Issuu

One Fun Thing in each of our communities

Erica Ehm on her Kawartha life in 'Lunch with Roderick Benns'

Kawartha Lakes Traveller: Exploring the city's corners

Kawartha Lakes’ Premier News Magazine * August 2023

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We help professionals and business owners get out of bad relationships and fight to protect what’s rightfully theirs. www.therileyfirm.ca 223 Kent Street West, Lindsay 705.535.0996

Kawartha Lakes divorce lawyer, Paul Riley

The Advocate is published monthly & distributed through diverse businesses & locations throughout Kawartha Lakes, North Durham & southern Haliburton County. We are a proud member of the Lindsay & District, Fenelon Falls & Bobcaygeon Chambers of Commerce.

Our vision

August 2023 * Vol. 6 * Issue 63

The business of journalism must be part of a new ecology — one that is not separate from community, pretending always to be objective — but rather one that is deeply embedded in community, its intentions made plain. We advocate for a community of prosperity, socially and economically, with no one left behind. — Roderick Benns, Publisher

Publisher: Roderick Benns Editor-at-Large/Business Development Rebekah McCracken

Erica Ehm with Snoop Dog. See story page __.

Contributing Editor: Trevor Hutchinson Contributing Writers: Nancy Payne Ian McKechnie Ginny Colling Trevor Hutchinson Roderick Benns Lisa Hart Art Direction + Design: Barton Creative Co. Christina Dedes Photographers: Sienna Frost Web Developer: Kimberly Durrant Published By Fireside Publishing House Printed By Cofax Printing

Cover Image: Erica Ehm at her Pleasant Point cottage. Photo: Sienna Frost.

Please send advertising & editorial inquiries to Roderick Benns at: The Lindsay Advocate 1 Russel Street E. Lindsay ON, K9V 1Z7 PRIVACY POLICY: The Lindsay Advocate is independently owned & operated. The opinions expressed herein are the views of the contributors & do not necessarily reflect those of this magazine. Photos, text & art work contained in The Lindsay Advocate are copyrighted & may not be published, broadcast or rewritten without the express permission of the Publisher. Liability for incorrectly displayed advertising is limited to publishing corrections or advertising credit for subsequent issues. The Publisher reserves the right to reject, revise, cancel, omit, discontinue or even decline to print advertising without reason or liability, & without notice. The Publisher has made every effort to ensure information contained herein was accurate at press time. The Publisher does not assume & hereby disclaims any liability to any party for damage, loss, or disruption caused by errors or omissions.

Feature 14

Cover 20

Feature 30

What would you pick for One Fun Thing to do where you live?

Erica Ehm on how much she loves life in Kawartha Lakes

Travel to every corner of the city with this guide

EVERY ISSUE Letters to the Editor 4 * UpFront 6 * Benns’ Belief 9 Great Reads 45 * Cool Tips for a Hot Planet 47 * Just in Time 48 The Affordable Kitchen 50 * Trevor’s Take 54

To advertise in the Advocate please contact us by telephone at (705) 341-1496 or by email at kawarthalakespublisher@gmail.com

“Don't you like to write letters? I do because it's such a swell way to keep from working and yet feel you've done something.” — Ernest Hemingway

to the editor Homecoming memories and wishing for more

We have a winner

I love receiving the Advocate. And I do enjoy reading Ian McKechnie’s work. His July column (Old Home Week: Revisiting the reunions of 1924 and 1948), brought back a time when we had Homecoming Week down Kent Street with bands and a ferris wheel, cotton candy and outdoor dining, all the way to the locks area where there would be a continuation of vendors. This included dancing on Kent Street on Friday night to a couple of bands, some local. It’s been a long time since Lindsay has had that activity. Here’s hoping future summers will include Homecoming Week again.

While visiting the Fenelon Falls Country Living Show in April I bought three tickets for $20 to the United Way “Spruce Up Your Space” raffle as a way to support our local United Way. I was totally shocked and pleasantly surprised when Emily from the United Way phoned me on June 7 to say I had won! I want to thank all of the local vendors who donated so many great prizes. — Vickie Schuett, Lindsay

Thanks Advocate, for bringing so much to light through your magazine. — Deb McGriskin, Lindsay

Kinmount doctor’s arrival was good for community Thank you for highlighting all the effort it took to recruit Dr. Lesslie Ponraja to Kinmount. (Online Advocate story.) The most ridiculous requirement was the need to submit a lengthy Labour Market Impact Analysis (LMIA) to the Federal Government (with a fee of $1,000, plus we had to bear the cost of the required national advertising), to prove that Dr. Ponraja wouldn’t be taking a job from a Canadian doctor. It was a stressful process, but, in the end, it is definitely a good news story for our community. The bonus is that now we understand the intricacies of international physician recruitment, so we are well-positioned to recruit additional doctors. On the morning of Aug. 13, the Austin Sawmill Heritage Park will be a buzz of activity as we are holding our annual fundraising activity, the Journey for Health. This year, it will be a community celebration with a pay-what-you-can pancake breakfast generously hosted by the Kinmount Lions Club, with lawn games as well as a fundraising hike. — Susan Forrester, Minden

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The Advocate welcomes your letters. We do not publish anonymous letters unless it’s a matter of public importance and/or someone risks harm by writing us. We publish under strict guidelines & only if we can verify the person’s identity. Simply email kawarthalakespublisher@gmail.com. Keep your letters to 200 words or less. lindsayadvocate.ca

The Canopy Project: Empowering Children and Combatting Climate Change What began as a simple initiative to increase the urban canopy within the public spaces in Kawartha Lakes has blossomed into a kid centric cause that deepens children's connection with nature. The Canopy Project in Kawartha Lakes has evolved into a remarkable initiative that nurtures children's connection with nature. At a time when climate anxiety weighs heavily on young minds, this project offers a ray of hope by instilling a sense of ownership and empowerment in kids as they plant trees. "When we plant trees together, kids feel empowered to make a positive change in the environment, benefiting everyone. They learn problem-solving skills and develop a genuine care for their trees. The transformation in these children is truly remarkable," reveals John Ireland, co-founder of the Canopy Project. This fall, with the generous support of the Community Foundation of Kawartha Lakes and a grant from the Kawartha Conservation, the Canopy Project will collaborate with selected schools in Lindsay, Little Britain, Fenelon Falls, and Bobcaygeon to plant trees. However, this is just the beginning of their school program. The organization envisions expanding its reach to encompass more schools in Lindsay, Coboconk, Bethany and more.

Empower kids to make a positive change By supporting the Canopy Project, we can collectively empower children, nurture their bond with nature, and actively combat climate change. Let us unite in creating a greener and more sustainable future for generations to come.

Why not donate a tree to help kids get planting? Learn More or Donate Here: www.kawarthafoundation.ca/canopy-project-kawartha-lakes

* UPFRONT * Cycling tour is back to support A Place Called Home

Environmental fair features EVs on Kent Street in Lindsay

Deborah Pearson, chair of the Kawartha Lakes Environmental Advisory Committee, with her grandson, a future EV driver. She will be at the event with her Chevy Bolt.

The Kawartha Lakes Classic Cycling Tour is back celebrating their 20th anniversary on Aug. 26, in support of A Place Called Home. This cycling tour features beautiful routes in Kawartha Lakes to fit everyone’s skill level, with routes offered at various lengths: 18 km, 33 km, 48 km, 50 km, 100 km, and 160 km. The event will start and finish at I.E. Weldon Secondary School in Lindsay. Lunch is included to all registered participants, thanks to sponsor Boston Pizza in Lindsay. Jen Lopinski, fund development coordinator says, ‘What I love most about this event is that families and friends can team up together to lower the cost of their own registration fee and to raise even more funds for A Place Called Home.” Register by Aug. 10 to receive a free cycling cap and for early bird rates. All proceeds from this event will go to A Place Called Home’s emergency shelter to support the homeless in Kawartha Lakes and Haliburton County. Visit kawarthaclassic.com for more information.

Members of the Kawartha Electric Vehicle Society will be lining Kent Street in front of the Lindsay library with EVs as part of an environmental fair Saturday Aug. 12. More than a dozen club members will be on hand with their cars to discuss their driving experiences. Joining them will be Plug ‘n Drive Electric Vehicle Discovery Centre which will have three EVs available to sign out for test drives during the event, which runs from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. This year’s event has been expanded to include a variety of other environmental displays and activities, with participation from the library and Kawartha Art Gallery. Behind the old town hall, the Chamber of Commerce will be launching its Lindsay Bike Share program. This event is co-sponsored by the Kawartha chapter of the Electric Vehicle Society and Kawartha Lakes Environmental Advisory Committee. Financial support has been provided by the Lindsay Downtown BIA.

For all inquiries, including sponsorship and volunteering opportunities, contact Jen Lopinski at: jennifer@apch.ca or at (705) 878-6817

For more information contact Ginny Colling: 905-449-3479 or ginnycolling@gmail.com

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* BUSINESS UPFRONT * Still time to book a 10-day European cruise

Purple House Services planning for the opening of ‘Bob’s Place’ next year

Cheryl McDonald, owner of Cruise Holidays Plus. Photo: Sienna Frost. Lesley Jubb Ervine, lead PSW, Erin Dunford, business operations manager and Kelly Murphy, owner and founder. Photo: Sienna Frost.

There’s still time to sign up for the Fenelon Falls Curling Club’s fundraising cruise through Cruise Holidays Plus. The ship sails on May 3, 2024, and is a great opportunity to travel with people from your community. To date, nearly 40 people have been booked for this 10-day cruise, during which Celebrity Cruises’ Constellation will travel from Venice to Rome via the Croatian coast. Cruise Holidays Plus owner, Cheryl McDonald, points out that those taking this cruise will benefit from lower group rates for flights and hotels, among other things, and will likewise be able to travel independently at the various ports of call. The Celebrity cruises rep is coming up on Sept. 13 for a consumer presentation at the Fenelon Falls curling club where you can learn more. While some have asked if they must make a monetary contribution to the fundraising cruise, McDonald explains that this donation comes exclusively from Celebrity and Cruise Holidays, with no solicitation from passengers. To learn more, call Cruise Holidays Plus at 705-324-3110 or visit lindsay.cruiseholidays.com

Lindsay-based Purple House Services has been supporting adults and their loved ones in dealing with dementia since 2022. Most of their work is done through the Care Crew, an in-home PSW service overseen by a registered nurse and a team of personal support workers. Looking ahead, Purple House Services is eagerly anticipating the opening of Bob’s Place, a new facility that will house up to 10 people living with dementia. An all-inclusive, fully integrated secured dementia home, Bob’s Place will have both permanent and semi-permanent rooms and is expected to open in 2024. Purple House Services derives its name from the colour symbolizing dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease – but also those values the business brings to those whom it serves. “We want to support our clients so they can age in place with dignity, respect, and independence,” says founder and owner, Kelly Murphy.

To learn more visit purplehouseservices.ca or call 705-320-9583

My passion is to provide you with Timeless Memories.

Did you experience or deliver an act of kindness this past year (in 2023?) We want to hear about it for a future edition! Tell us at kawarthalakespublisher@gmail.com or message The Lindsay Advocate via Facebook.

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* BENNS' BELIEF *

Summers are made for

Grilling

Looking down or looking ahead? By Roderick Benns Publisher

There’s a guy, likely in his early 60s, that walks by my house at least twice a day. My home office window, not far from downtown Lindsay, overlooks the street, so I can’t help but notice passersby. As we all do, I make assumptions based on first impressions. I immediately get the sense he is economically disadvantaged. He is a heavy smoker and is frequently coughing. On many occasions, he is scratching lottery tickets as he walks, brushing off the clinging, glittery residue in the hope of a sudden payoff. A wiry man, he walks swiftly, always looking down and side to side, as if not to miss any immediate opportunity. A stray toonie, perhaps, or something he can sell to make use of in some way.

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It occurred to me that, symbolically at least, he is missing seeing any big-picture opportunities, because his head is always down, looking for the most immediate gratification possible. I don’t say this with judgement. It’s difficult to think about the big picture when our immediate needs are not taken care of. If we do not feel secure, financially, or otherwise, it’s hardly easy to be open to a more abundant mindset. It’s easy to get lost in the notion of ‘what do I need right now?’ In hockey, kids are told to keep their head up when they’re controlling the puck – and for good reason. It helps one avoid a body check and it also

shows the player where opportunities lie – for either an opportunity to get a goal or maybe to pass to a teammate. Is life any different? A person with their eyes forward, ready for opportunities, might see a chance for themselves to score (or succeed) or to assist their community, (also a way to succeed.) This is why housing first policies should be a no-brainer as social policy. How can a person get a job, find a worthwhile relationship, or take care of their health if they don’t have a roof over their head? This is also why eliminating poverty should be a no-brainer (such as through basic income) because when our immediate needs are met it is only then we can dare to dream to do more. According to research from Princeton University in the U.S., on average, a person preoccupied with money problems exhibits a drop in cognitive function similar to a 13-point dip in IQ. And we expect people in poverty to make better decisions? My window is more than a window. It tells community stories, just as yours does, even if we have different characters and different expected endings. For the guy looking down who walks my street, I hope life presents him with a winning hand. More importantly, I hope he notices it. 9

* EDITORIAL * Could this be your place? This issue of the Advocate is chockfull of tourism-related stories – and for good reason. It’s a great way to tell the many visitors we have this month about the great things going on in our city. It’s also a fantastic way to remind local folks just how lucky we are to live in an environment like Kawartha Lakes. But if you are thinking about moving here, there are many reasons to take that leap. When you live in a community here, such as Lindsay, Coboconk, or Bobcaygeon to name but three, you can be anywhere you need to be within 10 minutes. No more scrambling to leave enough time for travel. Independent, high-quality retailers offer fabulous shopping. It’s a place where you’ll get to know your barista or your favourite store owner on a first-name basis.

* SPOTLIGHT *

Excellent elementary and high schools are here, including a high school with the International Baccalaureate program. A top-notch community college is in Lindsay and you’re near Ontario’s best university (Trent.) Ross Memorial Hospital is a full-service hospital with the latest in technology, amazing doctors and many great nurse practitioners. There are houses and residences for any need, from detached homes to immaculate condominiums. (But, like any place in the province right now, we certainly need more.) One of the key reasons many settle here is the natural environment, of course, where there are lush green forests, 250 lakes, trails, and conservation areas that will encourage you to walk more, feel better, and live life more fully. Our vast rural city is also home to numerous art galleries and theatres that showcase local talent and creativity. Whether you're a patron of the arts or an aspiring artist, you'll find inspiration and opportunities. Since it’s still a short drive to Toronto from here, Kawartha Lakes offers the best of both worlds. No wonder so many people are finding us and deciding to settle here. Perhaps you’ll be one of them? 10

Letter to councillor asks for fireworks ban in city Attn: Councillor Charlie McDonald. I would like to have council consider instituting a ban on the use of fireworks within Kawartha Lakes. There is a growing awareness of the harmful effects that the detonation of fireworks has on human, animal and environmental health. While firework displays on holidays like Canada Day may be a cherished tradition among many, they need to be weighed against their known detrimental impacts. To quote from a petition currently circulating that calls for a ban in Toronto: "Fireworks are bad for the environment. The loud gun-shot noises trigger veterans with PTSD, autistic people, anxious people, pets (primarily dogs and cats), and wild animals who get displaced from their families." Alternatives exist which can afford just as much, if not more enjoyment. These include the use of the drones in creating beautiful, sophisticated - and blissfully silent - displays. I would be grateful for your support in forwarding this letter to your fellow councillors for their consideration. — Peter Maitland, Lindsay

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* OPINION * What is ‘woke’ and why is it a four-letter word? By David Rapaport, adjunct professor of sociology, Trent University

In a previous article for the Advocate, I commented that the proper use of language is an essential component of honest and coherent political discussion. Certain words or phrases, when used frequently and maliciously, act as ‘dog whistles,’ or signals to an audience.

What might seem harmless and neutral is in fact harmful and even dishonest, in the sense that it signals an entirely different meaning from what the word normally means. Conservative commentators and politicians have adopted the term ‘woke.’ The term is a disparaging and even dismissive description of people who express concern and advocate for or act on behalf of the disadvantaged and the less privileged. The use of the term woke acts as a commentary on the character of those of us who speak out, donate money, or advocate for correcting historic injustices and real disadvantages that are still experienced by too many people. The term woke is now a slur, a dis, an insult, an affront. It transforms caring and sympathy into vices. Conversely, indifference and non-caring are transformed into virtues. Ironically, the origin of the term woke can be found in Black American culture. It can be traced to the music of iconic folk singer, Lead Belly in 1938 when he warned Black Americans to stay ‘woke’ to racial prejudice. It gained more recent usage by Black Lives Matter activists in the mid-2010s, a call to be aware of the realities of racism. With the rise of the nationalist right, the term was adopted by ‘anti-woke’ crusaders around the world; Ron DeSantis in Florida, Balasz Orban in Hungary, the National Rally in France, Alternative for Germany, Trump supporters in the United States, and members of the so-called freedom convoy in Canada. The Canadian conservative movement has joined this linguistic war against progressive, anti-discrimination politics. Maxine Bernier of the People’s Party frequently challenges and critiques ‘wokeism.’ On Twitter he recently wrote that

“you cannot be a woke leftist if you are mentally sane.” In March, the Conservative Party of Canada posted a petition that began with “Tell the woke censors to keep their hands off the Internet.” Surely a petition against Bill C-11 could have been written more honestly and constructively. Pierre Poilievre, the CPC leader uses the term regularly – against the Liberal Government, the CRTC, the CBC, and many policies with which he disagrees. The anti-woke campaign is a rerun of the politically correct charges of three decades ago. The terms woke and politically correct reposition the spotlight of important discussions onto the advocates and allies of the disadvantaged and away from those who are disadvantaged by inequality, homophobia, sexism, racism, and ageism. If we are going to have a culture war, one that is grounded in our beliefs, our values, and our practices then let’s be honest about where we stand. If you are against programs, legislation and regulation that aim to correct historic injustices against women, Indigenous Peoples, people of colour, gays, lesbians, less-abled, and seniors – then simply say so. Come out of the bushes. Defend your privilege. Please spare us the dishonesty of hiding behind a false charge of wokeism, which points a finger in the wrong direction. Let’s keep the discussion on discrimination, social justice, inequality, and privilege serious, meaningful and focused. Using terms like politically correct and woke only distract us and demean the community that is trying to address them. But address them we must. To do otherwise would diminish us as the social beings that we are meant to be. 11

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One

FUN THING

For day trippers and those planning a staycation, Kawartha Lakes is the place to be. With so many things to do, it may be impossible to pick just one fun thing to do in each of our communities – and yet we tried, choosing a mix of natural areas and small businesses. We fully acknowledge there’s so many more we could have chosen – and we’d love to hear your choices. By Lisa Hart

Argyle Plan to take some time to browse when stopping at Merry Mac’s Antique Store at Highway 46 and Glenarm Road. Housed in the former Mitchell Blacksmith Shop, the knowledgeable owners have curated a wide assortment of collectables and vintage finds to help make any space truly unique. Just a stone’s throw away is the town’s farmer’s market which occupies another local landmark, the old Royal Hotel.

Bethany Inspiration can be found at Williams Design Studio in downtown Bethany, where artists Bev and Paul Williams have been sharing their creative talents for over 36 years. There’s something to fit everyone’s tastes at this studio and gallery from garden art to leather sculpture. Wander through their ‘secret’ backyard garden to see custom designed brass and copper fountains.

Bobcaygeon Located on what was once a thriving family farm, Kawartha Settler’s Village on Dunn Street preserves the stories of the area’s first settlers. Visitors can stroll through their collection of more than 20 historic homes and buildings, from a general store to a schoolhouse. Or imagine the heat from the blacksmith forge or the loneliness of life in a trapper’s cabin. Be sure to check out the list of upcoming events on their website.

Bolsover For something with a little more drama, continue along the Trent Severn Waterway to the picturesque Lock 37. One of the deepest fully manual lock stations on the waterway, the neighboring dam features an approximately 22-foot waterfall.

Coboconk To satisfy a need for speed, stop by Coboconk Go Karts and Mini Putt on Highway 35. The owners are dedicated to their goal of being extraordinary and leaving visitors with the feeling they have had one of the best days ever. From their retro “candy shoppe” to an imaginative list of food, drinks and sweet delights, there is something here for everyone to enjoy. They have even given the mini putt range a much-needed facelift.

Downeyville

Boats docked at Fenelon Falls.

The Downeyville Hall on St. Lukes Road has been a lively community hub for the surrounding area since 1919. Follow them on Facebook to take part in one of the many events hosted there, from trivia nights to fashion shows and, of course, the Downeyville Jamboree. lindsayadvocate.ca

The Visitor's Centre at Kawartha Settler's Village in Bobcaygeon.

Fenelon Falls

Kinmount

One of the driving forces behind this town’s community spirit is the Barn and Bunkie on Lindsay Street. A place of fun and friendship, the staff go out of their way to connect with their customers and satisfy their decorating desires both online and in person. Located directly adjacent to the main store, The White Cottage Café puts a creative spin on a delectable range of menu items. Throughout the year these businesses host local maker markets and events to help bring people together.

The Austin Sawmill Heritage Park along the Burnt River has been the site of many a sawmill since the 1890s. Today, the park hosts an old water wheel and displays that illustrate the milling processes used in the original mill. It’s a picturesque walk along the river, boasting a historical Icelandic-inspired statue, a park for the kids, and picnic tables for the perfect summer lunch.

Janetville

Kirkfield

The Primrose Hill Manor is locally known as the Janetville Mansion. Operating as a doctor’s house originally, this 1880 heritage-protected landmark home is steeped rich in history, boasting sweeping arches, gorgeous mouldings and beautifully preserved woodwork. Book a heritage tour and enjoy an afternoon tea experience served in the manor’s delightful tearoom and, weather permitting, explore the landscaped grounds.

Visitors will discover sweet delights “made with love” at Becky Jo’s Vovo Country Fried Dough on Portage Road. Described as being akin to carnival style mini donoughts – only better, these Portuguese handcrafted fried dough creations combine high-quality ingredients with tradition and imagination. And while travelling the Portage Road, don’t forget to drop by the Kirkfield and District Historical Society Museum. 15

Lindsay For something a little more urban, try making Logie Park – the home of Lindsay’s Lilac Gardens – a destination by road, water or trail. One of the largest park redevelopments in Kawartha Lakes, it includes a splash pad, zip line, climbing structure and play sand for kids of all ages. The asphalt pathway that meanders through the park connects to the Kawartha Trans Canada Trail.

Little Britain Buttertarts ‘N More is celebrating 25 years of sweet success this year, and they are working hard to put a smile on every customer’s face. Their tarts have tempted taste buds from coast to coast and as far away as Germany and England. With up to nine different varieties of buttertarts, their kitchen turns out as many as 300 trays each week to keep up with demand during the busy season. There’s plenty more baked goods, though, and smelling is believing when you open their door for the first time.

Norland When looking for a gem of a place to dine try visiting The Riverside Inn and Restaurant. Housed in a charming 100-year-old building at Highways 35 and 503, the newest owners are continuing the restaurant’s tradition of comfort food in a comfortable space both inside and on the patio. Between the great tastes, the generous portions and the friendly service, it is best to make a reservation to avoid disappointment.

Omemee Windy Ridge Conservation Area, on Mount Horeb Road offers more than a panoramic view from the top of the area’s tallest ridge. By downloading a free app, visitors can follow the 11 stations of the Talking Forest loop trail to listen to historical tales and fun facts. Exercise your brain as well as your body on the word scramble course, where 25-word cookies hidden along the trail help visitors to fill in the blanks. Visit the Conservation’s website for details before starting this adventure.

Pontypool Green spaces abound in Kawartha Lakes for those looking to escape into nature, including several areas managed by Kawartha Conservation. Fleetwood Creek Natural Area on Ballyduff Road, east of Highway 35, is located within the Oak Ridges Moraine. Designated as “provincially significant,” the area features steep valleys and many coldwater streams. An observation platform on the moderately challenging Valley Trail makes a perfect place for a picnic while taking in the view. 16

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Rosedale When looking for something fun by the water try turning off Highway 35 on Trent Canal Road and explore the hamlet of Rosedale. Follow alongside the man-made cut out that connects Cameron and Balsam Lakes to Lock 35 of the Trent Severn Waterway, a scenic stretch by car or foot where the homes have lots of curbside appeal. A secluded hideaway, this lock draws less land traffic during the summer, making it a quiet place for a picnic or to just take in the view of Cameron Lake.

Sebright On Monck Road travellers will find the Quaker Oaks Store, less formally know as “The Betty Boop Store.” This little building packed full of treasures has been described as a heavenly experience with an eclectic selection of trinkets for sale. The friendly staff take pride in serving some of the best freshly baked goods, pickles and preserves in the area.

Sturgeon Point It’s worth the drive to stroll the narrow streets of this old cottage community and admire the lovely rustic architecture. While in the area, don’t forget to see the Octagonal Union Church on Irene Avenue. Constructed from Georgia pine timbers, this church remains independent, welcoming worshipers of all faiths and acting as a place for community gatherings.

Woodville As a combination of restaurant and marketplace, The Lokal on King Street is a dream come true for its owners. The restaurant offers up a menu of fresh home-style family favorites while the attached market makes for a one-stopshop of goods by local artisans. Local vendors at The Lokal include Angelic Scents, Cherished Tapestries, Flowers on King, and JC Jewellery, among others.

Now it’s your turn. Let us know what fun thing you like to do in Kawartha Lakes! Write to us using the contact information on page three.

Join the growing list of supporters! Grace King * Heather Muir * Barb Evans Alan Gregory * William Steffler * Barb Taylor Maria Bennett * Sandra Scriver Lauren Drew * Peter + Kathy Anderson Zita Devan * Nanci Byer Glenda Morris * Ivory Conover * Jamie Swift Eileen MacDonald * Ross Smyth Ross & Susan Beattie * Christine Wilson Nora Steffler * Linda Friend Jim Buchanan + Donna Gushue * Cam Finley Neil Campbell * Bruce + Debbie Peck Joan Shippel * Maurice + Marie Jackson Leslie King * Deborah Smith * Patti Siegel Peter + Sandra MacArthur * Janet Smith Catherine Hennings * Cordula Winkelaar David + Margaret Robertson * Leslie King Lorna Green * John + Pauline Hunter David Holloway * Bob & Carol Barkwell Elke Danziger * Shirley Gleeson * Jane Walling

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Hospice Services seeks caring and compassionate volunteers in all communities in the City of Kawartha Lakes Hospice volunteers support individuals and families living with life-limiting illness and grief. Our 30 hour volunteer core training program covers topics including an introduction to Hospice Palliative Care, death and dying, ethics, and the art of sensitive communication. Core training sessions are offered twice per year, both in the spring and the fall.

Please contact us for more information: 705-879-4123

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Conversations with interesting people in Kawartha Lakes

Erica Ehm relaxes with Snoop Dog at her cottage on Pleasant Point, north of Lindsay.

Erica Ehm on the importance of values, the charm of Kawartha Lakes, and surviving on an alien planet When one is having lunch with Erica Ehm, one needs a memorable opening question. (Or at least this one does.) Ehm, of course, is Canadian rock royalty by virtue of her time at MuchMusic. She was only 20 when she started at Much, and 23 when she went on air. Her decade in front of the camera ensured her status as Canada’s most beloved VJ of all time, thanks to an undeniable trifecta of courageous interviewing, made-for-camera attractiveness, and a disarming personality that put people at ease. Many locals do not realize she now has a four-season cottage on Pleasant Point just north of Lindsay, which she bought during COVID. 20

“So, you’re in a starship and you run into trouble,” I begin. “Your ship crashes on an alien world. What three people do you want to have with you, out of friends and colleagues, to help you survive and possibly find a way to get off the planet? Oh, and at least one of those people must be from Kawartha Lakes.” It was striking how quickly she answered this question, as if she had been waiting for this query her whole life. “My neighbour, George Bailie, who is the kindest, most capable person I know,” is her first answer. He’s in his mid70s, but it turns out the Kawartha Lakes resident was a mechanical engineer. So it’s more than just a sentimental answer – Ehm is serious about eventually getting off that planet. She also picks her girlfriend, Andrea Loewen Nair, who lives in London, ON. “She’s from northern Manitoba and she’s kick-ass. She’s really handy and knows how to survive.” Lastly Ehm chooses another girlfriend, Jen Reynolds, who is the editor of Harrowsmith Magazine. “She knows how

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Ehm had fun figuring out who she would pick from her circle to help survive a crash on an alien world. Image by Simon Marino.

to grow anything and so she could keep us fed. And safe – she knows all the plants.” I get the feeling Ehm, 61, is happy to have the conversation begin in a Star Trek kind of way, given she was “obsessed with Star Trek’s Captain Jean Luc Picard.” “I loved how righteous, kind and leadership oriented his character was.” Righteousness, kindness, values…it’s clear throughout our lunch together at The Pie Eyed Monk in Lindsay that these are the things that animate Ehm above all else.

Music memories As the female face of rock and pop music in Canada, Ehm was not a party girl, even back then. She was all about the music. Even before Much, she was DJ’ing at nightclubs and working at record stores in Montreal, from age 17. Ehm remembers when a new Irish band called U2 was playing their first-ever gig in Montreal to support their debut album, Boy. “I was DJ’ing at that club where they played and I loved them. I met the band and Bono and I chatted. He said, ‘you should be in PR’ but I didn’t know what that was then.” Then Ehm saw U2 in Ottawa the following night. “I got home at 3 am, slept in, and got fired from Sam The Record Man.” A few months later, U2 was playing in Toronto. Ehm and a girlfriend drove to Toronto from Montreal to see them. “They had given me their phone number of the hotel they were staying at. A lot of the bands appreciated that I was such a fan but not a groupie. Just an enthusiastic girl who wanted to be a part of the business.”

Erica Ehm walking her dog along Jessie's Avenue.

Ehm, around the same age as U2’s members, says they hung out after the concert, and she drove them around in her mom’s yellow Firebird. Bono and the boys put Ehm and her girlfriend up in their hotel, as the two young women had made no plans to spend the night in Toronto, not realizing how far apart the Big Smoke and the City of Saints were. “They were such nice guys. I sensed there was something different about them. About their values. They were so earnest.” Ehm and I decide we’ll order pizza, which is never a bad choice at The Pie Eyed Monk. Hers, mushroom, with a Perrier to drink. Mine, Hawaiian, with an iced tea. The ex-VJ and savvy businessperson radiates a deep kindness and the sort of empathy one only finds rarely. And yet there’s a strength there, too – the kind of quiet resolve that can make good things happen in life, both for oneself and others. Born Erica Miechowsky, she says “Ehm” has somehow slipped through into being a quasi-official surname, given the Ehm name is on her passport. Ehm brings up her cottage a lot, but in an appreciative sort of way – especially the folks who live on Pleasant Point. “I love it here! I’m here throughout the year, but just not full time,” she explains, given Toronto is where most of the work is. However, she does a lot virtually these days, too. “If I can work from my boathouse deck, with the sound of waves hitting my dock, it’s really heaven.” From her Pleasant Point cottage, she wrote and helped direct an international musical series, Outta the Books, a reimagining of Fairy Tales. Meant to be for the Edinburgh Theatre Fringe Fest, the pandemic forced Erica to pivot and rewrite the show as a YouTube series from her cottage. “I like to create. It’s what wakes me up. I like to collaborate with people, and to see my ideas come to life,” says Ehm, in between pizza bites. Born in Montreal, Ehm grew up in Hudson, Quebec, on a horse farm about 30 minutes from the largest city in La Belle Provence. Her father was a dressage rider. “My sister and I were horrified,” she remembers, about leaving the city behind. And yet it was her time in Hudson – its serenity – that created the sense of longing for her to leave Toronto and “find a place that made me feel like I was home.” All her friends immediately thought – “oh, so you’re going to Muskoka?” “And I said absolutely not – there’s nothing I like about Muskoka. Especially the vibe. So pretentious. I have no interest. I wanted rolling hills, nice people, comfortable, casual, down-to-earth. And that’s what I found here in Lindsay and in my Pleasant Point area, and in nearby Bobcaygeon.” 22

She adds it’s also way more affordable here, than Muskoka, “which is crazy because it’s way better,” she says with a laugh. When her mother died, she left Ehm some money and that’s what made it possible for her to find her “happy place.” “I found it online. It was beautiful and out of my budget. But I went to see it anyway.” She loved it but moved on, since it was not in her price range. Four to six weeks later, she got an email from the real estate website. “I must have ticked a box that said keep me in the loop if there are any developments – and the price had dropped significantly.” She took this as a sign and brought a different real estate agent with her. The agent said, “I’m bringing papers, I think you’re going to buy it.” “I saw some neighbours there, outside, and I told them I was thinking about buying it. A man said, ‘come on over we’ll tell you everything you need to know.’ He handed me a glass of wine.” (It was George, who will help her get off that alien planet!) and his wife, Lynn. “He told me, ‘I just want you to know that you’re not just buying a house.’” Ehm does her best to hold back tears at this point. “He said, ‘You’re buying a community of people who care.’” “At which point I started bawling.” And then she found out her cottage has a right-of-way path called Jessie’s Avenue – “and my daughter’s name is Jessie.” (In addition to Jessie, Ehm also has a son, Josh, both with Terry Moshenberg.) The realtor was right. Ehm bought the cottage that day. She walked Jessie's Avenue and talked to the neighbours along the way, feeling immediately connected. “I have more interactions here than I do in Toronto, more of a community, than I do in Toronto.” Her local councillor, Ron Ashmore, has been out to see her. “He’s so passionate to serve,” she said. After her time at Much, Ehm went on to co-write a catalogue of songs and launched a record label, earning Junos and several songwriting awards. In the early 2000s she co-produced, wrote and hosted the TV series Yummy Mummy, a lifestyle program for the modern mom. It can still be found on Amazon Prime and was syndicated globally. Then she founded YMC (YummyMummyClub.ca), an influential digital space for Canadian moms, where she connected brands with her audience. YMC grew into a profitable business, fueled by social media creators. She sold it to Toys R Us last year. Now, Ehm is pumped to be doing more speaking, moderating and hosting events. She loves to motivate entrepreneurs

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On the open water on Sturgeon Lake, courtesy of Erica Ehm's neighbour, George Bailie (background), and his wife, Lynn.

and intrapreneurs to adopt a success mindset, as she recently did when she spoke to about 50 people (by far, mostly women) at Launch Kawartha in Lindsay in June. (Launch Kawartha is led by Vince Killen, the executive director of the Kawartha Lakes Community Futures Development Corporation. It was designed to help business owners in the region access the local business ecosystem and contribute to a growing community of entrepreneurs.) “Vince is a force of nature and so positive and kind. I felt we were really aligned,” says Ehm. Her talk on courageous leadership was relevant for all entrepreneurs, she pointed out, “but sometimes women need to hear it more, because women are taught to be small and not speak up.” Ehm said she loves pushing people in a positive way to be fearless and “ask for what you want.” “Everyone needs that reminder. It’s even hard for me to sell things sometime. Everyone experiences failure.” (As one of the few men in the audience, this scribe can attest it was well received. Ehm has an uncanny ability to involve her audience.)

Ideally speaking Ehm exudes idealism, something she doesn’t deny. “And I try to surround myself with people who have the same values as me. I’m not religious at all, but I do onto others as I hope they’d do to me. I live my life like that.” She says for her, anything she does is somehow tied to empathy. “How can I make the world better for other people? I’m a grateful person and it’s nice to be able to help other people if you have something to give. It lights me up.” No wonder, then, she loves her place on Pleasant Point, where people like George and Lynn and so many others she mentioned seem to feel the same way. “They are people with shared values who ended up in the same place.” What Ehm is looking forward to now is getting more connected to other Kawartha Lakes communities and learning more about what the whole area has to offer – other than the grocery stores, the only places she could go during COVID. Of course, the creative urges never stop for her, either. She’s already thinking what her next job could be, maybe even with a local focus. “I would love to program the Academy Theatre one day. I would love to be able to bring theatre and music to their stage,” pointing out that so many of her colleagues are artists, musicians, actors and directors. Taking a reading break with her loyal companion.

As we’re wrapping up, Vertigo by U2 comes on over the Monk’s speaker system. “You hear that? That’s not a coincidence. Values are everything.” LA

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Kawartha Lakes Traveller By Nancy Payne

Whether this is your first summer in our area, you’ve been vacationing here for years, or you’ve lived here your whole life, there are beautiful, intriguing corners of Kawartha Lakes you probably haven’t discovered yet. When I set out to explore my backyard, I thought four or five hours would allow me to hit most of the high points. In the end, after three separate full-day tours, there was still lots I knew I hadn’t seen. From the wilder, less populated northwest to the rolling south, there’s so much to appreciate in our varied geography, historic locations, distinctive restaurants and lovely towns and villages.

Stone Fences

Victoria Falls

I can’t believe it took me so long to discover this piece of the Old Country in our midst. In 1880, railway owner George Laidlaw brought a stonemason from his native Scotland to build traditional dry stone fences around his ranch. The stones are carefully stacked with no mortar or wires to keep them in place. Some are overgrown, some stand tall with pointed tops, but all are magical. From KL #48, turn southeast on Balsam Lake Drive.

The view of tumbling water cascading through a huge rock chute makes the commitment of getting here completely worth it. Just be sure you have a vehicle that can handle the 12-kilometre one-way drive on a gravel road; the last few kilometres get quite rutted and bumpy. Otherwise well-maintained, the road follows the Black River, weaving in and out of land belonging to the Couchiching Conservancy, private cottagers and the Queen Elizabeth II Wildlands Provincial Park. Bring a picnic or just sit on the sun-warmed rocks to nap or read. I took easy trails down both sides of the water to see the falls from as many angles as possible. It’s hard to get a sense of scale in a photograph, but trust me — it’s gorgeous. Take KL#6 to Sadowa, and turn north where the same road is also known as the Chisholm Trail. When you get to a T just over the Black River, #6 turns west, but you want to go east on the Black River Road. It will take about 25 minutes from there to get to the falls, so give yourself lots of time to enjoy the scenery on the way, and to explore when you arrive.

St. Mary’s Cemetery Just north of the hamlet of Victoria Road, this is a peaceful place to stretch your legs and admire the beautiful setting.

The Stone Barn Where most old barns have one storey of stone and the rest is wood, this one-of-a-kind version has 61-centimetre-thick stone walls that stretch right up to the roof line. The 104-year-old barn, which withstood an earthquake in 1930, is now a gift shop and wedding venue, part of The Links at Monck’s Landing golf course. 155 Hilton’s Point Road. 30

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TIPS FOR TRAVELLERS •

Act like you’re on vacation somewhere else and you’ll find delights everywhere.

•

Bring a good paper map. GPS reception can be spotty.

•

Leave time for an impromptu walk or to poke around an antique store.

•

Be aware there aren't a lot of public washrooms around Kawartha Lakes. (Council, are you listening?)

•

There will be mosquitoes. And probably deer flies and horseflies, depending on when you go.

The Victoria Road Kawartha Lakes #35 (not the highway) is also called the Victoria Road. It starts at Monck Road, winding through trees at the north end and then running straight — very straight — south to Glenarm. Constructed between 1859 and 1864 to enable logging and encourage settlement (with no regard for Indigenous people using the land, of course), it was one of many so-called “colonization roads” built around Ontario at the time.

Carden Alvar I used to see the Carden plain, as we called it, through the eyes of a farm kid — good for grazing cattle but not much else. Now I understand how lucky we are to have this expanse of limestone and its precious and unique ecosystem so close by. If you want to learn more, check out the Couchiching Conservancy’s Passport to Nature program. Or simply drive or cycle slowly on one of the (often very bumpy and narrow) side roads that cut through the alvar and stop to read the helpful information panels.

Elliott Falls Dancing dragonflies and a pretty park welcome you to modest but lovely Elliott Falls. Cross to the far side of the water, follow the path and look back up the Gull River for the best view. To get there, turn east on Elliot Falls Road just north of Norland. (That’s not a typo. The road has one t; the falls have two.)

Kirkfield Lift Lock How many times have you pontificated about this being the second-highest hydraulic lift lock in the world, and the highest point of land on the Trent-Severn Waterway? And how many times have you actually visited it yourself? Exactly. Even though the beautiful 1907 structure is undergoing much-needed but decidedly unscenic repairs this summer, it’s still well worth a visit. Climb the stairs for a lovely view. 31

Wilderness Park

BOBCAYGON If you think you know the best places to visit in the eastern part of Kawartha Lakes, you may be right. After all, you don’t need me to tell you that Bigley’s and Kawartha Dairy are wonderful, nor should you need reminding that it's always worth checking out a show by Globus Theatre at the Lakeview Arts Barn. I, too, figured I was pretty familiar with the area stretching roughly from Bobcaygeon and the eastern arm of Sturgeon Lake south to Omemee but I found lots to enjoy when I took my time and approached my travels like a tourist seeing it all for the first time. I came away refreshed, happy and well-fed, and deeply impressed with the commitment of local volunteers to preserving and sharing our natural beauty and heritage. It's definitely rewarding when you slow down, stopdriving by places and actually go in — there’s no better way to remind yourself how very lucky we are to live here.

Wilson’s Blueberries I was so happy when I found this family-run operation a few years ago. It offers pick-your-own service or readypicked berries, and it deserves to be better known. The season usually runs until September; call 705-799-0315 between 6:00 and 9:00 p.m. to book a picking time. 61 Settlement Rd.

Anna’s Perennials This is so much more than just a place to buy plants, although it’s that too, and Anna herself grows the vast majority of what she sells, including a huge selection of succulents -- plants with thick fleshy tissues for water storage. Vast gardens range from arid and rocky — complete with actual cacti — to cool and shady. When I described where I was thinking of planting one of my selections, Anna won me over forever by telling me I’d be wasting my money. 63 Shoreview Rd. Another great stop with local plants and produce: Rural Roots Gardens, 2369 KL #36

Coronation Hall Track down the self-guided tour on the city’s Explore Kawartha Lakes website to hear fascinating historic anecdotes about this beautiful building. Its grounds are also the site of the village cenotaph and a marker honouring local Victoria Cross recipient Harry Brown. 32

This is a perfect add-on to any visit to Bobcaygeon, thanks to dedicated volunteers who worked to preserve this little piece of “the land between” (as in, between the Canadian Shield and the St. Lawrence Lowlands). It takes less than 20 minutes to walk the well-maintained trails — just enough to whet your appetite for an ice cream cone. Head east out of the village on KL #36 and turn right on Wilderness Park Rd.

Lock 32 When you live here, it’s easy to get pretty blasé about the Trent-Severn Waterway. This time, I pretended I’d never seen any of it before as the barriers clanged down and the bridge swiveled to let the boats into the lock, and then the water level lifted to send them on their way. You know what? It’s really cool, even if the swing bridge is still out of commission.

Gamiing Nature Centre Pronounced “gah-MINJ,” this privately owned not-forprofit conservation site on Pigeon Lake is open to anyone who wants to walk the peaceful trails. Admission is by donation. It’s a good idea to take a photo of the map at the trailhead. Oh, and the deerflies were fierce when I visited in July.

Boyd Museum This is a terrific little museum that’s easy to overlook. It doesn’t take long to explore and is chock-full of well-organized and presented artifacts, many related to the prominent Boyd lumbering family. Admission by donation.

Mennonite bounty If you take KL #36 to or from Bobcaygeon, be sure to stop at one of the locations selling fresh eggs, maple syrup, and maybe even crafts and quilts. My favourite is the Family Farm Produce store, 1202 KL #36, with its piles of whatever vegetables are in season. Visit on Friday or Saturday and there’s home baking, too. All of these Old Order Mennonite establishments are closed on Sundays, naturally. Please drive respectfully in this area, and slow right down when you see a horse and buggy.

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FAVOURITE FOODS I haven’t tried every restaurant and bakery in the area, but besides the ones mentioned in this article, I can recommend The Grilled Cheese Hideaway, Just for the Halibut and breakfast at the Full Cup Café in Bobcaygeon. Oh, and don’t ever drive by Mickaël’s in Omemee without stopping in. Be sure to check beforehand to see who offers takeout or a patio. Homemade crust elevates the pizza at Slices ‘n’ Scoops beside the locks in Fenelon Falls, and a huge selection of Kawartha Dairy ice cream awaits for dessert. Too bad this tasty spot is only open from May to Labour Day. If you're in the mood for fish and chips, try the Fenelon Fish and Grill for generous portions served by friendly staff.

That Place on Cameron The breezy two-level patio at this restaurant off KL#8 west of downtown Fenelon Falls offers an unbeatable view over Cameron Lake. The perch is delicious and plentiful. Reservations are a good idea.

Bobcaygeon Bakery “Picky” is such a nasty word. Maybe … “particular”? I love to bake, and I’ll go out of my way for a good bakery, but it better be worth the calories. This one is. The demi-baguette was excellent, and I highly recommend both the strawberry-rhubarb bars and the honey-pecan squares. 9 King St. E.

Little Pie Shack This funky little spot is just off the main drag in Fenelon Falls. I can vouch for the cherry tarts bursting with flavour as well as the butter tarts, but you can pick up whole pies, too.

Busy Bee Bakery Sure, there are meat pies, bread, tarts, cookies and more available at this Mennonite-run store about 10 minutes south of Bobcaygeon, but I zeroed in on the mini-pies. Picture fruit-filled pastry, deep-fried and dipped in a doughnut glaze. They’re every bit as good as you’re imagining. 2173 Pigeon Lake Rd.

Fenelon Falls Brewing Company

FENELON FALLS

Relax on the patio of this restored stone livery stable as you watch boats go through Lock 34. Can’t decide which house-made beer to sample? Order a flight of five and take your favourite home!

People come from all over to enjoy what we have all around us. Indeed, so many times in my travels around Kawartha Lakes I’ve thought “If I were on vacation somewhere else, I’d absolutely love this.” Head out and see for yourself!

The falls

Fenelon Station Gallery

Sturgeon Point Public Beach

How many times have you passed this spot on your way to other destinations? Do yourself a favour and stop — soon. The restored train station (owned by the city) is worth a visit in itself, but the work on display is both high-calibre and reasonably priced. Run by an artists’ co-op, the gallery offers unique items woven from branches and bark, paintings, pottery, textiles, stained glass, jewellery, gorgeous wooden bowls and vases and much more. Enjoy a chat with the friendly artist on duty, and don’t be surprised if you walk out with a distinctive gift for yourself or someone else. Several of the artists will also be participating in the annual Victoria County Studio Tour on the last weekend of September and the first weekend of October.

At the bottom of Third Street in this village about 10 minutes southeast of Fenelon Falls is a picnic table with a beautiful view. A few steps takes you down to a cement dock with bright patio chairs and a small swimming area. This lovely little spot is open to all — just clean up after yourself, keep the noise reasonable and be respectful.

Garnet Graham Park A beautiful beach, lots of shade, plenty of picnic spots, lovely gardens and a splash pad — make the short walk from downtown and you’ll see right away why locals and visitors alike love this park.

The Fenelon sign A wonderful group of community-minded folks refurbished this sign from the village’s movie theatre and gave it a new life near the locks.

I think it’s been decades since I took the time to walk down and look back up at the falls. They’re absolutely beautiful, and there’s space on both sides of the water for picnics.

Salvation Army Thrift Store A short walk behind the gallery takes you to one of the best thrift stores in our area: this big, bright spot jammed with bargains.

Village of Sturgeon Point The drive here from any direction winds through pretty rolling farmland and woods. (From Fenelon, take KL #121 north, then go right at the stop on KL #8 and right again on KL# 25. After about eight km, turn right on Irene Ave.; the church is straight ahead and the numbered streets will be on your left.) Sturgeon Point has long been a vacation destination for Toronto’s elite and a home for local residents who know a special place when they see it. Rather than bulldozing everything to build air-conditioned behemoths, they’ve preserved Sturgeon Point’s timeless feel with wooden dwellings nestled among gracious old trees and gardens.

Cherry Tree Lodge There’s only one word to describe this spot: magical. Although it’s a private cottage, visitors are welcomed on Saturday afternoons to explore the legacy of legendary local artist W.A. Goodwin. Owner Meri Newton says Goodwin, who was also a devoted outdoorsman, a socialist committed to rights for all and a vegetarian, “was so far ahead of his time.” (Read up on Goodwin before you go with the Olde Gaol Museum’s excellent online exhibition at virtualmuseum. ca.) If you’re in the village any other day, though, you can still admire the 1887 building’s whimsical architecture and original stained glass windows. If you do get chatting to the owners, be sure to ask for the story behind the curving stonelined path. I’m so grateful Newton is preserving Cherry Tree Lodge, a true gem that’s worth seeking out.

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Ballyduff Trails

SOUTH KAWARTHAS I’m not sure exactly what I was expecting when I headed south for the last instalment in this series, but “accessible wildlands” was definitely not on the list. I admit it — when I’m that far down Highway 35, it’s usually because I’m heading to the Oshawa GO station. But as is true throughout Kawartha Lakes, when you get off the main roads and take time to explore, you’ll be rewarded.

Pigeon River Headwaters Conservation Area This lesser-known spot rewards you for braving the terribly rough road in (at least when I visited) — don't try it unless your vehicle’s undercarriage has good clearance. Take Century Farm Road south from Hwy 7A and turn left just over the little bridge. It’s nearly a kilometre to the parking lot, but from there you’ll encounter few other people on the peaceful, well-marked trails. The soaring cedars and mossy logs make it feel a bit like British Columbia. Oh, and do not try to reach it by coming west on Gray Road from the highway, even if your GPS tells you it’s possible.

Pontypool grain elevator Local volunteers deserve huge credit for saving this 1918 wooden structure, the last of its kind in Ontario. Visitors aren’t allowed inside yet, but there are restoration plans underway. It’s still definitely worth a visit to see — and photograph — the grain elevator standing like a sentinel beside the abandoned railway tracks. From Hwy. 35, take Telecom Road east, then make a quick right on John Street and turn west again on Pontypool Road just over the tracks.

Ralph McKim and Jean Garsonnin have opened their breathtaking property on the height of the Oak Ridges Moraine to anyone wishing to hike, snowshoe or cross-country ski. After walking barely half of the network of trails, I can assure you they’re magical. From the stone foundation of an old homestead and a patch of tall-grass prairie to a stand of distinctive black locust trees through poplar, pine and deciduous bushes to the gently trickling stream dubbed La Source, the beautifully maintained trails wind through a gorgeous range of ecosystems that will nurture your soul. In cooperation with Kawartha Land Trust, the couple have worked to reintroduce displaced native species pushed out by settlement — McKim continues to pull out invasive sumac and dog-strangling vine and seed the land with species that belong here. Visit kawarthalandtrust.org to download maps; call or email ahead so they know you will be on the property. You can drive in their laneway at 851 Ballyduff Rd.; park in on your left near the woodpiles in the open grassy area. It should go without saying, but respect the fact that you’re on private property — stay on the trails and don’t litter.

Doube’s Trestle Bridge In the most easterly corner of Kawartha Lakes there’s a beautifully distinct landscape waiting to be discovered. You can cycle or hike here from any point on the main Trans Canada Trail, or take Orange Corners Rd. south from Highway 7 just east of Omemee and watch for the trail signs. It’s about a kilometre walk west to the bridge where you’ll be rewarded with a sweeping vista out over the valley.

Aunt Laura’s Tea Room

Wutai Shan Buddhist Garden

Don’t worry when you turn in the laneway and drive up to what appears to be someone’s house. It is Kathleen Morton’s home, and as the fifth generation in her family to live there, she wants to welcome you in the spirit of Aunt Laura. (She also runs a cow-calf operation and is deeply involved with local history.) Watch for flags and a sign on the south side of the road at 1402 Hwy. 7A.

It’s kind of hard to fathom the extent of this project, but when it’s finished it will be nothing short of astonishing. Walking trails, a huge lake, a gigantic wooden temple assembled without nails … I can’t wait to see it. But in the meantime, if you stop to marvel at the shining temple and sculptures, you won’t be alone. People are already drawn to the site, which is still blocked off, to take photos of the giant statues nestled into the hills. 708 Ski Hill Road.

If, like me, you enjoy the peace and history of a small rural cemetery, pay a visit to St. Mary’s Cemetery on Lifford Rd., the cemetery at Ballyduff Presbyterian Church on Ballyduff Rd., and the fascinating Bethel (Old Methodist) Cemetery on the north side of Golf Course Rd. immediately west of Hwy. 35.

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PARK IT Whether you want a shallow beach where small kids can splash, a place for a family picnic or some shade by the water to read your book, you’re in luck. Centennial Park south of Bobcaygeon on KL #24, Riverview Park near Bobcaygeon’s Forbert Pool, and the Omemee Beach Park (south on George St. from Hwy. 7; it also has a skate park) are all great places to get out of the house and relax. The overhauled Bobcaygeon Beach Park now has beautiful washrooms and shaded picnic tables in addition to the lovely beach. Check the health unit’s test results before swimming.

Fleetwood Creek Natural Area That same open area at the height of Ballyduff Rd. is also where you should leave your vehicle for this stop. I can’t overstate this: Don’t take your vehicle farther down Ballyduff Rd. It looks okay at the top but soon becomes a deeply rutted, rocky track that only an off-road vehicle should attempt. As long as you’ve factored in that additional 10-minute hike down the road just to get to the Fleetwood Creek trailhead, you’re assured of a lovely outing. With rain threatening, I only walked the Valley Trail as far as the lookout; my first thought when I arrived was “I have to come back here in the fall!” As I hiked back up to my car, a soft whuffing sound stopped me in my tracks. Wait — was that a bear? I searched my brain for the right thing to do in this encounter — make myself big and yell while backing away, right? Then I relaxed and laughed out loud. What I’d thought was a black bear was just the gentle sound of the nearby wind turbine.

Wind turbines I’m well aware that not everyone shares my admiration for these marvels of environmental technology — if you despise them, please feel free to skip to the next item. But if, like me, you are mesmerized by the graceful sculpture-like quality of wind turbines, you’ll be fascinated by the chance to get up close to them and discover how quiet and majestic they are. From Hwy. 35, turn east on Ballyduff Road to the point where it broadens out into a circle. Park out of the way and walk north on Wild Turkey Road. LA 37

GRAVITY PLUMBING & HEATING By Kirk Winter

Optimist soccer for boys and girls. Photo: Jason Bain.

The Lindsay Optimist Club, which recently celebrated their 50th year, tries hard to live up to its credo of “a friend of youth.” For the last 40 years the club has provided recreational youth soccer in Lindsay, open to children from right across Kawartha Lakes. After two years of being unable to operate because of the pandemic, the club reintroduced their program in 20212022, drawing more than 300 boys and girls wanting to improve their soccer skills, be part of a team and enjoy eight weeks of soccer for a modest cost. The club hoped for even better numbers for 2022-2023, the first summer in four where the shadow of the pandemic is no longer hanging over team sports. What they got was 525 youth signed up for play this May and June. The season began May 8 and concluded the week of June 26 with a mid-season tournament played on June 3. “This is a good news story,” said club representative Pete Sanderson. “We didn’t run for a couple of years because of COVID-19 and we only got back into the swing of it last year.” 38

The Optimist Club, made up of 35 men and women who give their time willingly to any activity that benefits young people, worked hard to find volunteer coaches for all the teams, train youth referees who ensured the older age groups played the game correctly, and ordered hundreds of uniforms to give players a sense of comradery and belonging. “Steve Turner at Lindsay Sportsline has been terrific at getting our shirts done for many years,” Sanderson said. “Councillor Charlie McDonald, who is a club member, trained and booked the referees this season. Long time member Jack Kyle took care of finding the 50-some sponsors we needed this season. Those businesses or individuals who sponsor our teams are much appreciated. Brent Walmsley, another long-time Optimist Club member, coordinated the whole show this season.” To encourage maximum participation, fees to play Optimist soccer have not increased since 2019. Sanderson pointed out that with the help of generous sponsors like Tim Horton’s, all players in the U-7 age group received full uniforms to begin their soccer journeys.

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Once all the behind-the-scenes work was completed, the club was able to field teams at the U7, U9, U11, U13 and U16 age groups where no parent paid more than $70 to register their child. The league ran Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday nights playing at Wilson Fields and Optimist Park right across the street. Any given evening all the pitches were filled with young people learning the so-called “beautiful game.” The Optimist Club of Lindsay is particularly proud of the new Optimist Soccer Park with three regulation sized fields on the 13-acre site, located east of the tennis courts on St. Joseph Road. The park includes parking and pathways that community members have used extensively since the park opened in the summer of 2013. During the summer of 2019, club members invested over 1,000 hours of volunteer labour to construct a storage pavilion to complement the park. This multigenerational park project has become a resource for all citizens of Lindsay, young and old, and serves as home base for Optimist soccer every summer. Walmsley admits that taking on a project of this size on a yearly basis is a challenge for the club but said, “Running soccer brings our members together. Almost everyone in the club has a part to play and without their participation and work this league wouldn’t be possible.”

Walmsley is very excited about next season as the club this summer fielded 28 teams in the two youngest age groups. Those players often move up the pyramid of play as they return season after season to play soccer with friends and family. “We want to sincerely thank our great volunteer coaches and our crew of young referees. We could not run our program without them,” Walmsley said. “We also want to thank the numerous businesses and individuals who step up every year to sponsor our teams and the city parks staff who work tirelessly to get our fields ready for play. We hope that everyone had a great season and learned some new soccer skills, made some new friends, and had a fun time. We especially thank the parents for being so supportive of our program.” The city is very fortunate, Sanderson said, as it is well served at all levels for kids who want to play soccer, including more coordination between the Optimists, the Boys and Girls Club and the Kawartha Inferno program so kids who want to play more can do so. Walmsley encourages anyone interested in joining the Optimist Club to visit lindsayoptimistclub.org/membership. LA

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The Advocate's 5th birthday celebration

Last month the Advocate celebrated it's 5th birthday! Almost 60 people from our community showed up at Launch Kawartha to help us celebrate. Food was provided by The Pie Eyed Monk and wine was provided by The Olympia Restaurant. All photos: Sienna Frost

Rebekah McCracken, Advocate editor, speaks with writer William McGinn.

Advocate publisher Roderick Benns makes brief remarks to assembled guests at the birthday party.

While not all of Team Advocate could make it to the party, nine were in attendance. Pictured L to R standing are: Geoff Coleman, Nancy Payne, Roderick Benns, Rebekah McCracken, Lisa Hart, Robyn Barton. L to R sitting are: Denise Waldron, Kirk Winter, Sienna Frost.

Many people from the local business community helped celebrate. Below: Mayor Doug Elmslie and Deputy Mayor Tracy Richardson attended the celebration. Other councillors who attended included Charlie McDonald and Dan Joyce.

Below: Jamey Coughlin, business development manager, Kawartha Lakes CFDC, says a few words about Launch Kawartha and the Advocate.

Musician Rob Barg entertained the crowd.

Above: Roderick Benns, Advocate publisher, Robyn Barton, owner of Barton Creative, and Rebekah McCracken, editor-at-large/ business development. Below: Corrie and Ryan Worden, of Kent Street Tattoo, speak with Jennifer Mabee of Mabee & Associates, and Nicki Dedes, Olympia Restaurant owner.

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This book was selected from the Kawartha Lakes Public Library’s NextReads Newsletters. Register to receive monthly or bi-monthly e-newsletters with enticing book suggestions.

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Raging wildfires: You can run, but you can’t hide Several years ago, friends of mine sold their home in Kelowna and moved to the coast. They’d been evacuated one too many times because of nearby wildfires. My thought at the time: So glad I don’t live in B.C. This year we’ve seen that you can run, but you can’t hide. By the end of June, 2023 had already been declared the worst wildfire season on record in Canada, with over eight million hectares burned. Fires raged in every province and one territory, and thousands had been evacuated. On June 7, I captured a photo of the sun: a red orb suspended in an orange-grey haze. That day the local health unit warned our air quality had reached the “high risk” level. The school board advised schools to keep kids inside. The next day a few of my intrepid fellow members of the Kawartha Cycling Club rode in the haze – wearing N95 masks. Also on June 7, the Blue Jays opted to close the stadium dome for their game because of the smoke. Major league games were postponed in New York and Philadelphia for the same reason. Near the end of June, Toronto for a time topped an international list of cities with the worst air quality in the world. Others that made the top 10: Chicago, Detroit, New York City – thanks to that added Canadian smoke. And our smoke wafted on the jet stream to Europe. Hey friends – it’s not all our fault! But it does show that there are no borders when it comes to climate catastrophes.

Call your local Conservative MP’s office and you might hear, as I did, “It’s people starting the fires.” In fact, research shows half of such fires are ignited by lightning, and there’s more lightning because of global heating, according to Canadian researcher and long-time wildland fire expert Mike Flannigan. As any good Scout or Guide knows, fires start and spread easier with dry kindling. This year’s hotter, drier spring provided a lot of that, said Dave Phillips, senior climatologist at Environment Canada. Flannigan told CTV the number of human-caused fires has been dropping, thanks in part to fire prevention education. Meanwhile the area burned in Canada has doubled since the early 1970s because of the increase in lightning fires. And because of climate change. While forest fires may have had the most impact on us this year, warmer temperatures also had an earlier effect in our capital. For the first time since it opened more than 50 years ago, the Rideau Canal Skateway stayed closed, thanks to unstable ice. When opposition leaders tried to get our provincial premier to admit there was a link between climate change and our wild wildfire season, he demurred. It doesn’t fit with his actions, like cancelling our cap-and-trade system and hundreds of renewable energy projects when he took power in 2018, or his current support for expanding natural gas electricity generation. But Flannigan can read the smoke signals, and he says the message is clear. We need to address climate change head on: stop using coal, oil and gas as soon as possible and shift to renewable energy to reduce emissions and global heating. Because these days, everyone can’t just pull up stakes and move. Where would we go? 47

Unto the hills: Meandering through Mount Horeb A quarter of a century ago, Bus No. 52 made its way through Mount Horeb en route to Jack Callaghan Public School every weekday between September and June. Only seven years old at the time, I recall looking through the school bus window as it passed a few of the old landmarks, utterly unaware that there was once much more to this erstwhile hamlet than the schoolhouse, the church, and a smattering of farmsteads that remained in situ by the late 1990s. Like a handful of other rural communities in Kawartha Lakes, its name has biblical origins. Elijah, the great prophet of the Old Testament, was said to have taken 40 days and 40 nights to reach Horeb, “the mountain of God.” It takes me considerably less time to reach its namesake, on the border of Manvers and Ops Townships, by bicycle on a humid Friday morning in late June. Even so, I have packed a lunch of ham sandwiches, a butter tart, some fresh fruit, and plenty of fluids – knowing full well that I must pedal up a steep hill to reach Mount Horeb United Church, where I am scheduled to meet with longtime Mount Horeb resident, Muriel Oliver, at 11 a.m. A wee bit out of breath after scaling the hill on which the church has stood since 1894, I am greeted by the cordial Mrs. Oliver. She unlocks the venerable place of worship 48

Mount Horeb was originally settled in the 1840s, and was largely populated by farmers like Tunis Hart, who lost his hand in a threshing accident during the winter of 1883 and was said to have replaced it with a scarylooking leather strap. and leads me inside. Until the onset of the pandemic, the Mount Horeb congregation was known around the countryside for its famous ham and strawberry suppers. “As I remember as a child, the first strawberry supper was next door to the church at the property called The Maples,” Oliver tells me. “The Jacksons lived there. Then it got big enough that the ladies got together, and they held it in the shed (beside the church), and people donated their salads or pies, and they served a lot of people.” Many of those people could trace their history in the community back to the 19th century. Mount Horeb was originally settled in the 1840s, and was largely populated by farmers like Tunis Hart, who lost his hand in a threshing accident during the winter of 1883 and was said to have replaced it with a scary-looking leather strap. Tunis and his wife, Hannah, had six children and today lie at rest in the Mount Horeb Cemetery. The latter is immaculately maintained, a far cry from the situation in August of 1912, when the Watchman Warder’s Mount Horeb correspon-

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dent reminded parishioners that they “should not leave such an eyesore as the weeds in our little burying ground presented.” After showing me around the church, its outbuildings, and the cemetery, Oliver invites me to follow her up to her house where I can enjoy my luncheon in the comfort of her air-conditioned kitchen. Later, I pedal southward on Hillhead Road, passing the fine red-brick schoolhouse that replaced an older facility in 1922. It is surrounded by stately maple trees under which generations of children undoubtedly gathered to cool off in the shade during warm spells – especially if they had just walked up and down the big hill on which the hamlet of Mount Horeb once stood.

Above: The former Mount Horeb store, looking northeast Below: Mount Horeb's Tunis Hart and his wife, Hannah Lees, with son George Hart and a grandchild. (Courtesy of Lisa Hart)

This hill, a bit higher than the one I cycled up earlier, was once significantly steeper than it is today. In 1984, the county lowered it by 40 feet – ostensibly in the interests of highway safety – resulting in some curious topography wherein buildings once at or below grade are now higher than the road itself. These include the Magahay barn as well as a smaller structure that was moved from its original location around the corner where, I’m told, it once served as a blacksmith shop. Among the blacksmiths that once served the people of Mount Horeb was George Caldwell, who in December of 1894 narrowly escaped serious injury when his wagon overturned while descending the infamously sharp slope. Dangerous though it was, the hill was also a symbol of endurance. “Our mail carrier never lost a trip this winter,” noted the Watchman Warder on March 15, 1900. “When he could not make it with horse and rig he unhitched, left the cutter on the road, put the horse in a farmer’s stable, took the mail bag on his back and made the grade.” Upon reaching the summit, the mail carrier might have deposited his burden in the little store once situated at the northeast corner of Mount Horeb and Hillhead Roads. A Mr. Elliott served as storekeeper here for many years in the late 19th century, and was known colloquially as “Elliott of the Mountain.” As in many rural communities, the store was where people were kept abreast of the latest in local gossip – especially in August of 1895, when Mount Horeb-area farmer Jeremiah Murphy was arrested by secret service agents for his role in distributing counterfeit money. Today, that store – like Muriel Oliver’s childhood house across the way – is long gone, a victim of the road reconstruction project almost 40 years ago. Still, Mount Horeb remains home for Oliver, who looks back on the old hamlet with warm memories. “I spent my formative years there,” she says, “and to me there’s no better place to live.” LA 49

RECIPE 2 ¼ cups diced cucumbers, partially peeled 1 cup diced, seeded tomatoes ¼ cup diced red onion 1 can chickpeas, rinsed and drained

2 tbsp fresh lemon juice ½ tbsp minced fresh parsley 1 tbsp olive oil ½ tsp salt, to taste ¼ tsp pepper, to taste

CUCUMBER & CHICKPEA SALAD

1. Wash produce.

This simple salad is a celebration of August’s harvests – cucumbers, tomatoes, and onions. It makes a great side dish for summer potlucks and picnics with friends and family, and is even gluten-free and vegan.

2. Dice cucumbers, and partially peel. Dice and peel red onion and tomatoes, and place all vegetables in large bowl. 3. Rinse and drain chickpeas, and add to the bowl. 4. Chop the parsley, removing stems, and add as well. 5. Drizzle olive oil on top, add salt, pepper and lemon juice to taste and enjoy.

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Royal Highness

by Barbara Olson © ClassiCanadian Crosswords

Across

1 Amorous skunk Pepe

6 Hallucinogenic drugs, briefly

16 20 23

14 Snore blocking inserts 16 An "F" in BFF

18 Ears, nose and throat, e.g.

27 Won all the awards, with "up"

32 Vernal equinox season: Abbr.

48 50

51 57

58 60

31 Facebook blurb

30 Stir, as suspicion

29 Carnivore's buys

40 43

25 Fire station bosses

23 Puts the squeeze on, in a way

22 Toddler's train, when doubled

20 Power up

10 15

19 Marsh

13 ___-ground missile

10 Daniel ___ Kim of "Lost"

35 Lenient, as on crime

36 Light festival city in France 38 Prefix meaning "vision" 39 Rock blaster

40 Late quizmaster Trebek 41 Like some last words

43 It may be picked up, then kicked

45 One-time costar with Ted, Rhea and Kelsey

46 Leave in the lurch, slangily 48 Salmon fishing inlet off Vancouver Island 49 Opposite of "sans"

Down

1 "___-a-Lympics" (HannaBarbera cartoon) 2 Ireland, poetically

3 Costner's "Robin Hood" subtitle 4 Season in "le soleil"

5 Chinese soup dumplings 6 Gofers and grunts 7 Dear, to Domingo

8 Cameron Diaz's "Shrek" role 9 Coppertone bottle letters

52 ___ Maria

10 Puréed spuds baked golden brown

57 ___ rod (golden flower)

12 PetroCan rivals

60 Be deceptive with

17 Nobly nicknamed jazz legend

62 Dr.'s hospital checks: Abbr.

24 High, to Henri

50 Reacts to a bad pun 55 Had a coup

11 "The ___ Aquarius"

59 Gretzky's moniker, with "the"

15 Legally legit

61 UFO pilots

21 Like Manhattan clam chowder

63 Yellowhead town west of Edmonton

26 Aid on a bad hair day 27 ___ iron skillet

* Crossword solution on page 52 *

28 Scientology founder ___ Hubbard

29 Back-to-the-grind day: Abbr. 31 Word with chicken or small 33 Spitting sound, in comics

34 Prepared to sing "O Canada" 37 "Nonetheless, ..." 38 Russian port city

40 Blood-typing letters

42 Gallery clearance event

44 Maker of Reynolds Wrap

45 Tenter's stopover in the U.S. 46 Intrude rudely, with "in"

47 Turn away, as one's eyes 48 Bumps on a log 51 Rip to bits 53 Big on

54 Chacun ___ goût (each to his own) 56 One of 191 in this puzzle: Abbr. 58 Free from, with "of"

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The health care tipping point By Trevor Hutchinson Contributing Editor

Last month I had to attend the emergency department at the Ross Memorial. It was just one of those months where a bit of bad luck was followed by a bit more bad luck. The emergency department team, on every visit, was just incredible. They are on the front lines of so many intersecting problems: chronic historic healthcare underfunding, a toxic illegal drug supply, a mental health crisis, a lack of resources for seniors living with dementia. Not to mention burnout and understaffing from the years of COVID and post-COVID workload stress. Despite all the challenges they were facing, every staff member I encountered was professional, empathetic, caring and going above and beyond. These people are freaking heroes, day in and day out. Everyone can see what they are doing and the pressures they are facing. I was not surprised by the outstanding and thorough care my family and I received – such care is the norm in my experience. But the conversations I overheard in the hallways were very interesting. I heard more than one senior commenting on how “we used to have a great health care system, but the Ford government is ruining it.” If it was just one conversation, I might have written it off to a random, non-conservative receiving care. But over the few days of being there, I started to sense a theme. If people are getting angrier in our riding, which has been conservative for the vast majority of time since confederation, the provincial government 54

might be facing a tipping point on one of the most important issues to Ontarians. And healthcare is at play as a political issue in our riding. The closure of the Minden emergency department has garnered huge local opposition and provincial coverage (as has been well documented by my colleague, Kirk Winter, in this publication). People are angry for good reason. And they are mobilized. It is expected that the effect of the Minden closure will soon be felt by increased wait times in Lindsay and that it will only get worse, although it remains to be seen if people will make that link. Local political junkies will know that historically the Conservatives have won by taking the northern and rural parts of the riding which normally outdoes a split in Lindsay across a few parties. People way more connected to me are saying that this dynamic, at least for the moment, has changed. There are rumours that some of the northern conservative power players will be sitting out the next provincial election cycle. There are also whispers that our MPP Laurie Scott may not seek re-election, in part because of the northern healthcare issue. Ms. Scott is a deservedly well-liked public servant who has served the community with devotion (whether you share her views or not). But healthcare (and healthcare privatization and under-funding) may be one thing that is just more important than party politics to most residents. lindsayadvocate.ca

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