A Taste of the Kawarthas Magazine June/July Issue

JUNE / JULY 2019

A taste of the KAWARTHAS FOOD, SHOPPING & CULTURAL EXPERIENCE

Canadian Music Royalty

Denise Donlon & Murray McLauchlan

Tebey

Country Artist Producer & Songwriter

Haute Goat Shmurgled a goat lately?

Boating

Looking to Buy?

ATV Trails Motorcycles FREE PUBLICATION - PLEASE TAKE ONE

Chefs of the Kawarthas Lisa Dixon

The Gardens of Peterborough Retirement Residences Enjoy our accommodations and bring your pets!

We understand how important your pets are, and here at The Gardens of Peterborough Retirement Residences, we welcome your fur babies. There is lots of space to enjoy walking your dog. Retirement living is all about choice.

It doesn’t need to mean you have to change your lifestyle.

We can offer you a retirement lifestyle that is right for you and your family. Our philosophy is “healthy aging in place”. This means that you can live your life to its fullest, experiencing new things or comfortable, familiar things—all with the safety and security of our health and care services right at hand should the need arise.

The most retirement lifestyle choices and the best care

Locally Owned & Managed

705-741-6036

705-750-1234

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705-876-1314

705-876-1414

A Taste of the Kawarthas Culinary Tours Walking Culinary Tours in Peterborough READY, SET, GO!

We are food enthusiasts who have always loved cooking and dining out.

We love Peterborough Ontario, as every corner has something delicious waiting for you. We love food, fun & friends, and you will make many new foodie friends by the end of your tour. We would love you to experience what makes Peterborough so special and will introduce you to our foodie & boutique shop owners. Book your food tasting tour TODAY! We are a 5 Star AIRbnb Experience. www.atasteofthekawarthas.com/booking-dates

www.airbnb.ca/experiences/197292

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Contents

JUNE - JULY 2019

For Online Interactive magazine go to www.atasteofthekawarthas.com

Features 20 Denise Donlon & Murray McLauchlan 25 Rice Lake Sunken Railway Powerhouse couple in the Kawarthas

The Railway that never really happened

39 Haute Goat Farm

37 Drew Hayden Taylor

44 Tebey

45 Waterside Patios

Have you ever done the Knuffle Shuffle?

Author, Playwrite, Producer

Peterborough’s own Country artist/songwriter

20

47

The best patios

44

39

Columns Liquid Treasures 8 Wineries of the Kawarthas 14 Craft Brewers in the Kawarthas Palitable Pleasures 6 Kicken’ Recipes 10 Chefs of the Kawarthas 16 Patios along the Trent Waterways 19 Where to Eat in Peterborough Get Out and Play 26 ATV Trails 28 Boating 30 Boating Safety from the OPP 32 Women & Motorcycles Published by Slither Productions Page 4

Real Estate 31 Working from Home 40 Kitchen Renovations 42 Real Estate in the Kawarthas 43 Home Inspections Pets of the Kawarthas 38 A Beautiful Tribute to Frodo 39 Haute Goat Farms Rockin’ Musicians 45 Tebey 47 Musicians of the Kawarthas Global Getaways 34 Hitting the Links in Cape Breton www.slitherproductions.com

A note From the Editor Summer is such an amazing time in The Kawarthas! So much to see and do! Motorcycles, ATV’s, goat

shmurgles, Alpaca knuffle shuffles (I know! What the heck is that??), boating, watersports, concerts, wine, craft brewery and winery visits, food, patios, gardening and on and ON! It’s a busy time for the magazine, and we are covering it all. I got an email from a woman from Wolfe Island in Kingston telling me how much she enjoys our magazine. It spurs me on to share what we have in the Kawarthas and Trent Hills. So please enjoy! And send me your feedback! We’d love to hear from you!

Karen Irvine - Editor, Video Editor, Videographer, Photographer, Social Media Diva & Motorcycle Enthusiast

Email - atasteofthekawarthas@gmail.com Facebook - A Taste of the Kawarthas

Website - www.atasteofthekawarthas.com Instagram - @atasteofthekawarthas

Of course, this wouldn’t be possible without these amazing contributors!

Shari Darling, Sommelier, Owner of Fresh DOH & Newspaper Journalist

Chef Brian Henry, Chef Extraordinaire & Newspaper Journalist

Margaret Swaine, Author, Travel, Wine, Spas and Spirits Columnist

Jay Lough Hayes, Real Estate Broker Jay Cooper, Musician, Graphics Designer, Motorcycle Enthusiast

Elwood Jones, Historian Trent Valley Archives & Newspaper Journalist

Nadene Nicholas - Snowmobile Enthusiast, Twin Mountains Snowmobile Club

Heather Jackson Boating Enthusiast Fenelon Falls Marina Sandy Bird Motorcycle Enthusiast & Blogger Gina Livy, Personal Coach & Weight Loss Guru

Carolyn Richards ATV Enthusiast, Kawartha ATV Association Steve Irvine, Home Sweet Home Inspections

Susan Porter Dunkley - Manager, Development & Outreach, Peterborough Humane Socienty

Publisher - Slither Productions Editor - Karen Irvine atasteofthekawarthas@gmail.com Creative Director - Jay Cooper Advertising Sales - Wray Ellis (705) 761-1299 or (705) 772-8074 Contributors

Wine Pairing - Shari Darling Real Estate - Jay Lough Hayes Rockin’ Musicians - Jay Cooper Kickin’ Recipes - Chef Brian Henry Interviews - Jay Cooper Chefs - Karen Irvine Global Getaways - Margaret Swaine Health & Wellness - Gina Livy Pets - Susan Porter Dunkley Snowmobiling - Nadene Nicholas Historian - Elwood Jones Home Inspections - Steve Irvine ATV - Carolyn Richards Women & Motorcycles - Sandy Bird Boating - Heather Jackson

Photographers

Karen Irvine, Jay Cooper, Kristine Hannah (cover photo & Denise Donlon/Murray McLauchlin article) A Taste of the Kawarthas Magazine is published bimonthly. Articles do not necessarily reflect A Taste of the Kawarthas Magazine or Slither Productions policy. All rights reserved. Reproduction in part or whole without permission is prohibited. © 2019

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by Chef Brian Henry

www.thespiceco.ca www.chefbrianhenry.com

Kickin’ Recipes

G ET T I N G AL L

FIRED UP! Chef Brian Henry has been a Chef for 35 years. He is the owner of Angle Iron Kitchens and The Spice Co.

Ever since the discovery of fire we have been cooking meat over it. The English word

“Barbecue” comes from the Spanish “Barbacoa” which arrived in Central America when Cortés showed up and wiped out the Aztec’s. Spanish conquistadors witnessed the fierce Island Carib people dine on their captives, primarily the peaceful Arawak, which were cooked a la barbacoa. Barbecue traveled north of the Caribbean and Central America to Texas where it evolved into what we know as barbecue today.

Canadian barbecue influences come from the Pacific Northwest where Indigenous peoples would split open a freshly caught salmon and bind it to a piece of cedar driftwood before cooking it over a fire. They also used fire to heat stone slabs of granite for cooking fish and seafood on. .

Summer entertaining sees us entertaining outdoors with food prepared on the barbecue, which often sees a protein laden menu prepared over one form of fire or another with a smattering of grilled vegetables to complement them.

Vegetarians are probably reeling reading this, which is why if you want step up your barbecue game fruits need to start making it onto

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the grill. Grilling lemons or oranges that have been sliced in half give them a more complex flavour and will yield twice as much juice when squeezed. Flame grilled pineapple sees the sugars caramelize on the surface giving it a depth of flavour that compliments all varieties of meat. The secret to grilling fruits is to give then a light brushing of oil before exposing them to the fire, as it protects them and doesn’t allow them to dry out. As summer progresses, you must try grilling peaches and apricots which can be served with salads or warm over ice cream. Better yet, they can be used to make grilling sauces or marinades.

Barbecuing cherries would be a bit of a challenge, but they are perfect to use for making barbecue sauce. The following recipe for Cherry Barbecue sauce will see you level up on your barbecue game. It is mildly smoky, with the perfect balance between acidity and sweetness making it a go to sauce for ribs and chicken. But it is delicate enough to brush on your barbecued peaches before spooning them over ice cream fresh from the grill.

C H E R RY BAR B EQ U E SAUCE INGREDIENTS:

METHOD:

1 lb 2 tbsp 3 cloves ¼ cup 1 cup ½ cup ½ cup ¼ cup ½ cup 2 tbsp 1 tbsp 1 tbsp ½ tsp 1 tsp

Pit the cherries, cut them in half and set aside. In a large saucepan over medium-low heat, sweat the onion and garlic in the cooking oil until they begin to brown. Stir in all of the remaining ingredients and simmer over medium-low heat for 35-45 minutes.

fresh Bing or Rainier cherries cooking oil garlic, peeled yellow onion, diced brown sugar chili sauce tamari soy sauce tomato paste apple cider vinegar Worcestershire sauce chili powder smoked paprika powder cayenne chipotle chili powder

Using an immersion blender, puree the sauce until smooth. Season sauce to taste with salt and pepper, if desired you may choose to spice it up with a few drops of your favorite hot sauce.

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Local wineRIES Kawartha Country Winery Before Kawartha Country Wines, John Rufa made wine at home. “After making lots of

bad wine, I started to make good wine”, he laughs. After getting many compliments on his wine, he decided to open Kawartha Country Winery 15 years ago.

John loves making fruit wine. “If you don’t have a passion for it, you won’t do well. You have to want to create a good, quality product that people will enjoy. And the gratification is when people come in to sample the wine and really like it. Anybody can make wine. Making wine that people want to pay money for is the trick,” he laughs. John’s father was a great wine maker who forced John to help. John wanted nothing to do with it. He says “I wish I’d paid attention.” (he laughs) The building is a historic log cabin built in 1866.

It was owned by the Shannon family, and Sister Margaret (the last person to be born in the building) would visit, until she passed a few years ago. The Shannon family had their reunion at the cabin.

“We specialize in making unique wines and ciders that nobody else makes. People always look forward to our newest blends”, says John.

Rhubarb is their number one seller. A few of their other types of wine and cider are apple, pear, blueberry, black currant, elderberry, peach, plum, nectarine, cranberry, strawberry, pumpkin, raspberry and cherry. “At any given time, we have forty-five to fifty different wines and ciders,” says John.

“We are selling the wine, the experience and the story that goes behind the wine as well,” John says.

They also specialize in fruit vinegars, grilling sauces, jams and wine jellies.

Does the fruit wine-making process differ from Page 8

making grape wine? John says, “We get this question all the time. It’s essentially the same as for grape wines. You crush the fruit, ferment the juice and the skins. The grape thinks it’s special. (he laughs) None of the other berries think it’s special.”

Kawartha Country Wines is open year round 7 days a week because they make wine 12 months a year.

By staying open, they are able to keep their staff full time. Tours are available, and the property has plenty of scenery for photos.

They have a complimentary sampling bar. “We are confident that when people taste our wines, they

F RU IT WI NES A R E DELICIOU S will like some of them. You don’t have to like all our wines, you just have to like one of them.” (he laughs) The gift shop has hot sauces, BBQ sauces, giftwares plus much more.

They grow cider apples, pears, red and black currents, rhubarb and some grapes. The bears love the grapes, so they usually end up as bear food.

Cider is about 25% of their business. The main difference between cider and wine is the amount of alcohol and that ciders are carbonated. Wines are 12% alcohol, while cider is around 5-6%. Ciders have become very popular over last 4 years. John took a cider making course in England. “The English make cider very different than here. The taste is qualitatively better. If Robin Hood were alive today,

he’d be making cider the same way. It hasn’t changed in 1000 years, and that’s the way that we do it. It’s as authentic an English cider as you can get”, says John.

Their cider products are available in varying sweetness and include flavours such as cranberry, perry, lemonade and their newest addition, concorde grape cider.

Stop by for a complimentary tasting. I can’t think of a better way to spend the afternoon.

Craft Beer Breweries The Publican House Brewery

By Jay Cooper

T he

Publican House Brewery is a Family owned brewing company that is now 10 years in operation. With the Brewery, Retail Store and Brew Pub nestled in the heart of downtown Peterborough, it is a must stop for craft beer and culinary lovers throughout the Kawarthas. I met up with Kim Cranfield, Director of Marketing to talk about the business.

Marty Laskaris, brother Mike, nephew Matt Phillips and family friend Rick Coit have created an award winning brewing company. Marty and his brotherin-law, who were both interested in craft beer, saw it as an emerging business and were interested in pursuing a path that few had taken. Kawartha Lakes Brewing had already started production, so an impromptu meeting was set up with their owner, and over a couple of beers they decided to go ahead in this very new industry. The Publican House was the 42nd craft brewery to open in Ontario and now there are over 300. With the help of Kawartha Lakes Brewing, some of the initial recipes were developed.

Marty and the family continued from there.

With six signature blends, specialty creations, kegs and the ever popular Growler bottles, they have helped change the way beer lovers choose their next purchase. Always expanding for the high demand and different styles, they are adding two more tanks to the already large brewing system. The expansion allows production of their newest styles (Peach Sour, Blueberry Sour, Rhubarb Sour and a champagne style beer), as the demand is high to create new and exciting flavours. Their High Noon blend is very popular in the summer months, as it is fashioned after an unfiltered American wheat ale. It is light with a hint of citrus and is just an easy drinking beer while sitting on the patio or dock.

The Publican House beer (not all styles) are available in select LCBOs, Beer Stores, grocery stores and other establishments throughout the Kawarthas and Ontario. There is also continued expansion of future available locations.

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Their craft beer is always a staple at Beer Festivals, special events and, for the first time ever, at the Havelock Jamboree’s 30th Anniversary this year.

Kim Cranfield went on to explain that because the operation is entirely hands on for perfection and quality control with an onsite lab, it has made the brand flourish and prosper in a very tight-margin business.

“People want to know where their food comes from, and it’s the same with beer.”

The Brew Pub features high-end pub fare, created by Chef Brad Watt, who is also the owner of the prestigious Rare Grill House. You can listen to live entertainment and they have a beautiful, relaxing patio.

With so many different styles and flavours, people are exploring what they love about The Publican House Brewery.

People want to know where their food comes from and it’s the same with beer. Drop by their on-site store, try a few out and find YOUR favourite.

For a full list of brands, go to www.publicanhouse.com/our-beer/ Twitter & Instagram - @PublicanHouse Facebook - PublicanHouse 300 Charlotte Street Peterborough, Ontario (705) 874-5743

Waterfront PATIOS 11 Best Patios (why 11? Because it’s more!)

By Nigel Smalls

The best place to enjoy culinary treats in the summer is the outdoor patio by the water.

Here is a list of the best patios along the Trent Waterways.

Silver Bean Café, Peterborough - Located downtown Peterborough in Millennium Park along the beautiful Otonabee River. A full cafe menu, ice cream, kids area, & 100+ seats overlooking the river. Just a short walk from the Peterborough city docks. www.silverbeancafe.com Lock 27 Tap & Grill, Yonge’s Point Beautiful ambiance & setting overlooking Clear Lake. Listen to the birds, the waves, the breeze, and the sunset is mesmerizing. The menu is enjoyable pub fare with weekly specials and live entertainment. www.lock27tapandgrill.ca

Silver Bean Cafe

Hobart’s Lighthouse, McCrackens Landing Experience exceptional food, atmosphere and service in our casual dining restaurant while enjoying stunning views of Stoney Lake. Serving brunch, lunch and dinner, the menu is well priced and absolutely delicious. (My Personal Favourite!) www.hobartslighthouse.ca Rhino’s Roadhouse, Bewdley - Overlooking Rice Lake, the patio seats 65 people. Rhino’s is famous for chicken wings and fresh cut halibut. Hosting a variety of charity events, their major fundraiser is the Bruce Nichols Children’s Wish Foundation, by the Performance Boat Club. www.rhinosroadhouse.com Viamede Resort, The Boathouse The Boathouse blends fine dining with a warm, casual dockside setting on Stoney Lake in an actual former boathouse. A great place for a summer lunch or a family dinner. Reservations required. www.viamede.com

Viamede Resort

Hobart’s Lighthouse

Riverside Grill and Gazebo, Peterborough - Enjoy the summer in a relaxing atmosphere while listening to great music and enjoying delicious lunch and dinner with their light BBQ menu. Live entertainment three times per week; Thursday night, Friday Night Blues and Sunday afternoons! Located at the Holiday Inn in Downtown Peterborough. www.holidayinnpeterborough.com (Continued on Page 14) Rhino’s Roadhouse

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Bobcaygeon Inn

Holiday Inn Riverside Grill & Gazebo

Rhino’s Roadhouse

opening soon in peterborough!

Come check out our Innovation Lab Brewery at 649 The Parkway in Peterborough. Try our beers in the tasting room, or grab some to go in our gift shop.

Follow us on social media to stay up to date!

www.bobcaygeonbrewing.ca

2019

On Friday Night...

The Blues is Alright!

Participate in the Kawartha Choice Challenge XV: Battle of the Burgers!

6-10pm • Live music * Weather permitting $10 cover charge per night

** except where noted June 21 Jack de Keyzer (2X Juno 7X Maple Blues Winner) ** $15 cover

June 28 July 5 July 12 July 19 July 26 Aug 2 Aug 9 Aug 16 Aug 23 Aug 30

Chuck Jackson (Downchild Blues Band Lead Vocalist) Murray Kinsley & Wicked Grin Dylan Wickens & the Grand Naturals Johnny Max (Juno Nominee) Cheryl Lescom Bill Durst (London Blues Icon) Paul James Band (Juno Award Winner) ** $15 cover Mi$$ Robin Banks JW Jones (Billboard Top 10 Award Winner) Jack de Keyzer (2X Juno 7X Maple Blues Winner) ** $15 cover

Visit the Gazebo each week all summer long to enjoy Chef Hugh’s special recipes featuring product from local farmers.

Help us Crown the “Kawartha Choice Champion”.

June 1-7 June 8-14 June 15-21 June 22-28 June 29-July 5 July 6-12 July 13-19 July 20-26 July 27-Aug 2 Aug 3-9 Aug 10-16 Aug 17-23 Aug 24-30

Pinewynd Farm (Pork) Tasty Telford Beef (Beef) Cows and Cranio (Beef) Yorkshire Valley Farms (Chicken) French’s Farm (Beef) Cross Wind Farm (Chevon) Sannox Farms (Pork) Sugar Valley Farm (Beef) O’Brienview Organic Farm (Beef) Traynor Farms (Beef) Shealand Farms (Lamb) Harley Farms (Beef) Century Game Park (Bison)

Thank you for supporting our local farming community.

Publican Patio Party every Sunday from 2pm to 5pm Live Music *weather permitting

Thursday Night Sol

Enjoy easy listening music with local solo artists from

6:00-9:00pm

Your best destination before and after

PATIOS

Bobcaygeon Inn, Bobcaygeon Summertime sizzles on this large Patio. Pull up your boat or walk in to enjoy a bite and a cold beverage. One of the largest patios in the Kawarthas offering a full range of local beverages. Beautiful views overlooking the water. www.bobcaygeoninn.com Old Bridge Inn, Yonge’s Point Built in 1887, this historic gem offers casual fresh market dining and a serene waterside patio overlooking Lock 27 on the Trent Waterway System. www.theoldbridgeinn.com Sippin Dip, Ennismore This beautiful patio overlooks Chemong Lake, with transient docking available. Serving all-day breakfast, lunch and dinner. 1500 Yankee Line. (705) 292-0292 Mainstreet Landing, Buckhorn Serving great food for over 15 years. Located just steps from Lock 31. It’s the perfect place to sit by the locks and watch boats go by while enjoying delicious food, a cold drink and friendly service. 1939 Lakehurst Rd. (705) 657-9094 Elmhirst Resort Dock your boat or floatplane at Elmhirst’s Resort for live music and smokin’ hot BBQ every Tuesday, or stop in to the Wild Blue patio. Also serving Sunday brunch in the Hearthside overlooking Rice Lake. www.elmhirst.ca

Mainstreet Landing

Sippin Dip

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Elmhirst Resort

Old Bridge Inn

Great Eats, Atmosphere.

Visit Hobart’s Lighthouse on Stoney Lake or Hobart’s Steakhouse on Hunter Street in Peterborough.

hobartslighthouse.ca

hobarts.ca

705.652.0557 2281 McCracken’s Landing Road (at Harbour Town)

705.775.4000 139 Hunter Street West, Peterborough

TASTING ROOM | TOURS | RETAIL STORE 99 Hunter St. E. Peterborough, ON K9H 1G4 1 705 745 1500

BLACKSDISTILLERY.COM

CHEFS OF THE KAWARTHAS

By Karen Irvine

CHEF LISA DIXON M eet Chef Lisa Dixon, owner of blackhoney bakery & Coffeehouse. Lisa has lived in Peterborough for 17 years, and has owned blackhoney bakery & Coffeehouse for 13 years.

Lisa moved to Peterborough after her Mom, Linda Piers, and brother, Beau Dixon, came here. “That’s the main reason for coming to the Kawarthas”, she says. Another reason is “Per capita, this is better food than anywhere else”. Prior to Peterborough, Chef Lisa lived and went to school in Ottawa, where she studied for 7 years at Ottawa University, Algonquin College for Patisserie and then at Le Cordon Bleu Ottawa Culinary Arts Institute. After finishing school, she stayed in Ottawa for 21 years.

She is a big believer of formal education for Chefs. “It gives the fundamental skills to build a sustainable business. Running a business requires writing proposals and articulating what you plan for the client, so this is important”, Lisa says. “You don’t go to school to learn, you go to re-affirm talent.” To solidify this belief, Lisa has been teaching as a Culinary Arts professor at Fleming College for 5 years. Lisa says that the students bring a new eye to the dishes, which in turn, gives her discipline and inspiration.

Lisa and her partner, Mark, met 30 years ago in London Ontario where they worked at the same restaurant. He obviously fell in love, because he followed Lisa to attend Ottawa University.

Chef Lisa opened blackhoney because she loves Page 16

what she does. The three best restauranteurs she learned from were all women, and she says they were great teachers.

Lisa feels it is helpful to have an artistic eye to be a good caterer. Having an Art Degree from University has helped her to understand the layout & design of a menu, table decor & event planning.

We discussed the business side and Lisa feels that Chefs are not valued monetarily as much as they should be. Margins are weak and when the minimum wage went up, Lisa says

“Per capita, (Peterborough) has better food than anywhere else.”

that she lost quite a bit. If a customer winces at the prices she doesn’t feel bad because she has to pay the staff and keep her business running. She is proud of the product prepared at both the savoury & sweet kitchens, has a staff of 21 and they are all great employees.

Lisa lights up when dealing with clients for the catering.

She gets to decide the menu, layout the table, and set up the event to look it’s best.

She loves baking and cooking. To entertain herself on her days off, she has started a red fife wheat sourdough with no sugar or yeast. It’s how Lisa gets her creativity flowing.

She finds that she’s at a stage in business where her kitchen & bakery Managers are very strong. This allows her to play in the kitchen and wear an official chef apron less.

Her family history is very interesting. Her Mom & Dad met at Acadia University and married in the mid 60’s.

Her Mother is Scottish & Irish white and her Father, Blair Dixon is black. Blair’s father, George Dixon, was in his Mother’s womb when she escaped slavery through the Underground Railroad. Living in Africville, Nova Scotia, George Dixon married a Mi’kmaq Indigenous woman, Maria White. George was a member of the first black battalion in the 2nd World War in the Canadian army. They lived in Africville, which was a small community located on the southern shore of Bedford Basin in Halifax. It was a community from the early 1800s to the 1960s, and no longer exists.

blackhoney bakery and Coffeehouse is a success and a great place to have a meal because of the wonderful vibe that Chef Lisa Dixon has created with her business savvy and amazing culinary skills.

Blair is a retired Anglican minister and lives in Regina, Sask. He had a successful career of ministering to native & black communities in many churches, which installed a lasting and indelible impression on his children that humanity can only be learned by those who teach with love. Every spring and summer Blair comes to visit and you will find him on the back patio of blackhoney eating his soup and sandwich. blackhoneydesserts.com 221 Hunter St. W. Peterborough Page 17

Experience Warkwor th

Unique Boutiques & Delicious Culinary Treats

Where to Eat Downtown Peterborough Always fresh. Always homemade.

Authentic Spanish cuisine. Simply different. Local products. Affordable. Catering. Personalized service.

Downtown. 373 Queen St. (705) 559-7731

Authentic Caribbean Cuisine Dine in, Take out, and Catering. Downtown.

Making homemade, authentic Caribbean food.

427 George St. N (705) 743-9320

Upscale Casual Dining in Downtown Peterborough Located in the lively Hunter Street Cafe District.

Enjoy this warm and relaxing atmosphere with a beautiful patio. 224 Hunter St. W (705) 874-1500

Tiny Greens Plant Cafe Vegan, Gluten-Free Cafe located Downtown. We harvest greens daily from our microgreen gardens. Downtown.

431 George St. N. (705) 874-7554 www.tinygreens.ca

Serving Premium Certified Angus steaks Food and atmosphere is designed to provide an unforgettable experience.

139 Hunter Street West, Peterborough (705) 775-4000 189 Kent Street West, Lindsay (705) 328·1219 www.hobarts.ca

Charlotte Anne’s Restaurant Open for Breakfast, lunch or dinner, you’ll find plenty of delicious food options at Charlotte Anne’s Restaurant. 390 Queen St. (705) 742-2944

A Great place to have a coffee or meal and relax Coffeehouse, delicious breakfast and Lunch plus Bakery and Catering Services.

Gluten free options available

Authentic Mexican Cuisine

Food Forest 100% plant based cafe; containing no meat, dairy, or eggs (Vegan). Downtown at 135 Hunter St. W www.foodforestcafe.com

Healthy Gourmet Bakery Experience the most delicious deserts from this gourmet and healthy bakery offering a wide variety of choices for every lifestyle - gluten free, vegan, low calorie, regular plus more! maison-du-chocolat.negocio.site (705) 761-1089

Island Cream Caribbean Cuisine Authentic Caribbean and Halal Food: Chicken, Beef, Goat, Lamb and Vegetarian Rotis, Jerk Chicken Dinner, Buss Up Shots and Doubles, Spinach Pies, Phoulourie, Vegetarian Samosas, Dhal Soup, Curry Dinners and much, much more!! (705) 743-8398

The Cheese Shop The Cheese Shop, located in the heart of downtown Peterborough, offers more than 200 imported and domestic cheeses, and a fantastic selection of specialty foods. Known for its fabulous selection of specialty foods and great homemade hot meals to go, catering and lunches. Downtown. 158 Brock Street www.thecheeseshop.ca

Page 19

Denise Donlon & Murray McLauchlan

COTTAGE LIFE IN THE KAWARTHAS

By Jay Cooper Contributor, Graphic Designer, & Musican

Denise and Murray - photo by Kristine Hannah

I had the chance to talk to a couple who are definitely classified as Canadian Royalty.

Denise Donlon and Murray McLauchlan have a rich history in television and music. They have been coming to their cottage on Stoney Lake for the past 20 years.

A Taste of the Kawarthas (ATOTK): Jay Cooper here, good afternoon!

Denise Donlon (DD) & Murray McLauchlan (MM): Hey Denise and Murray here.

Page 20

“It’s one of the most rewarding, but most difficult things to do.”

ATOTK: I am thrilled to be chatting with Canadian Music Royalty today.

DD: (she laughs) That might be a little high there to believe but we appreciate it.

ATOTK: Jeanne Beker has so many accomplishments and now were going times two for this issue. (laughs) DD: Jeanne is a dear friend and that’s why this happened.

ATOTK: Awards between you are … Murray - Eleven Juno Awards, 18 Albums, Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame, The Order of Canada, Composer, Countless TV Shows, Actor, Pilot and still touring.

DD: Hey you forgot the Governor General’s Performing Arts Award for Lifetime Achievement, for God’s sakes (they laugh) ATOTK: And Denise - The NewMusic, MuchMusic, MuchMoreMusic, President of Sony Music Canada, Canadian Broadcasters Hall of Fame, Author and The Order of Canada. WOW! MM: And CBC!! (they laugh) DD: Yeah it’s been quite the adventure for both of us.

ATOTK: Times a ticking, kids, better get our there and do something with your lives. (they laugh) DD: Well that’s the thing about so many people when they get the Order of Canada. They say, Crap, now I have to go out and live up to it. (laughs) ATOTK: You have a cottage on Stoney Lake here in the Kawarthas.

MM: Yes, on Upper Stoney Lake.

ATOTK: What do you love about the area and how did you decide to have a place here?

MM: My family has been on the lake for many, many years. Almost 50 years. We had a place owned by my brother down near Hells Gate. Actually, spitting distance from St. Peters on the Rock. When I first started going around with Denise, I thought it would be really cool to bring her up there and canoe her around and look at the stars. So we kind of started dating up there, and I’d put her on a mattress in the front of the canoe and she would sit on the bow and look at the reflection of the stars in the water while I was paddling away.

DD: Well, it was not actually a mattress, more of a Personal Flotation Device. (laughs)

MM: Hey this is my story. You can edit your version later. (laughs) I like to make you look good. (they laugh) Ultimately, we ended up getting married at St Peters on the Rock Anglican Church. We had the reception at the old cottage. As often happens eventually, the family island compound had to go the way of all things. And we were upset; we really were, as we had a really strong attachment to the lake and to the area. By that point, we sort of languished for a few years. And for a brief period of time, we rented in the summer time from a friend who had a cottage on Clear Lake down by Young’s Point. And we looked and looked, but the intention was always to get a place back on the lake because of the attachment.

Finally, we found a place that was a bit run down, and a bit of a wreck, but it had an incredible western view, incredible sunsets. And that was all we needed.

DD: Yeah, it’s a very sweet island property, and we have been there for almost 20 years now. We really like the community. We are very fond of going into Lakefield and supporting local businesses. It’s a very welcoming, homey place. We don’t go there in the winter, as it is an island property. But as soon as the ice goes out, I’m like, “Murray! Come on lets get the water in!” (she laughs) MM: The important question is, when are YOU going to get the water in? (they laugh) DD: We have wonderful neighbours, and don’t take this the wrong way, but they’re not Jet Ski people either. (she laughs) MM: There are kind of two cultures on the lake and sometimes they collide a bit. One culture see’s the lake as one big swimming pool with big boats and stereo systems, and the other culture likes to canoe and sail and appreciate wild life, peace and quiet.

Now, I’m not standing here with my pants up too high, (he laughs) but we just like to cottage. We use our boats to get back and forth from the shore.

Boating is a utility thing not a form of recreation.

We’re kayak people.

ATOTK: Yes, you’re in a perfect spot with Lakefield, and just west of you Buckhorn.

DD: Yeah we go to all the local places and enjoy them. And of course, Murray has played in most of those places.

Page 21

Denise Donlon & Murray McLauchlan

COTTAGE LIFE IN THE KAWARTHAS MM: You’re nothing if you haven’t had a corn dog at the Norwood Fair! (they laugh)

Denise Donlon at Stoney Lake Photo by Kristine Hannah

Murray McLauchlan kayaking

Page 22

Denise Donlon and Stevie Wonder

ATOTK: Both of you impacted my own musical journey in different ways. Murray, from watching you on TV in the early days still recording and touring. What was your musical journey like in those early years?

MM: It was very different than the way it’s now, most certainly. When I was just getting started there wasn’t much of a music scene here. The general feeling was, you had to move to the United States. Which I did briefly in 1969 and I lived there for a year. The reason I came back to Canada was I got a phone call from a guy named Bernie Finklestein who was starting a record label called True North Records. He started to do a record with a guy named Bruce Cockburn and asked me if I wanted to put something together. So I flipped a coin and said sure why not. So I came back to Toronto and got an apartment in Kensington Market and we made a record. We were very fortunate, as two things were happening - one was the advent of FM radio. It wasn’t formatted like AM radio as it didn’t have charts, but had young guys that were spinning records and talking to insomniac university students who were cramming for exams and would play whatever they wanted to play, like a whole side of the record. And no distinction between Bruce Cockburn and the Rolling Stones records. Kids didn’t draw a line between what was coming out of Canada or the US. And the second reason, there was an emergence of nationalism going on in Canada. The feeling of why can’t we appreciate what we can do, why does it have to be from somewhere else. Also, at the time, the pop wave was singer songwriter and that’s what Bruce and I were. So we were able to gain some real traction in the media. I got the chance to get up and do some songs at a Neil Young warm up show for his ‘Tonight’s the Night’ Tour, and the folks in the crowd did back flips. It was noticed

by Management and Neil and the next thing I knew I was on the tour. I got lucky in many respects and am truly grateful for it. Now that being said, you still have to put the work in. The 10,000 hours of work and I got better at what I do. I think my best days are ahead of me.

“I got the chance to get up and do some songs at a Neil Young warm up show”

ATOTK: Denise, back in the day, I liked to take my lawn cutting money to the record store to buy a 45 or album and I would listen to it for weeks. But with NewMusic, MuchMusic and now Streaming Services, was it better when it was more simplistic?

DD: So I’ll answer in two parts. When MuchMusic started (and I came aboard 2 years into it) videos were new. So the play list at MuchMusic was like the FM free styling was for Murray. So we would play the Tragically Hip next to Blue Rodeo next to Flock of Seagulls.

And there was a boom of videos. We were getting 500 videos a week and just couldn’t play them all. Hence, Much More Music and specialty shows. But I think there isn’t one central place where there is a focused conversation about music anymore. There was supposed to be this golden age of music, which would offer everyone easy access to global markets. But the challenge is that as an independent artist you’re responsible for your own marketing, promotion and distribution, and expected to tweet every two hours hoping to build a fan base. I don’t want my artists spending their 10,000 hours on social media. I want them to focus on their craft. So the ‘golden age’ made artists into hustlers and I’m not sure that it serves the art. For emerging artists, it’s harder to make money at it now and it’s harder to have a career.

ATOTK: What would be your advice be to a young, aspiring Musician/Artist today?

DD: Work on the art first. Lead with the art. Put your 10,000 hours into the art and then when you get a following continue with management, distribution and the rest of it. It’s hard. You’ll need help and people around you that believe in you. I’m not de-crying the advances of the music industry. Things change as they go. But it’s two decades with the illegal file sharing.

We’ve been struggling to reinvent and there’s opportunities for some and others have to refigure how they’re going to work in this new economy. One of the challenges is there is a value gap for these artists, and the artists aren’t being compensated. I mean, if you had a hit on FM/AM radio, you could probably go out and buy a nice car. But the money people get for

streaming is very, very tiny.

ATOTK: Negativity aside, what do you love about the Music Industry now?

MM: I still record with True North Records. I still put records out. I’m still doing what I do, and realizing that what I love about it is making music.

And the rewarding thing to that is our son loves RUSH and the musicianship and people that can play and are not heavily synthesized.

The thing I love about the music industry now is you can walk around with the universe on your phone with the access to choice. Now, at the cottage we have a giant wall of vinyl and a great record player. You put your headphones on at night and look at the artwork and read who played what. That’s pretty special. You know, it helped who we became and we found our tribes through music. So it’s the best of both worlds.

ATOTK: I will swim to this Island Cottage to see this wall and then I will swim back. I promise. (laughs) (Continued on page 24) Page 23

Denise Donlon & Murray McLauchlan

COTTAGE LIFE IN THE KAWARTHAS ATOTK Best Gig you ever had?

MM: The first night I ever played Massey Hall in Toronto. To be playing where I watched so many others as a ticket holder. And that was the first time my father, who was in the front row, had ever seen me perform.

DD: I have a terrible memory so my best gig would have to be the most recent, which was the National Arts Centre for the Governor General’s Performing Arts Awards. It was Sandra Oh and the NAC Orchestra. And it was just phenomenal! Loved it to death.

ATOTK: Worst gig you ever had, like Spinal Tap Puppet Show bad?

MM: (laughs) Now this is going back to when dinosaurs walked the earth (laughs). There was a Spaghetti House in the University district of Toronto and my Agent/Manager got me a gig singing there. Basically singing to people talking, clinking glasses and chomping on spaghetti. And of course I was an insufferable prick and totally up my own backside about how important my art was. So I was telling people to shush and shut up. I have grown up since then. (he laughs)

Denise Donlin and Leonard Cohen

ATOTK: You have a tour coming up, Murray. Tickets on the website.

Any meet and greets?

MM: Absolutely. We go out every night and meet people and kiss babies and sometimes sign strange body parts. (he laughs) ATOTK: Thank you guys so very much for your time I will see you around the Kawarthas soon.

DD & MM: Thanks Jay! You’re awesome!

Denise posing by the lake

ATOTK reached out to Bernie Finkelstein, founder of True North Records, to comment. Bernie’s personal and professional relationship with Murray McLauchlan goes back more than 50 years, and they continue to be friends to this day.

“He is an awesomely talented songwriter and performer. His appeal was immediate, and we did very well together. I’m a huge fan of Murray, I love him and he’s fantastic.”

Murray McLauchlan www.murraymclauchlan.com Denise Donlon Twitter @donlin Page 24

Jay Cooper with Denise and Murray Photo by Kristine Hannah

The Rice Lake Sunken Railway The Railway that was doomed to fail In 1834, the Cobourg Railroad Company was chartered to build a railway from Cobourg to Peterborough, crossing Rice Lake. This was one of the first two railroad charters issued in Canada.

The concept began in 1831 when several businessmen from Cobourg contracted F. P. Rubidge to survey possible routes. The Rebellion of 1837 happened and the plan was forgotten until 1846. This is when Samuel Gore revived the idea as the Cobourg and Rice Lake Plank Road and Ferry Company. His plank road didn’t survive past the first couple of winters.

In 1852 a new plan was chartered for the Cobourg and Peterborough Railway. The official sod turning for construction was performed on Feb. 7, 1853. Farmers along the way contributed wood from the forests and labour from their horse teams. The old plank road bed was used, but in 1854 a labour shortage was caused by the Crimean War and labour rates rose to $1.00 for a 12 hour day. German labour was brought in and tragically, 14 of them perished that year to Cholera. When completed at the end of 1854 the trestle was nearly 5 kilometers long, making it the longest railway bridge in North America at the time. A 36 metre swing bridge was installed to allow boat navigation.

In 1855 John Fowler took over as chief engineer and he began to fill in the cribs below the trusses from Harwood to Tic Island in an effort to secure them from the winter’s damage. The railway manager, D’Arcy Boulton, continually defended the railway, claiming that Samuel Zimmerman hadn’t properly completed the line. Boulton suggested that a half a million cubic yards of fill could be dumped into the remaining open cribs, and that would solve the trestle problem permanently.

The first train from Cobourg to Peterborough ran the 45.8 km track on December 29, 1854. Celebrations were a little premature, as ice damaged the trestle just three days later. The line was shut down until it could be repaired in the spring. The seventeen truss sections that ran south between the drawbridge and Tic Island

Drawbridge

By Steve Cook Hiking the GTA @hikingthegta

Bridge shifted & damaged by ice

Aerial of where the railway ran through these idlands

were shoved hard enough that the span on the abutment on the island was displaced by four feet (see picture above). Ice damaged the bridge again in the winters of 1856-57, 1859-60 and fatally damaged it in 1860-61. Parts of the trestle collapsed and some claim that a rival railway had removed some of the bolts from the truss sections. The trestle was permanently closed, and the railway from Hiawatha to Peterborough was abandoned.

The line was sold in 1866 to the Marmora Iron Works for $100,000, but the citizens of Cobourg had invested ten times that much. The company planned to bring iron from a mine on Crowe Lake to Trent Bridge at the northern end of Rice Lake by rail. The venture went well until 1873, when the the iron market collapsed. This led to the closure of the mine, and by 1877 the company was again bankrupt. Parts of the railway line were absorbed into the Grant Trunk Railway in 1893.

The water level in Rice Lake was raised by about eight feet in the 1920’s when the Trent Severn Waterway was constructed. The rail berm was originally built 4 feet above the high water mark.

In 1996, it was possible to make your way a considerable distance from the shore along the old causeway.

It’s now been 165 years since a train made the crossing, but the remains of the Cobourg & Peterborough Railway still have their story to tell.

Page 25

ATV TrailS

By Carolyn Richards President, Kawartha ATV Association katva.ca

IN THE KAWARTHAS In

2009, when I first began volunteering for KATVA, the Vice President at the time was Raymond Nesbitt. Raymond had been seriously injured in an accident that left him a parapalegic. His injuries didn’t hold him back because not only were he and his wife Marilyn hard working volunteers for the club, but they were also avid riders.

Page 26

we are seeing a huge growth in recreation ATV’s & ROV’s

“You can even ride into Fenelon Falls on your ATV for lunch or dinner.”

Raymond’s ATV had been slightly modified to make it safer for him to straddle the seat, and his wheelchair could be fastened to rack on the back of the ATV. At the time ROVs (side by sides) had not really been marketed in Ontario for recreational use, they were generally used for farming and commercial purposes only.

Come to 2019 and we’re seeing a huge growth in motorized recreation including ATV’s and ROV’s.

Motorized wheelchairs and mobility scooters will only take you so far on the trails. The introduction of ROVs to the off road market has created a level playing field for those who may not have been able to enjoy the sport otherwise. Those with physical limitations whether due to age, injuries or other challenges can now take advantage of the opportunities that ROVs provide. ROVs can be modified to include hand controls for those who need them, and also provide added safety features such as seatbelt harnesses.

Even if operation of an ROV is not an option for someone they still have the opportunity to enjoy what nature has to offer as a passenger. For some people this is the only chance they have to enjoy the trails and nature first hand.

We are seeing the largest growth in new KATVA membership from people who are buying their first ROV because they can no longer physically ride an ATV or they want a machine big enough to take their family. No longer is motorized recreation just a sport for dad to enjoy. More and more we’re seeing families hitting the trails together and ROVs provide such a great opportunity for quality family time .

Most ROVs come equipped with a box on the back that allows you to carry a cooler and have a trailside lunch.

use the shoulder of any road that ATVs already have access to which means all roads north of County Rd 8 and Glenarm Rd, as well as through the village of Fenelon Falls. This opens up a whole new world for ROV owners in our area. They can now drive in to Fenelon Falls for gas and meals after enjoying a day on the trails or drive up to Kinmount and have a picnic near the water.

Our hope is that the 7 month trial period will be successful and lead into the City of Kawartha Lakes making access to the trails permanent for ROVs, including the Victoria Rail Trail going south all the way to Bethany. This will open the doors for more family enjoyment of the sport and more tourism dollars for the communities involved. Always check with your local club to find out what the rules are before riding.

Kawartha ATV Association and their trail systems are some of the best trails in Ontario. New trails are opened every year for their riders and they continue to work with adjacent municipalities to create access for their riders. There is really no end in sight.

The biggest challenge facing all ROV owners today is accessibility to the trails. In April 2019 the City of Kawartha Lakes council granted permission to KATVA on a 7 month trial basis for ROVs to access the Victoria Rail Trail from Northline Rd just north of Fenelon Falls up to Kinmount. The bylaw amendments also allow access to all the trails in the Somerville Forest Tract. The City of Kawartha Lakes road bylaw was amended to allow ROVs to

Page 27

boating

in the kawarthas

by Heather Jackson Fenelon Falls Marina

PURCHASING A BOAT? WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE YOU BUY Buying a boat is a big financial decision, much like purchasing a car. Before you begin looking for a boat it is essential to consider many factors so that you choose the perfect boat for your family’s needs.

Points to ponder before you begin your search: What type of boat/style would you like?

How are you going to use the boat?

Where are you going to use the boat?

How many people must the boat accommodate?

Will you keep the boat for many years?

How much will the boat maintenance /storage costs be?

Will you need a trailer?

•What is your total budget?

Exterior Visual Inspection Points Propeller damage; Hull damage – recent painting, different paint tones; Bubbling or blistering of fibreglass;

Once you have considered all of this you need to make the biggest decision.

Should you buy a new or a pre-owned boat?

New boats are more reliable and require much less maintenance. They come with a warranty, are sold through dealers and eliminate some of the risks of buying a preowned boat. If you plan to own the boat for a long time, it is worth spending the extra money to buy a new one. If a new boat is out of the question, there is plenty to learn before you purchase a pre-owned boat.

The Pre-Owned Used Boat Buying Process When searching for the ideal pre-owned boat it is important to get an idea of the general price range for similar boats for sale. There are many websites for selling boats that will give you a fair idea of what the value of the boat is. Ensure you do a lot of research on the brand as there are brands that have had persistent issues that will affect the value of the boat. Another source to check the value of a boat the Boat Value Book (published anually).

Once you have an idea of what the value of the boat is you should check out Boattest.ca or Boattest.com to see people’s unbiased reviews.

Page 28

Rotten wood in the deck, flooring, transom; Loose, broken, or missing rails, snaps, rope guides; Windshield condition; Condition of bimini /covers; Broken or missing navigation lights; Upholstery condition.

Water Test/ Drive You wouldn’t buy a car without test driving it first, would you? Same holds true with a boat, even more so than a car. Boats are finicky creatures. They tend to require more attention and maintenance than cars.

When you test drive the boat, pay close attention to the following things while underway. It’s a good idea to take along a few people on the test drive. Added weight in a boat can affect its performance and quickness.

Be attentive to the following on your test drive: Vibration - This could mean many things Functioning Trim - For Inboard/outboard, does it work?

“You need to make the biggest decision: Should you buy a new or a pre-owned boat?”

Response- Test the steering Planing- How long it takes the boat to come on plane?

Shifting- Slips smoothly into gear, or does it jump?

Reverse- Does it work in reverse?

Gauges & Instruments- Do they work?

Bilge- Does it work?

Battery- How old is it? Crank size?

Flooring- Softness, sponginess, mildew or rotten wood Maintenance History on the Boat What major repairs were made to the boat? If a lot of work has been done, chances are there will be lots to come. Is the boat is still under warranty? Ask who the mechanic was and make sure to talk to them.

Certified Mechanical Inspection This is important if you are buying a pre-owned boat from a private person. It is critical to make it a condition in your offer. If the price seems too good to be true, then likely there is an issue with the boat. Having an inspection is absolutely worth the money.

It will generally come with no warranty, so you need to check it out carefully to avoid making an expensive mis-

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take. Reputable marinas and boat dealers will inspect pre-owned boats and offer a limited warranty. This does not eliminate the necessity to do a water test prior to purchase. This added service and some the peace of mind, will make the price of the boat more, but it may save you endless surprises and issues in years to come.

Closing the Sale for a Used Boat Verify that the (PCL) licence number on the boat matches the number on the ownership document. It must also be registered in the seller’s name.

The PCL number is registered at Service Canada. Ensure it is registered in the seller’s name. You don’t want to buy a stolen boat. This is a huge issue in the marine industry. Get a bill of sale for the boat that is signed by the owner, and get separate bills of sale for the boat and trailer. It‘s easier for paying the sales taxes.

Be an informed, educated buyer. Buying a pre-owned boat privately can be a great experience. If something sounds too good to be true, it likely is. If you are buying a boat and need some help, a local marina/boat dealer will help you to ensure you have a terrific experience.

BOATING

Keeping it Fun and Safe

By Karen Irvine

Along with the memories and good times that boating brings, there is also the safety side.

It’s important to make sure your vessel is working properly, and that you know the rules of the waterways before heading out. Here is some information to help you enjoy your time on the water.

Ensure that you have all the required safety equipment on board. The minimum requirements are based upon the craft’s length. For a motorized craft no greater than 6 metres (19’ 8”) in length, the following equipment is required: Life Jackets - A Canadian-approved personal flotation device (PFD) or lifejacket, for each person on board; Buoyant Heaving Line - A buoyant heaving line 15 metres (50’) long; Paddle and Anchor - Manual propelling device or anchor with at least 15 metres of rope, cable or chain; Bailer and Hand Pump; Sound-signaling device; Navigation Lights - If the craft is used between sunset and sunrise or during periods of reduced visibility, i.e. mist and rain; Fire Extinguisher - Class 5BC fire extinguisher for any craft with an inboard motor, fixed fuel tank, and/or any fuel-burning cooking, heating or refrigeration units; Flashlight - A waterproof flashlight or 3 Canadian approved flares (type A, B or C flares); License - A vessel license if your craft is outfitted, even temporarily, with any motor of 10 hp (7.5 kW) or more. Ensure you carry a copy.

The two last items are not mandatory if your craft is not equipped with a motor (canoe, kayak, etc.).

All requirements apply to you even if you are just renting or borrowing a craft, regardless of its size.

The responsibility for possessing required equipment is shared equally by the lessor and lessee.

The equipment must be in good working order.

Alcohol Consumption Fatigue, sun, wind and the rocking movement of the boat may dull your senses. Alcohol intensifies this effect, reducing your reaction time, your judgment and, your ability to navigate your craft.

It is as dangerous and illegal to boat while under the influence of alcohol, as it is to drive a vehicle Page 30

on land while intoxicated. Impaired operation of a watercraft is illegal and constitutes an infraction of the Criminal Code of Canada. Anyone operating a watercraft while under the influence of alcohol could result in them losing their automobile driver’s license.

In case of emergency, it is important to know how to send distress signals and ask for help. On waters serviced by the Coast Guard, the VHF marine radio is generally the most effective way to broadcast your distress. Use channel 16 and repeat “Mayday” three times.

VHF Marine Radio •A cell phone is also a means of asking for help.

Some cellular providers also offer the *16 service to reach the Coast Guard. Should you find yourself in need of assistance on waters not serviced by the Coast Guard, call the police by dialing 911.

If you are planning a longer excursion of several days, you may wish to consider obtaining a satellite phone or an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB), which transmits a coded signal used only in times of distress. On activation of the EPIRB signal, Canadian search and rescue resources are deployed to your rescue.

EPIRB The Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon must be registered with the Canadian Beacon Registry by calling 1-800-727-9414.

Working from home It’s a Double Edged Blade

by Danielle French South Pond Farms www.southpondfarms.ca

Working from home is something that more and more people are doing. For many of us, it is the perfect

solution, not as much driving, being more connected as a parent, quiet, freedom to work without an office structure. Technology has made it possible for certain businesses to work from anywhere and it’s altered what we think of as a workplace.

When I moved to this farm I never thought I would start an event based business, nor did I think my home would have such an impact on my business and the other way around. I didn’t think that I would need a proper space to work.

Things have evolved over the past 12 years from family homestead to thriving home-based event business. In our first season at the farm, the house badly needed improvements; new roof, plumbing and electrical, the rooms hadn’t been painted in decades and the floors needed redoing.

There was a large two car garage attached to the house that had been added much later to the original 1860’s farmhouse. Not needing the garage, we converted it into a family room with windows on three sides facing east, west and south. It is a sunny spot with a perfect view of the barn and the fields. The downside, the room is not well if at all insulated and we froze that first winter until we put in a small propane stove. Nevertheless, with a TV, a table for school projects and comfortable seating, the girls and I lived in that room watching endless reruns of Gilmore Girls, doing homework, playing board games.

The first few years, the family room remained just that. I had a small space off the kitchen with a desk that I used for an office, finishing up my design work in the city, or managing the mailing list and orders for my new food delivery service, Farm Flavours. This small office space wasn’t insulated either, but I had a heater at my feet which made it tolerable in the colder months.

Things began to get busier. Now we were holding weddings at the farm and I needed filing space for correspondence and accounting and then an employee joined us and then more employees.

I took a little corner of the family room over for all of

Photo by zsuzsipalphotography

these goings on. A little corner became a larger corner and then a few years ago, I asked the girls if I might claim the entire space. The girls understood and were supportive, but despite their good humour it was another way that the business infiltrated our family life and over time, losing more and more of our privacy. This is definitely the challenge in having a home-based business.

Having possession of the family room, over the years, I moved the furniture around a dozen times. Moving desks in for more staff, struggling to maintain a comfortable seating area selfishly for me to use with coffee and watch the sun rise while writing or going over emails.

In all honesty, it’s a double-edged blade, I love where I live and I love where I work. For most businesses, privacy loss wouldn’t play a role; for others, it does. It’s certainly something to consider before beginning something.

I grumble about it from time to time and about how many times things get moved around from room to room, but I also wouldn’t trade it in for any other way of life.

Page 31 Page 31

Women and Motorcycles Featuring

Charlene Hinan

by Sandy Bird The Frozen Canuck www.thefrozencanuck.ca

Growing up, Charlene Hinan was no stranger to motorcycles. Motorcycles are a family affair that

was influenced by her father’s passion for them, especially for Harleys. His passion had her riding on the back of a bike since she could remember. “I had never considered riding my own bike.”

When she received a gift certificate for a motorcycle course in 2003, her days of riding pillion would forever change.

The motorcycle safety course gave her the confidence and empowerment she needed to venture out on her own. She was hooked on riding her own and has never looked back.

That summer she bonded with her first bike, a 1990 Honda Hawk. She road alongside her Dad putting on the miles and honing her newly acquired riding skills.

In 2007 she joined the family business at Classy Chassis & Cycles. It is based on her Dad’s vision of a friendly place for all riders and all things motorcycle. “Dad built for everyone the motorcycle field of dreams.” One of Charlene’s roles at Classy Chassis & Cycles is to lead group rides on her 2009 Harley Davidson CVO Road Glide. On occasion she is presented with the stigma that a woman is leading a ride, but her exceptional skills soon squashes those old-fashioned ideals. “Gender does not determine the competency of a rider. Years of experience and accepting the responsibility of the safety of your fellow riders while making it all fun is what counts.”

Charlene is a seasoned traveller and has ridden on epic rides across Canada and the USA. Her adventures have brought her to exotic places like Hawaii and touring through Germany, France and England. As spectacular those rides are, her favorite place is right in her own backyard in the Kawarthas. She boasts that in any direction the scenic roads will lead to magnificent lakes and fabulous restaurants to stop at for a spell. “I have visited places on a motorcycle I never would have ventured to in a car, but on a motorcycle it is an entirely different experience, you smell the water, the fresh cut grass, you hear the wind blowing the leaves in the trees, you stop at obscure monuments, gas stations, motels and you meet the neatest people who tell wonderful stories and offer places for you to explore that you won’t find in a guide book.”

When asked about her motorcycle gear, she insisted that she couldn’t live without her transitional glasses. When Page 32

Charlene (left) and friend, Collette, at Mount Washington

Leading a ride for Classy Chassis

riding from sun up to sun down, having glasses that will automatically adjust to the varying lighting conditions while out on the road is a must have.

Keep in touch with Charlene: Facebook: www.facebook.com/usedhd.ca Instagram: classy_chassis_and_cycles

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by Margaret Swaine Columnist and Author www.margaretswaine.com

GETAWAY CAPE BRETON When Cabot Links opened in 2012, nestled between

Inverness and the Gulf of St Lawrence over abandoned coal mines in Cape Breton, the excitement in the golf world was palpable. Canada’s first true links course, it was a beauty. Then, in 2016 when its sister course Cabot Cliffs created by one golf’s most respected architectural teams Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw opened, if the destination wasn’t already on the bucket lists of serious golfers around the world, it was now.

Cabot Links 11th Hole

Fairways meander over dunes, cross ravines, flirt with the edges of steep drops to the sea and tumble down from high forest-lined glades. In the latest 2018 rankings Cabot Cliffs is #9 on Golf Digest’s World’s 100 Greatest Golf Courses and Cabot Links is #43. In 2017, Architectural Digest named it in “8 of the World’s Most Beautiful Golf Courses”. It’s the real deal.

Golf today is played on more than 30,000 courses worldwide but only 246 of them—less than 1 percent—may be classified as links according to the list that The Links Association has put together. Of these a whopping 210 are in the British Isles. North America boasts only five links courses of which Cabot Links is the only one in Canada.

Cabot Cliffs Gof Course

On Cabot Links, designed by Canadian golf course architect Rod Whitman, every hole offers an ocean view and five holes play directly adjacent to the beach. Cabot Cliffs offers postcard-worthy panoramas and rolling fairways that is linksland golf at its best. With accommodation overlooking the fairways, golfers can wake up to that beckoning beauty every morning.

On my last visit to Cabot a couple of years ago, two and four bedroom villas were being built. Designed by awardwinning architect Omar Gandhi, and now open, each villa features a fully customized kitchen with premium appliances, a modern open design and private deck.

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Cabot Links 18th Hole

My large, modern room in the main lodge with its stunning views over Cabot Links and the Gulf of St. Lawrence was less than a minute walk away from Panorama, the picturesque fine dining restaurant on-site. Local and

Cape Cliffs Golf Course

seasonal were key to the ever evolving menu. While the sun set in spectacular colours, I dined on snow crab salad and buttery perfectly poached Cape Breton lobster served with grilled potato salad, cheddar chive biscuit and asparagus. The wine list had over a dozen Nova Scotia wines by the bottle including the impressive champagne method Benjamin Bridge Brut.

On the ground floor of the same building is the Cabot Bar, where you can watch golfers finish their round on the 18th hole of Cabot Links while grabbing a quick post-round snack or lingering over a drink on the greenside patio. The menu includes creamy east coast seafood chowder, Canadian beef burgers, lobster rolls and freshly chucked local Mabou Harbour oysters.

Between the Lodge and the main street of Inverness, The Cabot Public House is just what you would want in a local pub: tasty food, friendly staff, live music and an outdoor patio. Dishes include a Cape Breton lobster boil, fish cakes, Nova Scotia mussels, poutine, and classic pub fare such as Buffalo wings and loaded nachos. www. cabotlinks.com

Cape Breton Scenic Roads

music in the Washback Pub featuring Cape Breton musicians during the tourist season (about mid-May to late October). You can order up tastings of their whiskies while tapping your toes to the rhythm.

The menu at their Warehouse Restaurant is the creation of Executive Chef Patrick MacIsaac, using local ingredients and influenced by traditional Nova Scotian culture. Dishes might include harpoon caught Georges Bank swordfish, fish cakes, mariner’s chowder, belted scallops, free range chicken and ribs and beef. www.glenoradistillery.com Of course no visit to Cape Breton is complete without experiencing The Cabot Trail, a road which winds its way along the northern tip of the island revealing spectacular scenery at most every turn. Museums, galleries, and local attractions showcasing Gaelic and Acadian culture are dotted along its 298 kilometres. www.cbisland.com/cabot-trail As their slogan goes, “Cape Breton Island … Your heart will never leave.”

Just a short ten minute drive away is the perfect 19th hole for whisky lovers, Glenora Distillery, home to North America’s first single malt whisky. Glenora Distillery, which started production in June 1990, produces their spirits in traditional copper pot stills using only barley, yeast and water from Glenora Falls which flows through their property.

All their whiskies are aged in once used bourbon casks and the Glen Breton Rare Ice is finished in ex-ice wine casks from Jost Vineyards for three months. I loved their peated product, Glen Breton 12 Year Old Cask. Extra special are Glen Breton Silver Anniversary Edition 25 Year Old and Bruce Jardine 25 Year Old, released to celebrate Glenora’s 25th anniversary a couple of years ago.

The Scottish influence is strong in this part of Nova Scotia with Gaelic still being spoken and the sound of fiddles at every turn. Glenora is no exception offering daily live

Cabot Links Culinary Delights

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Drew Hayden Taylor

By Karen Irvine

Award Winning Author and Playwrite

I met Drew for lunch at Charlotte Anne’s Restaurant in Peterborough to find out what makes him tick. The perfect atmosphere to just sit, chat and enjoy a meal. Drew is an Award-winning Author who writes in a variety of styles.

He’s a handsome, First Nations Indigenous man, with blue eyes and blonde hair. At first glance, he doesn’t look Indigenous. He was born and raised on Curve Lake, and lived there until he was 18. He kicked around Toronto doing odd jobs for awhile - the Canadian Native Arts Foundation, and as a training producer for CBC radio. He’s back living on Curve Lake for 14 years.

Drew is about exploring both genre and medium, and is primarily known as a play writer. He has written over 20 plays and approximately 100 productions. He has 2 novels, 2 collections of short stories, several collections of essays and articles, and 32 books. His writing focus is on Aboriginal culture and humour (the Indigenous funny bone, as he calls it). His 33rd book, Chasing Painted Horses, will be released in the fall.

Drew’s first serious writing credit was in 1987 for the television series ‘The Beach Combers’ at age 25, and his first publication was in 1990. A humorous collection of personal essays on identity called ‘Funny You Don’t Look Like One – Observations of a Blue Eyed Ojibway’ put Drew on the map 25 years ago.

He wanted to be a writer for most of his childhood, but his grade 11 English Teacher at Lakefield District SS told him there was no point, he couldn’t make a living at it. His mother wasn’t too impressed either, so he let it go for 7 or 8 years. It wasn’t until his mid 20’s that the fever got the better of him. “It wasn’t a matter of me tracking down and conquering my art, my art literally had to track me down and remind me that I am a writer. And I always liked being a writer. You create short stories or a play. You are essentially creating a universe”, says Drew, “And the thing I discovered that I thought was really cool as a teenager, was that I had more control over the universe I created than the universe I lived in. And that appealed to me. It was a bizarre series of circumstances. I was writing an article and adapting native stories for television, and a producer suggested I submit story ideas. I did, and they bought my first one”.

Playwriting was easy for Drew. “I grew up across the road from my Grandparents, and they would have

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“Drew’s first serious writing credit was ... for the television series ‘The Beach Combers” bonfires where aunts, uncles and cousins would come and tell funny stories. And when you think about theatre, it’s telling stories through dialogue. And I grew up surrounded by dialogue.”

Drew’s first novel, The Night Wanderer (a native Vampire story), was published in the early 2000’s. He wrote it in the early 1990’s and decided to adapt it as a novel 10 years later. “If nobody wants it, it’s not so much a comment on what you have written, but it may not be it’s time. So when I got the opportunity to write a novel, I shook the dust off it. And the reason it didn’t work as a play, was that it was meant to be a novel.” ‘Motorcycles and Sweetgrass’ was rejected by three publishers.

Drew’s advice to aspiring writers is, “If it failed, don’t throw it out. It’s either not it’s time or not it’s way of expression. Sometimes rewriting is setting it aside for months or years separating it so you can look at it with objective eyes.”

Drew loves celebrating and featuring Indigenous humour. “A good chunk of contemporary native literature deals with the dark, bleak, sad and angry prospect of indigenous life. Almost all of the characters coming out of contemporary literature are oppressed, depressed or suppressed. I have been very lucky to have traveled to over 140 native communities in Canada and the States, and everywhere I’ve been, I’ve been greeted with a laugh, a smile and a joke, and I wasn’t seeing this in a lot of literature.” Drew went on to say, “An Elder on the Blood Reserve in Alberta said humour is the WD40 of healing. And that stuck with me.”

I asked if he see things as leveling out, where Indigenous writers won’t be considered a separate genre? “I definitely think so.”

Does he feel Indigenous people segregate themselves by identifying mostly with their background? “That’s a very interesting question, because for awhile I used to be one of the planners for a festival in Eden Mills, and was asked to organize the Indigenous Authors Stage.

One author sent a very angry letter to the Board of Directors, saying he doesn’t appreciate being segregated on a literary reserve. He said he is as talented and as successful as mainstream writers, and asked why he couldn’t be on the other stage. I asked people this question, they said they like having the Aboriginal area.

They came to see the Aboriginal Writers and could see them on one stage.

Drew Hayden Taylor has received too many accolades to mention, you can find them on his website, www. drewhaydentaylor.com. The hour that I spent with Drew was most enjoyable. He has an exciting view on life and his positive spirit is like a breath of fresh air.

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Pets of the Kawarthas

A Beautiful Tribute

By Alice Dane

While I was swiping away through Facebook, I found this beautiful tribute to Frodo.

I think every pet owner can relate, so I thought I would share it with you. This is for all the amazing fur parents out there.

My daughters introduced me to him in 2003.

He was a bit younger than they were. He was an orphan. So we made the arrangements to adopt him and he became part of the family. Like all of us, he had issues, and maybe more than most.

But time and nurturing and teachable moments cured the worst of those.

He never did learn to speak, but was able to communicate through gesture and emphasis.

He grew up strong. He could run like the wind and had stamina to keep that up forever. He was territorial, but he saw his job as not only looking after himself, but the four of us. It became apparent when he was older that he would stand up for us against all odds. He had no fear.

He could swim like a fish, and indeed in the summer months spent a lot of time around the pool. He was no vegetarian and was known to sneak a piece of your steak if you weren’t looking.

He did not laugh a lot. He had a serious temperament, but he loved to make people laugh. That was what he lived for. He was an early riser - the early bird gets the worm. And he used to love gazing out the window. For hours he would just watch the activity outside. He was not much for school, so we ended up home

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schooling him. But I am not sure we were the best teachers. He had a real problem with authority that we never could teach out of him … he just came that way.

As the years went by, his speed decreased and his girth increased, and gradually we had to add aids so he could sit on the couch and get into bed. Oddly enough, he passed us in age. And gradually we had to then lift him onto the couch and lift him into bed.

His hearing declined and his eyesight dimmed, but he always recognized his surroundings and our voices. But gradually over the last year his health declined to the point where he slept most of the day. And then a week ago he collapsed. And these episodes gradually became more frequent.

So ... a bit earlier today I took him for a drive ... something that he learned to enjoy over the last few years. But I didn’t bring him back. It was not a goodbye in a sense, but a moving on. A moving on we both knew we would have to face when we first met 16 years ago when his time with us would be over.

He has reached his destination, but I am still traveling. I am lost right now, no direction home.

There simply are no words .. and no music … but there are memories … and I know they, and time, will allow his memory to help me find my bearings once again.

Haute Goat

Have you ever Schmurgled a Goat?

By Gertrude Bytes

If you have never been to Haute Goat, I strongly suggest you plan a day trip to visit. The farm is the most unusual, fun place I’ve been for quite awhile. Their livestock are not your usual group - Nigerian Dwarf Goats, Huacaya Alpacas, Exotic Chickens, Icelandic Horses, Apiary, Tornjak Livestock Guardian Dogs and a big, silly mule named “Lucy”.

Debbie is an energetic woman who is a self proclaimed Ex-Pat from Toronto. Debbie has always loved animals and her husband, Shane, never did.

One day Shane asked her if she wants to get a place in the country, and Debbie says she almost lost her mind and couldn’t believe it. Three weeks later they bought their first farm. She says she broke every rule of being a farmer, and bought the Alpacas because they are cute. As she got to know more about them, they are very fascinating animals with very diverse personalities.

Photo by Pat Street

I met up with Debbie Nightingale amidst the construction of a new building. It will be a restaurant, coffee shop and store where you can buy Alpaca socks and insoles, goat milk soap, skin care, goat milk butter caramel corn and other items.

They have 200 scenic acres with walking trails all throughout the property. Guests can walk, cross country ski, photography clubs or bike. Debbie also has farmers who do stuff on the property, such as growing buckwheat, and apiaries. When the buckwheat comes up, and the flowers are there, it’s like a carpet of bees with an amazing hum in the air.

While you are there, go for an Experience: The Alpaca Knuffle Shuffle. Alpacas have an incredible ability to bring balance and calm through the connection created on a hike through the fields in the beautiful rolling hills on the farm.

The Goat Shmurgle. Experience the joy of connecting with the Nigerian Dwarf Goats in a playground designed just for them. Debbie made up the name ‘Shmurgle’ for the goat Experience. She says she made the name up because it sounds happy and fun.

This leads to the next Experience, Goat Yoga! Goat Yoga is in the goat playground. The goats are curious, engaging and totally game to do downward goat with you.

Farm Life Workshops offer classes to make goats milk, soap, jam, and sushi making. Or spend the day in the Horse Whisperer class, learning to connect with them.

Making the Transition From City to Country. This Workshop was started to teach people about farm life.

Debbie just loves to make people happy. There is something about the goats that captures your heart. For those of you who just can’t get enough, they have AirBNB rooms. www.hautegoat.com Page 39

Kitchen Renos

What you need to know before you start

Contributed by: Bonnie Moore, Patefacio Design Inc. 905-717-7937

Many renovations begin, leaving details, timelines, budgets and planning to an undetermined schedule. This is NOT HGTV! A renovation is often one of the largest expenses you will ever encounter, depending on the size.

This is your home and your investment. It needs your time and attention. Have some fun along the way! A renovation rarely goes without a hitch but with careful planning and discussion, problems can be kept at a minimum.

There are so many items like cabinets, hardware, sink, faucet, flooring and appliances, colour, design, lighting and price. And, what IS the budget?

A full discussion is necessary to ensure you don’t get heavily into a renovation only to find there is no more money for those beautiful handles you wanted. It’s a super important conversation to have, not only with your designer, but also with your spouse and your banker.

In the beginning, and I suggest minimum 3 months of planning, seek your Contractor, look at several design studios for ideas, budget, create a folder of ‘likes’, check out websites for designs and create relationships with your suppliers. For example, I have created relationships with Stradwicks, Chemong Home Hardware, Kawartha Hardware, Lane Construction, Upper Canada Castcrete, SCF Countertops and others. Why these particular stores or contacts? Because I know, based on experience, that when I send a client their way, they will be dealt with professionally, get good pricing and get the education they need and most of all, they will show up on time, when they say they will.

Another common question is, how much is a kitchen? Well, the same exact space can hold a $10,000 kitchen versus a $40,000 kitchen. This is dictated cabinet style (shaker or raised panel), wood (Oak or Cherry), and is there a glazing application that will drive up the cost? All applications or wood can make a large difference in how your kitchen is priced. Other items to consider are Page 40

special features of the kitchen. For example, a Lazy Susan, recycle bins, pull out shelves, glass shelving, wine cubes, plate rails, microwave shelves, all the ‘fancy’ items that make a kitchen looks super great in all the Pinterest pictures, add up to costly additions.

For maximum longevity, my personal attack on design is to create simple spaces, not too many costly gadgets and give you a project on budget with items that will last. After all, this is an investment that you want for years to come.

The MOST important conversation in my world is COLOUR! What colour are we doing? Also, it is important to understand that White is not white is not white.

There are many shades of white and depending on your countertop choice, you may require a custom white. I see in colour; that is my Super Power. But the everyday individual cannot see a complete project or its colour in their minds eye. So I often refer to concept pictures on Pinterest to allow my clients to have a vision of how an overall concept will come together. Other areas that play on colour is your home.

What I mean by that is your light, flooring, etc, which

“It is important to budget in your costs of fifteen percent OOPS fund” will take any chosen colour and make it look differ- a kitchen, it is not a heart transplant! We will overent. So don’t blame your designer if your white is come any problem that arises. too yellow.

As a Designer, my ultimate goal is to deliver the Don’t sweat over renovation, get some free kitchen of your dreams, on budget, with minimal advice, ask a lot of questions, plan ahead and upset to your schedule and family and a job that enjoy the fruits of your hard work! will bring you years of joy. Dealing with a small firm like mine, there is one super large benefit, that is I WILL be there when the S*%# hits the fan! Other larger box stores may not answer the phone at 11 pm when you have an issue with an electrical panel.

Your project is my project.

On that note, it is also important to budget in your costs a 15% ‘OOPS’ fund. Why? Because I cannot see behind your walls, dish washer or sink. There could be potential issue there that needs correcting when the time comes to install new cabinets. After 43 installations, I have yet to see a job go without some sort of small calamity. And when that does happen, I say to my clients, (actually before we start!) this is

Photo by Madoxx Media

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TODAYS REAL ESTATE IN A NUTSHELL

Contributed by: Jay Lough Hayes, Sales Representative Re/Max Rouge River Realty Ltd. 705-772-1025

Landscaping is the Number One remodel that pays off -- but kitchens are Number Two. After selling real estate for the past 34 years, I know you have one chance to make a good first impression. Kitchens and bathrooms sell homes.

If a homeowner has only enough money to renovate one room, the kitchen is the room to pick.

Kitchens are the focal point of almost every home showing, and an impressive kitchen will almost always make the difference between an average offer and the maximum offer.

You don’t have to spend a fortune to make a big improvement in your kitchen either. In fact, while a major kitchen remodel returns only around 80% on your investment, a minor remodel has an 87% return. A minor face-lift for your kitchen could include painting cabinets or getting new cabinet doors, installing new appliances, upgrading countertops, or switching out cabinet hardware. There’s just something about new doors and handles and stainless steel appliances that make people want one kitchen over another. The 5 to 15% rule is widely held as the gold standard in helping homeowners estimate and budget the correct amount for remodels. This rule holds that the entire remodel should cost no less than 5% of the current value of the home -- and no more than 15%.

We know that even though kitchens and bathrooms are both great home improvements that increase property value, making energy efficient upgrades will give more bang for your buck. We replaced our over the sink kitchen window to the green house style, triple layer glass. Buyers tend to favour upgraded, energy efficient homes over traditional homes due to the potential long-term savings. Upgrade HVAC, water heaters, and windows. When you sell, you can recoup around 73% of the costs of upgrading 10 old windows with new ones, and your energy bills will be lower in the time before your move.

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A new coat of interior paint can produce a 109% return on investment, but could benefit you even more if your home’s colors are unusual. $50 worth of paint will net you $500, everyday.

If you want to stick with a small kitchen reno in the $5,000 range, the best course of action in most cases is to spend a lot of money on the materials and do the work yourself. If you have a budget large enough to do a remodel in the $20,000 range, it’s more feasible to split your money among professionals, materials and any additional labor or unforeseen costs.

Cabinets make the kitchen’s first impression, and dated kitchen cabinets can detract from the aesthetic appeal of the room. Fortunately, you can change the colour, look and feel of your cabinets without tearing through your bank account.

Every square foot of the kitchen is potential work/ storage area, so adequate cabinet space is a huge plus.

Cabinetry is the biggest-ticket item to prepare for in your budget, usually 30% followed by Labour, Appliances 14%, Countertops 10%, Flooring 3%

“Kitchens are the focal point of almost every home showing.” (depending on the material), Lighting & Plumbing 9%, Doors & Windows, Walls & Ceilings (5% or less).

Consider increasing your living space by creating an outdoor kitchen, another huge reno plus-plus. We have a small 10 x 10 BBQ deck off our kitchen which the cat enjoys, way too small for anything else. It’s time to double that space. In this part of Ontario we have 6 months of deck weather and 6 months of non-deck weather. Composite decking lasts longer but using wood is more affordable for us. The mid-range expense of wood will net our return the same or better. We plan to add a live edge sit up bar, a built in BBQ area and 2 planter boxes for a little garden. If this rain ever stops, enjoy as many days outside as you can and soak up that vitamin D.

Home Inspections

I woke up this morning with a text from my sister, Karen (the Editor), asking for

this months’ column. Procrastination gives me no fears. Karen? Sometimes. It was a nice day, so I took off for a ride to buy accessories for my new motorcycle (yeah,

By Steve Irvine Home Sweet Home I’m that kind of idiot). I spent more than I should have, less than I wanted, and Inspections headed home.

Riding a motorcycle somehow makes you feel more connected with the world. You talk to people more and weirdly assume you will be accepted.

I saw a house with an obviously sagging roofline, enough that it made me look twice. What really caught my attention, was the two guys having a seriously animated conversation on the front lawn.

The engineer in me made me want to stop. The former bouncer in me said park at the end of the driveway and ask respectfully if I could help. I told them I’m a home inspector with an Engineering degree.

One guy was REALLY happy, the other - not so much. I asked what was up and was told a wall had been removed. Not only was the roof sagging, but the exterior walls were bowed out right where the sag was. The Contractor (the not so much guy) stated that there were trusses in the attic, so the walls weren’t important. They were obviously load bearing walls and this contractor had made a big mistake!

I asked if there were permits. The Contractor said they weren’t necessary and are expensive. Cost is somewhere around $500 to have a city official say you have a proper renovation. Having a permit cannot only save you money, but can remove any doubts when you sell.

I left a card and some explicit recommendations, the first being hire an Engineer before you remove structure. I assume another Engineer will get a nice payday or, if they pay me, I get a nice fee for court testimony. Home Inspectors can’t work on what we inspect; it’s a big conflict of interest. Insurance companies do not approve. Permits are required for any structural change. Yes, you can sue later, but it’s usually much cheaper to find out before.

I love riding my bike. You never know how the day will go.

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the face behind the name Doo Doo’s Bakery

Diane Rogers, owner of Doo Doo’s Bakery, is a powerhouse and her buttertarts are the best in Ontario. The awards speak volumes! Her 2018 accomplishments are Royal Winter Fair-R oyal Reserve Grand Champion plus more. Midland Buttertart Festival- Best in Show, Professional Best Buttertart, Professional Best secret ingredient. Kawartha Buttertart Taste Off- Best Classic Buttertart, and Best Gluten Free. So, basically, they won first on the three biggest Buttertart Events. Now THAT’S a trifecta!

Diane has the most infectious laugh and smile! Once you have met her, you will never forget her. She loves cooking, dogs, gardening and being in the country. Although she’s not a camper, she loves cottaging. When it comes to music, her favourite bands are The Sheepdogs and Jade Eagleson. Diane’s favourite Chef is Chef Brian Henry.

Doo Doo’s will be at the Midland Buttertart Festival in June and we wish Diane good luck! She has the booth with the lineup out the door!

Some of their delicious buttertarts are maple bacon, maple whiskey, cheesecake, pumpkin, black current (won the Royal Winter Fair 2018), Strawberry rhubarb crumble (won Midland 2018). www.doodoos.ca

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By Patsy Bail

TEBEY Kawartha’s Own Solo Artist, Writer, Producer

By Jay Cooper Contributor / Musican

Tebey is a Canadian country music singer and multi-genre songwriter. Now living in Nashville,

the Peterborough native has four albums under his belt, including his latest EP “Love A Girl” which features his GOLD-certified single “Denim on Denim” and his latest No.1 single, “Who’s Gonna Love You”. I had the honour of speaking to Tebey, and here is what was talked about.

A Taste of the Kawarthas (ATOTK): Jay Cooper, a Taste of the Kawarthas magazine, from Peterborough Ontario.

Tebey (T): How are ya?

ATOTK: I’m well. Four albums, Canadian Country song of the year, Billboard Chart topper, Producer of the Year and songwriting connections that include One Direction.

T: Yeah, man, it’s been a good run over the last 10 years or so. It’s been great to make a living being in the music business, I’m one of the lucky ones.

ATOTK: Your connection to Peterborough and the area goes way back.

T: Yeah, I call Peterborough my hometown, I was born there. Lived there until my parents took me to Burlington Ontario when I was young, but my parents are still there in Peterborough, pretty much my whole family.

ATOTK: Why do you love the Kawarthas so much?

T: Oh man, just good people, it’s not too big, not to small.

That’s why I’m a fan of Peterborough and the whole Kawarthas in general. Peterborough is a great city, but you get outside of the city and you have some of the best lakes in the country. I’m a golfer. You have some great courses. It’s just a great part of the country to be in.

ATOTK: Tebey Golf Classic on May 31st at Black Diamond Golf Course just happened.

T: We are into our 3rd year and it benefits a great organization, The Greater Peterborough Health Services Foundation. It’s for people that are struggling with mental health, which is something that is close to my heart.

I have struggled with depression and anxiety for years.

I have written numerous letters to my fans to let them know if they are struggling with mental health issues, they’re not the only one. I wanted this tournament to be where I was born and raised and bringing Country music and golf together, two things that I love. It’s just an all around great time.

ATOTK: Music wise, you started singing at a very young age and were competing in singing contests. Your connection to Nashville started early.

T: Yeah, I grew up singing in church. I had a record deal in Nashville when I was still in high school, so my Dad and I moved down to Nashville. But when I was 20, I moved back up and just wrote songs for people,. If I wasn’t going to be an artist, I was going to be a songwriter. I put in the time and effort and had success with that. Eventually, it brought me back full circle to being an artist. For the last 5 or 6 years we have had a good amount of hits. We are getting ready for my first headlining tour in Feb 2020. I miss Canada, but these days Nashville is home to me. (continued on page 46)

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“It’s great to make a living being in the music business.”

ATOTK: Are video’s still important?

T: Well, they are. But videos like the Thriller million dollar videos just aren’t there anymore simply because we just don’t have a platform like MTV or MuchMusic. They don’t really exist anymore, so it’s all about YouTube. So they’re not as important as they use to be.

Photos by Francesca Ludikar

ATOTK: What are some of the artists you have written for and worked with?

T: In 2004 I had a couple of songs on Canadian Idol and worked with Shawn Desman. We had a couple of hits together. I was back in Nashville in 2008, and worked with everyone from One Direction to Fifth Harmony to Cher. I had a single with Cher, which was really cool. And then I had my first US Number One country song recorded by Justin Moore called ‘Someone Else Will’. It was Number One on the Billboard charts last year.

ATOTK: ‘Denim on Denim’ and ‘Who’s Gonna Love You’ were huge hits for you. Congrats once again.

T: Thank you, but I feel like I have a long way to go. I just take it one single at a time. I’m not one to rest on my laurels. I have a lot more songs in me, and hope to have hit songs whether I’m writing them or singing them.

ATOTK: What instruments do you play and how do you write songs?

T: Usually on the guitar, but to be super honest I’m not a great guitar player at all. I’m very average to be honest. (he laughs) I play a little piano but mostly guitar. I’m not a phenomenal musician but I think that helps my melodies.

So I mix it up with melodies if that makes any sense. (he laughs) ATOTK: What’s your thoughts when you went to a record store and bought a record compared to now with all these streaming services?

T: Music evolves and the music industry evolves as well as leaning to a streaming only type of platform. A lot of people don’t purchase albums anymore and a lot of artists aren’t even making them.I think people like a new single everyday, and that’s why albums fall by the wayside. Because people aren’t interested in listening to a whole collective piece of work.

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ATOTK: We featured Jade Eagleson last issue. Are there other up and comers that you have your eye on?

T: Jade’s fantastic. My new artist I just signed for my record label is Matt Lang. He’s from Quebec and his numbers are massive in Quebec along with the tickets he’s selling.

I went to Montreal and he sold out a 1000 maximum club.

Which is mind blowing for being a brand new artist. We signed him to my new label, Jayward Artist Group, under Sony Music and his release comes in August.

ATOTK: Best Gig you ever had?

T: Playing the Calgary Sandledome last year with Brad Paisley, that was pretty cool. And I got to throw out the first pitch at a Jays game a few years ago. So that was pretty cool too. (he laughs) ATOTK: Worst gig ever, like Spinal Tap puppet show bad?

T: (he laughs) The worst gig I ever had was not because of the crowd or the venue. I had an extreme case of laryngitis, and it was out in Vancouver. It was a Grey Cup kick off party with Tim Hicks, and the day before I completely lost my voice. I had to go to the doctor to try and get back even 20% of my voice. Made it through the show somehow, but that was the worst. (he laughs) ATOTK: Why country music? You write so many different ways.

T: It’s just where I always felt at home as an artist. But I love all kinds of music and I’m not the most country guy.

I don’t own a ranch and all that other stuff (he laughs), I just love country music and what it stands for. It’s not just cowboys in hats anymore. I’m proud to be a county artist.

ATOTK: What would you like to say to all your fans and supporters?

T: Thank you so much for letting me do this for a living. I’m definitely lucky and I don’t take it for granted. After every show I sign as many autographs as I can. Without the people coming to shows and buying the music I have no career. Thank you everyone.

ATOTK: Thank you so much, Tebey.

T: Your welcome!

Watch for Tebey’s solo tour coming in February 2020.

Website: www.tebeyofficial.com Facebook: TebeyMusic Twitter & Instagram: @TebeyMusic

Slither SPEAKS

By JAY COOPER SLITHER PRODUCTIONS

Musicians of the Kawarthas

Featuring Jesse Slack Peterborough’s Jesse Slack was a Top 25

finalist on CBC’s Searchlight competition in 2016. And that was just the beginning of Jesse’s career.

His song and video for ‘Where This Is Going’ has lead to a promising career in the Country Music Industry.

“That’s the song that started a lot of this for me. I recorded it in London Ontario at EMAC studio with Dan Broadbeck, a Professor of mine from College.

He produced the Cranberries records and he started to do some Country”, says Jesse.

He continued, “My mom was always singing and would take us to shows. I started a band with my twin brother, Jake, but he was never driven to pursue music as a career. He was a more make money kind of guy. I always wanted to be a Rock Star growing up.”

“My parents took me to Bud Monahan’s for guitar lessons. We didn’t have a lot of money, so they just let me use a guitar. The teacher said no, Jesse has to have a guitar to go home with, so they bought me a Tiny Boy guitar. At night, I would put in cassettes of country artists and play along to them and, eventually The Tragically Hip and Blue Rodeo. My Mom always listened to Country music and my Father liked bands from Kim Mitchell to Roxcette. So I have very eclectic musical tastes”, he says.

“I wanted to do a popular cover song and make a video, so we recorded Racal Flatts ‘Yours If You

Want It’. I had the Copyrights and released it. It was getting very good response but Big Machine Record Label said take it down. Between Universal and Big Machine it was all worked out. It’s a song that helped a lot, as I had member of Rascal Flatts reach out and say it is a great cover version”, says Jesse.

“I was working with Aaron Goodvin in Nashville and he said lets do a record together. My wife and I got some money together, moved down to Nashville and did the record. He wrote (along with other songs) ‘I Wish I Never Met You’. It was just such a great song that I had to do it. I constantly get people reaching out with praise for it. ‘Lip Sync’ was another song that I had to have on the release.”

The EP is called Jesse Slack - Young and Free and is available on Jesse’s website www.jesseslack.com and other popular streaming services. You can also find merchandise and upcoming tour dates. Jesse’s newest single is called ‘Mustang’ and is on streaming services with a video on YouTube.

Keep your eyes and ears open for this fast rising Star. We like where this is going, and hope Jesse attains his goal of becoming a Rock Star. www.jesseslack.com Page 47