 and 8:30 entrance. pm. See this month’s Film and Theatre section for more info. 807-345-8823

nosfa.org

October 12, November 11,116 am pm

Music, Arts, Lantern Walkand Botanicals Tapiola Nature and Ski

Centennial Come out forConservatory a one-km walk through thethe lantern-lit forest Experience Centennial of Tapiola.Conservatory Make and bring Botanical your own lanterns (extras will immersed in live music and be available share). Fire, visual art andtotake advantage cider, cookies to of the and opportunity to follow. see the Event takes place at growing Tapiola new state-of-the-art Nature 140 Pento houses and with Ski, behind-theRoad. All are welcome. scenes-tours. Free to attend. See this month’s Top Five for facebook.com/tapiolaski more info. 807-625-2357

November 12, 11 am October 12, 6 pm

Sip N’ Shop Local Queer Coffee Artisan Holiday Nights Market Carlito’s Cafe Delta Hotels by Marriott

Join Thunder Pride for this With 50+Queer local artisans, this month’s Coffee Night will be a free, family-friendly at Carlito’s Cafe on Simpson market Street. that will include a cash bar with alcoholic and facebook.com/ non-alcoholic beverages, and ThunderPride a children’s activity centre with arts, crafts, and games. Proceeds support Thunder Bay and Area Victim Services.

@sipandshoptbay

November 12, 12:30 pm

Two-Bit Auction Fundraiser St. Elizabeth Church

Come out for a two-bit auction. Desserts, tea, coffee, fruit, and cheese trays being served. Great prizes to be won. Tickets are $6 in advance, $8 at the door. Must be 18+.

807-622-1085

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Add Basic TV /month $Learn more for $40/month at tbaytel.net/NOSM for 2 years

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The Walleye Walleye The

November 16, 6 pm

Queer Coffee Nights Carlito’s Cafe

Join Thunder Pride for this month’s Queer Coffee Night at Carlito’s Cafe on Simpson Street.

facebook.com/ThunderPride

November 17–19

Winterers’ Gathering & Arctic Film Fest 2023

North House Folk School, Grand Marais, Minn. Celebrate the crafts, customs, history, and stories that have been inspired by winter. Featuring winter-centric coursework, a winter tent camp, gear sale, film festival, speakers, and more, this is a classic event to welcome the start of the chilliest season.

northhouse.org

November 18, 9:30 am

Christmas Craft Market

Oliver Road Community Centre Come shop for that perfect gift at the Oliver Road Community Centre’s Christmas craft market. Free admission and the canteen will be open.

facebook.com/ ORCCThunderBay

November 18, 10 am

Book Fair

Goods & Co. Market Are you a grown-up (or child in a grown-up’s body) who misses the Scholastic book fairs? This is the event for you. Come out for all the nostalgic vibes and great deals. The Loud Women Collective will again be spilling out of the shop into the hallways with tables of books coming in exclusively for this sale.

facebook.com/ loudwomencollective

November 18, 10 am

Thunder Bay Museum’s Annual Holiday Market Thunder Bay Museum

Purchase handmade arts and crafts from local vendors, enter to win prizes, and experience all three floors of exhibits, with all proceeds going towards the museum. Free to attend.

thunderbaymuseum.com

November 18, 9 pm

Divas & Legends Drag Cover Show Black Pirates Pub

Join the #tbaydrag queens and kings as they pay tribute to musical icons like Taylor Swift, Britney Spears, and Dolly Parton. Doors 9 pm, show 10 pm, 19+. See this month’s Film and Theatre section for more info.

@wigginsproductions

November 18 & 19, 10 am

Holiday Local Artisan Market

Creekside Nursery and Garden Centre This holiday market will be two unique days of a weekend shopping event, with 40 different artisans at each.

creekside.ca

November 18, 10 am

Thunder Bay Potters’ Guild Christmas Sale Goods & Co. Market

Enjoy the Thunder Bay Potters’ Guild’s 49th annual Christmas sale. Connect with local potters as they return with handcrafted and unique items for the Christmas season.

thunderbaypottersguild.com

November 18 & 19, 10 am

Hymers Fair Holiday Market CLE Heritage Building

November 18, 10 am

Urban Abbey Christmas Craft Market Urban Abbey

Check out the third annual Urban Abbey Christmas craft market featuring two floors of local crafters, artists, jewellers, bakers and makers.

urbanabbey.ca

Come support your local artisans and vendors at the Hymers Fair Holiday Market. Free to attend.

hymersfair.ca

November 19, 10 am–2 pm

Lakeshore Holiday Market MacGregor Recreation Centre

The MacGregor Rec Centre and Lakeview Lodge present another option for your holiday shopping.

facebook.com/ macgregorreccentre

November 19, 11 am

Sparks and Fire Fall 2023

Sleeping Giant Brewing Co. Susan and Lisa have been finding new local artisans for this fall’s edition of your new favourite show. Make sure you mark your calendars and come out to see who will be showcased this year.

sparksandfire.ca

November 19, 1 pm

Native American Flute Beginners Workshop Howl at the Moon

Elmer Atlookan and Ron Kanutski invite you to learn the basic skills and care of the Native American flute. No formal music theory or knowledge required. Registration is $150 for the workshop and a lender flute, or $300 with a Butch Hall “Little Bird” Bm Flute to keep. Contact Ron via email to register.

ronsha@shaw.ca

November 19, 1 pm

Cribbage 10-10 Tournament 55 Plus Centre

The Thunder Bay 55 Plus centre will host a cribbage tournament for anyone 18+ and the opportunity to win prizes. Tickets are $10 and are available to purchase at the 55 Plus Centre.

facebook.com/ tbay55pluscentre

November 21, 8 pm

James Cummins: Everywhere Tour Crickets Comedy Club

Brampton’s James Cummins will bring his blue collar, dark-and-dirty comedy style to Thunder Bay for a night of laughs. Tickets are $20 and available online.

facebook.com/ cricketscomedyclub

November 22, 6 pm

Birds N’ Beer Paint Nite Fundraiser

Paulucci’s Wayland Bar & Grill Come out for a fun night of painting, food, and drink in support of the Thunderbird Wildlife Rescue (TBWR). The owl you’ll be painting was designed by artist Steve Gerow exclusively for TBWR, and the kits created by The Creative Company.

facebook.com/ thunderbirdraptorrescue

November 24, 6 & 8:30 pm

Vancouver International Mountain Film Festival Confederation College Lecture Theatre

Check out one of two screenings of captivating films from the Vancouver International Mountain Film Festival, hosted by Upriver Running and presented by Arc’teryx.

facebook.com/ UpRiverRunning

November 25, 9 am

Ramada Sportscard and Memorabilia Show Ramada by Wyndham Thunder Bay Airlane Hotel

Find that one-of-a-kind collectable to round out your collection. Vendors will have cards, jerseys, autographs, and wax boxes, as well as lots of Pokémon. Free admission.

rowz44@outlook.com

November 26, 10 am

Craft Revival

Waterfront District November 24, 7-11 pm

Gala Opening: Janice Andrews: A Retrospective and Contemporary 15 Definitely Superior Art Gallery

Enjoy art, music, artist talks, and refreshments at the gala opening reception for two new exhibitions. Janice Andrews: A Retrospective will be held in honour and memory of artist Janice Andrews, an active and well-recognized regional artist who showed her art throughout Canada and internationally, known for her powerful visionary and vibrant, large-scale, impressionistic abstract visual art works. Canadian Contemporary 15 features 15 groundbreaking, influential visual art works by internationally critically acclaimed Canadian artists, from the collection of Dr. Chaudhuri. Exhibition runs until January 6, Tuesdays Saturday, noon-6 pm (Christmas holiday closure dates TBA). By donation, all ages, accessible.

definitelysuperior.com

November 24 & 25

World Cultural Dance Flamenco Workshop 1526 Victoria Avenue

World Cultural Dance hosts professional flamenco dancer Tamar Ilana, who will teach a shawl (manton) dance. All experience levels are welcome. November 24 session runs from 5–9 pm, November 25 from 2–6 pm. Cost is $150 for both sessions.

807-632-8700

November 24 & 25, 8 pm

The winter Craft Revival is almost here. Let artisans inspire your holiday shopping as Craft Revival fills the air with music and laughter so you can bask in the warmth of holiday cheer. See this month’s Top Five for more info.

@craftrevivaltbay

November 28, 7:30 pm

Randy’s Cheeseburger Picnic NV Music Hall

Based on the character from the hit program Trailer Park Boys, Randy’s Cheeseburger Picnic Comedy Tour brings non-stop laughter and audience interaction. Standup comedy, Trailer Park Boys songs, silly contests, and classic Randy punch lines. Tickets $30+, 19+.

facebook.com/ randyscheeseburgerpicnicTPB

November 28, 7:30 pm

Kelly Saxberg: A Tale of Two Qallunaat Thunder Bay Museum

A screening of the documentary A Tale of Two Qallunaat directed by Kelly Saxberg will take place as part of the Thunder Bay Museum’s free public lecture series. It explores the legacy of two female artists who travelled to the Arctic in the early 1970s, and what happens when Elders and youth in today’s Pond Inlet and Iqaluit encounter that unique record of the past.

November 29–December 3, December 6–9

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

An adaptation of the original Dickens story by Canadian playwright James Hutchinson. See this month’s Film and Theatre section for more info.

cambrianplayers.eventbrite. ca

November 29–December 2

Paramount Live Presents: The Prom Paramount Theatre

For four nights, the talented senior class of Paramount Live will take audiences on an uplifting journey of love, acceptance, and selfdiscovery with The Prom. See this month’s Top Five for more info.

paramountlive.eventbrite.ca

Until December 4

The Undercover Project Community Clothing Assistance

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

clothingassistance.com

Until March 3, 2024

Radical Stitch

Thunder Bay Art Gallery Enjoy a landmark exhibition that brings much-needed critical attention to the breadth and impact of contemporary Indigenous beading, featuring works by artists from across North America, including Northwestern Ontario.

theag.ca

thunderbaymuseum.com

Jeff Elliott

Crickets Comedy Club Enjoy a night of laughs with Jeff Elliott, who has quickly established himself as a rising star in the Canadian comedy scene. He has been nominated for a Canadian Comedy Award, is a favourite on the festival circuit, and can be heard on XM Satellite Radio.

facebook.com/ cricketscomedyclub

The Walleye

NovemberMusicGuide NOV 1

Margaritaville Acoustic Night Norteños Cantina

6:30 pm / No Cover / 19+

K-Man & the 45s (Night 1) Black Pirates Pub 9 pm / $10 / 19+

Ira Johnson

Kompany presents: Quorum

8 pm / $5 / AA

9 pm / $35+ / 19+

Howl at the Moon

Danny Johnson’s Piano Bar Shooter’s Tavern

8 pm / No Cover / 19+

NOV 2

Open Mic Night

Lakehead Beer Company 7 pm / No Cover / AA

Atmos

Latin Night

Norteños Cantina 9 pm / $5 / 19+

Jazz & Old Fashioned Fridays with Mood Indigo Anchor & Ore

6 pm / No Cover / AA

TBSO presents: Hilldale Chambers Series - Tropical Nights Hilldale Church

7:30 pm / $15–$30 / AA

Geordie Kieffer: Just Kill Me Already Tour NV Music Hall

8:30 pm / $40+ / 19+

K-Man & the 45s (Night 1) Black Pirates Pub 9 pm / $10 / 19+

Cheap & Easy

Norteños Cantina 9 pm / $5 / 19+

Lance Gardner

Red Lion Smokehouse 9:30 pm / No Cover / 19+

10 pm / $5 / 19+

Open Jam

Branch 5 Legion 8 pm / No Cover / AA

NOV 6

Big Drum Social Howl at the Moon

6 pm / No Cover / AA

NOV 8

The Walleye

10 pm / $5 / 19+

8 pm / $25–$30 / 19+

The Wayland NOV 11

Black Pirates Pub

NV Music Hall

10 pm / $10 / 19+

Afro-Latina House 2.0 Norteños Cantina 10 pm / $10 / 19+

Cheap & Easy The Wayland

10 pm / $5 / 19+

eVents

The Doggett Experience Album Release Party Black Pirates Pub

Scott Chasty

Red Lion Smokehouse 9:30 pm / No Cover / 19+

Headrush

Danny Johnson’s Piano Bar

Back Forty

8 pm / No Cover / 19+

6 pm / No Cover / AA

Shooter’s Tavern

Big Drum Social Howl at the Moon

Ira Johnson

Sea Shanty

8 pm / $5 / AA

8 pm / No Cover / 19+

Howl at the Moon

Open Mic

The Foundry NOV 15

8:30 pm / No Cover / 19+

Margaritaville Acoustic Night

NOV 9

6:30 pm / No Cover / 19+

The Foundry

Red Lion Smokehouse

NV Music Hall

8 pm / $45+ / 19+

Norteños Cantina

Danny Johnson’s Piano Bar Shooter’s Tavern

8 pm / No Cover / 19+

NOV 16

Cirque Musica: Holiday Wonderland Thunder Bay Community Auditorium

Jazz & Old Fashioned Fridays with Mood Indigo

7 pm / $89+ / AA

Anchor & Ore

7 pm / No Cover / AA

6 pm / No Cover / AA

NOV 17

TBSO presents: Masterworks - A Night to Remember ft. Rachel Krehm Thunder Bay Community Auditorium 7:30 pm / $50+ / AA

Open Mic Night

Lakehead Beer Company

Jazz & Old Fashioned Fridays with Mood Indigo Anchor & Ore 6 pm / No Cover / AA

6 pm / No Cover / AA

The Foundry

10 pm / $5 / 19+ NOV 18

Afterdark: An Intimate Evening ft. The Music of Taylor Swift The Industry 7 pm / $100 / AA

Consortium Aurora Borealis presents: An Elizabethan Garland St. Paul’s United Church 7:30 pm / $15–$25 / AA

The Guess Who Alumni

Thunder Bay Community Auditorium 7:30 pm / $49+ / AA

Sober Punk Party ft. Psycho Therapy Howl at the Moon 8 pm / $10 / AA

Saturday Night Remix ft. DJ Mo NV Music Hall

10 pm / $10 / 19+

Headrush

The Wayland 10 pm / $5 / 19+

NOV 25

The CCR Band

NOV 21

Branch 5 Legion

Terri Clark and Paul Brandt

2 pm & 8 pm / $5 / 19+

The Glorious Sons

Thunder Bay Community Auditorium

7:30 pm / $75+ / AA

7:30 pm / $50+ / AA

Margaritaville Acoustic Night

The Cover Show 28 Encore Black Pirates Pub

6:30 pm / No Cover / 19+

10 pm / $15 / 19+

Ira Johnson

Hard Copy

Howl at the Moon

The Wayland

8 pm / $5 / AA

10 pm / $5 / 19+

Open Mic Night

Open Jam

The Foundry NOV 23

NOV 13

10 pm / $5 / 19+

Howl at the Moon

10 pm / $5 / 19+

10 pm / $10+ / 19+

The Foundry

Big Drum Social

The Wayland

NV Music Hall

The Gin Tonics

NOV 20

8:30 pm / No Cover / 19+

8 pm / No Cover / AA

Branch 5 Legion

10 pm / $5 / 19+

8 pm / No Cover / AA

Norteños Cantina

9 pm / $5 / 19+

The Wayland

Branch 5 Legion

TC and the Natural Actors

6:30 pm / No Cover / 19+

Norteños Cantina

Open Jam

NOV 22

Norteños Cantina

Back Forty

NOV 19

9 pm / $10 / 19+

Open Jam

6:30 pm / $15-$25 / AA

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Cheap & Easy

High Fashion Red Carpet

NOV 10

8 pm / $40+ / AA

7:30 pm / $20–$40 / AA

NOV 12

Roy Coran Big Band presents: Groovin: The Songs of the 60s

Fort William Historical Park

Da Vinci Centre

Margaritaville Acoustic Night

The JB Band

SGFMS presents: Steven Page Trio

TBSO presents: Northern Lights All That Glitters ft. Spencer Hari

Econoline Crush w/ The Fixer

Saturday Night Remix ft. DJ Mo

Gord Bamford: Canadian Dirt Tour

Da Vinci Centre

10 pm / $5 / 19+

Undercover

7 pm / No Cover / AA

NOV 4

The Foundry

9 pm / $10 / 19+

9 pm / $5 / 19+

10 pm / $5 / 19+

Disco Night

10 pm / $5 / 19+

The Wayland

Halloween Bash

The Wayland

9 pm / $5 / 19+

The JB Band

Celtic Night ft. TBay Trad

The Westfort

Norteños Cantina

The Fixer’s CD Release Party

The Foundry

NOV 3

Blood Red Moon

Branch 5 Legion 8 pm / No Cover / AA

Celtic Night

NOV 27

7 pm / No Cover / AA

Howl at the Moon

Big Drum Social

Red Lion Smokehouse

6 pm / No Cover / AA

The Social Club ft. Sara Kae

Sea Shanty The Foundry

The Foundry

7 pm / $25 / 19+

8 pm / No Cover / 19+

NOV 29

Open Mic Night

Margaritaville Acoustic Night

Lakehead Beer Company 7 pm / No Cover / AA

Norteños Cantina

NOV 24

6:30 pm / No Cover / 19+

Jazz & Old Fashioned Fridays with Mood Indigo

Barra MacNeils: East Coast Christmas

Anchor & Ore

Thunder Bay Community Auditorium

6 pm / No Cover / AA

TBSO presents: Pops - Bhangra & Beyond Thunder Bay Community Auditorium

7:30 pm / $42+ / AA

NOV 30

Open Mic Night

Lakehead Beer Company

7:30 pm / $50+ / AA

7 pm / No Cover / AA

The CCR Band

Monowhales w/ Sam Louis

Branch 5 Legion 8 pm / $10 / 19+

Emo Night

Cinema 5 Skatepark 7 pm / $20 / AA

Black Pirates Pub 9 pm / $10 / 19+

Usaybflow Atmos

9 pm / $10–$20 / 19+

The Selfies

Norteños Cantina

Brought to you by:

9 pm / $5 / 19+

For more info visit tbshows.com

Music

LU RADIO’S MONTHLY TOP 1 Elisapie* Inuktitut

Bonsound

8 Apollo Suns*

Departures

Do Right!

9 Allison Russell* The Returner

Fantasy / Concord

17 Hotel Mira*

I Am Not Myself

Light Organ

18 Jeff Rosenstock HELLMODE

Polyvinyl

10 Jessy Lanza*

Love Hallucination

Dead Oceans

3 Mother Tongues*

For Jimmy

Six Shooter

26 Sasha Cay Spin

Lighter Than Air

19 Jeremy Dutcher* Motewolonuwok

Mondo Tempo

21 Beverly

Glenn-Copeland* The Ones Ahead

Formless

Dead Oceans

Not Not Fun

Mood Hut

5 Ora Cogan*

everything is alive

Sound Of Blue

20 Freak Heat Waves*

Real Kind/Arts & Crafts

7 Slowdive

24 White Poppy*

Secret City

I’d Be Lying If I Said I Didn’t Care

The Window

Self-Released

12 Boy Golden*

4 Hannah Georgas*

Self-Released

Zepta Supernova

Lisbon Lux

Love in a Vicious Way

6 Ratboys

23 YOCTO*

Strange Disciple

Comme dans un penthouse

Wavy Haze

Self-Released

Keep it locked on 102.7 FM, online streaming at luradio.ca.

PIAS

11 Le Couleur*

The Land Is Inhospitable And So Are We

* indicates Canadian artist. Chart ranking reflects airplay for the week ending Tuesday, October 17th, 2023.

25 nation of language

Hyperdub

2 Mitski

Music

CILU 102.7 FM - Thunder Bay

13 Osees

Intercepted Message

In the Red

14 La Sécurité* Stay Safe!

Mothland

15 Turnstile & BADBAD NOTGOOD* New Heart Designs EP

Roadrunner

16 CRi

Transgressive

22 TEKE::TEKE* Hagata

Kill Rock Stars

27 Haley Blais* Wisecrack

Arts & Crafts

28 Blonde Redhead

Sit Down for Dinner

section1

29 Nick Shoulders All Bad

Gar Hole

30 Sargeant X Comrade*

Lo Fi Future

Mo Gravy

Miracles

Anjunadeep

Courtesy earshot-online.com

The The Walleye Walleye

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Advertising Feature

Behind the Business-Music World Presented by Jones Insurance

Interview written by Alessandra DeGrazia and edited by Megan Elsey from Jones Insurance, The photos were provided by Music World

The Future of Music World

In the heart of Thunder Bay, the soulful resonance of music thrives through the family legacy of Music World Academy. Founded by Cosimo Riccio in 1976, this family-owned business has become a cornerstone of the local music scene.

Music World stays attuned to the industry by attending the NAMM music trade show in California. Exciting future products and lines, including Positive Grid Spark Amplifiers, are on the horizon. The younger generation of the family—including Dante Riccio, Leonardo Notarbartolo, Adriana Riccio, Cristiano Riccio, Claire Riccio, and Angelica Notarbartolo— actively contribute to the business, sharing their love for music through customer interactions, guitar tuning, and regular Instagram updates.

Community and Music World Remembering Cosimo Riccio Cosimo Riccio, a passionate musician and accordion player, founded Music World Academy. He brought the gift of music to Thunder Bay by teaching accordion, guitar, and drums. Cosimo’s legacy is remembered with fondness, and even after his passing in December 2022, his welcoming spirit and commitment to treating every customer like family continues on. Cosimo put instruments in the hands of many musicians in Thunder Bay and the surrounding area. He was a pillar in the music community. He encouraged and motivated new musicians as well as enjoyed their company while in the shop.

The rhythm of Music World resonates with Thunder Bay. They have hosted clinics and workshops featuring musicians from around the world, playing a pivotal role in the local music community. Their extensive inventory— including over 500 guitars, along with drum sets, keyboards, amplifiers, and more—caters to musicians of all levels. In a gesture of goodwill during the COVID-19 pandemic, Music World donated face shields to Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre and Shelter House.

The Music World Experience Customer service and respect are paramount at Music World. Their store carries a wide array of top-tier brands and is the exclusive dealer for many, earning a reputation as “the candy store for musicians.”

Adapting to Change A Growing Musical Haven Music World Academy, nestled on Simpson Street, has blossomed since its inception. As the store evolved, they diversified their inventory, eventually moving to a larger location at 443 Simpson Street in 2012, more than doubling their old space. The family’s dedication continues, with the 50th anniversary celebration scheduled for 2026. Cosimo enlisted the help of his two sons, Enzo and Joe Riccio, as well as his daughter Emily Notarbartolo and daughter-in-law, Pamela Riccio. Cosimo’s family has continued to run the business.

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“Change is the only constant,” says Emily. Embracing this philosophy, Music World ventured into online sales in 2011, with their website offering an expanding range of products. As the late Cosimo Riccio stated “we are online and in-line with our prices.” Their active presence on social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram keeps the community engaged with their events, trade shows, and new inventory. During the pandemic, Music World adapted to restrictions, offering curbside service and utilizing their website for online sales, ensuring customers’ musical needs were met.

VIVA-Undercover In addition to Music World Academy, members of the Riccio family, Enzo and Joe Riccio, along with Carla Fazio and Carlo Cappello form the band Viva, adding to Thunder Bay’s vibrant music culture. Viva started with the amalgamation of two high school bands back in the mid-90s. For almost three decades, Thunder Bay’s Viva (who performs as Undercover at nightclubs) has been wowing crowds of hundreds to thousands of people. The band explains: “Our combined unique talents and true passion for music have allowed us to be one of the most versatile cover bands in the city and a mainstay on the local party and wedding circuit.” The band’s flexibility with musical styles ranging from today’s hottest hits in pop to classic rock, new rock, traditional Italian, and dance band repertoire has made them a popular choice for any event and venue; whether it be weddings, shags, cultural events, business and awards banquets, or local night clubs. With their 50th anniversary on the horizon, Music World Academy’s harmonious journey continues—a testament to the enduring legacy of music in Thunder Bay.

A Tribute to a Beloved Son

TattooedYou D TATTOOE YOU

Story and photos by Leah Morningstar Tattoos by Kevin Polanski, DistINKtive Arts Studio, Brantford, Ont.

n 2012, Laurie Reed was living in southern Ontario, managing a large retail space and life was busy but good. Tragedy struck on June 5 of that year when Reed’s son Jack was killed in a motorcycle accident—a parent’s worst nightmare. At first, Reed was in shock. She didn’t really know what to do with herself, so she just kept going to work every day. She needed to keep busy and keep her mind occupied. While it was good to stay occupied, the chaotic and unpredictable nature of being in charge of such a large space was unsustainable. Reed needed a job that would keep her busy without being an emotional and physical drain. In 2014, a friend told Reed that there was a position open at the Estée Lauder counter in Sears, and that was the beginning of her journey into the world of makeup and beauty. Reed soon found that she loved working with makeup, and helping people look and feel their best. She moved on to the Lancôme counter and shortly after, in 2016, accepted a job as a Shoppers Drug Mart beauty manager in Thunder Bay. The idea of moving to Thunder Bay was daunting at first but Reed’s husband Derek encouraged her to make the leap. “My husband and I have been together for 26 years now,” she says. “He’s been with me through tragedies and triumphs and his support has never wavered.” They moved to Thunder Bay together and Reed was soon in her new job. Reed has always loved tattoos, but she never aspired to be fully covered in ink. After her son’s death, while trying to keep busy, Reed decided she wanted to pay tribute to Jack in a permanent and meaningful way. The accompanying photos

show two beautifully inked arms, all done by Kevin Polanski in Brantford, Ont. As a whole, it’s a colourful and brilliant piece of work that took years to complete. A closer look reveals smaller details: for example, the word “Triumph” is a nod to her son Jack’s favourite motorcycle. The clock that rests at 2:35 pm marks the time of his death. The other arm is full of jewelry, makeup, and all kinds of pretty little things. One arm represents the joy of being a mother to Jack and the sorrow of losing him, the other arm represents the beauty industry that helped rescue her from the depths of despair and grief. Some people think that makeup is frivolous and unnecessary, other people love it, and others still are completely indifferent. But Reed knows firsthand how makeup can improve lives.

“When I’m putting makeup on someone, touching their face, and giving them personal attention, it can be very intimate,” she says. “You never know what someone is going through and I try to be the light in a potentially dark space and offer an opportunity for them if they need to talk.” Seeing Reed at work amongst the makeup, answering questions, and recommending various products, it’s clear this is something she was meant to do. Not only does she know about all the products, but she truly listens to her customers. It’s little wonder that she’s won so many awards in her career and that her customers think so highly of her. Those arms full of tattoos are visible every day: conversation pieces that connect Reed to her son, and to the joy and sorrow of others.  Laurie Reed at work

 Laurie Reed’s tattooed arms; the art honours her son, and celebrates the industry in which she now works

The Walleye

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Green

Angela Brecka: Farmer and Foodie By Sarah Siska, Coordinator, Thunder Bay + Area Food Strategy

he 2023 Community Food System Report Card is full of local food data, but creating resilient food systems requires ongoing community discussion. I spoke with Angela Brecka, a farmer and foodie who has worked at many local farms over the past decade, on the importance of supporting community resilience through local food. A condensed version of our conversation is below. Sarah Siska: How did you get involved with our local food system? Angela Brecka: I’ve always had a connection to local food. My mom always supported local, so I grew up at the Thunder Bay Country Market and started working there at 14 years old. Ever since my first summer growing vegetables at 18, I’ve always wanted to do that. I felt like I was doing something really good, productive, hard, and beneficial. I felt a connection to not only the food, but my roots. My grandparents grew up farming all their food—they couldn’t eat otherwise—so I felt a deep connection to the whole process. SS: What do you mean when you say that growing and sharing local food feels good? AB: Good for our community, for the land, and good for me too. I get so much joy out of being outside and weeding. [It’s] that satisfaction of putting a small seed into the ground, seeing it blossom, and then harvesting something that can feed you and your family from it. Being a part of the whole process is really special, and good also for community, because it’s what we need to live. If people didn’t do it, we wouldn’t have food, we wouldn’t have community, we wouldn’t have anything. SS: Can you expand on the connection between food and community? AB: During the pandemic, food scarcity was an issue. People were scared that grocery stores

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would be empty. So where do you turn to? Your garden or local farms. But beyond a global pandemic, they’re always there, and I think reminding people of that is important. Farming here is hard, but the people who do it know that it’s worth it. That's why we keep doing it. Growing food to make it accessible for people to eat things from our region is how I’ve thought of food as a community builder. Honestly, I’m a 27-year-old woman now, I’ve got a full-time job, and I still work at the market on Saturdays. It’s just something I believe in— community and supporting local people. SS: What would your ideal food future look like? AB: Seeing less food waste happen and making it so that everybody can access and eat fresh vegetables. Accessibility is more than just growing food to sell it, it’s making sure that everybody can access it, and teaching people the appropriate skills to be able to do that. [It’s] making it so that everybody can learn about how to grow food, what grows where, and how you don’t need tonnes of space to grow a lot of food. We have enough land to grow enough food so that nobody goes hungry. In terms of an ideal food future, it’s being able to feed everybody equally and having people involved in the growing process. SS: What’s your favourite thing to eat that’s grown here? AB: Golden beets are the best. They’re so sweet and delicious. Beets are an underrated vegetable because they’re easy to grow here—you just let them be, and then they’re ready to harvest. And they’re so delicious. Head to tbfoodstrategy.com for local food access data in the 2023 Report Card, and to access tbayinseason for a list of local producers growing delicious beets.

“WHEN YOU

#CHOOSETBAYFIRST

YOU CHOOSE

#TBAY PEOPLE.” #

would like to say

THANK YOU to our

2023 CORPORATE SPONSORS

Chip Hansen Painting

EDWARDS BELL JEWITT LLP

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Your hearing health deserves individualized solutions

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Are We Really Listening? By Erin Moir, Co-Executive Director, EcoSuperior

alking through the forest can be an engaging experience: the smells, the colours, the textures, and the sounds all interact with us as we take in the scenery. The sounds of the forest resonate throughout,

enhancing our experience and even indicating forest health. From vibrant calls, trills, and honks of birds to the howls, chirps, and squeaks of mammals, insects, and amphibians all create an orchestra of beings.

Research shows that the quieter the forest, the less healthy that ecosystem may be, indicating low biodiversity and potential risk to human and non-human species. By recording forest sounds—or soundscapes as they are often referred

to in Europe and North America—researchers can monitor species groups (like mammals on low frequencies and insects on higher frequencies) or individuals (such as blue jay versus cardinal). Recordings are analyzed to give scientists a

range of either improvement or decline after an event like fire, harvesting, or flooding by measuring counts of different calls—both frequency and diversity. The science of marine sounds has also been increasing over the last few decades, and with that comes the realization that sound profoundly impacts any ecosystem. Climate change, which creates warmer, hotter air, moves sounds faster, making it more difficult for species to catch and receive communications or emit necessary sounds for breeding, predator warnings, and kinship, which are practices essential for species survival. So, what does this mean for us? Living on the shores of Lake Superior in the heart of the boreal forest, it is our responsibility to care for this place. Imagine a silent forest walk. How does that change your appreciation for the forest? As a species that tends to be visual learners and engagers, sound sometimes comes secondary to our experiences. But taking sounds for granted might just be another indication of how people are disconnected from place and sound. The next time you are out for a walk or sitting around the campfire, take note of the sounds of all beings around you—who is dominating? Embrace the ravens croaking, marvel in the squirrels chattering, and appreciate the eerie wolf howl. Without these sounds, we are missing out on a collective ecosystem experience. Close your eyes, open your ears, and engage in making a healthy future for people and the planet.

WRITTEN BY

DAVID HUTCHISON

DIRECTED BY

THOMAS MCDONALD

EVENINGS • 7:30pm

NOV. 29 - DEC. 2 & DEC. 6 - 9, 2023 MATINEE & TEA • 2pm

DECEMBER 3

NOV. 30 PAY WHAT YOU MAY TICKETS AT THE DOOR ONLY

ONLINE LIVE STREAM DEC. 8 TICKETS $20 - $35: cambrianplayers.eventbrite.ca All performances at Cambrian Players Theatre

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Produced by special arrangement with the author.

Green

Bringing the

Magic of Christmas to Thunder Bay for over 40 years!

265 S. Court Street | billmartinsnurseryland.com

CHRISTMASLAND The Walleye

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Green

Repotting a Phalaenopsis Orchid

By Hedy Koski

rchids belong to a group of plants called epiphytes (air plants that don’t grow in soil). Repotting your phalaenopsis orchid (also known as a moth orchid) in a new orchid mix is required every couple of years, as the old orchid mix will start to decay and could make it too acidic for the plant to thrive in.

Let’s cover some repotting basics. An ideal time to repot is when your phalaenopsis has finished blooming. Water your orchid well, as this will make it easier to remove all the old mix from the roots. Gently remove the plant from the pot. Get rid of all the old orchid mix, and rinse off the roots. Now it’s time to inspect. Good roots are firm and plump—they can be silvery-white, yellow, or green. Silvery-white roots are typically ones that grow out of the mix, yellow means they haven’t seen sunlight, and green contains chlorophyll because they have received sunlight. If roots are mushy or shrivelled they need to be cut off, with sterile clippers, just up to the healthy part (not in the healthy part). The healthy plump part of the root is called the velamen— it is the sponge for the fine root in the centre. If the velamen has completely rotted away from the root, you’ll see strings (the actual root). You can cut those stringy roots off if there are lots of other healthy plump roots, but if very few roots are left you can leave the stringy roots to help stabilize the plant in the orchid mix.

ET LET’S G G IN W GRO EDY WITH H

If the roots can still fit in the same pot, there is no need to “pot up” (planting into a larger pot). But if your roots have outgrown the old pot it’s time for a new one, just slightly larger. Aerial roots (typically those silvery-white ones) don’t grow down in the pot, but sideways and out. Do not bury or cut off these roots. Bottom drainage in your pot is important—the addition of holes or slits in the side of the pot helps with airflow so the roots don’t stay wet for long periods. Add a layer of new, moist orchid mix to the bottom of the pot, place the roots in the pot, and fill with the mix. Tapping the side of the pot helps

the orchid mix settle between the roots, eliminating any gaps. Wipe the leaves clean and you’re done! Wait a month before you fertilize after repotting. Watch for signs of transplant shock, such as yellowing or soft leaves. It is a possibility, especially if many roots have to be trimmed. Another reason for transplant shock can be changing the type of orchid mix—switching from straight sphagnum to a bark mix, for example, as sphagnum moss stays wet longer than bark mixes. To help eliminate shock when switching, it is advisable to water a little more frequently for a few weeks than you did with sphagnum moss, then ease into your normal routine. Phalaenopsis orchids are resilient and will adapt to their new routine quickly.

Remove old orchid mix

Trim unhealthy roots

Enjoy your phalaenopsis orchid. They are beautiful plants to have.

Rinse off the roots

Enjoy!

Add new orchid mix

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Health

Prioritizing Men's Health By Caitlund Davidson, Health Promotion and Communications Planner, Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre

en's health is a topic of importance, but talking about it isn’t often part of day-to-day conversation, and this has to change. In speaking with medical experts Dr. Samer Khalil, chief of psychiatry at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC) and Dr. Walid Shahrour, a urologist at TBRHSC, three common themes appear across their practices. Here is what they have to say about critical aspects of men's health that deserve our attention and action. Break the Stigma Samer Khalil: In general, one of mental health’s most significant challenges is stigma. A well-balanced mental health is crucial to our health and well-being. Mental illnesses are prevalent and impact a large part of the population. They can affect how we feel, think, manage daily activities, and interact with others. They can affect our emotional and psychological wellbeing and have detrimental effects on our lives and the lives of people around us. Walid Shahrour: There is also a fear of complications if they seek help. Men don’t want to get screened for prostate cancer or talk to their doctor about having trouble urinating; they don’t want to know if there is an issue. Men need to recognize that it’s okay to have a problem, to advocate for themselves, and to be vulnerable. Advocate for Yourself SK: All of us can experience mental health challenges across the course of our lives. Although anxiety and mood are the most common mental

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health conditions, other illnesses, like substance use disorders, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder are widespread and rising. Whether you experience a new mental health problem or it is a recurrent one, it is never too late or too early to seek help. WS: I’ve found that it is often the individual’s partner who is the one pushing them to seek help. Learn about what you can do to take care of your health. Advocate for yourself and take ownership for your health. For example, the Canadian Urological Association recommends that at age 50, men should have a discussion with their family doctor about prostate screening. So when you turn 50, bring this topic forward to your doctor. Talk to Your Health Care Provider SK: There are many mental health services with highly trained professionals willing to listen, and provide support and advice without prejudice. Many interventions, like psychological or social support and medications, can improve outcomes and provide physical, emotional, and spiritual comfort to relieve your distress and deliver interventions that suit your needs and preferences. WS: Erectile dysfunction, prostate cancer, and incontinence are not sexy topics. Talking about them can make a person feel uneasy or uncomfortable, and these issues can cause relationship stress. As doctors, we can help with these issues, but you need to be comfortable talking to us and asking questions. Ultimately, staying healthy involves proactive self-care, seeking

medical guidance when needed, and recognizing that overall health is a lifelong journey that deserves attention and effort. By adopting a proactive approach to their health, men can lead longer, healthier lives. Let’s embrace the idea that taking care of one’s health

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TheWall

The Trickle-Down Trick Editorial and photo by Jon Thompson

“Y

ou can’t fool all of the people all of the time,” American humourist Will Rogers wrote during the Great Depression. “But it isn’t necessary.” It wasn’t necessary to fool all the people when extreme poverty overflowed into homelessness a generation ago. The lie that nothing could be done married the lie that poverty was tough love for poor character and bad decisions. The bad decision was to redistribute our wealth to the morally deserving wealthy, which created this housing problem. And if we aren’t careful, that problem might become the solution. It was Rogers who mocked the “trickle-down” trick in 1932. In doing so, he accidentally coined the term. “The money was all appropriated for the top in the hopes that it would trickle down to the needy,” he wrote.

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“Mr. [U.S. President Herbert] Hoover was an engineer. He knew that water trickles down. Put it uphill and let it go and it will reach the driest little spot. But he didn’t know that money trickled up. Give it to the people at the bottom and the people at the top will have it before night, anyhow. But it will at least have passed through the poor fellow’s hands.” Even with Canada’s record wealth disparity and dead capital, prosperity raining benefits down on us still fills our policy imagination, like how pulling yourself up by the bootstraps was a joke about doing the impossible that came to mean its opposite. The London School of Economics undertook a famous study in 2020, analyzing 50 years of this policy across 18 wealthy countries. It found trickle-down economics had “no meaningful effect on unemployment or

economic growth,” anywhere. Those feigning shock at the ballooning tent cities in our parks ought to know how we got here: zero units of social housing were built in this city between 1993 and 2017; the number of eligible Employment Insurance recipients is at an all-time low; minimum wage, welfare, and disability fell behind decades ago. Ontario is now tripling homelessness funding to Thunder Bay’s social services board and the senate’s eyeing an $85 billion basic income project, like the local pilot Ontario axed in 2018. But housing’s the main event because we let the boards rot through our entire social infrastructure, on purpose. Distribution’s the problem, like all imagined scarcity. The theory that expanding the housing supply will bring costs down and make everyone upwardly mobile assumes

we’re all sitting on money. That’s especially untrue for those who are used as symbols of this moment: the unhoused, seniors, or millennials trapped in the family basement. Who’s buying? Half of Thunder Bay households aren’t earning a living wage. Nearly two-thirds of Canadians are spending their entire paycheque and half of those are losing money while working. Income disparity is expanding at a record pace, cutting into the 2.7% of the wealth controlled by the bottom 40% of us. Left to the market’s own devices, existing concentrations of wealth will grow in a climate where investors have already bought up a fifth of Ontario’s housing stock. It would favour suburban sprawl and condominiums, which increase the rent. Among property owners, Canadians carry the highest debt-to-income ratio among

G7 countries. Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation says the $1.85 in debt to each dollar we earn is “almost entirely” mortgagerelated. If interest rates stay high, we risk dispossessing low-income homeowners, putting downward pressure on rental mobility, and pushing the bottom rungs out in the cold, literally. Call it trickle-down housing. There might be another way. As early as this month, Thunder Bay could hear from Canada on as much as $45 million in game-changing subsidies. City council could design an inside track for those wealth concentrations that won’t hijack the big picture. The rising trend of non-profit organizations could meet co-operative housing models like Castlegreen. Postsecondary institutions might consider housing as growth investments. First Nations organizations could mobilize around a funding formula that incentivizes new builds for Indigenous people. That formula also stimulates infill along transit lines, which could drive affordable renovations of existing homes and businesses. That would employ small-scale contractors, taking pressure off the single corporation that’s building almost all local housing this year. But these decisions mostly won’t be made by our 13-member elected council. Ontario has granted Mayor Ken Boshcoff “strong mayor” powers, ostensibly accelerating housing development through narrowing council approval on nearly anything the mayor believes to be a provincial priority, while enabling him to sack city staff. Council symbolically voted 8-4 against sacrificing their input to qualify for $1.5 to $1.8 million over three years, if Thunder Bay builds housing targets that administration’s already meeting without this charade. It’s become unnecessary to fool half the people all of the time. Call it trickle-down democracy—and pray for rain.

Advertising Feature

November Behind the Business Feature

Jody Loos, Owner and Operator, Howl at the Moon

Meet the owner and operator of Howl at the Moon, Jody Loos. Jody is an enterprising individual from southern Ontario who has called Thunder Bay home since 2009. With a career steeped in bartending and a history of working in some of Ontario’s busiest bars and nightclubs, Jody's personal journey has a unique twist: he’s a recovered alcoholic. His story, combined with the innovative concept of Howl at the Moon, speaks volumes about the transformative power of determination and the potential for change. Howl at the Moon, a groundbreaking project, was announced to the public on January 14, 2023, and on March 31, it opened its doors to the community. It stands as the city's first and only no-alcohol bar and late-night coffee shop. As an establishment dedicated to fostering a safe and sober atmosphere, it’s a hub for live entertainment, art, culture, and healing resources. Howl at the Moon warmly welcomes the public seven nights a week from 4 pm to midnight, offering a diverse array of activities from sober karaoke, live bands, comedy shows, art, and games nights to culturally enriching events like big drum socials and Ojibwe language socials with Elders and Language Speakers. In collaboration with project sponsors, they also provide vital resources such as Wellbriety meetings, healing circles, and day treatment programs. To learn more about Howl at the Moon check them out on Instagram or Facebook.

Q & A with Jody

What drew you to entrepreneurship? Frankly, I got tired of working for someone else. I’ve always been a workaholic. I’m particularly passionate about the Howl at the Moon project because I’ve been personally affected by addiction—my own, and the addictions of people I love and care about. I wanted to use my sobriety, my expertise in the hospitality industry, and my passion for this project to challenge myself and make positive change in our community. What inspired you to launch your business? This is a passion project for me. I’m a recovered alcoholic myself and I’ve lost too many people who I care about to addiction. Before Howl at the Moon opened, there was nowhere for people in recovery from their addictions to socialize, mingle, go out for a sober night on the town, take in a show, sing karaoke, or network and meet other people in recovery, or access resources at a community hub. The Howl at the Moon project changed all of that. This project filled a void in the marketplace being able to bring a brand new concept to Thunder Bay. Knowing what you know now, is there anything that you would’ve done differently? Not really. I feel pretty good about the choices we've made and where the project is at.

What advice would you give someone who wants to become an entrepreneur? Be prepared to work—a lot. Many people think that being your own boss is all fun and games, but the truth is building a business from the ground up takes a lot of hard work, commitment, time, and passion. And it’s risky. It’s certainly not for the faint of heart. I often work over 80 hours a week. The flipside to that is that being an entrepreneur, especially an entrepreneur who’s building his business from the ground up, can also be very rewarding in many ways. Watching a business grow, and knowing that your hard work, commitment, and dedication is a major factor in the growth of that business is very satisfying.

What are you working on now? My primary goal right now is to continue to grow my small business. We’re also getting ready to release Thunder Bay’s first weekly addictions and recovery podcast called Addicted: Stories of Addiction and Recovery. The first episode is set to launch in mid-tolate November. Is there anyone specific you'd like to thank? There are so many people who have stepped up in so many different ways to help ensure this project succeeds—far too many to mention—but the truth is I couldn’t have done this without them. The Howl at The Moon project truly has been a community effort. which makes it even more special. To all those who’ve stepped up to help, thank you.

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NovemberHoroscopes

Aries

(March 21– April 19) With November comes a real sense of completion and endings, as the darkness creeps across the sky and into our bones. During November, your mind and spirit may enter an introspective stage. Rams may wish to take stock of the year, and think about what’s to come in the future. The first day of the month is All Saints Day, when we typically give thanks to our ancestors. Why not go a little deeper and consider all of those who came before you? During this mysterious month, let the voices of November speak to you, igniting your imagination and your magic. Light a candle and reflect. Journal any thoughts that come forward.

Taurus

(April 20–May 20) As the days grow shorter and the nights grow longer, November is the perfect time to embrace the warmth and comfort of home. Whether you’re snuggled up with a good book, enjoying a cup of tea, or simply spending time with loved ones, this month is all about finding joy in the simple things. Time for Bulls to take stock! Write down all of your accomplishments from the past six months, and consider those who have supported you in your journey. Be grateful for all that has been shown to you, and perhaps pay it forward as well.

Gemini

(May 21–June 20) Hang on to your wallets, Gemini! You’ve been opening up your heart (and your pocketbook) quite a bit lately. Nothing wrong with that of course, but do ensure you have a plan going forward and your head(s) firmly on

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By Sunny Disposish

your shoulders. Twins do tend to get easily carried away sometimes. There’s an angel and a devil on your shoulder these days—which one are you going to listen to? Make cappuccino plans with an old friend. Nothing like a quick pause in one’s busy day to reflect upon what matters most. Connections are everything! A crafty hobby brings you joy.

Cancer

(June 21–July 22) Don’t cry, Cancer. This time of year does come with a little melancholy to be sure. Few sounds say November like the wind. As always, water signs do tend to find some solace in the kitchen. Whipping up some homemade bread or a pie for the family can always put people in better spirits. But who cares for the caregiver? Take some time out for yourself for some ever-important self-care, however that looks to you. The crackling of burning logs on a hearth wards off the chill of a dark November night. Small children can be a source of joy right now. Remember the simple things!

Leo

(July 23– August 22) Your creative fires are burning, Leo! Flow with this energy without judgment. In the last little while, Lions have really taken stock of their habits and are on the course of implementing some new ones. Drop those that don’t serve you. Some free time has opened up for this fire sign of late. It’s okay to lollygag a little bit at first, but do plan to spend this bit of extra time in a pursuit close to your big heart. Seek out advice from elders at this time. Congratulate yourself on a job well done. If no one

else cares to toot your horn, be willing to step up and do that for yourself.

Virgo

(August 23–

September 22) It’s time to “fall back” on the 5th, and Virgos couldn’t be more shook about it. The timings do take some adjustments to get used to, but don’t let this completely throw you off course. Seek solace in the full moon this month. Something in the way of property may be coming up for earth signs this month. If Virgos are involved in a sale of land or home of late, rest assured that all will go well. Virgos are happiest when their tummies are full, but this month has this earth sign feeling a bit health-conscious. Go with the flow!

Libra

(September 23– October 22) During the transition from fall to winter, we often turn inward. We begin to reflect on our habits of the mind and the inner obstacles that limit our growth. This balanced sign knows we don’t have to wait until this season to turn inward. People born under the sign of the scales are aware that in a situation of overwhelm, turning inward and calming the mind and body can put us in a healing state. Seek out those along the same journey around the 16th. It is a quiet time for remembering. Record your thoughts.

Scorpio

(October 23– November 21) It’s sassy Scorpio season, and this is where we pay homage to another solar return for these watery creatures. Their key phrase is “I create,” and that’s exactly what these driven

folks do on the daily. The new moon swings into said sign as well on the 13th, so use this energy to move some stuck projects forward. Enjoy your special day, and the gatherings with friends and family as a result. Steadfast, sensual, and true, you intense folks make the best partners and friends—most of the time. A special gift comes your way—you may have the attention of a secret admirer. It’s time to devour a good book!

Sagittarius

(November 22– December 21) Archers seem to be grimly plowing ahead without realizing much joy or bliss. Life has been a bit rocky lately, but eventually every storm passes and the sun shines again. Take heed of who sticks by your side during the dark times and avoid fair-weather friends. Change is on the horizon. What is stopping this fire sign from living their best life each and every day? A new love interest towards month’s end brings new verve in the nerve. Happy birthday to late November Saggis! Sag sun season starts on the 22nd, and not a minute too soon!

Capricorn

(December 22– January 19) November is looking to be an all-around great month for Goats! Career-wise, things are falling into place. The Beaver Moon on the 27th is big and bright, and great for gazing at with a new love interest. Hobbies are on point and the finances are in good shape. What’s an earth sign to do with all this glory? Maintain! Keep it going, of course. Forge on with the great habits and unyielding faith in oneself, and serve as a great role model for others.

A heartfelt farewell may come your way at month’s end but don’t fret—it’s not goodbye forever, but simply a “so long till next time.”

Aquarius

(January 20– February 18) A morning meditation is a great way to quiet the mind and banish unwanted thoughts or feelings. Be proactive in taking good care of your temple this month. Water-Bearers may find themselves preparing for the long winter ahead— whether it be tinkering with the snowblower, batch cooking some stew, or foraging for nuts, it’s never too soon to get a head start on Old Man Winter. Get out of the house and enjoy some early seasonal parties as well. This air sign doesn’t necessarily always hold the spotlight (or even want to, for that matter) but they still have the potential to attract a large group of admirers. Be your best dapper self!

Pisces

(February 19– March 20) The stars are aligned in your favour, my fishy friends. You are a dreamer, and now, your dreams will be more vivid than ever before. You will find yourself lost in a world of fantasy and imagination, where anything is possible. Your intuition will guide you through the day, and you will be able to see things that others cannot. Trust your instincts, and let them lead you to new and exciting places. Take this opportunity to snuggle up with a good book or a warm blanket, and let yourself be enveloped in the cosy embrace of your surroundings. Enjoy a good mug of hot chocolate!

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Three of Swords

TheBeat

By Sidney Ulakovic

As a girl I watched my mother fire / all the plates she owned off the balcony She was never the type / to write balloon letters and tie / a ribbon around all her nothing before she watched it disappear / shattered fragments / like a puzzle on the pavement Now I am a woman and nothing begs / to be broken like porcelain / a rite of passage I will teach my daughter / that when her breath boils over the night / and blurs any distinction that when she wants to destroy / everything and that everything will too / often be herself that broken glass is like soaking / your kitchen in bleach until everything feels / like a swimming pool in July / in another lifetime where you wrapped yourself / in sun stained towels and thought about the freckles on your face / as the season slipped away / That she will never cease to be terrified by time’s indifference / as leaves litter the sidewalks like ashes or broken plates that will disintegrate / into the concrete like sand / where she can always find another evening to hunt / for seashells as the tide goes out

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TheEye

Great horned owlets in a jack pine stand in Rosslyn, June 2021 Photo by Laura Heerema

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