Bay of Quinte Discovery Guide 8th Edition by Bay of Quinte Regional Marketing Board

SITTIN’ ON THE DOCK OF THE BAY Like a brisk wintertime skate, the 8th edition of our Bay of Quinte Discovery Guide takes you on a fun adventure around the region. We hope its pages are a source of learning with a little bit of laughter sprinkled in—we’re a bunch of pun-lovin’ folks. Take some time to ﬂip its pages from your own favourite sitting spot. If anything piques your interest along the way, feel free to reach out to the BoQ Team (that’s us below). We are happy to help point you in the right direction and get you front row seats just like these! Photograph by Garrett Harvey

Digital Marketing

ANNA FRAIBERG

Executive Director

DUG STEVENSON

2022 BAY OF QUINTE REGIONAL MARKETING BOARD

VISIT BAYOFQUINTE.CA/DISCOVERYGUIDE

Media & Design

JEN ACHILLES

Destination Development

TREVOR NORRIS

& Patrick too!

GET IN TOUCH:

BAYOFQUINTE.CA

INFO@BAYOFQUINTE.CA

613-968-4427 FOLLOW US:

DISCOVER bayofquinte.ca/bob

Over 70 categories as voted by you!

TABLE OF CONTENTS 08 30 CHECKING IN

Illustrations by Jeannie Phan

12 14 16 20

THE TOWN OF GREATER NAPANEE Written by Abigael Roy

26 6

Written & Photographed by Lonelle Selbo

Portraits by Christopher Gentile

WATERFRONT PATIOS

Written by Brandi Akey

Illustrations by Jeannie Phan

THE CITY OF BELLEVILLE Written by Hardik Patel

THE CITY OF QUINTE WEST

THE MUNICIPALITY OF BRIGHTON Written by Meg Fox

RESTORATION SERVICES Written by Angela Hawn

MEET THE MAKERS

TYENDINAGA MOHAWK TERRITORY

Written by Shamsa Hassan-Brooks

GOIN’ ON UP!

44 48

ANATOMY OF A LOCAL BURGER Illustrations by Adey Singer

POPPING UP Illustrations by Jeannie Phan

COMMUNITY GAME CHANGERS Written by Courtney Klumper

WHERE TRADES WORK (and live)

Photographed by Alex Filipe

A HUGE THANK YOU TO COURTNEY KLUMPER FOR HELPING US ALONG THE WAY, TO EDITOR ELIZABETH D’ANJOU FOR

& CONTRIBUTORS 70 READY, SET—GROW!

Written by Amy Harder & Jeremy Laurin Photographed by Ben Quaiff

COLLEGE & COMMUNITY Portraits by Luke Best

QUINTE SAILABILITY Written by Amie Renaud

BAY OF QUINTE BUCKET LIST Poems by the BoQ Team

A BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO ICE FISHING Written & Photographed by Ashley Rae

TSIKÓNHSASE: THE MOTHER OF NATIONS

76 80 86 88

Written by Sha’tekayenton Andrew Brant Illustration by Kaia’tanó:ron Dumoulin Bush

BRANDI AKEY written words @beeakes SHA’TEKAYENTON ANDREW BRANT thecrediblemohawk.com SHAMSA HASSAN-BROOKS afiyabeauty.com MEG FOX @tin.roof.brighton AMY HARDER & JEREMY LAUREN loyalistcollege.com ANGELA HAWN bit.ly/flashfictionmagazine COURTNEY KLUMPER @clklumper HARDIK PATEL @Belleville_International ASHLEY RAE shelovestofish.com AMIE RENAUD @happie.amie ABIGAEL ROY @waterfrontriverpub LONELLE SELBO lifeaulait.com photographs JUSTIN ANDERSON @justinmix97 LUKE BEST lukebest.ca LUIS CABRERA lostwithluis.com JACOB CÔTÉ jacobcotephotography.com ALEX FILIPE @alexfilipe.photo CHRISTOPHER GENTILE christophergentile.ca GARRETT HARVEY @gharveyphotography MONIKA KRASKA kraskafilmandphoto.com NATASHA MacDONALD tashphotos.com HOLLY McMURTER hollymcmurterphotographs.com BEN QUAIFF @loyalistcollege JUSTEN SOULE illustrations @justensoule KAIA’TANÓ:RON DUMOULIN BUSH kaiatanoron.com JEANNIE PHAN jeanniephan.com ADEY SINGER @adeysinger

KEEPING OUR WORDS IN ORDER AND TO TIFFANY SPENCER FOR KEEPING OUR FACTS STRAIGHT!

CHECKING IN

Quinte West

Ready to recharge after your day of exploring? Our friends at TripAdvisor tell us that we’ve got plenty of options with four stars or more across a variety of hotels, motels and inns. 4

Illustrations by Jeannie Phan

Brighton

8 9

1-SPINNAKER SUITES spinnakersuites.com 4 Bay St W Brighton 2-TIMBER HOUSE RESORT timberhouse.net 116 Cedardale Rd Brighton (613) 475-3304

9-TRAVELODGE wyndhamhotels.com 598 Old Hwy 2 Quinte West (613) 965-6789

3-MOTEL 6 motel6.com 10 Trenton St Quinte West (613) 392-9291

6-THE KINGS INN thekingsintrenton.com 81 Henry St Quinte West (613) 955-8881

4-RAMADA wyndhamhotels.com 99 Glen Miller Rd Quinte West (613) 394-4855

7-MONTROSE INN montroseinn.ca 1725 Old Hwy 2 Quinte West (613) 966-1028

10-HAMPTON INN & SUITES hilton.com 784 Bell Blvd W Belleville (613) 779-2000

5-COMFORT INN choicehotels.com 51 Monogram Pl Quinte West (613) 965-6660

8-BAYSIDE MOTEL baysidemotel.ca 554 Old Hwy 2 Quinte West (613) 392-9281

11-TOWNEPLACE SUITES marriott.com 400 Bell Blvd Belleville (613) 779-1212

12 19

11 13

14 21

Belleville

Napanee 16

12-FAIRFIELD INN & SUITES marriott.com 407 N Front St Belleville (613) 962-9211 13-BEST WESTERN bestwestern.com 387 N Front St Belleville (613) 969-1112 14-TRAVELERS INN 325 N Front St Belleville (613) 968-5353

15-HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS & SUITES ihg.com 291 N Front St Belleville (613) 962-1200 16-COUNTRY INN & SUITES countryinns.com 245 N Front St Belleville (613) 966-6622 17-RAMADA wyndhamhotels.com 11 Bay Bridge Rd Belleville (613) 968-3411

VISIT BAYOFQUINTE.CA/STAY-A-WHILE

18-MASTERSON’S MOTEL mastersonsmotel.ca 691 County Rd 41 Napanee (613) 354-9392 19-ROYAL NAPANEE INN royalnapaneeinn.com 647 County Rd 41 Napanee (613) 354-3334 20-COMFORT INN & SUITES choicehotels.com 31 Community Rd Napanee (613) 900-2100

21-HAMPTON INN hilton.com 40 McPherson Dr Napanee (613) 354-5554 22-FOX MOTOR INN foxmotorinn.com 297 Dundas St W Napanee (613) 354-3855 23-NAPANEE MOTEL 361 Dundas St W Napanee (613) 354-5200

Save up to 20% when you stay 2+ nights

245 North Front Street Belleville, ON K8P 3C3 (613) 966-6622 1-800-830-5222

countryinns.com

Dine on our riverside patio this summer! Experience the flavours of authentic homemade Mexican cuisine in Downtown Belleville 394 Front St. Belleville, ON (613-771-9292) Chilangos.ca

Greater NAPANEE We asked a local to fill us in on the town that is said to be “greater for many reasons” By Abigael Roy, local resident and kick-ass community ambassador

When you find yourself in Napanee looking for a casual sports bar vibe to hang with friends and catch the game, then Shoeless Joe’s and Chuck’s Roadhouse are great spots. If you are looking to sit outside for a relaxing lunch by the river, then The Waterfront River Pub and Terrace is the local’s go-to spot. You can also book an hour-and-a-half boat tour down the Napanee River on the pub’s new pontoon boat, the Norman Paul. After lunch, you can literally step onto the boardwalk and stroll along the Napanee River, making your way across the bridge to Conservation Park on the other side. Or, if retail therapy is more your style, head the other way and end up downtown. Dundas Street is lined with beautiful 12

WHERE TO STAY

Uptown at the Hampton Inn by Hilton or downtown at 23 Market Square WHAT TO PACK

An Avril Lavigne playlist FUN FACT

The Napanee River has its own tide

shops to wander around in. My personal favourites are Lasenda for eco-friendly and naturopathic items and Starlet for beautiful fashion, footwear and accessories. Pop by The Dundas Street Bakery or Ellena’s Café for some delicious baked goodies and finish off with a latte from Coffee Cravings (or an iced version in the dog days of summer). If you’ve still got some steam, a great way to unwind is to spend an afternoon exploring Menzel Centennial Nature Reserve or a section of the Cataraqui Trail. If you happen to be here early in the summer, make sure to set aside some time for picking fresh berries at Paulridge Berry Farm. Napanee is surrounded by nature and farm fun, so it’s a great place to visit any time of year. VISIT GREATERNAPANEE.COM

Curbside parking on the Napanee River by Jacob Côté

The Downtown Strip by Jacob Côté

The Town of

THE SOUTH END

All hands on deck on the Glenora Ferry by Jacob Côté

Good for a scenic country drive with all sorts of fun stops along the way Head south from downtown on County Road 8 and make your way to Highway 33 (also called Loyalist Parkway). This beautiful stretch of road follows the shores of Lake Ontario and is a picturesque route to cycle when the weather is nice. Make sure you stop in at Loyalist Trading Company Co. to get some baked goods—and to feed the goats that graze on roof! All you need is a quarter for a handful of food pellets that you send up by way of a neat pulley contraption. Next, try a wine tasting at Bergeron Estate Winery and Cider Co., or take advantage of the local farming culture and visit Wynn Farm to pick your own fresh apples (or pumpkins). If you keep going to the very end of the road, the Glenora Ferry will take you into Prince Edward County (known to locals simply as “The County”). WHAT TO BRING BACK

Nonna’s homemade pizza sauce from Bergeron Estates

Kenhtè:ke Kanyen'kehá:ka The Mohawk Nation is Kanyen'kehá:ka in the Mohawk language Kenhtè:ke refers to the Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory on the Bay of Quinte The Kanyen'kehá:ka are the People of the Flint

Photo taken at the Tyendinaga Pow Wow by the Bay of Quinte Regional Marketing Board

They are the Keepers of the Eastern Door because they are the easternmost Nation within the Haudenosaunee Confederacy The Haudenosaunee Confederacy joined the Six Nations—the Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, Seneca and Tuscarora Rotinonhsyón:ni is the Mohawk word for Haudenosaunee The Rotinonhsyón:ni are the People of the Longhouse Shé:kon (SAY-go) is the Mohawk greeting Ó:nen (OH-nuh) means “good-bye” Nya:wen (KNEE-ow-uh) means “thank-you” 15

BELLEVILLE

A day in the life of an international student now living in this beautiful city By Hardik Patel, former Loyalist College student president and founder of Belleville International

I begin my day making Indian masala tea for myself at home. I used to get the ingredients in parcels from India, but now I buy them from Desi Market, a South Asian Grocery Store on North Front Street. My schedule is busy with work and study, and I try to maintain a healthy lifestyle in this new climate. So, when I can, I bike to Belleville Farmers’ Market in the Downtown District at Market Square to shop for organic food. The downtown has many popular and well-rounded coffee shops—Gourmet Diem is the perfect place to grab a latte and delicious sandwich. Biking from downtown to Zwick’s Park along the waterfront trails is next-level. Of course I’m a nethead and can’t help but capture 16

WHERE TO STAY

Ramada by Wyndham Belleville WHAT TO PACK

A windproof jacket FUN FACT

Sandbanks Provincial Park is only a halfhour away

Belleville’s beauty in pictures and share them on social media, making sure to tag #DiscoverBelleville. There is so much outdoor fun here and I like to help bring awareness to it. My day usually ends with a workout at Planet Fitness (which was just voted Best Gym in the first Best of the Bay contest) then heading back home to cook with the local ingredients I bought earlier in the day. Sometimes I take my meal with me to join friends at Lion’s Park, where we sit on the rocks along the Moira River enjoying the view. Doing this reminds me of home. The local community is supportive and accepting, and my friends help me explore new places in Belleville to visit and eat—I never miss Taco Tuesday at Chilangos! VISIT DISCOVERBELLEVILLE.CA

The Boathouse patio by Courtney Klumper

The Downtown District by Jacob Côté

The City of

south of the tracks

The view from Myer’s Pier by Garrett Harvey

An often overlooked part of the city is being rediscovered, and rightfully so

There is a new neighbourhood vibe forming across the train tracks directly south of the Downtown District and towards the water’s edge. Every day, I come here for a walk in Jane Forrester Park along the beautiful Bayshore Trail. On the weekends in the summertime, I usually end up at The Pier Patio (literally on the water) at Meyer’s Pier to enjoy live music and the view of the Bay Bridge. The sunsets from here are amazing! There are cool Airbnb’s popping up here too, like The Loft on St. Paul. Plus, I’ve heard that The Boathouse Seafood Restaurant is getting a complete makeover— and that the plan includes a boutique hotel and spa!

WHAT TO BRING BACK

A boatload of memories and reasons to return

Belleville's Newest Hotel

Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton

784 Bell Blvd. Belleville, ON K8N 4Z5 613-779-2000 hamptonbelleville.hamptonbyhilton.com

QUINTE WEST A local’s guide to exploring with the family by land and by sea (well, water anyway) By Shamsa Hassan-Brooks, local resident and co-owner of Afiya Beauty

On a typical Saturday morning, our family visits the local Front Street Farmers’ Market located right in Downtown Trenton, where we socialize with local farmers and purchase seasonal fruits, veggies and handmade pastries. My husband loves craft beer, so he usually stops at the Wildcard Brewery Co. vendor table to chat with the fellas about beer. Wildcard is a local small-batch brewery that serves an exciting and eclectic mix of beers. Right next door to the farmers’ market is our favourite coffee shop, The Grind and Vine, where you can order premium roasted coffee as well as wine! It's basically the perfect spot to start your morning or to meet up with old friends with a glass of wine at the end 20

WHERE TO STAY

The Montrose Inn or Kente Lodge WHAT TO BUY

Anything from Carl’s Tarts table at the Farmers’ Market FUN FACT

Trenton is one of four wards that amalgamated to form Quinte West in 1998

of the day. Our next stop is lunch, and we love The Riverbrake Café just a couple of doors down. It’s easygoing and serves delicious, kid-approved sandwiches and homemade soup. With our bellies full, we walk along the waterfront trail by the Trent Port Marina—where my kids climb all over the new exercise equipment. Or, we check out Centennial Park where, in the summer, there are a variety of pop-up shops. On those perfect sunny Saturdays we get in our boat and explore by water. We take off from the marina and from there, honestly, who knows what the afternoon could bring? Maybe a scoot up the Trent-Severn Waterway using the connecting lock system. You can access each lock by car or bike, too! VISIT QUINTEWEST.CA

Boats heading into Lock 6 by Monica Kraska

The Front Street Farmers’ Makret by Garrett Harvey

The City of

frankford

Beachside at the Frankford Touist Park by Jacob Côté

A quaint village within Quinte West on the banks of the historic Trent-Severn Waterway Surrounded by nature and situated at Lock 6 on the Trent-Severn Waterway, this little gem of a neighbourhood has a school, a skate park, a splash pad and a beach. There’s even a golf course! And, the old bank is now the Old Bank Cafe serving coffee, tea and homemade goodies. From here, we regularly visit the nearby Bleasdell Boulder Conservation Area year-round and stare in awe at the gigantic boulder surrounded by beautiful mature forests. In the winter, we purchase a season pass to Batawa Ski Hill, a small hill just down the road. It’s perfect for the entire family, including my 6-year-old, who is starting this year. We’ve made getting outside a priority, and a day outdoors leaves us happy and hungry, so I highly recommend grabbing a pizza from Dimitri’s Pizzeria—it literally never disappoints. WHAT TO BRING BACK

Call ahead for a treat to go from yummymummyskitchen.ca

brighton Keep up with a local who loves her hometown from the outside in By Meg Fox, local resident and owner of the Tin Roof Dairy Bar

For starters, the best way to take in this town is on foot. If you're up for a walk or two, there are heaps of gems to be discovered! Our Brighton tour starts off at Lola's Cafe, where we nab one of their signature Americanos and a bagel (baked in-house) with lox. Powered up from one delicious breakfast, I like to take a hike through Proctor Park. It's like a magical forest right inside the town—it’s just north of the downtown strip, where there are loads of awesome shops like Lighthouse Books, Special Effects Lifestyle Boutique, Firing Time Pottery and, ahem, the Tin Roof Dairy Bar. Feeling a bit peckish for lunch? My go-to is Presqu'ile Cafe Indian Cuisine; the fish curry is the bomb and the samosas are addictive. I’d say 22

WHERE TO STAY

The Artisan Loft Airbnb WHAT TO PACK

Your swimsuit and sunscreen FUN FACT

The Brighton Barn Theatre offers awardwinning acting and directing

Brighton has the best Indian food in the region. If you walk south from here, down Prince Edward Street, you will get to a fork in the road. Stay on Cedar Street and you will see the Butler Creek Trail (Tobey Link) sign on the east side of the street. If you liked the whimsy of Proctor, then you’ll dig the way this trail winds along the creek. It’s one of the most scenic routes in the area if you ask me, and was the first nature trail built by the municipality. The 900-metre, beautifully mulched path with its canopy of trees is like something straight out of a fairy tale. Once you reach the end, BOOM, you're on Harbour Street and in the waterfront neighbourhood called Gosport. Look for the sailboats moored at the marina! VISIT BRIGHTON.CA

Inside Lola’s Cafe by Courtney Klumper

Into the woods at Proctor Park by Jacob Côté

The Municipality of

GOSPORT

Waterfront views by Luis Cabrera

A growing waterfront neighbourhood with a mix of Key West and Cape Cod vibes

Gosport is a great neighbourhood to walk through. It has proximity to the shoreline and awe-inspiring views of Presqu'ile Provincial Park. The Harbourview Marina Restaurant is here, as well as a couple of lovely new accommodations—Spinnaker Suites and The Cottage By Callisto. If you're up for a bike ride to the beach or park trails, you can rent bikes from Rayz Bike Rentals and Repairs just down the road at the entrance to the park. When you’re tuckered out, stop in at Just Like Granny's on your way back to refuel with some of their fresh-baked bread (best enjoyed warm with a melty pat of butter) and a quiche to heat up for dinner at your home away from home.

WHAT TO BRING BACK

One of everything from Just like Granny’s

The Artisan Loft AirBnB is the newest addition to an 1850s Gothic Revival Century home that was converted into Special Effects Lifestyle Boutique. A short distance from Ottawa or Toronto, the quaint village of Brighton ON is home to charming cafes, unique boutiques and one of a kind ice cream parlours. You will want to go where the locals go!

Enjoy a leisurely stroll of the village or an afternoon painting workshop at Special Effects. If you prefer a culinary experience in their on-site commercial kitchen, hosts Sheryl & Jason will gladly arrange a Chef to cater to your needs. An all-Ontario-made gourmet market is on site for your foodie fix! Schedule an exclusive wine tour in a Vintage London Cab or indulge in the beauty of Presqu'ile Provincial Park on a bicycle excursion. If relaxing is your forté, we can help you achieve this with our onsite reflexologist. We're here to help you create a memorable experience!

RESTORATION SERVICES

Written by Angela Hawn

Getting Mark Turner to talk about restoration work is easy. His enthusiasm comes across loud and clear, even via the telephone. Arranging time to chat more in depth about his current project involving Belleville’s downtown, however, requires considerably more eﬀort. “I often work on the weekends,” he murmurs apologetically. “What about Friday, around 2:30? Maybe we could even push it back to 2 o’clock? How much time did you say you’d need again?” The voice is friendly, but the work ethic comes across as pure business. Turner is a busy guy and it’s pretty obvious he’s happiest when getting stuﬀ done. A contractor used to putting nose to grindstone, Turner moved to the Bay of Quinte area in the mid-1980s. A winter spent ensuring the integrity of a Northern Alberta pipeline and countless hours installing panels on an enormous solar farm provided plenty of interesting work experience. But perhaps Turner’s most notable local job involved a complete overhaul at the old Corbyville distillery, which was reborn as restaurant and entertainment venue Signal Brewery. The job dealt with the many intricacies and complications inherent in any task involving structures from the mid-1860s—and whetted Turner’s appetite for his next big project: restoring some of the original beauty to the city’s vintage business district.

Portrait by Christopher Gentile 26

Uncovering the innards of the old China Gate Restaurant building revealed this beautiful third-floor archway.

Photograph of the former China Gate Restaurant courtesy of Restoration Services

The seeds for Belleville’s massive revitalization plan were first sown a few years ago when several downtown property owners opted to take advantage of a city-run incentive program aimed at fixing up building facades. So far, Turner’s restoration work has involved approximately 15 downtown addresses—a Herculean job that may seem daunting to the outside eye. But when the contractor describes the meticulous details involved in a job like sandblasting and refurbishing an antique radiator, or speculates about what might come next, the passion in his voice makes it clear that returning an air of past elegance to the city centre is a labour of love. “I always seem to have more work than I can handle,” he chuckles. His daughter has been after him to create a website for his business, Restoration Services Inc., but, he says, “I didn’t set out trying to make my mark or anything.” That modest attitude belies the fact that Turner recently won the Outstanding in the District award, which is presented by the Downtown District to an individual who, by their actions, has made a difference in the downtown area. A relatively new honour, it recognizes Turner for his extraordinary contribution to the success of downtown Belleville in 2021.

“Mark Turner is a unique character who, maybe more than anyone else, is remaking downtown Belleville,” declares Bruce M. Firestone, founder of the NHL’s Ottawa Senators, real estate investor and current owner of the Front Street building that formerly housed the China Gate restaurant. 27

-style wn loftup here! o t n w o D appens living h

Waiting to make your shopkeeping dreams come true.

Take a simple stroll through the Downtown District and the reasons behind Firestone’s praise become clear. Obvious signs of hard work in action, from refurbished storefronts to the presence of multiple scissor lifts, practically sing out progress in the making. For a comprehensive look at Turner’s restoration talents both inside and out, simply log on to the contractor’s Instagram account and ogle his impressive photo array, often outlining before and after details. Turner’s daughter kindly posts the photos for him, but she’s not the only Turner progeny keen to see dad’s projects succeed. Along with Firestone and Toronto-area investors Dale Kehler and Viraj Tanna, the restorer’s list of investment partners includes his son Jordan, who works as his junior site superintendent. All teamed up to purchase Belleville’s Maze Mall building. Possible plans for that venerable landmark include a café and an area outﬁtted for selling local produce and crafts. Across the street, in the lower part of the old China Gate building, Loyalist College will run an incubator-style program aimed at mentoring and counselling business startups. It will include on-site accommodations for these would-be entrepreneurs on a limited, short-term basis. In fact, both downtown addresses will feature a number of retooled living spaces for Airbnb and yearly leases, ranging from micro-suites to multibedroom units to impressive loft-style apartments.

Photograph of restored downtown facade by Jacob Côté

able ?! dor orbels a Howhese c t are

But it’s not just about the delights to come. Along the way, the restoration crew has made some pretty dramatic discoveries from days gone by. “We’ve found some treasures,” Turner chuckles, ticking off a list of bona fide historical bounty guaranteed to thrill anyone interested in Belleville’s past: old coins and paper money, Corbyville Distillery glass bottles from the 1920s, an antique Dominion sign whose gold leaf lettering came to light after the restoration team removed endless layers of dust.... Some pre-Confederation documents that outline the plight of an unfortunate man who defaulted on a long-ago loan have been donated to the local courthouse for display there. Working at the old China Gate site even uncovered an entire set of stables, hearkening back to an era when the only transportation options available relied on horses. Turner attests to the integrity of the enormous room’s gorgeous wood beams while Firestone raves excitedly about the stables’ potential. Although no firm plans have yet emerged for the 150-year-old stone-and-brick space, the Ottawa developer assures it will definitely be preserved. The gorgeous

wood beams

Photograph of the crew in the discovered stables courtesy of Holly McMurter

The crew

FOLLOW ALONG WITH MARK AND THE TEAM ON INSTAGRAM @RESTORATIONSERVICESINC

SCAN ME

GOIN’ ON UP!

LIFE AU LAIT’s Lonelle Selbo steps oﬀ her Prince Edward County stomping grounds to explore some other great to-do’s across the Bay of Quinte. Follow along as she ﬁlls us in on her adventures on the “north shore.”

Written & Photographed by Lonelle Selbo 30

THE DOWNTOWN DISTRICT Belleville is more than the spot where us County folk go to get the things we just can’t get on the island—like a pumpkin-spice latte or some big-box retail therapy. One very special part is the downtown strip. Established in 1816, the original downtown part of Belleville, recently rebranded as the Downtown District, is a revitalized stretch of beautiful period buildings, many restored to their former glory, that houses some really great little triumphs of coolness. Events and experiences from winter celebrations to summer street-side installations mean that pedestrians can roam, play, eat and shop year-round to their heart’s content. TIP: The downtown strip is an ever-changing landscape of seasonal fun and festive events throughout the year: streetside patios in the summer, holiday hoopla in the winter and new surprises popping up in between.

It’s just a bridge away The BoQ oﬀers many of the same awesome experiences to residents and visitors as Prince Edward County. In PEC, we see that a combo of talent, creativity and elbow grease always results in something good, and a trip to Belleville’s Downtown District makes it clear that a lot of businesses there are built from the same cloth. More options pop up on my radar every time I visit. Here are some of the current favourites that top my list. 31

As a lover of vintage things, I’m thrilled that there are several spots downtown with well-curated collections from clothing to furniture. Funk & Gruven A to Z and Boretski Gallery have me constantly coming back to check on inventory. boretskigallery.com bit.ly/funkgruven

TIP: Check out the latest edition to the Downtown District’s thrift scene—The Hunt on Front at 381 Front Street.

There is a plethora of take-away baked goods options in the Downtown District, like the classic croissant at longstanding ﬁxture L’Auberge de France. It’s the cutest shop, with a freshly made daily food menu and specialty grocery items—and it now sells ﬁne wine too. aubergedefrance.ca

TIP: Small Scale Bread is turning out loaves of cult-fave sourdough from a new little shop across the river at 14 North Front Street.

TIP: The thoughtful wine selection can be purchased by the bottle for take-away too.

TIP: Their bike-related expertise, goods and services are equally top-notch.

A spot I totally love is The Lark— a restaurant-slashwine-and-cocktail bar that holds seriously cool culinary events and sells beautifully packaged pre-mixed to-go cocktails. It’s often the reason I head to Belleville.

The Brake Room is a dual-purpose destination I’ll stop at every single time I pass by. Typically, I pick up a coﬀee and a fresh locally made treat; sometimes, when I have time, I’ll have a sit at the stunning coﬀee bar.

thelark.ca

thebrakeroom.com

quinte west

TIP: Follow the farm’s Instagram account and keep an eye out for upcoming workshops and events.

TIP: If you prefer a different type of ride, Fina Vista’s fleet of stylish retro e-bikes is also super cool. (Check out the video on the farm’s website.)

My first goal when heading up to Quinte West was to visit Melanie at her spectacular flower farm. Dahlia May Flower Farm is one of those businesses that thrives because of the talent and innovation that intersects here. Shop for bulbs, a holiday wreath or the most gorgeous arrangements— everything from tiny cacti to gigantic planters. From the flower stand you can see the flower fields and gaze at row upon row of delicious blooms—from anemones to, of course, the signature dahlias. This is a business that gives back to the community with incredible programs and charitable efforts, and is well worth the trek any time of year. @dahliamayflowerfarm

I approached a horseback adventure with that winning combination of excitement and about-to-pass-out intimidation. Luckily, Camilla, the super-lovely owner of Fina Vista Farm, got me not only up on the horse but actually comfortable in the saddle within moments. We rode along trails across the beautiful countryside on Fina Vista’s hundred acres. The chattering and laughing of our posse of riders rang out as we travelled. There were also moments we rode in complete silence just watching the lovely foliage go by. I imagined what travelling through a winter wonderland on horseback would be like while thinking about how much regular lessons would deepen the experience with these beautiful creatures. ﬁnavistafarm.ca 33

patio vibes

BELLEVI

k r a l R

fancy cocktail

the

ool seriously c vents culinary e

E ITH LOV

A hip restaurant and rk neighbourhood haunt, the La is Downtown Belleville’s hidden gem. The space is airy, rwarm and inviting and, the eve changing menu is made from scratch—including the bottled cocktails you can take to go. Tables ﬁll up fast so visit thelark.ca to book your spot!

dahliamayﬂowerfarm.com

Visit Our Farmstand 1226 Stockdale Road, Quinte West

Fresh Ontario-grown cut ﬂowers, potted plants and arrangements available with weekly delivery from Cobourg to Napanee. Fresh ﬂowers, locally grown.

Meet

THE MAKERS The Bay of Quinte is exploding with talent, and the offerings of the many, many makers in the region are altering the local mindset. The local entrepreneurs and side hustlers in our midst are part of a larger movement that’s helping consumers shift from a global ethos to a loving local one. As the supply challenges of the pandemic spur us to rely more on what is already around us, could a permanent change in buying habits be the silver lining of a very challenging time, with a growth in the success of small business as a result? Meet five makers from across the region who reflect this important shift.

Portraits by Christopher Gentile

Hair Scrunchies

XXL & CO. LTD TINA NGUYEN

I was originally working as a mural artist and often made scrunchies to keep my hair up as I painted. In the spirit of Christmas, I decided to make a scrunchie for my cousin, with one key difference: I made it BIG, and the first XXL Scrunchie was born! Fast forward a year and a half, and I went from making scrunchies in my parents’ basement, by myself for myself, to working with a team of fifteen incredible humans in our own warehouse in Belleville. With my mom helping cut the fabric and my dad handling our local deliveries, there’s an incredible amount of love that goes into creating every single scrunchie. VISIT XXLANDCO.COM

Artisanal Soda

COUNTY BOUNTY

DODIE ELLENBOGEN

This all began as an accident! I was just starting out as an organic vegetable farmer, and we simply weren't making enough money with vegetables alone, so I started the soda company as a side gig. Within a year it had taken over and is now my life! With a small team we now make over two dozen ﬂavours throughout the year with almost all Ontario-grown fruits and herbs. It's an honour and a pleasure to get to use fantastic local produce grown by dedicated farmers and to provide an alternative in the carbonated drink market, where there usually isn’t much in the way of home-grown options. 38

VISIT THECOUNTYBOUNTY.COM

Custom Kitchen Tools

BROKEN TOWER CULINARY

DORIAN WIDLING

I’ve been making things since I could stand. Some of my earliest memories are of my father’s shop, where he would let me tinker with everything from electronics to sheet metal. At the age of 16 I had the audacity to try making a knife using just a small barbecue ﬁlled with charcoal for a forge and that little anvil you ﬁnd on the back of bench vises. It goes without saying that the result was horrible and useless, but so began my fascination with knife making. Today, I’m fortunate to be able to create custom kitchen knives for clients across North America. Each knife is a small homage to the wonder of creation and to the process of making things slowly, by hand. VISIT BROKENTOWERKNIVES.COM

Ceramicist

FIRING TIME POTTERY

MELANIE HORNER

I learned to throw on a pottery wheel at school by the age of 12 and have been totally hooked on the feel of clay ever since! In 2012, I started my pottery business, Firing Time, and ﬁnally realized my dream of owning an accessible shop and studio in 2021. I get excited by the endless possibilities of clay and the decoration that it holds. My pieces, many of which are one-oﬀs, include raku pieces, sculpture, lamps and clocks. In making raku, I am challenged to be less structured and more organic in my approach. I love to inspire others to try pottery, which is why I teach courses and workshops in my studio, located on Brighton’s main street. 40

VISIT FIRINGTIMEPOTTERY.COM

Beader

ERIN FERRANTE BEADS ERIN FERRANTE

Shè:kon, my name is Erin Ferrante (née Spencer), and I am Wolf Clan from the Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory. I was taught to bead when I was about six or so from an elder here in the community, and really picked it back up about four years ago. Since then, I have spent countless hours relearning techniques and gaining knowledge from more experienced beaders and elders, and am now able to share the knowledge I’ve regained with others. In my culture, beading is often referred to as medicine. For me it’s time spent reconnecting my mind and spirit, creating a reﬂection of my culture that I can share with the world. LOOK FOR @ERINFERRANTEBEADS ON INSTAGRAM

FIND YOUR STYLE at Quinte Mall

Visit our 125 stores and services including: Roots, SoftMoc, Toys R Us, Salon You, Shoppers Drug Mart, Old Navy and more. For a complete list of retailers visit: QUINTEMALL.COM

390 NORTH FRONT ST, BELLEVILLE, ON

For mall hours visit: QUINTEMALL.COM

These patios really make a splash! Sip, snack and socialize with waterfront views that will have your friends asking for an invite. 3

Illustrations by Jeannie Phan

Quinte West Brighton

4-TOMASSO’S ITALIAN GRILLE 2-THE HARBOURVIEW MARINA & RESTAURANT tomassos.ca harbourviewmarinacafe.com 35 Front St 5 Bay St W 1-THE WHISTLING DUCK 3-THE RIVERBRAKE CAFE BISTRO Quinte West Brighton @ THE RIVERBRAKE CAFE whistlingduck.ca (613) 392-1266 (613) 475-1515 75 Harbour St 11 Front St Brighton Quinte West (613) 475-4142 (613) 392-0168

Belleville

Napanee 7 9 8

8-THE PIER PATIO BAR AND GRILL @pierpatiobbq 1 S Front St Belleville 6-CHILANGOS MEXICAN RESTAURANT (613) 968-9494 chilangos.ca 394 Front St Belleville 5-SIGNAL BREWING COMPANY 9- THE WATERFRONT RIVER PUB AND TERRACE (613) 771-9292 signal.beer thewaterfrontnapanee.com 86 River Rd 22 Water St W 7-THE BOATHOUSE SEAFOOD RESTAURANT Napanee Belleville boathouselure.ca (613) 354-2053 (613) 779-8633 32 S Front St Belleville (613) 969-2211 VISIT BAYOFQUINTE.CA/PATIOS

(lazy, hazy, crazy)

THOSE ЛDAYS OF SUMMER

An oldie and a goodie, Nat King Cole’s hit “Roll Out Those Lazy, Hazy, Crazy Days of Summer” surely had it right! The 1963 song mentions lots of things we still love about summer—soda, pretzels and beer, to name a few. It doesn’t speciﬁcally speak to soaking up the sun on a patio, but we bet that’s just because it’s so obvious. So, now that outside has become the new inside, patios are popping up around the region at a rapid rate. With sidewalks and parking lots turning into hang-worthy hot spots, it’s easier than ever to wine and dine outdoors—for example, on this 300-seat patio at Signal Brewery on the Moira River in Belleville. You'll wish that summer could always be here.

Photograph by Courtney Klumper 47

SOME NICE BUNS

Taste of Country tasteofcountry.ca

CHAIRMAN MAYO

Burger Revolution burgerrevolution.ca

MIGHTY MICROGREENS

Green Wheel Farms greenwheelfarms

Bakers start at 5 am every day to create an impressively wide variety of baked goods at this local food and gift shop. You’ll realize quickly that buns are just the beginning.

Pick up a side of this mayo made in-house on your next visit. The “flavour is freedom.”

Message Max on Facebook to order your dose of his home-grown necessary nutrients.

al Loc

EAT YOUR VEGGIES!

All across the region bayofquinte.ca/farmersmarkets

Excuses get very weak when there are farmers’ markets in every community across the region. They even happen on more than one day of the week.

FARM-FRESH EGGS

Joyful Noise Farm joyfulnoisefarm.ca

SECRET SAUCE

Eat with Matt DeMille mattdemille.com

BETTER THAN BACON

La Cultura Salumi laculturasalumi.com

CHEESE PLEASE

baldersoncheese.ca blackdiamondcheese.com mapledalecheese.ca

PERFECT PATTY

Opoma Farms opomafarms.com

These happy hens lay eggs that vary in size and colour, and they are all eggs-quisite.

Pick up a bottle of Matt’s Hot Maple. Like Matt, it’s slightly spicy and totally addictive.

How does Iberico pork pancetta aged for at least four months sound? How about awesome!

BoQ grocery stores are well stocked with these local brands. Go ahead, be cheesy!

100% grass-fed, grass-finished Red Devon beef. Because only the finest will do. Ellena’s Café & Pantry ellenascafe.com

We dare you to try and leave this shop with only a jar of pickles.

SAUCY SAUCES

Saucy Dotty’s saucydottys.com

Dot Worobetz is the wonderful lady behind Saucy Dotty's Gourmet Sauce, and like her it’s bold, exciting and saucy. Ketchup will be such a bore after this.

NOT INTO DIY? VISIT BAYOFQUINTE.CA/BURGERS

Oh, so soft! Make it messy.

r Supe r) (dupeds! foo

Eat vegg your ies!

Add spice to your life!

Put an egg on it.

, mm . m Mm acon b

Cheese, please!

Protein packed!

of a d Kin dill! big

The works. Illustrations by Adey Singer 49

We Care CleanSM

Quinte West

You can ﬁnd these cottage-style pop-ups set along a tree-covered path in the 100+ acres of Centennial Park—look for the planters bursting with colourful ﬂowers. There are artisan wares, food and a pop-up that changes vendors on a rotation so you can keep coming back to something new throughout the regular season.

Brighton

Brighton’s Pop-Ups took the canteen at King Edward Park and revitalized it with a complete retroﬁt, creating three interactive vendor spaces. You can look forward to local artisan vendors and a few food trucks too!

Discover excellent eats, entertainment, artisans and adventure from pop-up vendors at ﬁve sites across the region. Illustrations by Jeannie Phan

Belleville

Baked goodies, wood-ﬁred pizzas, international faves like curry and falafel, plus lots and lots of ice cream make for suﬃcient summer snacking at the Pop-Ups on the Bay. Rent a kayak or a stand-up paddleboard and get out on the water for a proper Bay of Quinte experience. It gives a reverse view of the collection of murals that make these pop-ups pop!

1-QUINTE WEST POP-UPS Centennial Park 12 Couch Cres Quinte West

3-POP-UPS ON THE BAY West Zwick’s Park 10 Bay Bridge Rd Belleville

2-BRIGHTON POP-UPS King Edward Park 75 Elizabeth St Brighton

4-POP-UPS IN THE PARK Tsi Tkerhetoten Park 275 Bayshore Rd Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory

Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory Piloted last year, Tyendinaga’s Pop-Ups in the Park are back, with a number of spaces for Mohawk of the Bay of Quinte vendors to showcase their talents. You’ll ﬁnd artisans and food vendors set in a beautiful natural space Lorem ipsum right along the bay.

FOR SEASONAL HOURS OF OPERATION, UPDATES AND NOTICES, VISIT BAYOFQUINTE.CA/POP-UPS

Community

Game changers Written by Courtney Klumper

“How can we think outside the box?” “What would make this a memorable experience?” “How can we take things up a notch?” It’s questions like these that led these Bay of Quinte entrepreneurs to toss the metaphorical box aside and set sail (sometimes literally) on unique business ideas in each of our partner communities. Some of these folks are new to the scene while others have been giving outstanding performances repeatedly for some time now. We think they are all award-winning community cast members who share the long-term vision of attracting more visitors and new residents to this gem of region. With plenty of skin in the game, they demonstrate the combination of creativity and business smarts that are transforming the BoQ experience before our very eyes.

Photograph by Jacob Côté 54

Napanee

WATERFRONT RIVER PUB & TERRACE JANE & ALAIN ADAMS-ROY

Photograph by Jacob Côté As retired military personnel, Jane and Alain Adams-Roy were accustomed to building a life in each new place they were posted. After brieﬂy landing in the area in 1990, followed by a few moves—to nearby Kingston, to Quinte West and to Toronto— the couple ﬁnally settled in Napanee with their children in 2003.

Photograph by Jacob Côté

Jane, Alain & Abigael photographed by Jacob Côté

The duo purchased the property for Waterfront River Pub and Terrace in 2011 and began renovations that same year. The aptly named restaurant along the Napanee River opened in June 2013, beginning the restaurant’s role as a place for the community to gather around exceptional food and local drinks. When asked what they like about the local business community, Jane exclaims, “Gosh, we like lots! We love the community of Napanee. That’s why we settled here. And we have become genuine friends with many of the other business owners. There is a spirit of entrepreneurship in Napanee and it’s fun to be a part of it.” In the summer of 2021, the couple took the plunge in purchasing a 45-foot pontoon boat as a means of oﬀering an outdoor dining experience along the Napanee River. Jane and Alain christened it Norman Paul as a tribute to each of their fathers, and have plans to expand the boat tours to corporate and charter events. As tourism operators, they are mindful of how the sector should grow in the comunity. “We would love to see Napanee’s waterfront develop and more businesses showcase and work with Napanee’s already wonderful natural advantages. Tourism can go hand in hand with maintaining the natural beauty of a space and place.” VISIT THEWATERFRONTNAPANEE.COM

Kenhtè:ke

LIL CROW CABIN & PODS

DAVID TEHANENIA’KWE:TARONS & KIMBER LEE MARACLE Photograph by Jacob Côté On a drive along Bayshore Road in Kenhtè:ke (Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory), your eye will undoubtedly be caught by a mural painted on the side of a one-story cabin: the ﬁrst short-term accommodation in the Lil Crow Cabin & PODS Courtyard. This stretch is home to David Tehanenia’kwe:tarons and his wife and partner, Kimber Lee Maracle, who have been welcoming guests to their peaceful waterfront property since 2009, when they ﬁrst opened as a café and outdoor concert venue.

“The sculptures have always been an integral part of his Mohawk culture, his heritage, his teachings as they highlight the stories of the Indigenous culture of Turtle Island,” says Kimber Lee. The pandemic presented enormous obstacles for performing artists and the hospitality sector, but the Maracles have continued to build and nurture a space that reﬂects their past, present and future. This time at home has only increased their gratitude, Kimber Lee says, “for the magic the land holds.” 56

VISIT LILCROWCABIN.COM

Photograph by Courtney Klumper

After connecting with Matt Fair of Research Castings International through the Quinte Arts Council, RCI has since partnered with David to bid on massive projects to produce 15-foot versions of his sculptures, honouring Indigenous culture by creating monument projects across the country.

David photographed by Jacob Côté

A world-renowned artist and multi-instrumentalist, David has had his performances, concerts and workshops sharing traditional Mohawk knowledge largely cancelled since March 2020. The couple had to pivot, focusing their eﬀorts on their land, the home of Lil Crow and now two new glamping PODs with enhanced private shower rooms. In 2021 they also added on the Eagle Pod Gallery, which houses David’s sculptures and original pieces of artwork.

Belleville

TEAM TIM McKINNEY (RE/MAX BROKER & COMMUNITY DEVELOPER) TIM McKINNEY

Photograph by Courtney Klumper Realtor, broker, investor, dreamer: all titles that can easily follow Tim McKinney’s name. McKinney grew up in Belleville, then left for university and the beginning of his career in banking and appraising. Since returning to the area in the 1990s, he’s been eager to tell anyone who will listen about the beneﬁts of the City of Belleville.

Photograph by Jacob Côté

Tim McKinney photographed by Jacob Côté

It was around this time that McKinney dipped his toe into the world of real estate. Fast-forward 30 years and a pandemic, and it seems buyers from other areas are seeing what McKinney and others have been preaching about. But real estate is only one part of his portfolio—McKinney’s dreaming about ways to ignite local businesses across sectors. His vision for the growing community includes a number of new projects: The Loft on St. Paul, The Ashley Motel, The Local Social House and Kita Beauty Lounge, to name a few. These projects have brought him into collaboration with number of equally creative and boundary-pushing entrepreneurs who match his enthusiasm. “I love working with other like-minded people and using their strengths to provide a better product or service,” says McKinney. “The key is that you ﬁnd someone that has the same goals and the same work ethic as you have.” As McKinney and his team of collaborators continue to take entrepreneurial risks, the community can expect to see more innovative businesses calling Belleville home. VISIT TIMMCKINNEY.COM

Quinte West

H2O GETAWAYS

JEN COOK & JOHN LOTT

Photograph by Christopher Gentile As two people who love being on the water, Jen Cook and John Lott couldn’t have picked a better region to make their home—and build a business. With shores along the Bay of Quinte and Trent-Severn Waterway, Quinte West has made an ideal spot for them to launch their aquatic accommodations, H2O Getaways.

“There is an inexplicable serenity that happens, whether you are tied to the dock or on the move,” says Cook. “The feeling of unlimited space, watching the sun rise and set, standing under a star-filled sky— anything and everything seems possible. Now add trees, wildlife and meeting fabulous people along the journey, and really, what more could you ask for?” To this rhetorical question, the couple already has an answer: two more houseboats to expand the fleet to five, and collaborations with other businesses for provisions and local experiences, both on board and on the shore. Cook and Lott aim to create a memorable escape for those who love being on the water as much as they do. 58

VISIT H2OGETAWAYS.CA

Photograph by Christopher Gentile

H2O Getaways checks all of the boxes for Cook and Lott. And while the hospitality sector has experienced many setbacks, the couple was ﬁnally able to welcome guests in August 2021. The response was encouraging, with a sold-out season into the fall.

Jen & John photographed by Christopher Gentile

The couple launched the boutique houseboat business in 2021. Like so many, the pandemic brought their careers in the entertainment industry to an abrupt halt. “We wanted a business that would allow us to work together, oﬀer us the joy of entertaining and satisfy our unquenchable need to renovate, while still fulﬁlling our love of the outdoors and boating along the Trent-Severn Waterway,” says Cook.

Brighton CRAIG & DENISE WILLIAMS, ROGER CHEER & JAY LaCHAPELLE Photograph by Jacob Côté Dreaming about beachfront views and crashing waves for your next getaway? Forget the tropics: look no further than Spinnaker Suites, a new nautical-themed accommodations option in Brighton’s waterfront Gosport neighbourhood. It’s been a team project from the outset. Roger Cheer, Jay Lachapelle and Craig and Denise Williams transformed the existing property into the boutique hotel after taking over in the fall of 2020, welcoming guests in the spring of 2021.

Photograph by Jacob Côté

Roger photographed by Jacob Côté

Cheer resides in Brighton, and has taken the lead on overseeing construction, renovations and the day-to-day needs of the hotel. “Roger and his grassroots ties to the area have been pivotal to our success,” says Lachapelle, who is the point person for guest relationships, advertising, bookings and staﬃng. Residents have welcomed the revitalization, with its nautical design and relaxing vibe, which was spearheaded by the Williamses. “In our ﬁrst year of business, we have been welcomed by the community,” says Lachapelle. “This community has been extremely supportive of our business, with an abundance of referrals and repeat guests.” As the hospitality industry rebounds from a precarious couple of years, it’s a reassuring sign that Spinnaker Suites is gaining traction with locals and visitors alike. As for what’s next, the group has purchased the neighbouring Baywatch Cottage, which will be remodelled to suit single families. A beachside vacation might be closer than you think on Presqu’ile Bay! VISIT SPINNAKERSUITES.COM

THE BAY OF Q UINTE Q U I NTE WEST $ 510 , 0 0 0 + 37 . 8 %

BELLEVILLE $501,000 + 3 1. 9%

B R I G H T ON $62 5 ,0 63 + 3 6.6%

NAPANEE $450,100 +23.8%

A ve ra g e H o u se P rice s i n t he Bo Q b a se d o n 2 02 1 st a t i st i cs f ro m t he Qu in t e & D i st rict A sso cia t io n o f R e a l t o rs®

YOUTH + EXPERIENCE

Tim McKinney grew up in the Bay of Quinte and

has over 25 years of experience in the local real estate market.

Sarah, Jillian, Alexandra and Courtney know what

buyers and sellers are looking for and have strong connections to the Bay of Quinte community.

CITY MOVING EXPERTS

Welc ome home!

With almost half of their 100 homes sold in 2021 going to

buyers from outside the area, Team McKinney are experts in finding you what you want in the Bay of Quinte region.

www.timmckinney.com Team Tim McKinney Re/Max Quinte Ltd ; Broker & Sales Representatives

Baby, we’re a-mazed

If it weren’t for this photographic evidence from Grills Orchards in Quinte West, you might not believe how truly a-mazing autumn is here in the BoQ. If you don’t fall in love, well then, you can just get lost—but do it in here, so we know you’ll be safe and get found.

Photograph by Justen Soule 63

WHERE TRADES WORK

(and live)

Trades jobs in Quinte are paying upwards of $90,000 per year Where to live? Where to work? These are questions that are consuming Canadians every day more than ever. We in the Bay of Quinte are officially throwing our hat in the ring as the answer to both, and here’s why. The average home price in the BoQ is still almost $100,000 less than the national average, and our communities have been recognized as some of the top places to live in Canada by MacLean’s magazine. As well, there are a multitude of high-paying jobs begging to be filled here in the trades. (Yeah—the trades. If your image of the skilled trades is the last-ditch option for your friend who didn’t finish high school, it’s time to think again; they’ve changed radically over the past few decades.) Positions can range from entry-level construction jobs to more specialized trades like electrician, mason or pipefitter. Typically, the more specialized positions bring in the most income. For example, general labourers earn over $24 per hour, while pipefitters in a supervisory role, which would necessitate a higher level of education and training, earn over $40 per hour. Population and business growth in the Bay of Quinte have taken off recently, and the increase in trades positions has mirrored this growth. Employment Ontario data shows a need to fill over 4,700 jobs in trades in the region over the next few years to keep up with demand, with the majority paying close to $30 per hour. Opportunities to operate your own business as a tradesperson are also better than ever. So, whether you’re just learning the tricks of a trade, are a jack-of-all-trades or are a master of one, making a move to the BoQ is trading up! Consider this a legal insider trading tip. (You’re welcome.)

Photographs by Alex Filipe

Five Top-Paying Trades Positions in the Bay of Quinte Region (The Employment Ontario data is for the next two years and was facilitated by the Centre for Workforce Development) PIPEFITTING CONTRACTOR & SUPERVISOR

$90,144 Median Wage

7 expected jobs

Windows of opportunity, literally!

$70,506

170 expected jobs

CONSTRUCTION MILLRIGHT/ INDUSTRIAL MECHANIC

$60,322

941 expected jobs

PLUMBER

$60,124

310 expected jobs

$59,746

430 expected jobs

BRICKLAYER

Median Wage

HEAVY-DUTY EQUIPMENT MECHANIC

Median Wage

FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT WHERETRADESWORK.COM

learning the tricks

KYLE ROSE

Kyle is currently working for a home renovation company as a plumbing apprentice as well as attending Loyalist College as part that process.

How did you get into the trades?

opportunity (knocks)

The local honest truth is the proof Why is the Bay of Quinte so attractive for building a life in the trades? We reached out to three locals to see what they had to say. In their answers we found that even though their paths have been varied and they are at diﬀerent stages in life, all of them had community, opportunity and an attractive lifestyle at the top of the list.

Out of high school, I started working in different types of factories and manufacturing facilities, and after ten years I decided it wasn’t for me. I finally found plumbing and home renovations are the right fit, and I really enjoy doing them.

Does education give you an advantage? You need an apprenticeship to go to school. You work for a certain number of hours, then go to school for a few months, then back to working, and repeat that for about five years. It’s great. You get better every day and learn things you can integrate into your career.

What do you love about your job? I’m working for a home renovation company and I’m a plumber apprentice. We go in and look at the skeleton of a house and put the plumbing in and build the house up around it from there. I also get to do framing, drywall, insulation—everything—so it’s a lot of fun.

What is the pay like? Once you become your own journeyman with a license, your salary goes way up. Maybe you make $17 an hour to start, then you get your ticket and you’re making $45 an hour. Then you take on your own apprentices to help build your business.

Why is the BoQ good for trades? There’s so much demand for work. Plus, the advantage of moving your business here is there’s so much to do year-round, like ice fishing, fishing, snowboarding, walking your dog in the parks and so many things for kids. And it’s right in the middle between Ottawa and Toronto so you can take a short drive in either direction and be where you want to be. 66

jack-of-all-trades

mastering one

WARREN PRICE

HEATHER SAVAGE

Warren is the former owner of Warren & Company Contracting, Ltd, a bathroom and kitchen renovation company. He is currently transitioning into retirement.

Heather is enrolled in the Architecture program at Loyalist College and has already graduated from the Carpentry & Renovation program and the Art & Design program.

How is the transition going?

How did you get into the trades?

I was the previous owner and recently sold the company. I decided to stay on and manage the office, taking calls and providing estimates. I assess the jobs and then schedule the team based on the work required.

When I was first coming out of high school I had no idea what I wanted to do. I took Art & Design and realized I didn’t want to be an artist, and I had always had an interest in building houses and carpentry.

What do you love about this new role?

Where has learning a trade led you?

I really enjoy meeting new people and providing homeowners with upgrades to their kitchens and bathrooms. It’s a small town so the majority of people know each other and we know all the different contractors, which gives us the ability to build our reputations.

When I took carpentry at Loyalist, I realized it wasn’t all about being a carpenter. There are many other opportunities. Now I’m studying architecture, and when I graduate I’ll have an opportunity to make a better salary because I’ve become more specialized.

Why is the region good for the trades?

Why did you choose architecture?

What’s unique in our community right now is the amount of people that are moving here and buying a house knowing that they want to do some renovations to their liking. So this has been great for the trade community. If you were to move to the Bay of Quinte area, the big thing is your pace of life is a bit slower because you don’t have to drive as far or through as much heavy traffic. You’d enjoy the sports—hockey, soccer, the Bay of Quinte for water and boating—and there are all sorts of places close by for hiking and biking.

I don’t know yet if I love architecture. What I do know is that I find it exciting and challenging, and my aptitude and love for math and art lend well to it. I’m not sure if I’ll even end up with a career in this field, but I can already tell the skills I’m receiving will be a benefit to me for the rest of my life.

What’s it like living in the BoQ? We have everything here that’s required for my lifestyle. I moved here from Edmonton because my wife was from here. We really enjoy it. Coming to this area allows me to do all the things I want to do outside of work. I have a cottage and we go fishing and boating, I can go to Belleville Senators hockey games— things I might not be able to do in the big city. I like hiking and fishing and four-wheeling and sightseeing, so my summers are great because I get to do all of these things in this area.

What advantages does the BoQ have? The biggest advantage to being here is the number of trades jobs available. It’s an area of growth, so this is a great place for anyone interested in getting new business ideas off the ground.

What do you like about living here? What’s been great for me is all the community support I’ve received. I have struggled with mental health issues for most of my life. For a long time, I was afraid I was never going to achieve any kind of stability—financially or emotionally. Thanks to my support team I’m beginning to feel like there’s not much I can’t achieve. Thanks everyone! 67

READY, SET—GROW! Loyalist College is advancing its commitment to business and economic development in the Bay of Quinte region by establishing a business accelerator in Belleville’s Downtown District. Aptly named “Accelerate,” it provides students and community members a supportive space from which to incubate their entrepreneurial ideas. The goal? To help innovative ideas go from small-scale to big business. Often working from their classrooms, at their dining-room tables or in their garages, many emerging entrepreneurs face isolation as they work to get their ideas oﬀ the ground. Accelerate is purpose-built to be a place for innovators to fast-track startup businesses and see them grow. Services include access to free high-speed Wi-Fi, focus booths for privacy to work quietly or make calls, a boardroom for more formal presentations and a kitchen area for casual meet-ups with other entrepreneurs and business inﬂuencers. Loyalist College is fortunate to have student and alumni leaders with entrepreneurial spirit. Accelerate will celebrate and bring attention to this valuable resource while cultivating a barn-raising mentality in support of entrepreneurs in the community—all to create more made-in-the-Bay-of-Quinte success stories. It doesn’t take many entrepreneurs living and working in a town to completely change its economic, social and environmental well-being. Everything from wine to dinosaur casts to hockey legends to military heroes have gotten their start here. Accelerate will help our small but mighty community come together to give promising innovators a better chance at success—creating jobs, generating wealth and attracting investment in the process. Our backyard will be the best place in Ontario to live, work, play and grow a business. 70

Written by Amy Harder & Jeremy Laurin Accelerate is located in a beautifully restored historic building in the Belleville Downtown District that has been lovingly brought back to its original architectural grandeur by Dawn and Bruce Firestone, entrepreneurs and investors themselves. This unique 2,700-square-foot space will host a community keen to amplify the success of innovators and entrepreneurs who are serious about scaling up their businesses.

Photographed by Ben Quaiﬀ

Support

STARTS HERE

Work independently or collaborate—by choice or by chance.

While physically located in Belleville, Accelerate aims to help start companies that will create jobs, increase innovation and boost economic prosperity for the entire Bay of Quinte Region and beyond.

The open concept area is taking shape.

SUPPORT FOR ENTREPRENEURS The path of an entrepreneur is unique compared to more traditional careers. Coaching from seasoned entrepreneur mentors and access to applied research labs for testing product scalability, as well as pathways to prospective customers and partners, are some of the critical aids needed for emerging innovators to succeed. Accelerate will be at the heart of this ecosystem of support. CREATING JOBS As entrepreneurs build businesses, they also build out the teams who will drive that growth. Through Accelerate, Loyalist College will help power these startups with a pipeline of topskilled talent as the new ventures scale in size.

The casual kitchen is just waiting for the final touches.

GENERATING WEALTH In any community, here in the Bay of Quinte or around the world, entrepreneurs invest in community development—from supporting arts and culture to youth sports. When Accelerate helps to increase the number of entrepreneurs who get their start here in this region, our communities will win too. ATTRACTING INVESTMENT Access to capital is a key barrier for startups. By cultivating a generation of impressive companies that didn’t previously exist, Accelerate will shine a spotlight on this region as the best place to run with big ideas—or invest in them. Loyalist will leverage its network in academia and private and public enterprise, locally and internationally, to build this brand and attract investment in our promising home-grown innovators.

FOR INFORMATION ON HOW TO JOIN ACCELERATE, CONTACT AMY AT AHARDER@LOYALISTCOLLEGE.COM

college

& Community Portraits by Luke Best

Since 1967, Loyalist College has been changing the local landscape both demographically and economically, maintaining its commitment to community along the way. By deliberately choosing to be a community college, it has a profound impact on the local economy. A recent study found that the college generates 6,000 jobs in the region, and that more than 1,000 graduates are added to the workforce yearly—many of whom choose to stay in the region and build their lives here long-term.

Meet four students who are as diverse in their backgrounds as they are in their studies, yet ﬁnd unity in their perspectives of what it’s like to live here in the Bay of Quinte region— whether for now or forever.

RAJVANSH SINGH Rajvansh Singh is an international student from India in the Biotechnology Program and a member of the Wellness Ambassador Team. He has been living in the Bay of Quinte since fall 2021. “Being an international student, I think the Quinte region is a perfect blend of various geographical features such as islands, forests, hills, lakes and rivers. Its countryside gives you calm and authentic Canadian vibes. It's docks and various parks are perfect spots for photoholics and nature lovers.” 72

VISIT LOYALISTCOLLEGE.COM

LORRAINE FARRAR Lorraine Farrar is a mature student in the culinary program. A member of the student government and an Indigenous leader, she has spent most of her life in the Bay of Quinte. “I spent most of my life in the Quinte area with a great deal of it right here in Belleville, Ontario. The simplicity of its name says it all: ‘Beautiful City.’ I have so many wonderful memories from growing up right here. My favourite places are all the parks and trails. It’s beautiful to walk along the Bay of Quinte because the views are spectacular and easy to enjoy—I go often, all year round!”

MEET PATEL Meet Patel is an International Student from India in the Chemical Engineering Program. He is a member of the student government and has been living in the Bay of Quinte since fall 2020. “I love the City of Belleville because it has good connectivity to the GTA as well as Ottawa. It has great weather and low pollution. In October, the city council organized the nicest celebration of Diwali (a most important Indian Festival), connecting the locals with international residents. It is a very calm and clean city where I have made some of the best memories of my life.”

BRIANNA HILL Brianna Hill is a student in the Film and Television Program and a member of the Wellness Ambassador Team. Originally from Peterborough, she moved to the region during the spring of 2021. "The reason I love living in the Bay of Quinte is to enjoy nature and all the beautiful, scenic spots in town. On the weekends, I love going downtown and stopping by the farmers’ market, spending some time down by the water, and enjoying the many great parks and walking trails in the area!" 73

A L B E R T C O L L E G E . C A Albert College inspires excellence in all 5 of Albert’s ‘A’s - Academics, Arts, Athletics, Active Citizenship and Adventure. from PreKindergarten to Grade 12 develop into well-rounded global citizens. Visit albertcollege.ca for more information about Canada’s oldest co-educational boarding and day school right here in Belleville.

“

Lily has been accepted at all six universities and 18 programs that she applied to. She has been universities. As her parents, we are more than thrilled with how far she has come.

”

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When Dennis Fletcher (affectionately known as “Fletch”) co-founded Quinte SailAbility (QS) over 20 years ago with the late John Gower, he could not have known the impact this program would have on the community today. A sailing program using a fleet of adapted boats, QS allows people with disabilities the chance to sail independently. For those with disabilities, it means an experience like no other. Sandy Watson, a power wheelchair user who was one of the program’s very first sailors, had no sailing experience at all when she first came to QS. She was terrifified at the thought of being on the water. 76

Photo courtesy of Quinte SailAbility

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But after only 30 minutes of being in the boat, she was hooked. QS began when Fletch organized a threeday sailing demonstration using a borrowed Access Dinghy—a simple plastic sailing dinghy adapted for people with disabilities—from the Ontario Sailing Association. After seeing the success of the event, Fletch realized he couldn’t just leave it at that, so he formed QS. Having dedicated countless hours to growing the program, QS is now a full-time summer program with a ﬂeet of Access Dinghies, Liberties, specially designed Martin 16s for racing and a very fast (and fun) Trimeran for advanced training.

Sailors can either self-transfer into the boats or be transferred using a lift and sling system. The boats are all counterbalanced with leaded keels—they do not capsize. They can be further adapted with electronic systems that allow someone who uses a power wheelchair to steer the boat with an electronic joystick and to operate the sails with electric winches. Sailors can even control the entire sailboat using only their mouth (called a Sip n’ Puﬀ system), meaning a person with a high spinal cord injury who does not have the use of upper limbs can sail completely on their own.

“I was a kid from a small town who didn't know anyone like myself. SailAbility gave me a competitive outlet in racing that changed my life and improved my confidence forever. That confidence is what allowed me to go to college and continue my education and inspire others.” — QS sailor Brett Lyons

Photo courtesy of Quinte SailAbility

Although Fletch has recently retired from his role as QS President, he continues to share 20 years’ worth of stories of what QS sailors have been spurred on to accomplish. I, too, am a product of this program; having spent my teenage summers as a sailing instructor with QS, I now work in the disability sports ﬁeld delivering training and education around the inclusion of people with disabilities.

In 2020 and 2021, COVID-19 forced many sailing clubs to cancel their programs. Despite the challenges, however, Quinte SailAbility not only was able to run safe, well-organized programs during both seasons, but it completed a move in 2020. Now co-located with the Bay of Quinte Yacht Club, QS is proud to be able to continue providing valuable, life-changing programs to residents in the BoQ.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT QUINTESAILABILITY.CA

Kingston

Bay of Quinte

bucket list Belleville’s Downtown has a fine river view And plenty of restaurants, plus patios, too! Also dozens of shops With restored brick facades. On the banks of the Moira, Good times are good odds.

Brighton has Presqu’ile Provincial Park to explore. It has white sandy beaches: Go swimming or stay ashore! There are waterfront campsites And wooded ones too. Full of birds, bugs and frogs, It’s a natural zoo!

RIDDLE: I have two wings but cannot fly. I’ll make you laugh (I hope not cry). On a Bridge Street Wall I can be found. I’m full of life but have no sound.

TIP: The Ontario Parks Reservation system opens for campsite bookings the middle of February. Book early to get your favourite spot!

What am I?

A family-owned farm On the shore of Hay Bay, Is another cool spot To head to one day. Take a one-hour tour On the pastured terrain And spend time with alpacas At Hickory Lane. Goats and chickens also live there. You can even do yoga in the fresh air! @HickoryLaneAlpacas

Ice cream, ice cream You make us holler. Because Reid’s Dairy has milkshakes for only one dollar! They also have cheese, milk and such. All of it local. We love it so much!

reservations.ontarioparks.com

Every year Our fingers cross That winter will turn The water to gloss. Then we can skate On Victoria Harbour And outdoor rinks Making our Skills sharper.

Roses are red, violets are blue. Flowers from Dahlia May Flower Farm Make us yell out yahoo! And now we can go And pick our own At Philburn Flower Farm Where they are also Home-grown.

bayofquinte.ca/icerinks

dahliamayflowerfarm.com philburnflowerfarm.com

Walleye, bass, pike and panfish— All these species are totally delish! By boat or by shore By yourself or with a guide. There’s even ice fishing— Have you ever tried?

reidsdairy.com

Would you like to go for a hike in the woods? In a conservation area, you totally could! Frink, Menzel and Proctor names a few. There’s Bleasdell Boulder in Quinte West too!

For some our favourites, visit bayofquinte.ca/hikes

Did you know anyone is welcome At the Tyendinaga Pow Wow? All that’s asked is you’re mindful Of what to do and how. Research, learning And cultural respect. When you see it up close, You’ll be captivated By each step. For the exact date in August, visit mbq-tmt.org/events

The Glenora Ferry is quick to cross. Take South Shore Road And try not to get lost. But if you do, there’s lots to see Because it’s fun to explore The Town of Greater Napanee! bit.ly/glenoraferry

BAYOFQUINTE.CA/BUCKETLIST

Dr. Oronhyatekha lived an extraordinary life. And on Tyendinaga he met Ellen, his wife. At Chapel Royal they lie today. Look for the plaque on display. A person of national historic significance, His contributions made an immense difference.

Go more than a century back in time. See the costumes and millwork All restored to their prime. This is Glanmore National Historic Site And during the holidays You can tour by gaslight.

bayofquinte.ca/doctor-oronhyatekha

There are many great places To spend a snow day. Like on a toboggan Sliding away. Zwick’s Park in Belleville Has a terrific hill— With stunning bay views That lessen the chill. bit.ly/zwickspark

One play, two plays, Three plays, four. The Brighton Barn Theatre Has had even more! We’d never forget Belleville’s Theatre in the Wings Or the Pinnacle Playhouse Doing wonderful things.

glanmore.ca

We love to have fun In a twisty corn maze. The three in the region Make for epic fall days. Cricklewood, Wynn and Grills Are the farms. You can also pick apples With your very own arms!

Summer ends And some are sad. But it’s harvest time, So we are glad! There’s lots to love, Like fritters and pies From Cheer Farm’s bakery— You can smell it for miles!

cricklewood.ca wynnfarms.ca grillsorchards.com

cheerfarms.com

The Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte Travelled across the lake by canoe. From now upstate New York Day by day they pushed through. To commemorate their arrival At the Kenhetè:ke shore, The Kanyen’kehá:ka re-enact The landing of 1784.

brightonbarntheatre.ca riverandmain.ca bellevilletheatreguild.ca

The Bay of Quinte is surrounded by water. Some spots are narrow and others are broader. There are many boat launches easy to access. There’s even a map with each exact address. Pack up your paddles, life jacket and gear And get out on the water When the weather is clear!

mbq-tmt.org/events

This is where The Belleville Senators play, Inside the arena Sponsored by CAA. In this 5,000-seater The crowd comes alive. Don’t forget to leave room For handfuls of fries! bellevillesens.com GO SENS GO!

A small hill with a big heart: Fly down Batawa Ski Hill just like a dart! If moguls or groomed runs Are part of your quest, You’ll find what you’re looking for Right here in Quinte West. Even if snowfall is not to be seen, They’re able to make it By means of machine.

bayofquinte.ca/boatlaunches

Brought up from the depths of Lake Mjosa. Now at the National Air Force Museum of Canada. It’s one of the world’s only Halifax Bombers That is fully restored and greatly honoured. For museum tour information visit, airforcemuseum.ca

batawaskihill.com

Keep reading this book All the way to the end, To learn how to ice fish From Ashley, our friend. shelovestofish.com

BAYOFQUI

Who are we?

ADAM + LAURA

We’re Adam and Laura, a couple of locals who grew up riding the Bay of Quinte’s backroads, and we’re excited to share them with you. We own and operate The Brake Room in Belleville, and we think our town is the perfect home base (a hub, if you will) for exploring the Bay of Quinte region. We’ve started this route library by charting our home terrain, but if you follow along you’ll be sure to see inspiration from further afield as well. Our goal is to inspire you to grab some friends, pump up your tires and get out on the (back)roads.

The Bay of Quinte Adventure Cycling Club provides route inspiration for everyone from the fair-weather family cyclists to the folks in pursuit of the to all, but we recommend you tread routes with tires less than 35 mm wide under you. Discover the beauty of adventure cycling with us!

See the routes at bayofquinte.bike

NTE.BIKE What is

ADVENTURE CYCLING?

ROUTE TYPES RAMBLER

Established gravel route that most likely features chipseal and unpaved sections. Lots of flat sections. Consistent climbing. 1-2 challenging climbs. Less than half as much climbing as distance travelled.

Our definition of adventure cycling is simple...

This means we design routes that and therefore prioritize routing that cars wouldn’t take. We often traverse rough terrain, and occasionally come

ADVENTURER

Established gravel route that most likely has unpaved roads and/or dirt trails. Fewer flat sections. Consistent climbing. Multiple challenging climbs. Rare

across obstacles that the typical automobile wouldn’t manage.

elevation gain to distance travelled.

An easy gravel ride might include

EXPLORER

some gravel backroads to

Testing out a new route or new additions to a route. May contain an unknown gravel category. Once established, the “explored” route will be created with notes of hazards. Potentially more elevation gain than distance travelled.

connect quieter pavement roads. A moderate ride might include some rail trail riding or an ATV connector trail. A harder ride could include loose surfaces for extended distances. Note that some bayofquinte.bike routes or associated with them. We’ve come up with our own Route Types to help you plan your ride based your skill level, and have listed the definitions here.

EPIC

A gravel route 70 kms or longer, usually pulling together multiple shorter Challenging and steep is expected. Twice as much elevation gain as distance travelled is quite typical.

Some claim summer is the best time of year, and we agree it deﬁnitely has its magical moments—being barefooted, for instance. But we’d like to make a case for winter, the often underrated season. We’ll start with this epic photo. Every year, Victoria Harbour, just south of downtown Belleville, freezes over and becomes a haven for hockey, skating and other ice fun. Nighttime hockey games illuminated by car headlights are a regular occurrence, and some years there have even been Zamboni sightings!

Photograph by Justin Anderson 85

GUIDE TO ICE FISHING

Written & Photographed by Ashley Rae

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The Bay of Quinte region offers world-class angling opportunities, so it’s no wonder ice fishing is a popular winter activity here. Trophy walleye, jumbo perch, northern pike, black crappie and more— there are plenty of species to get your adrenaline pumping on a chilly day. Ice fishing offers a fun way for people of all ages to get out and enjoy the great outdoors.

A good catch = smiles for miles

This beautiful creature is a jumbo perch. Catching a fish is so thrilling you may feel the urge to kiss instead of catch and release. Pucker up, buttercup! 86

If you’re new to ice ﬁshing, here are some do’s and don’ts to keep in mind while planning your hard-water adventure. Have fun, be safe and best of luck pulling in that monster out on the ice!

Ashley with her auger ready to make some holes in the ice!

DO start here

This is the tip of a spud bar—a long steel pole used to strike the ice in front of you as you walk, checking the integrity of the ice as you go.

Know the rules. Before planning your upcoming ice fishing trip, be sure to purchase your fishing license and thoroughly read the fishing regulations. All the details, including where to purchase your fishing license, can be found at Ontario.ca/fishing. Go with an expert. Your best bet for an enjoyable and successful first experience is getting out with someone who can show you the ropes. Ask a friend or family member with ice fishing experience to accompany you, or hire a local guide or ice hut operator. Chat with the locals. No one has their ear to the ground better than the staff at local tackle shops. They’ll have the latest information on productive fishing areas and conditions, and can show you what products, tackle and lures local anglers are having success with. Dress for success. Fortunately, there are many options when it comes to ice fishing apparel nowadays. Floatation suits are highly recommended for their warmth, and for safety plus peace of mind. Bring safety gear. In addition to appropriate apparel, other must-have safety items include a spud bar to check the ice, cleats for traction and ice picks (which you’ll want to keep easily accessible in case they are needed to pull yourself out of the water).

DON’T

ever assume the thickness of the ice!

Don’t assume ice conditions are the same across any body of water. Ice can vary in thickness due to weather and currents. Always ensure you frequently check ice thickness using a spud bar while making your way around an area every time you go. It only takes a moment to check!

Don’t leave without telling someone where you’re headed. It’s always a good idea to let family or friends know your whereabouts when you head out ice fishing. Be sure to check in during your outing, and afterward once you’ve made it off the ice at the end of the day.

Don’t forget to be mindful of other anglers. Some fish species can be spooked by noise on the ice—so it’s not very considerate to move into an area where other anglers are already set up and fishing. Please be respectful and leave space when heading out on the ice.

FOLLOW ALONG WITH ASHLEY ON INSTAGRAM @SHELOVESTOFISH

Don’t forget food and water! It’s important to eat and to stay hydrated while spending time outdoors, especially in cold weather. Staying hydrated and fed helps keep your energy up and your body warm. Plus, who doesn’t love good snacks while fishing?

How the clan system was born

TSIKÓNHSASE: THE MOTHER OF NATIONS

Written by Sha'tekayenton Andrew Brant, Mohawk from the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte of the Turtle Clan Indigenous Peoples and communities vary dramatically from coast to coast to coast in regards to culture, language and traditions. The following content is related to the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, to which the Kenhtè:ke Kanyen’kaha:ka belong.

Before the Great Law of Peace—a constitution that established a confederacy between the Five (later Six) Haudenosaunee Nations—there was a time of war and turmoil across the territories. During this time a boy named Deganawida was born; he grew up to receive a great vision of peace and set off to deliver its message to the warring Five Nations. On his way he encountered two important Haudenosaunee people who would help him fulfill his role as the Great Peacemaker. The first was a warrior who had lost his wife and daughters to the ongoing wars. Deganawida gave him a ceremony of condolence to clear grief and return reason. The warrior’s name became Ayonwáhta, and the wampum belt to symbolize the unity of the Five Nations Confederacy would later be named after him. The second person that Deganawida, together now with Ayonwáhta, met on the journey to spread the message of peace was Tsikónhsase. Tsikónhsase was said to welcome all warriors, regardless of Nation, to her home to rest and eat when they were on their journey. The only rule was that there were no enemies between those who ate her food at her home. Because of her influence and good standing among all Nations she was named “Mother of Nations” and assigned an important role. She went out each day for nine days, and the first animal she saw would become one of the clans in the new Confederacy. Each person who held these clans, regardless of their Nation, would be considered family. This meant that a Mohawk and Seneca Turtle clan member would be considered family. The families are matrilineal, which means that the children carry on their clan from their mother. The women hold the titles and decide who can hold them—and if they should be taken away. The ones that held these titles would be called Royá:ner, or what some would call Chiefs. There are nine clans within the Haudenosaunee Confederacy as a whole, and the Mohawk Nation is divided into three different families, which are Turtle, Wolf and Bear. Each clan has three titles, which are laid out in the Great Law of Peace constitution, along with their responsibilities within the Confederacy, as follows: Wampum 5: The Council of the Mohawk shall be divided into three parties as follows: Tekarihó:ken, Ayonwáhta and Sha'tekarí:hwate are the first party and titles of the turtle clan; Sharenhó:waneh, Teyonhéhkwen and Orenhre’kó:wa are the second party and titles of the wolf clan and Tehana’karí:ne, Ahstawenserénhtha and Shoskoharó:waneh are the third party and titles of the bear clan. The third party is to listen only to the discussion of the first and second parties and if an error is made or the proceeding is irregular they are to call attention to it, and when the case is right and properly decided by the two parties they shall confirm the decision of the two parties and refer the case to the Seneca Chiefs for their decision. When the Seneca Chiefs have decided in accord with the Mohawk Chiefs, the case or question shall be referred to the Cayuga and Oneida Chiefs on the opposite side of the house. Not only did the clan system provide for social stability, but the governance system it created is still practised and recognized today. 88

Illustration of Tsikónhsase and the three Mohawk clans by Kaia’tanó:ron Dumoulin Bush

BAYOFQUINTE.CA