FILM FREE ARTS Vol. 10 No. 9 MUSIC SEPTEMBER FOOD 2019 CULTURE thewalleye.ca
Mangiano Tutti The Food of Italy THE HOMESTEAD HARVEST 22
FIFTEEN YEARS OF VOX POPULAR 34
STRONG, POWERFUL CREATURES 81
GARDENERS INTO THE FINAL LAP 98
COMMUNITY FUND
Red Lake Family Entertainment Series, Spring 2019 Winner
We’re in it together
Need funding for your community project? Through the Tbaytel for Good Community Fund, we want to help you make a difference in your community. Tell us about a project, a need, or an idea that you require funding for – with a community group, volunteer-run or not-for-profit organization, or at your school or workplace. Submissions Open September 3 to October 11 Public Voting October 28 to November 8 Winners Announced November 18
@tbaytel
|
tbaytelforgood.net
Standup4cleanup, Spring 2019 Winner
Contents
walleye the
Editor-in-chief Darren McChristie Editor Adrian Lysenko adrian@thewalleye.ca Guest Editor Ayano Hodouchi Dempsey Assistant Editor Rebekah Skochinski Senior Editor Tiffany Jarva
16
Copy Editors Amy Jones, Bonnie Schiedel
50
Art Directors Steve Coghill, R.G.D., Dave Koski, R.G.D. production@thewalleye.ca Ad Designers Dave Koski Miranda van den Berg Paige Guzzell 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.
■ 15 ■ 16 ■ 18 ■ 19
Sophistication ■ 77 Save Our Station ■ 78 Iggy Pop ■ 79 Songs for Lonesome Lovers ■ 80 Irish Mythen ■ 81 Strong, Powerful Creatures ■ 82 Cancer Bats ■ 83 Wake the Giant ■ 84 Shine Like a Love Light ■ 88 What’s That Sound?
CoverStory: Mangiano Tutti The Food of Italy The Holy Store The Italian Grocery Spaghetti and Meatball Take-Out Dinner Big Lake Pasta
FOOD
■ 20 Supreme Suprême ■ 22 The Homestead Harvest ■ 25 Beer as Food ■ 26 Cider Solstice ■ 27 Pineapple Habanero Chicken Skewers with Grilled Pineapple Cashew Slaw Indian Bistro in Thunder Bay
FILM&THEATRE
■ 31 All the DAZE ■ 32 Films set in Italy ■ 34 Fifteen Years of ■ 37 ■ 38
Vox Popular A New Season Full of Laughs Immerse Yourself in Magic
THE ARTS
■ 40 Beads, They’re Sewn
60
■ 42 ■ 44 ■ 47
So Tight Sitting Alone Heavy Metal Definitely Superior Finds a New Home
OUTDOOR
■ 48 Mountain Biking CITYSCENE
■ 74 Spirit, Polish, and
ARCHITECTURE
■ 90 Soroptimist International
Friendship Garden
HEALTH
■ 98 Easy Tips to Make Your
Italian Meal Healthier
WEATHER
■ 90 Gardeners into the
Final Lap
GREEN
■ 101 Walk to School! It’s
Closer Than You Think
■ 21 Drink of the Month ■ 70 This is Thunder Bay ■ 72 Stuff We Like ■ 88 Off the Wall Reviews ■ 94 Tbaytel September EVENTS ■ 96 Music EVENTS ■ 97 LU Radio's Monthly Top 20 ■ 102 The Wall ■ 104 Horoscopes ■ 105 The Beat ■ 106 The Eye
■ 50 Finding Your Voice ■ 53 Smoke in the Water ■ 57 Waterfront Arts Fair ■ 58 Heartbeat Hot Sauce ■ 60 Talk4Healing ■ 62 The International
Copyright © 2019 by Superior Outdoors Inc. All Rights Reserved. Editorial and Advertising: Submissions must be accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Superior Outdoors cannot be held responsible for unsolicited material.
MUSIC
■ 28
Marketing & Sales Manager Bradie Butler sales@thewalleye.ca Photographers Patrick Chondon, Kevin Dempsey, Damien Gilbert, Jacey-Lynne Graham, Chad Kirvan, Dave Koski, Kay Lee, Shannon Lepere, Marty Mascarin, Darren McChristie, Sarah McPherson, Laura Paxton, Keegan Richard,
FEATURES
■ 9
Thunder Bay’s arts & culture alternative
74
Superior Outdoors Inc. 314 Bay Street Thunder Bay, ON P7B 1S1
Student Vibe in Thunder Bay ■ 64 Cree Stevens ■ 66 The Franco-Festival Returns ■ 68 ThunderCon 2019 Brings Five Years of Thunder ■ 71 Five Questions with Michael Christie
Telephone (807) 344-3366 Fax (807) 623-5122 E-mail: info@thewalleye.ca
TheWalleye.ca
80
The Walleye
3
Kevin Dempsey
From Our Instagram feed
Bringing in the Harvest
A
s our summer wraps up, local gardeners start hauling in the fruits of their labour. Digging up potatoes and onions is fun, but the tomato harvest is always a fraught one in our city— give the green tomatoes a chance to ripen on the vine, or play it safe and bring them inside before a hard frost damages them? For there are a lot of us growing tomatoes here. We may be far away from Italy, but we still attempt to grow the juicy red fruit that is a key ingredient in Italian cuisine. Perhaps the first Italian immigrants looked at our cool landscape with a sinking heart, knowing that much of the produce abundant in their homeland wouldn’t grow here. Perhaps that’s why our Italian grocers have thrived and flourished over the decades. Our cover story this month is dedicated to Italian food—the local producers and grocers who provide us with it, the many restaurants that serve it, and the food, the food, the food. Just to make you hungry, we’ve reviewed 14 Italian dishes at restaurants all over the city. If you’re running out of supper ideas to please everybody, check out Nik Fiorito’s story about takeout spaghetti and meatballs. I also met up with Big
4
The Walleye
Lake Pasta’s Andrew Murchison to see him making pasta, the old-fashioned way. Our writers and photographers put together a guide to some of Thunder Bay’s Italian household names—grocers that have been providing us with quality baking, cheeses, deli meats and imported foodstuffs for years. Also in this issue, Melanie Larson talks to the organizers of Wake the Giant music festival, Kris Ketonen finds out where DefSup is going, and Michael Sobota talks to local author Michael Christie about his second novel, Greenwood, set to be released later this month. If you’re interested in squeezing in some more outdoor activities, check out Justin Allec’s story about mountain biking. A walk through the International Friendship Gardens might be just the thing too, so read up on its history—Laurie Abthorpe has that covered for you. So grab a cider (our sommelier Jeannie Dubois has some suggestions), sit on the deck, and soak up the last of the warmth while you read our September issue. As for me, you will find me in the garden picking tomatoes and cooking Italian all month long. -Ayano Hodouchi Dempsey
Featured Contributor Amy Sellors Amy is a professional actor, communication coach, baker, and writer. Never happy doing just one thing at a time, Amy coaches business professionals on difficult conversations and presentation skills, bakes pies and cakes for Kangas Sauna, acts and sings on stages across Canada (including Thunder Bay’s own Magnus Theatre), and writes for many outlets, including The Walleye. In her work for The Walleye, Amy aims to draw more attention to the economic driver that is the arts in Thunder Bay. For more information on Amy, visit amysellors.com and startwithabowl.com. Check out Amy’s story on sculptor Linda Paquin on page 44.
On the Cover Anchor and Ore's Campanelle Primavera Photo by Kevin Dempsey
where ever you find yourself, be ready with OUR FALL COLLECTION
7 1 0 B AL MORAL ST R EE T
F RE SHAIRE XPERIE N C E.C A The Walleye
5
The
p o h S r e b r a B beer & a ha
ircut
BEER and a
HAIRCU
- HAIR
T!
AVES H S G N I T CUT
It
FADE
VES A H S L E W S - HOT TO
experie e h t t u o b a ’s all
US: CONTACT
285-2:300a0m0 - 7pm Tues - Fri 8 pm Sat 9am - 4 Closed Sun & Mon
6
. t S a c i r e d e r F E 4 1 1 The Walleye
nce!
4 BA
R B E R S!
TheTOPFive
1 Hymers Fall Fair September 1 & 2
Hymers Fairgrounds
Catch the country spirit at Hymers Fair, a local tradition since 1912! This year’s theme is “a little country fair with a big country heart.” Come out to see the largest locally grown pumpkin and the nicest looking rooster, watch some horse and cattle shows, chat with a few friendly folks, and enjoy the best of country living. Choose to eat from the various concession stands or the sit-down home-cooked meals served in the dining hall (our favourite!)— Sunday is slow-roasted deep pit barbecued beef, and Monday is roasted ham and perogies plus homemade pie for dessert. It’s true country fair fun for the entire family. Admission is $7 for adults and $5 for seniors and children aged six to 12, and children five and under get in for free. See you in Hymers! hymersfair.com
Radio Waves 2 WTIP Music Festival
Popular Media 3 Vox Arts Festival
September 6–8
September 12–15
Head south of the border in September to hear some sweet sounds in scenic Grand Marais! This year’s music festival will see 25 acts take the stage, with six new to the festival including an acoustic ska duo as well as many local, regional, and national favourites like Yellow-Bellied Sapsuckers (hillbilly country), Lake Effect (folk), West Virginia (gospel-soul), and Pushing Chain (roots-Americana). The three-day event is held rain or shine and there will be food available on-site and a few children’s activities on Saturday and Sunday. Admission is $10USD per day or $20USD for the weekend, and entry is free to children aged 12 and under. New this year, the WTIP is offering online ticket sales. Hit up the website to get yours and to see the full lineup.
Now celebrating their 15th year, the Vox Popular Media Arts Festival is continuing their goal of showcasing local, national, and international films. This communitycurated festival will see 60 films screened this year, including 10 local films and a variety of representation from Canadian filmmakers. In addition, there will be dramas, documentaries, comedies, French films, horror films and thrillers, as well as Indigenous films and ones suitable for kids, with the top selections being screened on the gala opening night. Plus, there will be on-demand viewing stations, virtual reality installations using their Oculus Rift, master classes, workshops, and live music. Choose from a festival pass, gala night tickets, daily tickets, and individual session passes—the session passes are only available from the box office during the festival for $8 or pay what you can. View their website for the full lineup.
wtip.org
the Giant 4 Wake Music Festival
Trinity Hall
Keegan Richard
Grand Marais, MN
voxpopular.ca
5 The.Wav-S.O.S.
September 14
September 20 & 21
Are you ready to Wake the Giant? The initiative behind this music festival is a project that raises cultural awareness in Thunder Bay to build an understanding and to show Indigenous people that they are valued members of the community. The festival is a celebration of all cultures with a specific focus on promoting Indigenous musicians and people, with the goal to bring as many different age groups, cultures, music lovers and festival fans together under one sky. And have you checked out the stellar lineup? It features Metric, Coleman Hell, Crown Lands, July Talk, Nick Ferrio, Wolf Saga, Ansley Simpson, Luke Warm and the Cold Ones, and Battle Nation drum group. The event runs from 11:30 am to 11 pm; general admission is $65 and VIP passes are available for $105.
Two nights, two venues, one goal! This year LU Radio is doubling down on their fundraising efforts and putting out an S.O.S. (Save Our Station) after recent government cuts that have placed their station in jeopardy. They need to raise $50,000 in order to navigate this funding crisis. You can help by coming out to celebrate our diverse music scene with this year’s lineup of musicians who have donated all of their performances, including Greenbank, Pedestrian Lifestyle, Arley Cox, and more! Let’s show our community support and help keep independent music and media alive in Thunder Bay. Doors open at 9 pm on Friday and 10 pm on Saturday. There’s a $5 cover and it’s a 19+ event. Don’t forget to buy a T-shirt from one of the LU radio volunteers!
wakethegiant.ca
tbshows.com
The Foundry/Black Pirates Pub
David Jackson
Thunder Bay Waterfront
The Walleye Walleye
71
We’ve helped over 20,000 people with their hearing issues
l Ca
or e
w
ducts com pro i
Fall this ng
Exciting ne
We know hearing
lu m st ut oda o y to fnd
Thunder Bay’s only locally owned clinic Call to book your hearing assessment today! 807.346.0101 125 N. Cumberland St.
8
superiorhearing.ca The Walleye
CoverStory
Mangiano Tutti The Food of Italy
T
Kevin Dempsey
hunder Bay isn’t unique in its love of Italian food—the cuisine is adored worldwide. What we do have, however, is a large Italian population because of the wave of immigrants that came to Canada in the early 1950s and the mid 1960s. This is reflected in the many restaurants and businesses owned by these families, generations over. We visited Italian grocers, learned about making pasta, and where to get spaghetti take-out. We also took a tour through Italy (without leaving the city limits), to showcase the diverse Italian food this region has to offer—from primi to pasta to la dolce. Buon appetito!
The Walleye
9
CoverStory
Vegetable Antipasto ► The Place: Nook 271 Bay Street | 285-7775 The Price: $7 The Basics: Shredded beets and carrots, ricotta salata, mint, red wine vinaigrette, and grated parmesanThe Lowdown: When it comes to antipasti, our minds jump to cured meats and jars of pickled veggies. Nook offers a fresh take on antipasti with their ever-changing vegetable dishes. This particular dish is packed full of colourful, crunchy shredded carrots and beets. A light red wine vinaigrette offers a tart balance to the earthy sweetness of the vegetables. Each bite pops with refreshing mint and delectable little cubes of ricotta salata. Originating in Sicily, ricotta salata is a hard-pressed cheese that takes on a similar texture to feta. Salata means “salted” in Italian, making it the perfect, briny finish to such a zesty dish. The restaurant changes up the vegetable antipasto every couple of weeks, so look forward to different versions over the seasons. Review by Melanie Larson, Photo by Kay Lee
◄ Homemade
Bucatini Noodles The Place: The Sovereign Room 220 Red River Road | 343-9277 The Price: $18 The Basics: House-made bucatini noodles paired with roasted DeBruin’s tomatoes, Veg-e-tate Market Garden pea shoot pesto, prosciutto from Agostino’s Deli & Bakery, and a Northern Logger-deglazed sauce The Lowdown: The best part of this dish is the fusion of so many local ingredients to create layers of flavours and textures that work deliciously together as a whole. The long, hollow, Rome-inspired bucatini noodles, made in-house and tossed in a fresh pea shoot pesto, taste like the days of summer melting into colder evenings—light, yet substantial. The prosciutto, the sauce, and the roasted tomatoes are ideal for pairing with a light, crisp white wine or a chilled glass of Northern Logger. Please note that the pasta special is switched up every week, inspired by seasonal, local ingredients.
10 The Walleye
Review by Tiffany Jarva, Photo by Sarah McPherson
CoverStory
Goat Cheese Polenta Fries ► The Place: Tomlin 202 ½ Red River Road | 346-4447 The Price: $12 The Basics: Arrabbiata sauce, pork belly, polenta, goat cheese, pesto, fried rosemary The Lowdown: Polenta originated in Northern Italy and is said to have a grainy texture, even being referred to as “Italian grits,” but these golden bars were anything but gritty. The five rectangular “fries,” stacked atop a homemade arrabbiata sauce with pork belly bits, had a definite kick but nothing overpowering. Swirled into the sauce was a fresh pesto scented with lemon, and the fries were topped with fried rosemary and lightly microplaned cheese. The first bite was soft and pillowy, warm and rich, and blended perfectly with the marriage of sauces. Cheesy and fluffy, these are melt-in-your-mouth good! Review by Susan Pretty, Photo by Shannon Lepere
◄ Shrimp &
Lobster Pasta The Place: Bight Restaurant 2201 Sleeping Giant Parkway | 622-4448 The Price: $30 The Basics: Fresh linguine, plum tomatoes, shrimp, lobster, white wine, cream, arugula The Lowdown: A signature creation of Bight’s Chef Allan Rebelo, this variation on the classic creamy seafood pasta is absolutely delicious. It certainly helps to start with stellar base ingredients, and Bight’s loaded this dish with fresh linguine from Big Lake Pasta, San Marzano plum tomatoes, chunks of lobster knuckle meat, and Argentinian pink shrimp. Those components are perfectly balanced with a white wine cream sauce that lightly heightens the flavours and textures instead of being a dour and logy coating. For example, in one rich mouthful you can taste the sweetness of the tomatoes at the same time as a hint of nuttiness from the arugula, and that’s even before you bite into the hearty seafood or the al dente noodles! Is this how you spell “harmony” in Italian?
Sicilian Rack of Lamb ►
Review by Justin Allec, Photo by Kevin Dempsey
The Place: Giorg Cucina é Barra 114 North Syndicate Avenue | 623-8052 The Price: $48 The Basics: New Zealand lamb, smoked eggplant purée, zucchini caponata, fried artichokes with mint and lemon The Lowdown: The Sicilian rack of lamb is a new Piatto forte item on the menu at Giorg, and it’s a standout. With crispy caramelized edges and a juicy pink centre, the meat is cooked perfectly. But what really gives this dish full marks are the accompanying sides that punctuate it with smoky, sweet, sour, briny, earthy, and herbaceous flavours. Executive chef Nathen Dube trades the traditional eggplantbased caponata for diced zucchini, adding red peppers, fennel, capers, mint, and basil. Eggplant is still represented here, in purée form, after being charred over a flame. Scoop up some fried artichoke and enjoy the best that southern Italy has to offer. Add a glass of robust red wine and you’ll swear you’ve been transported to Palermo. And who doesn’t want that? Review by Rebekah Skochinski, Photo by Damien Gilbert
The Walleye
11
CoverStory
◄ Campanelle Primavera The Place: Anchor and Ore 2240 Sleeping Giant Parkway | 357-6879 The Price: $21 The Basics: Mushrooms, asparagus, tomatoes, shaved fennel, baby kale, and red pepper tossed in Riesling and fennel-infused butter The Lowdown: If you think vegetarian dishes are boring and lacking in oomph, try this one. Executive chef Winni Tsang’s take on pasta primavera brings incredibly bright, fresh, and vibrant flavours to this modern classic. The abundance and variety of vegetables make each bite unique and delicious, and a slightly spicy aftertaste ties it all together. The ruffled edges of the campanelle pasta (shaped like little handbells) are perfect for savouring the Riesling and fennel-infused butter. For the gluten-intolerant, there is a gluten-free version available, with penne. Review by Ayano Hodouchi Dempsey, Photo by Kevin Dempsey
Pickerel Alfredo Pasta ► The Place: Silver Birch 28 North Cumberland Street | 345-0597 The Price: $25 The Basics: A lemon and thyme panko-crusted pickerel fillet served on pasta The Lowdown: A cool, citrusy play on traditional fettuccine Alfredo, this sensual dish unites silky linguine with the satisfying crunch of panko on a fresh Lake of the Woods pickerel fillet. The creaminess of the emulsified butter, parmesan cheese, and lemon are sprinkled with juicy oil-roasted cherry tomatoes and scented with woodsy thyme for a distinctive and satisfying dish. A gluten-free option is also available. Review by Betty Carpick, Photo by Keegan Richard
◄ Lasagna The Place: Mama Alfa’s 135 East Frederica Street | 623-4567 The Price: $28.95, including garlic bread and Caesar salad The Basics: Noodles, tomato sauce, ground beef, eggs, Italian cheeses The Lowdown: If you’ve never had a lasagna that includes hard-boiled eggs, you need to take this one for a test drive. The layer of finely mashed eggs— traditionally used in lasagna in the region outside of Rome where Mama Alfa herself, Alpha St. Pierre, hails from—gives another hit of savoury to a dish that’s already rich and hearty. Chef Rob Walsh of Northern Unique, the new owner who has helmed the kitchen since last fall, makes the semolina noodles from scratch, along with housemade tomato sauce from Italian tomatoes. Italian cheeses, including scamorza (a stretchy southern Italian cheese) and grana padano (akin to parmesan) help keep the eight tender layers of noodles together. Deliziosa! Review by Bonnie Schiedel, Photo by Keegan Richard
12 The Walleye
CoverStory
Pesche Dolci (Italian Peach Cookies) ► The Place: Club Cappuccino Cafe & Desserts 595 West Arthur Street | 577-1985 The Price: $2.50 each The Basics: Cookie with vanilla custard filling, rolled in granulated sugar The Lowdown: Traditionally a favourite at Italian weddings as much because of the simplicity and availability of its ingredients as for its festive appearance, the Italian peach cookie has its origins in Naples. Not too sweet and with a biscotti-like dough, the cookie is served with a variety of fillings, such as peach jam and nuts or chocolate. The Club Cappuccino version uses a cool and creamy vanilla custard to bind the “peach” halves together, and it’s a great combination. Tied with their biscotti as Club Cappuccino’s most popular dessert, the Italian Peach also comes in an adult version with a drizzle of peach liqueur on top. Review by Pat Forrest, Photo by Laura Paxton
◄ Arancini di Riso
(Risotto Balls) The Place: Lot 66 66 South Court Street \ 683-7708 The Price: $11.50
The Basics: Risotto with pancetta, sweet peas, onions, marinara sauce. The Lowdown: Lot 66’s arancini (deep-fried risotto balls) are packed full of flavour and with three generously sized rice balls, they are perfect for splitting with a few friends. Crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside, this mouthwatering appetizer is a must-have on the menu. There is no need for you to go to Sicily to try these out because executive chef Mike Roulston has brought them to you. Review by Bradie Butler, Photo by Darren McChristie
Naz’s Pizza ► The Place: Bar Italia 168 South Court Street | 345-4767 The Price: $17 for a 13” pizza The Basics: Pepperoni, mushrooms, green olives, green peppers, provolone cheese, mozzarella cheese The Lowdown: Named after Bar Italia’s founder, the late Nazzareno Tozzo, the Naz is a classic deluxe pizza that features fresh toppings and a light and crispy crust that doesn’t get left on the plate. The pepperoni is thinly sliced and the green peppers have just the right amount of crunch. The sweet and tangy sauce pairs perfectly with the fresh, salty green olives that are generously sliced and the provolone is a nice touch because it is a little tastier than mozzarella. Pizza perfection, just the way Naz liked it. Review and Photo by Darren McChristie
The Walleye
13
CoverStory
◄ Pizza Diavola The Place: Graziella Pizzeria Napoletana 207 Park Avenue | 286-2001 The Price: $21 The Basics: Tomato sauce, mozzarella, Calabrese salami, hot peppers The Lowdown: This is a pizza for those who like it hot and authentic. Owner Joe Lombardo’s family is from the town of Siderno in the Calabria region of southern Italy, which is considered to be the birthplace of pizza. A true Napoletana (or “Naples-style”) pizza has only a few toppings, always fresh, on a beautifully light and airy crust that’s hand-stretched and cooked quickly on super-high heat in a wood oven. The diavola is a fiery pick amidst more traditional options like the margherita pizza, and Lombardo is happy to kick up the heat even more for spice lovers. Review by Kat Lyzun, Photo by Michael McKenzie
Caprese Salad ► The Place: Caribou Restaurant + Wine Bar 727 Hewitson Street | 628-8588 The Price: $15 The Basics: Tomatoes, shallots, bocconcini cheese, basil, and extra virgin olive oil The Lowdown: This simple and delicious salad looks and tastes like summer. Caribou takes three varieties of tomatoes—red beefsteak, yellow tomato-on-the-vine, and red and yellow cherry tomatoes—and mixes them with sweet shallots, buttery bocconcini cheese, fresh basil, a light dressing of red wine vinegar, and fruity, unfiltered extra virgin olive oil, and just the right amount of sea salt and black pepper. The tomatoes and basil are perfectly ripe and bursting with flavour, thanks to local suppliers DeBruin’s Greenhouses. In the words of Chef Craig Vieira, they “let the tomatoes do the talking” and while we couldn’t hear what they were saying, they definitely commanded our attention. Review by Michelle McChristie, Photo by Darren McChristie
◄ Panzerotti The Place: Caesar’s Place 507 South Syndicate Avenue | 623-1010 The Price: $8–$20 (depending on size) The Basics: Dough, mozzarella cheese, signature marinara sauce, pepperoni, garlic, mushrooms, black olives (or your choice of four fillings) The Lowdown: Looking for a meal under $20 that will leave you feeling full and satisfied? Look no further! Caesar’s Place has been providing Thunder Bay with its famous panzerotti for over 40 years, using the same veganfriendly dough and marinara sauce recipes that many are dying to get their hands on. Perfectly crisp on the outside and ooey-gooey on the inside, and stuffed with your favourite fillings, these savoury Italian turnovers will have you wanting to come back for more. Just be sure to bring an appetite! Review and Photo by Jacey-Lynne Graham
14 The Walleye
CoverStory
The Holy Store
A Beautiful Difference at Squitti’s Story by Betty Carpick, Photos by Darren McChristie
S
quitti’s Gifts and Lighting, “the world’s smallest specialty department store” at Bay and Secord, hosts an impressive cornucopia of old-world ornate and modern Italian treasures. For life’s milestones and more, there’s engagement sets and wedding rings in 10-,14-, and 18-karat gold, diamonds, fine giftware from around the world, christening and communion outfits, crystal chandeliers, imported linens, macchinettas (the famous stove-top percolators), and demitasse sets. Custom-made jewelry mounts and repairs are included in the offerings. For well-wishers at every special occasion there’s traditional Italian keepsake favours. They also sell religious gifts, inspiring many regulars to refer to it as “The Holy Store.” The amount of items packed into every crevice of the store is incredible. Siblings and second-generation owners Teresa and Caesar Squitti calmly offer personal attention in a courteous, courtly way, and you will likely be offered an espresso while you shop there—the ritual of partaking in a freshly brewed Italian coffee is part community, part cultural experience.
Owners Teresa and Caesar Squitti
The Squitti family and their businesses are part of the makeup of the historic area and they’ve seen many changes over the years. Portraits of the senior Squittis are peppered throughout the shop and on business stationery. Marianne Rosso, a Calabrian entrepreneur, opened a grocery store and gift shop further west on Bay Street in 1967 with her Canadian-born husband, Arthur Natale Squitti. With goods imported from Italy, the store primarily catered to the Italian immigrants in the neighborhood. When Marianne bought the iconic prosciutto-pink Squitti van, Art, a taxi driver by trade, hit the road three times a year to sell wares in camps and farms around Nipigon, Geraldton, and Jellicoe. Today, the distinctive van with its hand-painted script inspires a new generation who may or may not have ventured into the store. In 1970, the government of Canada adopted multiculturalism as public policy giving voice to immigrant communities; Port Arthur and Fort William amalgamated into the City of Thunder Bay; and a former restaurant became the site of
the current gift shop. For the first time, exotic Black Forest clocks, Murano glass, and other specialities from Europe were available in Northwestern Ontario.
Teresa and Caesar have worked for the business in various capacities since they were kids and stayed in the city for post-secondary studies. Their work ethic and community commitment has rippled beyond Bay Street. At one point, bowling, soccer, hockey, and volleyball teams were known as “Squitti’s Gems.” The people-orientated duo still sing in the Alpini Choir, work tirelessly to promote Italian arts and culture at Festa Italia, support Magnus Theatre, and maintain their secular commitments. They carry on the family tradition of sharing with strangers and helping people who are down on their luck. “We do our best to offer what we have, from an espresso, to food, to accommodation,” says Caesar, “You don’t know your history but you duplicate it.”
The Walleye
15
CoverStory
The Italian Grocery
A History of Feeding Others
N
estled throughout neighbourhoods across the city are several Italian groceries that we all know by name: Maltese, Nucci’s, Fresco’s, Donato’s, and Agostino’s. These shops have been providing their patrons with specially imported delicacies for decades. Some are strictly deli, others have a butcher or a bakery, but what is common throughout is the rooted-in-tradition idea that feeding others is an act of love. That’s why, for those of us who make these our regular or semi-regular stops, they’ve become more to us than places we go to get a sandwich, or a particular bottle of olive oil, or wedge of cheese—they’ve made us feel like we’re a part of their families, too.
Maltese Grocery 301 Pearl Street 344-5911
Year established: 1931
Buset Brother’s Grocery
An Early Independent Grocery By Katie Beaulieu, Thunder Bay Museum
When the Cooperative Economica Grocery went out of business in 1933, Luigi Buset, a member of the cooperative, bought the building at 539 McLaughlin Street for $900 and opened his own store, Buset Brother’s Grocery. Buset’s store began as a small confectionary, but grew into a major independent grocery which served hundreds of local patrons. In the late 1950s, Buset Brother’s Grocery responded to the local demand for grapes and imported hundreds of pounds of grapes from California, which were delivered by refrigerated rail cars to Hardisty Street. At this time, not everyone had a truck or a car, so Buset’s would load 125 cases of grapes onto the back of the old 1956 GM pick-up to deliver them. Getting up the ramp of the overpass to make deliveries outside of the East End could be a challenge—it was important to get a good run at the hill or else the truck would stall before cresting and force the driver to back down the bridge on the other side of the road. By the 1960s, more people owned cars and residents of the East End knew when the grapes had arrived as cars and trucks lined up from Buset’s to the top of the Pacific Avenue bridge—a distance of about five blocks.
16 The Walleye
Where the family is from: Reggio, Calabria, and the Island of Malta, southern Italy What they sell: Cheeses and deli meats, prime cuts of meat, house-made sausages, locally produced specialty items baked goods, fresh produce and more Top-selling Item: Authentic Italian cheese For 80-plus years, Maltese Grocery has been oozing Italian authenticity. Shelves are stocked with olive oils, antipasti, breads, and noodles. But it is the cheese that sets this grocer apart. “Italy is truly known for its cheese,” says coowner Lisa Maltese. In the downstairs cooler, there are huge wheels of cheeses like grana padano, romano, and piccolo canestrato—all with the European DOP (Denominazione di origine protetta—Protected Designation of Origin) seal of authenticity. Whether we ask for provolone on our sammies or pick up a celebratory meat and cheese tray, we northern formaggio lovers are grateful for the selection and quality of Italian products that Maltese offers. “As Italians we express our love through food, and that food should be good quality,” says Lisa. “I think of my customers as family, and why wouldn’t you want to give your family the best?” - Text by Tiffany Jarva, Photos by Kevin Dempsey
Fresco’s Deli 116 East Frederica Street 623-7799 Year established: 1990 Where the family is from: Villa Rogatti in the Abruzzi region of central Italy What they sell: a variety of deli meats and cheeses, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, dry pasta, sauces, house-marinated olives, espresso, cookies, made-to-order sandwiches, and more Top-selling items: Extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar of Modena Building on the success of the barber shop he opened in 1961, the late Armando Fresco expanded the family business to include a deli next door in 1990 with a vision for his sons, Bryan and John. “He would work a half day at each business,” says John, who was just out of college when he started working at the deli. John attributes the success of his business to solid relationships with his suppliers who consistently provide high-quality products. “We’ve been dealing with many of the same suppliers for almost 30 years and always try to buy the best of the best,” he says. Authentic Italian deli meat and cheese are definitely Fresco’s “bread and butter,” and John admits that things can get hectic given that he also makes and sells over 100 sandwiches a day. With two sons of his own, ages 10 and 12, John isn’t sure if they’ll continue the family tradition but, as he says, “you never know!” - Text by Michelle McChristie, Photos by Darren McChristie
CoverStory
Nucci’s Bake a Deli
Donato’s Bakery
Agostino’s Deli & Bakery
Year established: 1983
Year established: 1994
Year established: 1986
What the family is from: Cosenza, Calabria
Where the family is from: Simbario, Calabria, southern Italy
Where the family is from: Calabria region of southern Italy
801 Red River Road 767-4501
What they sell: Cakes, Italian pastries, freshbaked bread and buns, deli meats and cheese, imported Italian groceries Top-selling items: Bread and bakery items Nucci’s Bake a Deli has been a popular north-side bakery and deli since 1983. Owner Joe Nucci’s parents immigrated to Canada before Joe was born, and his father originally owned a bakery in town with his two cousins. Eventually Joe joined his father in the bread-making business, and he decided to open Nucci’s as a place to sell their bread and other fine baked goods. Before long they added a deli and a selection of specialty and imported groceries, and in 1995 opened a second location on Balmoral Avenue. Most people still come to Nucci’s for their classic cakes, cookies, and pastries, such as persians, Sally Anns and delicate Italian pastries like cannoli and peach bums. Everything is made from scratch. If you remember (and loved) Vienna Bakery, you can get cakes made with that glorious Vienna buttercream icing. If it’s a good sandwich you’re after, Nucci’s has you covered with a great selection of deli meats and specialty cheeses to go with the fresh-baked buns. Grab some bomba sauce or pickled eggplant to spice it up and you’ve got the perfect lunch.
161 South Court Street 345-7273
What they sell: Traditional Italian pizza, homemade sauce, meatballs and pizza dough, daily baked goods such as buns, bread and an assortment of cookies and pastries, dessert trays Top-selling items: Pizza and cannoli Upon entering the family-run Donato’s Bakery, you can smell the daily baked goods like Italian buns and pizza wafting throughout the shop. There is a sign advertising homemade take-out meatballs and sauce, along with white or whole wheat pizza dough for those of us who want to do some Italian cooking at home. Inspired by nonas in Simbario, Calabria, co-owner James Bruno says recipes have been carried over to Canada. “We represent 100-plus years of baking tradition,” he adds. Whether you grab a slice of pizza or a sweet pesche dolci (peach bum), the taste of traditional Italy continues to thrive in Northwestern Ontario. - Text by Tiffany Jarva, Photos by Kevin Dempsey
230 South Leland Street 475-0475
What they sell: Deli meats, imported cheeses, olive oil, vinegar, olives, fresh pasta, fresh baking, sandwiches, homemade pasta sauce, pizza shells and dough, and more Top-selling item: A mild or spicy “Lucy Special,” a bun piled high with deli meats and cheeses, mustard, mayo, and roasted red peppers Maria and Ferruccio Agostino moved to Canada in 1974, trying out communities in Montreal, Toronto, and Schreiber before deciding to call Thunder Bay home. Ferruccio had a fruit business in Italy but drove a truck for 20 years in Canada, dreaming of owning a small store. That dream came true in 1986 with the opening of the grocery and deli part of the business, followed by the bakery eight years later. Maria and Ferruccio continue to be involved in the day-to-day of the business, which has a staff of 12, including siblings Lucy, Joe, and Cosmo. In addition to groceries imported from Italy, Agostino’s offers local products such as Heartbeat Hot Sauce and Crazy Good Spices, and fills a niche in the local bakery market, making smaller batches for restaurants like Red Lion Smokehouse (a brioche-style bun), Bonobo’s Foods (a multigrain bun), and Madhouse (focaccia), all made without preservatives. Their wholesale division also supplies local pizza joints with cheeses and meats. “This is as big as we’ll ever get,” says Cosmo. “Small is the right size for us.” - Text by Bonnie Schiedel, Photos by Darren McChristie
- Text by Kat Lyzun, Photos by Darren McChristie
The Walleye
17
CoverStory
Spaghetti and Meatball Take-Out Dinner A Guide to Thunder Bay’s Go-to Take-Out By Nik Fiorito
S Nik Fiorito
ometimes you are just in the zone. The kitchen is your studio and the plate is your canvas. Every ingredient is stocked in the pantry and freshly picked from the garden. But sometimes, you wake from that dream and realize you have to be out the door in 10 minutes with no time to get food ready for yourself or your family. Enter the humble but amazingly convenient spaghetti and meatball take-out dinner. Long a staple
on the Thunder Bay food scene, spaghetti take-out enjoys a particularly strong following in the Lakehead due to the influence and presence of our city’s large Italian population. While other establishments offer a similar menu, we took a look at four places most often associated with the meal: the Knights of Columbus, the Italian Cultural Centre, Salt & Pepper Catering, and the DaVinci Centre.
Everyone's a little Italian!
Knights of Columbus (KC)
Italian Cultural Centre (ICC)
Salt & Pepper Catering (S&P)
When: First Sunday of the month from September to June for take-out (1–5 pm) and dine-in (5:30 pm); third Thursday of the month for take-out only (3–6 pm)
When: Last Sunday of the month from September to June. Take-out from 2–5:30 pm; sit-down beginning 6 pm
When: First Friday of the month from September to June from 3–6 pm
Where: Columbus Centre, 301 South May Street
Cost: $11 for take-out, $15 all-you-can-eat dine-in
Cost: $11.50 for take-out, $14.50 all-you-can-eat dine-in The details: There is some controversy over who began doing spaghetti take-out first in Thunder Bay, with KC throwing its hat in the ring (or its meat in the sauce?) as the longestrunning option. Volunteer John Raynak has himself been involved for over 35 years, and still helps hand-roll the meatballs with up to 12 other volunteers every month. Takeout options include spaghetti and meatballs, and new for this year are perogies and roasted chicken. The sitdown meal is family-style, with salad and buns included.
18 The Walleye
Where: 132 South Algoma Street
The details: Meatballs are the heart of the ICC, and with more weddings, buffets, and corporate events hosted than almost any other venue in town, executive chef James Dodge and his team have their work cut out for them in meating the demand (you may clap now). The dinner first began in 1955, and each month a different community group is given the option of hosting the spaghetti supper to raise funds for their programs. Group members sell tickets prior to the dinner and help serve and clean up, with proceeds previously going to the Alzheimer Society, Canadian Cancer Society, dance academies, and so on.
Where: 808 North McKellar Street Cost: Spaghetti and five meatballs for $11; 10 meatballs and tomato sauce $12 (more options on S&P’s website) The details: While still a relative newcomer to the spaghetti take-out scene (2010), S&P has quickly gained a loyal following for their convenient pickup and payment strategy. Owner Dave Thomas says, “We move our line up very fast. We don’t like to keep people waiting. We respect the fact they drove over, parked, got out in the snow to come and see us! We want to make it as quick as possible.” There are new specials each month, a green-friendly option of bringing and filling up your own container, and “the best De Cecco pasta and the best Stanislaus tomatoes you can buy.” Dessert flavours such as tiramisu and hazelnut and chocolate cheesecake ensure your Friday night dinner guests won’t be leaving hungry.
DaVinci Centre When: First or second Sunday of the month (schedule changes based on hall/kitchen availability). Take-out from 2–5 pm, dine-in starting at 6 pm Where: 340 South Waterloo Street Cost: Spaghetti and five meatballs for $11; 10 meatballs in sauce for $11; one litre of sauce $11; gnocchi with three meatballs for $11 (pricing as of August 19/19) The details: The DaVinci has long been an Italian staple on Thunder Bay’s south side, offering spaghetti, meatball, and gnocchi take-out. Authentic Italian meatballs are the star of the show, but if you’re looking to fill your boots at the popular allyou-can-eat dine-in meal option, it is a good idea to call ahead for reservations (although walk-ins will be accommodated as best as possible). And even if you over-indulge on the pasta sauce, you can still feel good about your spaghetti dinner at the DaVinci as proceeds from the meals go to support various local charities.
CoverStory
Big Lake Pasta
From the Shores of the Amalfi Coast to the Shores of Lake Superior Story and photos by Ayano Hodouchi Dempsey
W
hen Andrew Murchison started his small-scale pasta business five years ago, he didn’t anticipate how hungry Thunder Bay would be for artisanal pasta. His original plan had been to make and sell 20 or 30 packages of pasta at the Thunder Bay Country Market; now he has moved into a new facility on Cumberland Street with a dehydrator capable of drying 200 kg of pasta at a time. Big Lake Pasta makes extruded pasta using only durum semolina and water. Murchison mixes the two (at a ratio of 3:1) until it’s the texture of wet sand and puts it in Italian machines that churn it through bronze dies. He has 28 dies to create a variety of shapes and lengths, ranging from sheets of lasagna noodles to frilly campanella. Industrial extrusion uses Teflon dies, which allows the dough to be extruded extremely fast. Bronze grips the dough, resulting in a dusty texture, which helps grab and emulsify the sauce once it is cooked. Commercial manufacturers also use a vacuum to compress all the air out of the dough, so that the pasta can stand up to the rigours of industrial drying, at temperatures of up to 300°F. At Big Lake Pasta, the noodles have tiny veins of air in them, which results in less boiling time and a lighter, fresher, texture. Big Lake Pasta’s dehydrator replicates the natural drying process
on the Amalfi Coast, where Italy’s best dried pasta is still made. “Near Naples, they had the ideal coastal conditions,” Murchison explains. “It would heat up during the day, cool down a little at night, and you’d have a nice breeze, so you’d be able to dry the pasta at a slow pace.” Because too-rapid drying would result in cracked pasta, the computer-controlled dehydrator goes through cycles of resting and drying, resting and venting over two days. The temperature is kept at around 100°F. Selling at the Country Market allows Murchison to test new products and receive feedback from his customers. One thing he hears often from customers is that their Italian mother or grandmother used to make pasta for the family at home, but there’s just no time to do it anymore. “[Big Lake Pasta] allows a lot of people to eat a really traditional, quality product, but they don’t have to make it,” Murchison says. Outside of the market, Big Lake Pasta products are available at George’s, Maltese, and several other retailers in town, but Murchison is planning to open up the production facility on Cumberland Street soon for retail as well. There will be fresh and dried pasta, frozen ravioli and gnocchi, sauces (traditional marinara and bolognese, as well as some others) and ready-to-go meals available for purchase. For more information, visit facebook.com/biglakepasta.
The The Walleye Walleye 1919
Food
Suprême de volaille à la Milanaise Serves 4 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into thirds, lengthwise
Supreme Suprême
Salt and pepper Breading station (one pie plate of each, lined up beside each other):
By Chef Rachel Globensky
1 c flour 1 egg, well beaten Mixture of ½ c fine breadcrumbs and 1 c shredded parmesan that’s been whizzed around in a blender into fine crumbs
W
hen I was a kid, an university-era friend of my mom’s stayed with us for a while. Rick helped around the farm with construction projects, masonry, and barn chores. He was an excellent cook and loved to create elaborate, French-inspired entrées using our farm’s livestock and fresh produce. Coq au vin, boeuf bourguignon, vichyssoise, and coquilles St. Jacques were dishes he routinely served up. An avid sous chef (read: vegetable peeler), nineyear-old me took mental notes as he cooked, and some years later,
4 Tbsp butter here we are! One of Rick’s specialties that has since become one of our family’s absolute favourites is suprême de volaille à la Milanaise: parmesan-breaded chicken served with a lemon butter sauce. The dish may sound a bit convoluted but is actually très facile – spelling it all correctly is the hard part! Alongside the suprême, Rick often served his crispy-but-also-soft-and-floury pan-roasted whole potatoes, patates de maître d’Hôtel Stanley, which he named after the local watering hole on Hwy 588.
2 Tbsp olive oil
4 Tbsp butter 3 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley 2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
Trim chicken, and season with salt and pepper.
Take one piece of chicken, coat with flour, and shake off excess. Dip into egg and cover entirely, letting extra drip off. Cover chicken in cheesy crumbs and shake off excess. Let rest on waxed paper or wire rack for about 20 minutes. *While breading, try to keep your dry hand dry and your wet hand wet, or you’ll end up with crumby-egg baubles on your fingertips! Melt butter and oil together in a heavy-bottomed fry pan (cast iron is awesome for this!), over medium heat. Sauté chicken pieces a few at a time, 2–3 minutes on each side, until golden and firm to the touch. When cooked, set aside on a platter in 200°F oven until all the chicken has been cooked. Using the same pan, melt additional butter, coaxing the browned bits from the bottom with a wooden spoon. Remove from heat and stir in lemon and parsley. Spoon sauce over cooked chicken and serve.
Fall Harvest Tasting Menu 5 Courses $55.00 | September 1st-29th thesilverbirchrestaurant.com • (807) 345-0597 20 The Walleye
2019
Food
DRINK OF THE MONTH
Dolce Coffee House
presents
Cappuccino
Story by Rebekah Skochinski, Photo by Chondon Photography As you may already know, a cappuccino is an espresso-based coffee drink that originated in Italy. What you may not know is that it owes its name to the Latin word caputium, which translates to mean “hood,” drawing inspiration from the colour of the hooded robes worn by monks and nuns of the Capuchin order. The modern version has evolved since then, but a good cappuccino is as good as its ingredients. At Dolce Coffee House they use Lavazza Super Crema Espresso—a full-bodied blend, founded in the Turin region, that has velvety notes of roasted hazelnut, brown sugar, and a fruity sweetness. With precise ratios of 1/2 espresso, 1/2 hot milk, and 1/4 foam, there’s a lovely frothy cap to start and smoothness right to the final sip. You may like yours with sugar, but we opted for our dolce (Italian for sweet) on the side with one of their worth-driving-across-townfor cannoli. Okay, we had two.
Saturday, October 5
Dolce Coffee House 345 Kingsway Avenue 622-3031
10
$
ADVANCED ENTRY
25
$
VIP ENTRY INCLUDES VIP ENTRY, A GLASS STEIN, AND A DRINK TOKEN
FOR TICKETS AND MORE INFORMATION, VISIT SLEEPINGGIANTBREWING.CA FOOD BY
PROUDLY SUPPORTED BY
IN SUPPORT OF
19+ EVENT
The Walleye SGBC_Oktoberfest_WalleyeAd4_2019.indd 1
2019-08-16 12:18 PM
21
Food
The Homestead Harvest From Farm to Table to Kids That Count
Story by Deanne Gagnon, Photos by Scott MacKay
T
he Homestead Harvest is a true farm-to-table dining experience hosted by CharKuu 102, Thunder Bay’s newest wedding venue, along with Pinetree Catering. Four years ago, Raymond Cytowicz purchased 115 acres of land in the boreal forest and hasn’t looked back. “I bought the property in 2015 and always had the idea of creating a homestead and having weddings on the property,” says Cytowicz. “Nikos [Mantis] of Pinetree Catering is a good friend of mine and we had this idea, what about giving something back? We came up with this farm-to-table dinner since nothing like this had been done at a large scale in Thunder Bay. Last year we put it together really quick. This year we have more time and have partnered up with Our Kids Count [...] because they are in the thick of things and lots of their programs revolve around food. We thought it would be a good partnership,
22 The Walleye
especially with feeding kids, not only to give them food but to teach them how to cook the food from good local sources.” Up a path lit by candles in mason jars, there is a beautiful rustic barn sparkling with twinkle lights, overlooking an open field complete with bonfires, creating an ideal autumn setting for the Homestead Harvest. The threecourse dinner will be prepared by some of Thunder Bay’s talented local chefs—co-host Mantis, John Murray of the Red Lion Smokehouse, and Rhonda Bill of A Fine Fit Catering. The event is a great opportunity for chefs to work with local farmers, as produce and meat is all locally sourced from within 102 km of the location, including pork from Cytowicz’s farm. Other highlights of the event include craft cocktails, warm speciality drinks, prizes donated by local farmers, and live music,
including the incredible talents of Clay Breiland who wowed guests last year. Things at CharKuu102 have been busy, and they are already booked for the 2020 and 2021 wedding seasons. They have grown from eight heritage pigs—initially brought in to help clear the land—to 40,
are currently building a butcher shop, and are working on creating a community garden and a couple of other special events that will pop up throughout the year. Keep up to date on their Instagram page @charkuu102. Tickets for Homestead Harvest can be purchased online at charkuu102.com.
80 S. Court St., Thunder Bay
Your Car Care Centre! Th e name you can trust!
sales@auto-onecars.com www.auto-onecars.com
PHONE: 807-344-2644 TOLL FREE: 1-888-568-9716
OPEN Mon-Fri 8am-6pm Sat 9am-3pm
QUALITY PRE-OWNED VEHICLES
Your Full Service Repair Centre for all your vehicle needs. Auto-One carries a large selection of quality Pre-Owned Cars, Trucks and SUV’s. All our vehicles come safetied and serviced by our Certified Class “A” Technicians to ensure everything we sell will meet the highest of standards. Our 10,000 square foot facility offers a unique showroom showcasing a selection of the finest of PreOwned vehicles. Customer Service is #1 at Auto-One.
We service all domestic & import vehicles plus light duty trucks. From oil changes to major engine repair we do it all and at Low Shop Rates. Tire Repairs to New Tires, Auto-One has you covered. We carry a huge stock of new tires from Cooper Tires to many other major brands including environmentally friendly tires by Techno Tires at very low prices.
Happy Holidays
From Auto-One Car Care and Service Centre
UNWIND & DINE There’s a reason Cocktail Hour starts when the work day ends. Join us for daily food and drink specials to enjoy items like our delicious Prime Rib Sliders for $12, or a refreshing Heineken for $6. Cocktail Hour is available early evening and late night from Monday to Sunday.
Balmoral St & Harbour Expy 807.623.1960 | kegsteakhouse.com
The Walleye
23
Patty Hajdu THUNDER BAY-SUPERIOR NORTH
PUTTING THE NEEDS OF THE NORTH UP FRONT Patty Hajdu is a strong advocate for Northwestern Ontario working hard to ensure that Thunder Bay-Superior North continues to grow and thrive.
pattyhajdu.ca Authorized by the Patty Hajdu campaign.
24 The Walleye
Food
Beer as Food
Nutritional Implications of Beer Consumption By Josh Armstrong, PhD, BJCP Certified Beer Judge
W
e often don’t think much about beer in terms of food. It’s often just a cold beverage that we enjoy with friends and family, or maybe it’s a cold refreshing drink after working hard out in the sun. It’s an extra, a guilty pleasure, not something you might think much about unless you are counting calories or cutting carbohydrates. Perhaps this lack of consideration of beer as a food is because
beer is around 95% water. Or maybe because it is more associated with social outings than it is with your kitchen. However, beer is food. It has nutritional properties and when consumed in moderation, beer can be a healthy addition to your daily diet. Beer is most often made with four ingredients: water, malted barley, yeast, and hops. These four ingredients have been combined for thousands of years to create some
ransit Month Ontario - September 2019
An agency of the Government of Ontario Un organisme du gouvernement de l’Ontario
PLEDGE TO TAKE TRANSIT FOR A CHANCE TO
WIN A $500
APPLE GIFT CARD
transitmonthontario.ca #TransitMonthOntario
of humankind’s favourite beverages. For a large portion of our human history, beer was safer to drink than water, because the water used in brewing had been boiled. Now with today’s craft beer culture, beer comes in a wide variety of styles with differing types of malted barley, varying amounts of hops, and a wide range of different yeast strains and other microorganisms. After water, people tend to think that beer primarily consists of carbohydrates. Yet, over half of the calories in a standard beer are from the alcohol, followed by carbohydrates, with a small number of calories coming from proteins. If you are watching your calories and/or your carbohydrates but would still like to consume beer, you are better off drinking ales and lagers that contain less alcohol. But don’t worry if you don’t really enjoy bland light lagers; flavourful brews like session IPAs or even Guinness Draught are low in alcohol and therefore low in calories, and won’t expand your waistline. Beer also contains a number of B vitamins: niacin, pantothenic acid, pyridoxine, and riboflavin. It also includes a fair amount of potassium, selenium, folate, calcium, and phosphorus, all minerals that are essential for a healthy diet. Furthermore, beer also contains essential amino acids (two grams of protein per pint on average) along with soluble fibre. All these nutrients are important for maintaining human health over the lifespan, making beer a nutritious treat. Beer may also be good for your guts. Research on the impact of beer
on the body’s gut microbiome (microorganisms, bacteria, viruses, protozoa, and fungi, and their collective genetic material found in the gastrointestinal tract) is still preliminary, but early signs indicate that both the chemical by-products from fermentation and polyphenols from the hops may have a positive impact on your gut health. If you are a hop-head like me and love to drink fresh hoppy brews, your health status may be in luck. Hops (Humulus lupulus) are responsible for the bitterness and the flavour in beers like IPAs and Pale Ales. Hops contain a flavonoid called xanthohumol, a resinous compound that has been shown to have a range of positive health effects including anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, cardiovascular protection, and anti-tumour activity. Hops have also been shown to have anti-anxiety and sedative effects on humans. More research is needed to fully determine the health effects of regularly consuming xanthohumol, but the early signs are indeed positive. I hope this has made you think more about beer as a food and its potential impact on your body and your health. Keep in mind that moderation is key. Excessive consumption of any alcoholic beverage will have a negative impact on your body, including damage to your liver, heart, and brain, not to mention the excess calories. When added in moderation to your daily food intake, beer has the potential to provide a wide range of positive nutritional impacts on your body.
The Walleye
25
Food
Think:
Cider Solstice
Regular
Rosy
Stonechurch Vineyards
Coffin Ridge Boutique Winery – Ontario
Shiny Apple Cider
By Jeannie Dubois, Certified Pommelier and Sommelier
$3.35
for 473ml LCBO No. 407668
Hopped
H
$4.95
for 473ml LCBO No. 573410
Impeachmin
Andrew Peller Limited – Ontario these warm-hued ciders were made with rare red-fleshed apples or with varieties such as the Dolgo (they grow here!) that transfer colour from their brilliant red skins to the juice. Not to be excluded from the hop mania that has crazed the craft beer industry, there are also current cider offerings that are delicately scented with the distinctive coney notes. And if apple alone is awesome, then how much more interesting can it be by adding more fruit? Co-ferments, which employ additions of every fruit variety from blueberry to elderberry, pineapple to rhubarb have swept in and fleshed out the traditional cider and perry portfolio. At this rate in the world of cider, one could choose one for every mood, dish or day of the week, from barrel-aged to herb-infused to sangria style and all the way round back to a cool, tall glass of plain ole crispto-the-core apple cider.
$3.50
Blended
No Boats on Sunday Cider arvest season is upon us here in our own little Eden on the North Shore, and the boughs are heavily laden under the weight of red, gold, and green globes of goodness ready to be brought in. It is high time for the apple, where a summer of dappled sunlight has stealthily converted starchiness to sweetness, and the miracle of water-rich soil has plumped out the pippins. After the heartily thirst-inducing labour of plucking, grinding, and pressing the apples has happened, the weird science of fermentation begins in earnest, which in our current market is expanding the horizons of what we consider to be cider. The current word du jour for all things quaffable is rosé and cider is no exception with modern offerings that are naturally coloured and flavoured with anything that will impart some pink punch, including hibiscus and raspberry. Traditionally,
Forbidden Pink Apple Cider
for 500ml LCBO No. 568287
Ernest Cider – Faris Farms Ontario
$3.55
for 473ml LCBO No. 645978
Your Best Source for Firewood!
Birch | Poplar | Black Ash | Dry Pine Pick-up or Delivery Available
3079 Dog Lake Road
807.632.5220 | DogLakeFirewood.ca
26 The Walleye
Pineapple Habanero Chicken Skewers with Grilled Pineapple Cashew Slaw
Food
These delicious grilled chicken skewers get a sweet and spicy kick with Heartbeat Pineapple Habanero hot sauce! Serves: 4–6
Directions:
For the chicken:
Cut each thigh into three or four pieces and season with salt and pepper. Put in a bowl and add olive oil, soy sauce, garlic, lime juice, lime zest, sugar, cilantro and Heartbeat Pineapple Habanero. Mix well and refrigerate 4–6 hours. Meanwhile, In a separate bowl, whisk glaze ingredients together and set aside. Remove chicken from marinade, skewer the pieces on wooden skewers that have been pre-soaked in water, and grill on medium high (350–400°F,) turning slightly every five minutes until cooked through, about 20 minutes total. Brush with glaze just before removing from grill.
1–3 lbs of boneless skinless chicken thighs 1/4 c olive oil salt and pepper to taste 1/4 c soy sauce 3 cloves garlic, roughly chopped juice of 1 lime, zest of 1/2 a lime handful of cilantro (with stems), roughly chopped 2 Tbsp sugar 3 Tbsp Heartbeat Pineapple Habanero hot sauce (or more for added heat)
For the slaw:
Add all slaw ingredients except cashews to a mixing bowl. In separate bowl, whisk together all the dressing ingredients. Combine the slaw and dressing and refrigerate for a minimum of 1 hour. Garnish slaw with cashews before serving.
1 small head red cabbage, roughly chopped
NOTES:
For the glaze: Equal parts honey and Heartbeat Pineapple Habanero hot sauce
1 large carrot, peeled and grated 2 green onions (tops included), thinly sliced handful of cilantro leaves, roughly chopped
Chicken can be substituted with pork or tofu Get your protein marinating before you prepare your slaw Slaw and dressing can be made separately up to one day in advance
4 rings of pineapple (canned or fresh), In a pinch? Use a bag of grilled, cooled, and diced premade slaw! 1 c salted cashews, roughly chopped For the slaw dressing: 1 c mayo juice of 1 lime, zest of 1/2 a lime big pinch of salt few cracks of black pepper 1 Tbsp sugar 3 Tbsp Heartbeat Pineapple Habanero hot sauce (or to desired heat level)
Brought to you in part by Heartbeat Hot Sauce www.hearbeathotsauce.com 807-251-6359
The Walleye
27
Food
Butter Chicken
Masala Dosa, a rice and black gram bean crepe filled with potato masala, unique in Thunder Bay
Indian Bistro in Thunder Bay
New South Indian Eatery Opens on Red River Road Story by Susan Pretty, Photos by Darren McChristie
A
sublime new downtown eatery is sure to have your taste buds tingling. Krushi’s Indian Bistro, located at 250 Red River Road, is headed up by entrepreneurs Abhinav Korrapati and Anvesh Pallabhatla. This duo credits Korrapati’s wife, Pavani Sai Kode, as the mastermind in the kitchen, churning out all the delicious dishes. However, an introduction was not to be—over a delicious gobi Manchurian (cauliflower in a flavourful masala sauce sprinkled with cilantro), I learned that she was en route from Terrace Bay, where the couple also owns the restaurant That Tasty. Korrapati and Pallabhatla hail from the Andhra Pradesh region in South India, a region is known for its distinctive spices. Like good hosts, they opened up their kitchen to me, letting me peer into their tandoori oven and watch naan bread get freshly cooked. Staff were friendly and welcoming and all smiles. It’s evident they are all treated like family. All sauces, chutneys, and masalas are made fresh to order—there are no pre-made
28 The Walleye
mixes here. The menu at Indian Bistro is vast and varied, and includes an all-day traditional breakfast—idly, a steamed breakfast bun, is considered a “superfood,” and it certainly did taste super dipped in chutney and a tangy tomato sauce, and again in a luscious lentil soup (sambar) for a whole other flavour experience. The onion pakora and samosa came with a most delectable chutney. Chicken dum biryani soon followed, which is marinated chicken under a nest of fragrant basmati rice, topped with a perfectly boiled egg. Korrapati encouraged me to forgo the utensils and enjoy the chicken curry with naan bread as a perfectly poised vehicle to my mouth. “If I didn’t have all five fingers in my mouth, my father would scold me!” he recalls. Next came falooda—a milkshake-type layered drink with ice cream, basil seeds, and tutti frutti that was completely new to me, but oh so tasty. Basil has both medicinal and spiritual importance in India, and Pallabhatla tells me about how his mother prayed daily for the seeds to bless their
Samosa family. Fresh coffee brewed with milk and hand-stirred to create a frothy cap of foam was a great way to end a fantastic meal. Krushi’s Indian Bistro offers dinein, take-out, and catering services, but they speak of developing an affordable meal plan for students in the future—one that won’t break the bank, will have an opportunity for leftovers, and still taste like home.
They are open every day of the week, so give them a call at 286-MEAL, or look them up on Skip the Dishes. Your tastebuds will be glad you did!
Krushi's Indian Bistro Thunder Bay 250 Red River Road theindianbistro.com/
SLEEPING GIANT BREWING CO.
RBC Dominion Securities Inc.
Wealth management as unique as you are With a collaborative, value-based approach, our mission is to help you realize your financial goals.
Steve McInnis, CIM, FCSI Vice-President & Investment Advisor 807-343-2061 | steve.mcinnis@rbc.com Debbie Berardi Associate Advisor 807-343-2065 | debbie.berardi@rbc.com McInnis Wealth Management of RBC Dominion Securities 1001 William St., Suite 300, Thunder Bay, ON www.stevemcinnis.com
RBC Dominion Securities Inc.* and Royal Bank of Canada are separate corporate entities which are affiliated. *Member-Canadian Investor Protection Fund. RBC Dominion Securities Inc. is a member company of RBC Wealth Management, a business segment of Royal Bank of Canada. ® / ™ Trademark(s) of Royal Bank of Canada. Used under licence. ©2019 RBC Dominion Securities Inc. All rights reserved. 19_90608_MDM_003
The Walleye
29
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY
CHOICES IS A FREE SOCIAL SKILLS PROGRAM FOR YOUTH AGED 12 – 17 This 10 week group focuses on topics such as: COMMUNICATION DECISION MAKING GOAL SETTING ALCOHOL AND OTHER DRUGS COPING SKILLS RELATIONSHIPS SELF-RESPECT SOCIAL MEDIA
HELP YOUTH AGED 12-17 MAKE THE RIGHT LIFE CHOICES
Volunteers participate weekly as role models, supporting youth to find the right direction in life. APPLY TODAY: www.tbaycounselling.com/ volunteer/
To register youth, contact: Pia Heikkinen Choices Program Coordinator pia.heikkinen@tbaycounselling.com
(807) 684-1871
rock island lodge on lake superior
Leo Yerxa, Untitled (fire and canoe), c1992, mixed media on paper. Private collection. Photograph by Sam Hopkins.
Unfold Time The Art of Leo Yerxa A Retrospective Exhibition September 13 – December 1
Opening Reception
Friday, September 13, 7:30 pm Everyone Welcome
30 The Walleye
Book your next experience: Water and Divine-Self Painting Retreat: Sep 20-22 Tandem Canoe Instructor Sep 24 - 27 Superior Gales Photo Workshop: Oct 24 - 27
www.rockislandlodge.ca 1-800-203-9092 Wawa, ON
FilmTheatre
All the DAZE The Magic of Theatre
Story by Wendy Wright, Photos by Marcia Arpin
“E
nsemble [theatre] is a huge piece of theatre and there’s magic. We call it sparkle,” says Marcia Arpin, director of All the DAZE Productions, a local children’s theatre group. Since 2016, Arpin has been teaching kids about life through theatre. Everything from patience to work ethic to business and teamwork is covered; kids take on different roles in a production, learning both on and off the stage. Nobody gets to be a star all the time. Parents and community volunteers help out with the costumes, makeup, and sets. Arpin also includes the kids in discussions about the financial aspect of producing these plays. She believes it’s important to know about the business and monetary side of things, and for kids to
understand the full commitment of making things work. All the DAZE Productions puts on multiple shows during the autumn and winter semesters, performing at the Thunder Bay Community Auditorium and Redwood Park Church. Many students return each semester and discover a new facet of the theatre business. If they were a set designer on the last production, this time they could be the lead. As an inclusive and non-competitive group, Arpin welcomes youth aged 8–18 of all abilities to her dynamic workshops. Everyone there has something to learn from one another. “We’re a team sport from day one,” Arpin says. Her background in Early Childhood Education comes to the forefront as she works her
way through each production, focusing on the strengths of each individual. Social and emotional development are interwoven in the theatre experience. Theatre is a fun way to learn some hidden gems of knowledge that can be used for life. Arpin believes one of the best ways to get kids interested in theatre is to have them attend a performance. Ticket prices are kept low so that everyone can enjoy a performance and possibly come to love the theatre too. One of the core values of All the DAZE is inclusion and Personal Attendant for Leisure (PAL) Cards are accepted. Each session runs for a semester. Local businesses can sponsor an interested child or teen for a semester of classes. An advocate for everyone who wants to be involved, Arpin
will find a way to make it all happen through sheer determination and a contagious magic that sparkles for every actor, participant, and audience member alike. For more information, visit allthedaze.ca.
Upcoming Productions
Aladdin
November 2019 Redwood Park Church
Shrek
December 2019 Thunder Bay Community Auditorium
Little Mermaid
January 2020 Redwood Park Church
The Walleye
31
FilmTheatre The Second Most Pleasurable Thing We Do In the Dark. A Column About Movies
Films set in Italy
By Michael Sobota
Smell! A true Florentine smell. Inhale, my dear. Deeper! Every city, let me tell you, has its own smell! -Eleanor Lavish (Judy Dench), a novelist, in A Room With A View
T
here are thousands of Italian movies. The country has some of the most cinematic scenery, both in its cities as well as its countryside. Its history has been made into films, from the Roman Emperors to today’s scandals at the Vatican. It has attracted some of the world’s best film directors, and made some of its own world class. Here are four gems—all set in Italy, but made by a diverse range of writers and directors.
Roman Holiday (1953)
A Room With A View (1985)
Tea With Mussolini (1999)
This is a very American story—really a Hollywood romantic comedy fantasy, imposed on Italy. Made by the great American director William Wyler and scripted by Dalton Trumbo—who was uncredited at the time of its release because of the Hollywood blacklist—it won Audrey Hepburn an Academy Award. She plays Ann, a princess, on a European tour. She’s discontent. She abandons her royal duties, goes out on the town (Rome!), gets drunk, and is rescued by a journalist (Gregory Peck). The plot is thin and preposterous, but this is great acting with discipline and understatement. This is a love story with wit and charm and an unexpected ending.
Based on E. M. Forster’s novel, adapted for the screen by the great Ruth Prawer Jhabvala, and directed by James Ivory, this is a lush costume drama about a gaggle of Brits on holiday in Florence. But what an ensemble! The cast includes Maggie Smith, Helen Bonham Carter, Denholm Elliot, Julian Sands, Simon Callow, Judy Dench, Daniel Day-Lewis, and Rupert Graves. Forster’s original story examines class relationships and all manner of love, including unrequited, and this cast brings these relationships vividly alive. This is a gorgeous tone poem to the period at the turn of the previous century (1900).
This is the late, great stage and screen director Franko Zeffirelli’s semi-autobiographical film. Beginning in 1935 and moving through the early period of the Second World War, a group of women (the Scorpioni) raise an orphan boy (Charlie Lucas). They are a strange mixture of Italians and Americans (the cast includes Cher, Joan Plowright, Judi Dench, Lily Tomlin, and Maggie Smith). It is another costume drama, again set in Florence, and Zeffirelli shoots it with one of his favourite cinematographers, David Watkin. The Italian culture comes out in all of the male characters, street vendors, and all the flavours of food that are indulged. It is one of my favourite Zeffirelli films.
And here are six more Italian cinematic classics that celebrate some of the best Italian stories on film: Three Coins in the Fountain (1954 ), La Dolce Vita (1960), Rocco and His Brothers (1960), Death in Venice (1971), Cinema Paradiso (1988) and The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999).
32 The Walleye
Youth (2015) Strictly speaking, this movie doesn’t take place in Italy, but rather just on the other side of the border, in the Swiss Alps. But it is written and directed by one of Italy’s fine contemporary storytellers, Paolo Sorrentino. Michael Caine plays a retired British composer, hiding out at this lush Alpine spa. One of his best buddies, an American movie maker (played by Harvey Keitel) is also at the spa, working on his next screenplay. Some of their children show up, and an ex-wife (Keitel’s), and a persistent British Envoy who is trying to entice the composer to come back to London and conduct a command performance for the Queen. Before that, we get to see Caine’s character sitting on a hillside, conducting a flock of goats. They are nonplussed. There is a nude gambol in the spa’s heated pool with a European beauty queen and ultimately, we get to see and hear that longforestalled concert back in England. It is rapturous. I saw this with a class of students taking Italian at LU. The young professor had obtained an Italian copy on DVD, and the experience has stayed with me ever since.
SAFE
SECURE
CENTRAL VOTE D T STOROP FACI AGE LIT Y
CH RO
N IC RE AD LE JO U RN ERS’ A PO LL L
THUNDER BAY’S STORAGE LEADER
A WIDE RANGE OF SIZES AVAILABLE
5x10 5x15
8x12 10x10 10x12 10x14
12x12 10x15 10x20 12x17
12x24 10x30 18x30 24x24
BOXES & PACKING SUPPLIES
SAFELY STORE: BOATS, RV’S, VEHICLES, TRAILERS AND MORE! 24/7 ACCESS
CENTRAL LOCATION
FULL-TIME SITE MANAGER
646 HEWITSON ST. | (807) 623-9527
MODERN FACILITIES
HIGHLY SECURE
www.norshorestorage.com
le!
ow on sa
Tickets n
unplugged xvii
Celebr ate the season with us.
September 13 - 15 COMMUNITY • CRAFT • MUSIC • STORYTELLING
SATURDAY PERFORMANCE Featuring Rev. Robert B. Jones Sr.
Now booking holiday functions* Private Corporate Community
FRIDAY BIRCH BARK BASH Dinner by Chef Judi Barsness & Chef Scott Graden PLUS Folk Artisan Marketplace, mini courses and more!
North House Folk School
500 W Hwy 61, Grand Marais, MN 218-387-9762 • www.northhouse.org
Irresistibly classic. Bookings: Jenn Hodges | (807) 346-5125 *Book your party (of 40+ guests) and receive a gift certificate for a 1-night stay in one of our luxury Jacuzzi Suites. 17 N. Cumberland St. Thunder Bay, ON
princearthurwaterfront.com
The Walleye
33
FilmTheatre
Angelique's Isle, by Marie-Hélène Cousineau and Michelle Derosier
Sound of Silence – Born severely deaf by Philippe Woodtli
Fifteen Years of Vox Popular
About 60 films will screen— about 10 of those are local—and will be organized into distinct sessions. The top selections will screen on the festival’s gala opening night, which is Thursday, September 12. There are LGBTQ and music sessions on Friday, while Saturday includes kids’ films, Canadian films, comedy, French films, and horror/ thriller films. Sunday will see documentaries, environmental films, Indigenous films, and dramas screened. Agombar says filmmakers have been invited, and Q&As will take
Film and Media Arts Festival Celebrating Big Anniversary By Kris Ketonen
T
he organizers of Thunder Bay’s Vox Popular Media Arts Festival certainly aren’t about to let the event’s 15th anniversary pass unnoticed. “It’s an exciting year,” says festival director Marcus Agombar. “It’s our first big anniversary [in Trinity Hall] as well; we moved here three years ago. We are hoping to make a little bit of a display for the history [of the festival] and the journey of how it’s come to now. As people come in, they can check it out.” Vox Popular began life as the Bay Street Film Festival, and while
the name has changed, the focus hasn’t. “We have really stayed true to showing local [films], and films from Northwestern Ontario,” Agombar says. “For 15 years, we’ve been a community-curated festival, so it’s not just one person making decisions on what we’re going to program.” Rather, that task falls to the board, festival staff, and a number of community members, he says. And they’re certainly doing something right: last year’s festival saw a record number of submissions, Agombar says, with more than 210 films vying for some screen time at Trinity Hall.
place after screening sessions as much as possible. Also included this year will be on-demand film viewing stations. “If people miss any of the films, and they want to watch it, they can come in and they can watch just that film,” he says. “That really works around people’s schedules.” And selection of six virtual reality films will also be available for viewing, Agombar says. This year’s Vox Popular runs September 12–15. For more information, visit voxpopular.ca, or view the program in this month’s edition of The Walleye.
▲ Bakosó: AfroBeats of Cuba, by Eli Jacobs-Fantauzzi ▼ Beyond Climate by Ian Mauro
Burqa City by Fabrice Bracq
34 The Walleye
END OF
SUMMER
SALE
SAVE ON BIKES, APPAREL, & ACCESSORIES 485 MEMORIAL AVE
807-344-2433 info@rollinthunder.ca
Baby’s Months .. & School Years.
We’ve Got that Special Frame
The
f
& Design Studio www.FramingPost.ca
Tues Wed & Fri 12-7pm Thurs 9:30am-7pm Sat 10am-3pm Sun & Mon CLOSED Schedule an Appointment
(807) 345-0452
SILVANA CIDDIO
S R, R®
giantgymnastics.ca Giant Gymnastics is Northwestern Ontario’s largest gymnastics facility offering a wide range of programs.
Visit our website to explore the many classes offered to fit a busy family’s schedule.
807.355.3262
PROGRAMS OFFERED
SilvanaC@royallepage.ca AgentSilvanaC
Gymnastics Tumbling Trampoline / Foam Pit Acrotastics Drop In Classes Birthday Parties PA Day Programs New RYTHMIC Gymnastics NINJA ZONE
Silvana Ciddio Salesperson Royal LePage Lannon Realty
www.silvanaciddio.ca 218.387.2503 • cookcounty.coop
• Grab-N-Go Deli • Bulk Foods • Dine-In Seating • Humanely-Raised Meats & Dairy • Organic Foods
Open 7 Days a Week • 9am - 7pm 20 East 1st Street, Grand Marais, Minnesota
807-683-3730
512 Marks Street South (FWCI) (parking off Marks St.)
Canadian cash & debit cards accepted!
The Walleye
35
TWO CHORAL MASTERPIECES*
THE CREATION
THUNDER BAY SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
& MESSIAH
Paul Haas Music Director
A TBSO | TBS CHORUS MINI SERIES with the Iseler Singers & guest soloists
November 1 & 2 December 6 & 7 St. Paul’s United Get your tickets early at tbso.ca $40 for each concert or $69 for both! *not included in regular season subscriptions
SEASON SPONSOR
PUBLIC ARTS FUNDERS
MAINSTAGE AND SECOND STAGE SPONSORS
807-346-5464 220 Red River Road KingGhidrah ghidrahking
36 The Walleye
FilmTheatre
A New Season Full of Laughs
Magnus Theatre Opens with SHOUT! The Mod Musical Story by Ayano Hodouchi Dempsey, Photos by Matt Goertz
T
he Magnus Theatre season kicks off on September 12 with SHOUT! The Mod Musical, by Phillip George and David Lowenstein. Featuring music from the 60s, the songs are female-driven and all about shattering the glass ceiling and female empowerment. The five female characters vary in age from their 20s to 40s, each navigating complex relationships and situations. The next show will be a hard-hitting drama, not unlike Huff from last season. Shortlisted for the 2018 Governor General’s Literary Award for drama, This Is How We Got Here portrays the aftermath of a youth’s suicide and its effect on his family. Written by Métis playwright Keith Barker from Northwestern Ontario, “this is a story that speaks to people in Thunder Bay,” says artistic director Thom Currie. December will see another Christmas play on the stage, a new
Back in 59 tradition since Currie took over the reins. Joe Landry’s It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play (adapted from Frank Capra’s 1946 film) is a meaningful story that families can enjoy during the holiday season. 2020 will start off with three comedies. First up is The Birds and the Bees by Mark Crawford, a hilarious story about a woman who has to move back in with her beekeeper mother after a failed relationship. Cottagers and Indians by Drew Hayden Taylor follows, portraying the clash of cultures with his signature witty style. The season wraps up with a new Norm Foster play; Screwball Comedy. Set in the misogynistic 30s, a young woman tries to get a job in a male-dominated world. She and her archrival, of course, fall for each other. At the same time a parody and homage to the screwball comedies of the 30s, the snappy dialogue should keep audiences laughing out loud.
“We’ve been doing a lot of drama, a lot of heavier stuff at Magnus, so this season I thought to myself, let’s finish up with some new Canadian comedies,” says Currie. “I decided I wanted to finish the season with comedy comedy comedy, and that speaks volumes to the way I like to program. I follow current events and we’re in a time in history when people need to laugh. The way that the world is
going right now, people are looking to the theatre for escapism. People are looking to take themselves out of themselves for an evening.” “We’re heading into the bleak cold Thunder Bay winter with three very funny, very different shows. This will help us get through what is looking like a very dark winter!” For more information, visit magnustheatre.com.
The Rocky Horror Show
SERVING GOODNESS ALL DAY! OPEN FAMILY DAY
All Day Breakfast • Daily Dinner Specials • Open 7 Days per Week until 8pm NEW to Our Dessert Selection:
Persian Cheesecake Wednesday Night Dinner Special:
Pickerel Dinner for $17
I
♥ Valentines Day
SAUNA
379 Oliver Road, Thunder Bay, ON P7B 2G1 807 344 6761 info@kangassauna.ca
The Walleye
37
FilmTheatre
Immerse Yourself in Magic
Harry Potter-Inspired Festival Returns to Willow Springs Creative Centre By Marcia Arpin
B
ack by popular demand, Willow Springs Creative Centre will invite witches and wizards of all ages to join their Harry Potter-inspired festival. On September 27 from 3 to 7 pm and September 28 from noon to 5 pm, the entire facility indoors and outside the Centre, located about 20 km northwest of Thunder Bay in Lappe, will represent the four houses of Hogwarts: Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Attendees are encouraged to arrive in costume with friends and family and participate in activities inspired by this treasured series of books. Organizer Hanna Wainio has spent the summer building sets and gathering props to transport visitors into their favourite places from the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. “There will be more magical items this year,” Wainio explains, “and places to make things like broom sticks.” Visitors can also participate in trivia contests, games and quests set up throughout the rural property. Willow Springs Creative Centre is a social enterprise that promotes individual and community development through opportunities for
38 The Walleye
creative expression. This year-round organization offers inclusive, accessible, and custom-designed art, therapeutic gardening, and food programming delivered by professional artists, gardeners, and facilitators. Willow Springs works tirelessly from its historic landmark store in Lappe to connect visitors with art, nature, and creative processes. Willow Springs’ programs are not limited to teaching skills; they give community members opportunities to express themselves, feel motivated and empowered, and embrace creativity. This festival highlights and showcases each of these aspects, and features all the beloved treasures of Willow Springs Creative Centre: wood-fired pizzas, fun art activities, their artisan market, and their extensive garden, with every element given a Harry Potter makeover to enhance the theme for this event. Participants will even be treated to butterbeer and food fit for wizards and witches.
Willow Springs Creative Centre September 27,3-7 pm and September 28, 12-5 pm facebook.com/willowspringsCC/
WTIP North Shore Community Radio Presents the 12th Annual:
RADIO WAVES MUSIC FESTIVAL
September 6 - 8
At Sweetheart’s Bluff in the Grand Marais Recreation Area on Lake Superior
26 Acts from blues to
polka • Onsite camping Kid’s tent •Food Vendors • Ages 12 and under free • The complete lineup and online tickets available at: Funded in part by the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund, the Grand Marais Area Tourism Association, the Gunflint Trail Association and Visit Cook County.
wtip.org Photo by Ellen Stubbs
Reusable Produce Bags
SUPPORTED BY
11TH ANNUAL CHARITY RUN & WALK
10K INDOOR RUN
SUNDAY FEBRUARY 9 2020 LAKEHEAD UNIVERSITY HANGER RAISE FUNDS FOR PROGRAMS THAT SUPPORT CHILDREN, YOUTH & FAMILIES.
• Full-Marathon • Half Marathon • 10K Run/Walk • Kid’s Fun Run • Corporate Relay • School Relay
FOR MORE INFO:
(807) 343-5000
www.childrenscentrefoundation.ca
EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION:
September 30, 2019
CHILDRENSCENTREFOUNDATION.CA
/CCFTB
The Walleye
39
TheArts
and political implications of beading and embodies the complex and differing perspectives of the artists being featured. Myers found inspiration for this exhibition in the work of Deborah Doxtator (1957–1998) whose essay, “Basket, Bead and Quill and the Making of ‘Traditional’ Art,” prompted discussion around the social and political experiences of Indigenous peoples and artists and how they are related to the materiality of art itself. The title Beads, they’re sewn so tight comes from the “tension of the threads that hold together beadwork,” says Myers. “As metaphor and as material, they unite form, design, and meaning.” The Thunder Bay Art Gallery is proud to present the creations of Koski, Longboat, Marshall, and
Whetung. The work of each artist tells a personal story relating to their experiences as Indigenous people and their pieces reflect on unique aspects of both the social and political implications of Indigeneity as well as Indigenous art. Beads, they’re sewn so tight opens September 27 and will run until November 10. The opening reception will take place on September 27 at 7:30 pm. All are welcome to attend and will have the opportunity to meet the artists as well as the curator. Throughout the duration of the exhibition, beading workshops and community bead-ins will be available to the public. Admission to the exhibition can be purchased at the Thunder Bay Art Gallery.
Jean Marshall, Ring of Fire II (2018)
Beads, They’re Sewn So Tight
A Fascinating Display of Textile Creations By Savanah Tillberg
C
ontemporary, modern, and political—this is all common feedback that the exhibition Beads, they’re sewn so tight has received in the last year. Beads, which is being featured at the Thunder Bay Art Gallery this September, is an exhibition showcasing the textile creations of Bev Koski, Katie Longboat,
Jean Marshall, and Olivia Whetung. Curated by Lisa Myers, this exhibition includes over 30 works of bead weaving, loom work, and bead embroidery from these four talented Indigenous artists. Containing both contemporary and traditional textile work, this exhibition encourages visitors to consider the wider social
Katie Longboat, Kokum’s Flowers (2018), 4 pieces: 15.24 x 15.24 cm each
40 The Walleye
Bev Koski, Toronto #9 (2014) Banff #2 (2012)
TheArts
Bev Koski, My Favourite Pant Suit c. 1976 (2018) Jean Marshall, Ring of Fire I (2015)
Katie Longboat, Purple Medallion (2015)
Bev Koski, Hotel Carpet, The Shining (2018)
Katie Longboat, White Medallion (2017) Bev Koski, Old Dutch Chips: Salt ‘n, Vinegar, Ketchup, Dill Pickle (2018) 9 x 9 cm Bev Koski, My Red Gingham Shirt c. 1979 (2018)
Bev Koski, Ali’s Green Bush Jacket c. 1979
Katie Longboat, Blue Medallion (2015)
Bev Koski, Thunder Bay #1 (2013); Toronto #5 (2014)
The Walleye
41
TheArts
From Thunder Bay Art Gallery’s Collection
Sitting Alone By Meaghan Eley, Registrar and Curatorial Assistant, Thunder Bay Art Gallery Artist: Clifford Maracle (1944–1996) Title: Sitting Alone #2 Date: circa 1979 Medium: Acrylic on canvas Dimensions: 90 x 59.5 cm
C
lifford Maracle’s work has been compared to that of many other artists, including Fritz Scholder, Francis Bacon, and Karel Appel, although his combination of technique, style, and subject matter were uniquely his own. “You might say, I’ve never had an art lesson,” Maracle once said. He studied at the Ontario College of Art (now OCAD, the Ontario College of Art and Design) during a time of upheaval at the school and that led him to spend time developing his own style. He was heavily influenced by the world around him, working extensively from his own experiences, painting what he saw and felt around him. He focused much of his substantial skill on representing the
WINDOW COVERING SALE ON NOW
50% OFF
Cellulars, Roller Shades & 2" Wood Blinds FREE CORDLESS (on selected products)
Expires: Sept 30/19
Tel: 807-577-9517 northerndecorating@gmail.com
Judy Bates
20 years of Professional Expertise In home professional consultations & installations
42 The Walleye
urban Indigenous experience as he saw it living in Toronto in the 1970s and 80s, something that few others were doing at the time. Portraits form the core of Maracle’s work. Often these are solitary central figures, usually with little or no sense of place, although sometimes the figures are sitting at tables in what appear to be taverns or bars. This may give validity to the story that he would sketch patrons in exchange for beer, then take those sketches and translate them into highly emotional paintings. Using bold, often garish, colours and heavy strokes, Maracle would distort his subjects until they were barely recognizable. He said, “I start with the obvious and then go a little beyond, making it more obvious by bending it and bending it.” The effect the artist achieves after this alteration can be disturbing, unsettling, and challenging to the viewer. His work evokes strong emotional states, including an overwhelming sense of isolation. In “Sitting Alone #2,” the central figure is gone and the table and chairs form a different kind of portrait. Writing in The Globe & Mail in 1976, Peter White found Maracle’s work “harsh and rough, and oddly attractive in their extremes.” White goes on to say that this artist’s work is “hard to take, but impossible not to, and in this, Maracle has his victory.”
Relax. We’ve got this.
Summer is the time to take a step back and enjoy the results of your hard work. Let MNP do the heavy lifting for your business while you head to camp and fire up the grill. Working closely with entrepreneurs like you is not just what we do, it’s how we have built our firm. As an entrepreneurial and community-focused firm, MNP delivers the in-depth strategies and diverse services you need to be successful. Contact Paul Fitzpatrick, FCPA, FCA, Regional Managing Partner at 807.625.4850 or paul.fitzpatrick@mnp.ca to get started.
The Walleye
43
TheArts
are deconstructed, reimagined, and shaped into something new, something that tells a story. Cath the Gladiator Queen, who shares peace and wisdom with humanity, a nine-foot crucifix that symbolizes unity, a pregnant spider in her web—these are only a few of her pieces, using layers upon layers of metal that seem both heavy and light at the same time. Hidden in her pieces are messages crafted from molten metal. Inspired by everything—her materials, nature, her family, and great artists such as Klimt and Picasso—Paquin’s welded vision knows no bounds. Her dedication and discipline have earned her exhibits at the Thunder Bay Art Gallery, the Definitely Superior Art Gallery, Thunder Bay Museum, Dryden & District Museum, Dryden Cultural Centre, Red Lake Regional Heritage Centre, and the Lake of the Woods Museum. She has designed work for several local businesses and clients. Art connects you to others, and to the world. Art needs to be viewed and appreciated. Thunder Bay has a thriving art scene and this
Heavy Metal
Linda Paquin’s Welded Vision Story by Amy Sellors, Photos by Jessica Graham
W
elding galvanized Linda Paquin the moment she picked up a torch in her high school shop class. Turning cold hard metal into a molten puddle that can be shaped and formed to reflect her vision took her breath away. What Paquin learned as a practical skill used to build and fix became an art medium from which she could take something old to create something new. Paquin relocated to Thunder Bay from Dryden a year and a half ago and is quickly becoming a shining star in our visual arts scene. Transformation is a key theme in her
44 The Walleye
artwork and her life, and she is looking to make her mark. Paquin’s art is a dichotomy; sturdy yet delicate. The exhibit she is currently working on starts in the past, moves through the present, and into the future. “We can’t forget our past,” she says. “We’re still living our past and we have to go on.” Paquin scours thrift shops, garage sales, and scrap yards for materials to transform and brings them to her studio in a metal yard by Lake Superior. A broken candle holder, an old wrench, a vegetable steamer—these discarded pieces
transformative artist wonders how it can grow and evolve. Paquin’s vision is not only her artwork. She longs to create more art spaces for non-conventional artists—big, accessible, non-traditional, unexpected, and flexible spaces where art can be wondered at and interacted with. With dreams of showing her work in cities across Canada and eventually in New York, Paquin is a force to be reckoned with. To learn more about Linda Paquin’s work and perhaps join her on her artistic journey, you can contact her at lindasteelcreations@ hotmail.com or 220-0468. To view a video of her work, check her out on YouTube (search Linda Paquin – Exhibit Video).
Renew Your Hope in a Nurturing Environment FAMILY MENTAL HEALTH RECOVERY SERIES Discover more about the journey of mental health recovery and how you can support your loved one, while learning to take care of yourself. Registration Required. For more information, contact: 1V(UUL )VVRZ - (807) 683-4952 THUNDERBAY.CMHA.CA/EVENTS
Glorious...Inspiring...Sublime Rolston String Quartet The Mellifluous Cello 5L_[ :LZZPVU :[HY[Z! 6J[VILY
Peter Cosbey - cello Mariko Kamachi - piano Saturday, September 14
Award-winning ensemble! Haydn, Beethoven, Debussy Saturday, September 28
Concerts 8:00 p.m. • Pre-concert talks 7:30 p.m. • $15; $10 student
St. Paul’s United Church Platinum Media Sponsor
Annual Media Sponsor
>VYRZOVW Sponsor
349 Waverley Street Thunder Bay, ON
www.consortiumauroraborealis.org
End the back-toschool anxiety. Creative Counselling can help!
New year, new you, let’s talk about mental health! Book online, no wait list, covered by most extended health plans. Appointments available for kids, teens and adults. Carrie Nyitrai MSW, RSW Expressive Art Therapist Creative Counselling Thunder Bay 807-626-0345 creativecounsellingthunderbay.ca
The Walleye
45
Rootecdominmunity our e sinc 1963
Open Mon - Fri 7am to 5pm (807) 939-1446
Located just west of Thunder Bay at 3523 Hwy 11-17
Locally Grown Potatoes & Fresh Cut Fries Come watch 75 artists compete for cash prizes!
Plein Air Grand Marais
Painting Competition & Exhibition Competition
September 6 to 13
Exhibit
September 13 to October 6
Opening Reception & Award Ceremony Friday, September 13 from 5 - 8pm
Johnson Heritage Post Art Gallery 115 West Wisconsin Street P.O. Box 1293 Grand Marais MN 55604
(218) 387-2314 | johnsonheritagepost.org
46 The Walleye
TheArts
Definitely Superior Finds a New Home
Art Gallery Moves to Former Cinema on Thunder Bay’s North Side
Darren McChristie
Story by Kris Ketonen
A
fter a tumultuous few months, Thunder Bay’s Definitely Superior Art Gallery has found a new home. Work has begun on transforming a portion of the former Cumberland Street movie theatre into a new gallery space. And while much remains to be done, Definitely Superior executive and artistic director David Karasiewicz is already seeing a world of possibility. “You can’t help but be a little anxious and nervous, because it’s all new,” Karasiewicz says. “We haven’t had to move in 20 years, so moving, as everyone knows, is painful. You just have to rethink exactly how you do things, because this is a totally unique and different space than what we had. It’s going to be a totally new experience, and that’s kind of exciting.” Definitely Superior spent two decades in Thunder Bay’s north core, located in the basement of the former Eaton’s building. However, they—along with the building’s other tenants—were forced out several months ago due to a pending sale of the building (a deal which has since fallen through). And while operating out of the new location—which Definitely Superior will be doing with the support of sponsor R-II Realty Holdings—will require some
adjustment, Karasiewicz is confident it will open up a “lot of doors, a lot of opportunities.” Definitely Superior doesn’t have access to the entire building, but there’s certainly a lot of space to work with, including the lobby, projector rooms, a mezzanine, and the large hallways that run to the old theatres themselves. Plus, Karasiewicz says, the building is an industrial one, and was used for manufacturing purposes prior to its time as a theatre. That means it’s sturdy enough to support large—and heavy—installations. “This is a really workable space,” Karasiewicz says. “And really conducive to being adapted to what we want. You can drill into the floor, you can drill into the ceiling, you can do anything you want.” However, while work is underway, much needs to be done before the new Definitely Superior opens its doors to the public. Karasiewicz says the to-do list still includes things like installing new walls and lighting, and painting. “We have an occupancy set for October 1, so that means we’ll be in here,” he says. “We’ll probably still be setting up. We should have the gala opening before Christmas.” For more information, visit definitelysuperior.com.
The Walleye The Walleye 47
47
Outdoor
Mountain Biking
Wheeling Away from the Maddening Crowd Story by Justin Allec, Photos by Michael McKenzie
W
hen I first started mountain biking, I was too young to appreciate what it meant to have my bike’s tires bite into the dirt or how shifting gears could make pedalling easier. I did understand that I was able to ride previously inaccessible terrain because of my mountain bike, and it was a lot of fun. I wasn’t the only one. Mountain biking’s origins are a rude mixture of synergetic chaos and mechanical adaptation, but the result was an incredible disruption to the status quo of cycling. If you’ve looked in the forgotten corner of a garage and seen some fragile-looking cruiser with skinny tires, that’s what an average bike looked like in the early 80s (with the obvious
48 The Walleye
exception of BMX). Within a few years, mountain bikes would make those cruisers obsolete and kicked road bikes (and the roadie culture) to the curb. The appeal of fat tires was that they could be taken nearly anywhere, and in Thunder Bay, people were more than happy to do so. Even our paved roads are fairly rugged, which meant that mountain bikes hold an obvious advantage over their skinny-tired brethren. It wasn’t long into the 90s before mountain bikes had completely supplanted road bikes in both specialty and department stores. Despite the majority of these bikes never seeing dirt, their construction inspired confidence. People who had given up cycling due to bumpy roads and frequent flats
were getting outside, and some even into the woods for the perceived ideals of discovery, solitude, and exhilaration. The mountain biking community in Thunder Bay grew rapidly, especially among teens. Cost is always a prohibitive factor to entering a new activity, but there seems to be a consensus among parents that kids need bikes. The layout of the city supports this with its enormous green spaces and trail networks. Given that, aside from higher-end racing models, road bikes had largely disappeared from store displays, mountain bikes soon coated the bike racks at schools. By the mid90s, areas like Centennial Park and Candy Mountain were being ridden fairly aggressively, and riders were
starting to develop Shuniah Mines. Black Sheep Cycling Club got their start at this time and never looked back as they mixed racing with irreverence. The high school race series, driven by invested teachers, also ventured out onto the trails. Mountain biking technology kept pace with the public’s interest, and has progressed just enough that the entry-level bike of today is far beyond what yesterday’s professional would have raced. Front and rear suspension, disc brakes, and hydro-formed tubing have made riding even more comfortable. What hasn’t changed is the feeling of your tires grabbing the dirt, the wind against your face, and the ability to go most anywhere.
Outdoor Black Sheep Mountain Bike Club
Shuniah Forty Miner Cross-Country race Saturday, September 21, 11 am–2 pm If you’ve spent enough time on your mountain bike this summer that you feel up for a fun-filled challenge, consider coming out for Black Sheep Mountain Bike Club’s Forty Miner crosscountry race. The closing event of Black Sheep’s race season traditionally feels more like a festival than a bike race. The club goes all out for one last hurrah before the snow and fat-tire bikes take over the trails. Starting in Trowbridge at Kinsmen Park, the course winds through Centennial Park and Shuniah Mines on trails featuring some of the best terrain in the area. As always, participants can pick their level of difficulty. Adding to the fun are additional races for young children (the Mini-Lambs!), food trucks, live music, and prizes galore. Registration is $20 for members and $70 for non-members— check the club’s website at blacksheepmtb.com for further details. Whether you’re cheering at the finish line or speeding down singletrack, the Forty Miner is an awesome way to finish your biking season.
LUNCH & DINNER APPETIZERS PASTA TAKE OUT AND MUCH MORE! Contact Us for a quote today:
(807) 623-8775 or snpcatering.com The Walleye
49
George Qua-Enoo
CityScene
Finding Your Voice
Gary Barwin Comes to TBay By Jodene Wylie, President, Northwestern Ontario Writers Workshop
F
or Gary Barwin, the prolific poet, musician, and multimedia artist, every act of creation is a performance. This month, Barwin will be sharing his diverse set of performative skills with the people of Thunder Bay, while also encouraging writers and artists to find their own voice and make their acts of creation come alive. The Northwestern Ontario Writers Workshop will be hosting two workshops led by Barwin, as well as a public reading following its annual general meeting. Barwin says the performance aspect of writing is often overlooked, but it can be just as important to the craft as writing down words on a page. “Reading (performance) is an opportunity to make the work come alive in the moment, for voice
50 The Walleye
to reach listener,” he says. “Writing uses time and sound. It’s exhilarating to be able to present that and to connect with people right in front of you in the moment.” Barwin is the author of 22 books, including the international bestseller Yiddish for Pirates, which received the Leacock Medal for Humour and the Canadian Jewish Literary Award, as well as being short-listed for the Governor General’s Literary Award and the Scotiabank Giller Prize. He has also published several volumes of poetry and has taught writing at numerous universities and colleges. Barwin will be leading workshops in Thunder Bay and Kenora in September and he said he enjoys teaching because it encourages aspiring writers to trust their essential
intuition—“not how they think they are supposed to write, but how they want to write, how they, uniquely, hear and feel language and story,” he says. The workshops will focus on helping writers find a voice, but Barwin stresses that “voice” is not some mysterious thing that has been left inside a writer. “My feeling is that the process of learning to write is really one of learning to listen,” he says. “To become increasingly sensitive to the music of language, the music as you perceive it—its rhythms, the sound of the words, the pacing and unfolding, the melody of sentences, the echoes they carry of how people speak and write, of how they might speak or write. That’s what my workshop is about—a bunch of activities designed to help writers explore this.” Barwin’s reading will take place following the NOWW AGM on September 13 at the Prince Arthur Hotel at 7:30 pm. The reading is free and open to the public. And for all those aspiring writers out there still
looking for that voice and eager to put words down on paper, Barwin says it’s all about writing what you want, not just what you know. “The old writing chestnut is to only ‘write what you know,’” he says. “I only agree with that insofar as I think you should write what you know of your curiosity and your feel for language, rather than what you necessarily know of lived experience.” For more information, visit nowwwriters.ca.
Your Total General Auto Repair Centre!
FITNESS FOR EVERYONE.
Smart Choice with Confidence
For ALL Makes & Models:
FOR MEMBERSHIPS OR
MORE INFORMATION CALL
HOURS: MONDAY-THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY-SUNDAY
5:45AM-10PM 5:45AM-9PM 8AM-9PM
• Full Service Oil & Lube Changes • Tire Rotations, Mount & Balance • Four Wheel Alignment We pride • Brakes ourselves on • Batteries Experience, • New Tires + Tire Storage Technology & • Front End Suspension Honesty • Seasonal Maintenance • Computer Diagnostic Analysis • Fuel System Service • Air Conditioning Repair
& More!
M-F 8AM to 5PM | SAT 9AM to 4PM NIGHT DROP AVAILABLE
GAMESCOMPLEX.COM
(807) 767-2886
355 Cumberland St N Thunder Bay
The Walleye
51
PHILIPS
ZOOM Whitespeed
WHITEN
GOODBYE SUMMER
FOR
FALL: Phillips Zoom 00 Whitespeed
$400
HELLO FALL
Brighten your smile with
5-509 Edward St. N. (807) 285-3493 www.naturalsmilesboutique.com
NATURAL SMILES The Dental Hygiene Boutique
5-509 Edward St. North
(807) 285-3493
www.naturalsmilesboutique.com
Tea &Sympathy
OUR FALL LINE HAS ARRIVED
Universally known as a calming remedy, tea is an ideal gift to bring comfort to the grieving
individual and family. See Tea & Sympathy Gift Collection on our
website for options. Free delivery in Canada and U.S.A.
894 ALLOY PLACE | GEAR-UP.COM
www.internationalhouseoftea.com
international
HOUSE OF TEA the world’s finest
EXTERIOR FINISHING T H U N D E R B AY, O N T. 882-A Tungsten Street • 807-623-1135 www.exteriorfinishing.ca
naturally you.
Call Us Today For Your FREE Estimate Your feelings, your look.
52 The Walleye
626-0130
205 S Algoma St
270 Bay Street (807) 622.6989
We specialize in windows, doors, siding, soffit, fascia, eavestrough and interior renovations.
CityScene
A
s a functional smoking tool as well as objet d’art, bongs are ridiculously definitive. Bongs have permeance and personality well beyond joints, and they work extremely well: a bong on the table means only one thing, really. Bongs are also assumed to be “better” for you than joints or pipes because of the belief that the water “filters out any bad stuff.” A bong can be made of virtually anything, be it an elaborate glass sculpture or a makeshift contraption. Regardless of construction, the process is the same. A bowl connects to a stem piped into a water-filled chamber, which leads to a drawtube. Fire the bowl, and inhale through the drawtube. Your inhale pulls the vapour into the water chamber, which makes it bubble (and that sound!). The bubbles then “pop,” which releases the vapour up the drawtube and into your lungs. Vapour contains both good and bad stuff. The good stuff is your cannabinoids and terpenes, while the bad stuff is heated smoke, ash, and tar, a catch-all term for the chemical particles left after burning. The water in the bong’s chamber supposedly acts as a filter for these undesirable elements. Now, a bong can give you a smoother inhale by cooling the hot smoke as it passes through the chamber. The water also traps ash that is sucked down the stem—the main reason your water turns brown. Tar is the tricky one, though, because it refers to
Smoke in the Water A Look at Bongs
By Justin Allec
chemicals including nasty polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) similar to tobacco. The bad news? Most PAHs aren’t water-soluble, which means that they pass through water easily. A different way of thinking about bongs is to look at the bubbling effect. The way a bong bubbles can help increase the smoothness of your inhale, especially if you’re fastidious about cleaning it. There’s a gas/liquid exchange that occurs at
the surface of a bubble, so when the bubble “pops” and the vapour is released, it’s now tinted with whatever was in the water. Clean water equals smoother inhales, but so does adding more bubbles. Bongs may date back 2,400 years to Silk Road traders, but modern innovation has also introduced new features. A bong with a percolator—a perforated attachment to the stem—drastically increases the gas/liquid exchange, which means more bubbles and a
smoother inhale. The same can be said of recycler bongs, which add a second water chamber, in effect moving the vapour through two cycles of gas/liquid exchange. Of course, there’s a technique to using one, but that’s best figured out among friends. Even though it’s disappointing to learn that bongs don’t “filter” much of anything, they’re still a fun method of smoking. Whether you’re buying or building one, a bong works every time.
The Walleye
53
voxpopular.ca
Vox Popular Media Arts Festival - 2019 Program Line Up
SEPTEMBER 12TH - 15TH
310 Park Avenue
“Films for the People”
66 Films + On-Demand Viewing 360 Virtual Reality Media Arts Installations Silent Auction Live Performances
Festival Pass $30
Available at Calico Coffeehouse, at box office, and on our website voxpopular.ca
Daily Pass $15
Available on our website voxpopular.ca, or at box office
Individual Screenings $8 Only available at box office
Follow us on social media @VoxPopTBay for live performance announcements from TBShows.com
SPONSORS
GOVERNMENT FUNDERS
MASTERCLASS WORKSHOPS
Join our FREE masterclass workshops happening Friday afternoon and Saturday morning inside Trinity Hall. Get an inside look at the creative process of the filmmakers and artists instructing the workshops. For more information and updates on the workshops, visit our website at voxpopular.ca Past workshop recordings are also available on our workshops page for you to view! FRIDAY - 4 PM
FRIDAY - 5 PM
SATURDAY - 10 AM
SATURDAY - 11 AM
Earthling Collective
Northern Arts Teaser
Animation
Francophone Filmmaking
Benjamin Murray + Guests Learn how the Earthling Collective’s programming provides youth an outlet to express themselves and tell their stories through media, music, and film.
@voxpoptbay
54 The Walleye
Riaz Mehmood, Andrew Doran, Dennis Dubinsky, Drew Degruyter A taste of what to experience in our upcoming Northern Arts workshops Sept 20th-22nd. Featuring Arduino, Projection Mapping, Acting for the Camera, and Analog Video Glitching.
Taqqut Productions, Riaz Mehmood Meet Taqqut Production animators, an Inuit-owned, award-winning animation company located in the Eastern Arctic of Canada. They specialize in authentically representing the storytelling traditions of the Arctic.
All film screenings, workshops, and performances will be held inside of Trinity Hall at 310 Park Avenue. Main entrance through the double doors across from the Armoury.
Jocelyn Forgues, Alex Forgues, Kelly Saxberg, Ron Harpelle Meet 4 Franco-Ontarian film makers who discuss new opportunities for French language production in Canada. Jocelyn Forgues directed Canada’s first Franco-Ontarian feature film.
voxpopular.ca
310 Park Avenue
Vox Popular Media Arts Festival- 2019 Program Line Up
THURSDAY - 7:00 PM
SATURDAY -12:00 PM
Gala Night
Kids
Giant Bear
Ariane’s Sky
Okami
In The Woods
Various Directors 7 min | Animation | France
Philippe Woodtli 12 min | Documentary | Switzerland
Voyageurs
Beyond Us - A Last Story after the Collapse
Maxime Tiberghien 5 min| Animation | France
Noël en Boïte/ Christmas in a Box
The Myth Of Haftvad Worm
Au Bout du Compte/ After All
Neil Christopher 12 min | Animation | Québec
Motomichi Nakamura 5 min | Animation | USA
Jim Pattiz 3 min | Documentary | USA
Portrait of a Zamboni Driver Nadine Arpin 10 min | Documentary | Sioux Lookout
Reminiscing
Luke Grandmont 5 min | Poetry | Sault St. Marie
The Grizzlies
Miranda de Pencier 104 min | Drama | Nunavut
FRIDAY - 7:00 PM
LGBTQ2+
Various Directors 4 min| Animation | France
Asghar Safar 8 min | Animation | Iran
Red & The Kingdom of Sound Phil Gomm 18 min | Animation | UK
How Nivi Got Her Names
SATURDAY - 6:30 PM
French Sound of Silence - Born Severely Deaf
Jocelyn Forgues 93 min | Drama | Ontario
Jocelyn Forgues 6 min | Drama/ Comedy | Ontario
Body Graffiti
Alex Forgues 7 min | Documentary | Ontario
Laura Deal 9 min | Animation | Iqaluit
SATURDAY - 9:00 PM
The Ideal Exhibition with Herve Tullet
Horror
Vali Fugulin 4 min | Experimental | Canada
Mercy
Tony McGuire 22 min | Thriller | Thunder Bay
Becoming Leela
Emergency Broadcast
Pixie Cram 4 min | Animation | Winnipeg
HAHAJAKAL
Kings and Queens
SATURDAY - 1:30 PM
Copenhagen Road
Finding Bobbi: A Search for Self
Canadian
AJ 11 min | Drama | Ontario Lindsay Heatley 9 min | Drama | USA Scot Morison 67 min | Documentary | Alberta
Cajas
Foustene Fortenbach 8 min | Drama | USA
FRIDAY - 9:00 PM
Music Building Bridges
Benjamin Murray 4 min | Music | Thunder Bay
The Violent
Adrien Harpelle 4 min | Music | Thunder Bay
Bakosó: AfroBeats of Cuba
Eli Jacobs-Fantauzzi 57 min | Documentary |Cuba
Hip Hop: The New Generation
El Toro
Danielle Sturk 44 min | Animation | Winnipeg
From Syria To Hope
Yazmeen Kanji 36 min | Documentary | Ontario
Three Drops
France Benoit 22 min | Romance | Yellowknife
The Last of The Romantics
Wasim Aliyar 10 min | Drama | Thunder Bay
SATURDAY - 4:00 PM
Comedy Just Coffee
Matthew Dressel 12 min | Comedy | USA
Kathryn Martin 57 min | Documentary | Winnipeg
Dear Dad
Mauka to Makai
How Father Lawrence Briefly Considered a Career in Landscaping
Jonah Okano 25 min | Drama | USA
NW ONTARIO CANADA ATTENDING
Lee Chambers 8 min | Horror | Thunder Bay
On The Border
Arturo M. Merelo 7 min | Drama | Mexico
SUNDAY - 1:00 PM
Feel-Good Docs Atha Gamma
L. Farrah Furtado 35 min | Documentary | Victoria
Hope Served Fresh Recovery Friendly Employment
Jessica Vecchione 15 min | Documetary | USA
Operation Happy Day
Steve Payne 22 min | Documentary | Winnipeg
Refuge in the Rockies
Kaio Kathriner 12 min | Documentary | BC
Ryan La Via 4 min | Comedy | Thunder Bay
Nathan Raine 20 min | Comedy | Saskatchewan
Legend
Brendan Petersen 72 min | Horror | Thunder Bay
Burqa City
Fabrice Bracq 20 min | Comedy | France
Made Public
voxpopular.ca
Welcome to Gwichyaa Zhee Greg Balkin 14 min | Documentary | USA
Anything For The Ones We Love Louise Marie Beauchamp 7 min | Art | Québec
SUNDAY 6:00 PM
Indigenous Silla
Howard Adler 22 min | Documetary | Ottawa
Don’t Just Talk About It
Cher Obediah 32 min | Documentary | Canada
Respect Your Elders, Chum
Jack Belhumeur 7 min | Documentary | Thunder Bay
Hard Learning
Daniel Fortin 7 min | Documentary | Toronto
Raven People Rising
Raven Trust TarSands Trial 35 min | Documentary | BC
SUNDAY - 8:00 PM
Drama Angelique’s Isle
Michelle Derosier 90 min | Drama | Toronto
Suncatcher
Elisa Croft 12 min | Drama | USA
360 VR & Installations BUS 7003
Daniel Foreman 5 min | Alberta
Chasing Dreams
Maciej Hatta 4 min | Canada
Overlooked
Carlos Oceguera 10 min | BC
Tops of Memory
Jialiang Liu 3 min | Japan
Wombsong
Hanna Vastinsalo 7 min | Finland
Everest
Jon Griffith 11 min | Nepal
I Want To Be Free
Selma Nayebi 8 min | Documentary | Iran
SUNDAY - 3:00 PM
Environment Nipigon Brook Trout
Daniela Carlino 28 min | Documentary | Thunder Bay
Cello
Alberto Nacci 9 min | Italy
Immersion/ Inversion
Alexandria Searls 20 min | USA
Nature Vs. Plastic
Kelly Saxberg 20 min | Thunder Bay
Foster Wilson 14 min | Comedy | USA
Mother’s Day
Beyond Climate
Ian Mauro 49 min | Documetary | Winnipeg
Alexander Desouza 11 min| Comedy | Toronto
For more information visit our website at voxpopular.ca or call us at (807) 346-0066 Follow us on social media for the most recent festival updates @voxpoptbay The Walleye
55
Culinary Careers Start Here St. Joseph's Care Group is hiring
COOKS & FOOD SERVICE WORKERS For more information on career opportunities, visit careers.sjcg.net
For more information on St. Joseph’s Care Group, visit www.sjcg.net
56 The Walleye
CityScene
Waterfront Arts Fair
Baggage Building Arts Centre Celebrates Culture Days for Seventh Year By Melanie Larson
Shannon Lepere
and heritage,” as well as providing Thunder Bay with an “inspiring venue to foster community spirit, cultural exchange and awareness, creative expression, and civic pride,” says Tanis Webster, pottery studio manager at the BBAC. “So, participating in and celebrating Culture Days is just a natural fit.” Every year the Culture Days organization sets a theme for its national event. This year’s theme is Creativity, the Arts, and Well-Being. “We are celebrating all the local artists and performers that activate, animate, promote, and facilitate life enrichment and well-being in our community through the beauty
Lorraine Cull
S
hortly after opening its doors to the community, the Baggage Building Arts Centre began participating in the national event known as Culture Days. Since 2010, Culture Days has encouraged cities across Canada to celebrate their local arts, culture, and heritage. On September 28, the Baggage Building Arts Centre will host the first Waterfront Arts Fair.. The Waterfront Arts Fair began as a collaborative project between the Creative Arts Northern Network (CANN) and the Baggage Building Arts Centre (BBAC). Throughout the year, the BBAC dedicates itself to promoting “art, culture,
of the arts,” says Webster, on how the BBAC hopes to incorporate this year’s theme into the Waterfront Arts Fair. The Fair will play host to a variety of “artists, art groups, organizations, and guilds who will be coming together to perform, demonstrate, promote, share, and sell their creative talents,” explains Webster. “There will be a feast for
the senses with lots to see and do.” Attendees can enjoy live performances throughout the day, along with various demonstrations in skills like glass work, watercolour, jewelry metal working, and much more. It’s an opportunity to meet the makers, browse their wares, and enjoy all of the creativity that Thunder Bay has to offer.
The Walleye
57
CityScene
Wall Space
▲▼Monitoring the production line
Co-owner Al Bourbouhakis
Heartbeat Hot Sauce
From the Assembly Line to Your Table Story and photos by Leah Morningstar
H
eartbeat Hot Sauce began several years ago in the kitchen of Al Bourbouhakis and Nancy Shaw. In 2015, they were brainstorming. By 2016, they were cutting up peppers and testing recipes at home; by 2017 they had a storefront. Bourbouhakis and Shaw have no plans to give up the details of their recipes or the exact kitchen procedures, but they did want to give The Walleye readers a look at the bottle filling and labeling station. It was fascinating to get behind the scenes at Heartbeat headquarters.
58 The Walleye
The very first thing that’s apparent when arriving at Heartbeat Hot Sauce is the smell. It’s not a bad smell, but it’s strong. The people on site barely notice anymore, but new visitors will immediately. The air is full of mild, freshly cut onions and a tickling aroma of spicy habaneros. Inhaling deeply will bring the smell to the back of your throat and catch your breath. “I don’t notice the smell anymore but every so often the peppers get in my throat,” says Bourbouhakis. “Once you start coughing, you might be coughing all night.”
CityScene Past the lobby and the offices is a door leading to the bottling and packing area. Past that is the kitchen. A brief peek at the kitchen confirms that every surface is gleaming; the bottling area is gleaming as well. The focal point is the large stainless steel machine in the centre of the room. It’s part bottle filler, part conveyor belt, part labeller, and part holding station. The empty bottles start at one end where they are filled, then they move slowly to holding area, getting a label attached along the way. Two employees are busy putting the bottles in place for filling and ensuring the machine keeps running smoothly. Darryl Hill is on one side filling empty bottles, Dylan Cologna is on the other side taking the full bottles and putting them in boxes. It’s fascinating to watch the process from start to finish. When the
finished bottles are lifted and placed in boxes, they are usually still warm. What began with one well-received bottle of red habanero sauce has grown to include a green sauce, a blueberry one, and most recently, a pineapple version. What began as an idea in a home kitchen is now producing up to 6,000 bottles a week. The sauce is now found at grocery stores all over the city, the country, and even abroad. The team is making headlines all over social media and has been featured on season six of Hot Ones (a YouTube series where celebrities are interviewed while eating hot wings). If you haven’t tried it, what are you waiting for? It's available almost everywhere! For updates, availability and online shopping, visit heartbeathotsauce.com.
Dylon Cologna and Darryl Hill
807-632-7259
The full line-up, including some special editions
thunder.contracting@outlook.com The Walleye
59
CityScene
Talk4Healing
Indigenous Women Counselling Indigenous Women Story by Kim Latimer, Photos by Chondon Photography
I
ndigenous women experience rates of violence three times higher than non-Indigenous women. According to a Statistics Canada analysis, rates of violence against women aged 18–24 in the north are the highest in the country, and women and girls living in the northern parts of Canada are three times more likely to be victims of violent crimes than women from southern Canada. In 2012, Beendigen partnered with the Ontario Native Women’s Association (ONWA) to roll out Talk4Healing, a unique phone, text, or chat service for Indigenous women wanting to talk to trained counsellors. The counsellors are Indigenous women located in Thunder Bay and the service is offered in 14 Indigenous languages, including Anishinaabe, OjiCree, Cree, and Inuktitut. With
60 The Walleye
20,000 calls to date, what began as Beendigen’s pilot program in northern Ontario is now available to women across the province. “With abuse comes shame, and for many women shame prevents them from seeking help,” says Debra Vermette, executive director of Beendigen, a safety and shelter service for Indigenous women and children. ”By providing anonymous, confidential, and culturally based services for Indigenous women, Talk4Healing provides women an opportunity to move forward by addressing the violence in their lives.” “Our healing line is Indigenous women helping Indigenous women,” says Karen Marconi, marketing manager for ONWA. “In the Indigenous culture, the tradition is that women turn to their grandmothers, mothers, sisters and aunts for support in times of need. So this
is that cultural link.” Approximately 45% of callers are Indigenous women, and almost 30% are non-Indigenous women. Marconi says the calls deal with everything from abuse, addiction, and occupational and financial challenges to sexuality, parenting, and physical health. While the primary purpose of Talk4Healing is for Indigenous women experiencing violence, it is also linked to referral services for Indigenous men and concerned family, friends, and community members. “In remote communities, there are an infinite number of challenges that Indigenous women have accessing the services they need, so that’s why the pilot project began,” says Marconi. And reaching for the phone can be the biggest hurdle. “For some people, especially those who have challenges accessing help, this can be the first time they reach out, and it’s great when they do. The healing line not only offers listening and that type of support, but we do referrals to different agencies,
to give people the tools they need.” She adds that the majority of the calls they receive are for emotional support, and under 10% of the calls require crisis referral service. “The wonderful thing about Talk4Healing is that when a person calls it’s a very personal process. It allows space for silence and there is no scripting,” Marconi explains. “The women answering the calls have an understanding of landbased practices and ceremony, creating trust. Then there’s an offering of language … and if a woman calls and wants to talk for one minute, that's great; if they want to talk for an hour, that’s okay too—it’s not a rush service.” The rate of calls is up 168% from last year, when they received just under 4,000 calls. “The numbers tell us that there’s a really big need and the healing line is really being used,” Marconi says. To speak to a counsellor, call or text 1-855-554-HEAL (4325), or live chat at talk4healing.com.
PRESENTS AN EVENING OF
REAL DEAL
CHICAGO
BLUES DIRECT FROM CHICAGO...
Blues Legend & 2X Grammy Award Nominated Artist
JOHN PRIMER AND THE
REAL DEAL BLUES BAND
9:30 PM “YOU CAN’T PAINT THE BLUES WITHOUT THE PRIMER!”
Freshly dug for you at the Market!
WITH OPENING ACT…
“Chicago’s Blues Kitten”
IVY
the
FORD BAND
2019 International Blues Challenge Finalist
7:45 PM
SATURDAY OCTOBER 19
Thunder Bay Country Market We Make It, Bake It, Grow It
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
PORT ARTHUR POLISH HALL 102 S. COURT STREET ADVANCE TICKETS DOORS OPEN:6:30PM
35
$
TICKETS AVAILABLE AT: PRINCE ARTHUR HOTEL,BUKOVY FINANCIAL, JB EVANS DOOR (SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY): TBBS MEMBERS $35; NON-MEMBERS $50
www.t h u nd e r b ay b l u ess o c i e t y.c a THUNDER BAY BLUES SOCIETY IBC FUNDRAISER
The Walleye
61
CityScene Student Enrolment Interestingly, the number of international students at Lakehead University and Confederation College increased between 2012 and 2017 by 247% and 315%, respectively.
The International Student Vibe in Thunder Bay
This positive trend is not observed for the domestic student enrolment, which has a decrease by 9% and 7% over the same years at Lakehead and Confederation, respectively.
Figure 1. Student Enrolment at Lakehead University for years 2012–2017
By Irina Chen, Maia Kvas, and Hilary Hagar, Northern Policy Institute
I
nternational students can play a vital role as the solution to labour shortages in Canada with their ability to quickly integrate into the job market after their studies as compared to internationally-trained immigrants. Other positive aspects of international students are their large contributions to Canada’s economy and the diversity they add
to their communities. Between 2015 and 2016, international students in Ontario contributed to over 6.3 billion of Canada’s GDP. Statistics for full-time international students that attend Lakehead University and Confederation College are found below. This data was retrieved from Ontario Open Data Sets, as well as Statistics Canada.
Figure 2. Student Enrolment at Confederation College for years 2012–2017 Percentage of International Students Confederation College had the second largest proportion of its student body as international
students with 12% for the school year 2016–2017 when comparing to all colleges that have campuses in Northern Ontario. In addition, Confederation had a proportion of
ST. PAUL’S UNITED CHURCH Feeling grateful for summer relaxation and fall abundance? A community where gratitude is expressed weekly is waiting to welcome you! Curious? Join us Sundays at 10:30. Special day, September 29th worship with UCC Moderator, Richard Bott at St.Paul's 349 Waverley Street | Phone 345-5864 for details | www.stpaulstbay.net
62 The Walleye
Thinking of buying or selling? MESSAGE OR CALL US TODAY! C. 807.632.3635 SARAHKERTON.COM
C. 807.620.9057 CHRISHOULE.COM
CityScene international students 3% above the national average—that’s something to be proud of! Lakehead University had 10% of its student enrolment as international students in 2016–2017, which ranked it third among all
the Northern Ontario universities. Université de Hearst and Algoma University both had a higher proportion of international students with 40% and 26%, accordingly.
Figure 3. Percentage of International students enrolled in Northern Ontario Universities between years 2016–2017
International Students by Country of Origin It is interesting to analyze the most common countries of origin for international students attending Lakehead University and Confederation College. The top three countries of origin for Lakehead University were China, India and Saudi Arabia for the years 2014–2017. For Chinese international students, the enrolment numbers increased from 132 in 2014/2015 to 237 in 2016/2017, which is an 80% growth rate. The number of international students coming from India started as 86 in 2014/2015 and increased to 174 in 2016/2017—a growth rate of 102%. The growth rate of Saudi students is 279%, jumping from 38 students to 144 for the same period, which is the fastest growth rate compared to Chinese and Indian students!
The top three countries of origin for Confederation College were India, China and South Korea for the years 2014–2017. For Indian students, the numbers enrolled increased by 55% from 166 students in 2014/2015 to 257 in 2016/2017. There were 27 Chinese and 25 South Korean international students in 2014/2015 at Confederation College. In 2017/2018, there were 55 Chinese students and 20 South Korean students. While the enrolment rate of international students for China grew by 104%, it declined for South Korea by 20%.
UPCOMING EVENTS at Thunder Bay 55 Plus Centre 700 River Street | 684-3066
The numbers of international students at certain colleges are likely inflated. Many colleges have secondary campuses for international students that are not located in Northern Ontario. Therefore, it is likely that many of these enrolments are not at Northern Ontario campuses. This is not the case for the universities, however. Northern universities do not have as many satellite campuses. 1
Figure 4. Percentage of International students enrolled in Northern Ontario Colleges between years 2016–2017.
The Green Room Organic Hair Care
(807) 472-7998
CONNECT:
Saturday, September 7 8am - 2pm
HARVEST CRAFT MARKET Sunday, October 20 10am - 4pm
Our Products are: • FREE from Plastics • FREE from Parabens • FREE from Sulfates • FREE from Aerosols • FREE from Ammonia • Sourced to ensure no animal testing or bi-products
31 Margaret Street
TRUNK AND TAILGATE SALE
CARD SOCIAL Jordan Foster
Sunday, November 10 1 - 4pm
Owner/Stylist
The Walleye
63
CityScene provides the foundation for almost all of her pieces is a statement of place and history. “Birch bark is very significant for Indigenous people,” she says. “We use it to make baskets, tipis, canoes…. It has sustained Indigenous people for thousands of years. And most people don’t know that native copper found around Lake Superior has benefited Indigenous peoples for just as long” This marriage of nature and
industry is reflective of the place she calls home. As well, it shines a positive light on Thunder Bay by drawing attention to these beautiful, innate elements that come from the land. “I’m proud,” she says. “My art makes me proud.” Cree Stevens is at the Thunder Bay Country Market every Wednesday and Saturday on the upper level. More information can be found at creestevens.com.
GO LOCAL THUNDER BAY COUNTRY MARKET
Cree Stevens Story by Vikki Schembri, Photos by Marty Mascarin
Y
ou might have seen Cree Stevens’ art around the city—for instance, her “Deconstructing Pocahontas” piece at the Ahnisnabae Art Gallery, her wearable art at DefSup’s Derelicte, or her triptych “Tonto” at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre. You can also find her art on the second level of the Thunder Bay Country Market, where she sells her jewelry, paintings, sculptures, prints, and gift cards. Stevens says she is shy and prefers communicating through art and written language over speaking. While this may be true, she is also thoughtful and intentional— something that is imbued in her craft. “Where are you from?” is the
64 The Walleye
overarching question she asks and answers through her art, and she has an innate curiosity and storytelling ability that drives her work. A good example of this is her inquiry into the true story of Matoaka (popularly known as Pocahontas) in her Deconstructing Pocahontas series, which looks beyond the Disney version and teach the truth about Matoaka’s origin, life, and death, and the Powhatan Nation she came from. As an Anishinabekwe (Ojibway) and Cree First Nations artist with European heritage, highlighting nature and industry in her art celebrates her ancestry from her mother’s and father’s side. In her jewelry, especially, the combination of birch bark and copper that
Mastectomy, Post Surgical Bras & Prosthetics Available Certified Anita Canada Prosthetics Fitter
Beautiful Bras from A to K cup Sleepwear, Clothing, Swimwear & Saxx Mon to Fri 10am-5:30pm Thurs 10am-8pm Sat 10am-5pm 807.346.9099 • 16 Court St South • perfectfitlingerie.ca
Stop by at my NEW location
252 South Algoma Street
during my NEW hours Mon 10am-1pm | Tues & Thurs 4-7pm Wed Fri & Sat 10am-4pm | Sun CLOSED Hours effective for October and November
def sup 14
H
26.10.19
Tuesday October 15th
ARTIST-AFARIN SAJED/PEYMAN NADERI
Coming BACK to WORK
$20-19+
www.streakofgreen.com Online bookings
Sign up for my newsletter on my website
THE
H U N G E R CABARET PRESENTED BY DEFINITELY SUPERIOR ART GALLERY-FUNDRAISER FOR THE CONTEMPORARY ARTS
14TH ANNUAL-DOWNTOWN-WIDE HALLOWEEN FESTIVAL EVENT 8 VENUES/STAGES-50 PERFORMANCE ACTS 38 BANDS/DJ’S - 225 MUSICIANS/PERFORMERS 2,500 ATTENDED LAST YEAR
PARAMOUNT THEATRE 1+2-BLACK PIRATES PUB-THE FOUNDRY THE SOVEREIGN ROOM-RED LION SMOKEHOUSE-ATMOS-EL TRES IF IT’S HALLOWEEN, IT MUST BE THE HUNGER...ENTER THE 14TH EDITION OF THE LARGEST MUSIC AND PERFORMANCE SPECTACLE YOU’LL EVER EXPERIENCE IN ONE NIGHT - ONE MASSIVE DOWNTOWN WIDE HALLOWEEN FESTIVAL - ONE COVER PRICE OF $20 GETS YOU INTO ALL 8 VENUES- THOUSANDS IN HALLOWEEN COSTUME CONTEST PRIZES AT ALL LOCATIONS. FEED YOUR HUNGER AND TREAT YOURSELF TO THE WILDEST, SLICKEST HALLOWEEN X EIGHT! YOU CHOOSE WHAT YOU WANT TO SEE AND HEAR...DIABOLIC OR DEVILICIOUS...YOU’LL REMEMBER HALLOWEEN!
September 12-October 5, 2019 TICKETS: magnustheatre.com | 807.345.5552
SATURDAY OCTOBER 26@9PM-2AM
26.10.19 THIS IS HALLOWEEN The Foundry Red River Rd
Atmos Black Pirates Paramount Pub 1+2
El Tres
Sovereign Rm Cumberland
by Phillip George and David Lowenstein
Court
SE
RE!
EMIE
PR ASON
KEEP UPDATED:
19/20
NOW AVAILABLE:
Red Lion
AUDIOWORKS
MUSIC WORKSHOP LUVAN
Park Ave.
DEFINITELY SUPERIOR ART GALLERY - WWW.DEFINITELYSUPERIOR.COM - PH-344-3814-JOIN OUR FACEBOOK!
The Walleye
65
CityScene Francofolies de Montréal, where she delighted the large crowds with her songs, humour, and propulsive energy. You really don’t want to miss her performing live with her band! Bring your own chair to enjoy the shows. If you’re not into music, there will be other activities for the whole family. Help build the biggest Franco-Ontarian flag ever made of Lego, or try VR goggles by local company ORIGIN. Find more information about the Franco-Festival’s program at francofestival.com or facebook/ francofestivaltb. You can also follow the festival on Instagram with #FrancoFestival or visit them on Van Norman Street.
Li Ming Yu
The FrancoFestival Returns Celebrating French Culture in Thunder Bay
By Louise Boderé, Communication Officer, Centre Francophone
T
he Franco-Festival Thunder Bay is back for its seventh year. Thanks to their partners and the help of the community, it is now an annual event with more fun every year. Here’s what’s planned for this year’s celebrations, from September 12 to 14. On September 12, come out to the Centre Francophone at 234 Van Norman Street at 7 pm for François Bouvier’s La Bolduc. The screening will be free, and all are welcome to attend. The film will be shown in the original French but there will be English subtitles, so there is no excuse to miss this experience. On September 13, adults (19+) are invited to an “all-French night” at The Outpost at Lakehead University starting at 8 pm. There will be a cash bar, music, and activities. It will be the perfect occasion to socialize and share your summer break memories. All are welcome to attend: francophones, francophiles,
or English-speaking folks who just want to be immersed in the francophone culture. Last but not least, don’t miss the street festival on Van Norman Street on September 14. Starting at noon, there will be shows, fun activities for the whole family, vendors, and more to give you the opportunity to (re)discover and celebrate our French-Canadian heritage and cultural diversity. Yes, there will be poutine, as well as many other traditional dishes. On the music side, En Barque and Sara Dufour will grace the stage with an unforgettable show. At noon, local talents will get the ball rolling with a variety of performances. At 1:15 pm, En Barque, a band from Quebec, will get you up and dancing and singing in the street. Sara Dufour, also from Quebec, is up at 2 pm and will close the show. Dufour has performed at many venues this summer including the
Daniel Robillard
Li Ming Yu
66 The Walleye
Visit Us in person at 160 Waterloo Street South #4 Mon-Fri 9am to 7pm | Sat 10am to 5pm | Sun CLOSED View our products online at www.timswholehealth.com
Local Experiences. Every Season.
BACK TO REALITY...
Giveaway!
contest Enter ouorr th gh in-store rou
WI N:An iPad + these great products! thewaterfrontdistrict.ca generously sponsored by
The Walleye
67
CityScene
ThunderCon 2019 Brings Five Years of Thunder By Heather Leighton Dickson
T
his September, Thunder Bay “gets its geek on” at ThunderCon 2019. From science fiction/fantasy to the latest in tabletop and electronic gaming, ThunderCon brings in over 3,000 attendees, performers, unique artists, vendors, and special guests every year. This year, Northwestern Ontario’s premier fan convention is celebrating its fifth anniversary with special programming, pricing, and a brand new location. Five years is a benchmark, and the move to the CLE is a chance for ThunderCon to reinvent itself as a community event. The operations team has made the con even better this year with internationally recognized guests, new programming, and a greater experience for fans and families. The new venue allows for exciting partnerships with nearby SilverCity Cineplex Theatre and Boulder Bear Climbing Gym, and the Heritage “Holodeck” will feature special programming from businesses like Best Buy, Thunder Games & Gifts, Countdown Escape Rooms, and That’s It Toys. With this year’s theme being
68 The Walleye
“Heroes and Villains,” ThunderCon is also excited to welcome Richard Brake, the original Night King from HBO’s Game of Thrones, in what will be only his second-ever Canadian convention appearance. Awardwinning TV/film/voice actor Tony Amendola will also be on hand, along with actor/YouTube star Kevin Porter, cosplayer Dr. Stevil as Gru, and guest artist Hugh Rookwood. And former Thunder Bay resident Stephany Lein will be there to chat about working as an emerging creator on the national indie comic scene. With over 50 regional artists and vendors, there will be plenty of shopping in the magical Diagon Alley, and local performances on the Coliseum’s main stage. In the Heritage “Holodeck,” there will be board and card game demos, the latest in video games, and panels and workshops for those eager to learn new skills. There are even special activities for the kids. Join geeks, nerds, families, and fans of all stripes on September 21 and 22, 2019 as ThunderCon transforms Thunder Bay into something “out of this world.”
Welcome to the Ultimate Riding Experience Up to 29 km Range Crush Hills Stop on a Dime Lean to Move App Connected Up to 30km/h All Terrain
SuperiorKiteboarding
Borrow better.
be a better There may never * time to borrow! Consolidation loan rates as low as
Looking for a mortgage or a loan that fits? Let’s talk.
Visit one of our local branches:
There’s more to making good borrowing decisions than finding a great rate. At Rapport Credit Union, we have the rates, plus we spend time with you to make sure you understand things like cash flow, credit scores, loan types, and repayment terms - so you make the best decision for you and your life. Now that’s better.
Campus Hill 1072 Oliver Road, Unit 2 (807) 346 2810
Contact any one of our branches to arrange an appointment. Jamie Member since 2013. Walleye_September_2019_8x5_Mortgage_Loan_FINAL_Aug20.indd 1
314 Bay Street 344-3366
James Street 405 James Street South (807) 626 5666 Kakabeka Falls 43 Clergue Street (807) 475 4276
rapportcu.ca
*Some conditions apply. Limited time offer. Rates can change at any time.
2019-08-20 3:4769 PM The Walleye
CityScene
This is Thunder Bay Interviews by Nancy Saunders, Photos by Laura Paxton
This month, we asked The Walleye readers to tell us something they’re really hoping to do before summer’s over.
Loren: I want to go camping at Sandbar. And go back to Live on the Waterfront.
Mike and Patrick: More camping. We went to Trowbridge, and next we’d like to go to
Chase: I want to paint rocks and hide them, and I’m hoping to find some
Ashima: I would love to take the kids to Flett Tunnel and go exploring. I’ve heard
I want to go to gymnastics camp.
painted rocks, too!
70 The Walleye
Sleeping Giant. We’re going to try to fit that in.
amazing things and I’ve seen pictures but I’ve never been.
CityScene
Five Questions with Michael Christie
Q&A
By Michael Sobota \
A
lthough Michael Christie and his family now live on Galiano Island in a timber-framed house he built himself, he was born and raised in Thunder Bay. He is the acclaimed author of The Beggar’s Garden, a collection of linked stories, and If I Fall, If I Die, a novel (set in Thunder Bay). His second novel, Greenwood, comes out on September 24 in Canada with McClelland & Stewart.
The Walleye: Describe Greenwood in your own words. Michael Christie: It’s the story of the Greenwood family, a story that spans 130 years and tracks the rise and fall of four generations, each of whom are in some way intimately involved with trees, whether it’s a tree scientist, and environmental crusader, a carpenter, or an infamous lumber tycoon. In a larger sense, the book is about the human being’s close (and yet often abusive) relationship with the tree. And in some ways it could be described as a kind of environmental history of Canada. TW: Greenwood appears to be a shift in tone for you. Certainly, a major shift in scale. Tell us about those shifts. MC: This book can be measured on a much larger scale than anything I’ve done previously. It ranges across the entirety of Canada
NEW ART ON PAPER chenierfinearts.ca
MICHEL LANCELOT Mixed Media & Collage Custom Conservation Framed with Reflection Free Clear Glass
(with a fleeting, yet important, pass through the Lakehead!), and it travels to modern New York and Imperial pre-war Japan, to name just a few places. It also spans great swaths of time, which involved a huge amount of research to get the details right. As for its tone, the story is told in nested sections (which mirror the growth rings of a tree) so I suppose a different tone was required for each section to ensure the language feels authentic and period-appropriate. But despite this increase in scale, there are themes that do recur in all my writing: family difficulties and misunderstandings, the inevitability of death, the beauty and menace of nature, the unreliability of history, the incredible resourcefulness of human beings. TW: Greenwood is set in the future. What attracted you to explore the future? MC: Only about 10% of the novel is set in the future (the very beginning and the very end) but this section of the narrative is quite important to the book’s overall effect. I suppose my own climate anxiety was what motivated me to venture into the near future. I mean, how can one not be thinking about the terrifying imminent danger that we’re now facing as a species? Here where I live on Galiano Island, all the Western red cedars have been browning and dying. These are trees that have thrived in this wet, coastal climate for thousands of years, whose velvety bark has been used
by Indigenous people for clothing and shelter for nearly as long. TW: You grew up in Thunder Bay, on the edge of the boreal forest and on the shores of Lake Superior, and you now live in B.C. How have these different environments influenced Greenwood? MC: Well, growing up in Thunder Bay you become acutely aware of the splendour and beauty of nature. But you also quickly become aware of the fact that Thunder Bay is founded mainly upon a resource economy, and that pulp and paper figures squarely into this equation. In my novel, there is a lumber tycoon named Harris Greenwood whose company cuts down an unbelievable number of trees in the 20s and 30s, though he isn’t treated as villainous but instead as a real person who believes he is doing some good for society. This was important to me, not to simply write a piece of environmental propaganda. TW: How do you feel now that Greenwood is about to be launched? MC: This book took more work than anything I’ve ever done in my whole life. I worked on it full-time for four years, and just the research that was required for each historical section was like a full-time job in itself. So now that it’s done, I’m feeling very relieved! This interview has been edited and condensed for length and clarity, read the full interview at thewalleye.ca.
The Walleye
71
CityScene Sneakers Street Legal
Stuff We Like
701 Memorial Avenue Set off on the right foot this season and step into style with Italian brand Superga sneakers. A closet essential, these canvas kicks can take you from daytime adventures to midnight escapades, and feature a sturdy unlined canvas upper, cushioned footbed for comfortable all-day wear and a 1” high platform. Worried about white? They come in navy, back, and grey sage, and are unisex.
For Back to the Grind By Rebekah Skochinski
N
ot all of us are going back to school this fall, but we are all struggling with a summer hangover. Like it or not, September signals a return to routine. Whether you embrace the idea of setting an alarm and making lists, or you feel a sinking sense of dread at the thought of putting on socks for the first time since June, we’ve found some things to make sure you’re ready for the good, the bad, and all the rest. Here’s Stuff We Like for Back to the Grind.
$75
Backpack Mars Clothing
Hair Assistant
6 South Court Street If the words “pop quiz” fill you with terror, this backpack will make it up to you. In fact, we suspect it will be your new BFF. The Herschel Pop Quiz backpack has a versatile range of pockets and organizers including a padded fleece lined laptop sleeve, front pocket with key clip, sunglasses compartment, and media pocket with headphone port. It’s also stylish enough to turn all the boys’ (and girls’ and everyone’s) heads.
Evoke Salon & Spa
270 Bay Street Getting to work on time is always a struggle, but the struggle is real now that the days are growing shorter. What you need is an assistant! Your Hair Assistant Blowdry Primer by Davines is a bodifying tonic heat protectant spray with an invigorating hint of mint that enhances shine and reduces the time it takes to blow-dry your hair, so that you can have that fresh-from-the-salon look and still clock in before your boss.
$80
$43
Reusable Bottle
Wolfhead Coffee
Chaltrek
Various locations
Speaking of grind, the best thing to guarantee that you won’t be hitting that snooze button 67 million times is knowing you have a good strong coffee waiting in the wings. Perk up your day with slow-roasted and smoked Wolfhead Coffee. We’ve set our sleepy eyes on the hickory mesquite smoked blend, which has the perfect flavour profile for the cooler weather.
$24
404 Balmoral Street Staying hydrated is key after a summer of livin’ la vida loca. #noregrets. Speaking of which, you will never regret this Klean Kanteen bottle. It features a doublewall vacuum insulation so it can keep your hot drinks hot (20 hours!) and cold drinks cold (50 hours!). Plus, it has a durable and chip-resistant powder coat finish and a leak-proof loop cap.
$48
Pencils Toy Sense
447 North May Street Who doesn’t want a little (okay, a lot) more peace, love, and understanding? Pens are great, but pencils are our first love—we appreciate being able to take an eraser to all of our mistakes. So we fell hard when we saw this this colourful and fun No. 2 graphite set of 12 pencils that comes in six cool heart and peace sign designs. Totally groovy.
$6.99
Waxed Canvas Lunch Bag Three Huggers
threehuggers.com Even if you have to eat lunch at your desk, there’s no need to be brown-bagging it. Be the envy of your co-workers—and kind to the environment—with this beautiful 100% cotton canvas bag. It’s been sewn and hand-waxed with a beeswax blend for a durable and water-resistant finish. The classic button design is beyond cute and the natural weathered look will only take on more character with time. Just like you!
$34.99
72 The Walleye
72 The Walleye
SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 7, 2019
TITLE SPONSOR
FONDO
LONG RIDE
SHORT RIDE
COMMUTER
Wayne Hacquoil
Nor’Wester
CCR_WalleyeAd_9x11_2019.indd 1
The Walleye 2019-08-15 1:5173 PM
Music
violist Hezekiah Leung, and cellist Jonathan Lo. Ganiatsos says they “will deliver an exhilarating performance of three of the repertoire’s most exquisite works by Haydn, Debussy, and Beethoven.” Named among CBC Radio’s “30 Hot Canadian Classical Musicians Under 30” in 2016, the quartet’s tours throughout North America and Europe have earned them great acclaim. Ganiatsos promises the concert will be a highlight of their season and is not to be missed. Season passes for Consortium Aurora Borealis’ series of seven concerts are available for $90 (adults and seniors) and $60 (students); tickets for individual concerts are $15 and $10, children under 12 are free. For more information visit consortiumauroraborealis.org.
Rolston String Quartet September 28, 8 pm St. Paul’s United Church Pre-concert talk at 7:30 pm
Bo Huang Photography
Spirit, Polish, and Sophistication
Consortium Aurora Borealis Presents the Rolston String Quartet By Michelle McChristie
A
s part of the kick-off to their 41st season, Consortium Aurora Borealis is thrilled to bring the Rolston String Quartet to Thunder Bay on September 28. The show will be the second in the Consortium’s 2019–20 concert series, following hot on the heels of
74 The Walleye
The Mellifluous Cello on September 14, which features cellist Peter Cosbey accompanied by pianist Mariko Kamachi Cosbey. Last year, the quartet was the first international ensemble to win the prestigious Cleveland Quartet Award from Chamber
Music America and they completed a two-year term as the Yale School of Music’s fellowship quartet-in-residence. “The Rolstons won the Banff International String Quartet Competition in 2016...they get rave reviews everywhere,” says Elizabeth Ganiatsos, artistic director of Consortium Aurora Borealis. Perhaps this is why Ganiatsos didn’t mind booking a separate seat for the cello (it cannot be put in cargo because it might get damaged). “At least the cello only pays 50% of the fare, doesn’t have to pay for seat selection, and doesn’t pay some of the taxes!” says Ganiatsos. The quartet consists of violinists Luri Lee and Emily Kruspe,
Register For Our All New Fall Session The BEST Instruction in: • Gymnastics • Parkour – TBay’s Original • Tumbling • Birthdays • Private Lessons
Follow us on social media:
344-FLIP
ultimategymnastics.ca
Community Friends & Family Capital Campaign
A stepping stone to a better place You can help to impact lives and make our city a better place for everyone. Campaign Cabinet: Barbara & Joe McEachern - Co-Chairs, Ray Belluz, Liana Frenette, Lois & David Nuttall, Sharlene & Steve Sidorski, Sandra & John Wieckowski
To join our community of friends and family coming together to build this new facility contact one of our cabinet members or The Salvation Army at: 807-345-6492
www.satbcars.com
Join the Journey
Your peace of mind advocates.
Should a crisis occur we’ll ensure your life returns to normal quickly, starting with our 24/7 claim services. Get the best coverage and rates for your peace of mind.
102- 920 Tungsten Street P: 807.345.6369
After Hours Claims P: 1.844.762.2287
TF: 1.866.345.6369 info@standardinsurance.ca
standardinsurance.ca
The Walleye
75
COMFORTABLY CONNECTED FOR A NEW SEASON AHEAD
TELECO’s team of wireless professionals can help you select the latest smartphone and wireless plan to suit your needs. Plus, we’ll take the extra time to demonstrate the features and transfer your contacts. And with over 30 years of dedicated service, we’ll always be there when you need us – whatever the season.
SMART 6GB PLAN
75
$
• 6GB OF CANADIAN DATA • UNLIMITED CANADIAN CALLING • UNLIMITED TEXT & MMS FROM CANADA TO U.S. • UNLIMITED CANADA TO U.S. CALLING • 100 FREE U.S. ROAMING TEXTS
per mo.
601 Central Avenue • 345-2900 • teleco.ca Plans and pricing subject to change without notice. Devices not included. Canadian Minutes refers to calls made from Canada to any Canadian destination. Unlimited Canadian text and MMS are for messages sent from Canada to Canada. 100 free U.S. text messages are messages sent from the United States to all destinations. For full plan details go to tbaytel.net. ™Rogers and the Mobius Design are trademarks of or used under license from Rogers Communications Inc. or an affiliate.
76 The Walleye
Music
Save Our Station LU Radio’s The.Wav 2019 Tackles Funding Cuts
Story by Melanie Larson, Photo by David Jackson
I
t’s been a year of great uncertainty and setbacks for university campuses across Ontario. This past January, the Ontario government cut funding to university services that were deemed ‘unessential.’ Among other services, campus radio stations found themselves lumped into this category, leaving our community’s own LU Radio vulnerable to the cuts. Despite pushback, the policy persisted,
which means LU Radio will be one of twenty campus stations across Ontario to lose their core funding. On September 20 and 21, the local station will hold its annual fundraising concert The.Wav with this year’s theme S.O.S. - Save Our Station. Since 2005, LU Radio has remained a pillar in not only the community of Lakehead University, but in Thunder Bay as a whole. The station dedicates itself to highlighting
local and up-and-coming Canadian artists. They also offer a diverse range of specialized music stations such as Ska Party and Asian Pop Stop, which cater to the unique listeners of campus radio. But, aside from providing accessible, inclusive, independent radio content, LU Radio is also a provider of valuable work experience and training to those who volunteer. According to the National Campus Radio Association, Campus radio and press employ over 300 youth in Ontario, with an estimated 60+ youth positions expected to be cut due to this funding crisis. “You[r support] will help keep us staffed so we can continue giving Thunder Bay bands the attention they deserve,” explains station manager Tiina Flank.
This year’s The.Wav fundraiser will take place across two nights at The Foundry on September 20 and Black Pirates Pub on the 21. There will be a $5 cover at the door and volunteers will be on-site selling t-shirts and accepting donations. “We are raising awareness of how important campus community radio is to Thunder Bay while celebrating our diverse music scene,” says Flank. “We need to raise approximately $50,000 in 2019-2020 to secure the future of campus community radio in Thunder Bay. We can do this; we just need to be backed by the community that loves us!” For more information on how to volunteer or donate directly, visit luradio.ca.
Your Special Events Specialists! We’ll take care of it all:
• Book for Weddings, Showers, Birthdays, Anniversaries + Holiday Parties • Exquisite views all year round • Tantalizing menu + specialty items • Comfortably seats 160 guests • Friendly staff to assist you along the way We’ll work within YOUR budget!
Now Booking
Holiday Parties! 1350 Mountain Rd | 807.475.8925 More info at www.fwcc.ca
The Walleye
77
Music
BURNING TO THE SKY
Iggy Pop
Lust for Life By Gord Ellis
I
n October of 1982, I got to see Iggy Pop live for the one and only time in my life. The show was at the Wonderland Gardens in London, Ontario, and I only remember the venue because I checked it on Google. However, the experience of seeing Iggy Pop was something I will never forget. At the time, my knowledge of Iggy was almost nil, although his connection to David Bowie—and punk rock—was on my radar. However, a musician friend had basically insisted I go, which I did. Well, there was really no way to be prepared for Iggy Pop. He appeared on the stage shirtless, his body taut, arms gyrating and long hair flailing. His voice was low and slightly menacing, and he
“Search and Destroy”
“The Passenger”
Raw and loud, “Search and Destroy” is the first Iggy Pop record that got a lot of people’s attention. It sounds like a garage band, yet Iggy's plaintive vocals and cry that he is the “world's forgotten boy” make it a classic. Released in 1973 with his band The Stooges, this song is arguably the first punk anthem… and preceded the Sex Pistols by several years.
One of Iggy’s most famous songs, “The Passenger” features that voice and the basic circular music style that is the basis of many of his greatest songs. Bowie produced the song (and the album it came from) and you can hear him back in the mix. Bowie’s collaborations with Iggy bore both of them much fruit.
+ over 200 whiskeys
78 The Walleye
looked directly at the crowd as he sang, often hunched over. The band was raw and loud, and I remember recognizing one of his guitarists as Frank Infante of Blondie. This was primal rock, and the pace rarely slowed. At one point, some drunken college student threw a beer at Iggy and the singer none too happily returned the favour by throwing a drink back at the culprit. At different points in the show Iggy was writhing on the stage, swinging around the mic stand, stage diving, or just plain vibrating. Then, after about an hour of bedlam, the show was over. It was one of those intense musical experiences that stays with you. And yes, I became a lifelong Iggy fan. Iggy Pop was born in Michigan in
1947, but his birth certificate actually says James Newell Osterberg Jr. He started as a blues drummer, but soon took to being the front man and formed the groundbreaking band known as The Stooges. He went on to do two classic albums in collaboration with David Bowie called The Idiot and Lust for Life, which were a huge inspiration for bands like U2 and Depeche Mode. Iggy Pop has had a long career and has recorded a lot of songs, but has never sold a lot of records. However, there are few figures in modern rock who have had the impact he has. If you have never heard of Iggy Pop and want to get a taste of his genius, here are five good songs to start with.
“Lust for Life”
“I’m Bored”
“Candy”
Tribal, driven, and unrelentingly fun, “Lust for Life” is my favourite Iggy Pop song. The pounding drums dominate, and the vocal delivery, both slippery and tongue-in-cheek, is classic Iggy. Whenever this song comes on the radio, the volume goes up. Way up.
Although this song was recorded in 1979, “I’m Bored” could have been written in 2019. For all who endlessly scroll social media or flip the endless cable channels, “I’m Bored” is an anthem. And how can you not love a song that includes the line “I’m bored, I’m the chairman of the bored….”
The closest thing Iggy Pop ever had to a real live radio hit, “Candy,” from 1990, is boosted by the presence of Kate Pierson of the B-52s. Yet this is pure Iggy, with his voice at a nearly operatic vibrato. Ear candy of the oddest and most delightful kind.
Long live Iggy.
WELCOME STUDENTS!
Music
Songs for Lonesome Lovers
Bobby Dove Plays Algoma House Story by Melanie Larson, Photos by Chad Kirvan
T
hrough a door to the right of Wojo’s Mojo and up a set of stairs lies the cozy, humble space known as Algoma House. I entered the concert venue for the first time on August 2 to find it adorned by wood-panelled walls hung with various works of art in different styles. There were four rows of chairs carefully spaced across the room, about twelve of which filled slowly yet surely. It’s a small, eclectic venue but for an act like Bobby Dove, such an intimate space felt like a necessity.
The opener was Jimmy Breslin of Greenbank. Guitar in hand, he took his place in front of the many cameras streaming to Algoma House’s Facebook page. “Put on that Rob Lowe filter,” he joked, moments before diving into a finger-picking solo rendition of “What Else We Can Do.” His voice filled the already-warm room like a blanket meant to comfort those longing for “Freedom 55.” As Breslin finished his set, Bobby Dove was still finishing the trek from Winnipeg to Thunder Bay. But, in her defence, we were stop number
20-something near the end of a three-month tour. Suffice it to say a touch of lateness didn’t bother me or seemingly anyone else in the room. By the time she rolled into town and promptly settled into the house, she opened with a Hank Williams cover along with a cheeky “Hello Cleveland” to break the ice. Where the opener was all anthems for weary workers, Bobby Dove’s set catered more towards lonesome lovers. Her performance seamlessly shifted dynamics from the energetic, outlaw-esque “Gas
Station Blues” to the brooding, slowburn of “Loving You is Wrecking Me.” Occasionally, lyrics like “I’m full of hope, they call it addiction”—a line from my favourite track of the night, an unnamed, unrecorded song— would spring from Dove’s lips to land a punch straight to my gut. But I’m not surprised by her emotional impact. After all, Dove did warn me when I spoke with her last month that her road-worn state would enhance the meaning of her songs and boy, did she deliver.
The Walleye
79
Music
Irish Mythen
Sleeping Giant Folk Music Society Season Opener Story by Melanie Larson, Photos by Lisa MacIntosh
B
eginning as a small committee of volunteers in 2001, the Sleeping Giant Folk Music Society has consistently brought folk music to the Thunder Bay community for 18 successful years. And now that September is upon us, so too is the beginning of their 2019/20 season, which will kick off on September 21 at Port Arthur Polish Hall with singer-songwriter Irish Mythen. Although she hails from Ireland, Irish Mythen’s musical awakening took place in the United Arab Emirates. After moving there with her family, she was given her first guitar and promptly taught herself how to play. “When I was 15, my dad found a folk night in Abu Dhabi,” explains Mythen. “That’s where I got on stage for the first time and realized I wanted to make music for a living. It’s been my sole job since I was about 20 years of age and it’s taken me to almost every continent in the world.” Despite her reputation as a global touring artist, Mythen remains dedicated to reaching the small towns that often go overlooked. “I’m from a small community in Ireland myself, and I chose to live on PEI, which is not the biggest of places either. So I always think it’s really
80 The Walleye
important to show smaller communities lots of love,” says Mythen. “I think the greatest thing it [touring] has taught me… is that, wherever I go, the audiences are exactly the same. They’re there to be entertained.” With music that tells stories of relevant world issues as well as personal relationships, expect “some laughter, tears, and some debate,” but most importantly, “lots of interaction.” Having performed at the Live from the Rock Folk Festival in 2016, Irish Mythen’s local familiarity makes her the perfect fit as a season opener, according to Sleeping Giant Folk Music Society organizer Elly Tose. “She has a powerful voice, a captivating stage presence, and it’s nice to start the season with a popular performer [who] draws the audience out and gets them involved,” she says. The Sleeping Giant Folk Music Society’s 2019/20 season will feature an eclectic mix of new and returning folk artists. The lineup continues with the Slocan Ramblers on November 30, a group that Tose likens to The Barrel Boys from last year’s season. Following them will be Benjamin Dakota Rogers on February 15, Ariel Posen on March 7, and The LYNNeS on April 4.
Music
TBShows.com presents ON THE SCENE
Strong, Powerful Creatures Story by Jimmy Wiggins, Photos by Keegan Richard
Band: Mother of Wolves Hometown: Thunder Bay, ON Genre: Rock For fans of: No Doubt, Janis Joplin, Alabama Shakes, David Bowie Online: @Mother-Of-Wolves
M & THE
UPTOWN BLUES BAND
Vintage New Orleans Blues and a whole lotta FUN!
Saturday Oct. 12th
Doors @ 8:00 pm Advance $20 Advanced tickets available in the Club Room or call 807.345.8232 Port Arthur Legion 229 Van Norman street, Thunder Bay HarpdogBrown.com/shows
other Of Wolves was born in the summer of 2018, when long time friends Paula DiGiuseppe (lead vocals), Harley Curley (drums), Nathan Forte (bass), and Landon Sprock (guitar) started jamming together. It was only a few months after their first jam when MoW got the call that would lead to their introduction to the TBay music scene. “Our very first show together we were asked last minute to play The Hunger. It was such a blast and an amazing opportunity to introduce ourselves to our community,” explains Forte. “Now at a year in we are taking the next step forward to making our mark in Thunder Bay. We have had so much fun playing shows around town in our local bars and can’t wait to see what will come our way next”. No strangers to the TBay music scene, all four members have played in other local acts and come from varying musical backgrounds—DiGiuseppe and Curley from Morning Light (funk, soul, Motown), Forte from The Married Singlemen (rock, ska), and Sprock from The Cheap Excape (rock). Together they form an energetic mix of rock, ska, metal, funk, blues, and pop, taking influences from
major acts like Queen, Led Zeppelin, Florence and the Machine, T. Rex, Alice Cooper, Lady Gaga, and Elton John, among others. When it came time to putting a name to the group, the band looked to their shared love of nature and the great outdoors for inspiration. “Wolves are strong, powerful creatures that work best when in a pack, being able to take on whatever challenge is tossed their way. We really feel like we are a strong family pack working together wanting to share the gift of music with our community but also being able to support each other through what life challenges are tossed our way,” says Forte. “Wolves also work in harmony with the moon and all its cycles. The moon is such a strong, empowering force representing female energy, and Paula is a strong female lead in the band, but also in life. She’s a killer queen! So came forth the name Mother of Wolves, Paula being the mother—the strong but kind female
energy being able to walk amongst wolves, which represent Harley, Landon, and myself.” What does the future hold for MoW? “We have new covers on the way without question. We would think the biggest move is to have a complete new song set of originals which you can expect to see soon,” says Forte. “In a year from now we see ourselves still doing what we love but to a different sound, always growing and learning and finding a spot in Thunder Bay’s music scene. We also see travel in our future—we would love to go across Canada and maybe even one day play around the world in any way we can. As long as we can have music in our life we are pretty happy and fortunate people.”
The Foundry October 5 Search Mother of Wolves on Facebook
The Walleye
81
Music
Cancer Bats
Living in the Year of the Spark Story by Justin Allec
I
reach Cancer Bats lead singer Liam Cormier as he’s waiting for a plane to Paris. Since releasing their sixth album last April, The Spark That Moves, the Bats have already completed tours through the U.K., Australia, and the States. After Europe, the band will barely rest before criss-crossing Canada yet again, which includes a date at Crocks on September 13. Cormier’s band is in a great space right now, as the Bats have achieved more than becoming Canada’s premier punk band. After almost two decades, these scrappy southern Ontario kids have somehow become grinning veterans on
82 The Walleye
their own terms. Everything almost crashed and burned, though. After releasing their fifth album, Searching for Zero, in 2015, the Cancer Bats did what they always did. They toured hard, got a Juno nomination, sold a lot of merch and albums… and reached the end of their record contract. Free from label support, the band had the option of folding up or forging ahead. With nothing to lose, the Bats recorded and released Spark without any fanfare. “It was liberating. We’d been under contract to release albums that were a set length, every two years,” Cormier recounts.
“With Spark we did what we wanted. All those styles we play—punk, sludge, hardcore, thrash—we could just write songs that sounded like Cancer Bats.” Spark is the first Bats album with no clear “hit,” yet all the songs blaze in a live setting, be it a small club or closing out a festival. Even after hundreds of shows, Cormier still gets motivated by the fans—even some who’ve been absent for a while. “We’re getting a lot of kids out, sure, but we’re lucky in keeping an older contingent of fans,” he says. “They went and had kids and settled down, and now they get a babysitter and get out to party again!” Given the number of times the Bats have played Thunder Bay already, Cormier knows what to expect, but isn’t any less motivated. This band can play for festival crowds, but they’re deadly in a small venue like Crocks.
Cormier isn’t shy about the future of the Bats, either. He relishes their new independence but knows there’s a lot of hard work ahead. The singer audibly shudders at the idea of being a “greatest hits” band. “We look to established bands like Propagandhi and Converge that have stayed relevant both critically and commercially,” he says. “They do things their way, when they have the material. They’re active in the industry through running distros or labels or other ways of doing art. That’s worth growing into.” Having achieved so much with Spark already, the years ahead look just as bright.
Crocks September 13 cancerbats.com
Music
Metric will be headlining the Wake the Giant Music Festival.
Wake the Giant Encouraging Acceptance Through Music By Melanie Larson
I
n 2017, a group of students at Dennis Franklin Cromarty High School (DFC) took part in a songwriting workshop with Nick Ferrio and July Talk’s Peter Dreimanis and Leah Fay. They came with the New Constellations tour and began writing what would become “Mourning Keeps Coming Back,” a song by DFC students about their experiences as Indigenous youth living in Thunder Bay. While recording “Mourning” with the students at July Talk’s studio in Toronto, the DFC staff officially pitched the music festival to the band. “There was no hesitation,” says Wake the Giant organizer and First Nations Student Success
Program Coordinator at DFC, Sean Spenrath. “Right away they said, ‘yeah, that sounds awesome. Let’s do it.’ And that got the ball rolling.” It’s been a long time coming, but on September 14, the Wake the Giant music festival will finally be here. Those connections to the music industry proved crucial for booking artists. “When we were going through a rut trying to fill the lineup, July Talk started touring with Metric,” recalls Spenrath. July Talk asked, and Metric obliged. Jarrett Martineau, the host of CBC’s Reclaimed and co-founder of Revolutions Per Minute, also played a significant role in the festival. “We asked him who the next big
Indigenous bands that are going to blow up are and he gave us Crown Lands and Wolf Saga.” Spenrath assures that “everyone will know about the cause by the time they leave.” There will be video messaging and guest speakers between performances all keeping with the purpose of the festival: to raise awareness for DFC’s need for a new school and living centre. Three hundred youth will also be flown out from remote communities to attend the festival as well. “If you don’t own a business, this is what you can do to help,” says Spenrath. “You can go to the festival, welcome these kids, and make sure they have the best time ever!” Those who attend can also expect some surprise collaborations between artists, and with DFC students. “I think it would be a real shame if we didn’t play the song [“Mourning Keeps Coming Back”],” says Fay. “We’re looking forward to
reconnecting with some of the folks who we met in the process of writing the song. I think it’ll be a sight to behold. For a lot of students, it’ll be their first time performing. So, it’ll be really beautiful and exciting.” “It feels like the right time to do it because it’s the beginning of the school year,” adds Dreimanis. “To welcome all of the new students, the students coming back, and allow the community to all hang out and have a good time together. All you can do is bring positivity to a space and hope that the music can do the rest of the work.”
Wake the Giant Music Festival September 14 Thunder Bay waterfront wakethegiant.ca/music-festival/
The Walleye
83
Music and heavy on keyboards. Other songs, such as “Fruitless” and “Makes Me Wanna,” bring out plucky guitars and a pop-like feel that lingers with a calm, cool feeling. All these songs strongly remind me of “Only You” by Yazoo, reminiscent of an older time. Mockford says that “from the beginning, we’ve always set out to make pop music that we like,” and adds, “We would hope people from an older generation would relate it to Fleetwood Mac or Blondie, and that younger people would hear Crumb or U.S. Girls in our sound.” The band hopes that people can have both an energetic and chill night, with lots of groove and tight harmonies. Listening to this band, it’s easy to feel the underdog winning. For more information on the band or for tickets, visit bridalpartytheband.com or algomahouse.ca.
A Party to Remember
upcoming events @tbchamber
THU
Victoria-Based Band Ready to Party
12
By Neil Burke
I
n 2015 in Victoria, British Columbia, Suzannah Raudaschl wanted to work on a solo album, but she needed a little bit of help. So she asked a friend, Joseph Leroux, to put it together. The two of them formed the band Bridal Party, where both singer-songwriters could create and play. Along with Adrian Heim on drums, Lee Gauthier on bass, and newest member Jordan Clairmont, Bridal Party takes the stage at the Algoma House on September 22. The band chose the name because it was “glamourous and fun,” says band representative Kevin Mockford. A fun name indeed for a band whose influences include Blondie, Steely Dan, Crumb, and
84 The Walleye
Fleetwood Mac, to name a few. And with their debut album, Kingfisher Bluez, set for release, their return to Thunder Bay (their first since 2016, when they played with a 14-piece brass band) seems fruitful. The band has released two EPs, Negative Space in 2017 and Negative Space (Remixes) in 2018. They have also toured throughout Canada and the US, and performed at such notable festivals as Sled Island and Rifflandia. Festival Sled Island described them as “loosening up the listener to cheer for the wily underdog. They’re a band that’ll convince you some of life’s best treasures are its simplest.” Songs like “Too Much” showcase their 80s-style rock, eclectic
“Count On Pearson Int’l Airport”
with Howard Eng, President and Chief Executive Officer, GTAA
SEP
Event Sponsor
TUE
15 Welcoming Dr. Sarita Verma
Dean & CEO, Northern Ontario School of Medicine
OCT
Series Sponsor
www.tbchamber.ca/events
The Walleye
85
Music
What’s That Sound? The OM Sound Comes to the Foundry By Stephanie Skavinski
T
he Montreal-based group The OM Sound describe themselves as a “nu-neo-soul power trio” and have a laid-back groove energy. Not a collaboration to be pigeonholed, however, Orion Miller, Marina Miller, and Varoujan Mardirossian stir together all manner of influences to create a multi-genre blend that is entirely their own. “One song may start with a hard-hitting hip hop groove and end with a Rage Against the Machineesque breakdown. Another may start with an indie trip-hop feel reminiscent of Radiohead and end with dubby reggae or drum-andbass,” says Orion. This is certainly one of the band’s strengths: combining different influences and letting what happens play out, but knowing that it will still remain consistent and sound like them. Having such a multifaceted presence that includes jazz harmonies, hip hop beats, funk grooves, live looping, and chilled-out vocals gives each member the chance to take on multiple roles to create a whole that is larger than the sum of its parts. The OM Sound are enjoying
86 The Walleye
currently enjoying their cross-Canada tour, playing the big cities as well as a lot of smaller ones, including some house concerts and a cottage party. “Even when booking a big festival tour, we try to visit small communities whenever possible,” says Orion. “The crowds in smaller towns are always super-appreciative of the extra effort required to make it out there, and the shows reflect that attitude of gratitude.” They play Thunder Bay at least once or twice a year on their way across this land, so they’re no strangers to us. Orion says, “We’ve found the people to be super-open to our music, and we love to party with you all! ” Despite their zenned-out name, there seems to be no rest for the rockin’. Their latest album, Imminent Light, was released in 2018, and since then the trio have been recording a series of live videos to be released this fall. When they return to Montreal after this tour, they look forward to recording another full-length album slated for release next summer. Check out their show on September 7 for a sneak preview of that content.
“We're super-excited to be back [in TBay] with a bunch of exclusive new tunes before we head home to hit the studio,” says Orion. Get to the Foundry on September 7 to hear them live.
The Foundry September 7, 9 pm theomsound.com
Lottery License M835307
At TRIAD we specialize in:
Roofing Soffit, Fascia & Eavestroughing Snowplowing & Removal Renovations Interior & Exterior
New Construction
+ more!
CALL FOR A FREE QUOTE TODAY:
622-1919
NEW SHOWROOM LOCATED AT
800 Norah Crescent
Early Bird 50/50 Raffle Win up to $4,000.00
Draw on October 12 Winner will be notified by phone
$ 5 tickets
Dinner Event Fundraiser Sunday, October 20 ’19 6:00 pm - Moose Hall
$ 35 per person
Tickets Fireweed Crafts
( Algoma at Bay ) All proceeds benefit:
Enjoy a simple meal and take home a handmade pottery bowl
available
George’s Market and Celebrations ( Balsam and River )
at:
Up Shot Coffeehouse
( May at Victoria )
Shelter House & Thunder Bay Food Bank
Visit: emptybowlsthunderbay.com for more information Like us on facebook Empty Bowls Thunder Bay & follow for updates Top Sponsors :
Community Potters and Quilters The Walleye
87
OfftheWall
III
REVIEWS
Blood Year
The Lumineers
Russian Circles
Going into this album, I was a little apprehensive that The Lumineers might have pulled a Mumford & Sons and taken their sound in a completely different direction for their third album, aptly titled III. Mercifully, I was relieved to discover this was not the case. The opening track, “Donna,” sets a more sombre mood than we might be used to, and is a bit of a departure from their previous albums, in particular the singles like “Ho Hey” and “Stubborn Love” from their self-titled first release The Lumineers (2012) and “Ophelia” from Cleopatra (2016). Despite The Lumineers’ overarching shift to a more serious sound, “Gloria” retains the essence of their stomp and holler aesthetic that has garnered them a lot of fans, and tracks like “Life in the City” and “It Wasn’t Easy to Be Happy For You” are easy to sing along to on the first listen-through.
Honestly, I don’t think an instrumental band can be considered successful unless you don’t notice the lack of singing. The music is laid bare, without vocals to hide or distract. That means that the songs have to engage the listener all on their own. Russian Circles’ instru-metal prowess has been well established since their first album in 2006, and their seventh album Blood Year is another dark triumph. The Chicago trio have no problems in laying out gritty rhythms and sludgy grooves that are equal parts chilling and soothing, and they know how to twist and turn their music to pull you in and keep you humming along. This is because Russian Circles understand the importance of establishing a tentative mood of safety through massive rhythmic hooks. That doesn’t last though— just as you feel the song is settling, the band swerves hard and doubles down on the fierceness, so you’re somewhere even better than expected. So, vocals? Forget them. There’s no room when the metal is this good.
-Stephanie Skavinski
- Justin Allec
Hey, I’m Just Like You
Dwayne Gretzky
Tegan and Sara’s angst-laden single, “Northshore,” was the soundtrack to my year in seventh grade. So naturally, when I found out that their upcoming album was comprised of completed versions of their very first songs, I anticipated a return to their edgier, punk roots. Upon first listen, opening tracks “Hold My Breath Until I Die” and “Hey, I’m Just Like You” became immediate favourites. But, knowing my twelveyear-old self would have adored those tracks for their melodramatic lyrics, I feared nostalgia was clouding my judgement. However, “I’ll Be Back Someday” reassured me, as this track just feels like a first song—dated and juvenile—due to its repetitive lyrics and incessant pop-punk strumming. It’s followed up yet again by another stand-out track, “Don’t Believe The Things They Tell You (They Lie),” which features a grandiose climax of spacey drums and heavy, jangly guitars to match the devastating loss of childhood that paint the lyrics. Unfortunately, the rest of the album feels weighed down by this pattern of excellence interrupted by mediocrity.
Perhaps not a household name in NWO, Dwayne Gretzky is Toronto’s most popular cover band known for performing classic songs with faithful precision. If you want proof of their popularity, consider this: Dwayne Gretzky played after the Rolling Stones at their only Canadian show (sure, it was on a smaller stage, but still!). Their first release is a carefully curated collection of 70s and 80s AMradio hits, like ABBA’s “S.O.S.” and Erasure’s “A Little Respect” and more recent releases that have a little more grit, like Queens of the Stone Age’s “Make It Wit Chu.” Vocals are definitely a highlight, with four of the nine band members taking turns on lead and others pitching in with perfect harmonies. The album is musically solid and fun, plus it includes a few surprises, just like the mixed tapes your friends made for you in the 90s.
Tegan and Sara
- Melanie Larson
Jerk Meat, Curry Meat, Sides & More! 88 The Walleye
Dwayne Gretzky
- Michelle McChristie
i,i
Dare I Say
Greenwood
Smoke, Bacon and Booze
Bon Iver
Olivia Wilde
Michael Christie
I have found Bon Iver to be a bit of an enigma wrapped in a riddle at times and the latest release, i,i, is much the same, while being among the best performances from the group so far. Some works of this nature sometimes forfeit creativity for the sake of being enigmatic, but frontman and founder Justin Vernon has stuck to the basics, leaving the artistic aspect to the listeners’ experiences instead of the execution. The music is what I would call experimental folk meets R&B; electronic melodies and rhythms led by Vernon’s emotionfilled vocals, acoustic guitar, and horns. Some of the tracks add to the slight bewilderment of the album with names such as “Sh’diah,” “RABi,” and “iMi,” but their meanings are revealed within the lyrics and arrangements. “U (Man Like),” “Hey, Ma,” and “Marion” are the songs that lead the way for me, but the entire album was a real joy to listen to overall. Fans and new listeners will both get their money’s worth from this record.
When two highly influential women engage in conversation about controversial and sensitive topics, it’s bound to be a worthy listen. Dare I Say is the first podcast produced by HarpersBAZAAR.com and is hosted by Olivia Wilde. From fashion to feminism, Wilde sets the stage each episode for a consistent, introspective, and sometimes heated discussion. Not only do you hear perspectives from intellectual and powerful women, you also gain critical knowledge of the history behind the topic. Although some episodes do weigh heavy on the feminist theme, Dare I Say is empowering and challenging, and the true passion expressed in these women’s voices is difficult to ignore.
In the midst of the Great Depression, Everett Greenwood’s simple life gets upended when he finds an infant swaddled along with a journal in the forest, left for dead. After discovering that a rich and dangerous man wants the baby and the book, Everett flees across Canada in an attempt to deliver her to safety. Greenwood goes on to explore the impact the actions of individuals have on future generations, spanning more than a century. The writing is a bit of a mixed bag, although I enjoyed the overall plot and pacing in the main story. Major characters brim with personality, while others feel insubstantial. Moments are emotionally felt when Christie approaches them with a light touch, but he occasionally writes with a heavy hand. At its best, Greenwood is a very human reminder that things aren’t always easy and they aren’t always fair. Cruelty has always existed, but no matter how hopeless things appear, we’ve been there before, and we’ve endured.
- Andrea Lysenko
- Jamie Varga
Derek Lankinen
This book had me at “bacon.” Smoke, Bacon and Booze by Chef Derek Lankinen was published in 2014 as Thunder Bay’s food scene was booming. The scene is still booming and Lankinen remains one of its leaders, following many years of education, training, experience, and award-winning work (he was the winner of Top Chef Thunder Bay in 2013). Lankinen is known for his love of local food and making every meal count, and his passion comes through in every page of this cookbook. Recipes feature ingredients that are easily sourced in and around Thunder Bay and the instructions are short and sweet, making this an ideal guide for any level of culinary confidence. This book is all about making and sharing great food. The hardest part is deciding where to start… I am leaning towards the bacon jam and desserts! - Jesse Roberts
- Alexander Kosoris
Pat Meredith, a Donner Prize winner, and her family Steve Karam and Patrick Meredith-Karam created a fund to honour their Thunder Bay roots. Our donors give back to the community of Thunder Bay. The community that supported them to succeed.
Meredith-Karam Family Fund CONTACT. US Ti.ODAY.!
e: admin@tbcf.org
•
ThunderBay 5-
Community Foundation : I
'
your passion I I our communi!)'. • · a legacY,
f: 807.683.0793 The Walleye
89
Architecture
Soroptimist International Friendship Garden Story by Laurie Abthorpe, Photos by Chondon Photography
I
n 1965, the Soroptimist Club of Fort William and Port Arthur began considering ways to commemorate Canada’s Centennial. Soroptimist members Ruth W. Black and Rose Firm suggested an ethnic garden, their inspiration coming from visit they made to the International Peace Gardens in Salt Lake City the year before. Originating in 1939, the International Peace Gardens play tribute to the various nationalities represented throughout Utah. The Soroptimist Club, after embracing the idea in October 1965, promptly established a garden committee with Black and Firm as co-chairs. The concept of an ethnic garden, well-received by the mayor of Fort William, Ernest Reed, was also shared with the Fort William Board of Parks Management. In February 1966, up to 17 acres of land along Victoria Avenue in the Chapples Memorial Community Park was made available for the project, should the garden committee succeed in gaining commitments for gardens from at least three ethnic groups. Participating groups would
90 The Walleye
be required to design, finance, and construct a garden reflective of their homeland and culture. Once the completed gardens were dedicated they would be maintained by the city. Interest was strong and, with the required commitments gained, a sod-turning ceremony was held on November 16, 1966. The Parks Management Board invested $125,000 towards construction including an artificial lake, Reflection Lake, as well as a bridge, walkways, and lighting. In 1971 the first gardens, Canadian, German, Slovakian, Polish and Italian, were dedicated. By 1979 Lithuanian, Ukrainian, and Finnish gardens had been added. In 1980, with only two sites left available in the original garden, a $55,000 expansion plan was developed with work on phase two, 2.5 acres of land east of Legion Track Drive, beginning in 1982. The expansion accommodated eight more sites with walkways and lighting surrounding a second body of water, Soroptimist Lake. Completing the original garden area were the Dutch and Hungarian
Aerial photograph of original garden area in 1974. Area to the east of the garden shows the ball diamond that was later moved to Neebing Avenue, allowing for the 1982 expansion of Soroptimist International Friendship Garden. TBA 1974 L7-246
gardens, both dedicated in 1986. Between 1987 and 1992, the garden sites in phase two were dedicated. These include the Indian, Scottish, Filipino, Greek, Chinese, Slovenian, Croatian, and Portuguese gardens. Archways built by the Soroptimist Club welcome visitors at both the east and west entry points of the 15- acre area representing 18 ethnic groups through flowers, trees, statues, artifacts, and structures. The walkways, ponds, beautiful gardens, and unique monuments make for a wonderful place to walk and explore. It has also more recently become one of the city’s best places to collect Pokémon
if you are a Pokémon Go player. Soroptimist International Friendship Garden continues to be maintained by the City of Thunder Bay Parks Department, while any changes or adjustments are coordinated in partnership with Soroptimist International of Thunder Bay. Laurie Abthorpe is the heritage researcher for the Heritage Advisory Committee, which advises City Council on the conservation of heritage buildings, sites, and resources, and their integration into development. For more information on the city’s heritage resources, visit thunderbay.ca/ heritage.
Architecture
Painted Back to Class Turtle SALE
Sept. 3rd - 7th
Ar
t Shop
344-4636 4 Balsam St. (by George’s Market)
Save 20 %
Saturday Sept. 21st Drop in & Play 1pm - 3pm with Inks $10 plus Hst
www.paintedturtleart.com The Walleye
91
Health
W
Tomato, basil, and garlic whole wheat penne served at Thunder Bay Regional Health Science Centre’s cafeteria. The dish features DeBruin’s Greenhouses tomatoes and basil. For the full recipe, follow us on Instagram @TBRHSC.
Easy Tips to Make Your Italian Meal Healthier By Sara Chow, Health Promotion and Communications Planner, Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre
ho doesn’t like Italian food? It’s delicious. It’s easy to find. But sometimes it gets a bad rap for being unhealthy. “Often, pasta gets labelled as being unhealthy, but it doesn’t have to be,” says Marisa Tamasi, registered dietitian with the Renal Program at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre. “There are many easy ways to make Italian cuisine both healthy and delicious.” Tamasi explains that Italy is one of the countries along the Mediterranean Sea that has been studied extensively for a diet that has many health benefits. “The Mediterranean diet emphasizes high intake of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds. It moderates animal proteins like fish and poultry and de-emphasizes red meat. Overall, this diet is known to be lower in saturated and trans fats, and rich in unsaturated fat, starch, fibre, nutrients, and phytochemicals that support good health. It’s associated with many health benefits and lower rates of chronic disease.” One of the best things that you can do to make your Italian meal healthier is to prepare it yourself. This helps to control the amount of sodium, unhealthy fats, and dietary fibre intake. “Most sodium in the
diet comes from processed foods, not necessarily the salt we add,” explains Tamasi. “Consider making your own sauces, meatballs, and pizza. Keep it simple. Sometimes the best pastas and pizzas can be as simple as a light coat of tomato sauce, using ingredients like basil and oregano to season, and adding a drizzle of olive oil.” When it comes to pasta, it really boils down to portion size. Instead of cooking an entire box of noodles, only cook the number of servings that are needed. Replace a full plate of pasta with a smaller amount and serve it with a large portion of vegetables or salad. You can even try substituting zucchini, spaghetti squash or eggplant for traditional pasta noodles. While meal preparation is a healthy step in serving a nutritious dish to your family, Tamasi reminds us that it is also important to enjoy the meal together. “When visiting with my family in Italy, meals are always consumed at the table together, with no distractions. These mealtime traditions are important takeaways from Italian culture, too. Research shows that eating together promotes healthy eating habits and helps families to cope with stress.” Buon appetito!
Food Item
Why Replace?
Replace With
Tips
Parmigiano Reggiano and Pecorino Romano
High in sodium. Salt is used as a preservative and adds to the flavour and quality of cheese.
Ricotta cheese or fresh mozzarella cheese
If using higher-sodium cheese, use salt in moderation.
Ready-made tomato sauce
Often high in sodium
Use products with reduced or no sodium, or make your own!
Compare products for lowest sodium content per serving. Try making your own sauce with fresh Roma tomatoes or low/no-sodium canned crushed tomatoes. Add to sautéed onion and garlic in extra virgin olive oil with spices and herbs of your choice.
Ready-made meatballs
Often high in sodium
Make your own!
Use extra-lean or lean ground beef/pork, breadcrumbs, egg and season with garlic, fresh parsley, onion any other herbs and spices of your choice.
Ready-made pizza
High in sodium, saturated, and trans fats
Make your own!
Make your own dough or, if short on time, find a local bakery that makes fresh dough for purchase. Use homemade or low/no-sodium tomato sauce, limit cheese, and replace processed meats with vegetables.
Butter and hard fats
High in saturated and trans fats
Olive oil (high in monounsaturated fat)
Try extra virgin olive oil. It contains more antioxidants and is richer in flavour compared to other types of olive oil. Use it to make salad dressing, sautéing, or drizzle to complete your dish.
White pasta
Lower in fibre, vitamins and minerals
Whole grain pasta
Search for pasta that states “100% whole grain” (followed by the type of grain) first in the ingredient list. Also, look for a higher-fibre pasta by comparing the nutrition facts tables.
Processed meats and red meats (salami, ham, pepperoni, beef, pork and lamb)
Higher in sodium and saturated fats
Leaner fresh meats, such as chicken, fish or legumes
Replace meat with legumes, such as lentils, chickpeas, romano beans or pinto beans. Try the Italian dish pasta e fagioli!
92 The Walleye
New Fall Arrivals
In-Store Now
shop www.jbevans.ca 122 W. Frederica St Phone: (807) 475-4755
NORTHSHOREWINERY.US
Mon-Wed, Fri & Sat 9-5:30, Thurs 9-8
Stillness speaks. MEDITATION|AYURVEDA|HEALING
explore courses and group workshops at:
edithaliggagne.com
The Walleye
93
SeptemberEventsGuide September 1 & 2
September 5
Hymers Fall Fair Hymers Fairgrounds
Catch the country spirit at Hymers Fair, a local tradition since 1912! See this month’s Top Five for more info.
hymersfair.com
September 2, noon–4 pm
Labour Day Picnic Current River Park
The Thunder Bay and District Labour Council invite you to their annual Labour Day Picnic, featuring music, games, inflatables, pony rides, clowns, face painting, and much more. Hot dogs, corn, ice cream, and refreshments are provided. Glutenfree, vegetarian, and Halal option available. Everyone is welcome. This event is free and sponsored by the Thunder Bay Labour Council and its affiliated Unions.
seiuhealthcare.ca/labourday
Sept 4, 11, 18, & 25, 7:30–9:45 pm
Northwestern Ontario Bright Path presents a free talk with Arjuna Ishaya, author of 200%: An Instruction Manual For Living Fully, for anyone wanting more from life.
arjunaishaya.com/summit
September 5–8
Alexander Henry Museum Ship Pool 6 Dock
The Alexander Henry was built in 1958 at the Port Arthur Shipbuilding company. The ship contains nearly a dozen museum rooms where visitors can rediscover the area’s transportation history aboard an integral part of it.
September 6–8
Prince Arthur Waterfront Hotel & Suites
Seek Adventures and Tours takes you on a journey to uncover local stories of hauntings and the unexplained paired with local treats in the Waterfront District... if you dare!
seekadventureandtours.com
September 5
Thunder Bay Symphony Chorus: Registration Night Join the Thunder Bay Symphony Chorus on their registration night. Registration fees have you covered for the entire season and are only $100, or $45 if you are a student!
facebook.com/TBSchorus
Waverley Resource Library Auditorium
visitthunderbay.com/waterfront
TBay Treats and Haunted Streets
Trinity Hall
Free Talk: Living Life 200% with Arjuna Ishaya
WTIP Radio Waves Music Festival Grand Marais, MN
Head south of the border in September to hear some sweet sounds in scenic Grand Marais! See this month’s Top Five for more info.
wtip.org
September 7, 8:30 am
Ronald McDonald House Charity Golf Tournament Whitewater Golf Course
September 7
September 7
September 8, 10 am–4 pm
Thunder Bay 55 Plus Centre
Belluz Farm
Ontario Native Women’s Association
Parkinson Canada SuperWalk
This September, walk at Parkinson Canada SuperWalk—Canada’s only nationwide fundraiser to support Canadians with Parkinson’s. To register yourself or a team, or to volunteer, visit their website.
superwalk.ca
September 7
Rain Garden Tour 2019
Attend a free, self-guided tour of rain gardens in Thunder Bay to celebrate our community’s commitment to stormwater management. See what Thunder Bay residents and property owners are doing to manage stormwater and naturalize urban spaces. Chat with rain garden hosts about the rain garden rebate program and learn what you can do, too!
ecosuperior.org/ raingardentour2019
September 7
Opwaaganisiniing Salmon Derby
Lake Helen and Lake Nipigon
Don’t miss the annual Opwaaganisiniing Salmon Derby. This is a one-day event where teams enter to win a grand prize for the heaviest salmon. People gather from all over to fish the waters of Lake Helen and Lake Nipigon. Don’t wait... sign up today. For more information contact the Red Rock Indian Band.
rrib.ca
Save the date! It’s the 21st Annual Ronald McDonald Charity Golf Tournament, including 18 holes of golf (best ball) with cart. Dinner and awards to follow at the Valhalla Inn. Consider supporting this wonderful event.
janisbeebe@tbaytel.net
Central Canada Charity Ride The Central Canada Charity Ride (formerly known as the Caribou Charity Ride), in support of the Northern Cancer Fund, was created to give all kinds of people—mothers, fathers, grandparents, teens, friends, and cancer survivors—the motivation to challenge themselves while contributing towards a cure. To participate all you need is a bike, a helmet (CPSC, Snell, or ANSI certified), and determination.
ONWA is holding a pow wow in honour of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. Sunrise ceremony begins at 7:30 am; pow wow begins at 10 am.
charityride.ca
A carefully curated collection of local artisans, food... and beer! This amazing event will feature over 40 of Thunder Bay’s favourite artisans. Entrance is free, but VIP tickets will be available for $10 that include half hour early entry, a beer token, and an exclusive kraft coaster.
September 7
Awakening the Dream Urban Abbey
A festival of art, music, food, spiritual readings, and prayer. Come and celebrate! Awaken the dream of God for Thunder Bay and our nation.
facebook.com/ ThunderhouseofPrayer
September 7 & 21, 8:30 pm
Open Mic Comedy Night Fastlane Bar & Grill
Come test out your comedy chops at the Fastlane!
thefastlanebarandgrill.com
Until September 8
50
.00
/month
tbaytel.net/connectedhomepromo ©
2019 Marvel. Some conditions apply. Visit tbaytel.net/connectedhomepromo for full details.
2 The Walleye 94
September 8, noon–4 pm
Kraft Fall Harvest Pop-Up Market
Sleeping Giant Brewing Co.
krafttbay@gmail.com
September 8, 10 am–noon
Bark For Life Thunder Bay Boulevard Lake
Bark For Life is for owners and their dogs to raise awareness for the fight against cancer, together! It’s time for our furry friends to take us by the leash and lead the way in this great fundraising event!
cancer.ca/barkforlife/thunderbay
September 12–14
Playful, yet astute observation informs the art of the late Joane Cardinal-Schubert on display at the Thunder Bay Art Gallery this summer. Forty pivotal pieces in painting, drawing, printmaking, collage, and installation were gathered from collections across Canada, including the National Gallery of Canada, the Alberta Foundation for the Arts and private collections.
Join us for a very special edition of Franco-Festival, the largest francophone festival in Northwestern Ontario, with music, arts, food and activities for the whole family! See this month’s City Scene section for more info.
Thunder Bay Art Gallery
Internet 2 Year Advantage Plans
$
phowells@onwa.ca
The Writing on the Wall
theag.ca
Starting at
MMIW Pow Wow
Franco-Festival Various Locations
centrefranco.ca
September 12–15
September 13–15
Trinity Hall
North House Folk School, Grand Marais, MN
Vox Popular Media Arts Festival Now celebrating their 15th year, the Vox Popular Media Arts Festival is continuing their goal of showcasing local, national, and international films. See this month’s Film and Theatre section for more info.
voxpopular.ca
September 12–October 5
SHOUT! The Mod Musical Magnus Theatre
With its irresistible blend of hipswiveling hits, eye-popping fashions, and outrageous dance, SHOUT! The Mod Musical takes audiences back to the music, style, and freedom of the 1960s, featuring terrific new arrangements of some of the biggest hits of all time.
magnustheatre.com
September 13, 11 am
15th Annual Mayor’s Mulligan Golf Tournament Strathcona Golf Course
Join the mayor for this one-of-akind tournament! Teams of four will enjoy 18 holes, two power carts, lunch, games, challenges, a dinner reception, silent auction, and a day of fun on the green. All proceeds are in support of PRO Kids. Everyone is welcome, registration is required.
thunderbay.ca/mulligan
September 13, 7:30 pm
NOWW Presents: Gary Barwin
Prince Arthur Waterfront Hotel and Suites
Unplugged & Birch Bark Bash Celebrate community, music, craft, and storytelling along the lakeshore. Friday night will feature the Birch Bark Bash fundraising celebration with a dinner that explores the northern landscape provided by chefs Judi Barsness and Scott Graden, followed by guest speaker Carol Sauvion of the PBS show Craft in America. It will be an unforgettable evening of performances. Tickets on sale now!
northhouse.org/events/unplugged
September 13–December 1
Unfold Time: The Art of Leo Yerxa Thunder Bay Art Gallery
Unfold Time celebrates the life and work of Leo Yerxa (1947–2017), the award-winning artist, poet, and writer from Couchiching First Nation. The exhibition brings together Leo’s writings—his memories, reflections, and poems—with his art. Combined, they take us on a journey, revealing how Leo’s extraordinary talents unfolded over five decades.
facebook.com/MosquitoSpeedway
Thunder Bay Art Gallery
theag.ca
For this installation, multimedia artist Andrea Pinheiro projects a 16 mm film of various nuclear and geographically significant sites across the southwestern United States and Northern Ontario onto a large screen made of clay and roots.
September 18, 7 pm
theag.ca
An exhibition of the work of Norval Morrisseau (1932-2007), one of the most innovative artists of the 20th century.
Toy Sense Games Night Red Lion Smokehouse
Come out and play a variety of board games from Toy Sense! Admission is free with a minimum $20 food or drink purchase.
redlionsmokehouse.ca
September 20, noon–5 pm
Climate Strike Thunder Bay
34 North Cumberland Street
This September, millions will walk out of their workplaces and homes to join young climate strikers on the streets and demand an end to the age of fossil fuels.
Until September 22
Northwest Coast Masks: Selections from the Permanent Collection Thunder Bay Art Gallery
This exhibition features a range of Northwest Coast masks from the gallery’s permanent collection.
theag.ca
September 25
Quiz Night
Red Lion Smokehouse
September 14
September 20–November 2
redlionsmokehouse.ca
St. Ignatius High School
Baggage Building Arts Centre
2019 Walk to End ALS The largest volunteer-led fundraiser for ALS Societies across Canada, the Walk to End ALS is a fun, familyfriendly way to celebrate hope for a future without ALS, honour those we have loved and lost, and show support for the 3,000 Canadians and their families living with the disease. Help reach the $30,000 Thunder Bay goal for 2019 and walk to End ALS!
West Thunder Corn Roast and Vendors’ Market
Fun and excitement the whole family can enjoy! You’ll see fast-paced and amazing stock car races featuring a wide variety of classes like modified, supers stocks, street stocks, and our local ice racers! This event is cash sales only, so make sure you’re wellprepared. Tickets are $10 for Friday, $20 for Saturday, and $25 Sunday, per person.
Shattered Basin, Fired Thing
fridaysforfuturethunderbay@ gmail.com
nowwwriters.ca
Mosquito Speedway
Thunder Bay Art Gallery
Until September 22
theag.ca
walktoendals.ca
6th Annual Dirt Track Nationals
Norval Morrisseau: Works from the Permanent Collection
The last Wednesday of every month is quiz night at Red Lion Smokehouse, sponsored by Lake of the Woods Brewing Company. Bring a team of up to 6 people, and your own pens! $2 per person.
A reading by award-winning writer Gary Barwin. See this month’s City Scene section for more info.
September 13–15
Until September 15
September 14, 11 am–3 pm
West Thunder Community Centre
The fifth annual West Thunder Corn Roast and Vendors’ Market will have a petting zoo, ponies, music, food, and a wide variety of vendors.
Six Hands, One Bond
An exhibition of works from Tine Schrijvers, Clay Breiland, and Cole Breiland in mediums including watercolour, oil, pastel, metal, stone and clay, and photo.
684-2063
September 21, 11 am–2 pm
Shuniah Forty Miner Cross-Country Race Shuniah Mines
An annual race presented by Black Sheep Mountain Bike Club. See this month’s Outdoor section for more info.
blacksheepmtb.com
September 21–22, 10 am–6 pm
ThunderCon 2019 CLE Grounds
September 14, 11:30 am
Come and “get your geek on” with all the rest of Thunder Bay’s geeks, nerds and fans of all stripes. See this month’s City Scene for more info. thundercon.org
Marina Park
September 21–22
westthunder@tbaytel.net
Wake The Giant Music Festival
Wake The Giant is a cultural awareness project in Thunder Bay aimed at building understanding and showing Indigenous people that they are valued members of the Thunder Bay community. See this month’s Music section for more info.
wakethegiant.ca
World Cleanup Day 2019
On World Cleanup Day, people in 150 countries will stand up against the global trash problem and clean up waste, making it the biggest positive civic action the world has seen. Let’s #StandUp4CleanUp Thunder Bay and help save the world!
standup4cleanup@gmail.com
September 27–28
Harry Potter Festival
Willow Springs Creative Centre Witches and wizards of all ages are invited to join this Harry Potterinspired festival! See this month’s Film and Theatre section for more info.
facebook.com/willowspringsCC
September 27–October 6
Art Along the Lake Studio Tour Cook County, MN
A leisurely drive along the shores of Lake Superior, combined with crisp autumn weather and the brilliant changing colors of fall, serve as the backdrop for Cook County’s annual Art Along the Lake Fall Studio Tour. During the 10-day event, these artists’ workspaces are open to the public, giving visitors a unique opportunity to speak directly with the artists in the environments where they create works featured in national and local galleries and shows.
September 28
Waterfront Arts Fair
Baggage Building Arts Centre
A fair celebrating local arts, culture, and heritage as part of Culture Days. See this month’s City Scene section for more info.
684-2063
September 29, 8 pm
Cheech and Chong: O Cannabis Tour Thunder Bay Community Auditorium
Though Cheech and Chong have been lighting it up long before Canada legalized cannabis, the comedy duo are now set to celebrate the legislative change with their O Cannabis Tour, featuring 50 years of beloved stories, skits, and songs.
tbca.com
Until December 18
Weekly Wednesday Night Trivia with Chris Barstow The Foundry
Weekly Wednesday Night Trivia with Chris Barstow is a cuttingedge trivia experience, tackling a wide range of topics and issues in modern pop culture and rewarding your knowledge with gift certificates and Sleeping Giant Brewery prize packs! What better way to spend a Wednesday!
facebook.com/foundrytbay
EVENTS GUIDE KEY
General Food Art Sports Music
visitcookcounty.com/event/artalong-lake-fall-studio-tour
September 27–November 10
Beads, they’re sewn so tight Thunder Bay Art Gallery
An exhibit featuring the work of four contemporary artists who innovate in the field of beading and quillwork. See this month’s Art section for more info.
theag.ca
Walleye The Walleye
3 95
SeptemberMusicGuide September 1 Port Arthur Legion Open Jam
Port Arthur Royal Canadian Legion– Branch 5 8 pm • No Cover • AA
September 2 Every Folk’n Monday Night with Matt Sellick The Foundry 7 pm • No Cover • 19+
Open Mic with O.C. and Jamie Royalton Hotel (Lounge) 8 pm • No Cover • AA
September 3 Keith Harkin World Tour Finlandia Club 7 pm • $30 • AA
September 7 Folk’n Saturday Afternoons with Arley Hughes The Foundry 1 pm • No Cover • 19+
The Outpost Gone Country w/ Back Forty and Tim Albertson Outpost Campus Pub 8 pm • $TBA • 19+
Atmos Presents: Back 2 Class! w/ Hydee Atmos 8 pm • $5–10 • 19+
Darren Lee: The Best Thing Since the Real King–Night 2
Port Arthur Royal Canadian Legion– Branch 5 8 pm • $25 • 19+
The OM Sound
Cheer’s Open Mic
The Foundry 9 pm • $TBA • 19+
Wrecker & the Reconstruction Crew
September 8 Port Arthur Legion Open Jam
Cheer’s The Village Pub 8 pm • No Cover • AA
The Apollo 9 pm • $TBA • 19+
September 4 Rockin’ Recovery 2019 Marina Park 5:30 pm • No Cover • AA
Danny Johnson’s Piano Bar Shooter’s Tavern 8 pm • No Cover • 19+
September 5 Jazzy Thursday Nights featuring Damon Dowbak The Foundry 7 pm • No Cover • 19+
Open Stage with Craig Smyth & Tiina Flank The Foundry 10 pm • No Cover • 19+
September 6 Holly Rees
The Apollo 7 pm • $TBA • 19+
Darren Lee: The Best Thing Since the Real King–Night 1
Port Arthur Royal Canadian Legion– Branch 5 8 pm • $25 • 19+
Tennyson King & Mary Walker
Royalton Hotel (Lounge) 10 pm • $5 • 19+
The Honest Heart Rock Revival The Foundry 10 pm • $5 • 19+
Port Arthur Royal Canadian Legion– Branch 5 8 pm • No Cover • AA
September 9 Every Folk’n Monday Night with The Split Peas The Foundry 7 pm • No Cover • 19+
September 10 Oras Chamber Choir
Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church 7 pm • No Cover • AA
Carly Rae Jepsen
Thunder Bay Community Auditorium 7:30 pm • $40 • AA
Cheer’s Open Mic
Cheer’s The Village Pub 8 pm • No Cover • AA
Danny Johnson’s Piano Bar Shooter’s Tavern 8 pm • No Cover • 19+
September 12 Jazzy Thursday Nights with Mood Indigo The Foundry 7 pm • No Cover • 19+
Madchild & Dizzy Wright NV NightClub 10 pm • $30–$60 • 19+
Open Stage with Craig Smyth & Tiina Flank The Foundry 10 pm • No Cover • 19+
September 13 Cancer Bats
Crocks at NV NightClub 8 pm • $20 • 19+
4 The Walleye 96
September 14 Consortium Aurora Borealis Presents: The Mellifluous Cello
September 21 Sleeping Giant Folk Music Society Presents: Irish Mythen
Hunt & Gather w/ Greenbank
Folk’n Saturday Afternoon
St. Paul’s United Church 8 pm • $10–$15 • AA
The Foundry 10 pm • $TBA • 19+
September 15 Poetry Night Reading Series & Acoustic Performances Prince Arthur Waterfront Hotel & Suites 6 pm • $20–$25 • 19+
Port Arthur Legion Open Jam
Port Arthur Royal Canadian Legion– Branch 5 8 pm • No Cover • AA
September 16 Every Folk’n Monday Night The Foundry 7 pm • No Cover • 19+
Open Mic with O.C. and Jamie Royalton Hotel (Lounge) 8 pm • No Cover • AA
September 17 VHS Album Release Party w/ Widow’s Peak & Detherous The Apollo 7 pm • $10 • 19+
Cheer’s Open Mic
Cheer’s The Village Pub 8 pm • No Cover • AA
September 18 Danny Johnson’s Piano Bar Shooter’s Tavern 8 pm • No Cover • 19+
September 19 Jazzy Thursday Nights The Foundry 7 pm • No Cover • 19+
Open Stage with Craig Smyth & Tiina Flank The Foundry 10 pm • No Cover • 19+
September 20 The.Wav LU Radio Fundraiser–Night 1 The Foundry 8 pm • $5 • 19+
LED Foam Glow Stick Party with DJ Duo Waves NV NightClub 10 pm • $10 • 19+
Port Arthur Polish Hall 7 pm • $30 • AA The Foundry 1 pm • No Cover • 19+
The.Wav LU Radio Fundraiser–Night 2 Black Pirates Pub 8 pm• $5 • 19+
September 22 Port Arthur Legion Open Jam
Port Arthur Royal Canadian Legion– Branch 5 8 pm • No Cover • AA
Bridal Party
Algoma House 8 pm • No Cover • AA
September 23 Every Folk’n Monday Night The Foundry 7 pm • No Cover • 19+
Five Alarm Funk
Crocks at NV NightClub 9 pm • $20 • 19+
Johnny 2 Fingers and the Deformities The Apollo 9 pm • $TBA • 19+
September 24 Cheer’s Open Mic
Cheer’s The Village Pub 8 pm • No Cover • AA
September 25 Jitensha
The Foundry 7 pm • $TBA • 19+
Danny Johnson’s Piano Bar Shooter’s Tavern 8 pm • No Cover • 19+
September 26 Jazzy Thursday Nights
September 27 Atmos presents: Abstrakt Sonance Atmos 8 pm • $15 • 19+
Tama Hills w/ Arch Anger & Deaf Monarch Outpost Campus Pub 10 pm • $TBA • 19+
Phoebe the Feeb’s Mixed Bag of Awesomeness: The Threequel Black Pirates Pub 10 pm • $5 • 19+
The Bay Street Bastards w/ DJ Sugarman The Foundry 10 pm • $5 • 19+
September 28 Consortium Aurora Borealis presents: Rolston String Quartet St. Paul’s United Church, 8 pm 8 pm • $10–$15 • AA
Beatles vs. Stones
Thunder Bay Community Auditorium 8 pm • $40–$50 • AA
Us as Them: The Beatles The Foundry 10 pm • $5 • 19+
September 29 Port Arthur Legion Open Jam
Port Arthur Royal Canadian Legion– Branch 5 8 pm • No Cover • AA
September 30 Every Folk’n Monday Night Foundry 7 pm • No Cover • 19+
Open Mic with O.C. and Jamie Royalton Hotel (Lounge) 8 pm • No Cover • AA
Brought to you by:
The Foundry 7 pm • No Cover • 19+
Celtic Night
Red Lion Smokehouse 7:30 pm • No Cover • 19+
Vanden Dool
The Foundry 8 pm • $By Donation • 19+
Prime Time Karaoke
Port Arthur Royal Canadian Legion– Branch 5 8:30 pm • No Cover • 19+
Open Stage with Craig Smyth & Tiina Flank The Foundry 10 pm • No Cover • 19+
For more info visit tbshows.com
LU RADIO’S MONTHLY TOP September Show Spotlight
Putamayo World Music Hour Hosted by Rosalie Howarth Tuesdays at 3 pm & Fridays at 8 am
Hosted by KFOG personality Rosalie Howarth, the Putumayo World Music Hour is an internationally syndicated radio show that takes listeners on a weekly journey through the music of many different cultures, and is now heard internationally on more than 190 commercial and non-commercial stations around the world. PWMH playlists include well-known names like Bob Marley, Sting, Loreena McKennitt, and Santana, along with exceptional underexposed international artists. The one-hour radio program also features interviews with worldclass music makers such as Los Lobos, Jackson Browne, Bonnie Raitt, and Taj Mahal, who eagerly support and have been influenced by world music. You can hear Putamayo on LU Radio every Tuesday at 3 pm, or catch the rebroadcast on Fridays at 8 am.
Song of the moment: “Chipopo” Itay Pearl BANOT
20
Top 20 1
Mauno* Really Well Tin Angel
2
Black Mountain* Destroyer Dine Alone
3
Black Pumas Black Pumas ATO
4
Fruit Bats Gold Past Life Merge
5
Donovan Woods The Other Way Meant Well
6
Foreign Diplomats* Monami Indica
7
Music
17 Daniel Norgren Wooh Dang Superpuma
4
Tongue Helmet* The Sunstroke Remixes Self-Released
18 Hippo Campus Demos II Grand Jury
5
GoldLink Diaspora RCA
19 Winona Forever* Feelgood Self-Released 20 The Regrettes How Do You Love? Warner
1
LAL* Dark Beings Coax
The Black Keys Let’s Rock Easy Eye Sound/Nonesuch
9
Jenn Grant* Love, Inevitable Leovela
10 Jean-Paul De Roover* Love Self-Released 11 Mavis Staples We Get By ANTI12 Absolutely Free* Geneva Freeport EP idée fixe 13 Hollerado* Retaliation Vacation Royal Mountain 14 Pottery* No. 1 Royal Mountain 15 The Raconteurs Help Us Stranger Third Man 16 Carlton Jumel Smith 1634 Lexington Avenue Timmion
2
New Vaders* 10 Beautiful Postcards TRASHTRONIX
3
Flying Lotus Flamagra Warp
4
Kutch* Permanently Heartbroken single Self-Released
5
Chris-A-Riffic* Treats Self-Released
Hip Hop 1
2
3
Loud 1
Necking* Cut Your Teeth Mint
International 1
Santana Africa Speaks Concord
2
Matt Sellick* North Shore Self-Released
2
3
Orquesta Akokan Orquestá Akokán (The Instrumentals) Daptone
illiterates Goddamn Gun-Toting Junkie Camaro Enthusiasts Baby Robot
3
4
Rocky Dawuni Beats Of Zion Six Degrees
Page 38* Burning the Midnight Oil Self-Released
4
5
Beautiful Nubia And The Roots Renaissance Band* Apejo EniObanke
Tiger Army Retrofuture Rise
5
Danko Jones* A Rock Supreme M-Theory Audio
Electronic
Mr. Merlot* City Sex Vol. 2 Self-Released
8
CILU 102.7fm’s Monthly Charts for this issue reflect airplay for the month ending August 20, 2019. Check out our weekly charts online at luradio.ca and tune in to the Top 20 Countdown, Mondays from 7 - 9 am. Keep it locked on 102.7fm - online streaming at luradio.ca
Jazz 1
Chick Corea & The Spanish Heart Band Antidote Concord
2
Haviah Mighty* 13th Floor Self-Released
Philip Bailey Love Will Find A Way Verve
3
My Son The Hurricane* Ride the Bullet Vegas Funeral
Dave Robbins Sextet* Joan of Art Cellar Live
4
Denzel Curry Zuu Loma Vista
Laurence Hobgood TESSETERRA Ubuntu Music
5
Brad Turner Quartet* Jump Up Cellar Live
Folk•Roots•Blues 1
Southern Avenue Keep On Concord
2
Bonita & The Blues Shacks Bonita & The Blues Shacks Bear Family
3
Jean-Paul De Roover* Love Self-Released
4
Sunday wilde & The 1 Eyed Jacks* Sunday wilde & The 1 Eyed Jacks Self-Released
5
Donovan Woods The Other Way Meant Well
* Indicates Canadian Content
The Walleye Walleye
97 5
WeatherEye
Gardeners into the Final Lap Story by Graham Saunders, Photo by Darren McChristie
G
ardening is almost always a race to the finish in northern Ontario. One hopes to start with soil warm enough for germination and, once started, no late frost. Timely rainfalls and no hail, especially when vegetables are maturing, are important as well. This year’s start to planting was frustrating for most. Some experienced poor germination and seeds rotting in the soil, and others grew impatient with a killing frost and cool temperatures in early June. The captions on seed packets indicating “xx days to harvest” are guidelines, not gospel, but losing two or three weeks of the growing season at the beginning? There were real reasons to worry. Temperatures did recover from chilly beginnings and June averaged out with temperatures and “growing degree days.” The final week was much warmer than average and this new trend persisted. July’s mean temperature was 19.2°C, compared to the long-term average of 17.6°C. It was the second-warmest July in recent decades. The warmest still belongs to 2012 with a tomato-ripening 20.2°C. The growing season spans May through September in central North America and these five months typically have the most rainfall. It is
98 The Walleye
great timing for crops and gardens in our area. It is not a guarantee and this spring and early summer featured extended times of little rain and moisture deficits in the western parts of the region. Major forest fires forced the evacuation of several First Nation communities. In contrast, the Thunder Bay area experienced near-ideal rain amounts for both agriculture and reduction of forest fire risk. Natural rainfall amounts can be supplemented by irrigation or spot watering by hand but it is both convenient and effective to have timely rainfall. The “perfect” weekly rain amount varies with temperature. Cooler conditions early and later in the growing season require less moisture than the hotter weeks in July and early August. Rainfall of 20 to 25 mm per week is or close to ideal in the growing season for optimum growth of most vegetation. I will spare you all the numbers but suffice it to say from May (when it frankly did not count for much), during July, and into August (when it was really important) weekly rain was remarkably close to 25 mm per week. Another nuance of summer rainfall in this region is that a lot of rain occurs during thunderstorms. Thunder showers can create problems with road washouts and erosion
but also provide fertilizer for gardens and field crops.Nitrogen is essential for the growth of healthy plants but plants cannot access the abundant nitrogen in the atmosphere. Lightning separates nitrogen molecules and enables these atoms to combine with oxygen in the air and form nitrogen oxides. These dissolve in raindrops, forming nitrates, that fall to the ground. The compounds soak into the soil and become directly available to root systems, adding to growth and greenery. September is usually the finale for the gardening in the Northwest. Tomatoes are ripening (or perhaps not) and many vegetables are ready for harvesting. A morning with frost
(and sometimes several) are typical this month. Light frost does not end the growing season for “cool” veggies such as carrots and some root crops. The length of the frostfree season is a useful measure for “warm” plants—tomatoes, peppers, squash, and other heat-seekers. The following graph illustrates how much variation there is year to year in the length of the frost-free season and the trend over time. What will happen this September? It is wait and measure! This year the count was delayed until June 4, the day after a frigid frost was recorded at Thunder Bay Airport, the official site.
YOUR FURNITURE, YOUR WAY Comfort
Quality
Selection
Value
Not all furniture is created equal
From the industries best brands
Custom choose your colours! Hundreds of options!
Guaranteed Best Prices
N E
W
E
W
Choice Award ers Wi ad n Re
r ne
N
r ne
Choice Award ers Wi ad n Re S
ard Winner Aw ce
ner Readers C Win ho i ard
ard Winner Aw ce
S
2018
ers Choic Read eA w
ers Choic Read eA w
2018
Thank You for voting us your Favourite Furniture Store 9 Years in a Row! www.reids.furniture 900 Cobalt Crescent, Thunder Bay
807-623-1212
The Walleye
99
ner Readers C Win ho i ard
SOLID WASTE WASTE && SOLID RECYCLING SERVICES RECYCLING SERVICES
T reasure
Exchange Days A COMMUNITY REUSE EVENT!
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 7 & SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 8
Treasure Exchange Days are perfect for anyone searching for that special something or wanting to get rid of an item no longer needed. Exchange reusable items like furniture, small appliances and toys – for free!
Want to participate?
It’s easy – just follow these steps. • Clearly label items ‘FREE’. Place them at the curb after 5 pm on Friday, Sept. 6.
• Keep items that aren’t ‘give aways’ like bikes, toys and tools well away from the curb to prevent misunderstandings. • Post your items on social media using the hashtag #TbayTreasureDays to be able to share and explore treasures throughout Thunder Bay! • Tour your neighbourhood to see what great deals you can find at the curb.
, TAKE ME ! I’M FREE
• On Sunday, remove all uncollected items by 7 pm. Items left at the curb are subject to enforcement as per City By-Laws. They will not be collected by the City. Treasure Exchange Days are an action item from the Solid Waste Management Strategy.
For more information, contact Infrastructure & Operations Dispatch 625-2195 or visit thunderbay.ca/treasuredays
TRAIL BLAZER. OUTSTANDING LAWYER.
Congratulations Dan Lester on receiving the Outstanding New Lawyer Award from the Ontario Trial Lawyers Association!
AGENTS OF GOOD
Injury Lawyers • tbayinjurylaw.com 1 Cumberland Street South. Give us a call at 807 344 1000
100 The Walleye
Green
Walk to School! It’s Closer Than You Think By Caroline Cox, Program Coordinator, EcoSuperior
A
s your family develops a back-to-school routine this fall, consider walking or wheeling for your school journey. With new wayfinding signs at four local schools, it’s never been easier. The new signs are designed to remind families that it’s not far to walk to school. The signs are located along preferred walking and cycling routes and encourage families to choose active methods of travel. Selected routes serve a high number of families in the school neighbourhood so it’s easy for students to walk together. They prioritize roads with sidewalks, which are safer and have more pedestrian traffic.
Participating schools are Ecole Gron Morgan and Edgewater Park Public Schools and St. Thomas Aquinas and St. Margaret Elementary Schools. Signage will be installed throughout September. Live too far to walk? Park your car along the route and follow the signs for the rest of the way. Meet your friends at their house or at a local park and walk together—it’s a great way to start your morning! Wayfinding signs are part of the Walk Or Wheel Thunder Bay program delivered by EcoSuperior and the Health Unit. This project is made possible through financial support from Green Communities
Canada and the Government of Ontario. In a similar campaign, which has been run by the Thunder Bay Walkability Committee in downtown Port Arthur and Fort William since 2016, Thunder Bay residents said that wayfinding signs contributed to a pleasant walking experience, demonstrated that it’s not too far to walk to popular destinations, and encouraged them to walk more. Studies have shown that traveling actively to school increases alertness and attention in class. Active school travel has also been shown to decrease stress, depression, and anxiety and increase happiness. Other
benefits include reducing traffic volumes, improving air quality and safety in the school zones, and improving physical health. Signs will be installed by volunteers during family-friendly walks early this fall. If your family would like to volunteer, please email caroline@ecosuperior.org.
Fall in love
with the beauty of the North
Neskantaga Education Centre
(Neskantaga First Nation) invites applications for the following 2019/2020 Teaching Positions:
• One (1) Principal Position • One (1) Kindergarten JK/SK Teaching Position • One (1) Grade 1,2,3 Teaching Position
Be prepared this hunting season
See complete posting on: http://www.matawa.on.ca/career-opportunities/
The Walleye 101
TheWall
The Road to Oblivion is Paved with Ignorance Pondering the Bad Habits of Thunder Bay Drivers Story and Photo by Darren McChristie
I
t’s big and red and has eight sides. It’s perhaps the most visually distinct sign worldwide; however, it seems to have lost its meaning to some Thunder Bay drivers (I’m looking at you Highway 61 commuters). I’m referring, of course, to the irresistible rolling stop—a selfish practice that is the visual equivalent to “good enough.” I get it, you’re running a bit late and really need time to allow for the long line at your favourite drive-thru. As you approach the stop sign, you calculate that if you just slow down a little, you can get ahead of the long line of cars and shave 30 seconds on your commute. So, after touching the brake pedal, you hammer hard on the gas and then the problem is all behind you. You don’t even look in your rearview mirror. I know, because at that point I’m so close to you I might as well be in your back seat. It’s a split second decision but like most bad habits, left unabated, makes it even more likely you’ll do it tomorrow. And you will, and so will your neighbour who watched you do it. This isn’t a local problem. The rolling stop, otherwise known as the California Roll, Chicago Roll, New York Stop, is no more a local problem than the Thunder Bay turn. However, according to a study
102 The Walleye
conducted by InsuranceHotline. com, Thunder Bay driver’s are the seventh worst in the province. This got me thinking: what is at the root of this problem? Is it obliviousness, ignorance, or both? In an effort to understand Thunder Bay driving habits, let’s consider the dreaded left-lane bandit, best experienced on the expressway. These are the drivers who blissfully stake out the left lane as their only lane of choice, travelling in it as if it were their own, unbeknownst they are disrupting the flow of traffic and leaving a trail of frustration behind them. Section 147 of Ontario’s Highway Traffic Act states that “Any vehicle travelling upon a roadway at less than the normal speed of traffic at that time and place shall, where practicable, be driven in the right-hand lane then available for traffic or as close as practicable to the right hand curb or edge of the roadway.” This newfangled law, which was introduced in 1990, seems foreign to a lot of Thunder Bay drivers. In simple terms, it means slower traffic should stick to the right lane. In a lot of cases, it might be a simple case of ignorance. Plus, there are not many four-lane highways in northern Ontario, so inexperience is a factor (it’s not our fault, the four-laning to
Nipigon is taking forever!). I try not to let road rage get the best of me, but feel there are no solutions to left-lane bandits. I could tailgate and stare intently into their rearview mirror or be patient and take a deep breath. I usually take a good look at the driver to try and make sense of it all—maybe it’s a young driver or a parent with a carload of noisy kids. But, from my experience, the only thing they have in common is that they appear completely oblivious to the fact they are clogging up the fast lane and could be breaking the law. They look happy enough (it’s easy to get lost grooving to Billie Eilish or Willie Nelson) and they also don’t look like they are trying to be anarchists, or seeking a disruption in people's lives—a simple case of obliviousness. They have a complete lack of situational awareness. Let’s face it—we all need to get somewhere for a specific time, but your time isn’t any more important than that of the driver in front of you or behind you. I’ve been there, guilty as charged - I occasionally find myself aimlessly on cruise control, in the left lane, distracted by my own thoughts “why don’t they make those “slower traffic keep right” signs larger.” Stay in the right lane unless you are passing or turning left, and
pay attention to the flow of traffic around you. But at the very least, always stop at the white line on the road in front of the large, red sign.
Register online: www.tbcschools.ca
O The Walleye 103
Horoscopes
Judith Monteith-Farrell
By Sunny Disposish
Aries:
It’s back to school time, Ram, and it snuck up on you, didn’t it? You’re still in summer mode, and it may take a while to get back to your regular routine. Finish up the last of the s’mores and start planning for fall. Towards the end of the month, you’ll be back into your regular groove. A new hobby will spark your interest. Your lucky number is two.
Taurus
Earth signs tend to stay focused and grounded, but sometimes it’s time to try something new. Take a chance and tempt your palate with something new and exciting! A gathering finds you at the heart of the action and might leave you exhausted, though, so try not to take on too much at once. A little downtime on the deck with a good book might be just what the doctor ordered. Mid-month finds you at the salon trying out a new style. Time for a change!
Gemini
After a whirlwind summer, it’s time to get back to home base! Cozy Cancer swings into your sign later this month, which will bring forward some exciting home projects. Talk to those you trust to get some good ideas—and Pinterest doesn’t hurt either! Offer to babysit one night on a weekend—a weary couple will thank you. Your lucky colour is yellow.
Cancer
And just like that, life does a 180 and you are immersed in something totally and completely new. You may find yourself far from home and away from family. Don’t worry if you have mixed feelings—an adjustment period is necessary and you have more people rooting for you than you think. If you need help, just ask. The first week of September finds you coming out of your shell and meeting new people. Have fun with it!
MPP Thunder Bay—Atikokan
Leo
Things are getting busy at the office, Lion, so make sure you are at the top of your game! Don’t feel bad about delegating or enlisting help. Your warm, caring nature makes it easy for staffers to flock to you, but make sure you are firm about keeping the door closed when it comes to crunch time. Keep an ear out on the local grapevine, but don’t take it as gospel. Have fun at a gathering for one of your favourite colleagues!
Virgo
Sagittarius A road trip has you seeing some new things you haven’t seen before. Enjoy this time with family and friends! A non-stop summer sees you slowing things down a notch the first week of September. While it might be time to say goodbye to a special someone, it’s only “until we meet again.” Splurge on a special dinner. Drive safely, and look forward to being welcomed home by a furry friend.
Capricorn
Happy birthday, Virgo! It’s your birthday month, and expect to have a bit of an increased social life. Your perfectionist nature may have you yearning to take the reins, but sit back and let someone else plan your party for you! Spend some time with children, as they have a special message for you. A secret admirer comes clean. Your lucky colour is blue.
Finally, you have your place to yourself again! The fall routine is back and the new moon midmonth has you revisiting some health goals. Remember that goats can do anything they put their minds to! Put those screens aside for a moment and hold off on the online shopping—getting in touch with nature is what you need now. A neighbour has a fun idea—go with it! Your lucky colour is white.
Libra
Aquarius
A discussion over the Labour Day long weekend tips the scales in your favour, Libra. Take a chance at a new opportunity that is presented to you—it may not happen again! Overseas travel could be in your future and it’s time to think long and hard about your goals. Enlist the advice of a treasured family member. Later this month, spending time with animals will keep you grounded. Your lucky number is nine.
Scorpio
You are feeling rested and refreshed these days, Scorp, and are ready to tackle some serious goals! You may find yourself in a position to mentor someone. Your strong and commanding ways can be just what this junior needs to succeed. After all, someone showed you the ropes once, right? A new and interesting relationship comes along mid-month. Spend some time getting to know each other at the latest gastropub. A friend asks you to keep a secret.
Airy Aquarius might not be so breezy this month. Time to take a good hard look at your relationships and re-evaluate. Camp is still open for the season, so take advantage of those weekends and spend some time outdoors! Hiking and fishing will still your overactive brain and calm you down. Enjoy time with one or two special friends. You may find yourself invited to an impromptu potluck. Your lucky number is three.
Working for the North 409 George St. Thunder Bay, ON P7E 5Y9 Tel: 807-622-1920 Toll-free: 1-833-673-4129
judithmpp.ca
November 7 – 10 Register today for author talks, craft seminars, writing classes and more.
Pisces
You are so generous with others and can always be counted on, Pisces! People born under the sign of the fish are excellent friends and confidants. You may have a challenging situation to deal with at the beginning of the month, but there’s no question you will emerge that much stronger. Pay attention to your health and don’t shrug off any nagging symptoms—your family needs you! You see some new sights and meet some new people. Your star energy is high this month and your lucky colour is green.
Featuring regional authors: BETH DOOLEY
LORNA LANDVIK
JULIE L’ENFANT
MARY MOORE EASTER
LEIF ENGER
DAVID MURA
ALLEN ESKENS
SHEILA O’CONNOR
SALLY FRANSON
MATT RASMUSSEN
SHANNON GIBNEY
MARCIE RENDON
MATT GOLDMAN
JULIE SCHUMACHER
NICOLE HELGET
FAITH SULLIVAN
GEOFF HERBACH
plus book professionals from seven publishing presses
To register, visit GRANDMARAISARTCOLONY.ORG
104 The Walleye
TheBeat You might have thought that they left the light on when they went to work that day, forgetting to flip the switch on their way down the stairs. You wouldn’t have thought to walk up to the house, to turn the doorknob and to step inside. The walls lined with smiling wedding photos pressing cake into each other’s lips. Identical slippers tucked by the door from a gag gift they both secretly loved. Where once sat two toothbrushes, remained only one. Years of photographs laughing together tossed next to overturned chairs. That day you would stop in front of the house and feel surprised to find no one home again. You’d tilt your head and ask how long had it been since you’d seen their car? before making your way home. A week later when the mailbox began to overflow, you’d wonder about their hydro bill and glance up at the second-storey light. A month after that, you’d find yourself at a barbecue where low voices would speak about how quiet it was across the street and “didn’t you hear” that he had run off with that woman from his office? The voices would have a gleam in their eyes and laugh at their gossiping tales. You’d bite your lip and say nothing but think how many days has it been now? When will they come home? When the snow begins to fall and the driveway fills, your heart will sink knowing things aren’t alright after all. You’ll find yourself longing for them, just a sight, to know that they’re okay. The light no longer shines upstairs and the mail has stopped being delivered. You no longer see any traces of petals, and the salad in the backyard has long been picked away by crows and critters. The neighbours stop talking about the people who lived there and instead wonder who the new family will be. But you don’t, not yet. In the springtime, you’ll find that the house is for sale. You learn that it’s a foreclosure, from bills and taxes that hadn’t been paid, and that they too had not heard from the young couple who once resided there.
Illustration by Boy Roland
Rosengren By Jodene Wylie If it wasn’t for the broken flowers adrift throughout the driveway, you wouldn’t have known anything was wrong at 43 Rosengren Drive. At first you might have thought that a bad rainstorm had swept through the neighbourhood and torn petals off their stems. That, along with a few good gusts of wind, and the whole scene would have made sense. You wouldn’t have thought to walk up to the door where shards of torn paper lay splayed on the front stoop atop a mat saying “Welcome Friends”. When pieced together the papers read a simple letter: Popped out for wine and cheese. Back by 6PM! Can’t wait to see you! XO – Anna. You’d glance to the house and think nothing of it, but continue on your way. If it wasn’t for the open gate on the long high-walled fence, you wouldn’t have known anything was wrong at 43 Rosengren Drive. You might have thought that the owners carelessly left the gate open the last time they brought out the garbage bins. Perhaps, you’d wonder, that their dog had taken off, and they were racing through the neighbourhood chasing him down. You wouldn’t have thought to walk into the backyard and around behind the house. Here you would have seen the table on its side, with fine wedding china and a salad on the ground. You’d pause on your evening walk and think how odd… before carrying on down the street. If it wasn’t for the light on in the second-storey window, you wouldn’t have known anything was wrong at 43 Rosengren Drive.
A new family will arrive and, soon enough, the lights will turn off and on at regular intervals, and the back gate will remain closed, and the driveway will be clean and free from scattered petals, and the world will move on. If it wasn’t for the article in the newspaper, you wouldn’t have known anything was wrong at 43 Rosengren Drive. You wouldn’t have known that Anna stepped out for a quick trip to the store that September night to add something special to their autumn dinner. You wouldn’t have known that it was their anniversary, that they were celebrating 14 years together—a lifetime, they joked. She wore his favourite dress and bright red lips. You wouldn’t have known that Sam had bought flowers that night, matching her wedding bouquet, and received the phone call standing in their driveway when he got home at 5:30. That they missed one another by a brief 45 minutes from when Anna left the house for the last time. You wouldn’t have known that Anna reached to turn down the volume on the radio station, and she didn’t see the oversized truck racing through the intersection and into her door—in moments, she was gone. The voice on the phone told Sam to take his time, that he couldn’t help her now. But he had always helped her. It was his job to help her. Call a friend, they said. You wouldn’t have known that Sam threw the flowers for his wife down onto the driveway, that he tore through their house, their home, and the backyard screaming as his world ripped into shreds of petals and papers and photographs. He grabbed their dog and gunned in reverse out of the driveway. You wouldn’t have known that Sam refused to return home and stayed cocooned in a hotel during the funeral and wake (he’s not in there anymore, his friends would whisper and point to their chest), and that when it was all over, he drove west—until he could breathe again. If it wasn’t for the broken flowers adrift throughout the driveway, you wouldn’t have known anything was wrong at 43 Rosengren Drive. But you’d see the petals, and the gate and the light on inside and you’d wonder, Is everyone alright?
The Walleye 105
Jennifer Holub at Live from the Rock Folk Festival
Chad Kirvan
TheEye
106 The Walleye
T B AY ON
WHERE OFF THE BEATEN PATH MEANS YOU'RE ON THE RIGHT TRACK
HERE IS WHERE I FOUND MYSELF VISITTHUNDERBAY.COM
41,990
$
† Plus taxes, freight & license fees. See Dealer for Details.
†