Escarpment Magazine Summer 2010 by Deena Dolan

G V i e w of the bay

PUBLISHER/EDITOR’S THOUGHTS

Escarpment GEORGIAN BAY LIVING

energetic . exhilarating . inspiring

artistic . informative . fun . priceless

OWNER/PUBLISHER/EDITOR/DESIGNER Deena Dolan Findlay T: 519.599.7545 F: 519.599.6551 E: deena@escarpmentmagazine.ca

PHOTOGRAPHER/CONTRIBUTING WRITER Clay Dolan clay@escarpmentmagazine.ca

FOR ADVERTISING INFORMATION PLEASE EMAIL: info@escarpmentmagazine.ca or CONTACT... Carol Blasdale 519.599.7995 cblasdale@bmts.com

eorgian Bay is a temptress. Her beauty becons with sparkling, crystal-clear waters, stretches of soft sand beaches and inlets of smoothly rubbed rock surfaces. But, like notorious sirens of mythology, her beguiling beauty is in direct contrast to the perils she conceals. Prone to mood swings, her shimmering surface has a quick and violent temper — she will always have her way with any who dare enter her waters — layered in history, countless shipwrecks and lingering spirits lay forgotten in her depths. Often referred to as the sixth Great Lake, the Bay was inhabited as early as 9000 BC by hunters and gatherers and semi-nomadic tribes, followed by First Nation Peoples who farmed and traded along her shores. By the mid 1600’s French missionaries along with fur traders in search of “exotic” beaver pelts, opened trade routes and within two hundred years small villages of newly planted Europeans were sprouting. Fishing and lumber endeavours spawned railroads and shipyards and communities like Owen Sound and Collingwood grew quickly and became important transportation hubs. The integral role in history played by Lighthouses on Georgian Bay is without question. Vital in opening the shipping routes, truths and legends abound—stories filled with mystery, romance, danger and tradgedy as mariners coursed through treacherous waters and unpredictable squalls, often to their deaths. "Does anyone know where the love of God goes When the waves turn the minutes to hours" ~Gordon Lightfoot - Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald Lighthouses have long held a fascination for me and in this issue I share brief bits of knowledge of several Lightstations I have explored along our shores—all within an easy and interesting drive. Coincidentally, while preparing this feature, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans declared over 1,000 Canadian lighthouses surplus. Under The Heritage Lighthouse Protection Act, which came into force May 29, Canadian Coast Guard officials have determined these cited lighthouses could be replaced with simpler structures whose operation and maintenance would be more cost-effective. It is now up to individuals, municipalities and community-based non-profit groups to try to take over the surplus lighthouses. Under the act, they can seek heritage designations for the lighthouses through a petition to Parks Canada. But the designation won't be granted without a written commitment from someone willing to own the lighthouse.

Director of Ad Sales - Thornbury, Meaford, Owen Sound

Dak Williams 519.375.6362 dak@escarpmentmagazine.ca Ad Account Partner - C’wood, Blue Mtn, Wasaga, Creemore, Stayner

Clay Dolan 705.441.6621 clay@escarpmentmagazine.ca Regional Advertising Sales

THIS ISSUE’S COVER... Lighting the Way Acrylic on Paper by Deena Dolan Findlay Inquire about purchase: info@escarpmentmagazine.ca This magazine is published four times a year by Georgian Bay Living - Escarpment Magazine Inc. Distributed free of charge to over 20,000 homes, businesses and services. Subscription holders have guaranteed delivery. Subscription rates: 4 issues-$13.50 HST incl. (One year) or 8 issues-$24.00 HST incl (Two years) No part or portions of this publication may be reproduced without first contacting the Editor. We welcome all comments and letters. Attention Postmaster: Please direct post office returns & changes of address to: GBL-Escarpment Magazine Inc. 167 39th Sideroad, RR#1 Thornbury, ON N0H 2P0 Georgian Bay Living - ESCARPMENT™

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EscarpmentMagazine.ca Opinions and statements written by contributors of Escarpment and that appear here in this issue are entirely their own responsibility and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the owner of GBL -Escarpment Magazine Inc.

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Included on the surplus list are these Georgian Bay Lighthouses: Cape Croker, Christian Island, Nottawasaga Island, Griffith Island, Hope Island, Big Tub Lighthouse, Pointe Au Baril Front Range and Lion's Head Harbour. Each is featured in my story, The Light Fantastic - beginning on page 14. Thankfully, several lightstations in our region have already been sheltered under the caring wings of volunteers and a visit to these beacons of history is a truly pleasant outing. My hope is that individuals will learn from these hardworking volunteers and will discover that it is possible for the doomed lights, in peril of disappearing, to be returned to their former glory. Anyone interested in taking over a lighthouse and having it declared a heritage property has two years to submit a petition. For more information go to www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca. For now, let’s all embrace the Summer magic of Georgian Bay and the Escarpment—entertaining days of adventure, frolic, explorations, relaxation and above all, fun. [

ESCARPMENT is printed in a facility that operates in strict compliance to Environmental concerns and has a reputation for its social responsibility, good corporate citizenship and its strong sense of ethics—striving everyday to improve their environmental performance. Please recycle this magazine.

6 ESCARPMENT I

SUMMER 2010