October 2020 by The Walleye Magazine

FILM FREE ARTS Vol. 11 No. 10 MUSIC OCTOBER FOOD 2020 CULTURE thewalleye.ca

Through the Lens Part II Local Landscape Photographers

FEELS LIKE HOME 26

FAUX ROCIOUS IS FEROCIOUS 42

THAT HUNTING GIRL 58

NOT SINGING THE BLUES 82

COMMUNITY FUND

Red Lake Food Box, Spring 2017 Winner

We’re in it together

Need funding for your community project? Through the Tbaytel for Good Community Fund, we want to help you make a difference in your community. Tell us about a project, a need, or an idea that you require funding for – with a community group, volunteer-run or not-for-profit organization, or at your school or workplace. Submissions Open September 21 to October 23 Public Voting November 9 to November 20 Winners Announced November 30

Grub Tub Snack Program, Fall 2019 Winner

To learn more and apply, visit tbaytelforgood.net Submissions close at 4:00 pm EST on Friday, October 23, 2020. Voting closes at 4:00 pm EST on Friday, November 20.

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Contents

walle eye the

■ 7 TheTOPFive

Thunder Bay’s arts & culture alternative

FEATURES

Editor-in-chief Darren McChristie

■ 9

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

Marketing & Sales Specialists Kaitlin Trevisan kaitlin@thewalleye.ca

FOOD

Alaina Linklater alaina@thewalleye.ca Photographers Patrick Chondon, Kevin Dempsey, Aelin Foster, Damien Gilbert, Chad Kirvan, Dave Koski, Kay Lee, Shannon Lepere, Marty Mascarin, Darren McChristie, Sarah McPherson, Laura Paxton, Keegan Richard

FILM&THEATRE

■ 33 THE SECOND MOST

■ 36 Rabbits As Art ■ 38 A Different Look ■ 41 FROM THUNDER BAY ART GALLERY’S COLLECTION ■ 42 Faux Rocious is Ferocious ■ 44 A Lifetime Passion

OUTDOOR

Our Own Backyard ■ 48 Ready to Launch

CITYSCENE

■ 50 WALL SPACE: Jean

Superior Outdoors Inc. 242 - 1100 Memorial Avenue Thunder Bay, ON P7B 4A3

Will Munch

■ 46 World-Class Adventure in

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.

THE ARTS

Ad Designers Dave Koski, Miranda van den Berg

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

■ 22 THE GRINNING BELLY ■ 23 DRINK OF THE MONTH ■ 25 BREW IT YOURSELF ■ 26 Feels Like Home ■ 28 SUPERIOR SIP ■ 30 School Lunch Your Kids

PLEASURABLE THING WE DO IN THE DARK. A COLUMN ABOUT MOVIES ■ 34 Out of the Box

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

The Walleye is a free monthly publication distributed on racks throughout Thunder Bay and region.

CoverStory: Local Landscape Photographers ■ 10 Under the Stars ■ 12 Chasing Waterfalls… and Other Wonders ■ 14 Healing Through the Camera Lens ■ 16 Love, Work, Friendship ■ 18 A Different Perspective ■ 20 Anatomy of a Landscape Photographer

Telephone (807) 344-3366 Fax (807) 623-5122

Pendziwol’s Office ■ 52 Many Helping Hands ■ 54 New Kids on the Block ■ 57 THIS IS THUNDER BAY ■ 58 That Hunting Girl ■ 61 CANNABIS CORNER ■ 63 Your Library, Your Business ■ 64 GO LOCAL THUNDER BAY COUNTRY MARKET ■ 66 STUFF WE LIKE

■ 68 Understanding a

Father’s Sacrifice ■ 70 Pretty Fly Co. Lands in Thunder Bay ■ 72 Thunder Bay’s Tourism Industry During COVID-19 ■ 74 EYE TO EYE: With Paul Pepe ■ 75 Brewing Up Solutions for Working Parents ■ 76 Keeping It Simple ■ 78 Stuck at the Border

MUSIC

■ 80 Radiating Healing Over

the Air ■ 82 Not Singing the Blues ■ 85 For a Good Cause ■ 86 BURNING TO THE SKY ■ 87 Celebrating, Encouraging Local Talent ■ 88 This Was Then, This Is Now ■ 90 TBSO Brings the Music Back With Season 59.5

■ 92 OFF THE WALL REVIEWS ARCHITECTURE

■ 94 St. Paul’s Anglican Church ■ 96 Tbaytel OCTOBER

EVENTS GUIDE

■ 97 LU RADIO'S

MONTHLY TOP 20 HEALTH

■ 98 Celebrating 30 Years of the Ontario Breast Screening Program ■ 99 Remembering Loved Ones

GREEN

■ 100 An Awesome Responsibility THE WALL

■ 102 Getting off the

Merry-Go-Round

■ 104 HOROSCOPES ■ 105 THE BEAT ■ 106 THE EYE

E-mail: info@thewalleye.ca

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From Our Instagram feed

Through the Camera Lens

s we now find ourselves fully into the days of autumn, Northwestern Ontario starts to take on its fall colours: on land, brilliant swaths of reds, oranges, and golds start to cut through the green canvas that is so abundant around us. And that doesn’t even begin to account for the shimmering and plentiful bodies of water and majestic colours of the sky as the sun rises and sets. Our cover story this month focuses on that natural beauty around us and profiles several of the photographers who capture it. In addition, we examine what it takes to get those shots from a different perspective as Betty Carpick takes a closer look at aerial photography, and Bonnie Schiedel speaks with a gear expert on what you need equipment-wise to have the best chance at capturing your own brilliant shots. Staying with the outdoors-y theme, film columnist Michael Sobota tells us about four movies where the cinematography of the natural landscape plays a central role, Cathi Winslow brings us a story about Magnus Theatre returning to

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live, in-person performance with their run of dates for A Closer Walk with Patsy Cline in Waverley Park, and Rebecca Urbanski recalls her summer adventure in Pukaskwa National Park. Elsewhere in our October issue, Pat Forrest and photographer Chad Kirvan bring us inside the Thunder Bay Art Gallery’s Waabooz/Rabbit exhibit, which explores how the animal has been seen and depicted over the years through art and craft. In the music scene, Sara Sadeghi Aval tells us about the Thunder Bay Public Library’s plans to bring a new music festival focused on homegrown talent to the city, while Kat Lyzun has the story of how the owners of a local brewery are working to alleviate the need for more childcare spaces in the city (but in a different building!) As we put away the summer clothes and prepare for cooler weather, we hope that the stories and images in this issue provide some warmth and a different view of our city and region. - Matt Prokopchuk

For Clarification The story “Physical, Emotional, and Social Therapy” on page 44 of our September issue quoted Billy Washington on his use of cannabis. Washington further clarified that he has been prescribed it and uses it medically, not recreationally.

Featured Contributor Sara Sadeghi Aval Sara is a 25-year-old aspiring writer and poet. Born in Iran, Sara has called Thunder Bay home since she was seven years old, and she now attends Lakehead University as an English major. Her passion for writing and reading began at a young age and she is ecstatic to share her work. Fun fact: The Walleye magazine was the first place her poetry was published, back in 2017. Sara has also hosted poetry workshops within the city. Check out her stories on the proposed From Here Music Festival. and the Out of the Darkness Memorial Walk on pages 87 and 99 respectively in this month’s issue. Find her on Instagram @sarasadeghiaval95 for art, writing, and more.

On the Cover Subsiding Storm. A view of Lake Superior. Cover photo by Lois Nuttall.

KeysPlz Realty Ltd - Thunder Bay’s Newest & Local Real Estate Brokerage “We took an extensive look at the gap between the traditional model of Real Estate and today’s consumers in our community, cut off all the excess weight and expensive overhead, implemented modern technology, built a team of great people and created KeysPlz Realty Ltd. A local, client focused and affordable Real Estate Brokerage exclusive to Thunder Bay and surrounding areas. We’re raising the bar in professionalism, leading by example, and at the end of the day keeping more in our clients pockets, as well as in our community.” Innovative, Affordable & Friendly.

SPENCER SMITH, Owner & Broker of Record

Cell: 807-621-0281 Office: 807-285 2040

Fax: 807 285 2035 Email: info@keysplz.ca The Walleye

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$ 00 OFF Motor vehicle inspection station We use Genuine NAPA Auto Parts

TheTOPFive

Chamber 1 TBSO’s Concert Series

October 8, 9, 22, & 23

The hills are alive with the sound of music! Well, Hilldale Lutheran Church to be exact, but you get the idea. The TBSO is kicking off Season 59.5 with a unique series of concerts beginning on October 8. They will be offering two one-hour shows a night (one at 6:30 pm and another at 8:30 pm) featuring interesting and eclectic programming selections ranging from Mozart and Bach to Stravinsky and Poulenc. In order to make the concert experience enjoyable and safe for all, there is limited seating to 50 spots. Tickets can be purchased online or by phone, but not at the door. Be sure to check out the entire concert lineup on the symphony website, as well as have a read-through of their safety protocol guidelines beforehand. tbso.ca

Terror in the Bay 2 Film Festival

October 15–18 Maple Tops Paramount Theatre/ Interstellar Cinema

It wouldn’t be October without a bit of terror! This year’s Terror in the Bay Film Festival has an amazing roster of horror, thriller, and mystery films from around the world to delight and entertain. Some of the films to be shown include two films based on Stephen King’s short stories—Uncle Otto’s Truck and Big Wheels (directed by local filmmaker Andrew Simpson)— Cottonmouth (starring horror film legend Heather Langenkamp) and Adele, a true crime documentary. Please note: due to the pandemic, only the one-day screening on the 17th at Interstellar Outdoor Cinema may happen and the remaining three nights at Maple Tops Paramount may be postponed. Visit their website for the latest happenings, full lineup, tickets, and showtimes. You don’t want to miss a second of the action! terrorinthebay.com

of Live at the 4 Best Bedrock Festival

October 17 Virtual

Calling all folk music lovers! When the Live from the Rock Folk Festival couldn’t be held this year, a small outdoor neighbourhood concert featuring a number of local musicians was organized instead, which they called Live at the Bedrock. And Sleeping Giant Folk Music Society has put together some footage from the event for a special livestream concert that you can tune in for! Join host Gerald Graham and special guests on the SGFMS’s Facebook page on October 17 at 7 pm. Take in the music stylings of Cassidy Houston, Danielle Pollari, Jean-Paul De Roover, Stu McLean, and so many more. The event is free but audience members are encouraged to make donations, and there will be a draw for prizes. Proceeds will support the Shelter House and Live from the Rock Folk Festival 2021. facebook.com/SGFMS

Chondon Photography

Hilldale Lutheran Church

3 Pumpkinfest Weekends until October 12

Gammondale Farm

Take a drive out to the country and take in Pumpkinfest! On Saturdays and Sundays from 11 am–5 pm until October 12, you can partake in this Gammondale Farm tradition. Try out Canada’s largest pumpkin catapult, ride the pumpkin train, and visit the BOO barn. There’s also a pumpkin slingshot, a corn cannon, and farm animals to see, as well as tonnes of pumpkin and squash displays. Plus, you can take rides atop gentle giant draft horses for just $5. A food truck will be there every weekend to serve up delicious eats but make sure to bring cash, as food and pumpkin sales are cash only. Tickets can be purchased online (they are nonrefundable, but rain checks will be offered if some activities are cancelled due to weather). The event is on rain, shine, or cold! gammondalefarm.com/pumpkinfest

5 Virtual Visual Art Fair Now until October 25

Virtual

Fill up on beautiful things! Community Arts & Heritage Education Project (CAHEP) and the Painted Turtle Art Shop are presenting the first-ever Thunder Bay Virtual Visual Art Fair as part of Culture Days 2020 festivities, and it’s FREE! Explore a showcase of wonderful selections of paintings, drawings, photography, digital media, textiles, sculpture, and mixed media from a variety of artists of all generations and levels. See work from students, emerging artists, and senior artists. The common denominator? All of the artists live and create in Thunder Bay, so you can expect all that wonderful unique and Northwestern Ontario flair. Check out The Painted Turtle website or Thunder Bay Creates on Facebook or Instagram for daily posts and updates. Oh, and the best part? It’s open 24/7! paintedturtleart.com

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where ever you find yourself, be ready with our FALL and winter collections

7 1 0 BAL MORAL STRE ET

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FRES HA IR.LOCAL LY.C O M

CoverStory

Through the Lens Part II Local Landscape Photographers

hotography is a way to capture a moment in time. Landscape photography, in particular, explores the relationship between person and subject—our tiny selves versus the vastness of sky, lake, mountain or waterfall. We’re blessed in this region with both an endless and ever-changing panorama that dances through all four seasons in spectacular fashion. Whether it’s the impossible beauty of a pinky-orange sunrise over a glassy lake, or the sky at night lit by the moon and a thousand stars, it’s all about the discoveries that are made in the outdoors in the absence of anyone or anything else but the lens that we look through. Nature truly is healing.

Damien Gilbert

-Rebekah Skochinski

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CoverStory

It is just a spectacular experience,” he says. The challenge of achieving a perfect night shot is part of the appeal. “The hardest part of night sky photography is being patient and learning to plan ahead,” he says. “Weather is something that you can’t change, and you can’t always believe the forecast either.” Lee plans his shoots using several forecasts, an app called PhotoPills, and the website cleardarksky.com. Clear nights during a new moon phase are best. One of his favourite spots to shoot from is Mackenzie Point Conservation Area, but he says anywhere about 15–20 minutes outside of the city can work. Another pro tip?

Under the Stars Capturing the Night Sky a “Spectacular Experience”

Story by Kat Lyzun, Photos by Kay Lee

hotographer Kay Lee has a mind for mechanics. He loves to know how things work and how to achieve the best outcome. He says he’s been fascinated by photography since he was young, watching his father capture every family outing with a film camera. “I often think about how many memories such a small device can document in people’s lives,” he says. “It’s a privilege to be able to use this tool to capture them. I love everything about photography.” Lee holds a special place in his portfolio for night sky photography. “I have always loved watching the

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sky…it’s been my favourite thing in the world since I was young. Maybe it’s because there is nothing else that makes you feel so small, and yet so comfortable at the same time when you look at it,” he says. When Lee moved to Thunder Bay and experienced the north’s vast, clear nights, he started researching and perfecting techniques to capture stars and the aurora borealis. Through this he discovered the incredible visual power of the Milky Way, which you can see in much of his work. “If you have ever photographed [it], you might understand when I say that it’s magical.

Play with ISO speed. “Don’t be afraid to shoot at a high ISO,” he explains, noting that landscape photographers generally use a low ISO for the best image quality, but when shooting at night that could mean you don’t get an image. “A clear night is probably the hardest thing to get … so don’t be afraid to shoot at a higher ISO and experiment. You should be able to find your sweet spot.” You can see Lee’s work on Facebook @mykayleephotography or Instagram @k.leephoto and @mirinaeproject, which is dedicated to his night sky projects. You can also order a print for yourself at kayleephotography.ca.

CoverStory

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Chasing Waterfalls… and Other Wonders A Thunder Bay Photographer’s Quest to Find Hidden Gems

Story by Matt Prokopchuk, Photos by Damien Gilbert

amien Gilbert has an eye for detail. The Thunder Bay videographer and photographer—and owner/operator of Epica Pictures—has worked on hundreds of projects for a wide variety of clients, but away from his commercial shoots, one of his passions is

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discovering and visually cataloguing hidden gems in the northwest, particularly waterfalls. That interest was piqued about six years ago when Gilbert first travelled to Iceland with friends, then returned annually (except for this year, due to COVID-19) to

shoot pictures for a music festival. “There’s over 10,000 [waterfalls] there, and every time I’ve gone, I see another one [and I] just became infatuated with it,” he says. “And then learned to discover that we have lots within this region, so in the last three or four years, I’ve been really discovering all these new ones. Most people think we just have Kakabeka Falls or High Falls, but I’m up to 50 within Northwestern Ontario already.”

Given the abundance of rivers and lakes in the region—not to mention the significant elevation changes—it should come as no surprise that there are many waterfalls here in the northwest to seek out. “I’m still discovering new ones, just kind of digging maps and hearing old stories from people,” he says. “There’s probably about a hundred that we don’t even know about.” Gilbert says a couple of his shoots stand out, largely because

of how remote they are. In fact, he says, they don’t even officially have names. “Almost a year of planning,” he says of the prep work that had to go into finding them. “It’s like a 20-kilometre bushwhack through untrekked terrain… there’s just so many unknowns,” he continues. “So there’s been a couple of those that are, I think, more special to me, just because they were so hard to get in to and they might be the only real documentation of these waterfalls.” His willingness to travel far and wide has also landed him numerous other shots of the region, including natural geological formations like the Dorion Tower, as well as many lakes. But Gilbert’s passion for waterfalls has also landed him another professional gig. He says he’s recently started working with a production company on a planned television series on the Great Lakes,

helping to document the area’s river systems that flow into Lake Superior. “It’s pretty neat that I’ve been doing this as a personal project, but then it kind of got brought on to this other project with the same concept in mind.” To see more of Gilbert’s work, visit Epica Pictures’ website at epicapictures.com. You can also check Gilbert out on Instagram at @dmangilbert and Facebook at facebook. com/epicapictures.

CoverStory

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CoverStory

Healing Through the Camera Lens How Photography Helps One Cope With Grief Story by Matt Prokopchuk, Photos by Mary Ann Fogolin

hen Mary Ann Fogolin lost her son five years ago, she needed something to get her out of the house. That has since turned into a passion for photography that continues today. Fogolin’s son Derek, 34, passed away after three months in intensive care from a virus that attacked his heart. The emotional toll was immense and taking up a creative pursuit that demanded she explore the outdoors offered solace. “It was very difficult to be at home, so I grabbed our old pointand-shoot camera and I got out into

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nature, just so I didn’t have to be at home and think about things,” she says. “I found it really beneficial, really peaceful, and it became joyful to go out.” She and her husband then started planning frequent outings when he would get home from work. It was through those visits to nature where Fogolin became interested in shooting sunsets. “I just find it amazing that it took me to hold a camera in my hand to really see that beauty,” she says. “Photography just got me away.” Fogolin has since upgraded her equipment and joined local camera

clubs in order to hone her skills; she also shoots many aspects of the outdoors, including wildlife. Today, while she says she pays closer attention to the creative and technical aspects of her work than when she first picked up a camera, the ability to escape into nature and explore and capture what’s around us continues to inspire and heal. “It’s been a huge help, it really has,” she says. “The grief is still there, obviously, but … it’s giving me something to really think about and plan adventures and I’m finding that by picking up a camera, I’ve just had amazing adventures,

getting into areas that I never would have ordinarily.” She says she’s also made many close friends through photography. “The people we’ve met, and joining the camera clubs... I have learned so much and met so many amazing people and it’s just opened a whole new world to me, which I’m really thankful for.” You can see more of Fogolin’s work on Instagram @maryannfogolin and on Facebook @ MaryAnnFogolinPhotography.

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CoverStory

Love, Work, Friendship

Photographing Lake Superior Can Enrich All Parts of Life Story by Bonnie Schiedel, Photos by Lois Nuttall

ois Nuttall has been enthralled by the beauty of Lake Superior for most of her life, so it’s not surprising that she seeks to capture its many sides through photography. For decades, she and her husband David, an avid boater, have explored Superior’s waters, coastline, and islands, including Lamb Island lighthouse near Rossport, the Slate Islands near Terrace Bay, Isle Royale, Pukaskwa National Park, and the

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area around their own camp at Nipigon Bay, the northernmost tip of the lake. Nuttall’s interest in photography deepened in both her professional life and in her friendships as well. When she owned Lake Superior Visits, a Thunder Bay tour business, she couldn’t find shots of people enjoying the area. So Nuttall started taking her own pictures, drawing on some of the skills she learned

at the Lakehead University photography club in the 70s. “And then one year, on a milestone birthday, my mother gave me $1,000 and I bought my first digital camera,” she says. Soon after that, in the 90s, she joined “Circles of Confusion,” a local camera club, which is when her learning curve really began, she says. “Through joining that club and clubs afterwards I met a group of talented women that became good friends, and we’re all photographers. So we have been exploring and enjoying photographic adventures around Lake Superior ever since.” Nuttall is now accredited in nine categories by the Professional Photographers of Canada. There are a number of exceptional shoots that stand out in her memory: a huge, glowing, earlysummer moonrise at Paradise Point on St. Ignace Island; skimming

alongside the cliffs of the Sleeping Giant and Pie Island in a float plane; camping with fellow photographer Susan Dykstra at the Lookout at Sleeping Giant Provincial Park through a storm, followed by the northern lights. The area around Pukaskwa’s visitors’ centre is another favourite because it’s both accessible and exceptionally scenic with its driftwood, lichens, and views of the lakes. Nuttall was ecstatic to be an artist-in-residence at Porphyry Island in 2016, photographing the black sand beaches, rocky headlands, rare plants, lighthouse, and night skies. And wherever you go on the Great Lake, the beauty abides: “The clouds and the waves and the weather provides ever-changing lakescapes that are just a feast for your senses.” To view Nuttall’s work, visit nuttallphotos.com or on Facebook @ nuttallphotos.

CoverStory

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A Different Perspective

Alan Auld Soars to New Heights with Drone Photography Story by Betty Carpick, Photos by Alan Auld

ince the early development of the camera, the intention has been the same—to immortalize the world. With the ubiquitousness of photography, poetic sentiments seem lightweight, yet, when the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) or drone technology became commercially available in the 2010s, imaginations soared. With design and engineering informed by the fliers in the natural world, a drone can hover like a hummingbird, swoop around obstacles like a bat, fly backward like a dragonfly, and perform other manoeuvers. The epic possibilities captivated videographer Alan Auld of Imagine Films in Thunder Bay, and he bought his first system in 2013. “It took a couple of years to learn to fly before I could get creative,” says Auld. “I still get butterflies on

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a flight.” Flying and shooting with a drone is a carefully harmonized dance of skill, calibration, timing, communication, and safety in often unpredictable outdoor environments. To have maximum control of the sophisticated craft and fully immerse himself during a flight, Auld has a spotter watching the drone while he concentrates on the images on the ground control system. He can’t see what’s happening on the screen in real-time and must keep his eyes, hands, and mind coordinated while factoring in the light, weather, and adverse conditions. Flight distances can reach 1,000 feet with an altitude threshold of 200 feet and a flight endurance of about 30 minutes before batteries need to be swapped out or recharged. As a licensed drone operator with a Transport Canada

SFOC (Special Flight Operations Certificate) standing from the Manitoba border to Sault Ste. Marie, Auld offers services for commercial, industry, entertainment, recreation, tourism, and more. “The professional challenges and the technology are continually changing,” Auld says. “I’m always learning and refining what I know.” With his penchant for sailing, Auld appreciates the majesty of the ocean-like horizons of Lake Superior and their relationship to

the city. If anything has captured his imagination, it’s showcasing the landscape’s expanses and making the North Shore knowable. With drone technology and aerial photography, experiencing the beautiful isolated and populated areas becomes both intimate and magnified—a superb way to immortalize a new understanding and appreciation of where we live. To view Imagine Films aerial and other photography, visit imaginefilms.ca.

CoverStory

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CoverStory

Anatomy of a Landscape Photographer

Camera

What Gear Do You Need? Story by Bonnie Schiedel, Photos by Kay Lee

he mental image many of us have of a landscape photographer with a backpack full of gear is actually pretty accurate. We checked in with Gregg Johns, owner of Imagetech, to see what he recommends.

Headlamp For nighttime work, a headlamp keeps your hands free. Look for one with a red light option so you don’t disturb other photographers in the area.

A camera that offers high resolution (30–60 megapixels) is the way to go to get clear, detailed prints, says Johns. There are two main types of camera to consider. There’s a DSLR (standing for “digital single-lens reflex”), which has a mirror inside the camera that reflects light through a prism and into the viewfinder so you can preview your image. When you go “click,” the mirror flips up and an image sensor captures the image. A newer innovation is the mirrorless camera, where light goes through the lens and right onto the image sensor, which displays the image on a rear screen, much like your smartphone does. Both are comparable in quality, but the mirrorless camera tends to be smaller, lighter, and more expensive.

Filters “There are a range of filters but a polarizing filter is most common, to enhance the image at the time of capture, to give you a better colour contrast and reduce or eliminate reflections,” says Johns. He also recommends neutral density filters, which can modify the intensity of light to varying degrees, and are also used, for example, to give a shot of a waterfall that smooth, cottony look.

Clothing Layers of light, warm clothing will help keep you from getting too hot, too cold, or too wet.

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Backpack All this gear requires a good backpack that’s comfortable, durable, water-resistant or waterproof, and has lots of storage for extras like snacks, water bottle, bug dope, and sunscreen.

CoverStory

Lenses Remote shutter release This is another essential, says Johns. A wireless or corded control allows you to lock the shutter open to do longer exposures, time an image, and eliminate any vibration that causes blurriness.

There are several lenses that are useful for landscape photography, says Johns: a regular lens that sees how the human eye sees, a super wideangle lens to give you a more creative effect that includes the foreground and interesting compositional aspects, and a telephoto lens to target distant scenes. For nighttime work, a prime lens allows in the maximum amount of light.

Memory card and extra batteries Rain covers Protect your gear in wet weather with covers made of clear heavy-gauge plastic.

Tripod “Tripods are essential so you can do longer exposure techniques, and to stabilize the camera so there’s no vibration and you get the maximum image quality and sharpness,” says Johns. You need a fairly stable, rugged one for landscape photography, and some people prefer those made of carbon fibre.

“I usually recommend at least a 64 to 128 gigabyte [size] because you’re typically shooting in RAW file form, so you're getting less space on the card because the files are so large. And bring extras,” says Johns. Backup batteries are also a smart idea.

Non-slip boots or shoes Because you don’t want to fall on your butt out there.

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Food

Chocolate Beet Cake

fills 2 9” round layers, a 9”x13”, or a Bundt pan Preheat the oven to 375°F. Scrub beet roots, pat dry, and rub with oil. Sprinkle on some salt and wrap them completely in aluminum foil. Place on a baking sheet and roast beets for about an hour, or until you can poke them easily with a fork. Remove from the oven and let them cool for 15 minutes, until you can handle them easily. Unwrap each beet, and using a wet cloth you don’t mind staining, peel away the outside skin and discard. Grate beets until you have 2 not jam-packed cups. Pour grated beets into a colander and let them drain naturally—don’t squeeze—while you get everything else ready.

2 large or 3 medium beets

Rachel Globensky

THE GRINNING BELLY

½ c butter, melted and cooled slightly

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease cake pan(s) and dust with cocoa powder. Mix butter, oil, and sugars together well.

½ c good olive oil 1 c brown sugar

Let the Beet Drop By Chef Rachel Globensky

his past summer, our family was part of a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) through Roots to Harvest. Each Wednesday for ten weeks, I picked up a big bin of garden delights like beans, carrots, cabbage, fresh herbs, onions, and even fennel. Sometimes, there were special treats like a jar of honey or homemade pesto tucked in. And, sometimes, there were beets. Blech. Try as I might, I have never been a fan of beets. Pickled, roasted, borscht-ed: nope. Hard pass. I’m not even sure why I don’t like them–maybe too earthy? I don’t know, I just don’t; it might have something to do with having to steam and peel 50 pounds of them every other week, working in a nursing home kitchen. After letting the first batch go soft on the counter (sorry!), I gave the next few bunches away (thanks,

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Dan, Stacey, and Natalie). But when the beets appeared in my bin again, I sighed and decided to experiment. Could chocolate and beets taste good together? Could beets in a cake work like carrots do? You bet your sweet patootie they could! Beets, either cooked and pureed, or simply grated into the batter, give an incredible depth of flavour when paired with chocolate. Add in a bit of instant coffee to round it out further, and—*swoon*—you’re in love with beets. Who knew? If you can’t beet ‘em, join ‘em, right? You can make this a layer cake, a 9”x13” cake, or if you’re feeling really fancy, pour it into a well-greased Bundt pan. Frost with your favourite cream cheese icing or keep it simple with a good ganache, or even just a dusting of icing sugar. Any way you slice it, you’ll have no problem scarfing down your beets with this recipe!

½ c granulated sugar 3 eggs 1 tsp vanilla 2 c cake flour ¾ c unsweetened cocoa powder 1 tsp cinnamon 1 tbsp instant coffee powder 2 tsp baking soda Pinch salt

Beat eggs and vanilla into the above mixture.

Sift dry ingredients together and add to wet ingredients. Stir to combine. Add grated beets. Pour into cake pan(s) and bake about 25 minutes for layer cakes, 30ish for a 9”x13” pan, or approximately 45 minutes for a Bundt pan. Use a skewer or toothpick to test for doneness (there should not be anything gooey on the stick). Remove from the oven and cool completely or eat warm with ice cream. Ice, or don’t—it’s up to you!

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Food

DRINK OF THE MONTH

Pistachio Cardamom Mocha Up Shot Coffeehouse

Story by Rebekah Skochinski, Photo by Chondon Photography

We’re bringing the heat

e’ve decided to devote the entire month of October to being thankful (instead of just one day), and it starts with the Drink of the Month! First, we’re thankful that Up Shot Coffeehouse has reopened. This sweet little spot on the south side of town has a bright picture window adorned with plants, fresh soups made daily, and owners who always remember your name with a cheerful exchange. Second, we’re thankful for their new seasonal menu, which happens to have a Pistachio Cardamom Mocha on it. Using Wolfhead Coffee’s personal espresso blend created just for them, the drink also contains mocha sauce, nutty pistachio syrup, and the intensely aromatic spice cardamom (or carda-yum, as we like to call it). Then, the drink gets all dolled up with whipped cream and a generous dusting of (even more!) cardamom. Truly a delightful and decadent treat for the cooler days ahead.

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Food

Explore the Darkness The Wide World of Stouts

By Josh Armstrong, PhD, Certified Beer Judge

ark, rich, roasty, perfect for colder weather—these are all ways that I would describe stout-style of beer. While some people love to drink the black stuff, there are also many individuals who claim they don’t like stouts. Haters often say that stouts are too heavy, too strong, or too filling. While these descriptions can be true of some stouts, there is actually a wide range of stouts made for today’s beer lovers and there’s bound to be one for almost every palate. In

Irish Stout

The world’s most popular Irish stout, Guinness, is in reality a fairly light, refreshing, and easy-drinking ale. Fun fact: Guinness is similar in calories to Coors Light! Irish stouts typically have a dry finish and are low in alcohol, which makes it so easy to drink a few pints of them at the pub. This style of stout is also usually carbonated using beer gas (a blend of nitrogen and carbon dioxide) rather than the typical straight carbon dioxide approach. Beer gas adds a delicious creaminess to the darkness, and also provides that amazing cascading bubble effect when poured properly. In addition to Guinness, other notable Irishstyle stouts that we can find in Thunder Bay are Murphy’s Irish Stout and Cobblestone Stout from Mill Street.

this month’s column, I aim to highlight all things stout. Stouts get much of their colour and flavour from darkly roasted malts and barley. All stouts tend to be dark—almost black—in colour, with common flavour descriptions like dark chocolate, coffee, raisins, molasses, nutty, and roasty. That being said, stouts come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. Here’s a brief list of a few of the stout substyles that are worth trying out this fall.

Oatmeal Stout

Oatmeal stouts are dark, full-bodied ales that are brewed with oats. The oats provide a nutty flavour and change the body (how thick a beer is) and mouthfeel of a brew, sometimes leaving a pleasant oily slickness in your mouth after a sip. This style is often a bit sweeter than the Irish stout, but not as sweet as some of the stout styles listed below. Locally, we have two great examples of oatmeal stouts: Skull Rock Stout from Sleeping Giant Brewing Co., and Oater Limits from Dawson Trail Craft Brewery.

Imperial Stout

Imperial stouts are known for both big flavour and big alcohol. Most famously shipped from England to Russian Tsar Peter the Great and his club, The All-Joking, All-Drunken Synod of Fools and Jesters, these brews are often called Russian Imperial stouts. The high alcohol in these brews also comes with intense sweetness and strong rich flavours of dried fruit, coffee, and dark chocolate. To try this style, you could look for Wellington County Brewery’s Imperial Russian Stout at the LCBO, or just head down to SGBC to pick up a vertical set of their Love & Happiness (bottles from 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020 might be available).

BREW IT YOURSELF

Milk Stouts

Milk stouts are also known as “sweet stouts,” as they contain the addition of milk sugar or lactose. Since it is not fermentable, all of the lactose added to a milk stout will be found in the final product. This gives milk stouts a soft, creamy sweetness that goes really well with the coffee and chocolate flavours from roasted malts. Again, while you are at SGBC, you may as well add to your stout basket by including a growler of Elevensies Mocha Stout (coffee, chocolate, and milk sugar).

Other Stouts

There are still other stout substyles that I don’t have room to cover in full detail. Foreign/export stouts are stronger and more robust than their Irish cousins. Oyster stouts are salty from the oysters that are used in the brewing process. While brewing beer with bivalves might seem a little strange, I loved drinking oyster stouts when I lived on the East Coast. Pastry stouts are fairly popular in the US craft beer scene and are similar to both imperial stouts and milk stouts, but aim to take on the flavours of your favourite doughnuts, cakes, candy bars, or any other dessert that a brewer might fancy. Furthermore, stouts are also great after being aged in liquor barrels or when coffee flavour is added to them.

As I hope this column demonstrates, stouts are more than just Guinness. There’s a wide range of stouts out there, one of which might taste good tonight. What stout style would you choose?

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Food

Feels Like Home A Night Dining In at Tomlin Review and photos by Susan Pretty

tepping into Tomlin is like coming home. It feels like 2019 all over again. Granted, there are fewer tables, and one can’t see manager Donato’s cute smile behind his mask, but the atmosphere and ambiance make it feel just as if nothing ever happened. The service is stellar and the soundtrack is on point. But let’s talk about those divinely delightful dishes. After all, that’s why we’re here, right? Oh wait. Cocktails first. Tomlin has an evolving and eclectic menu of spirits that makes deciding next

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to impossible. Where else can one order a “Loverboy” or a “Swooner” with a straight face? I got chills just listening to those martini shakers a-shakin’. Even just perusing the menu is a delight. Reading about all the flavours and combos make it nearly impossible to decide. Because the plates are made for sharing, it makes life slightly easier knowing it’s okay for the table to dig into each other’s dishes. Sounds fun, right? Mel, the most spectacular server, sold us on the karaage.

This oft-returning item features Japanese-style fried chicken with pickled shiitake, kale, and honey miso—it’s like an explosion of flavour in your mouth. Mel stressed that the menu changes all the time, but this is one item that folks can’t get enough of. The provolone sausage was a joy with fresh pesto, roasted tomato, and rapini. The sausage is made inhouse, and that’s why it tastes so dang good. And if the menu wasn’t special enough, there’s also a special of the evening. The special was so special it didn’t even have a name, but Mel described it as linguine, crème fraîche, peas, and duck confit. Yes, please. No room for dessert? Too bad! The light, frothy concoction that

was the coffee pot de crème is made with the stellar St Paul Roastery coffee (it’s a small-batch, locally roasted coffee joint that one can smell a mile away). Reservations are recommended and a two-hour time limit is in place. Masks are mandatory while moving through the resto, but of course can be removed once seated. All this is explained up front so there are no surprises. Take-out continues to be a thriving enterprise, with staff continuously packing up orders for a steady stream of pick-ups. Need Tomlin in your life? They are open from Tuesday to Saturday from 5–10 pm at 202½ Red River Road and can be reached at 346-4447.

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Food

ne of the most enticing aspects of living in our northerly boreal wonderland is that we experience four distinct, beautiful seasons each year. Enter autumn: the hearty smell of wood smoke drifting on the air, the stained-glass tones of deciduous leaves, the crystalline crackle of frost-covered grass, and the rich and varied bounty of fall fruit and veg that comes in with the harvest. Celebrate the season by creating a warm or cool cocktail made with freshly picked produce to toast our fortunate autumn abundance.

SUPERIOR SIP

Fall for Harvest Fruit By Jeannie Dubois, Certified Pommelier and Sommelier

For a cool fall draught try:

Snicker-ciderdoodle

For a warm autumn drink try:

(serves 8)

Pear Honey-bon

(serves 1)

Five O’Clock Chocolate

Dreamy Coco-kin Cream Pie

3 Tbsp sugar

1 Tbsp honey (think Roots to Harvest)

6 oz. bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped

3 c coconut milk

2 c hard apple cider (think Ontario Craft Cider Association or make your own!)

½ lime, juiced

1/3 c fruity red wine such as Shiraz

4 Tbsp canned pumpkin (or make your own pumpkin puree—think Gammondale)

1 c cream soda

1 pear peeled and chopped plus slices for garnish

1 c milk

½ tsp pumpkin pie spice (cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, allspice, if you want to make your own)

1 tsp ground cinnamon

4 c sparkling white wine Apple slices for garnish (grow locally!) Lemon wedge for rim In a shallow dish, combine sugar and cinnamon. Moisten rim of eight rocks glasses with lemon wedge. Dip rims of glasses into cinnamon sugar. Pour ¼ cup apple cider into each glass. Add 2 Tbsp cream soda to each glass. Top each with ½ cup sparkling wine. Add ice if desired. Garnish with apple slice.

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3 oz. bourbon 6 oz ginger ale

In a cocktail shaker, muddle pear, honey, and lime juice. Add bourbon, fill with ice, and shake. Strain into two glasses. Top with ginger ale. Add ice if desired and garnish with pear slice.

(serves 2)

(think VQA Ontario or make your own!) 1 pinch kosher salt

(serves 3)

Sugar, for serving

1 tsp cinnamon

Bring chocolate and wine to a simmer in a saucepan over low heat, whisking until melted, about three minutes. Add 2/3 c water, milk, and salt; bring to a boil, whisking three minutes more. Pour into two glass mugs and serve with sugar on the side to adjust sweetness.

1½ oz vanilla vodka

1½ oz dark rum Whipped cream for topping Cinnamon stick for garnish Combine coconut milk, pumpkin, and spices in a saucepan. Bring to a simmer, stirring often. Add rum and vodka and continue simmering for one to two minutes. Serve into three mugs, top with whipped cream, and garnish with a cinnamon stick.

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Food

School Lunch Your Kids Will Munch By Karling Draper, Registered Dietitian, Thunder Bay District Health Unit

or many parents, coming up with tasty and nourishing school lunches for their kids that don’t break the bank or take forever to prepare can be a daily challenge. You might feel pressured by all the fancy and creative lunches on social media. Or maybe you’re struggling to find things your child will actually eat. Stick to the basics: start with whole foods, pack something from each food group, and get the kids involved. • Vegetables and fruit: Cucumbers, carrots, celery, peppers, cauliflower, and broccoli all provide a good crunch and are fun to dip. Fruits like apples, oranges, melon, and grapes are easy to pack and travel well. • Whole grain foods: Send whole grain crackers, cereals, and

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•

breads for sandwiches, but switch it up with bagels, buns, or wraps too. Be careful not to rely on refined grains like frozen pizzas, granola bars, and dried noodle soups. While these items are quick and easy, they don’t provide the fibre and nutrients kids need, and can be pricey. Protein foods: It’s not just about meat; this is where dairy and plant proteins belong, too. Get creative with alternatives like egg salad, bean dip, roasted chickpeas, and sunflower or pumpkin seeds. Watch out for highly sweetened yogurts in fancy packaging. Regular varieties with a bit of fat and sweetened with fruit are just as flavourful and offer more nutrition. Getting stuck in a lunch rut is

no fun for anyone. Shake it up and offer different foods throughout the week to keep lunches appealing. Be sure to pack some good thirst quenchers too, but skip the sugary drinks like chocolate milk, fruit juice, pop, fruit punches, and sports drinks. Water, white milk, and unsweetened soy beverages are best. Also, in light of the current pandemic, remind children not to share or trade any items from their lunch bags. Send them with a refillable water bottle to drink from throughout the day. Consider packing a napkin to spread out on their desk as

a placemat and cutlery so they don’t have to eat with their hands. Practice proper hand washing at home so it becomes second nature. For more lunch ideas, tips, and tricks, check out the Balanced School Day Lunches handout at tbdhu.com/resource/ balanced-school-day-lunches.

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FilmTheatre

Standout Cinematography By Michael Sobota

“The desert is an ocean in which no oar is dipped.” - Lawrence (Peter O’Toole) in Lawrence of Arabia

ovies are a visual medium and landscapes are like fluid pages in a coffee-table book. One of the visual artists I am going to discuss in this column did, indeed, build his career on large-scale prints and picture books before exploding onto the big screen. This is a column built around, and in celebration of, cinematography. Here are examples of some of the best in the film business. They celebrate deserts, rivers, jungles, and junk. Each brings their extraordinary skills to enrich and enhance strong stories.

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

Lawrence of Arabia (1962)

Apocalypse Now (1979)

A River Runs Through It (1992)

Manufactured Landscapes (2006)

There are few directors who can match the visions David Lean has put on the screen. Working from a screenplay co-written by his long-time collaborator Robert Bolt and an uncredited Michael Wilson (who was blacklisted at the time of the film’s release), Lean tackles the exotic story of T.E. Lawrence, a real historical figure who became the mythologized Lawrence of Arabia. Cinematographer Freddie Young captures the desert like we’ve never seen it before, including mirages, dust storms, and an army charging on the backs of camels that is so realistic you feel you are riding one yourself. The military sequences are fought between British and Turkish soldiers, with Lawrence siding with, and leading, a rag-tag band of Bedouins. Bolt and Wilson’s script is full of 1917 political intrigue, Arab wisdom, and witticism. There is a lavish, percussive, throbbing score by the famed Maurice Jarre. I first saw this when it was originally released. At the time, big movies were screened with an intermission, which you can find in the general-release version running to 200 minutes. Better yet, seek out the restored version, which adds another 20 minutes that Lean was forced to cut for “commercial purposes.”

Francis Ford Coppola and John Milius fashioned a modern take on Joseph Conrad’s novel Heart of Darkness. They set it in the jungles of Vietnam, during that war. With an extraordinary cast featuring Martin Sheen, Robert Duvall, and Marlon Brando, cinematographer Vittorio Storaro takes us up the Mekong River into, well, the heart of darkness. But first he dazzles us with an aerial attack on a Vietnam village by a battalion of helicopters, zooming in against the background of dawn and the score of Wagner’s “Ride of the Valkyries.” The story concludes up river in an ancient temple with a ritualized sacrifice of the mad Colonel Kurtz (Brando) by young Captain Willard (Sheen) rising out of the murky waters like an apparition. All of the visual effects are natural—this was made long before CGI began to flood our big screens.

This is one of director Robert Redford’s finest films. Richard Friedenberg adapted Norman Maclean’s story into a deft screenplay. It’s a family story about two brothers growing up in the heart of Montana. As boys, they learn fly fishing from their minister dad (Tom Skeritt) and life lessons from their mom (Brenda Blethyn). When they get older, the brothers (played by a young Brad Pitt and highly underrated Craig Sheffer) part ways when Sheffer goes east to attend college. Love and death brings the brothers back together in Montana, with more scenes of gorgeous fly fishing all captured by cinematographer Phillippe Rousselot. Rousselot won an Oscar for his work here.

Edward Burtynsky is the photographer I mentioned in the introduction. This is his first of his ground-breaking films documenting what mankind has done to nature. Here director Jennifer Baichwal follows him around the world as he narrates the landscapes we have added to, or detracted from. He takes us to a factory in China with monstrous slag heaps and garbage dumps, and to Bangladesh, where he shows us a ship graveyard where underpaid workers toil to salvage rusted, decommissioned vessels for scrap. And then he takes us to the soaring, gleaming towers of modern Shanghai, at the time the fastest growing city in the world. This is a preview to what is—so far—his greatest visual masterpiece, Anthropocene: The Human Epoch, which he released in 2018.

And here are six more road trips, boat trips, motorcycle trips, and aerial delights that have been captured by great cinematographers for our pleasure on the big screen: Barry Lyndon (1975), Koyaanisqatsi (1982), Thelma & Louise (1991), The Motorcycle Diaries (2004), One Week (2008), and Dunkirk (2017).

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FilmTheatre

Out of the Box

Magnus Theatre Heads Outside to Perform A Closer Walk With Patsy Cline

Story by Cathi Winslow, Photos by Keegan Richard

agnus Theatre patrons were not going to let a little rain stop the first live show they’d seen for six months. Halfway through the outdoor performance in Waverley Park on September 4, there was a cloudburst. The actors paused, the audience put up their umbrellas and waited for ten minutes until the storm passed and the show resumed. “We had waited so long to see live theatre. It’s important to make every second count,” says Sarah Mendek, who was in the audience. She thought it was hilarious when actor Andrew Cecon got back on stage to continue his comedic monologue and called the audience “warriors of art” because they stayed to see the show finish. Since the theatre closed in March due to COVID-19, audiences have missed the experience of gathering to feel the thrill of a once-in-alifetime happening. “Theatre is not on Zoom or YouTube,” says Magnus Theatre artistic director Thom Currie. “Theatre is about coming together with a crowd, whether it’s four or 400 people, experiencing something that will never happen again.”

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Amy Sellors as Patsy Cline Even before social gathering restrictions began to be lifted this summer, Currie hunted for the right play to reopen the theatre. He chose A Closer Walk with Patsy Cline, which re-creates a 1963 radio broadcast celebrating Patsy Cline’s rise to country music stardom. Currie wanted a play that was funny and light, and that could be socially distanced throughout the entire process from the rehearsal hall to the stage. For the performances, the two actors never have to interact onstage, the live band plays at a distance, and all pandemic protocols are observed. Another advantage was the availability of superb local performers. "We knew we could cast Patsy Cline locally in a heartbeat," says Currie. Musical director Danny Johnson brought together the same band from the 2012 Magnus production, including himself on piano with Martin Blanchet, Rob Jardine, Chris Plater, and Dan Zadkovich. Thunder Bay actor Amy Sellors has performed the show twice before. “Getting back on stage feels great,” she says. “You can do theatre without the audience, but it’s not the same." Sellors loves seeing someone’s eyes light up, or seeing them

FilmTheatre

mouth the words to a song as she sings. “I saw a couple reach out without looking at each other and hold hands during one song,” she says. She credits the audience for helping to make the show a success. “People are enduring a lot to be there. They sit through the cold wind or the rain on a flimsy chair. They don’t let those things stand in the way of theatre.” Patron Reg Jones says he was

delighted to see a live show again. “It felt like the drought was over. The rains were coming. Theatre is back. Maybe ‘normal’ is possible.” What’s next for Magnus? Currie says that “this is just the beginning. COVID is constantly changing the rules, so artists have to think outside the box. Theatre is going to survive. It’s been around for over 2,800 years. It’s not going away.”

 Dan Zadkovich Danny Johnson

Andrew Cecon

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TheArts an interesting starting place for an exhibition,” she says. There are 31 works in the show by 26 artists including paintings, drawings, prints, beadwork, quillwork, birchbark biting, carvings, and more. Angeconeb’s 10 Rabbits and Angelique Merasty’s birchbark bitings suggest the sociability of rabbits while in Delia Beboning’s Circular Rabbit Quill Box (c. 1980), the single animal evokes the more solitary life of the hare. Norman Moonias depicts rabbits as prey with his Untitled [rabbit hunter] (1979), leaving us wondering if the rabbit escaped. The rabbit is not so lucky in Shannon Two Feathers’ Untitled [rabbit hunter] (c. 1980). The level of detail and craft used in works such as

Rabbits as Art

A Look at the Thunder Bay Art Gallery’s Waabooz/Rabbit Exhibit Story by Pat Forrest, Photos by Chad Kirvan

rom Bugs Bunny to the March Hare, Br’er Rabbit to the Easter Bunny, and numerous others around the world, rabbits are often featured in stories, including those written for children to entertain or instruct them. The rabbit may play the part of an animal, but usually they behave like humans such as the flippant and crafty Bugs or the deliriously confused March Hare. The Thunder Bay Art Gallery’s Waabooz/Rabbit exhibit takes us on a journey to a deeper look at the rabbit and how it has been viewed over time through art and craft. Waabooz is the Ojibway name for the snowshoe hare, but it is commonly used as a generic term for any kind of rabbit. Fittingly, most of the artists in the exhibition are Indigenous. Thunder Bay Art Gallery registrar and curatorial assistant Meaghan Eley says that Ahmoo Angeconeb’s

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ephemeral 10 Rabbits (c. 1982) was the inspiration for the exhibit. “10 Rabbits is one of my favourite pieces in the collection and I had always wanted to see it on display. It prompted a look further into the collection to see what else might be there that depicted rabbits and/ or used rabbit in its construction,” she says. Eley says that the initial list of works suggested a few broad themes: those that depicted rabbits as they are, rabbits as prey animals, or rabbit skin and fur used for warmth and decoration, and those that incorporated an element of storytelling or myth. Some readings also highlighted all the contradictions that arise in portrayals of rabbits: domestic, wild, brave, cowardly, innocent, cunning, cute, and fierce. “I found it interesting that so many human characteristics are used to describe rabbits and thought they would be

 Lance Belanger, Untitled

TheArts Alice Bernarde’s Traditional Gun Case (1992) and Frank Archibald’s Snowshoes (c. 1980) reinforce that hunting, while necessary for survival, can have artistic elements. Eley says that people have enjoyed the variety of artists and works and have characterized the exhibition as being playful and fun. Waabooz/Rabbit is at the gallery until November 28, 2020. COVID precautions are in place and visitors are currently being asked to pay what they can with a $5 donation being suggested.

Thunder Bay Art Gallery

 Barry Peters, Fisher and Rabbit. In background: Joe Sonny White, Wolf Clan Design Tikanagan

 Shannon Two Feathers, Untitled [rabbit hunter]  Delia Beboning, Circular Rabbit Quill Box

 Norman Moonias, Untitled [trapper]  Carolyn Harrington, Child's Sweater. Also shown are works by Ethel Linklater and Saladia Meekis

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TheArts

Tanis Webster doing a pottery demonstration on the wheel with the Waterfront Potters group at 2019 Waterfront Arts Fair

A Different Look Local Culture Days Art Sale and Exhibition Goes Digital

Story by Matt Prokopchuk, Photos by Chad Kirvan, Kirvan Photography

Thunder Bay art exhibition and sale run during Culture Days has been forced to go virtual this year, but those in charge of the event say the pivot to digital may help expand it in the future. Last year, local organizers ran a

weekend-long festival at the Baggage Building Art Centre where professional artists in the Thunder Bay area set up booths to sell and/or demonstrate their creative works. COVID-19 has scuttled similar plans for this year, says Clara Sacchetti,

Community mural project with CAHEP at 2019 Waterfront Arts Fair

3838 The The Walleye Walleye

a co-executive director of the Community Arts and Heritage Education Project, or CAHEP, which is co-sponsoring the event along with the Painted Turtle Art Shop and Thunder Bay Creates. Instead, interested visual artists this year are submitting their works to a dedicated website through Painted Turtle for a virtual exhibition and sale, which runs until October 25. “We are giving people an opportunity to participate who don’t have the time to do the organizational work [to do their own online sales], or they’re new generation artists or they’re emerging artists,” Sacchetti

says. “It gives everyone an opportunity to go in different pathways into celebrating Culture Days.” This year, the exhibition is highlighting visual artists only, Sacchetti says, due to the increased bandwidth and technical expertise that would be required to fully integrate music and the performance arts into the digital setting. Culture Days is a registered charity which “serves as a ye`ar-round catalyst that connects individuals and creators to build measurable support” for the arts and culture sector, according to its website. The annual cross-Canada celebrations,

typically held over the course of a weekend in late September, feature thousands of events meant to increase people’s exposure to the arts. “I can’t say it’s been seamless,” Sacchetti says of having to change this year’s format. “It’s not the same as being there, I won’t lie.” However, she says, should pandemic restrictions loosen enough by next year to

allow an in-person exhibition again, an online component may continue to be involved. “Next year, I’m hoping that it will be both online and live, so it will be complementary,” she says. Visit the virtual exhibition and sale at paintedturteart.com until October 25.

Blacksmithing demo at 2019 Waterfront Arts Fair with Pike Lake Forge

Together we can help our community recover. Donate. Volunteer. take action. This year’s United Way of Thunder Bay RECOVER 2020 campaign is about getting our community back on its feet. All proceeds will provide local people with essential food, clothing, hygiene, shelter, counselling and pathways to employment. Thunder Bay needs YOUR help to recover from the social and economic impacts of COVID-19. Get involved: uwaytbay.ca @uwaytbay

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

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TheArts

Signs of Fall By Meaghan Eley, Registrar, Thunder Bay Art Gallery

Artist: Barry Peters Titles: Signs of Fall Date: 1984 Medium: acrylic on canvas Dimensions: 75.9 x 60.7 cm

aabanda-Iwewin (a show, an exhibition) was a juried exhibition of work by Indigenous artists from Northwestern Ontario organized by the Thunder Bay Art Gallery in 1984. It was the culmination of a year’s work by Mary Zoccole, the arts development officer. Zoccole’s role included coordinating the exhibition, contacting communities, assembling information on arts resources in Ontario, promoting sources of financial assistance for artists, and

creating an inventory of the number of artists working in the region. To provide a sense of the scope of the project, Zoccole, according to the exhibition’s catalogue,“contacted 25 northern radio stations, 23 northern schools, 50 Métis locals, 23 Anishnabequek locals, 58 reserves, 23 [Indigenous] organizations in Thunder Bay, 19 Friendship Centres, 58 churches on reserves, 64 various resource people.” In addition, she “wrote to or spoke with 127 artists.” From that enormous amount of work, the exhibition received 130 submissions from 51 artists. The jury of three, which consisted of Gerald McMaster (then-curator of Contemporary Indian Art at the National Museum of Man in Ottawa),

FROM THE THUNDER BAY ART GALLERY’S COLLECTION

Norm Opperman (owner/manager of Nishnawbe Arts in Toronto), and artist Leo Yerxa selected 31 paintings, drawings, prints, and photographs created by 21 artists. Among those selected were two paintings by Barry Peters, including Signs of Fall. Born in Pikangikum in 1958, Peters had already been painting and exhibiting for many years by the time he submitted his work to the jury for Waabanda-Iwewin. Peters was also a member of the Triple K Cooperative, the first Indigenousowned silk-screen company, founded by Joshim, Henry, and Goyce Kakegamic. One of his prints, Fisher and Rabbit, is currently on display at the gallery in the exhibition Waabooz/Rabbit, on until November

28, 2020. The style of that print and the painting seen here are very different. Indeed, it was noted in the Waabanda-Iwewin catalogue that his “style had changed dramatically in the 1980s to more figurative and landscape work, influenced by the painting of Don Ningewance.” Waabanda-Iwewin was exhibited in Thunder Bay over the summer of 1984 and then toured to several locations in Ontario, including Toronto, Fort Frances, Atikokan, Gormely, Leamington, and Timmins. After the tour, with the financial support of a Bicentennial Grant from the Province of Ontario, most of the works were returned to the Thunder Bay Art Gallery to become part of the permanent collection.

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TheArts

Faux Rocious is Ferocious The Art of Drag and Breaking Down Barriers

Story and photos by Leah Morningstar

et ready, because Alynne Peacock is going to challenge everything you think you know about drag queens. As a child, Peacock grew up eschewing traditional gender norms and stereotypical “girl pastimes.” She spent years playing football and wrestling and getting her hands dirty learning how to fix cars and motorcycles. In contrast to her main interests, she was also very involved in theatre and performing. “My mom was a seamstress for Cambrian Players and I grew up very comfortable and surrounded by costumes, props, makeup, and actors,” she says. A childhood spent watching her mom adorning actors led to theatre camps, Halloween-themed birthday parties, and years of performing burlesque under the name Fanny Babette. Then, about ten years ago, Peacock began looking for a way to combine her love of flashy

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costumes, performing, art, and her lifelong passion for pushing limits and exploring gender expression. She began by simply googling “female drag queens.” She wasn’t interested in putting on a “man costume” to be a drag king; she wanted the exaggerated and exciting femininity that came with being a queen. But was a woman allowed to be a drag queen? In her research, Peacock came across the term “faux queen.” She concluded that female drag queens were thought to be uncommon and not as “authentic” as traditional drag queens. But she wasn’t deterred. Never one to back away from a challenge, Peacock decided to craft a character to break traditions and open doors for future performers. Peacock transforms into her beloved character, Faux Rocious, at a table in her living room. Palettes and glue and brushes and sequins are everywhere. The makeup

TheArts process takes anywhere from two to four hours. The wig follows the makeup, and then the costume finishes the look. In order to get that seamless drag queen body, Faux Rocious puts on a smoothing and shaping foundation garment, then a corset, and a second shaping garment. A false bottom (or fake butt!) is put in place and covered up with a final shaping garment. The flashy costume is last but it pulls everything together and it’s a work of art. This featured Faux Rocious look is called “Phoenix Rising From Ashes.” It’s bright and bold and it comes full of meaning. The red colouring represents the blood shed by the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women of Canada. This is how Faux Rocious honours Peacock’s Métis heritage. The fiery

hair with grey and silver accents are the Phoenix rising. The Phoenix rises and sets fire to gender norms and expectations, as well as the cultural norms wherein her Indigenous relations teach that women are sacred water keepers, as opposed to fire keepers. Peacock is not one for loudly proclaiming her beliefs all over social media, but she’s always been careful to artistically incorporate her most important values into performance. And nothing is done without a small element of humour. Peacock knows that some might find her shocking and offensive. But she has never wavered in being honest and authentic. On the stage she gets to be wild and loud and entertaining. She is Faux. But Faux is 100% as real as they come.

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Brian Nieminen was nominated for a 2019 Thunder Bay Arts and Heritage Award for this mural on the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 5 building

A Lifetime Passion Local Artist Brian Nieminen Turns Retirement into Creativity By Ayla Marion

rian Nieminen’s passion as he talks about art is undeniable, and it also shows in his work. The local artist has been making art since he was a young child, starting with a Woody Woodpecker colouring book. He went on to get a chemistry degree from Lakehead University and a fine arts degree from the University of Calgary before settling back in Thunder Bay as a firefighter. Nieminen worked as a firefighter for over 30 years before retiring 12 years ago and making the switch to a full-time art career. His shift in priorities has given him more time to focus on his art, but it hasn’t decelerated him in the least. He says of his retirement that “there hasn’t really been much of a transition. When I retired, I dove straight into full-time art so I haven’t slowed down a bit.” Nieminen’s career as an artist began in the early 1990s, when he first released prints of his most

44 The Walleye

successful work, a painting of the PD Line called The Greeting… the Old Pee Dee. He had done the original painting as a commission, but was later encouraged to release prints to celebrate the 100-year anniversary of the railroad that ran from Port Arthur to Duluth. He remembers that moment fondly, saying, “It was on the front page of the paper on June 1, 1993, and that’s how I kicked off doing art as a small business.” Over 300 prints were sold, and Nieminen was even commissioned to do two murals of the painting. The prints were a hit, not only due to the railroad’s intriguing history, but also because of Nieminen’s unique style and talent. “I like to add people to my paintings, to give them life,” he says. After studying on and off for 20 years at The Atelier Studio Program of Fine Art—a classical art institution in Minneapolis with lineage that goes back to French

neoclassicism—Nieminen is as passionate as he is knowledgeable about classical painting. However, one of his other favourite ways to create art is to draw caricatures. Nieminen can be found at weddings, birthdays, or fairs sitting in front of people and capturing their likeness on paper. He says, “One of the reasons I like drawing from life is that it’s almost always a challenge,” and that even if it takes a few tries to get someone right, it’s a rewarding job. Nieminen’s enthusiasm and

positive attitude shines through his work, which can be seen all over town. A mural of the PD Line can be seen at the Oliver Paipoonge library at the Rosslyn location, while a large print is on display at the municipality’s Duke Hunt Historical Museum; he also has a new mural that can be seen at the Thunder VR virtual reality arcade at Intercity Shopping Centre. His work can also be followed and purchased from his website, niemerscreations.com.

A mural at the Oliver Paipoonge Library of Nieminen’s The Greeting… the Old Pee Dee

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Outdoor

World-Class Adventure in Our Own Backyard Visiting the Pukaskwa National Park Coastal Hiking Trail Story by Rebecca Urbanski, Photos by Rebecca and Ben Urbanski

From left to right, Rebecca Urbanski, Ben Urbanski, Jon Balabuck, Andrew Smith Rebecca Urbanski

he coastal hiking trail in Pukaskwa National Park had always inspired curiosity in me, and this year it seemed I was destined to attempt it. Due to COVID-19, my original plan to hike the West Coast Trail on Vancouver Island was cancelled, but as fate would have it, some friends had the water shuttle booked to start Pukaskwa for the exact same date. Their ambitions were different from mine but after booking sites with my husband and organizing gear, the trip was set! Our spirits were all good as we hopped aboard the shuttle in

46 The Walleye

the cool early morning air. The calm water of the cove did not prepare us for the reality of Lake Superior lurking just around the point. Despite the great driving and solid Hewescraft boat, it was a bumpy two-hour ride in 1–1.5 metre waves. For those prone to motion sickness, eating breakfast is not recommended. At North Swallow, my husband and I parted ways with our friends, wishing each other good luck as we started on our respective adventures. While my husband and I had planned a 74-kilometre, five-day backpacking trip which included the

Outdoor

newer Mdaabii Miikna trail, our two boat co-passengers were attempting a previously undocumented feat: running the direct 60-kilometre trail in a single day. Due to a lack of cell service, we would have to finish our trip before we would know if they completed their goal. Our route is equal parts beauty and beast and traverses through boreal forest, over bedrock, across

rivers, along sand and pebble beaches, over slippery coastal rocks, and across boardwalks, suspension bridges, and driftwood. There are a lot of elevation changes and it is a challenging trail, which would be made tougher with poor weather and heavy packs. Navigation is a consideration as there are no trail markers, but it is marked with rock cairns and the trail is well

established. The trail meanders between the coast and inland sections. Our daily routine was to hike 11 to 19 kilometres, giving us time for swimming and exploring spectacular private beaches and coves. It was hard to believe we were only a few hours drive from home. Many times we had our breath taken away by the beauty of the views and temperature of the water. The wildlife kept their

distance, however, there were many signs we were not alone. We finished the hike with a smile on our faces and a few blisters on our feet. The runners had completed the trail in a remarkable 12.5 hours. We met up once we were home to reminisce and appreciate that you don’t need to fly across the country to hike (or run) a worldclass coastal trail.

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Outdoor

Ready to Launch

Silver Islet Dock and Harbour Reopens Story and photos by Matt Prokopchuk

ajor renovations have been completed at the harbour at Silver Islet east of Thunder Bay, providing marine access to Lake Superior for the hundreds of residents in the mostly seasonal cottage community, as well as anyone else looking to access the Great Lake. The new main dock replaces an over-a-century-old timber structure that was shuttered in 2013 by Fisheries and Oceans Canada over concerns about its structural safety. Since then, a newly formed local not-for-profit has taken over the ownership and management of the dock and harbour from the federal government, which is divesting itself of small craft facilities. The not-forprofit, called the Silver Islet Harbour Association, includes representation from the Silver Islet Campers Association, the Silver Islet Yacht Club, and Canadian Lighthouses of Lake Superior. They will be responsible for its maintenance going forward.

48 The Walleye

“It’s sensational,” says Scott Cheadle, the president of the harbour association. “What they’ve done is great; it’s a huge improvement over what was there.” The renovations, paid for by Ottawa, include building a new modern dock behind the general store building, as well as reconstructing the deteriorating breakwall. “We were in desperate shape out here,” he says. “What we have now is a multigenerational facility; it’ll be a good harbour 50 years and beyond from today.” Cheadle says the large-scale construction effectively wrapped up in August and some boaters have been able to use the new facilities, although “we just are catching the tail end of the season.” That doesn’t mean the work is done. While the transfer agreement with Fisheries and Oceans Canada provided a new main dock, breakwall, and another dock off the breakwall, Cheadle says the harbour association is now responsible for other amenities they plan to install to create a marina

Outdoor

in the harbour, like smaller “finger docks” as well as other launching facilities for kayaks and other small boats. He says planning for that work has already started, with work expected to begin next spring. Cheadle says it will be interesting to watch and track harbour usage over the next few years, as relatively few boaters have used the facility since the main dock was condemned. He does expect that traffic will pick up, however, with modern facilities in place, the continued development of the Lake Superior National Marine Conservation Area,

and continued interest in ecotourism and water activities in Lake Superior. The Silver Islet harbour is one of several water accesses to the marine conservation area. “Glory days will return to Silver Islet harbour,” he says. “Our job is to manage this harbour and keep the dock and the launch operational for public use. That’s part of our mandate,” Cheadle continues. “More and more people want to do these kind of activities and our job is to provide the mechanics of the facility plus a visitor experience of some kind.”

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CityScene

WALL SPACE

I Found Hope in a Cherry Tree is Pendziwol’s most recent children’s book, tackling the theme of resilience during times of uncertainty. She launched the book at the beginning of September and asked people to create paper cherry blossoms and messages of hope.

Jean Pendziwol sits at her home office desk with one of her dad’s old sailing charts of Lake Superior. “The lake is in my blood. I grew up sailing on Lake Superior,” she says. From 1981 to 1982, when she was 15 and 16 years old, Pendziwol sailed with her family from Lake Superior to the Bahamas and back. A paper Finnish star hangs on her inspiration board. “Writing for me right now is more about the process than the product.”

Jean Pendziwol’s Office A Writer’s Home Base

Story by Tiffany Jarva, Photos by Kay Lee

uthor Jean Pendziwol’s sense of place is difficult to escape. “This space is really a reflection of who I am,” she says. The woodwork, the stones, colour, and texture throughout the writer’s character home feel very much like Northwestern Ontario, where she lives and works. And then there are the hints of blue. And the maps. And the boats. And that undeniable connection to water, to the Big Lake. Pendziwol grew up in Thunder Bay, on Lake Superior, and in addition to feeling the natural landscape that surrounds her, Pendziwol also “feels my family in my home,” which makes total sense because this is the house her grandparents built in 1939. Pendziwol and her husband Richard started renovating in December 2017, after buying the house from her uncle’s estate. There is a large kitchen with exposed beams from Murillo, shelving brackets, hooks, and door

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handles forged by her sons, and at the centre of it all is an island with a gas cooktop, which has been perfect during COVID because Pendziwol really enjoys cooking, and has started blogging about food. Her home is cosy and brimming with meaningful artefacts, including the art from her books and reminders of both her and her husband’s heritages. She recalls the time her great-grandparents used to live upstairs after her parents added a second floor in 1952. “I remember when there used to be a doorbell here and I could ring it and go upstairs and visit grandma and have some milk with a splash of tea,” she laughs. Her office overlooks the garden, Muskoka chairs, and a lovely garage with double barn-style wooden doors. Rocks, driftwood, and blue glass frame the view on the windowsill. “This is actually my very first time having a home office,” she says.

An original Finnish birch bag from her husband’s grandmother helped inspire the illustrator Jirina Marton of Marja’s Skis. “It made the book,” says Pendziwol, explaining that typically writers do not work directly with illustrators. “It’s important to me to represent Northwestern Ontario in literature for both children and adults.”

The Lightkeeper’s Daughters is now available in 19 countries and 16 languages. Pendziwol says she thinks the appeal is that people are “enchanted by the ruggedness, isolation, and beauty of Lake Superior.” The sash and beaver pelt are inspired by her children’s book The Red Sash which recounts the story of a Métis boy living near the fur trading post of Fort William.

CityScene

Pendziwol in her open-concept kitchen, which she says was the biggest project in terms of the home renovation. She also notes that because of COVID she got the opportunity to cook more, a love of hers, which has meant she’s been blogging more about food.

A framed illustration from the picture book Dawn Watch is especially meaningful. The story is about a father and daughter crossing Lake Superior at night. The boat, illustrated by Nicolas Debon, is fashioned after Pendziwol’s dad’s sailboat, after Debon sailed with him on Georgian Bay. “It’s pretty cool because the illustrations include little details of our boat.”

You can find many-a-fox throughout Pendziwol’s office—a nod to her Northwestern Ontario writers’ group called Laughing Fox Writers. “We like to get foxy gifts for one another.”

Many of the renovations in the house were completed by Pendziwol’s immediate family members, including this handle, which was forged by her sons.

Light shines through this beautiful stained-glass lighthouse on her home office windowsill—a gift from friends after The Lightkeeper’s Daughters was published.

A reproduction 1755 map hangs above a mantle that was fashioned from one of the ceiling’s original beams. The boards above are from the old garage.

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CityScene

Many Helping Hands

Thunder Bay Co-op Farm Supplies as Agriculture Support By Dr. Christina Mol

n the way to the Thunder Oak Cheese Farm, Thunder Bay Co-op Farm Supplies (or the co-op) simply looks like a collection of large bins and warehouses at the corner of Highway 61 and Boundary Drive. Little do many know that these buildings form an essential part of the local agricultural community. The co-op started in the 1950s as a way to capitalize on the bulk purchase of fertilizer and seed for the farmers in the area. In the early days, it was located in an abandoned schoolhouse on the property of the first manager, Bill Schutte, a local dairy farmer. An entire boxcar of fertilizer in jute bags would be carried up and down the steps to the basement of the school. Over the years, the co-op’s location moved down Boundary Drive and more products were added, as requested by farmers, such as metal roofing, feed, minerals, batteries, pumps, and some machinery. Farmers in Thunder Bay own the co-op as a part of their membership. Initiatives are decided by an elected board of directors and executed by the manager and staff.

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Examples of the co-op’s influence are often not seen by the general public, who tend to view the general store as simply bird seed, lawn supplies, oil, and some hardware. However, its reach extends deep into the agricultural operations of the region. As an example, a large boatload of lime from Michigan holding over 10,000 tonnes was purchased in 2018. All the lime was presold to the members prior to shipping and delivery will be done over a four-year period directly to the fields as needed. In the near term, the co-op plans to expand some of its facilities to meet the changing needs of the market and to mitigate some of the risks associated with the agricultural supply chain, specifically with fertilizer markets—for example, the Mississippi River flooding of 2019, which had an impact on fertilizer supplies for local farmers. By pooling their resources as a co-op, farmers are able to work collectively for the benefit of all local members. Sometimes the co-op is more than a place to buy supplies. It is also a gathering place for ideas and research, and is open to the public

so people can stop by for advice and help with all garden needs. Customers can find out where to borrow a piece of equipment, learn about new farming practices, get assistance on a new project, chat with neighbours, and hear all the local news. Swing by next time you’re in the area and help support a truly local business.

Supply co-ops assist members to pool their resources to buy inputs for their farm at better pricing, financing, storage, distribution, and shipping

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CityScene

From left to right, Fighting Walleye prospects David Chisholm, Collin Wiseman, Trystan Goodman, and Bryson Cataldo

New Kids on the Block

Kam River Fighting Walleye Prepare for First Season Amid Uncertainty Story by Matt Prokopchuk, Photos by Keegan Richard

fficials with the Kam River Fighting Walleye junior hockey team based just outside of Thunder Bay say the ongoing pandemic has complicated

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the already-challenging process of starting up a new franchise, but they’ll be ready to hit the ice when the season starts. The newest members of the

Superior International Junior Hockey League are gearing up for their inaugural season at the Junior A level. Part owner and general manager Kevin McCallum says COVID-19 restrictions will affect nearly every aspect of their new season, from border restrictions preventing American-born players from trying out and reduced seating capacity in the arena to changing how tryouts and training camps are run. “We have four American players that are crushed right now that they can’t come play for us, obviously they can’t get across the border,” he

says. “In saying that, that opens the opportunity for four more kids, either whether they’re Northwestern Ontario kids or kids from across Canada, that are going to have the opportunity now to play for us.” The league, which is made up of seven teams including the Fighting Walleye and the Thunder Bay North Stars in the Thunder Bay region, currently expects to start play in the middle of November and McCallum says one thing that will be different is how many fans will be in the stands. The Fighting Walleye—coowned by McCallum, team president Derek Geddes, Brad Collins, Colin Campbell, and Ian Staal—will play their home games in OliverPaipoonge’s NorWest Arena, which McCallum says typically can hold about 1,200 people, but that only a fraction of that capacity will be used come game time. Those types of restrictions will be in effect league-wide. In the meantime, he says, the franchise will run a modified training camp, keeping social distancing and player safety at the forefront, as well as setting players up with billet families and either schooling or employment. And despite

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Fighting Walleye co-owner Kevin McCallum and mascot Chomper the challenges and uncertainty that COVID brings, McCallum says being behind a new franchise is exciting. “[We’re] very fortunate in Thunder Bay. We have anywhere from 12 to 15 local kids that will be

playing for us as well, so that’s exciting,” he says, adding that the goal is to “have a fast, physical team out in Oliver-Paipoonge that everyone will be proud of.”

From left to right, Fighting Walleye president Derek Geddes and Blaine Carlson, director of sales and marketing and public relations

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CityScene

This is Thunder Bay Interviews by Nancy Saunders, Photos by Kay Lee This month we asked The Walleye readers for their thoughts on why it’s good to be in Thunder Bay during a global pandemic.

Devon: Isolation has its perks! I’ve been so impressed to see the generosity of spirit that exists in this community where neighbours, organizations and local businesses have stepped forward to help one another and to fill some of the gaps created by COVID-19.

Holly: Just the space, I guess, I mean having space to be able to go somewhere and breathe. To have the space to be able to still have some independence when you’re stuck inside for the greater good. I feel like it’s good because a lot of people in this city have been respectful and have been limiting cases and have been considerate, and I appreciate that consideration.

Mike: I feel like there’s a sense of isolation here, which is normally kind of a gross feeling but especially now it’s helpful. It gives me a sense of comfort

Alyssa: I feel fortunate to be here during this time especially. I actually just moved back from Ottawa before this. We’ve got the open space, there’s plenty of fresh air, we have the room to create your bubble safely. It’s actually a pretty good city to live in. Even during a pandemic when you’re social distancing, there’s more space to do so while still being able to have activities out in fresh air and with space, and visiting people that matter, but safely.

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CityScene

That Hunting Girl

Amanda Lynn Mayhew Takes Her Show to the Sportsman Channel By Michelle McChristie

manda Lynn Mayhew is a force to be reckoned with. The 46-year-old’s impressive career in media started with the launch of a fitness magazine, then hosting and producing radio and television shows, the creation of multiple fundraising events, founding a women’s hunting organization, and, more recently, founding her own line of women’s hunting clothing. She is an award-winning ambassador for hunting with an impressive social media following of over 65,000 on her personal Facebook and Instagram pages. And she has done all this while raising three children and coping with asthma, Graves’ disease—a rare auto-immune disorder that wreaks havoc

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with the thyroid, and postherpetic neuralgia—and a painful condition that affects nerve fibres and skin. Mayhew was born and raised in Manitouwadge and began hunting and fishing at a young age with her parents. Her fondest memories are of hanging out with her family at White Lake Provincial Park every summer, “fishing, playing games, building sandcastles, back when all the kids you grew up with would be out camping and having fun,” she says. “I grew up with mostly boys as my friends because I had more interest in those types of things— motorcycles, big trucks, hunting, firearms, mud, off-roading, snowmobiling. Life in Manitouwadge was perfect for all of that.”

As a young adult, she moved to southern Ontario, where she was heavily involved in fitness and a heavy equipment business where she honed her skills in marketing, and graphic and website design. “When I was noticed for my efforts of hunting while being an athlete and model, as well as mentoring others, I was offered a talent position at Wild TV to host segments within Canada Hunts, which, after two seasons, became my own series of Just Hunt and now THAT Hunting Girl on Sportsman Channel Canada.” In 2016, Mayhew launched her Just Hunt clothing line—a sassy line for “the girl who wants to show her feminine side” that includes everything from camo leggings to blaze orange hoodies— and Bear Kiss cosmetics, which features lip gloss, eyeliner, and camo face paint. “Design of clothing was a huge passion and that has become a successful component of my business,” says Mayhew. Reflecting on her television series, Mayhew says it has brought

countless memorable episodes, such as riding motorcycles with country musician Jason McCoy and then heading out fishing, taking rapper Snow out on his first fishing trip on Lake Erie, and traveling to Newfoundland and harvesting a bull moose. “My most memorable [episode] to date is the ‘Elk Story,’ playing this season on the Sportsman Channel. It was a threeweek hunt split up into two adventures to Alberta, but the way I saw the episode be put together and how I wanted it to look was in reverse, starting with the harvest of the animal and conversation with my dad on speakerphone. It gets me every time,” she says. As an influential and highly respected advocate for hunters’ rights, Mayhew educates and empowers others through her organization Trailblazing the Outdoors. She hosts Canada-wide programs, including range days, hunting clinics, hunting and fishing adventures, and off-roading.The overall goal of the organization is simple: to empower,

WE ARE OPEN

Hours: Mon.- Fri. 10am-4pm, Sat. 10am - 2pm A behind-the-scenes look at Mayhew's TV show educate, and inspire individuals of all ages to find their place in the outdoors community. Mayhew is driven by her passion for the outdoors, “I love it!” she exclaims. “Just love the outdoors, no drama, no negativity, always unpredictable, and it always makes me smile even when no one is looking.

Everyone should experience this in one way or another.” You can follow Amanda Lynn Mayhew’s adventures online at justhunt.ca and via Facebook and Instagram @AmandaLynnMayhew. THAT Hunting Girl airs on Sportsman Channel Canada on Mondays at 7:30 pm.

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CityScene

CANNABIS CORNER

A Most Welcome Addition A Look at Kia Ora Kannabis By Justin Allec

ocal cannabis retailer Kia Ora started out as a dream for friends DJ O’Connors and Matt Harrison. Post-legalization, Ontario was only granting a certain number of cannabis licenses through a lottery, but O’Connors and Harrison, filling the roles of business developer and general manager respectively, decided to break ground at 1111 Victoria Avenue as an accessory retail shop in the hope that they would be approved. The founders built the store to exude an earth-friendly vitality that ties into O’Connors’ New Zealand roots, and focused on quality accessories made by local and national artisans that meet Health Canada’s regulations, integrated Cova software to speed up transactions and searches, and above all, trying to be a part of the community.

When Kia Ora was granted its license in June, the store already had a substantial foundation. “We’re actively reaching out to the community trying to bridge the gaps. We want to be a warm, welcoming space for people to shop in, but we also want to form local partnerships and go on to support other local businesses,” Harrison says. Being awarded their license during the pandemic’s restrictions meant having to be adaptable. Kia Ora briefly closed but was then allowed to open for delivery and curbside pickup during the phased pandemic re-openings. When Ontario introduced stage three, the delivery option was sidelined in favour of an even more customer-friendly service. O’Connors laughs as he describes how they flipped their Toyota Prius from

delivery vehicle to shuttle service. “We decided that we’d bring people to the store if we couldn’t bring cannabis to them.” With around 30 employees, Kia Ora puts a lot of emphasis on their staff’s knowledge. Thunder Bayers like “any strain that has a cookie or a cake name,” says Harrison, but “budtenders” need to understand the complexities of terpene profiles to meet customers’ needs. “It’s not just about shopping for the highest-THC strain anymore. It’s about how terpenes react with you, to give you the experience you like.” This knowledge is valuable given the natural fluctuations in the cannabis market and the tricky balancing act between the Ontario Cannabis Store, licensed producers, retailers, and consumers. The

founders are quick to remember that the industry is still young, the pandemic was unexpected, and there’s lots of room for innovation and expansion. Another location on Red River Road is close to completion for accessory sales, which will hopefully lead to another license, and they’re toying with the idea of other satellite locations or pop-up stores in more distant communities. O’Connors muses that it probably won’t be more than a few years before we start to see licensed, local artisanal growers able to supply retailers like Kia Ora, which matches their focus on community. In a short amount of time Harrison and O’Connors have become cannabis veterans, but they’re well aware of what’s important when someone walks into their store.

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CityScene

Your Library, Your Business Small Business Resources at Thunder Bay’s Libraries

By Jesse Roberts, Community Hub Librarian Projects Supervisor, Thunder Bay Public Library

very stage of owning and running a business has its challenges, and your public library is ready and eager to support you to meet them head-on. Has it been awhile since you’ve spent time with the Thunder Bay Public Library? Maybe not since you were a kid or your kids were little? Now is the perfect opportunity to reconnect and learn how the library can support your entrepreneurial spirit. This year is demonstrating the level of stability small businesses can provide to the local economy, making them an indispensable demographic of library users that deserve celebration, especially during October, which is Small Business Month in Ontario.

The library has supported the development of over 500 businesses since 2014, and those are just the ones we had direct contact with and can count. The library’s role is within an impressive network of support agencies and organizations in and around Thunder Bay. We regularly partner with the Community Economic Development Commission (CEDC), Thunder Bay & District Entrepreneur Centre, the PARO Centre for Women’s Enterprise, the Northwestern Ontario Innovation Centre, the Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce, and others to make sure their clients and program participants get the best service possible. Some of our most treasured moments happen when we see

local companies succeed, knowing that we were able to help make it all possible during those first days of asking questions and seeking information. And as the saying goes, “Knowledge is power.” Starting a business means looking for business plan templates and guides and you’ll find thousands in the Business Plans Handbook from the Gale Virtual Reference Library online database (all you need is a valid library card and PIN for access). It also means getting started with your market research, possibly for the first time ever. This can include searching online through Google, social media, Statistics Canada, and in library databases such as SimplyAnalytics, InfoCanada, CPI.Q, and the Gateway to Northwestern Ontario History. These databases connect you with everything from Canadian population demographics and spending habits to business directories, industry trends, and more–and it’s all available for free with your library membership. Running a business means wearing every hat under the sun. At any point of the day you are the CEO, cleaner, customer service rep, IT support, web administrator, etc.

This can be a pretty steep learning curve and the library can support you with access to books (physical and ebooks) on social media practices, business strategy, management and leadership, inspirational memoirs, or finding that elusive work/life balance. Growing a business means you’re working both in the business and on the business at the same time. This focal mashup is exhausting and often requires a lot of help. The databases mentioned above that can help with market research (especially SimplyAnalytics and InfoCanada) are also going to be really helpful at this point in your business development. To get a library card, contact your nearest branch to chat with staff or send an email to comments@tbpl. ca. Visit tbpl.ca to find your nearest branch as well as check out the Business and Careers section for more information about how your public library can help you to tell the story of your business, build on what you already know, and watch it become everything you’ve been dreaming about. Also while online, connect with TBPL on social media (@TBayPL) to ask questions and share stories while you’re on the go.

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CityScene

GO LOCAL THUNDER BAY COUNTRY MARKET

Cree Stevens Story by Sarah Kerton, Photos by Keegan Richard

t is easy to fall in love with the beautiful, one-of-a-kind creations that artist Cree Stevens displays at the Thunder Bay Country Market (I may have one or two myself). A relative newcomer to the market, Stevens joined a little over a year ago in June 2019. A multidisciplinary artist, Stevens is an Anishinaabe woman, and her work reflects that. “Most of my jewelry is made with birchbark, which has been utilized by Indigenous peoples for a millenia,” she says. “By using materials like birchbark, quills, and copper in combination with resin, and a variety of different metals and materials, I like to create work that

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speaks to the world we live in today... which means it’s likely to continue evolving and changing over time.” Jewelry—especially earrings— are Stevens’ bread and butter. Her birchbark and resin earrings come in a wide range of sizes and styles. Some are long and dangly while others are short and sweet. She tries to have a variety of options using unique jewelry components “since every customer is also unique.” She adds, ”Much of my jewelry appeals to all genders... which makes me happy because I want my work to be inclusive and accessible to as many people as possible.” While Stevens has always been

an artist at heart, she didn’t always have the time and energy to dedicate to her craft. She worked for the federal government in an administrative capacity until 2012, when she decided to go back to school to study visual arts. “It was the first time I felt passionately about what I was learning and doing,” she says. “I've been a practicing artist ever since.” She says her favourite part of being at the market is being part of a local community and supporting that community. While Stevens is always busy creating for her market booth, she

loves to paint and sculpt in her limited spare time. She is currently working on finishing a sculpture for the Thunder Bay Art Gallery titled Madaabii: s/he goes down to the shore. It was commissioned for an opening show in the new gallery’s soon-to-be built space. The work is a large sculpture that will hang from the ceiling, her most challenging piece so far. You can find Cree Stevens and her beautiful artwork on the second floor of the Thunder Bay Country Market. You can also check out her website at creestevens.com.

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CityScene Jetboil Flash Cooking System

Stuff We Like

Gear Up for Outdoors

For the Coffee Lover By Amy Jones

offee. Where would we be without it? It starts our days, it fuels our afternoons, it caps off our dinners. Let’s face it, the smell alone is enough to get our heart rate going. And even though, as David Lynch once said, “Even bad coffee is better than no coffee at all,” we also think that life is too short to drink bad coffee—especially when you don’t have to. And here in Thunder Bay, we definitely don’t have to. Here is Stuff We Like for the Coffee Lover.

Marimekko “Unikko” Mug Finnport

290 Bay Street We’re of the opinion that there’s nothing a Marimekko design can’t improve, and coffee is no exception. This dishwasher-safe, white stoneware mug features the bold floral Unikko pattern, Marimekko’s most recognizable (and we think cutest!) design. You might think you need your morning java to feel even the tiniest bit cheery, but with this mug, we bet you’ll be smiling before you even take a sip.

$139.99

Baked Goods

Thunder Bay Country Market

850 May Street North It’s scientifically proven that coffee tastes better with a little something sweet (trust us, we’ve done tonnes of research). If you’re not much of a baker (or even if you are!), you can still get that homebaked feeling from one of the many baking vendors at the Thunder Bay Country Market. Pick up some bread from The Sapling Bakery, French macarons from A Taste of France, a hand pie from pie.ology, or gluten-free cupcakes from My Simply Sweet Desserts, and do a little research of your own.

Kitchen Nook

168 Algoma Street South Ask any hardcore coffee aficionado how they make their coffee, and their answer will likely be a French press. The classic Bodum is easy to use and easy to clean, with a heat resistant, borosilicate glass beaker, and a polypropylene plunger handle and base. And no paper filters or pods means it’s environmentally friendly, too! Available in 3 cup, 8 cup, and 12 cup sizes.

Rose N Crantz

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710 Balmoral Street While much of the world is holed up in their home offices, some of us are still on the go. To those hardy bike commuters: we salute you! We also suggest you pick up a Bar-ista coffee cup holder from Fresh Air to hold your travel mug. This handy bike accessory fits most travel mug styles, and attaches to 26 mm handles, with a rubber grip to make sure you don’t spill a precious drop of that liquid magic.

Bodum “Brazil” French Press

Suspended Coffee

$25–$40

$various

Café Mocha

Dolce Coffee House

345 Kingsway Look, we get it. Sometimes we don’t feel like making our own coffee, either. And why should we, really, when we have delicious options like the ones at Dolce available at the tap of a debit card? We particularly love the smooth, creamy, chocolatey café mocha, made with one-quarter Lavazza Super Crema espresso, one-quarter chocolate, and one-half hot milk. Just take our money. Please.

$4–$5

Coffee Beans

wolfheadcoffee.com Since 2015, the folks at Wolfhead Coffee have been roasting and smoking coffee beans in small batches at their customdesigned roastery in Thunder Bay. You’ll find their coffee at restaurants and cafes around the city, but you can also buy their beans online to enjoy at home. Their wide variety of roasts and flavours—all produced using responsibly sourced green coffee beans from around the world—ensures that there is something for every type of coffee lover.

$15–$24

Matt Prokopchuk

Wolfhead Coffee

Palash Bakshi, Sociable Thunder Bay

$15–$75

Fresh Air

$22.49

$30

rnccoffee.ca If you think drinking coffee makes you feel good, imagine how good giving coffee will make you feel. An extension of their suspended coffee program at the Thunder Bay Country Market, Rose N Crantz gives customers the opportunity to buy a bag of whole coffee beans, at a discounted price, to give to someone who might need it. The suspended coffee program is available by subscription, or as a one-time purchase. Paying it forward: it’s like coffee for the soul!

Portland Design Works Bar-ista Coffee Cup Holder

894 Alloy Place Here in Thunder Bay, we don’t let cold weather keep us from our favourite outdoor activities. But as the months march on and the temps start to drop, we don’t really want to have to wait around for our camp stoves to heat up so we can make our coffee, either. Enter the Jetboil Flash Cooking System, which boils water in an astonishing 100 seconds. That’s faster than you can say, “When’s the coffee ready?”

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CityScene has many motivations, but chief among them is the fact that he is also aging and believes that his father’s stories can contribute to our understanding of average soldiers’ lives during those turbulent years. Like many veterans who had seen combat, Robert was reluctant to speak about his experiences. “I was only able to get him to talk after he’d had a few [drinks],” Kreewin admits. As much as the scenes of combat are terrifying, it’s Kreewin’s descriptions of Robert’s life outside of the armed forces that show the discrepancies for many soldiers. Robert struggled to find gainful employment, but his difficulties were compounded by societal ignorance of PTSD, which led, Kreewin says, “to horrible nightmares, as well as a reliance on cigarettes and alcohol.” Robert survived extraordinary circumstances in two theatres of war only to be felled by all-too common vices in times of peace. For Kreewin, writing The Invisible American was about understanding what kind of life his

Understanding a Father’s Sacrifice

Donald J. Kreewin’s The Invisible American By Justin Allec

fter safeguarding his father’s stories for most of his life, retired air traffic controller and local author Donald J. Kreewin decided to memorialize them in a tidy biography. In The Invisible American: The War Years Before and Beyond Kreewin traces Lieutenant Hal Robert’s life from a rustic childhood in rural Manitoba to joining the Canadian efforts in World War II, re-enlisting (under slightly false pretenses) for the Korean War, and the ongoing struggles of family and civilian life. It’s an easy read; Kreewin’s

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writing is unassuming and focused on his father’s actions. There are just enough descriptions of the global forces at play to place Robert in the contexts of both wars, and Kreewin moves swiftly among events. He easily conveys the significance of each episode, be it brutal combat or a “humorous” incident of friendly fire. Kreewin was 18 when Robert passed away from a heart attack. “I’ve been carrying his stories around for most of my life,” Kreewin says. “I thought that it would be good to finally put them to paper.” Kreewin

father had and what value the stories have for others. The biography is remarkably free of pretense or anger, despite Robert being absent for much of Kreewin’s life. “We didn’t get along when I was a teenager,” Kreewin recounts with a chuckle, “but I realized things about him after hearing the stories.” Passing those stories on is important to Kreewin because of the growing distance from those world-shaping events. “The idea of sacrifice, of doing something for your country…I think those sentiments are difficult, and they’re not always seen as relevant,” Kreewin says as a final thought. “I think they’re coming back as people realize how connected the world is today.” Like many accounts of war, The Invisible American is about so much more than combat; it’s about a life in conflict, and our possible understanding. The Invisible American is available from Archway Publishing, as well as Chapters Indigo and other online booksellers.

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CityScene

Ida-Maria Cirillo, owner of Pretty Fly Co.

Pretty Fly Co. Lands in Thunder Bay Modern General Store Offers Something for Everyone

Story by Nancy Saunders, Photos by Kay Lee

he Bay and Algoma district’s newest retail offer is Fly Pretty Co., a “modern general store” located at 198½ Algoma Street South that provides a variety of curated items ranging from fun to functional. Owner Ida-Maria Cirillo has wanted to run a small shop

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with, as she says, “a focus on handmade items from crafters, creators, and small independent producers” since she was in high school. A love of travel and perusing the unique wares offered in various cities inspired her to provide a collection of goods that share the stories of their

makers, and that create new stories for the people who purchase them. “My customers are those who want to gift or acquire items that are different, a little wacky –like boob earrings from Mimi & August from Quebec– and unlike anything they may find in Thunder Bay, and since I usually tend to order limited amounts of each item, they are pretty exclusive,” says Cirillo. Pretty Fly Co. carries local, national, and international items ranging from earrings, candles, and vintage clothing from local businesses Red Door Metalworks, Peace & Quiet Candle Co., and Weyward Sisters to bags from Baggu (San Francisco), clothing from Le Bon Shoppe (Los Angeles),

prints from We are out of office (The Netherlands), candy from C'est Bonbon (Quebec), and Canadian bath and body products and greeting cards. Cirillo is a long-time employee of The Cheese Encounter, something that influenced her decision to move into the space next door. Cirillo would regularly enter the space that was once the cheese shop’s storage room; she remembers noticing “the beautiful ornate ceiling” hidden by the drop ceiling. The size, location, and vibe of the space fit Cirillo’s dreams for her shop, and her familiarity and appreciation of the welcoming nature of the Bay and Algoma district provided additional

Ida-Maria Cirillo with her 10-year-old chihuahua, Chico

incentive. Decorated in a bright and airy esthetic with white walls, custom bare wood shelves, and simplistic displays, Pretty Fly Co. delivers a stylish and serene environment that lets both colourful and neutral items stand out. In addition to being next door to her Cheese Encounter friends, Cirillo has a friend she brings to work with her—her 10-year-old chihuahua, Chico. “I apologize to everyone who comes in here as he tends to bark and let everyone know he's

there, since he's only 3.5 pounds and really tiny in person.” After starting the company in 2018 and experiencing some delays, Cirillo is pleased to have opened in August 2020. “I am lucky to have opened after everyone was adjusted to COVID regulations,” she adds. “I did not need to adjust my business plan because of COVID since I opened after the shutdown.” She thanks her friends, family and customers for being supportive of her dream.

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CityScene

Thunder Bay’s Tourism Industry During COVID-19 The Hero We Need Right Now By Raven Wheesk, Economist, Northern Policy Institute

ith the closure of the U.S. border due to COVID-19, the typically large number of Americans who come north for the summer were not able to. This was a potentially worrying prospect for organizations within the tourism industry that are reliant on American tourists. As the summer passed, however, it no doubt came as a relief that a higher number of Canadian tourists travelling to the Thunder Bay district more than supplemented this shortfall. One reason so many more Canadians are visiting Thunder Bay this year may be the plethora of outdoor activities we have access to. COVID-19 can spread more easily indoors, where physical distancing is more difficult. As such, outdoor leisure activities present an attractive alternative that comes as a refreshing change after enduring lockdown cabin fever. To evaluate the impact of COVID-19 on Thunder Bay’s tourism

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industry, we examined how employment in these industries in Thunder Bay have fared compared to 2019 and the rest of the country. We used a technique that measures the percentage change between February and July 2020 compared to February and July 2019, a non-pandemic year. Looking at the difference between these calculations for Thunder Bay and Canada shows Thunder Bay’s percentage employment growth relative to Canada’s. In our table, we see that Thunder Bay’s tourism-related industries saw an expansion in employment relative to the rest of the country. Despite Thunder Bay experiencing a more severe fall in services employment than Canada as a whole, the information, culture, and recreation industry saw a 23.19% expansion through July in 2020 compared to 2019. For the rest of Canada, employment in this sector fell by 21.8%, meaning that Thunder Bay’s employment change was 45% greater than the national level. This

indicates that more workers were needed to meet demand. Adjacent industries where tourists spend their money, such as accommodation and food services and retail trade, benefited from the information, culture, and recreation industry expansion. This partially offset

the negative impact these adjacent industries felt earlier this year. Thunder Bay is the biggest city in Northwestern Ontario, where 22 provincial parks are located. Those traveling east from Western Canada, and vice-versa, will have to pass through the city. With hotels having to make adjustments due to COVID-19 and the relatively higher room prices—the cheapest hotel room in the area is $53 (based on a Tripadvisor search), but the most expensive campsite is $51 (based on an Ontario Parks website search)— staying in parks is an attractive option. While Ontario Parks has not yet published data on the number of visitors to their parks, it was apparent to regular park-goers that 2020 saw more visitor traffic than usual. This was noticeable when booking reservations, with sites being booked up well over a month in advance at the parks along Lake Superior—Sleeping Giant, Rainbow Falls, Neys, and Lake Superior. This anecdotal evidence is backed up by the employment data. Despite missing out on American tourists, enough Canadians passed through or stayed in the area for tourism and related organizations to expand their employment by 45% more than the rest of the country. While the COVID-19 pandemic has been a challenging time for most industries, Thunder Bay’s tourism sector has kept chugging along.

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CityScene

EYE TO EYE

With Paul Pepe

As told to Matt Prokopchuk, Photo by Kay Lee

Paul Pepe with his 2010 Kawasaki Vulcan 1700 Voyager in front of the Terry Fox monument

“T

he most challenging times in modern history,” is how Thunder Bay tourism manager Paul Pepe describes the conditions in the field in which he works. Pepe, who has over 20 years in the tourism sector, joined us over Zoom to chat about how the region’s industry is holding up in the age of COVID, what he’s binge-watching, and how his love of motorcycles helps him fully experience what Thunder Bay and the Northwestern Ontario region has to offer. On how the region’s tourism sector has done over the summer season: Certainly we have seen the elimination of our U.S. market completely, which, for Thunder Bay, represents about a third of our total visitation. It’s completely eradicated our overseas market that, while small at only 3%, was also a fairly large yield market for us as well, per visitor—overseas visitors tend to stay longer and spend more money

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in the economy. So it’s been a challenge in that we’ve lost two fairly economically robust markets and we just had to focus on the Canadian market. Canadians really seemed to step up and travel and explore Canada, and locals really stepped up as well to support local attractions and local restaurants and retailers over the summer months. That’s encouraging to see because that’s really critical to keep the businesses from closing. On his enthusiasm for motorcycles and exploring the region that way: It’s exciting. My motorcycle is my antidepressant and to get out on my bike—I do a lot of solo travelling and [in] small groups, but I’m always amazed. I see new things when I’m riding. I ride 10,000 to 12,000 kilometres a year and I find you see everything differently on a bike. On a motorcycle you live in the moment; you are spatially aware of everything around you and it’s the sights and the smells.

I went out about three weeks ago and just did a little solo trip out to Rainy River and up Highway 71 to Kenora and back and I just found great little gems, great little roadside stops that I would never stop at in a car because I don’t need to. On the motorcycle I find I stop more frequently. I like food and drink when I ride, so I’m always stopping for coffee or a butter tart or a good lunch, and at the end of the day, looking for a craft beer and a good dinner. On a bike, I find it’s a much more visceral experience and I tend to really absorb new stops. On what food he’s craving: Pizza, always. You can never get enough pizza. On what he’s binge-watching: Discovery Velocity [a specialty TV channel specializing in shows about automobiles and transportation]. I’m a car show guy, like I love […] restoration shows. That’s my big thing. Probably the last thing I binge-watched was... I would say Ozark.

On his most treasured possession: I’m trying to be less about possessions as I get older and more about experiences, but as far as possessions go, my motorcycles are my babies. But the thing that I cherish the most is my family. On the most interesting place work has taken him: I would say, in my current role … I get to go to New York once in a while—or at least once a year—to attend media events and industry events related to the travel trade and the travel media. New York is this big overwhelming city, but certainly, in my career, two and a half decades in tourism, I did some flights up north into Fort Hope [Eabametoong] and some of the smaller Indigenous communities in the region. I think that really, for me, was one of the more interesting places to travel—into Ontario’s far north and to see a part of Ontario very few people get to see and very few people know about.

CityScene

Currently the daycare is unlicensed, meaning it can only take five children at a time

Brewing Up Solutions for Working Parents

Sleeping Giant Brewing Co. Applying for Licenced Daycare Story by Kat Lyzun, Photos by Kali Colledanchise

orking parents in Thunder Bay have been grappling with a lack of childcare options for years, and the pandemic has made it infinitely worse. As workplaces reopen and parents scramble for limited daycare spots, many are stressed and wondering how they’re going to manage. Andrea and Kyle Mulligan, owners of Sleeping Giant Brewing Company, saw this happening among their own staff and decided to do something about it. Pivoting in a whole new direction from their business model, they converted their new event location,

The Barrel House, into the Sleeping Giant Child Care Centre. The Barrel House location is up the street from the brewery. “The stress on working parents is undeniable, with the majority trying to juggle careers and children at home. As a mother, I can relate to this parental stress and as a business owner, I know the challenges of the workplace,” says Andrea. “I feel a responsibility to help staff and their partners get back to work for everyone’s well-being.” At the moment, the Sleeping Giant Child Care Centre is unlicensed, which means they are only caring for five children whose

parents work for the brewery. The goal is to become fully licensed by January, which would allow them to offer spots for 10 to 15 children. They employ an early childhood educator and a recreational therapy educator, and benefit from the unique guidance and experience that Andrea (an educator) and Kyle (a family physician) bring to the team. They intend to focus on child-centred learning through play, collaborations with local businesses for locally sourced snacks and meals, and extra education inspired by science and agriculture. Andrea says while it was definitely a risk to take on an in-house

daycare, the concept absolutely fits with their philosophy of being a family-oriented business. The reaction from employees and the broader community has been overwhelmingly supportive. They hope that their expertise and dedication to the initiative are enough to gain approval from the province and support from the City of Thunder Bay to become fully licensed and open to more families. “These are unprecedented times. We want to show people that there has to be a way to make things work. As a city, as a community, we have to support these solutions,” she says.

Andrea Mulligan (right) with Lucas Kwasny-Doucette, one of the children who attends the daycare

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CityScene

Left to right, Kathryn Flanz and Chanelle Swant pose in Doodle Apparel at Hillcrest Park

Keeping It Simple Young Entrepreneur Starts Clothing Line During COVID By Wendy Wright

eckham Thompson was getting a little bored with the COVID-19 lockdown in the spring. School had ceased and there were not many creative outlets for this young entrepreneur to delve into. He had always wanted to start something on his own and decided it was time to get started and unleash his creativity. “Everything had slowed down and this was a motivating and positive idea,” says Thompson. The idea of a Canadian-made clothing line with a minimalist design is what he decided on. “We are focused on simple, high-quality designs and products,” he says. “As teenagers, we wanted to do better.” From family members who are business owners themselves, Thompson had plenty of encouragement and somewhere to get his

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questions answered. This 16-year-old business owner runs every aspect of the business himself, including financing. With help from his childhood friend Chanelle Swant, Doodle Apparel was born. “This is very Beckham. He is very independent,” Swant says. The product line launched back in July. At present the line consists of two designs: the paper airplane mark of Doodle Apparel and the minimalist line drawing of the Sleeping Giant. Both come in black and white T-shirt styles, and the black Sleeping Giant is also available as a hoodie. New designs are being worked out now, and will be available in time for Christmas. Design ideas are always swirling for Thompson and Swant for the future as well. Currently, Thompson is selling through his website; The Sweet

North Bakery also recently hosted this young company as a pop-up booth in their shop. Thompson has also been thinking of other sales opportunities and venues. With the vast number of pop-up markets and craft shows, and Thunder Bay’s love for local, there will be some choices for him to make. Bringing Doodle Apparel to more customers over the coming months is one of his goals, along with working on more commissioned design work. This young designer is at the beginning of his business journey and

is already proving to have an eye for the present state of the world. Cosy, local minimalism feels comforting in a COVID-19 world. So, if you have ever doubted that today’s youth are on the right track and ready to lead the world in a few years, fear not. These young entrepreneurs prove that the kids are all right. And well-dressed. Clothing can be purchased directly from the online store at doodleapparel.ca. Keep an eye on their Instagram @doodle_apparel to find out where they may be popping up next.

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CityScene

Ryden’s Border Store has a popular parcel service used by many Thunder Bay residents and businesses.

Stuck at the Border How the Prolonged Closure Affects Local Parcel Shipping By Matt Prokopchuk

hen asked what the ongoing pandemic has meant for her business, Lori Boomer, the owner of Ryden’s Border Store, just south of the Pigeon River crossing, doesn’t mince words. “First and foremost, it’s basically killed the whole business this whole season,” she says. “No tourists, no Canadians, so it’s been awful.” While the popular business offers a wide variety of services to cross-border travellers, it also features a heavily used parcel service: Thunder Bay-area residents and businesses often ship items bought in the United States to Ryden’s, then make the drive to the border to pick them up, typically saving significantly on shipping costs. The border being closed for the past six-plus months means individuals can’t cross to collect their goods, which has similarly cut into the parcel service part of Ryden’s bottom line. Boomer says, pre-COVID, they typically handled hundreds of parcels daily; now, it’s more like 30 to 50 per day. “We’re still receiving parcels, not as much as if…the border was open,” she says. “But we’re finding places to put them.” While the pandemic has meant

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tough times for Ryden’s, a new company in Thunder Bay is seizing an opportunity. James Foulds is the founder of Border Giant, a local business that started out developing software to lower the costs of clearing customs by automating the data entry required by commercial carriers to cross. To test the software, he registered as a broker and commercial carrier and started taking locally made items south to Ryden’s to be shipped further into the U.S. When the pandemic hit, he pivoted to also bringing packages back from the border store. Wedding dresses and even puppies were some of the things his company brought back into Canada in the early days of the pandemic. “We’ve been dedicating a lot of work to try and clear up this backlog for the goods that are sitting at Ryden’s, like the individual purchases,” he says. “Word just started [to spread]; every week we’d get more and more phone calls about something stuck.” Currently, Foulds says, there’s a roughly a five-to-six week waiting period to have a personal package brought back from Ryden’s; he adds, however, that the system is speeding up. His business charges

$15 per parcel or package to bring back. At Ryden’s, Boomer says that Foulds’ business has helped alleviate some of the space crunch. She adds that, while the pandemic has hammered her bottom line—overall, Ryden’s business is down about 95%,

she says—she is determined to stay open. “We’re going to survive. We’re going to be here when this nonsense is over,” she says. “I’ve had to lay everybody off and I took out a loan… we’ll be alright. It’s hard, but we’ll be alright.”

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Music

Radiating Healing Over the Air Zongwe Binesikwe Decolonizing the Airwaves By Betty Carpick

ongwe Binesikwe (Sounding Thunderbird Woman), also known as Crystal “Zee” Hardy, is a mother, hand drum carrier, educator, nurse practitioner, and a storyteller with great creative and compassionate fortitude. In the Bear Clan from Biinjitiwabik Zaaging Anishnabek (Rocky Bay First Nation), her path is to follow and uphold traditional culture, values, and spirituality in her work as a helper, a steward of the land, a relative, and an international citizen. “I’m a healer,” says Zongwe Binesikwe. “I make the sound of thunder.” Around the world, the fight against colonialism and discrimination continues. For Zongwe Binesikwe, raising awareness and creating safe spaces for Indigenous people through cultural humility,

80 The Walleye

social justice, health equity, and advocacy has taken different turns at different times of her life. She’s had to strengthen herself as an Anishinaabe-kwe (Ojibway woman) and be adaptable, teachable, and progressive. Following the completion of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s work in 2017, the response from the status quo around historic systemic racism was barely audible. The challenge for the people of Canada to understand and embrace individual responsibility to make change happen continues to this day. Zongwe Binesikwe embarked on a seemingly unconventional road to amplify reconciliation and promote decolonization. Her podcast series, Under the Same Stars, debuted in January 2019. Then, buoyed by the

resonance of Gord Downie and Jeff Lemire’s multi-media art project, Secret Path, and inspired by the possibilities of music as a way of healing and wellness, she launched Zee’s Place on LU Radio in December 2019. “Challenges are an opportunity for growth,” she says. “I’m decolonizing the airwaves.” Since time immemorial, Indigenous people used what the land offered to make instruments for sacred song and dance. After the Europeans came to Turtle Island, ceremonial practices were forbidden. Zee’s Place provides a way to open hearts and strengthen connections through the geographically mobile forum of radio. Using an inclusive

process of healing from histories that have silenced Indigenous voices, Zongwe Binesikwe competently weaves storytelling and genres including pop, rock, rap, hip-hop, and country to hold positive discourse. Music and creativity are an essential part of Indigenous daily life and the backbone of spiritual, cultural, and kinship beliefs. Given the urgency for equity, justice, tolerance, and civic engagement, Zongwe Binesikwe is challenging preconceptions about care and compassion by liberating healing to the air. Listen in, it’s a generous act. Tune into Zee’s Place on LU Radio - CILU 102.7 FM every Wednesday from 2–4 pm.

Brad Bruce H.B. Comm., PFP®

y Ha p p t es Harv

Investment Advisor 807-683-1775 brad.bruce@nbc.ca 104-979 Alloy Dr. Thunder Bay, ON P7B 5Z8

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Music

DJ Serenity Kashuba gets ready for a night of hosting karaoke at The Bar

Not Singing the Blues

Karaoke Returns to Thunder Bay Bars With Changes Story and photos by Matt Prokopchuk

ith a number of public health restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic relaxing—at least temporarily—a popular pastime in a number of local bars and pubs is slowly making a comeback. But the way karaoke is run in the age of COVID looks very different from pre-pandemic life. Karaoke actually became permissible under the province’s public health guidelines when Ontario entered Stage 3 back in July, which also allowed things like indoor dining, says Troy Sampson, a public health inspector at the Thunder Bay District Health Unit. However, like with eating indoors at a restaurant, a number of additional precautions have to be observed. Those include mandatory distancing of two metres at all times, the separation of those who are singing from everyone else by a piece of plexiglass or other impermeable barrier, and the constant cleaning and disinfecting of microphones and other shared

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equipment in between each person that takes the stage. Even with those additional measures, there still appears to be a strong appetite for the popular party pastime. Sampson says several businesses in his catchment area inquired about bringing it back over the summer, while Amanda Mihalus, the owner of City Wide Sound, which typically hosts karaoke at six bars and pubs in the city, says her regulars have been clamouring for it. “They’ve missed it,” she says. “Throughout the whole six months that we were shut down, I was receiving messages from a lot of our regulars saying ‘when do we get to come back’ and ‘we miss getting out and singing’ and they’re sending me videos of them singing at home and they’re like ‘it’s not the same.’” Mihalus says her company just restarted hosting karaoke in September so she could get all safety protocols and cleaning products in place and approved by public

Singers get antimicrobial microphone covers which they keep for the evening health officials. Aside from the plexiglass on stage and the intensive disinfecting regimen, she says other changes made include no verbal contact between patrons and the DJ (people have to write down their song choice after sanitizing their hands, and yes, you have to wear your mask between the table and the DJ booth), each person getting their own antimicrobial microphone cover that they keep for the evening then discard, and no duets or group performances. Mihalus says all equipment, including mics, cables, the stand, and the plexiglass are sanitized with a hospital-grade

product between each singer. “The pace is slower to make sure that the safety precautions are in place,” she says, adding that at the end of the night, staff do a final sterilization of everything and microphones are then stored in sealed containers. It’s a lot of work, but Mihalus says it’s worth it—and with limits on venue capacity, things are running smoothly. “The slower pace that we have in our shows now to accommodate all the sterilization that needs to happen is kind of balanced with the … maximum amount of people allowed in a venue.”

Amanda Mihalus, owner of City Wide Sound

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THE MUSIC

IS BACK!!

Thank you for your tremendous support over the past few months. We are delighted to be playing for you again. Dates for our Chamber series start October 8th. 8 shows, 16 showtimes. $20 for each concert. Limited tickets available so get yours before they’re gone at tbso.ca/events

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Go online and nominate your picks in as many categories as you can, keeping in mind this is an all local survey! To nominate visit: thewalleye.ca/bestoftbay2020

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Music

For a Good Cause Summertime Concert to Turn Into Livestream Fundraiser

Story by Matt Prokopchuk, Photos by Chad Kirvan

hen Caleb McGoey found out that this year’s Live From the Rock Folk Festival was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, he hatched an idea that will help not only the festival itself, but Thunder Bay’s Shelter House as well. And McGoey is just nine years old. “We were really bummed,” he says of the fact that he and his family couldn’t attend the long-running summertime folk music festival in Red Rock this year, which they’ve been doing for over a decade. But that disappointment quickly turned into inspiration as he, along with Elly Tose of the Sleeping Giant Folk Music Society, put together a small outdoor neighbourhood concert in August featuring a number of local musicians. It was dubbed Live At the BedRock and ran during the weekend that Live From the Rock normally would have. About $200 was raised for the annual folk festival. “The music, I loved it,” he says. The concert was filmed and some of that footage is now slated to make up part of a special livestream event on October 17, says Brian Campbell, a board member of the Sleeping Giant Folk Music Society, who also performed at the summertime

concert. The stream, likely to be about two hours long, will feature three songs by each of the performers from the concert, spliced with several interviews. Campbell says that donations will be accepted during the livestream, with proceeds going to Live From the Rock and Shelter House. “We’ve been doing music for 20 years here, presenting the best in Canadian folk and roots music here in Thunder Bay, and it’s a bit of our payback or support for other entities that we think are important here,” Campbell says. “It was a wonderful thing, I think, for everybody involved.” Sleeping Giant Folk Music Society officials say that the link to the October event will be sent to the society members as well as promoted to the general public through several channels, including their newsletter and social media. As for McGoey, he says he’s thrilled with how everything has turned out—and that he’d like to try and organize something similar next year, even if Live From the Rock returns. “It was really, really cool,” he says of this year’s concert and what it’s led to. “I’m really happy that it turned out so well.”

Live at the BedRock Festival co-founders Elly Tose (left) and Caleb McGoey (right) on stage with performer Andy Ritchie (centre)

 Performer and SGFMS board member Ian Gill  Performer and SGFMS board member Brian Campbell

Jean-Paul De Roover

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Music

BURNING TO THE SKY

Four Chilling Songs By Gord Ellis

“Seasons in the Sun” - Terry Jacks

“Every Breath You Take” - The Police

Goodbye my friend it's hard to die When all the birds are singing in the sky

Oh, can’t you see You belong to me

The title is deceptive. At first glance “Seasons in the Sun” sounds like the title for a song about happy days outdoors. The production is light as well, if a little ominous. But anyone who gives a closer listen to the lyrics soon learns otherwise. The song is actually a resigned ode to inevitable death. “Seasons in the Sun” is an English adaptation of the 1961 song “Le Moribond” by Belgian singer-songwriter Jacques Brel. The lyrics were rewritten two years later by American poet and singer Rod McKuen. They portray a dying man’s farewell to various loved ones, including a friend, a father and, possibly, a daughter. In 1974 it became an international smash for Canada’s own Terry Jacks. It is— nearly without question—one of the saddest and most morbid numberone hits of all time.

86 The Walleye

Built on the same classic chord structure that has been the basis of countless pop songs, “Every Breath You Take” managed to sound just different enough to stand out from the crowd. The recording is immaculate, with the crack of Stewart Copeland’s drums and Andy Summers’ textured guitar way out front in the mix. But make no mistake, this song was all about Sting. He wrote it and that voice sold it. Of course, that voice is basically singing about someone stalking an ex-lover. We then hear over and over how the jilted party will be watching “every breath you take, every move you make.” This was a brilliant, but chilling, worldwide hit for The Police.

he popular songbook is a place of wild variety. There are sweet and sappy love songs, raunchy odes to sex and passion, protest songs, and tales of bravery and failure. However, songs can also take on a dark, chilling tone, whether unintentionally or on

purpose. Sometimes that tone has been well-disguised in the trappings of pop music. I'm sure everyone has a song or two that triggers this response. With the days getting shorter and the weather colder— and Halloween on the horizon— here are four that come to mind.

“Girl, You’ll Be A Woman Soon” - Neil Diamond

“Warm Leatherette” - Grace Jones

Girl, you’ll be a woman soon Please come take my hand Girl, you’ll be a woman soon Soon, you’ll need a man It’s hard to know where to start here. The male-dominated pop world has never shied away from featuring potentially—or explicitly— underage girls with much older men. Everything from “Sweet Little Sixteen” and “Good Morning Little Schoolgirl” to “Age Ain’t Nothing but a Number” are examples. With that in mind, this Neil Diamond ditty has an extra ick factor. Maybe it’s because of the way Diamond sings it with such conviction. You can imagine him performing it with just one shirt button too many undone. The whole thing seems a bit poorly thought out. Or maybe not—which makes it creepier.

A tear of petrol Is in your eye The hand brake Penetrates your thigh Car crash songs are another unnerving and morbid part of the pop lexicon. Fine examples of this genre include the timeless and gory “Last Kiss” and Bruce Springsteen’s bracing “Wreck on the Highway.” Both are chilling, but then there is “Warm Leatherette.” The song was originally released in 1978 by The Normal, but Grace Jones truly made it her own when she covered it two years later. The premise of this song is based on the J.G. Ballard novel Crash. If you know that book (and the Cronenberg-directed movie that followed) there is not much need to explain more. Subtlety is nowhere in evidence.

Music

Celebrating, Encouraging Local Talent Retired Librarian Wants to Launch New Music Festival

Story by Sara Sadeghi Aval, Photos by Matt Prokopchuk

“S

am I am,” says the friendly voice of retired librarian Sam Coghlan when I call him at his London, Ontario home to speak about his musical epiphany. A graduate of the former Port Arthur Collegiate Institute, Coghlan’s love for Thunder Bay shines through in both his praise and criticism of the city as it has evolved into its 50th year. He called the city home for nearly 30 years, and he says that it was evident to him, from a young age, that local talent can sometimes be quietly pushed aside in order to make room for out-of-town headliners that draw crowds. “It struck me that back in the day there was a general feeling, that if somebody was a musician and from Thunder Bay, they probably weren’t that good. I would call it a local lack of self-esteem. I was aware of that back then,” he recounts. “Music has the talent to move people. The ability to do so will go a long way to counter that lack of self-esteem.” Coghlan’s interest in any musical talent that has originated “from here” sparked the idea to create a weekend-long festival for musically and artistically inclined youth in the area. He teamed up with fellow librarians from the Thunder Bay Public Library to begin his journey to musical encouragement. Workshops, live performances, and a gala are all parts of the festival Coghlan wishes to see, along with representation from the varied cultures in the city. “I’m not a musician but I love music. I love how it transforms people,” he continues. “I’ve always been jealous of musicians and their ability to do something so magical… to make a massive effect on an

audience.” Coghlan himself has been witness to the careers his friends from here have built, counting eight of them that began their careers 50 years ago and have successfully spread their music past the city’s limits. The music festival he has envisioned will feature performances from the very same artists that were underestimated then. When asked about his passion for helping young artists in the city, he says, “To make a living as a musician you don’t have to be Paul Shaffer. Your origin doesn’t have to be a deterrent in your dreams. All these old white guys are interesting only to old white guys. We need to put diversity on the stage, literally. Being concerned with the health of the community, the best hope we have for the future is with the youth. Our only hope.” His drive to be inclusive towards BIPOC members in the city is the northern star in this plan. Were it not for the current pandemic, the festival would be mere weeks away. Coghlan is adamant, however, that he wants to see the festival run in October 2021, as well as to have other resources and educational portals in place, including ways for the community to continue supporting its local talent, and the new generations of artists. He hopes to see archives of records and artists kept in both the public libraries for access, and the Thunder Bay Museum for historical preservation. He says he believes this will foster an environment of acceptance and encouragement for any youth looking to walk in the footsteps of the fellow artists and musicians that began in the very same place.

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Music

This Was Then, This Is Now

Megan Nadin Paints Past Pictures to Inspire Confidence in Others on New EP By Michael Charlebois

egan Nadin is living a life she never quite expected. Born in Thunder Bay to a family enamoured with music, her journey has never been inspired by one singular purpose. Her prerogative has always been to help people. Nadin has worked as an early childhood educator, helped create a community foundation in Thunder Bay, and taught English as a volunteer in Cambodia, all while planting the seeds to help build her career as a recording artist. The singer-songwriter now resides in Nashville, Tennessee. Nadin never pictured herself recording music in one of the world’s most famous music cities, but encouragement from her family led to taking the necessary steps and making the necessary connections. With her debut EP, This Was Then, now officially released, Nadin’s goal remains the same. “What I’d love to do most is to create a platform for myself, and talk about how we can face our fears and how we can do whatever we want,” she says. Released on September 17, the EP contains a series of songs written over two years ago, which she describes as “different chapters from the same book.” It wasn’t too long ago that Nadin was too insecure to sing in front of people. Now she’s pivoting

88 The Walleye

those insecurities toward her creativity, and using personal reflection as a means to help those struggling with the very same fears. “I’m capturing things I’ve gone through personally… facing my fears, heartbreak, it’s just stories. Stories that I hope when people hear them, they can feel connected to them.” She describes her record as popsoul with orchestral-style production, not necessarily drawing inspiration from any particular style and keeping things extremely personal at all times. “There’s a lot of body to the music,” she says. “There’s a lot of instruments helping to build [the song] and paint a picture around what’s happening.” Nadin says throughout the process of creating it, she drew inspiration from the self-titled Fleetwood Mac album, and how, despite the band’s turbulent relationship at the time, it became one of the most influential records of the past 50 years. “It’s crazy how some of the most beautiful things come together when everything is falling apart,” Nadin says. This Was Then is available across streaming platforms. To keep up with Megan, follow her on Instagram at @ megannadin, or online at megannadin.com.

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Music

The TBSO pictured performing at Hilldale Lutheran Church in 2019

TBSO Brings the Music Back With Season 59.5

Symphony Returns to the Stage With October, November Concerts By Krysta Piaskowski, Front of House Manager, Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra

ver the past several months the Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra has received tremendous support from the people of Thunder Bay, and we are thrilled to be performing live for our audience again. Season 59.5 is something we didn’t expect but also something we’re very excited about. The season will begin with a unique series of chamber concerts beginning this October. Each performance will take place at Hilldale Lutheran Church. We do have precautions in place in order to keep our audiences and musicians safe, which enables us to welcome 50 people per one-hour concert. Concerts will be held biweekly on Thursday and Friday evenings beginning October 8 and 9 and ending November 19 and 20. There are two separate concerts per night, one at 6:30 pm and one at 8:30 pm, with

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the same program repeated the following night in reverse order to give audience members the chance to choose an earlier or later performance time. The repertoire for Season 59.5 will be an interesting and eclectic selection including Antonin Dvorak’s String Quintet No. 2, Mozart’s Oboe Quartet, Debussy’s String Quartet, and Stravinsky’s L’Histoire du soldat (The Soldier’s Tale). As the season progresses, and guidelines allow, both the ensembles and the music will expand in size and scope with the hope that all of the TBSO musicians can perform on the same stage for you again soon. Updated concert schedules going beyond the end of November will be announced in the next few months. In addition to live concerts, select performances will be streamed

and made available online, enabling you to enjoy the music from the comfort of your own home and stay connected to the TBSO musicians, music director Paul Haas, and RBC resident conductor Maria Fuller. The health and safety of our audience, musicians, and staff is of utmost importance to us. Rest assured that strict safety guidelines will be followed during each performance. This includes social distancing, wearing masks or face coverings, increased hand sanitization,

and thorough cleaning and disinfecting of the venue between performances. We remain committed to sharing with you the music that you love and providing our audience with the culture, talent, and entertainment they have come to expect from the TBSO over the past 60 years. We are smiling ear to ear behind the masks—we are so happy to be back! For more information or to purchase tickets visit our website tbso.ca or call 626-TBSO (8276).

Paul Haas, music director, Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra

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OfftheWall

Sad Hunk

REVIEWS

Fixtape

Bahamas

Popcaan

Sad Hunk is the fifth album from Afie Jurvanen (yes, he’s a Finn... from Barrie). But Bahamas is not really sad, just self-aware and honest—this is a guy who wears his heart on his sleeve. Fans won’t find any surprises here, with the possible exception of “Own Alone,” a peppy little ditty in which he sings, “Too broke to feel so wealthy/ Too young to feel unhealthy/Too old to understand the selfie/Too far gone for you to help me.” It’s a commentary on our attachment to smartphones. Bahamas’ signature sound is low-fi and mellow, which is perhaps fitting for a 2020 release. His velvety-smooth vocals are once again paired with Felicity Williams’ sweet backing vocals, his guitarplaying is funky yet restrained, and the production is unmistakably stripped down and simple. Bahamas’ lyrics are relatable and witty as he shares the trials and triumphs that come with raising a family. This is a carefully crafted and solid album. Sometimes a little predictability goes a long way.

Among other upheavals, the pandemic has squashed the festivals, pool parties, and cookouts that great summer music would comfortably enhance. Jamaican DJ Popcaan has produced some of the past decade’s best music for those scenarios, but Fixtape takes it a step further. It’s his warmest, most accessible, and strongest offering to date. It was released on Drake’s October’s Very Own record label, and the mega-star comes through with the catchiest hook on an album full of them. “Twist & Turn” is an all-OVO effort that has translated into Popcaan’s highest charting single. It’s no coincidence that the DJ’s new musical palette is his most popular. Across the board, the mixtape is rich with similar strengths: warm instrumentation, strong melodies, and Popcaan’s unmistakable ability to ride over any rhythm. Whether it’s the dusky dancehall atmosphere of “Fresh Polo” or the breezy opener “Chill,” Popcaan saves something for every kind of listener. Save for the drag of the final 15 minutes or so, this was the mixtape destined for the summer than never happened. We’ll just have to use our imagination.

- Michelle McChristie

- Michael Charlebois

The Gleam III

Avett Brothers Brothers Seth and Scott Avett grew up in a musical family in North Carolina and have played music together since childhood. Their band has become a darling of the indie-folk scene and played soldout concerts before COVID-19 hit. When not touring with the band, the brothers have recorded three albums as a duo. The Gleam III is their latest release. It’s an acoustic album featuring eight original songs. There are some great harmonies here and both brothers are gifted guitar players. There is a gentleness and heartwarming appeal to the songs on The Gleam III. The importance of family ties during hard times, the love of friends, and getting by with very little are a few of the themes expressed here, and the production is clean and uncluttered, with the vocals on top. Favourite songs include “Victory,” featuring great southern-accented harmonies, and a wonderful love song to a partner called “Women Like You.” If you're in need of some gentle inspiration in your life these days, then The Gleam III may be just what you need. - Gerald Graham

Abyss

Unleash the Archers Unleash the Archers are going in the opposite direction of their landmark 2017 album Apex—but only conceptually, thank Crom. A continuation of Apex’s narrative of an epic battle between good and evil, Abyss takes the grounded fantasy of the previous album and launches it into hyperbolic space. This is still some nerdy subject matter (never a bad thing, in my opinion) but what about the music? Never fear, as the Vancouverbased power metal band is still operating at the peak of its diverse powers. There’s the band’s triumphant, death-tinged power metal that combines galloping rhythms and a high percentage of shred, but UtA also finds balance with elements of hard rock, prog, and even ballads. While lesser power metal bands using the same elements come off as cheesy—a sin punishable by disregard in the metal community—UtA have transcended their genre label, and Abyss will only reinforce that approval. Witness a song like “Faster Than Light”: it’s crazy-fast thrash that is injected with power metal’s bombast, at least until the back half when UtA lock into an elemental breakdown with just the right amount of shredding over top, all wrapped up with Brittney Slayes’ incredible soaring vocals. It’s heavy and exhilarating without being overwhelming. Abyss shows that UtA are interested in keeping the party going that they started a decade ago, and we’re all invited. - Justin Allec

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City of Our Lives Peter Katz

Peter Katz basically came out of the starting gates holding a championship trophy. In 2015, his album We are the Reckoning was hailed as the pinnacle of songwriting by pretty much everyone in the Canadian music scene. Now, after a long wait, 2020 finally gives Katz fans something positive to look forward to as his next album, City of Our Lives, has been slated for release at the end of October. Twenty years ago, I would never have given an album like this a chance, just because of what type of music it is (genredefying folk), but now I can sit back and appreciate the ability and talent that it showcases. The lyrics and the stories they tell are compelling and touching, the music supports them, and together they take you exactly where Katz wants you to go. “Come Down” is one of a few tracks that tapped into something for me and “Book of Truths” makes me want to know more of the story, but every song is well-crafted, well-thought out, and well worth a listen. - Jamie Varga

Beautiful Stories from Anonymous People Chris Gethard

With an open phone line, one hour, and one anonymous caller, this incredible podcast delivers shocking confessions, delicate discussions, and plenty of “aha” moments. With a comedic background and a smooth, assuring voice, the host is perfect for the task at hand. From stalkers to sex workers, Syrian refugees to special-ed teachers, Chris Gethard consistently and compassionately connects the listener to the importance of humanity. While gaining an inside view into so many different perspectives, I often found myself strangely developing connections with some of the callers, as though I had known them in a different life. Beautiful Stories from Anonymous People is off-the-cuff, comforting, and definitely no phoney bologna! Every episode is truly like a box of chocolates: you never know what you’re gonna get.

Luce (2019)

Julius Onah

Luce is a seven-year-old child soldier rescued from Eretria, adopted and raised by middleclass white parents. Under mom (Naomi Watts) and dad (Tim Roth)’s guidance, Luce excels in school and becomes a model student. Then, in his senior high school year, he submits a controversial paper to his history teacher (Octavia Spencer), and doubt enters the narrative about who Luce really is. Overlooked when it was released last summer, Luce is a timely analysis of identity, family, and falsehoods in our era of Black Lives Matter. The cast is very strong but Kelvin Harrison Jr., who plays Luce, is outstanding. The movie is directed by Julius Onah from a script co-written with J.C. Lee and is based on Lee’s original stage play. - Michael Sobota

The Huntress Kate Quinn

What do an English ex-war correspondent, a Night Witch from the Soviet all-female bomber squadron, and a 17-year-old shutterbug have in common? Their lives have all been touched by The Huntress, the elusive Nazi murderess who disappeared after the war. Kate Quinn spins a fantastic story, deftly weaving in historical facts from the war amongst her characters’ stories. I particularly loved Nina, the Soviet navigator and pilot; she’s spunky and the perfect complement to staid Englishman Ian (and while she is fictional, many of her exploits actually happened to the reallife Night Witches!) The plot is riveting, and even though you know who The Huntress is, it doesn’t matter; the fun of the story is wondering if she’s going to slip up, or somehow manage to get away. As the three storylines converged, I honestly couldn’t put this down. - Shauna Kosoris

- Andrea Lysenko

Walbaum

le ab tal n o i gi iss di m nd ices m a Co al serv u vis art

The Walleye

Architecture

St. Paul’s Anglican Church Story by Nicholas Duplessis, Photos by Aelin Foster

St. Paul's Anglican Church was designed in the English Gothic style

t. Paul’s Anglican Church, located at 808 Ridgeway Street East, has remained an architectural, social, and spiritual staple in Fort William, and now Thunder Bay, for the past 112 years. The origins of the church can be found in a motion to build that was presented at a Fort William town hall meeting on April 25, 1906, and just over one year later, on July 29, 1907, the cornerstone was laid by the Right Reverend George Thorneloe. Constructed to respond to the growing population of Fort William during the town’s early development, the church’s first service

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was held on March 9, 1908. Architect R.E. Mason designed St. Paul’s Anglican Church in the English Gothic style. Three external architectural features stand out about the structure: the red brick exterior, the large stainedglass windows, and the protruding clock tower. The bricks used in the construction of the church were extracted from a local brickyard, complemented by the 15 large stained-glass windows that reflect the structure’s Gothic style. The four-sided tower clock was installed in 1959.

Architecture One of the predominant internal features of St. Paul’s Anglican Church is 10 church bells weighing a total of 7,200 pounds that are played manually at each service. The original Karn organ could not be repaired and was recently replaced with a digital organ (although the nearly 1,000 pipes remain). The carved wooden organ was repurposed as a one-ofa-kind coffee and tea station in the parish hall. The church underwent some changes in celebration of its 100year anniversary in 2008, including removing pews in the east chancel to make a small chapel for more intimate services like weddings and baptisms. An 11-circuit prayer labyrinth was also installed in the church’s side gardens. The labyrinth is modelled after the Chartres Cathedral in France. The gardens and outdoor labyrinth are open access and the public is encouraged to make use of the space. Another recent change is an Indigenous sacred circle in the west chancel. Throughout the past 112 years, St. Paul’s Anglican Church and its parishioners have played an important role in the social fabric of our community. To this day, St. Paul’s continues to play an active role in community life. Regular church services were disrupted at the onset of the current global pandemic, but over the past six months, the church has adapted to the challenges imposed by COVID-19 by introducing live-streaming equipment to remotely deliver services. The church also operates an outdoor blessing

Pipes from the original Karn organ, which was recently replaced with a digital organ

St. Paul's Anglican held its first service on March 9, 1908 box, which is filled twice daily and open for anyone in need to take food and personal supplies. The architecture of St. Paul’s Anglican Church is a Thunder Bay marvel. The church continues to build off its foundation, both architecturally and spiritually, to guide their path forward, while still acknowledging the need to reinvent itself as needed to respond to the daily needs of its parishioners and our community. You can learn more at stpaulsanglicanchurch.ca and visit their YouTube channel and Facebook page.

A Giant Hearts Blessing Box on the church's property. Donated food and other necessities are left here for people in need

 The prayer labyrinth, which can be used by anyone

The Walleye

OctoberEventsGuide October 1–3

Lakehead University Virtual Homecoming Weekend Virtual

The Alumni Association of Lakehead University is thrilled to host alumni, family, and friends during the alumni homecoming weekend. However, due to the ongoing global health situation, Lakehead University’s 2020 alumni homecoming will take place virtually. You can join in the festivities to be held from October 1–3, 2020. Details are forthcoming, so check the website regularly for updates.

lakeheadu.ca/homecoming

October 1–3 & 6–10, noon–6 pm

Grand Opening & 20/20 Future Vision Inaugural Art Exhibition

Definitely Superior Art Gallery

DefSup has re-opened in their completely new repurposed, renovated, and expanded gallery facility within the Cumberland Cinema 5 theatre/warehouse complex, which debuted in August with a lively Grand Opening weekend event series. You can now enjoy visiting the gallery during regular visiting hours, Tuesday to Saturday from noon to 6 pm. Stop by at your leisure to tour the new gallery space and see the inaugural art exhibition 20/20 Future Vision, a multidisciplinary fusion of 40-plus regional, national, and international artists. The event is part of Culture Days 2020. Admission by donation, all ages welcome, accessible.

definitelysuperior.com

EVENTS GUIDE KEY

food scene. During the month-long festival, participating restaurants offer prix fixe menus using local ingredients. visithunderbay.com

October 1–31

Digital Doors Open Thunder Bay Various Locations

One city. 50 years. Explore some of Thunder Bay’s most unique structures and heritage sites as we celebrate the amalgamation of Fort William and Port Arthur. Learn about our history, culture, and community initiatives through images and videos that will engage people of all ages.

doorsopenontario.on.ca/en/ thunder-bay October 3, 10

ccftb.ca

October 4, 11 am–3 pm

Underwater Pumpkin Carve Silver Harbour Docks

Looking for a new challenge to test your underwater skills? Carve a pumpkin underwater and show off your creativity with this event hosted by Thunder Country Diving. If you don’t already have your own cold water gear rentals, they will be 50% off for everyone participating. $25 entry fee.

thundercountrydiving.net

October 8, 9, 22, & 23, 6:30 pm & 8:30 pm

Sawdust Run

TBSO’s Chamber Concert Series

Lappe’s annual Sawdust Run is held on the challenging trails of Lappe Nordi Ski Centre and includes distances for all ages. They’re pleased to be able to host this annual tradition, but this year, in order to keep within a maximum group gathering of 100 people there will be two separate runs, with the junior (under 12) run on October 3 and the senior run on October 10.

The TBSO’s Season 59.5 kicks off with a unique series of concerts beginning on October 8. They will be offering two one-hour shows a night (one at 6:30 pm and another at 8:30 pm) featuring selections ranging from Mozart and Bach to Stravinsky and Poulenc. Seating is limited to 50 spots. See this month’s Music section for more info.

Lappe Nordic Ski Centre

lappenordic.ca

Thunder Grinder

tbso.ca

Mon cirque à moi

The Stanley Hotel

With support from the Black Sheep Mountain Bike Club, the Thunder Bay Cycling Club is happy to announce that the 2020 Thunder Grinder will take place on October 3. Three distances are planned: 40 km, 80 km, and 120 km.

tbaycc.ca

October 4, 4–5:30 pm

Various locations

Sitting at the piano, Andy StLouis delivers her Journal d’un petit bout de femme. Rhythmic songs, a theatrical approach, and self-mockery make her a unique performer. A bit of a storyteller, Andy also juggles various musical styles such as pop, jazz, cabaret, and balladry, and when she leaves the

Northern Delights Fall Andy St-Louis Harvest Courthouse Hotel

Hilldale Lutheran Church

October 10 (rain date: October 16)

October 3, 8:30 am–3 pm

October 1–31

Established in 2015 by local restaurateurs, this event is now in its fifth year and is now being led by Tourism Thunder Bay. It offers the perfect opportunity for patrons to discover delicious cuisine and celebrate the local restaurant and

stage, it will feel like you’ve met a new friend.

Interstellar Outdoor Cinema

General Food Art Sports Music

and its industrial transformation in Canada. Tom Thomson’s The Drive (1916–1917) is considered one of his most significant paintings.

theag.ca

Until October 12

26th Annual Pumpkin Fest Gammondale Farms

Try out Canada’s largest pumpkin catapult, ride the pumpkin train, and visit the BOO barn at Gammondale Farm’s yearly tradition. See this month’s Top Five for more info.

gammondalefarm.com

October 15–18

Terror in the Bay

Interstellar Outdoor Cinema/ Maple Tops Paramount

This year’s Terror in the Bay Film Festival has an amazing roster of horror, thriller, and mystery films from around the world. Please note: due to the pandemic, only the one-day screening on the 17th at Interstellar Outdoor Cinema may happen and the remaining three nights at Maple Tops Paramount may be postponed. See this month’s Top Five for more info.

terrorinthebay.com

October 17

Best of Live at the Bedrock Festival Virtual

Until October 25

Thunder Bay Virtual Visual Art Fair Virtual

The Community Arts & Heritage Education Project, Painted Turtle Art Shop, and Thunder Bay Creates are presenting the first-ever Thunder Bay Virtual Visual Art Fair as part of Culture Days 2020. See this month’s Top Five for more info.

paintedturtleart.com

October 28, 8 pm–10 pm

Quiz Night

Red Lion Smokehouse

The last Wednesday of every month is Quiz Night at Red Lion Smokehouse. Form teams of up to six players. Cost is $2 per person, with a $20 per person minimum spend. Booking is recommended, as there are limited tables.

redlionsmokehouse.ca

October 31, noon

DaVinci Trick or Treat DaVinci Centre

Trick or treating will be a little different this year, so the DaVinci Centre is offering you a chance to get dressed up and come down to this free, open-to-the-public event. Kids can take a walk down the pumpkin path and collect treats and take-home activities at over 30 decorated table stations brought to you by local businesses and families. Safety rules will be in place.

Join Interstellar Outdoor Cinema in collaboration with Centre francophone, Club culturel francophone and Conseil scolaire de district catholique des Aurores boréales to bring you Mon cirque à moi. The screening is October 10 with a rain date of October 16, and starts at 7:30 pm at 18 Cloud Lake Road. Ages 9+, comedy movie in French with English subtitles.

The Sleeping Giant Folk Music Society has put together some footage from this summer’s Live at the Bedrock Festival for a special livestream concert. See this month’s Top Five for more info.

facebook.com/Da-Vinci-Centre

facebook.com/SGFMS

centrefranco.ca or interstellarcinema.ca

Moose Hall Thunder Bay

Waabooz/Rabbit takes a deeper look at the rabbit, and how it has been seen, spoken of, used, and reproduced through art and craft. All of the rabbits in this exhibition have received some kind of human attention. See this month’s Art section for more info.

Until October 11

The Drive

Thunder Bay Art Gallery

This exhibit highlights the complexity of the representation of landscape— particularly as it relates to the land

October 24, noon–3 pm

Mother’s Market at the Moose Come out to the Mother’s Market at the Moose Hall. There will be 60 tables full of great shopping. Tables will be selling gently used children’s clothes, toys, baby items, and more. 627-4400

Until December 31

Wabooz/Rabbit

Thunder Bay Art Gallery

theag.ca

Cracked screen? We’ll fix it. Now offering quick and affordable mobile repairs

Visit the Tbaytel Store 959 Fort William Road (Thunder Centre) Or call (807) 684-2069 - Option 5 tbaytel.net/repairs

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LU RADIO’S MONTHLY TOP October Show Spotlight:

Top 20 1

L.A. Witch Play With Fire Suicide Squeeze

14 The Doggett Experience* The William EP Nomadic Massive Productions 15 Waahli* Soap Opera Urbnet 16 Jerry Cook Quartet* Walk In The Park Cellar 17 Lil Omar* Toddler Country Self-Released

The Sonic Blender

Hosted by Greg Mahood Thursdays from 8–10 pm As The Sonic Blender starts its 16th year on the air in Thunder Bay, it remains one of the longest running shows on CILU Radio. Join host Greg Mahood to hear a wide variety of new music by artists from across Canada and around the world. Ever wonder what post-punk from Portugal sounds like? How about psychedelic-folk from Israel? Or the best emerging artists from anywhere from St. John’s to Whitehorse and beyond— the weekly New Music Break segment is where you’ll find it. Tune in each week and hopefully you’ll hear your new favourite thing. Song of the Moment: The Juniper Berries - “A Tap On the Shoulder”

Music

Knifey Sleepwalker Culvert Music

18 Anzola* Caracas Urbnet

Death Wheelers* Divine Filth RidingEasy

19 Whitney Rose* We Still Go to Rodeos MCG

Lunar Gateway Temporal Silent Bell

20 Cartwrights* Cartwrights Self-Released

Colter Wall* Western Swing & Waltzes and Other Punchy Songs Thirty Tigers

Electronic

Bright Eyes Down In The Weeds, Where The World Once as Dead Oceans Mall Dive Music for People to Listen To Self-Released Matt Mays* Dog City Sonic Mother Sun* SIPS Earth Libraries

10 Crack Cloud* Pain Olympics Self-Released 11 Gum Country* Somewhere Kingfisher Bluez 12 The Jerry Cans* Echos Aakuluk 13 Protomartyr Ultimate Success Today Domino

Tobacco Hot Wet & Sassy Ghostly International

Ghost Suns Horizon Fierce Panda

Manifest Sons Rich Idiot Condos Self-Released

Run the Jewels RTJ4 Jewel Runners

Bill Noir* L’astronaute Self-Released

Len Bowen* Flow Nostalgic EP Fourth Quarter

Dragon Fli Empire* Banff Avenue Makebelieve

Dead Quiet* Truth and Ruin Artoffact

Desgraciados* DES II Self-Released

Ai Aso The Faintest Hint Ideologic Organ

Alvaro Rojas* Gran Kasa Self-Released

No More Moments* Mill Grove High Transistor 66

Toots and the Maytals Got to Be Tough Trojan Jamaica/BMG

VORACIOUS SCOURGE In Death Massacre

Bebel Gilberto Agora PIAS

Entropy* Force Convergence Self-Released

Nihiloxica Kaloli Crammed Discs

Folk•Roots•Blues 1

Scott Cook* Tangle of Souls Self-Released

Le Ren* Morning & Meloncholia Royal Mountain

Dan Bern Ivan’s Barber Shop Kababa

Stephen Malkmus Traditional Techniques Matador

Jayme Stone* AWake Self-Released

Jazz

Anzola* Caracas Urbnet

Trio Linguae* Signals Origin

Astrocolor* Hue eOne Music (E1)

Modosaurus* 4K Self-Released

Josh Johnson Freedom Exercise Northern Spy

Mark Egan & Danny Gottlieb Electric Blue Wavetone

Bobby Watson Keepin’ it Real Smoke Sessions

Waahli* Soap Opera Nomadic Massive Productions

Loud

International

Hip Hop 1

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 102.7 FM—online streaming at luradio.ca.

* Indicates Canadian Content

The Walleye

Health

The Screen for Life Coach (pictured above at Fort William First Nation) has been a large part of the success of the Ontario Breast Screening Program in Northwestern Ontario.

Celebrating 30 Years of the Ontario Breast Screening Program By Vanessa Masters, Health Promotion and Communications Planner, Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre

ince the beginning of the Ontario Breast Screening Program (OBSP) in 1990 up until 2019, more than 9.1 million mammograms were performed on about 2.2 million women. That is a lot of appointments to “squeeze” in. The OBSP is the provincially organized breast cancer screening program for average-risk women aged 50–74. Breast screening is done with a mammogram every two years. The High Risk OBSP is for women aged 30–69 who meet the eligibility criteria. Over the past 30 years, there has been a significant decrease in the breast cancer mortality rate among women due to increased breast screening and improved treatments. In Canada, the five-year net survival rate for breast cancer is 88%, meaning 88% of women diagnosed with breast cancer will survive for at least five years after their diagnosis. Cancers that are detected early, before they have spread to other

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parts of the body, are more curable. Screening helps detect cancers at earlier stages when they are usually more treatable, which helps save lives. “It is both satisfying and inspiring to see women who have been treated successfully, have bravely survived cancer, and are back to living healthy and fulfilling lives,” says Dr. Nishigandha Burute, a radiologist and the regional breast imaging lead at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre. “Along with seeing the increased survival rate, one of the most enjoyable parts of my job is working with an exceptional team of individuals, including skilled and dedicated technologists, physicians, and navigators who go above their call of duty to make the patient experience as comfortable as possible.” Improving the patient experience also means making cancer screening more accessible, which has its challenges in Northwestern Ontario. One of the biggest assets

for the OBSP in the region is the Screen for Life coach, which travels to over 75 communities from White River to the Manitoba border. Community members have been able to access the coach for breast cancer screening for decades but more recently are also able to utilize it for other cancer screening services, including cervical cancer screening and colon cancer screening, since 2013. The Screen for Life coach makes cancer screening easy and accessible for patients and families across the large geographical area of our region. In 2019, the coach provided access to 26 Indigenous communities, with an additional five fly-in communities accessing its services. This year, the coach has a limited travel schedule due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but is out in the region into November, after which it will be parked in Thunder Bay. For more information about the Screen for Life coach, visit tbrhsc.

net/screenforlife. In addition to the coach, there are a number of stationary OBSP sites where women can get screened for breast cancer without a referral, including: • Fort Frances (807) 274-4808 • Kenora (807) 684-7777 • Sioux Lookout (807) 737-6579 • Thunder Bay , Thunder Bay Diagnostics (807) 683-4411 • Linda Buchan Centre at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (807) 684-7777 These sites have helped contribute to the 30-year success of the Ontario Breast Screening Program and will continue to make cancer screening accessible for women in Northwestern Ontario. If you or someone you know has received a letter telling them they are due for cancer screening, be sure to call and book your appointment today.

Health

Remembering Loved Ones Out of the Darkness Memorial Walk Postponed Until 2021 By Sara Sadeghi Aval

The 2018 Out of the Darkness Memorial Walk

Cheryl Henderson created this image in honour of her son, Chris

hen Cheryl Henderson lost her son, Chris, to suicide on June 22, 2013, she says she felt unsure and lost in her journey after the tragedy. Her grief eventually led her to a community that supports people affected by mental illness, and honours those lost to suicide in Thunder Bay. The Out of the Darkness Memorial Walk is an annual event hosted in

the city to remember loved ones. The COVID-19 pandemic affected the planning for this year’s event, leading to its cancellation. Had it gone ahead, it would have been the 10th year for the beloved event; Henderson has walked for six consecutive years. When asked what she believes the walk represents, Henderson states proudly that “it is one walk for everybody, not just my own son. One out of five people are affected by mental health concerns. It’s about all of the community members we have also lost. It is a space of no judgement or questions. You do not have to explain your grief. We all know what losing someone is like.” Her voice is resolute, and it is obvious that Henderson had found a home in this family and that her hope is to help other grieving mothers, fathers, partners, and siblings find their way back to a place of hope and light.

Every year, the monarch butterfly adorns the posters of the event. Henderson explains that the butterfly is the perfect symbol for this cause. Just as a butterfly must pass through various stages in order to emerge, so does the individual move through stages of grief. Names of loved ones are written on butterfly wings and placed on a memorial wall for the walkers and their families. A candlelight vigil represents those not with us, and the light of new hope. This year, Henderson has been running the lead on the project as the organization takes on new leadership. The walk is free to attend every year, with a raffle that features locally donated prizes. Refreshments are provided and speakers from St. Joseph’s Care Group offer guidance on topics of mental health, depression, suicide, and grief management. Next year’s planned event will include all of this and more, Henderson says, as it will combine

the 10th and 11th annual walks; she is optimistic that it will make for an even bigger turnout. Wrapped in emotion, Henderson says that she feels “wonderful after honouring loved ones every year.” She savours the “feeling of being a part of a whole, and the reminder that we are not alone in this struggle.” She encourages anyone affected by suicide to attend next year’s event. Although there is no official date set for next year’s walk, Henderson says she hopes to return the event in October 2021. There is help if you are contemplating suicide or know someone who is. Resources are available online at crisisservicescanada.ca. Locally, there is information and resources at tbrhsc.net. You can also connect to the national suicide prevention helpline at 1 (833) 456-4566, or the Kids Help Phone at 1 (800) 668-6868.

The Walleye

Green

An Awesome Responsibility By Kelsey Agnew, Customer Support, EcoSuperior

o you have a personal mantra? An ethical compass that guides your decisions and actions? Perhaps you’ve been taught to “treat others the way you would like to be treated” or “always tell the truth.” What about teachings regarding your relationship to the Earth? What if “treat others the way you would like to be treated” instinctively included other-than-human life too? What if everyone really did tell the truth about the impact industrial activities—and therefore, our personal lifestyles—have on the environment? Would 2020 have turned out the same? At EcoSuperior, our mission is building a healthy future for people and the planet. Through education, programming, and partnerships, we work to support individuals and businesses to make choices that will co-create the healthy future we want to experience. At times it feels like everyone around me is on the same mission as EcoSuperior—from simple acts of unprompted littler pickups to the dedication to sustainability in the workplace. On the other hand, I hear about the staggering increase of garbage at Sleeping Giant and Neys Provincial Parks, not to mention the devastating impacts this pandemic is having on the health of

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people and the planet, especially the most vulnerable. The latter can easily deflate ambitions behind the mantras and missions. Recently, I listened to the following words in an Extinction Rebellion podcast with Jeremy Lent, and it nudged me back towards inspiration. He says, “What is going on around us is not separate from us. This is not a spectator sport. It’s not like we’re sort of in the stands watching the game and saying ‘Who’s going to win? The good guys or the bad guys?’ Actually, we are playing this sport along with everyone else. This is not a game; this is real life, and we’re all part of it. So the future is what each of us is actually co-creating with every decision, every choice, every word, every act that we take. And once we realize that, it gives us the sense of awesome responsibility because we realize it actually matters on the smallest level.” We’ve all got an awesome responsibility to build a healthy future. Join EcoSuperior for the popular and much-awaited Spring into Fall Clean Up campaign happening this October (this year’s postponed Spring Up to Clean Up). Clean-up kits will be available from the EcoSuperior office in the month of October. Do a cleanup in your neighbourhood with your

social bubble group or take part in a 20-minute makeover with your workplace on Wednesday, October 7. Also in October, join in the celebration of Waste Reduction Week from October 19 to 25. Spring into Fall and Waste Reduction Week activities are funded by the City of Thunder Bay and delivered by EcoSuperior. For more information and for details on how to get involved visit ecosuperior.org, or follow us on Instagram and/or Facebook. And thanks for your awesome acts of responsibility.

“At our school, there is

something for everyone” You belong here The Walleye 101

TheWall

Getting off the Merry-Go-Round

for the contracting out of conservatory services, it costs $55,000 annually to produce flowers for use across this city. Contracting out the growing of plants has been estimated at well over $80,000, with an additional $100,000 to rent a “holding greenhouse” for the plants for two months. Financially, this makes no sense. According to the Canadian Garden Council, garden tourism is a significant and growing part of the tourism industry; Tourism Thunder Bay must be instructed to aggressively advertise and promote the conservatory, as per the city’s strategic plan. The garden council, along with Vancouver’s Bloedel Conservatory and their friends have offered their expertise and support to address our conservatory’s issues. Yet, in discussion with the garden council and Bloedel Conservatory, it has become apparent that the City

has made no effort to avail themselves of this wealth of knowledge and experience. It seems a shame that their offers have fallen on deaf ears. The Friends of the Thunder Bay Conservatory needs volunteers, and there needs to be the development of an advisory board that would oversee fundraising efforts for the upgrading of the Centennial Botanical Conservatory, much like the Thunder Bay Art Gallery. We encourage everyone to watch the documentary A Promise Unfulfilled: The Thunder Bay Conservatory by Torin Gunnell. It is highly informative. In the meantime, the city needs to adopt plans for the rebuilding of the conservatory’s growing greenhouses and upgrades to the conservatory proper. Let’s get off this budgetary merrygo-round and finally make a commitment to doing what’s right. Let’s live up to “Superior by Nature.”

Locally made skin care products available at the Market!

he definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result. Once again, Thunder Bay finds itself in the perpetual debate about the future of the Centennial Botanical Conservatory. While the city announced its reopening last month, the facility remains in the crosshairs for closure, as recommended by the Grant Thornton report for the City’s program and service review. In reviewing the Grant Thornton report, $2.5 to $3 million is needed for upgrades to the conservatory, but it makes no mention of any savings that would be gained by those upgrades. The consultants did not

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DATOR AN

Editorial by Kathleen Ott, Photo by Teresa Kelly

M A KS S

speak to anyone at the conservatory itself—neither the supervisor nor the curator who handles the budgets and operational expenses. However, based on a recent energy audit, upgrades to the environmental systems could realize in excess of at least $90,000 in annual savings on energy and other operational costs. Once these upgrades are completed, we then could look at ways to recoup costs and become revenue-generating. We could see the cactus room and the display wing reopened, creating an ability to rent them for events like weddings, seminars, and teaching experiences, potentially netting the city $140 per hour. For those that advocate

Thunder Bay Country Market We Make It, Bake It, Grow It

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Open Year Round on Wednesday 3:30-6:30pm & Saturday 8:00am-1:00pm

CLE Grounds - Dove Building Northern & May Street tbcm.ca @tbaymarket