August 2020 by The Walleye Magazine

FILM FREE ARTS Vol. 11 No. 8 MUSIC AUGUST FOOD 2020 CULTURE thewalleye.ca

The Streets of Thunder Bay The History Under Our Feet

CREATIVE OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY 44

HERON HOUSE HANDMADE 52

LOCKYERBOYS EYE FURTHER SUCCESS 72

DOING MORE WITH LESS SPACE 94

S W ITCH TO TBAYTEL

Save like never before on Security Monitoring

Bring your system to Tbaytel and save big Call Customer Care 807-623-4400 or 1-800-264-9501 tbaytel.net/security

Some conditions apply. Visit tbaytel.net/security for full disclaimer.

Contents

walle eye

■ 7 TheTOPFive

the

FEATURES

■ 9

Thunder Bay’s arts & culture alternative

Editor-in-chief Darren McChristie Interim Editor Matt Prokopchuk matt@thewalleye.ca Assistant Editor Rebekah Skochinski Senior Editor Tiffany Jarva Copy Editors Amy Jones, Bonnie Schiedel

Marketing & Sales Specialist Kaitlin Trevisan kaitlin@thewalleye.ca Alaina Linklater alaina@thewalleye.ca Photographers Patrick Chondon, Kevin Dempsey, Damien Gilbert, Chad Kirvan, Dave Koski, Kay Lee, Shannon Lepere, Marty Mascarin, Darren McChristie, Sarah McPherson, Laura Paxton, Keegan Richard

Art Directors Steve Coghill, R.G.D., Dave Koski, R.G.D. production@thewalleye.ca

Reproduction of any article, photograph or artwork without written permission is strictly forbidden. Views expressed herein are those of the author exclusively.

FILM&THEATRE

■ 34 Dancers Always Find a Way ■ 36 Taking to the Virtual Stage ■ 37 THE SECOND MOST

PLEASURABLE THING WE DO IN THE DARK. A COLUMN ABOUT MOVIES ■ 38 An Outlet for Cooped-Up Creatives

GALLERY’S COLLECTION ■ 43 Ahnisnabae Art Gallery Hustles Through COVID-19 ■ 44 Creative Occupational Therapy

OUTDOOR

Body and Mind

■ 48 GO LOCAL THUNDER BAY COUNTRY MARKET ■ 49 THIS IS THUNDER BAY ■ 50 Us by the Giant ■ 52 Heron House Handmade ■ 53 Succulence

With Charla Robinson ■ 59 An Essential Service ■ 60 STUFF WE LIKE ■ 62 Study Probes Shuttered Online Food Co-Op ■ 64 WALL SPACE: Emerald Greens Golf Course and Driving Range ■ 66 Reallocation of Road Space for a Pedestrian-Friendly Thunder Bay

MUSIC

■ 70 Shuffling the Deck ■ 71 Taking the Long Road ■ 72 LockyerBoys Eye

Further Success ■ 73 Leo B. Dope Releases New Single ■ 74 BURNING TO THE SKY ■ 75 Taking the Tunes Outside ■ 76 Know When to Leave the Room ■ 79 Born Out of Necessity

■ 80 OFF THE WALL REVIEWS ARCHITECTURE

■ 82 The Boulevard Lake Dam ■ 85 LU RADIO'S MONTHLY TOP 20 HEALTH

■ 86 Hitting the Streets with a

Your Face Covering ■ 88 From India to Thunder Bay

GREEN

■ 46 Challenging, Healing CITYSCENE

Superior Outdoors Inc. 314 Bay Street Thunder Bay, ON P7B 1S1

■ 22 THE GRINNING BELLY ■ 23 DRINK OF THE MONTH ■ 24 From the Comfort of Home ■ 26 All in the Family ■ 28 SUPERIOR SIP ■ 29 BREW IT YOURSELF ■ 30 Down by the Water ■ 32 Moving Business Outdoors

■ 40 Drawn to It ■ 42 FROM THUNDER BAY ART

Copyright © 2020 by Superior Outdoors Inc. Editorial and Advertising: Submissions must be accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Superior Outdoors cannot be held responsible for unsolicited material.

FOOD

THE ARTS

Ad Designers Dave Koski, Miranda van den Berg The Walleye is a free monthly publication distributed on racks throughout Thunder Bay and region.

CoverStory: The Streets of Thunder Bay ■ 10 The Man Behind the Name ■ 12 What’s in a Name? ■ 14 Critical Neighbourhood Supports ■ 16 By the Numbers ■ 18 The Roads Less Travelled ■ 20 The Name Game

■ 54 The Singing Green Thumb ■ 55 New Look, Expanded Role ■ 56 Finding Hope ■ 58 Eye to Eye:

■ 94 Doing More With Less Space ■ 95 Making Space THE WALL

■ 96 Not So Fast Thunder Bay ■ 98 HOROSCOPES ■ 99 THE BEAT ■ 100THE EYE

ILO~PHOTO It’s time for a physically-distanced post-Covid session!

Telephone (807) 344-3366 Fax (807) 623-5122 E-mail: info@thewalleye.ca

TheWalleye.ca

WEDDINGS • NEWBORNS • FAMILIES info@ilophoto.ca

The Walleye

From Our Instagram feed

Street Smarts “Streets are the lifeblood of our communities and the foundation of our urban economies.” That quote comes from the National Association of City Transportation Officials, an organization made up of dozens of major North American cities that has the goal of improving transportation. And it makes sense: we drive, walk, cycle, and generally get around on our streets. Even looking back to our childhoods, the vast majority of us can likely remember the name of the street on which we grew up, as well as those of others in our old neighbourhoods. A city’s streets and their names can also say a lot about an area’s history—not only the interesting parts, but the damning ones, too. Our cover story this month examines some of the history attached to the streets of Thunder Bay, including the damaging legacy behind at least one of those names. We’ll also tell you more about the city’s evolving street network as a whole, as well as what makes a neighbourhood thrive. In keeping with our theme, Nancy Saunders asks Thunder Bay residents what their favourite street

The Walleye

is, and the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre provides a number of handy tips for wearing masks, as we responsibly venture out onto our streets and into the community in order to run our errands and enjoy the summer months. Also in our August issue, Kris Ketonen speaks with local hip-hop artist Leo B. Dope about his latest track, Justin Allec finds out how new and larger patios are helping many local restaurateurs, and Amy Sellors looks into how the Superior Theatre Festival is re-tooling its summer season and a long-in-theworks project in the face of the current pandemic. Plus, we get a sneak peek at how EcoSuperior will be branding itself going forward as it celebrates 25 years. So, as we head into the “dog days of summer,” we hope you’ll enjoy some of them with our latest issue, and that you’ll learn more about some of the local history that’s right under our feet. - Matt Prokopchuk

In Error

In the July issue’s Outdoor section, the wrong article initially appeared under the headline “The Power of Paddling in a Pandemic.” It has since been corrected.

Featured Contributor Nik Fiorito Nik has been a Walleye contributor for several years, often tasked with food and restaurant reviews. Not one to sit still, Nik has an active family of eight who can be found on our local mountain bike trails in summer and in hockey arenas when the snow flies. He recently moved on from being co-owner of Rollin’ Thunder to focus on his development team’s rapidly growing project: a peer support and wellness app called PeerConnect, in use by EMS, fire, and police services (among other sectors) across the continent. Check out Nik’s feature on Staal’s Scoops in this month’s issue.

On the Cover The Streets of Thunder Bay Cover photo by Dave Koski

TBAYTEL PHONES, PRICES AND PLANS AT

3 CONVENIENT LOCATIONS

TO SERVE YOU BETTER.

1000 FORT WILLIAM RD. INTERCITY MALL

1080 LITHIUM DRIVE

540 WEST ARTHUR ST. The Walleye

“I am here to help

my students succeed” You belong here 6

The Walleye

TheTOPFive

1 Come Play with Me August 5, 12, 19, & 26 Virtual

Come Play with Me has been offering self-isolation digital play readings since the spring and will wrap up their Stay at Home Summer Series in August with four virtual events. On August 5 at 7:30 pm, there will be a reading of Euripides’ Greek tragedy Iphigenia in Aulis, curated by Jess Falcioni. Tune in on August 12 for a Superior Theatre Festival artist panel, and a theatre trivia night (with prizes!) on August 19. And on August 26, you can gather around for Campfire Stories, an evening of stories, songs, and spooks. In the spirit of campfire story traditions, it will be a casual affair involving friends (new and old!), and sharing ghost stories and songs around a virtual campfire—which means all the fun and none of the smoke in your eyes. Check out this group’s page on Facebook or Instagram for more information. facebook.com/groups/comeplaywithmetbay

Live on the 2 Waterfront

August 5, 12, 19, & 26 Virtual

Virtual live entertainment keeps on rolling into August with the city’s Live on the Waterfront series, showcasing a variety of performers including a country night with Tenille Arts on August 5, Riit on August 12, Big Sugar on August 19, and Polaris Award-winning Haviah Mighty, a 26- yearold hip hop artist from Toronto, on August 26. Plenty of local acts will be joining in on the fun, like Tourist Bureau, LockyerBoys, Blood Red Moon, and more. This premier performing arts series showcases some of the best local talent alongside some of North America’s finest artists. As well, art projects led by Community Arts & Heritage Education Project (CAHEP) artists will be featured in between acts. Participate in a different art activity each week! Join in every Wednesday evening at 7 pm. thunderbay.ca/live

4 Ribfest August 27–30 CLE Grounds

They had us at drive-up ribs! This year’s Ribfest is kickin’ it old school with a drive-in format. Enjoy all the goodness of slow-smoked barbecued ribs without standing in a long lineup! Place your order from the comfort of your car with the various ribbers and get delivery right to your window. Choose from Ribs Royale, Dinosaur Ribs, and hometown representation by The Silver Birch, or try all three! Plus there will be tickets for the popular 50/50 draw at $5 each or $20 for six with a draw date on Sunday at 5:30 pm, in support of local charity Our Kids Count. Take-out only, no walk-ins (vehicles only), and please note, while there are plans to have an ATM on-site, it’s strongly recommended that you bring cash. Runs daily from 11am to 8pm. facebook.com/ribfestthunderbay/

Superior Theatre 3 Festival

August 18–23

Virtual

This year’s Superior Theatre Festival is called Unearthed and will celebrate our city’s 50th anniversary with a series of six choreographic works called Undercurrents. The six dance films will feature music by Jean-Paul De Roover, Classic Roots, Sunday wilde, Sam Louis and Arley Cox, with original choreography and performances from nearly 50 local dancers. Along with the films, you are welcome to take part in their 50th Anniversary Story Project and submit a story that will be shared during the festival. As part of their Indie Stream, STF will support three new works in process by Sarah Mendek, Andrew Paulsen, and Fae Alexander, who have been paired with celebrated dramaturges Judith Thomson and Emil Sher. Plus, there are opportunities to take online masterclasses. All classes are free! superiortheatrefestival.com

Definitely Superior Art Gallery’s 20-20 Future Vision

August 28

Definitely Superior Art Gallery We have great news! Everyone is invited to join Definitely Superior Art Gallery as they reopen in their completely new space! This repurposed, renovated, and expanded facility within the Cumberland Cinema 5 theatre/ warehouse complex is where they will kick off a lively celebration. On Friday August 28, their inaugural exhibition 20-20 Future Vision opens, featuring a multidisciplinary fusion of 40+ international, national, and regional artists. Join them in celebrating this grand opening and fundraiser that kicks off an extended gala affair and grand tour of the facility taking place over the duration of the exhibition. Every week there will be something new! Stay tuned to their Facebook page and website for the latest details. The show runs until September 26. definitelysuperior.com

The Walleye

where ever you find yourself, be ready with our summer collection summer clothing sale on now save up to 50% on all in-stock casual wear

710 BAL MORAL STRE ET

The Walleye

FRES HA IREX P ER I EN C E.C A

CoverStory

The Streets of Thunder Bay

The History Under Our Feet

Darren McChristie

very street tells a story. Although streets serve functions like getting us from A to B, and as places for us to gather to live and to work, they can also tell us a lot about our history, serving as reminders of how this area was settled and by what means. Some of that history is interesting and some of it is sobering, but all of it is worth learning about. For this issue we look at the stories within our streets, from those named after plants and animals to the ones that recognize historical figures. We also take a jaunt down a few favourite back lanes for a photo essay, and learn how local services are working toward safe and healthy streets in our neighbourhoods.

The Walleye

Darren McChristie

CoverStory

The Man Behind the Name George Simpson and Simpson Street By Kat Lyzun

Patrick Chondon

impson Street in 2020 is both a history lesson and a social study. Faded lettering on the sides of old warehouses and a few architectural jewels remind us of its rich history, while empty lots, burned-out buildings and shuttered storefronts remind us of its loss. A few stalwart businesses still thrive, peppered in between old apartments and passionate community service organizations. Aside from traffic constantly flowing to and from the Intercity area, the street is quiet. In many ways, Simpson Street tells the story of Thunder Bay more than any other. One of the first major roads in Fort William, Simpson Street was built on land owned by the Hudson’s Bay Company (HBC) near the original fur trading post. The street ended where HBC and CP Rail lands met, a symbolic and practical connection of the two most powerful drivers of the area’s early economy. As the fur trade waned, rail

The Walleye

expansion and grain distribution exploded. People travelled across the country for work and pleasure, and Simpson Street catered to it all. In 1904, the Empire Hotel was built at the corner of Leith Street with 40 rooms, two huge verandas and a first-class dining room. Two years later the West Hotel was built at the corner of Miles Street. In 1913, two much older hotels, the Simpson and the Pacific (later the Adanac), were relocated from side streets via horse and log rollers. For decades the area remained vibrant. Many locals still wax nostalgic about the thriving businesses of Simpson Street—barbers, tailors, clothing retailers, and confectionaries, along with popular eateries like Canton Restaurant, Vincenzo’s, and the Old Mill Dining Lounge. In the 60s and 70s the street was an entertainment hub with bars and lounges everywhere. The trolley bus connecting Port Arthur and Fort William brought

Patrick Chondon

Courtesy Thunder Bay Museum

CoverStory

The Empire Hotel c. 1913

people downtown for nights of live music, dancing, and drinking. If you had other vices, those were available too—and it remained that way long after the party ended. Many factors contributed to the decline of Simpson Street: the end of the trolley bus service connecting the two downtowns, the establishment of malls and big box shopping in the Intercity area, and the slow (and fiery) demise of all but one of the hotels. Though there have been attempts at revitalization, Simpson Street gained a reputation for drugs, the sex trade, and violence—particularly against Indigenous women. Historians and local women’s advocates have made compelling connections between this and the street’s namesake, George Simpson. Simpson was a powerful governor in the HBC known for shrewd,

game-changing business tactics, often at the expense of Indigenous communities. He ensured that the people of Fort William First Nation would continue to provide for the fur industry while denying them the opportunity to acquire land for agriculture. Travis Hay, a postdoctoral fellow at Lakehead University and lecturer with the Seven Generations Education Institute, explains how street names matter when they glorify people like George Simpson. “Simpson really symbolizes the change in the fur trade industry that pushed Indigenous people to the fringes. There was no place at all for Indigenous people, and especially no place for Indigenous women. He represents a new colonial order that was very violent toward [them]” he says.

During this time, women who were previously essential in brokering relationships between European traders and Indigenous communities were reduced to sexual objects. Simpson himself had at least one “country wife,” a term used to describe a non-binding relationship between fur traders and Indigenous women, and had relationships with several women whom he described in personal writings as “commodities.” He provided some support for his many illegitimate children, but abandoned them all after marrying his 18-year-old English cousin. This, says Hay, is the truth about Simpson Street: In recent decades, it has treated women the same way as did its namesake. “It is a place of socio-economic exclusion [in which] the gendered, racial, and sexually violent politics of settler

colonialism are arranged on full display.” Hay gives great credit to Indigenous women’s advocates like Lynne Moss-Sharman and Sharon Johnson, organizer of the Full Moon Memory Walk, for helping him see Simpson Street in this light. He notes that there have been some grassroots efforts to change the name, but more pressing matters tend to take priority. Would changing the name remove some of the stigma? “It wouldn’t change anything tomorrow,” he says. “But it would be an interesting starting point, if it were changed to something respectful and reflective of Indigenous understanding of place, in changing the way we relate to each other in Thunder Bay.”

Patrick Chondon

Thunder Bay Museum

Sir George Simpson

The Walleye

CoverStory

2 4

City of Thunder Bay

The Walleye

CoverStory

What’s in a Name?

Selected Streets and Neighbourhoods in Thunder Bay By Matt Prokopchuk

1. Vickers and Other South Core Streets

A number of streets across Thunder Bay’s south side bear the name of members of the Vickers family. The obvious one is Vickers Street itself, (along with the large, tree-filled park, donated by family matriarch Catherine Vickers), but many other roadways are also named after family members. In her book, The Street Names of Thunder Bay, Diane Grant points to Arthur Street, Catherine Street, Georgina Avenue, Isabella Street, Moodie Street, Ridgeway Street, Victor Street, Wallbridge Avenue, and William Street. Thunder Bay city archivist Matt Szybalski says, while the family didn’t live in what is now Thunder Bay (except for Arthur Vickers, son of Catherine and John Joseph Vickers, who spent some years here), Catherine was a frequent visitor to the area, and the family, as a whole, had significant landholding and business interests here, dating back to the mid-1800s. Szybalski says J.J. Vickers came to the Lakehead for the first time in 1859 and was heavily involved in the “express,” or parcel shipping business.

2. Wolseley Street and Red River Road

Much like Simpson Street, these two north-side streets—the latter one of the main east-west thoroughfares—bear reminders of Canada’s colonial history. Wolseley Street was named after Garnet Wolseley, a decorated British Army general who, while in Canada, arrived in what is now Thunder Bay in 1870 to lead over 1,200 military troops in the Red River Expedition. What is now Red River Road (formerly Arthur Street before Thunder Bay’s 1970 amalgamation) was the

route Wolseley and his men took. The expedition was ostensibly tasked with overseeing the transfer of former Hudson’s Bay Company territory, including the largely Métis Red River Settlement, from Louis Riel’s provisional government to Canada following the Red River population’s resistance to the annexation. However, scholars have also documented plenty of evidence that Wolseley and his men wanted revenge for Thomas Scott, a prisoner Riel put to death (Riel would flee before the expedition arrived at what is now Winnipeg). Lakehead University post-doctoral fellow Travis Hay argues that “very few people will understand that that Red River Road was the road that Wolseley took to Red River, following the orders of Sir John A. MacDonald, to violently crush Métis uprising.”

4. Waverley Street

3. The East End

The city also bears many street names not attached to people at all. Certain neighbourhoods have been named along thematic lines: for example, Parkdale consists of streets named after animals of the boreal forest. There are several parts of town, however, that have a strong tree theme: Victoria Park (near Edward Street and Miles Street), Forest Park (near Windsor Street and Algonquin Avenue), Leys Addition (north of River Street, near Balsam Street), and Northwood Park neighbourhoods all have a number of streets named after trees, according to The Street Names of Thunder Bay. The city’s corporate policy on street naming states that one of the general guidelines for choosing street names in a particular neighbourhood is that “names should reflect the character of the surrounding area.”

The Street Names of Thunder Bay points out that many roads and streets in the city’s East End, as well as parts of the south core area, all carry the names of British men associated with the fur trade. Names like McLeod Street, McGillivray Street, Bethune Street, Dease Street, and dozens of others were all named after employees and higher-ups in the North West and Hudson’s Bay Companies. Travis Hay says that these names were chosen in celebration of the English-controlled fur trade—a settler-colonial system that he says is “structured on Indigenous elimination”; it’s a system that would create residential schools and the reserve system. It’s a look at history, he says, that offers a “whitewashed, sanitized, celebratory discourse that forgets the real conditions that made Thunder Bay possible.”

While many of the streets mentioned thus far carry the names of people tied, in varying degrees, to the Thunder Bay region’s history, this street (along with the nearby park and public library) is named after a fictional character. The Street Names of Thunder Bay says that the street was named after Captain Edward Waverley, a soldier in Sir Walter Scott’s historical fictional novel, Waverley (or ‘Tis Sixty Years Since), released in 1814. Scott, according to Encyclopaedia Britannica, “is often considered both the inventor and the greatest practitioner of the historical novel,” and released a series of fictional works following Waverley that were dubbed “The Waverley Novels.”

5. Multiple Tree Themes

The Walleye

CoverStory

Michelle Jordan, executive director, Shelter House Thunder Bay

Critical Neighbourhood Supports How Local Services Are Working Toward Safe, Healthy Streets Story and photos by Kim Latimer

he George and Simpson Street neighbourhood is where social supports for those who are homeless can mean the difference between life and death. Michelle Jordan, executive director of Shelter House Thunder Bay, says they’re doing things a little differently since the COVID-19 pandemic by screening people at the door, helping isolate those with symptoms, and offering take-out food, toiletries, and naloxone kits at their 24-hour window service. She says others in the neighbourhood are also keeping a supportive, watchful eye on those who don’t have a home and adapting to help each other out. “I think a lot of people don’t know that we do have food access 24 hours a day. We had to shut

The Walleye

down our S.O.S program [a street outreach and harm reduction service] because of protocols around COVID-19, but we’ve repurposed our S.O.S team into triage and transportation for people who need testing or who require isolation,” says Jordan. “It means the difference between life and death if people have nowhere to go.” “Many people rely on us quite a bit more than they did before,” she explains. “It requires partnerships with neighbours like the Regional Food Distribution Association, Roots to Harvest, NorWest Community Centre, Grace Place, and others.” Tessa De Bruyne drives the S.O.S van, working in triage and transport. Benita Okezie works alongside her. They both step out of the vehicle as

it pulls up to Shelter House, masked and working on one of the hottest afternoons this summer. “We are a tool that people can use during COVID; they need safe transportation, and we’re trying to support people in social isolation with their basic needs. What we do is not heroic, some of these homeless people are the best people I know,” says De Bruyne. “We’re making sure people stay safe,” adds Okezie. Neighbours are also joining forces. Grace Place is located just blocks from Shelter House on Simpson Street, and the two neighbourhood organizations work closely together—at times, they’re in contact on a nightly basis. Grace Place is a Christian street mission that’s been in operation for 13 years with the mandate to ensure that nobody falls through the cracks. They offer a clean, safe place to sleep, meals, a shower, washroom facilities, clothing, and haircutting services. During their Out of the Cold Program, they have 15 overnight beds available from November until the end of April and three “compassion mats.” Together, Grace Place and Shelter House ensure that people who don’t fit into the shelter system (sometimes due to mental health or other high-risk factors) still have a place to go. “We’re there for the one that’s really struggling out there on the street,” says Melody Macsemchuk, co-founder of Grace Place, with her husband Gary Macsemchuk, both ordained ministers. Macsemchuk is also the manager of the Out of the Cold Program funded by the Ontario Trillium Foundation. However, funding comes to an end April 30, 2021. “We’ve been putting fundraising money away to try and make up for some of it,” she says. “We have 80 to 90 volunteers help operate our shelter and feeding program, and three staff are here for people overnight. I know we are a sense of safety in the neighbourhood.” Both Shelter House and Grace Place continue to work closely with other community partners including St. Joseph’s Care Group, Canadian Mental Health Association, and NorWest Community Health Centre, specifically on the GAPPS Program

CoverStory

Left to right: Benita Okezie and Tessa DeBruyne, triage and transport for Shelter House Thunder Bay (Getting Appropriate Personal and Professional Supports). They’ve also worked together with the Thunder Bay District Health Unit and the city to plan, organize, operate, and staff the homeless isolation shelters at hotels for anyone who exhibits COVID-like symptoms. Their work has helped protect both the neighbourhood and the wider community. “Many homeless people have very compromised immune systems … and they’re genuinely scared, and many have gone through trauma and addictions,” says Jordan. “What our neighbourhood has really done is a very good job at pulling together, of putting out immediate fires and getting on the same page. We’ve all come together realizing we need to work together to make this a better community for everyone.” To contact Grace Place, seek a meal or shelter, volunteer, donate, or learn more, visit their Facebook page or phone the office at 4733538 or cell at 627-9848. To access services or offer support to Shelter House Thunder Bay, visit shelterhouse.on.ca or phone 623-8182, email info@shelterhouse.on.ca. To contact S.O.S., phone 620-7678.

From left to right: Melody and Gary Macsemchuk, Pastor Sha

The Walleye

CoverStory

24 m

Darren McChristie

Length of Oak Place, the city’s shortest street (off Oak Avenue near Algonquin Avenue South)

15 954.72 km

1871

Date of Wilson’s Survey, outlining the north end’s earliest streets, including Algoma, Cumberland, and St. Paul. According to The Street Names of Thunder Bay by Diane Grant; “South Water Street” (now filled in, it was originally along the very edge of Lake Superior) was the “first and principal street of Prince Arthur’s Landing.”

Darren McChristie

Total overall distance of streets and roads within the city

Number of street types in the City’s Civic Naming of Streets Corporate Policy document (including Avenue, Place, Court, Bay, Boulevard, Crescent, Circle, and Way)

The Streets of Thunder Bay By Bonnie Schiedel

rom Abbey Court to York Street and all the thousand or so roads, avenues, and crescents in between, there’s plenty of trivia about Thunder Bay’s streets. Susan Henton, chief mapping technician at the City of Thunder Bay,

patiently answered our questions, and we dug into some research of our own too (the early city planners had a thing for Scottish names, for example). Test your knowledge about the city’s streets: shortest, longest, newest, oldest, and more.

https://www.thunderbay.ca/en/city-hall/resources/Documents/ FinanceandBudget/2020/2020_Executive-Summary.pdf 1

The Walleye

Number of times that Tarbutt Street, McKellar Street, and Ford Street are bisected (i.e., stop and start again)

Darren McChristie

By the Numbers

CoverStory

Year of the most recent street name change. Why? Paquette Road had two parallel east-west sections joined by a north-south section, and so the lower eastwest section was renamed Granite Road

15.5 km Length of Mapleward Road, the city’s longest street

Estimated capital project expenditure on roads and roadsrelated projects, bridges and culverts in the City’s 2020 proposed tax supported gross capital budget1

Number of streets that start with “Mc” or “Mac” (McVicar Street, McNaughton Street, McMaster Road, McMullen Road, McKellar Street, McGregor Avenue, and MacDougall Street, to name a few)

Did you know?

We have a Rainbow Street. It’s in the River Terrace subdivision, near Flamingo Way and Sunrise Boulevard

June 25+ 2020

Number of streets with bird or animal names, including Chipmunk Crescent, Elk Square, Coyote Place, Cougar Court, and Porcupine Boulevard (we’re looking at you, Parkdale!)

Date that Muskrat Drive in the Parkdale subdivision, the city’s newest street, was registered (the next newest is Magnolia Drive near Arthur Street and Mapleward Road)

1,097

Darren McChristie

0 $18.2 million Number of street names that start with “X” or “Z”

Number of streets within city limits (1,141 if you count those with North/ South or East/West designations)

The Walleye

CoverStory

The Roads Less Travelled A Photographic Guide to Thunder Bay’s Back Lanes

Story by Matt Prokopchuk, Photos by Darren McChristie

n older parts of Thunder Bay, in addition to the network of roads and streets, back lanes have historically been an important part of the transportation network. Providing back-of-property access to many homes and businesses, the laneways often bisect city blocks, snaking between yards and the surrounding busier thoroughfares. Thunder Bay roads manager Brad Adams says that in the past, garbage collection had been done via some residential back lanes, and that they may have also been built before homes were routinely designed with driveways in front yards. He says the city does some laneway maintenance, but the degree to which depends on how a lane is classified. In some parts of the city where homes have no front access (think along Court Street, north of River Street), the lanes function as the only access to a number of homes. Those types of lanes, Adams says, are treated like small city roads, including receiving

The Walleye

snow removal and surface maintenance. Adams says there are very few of these in Thunder Bay. Here is a look at some of Thunder Bay’s back lanes.

Other classifications include:

Lanes behind businesses that accommodate garbage removal and deliveries Adams says the city does some maintenance here, like re-grading and snow removal, when necessary. Lightly used back lanes in residential areas - Adams says the city does no snow removal but may do some regrading, when necessary. Grass lanes - While these may be used by some residents, Adams says the city does no maintenance to these at all.

CoverStory

The Walleye

CoverStory

The Name Game

“They determine whether there might be any issues with its pronunciation or whether it sounds too similar to an existing name where there might be some confusion— for example Chapples Street versus Story by Bonnie Schiedel, Photo by Darren McChristie Chapplins Street might sound too similar when dispatching emergene wondered: how do than eight characters. cy vehicles,” says McEachern. What streets get their names? Right now, there isn’t a civic if it’s a new subdivision created by Turns out, it’s a carenaming advisory committee or a developer? They can choose from fully thought-out process. The City nomenclature committee as there the master names list too, but if of Thunder Bay maintains a master has been in the past, says Leslie they want a name that isn’t on the names list, currently with about McEachern, the manager of planlist, they go through the same ap1,700 approved names. The corning services. “It’s largely an adproval process, says McEachern. porate policy on “Civic Naming ministrative effort to maintain the The support services division of Streets, Buildings, Structures names [list] at this point. We take a and Recreational Facilities” proteam approach: we consult with the summarizes the feedback it gets and recommends approval or denial vides guidelines for all civic names, City’s archivist for names that are of the name in a corporate report including that similar-sounding of historic significance. We reach names should be avoided, and that out to the museum, to the Heritage to city council. If council then approves the name, it goes on to the names should reflect the character Advisory Committee, we commuof the area (such as Justice Avenue nicate with other advisory commit- master names list. So, for example, for the road on which the new tees.” The public can suggest a name when Marina Park was developed, “Bobby Curtola Drive” was one of courthouse was built) and be easily to the City’s Planning & Building the newer names on the list that recognizable, readable, and spellaDepartment, Support Services got the attention of the Waterfront ble. In addition to these considerDivision too. ations, streets have an additional set Proposed names are then circu- Development Committee. (In the case of a street named after someof guidelines: short streets should lated to a list of advisory agencies, have short names, streets in sublike first responders, transit, the en- one, that individual or family members are consulted as well.) Once divisions should have names of sim- gineering department of transporilar origin or character, and street tation and works, Canada Post, and approved, the street signs, made of names should ideally not be longer Synergy North for their comments. aluminium with a reflective vinyl

How Thunder Bay City Streets Get Named

The Walleye

coating, are made locally. Changing a street name can be a tricky situation, as residences and businesses need to go through the potentially time-consuming or costly change-of-address requirements. Street names are also in a variety of databases, such as for emergency services, that would need to be properly and consistently updated. Several years ago, a request to rename Fort Frances’ Colonization Road (part of the 1,600 kilometres of “colonizing” roads built through traditional Indigenous lands in the mid-nineteenth century to give settlers access to land grants) was voted down by its town council due to those concerns. Some cities, such as Vancouver, have held discussions in recent years about diversifying the pool of new street names to make them more representative. McEachern says that, to her knowledge, this hasn’t come up specifically in Thunder Bay yet, but acknowledges that it’s part of a broader conversation going on around North America. “I won’t be surprised if someone does question it.”

Relax. We’ve got this.

Summer is the time to take a step back and enjoy the results of your hard work. Let MNP do the heavy lifting for your business while you head to camp and fire up the grill. Working closely with entrepreneurs like you is not just what we do, it’s how we have built our firm. As an entrepreneurial and community-focused firm, MNP delivers the in-depth strategies and diverse services you need to be successful. Contact Rob Mozzon, FCPA, FCA, Regional Managing Partner, 807.474.4900 or rob.mozzon@mnp.ca.

The Walleye

Food

THE GRINNING BELLY

Today is for Ice Cream By Chef Rachel Globensky

ur family has spent a good part of this summer camping in our vintage trailer parked in the municipal campground in Marathon. Penn Lake is scenic, and the campground is close to my partner’s work site. But the best part is that we’re between two of my favourite parks: Neys and Pukaskwa. The north shore of Lake Superior is one of the most stunningly beautiful places I’ve ever visited, and we’ve taken full advantage of exploring the area’s many hiking trails and beaches. We even bought a doggy backpack in which to carry our senior pooch when he gets tired! At the time of writing this column, we’re in the midst of a heat wave. The dogs have melted into furry puddles on the floor, despite still being damp from a morning swim. The trailer has AC (rubbery smelling, but functioning) and the campsite has WiFi (weak, but usable), so I’m all set to work. But instead of focusing on reading articles for my thesis work, my mind is wandering... to ice cream. I’m lactose

The Walleye

intolerant, and rarely crave ice cream, but homemade? With fresh berries? In the dog days of summer? Yes, please! Here’s an easy-peasy recipe for ice cream using any of the plump, sweet, summertime berries you can pick in Northwestern Ontario: blueberries, Saskatoons, raspberries, strawberries, currants, and even cranberries can be found (or bought) relatively road- or trailside. In August, the options are delicious and seemingly endless. While an electric or stand mixer is handy (you could use a whisk if you want), you won’t even need an ice cream maker to make this no-churn sweet treat. But first, a few notes on the recipe: • Whipping (35–38%) cream – The higher the fat content, the creamier your ice cream will be. You can use a lower-fat dairy or nondairy alternative, but you’ll probably have ice crystals. It’ll still taste fine, but just so you know. (I have yet to try coconut cream, so if you do,

•

please tell me how it turns out.) Condensed milk – It’s sweetened, so I don’t add extra sugar to the ice cream base. Try out your mix before you freeze it to make sure it’s to your liking. You can always add in a bit of icing sugar if you like more of a sweet thang. Flavourings – If you fancy, you can add in a splash of vanilla or almond extract, or your favourite liqueur, and a pinch of cinnamon, nutmeg, or citrus zest when you mix in the condensed milk. It’ll boost your ice cream’s deliciousness factor. Berries – You can use fresh or frozen, but crush them a little before adding in. The fruit flavour will come alive, and you’ll end up with a pretty marbled effect if you don’t mix it too much. A uniform berry-coloured ice cream still tastes every bit as good as its patterned sibling!

Summer Berry Ice Cream serves 4…or fewer – enjoy! 1 c 35% cream

Whip until it almost reaches stiff peak stage.

½ c sweetened condensed milk

Mix into whipped cream until just combined.

½ lb berries

Crush half the berries and carefully fold into whipped cream, enough to marble it or more. Just don’t beat the air out! Pour into a cake pan or ice cream container, sprinkling the remaining berries on top. Freeze at least four hours, but overnight is best. Take out of the freezer about five minutes before scooping.

Thank you to all of our Health Care Workers for your Care, Compassion and Commitment!

Food

DRINK OF THE MONTH

Piña Colada The Foundry

Story by Rebekah Skochinski, Photo by Chondon Photography We like piña coladas, but not getting caught in the rain. Thankfully, the weather has been downright delightful, affording us plenty of opportunity to sample what the Waterfront District’s StrEATery on Red River Road has to offer. The Foundry has a sweet new setup, featuring azure blue umbrellas, large planters with ferns, and that refreshing Lake Superior breeze. We stopped in on a recent afternoon to indulge in a classic cocktail. Originating in Puerto Rico, the piña colada is a blended drink that looks like a holiday postcard. This one is made with two different kinds of rum (coconut and spiced), coconut milk, pineapple juice, and lime juice that’s then shaken with ice. It’s thirst-quenching, tastes of the tropics, and will be a highlight of your summer staycation. NB: The patio is popular, so it’s best to call ahead to reserve your spot—then, you too, can sail away.

CaringCareers Careers Caring Start StartHere Here Caring Careers

The Foundry 242 Red River Road 285-3188

CaringCareers Careers Caring

Enjoyaafuture-focused future-focused Here eers rs Start Enjoy Start Here Start Here career inhealthcare healthcare with Caring Careers Enjoy a future-focused career in with rs Enjoy future-focused St.Joseph’s Joseph's Care Group. Start Here career in healthcare with Enjoy aafuture-focused St. Care Group.

ed with th .up.

career in healthcare with St. Joseph's Care Group.with Enjoy a future-focused career in healthcare For more information, St.Joseph’s Joseph's Care Group. career in healthcare with St. Care Group. For more information, Joseph's Care Group. visitSt. careers.sjcg.net For more information,

visit careers.sjcg.net For more information,

visit careers.sjcg.net

Caring Careers Start Here

For more information on Joseph’s Care Group, visit www.sjcg.net For more information onSt.St. Joseph’s Care Group, visit www.sjcg.net

For moreinformation information onat St.St. Joseph’s Care Group, visit www.sjcg.net For more information on careers Care Group, visit careers.sjcg.net For more on St.Joseph’s Joseph’s Care Group, visitvisit www.sjcg.net ForGroup, more information on careers at St. Joseph’s Care Group, careers.sjcg.net St. Joseph’s Care visit www.sjcg.net tion onat St.St. Joseph’s Care Group, visitvisit www.sjcg.net areers Joseph’s Care Group, careers.sjcg.net The Walleye

Food

From the Comfort of Home Tomlin, Barkeep Team Up For New Market, Take-Home Food, Drink Kits Story and photos by Susan Pretty

ooking longingly at Tomlin’s closed doors? No need to mope—a quick turn onto St. Paul Street will find you at the Barkeep Variety. This nifty walkup window is open Thursdays to Saturdays from noon to 7 pm where one can buy Tomlin burger kits, cocktail kits, charcuterie, and a whole bunch of cool merch. Chef and co-owner of Tomlin, Steve Simpson, says about the partnership with Barkeep that “it’s part of the same company, so we took on this project together.” What a great idea to team up together! Bring Tomlin’s burger nights to your place with your own burger kit. For $45, you can stroll merrily away with four hand-ground, seven-ounce all-beef patties (no filler!), four housemade milk buns (with their signature tuxedo sesame seeds), special burger sauce, and the most heavenly pastrami-spiced

The Walleye

pickles a person could ever hope to have. The cocktail kits are worth a mention as well. For $35, one can obtain already mixed drinks such as sloe gin, sangria, mojito, and a personal favourite, the Full Circle (gin, elderflower liqueur, black pepper, lemon, cucumber and clarified milk). All make for fantastic sippers, and there’s even some bartending tools for sale if you want to get a little feisty in the comfort of your home bar. There’s always housemade iced tea to quench your thirst while trying to decide what to get at the window. And don’t forget the surprise Candy Bag for a dollar—because what can you actually get for a dollar anymore? Perhaps by the time our readers are viewing this article the doors will be back open. But in the meantime, check out either Tomlin or Barkeep on social media to see what’s in store this weekend!

École catholique Franco-Supérieur 220, rue Elgin, 807 344-1169 Marie-Claude DeAgazio, directrice ÉSC de La Vérendrye 175, rue High Nord, 807 344-8866 Marie-France Tousignant, directrice

Inscriptions en tout temps! Register your child any time! Renseignements : formulaire d’inscription / registration form

The Walleye

Food

hunder Bay's summer ice cream scene has been well-documented, with shops covering the city and stretching out beyond its borders. As most locals know, a drive toward Kakabeka Falls holds the promise of a number of delicious destinations, but what you may not have heard is that a new creamery contender has emerged at the halfway point: Staal’s Scoops at 73 Twin City Crossroads.

The brightly coloured roadside trailer sits in the parking lot of Staal’s Soil & Sod and Eco Depot and offers picnic tables and benches where guests can relax and enjoy their treats. Just as sweet as the ice cream are the young ladies you’ll find slinging it: four sisters named Sydney, 16, Avery, 15, Macey, 13, and Lily, 11. The girls take turns in shifts of two while the stand is open. The Staal sisters began with a soft

launch at the end of last summer, but were able to start scooping in earnest this year, and although they are still new to the game, they have gained a following and are getting the hang of owning and operating their own business. The youngest, Lily, is a whiz at taking orders and making change; she remarks that math “never takes a day off.” The girls often wave signs and flag down passing cars at the end of the driveway. Naturally each sister has her own flavour favourites, and they are looking to expand their offerings based on customer feedback and what they’d like to see the business become. They are considering a mobile trailer to allow them to take their talents to events and gatherings (once those things again

Lily Staal

Macey Staal

Sydney Staal

All in the Family Four Sisters Run Summer Ice Cream Venture Story and photos by Nik Fiorito

The Walleye

become commonplace), but for now are happy to work together and learn the ropes of customer service and business ownership. There have been successes and challenges, but Macey notes that they are having a lot of fun, and Avery and Sydney recall times where whole workforces in the area have walked over for an afternoon snack, or when a classic car cruising club stopped by and cleaned them out of most of their product. Staal’s Scoops currently offers eight flavours of hard ice cream as well as sno-cones and customizable sundaes with a variety of toppings. Staal’s Scoops is open Wednesday to Friday, from noon to 7 pm between July 1 and Labour Day weekend, when the duties of school force its shutdown.

Avery Staal

Get Outdoors (807) 345-0001 GEAR-UP.COM 894 ALLOY PLACE

THE NEW 2020 ATLAS CROSS SPORT

Voted Thunder Bay’s #1 Import auto dealer

The Walleye

Food

SUPERIOR SIP

Drinks for Urban Foragers By Jeannie Dubois, Certified Pommelier and Sommelier

he summer sun is shining with its full force on our gorgeous northern neck of the woods and in the hot, hot heat, the local flora is growing fast and furious. To create a cool and urbane cocktail this summer, you need look no further than your own back lane or boulevard for the fruits of the season. Shake up something simple and refreshing featuring drink-worthy offerings from our own streets this summer and stay cool Thunder Bay!

For rhubarb, think:

For raspberries, think:

For crabapples, think:

Endless Summer

Juicy Snakebite

The Riff

Ingredients: 2 oz Cognac (like Courvoisier) ½ oz elderflower liqueur (like St-Germain) 1 oz fresh lemon juice 1 oz rhubarb puree ½ oz strawberry puree 2 dashes of bitters Rhubarb stalk for garnish

Method: Rhubarb/strawberry puree: Combine 3 cups rhubarb or strawberry, ½ cup sugar and ½ cup water in a saucepan over high heat. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to a simmer and stir occasionally until slightly thickened, 10–15 minutes. Remove from heat and cool at least 10 minutes. Puree with a blender until smooth and frothy. Cocktail: Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker with ice and shake to combine. Strain over ice into a highball glass and garnish with a rhubarb stalk.

The Walleye

Ingredients: 6 oz vanilla porter 3 oz hard apple cider

Ingredients: 3 oz gin 1 tsp crabapple jelly Juice of ¼ lemon

1 oz fresh raspberry juice

Crabapple slices for garnish

Lemon wedge

Fill cocktail shaker with ice. Add freshly squeezed lemon juice, gin, and crabapple jelly and shake vigorously until blended and chilled. Strain into martini glass and garnish with crabapple slice. For more fruit, add ½ oz raw apple juice to shaker. For more kick, add 2 Tbsp apple brandy to shaker.

Method: Muddle 10–15 fresh raspberries in the bottom of a tulip glass until juicy. Squeeze juice from lemon wedge into glass. Slowly pour in cider and beer simultaneously. Garnish with lemon wedge if desired.

Method:

Make your own crab apple jelly (it’s easy and they’re abundant!): seasonsandsuppers.ca/crabapple-jelly/

Food

The Yeasts That Make Beer Ale vs Lager Edition

By Josh Armstrong, PhD, Certified Beer Judge

here is an old saying that brewers do not make beer, yeast makes beer. This is because it is yeast—single-celled microorganisms from the fungus kingdom—that complete the brewer’s job. Once the brewer has brought all the ingredients together in the brewery (water, malted barley, hops) and created a sugary liquid called wort, it is yeast that then finishes the process by converting the sugar within the wort into carbon dioxide and alcohol, thus creating the wonderful beverage we call “beer.” Playing this vital role in the brewing process, yeast is also an important contributor to the flavour of the finished beer, largely driving much of how beer tastes through creating chemical compounds like esters, phenols, diacetyl, and other byproducts of the fermentation process. There are hundreds of strains of yeast used to make beer, each strain with its own characteristics and flavour profiles. Here, I will

briefly review the two major groupings of yeast used to make beer: ale yeast and lager yeast. Ale yeast, known by its scientific name Saccharomyces cerevisiae, is also used in making both wine and bread. It is commonly referred to as a top-fermenting yeast as it will first rise to the top of a batch of beer and then will sink to the bottom after it has done its job. Compared to lager yeasts, ale yeasts ferment at a higher temperature (12–25°C) and will become inactive when cooled. Fermenting at warmer temperatures produces a beer high in esters, which is the characteristic fruity flavour associated with ale. Many craft breweries tend to favour ale yeast strains as they are easy to manage and produce beer in a relatively short amount of time. Whereas ale yeast has been harnessed by brewers for thousands of years, lager yeast is relatively new to the brewing scene. This type of yeast, Saccharomyces pastorianus

BREW IT YOURSELF

(named after the famous scientist Louis Pasteur, and also once known as Saccharomyces carlsbergensis), was first was harnessed by brewers and used to make beer in Bavaria around the beginning of the 16th century. It is known as a bottom-fermenting yeast as it doesn’t rise to the top like ale yeast does. Fermentation using lager yeast strains is more fragile, as fairly specific conditions are required for the yeast to multiply, thrive, and produce quality beer. Lager yeast prefers colder temperature during fermentation (7–15°C) and takes much longer to convert the sugar in the wort. This slow process results in a more neutral flavour profile than ales due to fewer fruity esters. Many of the most-consumed beer brands in Canada (e.g., Budweiser, Molson Canadian, Coors Light, etc.) are made using lager-type yeasts. Lager yeast strains tend to be

crisper and visually clearer (also known as “bright”) when compared to ales. This is partly due to the “lagering” process. “Lagering” is nothing more than just cold storage, and can be done for both lagers and ales (e.g., Kolsch-style beers like Beau’s Lug Tread Ale). I often hear from craft beer enthusiasts that they do not like lager beer. However, I would suggest that perhaps they just have not tried many good ones, as they can be quite difficult to make well. This is because lager-style beer generally has a neutral and subtle overall flavour, and any flaws in the brewing process will easily stand out. Personally, I did not fully appreciate lagers until I visited Bavaria. There is something about drinking crisp and refreshing lager in a German beer garden that can change your perception of what a lager can be. Prost!

The Walleye

Food

Down by the Water The Jackknife Takeout Satiates the South Side By Wendy Wright

veryone loves a good burger, right? How about a fresh, local beef burger with a jalapeño popper nestled inside? Or perhaps one with onion rings? Maybe you’re craving a burger with sautéed mushrooms and onions. But, then there is always the double burger with double bacon and double cheese. These are the four best-selling burgers—the Firejack, Roadhouse Whiskey Jack, Big Daddy Jack, and Stack Jack—now available at The Jackknife takeout restaurant that opened at the end of May. Opening a restaurant during the COVID-19 pandemic may not seem like the easiest choice, however, being a takeout-only restaurant made things easier as all protocols can be safely followed. Located at 701 Syndicate Avenue South, near the old Jackknife Bridge, this new takeout venue has been serving up fantastic food all summer. There are picnic tables where you can sit and enjoy your meal, or you can take it with you, maybe down to the riverfront. For those interested in other fare, the French fries are homemade and fresh-cut daily, which makes for a scrumptious poutine. There are numerous chicken options to choose from, including the bestselling chicken fingers, and grilled

The Walleye

or breaded chicken in a wrap or as a burger. Floats made with any soda flavour (like root beer!) and shakes are also front and centre for those that are looking to chill out a bit. Many of the ingredients are locally sourced and you can now purchase the local, made-daily beef burger patties in four-packs to bring home and cook up on your own barbecue. “People are lined up in the morning when we open and it’s still going in the evening when we close up. It’s been very busy,” says Crystal Pelepchuk, the kitchen manager. At present the hours are 11:30 am–7:30 pm daily, and online ordering will be available soon so folks can avoid the lineups. It is always a sign that your food is fresh and hot when there is a lineup. The Jackknife got its name from the historic Jackknife Bridge that is practically on its doorstep. Pelepchuk explains that the owners “wanted a name that meant something in the town, and this was a natural fit for the restaurant.” Many people remember when the bridge was working all the time and now you can enjoy a meal and make new history down by the river. For more information, check out Facebook.com/thejackknifetakeout or call them at (807) 577-1989.

A LOCAL’S GUIDE TO SUMMER There’s so much to see and do in our own backyard, but some of us just don’t know where to start. With that in mind, we challenged ourselves, and now challenge you, to explore our beautiful City. Check out our “Thunder Bay Staycation” at donerite.ca/blog. This is the summer to look at Thunder Bay through the eyes of a tourist.

Start your adventure at

DoneRite_WalleyeAd_FullPage_2020.indd 1

2020-07-21 4:01 31 PM The Walleye

Darren McChristie

Food

Moving Business Outdoors Patios and the New Appreciation of Dining Out By Justin Allec

patios became the easy answer for many restaurants. Though social distancing rules are still in place, restaurants have been able to operate, staff can return to their employment, and customers can let someone else do the cooking. People have quickly embraced the change. Red River Road has been transformed, and many other restaurants off the strip are taking advantage of the warm weather and the public’s acute case of cabin fever. Jason Pearce, co-owner/operator of Madhouse, has operated

that the restrictions are on public space, and definitely not on their menus or customer service. Of course, it being Thunder Bay, we know that patio season has an expiration date. Based on prior experience, Pearce says customers usually head inside by mid-September. Gillingham is possibly interested in using outdoor heaters to stretch The Sal’s patio comfort level, but also admits that late September is probably the limit. However, with the introduction of Stage 3 guidelines and limited indoor seating, both restaurants say that they will be close to their prior capacity as long as the patios can operate. There are still so many challenges ahead for our local restaurants, but it’s great to know that the easiest way to support them now is to pull up a chair and spend some time in the sun.

Matt Prokopchuk

n the reality of the “new normal,” dining out is an act to be savoured. With part of our summer falling under Ontario’s Phase 2 guidelines, literal “dining out” has really been the only option. It’s not a complete return to pre-pandemic life, but the restaurant owners we spoke with were happy with the progress regardless. At the beginning of the pandemic, if take-out wasn’t feasible for a restaurant, many of them had to close and furlough staff. As restrictions eased and spring gave way to summer,

a patio for the last three years, but with the restrictions, they opted to expand their outdoor space to incorporate more tables. Across town, Aaron Gillingham, owner/operator of the The Salsbury Grill, decided to borrow some of the sidewalk space they share with J.B. Evans and initiate their first patio. Gillingham says he is thrilled with the response so far. “The patio is usually full,” he says. “I’ve been able to hire back all of my staff, too, so it really feels like we’re back in business.” Both Gillingham and Pearce mention that customers are mostly respectful of the challenges restaurants are facing. Even with the limited seating that comes from enforced social distancing, Pearce says that “the response has been fantastic,” and that, “people are so appreciative, so thankful.” A visit to either of these patios is a good reminder

The Walleye

reimagine

270 Bay Street (807) 622.6989

Your feelings, your look.

Reopening

We are very excited to be reopened to the public and have implemented new procedures to ensure that safety comes ﬁrst for you and your loved ones. Open daily from 11am-5pm Free parking next to the building Visit our website for more information

This beautiful 1969 Camaro is being oﬀered for raﬄe. This was once a show car in Ohio before coming to London, Ontario, in 2005. Now is your chance to win! Call, email, or visit our website for information on purchasing tickets.

e Car Raffl

Professionally appraised at $44,500 Lottery License # M835459

Camp in a B a

The Thunder Bay Museum presents Camp in a Bag for ages 6-12! With the cancellation of summer camp, we are oﬀering alternative activities that can be purchased at the Museum. Each bag has a diﬀerent theme along with corresponding crafts, activities, and a small surprise. For more information visit our website!

The Walleye

FilmTheatre

Dancers Always Find a Way

Superior Theatre Adapts 2020 Season Story by Amy Sellors, Photos by Donna Marie Baratta

he Superior Theatre Festival (STF) showcases theatre and dance for Thunder Bay audiences to enjoy every summer. Artistic and managing director Donna Marie Baratta has been growing the festival each year and STF assists local theatre artists in developing their craft and their projects. And then, COVID-19. The pandemic has been especially challenging for theatres. With limits on public gatherings and social distancing restrictions, most theatres have no choice but to remain closed. STF only operates in the summer, and Baratta quickly realized that without some radical changes, there would be no 2020 season. “Dancers always find a way to make things work,” says Baratta. “You work in a studio that is very small. Then, when you get to performance, you have to make it bigger. You have to adjust.” Coming from a dance background, Baratta drew on her resilience, and is finding new ways

The Walleye

to restructure STF’s 2020 season. As with so many industries these days, she is building new, non-conventional ways to make it work. STF’s presentation for audiences this summer is Undercurrents. Initially designed to be performed live at outdoor venues along the waterfront and involve audience participation, Undercurrents will now be six short films featuring six original dances, six commissions from local musicians, and a unique look at our beautiful city. “Theatre is ephemeral. You see it or you don’t,” says Baratta. “Now we will have something we can look at years from now and see the work that was created as a result of COVID-19.” Without access to studios, the dancers and choreographers are rehearsing and filming outside. The Superior Theatre Festival runs from August 18 to 23, and each day of the festival a film will be released. Along with Undercurrents, STF is continuing to develop Alex the

Artist. Originally slated for a public performance at the Thunder Bay Art Gallery, this new play by Thunder Bay’s own Alycia Novak is getting lots of development and support. A new play requires revision and feedback, and the pressure of a public performance can often impede the creative process. The goal is to hone the script, perfect the music, and create a demo to help market the play to theatres. Along the same lines is STF’s Indie Stream—this year, three local playwrights have been selected for mentorship with professional dramaturgs from Toronto. For those who want to get

involved, there are six workshops to help local artists grow and improve—three for youth and three for adults. Knowing that the summer is when we most want to be outside and recognizing that Zoom fatigue is real, the workshops will be only an hour long, and they will be packed with valuable information and resources to help participants improve their skills. Please visit the Superior Theatre Festival website and social media pages (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube) for information about their season and how you can see their work.

Give Yourself Some Space! Join Our Family! • LARGE OUTDOOR SPACES AVAILABLE THUNDER BAY’S STORAGE LEADER

646 Hewitson Street

807-623-7867

norshorestorage.com

• SAFELY STORE BOATS, RV’S, VEHICLES, TRAILERS & MORE! • 24/7 ACCESS • CENTRAL LOCATION • FULL-TIME SITE MANAGER • MODERN FACILITIES/ HIGHLY SECURE

BOXES & PACKING SUPPLIES

AVAILABLE ON-SITE

SAFE • SECURE • CENTRAL

SALE

PLUS FREE CORDLESS ON SELECTED PRODUCTS

Traumatic or Acquired Brain Injury We have over 40 years of experience handling catastrophic claims arising from acquired brain injury. We provide specialized services and advice to ensure the best possible outcomes for accident victims and their families.

807-344-9191

TF: 1-800-465-3988 76 Algoma St. N. Thunder Bay, ON

www.petronelaw.ca

The Walleye

FilmTheatre

From left to right, Cornelius Beaver, Brook Malone, and Keira Essex from the 2018/2019 Young Playwright’s Challenge

Taking to the Virtual Stage

Young Playwrights Have Works Chosen for Magnus Theatre Productions Story by Matt Prokopchuk, Photo by Scott Hobbs

fficials with Magnus Theatre in Thunder Bay say they’ve chosen this year’s winners of their annual playwriting competition, but ongoing restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic mean the performances will happen a bit differently. The theatre organization holds the yearly competition for teens aged 13 to 19. The young playwrights submit their scripts in the winter, which are then adjudicated by theatre professionals.

The Walleye

Finalists—typically, a winner and two runners-up—get a cash prize and their scripts further workshopped at Magnus, then their works are featured in public performances, says Danielle Chandler, theatre and education director at Magnus. But this year, COVID-19 changed everything. “I recently started back to work and we revived the workshops online,” she says. “So typically we do a public performance in April or May, but because we have a limit

on gatherings … [of] 10, we’ve had to move the showcase online this year. So, the workshops, the rehearsals and the showcase are all being done online through an online video platform, which is completely different from anything we’ve ever done before.” The three finalists this year are Birthday Candles by Chase Lester, Maybe Tomorrow by Walker Lucchese, and Good Enough, by Brynn Green. Chandler says 13 youth actors will be tapped for the performances, which she expects will be available this summer through YouTube. Typically, after the finalists are chosen, they would come to the theatre and meet with either Chandler or another professional to work through their scripts and make any wanted changes. After those are submitted, Magnus casts for the performances, and the plays are then rehearsed and performed. With pandemic restrictions still in effect,

those steps are now being done virtually and “with more technical difficulties,” Chandler says, laughing. Working through those difficulties in order to keep things running as normally as possible is very important, Chandler says. “No one wants to see the theatre sitting empty, I don’t think, right? It is painful to have the theatre dark for so long; we all are passionate about what we do and we want to get back to work.” “One of the things that’s different from a normal year is that there are fewer activities for students, so they are just raring for something to do,” she says. “In addition to that, it lets them try their hand at a new craft … and to receive feedback from professionals.” This competition is also a chance to ensure stories from the Northwestern Ontario region are being told on stage, as well as providing a gateway for younger people into the theatre world.

FilmTheatre

Films Featuring the Streets By Michael Sobota

All right, wise guys. Now you listen to me. All of ya! You hoodlums don’t own these streets. And I’ve had all the rough house I’m gonna put up with around here! You wanna kill each other, kill each other! But you ain’t gonna do it on my beat. - Lieutenant Schrank (Simon Oakland) in West Side Story

ife on the streets in movies tends to be serious, dark, violent, and tragic. That doesn’t mean there aren’t some terrific movies focused on what happens there. And sometimes, an innovative screenwriter and director can transform street life into cinematic gold. Here are four such gems, including a classic musical and an outrageous contemporary comedy.

West Side Story (1961)

To Kill A Mockingbird (1962)

Building on the smash success of the 1957 Broadway musical, Robert Wise and Jerome Robbins co-directed this classic love story’s transition from stage to screen. Leonard Bernstein, together with lyricist Stephen Sondheim and book writer Arthur Laurents, adapted their plot from Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. As in that original play, the movie features competing families, each of whom have attractive teenagers who fall in illicit love. In West Side Story, the families are rival gangs the Jets and the Sharks, and the lovers are Tony and Maria. Because the musical version was built around Robbins’ choreography, there are extensive scenes that take place in the streets, providing ample room for the characters to act out their motivations and for the cameras to capture their energetic street lives, including the comic relief from beat cop Officer Krupke. But Laurents and Bernstein give Shakespeare’s plot a modern, timeless update that resonates in our own time: hate leads to violence and tragedy.

Robert Mulligan, working from a script by Horton Foote based on Harper Lee’s now-classic novel, gives us another story about hate and prejudice, this time set in small town Alabama in 1932. Atticus Finch (Gregory Peck) is a lawyer defending a Black man falsely accused of raping a white woman. But there are several gifts in this fine film that lift it beyond the tragedy of those core elements. Foote’s screenplay, faithful to Lee’s dialogue, makes the characters sound both credible and engaging. Told from the point of view of Atticus’ six-year-old daughter Scout, her brother Jem, and their friends, the story unfolds with a genuine sense of innocence and lack of prejudice. Key scenes are set in the streets of this small town. Wrapped in Russell Harlan’s brilliant black and white cinematography and Elmer Bernstein’s memorable score, this is a treasure for all ages.

Taxi Driver (1976) A young Martin Scorsese flexed his artistic muscles on Paul Schrader’s tough, spare script in yet another look at the mean streets of New York City. A returning Vietnam vet, played by Robert De Niro, is suffering from undiagnosed PTSD. All he understands is that he has trouble sleeping, so he takes a job as a nighttime cab driver. There, he perceives the city slipping into decadence. His struggles to help an attractive political campaign worker (Cybill Shepherd) and rescue an underage street prostitute (a very young Jodie Foster) leave him feeling even more powerless to affect useful change until he erupts into a violent, graphic conclusion.

THE SECOND MOST PLEASURABLE THING WE DO IN THE DARK. A COLUMN ABOUT MOVIES

21 Jump Street (2012) Working off a screenplay by Michael Bacall, co-directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller give us a zany comedy about two high school buddies (Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill) who, upon graduation, join a police force. Because they look so young, they are assigned to become undercover cops and infiltrate a drug gang that is selling drugs to high school students. Thus launches a hip, cool, blasphemous, vulgar, and deliciously wicked story about street life in the underground, where every swear word you’ve ever heard and some you never imagined are uttered as regular conversation. Tatum and Hill are expert physical and verbal comedians, bringing charm and superb timing to their characterizations. This is a lively summer treat to see for the first time, or to enjoy on a re-viewing.

And here are six other street-set stories to fill out your late summer entertainment: Wild in the Streets (1968), Mean Streets (1973), Streets of Fire (1984 – the original one), Carts of Darkness (2008), The Wolf of Wall Street (2013) and Straight Outta Compton (2015).

The Walleye

Bryan Davis

FilmTheatre

Maranda Dumas

Devan McDonald

Mary Davis

Thomas McDonald

Maranda Dumas

An Outlet for Cooped-Up Creatives Come Play With Me Brings Theatre Online By Cathi Winslow

hen the world screeched to a halt in the spring, theatres closed their doors. Local companies cancelled all productions and artists needed a place to focus their creative energy. Thomas McDonald, who is the artistic director of the Confederation College Performing Arts Club, posted on Facebook, “Who would be interested in an online play reading?” It garnered a lot of attention, and a new initiative was born: a weekly play reading group called Come Play With Me. Since April, Come Play With Me has live-streamed over 18 shows and attracted hundreds of followers. “Right from the beginning, it was important to involve as many people as possible in the community,” McDonald says. A public invitation

The Walleye

drew responses from several artists and eight theatre groups who shaped performances, including 10x10, Applauze Productions, Cambrian Players, Cambrian Players Improv, Confederation College Performing Arts Club, Eleanor Drury Children’s Theatre, Rob MacLeod’s Capitol Players, and Superior Theatre Festival. Shows range from classic plays by Chekhov and Wilde to premieres of new work by local playwrights, including the fun-filled summer melodrama and a virtual murder mystery. There’s an exciting mix of performers from various groups working together for the first time. “I’m pumped to be able to perform with people I’ve admired on stage but never had a chance to ‘play’ with,” says performer Mary Davis. It’s also

a delight for audience members who miss the live theatre experience. Unique to this platform, viewers show their support by liking or writing comments as the show happens. “It’s quite fun to go back and see how people reacted to various moments in the play,” says Jess Falcioni, another performer, who also works as a professional actor. Videos of past shows are available to watch on the group’s Facebook page. Come Play With Me helps theatre lovers stay connected and hopeful during this socially distant time. Jessica Krasnichuk, another performer with wide-ranging professional experience, says that “in this medium, we’re still able to discover some pretty magical moments. It’s a great solution for now.”

Coming up in August:

August 5 Play Reading of Iphigenia August 12 Superior Theatre Festival Artist Panel August 19 Theatre Trivia Night (with prizes!) August 26 Campfire Stories: An Evening of Stories, Songs, & Spooks Visit Come Play With Me TBay on Facebook and Instagram for details.

Need someone to talk to? Our counsellors are here to help. We’ve adapted our Walk-In Counselling Clinic with Talk-In Counselling now available 5 days a week. FREE and QUICK-ACCESS single session counselling: MondAy

TUESdAy

WEdnESdAy

ThURSdAy

FRIdAy

Talk-In Counselling

9:00am - 12:00pm

12:00pm - 3:00pm

3:00pm - 6:00pm

12:00pm - 3:00pm

9:00am - 12:00pm

Call (807) 700-0090 to access phone or video counselling. In-person sessions may be offered on a case by case basis.

Walk-In Counselling Clinic proudly presented by:

tbaycounselling.com | childrenscentre.ca

08.28.2020 def sup

32 YEARS n

20 FUTURE VISION 20 GALA GRAND OPENING~EXHIBITION~FUNDRAISER~FRIDAY AUG. 28 7PM-LATE FEATURING: 40 REGIONAL.NATIONAL.INTERNATIONAL MULTIDISCIPLINARY ARTISTS JOIN US FOR A MULTI-TIERED ART AFFAIR~TOUR OF THE FACILITY & ONGOING SPECIAL EVENT DAYS, STAY TUNED TO OUR DEFSUP FACEBOOK AND WEBSITE FOR DETAILS 115 CUMBERLAND ST. N~FORMER CUMBERLAND CINEMA 5~DEFINITELYSUPERIOR.COM

gage art

The Walleye

TheArts

Drawn to It

Thunder Bay Artist Connor McMahon Finds Creative Outlet in Comics By Ayla Marion

onnor McMahon has always been close to the arts. “I grew up in a pretty artistic family; it was always very encouraging,” he says. The Thunder Bay local started his artistic journey in a band formed

40 The Walleye

with high school mates, and has since branched off into producing his own comics. McMahon’s post-punk garage band Fat Cop are releasing their latest EP in the coming months,

but he began making music back in high school. Even though at the time he was primarily focused on his music, he remembers making lyric booklets with visual representations of his songs. His drawings would help him remember the “atmosphere” of the songs when revisiting them later on. When McMahon was growing up he found and read his brother's comics, which became a source of inspiration for him to one day write and illustrate his own. He grew out of comics until

a friend reintroduced him to them in high school, around the same time McMahon started drawing. However, despite his encouraging family and history of creativity, McMahon still had his doubts. “I didn’t think I was very good. I couldn’t draw them the way I wanted to,” he says. For years he thought his comics came off as “goofy,” and he would throw out pages and drop projects only to come back to them and restart the process—something that many artists can relate to. Even so, McMahon continued to pursue his drawings until things started clicking in recent years. He says that now if he sees something in his head, he can put it down on paper—a satisfying result to years of practise and doubt. Though his stories tend to follow themes of horror, crime, fantasy, and the supernatural, McMahon doesn’t put his work into a box of a specific genre. Instead, he says, “What I like about it is that it blends a bunch of genres, like a melting pot.” His otherworldly themes and eye-catching, colourful style can be seen in Tuff Chudz, which follows two anti-heros in a dramatic chase through a dark, supernatural world, and can be found at Comix Plus. His other work can be purchased by messaging him through his Instagram, @bujet_ink.

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST - TOURISM-BASED BUSINESS

Photo courtesy of Elaine Mackenzie, Mountain Stream Orchard

photo courtesy of Elaine Mackenzie, Mountain Stream Orchard

MUNICIPALITY OF NEEBING

The Municipality of Neebing is looking to open up a conversation with current and potential business owners. To capitalize on existing tourism opportunities, Neebing is looking for new tourismrelated businesses to set up shop! Neebing is a rural community comprised of 5 townships: Blake, Scoble, Crooks, Pearson, and Pardee. It spans 877 square kilometers of rolling hills, breath-taking lake shore, cliffs, and prime agricultural land. For consideration: The Municipality of Neebing is requesting EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST TO ESTABLISH A TOURISM-BASED BUSINESS WITHIN THE MUNICIPALITY. Examples of such businesses include, but are not limited to: a cafe or restaurant; a campground; outfitting or guiding services (i.e. lake tours); accommodations. Current tourism assets include: Municipally-owned parks and boat launches along Lake Superior, Cloud Lake, Oliver Lake, Journey’s Middle Park, and the Alf Olsen Center.

The municipality is prepared to offer assistance in site selection, permitting, and seeking funding opportunities.

Please send your proposal to: The Corporation of the Municipality of Neebing 4766 Highway 61 Neebing, ON P7L 0B5 Attn: Courtney Lanthier Economic Development Officer Intern (807) 474-5331 development@neebing.org

Other notable recreation opportunities include: Pigeon River Provincial Park Thompson Island Provincial Park James Duncan Nature Trail - Big Trout Bay As a potential Neebing business owner, you would be joining a community of other businesses making their mark on the Thunder Bay area. Slate River Dairy Mountain Stream Orchard MindBody WholeWellness the Bakeshop on Boundary Mink Mountain Resort Thunder Oak Cheese Farm Eagle Ridge Trout Ponds and more...

The municipality is prepared to offer assistance in site selection, permitting, and seeking funding opportunities. Please send your proposal to: The Corporation of the Municipality of Neebing 4766 Highway 61 Neebing, ON P7L 0B5 Attn: Courtney Lanthier Economic Development Officer Intern (807) 474-5331 development@neebing.org

The Walleye

TheArts

Man From the Caribou Totem & Man From the Caribou Totem Box

FROM THE THUNDER BAY ART GALLERY’S COLLECTION

By Meaghan Eley, Registrar, Thunder Bay Art Gallery

Artist: Ahmoo Angeconeb Titles: Man From the Caribou Totem, Man From the Caribou Totem Box Date: 1995 Medium: iron, concrete Dimensions: 234 x 113.5 cm, 245 x 123.5 cm

n the early 1990s, the Thunder Bay Art Gallery commissioned Ahmoo Angeconeb (1955–2017) to create two large-scale sculptures for the outside of the building. Three years of work culminated with the installation of Man from

The Walleye

the Caribou Totem and Man From the Caribou Totem Box on the front lawn in August 1995. Angeconeb described his work as depicting “the People from the Caribou totem, who are the creative people—the artists in the Anishnawbe culture.” These pieces were very personal to the artist, who went on to say that “essentially this sculpture is about my family; we all have the caribou as our special animal, our totem.” The first eight-foot-tall sculpture, cut from two sheets of black iron, combines the features of a caribou with those

of a human. The second sculpture uses the negative image formed when the first pieces were cut. As Angeconeb said, “One is the body and one is the soul.” Angeconeb-s relationship with the Thunder Bay Art Gallery spanned much of his 30-plus year career, and included his first solo exhibition, Ahneesheenahpay Still Life, curated by Carol Podedworny in 1987. Then in 2007, the gallery organized and toured the solo exhibition Ahmoo's Prayer: Drawings from Obishikokkang, curated by Glenn Allison. The Permanent

Collection includes 43 works by the artist, spanning the length of his career and including a wide variety of mediums such as prints, paintings, sculptures, installation works, and drawings. Angeconeb’s work has enriched many group exhibitions and can currently be seen in Wabooz/Rabbit: Selections from the Permanent Collection. This month marks 25 years that these two impressive iron sculptures have been greeting visitors, fulfilling Angeconeb's vision that they act as welcoming sentries to the gallery.

Ahnisnabae Art Gallery Hustles Through COVID-19

Matt Prokopchuk

TheArts

Louise Thomas, owner, Ahnisnabae Art Gallery

Noted Thunder Bay Gallery Reaches 15-Year Milestone

t takes Louise Thomas a moment before it hits her that she’s reached a 15-year milestone for her business, all while being in the middle of a pandemic. Thomas, owner of the Ahnisnabae Art Gallery in Thunder Bay, has worked tirelessly over the last decade and a half to keep her late husband Roy Thomas’ artistic legacy alive since she founded the gallery in his honour. So when it was time to temporarily close her doors to the public in March, Thomas persevered and continued to take each day as an opportunity to preserve the work of her husband and the several hundred other Indigenous artists who have a spot in her gallery. “When you set your mind to something and just have the blinders on, you go for it and don’t worry about what people say,” she says. “Anishinaabe businesses are probably the first ones that people think are not going to work out.”

But as COVID-19 restrictions hit the community, Thomas was ahead of the curve adapting to new markets. For example, when a significant portion of local businesses opted to shift to an online platform during lockdown periods, Thomas already had her web store up and running. It’s something she implemented in 2006, noting at the time that it would allow her to increase her presence beyond the city. It’s certainly helped her over the last month, she says, as she’s experienced a spike in sales. Every day, she’s packed up at least one parcel to send off to eager buyers, some as far away as Switzerland, who’ve sought out her artists’ work. She also credits loyal customers in Thunder Bay as well as local organizations and businesses that placed large orders to help keep her sustained. “People need to feel good right now. And art, it’s one of those things,” she says. “But it’s really

Courtesy of Ahnisnabae Art Gallery

By Lindsay Campbell

My Grandfather’s Trail by Roy Thomas important to support local and I’m very proud to be part of this wonderful neighbourhood.” Thomas opened her physical gallery back up in June as provincial restrictions eased up. For the time being, the challenge has been navigating what the new normal looks like. If you decide to visit the Ahnisnabae Art Gallery, you will still find the same vivid prints and pictures coating the entire interior of her Court Street South location. You

might just experience a warm greeting from a distance and notice that the space is well stocked with hand sanitizer. Thomas hopes to stay open for at least another 15 years, as it’s important to her, she says, that her business makes a valuable contribution to the arts and culture scene. But what’s more is her desire to provide Indigenous creative minds with a platform that elevates their work in the years to come.

The Walleye

TheArts

Creative Occupational Therapy

To Di For: Handmade Jewelry by Diane Story and photos by Leah Morningstar

iane Altinbilek has a long history of exploring creativity and athleticism through martial arts training, Chinese dragon dancing, painting, and modelling. But a serious hand injury sustained many years ago limited her fine motor skills. As she got older, her hand started sending out reminders that it wasn’t as strong and healthy as the rest of her. Altinbilek was looking for something creative she could do in quieter moments that would also act as occupational therapy. Enter: jewelry making. Looking around Altinbilek’s workspace, there are small things everywhere. The beads are tiny and the wires and filaments are minuscule, as are the clasps and joints. Even the tools for bending wire and closing or cutting chains are tiny. It takes a lot of dexterity and hand strength to work with such small

44 The Walleye

tools and products. A few years ago, Altinbilek gave birth to her first child, then to a second child shortly thereafter. Altinbilek works from home as a college professor and her husband owns and runs Black Pirates Pub. They balance childcare quite equally but there’s no question about it: life with young children is loud and chaotic. Altinbilek can’t set up a painting studio right now, but she can grab a box of beads and some wire while the kids are napping, occupied with a video, or after they go to bed. A wonderful thing happened after she had been tinkering around with beads and chains for a while: Altinbilek’s hands started feeling better. Watching her work, you’d never know her hand used to cause her so much pain. Altinbilek keeps the wire cutting and bending tools at the ready as she tightly winds

metallic wire into complicated patterns. She only has pain in bad weather now; jewelry making has been the perfect therapy. Altinbilek’s designs range from simple dangly earrings to intricately woven wire-wrapped pendants. She’s been working steadily on what she calls “statement pieces.” She says, “I wanted to do something different, something that I don’t see from other jewelry makers in town.” Altinbilek enjoys making simple designs that sell well but she says, “the

intricate and complicated designs really get my creativity flowing.” This is life for Altinbilek right now, as it is for all parents of young children—stolen bits of time to work on special projects are a luxury. But children have a tendency to grow quickly and it won’t be long until they get bigger and more independent. One day they might even be making their own designs, alongside their wonderfully creative mother.

Chase the Horizon With Us Your Best Source for Firewood!

Birch | Poplar | Black Ash | Dry Pine Pick-up or Delivery Available

3079 Dog Lake Road

807.632.5220 | DogLakeFirewood.ca

Discovery Charters LAKE SUPERIOR, ONT. CANADA

ROSSPORT ISLAND TOURS P. (807) 824-3323 email: discoverypb@yahoo.ca | www.discoverycharters.ca

For over 70 years the TBYC has enthusiastically acquainted Thunder Bay with the thrill of our waterfront, Lake Superior and beyond. A volunteer-driven non-profit organization, we provide members with everything from a 25 tonne travel lift, to boat storage, to social, sail racing, and education programs, to boating destination development. You see us on the water. Together, our journey has only just begun.

tbyc.on.ca Photo by Isabela Pioro

The Walleye

Outdoor

Challenging, Healing Body and Mind Thunder Bay Trail Runners Celebrate All the Sport Brings

Antonio Stefanile

By Nick Whitbread and Antonio Stefanile, Co-Founders, UpRiver Running

Upriver Running group run 2019, top of the Sleeping Giant lookout

he morning is cool and the sun not long arrived. Life’s expectations are still fast asleep. The dirt winds on ahead, inviting us to explore. The vibrant green still holds morning dew as we brush past; the cool contact awakens our senses. The beautiful quiet is gently broken by our breath over the light sound of our footfall. We journey along together, striding separately but united. Silence and conversation are both welcome here. We both flow through nature, under our own power, as was intended; we are right here and we are free. This is trail running. UpRiver Running was born on a run—a trail run between two acquaintances, soon to be friends, then partners. It was coming together of two people, both with our own running experiences, a love for the sport of trail running, and a desire to build community and to share the sport that has given us both so much. At UpRiver, our mandate is to create fun, challenging, and unique trail running experiences. Since day one, our goal was to grow the community

46 The Walleye

around trail running. We love running and acknowledge the added benefit of trail running specifically. A run taken to the trails becomes a submersion in nature—a soothing challenge for the soul, an adventure, and usually a great story to be told. Trail running, though it is a physical and mental challenge, is also medicine for both. We both believe in the growth and reward that comes from taking on a physical challenge, especially one that is new. The skills required and the experience gained are transferable into everyday life—learning how to break down a challenge into manageable pieces, the practice of showing up daily, dealing with adverse conditions, and exploring unknown parts of ourselves. Trail running can be a transformative experience of both body and mind. When we toe the line of a race or set off on a run beyond what we have ever done before, we are showing up to learn something about ourselves. We are stepping into nature for a unique adventure.

Antonio Stefanile

Outdoor

UpRiver Running's Sleeping Giant group run 2019

Tbayalive

UpRiver’s first event was a fun run in 2017, with 44 people coming out to enjoy a great time on the trails. We were testing the waters. We quickly realized there was an appetite in the community for the kind of trail running experiences we loved ourselves. Our fall races in 2019 had just over 200 people come out to race over three distances (10 km/25 km/50 km). One of the greatest rewards of our races has been watching people step out of their comfort zone and challenge themselves to reach new goals. We are so grateful for the community that has grown around our events. We have made new friends and have seen more people exploring the great outdoors and reaching new goals. We feel so lucky to be able to share experiences and the amazing stories of the trail running community. This movement transcends age, gender, race, and social class. It gives us great joy to watch it grow and we’re excited to grow along with it.

Nick Whitbread high-fives runner Martin Kaiser

Tbayalive

Antonio Stefanile and Nick Whitbread

The Walleye

CityScene

GO LOCAL THUNDER BAY COUNTRY MARKET

Metropolitan Moose By Sarah Kerton

teve and Julia Miles have a long history with the Thunder Bay Country Market. They

were founding vendors when it started, but after three years, left to open a storefront. Those who have paid a visit to their cosy log cabin, also known as the Metropolitan Moose in Kakabeka Falls, have been happy to find them back at the market for the last two and a half years. At the market, the Metropolitan Moose has expanded its reach with new endeavours: Juicy Ju’s and El Cubano, found on the second floor. With almost 18 years in Kakabeka Falls, Julia looks at the market as her getaway. It allows her to do something new and something she could call her own. “I love the change of

scenery and even after more than two years I love the look on people’s faces when they say, ‘hey look it’s the Moose.’” Julia says that her favourite part of being a market vendor is the good friends and the tightknit community that surrounds it. “We all help each other, especially in our little corner. We sell for each other; we carry stock for each other. We all have kind of become educated in each other’s products. I can now tell you what makes good soap, what the newest design in pottery is, or what vintage apron would suit you best.” At Juicy Ju’s, you will find smoothies, iced tea, iced London Fog and chai, lemonade, fresh fruit smoothies, and her bestsellers, scones. Apparently basil marmalade is also a hot item; I’ll be sure

to try one of those next time I’m in the area. El Cubano offers heartier fare with Cubano paninis, breakfast burritos, apple chimi cheesecakes, churros, and crisp meat burritos. COVID-related closures were especially hard on the upstairs market vendors, as the second storey of the Dove Building was closed longer than downstairs. Julia considers herself very lucky in that she has the storefront in Kakabeka Falls as well and was able to clear out the front of the café to assist some of the market vendors with an alternative space. She says she’s thankful to be a vendor and thankful for the customers in Thunder Bay who are such strong supporters of local, and keep the market going strong, even in hard times.

Steve and Julia Miles

48 The Walleye

CityScene

This is Thunder Bay Interviews by Nancy Saunders, Photos by Kay Lee This month we asked The Walleye readers to share their favourite street in Thunder Bay.

Dawn: I’m from Fort William and I just started working in the Red River area, near St. Paul Street, and I love it. It’s got a little vibe; it’s different. I like the vibe. Now that I’m working down here, I’ve changed my routine: like I go to St Paul Roastery in the morning and grab a coffee. And I’m typically a Fort William person, so until I started working here, I didn’t really come down here. Now my husband meets me after work, we’ll have a drink at the Red Lion. I really like it.

Norman: I would say probably my favourite street is Bay Street. I was the president of the Bay and Algoma Business Association and I put up that sign—that was my big accomplishment. You know that sign that’s there, that says, “Welcome to this area?” Because people used to come to our art gallery and always say to us, like tourists and stuff, “Are we here? We were sent from the hotel. Is this it?” Marketing 101 is establishing who and where you are, right? So I said, “well, we have to put up a sign.” And the neatest thing is that everybody, the day it was put up, all the tourists were taking their picture in front of the sign, because it’s a really nice sign—great guy that did it. It has the Hoito on the bottom and the Sleeping Giant. Anyway, the sign became a destination and a photo place for tourists, which was really cool.

Franco: Prospect Street. I grew up in that area. Prospect Street is fantastic. The houses, the view, everything. The whole street.

Parker: Favourite street in Thunder Bay…I really like Crown Street. I like how it’s kind of at the top of downtown. It’s the edge of downtown; it rolls into Hillcrest Park.

The Walleye

CityScene

Michael Westermann and Logan Wright, the hosts of the weekly podcast Us by the Giant

Us by the Giant The Virtual Water Cooler Chat

Story by Michelle McChristie, Illustration by Westermann Creative

ou know you and your friend’s conversations are interesting when you can turn them into a successful podcast. In March 2019, Logan Grann and Michael Westermann decided to let others join their conversations by launching Us by the Giant—a podcast that highlights unique, interesting, and engaging personalities in Thunder Bay. “We would find ourselves talking at work, like a water cooler chat [...] about different things,” says Grann. “Michael came up with the idea to start a podcast, so

The Walleye

we tried it out and voilà, here we are.” With more than 70 episodes under their belts, the friends have adapted the show and learned a lot about podcasting meeting new friends along the way. Thinking back to the early days, Westernmann says, “the biggest hurdle was for us to get comfortable with us talking because we do it raw [and] unedited—we just record and then post.” For the first 20 episodes, they recorded interviews using an iPad and an app called Anchor. “Eventually, people were listening and we were

getting feedback, so we bought a USB microphone that connected to the iPad,” he says. “We did that for a while, and earlier this spring we invested in more of a studio setting where we actually have a mixer, [boom] arms, and microphones.” “We want to highlight what Thunder Bay has to offer,” says Westermann. “We started with technology and space, but our platform developed into featuring guests and then having them join us for a chat—usually it’s 70% about the guest and then 30% on other topics.” Grann says they “emphasize the best people in Thunder Bay and then sprinkle it with our own science-interesting facts near the end.” It’s like a talk show that wraps up with the guest joining the hosts at the water cooler for a laidback and unscripted conversation. Westermann’s wife, Lisa, does the cover art for each episode,

which features the guest flanked by the hosts. Each guest receives a printed copy of the art and signs a second copy that is hung on the studio wall. The cover art is posted on the podcast’s social media pages, giving followers a quick snapshot of the guests they’ve hosted. All of the episodes are available online via multiple platforms. “Our first episode is one of the most played and has some of the worst audio quality,” says Westermann with a chuckle. “Overall, the exposure to the podcast is always growing. There is more and more engagement on social media, such as suggestions for guests.” Find Us by the Giant on social media and tune into their weekly podcast via Spotify, Apple Podcasts, anchor.fm/usbythegiant, or other platforms.

WE’RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER

A BIG HIVE FIVE, VIRTUAL HUG & THANK YOU FROM ROOTS TO HARVEST Our number one goal over the past few months – make good food accessible to people who need it, with no red tape. Literally hundreds of you have made donations through rootstoharvest.org or dropped off baking ingredients, reuseable masks, coffee, or just straight up cards to say you’re thinking of us – all this when we needed it the most. We. are. THANKFUL.

own. Working with all of you and our community partners, means more reach, more hands, and more hearts. ‘We’re all in this together’ has been a recurring phrase through these past months, and we feel it hard.

Large or small, every donation has had an impact on the work we shifted to do during this crazy time. August 1 will mark 17 weeks of thousands of food bags to families, elders and seniors. This is not something we could have ever accomplished on our

So whether you’re a long standing supporter, or a brand new friend - we’re grateful to know you’ve got our backs. Your love and support - even if it’s just a virtual high five - is what’s keeping us going.

*ad space donated in part by Walleye Magazine

roots walleye ad.indd 1

2020-07-21 4:39 PM The Walleye 51

CityScene

Heron House Handmade

Local Candlemaker Talks About Her Craft and a New Venture Story by Nancy Saunders, Photos by Maria Maria Photography

here’s something about the scent and mood emitted from a beeswax candle that makes a space feel especially cosy and welcoming. Monique Gouthro, owner of Heron House Handmade, lists these as some of the qualities that draw people to her beeswax candles. “I think that the people who buy my products value cosiness in their home environment,” she says. “They like a very natural aesthetic, a very organic feel. They are generally very eco-conscious and want things that are safe and non-toxic.” A self-described homebody, Gouthro says she is rarely home without having candles lit. Her house was named Heron House by its previous owners because of the many herons that live on the

The Walleye

property, and she chose the same name for her business since that is where she makes her products— her workspace is a corner of the family’s garage. Gouthro sources 40 to 50 pound blocks of wax from a Canadian supplier, most of it coming from southern Ontario, and uses a sledgehammer to break it up into smaller chunks—often doing this in the winter when the wax is frozen and easier to break. She melts the wax in a huge wax pot, an item recommended to her by a beekeeper in England she met through Instagram, and that required special wiring upon arrival. During the few hours it takes for the wax to melt, Gouthro prepares the wicks and the moulds, then uses a heat gun in the finishing process and hand-trims the bottoms.

Gouthro recounts how she began making the beautiful, locally influenced candle moulds: “I wanted to do something with a local flair for the Christmas Craft Revival, so I got into mould making. I went to the local thrift stores and made sure that I had bottles from Fort William and Port Arthur; I found one from the Thunder Bay Dairy Co-op, and I had a Canadian maple syrup bottle.” She describes a quick progression from working with beeswax to researching bees, then eventually getting her own hives. “When I get into a topic, I do the deep dive until I’ve learned everything I can possibly learn,” she says. “That’s one of the things that attracted me to working with beeswax—it’s so interesting. You can’t research beeswax without learning a tonne about

bees.” In May 2019 she took Roots to Harvest’s beekeeping class, got her first “nuc” (or “nucleus colony,” a small colony of honey bees) in June 2019, and now has three hives. Gouthro hopes her hives eventually produce enough honey for her to sell. “Just a little bit that would go in my gift packs,” she says, hinting at her exciting new venture coming in fall 2020 called Brown Paper Packages by Heron House. The concept is “carefully curated, Canadianmade goods”, featuring small-batch culinary and self-care products that can be customised or purchased in curated sets. Heron House Handmade products are sold online, in local stores, and at local markets like the Craft Revival and the upcoming Summer Market on August 13 at CharKuu 102.

CityScene

Succulence

Blueberry-Blasting Cannabis Strains By Justin Allec

t’s August, which means that flavours of summer are almost at their ripest. My small strawberry patch is done, but the raspberries are still going strong. Despite that, what I really can’t get enough of are blueberries. You have to work to get blueberries, and that smell and taste are worth savouring. Cannabis pairs well with summertime, especially if you have a spot near the garden to sit and enjoy the sun’s heat, but you’ll want a strain that matches

CANNABIS CORNER the surrounding freshness. If you can’t find yourself a picking patch, a blueberry-flavoured strain might do just as well. I decided to take a closer look at three of these strains, all available locally through our retailers. Thanks to their particular terpene profile, these strains offer maximum flavour and maximum effect. In other words, don’t make plans for afterwards, as you’re going to want to enjoy that time in the sun.

Shishkaberry by Namaste THC 14–19% (140–190 mg) CBD 0–1% (0–10 mg) Indica Dominant

Blue Dream by Aurora THC 15–21% (150–210 mg) CBD 0–1% (0–10 mg)

THC 13–22% (130–220 mg)

Sativa Dominant Terpenes: Myrcene, Limonene, Alpha-Pinene

Terpenes: Beta-Caryophyllene, Limonene, Myrcene

$9/g; $28.95/3.5g

$7.95/g; $26.50/3.5g

Aurora’s Blue Dream is probably the mildest strain out of these three, given the balance of sativa, but it still packs a flavourful punch. Blue Dream has a more floral taste than the other strains on this list but the blueberry taste is obvious. Expect a more even experience; this one is quickly becoming a Canadian favourite thanks to its uplifting effects. Though reasonably priced, my one complaint is that Aurora tends to package their cannabis long before it hits the shelves. If you can find a container that’s been filled in the last month or so, you’re in for a treat.

Shishkaberry has been around for about 20 years, since its introduction at a 2001 Cannabis Cup event, and it’s been winning people over ever since. Its strong THC levels may make you curious, but the smell and flavour are the clinchers. The first time you open a container it’s like you’re diving headfirst into a blueberry patch, and the flavour, when smoking, is more than a mouthful. A hybrid grown from the DJ Short Blueberry strain and an unknown Afghani one, Shishkaberry starts strong by providing a bit of an energy boost and then slowly mellows over time.

Blueberry Seagal by Color Cannabis CBD 0–2% (0–20 mg) Indica Dominant Terpenes: Alpha-Humulene, Beta-Caryophyllene, Beta-Pinene, Delta-Limonene, Nerolidol $10.19/g; $35.65/3.5g Again, open the container of this strain and just jam your nose in there, because you’re going on a journey to flavour-town. A newer strain on the market, Blueberry Seagal is close to Shishkaberry in many respects such as initial flavour, but with the volume turned up. Though initially potently heady, the strain eventually evens out to an incredibly relaxing experience thanks to the mild offset of the CBD. That said, this strain is best suited for a more experienced user, or just if you have nowhere in particular to be. Ideal for a lazy summer day.

eat . more . pie. FIND US UP S TAIRS AT T HE T HUNDER BAY C OUN T R Y M ARK E T ON S AT URDAY S BE T W EEN 8 : 0 0 A M A N D 1 : 0 0 P M . PREORDER HAND PIES FOR HOME DELIVERY ON SUNDAYS.

ilovepieolo

g y. c o m

Pie.olog y

@pie.olog y_

@ilove t hunder bay

The Walleye

CityScene

Shy-Anne Hovorka's son Rex, 4

The Singing Green Thumb Shy-Anne Hovorka Gives Lessons in Gardening

Story by Deanne Gagnon, Photos by Shy-Anne Hovorka

hy-Anne Hovorka is an award-winning singer, best known for her musical talents. But her talents go well beyond that—she is also becoming known for her enviable gardening skills. During the pandemic, many people have been concerned about potential food scarcity, and a number of them have reached out to Hovorka about gardening. “I’ve always been a big gardener and in the last few years we’ve prided ourselves to be able to grow enough food to last the family year-round,” Hovorka says. “This year with COVID people started to ask me lots of questions about how to start a garden in case everything shuts down. On some

Shy-Anne Hovorka and her son Rex

The Walleye

nights I was responding to emails for an hour or two, so I thought what if I do a week-by-week blog on what to do, then I could just send a link, because gardening is very scientific. It’s not really a quick response most of the time—it’s more in-depth.” “I’m more of a musician than anything; I’m not doing this to become a professional gardener,” she says. “People know me, the musician. People also know that I grow my own food. I sing and I grow food, hence The Singing Green Thumb,” she explains about the title of her blog. Hovorka’s intention is to do a complete gardening season on her blog, including when, where, and

what to plant, how to blanch vegetables, information about pests, and even root cellars, providing gardeners of all levels with an invaluable source of information. Having grown up with her grandmother and father, both gardeners, Hovorka acquired many skills at a young age. She also credits her neighbour, Harriet Hansen, a master gardener with whom she co-gardens, as being a wealth of information. “[Hansen’s] lifestyle and eating habits have had a huge effect on her vitality and health,” Hovorka says. “Her and her husband, in their mid 70s, are in better shape than most people my age. Part of the reason I grow my own food is to ensure healthy and truly organic food.” It seems the interest in gardening

will stay in the family, as Hovorka’s four-year-old son Rex loves to help and makes cameo appearances on the blog. For anyone looking to start their own garden, Hovorka says “my best piece of advice is picking five favourite veggies. Research the vegetable—what they actually need to grow, what kind of climate, do they like sun, do they not like sun, what do they grow beside—because if you just start with a few it’s easy to put together. It’s extremely overwhelming if you start big. Start small and every year add one or two vegetables to make your garden a little bit bigger.” Check out The Singing Green Thumb at shy-anne.com.

Harriet Hansen, Shy-Anne Hovorka's neighbour and master gardener

Courtesy of EcoSuperior

CityScene

From left to right, Shayla Auld (Communications), Caroline Cox (Program Coordinator), Julia Prinselaar (Program Coordinator), Ashley Priem (Program Director), Kelsey Agnew (Customer Support Guru), Sue Hamel (Executive Director)

New Look, Expanded Role

Thunder Bay’s EcoSuperior Rebrands For 2020 and Beyond By Matt Prokopchuk

coSuperior will have a new look starting this month, and its executive director says it will also reflect an expanded mandate and mission for the environmental organization after a quarter century in operation in Thunder Bay. “This is a long time in the making,” Sue Hamel says. “[EcoSuperior has] navigated a diversity of waters over the last 25 years and a range of appetites, you could say, for political will and just community engagement with environmental action. We’re one of very few cities in the country that actually can claim we have a healthy environmental not-for-profit that is over a quarter century old.”

The new logo, Hamel says, consists of three symbols that “represent what EcoSuperior’s about.” Those include the living landscape, represented by a tree, living aquatic ecosystems, represented by a water symbol, and two hands, which Hamel says represent community and humanity. “It’s time, we felt, to be able to have a new logo and a new website that better represents who we are, and also who we’re becoming,” she says, adding that the organization will also be reviewing what its role is in the community in 2020, where it has been successful, and to try and “elevate that, or strengthen those

areas.” Additionally, Hamel says EcoSuperior will also be exploring new areas in which it can support the community, including forging new and expanded partnerships, particularly with Indigenous communities in the northwest. “I feel like our mission [has] never felt more important than it does right now,” she says. “I think it’s always been important, but I think humanity is at a crossroads right now of crises.” Hamel says those include crises of the climate, the current pandemic, as well as civil rights. “I feel like the mission of EcoSuperior is interwoven in playing a role and helping our community and Northwestern Ontario seize opportunities to be able to help us all, if we

all come together in navigating these waters that we’re facing.” Part of that, Hamel says, is enhancing the educational work EcoSuperior does, as well as offering new services, including forest therapy programming that will consist of guided walks along specifically selected routes in nearby natural spaces, like conservation areas. She says they’re also looking at developing, along with other partners, “healing trails” in area greenspaces that will aim to better people’s mental and physical health, as well as be beneficial to the areas in which they’ll be set up. “I’m hoping that it’s a mission that all of Northwestern Ontario embraces,” she says.

The Walleye

Ryan Pendziwol

CityScene

New Children’s Book By Jean Pendziwol Hits Shelves in September By Bonnie Schiedel

hunder Bay author Jean Pendziwol’s newest book is I Found Hope in a Cherry Tree. While it’s a picture book aimed at kids aged three to seven, the graceful text will also resonate with adults. Pendziwol wrote the book while trying to sift through emotions after the mass shooting in Las Vegas in 2017. “It made me think about hope and how we talk about hope with children,” she says. She started reading poetry and other works about hope, including articles and books by Rebecca Solnit. “She got me thinking about how hope is really a choice. It’s an action when we choose to move forward in the face of the unknown and the unknowable. My instinct was to turn to nature and how we can find that concept within nature, and how we find hope within the environment around us.” Using lyrical descriptions of natural elements like wind, wolves,

The Walleye

snowflakes, and tree blossoms, Pendziwol helps the reader see the unfolding beauty and goodness in a world that can feel very dark at times. This rings particularly true when the world is collectively coping with the fallout of COVID-19. “We had no idea how prescient it was—that it would be published and released [when] we would be in perhaps one of the most scary, confusing, and unpredictable times of many of our lives, and many young children’s lives, and how we need hope more than ever,” she says. Groundwood Publishing, which has published six of Pendziwol’s other children’s books, selected Canadian illustrator Nathalie Dion to create dreamy artwork to complement her words. “I was absolutely overwhelmed with how she interpreted the text and how she brought new elements to the story, to create something that marries with what I’ve written to create something new,” says Pendziwol,

You can order I Found Hope in a Cherry Tree from any bookseller as well as directly from Groundwood Books. Visit jeanependziwol.com or her Facebook page for more details on launch events and digital readings.

Ryan Pendziwol

Finding Hope

adding that Dion’s work on the book has already been shortlisted for two international awards. She’s currently collaborating with Dion and Groundwood to plan how to promote the book in a time of pandemic, and hopes to have a local book launch and signing.

Your peace of mind advocates.

Visit us online for up-to-date information and our office hours. Our advisors are also able to serve you over the phone and by email. We are grateful to be in the position to continue serving you through this uncertain time.

102-920 Tungsten Street P: 807.345.6369

After Hours Claims P: 1.844.762.2287

TF: 1.866.418.3672 info@standardinsurance.ca

standardinsurance.ca

The Walleye

CityScene way—retailers that were closed but could do curbside pickups and that sort of thing—so trying to figure out how to switch your business model was definitely a big challenge for a lot of businesses to manage. But generally, I think we’ve seen amazing resilience from the business communities. We’re certainly not out of the woods and I don’t think we’ll be out of the woods for quite some time, but I get a sense that many business owners are taking this challenge by the horns and trying to figure out what they need to do differently in order to continue to dig themselves out [...] and to thrive in the future.

On her path to becoming the head of the Chamber of Commerce:

Eye to Eye

With Charla Robinson As told to Matt Prokopchuk, Photo by Kay Lee

he relaxing of some restrictions put in place to manage the COVID-19 pandemic means more and more businesses will be opening over the course of the summer. That means the Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce and its president, Charla Robinson, are fielding a lot of queries from businesses of all types as they navigate our new normal. Robinson spoke with us over Zoom to chat about how the local business sector is handling the pandemic, how she’s staying in touch with her mother,

The Walleye

and why a jog or a hike in the woods remains her favourite summer activity.

On how Thunder Bay’s business sector is weathering the pandemic: Certainly, it’s been a very challenging time for businesses I think across the board, whether you’re a super small business or whether you’re a large business, everybody’s been impacted by this. Certainly a number of sectors were told by government that they had to close down and some of those were allowed to continue to operate in a different

I think the pathway is a little different for everybody. Certainly, I’ve been involved in policy work for about 20 years, through various things. I worked at the Chamber in a previous role; I also worked on Parliament Hill with one of the local Members of Parliament for a number of years and had a short stint at Queen’s Park with a local MPP. I also worked as executive director for the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association, dealing with all the municipalities in the northwest. All those were really very much policy-based and administrating—all of the work that goes with developing policy and advocating to governments around why we need to change this or address this challenge. It’s getting, again, that communication piece of what does government need to know, and how to get the information from the people who have the problem to the people who might have the solution. It’s been an interesting pathway.

On what she misses the most about pre-pandemic life: I miss being able to go see my dad—he’s in long-term care. My family doesn’t live here, so I’m not even in the same city so I can’t take advantage of some of the other things that my other family members can do with virtual communications. But yeah, definitely, [it’s] been hard not to be able to just jump in the car and drive to my parents’ hometown [Dryden] and go for a visit. My mother’s there as well,

so of course they’ve been separated throughout this, so that’s been very hard for her as well. If anything, I’m hoping that this goes away, just because it’s hard to watch your parents struggle after so many years together, being separated for such a long time.

On her virtual communication with her mother: My mom recently got onto an iPad, and so we FaceTime every week now, and we play Scrabble together online. It’s been such a huge way to help her, so that she doesn’t feel so isolated because, again, being a senior and in a more vulnerable population, she’s been staying home more than maybe she normally would and so that’s been a huge. [It’s] something that I’m really grateful for—to be able to have that technology to keep connected in that way, to be able to see her face and have a conversation every couple of days.

On her favourite street in Thunder Bay: Oh gosh, so many. I would say my favourite, favourite street in Thunder Bay is actually Algonquin Avenue. The trees and the tree cover on that street—whenever I drive down that street, it just makes me feel good, whether it’s in the spring, watching the leaves start to come out again, or whether it’s in the fall when the trees (and a lot of them are maples) are in full colour. I just love that street. It’s my favourite street for sure.

On what food she’s craving: I love a good steak.

On what’s on her playlist: Right now, I’m listening to a lot of Jackson Browne. He’s really speaking to me right now, but generally, [I’m] pretty eclectic. I’ve got a mix of old and new: country, pop, blues, the whole gamut.

On her favourite summertime activity this year: It actually hasn’t changed much, I live right near Centennial Park and Boulevard Lake, so I spend a lot of time all year round just hiking and walking the trails and running the trails. I just love the opportunity to get out in nature and just unplug from the world and go for a long walk or a long run and just reconnect with one thing: myself.

CityScene

An Essential Service

Evergreen A United Neighbourhood Rebounds In the Face of Pandemic By Savanah Tillberg

strong sense of community is essential, especially during these strange and uncertain times. Evergreen A United Neighbourhood, a local organization that serves Thunder Bay’s south core, has adapted and continued their work building a better community throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Prior to the global pandemic and a dramatic shift in operations, Evergreen operated as a hub for youth programming. The organization primarily serves the SimpsonOgden neighbourhood, but has participants who visit regularly from other parts of town, like the East End and the Vickers Street area. Executive director Linda Bruins, who has been involved with Evergreen for over a decade, describes the organization as “a gathering place that provides a safe place to be and connect.” Ordinarily, Evergreen provides a number of programs that include sports, art, and Indigenous learning initiatives. However, in 2019, Evergreen experienced a

significant loss in financial support from the province through the Thunder Bay District Social Services Administration Board. Without the $30,000 grant that the organization had received for years, they had to get creative in raising additional funds and tightening the purse strings even harder. “I would say that we’ve always been underfunded,” says Bruins. “I think that fact has been missed in the past.” According to Bruins, the area that Evergreen serves is the most densely populated in the city. While they have been able to stretch their resources far, especially with the generosity of local partnerships and community members who have donated money, clothing, supplies, and their time, Bruins says that more funding is still needed to secure programming for the upcoming year. All youth programming came to a sudden halt due to COVID-19, but Evergreen has remained open and has been deemed an essential service. “Part of our charitable mandate is relief of poverty,” explains Bruins. “So in the wake of COVID, we switched from five-days-perweek children’s programming to operating as a food relief organization.” While working with community partners, including Roots to Harvest, the Dew Drop Inn, and the Thunder Bay District Health Unit, Evergreen has been offering food relief to community members. While the circumstances of this shift are far from ideal, Bruins says it has allowed Evergreen to expand their reach within the neighbourhood. “It’s become almost like a check-in,” she says. The new food relief approach has introduced them to many new faces and Bruins hopes that these relationships will last long after COVID. As the city slowly continues to reopen, Evergreen is patiently waiting

to find out how they can safely do so as well. “I know that however we reopen, we’ll be very cautious,” Bruins explains. “On a busy day, we’d have over 40 kids packed in here, and we’re entering a whole different entity … as we reopen we just want to make sure we’re doing it as safely as possible,” she adds. Bruins says that while the past several months have been hard on everyone, she feels it has been especially hard on children. Bruins and the whole Evergreen team are looking forward to continuing to support the neighbourhood youth and their families as the world slowly eases into the new normal. If you’d like to learn more about Evergreen, or if you’d like to make a donation, more information can be found at evergreenunited.ca.

The Walleye

CityScene

Stuff We Like

Pink Flamingo Float Toy Sense

447 May Street North Some days you just want to float! Get by with a little help from a new feathered friend. This pink flamingo float will be a welcome addition to your chill-out activities, whether you’re heading to the pool or to the beach. Constructed of sturdy vinyl, it also comes with a patch kit (rips happen!) and it inflates to over four feet wide. Kick off your sandals, slap on some sunscreen, and bob along without a hot care in the world.

For the Dog Days of Summer By Rebekah Skochinski

e don’t need to tell you that we’re smack dab in the thick of summer; you can feel the sweltering heat and you’ve seen how quickly those thunderstorms roll in. We also know that some like it hot, and some like it not-so-hot, but we can all probably agree that as we navigate through these final weeks of sultry weather, it’s important that we keep our cool. Here’s Stuff We Like for the Dog Days of Summer.

$34.39

Jalapeño Spice Mix

Thunder Bay Country Market

850 May Street North Fight fire with fire! According to things we’ve read on the internet, eating spicy food can raise your internal temperature, causing you to sweat and cool your body down. We’re down with that. This all-natural Crazy Good Spices Jalapeño spice mix is a blend of five different kinds of peppers to kick things up a notch, whether you’re grilling seafood, steak, veggies, or tofu.

Pupsicles

Cooling Scarf Authentique

313 Bay Street Stay super chill this summer with a jaunty cooling scarf. Made of extra absorbent PVA, this scarf can provide instant relief from overheating, night sweats, and sunburns. Just immerse it in cool water until soaked, wring out the excess and place it anywhere that needs cooling. The effects last up to ten hours and it comes with its own reusable container. Choose from an assortment of colours.

$12.99

Shorty’s Pupsicles

facebook.com/shortyspupsicles Popsicles for your pup? Two paws up! These frozen treats are made with fresh ingredients and pack a nutritional punch with a bone broth base and other good things like peanut butter, kefir, kale, spinach, and locally sourced strawberries and raw goat’s milk. Considerations can be made to suit canines with allergies, too. There’s a minimum order, and each order comes with an assortment of flavours and shapes.

Starting at $12.50

Tumbler Fresh Air

710 Balmoral Street A glass of water is your best friend to stay hydrated during a heat wave. But forget that sweaty glass—a Yeti tumbler is where it’s at. Fill it with water, iced tea, iced coffee, or your favourite summer sipper and it will stay cold for up to 24 hours. Made of kitchen-grade stainless steel and double wall insulation with a MagSlider lid for an additional barrier of protection, it’s durable and good-looking.

$44.99

Eucalyptus Shower Melts The Refill Co.

4277 Oliver Road/therefillco@outlook.com Sticky, sweaty, stuffy. Sound familiar? Lean into that melty feeling with these glorious Earth Love shower melts the next time you’re washing away the cares of the day. Like a bath bomb for the shower, simply place one square on the floor within the radius of the shower spray, and breathe in the cooling menthol and invigorating eucalyptus oil vapours.

$0.75 per tablet

Patio Cooler Cart Prestige Home Comfort

755 Tungsten Street Keep things cool in a big way! Stash your favourite cold drinks in this fun retro patio cooler for your next physically distanced backyard soiree. Features include a beautiful powder coating, an insulated basin that will keep beverages cold for up to 36 hours, a split double lid for easy access, a bottle opener, and a cap catcher. Plenty of colours and styles to choose from. Perfect for camp!

Starts at $229

60 The Walleye

No Contact Returns & Holds Pick up HOURS MONDAY - FRIDAY 10 AM - 4 PM WAVERLEY & MARY J.L. BLACK

2 WAIT FOR

1 PLACE ITEMS

NOTIFICATION

ON HOLD

We will call you when your items are ready for pick up.

Online or over the phone. 684-6814 www.tbpl.ca

UP & RETURN YOUR ITEMS 3 PICK At Waverley or Mary J.L. Black.

Visit the Library Online CLICK

Web site www.tbpl.ca

CONNECT

Email comments@tbpl.ca

Email us and we can get you connected. ● get a Library card ● renew your Library card ● sign up for our enewsletter

Social Media @tbaypl

Looking for mortgage advice, we can help! Click here to connect with your local RBC Mortgage Specialist.

August Walleye Ad PO# R11629 Kelley Hagberg 807-708-8671

Brenton Hagberg 807-251-7251

Jessica Coley 807-476-4867

kelley.hagberg@rbc.com https://mortgage.rbc.com/kelley.hagberg

brenton.hagberg@rbc.com https://mortgage.rbc.com/brenton.hagberg

jessica.coley@rbc.com https://mortgage.rbc.com/jessica.coley

The Walleye

CityScene

Study Probes Shuttered Online Food Co-Op Cloverbelt Local Food Co-Op Shut Down in 2019 By Matt Prokopchuk

Courtesy of the Cloverbelt Local Food Co-op

espite several years of relative success, an innovative, online-based co-operative that helped Northwestern Ontario farmers and other producers sell and distribute their product regionally was forced to shut down, and ongoing research aims to find out why. The Cloverbelt Local Food Co-Op was launched in 2013, initially with the goal of improving access to local food in the Dryden area by connecting residents with area farmers online—the first of its kind in Ontario, says Kim Ducharme, a research student involved in the project examining the co-op’s fate. The co-op effectively acted as an online farmers market and local food distribution centre. Ducharme, who is working under Lakehead University researcher Dr. Connie Nelson on the project, adds that the co-op very quickly grew its membership, which consisted of farmers and producers, as well as the customers buying from them. Ducharme says within four years,

The Walleye

Dr. Connie Nelson that membership went from 85 to over 1,200. “It was pretty impressive,” she says, adding that it also added other hubs, including Ignace-Upsala, Kenora, Fort Frances-Emo-Rainy River, Sioux Lookout, and Red Lake, thereby ensuring that locally grown food was available across much of the region west of Thunder Bay. The co-op announced its dissolution in 2019 in a statement on its website, which pointed to a number of challenges the organization was facing. Nelson is leading the research into what happened, with the understanding that the answers will be multifaceted and complex. “In order to do that, we had to think about all the independent agents that make up the system of Cloverbelt,” Ducharme says. “Then we had to think about the dominant patterns that shape the culture or the perspective in each of those communities, and then we had to explore the current impact and political influence and the conditions between, and among, everything in

that system. There’s just so much at play here.” The study has involved an online survey that Ducharme says was widely distributed throughout the region, as well as a series of meetings hosted over Zoom where people could discuss the survey and its queries, and give input. Each of the former Cloverbelt hub communities had a dedicated meeting; as well, the researchers held another Zoom forum, open to anyone that wanted to comment. Ducharme says, while all of that input is now being collated and the study’s conclusions being drafted, one thing was clear: “Northwestern Ontario values access to local food.

Kim Ducharme

There’s no doubt about that.” The researchers, while asking about things like what people miss about the co-op, what barriers there were to accessing it, what its strengths were and what could be improved, also asked respondents to reimagine it, and what that would look like.“There are some really innovative things coming out of this,” Ducharme says, adding that the goal is to have results released this summer, and to learn from what happened to the former co-op to possibly facilitate setting up a new, reimagined system. “We’re in very different times … than we were in 2013,” she says.

Expanding, purchasing or starting a business?

You could receive a $5000 grant.

Apply for Starter Company Plus now! thunderbay.ca/startercompanyplus

The Walleye

CityScene

WALL SPACE

Emerald Greens Golf Course and Driving Range Story by Tiffany Jarva, Photos by Kay Lee

all white and red pines help to define fairways on the Emerald Greens Golf Course and Driving Range, just north of Thunder Bay. In 2004, Jack and Nancy Watson took over this course knowing they wanted to make the most of the space. They got to work clearing bush and expanding holes. Now the course offers a signature island green and two distinct sets of tee blocks on each hole, which means you can play a nine or 18hole round. Nancy and Jack worked in the logging industry in Manitouwadge before buying Emerald Greens, which also meant they had some

64 The Walleye

equipment and experience to help with their vision of expanding. As for golfing? “We each had ‘best ball’ games,” Nancy laughs. Today, Nancy often completes a round of golf in the morning before she starts work. The two also split up the duties: “I do the inside and he does the outside,” Nancy says. Emerald Greens continues to be busy, especially because it was one of the first public spaces to open when pandemic restrictions eased. It certainly feels like a very positive space to be. “I got a job where everyone is happy, most of the time,” says Nancy. “People are always smiling.”

 Owners Jack and Nancy Watson on their 138-acre course. “This is our life, 24/7, 14–16 hours a day, every day,” says Nancy. Because of the terrain, Emerald Greens attracts a wide range of players. “Beginners tend to like this course because it is shorter, and avid golfers tend to like it because it’s hilly.”

 TTwo polar bears decked out in masks greet you when you pull into the parking lot. “We both collect polar bears,” explains Nancy. “It’s funny because we each collected polar bears on our own before we met.” The “welcoming” bears, no longer in production, are originally from Winnipeg. “We have the same bears in front of our house,” says Jack. “They’re smaller though.” “Baby bears,” smiles Nancy.

 Ben Lawson cuts the tee boxes and the aprons around the greens, which needs to be done every single morning.

CityScene

 Jack worked with the company Sign Design to create the retro-inspired sign that resembles a tee with a ball on top.

 The historic McIntyre River winds its way through the golf course, with players having to hit over it at Holes 1, 2, 3, and 9.

 Brendan Tuomisto cuts the rough (the higher, thicker grass on the outside of the fairway), which needs to be maintained a few times every week.

 Jack changes the pin location (pin locations are changed daily) on the course’s signature island green, hole 4.

 It’s hard not to notice the huge Muskoka chair when you drive past Emerald Greens. This one is modelled after the chair that Jack built on the back part of the course. The artificial dogs dotted on the course help ward off pesky geese. Jack worked on the design of the clubhouse with his son, who is a civil engineer. It is intentional that the peaks resemble a “W,” as a nod to the Watson name. Inside, the space is friendly, with a take-out kitchen, fun golf signs like “Golf: An Easy Game That’s Just Hard to Play,” and the original hole signs mounted on wood. There is also a fully licensed patio.

 When he was working on clearing brush and extending six of the holes, Jack discovered the natural water and decided it would be good to create an island as a specialty hole.

The Walleye

CityScene

Reallocation of Road Space for a Pedestrian-Friendly Thunder Bay By Abby Shillinglaw, Experience North Policy Analyst, Northern Policy Institute

oads need to be able to create a sense of space to help communities thrive. The City of Thunder Bay has been working on ensuring that its roads have this deeper purpose. The city is implementing improvements within the downtown and commercial areas to encourage more pedestrian activity. One of the improvements is the reallocation of road space by reducing the number of lanes and switching from a two-way street to a one-way. First off, reducing a street from two lanes to one is safer for pedestrians because it shortens the distance it takes to cross the street. Also, reducing the lanes allows for the sidewalks to be expanded, giving businesses the opportunity to open sidewalk patios or have sidewalk sales. Just taking away one lane of traffic can create a safer and more vibrant street. These are not just ideas: this summer Thunder Bay is shutting a section of Red River Road down to one lane of traffic to help bring more pedestrians to the north core. This lane closure is only set for the summer months, but the business owners on this street hope that it sparks some permanent changes

66 The Walleye

to their city’s road infrastructure to make it more pedestrian-friendly. In the City of Thunder Bay’s Transportation Master Plan from 2019, implementing more of these lane reassignments is discussed. The plan highlights a few possible places in the city where it would be beneficial to increase walkability. Making a city more pedestrian-oriented can be very beneficial. Using the 2016 census, Figure 1 compares the City of Thunder Bay to Peterborough, a similar-sized city in Ontario which has more pedestrian-friendly streets.

So why does Peterborough seem more walkable? They have developed some really great practices and plans to improve the walkability of their streets, such as a Strategic Sidewalk Plan, Comprehensive Transportation Plan, and many other initiatives to get people walking. Peterborough’s attention to making the city pedestrian-friendly earned them a silver designation from Green Communities Canada and Canada Walks, which is a program to measure a city’s walkability. Currently, Peterborough is working on a lane reduction project on

Lansdowne Street East to build a multi-use trail for pedestrians. And similar to the Red River Road project in Thunder Bay, Peterborough has also been temporarily removing lanes for the summer months to support their local businesses. Drivers are not ignored in these discussions. City officials in Thunder Bay have made it clear that, when considering these changes, they will consider vehicle movement, parking availability, transit vehicles, pedestrians, and businesses. After all, once you park your car, you become a pedestrian too.

The Walleye

ply for Starter mpany Plus now! Sponsored Content

Here are Thunder Bay’s nderbay.ca/startercompanyplus

Summer Company 2020 Participants

Imran Bagha

Northern Writing Consultants Northern Writing Consultants offers a wide array of writing services. Imran Bagha, the founder, is a professional writing consultant. He helps people improve their writing, presentation, and interview skills. His specialty is helping people applying to graduate and professional university programs such as law, pharmacy, and veterinary school. He also helps grad students, MDs, and PhDs with writing tasks. This includes consulting, reviewing, and polishing research grant applications, master’s thesis projects, essays, reports, and so forth—no matter the writing need, Northern Writing Consultants does it all. Appointments and services offerings can be viewed at northernwritingconsultants.com, on Facebook at Northern Writing, and Instagram @NorthernWriting. “My biggest passion in life is writing. As a child, I always wanted to be an author and I’ve been a voracious writer and reader my entire life. I also love to help people. When I was in university, I began working as a writing consultant and I did so well that I won two university-wide awards for my work. This business is a natural way for me to carry on helping others. My favourite part of the role is helping people sort out their thoughts and tease out what they truly want to say—this is something an editor can’t do, but what I am best at. It’s always immensely gratifying to hear my clients say ‘Yes! That’s exactly what I was trying to get across!’”

68 The Walleye

Alexsis Augustine

Joe Newhouse

Alexsis Augustine is an Indigenous student who attends Lakehead University. Alexsis officially started her business, Augustine’s Beaded Designs, this past June, and intends to continue the business throughout the school year. Alexsis creates handmade small-batch beaded items such as earrings, keychains, and hair barrettes. Before starting her business, Alexsis mostly sold her work to family and friends and the demand for her work grew. Alexsis thought it was a great opportunity to sell the products outside of her circle while supporting her family. Items can be purchased through her Facebook page, Augustine’s Beaded Designs.

Joe Newhouse is the owner of Mariday Mowers Lawn Care Company, a full-service lawn care business. Joe offers services such as raking, lawn mowing, and grass trimming. The company started just this past spring with hopes of continuing all summer. Mariday Mowers Lawn Care Company can be reached by phone at (807) 621-5508 or on their Facebook page, Mariday Mowers Lawn Care Company.

Augustine’s Beaded Designs

“I was already making earrings, just for practice. My friends and family would ask to buy them off me, and it gave me an idea to just register for a business license. Due to the pandemic, I wasn’t able to go and find a job to support my two young boys, so I started Augustine’s Beaded Designs.”

Mariday Mowers Lawn Care Company

“I decided to open this business as it is a good way to help out individuals who may not be physically able to mow their lawn themselves. Lawn mowing is also good exercise and allows us to be outside all summer long.”

Erika Niva

Jase Marusyk

Erika Niva runs a pottery business, Keramiikka Maan. The name Keramiikka Maan is Finnish and translates to “pottery of the earth,” connecting Erika’s future career with her Finnish heritage. Erika first started with pottery through her studies at Lakehead University in the visual arts program in 2017. Since then, she has been selling her items off and on, but finally decided to take the leap and start her business. Erika creates small-batch pottery and focuses on creating unique but functional art in the form of ceramic vessels such as mugs, bowls, and vases. She also creates decorative work and ceramic sculptures. Items can be purchased through Erika’s website at keramiikkamaan.com. You can also find Keramiikka Maan on Facebook and Instagram @erika.niva.art.

Jase is the owner and operator of Marusyk’s Lawn Care and Pressure Washing in Atikokan, Ontario. Jase’s company provides lawn care services including lawn mowing, gas trimming, minor landscaping projects, and home pressure washing services, including deck paint removal, driveway cleaning, siding and window washing, and gutter cleaning. Jase provides services on a scheduled rotation or an as-needed basis, depending on what the client prefers. He offers a flexible schedule, as well as catering to shift workers and cabin owners’ weekend requests as needed. Jase is looking forward to learning about the rewards and challenges of owning your own business. Jase can be contacted at (807) 598-1145.

Keramiikka Maan

“It’s always been my goal to make a career out of art, as it has always been a love and a hobby of mine. Now, as a young potter and aspiring artist, I would like to continue doing what I love while providing people with the functional fine art that they need in their everyday lives.”

Marusyk’s Lawn Care and Pressure Washing

“With COVID-19, the summer job I had lined up fell through at the last minute and I needed to find something else to help me gain valuable skills. There were not many other options in a small town so I took what I knew and made it into a business. So far, it has been great! I am learning lots and finding out about the rewards and challenges of owning your own business. Thanks, Summer Company!”

The Walleye

Music

Shuffling the Deck Sleeping Giant Folk Music Society Announces Schedule Changes By Matt Prokopchuk

hile restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic are slowly loosening, the worldwide health crisis is still forcing many arts organizations to alter their plans, including the Sleeping Giant Folk Music Society. The society was slated to start its 20th season this fall with a September 26 Whitehorse concert in Thunder Bay, followed up by Blackie and the Rodeo Kings on Halloween. Whitehorse is now scheduled to close the season on May 8, 2021, while Blackie and the Rodeo Kings have been rescheduled for October 30, 2021. Elly Tose, the administrative coordinator for the Sleeping Giant Folk Music Society, says it’s simply a fact of life when dealing with concerts these days, even with most of Ontario moving into Stage 3 of its reopening plan. “Even with that change, 50 people in an indoor hall really doesn’t make it financially viable,” Tose says, adding that bands themselves have also been rescheduling tours and other dates.

DRFTR



David Francey

The Walleye

 Blackie And The Rodeo Kings

COVID-19 also scuttled another of the society’s shows, featuring The LYNNeS, that was slated to close the 2019–2020 season back in April; that, Tose says, will now open next year’s season in September 2021. The Good Lovelies are still on the schedule for the society’s November 2020 show, however, Tose says that the band contacted the folk music society saying that, while they’d still like to tour this year, they may be looking into presenting shows virtually or through other methods. “They’re still planning on touring…and in September, they’re going to make that decision,” Tose says. “If things open up a little bit more and there’s not a second wave, fingers crossed, then they will do a live tour.” With the pandemic affecting virtually every facet of life, Tose says it’s amazing the extent to which everyone is coping. “It’s just amazing how COVID-19 has made people be very inventive, very fluid, and very open to just trying new things,” she says. “I mean, we’ve existed for 20 years and … we just do live concerts on this stage and this is it. But suddenly we’re having to think of what else is possible.” Currently, the Sleeping Giant Folk Music Society says it intends to move forward with its early 2021 dates, as scheduled: DRFTR & Katey Gatta on Saturday, January 16, 2021 David Francey on Saturday, February 13, 2021 Andrew Collins Trio on Saturday, March 27, 2021 Avery Raquel on Saturday, April 17, 2021

Music

Taking the Long Road

Budding Country Artist Timothy Albertson Releases New Single Story by Michael Charlebois, Photo by Keegan Richard

avigating the road ahead as a local music artist is never easy. A singer since the age of seven, Timothy Albertson grew up manning the mic as the lead singer of two different bands during his high school days. They played a fun brand of pop and rock music, Albertson says, but his twangy vocals would always crack through the seams. “The guys would always tell me, ‘You gotta take the country out of your voice,’” Albertson says. But having grown up in Dorion, Ontario, he knew his country flavour would

never leave him. “Country 105.3 was the only radio station we would get [in Dorion]. My grandmother taught me how to sing country songs growing up, so it just came natural for me I guess.” Now 30, Albertson is emerging as one of the freshest faces on the local country scene. His latest single, “Looking for a Road,” is his most confident offering over his five-year career. With subdued tinges of organs and powerful guitar riffs, the record is notably contemporary, but carries the classic influence on which he was raised. “My father was a long-haul truck

driver, so we would take trips down to the U.S. and blast the tunes in the truck,” he recalls. “Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, and Kenny Rogers… records I would have never heard.” As his career and sound has progressed, Albertson finds himself leaning on modern singers such as Luke Combs for inspiration. However, his sights are not set on the limelight, nor the frills that comes with the terrain of music stardom. “I’m not going to move to Toronto to look for a record deal,” he says. “I have a family here. I’m going to put my roots into Thunder Bay, and I want to explore my music here.”

With those roots firmly planted, Albertson will be paying homage to the city by performing at the Terry Fox Monument during the city’s virtual installment of Live at The Waterfront on August 5. “It’s going to be a beautiful light show. You’re going to hear my brand new original, and a couple of classics.” Albertson’s newest single, “Looking for a Road,” is available on streaming services. His virtual concert will be streamed on August 5 at 7 pm at thunderbay.ca/live.

The Walleye

Music

LockyerBoys Eye Further Success

Thunder Bay Pop Duo Working With Canadian Music Industry Heavy Hitters By Jamie Varga

s the saying goes; “Time flies when you’re having fun.” Truer words are rarely spoken around the two talented brothers that make up Thunder Bay pop duo, LockyerBoys. Despite still being young, Will and Charlie Lockyer have been honing their various talents for a long time, but it’s only been over the past couple of years that their exposure has hit levels that neither of them really expected. It wasn’t long ago when I first came across the boys at the Buskers Festival here in Thunder Bay, crooning to the girls in the audience with a perfect Shawn Mendes cover and then dazzling their parents with a rendition of one of Journey’s epic ballads. It seems like the trip from Bay Street to collaborating with Canadian pop heavy hitters happened in the blink of an eye but, rest assured, it has been a steady flow of

The Walleye

hard work—including travelling, performing, writing, and recording for these two young men. The striking thing about Will and Charlie Lockyer is not just their musical and vocal abilities but the combination of their talent with their seemingly natural charisma and true love of what they do when they perform—something they likely gleaned from their extremely supportive and inspiring family. In conjunction with as many live performances they could muster, Charlie and Will have been making all the right moves under the guidance of their dad John. And it was their grandparents’ inspiration that led them to write the single “Without Your Love” that was voted up to the top 50 on CBC’s Searchlight national competition last year. Their standout vocal harmonies also made a mark on the international stage through the competition

Frankie’s Idol, ranking them in the top five. The video reactions of the judges in this competition made me think they were a shoo-in to win the whole thing. Now, after writing and recording some solid original songs, they find themselves at the table with Daniel Powter and his producer Jeff Dawson—who has also worked with acts like State of Shock and Holly McNarland—to put the final touches on some new works on the verge of an upcoming release. In addition to rubbing elbows with some big names in Canadian pop, their new music also includes some direct contributions from the likes of Juno Award-winning songwriter/producer Brian Howes and Alan Poettcker of These Kids Wear Crowns. The future is nothing but bright for Will and Charlie, but there is also just enough happening for them right

now to keep them fired up. Recently, a TikTok influencer from South America with 14 million followers, Ignacia Antonia, started a new dance trend using the LockyerBoys track “Not Over You” that has TikTok’d its way all the way back home here to Thunder Bay, and there is also a rumour of a possible upcoming audition spot for them on American Idol. It seems a sure bet at this point that Thunder Bay has another musical surprise in store for Canada and the world. I wish Will and Charlie all the best as they make their way to whatever is in store for them and I encourage you to do the same and continue to show our local scene some support. Make a point of checking out their music on all the popular platforms and definitely swing by their website at lockyerboys.com to see them for yourself. #RIGHTdeadly

Music

If the ‘Best of Thunder Bay’ issue had a law firm category ... WE’D BE A LOCK

1136 Alloy Drive, Unit 2, Second Floor Thunder Bay, ON P7B 6M9

Atwood Labine walleye_April.indd 1

tel (807) 623 4342

ATWOODLAW.CA

Leo B. Dope Releases New Single Rez Dog Available on Streaming Platforms Now By Kris Ketonen

2020-02-17 10:50 PM

ocal rapper Leo Bannon says songwriting can be a “fickle thing,” but that certainly wasn’t the case when it came to his new single, “Rez Dog.” The new track, which is currently available on streaming platforms, was written a few summers ago, says Bannon, who performs under the name Leo B. Dope. “I had spent thousands of dollars on drugs inside of a week and when I was coming down I wrote this song,” says Bannon. “The whole song was written in about an hour.” The song, he says, is a “gritty perspective of an addict’s thoughts,” and the reception so far has been overwhelmingly positive. “Sometimes people listen to music to dance, other people like thought-provoking lyrics,” Bannon says. “This song is something a lot of people can relate to. I just want to say thank you to everyone who has supported me on this journey.” Bannon started rapping to himself in high school, after hearing “It’s Dark” and “Hell is Hot” by DMX, released in 1998. “Two years later I

would enter high school and started rapping with a group of friends as a joke,” Bannon says. “We would try to buy alcohol from a delivery service and wrote raps while waiting.” “I remember people in high school would kind of laugh at me for doing it,” he says. “Two years later [the film] 8 Mile came out and everybody wanted to rap.” Today, Bannon is known as a live performer in the Thunder Bay hip-hop scene, and regularly collaborates with other artists; Pretty.Ugly ( Jordan Burnell) and Dystrakted (Trevor Gobeil) also worked on “Rez Dog.” And up next for Bannon is more writing—he and Burnell regularly collaborate—and he’s planning a “Rez Dog” music video, as well. As far as the bigger picture, Bannon says he’s working out how he wants to proceed with his hiphop career. “My presence in the local scene is undeniable and I’m known as a live performer, but I have never released an album,” he says. “The music industry has changed significantly since I started rapping.”

The Walleye

Music

BURNING TO THE SKY

Four Great Songs of Protest By Gord Ellis

he killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis in May brought waves of protests in cities across North America and around the world. It has also spawwned numerous protest songs this summer, with artists across the globe speaking out against racial inequality. There is a long history of powerful music in protest. Here are four classics.

“Universal Soldier”

“A Change Is Gonna Come”

“The Virus”

Baltimore

Buffy Sainte-Marie

Sam Cooke

A Tribe Called Red The virus took on many shapes

Prince (featuring Eryn Allen Kane)

And he’s fighting for Canada

Then I go to my brother

He’s fighting for France

And I say brother help me please

He’s fighting for the USA.

But he winds up knockin’ me

In 2020, Buffy Sainte-Marie is hailed as an icon—a voice and songwriter who has written smash hits like “Up Where We Belong.” However, her most well-known protest song, "Universal Soldier," didn’t make much of a commercial splash when it was initially recorded in back in 1964 and released on her debut album. But when Donovan covered it just a year later, the song made its way onto pop radio and became a smash. Now considered an antiwar classic, “Universal Soldier” has proven to be timeless. The soldier in the song has no specified age, religion, or nationality. The soldier is everyone.The message of the song, and Sainte-Marie’s ability to give a voice to soldiers living and dead, has made "Universal Soldier" an international anthem. The song has been covered in many languages and by many artists, but never has the song been more powerfully put across than by Sainte-Marie herself. She succinctly lays out how war has impacted and wounded all the people of this planet.

Back down on my knees, oh

The Walleye

Although it was written the same year as “Universal Soldier,” Sam Cooke’s extraordinary “A Change Is Gonna Come” deals with a much more specific issue: racial segregation and discrimination. The song, which is gentle but determined soul, has its roots in gospel. The lyrics were inspired by personal events in Cooke’s life, including a situation where he and his entourage were turned away from a motel in Louisiana. The motel was for “whites only.” Cooke wanted to speak to the struggle he and other Black Americans faced every day. The song contains the refrain “It’s been a long time coming, but I know a change is gonna come.” The song was a modest hit for Cooke, and was originally released as a B-side to the much more party-like “Shake.” But “A Change Is Gonna Come” has not only stood the test of time, it is generally considered Cooke’s best and most enduring composition. In 2007, “A Change Is Gonna Come” was selected for preservation in the Library of Congress because it was “culturally, historically, or aesthetically important.”

The bear, the elk, the antelope, the elephant, the deer The mineral, the iron, the copper, the coltan, the rubber The coffee, the cotton, the sugar The people The germ traveled faster than the bullet In 2016, the Canadian electronic band A Tribe Called Red released their groundbreaking third album, We Are the Halluci Nation. It’s a call for connection and social justice but it is not without an undercurrent of protest. The album was a hit and features collaborations with artists from around the globe, including Leonard Sumner, Tanya Tagaq, John Trudell, and others. Each single addresses layers of colonialism. The standout track on the album is “The Virus,” which features Saul Williams and the Chippewa Travellers. Under a bed of both electronic and traditional drumming, “The Virus” likens colonization to a rapidly spreading virus. A Tribe Called Red does not pull any punches in “The Virus.”

Are we gonna see another bloody day? We're tired of the cryin’ and people dyin’ Let's take all the guns away. Many people who know Prince only through his big hits might be surprised to learn just how deep his roots in protest are. Yet Prince was a Black artist who, like his hero Jimi Hendrix before him, gained fame in the largely white world of mainstream rock and pop. His music often reflected that reality. In 2015, Prince found himself deeply affected by the death of a man named Freddie Gray. While in police custody, Gray died from spinal cord injuries. His death caused an uprising in the city of Baltimore, and Prince penned a song to the city. The song is classic Prince, with soaring vocals and slinky guitar. Yet “Baltimore” reflected on the violence across the nation, often that’s directed towards Black Americans. “The system is broken,” Prince wrote in a statement that appeared at the end of the song's music video. “It’s going to take the young people to fix it this time. We need new ideas, new life.” “Baltimore” is not only one of the last great Prince songs, it’s also become a rallying cry for the Black Lives Matter movement.

Music

Taking the Tunes Outside DJ Big D Returns, Now Spinning Music on the Patio

Story by Matt Prokopchuk, Photo by Keegan Richard

hen the COVID-19 pandemic shut down Thunder Bay’s bars, pubs, and restaurants, musicians, including the city’s DJs, who were used to performing live suddenly found themselves without a stage. Now, Delon Thomas, who has kept the dance floor at The Foundry moving as DJ Big D, is back, but

doing things a little bit differently. “I’m playing music on the patio. It’s not like any dancing or anything, it’s just background music, but I’m doing it how I like to do it,” he says. “[It’s] music to make people enjoy themselves still.” The Foundry, along with many other venues in town, has been turning to patio seating to start

bringing business back as Ontario slowly eases pandemic restrictions. The province also announced in July that limited indoor seating will be allowed, but Thomas says he wants to keep spinning his tunes—ranging from soul and funk to “mellow dance music”—outdoors for as long as he can, rather than taking it inside right away. “I’d rather stay out on the patio so everybody else can enjoy that atmosphere still, because we’ve been cooped up inside for so long,” he says, adding that people have been coming up to him to let him know they’re pleased he’s back. “I felt really appreciated,” he says. Over the past few months, Thomas has kept busy, from doing live DJ sets on Zoom to recording mixes that he sends to WDAP

Radio, an online radio station based in Buffalo, New York. He’s also done some live streaming with the station. He says he’s happy to be adding his live DJ duties back into the mix. “It brings hope that this pandemic […] will be over, hopefully sooner than later,” he says. “It’s always great to see people enjoy the music.” And while playing music for a patio full of diners rather than a packed dance floor is not necessarily what he’s used to, Thomas says he’s still enjoying what he’s doing. “It’s fun. I still love doing it; I enjoy doing it. It’s a different atmosphere, though,” he says laughing. “I love it still.” Catch DJ Big D every Friday and Saturday at The Foundry’s patio from 7 pm to 11 pm.

The Walleye

Music

Know When to Leave the Room Travis Doggett Goes Solo By Justin Allec

n the Bandcamp description for his new EP, William, Travis Doggett, under the moniker of The Doggett Experience, torpedoes

The Walleye

his own artistic aspirations. Alone in a room with a guitar, Doggett is serious when he writes about “silent but attentive walls” that bear witness to the creative process, but then turns heel and says “many songs haven’t been heard by the public, and for good reason…they stink!” There’s a confident balance to the six songs on William that encapsulate that feeling of solemn playfulness. Maybe that’s because after 20 years of playing in all kinds of local bands—Faceless Hulk, The Dweezils, Camden Blues, a dozen cover shows, and now BURY— Doggett’s still making music for fun.

Doggett has a very particular voice that’s brash yet vulnerable, and he’s not afraid to tie it to some quick-moving, acoustic-based rock that gets loud, which means that William darts and dives in some welcoming ways. Even if all the songs come from the same place, they’re headed in different directions. “When I’m writing, there are endless possibilities and directions that a song can go in,” Doggett says. “This is always the difficult part to make sense of.” That effort of discovery, of actually pushing your music to have a specific effect on the listener, is one of his rewards for writing. It should be expected too, as Doggett has been working on the project for the better part of a decade. Irreverence mixes with passion and professionalism, but you never really know what you’ll get with Doggett. The songs on William are also just one facet of the artist’s talent. After demoing a series of songs

while handling all the instrumentation, Doggett realized that he had more material than was necessary for an album. “More songs started to manifest and I decided I needed to go into a studio and properly record these ideas to make room for new ideas … so that's when I decided to split The Doggett Experience into several aliases, each one with a specific vibe and theme,” he says. William’s songs were thankfully tracked just before the pandemic, but like everyone else, Doggett is disappointed with the embargo on live music. “Performing is just the best because you finally have the songs written and rehearsed to the point where you can play them in your sleep,” he says. “Then you go on stage and this is where the energy happens.” For now, you can enjoy The Doggett Experience in your own home, and know that once the stages do open up again, Doggett will be at the centre of one.

We serve 24/7.

Crisis Response phone lines are open. We're here to help. You talk. We listen.

City of Thunder Bay: 807-346-8282 District of Thunder Bay: 1-888-269-3100 Kenora Rainy River District: 1-866-888-8988

Selections from the Permanent Collection

JUL 10 - DEC 31

ALL

TE DA UP

WAABOOZ RABBIT

and

P LAS TIC

CONTAINTERS

now accepted!

Beginning July 1, you can now recycle ALL #1 and #2 plastic containers. This includes plastic salad, fruit and food containers, as well as plastic drink cups. In addition to the bottle and screw top plastics already accepted in our program. Please Fisher and Rabbit by BARRY PETERS, 1977

GALLERY HOURS

Tuesday – Thursday, NOON – 8 PM Friday – Sunday, NOON – 5 PM

check the labels if you are unsure.

thunderbay.ca/recycle

The Walleye

t You found the righ home, we’ll find the right mortgage. X

The Rapport difference means finding a mortgage you can pay off faster. ED MO RT

5-YEA

GE GA

rapportcu.ca

AS LOW AS

% 2.79

A great rate is a good start. A great mortgage, though, is one that has the flexibility to let you pay your principal down faster and is set up to fit your financial situation. Perfectly.

Taking the first step at Rapport means being pre-approved for your mortgage. We guarantee your rate won’t go up for 90 days after you are pre-approved. That means you can shop for the right home with confidence. Another guarantee: we’ll take the time to understand you and your money, so your financial health stays on track. We’re just a click, call or visit away. Campus Hill James Street Kakabeka Falls

1072 Oliver Road, Unit 2 405 James Street South 43 Clergue Street

(807) 346 2810 (807) 626 5666 (807) 475 4276

*Some conditions apply. Limited time offer. Rates can change at any time.

Joline & Devin Members since 2018

Scrubs, Carhartt, Lab coats, Masks & Hand sanitizer

Uniforms that work!

Non Medical Masks

The Walleye

Wellness & Safety

Labcoat

Music

Born Out of Necessity

Music Director of St. Paul’s United Church Organizes Virtual Choirs By Ayano Hodouchi-Dempsey

hen COVID-19 restrictions shut down church services, Diana Hannaford-Wilcox was scrambling for ideas. Hannaford-Wilcox has been music director of St. Paul’s United Church for over 20 years, playing the organ and piano and directing the choir and handbell choir. She also directs the Silver Sound Choir at the 55 Plus Centre, a group with more than 70 senior members. “It’s quite a shock to the system not to be able to do anything anymore,” she says. “I decided I need to learn how to do something different.” When she saw professional choirs doing virtual sessions on Facebook, she thought that was the way to go. She taught herself to use video-editing software and asked

church members to participate. Thunder Bay’s seven United Churches currently work together to provide live-streamed church services every Sunday out of Trinity United Church. The online service includes music pre-recorded by Hannaford-Wilcox. She first records the accompaniment for hymns or songs and sends it to participants. “They have to videotape themselves singing the music with headphones on, because I don’t want to hear the accompaniment; I just want to hear their voices. Then they send it back to me, and I have a program that helps me put it all together,” she explains. It was a steep learning curve for everyone involved, including Hannaford-Wilcox. “It takes a bit of time because you have to really

line up the voices. It’s harder than preparing for a regular service,” she says. In each video, she gets about 15 to 20 singers from all the different churches. Some of the older people were hesitant about learning to use new technology. “If they don’t have the means to record themselves, I set up a Zoom meeting and I can record them doing their singing. There’s different ways we can figure all of this out,” she says.

“It’s hard for everybody,” she says of the restrictions on social gatherings and music-making. “Music is a part of the church. Some people come for the music; the music inspires all of the other things, it all works together. The ministers get to do a lot of the services, but the choirs have an important role in the church too. And I want them to feel included, I want them to feel that they contributed.”

Diana Hannaford-Wilcox, music director, St. Paul’s United Church

The Walleye

OfftheWall

William

The Doggett Experience

William, the new release from The Doggett Experience, is the punchline in a series of surprises from Travis Doggett that, in retrospect, are not surprises at all. The Thunder Bay scene has been fortunate to have a contributor like Doggett for as long as it has, and this EP is proof of that. It is always hard to not cross the line into brevity when comparing acts in a review but when I watch Doggett perform and I hear his music, my mind reverts to one of my favourite artists and this album really reminds me of the solo work of John Frusciante (Red Hot Chili Peppers) in particular. I’m not sure how he feels about that comparison, but I mean it in all the right ways. Melodic and edgy, each track seems to sit just right on this one and it was definitely hard to pick a favourite among six tracks of great music, but the lead cut “Be Kind, Rewind” as well as “Please Go Home” are the tops for me. Do yourself a favour and go get the songs at tdex. bandcamp.com. You will not regret it. - Jamie Varga

REVIEWS

Flower of Devotion

First Rose of Spring

Heavy Nights

On Flower of Devotion, Chicagobased trio Dehd returns with a revamped sound that is dripping in nostalgic coming-of-age soundtrack potential. In its lyricism, Flower of Devotion emanates feelings of angst, vulnerability, and bittersweetness, which are only enhanced by the tortured vocal deliveries of Emily Kempf and Jason Balla. “No Time” is a prime example of their ability to pair troubled thoughts with optimistic tunes as Kempf laments the feeling of being used. At the same time, Eric McGrady’s resilient, driving drums and Balla’s bright, jangly guitars set sights on the horizon. While Flower of Devotion sees Dehd shift away from minimalism, their knack for subtlety persists on tracks like “Flood,” where the band’s musical restraint creates space for heart-wrenchingly lovestruck lyrics to consume the listener. Although Dehd evokes adolescence in their sad yet sanguine songwriting, Flower of Devotion represents a leap of musical maturity as Dehd enters a sonic landscape that is richer, dreamier, and more unified than ever before.

I’ve had a soft spot for Willie Nelson since I saw him in concert at Fort William Gardens many years ago. It was a great show and there was a lot of love between Nelson and the audience. I got that same happy feeling listening to his latest album, First Rose of Spring. It’s Nelson’s 70th album, and at 87 years old he shows no signs of slowing down. This album is vintage Nelson. Though there are many stellar ballads there’s also some honky tonk, swing, and country rockers as well. Nelson’s voice is as strong and emotive as it’s ever been. The production on this album shines— it’s not overdone, and the instrument mix is top notch, with Nelson’s vocals front and centre. There’s some tasty harmonica and steel guitar, and Nelson supplies some nifty solos on his beat-up guitar, Trigger. A couple of my favourite songs include the country jazz swing of “Just Bummin’ Around” and “Yesterday, When I Was Young,” originally done by Charles Aznavour in 1964. Nelson may be getting on in years but his music is as fresh and vibrant as it has ever been. First Rose of Spring is a class act.

Returning after a five-year hiatus under the Evening Hymns nom de plume, singer-songwriter Jonas Bonnetta released Heavy Nights in late June. A largely melancholy affair, the album lyrically deals with love, loss, and the promise of new beginnings. While not musically upbeat in the slightest, the record is warm and impeccably crafted, with layers of rich textures and gorgeous instrumentation. Joseph Shabason’s saxophone permeates several of the cuts here, giving them the ambiance of a quiet, dimly lit pub or live music club after dark. It’s fitting that there are three songs in a row with the word “dreams” in the title (“You In Dreams,” “My Drugs, My Dreams,” and “Kiss My Dreams”) as the whole album has a very ethereal sound and feel. The aforementioned “My Drugs, My Dreams,” is the highlight, with its soaring, plaintive chorus. Bonnetta has released a very personal album and one that should appeal to fans not only of indie-folk, but other roots-oriented styles as well.

Dehd

- Melanie Larson

Willie Nelson

- Gerald Graham

Evening Hymns

- Matt Prokopchuk

Online Ordering for our

PICK-UP MENU

Pickup Thurs-Sat, 1pm-6pm

ORDER HERE! | snpcatering.com

80 The Walleye

Palimpsest

Protest the Hero

The story goes that when Protest vocalist Rody Walker destroyed his vocal chords, his band waited for him to heal. The music had been done for two years and he had to learn how to sing all over again. His performance on Palimpsest, the Whitby band’s first release since 2016’s Pacific Rift, is remarkable, probably the best he’s ever sounded. More capable and nearly without any death growls, Walker is all over these songs, which could be a good thing, but it sometimes seems at odds with the band’s music. These songs are rapid-fire exercises in skronky, bouncing, grooving, busysounding progressive metal that has plenty of awesome parts—when you can hear them. Walker’s voice is constantly waaaaay out in front of the music, which unfortunately reduces much of Protest’s technical/melodic metal to a beating, polyrhythmic wash. However, if you do enjoy Walker’s hyper-kinetic delivery, there’s a lot to love on this album—“All Hands” is a highlight—and I’d even say it’s a great place to start in their discography. For everyone else, well, you can shrug your shoulders next year when Palimpsest wins a Juno. - Justin Allec

Free to a Good Home

Michael Hing and Ben Jenkins “Wanted: A foot massage, crisis beans, and a good kisser.” Do I have your attention yet? Definitely have a listen to Free to a Good Home, where two Aussie friends comb through classified ads choosing the strangest of the bunch, creating a fictitious storyline and then predicting the outcome. Hing and Jenkins take on this unique premise with charm and creativity, all the while managing to bring the ads to life. The episodes are reasonable in length and you’ll find yourself engaged in the hilarity of this podcast immediately. The hosts’ laughter is contagious while they make light of some uncomfortable and undoubtedly weird posts. Just when you thought you’ve heard it all, Free to a Good Home brings it to the next level and makes that commute to work a breeze. - Andrea Lysenko

If Beale Street Could Talk (2018) Barry Jenkins

This is director and screenwriter Barry Jenkins’ feature follow-up to his Oscar-winning Moonlight. Based on James Baldwin’s novel, this love story is set in 1974 Harlem. The title is a metaphor for street life, and in particular, the lives of Black people in America. Newly engaged Tish (KiKi Layne) and Fonny (Stephan James) are teenagers in love. Much of their joy and some of their sorrow occurs in these New York streets. When Fonny gets falsely accused of raping another woman and is jailed, the families kick into gear to get him released—especially so, as Tish announces that she is pregnant. The circumstances are stacked against them but their love endures. The plot is as timely as today’s Black Lives Matter movement. Jenkins has assembled a fine cast who know these characters and make us believe in them. Available on several online platforms. - Michael Sobota

The Last Best Places: Storytelling About Thunder Bay’s Historic Buildings Tania L. Saj

The streets of Thunder Bay are a jigsaw puzzle of notable Western architecture and stylistic expression, predominantly from the 20th century and steeped in European influence. The stories told by these structures are celebrated by Tania L. Saj in her 2009 publication The Last Best Places: Storytelling About Thunder Bay’s Historic Buildings. With many historical structures having been replaced or drastically altered over the years, this book is an excellent way to connect with some of the lost pieces of our community’s history. By studying the past, we learn from it, and the built history of a city is a telling example of its priorities at any point in time. The Last Best Places is thoroughly researched and presented with visual markers and anecdotal stories on everything, including rail stations, hotels, banks, schools, shops, and the oldest branch of the Thunder Bay Public Library, the Brodie Resource Library. - Jesse Roberts

The Walleye

The Boulevard Lake Dam

ower generation along the Current River was established in Port Arthur in 1892 as a means to operate the town’s new electric street railway system. A 75-by-75-foot timber power house constructed on a massive stone foundation located at the mouth of the river initially generated electricity through two boilers and a 150 horsepower wheelock compound condensing engine, driven by steam and fueled by wood and coal. The power house was later converted to water-driven, hydroelectric generation after completion of an eight-foot-tall timber crib dam. The Current River Falls Dam and its resulting Current River Reservoir (today known as Boulevard Lake and Boulevard Lake Dam) was constructed in 1901–1902. As a means to increase storage for hydro generation, two dams further up the Current River were

constructed: Onion Lake Dam in 1902 and, a few miles downriver from that, Paquette Dam in 1903. Disaster struck in May 1908 when warm temperatures combined with heavy rainfalls led to a 150-foot breach in the Paquette Dam. A wall of water surged towards Port Arthur, the intensity of which caused great damage. The facilities at Current River Park were decimated but worst of all, the rushing water caused the derailment of a 35-car freight train in which five men lost their lives. Though damaged, the Current River Falls Dam withstood the flood. Paquette Dam was never rebuilt; instead Onion Lake Dam was enlarged and the Current River Falls Dam rebuilt. Designed by Smith, Kerry and Chace, Engineers of Toronto, the new 1909–1910-built Current River Falls Dam was innovative in both its use of concrete and design

City of Thunder Bay

By Laurie Abthorpe

City of Thunder Bay

Architecture

▲Remnants of the original wooden crib dam are visible when water levels are low

City of Thunder Bay

Thunder Bay Archives 1991-03-182

▼Aerial image of Boulevard Lake c. 1980

The Walleye

The Boulevard Lake Rock Circle By Matt Prokopchuk

Hamilton says he’s collaborating with other research colleagues, as well as Fort William First Nation, a number of other Indigenous communities in the region, as well as the Métis community, as he says it’s being considered an important part of the heritage of the region’s Indigenous peoples.

Thunder Bay Archives 1993-01-50

Lakehead University archeologist Scott Hamilton is again among those studying the formation, using state-ofthe-art cameras and imaging equipment. Hamilton says the circle is about 200 to 275 metres upstream of the Boulevard Lake Dam and is large, measuring roughly 35 metres in diameter, with well over 1,000 rocks visible. “This is a very purposefully built, human-built structure of some sort,” Hamilton says, speculating that it likely wasn’t a domestic structure, but more likely something used by a community or larger groups of people. Other than that, however, not much is definitively known about it.

City of Thunder Bay

With the water levels lowered in Boulevard Lake to facilitate the ongoing repairs to the dam, passers-by have surely noticed a large circle of rocks in where the man-made lake usually is. It’s not the first time this feature has been exposed when lake levels are lowered; it drew a lot of interest in 2016 as well, and led to researchers from Lakehead University starting to take a closer look.

▲ Unidentified men working on the Current River Dam, September 9, 1932

Thunder Bay Archives 1992-06-006 ▲ The Boulevard Lake Dam c. 1927 ▼ The interior of the gatehouse today

Hamilton is also imploring people to respect the site and to leave the rocks alone. “It has triggered a lot of interest in the larger community but it’s a special place—we don’t know of any other place like it in northern Ontario,” he says. “We need to be careful that we don’t end up destroying the thing we value.”

City of Thunder Bay

technology. The concrete gravity dam seen today spans 112 metres across with 17 spillways and 11 stoplog sluiceways that manage water flow. The piers, 17 arched heads, and rolled dam at the western end of the dam date to its 1910 construction while the eastern end’s arcade, similar in proportion but with flat heads, dates to a major reconstruction in 1963. Additional elements that make up the dam complex include the gatehouse, wing walls, embankments, fish ladder, walkway, and concrete stairway. The structure has gone through many repairs and alterations over its lifetime. In 1936 the Current River Reservoir was renamed Boulevard Lake and the dam was renamed Boulevard Lake Dam. The Boulevard Lake Dam ceased generating power in 2018, though it retains the important tasks of flood control and the maintenance of Boulevard Lake itself. In order to facilitate the current restorative work being done on the dam, Boulevard Lake water levels have been lowered, resulting in water-based recreational activities being suspended this summer. Mike Vogrig, a project engineer with the City of Thunder Bay’s Infrastructure and Operations Division, describes the current project work: “The larger majority of the work at Boulevard is repairing old concrete. Some portions of the structure are over 100 years old and the concrete is significantly detreated. In addition, the dam is being stabilized further with metal tendons that will be installed through the structure into the bedrock below. While we are there, we are also making improvements to the functionality of the dam for operations (installing an automated gate system to control water levels) and for the user (widening the walkway above the dam, and adding pedestrian-level and aesthetic lighting).” The project is due to be completed by the end of 2021. Laurie Abthorpe is the heritage researcher for the Heritage Advisory Committee, which advises City Council on the conservation of heritage buildings, sites, and resources, and their integration into development. For more information on the city’s heritage resources, visit www. thunderbay.ca/en/city-hall/heritage-in-thunder-bay.aspx.

Architecture

The Walleye

84 The Walleye

LU RADIO’S MONTHLY TOP August Show Spotlight:

Top 20 1

Music

TOPS* I Feel Alive Musique TOPS

14 Tom Misch & Yussef Dayes What Kinda Music Beyond The Groove/Blue Note/Caroline

Check out our weekly charts online at luradio.ca and tune in to the Top 20 Countdown Mondays from 7-9am. Keep it locked on 102.7fm—online streaming at luradio.ca.

Len Bowen* Flow Nostalgic EP Fourth Quarter

Young RJ and Mega Ran 2HANDSUP Ne’Astra Music Group

15 Les Deuxluxes* Lighter Fluid Bonsound 16 Ty Segall Segall Smeagol Self-Released

Betty Howls

Hosted by Lisa Ferris Saturdays from 2-4 pm Lisa Ferris, a.k.a. Betty Howls, has been on 102.7 FM for 15 years. Lisa was inspired at the inception of CILU to create a show that she would want to listen to. This show would tackle feminist issues, play vibrant, eclectic music made mainly by inspiring women, and create a safe space for people to come and chat. Over the years, great music has been played each week, dozens of people have talked about their lives, work, and experiences, and a 50% rate of female musical content has been upheld on each episode. Tune in each Saturday at 2 pm to hear new music, ideas, and when you are ready, come join Betty behind the mic to chat. Song of the Moment: Coriky - “Clean Kill” or Julia Kent - “Imbalance”

Fiona Apple Fetch the Bolt Cutters Epic

18 Wares* Survival Mint

Phoebe Bridgers Punisher Dead Oceans

19 Born Ruffians* Juice Yep Roc

Cartwrights* Cartwrights Self-Released Gum Country* Somewhere Self-Released

Itus* Primordial Self-Released

20 Andy Shauf* The Neon Skyline Arts & Crafts

Weak Size Fish* The Drift Self-Released

The Battle of Santiago* Queen & Judgement Selvamonos

Electronic

Zenobia Halak Halak Acid Arab/Crammed

Lil Omar* Toddler Country Self-Released

Austra* HiRUDiN Pink Fizz

Waxahatchee Saint Cloud Merge

Fonkynson* Falling Lisbon Lux

Purity Ring* WOMB 4AD

redress* peacebird Self-Released

Dead Ghosts* Automatic Changer Burger

10 Real Estate The Main Thing Domino 11 Nap Eyes* Snapshot Of A Beginner Royal Mountain 12 Basia Bulat* Are You In Love Secret City 13 Caroline Rose Superstar New West

Trench* Blossom Self-Released

Wake* Devouring Ruin Translation Loss

Spell* Opulent Decay Bad Omen

Killitorous* The Afterparty Tentacles Industries

Black Pestilence* Hail the Flesh Self-Released

Pantayo* Pantayo Telephone Explosion

International

17 NOBRO* Sick Hustle Dine Alone 2

Loud

Folk•Roots•Blu 1

Matt Robertson* The Songs and Stories of Francis Gardner Self-Released

Pharis & Jason Romero* Bet On Love Lula

Mike Plume Band* Lonesome Stretch of Highway Royalty

Whitney Rose* We Still Go to Rodeos MCG

The Blaze Velluto Collection* Fish Mountain, Part II (single) Self-Released

Jazz 1

Astrocolor* Hue eOne Music (E1)

Peripheral Vision* Irrational Revelation and Mutual Humiliation Self-Released

Anzola* Caracas Urbnet

Songs of Tales* Life is a Gong Show Self-Released

Vibration Black Finger Can You See What I’m Trying to Say Jazzman Brendan Eder Ensemble To Mix With Time Self-Released

Hip Hop 1

Run the Jewels RTJ4 Jewel Runners

Bill Noir* L’astronaute Self-Released

Dragon Fli Empire* Banff Avenue Makebelieve

5 Matty Stecks & Musical Tramps* Long Time Ago Rumble Ropeadope

* Indicates Canadian Content

The Walleye

Health

From left to right, Lauren Perrier and Sean McMillan, two of our hospital’s COVID screeners, showing the importance of wearing their cloth masks in our hospital.

Hitting the Streets with Your Face Covering By Vanessa Masters, Health Promotion and Communications Planner, Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre

es, face coverings can be uncomfortable. They hide your smile, and they’re stifling. Some people oppose wearing face coverings for these or other reasons. They’re missing the point—wearing a face covering is not about comfort. It’s about protecting all of us from the COVID-19 virus. Our hospital recommends the use of face coverings any time physical distancing can’t be maintained in public. Cloth face coverings worn in public settings provide extra protection against the spread of infection by preventing respiratory droplets from traveling in the air from one person to another. Face covering refers to anything that covers the face and can be a cloth mask, scarf, bandana,

86 The Walleye

neck tube, or anything that will help prevent droplets from spreading. It’s hard to argue with that. These face covering tips will help you hit the streets safely.

DO - Wash Your Hands Practice good hand hygiene both before and after the use of your face covering. Wash your hands often with soap and warm water or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer when washing isn’t available. Only touch the outside corners or ear-loops of your face covering and don’t touch it while you are wearing it. Remember not to touch your mouth, eyes, or nose after removing your face covering as many droplets may have landed on the exterior of it without you noticing.

DO - Wear Your Face Covering Even When You Feel Healthy

that one can be drying and the other can be in use.

Wear a face covering even if you feel healthy and don’t have any symptoms related to COVID-19. This is important because COVID-19 can be transmitted to others before showing any symptoms. Do your part to help protect the health of our community, especially our most vulnerable.

DON’T - Rely On Your Face Covering If You Are Sick

DO - Wear A Face Covering If You Are Unsure There is a lot of debate about where face coverings should be worn. To simplify, if you cannot maintain the recommended two metres or six feet distance, wear a face covering. This includes if you are outdoors, such as walking to and from your table while out on a public patio.

DO - Wash Your Face Covering When You Return Home After you return home, wash your face covering, either in the laundry or by hand. If you wash it by hand, soak it in soap and water for five minutes before scrubbing and rinse thoroughly after scrubbing. After washing, the face covering can be laid out to dry or placed in a dryer, depending on the material. Having more than one face covering is a good idea so

If you have symptoms of COVID19 or are feeling unwell, it is better to stay home and self-isolate. Although face coverings do help the spread of droplets, they are not as effective as staying home completely. If you are unsure about your symptoms, call the Thunder Bay District Health Unit at 625-5900 for more information.

DON’T - Wear A Face Covering If You Are Alone If you are home alone or out in your own backyard, there is no need to wear a face covering. Face coverings are used to prevent the spread of COVID-19 droplets between individuals and reduce the transmission of other illnesses. Remember that some people can’t wear face coverings, including children under two or individuals with other respiratory problems. When you wear a face covering, you help protect these vulnerable individuals. For more information regarding face coverings, visit https://www. cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/ prevent-getting-sick/cloth-facecover.html

Click to view Beer, Wine and cocktail Menu here

Shares Shares

Mains Mains

Shares Fried Fried Pickle Pickle Bites Bites $7 $7 Served Served withwith SovSov Ranch Ranch Fried Pickle Bites $7 Fries Fries $8Served $8 with Sov Ranch

Mains Sov Burger Sov Burger $17 $17 House House BurgerBurger Blend, Blend, Beef Beef Burger $17 Jam,Sov Muenster Jam, Muenster Cheese, Cheese, House Black Garlic BlackBurger Mayo, GarlicBlend, Mayo, Beef Jam, Muenster House House Pickles, Pickles, MilkCheese, Bun Milk Bun AddBlack Bacon AddGarlic Bacon $2 Mayo, $2 House Pickles, Milk Bun AddWeekly BaconNoodle $2 Weekly Noodle Bowl / Bowl /

Served Served withwith House-Made House-Made Fries $8 Ketchup Ketchup Served AddAdd Gravy Gravy $4 with $4 House-Made Ketchup Add Gravy $4 Classics Classics Classics Fried Fried Chicken Chicken $16$16 Traditional Traditional or Tossed* or Tossed* Fried Chicken $16 Traditional or Tossed* Fried Fried Cauliflower Cauliflower $14 $14

WeeklyWeekly FeatureFeature Pasta Pasta Noodle Bowl / Ask Weekly your AskServer your Server Weekly Feature Pasta AskSalads your Server Salads

Pizzas Pizzas Pizzas Pancetta Pancetta Goat Goat Cheese Cheese $17$17 Caramelized Caramelized Onion, Onion, Pancetta GoatFresh Cheese $17 Pancetta, Pancetta, Fresh Basil, Basil, Caramelized Onion, Peppered Peppered Goat Goat Cheese Cheese Pancetta, Fresh Basil, Peppered Goat&Cheese Prosciutto Prosciutto Fig & Fig $17$17 Prosciutto Prosciutto Gorgonzola Gorgonzola Prosciutto & Fig $17 Dolce, Dolce, Figs, Figs, Balsamic Balsamic Glaze Glaze Prosciutto Gorgonzola Dolce, Figs, $17 Balsamic Spanish Spanish $17 Glaze

Chorizo, Chorizo, Prosciutto, Prosciutto, Spanish $17Peppers, Roasted Roasted Peppers, Chorizo, Prosciutto, Jalapenos Jalapenos Salads Garden Garden Salad |Salad Regular | Regular $8 | $8 | Roasted Peppers, Jalapenos Traditional Traditional or Tossed* or Tossed* Large $14 Large $14 Spicy Spicy Hawaiian Hawaiian $17$17 Fried Cauliflower $14 Garden SaladCapers, |Diced Regular $8 | Romaine, Romaine, Capers, Diced Spiced Spiced Ham, Ham, Pineapple, Pineapple, Traditional or Tossed* Large $14 Cucumber, Spicy Hawaiian $17 Chicken Chicken Wings Wings $15/lb. $15/lb. Tomato, Tomato, Cucumber, Chili-Infused Chili-Infused Honey Honey Romaine, Diced Spiced Ham, Pineapple, Tossed Tossed in your in your choice choice of of Lemon Lemon Onion Capers, Dressing Onion Dressing Chicken Wings $15/lb. Tomato, Cucumber, Chili-Infused Honey sauce* sauce* Deluxe Deluxe $17 $17 Tossed in your choice of Lemon Onion Dressing Caesar Caesar Salad |Salad Regular | Regular $8 | $8 | Pepperoni, Pepperoni, Banana Banana sauce* Deluxe $17 Mushrooms, *Sauce *Sauce Choices Choices Large $14 Large $14 Peppers, Peppers, Mushrooms, Caesar SaladAsiago |Cheese, Regular $8 | Pepperoni, Banana Roasted Roasted Garlic Garlic & Peppers* & Peppers* Romaine, Romaine, Asiago Cheese, Roasted Roasted Peppers Peppers *Sauce Choices Large $14 Croutons, Buffalo Buffalo Brioche Brioche Croutons, Bacon,Bacon, Peppers, Mushrooms, Roasted Garlic & Peppers* Romaine, AsiagoDressing Cheese, Roasted Peppers SaltSalt & Pepper* & Pepper* House-Made House-Made Dressing Pepperoni Pepperoni & Cheese & Cheese $16$16 Buffalo Croutons, Chipotle Chipotle Apple Apple BBQBBQ AddBrioche Grilled Add Grilled Chicken Chicken onBacon, on Pepperoni, Pepperoni, Mozzarella Mozzarella Salt & Pepper* House-Made Pepperoni & Cheese $16 Cajun* Cajun* Large $6 Large $6 Dressing Chipotle Apple BBQ Add Grilled Chicken on Pepperoni, Mozzarella Spicy Spicy Garlic Garlic Parmesan Parmesan Vegetarian Vegetarian $16$16 Cajun* Large $6 Salata * - Dry * - Dry Rub Rub Ricotta Ricotta Salata Salad $15 Salad $15 Choose Choose Three: Three: Jalapenos, Jalapenos, Spicy Garlic Parmesan Vegetarian $16 Corn &Corn Tomato & Tomato Salsa, Salsa, Roasted Roasted Peppers, Peppers, Figs, Figs, * -&Dry Ricotta Salata Salad $15 Choose Three: Jalapenos, Potatoes Potatoes Kimchi &Rub Kimchi $17$17 Ricotta, Ricotta, Cilantro, Cilantro, Mushrooms, Mushrooms, Tomatoes, Tomatoes, Corn & Tomato Roasted Peppers, Figs, Fried Fried Brussels Brussels Sprouts, Sprouts, Wonton Wonton Crisp CrispSalsa, Fried Fried Brussels Brussels Sprouts, Sprouts, Potatoes &Fries, Kimchi $17 Ricotta, Cilantro, Mushrooms, Tomatoes, Japanese Japanese Mayo, Mayo, Fries, Pork Pork Add House Add House ChorizoChorizo $2 $2 Banana Banana Peppers, Peppers, Fried Brussels Sprouts, Wonton Crisp Fried Brussels Sprouts, Belly, Belly, Korean Korean Vinaigrette Vinaigrette Caramelized Caramelized Onions, Onions, Japanese Mayo, Fries, Pork House Chorizo $2 $15 Banana Peppers, MintAdd &Mint Melon & Melon Salad $15 Salad Black Black Olives, Olives, RedRed Onions Onions Belly, Korean Vinaigrette Caramelized Onions, Poutine Poutine $14$14 Arugula, Arugula, Radishes, Radishes, pizzas All pizzas come come with with a nut-free a nut-free Mint & Melon Salad $15 BlackAllOlives, Red Onions Cheese Cheese Curds Curds & Gravy & Gravy Prosciutto, Prosciutto, pesto pesto crust! crust! Poutine Arugula, Radishes, AddAdd Duck Duck $6 $6$14 Lime Balsamic Lime Balsamic Dressing Dressing All pizzas come with a nut-free Cheese Curds & Gravy Prosciutto, pesto crust! Add Duck $6 Lime Balsamic Dressing CraftCraft Sodas Craft Sodas Sodas Non-Alcoholic Non-Alcoholic Non-Alcoholic $3 $3 $3 Jarritos Jarritos Jarritos Lime Lime Soda Lime Soda $3 Soda Old $3 $3 Old Jamaica Old Jamaica Jamaica Ginger Ginger Ginger BeerBeer $4Beer $4 $4 Pepsi, Pepsi, Pepsi, DietDiet Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, Pepsi, 7-Up, 7-Up, Ginger 7-Up, Ginger Ginger Ale,Ale, Soda Ale, Soda Water Soda Water Water Dad’s Dad’s Cream Dad’s Cream Cream Soda Soda $4 Soda Frostie $4 $4 Frostie Frostie RootRoot Beer Root Beer $5Beer $5 $5 Coffee, Coffee, Coffee, Tea,Tea, Orange Tea, Orange Orange Juice, Juice, Iced Juice, Iced Tea Iced TeaTea

OPEN FOR PATIO, INDOOR AND TAKEOUT DINING Open Fri-Sun 1pm-11pm Call 343-9277 to order takeout and make reservations

The Walleye

Health

From India to Thunder Bay

Q&A With Registered Practical Nurse Geetika Handa Story by Matt Prokopchuk, Photo by Kay Lee

arlier this summer, the Thunder Bay Community Economic Development Commission (CEDC) announced that its rural and northern immigration pilot program nominated 12 health-care workers in Thunder Bay for community recommendations—a key step that helps skilled immigrants to the city apply for permanent residency. The professionals work as registered nurses, registered practical nurses, and personal support workers. One such recipient is Geetika Handa, a registered practical nurse who works for St. Joseph’s Care Group. The Walleye spoke with Handa about what it was like initially moving from India to Thunder Bay, her first winter here, and the immigration process. The Walleye: How did you choose to come to Thunder Bay? Geetika Handa: I came to Thunder Bay in 2016 for my higher studies. One of my friends was living in Thunder Bay, so she recommended Thunder Bay to me. I came […] to do critical care nursing at Confederation College [a two-year post-graduate program] and after that, I got a job with BISNO, which is Brain Injury Services of Northern Ontario. Then, after that, I reevaluated my nursing education and the College of Nurses of Ontario gave me the ability to write for the […] exam. I passed the exam, got the licence, and got a job with St. Joseph’s Care Group. TW: How was the transition for you coming straight from India to Thunder Bay? GH: It was a little sad because I came alone—my whole family’s in India—but it was my decision to come to Canada for my higher studies, so that’s why I came here. Lots of my friends live in Thunder Bay, so that’s why it was not hard to survive here. The people are very friendly in

88 The Walleye

Thunder Bay, so, yeah, I got a job—a very nice job—so it’s been good. TW: What was the first winter like? GH: The winter was a little hard. I came straight from India and in India, it’s never been, like minus 45 or minus 30, so in winter, my skin […] was not good. But I like the winters. I like the snow; I enjoy it, but now it’s been four years I’ve been living here so, yeah, my skin now has adapted. Now it’s all good. TW: You’ve received one of the community recommendations from the rural and northern immigration pilot program; what was that like? GH: Before that, I was so scared because it was just—they can only give recommendations for 100 people, so I was thinking that I don’t know if I will get it or not, and there will be lots of people who are going to apply. I felt so good [when I got it], I was feeling very happy because, another immigration program… I tried to go in express entry [an application process for skilled immigrants seeking permanent residency that uses a points system to form a pool of candidates], but at the time, the points were so high. I couldn’t achieve those points, so when I got the recommendation, I was greatly thankful to [the CEDC] and the community. TW: What makes Canada an inviting destination for you? GH: When I came here to Canada, I was unsure whether I’d like Canada or not, but I love Canada because […] in India, the nursing pay is very much less than Canada. I would like to choose Canada. It’s everything—cleanliness, healthy environment. So that’s why I applied for permanent residency. The interview has been edited for length and clarity.

WEDDINGS | PORTRAITS | EVENTS

The Walleye

SPONSORED CONTENT

T B AY ON

r e m m su

on i t a c y a b t #

STAY HOME & STAY SAFE

t s e cont

Show us your close-to-home summer getaway for a chance to win BIG prizes. Each week, from June to August, Thunder Bay CEDC and Tourism Thunder Bay are giving away amazing local prize packs. Tag local businesses in your post for bonus entries.

VISITTHUNDERBAY.COM 90 The Walleye

#tbaycatio

SPONSORED CONTENT

Elsie MacGill is in Thunder Bay, Ontario June 5 at 4:34 PM

��

Perfect Picnic day with the fam! Representing the Bay and Algoma neighbourhood with a picnic set The Kitchen Nook & Finnish Bookstore and yummy eats from The Cheese Encounter and Maltese Grocery. #tbaycation

HOW TO ENTER 1

Take a photo of yourself / your family enjoying your Thunder Bay staycation / Tbaycation

Post to Facebook and/or Instagram baegirl37

Tag all local businesses and products featured. The more tags, the more entries!

Use #tbaycation

4 Comments 2 Shares

@sgbco @freshairtbay

For complete contest rules, visit: thunderbay.ca/tbaycation

baegirl37 Chasing waterfalls all summer long! #tbaycation @sgbco @freshairtbay

��

GRAND PRIZE Value d

$3,00 at 0!

A Superior Experience Draw Date: 31-Aug-20 Sail Superior to Porphyry Island Excursion for 12

River + Canadian + The Keg + Prince Arthur: + Current Bakery Lighthouses of Lake Superior: Porphyry Island membership and tour

Executive Suite

Check out all the weekly prizes

* Bring your own lunch

The Walleye

Also inc

ludes

SPONSORED CONTENT

WEE BONU KLY S PRIZ ES! See th ew

summer

PRIZE 1 - WINNER

for de ebsite tails.

on i t a c y #tba contes

WEEKLY PRIZES PRIZE 5 - WINNER

US BON E PRIZ R NE WIN

PRIZE 6

PRIZE 7

US BON E PRIZ R NE WIN

ADA CAN Y DA NER WIN

PRIZE 11

PRIZE 12

PRIZE 13

Tee-baycation 2.0

The Lighthouse Keeper

The North to South Shopper

* will need own transportation to Porphyry Island

14-Aug-20

21-Aug-20 An 18-hole Golf Experience at Whitewater Golf Club

Plus Gift Certificates for: Daytona’s Fresh Air Whitewater Golf Club Giorg Cucina e Barra Current River Bakery Holiday Inn Express

The Walleye

Experience the Canadian Lighthouses of Lake Superior with a one-night stay for 6 on Porphyry Island

28-Aug-20 Local Shopping Expedition

Includes Gift Certificates for: Red Lion Smokehouse

Plus Gift Certificates for:

Fresh Air

Java Hut

Intercity Shopping Centre

Giorg Cucina e Barra

Ungalli

Current River Bakery

Authentique

Shake Shoppe

El Tres Current River Bakery Shake Shoppe

Best Western Plus Nor’Wester Hotel & Conference Centre

SPONSORED CONTENT

PRIZE 2 - WINNER

US BON E PRIZ R NE WIN

PRIZE 8

PRIZE 3 - WINNER

US BON E PRIZ R NE WIN

PRIZE 9

PRIZE 4 - WINNER

US BON E PRIZ R NE WIN

PRIZE 10 Tee-baycation 07-Aug-20 An 18-hole Golf Experience at Whitewater Golf Club

Plus Gift Certificates for: La Poutine Fresh Air Whitewater Golf Club Bight Current River Bakery Shake Shoppe US BON E PRIZ R NE WIN

US BON E PRIZ R NE WIN

Holiday Inn Express

Good luck and have a great summer! For complete contest rules, visit: thunderbay.ca/tbaycation