September 2024

Speed dominance

Editor-in-chief

Adrian Lysenko

Editorial Assistant

Abigial Heron

Senior Editor

Tiffany Jarva

Copy Editors

Amy Jones, Bonnie Schiedel

Creative Director

Sidney Ulakovic

Marketing & Sales Director

Alaina Linklater alaina@thewalleye.ca

Photographers

Jack Barten

Anna Buske

Ryan Hill

Chad Kirvan

Dave Koski

Shannon Lepere

Sarah McPherson

Lois Nuttall

Laura Paxton

Sidney Ulakovic

Art Directors

Steve Coghill, R.G.D.

Dave Koski, R.G.D.

Miranda van den Berg production@thewalleye.ca

Ad Designers

Dave Koski

Cory Schick

Miranda van den Berg

The Walleye is a free monthly publication distributed on racks throughout Thunder Bay and region. Reproduction of any article, photograph or artwork without written permission is strictly forbidden. Views expressed herein are those of the author exclusively.

Copyright © 2024 by Walleye Media Inc.

All Rights Reserved.

Editorial and Advertising: Submissions must be accompanied by a selfaddressed, stamped envelope. Walleye Media Inc. cannot be held responsible for unsolicited material.

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Live, Laugh, Cheese From Our Instagram Feed

I’ve never met a cheese I didn’t like. When it comes to cheese, I have no type: strong, old, smoky, nutty, smooth, rich, soft—I’ll even take the stinky ones. While delicious just on its own, there are few dishes that can’t be elevated by the addition of cheese. How else are you getting a toddler to eat Brussels sprouts? It’s a simple fact that life is better with cheese, so it goes without saying that there usually isn’t a day where I don’t indulge. It was during one of my frequent wine and cheese nights with my family that the idea for this issue materialized. Seriously, I just can’t get enough of it.

For the September issue, we’re exploring all things cheesy as we try 12 of Thunder Bay’s cheesiest dishes, from fried curds to queso and everything in between. Also in this month’s cover story, I head to The Cheese Encounter to talk 10 years of artisanal cheese, Kat Lyzun visits Thunder Oak Cheese Farm, and Jack Barten curates an

Featured Contributor In Error

On page 20 of the July issue, the measurement of cornstarch to make the cake in the English Summer Berry Trifle recipe was missing. The recipe requires four tablespoons of cornstarch.

On page 93 of the August issue, the admission fee for Summer in the Parking Lot ft. The Thirsty Monks, Kaminari Won Taiko Drummers, and Five Alarm Funk on August 15 was incorrect. This iteration of the weekly concerts was a premium event, and the fees were $20 in advance and $30 at the gate on the day of the show.

all-local charcuterie board for your next dinner party.

In keeping with the theme of our cover story, sommelier and pommelier Jeannie Dubois offers some suggestions for wine and cheese pairings, Michael Sobota adds four cheesy films to your watch list, and Gord Ellis introduces us to some of the cheesiest songs from the 70s. Cheese aside, Courtney Turner takes us back to school with a look through the history of the building that houses St. James School, Kelsey Raynard explores Stuff We Like for Orange Shirt Day, and Kris Ketonen gets us ready for Wake the Giant later this month.

In the words of philosopher Gilbert K. Chesterton, “Poets have been mysteriously silent on the subject of cheese.” Perhaps the bounds of language hinder us from accurately conveying all that we as a civilization feel about cheese, but we’re giving it our best shot.

-Sidney Ulakovic

On

the Cover

Born and raised in Thunder Bay, Anna Buske is a registered nurse and clinical informatics specialist at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, a part-time photographer, and an accredited member of the Professional Photographers of Canada. Anna enjoys the outdoors and finds peace and serenity in the surroundings of Northwestern Ontario. You can almost always find her with a camera ready in case something catches her eye, with motorsports, landscape, live events, and wildlife being her favourite subjects to seek out and chronicle through photographs. Find her work on page 11 and 16 of this issue.

Giorg Cucina é Barra's Burrata Plate

Photo by Shannon Lepere

Anna Buske

Karen Forbes

Indigenous Author Series:

Thursday, October 10, 6:00PM Brodie Resource Library

Niigaan Sinclair is one of Canada’s most influential thinkers on Indigenous cultures and reconciliation and will be reading from his National Bestseller.

This free event requires registration: tbpl.ca/online-calendar

The Cult 1

September 10

Thunder Bay Community Auditorium

English rock band The Cult is celebrating 40 years together with their 8424 tour. With timeless hits like “She Sells Sanctuary” and “Fire Woman,” The Cult has been a cornerstone of the post-punk, hard rock scene since the 80s. Most recently, The Cult released Under the Midnight Sun in 2022 to critical acclaim, proving that even with 11 studio albums under their belt, the band still has much more to say. The concert starts at 7:30 pm and standard tickets are $75 each plus taxes and fees, or you can grab the VIP package (with early entry and front row seats) for $350–450 each. Tickets are available via Ticketmaster on the Thunder Bay Community Auditorium website (please note ticket prices are subject to change via Ticketmaster). tbca.com

Wake the Giant 2

September 14

Prince Arthur’s Landing/ Thunder Bay Waterfront

What do you get when you cross a cultural awareness project, a renowned music festival, and the largest student orientation in Canada? An event large enough to Wake the Giant! This year’s Wake the Giant music festival is bigger and better than ever, boasting headliners like Arkells, Galantis, and Walk off the Earth. Wake the Giant 2024 will also feature a full-circle moment as Thunder Bay’s own Coleman Hell returns to the stage for the first time since headlining the first ever festival in 2019. In addition to amazing music, festival-goers can also enjoy cultural performances, workshops, Indigenous artisans, a live art installation, local food vendors, and more. Festival gates open at 11 am; general admission tickets are $157.50, VIP tickets are $189, and children 12 and under are free (just make sure to reserve them a ticket at checkout). wakethegiant.ca

4

TBSO at ThunderCon: The Music of John Williams

September 21 & 22

The Coliseum

What do Jaws, Star Wars, E.T., Indiana Jones, and Harry Potter all have in common?

Besides being some of the most successful blockbusters ever released, they have all been scored by critically acclaimed composer and conductor John Williams. Collaborating with legendary directors like Steven Spielberg and George Lucas, Williams has composed some of the most recognizable and celebrated music scores over the span of almost seven decades. Now, you can enjoy this music live as the Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra will perform a variety of Williams’s most famous works at this year’s ThunderCon. You can catch TBSO’s show-stopping performance on the main stage on both September 21 and 22 in the Coliseum; ThunderCon tickets (which get you entry to the concert) are $25 in advance and $30 at the door. thundercon.org

3

Culture Days

September 20–October 13

Various Locations

Join the nationwide celebration of diverse arts and culture in Canada at this year’s Culture Days. From September 20 to October 13, you can experience dozens of free (or pay-what-youcan) interactive activities, cultural performances, and art demonstrations at locations around town. This year’s Culture Days kicks off with Arts & Culture Under the Lights on September 20 from 6–9 pm at Marina Park, with performance and literary stages, a community group expo, market street performers, an outdoor food court, and more. Other exciting events during Culture Days include a scavenger hunt at the Art Gallery, an improv marathon with Cambrian Players, an Indigenous author series at the Waverley Library, and more. For a full list of Culture Days events as well as times and locations, visit Thunder Bay’s Culture Days hub profile. culturedays.ca

The Good Harvest Farmers Market 5

September 22

Goods & Co. Market and Court Street

Kay Lee

Celebrate a bountiful summer harvest while supporting your local farmers at the Good Harvest Farmers Market. On Sunday September 22 from 10 am to 4 pm, downtown Court Street and Goods & Co. Market will transform into a one-day street farm fair where you can shop from dozens of local farmers, vendors, and artisans. This year’s event will be the third annual Good Harvest, and will feature family-friendly play areas, food stands, a corn boil, games and more. The Good Harvest Farmers Market helps to support Roots Community Food Centre, and donations to Roots will be accepted at the entrance of the event and at Roots’s food and games tables. Join hundreds of local shoppers in a celebration of local food and the lovely people who grow it. goodscomarket.ca

Chad Kirvan

Cheesy Does It

12 Delicious Dishes

Did you know that by some counts, there are more than 1,800 different kinds of cheese? No wonder it’s so versatile. Craving comfort food? Quick snack? Elegant appetizer? Decadent dessert? Cheese steps right up. It’s also a staple in so many different cultures and cuisines, offering the perfect complement to a variety of ingredients and cooking methods. (Plus, there are some great alternative cheeses out there too for our vegan and lactose-intolerant friends.) In this issue, The Walleye salutes all things cheesy. Pass the cheese, please!

- Bonnie Schiedel

Anna Buske

Nacho Average Cheese Shop

The Cheese Encounter Celebrates 10 Year Anniversary

Story and photos by Sidney Ulakovic

It’s pretty weird,” says Matthew Wilkins, owner of The Cheese Encounter. “You don’t really encounter too many other folks who sell cheese professionally.” Weird as it may be, it certainly doesn’t hurt to have a cheese expert in the neighbourhood, which is what Thunder Bay gained when Wilkins’s artisanal cheese boutique opened in the Bay Algoma neighbourhood a decade ago. While not the first place in town to offer artisanal cheese, The Cheese Encounter was the first fully dedicated artisanal cheese shop in the city. What is artisanal cheese, you ask? It sounds complicated—-and the process of making it most certainly can be— but simply put, artisanal cheese is handmade, using the methods traditional to the cheesemaker’s region, with the final products possessing more complex flavour profiles than their factory-made counterparts. The Cheese Encounter was opened by local restaurateur Doug Morrill, whom Wilkins had worked for managing the kitchen at Gargoyles Grille & Ale for a number of years. Wilkins eventually partnered with Morrill on The Cheese Encounter before taking over the business himself in 2018.

In addition to a variety of local cheeses, The Cheese Encounter carries cheese from all around the world: Canada, the United States, France, Spain, Italy, Denmark, Sweden, Norway. With that well-used passport of unique textures and flavours arose the need to guide customers through the journey of cheeses that the North American

palate generally isn’t accustomed to. “Education is still a huge part of our job here,” Wilkins says. “We spend a lot of time researching and learning about all the cheeses.”

Aside from the cheese, Wilkins also carries cured meats, condiments, pasta, crackers—basically anything that can be used as a vehicle to further enjoy cheese—and balances all sorts of other services behind the scenes like catering and charcuterie boards, partnership tastings with other local businesses, and supplying product to a handful local restaurants. As for what’s next, Wilkins says his focus is to keep doing what they’re doing.

“I didn’t necessarily head out looking to get into the artisanal cheese world, but I found that my love of food really was satisfied with the cheese world,” Wilkins says. With this year marking his tenth year in business, Wilkins says he’s grateful to have created a place where food lovers in the community can come together. “There’s always more and more folks coming through the door who have never been to a cheese shop or never tried artisan cheese before,” Wilkins says. “We’re here to offer a little treat to the community.”

The Cheese Encounter is located at 198 Algoma Street South. You can check out their offerings online at thecheeseencounter. com or @thecheeseencounter on Instagram.

Little-known fact: Cheese is made with a variety of milk types, the most common being cow, sheep, and goat. Some less common varieties include water buffalo, camel, and donkey.

The crunchy bits: Those beloved crunchy crystals in your cheese are salty, but aren't salt. They’re called tyrosine clusters, the result of milk protein breaking down in certain aged cheeses.

Ka-ching: The most expensive wheel of cheese ever sold was a small production wheel of Cabrales, a traditional Spanish blue. It cost a whopping USD$32,000 for the 2.2-kilogram round.

Ancient history: In 2018, Egyptian archaeologists discovered a wheel of cheese that had been aging for approximately 3,200 years (533 times as old as the current oldest cheese at The Cheese Encounter).

Can I eat the Brie rind? Yes! In fact, you definitely should! The rind on most soft cheeses, like Brie, are meant to be eaten. They balance the richness of the cheese, and provide a bit of textural contrast.

 (L-R) Employees of The Cheese Encounter Skylar Titley and Bronwyn McIlroy with owner Matthew Wilkens

Gouda as Gold

Thunder Oak Cheese Farm

Story by Kat Lyzun, Photos courtesy of Thunder Oak Cheese Farm

Gouda: it can be mild or sharp, is sometimes spiced, herbed, or smoked, and is delicious for snacking in its natural state and amazing melted on just about anything. It’s a versatile and beloved semi-firm cow’s milk cheese with Dutch origins, and the best of it can be found at Thunder Oak Cheese Farm on Boundary Drive in Neebing.

Thunder Oak was founded by the Schep family, who have been running it for nearly 30 years. Jacob and Margaret Schep immigrated to Canada from the Netherlands in the early 80s and brought with them generational cheese-making knowledge. They started with an old cheese-making set at home, and eventually expanded to a small business. In 1995 they opened the doors of the Thunder Oak Cheese Farm, becoming the first farm in Ontario to produce gouda. In 2007, sons Walter and Martin took over the business, and in 2014, they moved to their current location. Martin and his wife Charmaine manage the dairy farm, and Walter and his wife Joanne run the cheese processing plant.

The process of making Thunder Oak gouda begins with a delivery of fresh milk from the Schep’s farm, usually about 3,500 litres, depending on how much cheese they need to make that day. At the plant, they run the milk through a pasteurizer and then into a holding vat where they add the gouda culture and the rennet, which separates the milk into solids and liquids (curds and whey). Once separated, the solid parts are cut into little chunks and heated before being pressed into the mould, where it will stay for four to five hours.

“The goal is to press as much whey out of the cheese as we can,” explains Walter Schep. “When this is done, the cheese goes into the brine pit, which is just salt water. We don’t use any other preservatives. And it sits in there for 48 hours. Regular cheese ages for a month before we sell it, all the way up to over a year for extra old.”

Currently, Thunder Oak produces an average of 10,000 litres of cheese every week. That’s a lot of cheese. And the great news is, you can find it all over town—grocery stores, delis, the market, market stores, at the farm

itself, the list goes on. Many local restaurants feature Thunder Oak gouda in everything from burgers and poutine to gourmet pastas. You can even order online, and they ship across Canada. Cheese lovers can choose from mild, medium, old, or extra old traditional gouda, or from 13 different flavours.

“Generally, our top three biggest sellers are the jalapeño, the smoked, and the dill. And the cheese curds are popular for poutine and snacks,” says Walter.

Looking to the future, Walter sees them staying the course. As their kids get older and start to help out, the business may expand, but for now nothing drastic. However, he hints at possibly producing ice cream next year, and has been dabbling in making quark, a soft, almost yogurt-like cheese that’s becoming increasingly popular with their clientele (it’s great for baking and using in dips).

“Just little things we hope to try,” he says. “The people in Thunder Bay have been super supportive of us over the years, and we appreciate that.”

For more information or to order online, check out Thunder Oak’s website cheesefarm.ca.

 Walter Schep of Thunder Oak Cheese Farm

Anatomy of a Charcuterie Board

Story and photos by Jack Barten

The charcuterie board is the cornerstone of any event that has food. Friendships are formed, business deals are sealed, and romances are sparked around this humble arrangement of meats and cheeses. But how would you make this concept even better? We present you with a charcuterie board of products all sourced in Thunder Bay.

360 Mustard

Tomlin Restaurant

In this collaboration between Tomlin Restaurant and Sleeping Giant Brewing Company, Tomlin utilizes 360 Pale Ale to enhance their grainy mustard.

Honey

Bears’ Bees and Honey

Providing hand processed honey since 1996, Bears’ Bees and Honey is your go-to stop for pure, natural, and unpasteurized 100% Ontario honey.

Sourdough

Both Hands Wood-Fired Pizzeria & Bakery

Both Hands has been open for over 20 years, providing handmade sourdough bread and pizza to the community. Spiced Olives Maltese

Located in the Bay Algoma district for over 85 years, Maltese specializes in local meats butchered in-store, fresh produce, and hundreds of other local products.

Garlic Ring

My-Pride Farm

My-Pride Farm was founded in 2012 and focuses on raising ethical veal and exclusively marketing it locally.

Duck Prosciutto and Summer Sausage

Nomad by Pinetree Catering

Nomad by Pinetree Catering offers bread and pastries baked in-house, along with take ‘n’ bake pies, pita chips and dips, and other artisanal delicacies.

Pickled Jalapeños

The Fish Shop

Specializing in smoked local fish, The Fish Shop has been providing local foods (and a dazzling selection of amethyst) since 1970.

Manchego Fermier and Le Campagnier

The Cheese Encounter

The Cheese Encounter is an independent cheese shop specializing in local, Canadian, and imported artisanal cheese, charcuterie, and other tasty treats.

Salted Caramel

Chocolate Cow

Chocolate Cow has been manufacturing quality nut-free chocolates in the Thunder Bay region since 2005.

Gouda

Thunder Oak Cheese Farm

Coming from a background of world champion cheesemakers, generations of the Schep family have made gouda and cheese curds on their farm in Neebing for decades.

Vegan Turkey

Meet the Alternative

Offering vegan alternatives for everything from turkey to baked goods, Meet the Alternative has been serving plant-based goodness since 2018.

Queso Con Chorizo

The Place: El Tres

Address: 269 Red River Road

Phone: 807-344-3443

The Price: $20

The Basics: Chorizo sausage, Chihuahua cheese, queso cremoso, served with pico de gallo and housemade tortilla chips

The Lowdown: Coming out of the kitchen all warm and bubbly in a cast-iron dish, El Tres’s version of a Mexican cheese dip is an ideal appetizer. As expected, quality ingredients lead to an orgasmic flavour. Start with authentic cheeses from way down south, mix a bit of chorizo sausage in, add the savoury heat of cumin and the smokiness of paprika, and top the whole delicious gooey concoction with some fresh pico de gallo for accent—olé! The perfect vehicle for a centimetre’s depth of cheesiness is El Tres’s homemade chips, which are their own handmade tortillas chopped, deep-fried, and lightly salted for an irresistible crunch. In no time at all you’ll be scraping the edges of the pan trying to get just a bit more of your new favourite app.

- Review by Justin Allec, Photo by Ryan Hill

Chicago-Style Stuffed Pizza

The Place: The Tilted Turret

Address: 135 Archibald Street North

Phone: 807-285-1116

The Price: $32.95 ($29.95 on Tuesdays)

The Basics: 10-inch classic Chicago-style stuffed pizza with sausage, pepperoni, green pepper, onion, tomato sauce, and loads of mozzarella cheese

The Lowdown: The Chicago-style stuffed pizza at The Tilted Turret is a cheese lover’s dream. The base is a thin, baked crust that cradles a generous amount of meat and veggies, followed by an impossibly thick layer of stretchy mozzarella, then another thin layer of crust topped with pizza sauce and parmesan cheese. It’s all you could want in a pizza—salty, savoury, cheesy perfection. At 3.5 lbs, it’s no lightweight (disregard the “personal pizza” size) but it is a great option for sharing with friends between pinball showdowns on the pub’s upper level. In addition to the classic, this Chi-town staple comes in Meat-Za (pepperoni, bacon, sausage and ham), Not the Meat (green pepper, onion, mushroom and black olives) or any four-topping creation of your choosing.

- Review by Kat Lyzun, Photo by Anna Buske

Gnocchi Formaggi

The Place: Caribou Restaurant + Wine Bar Address: 727 Hewitson Street Phone: 807-628-8588

The Price: $32

The Basics: Potato gnocchi tossed with a parmesan, fontina, gouda, and gorgonzola cheese cream and topped with toasted herb bread crumbs

The Lowdown: Mac and cheese lovers, prepare to meet your beloved comfort dish’s wellread and well-travelled older cousin. Caribou Restaurant + Wine Bar’s gnocchi formaggi is prepared, rolled, and cut in house, just like Nonna intended, with parmesan cheese sprinkled into the dough for an infusion of that sharp, cheesy flavour right from the get-go. The gnocchi itself is pillowy soft and featherlight, and it’s coated in a creamy blanket of four-cheese sauce and topped with garlic- and herb-infused bread crumbs and extra cheese. The addition of gorgonzola takes this sauce to the next level, adding a tangy sophistication that sets it apart from your run-of-the-mill cheese sauce. The bread crumbs tie this dish together with the introduction of warmth and crunch, and the flakes of parmesan that cling to each piece of gnocchi layer in even more wonderful texture.

- Review by Sidney Ulakovic, Photo by Laura Paxton

Quinoa Mac & Cashew Bites

The Place: Bonobo’s Foods

Address: 493 Oliver Road

Phone:

807-345-6262

The Price: $10

The Basics: Deep-fried clusters of macaroni and vegan cheese served with vegan garlic aioli

The Lowdown: Whether you’re vegan, lactose-intolerant, or just looking for a delicious and healthy(ish) alternative to cheese, you need to try the quinoa mac & cashew bites from Bonobo’s Foods. This deep-fried appetizer is super crispy on the outside, and savoury and soft on the inside; the vegan cheese sauce is made from carrots, onion, potatoes, cashews, nutritional yeast, and some other secret ingredients, and the garlic aioli is good enough to eat with a spoon (trust me— I’ve done it). Pair with one of Bonobo’s amazing salads and you’ve got yourself one hell of a meal.

- Review by Kelsey Raynard, Photo by Sidney Ulakovic

Whipped Ricotta Crostini

The Place: Madhouse

Address: 295 Bay Street

Phone:

807-344-6600

The Price: $16

The Basics: Roma Bakery baguette topped with lemon zest, sundried tomato, whipped ricotta, grape tomatoes, fresh basil, extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinaigrette reduction, and black pepper

The Lowdown: This crostini is dressed to impress. The sweet glaze adorns the dish with its flavour subtly shining through the cheese, bringing out along with it the tame acidity of the whipped ricotta’s lemon zest and tomatoes: a complementary opponent to the rich spread. A dusting of black pepper and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil are the perfect finishing touches, elevating the overall taste ever so slightly. The toppings are supported by a delicately grilled Roma Bakery baguette slice, having just enough integrity to support the garnishes without sacrificing its airiness for messy, brittle bites. Madhouse’s whipped ricotta crostinis are a perfect starter for sharing. They have a light and fresh flavour but are sure to be a heavy hitter to anyone.

- Review and photo by Abigail Heron

Deep-Fried Cheese Curds

The Place: Red Lion Smokehouse

Address: 16 Cumberland Street South Phone: 807-286-0045

The Price: $13

The Basics: Thunder Oak cheese curds coated in buttermilk and spiced flour batter then deep fried, served with red habanero Heartbeat Hot Sauce, deep-fried kale, chili mayo, and an arugula garnish

The Lowdown: Perched on a nest of arugula and crispy kale, these deep-fried Thunder Oak cheese curds soar effortlessly into the mouth one after another. Their crust is thin and mildly seasoned, propelling the salty curd into the spotlight with ample opportunity for it to ooze its gooey goodness. Choosing to eat the arugula with the curds not only makes for the most painless tally on one’s five-a-day, but the greens provide a brief refreshment to the palate while the mouthwatering richness of the cheese cuts the bitterness of the leafy garnish, making them a mutually beneficial combination. All in all, this is a lovely bar snack or dinner app. There is no possible way to go wrong with deep-fried cheese curds, with Red Lion’s rendition being far from an exception.

- Review and photo by Abigail Heron

Shrimp Au Gratin

The Place: The Industry Address: 782 MacDonell Street Phone: 807-620-0196

The Price: $20

The Basics: Shrimp baked with cajun butter and pub mix cheese and served with tomato bruschetta

The Lowdown: The Industry’s shrimp au gratin is a luscious combination where rich and creamy meets light and airy with this cheesy seafood. This dish features pan-seared shrimp, which is baked with a seasoned butter and melty cheese. It is finished off with a fresh baby tomato bruschetta. The garlic really packs a punch, adding a nice dimension to the flavours. The toasted baguette is a pleasing vehicle for the plump shrimp with gooey cheese. This golden dish is meant to be savoured. When eating the shrimp au gratin, one can’t help but ponder how many meals were served au gratin in the Olympic village this year? Hopefully all of them.

- Review by Alaina Linklater, Photo by Sidney Ulakovic

Warm Goat Cheese Salad

The Place: Daytona’s Address: 965A Cobalt Crescent Phone: 807-622-2169

The Price: $18

The Basics: Romaine lettuce, pecorino, red onion, and grape tomatoes, tossed with a honey balsamic dressing and topped with fried goat cheese

The Lowdown: “We can never take it off the menu!” says restaurant co-owner Adam Rozenski of this savoury salad that’s a customer favourite. And it’s a popular classic for a good reason: it’s a simple but delicious combination of tastes and textures. Crisp romaine, red onion and DeBruin’s tomatoes are tossed with pecorino cheese (made with sheep’s milk) and drizzled with housemade dressing. The salad is then topped off with a generous handmade patty of tangy, creamy goat cheese, lightly fried until it’s golden brown. A bite of greens, a bite of goat cheese, repeat, and you’re got yourself a tasty lunch or dinner salad.

- Review by Bonnie Schiedel, Photo by Lois Nuttall

Burrata Plate

The Place: Giorg Cucina e Barra Address: 114 Syndicate Avenue North Phone: 807-623-8052

The Price: $33

The Basics: Burrata served on shaved mortadella with pistachio pesto, basil oil, and grilled crostini

The Lowdown: A specialty of southern Italy, burrata is a delicate cow’s milk cheese formed into a porcelain dumpling using the pasta filata method—soft, silky mozzarella on the outside and creamy, fresh stracciatella on the inside. Nestled atop a stack of shaved mortadella, you first cut into the burrata before spooning up the accompanying pistachio pesto and the swirls of basil oil, spreading it all onto crostini for the perfect bite. Then you repeat. And repeat. Smooth, nutty, salty, smoky, herbaceous, crunchy, and utterly satisfying—it’s the symphony of flavours and contrasting textures that make this dish a superstar. Could you be in a piazza in Puglia? Yes. Could you also be right here trying to savour every last bit of summer? Absolutely.

- Review by Rebekah Skochinski, Photo by Shannon Lepere

Pita Chip Nachos

The Place: Cheer’s The Village Pub

Address: 1500 James Street South

Phone: 807-625-6560

The Price: Full size: $24; personal size: $16

The Basics: Pita chips topped with a cheese blend, sweet orange and red peppers, tomatoes, jalapeño, taco beef, bacon, beermarinated chicken, green onion, and black olives, served with salsa and sour cream

The Lowdown: What do you get when you cross a classic dish, a classic venue, and loads of cheese? Well, you get the pita chip nachos from Cheer’s, of course. This take on the ubiquitous nachos adds pita chips into the mix, introducing a breadier and slightly saltier base for piling on nacho toppings to the max. Speaking of which, a mix of cheeses is loaded onto a generous serving of pita chips, followed by peppers, tomatoes, and spicy jalapeños. More cheese is added for good measure, and the proteins. The chicken is marinated in Sleeping Giant Brewing Co.’s Northern Lager and spices in-house, and a bacon crumble is added for some always welcome bacon undertones. We top off with some green onion and black olives… and of course, more cheese. The resulting dish is a feast so cheesy and so good, your compatriots at your table will forever loathe you for eating all the pita chip nachos yourself.

- Review and photo by Jack Barten

Buffalo Chicken Poutine

The Place: The Sal Address: 118 Frederica Street West Phone: 807-577-8635

The Price: $16.50

The Basics: Hand-cut russet fries and breaded buffalo chicken with ranch, green onions, monterey jack, cheddar, and Quebec cheese curds topped in gravy

The Lowdown: A staple in the Westfort village since 1964, The Sal offers four different types of poutine: the “Oh Canada,” Buffalo chicken, breakfast poutine, and classic. The Sal fave, however, is the Buffalo chicken poutine, which arrives at your table or in your take-away box as a more-than-you-can-eat dish heaped with three cheeses, including cheese curds from Quebec. Owner Aaron Gillingham and staff go through a ridiculous 180 pounds of gravy per week, the recipe for which is a closely guarded secret handed over by the previous owner. It gives the Buffalo chicken poutine that famous Sal flavour profile to go along with the perfect medium zip of the onions, ranch sauce, and buffalo chicken.

- Review and photo by Nik Fiorito

Paneer Lababdar

The Place: Beaux Daddy’s Address: 1575 Highway 61

Phone: 807-622-1111

The Price: $17.99 ($25.99 served with garlic naan and rice)

The Basics: Mildly spiced paneer cheese and bell pepper in a tomato, onion, and cashew sauce

The Lowdown: “Lababdar” means to want something strongly and give in to that craving…so it’s kind of the perfect name for this Northern Indian dish! Cubes of paneer, which is a mild, firm, non-melting cheese, are nestled into a housemade sauce crafted with tomatoes, onions, and cashews. Flavourful and comforting, it pairs beautifully with the accompanying naan that is made fresh in the kitchen’s own tandoor oven, or some fluffy aromatic rice. Order for the table to share or keep it all to yourself (we won’t judge).

- Review by Bonnie Schiedel, Photo by Laura Paxton

THE GRINNING BELLY

Stick a Fork in It: Let’s Talk Oil Fondue

By Chef Rachel Bayes

As the summer winds down and September ramps up, it’s a great time to kick back with some fondue. Blissful: a cosy evening with loved ones, gathered around a pot of hot oil, cooking up your favourite bites right at the table. It’s a little bit primal and a whole lot of fun.

Getting the Oil Just Right

The secret to an excellent oil fondue is picking the right oil. Go for something neutral with a high smoke point, like canola, peanut, or grapeseed oil. Fill your pot about halfway to avoid any spills, and heat it up to around 375°F (190°C). No thermometer? No problem. Just drop in a cube of bread—when it browns in less than a minute, you’re good to go.

Choosing Your Dippables

Dry is the way to go. Pat down your meats and veggies before they hit the oil to avoid splattering. Beef tenderloin, shrimp, and scallops are

delicious dipping sauces! Set up a little station with a variety of flavours: mustard, horseradish, or aioli. Mix and match to your liking. Bonus points if the sauces are on a revolving “lazy Susan” in the middle of your table— nostalgic and practical! See below for some suggestions.

A Few Tips

• Safety first: Be careful with hot oil—never leave it unattended.

Dipping Sauces

• Mix it up: Offer a variety of ingredients and sauces for different textures and tastes.

• Keep it hot: Make sure your oil stays at the right temperature for the best results.

Fondue is all about enjoying good food and good company. So, grab your ingredients, light the burner, and dive in!

Make them up and let them mellow in the fridge while you prep everything else.

Garlic Aioli

½ cup mayonnaise

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 Tbsp lemon juice

½ tsp Dijon mustard

Salt and pepper to taste

All About the Mustard

¼ cup Dijon mustard

1 Tbsp honey

1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar

1 Tbsp olive oil

¼ tsp garlic powder

Salt and pepper to taste

Creamy Horseradish

½ cup sour cream

always winners. As for veggies, bell peppers, zucchini, and mushrooms are perfect—just steer clear of anything too watery.

Cooking Like a Pro

Oil fondue isn’t quite deep frying because the goal isn’t a crispy, crunchy exterior. Instead, it’s more about quickly cooking the outside of the food to seal in the juices, similar to searing. The food is partially or fully submerged in hot oil, but because it’s done in smaller amounts, it gently cooks, keeping the inside tender and juicy—more like poaching in oil than deep frying. Once your oil is hot, dip your food in and cook it to your liking. It usually takes one to three minutes, depending on what you’re cooking. And remember, don’t crowd the pot—too much at once can cool the oil down and leave your food soggy.

Sauce It Up

We all know that seared meat and veggies are just a vehicle for

2 Tbsp prepared horseradish

1 tsp lemon juice

1 tsp Worcestershire sauce

Salt and pepper to taste

Spicy Mayo

½ cup mayonnaise

1+ Tbsp your fave hot sauce

1 tsp lime juice

½ tsp soy sauce

Herby Yogurt

½ cup Greek yogurt

1 Tbsp olive oil

1 Tbsp lemon juice

1 Tbsp chopped fresh herbs (like parsley, dill, or chives)

1 garlic clove, minced

Salt and pepper to taste

Mix the mayonnaise, garlic, lemon juice, and Dijon mustard in a bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Let chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before serving to let the flavours meld.

Whisk together the Dijon mustard, honey, vinegar, and olive oil in a small bowl. Add garlic powder and season with salt and pepper, stirring until smooth. The flavours will blend nicely as it sits.

Mix the sour cream, horseradish, lemon juice, and Worcestershire sauce in a bowl and season with salt and pepper. Let it sit in the fridge for about 30 minutes to develop the flavours.

Mix mayonnaise, hot sauce, lime juice, and soy sauce in a bowl until smooth. Taste and adjust the spiciness by adding more hot sauce if needed. Keep it in the fridge until you need it.

Stir together the Greek yogurt, olive oil, lemon juice, and minced garlic. Add the fresh herbs and season with salt and pepper. Let it sit for a while before serving.

Celebrating the 2024 Wake the Giant Youth Art Contest winners

Harmony Fiddler

Skylight Riopel

Curtis Meekis

MNP is proud to support the Wake the Giant Music Festival and movement. We are thrilled to congratulate the winners of the 2024 Wake the Giant Youth Art Contest, including Harmony Fiddler from Sandy Lake First Nation, Curtis Meekis from Keewaywin, and Skylight Riopel from Thunder Bay.

Visit the MNP tent at the Wake the Giant Music Festival on September 14, 2024, to purchase a print of their artwork representing the spirit and creativity of Indigenous youth. All proceeds will go directly to the artists.

Rob Mozzon, FCPA, FCA, CFP 807.474.4900 | rob.mozzon@mnp.ca

MNP.ca/wakethegiant

Blackberry Spritz Nook

Story by Jeannie Dubois,

by Jack Barten

If you’re looking for a cure for the end-of-summer blues, don’t overthink it. Go in for black instead—namely the sensational yet simple Blackberry Spritz, which savvy Nikki can serve you up at Nook. Rich in both flavour and visual appeal, this sultry and refreshing end-of-summer sipper is a combination of Blackberry Crown Royal, house-made blackberry syrup, fresh-pressed lemon juice, and a beautiful, sparkling prosecco served up in a frothy glass. Take some time for yourself and settle on the patio, put your face to the remaining summer sun, order the pasta (or pizza, or focaccia!) and pair it with a glass of sweet-yet-tart, last-of-theseason blackberries.

Photo

The Season of Plenty

Annual Belluz Farm Hall Dinner Will Celebrate the Harvest

Story by Lindsay Campbell, Photos by Kay Lee

Tis the season where the local harvest is at its peak. On Belluz Farm, Jodi Belluz is on a mission to raise awareness about the region’s bounty, and in the coming weeks she’ll be at the helm of this year’s Farm Hall Dinner, bringing it to life. “I call it the season of plenty,” she says. “And what’s a better way to celebrate than through an authentic farm to table experience?”

The dinner, which is slated for the evening of October 5, will be held at Goods & Co. Market. This is the second year in a row the event will be held at the north side location—a decision, Belluz says, intended to make agriculture more accessible to city residents. “It seems people are becoming more and more distanced from seasonality and what you can grow in your area, versus what is imported,” she says. “Returning people to what is available in our region creates a better sense of community and a better connection to our land and the environment. Then in terms of food security, it’s practically important as our world continues to change and navigate challenges. We need strong, local food systems.”

In the spirit of further fostering community connection to local food, proceeds from the dinner will support the continuation and development of educational programming on Belluz Farms. The programming will support families in need by providing them with fruits and vegetables from area farms, including Belluz

Farms. Funds will also be used to create a permanent community learning garden on the farm for schools and nonprofits to use as an outdoor classroom environment and rehabilitative space. Belluz says she hopes to launch the garden next summer.

This year’s event will begin with a cocktail hour and appetizers, followed by a five-course meal prepared by chef Akkash Rathod of Woodside Catering. Side dishes and ingredients will be provided from chef Allan Rebelo of El Tres, The Growing Season, The Pasta Shoppe, Uncommon Baked Goods, Superior Bakes, and Superior Seasons Farm Store. As of mid-August, Jones Insurance, Lakehead Printing, and Tents & Events were confirmed as sponsors. The full menu is still in the works, but Belluz says guests can expect to eat in comfort.

“We really want to bring this cosy feeling to the event. We’re playing around with the idea of connecting farm and forest, bringing in foraging elements,” Belluz says. “From leafy greens and roasted root vegetables to a sustainably sourced protein, people will really get that perfect snapshot of food in Northwestern Ontario at the start of October.”

Full details for the Farm Hall Dinner, including a finalized menu and information about ticket purchasing, can be found at belluzfarms.on.ca.

Quel Fromage?

Passe Le Vin!

By Jeannie Doubois, Pommelier and Sommelier

Craving a date with your special someone, setting some plans with friends who have been passing you like ships in the night over the summer hurly-burly, or simply wishing for a tasteful evening on your own? Like Occam’s Razor, the simplest solution is usually the best one, so no need to get precious and wear yourself out with planning and preparation—just grab a grocery bag, get yourself a baguette, and find a lovely wine with some cheese to pair with it. Recently, the truly gifted Matthew Wilkins of The Cheese Encounter kindly provided me with some in-house recommendations for just such an evening (if such an appellation

Hard Cheese

SUPERIOR SIP

ever existed, he is the ultimate cheese sommelier!), and I must say the results were extremely memorable.

Be aware, there are no hard and fast rules with wine and cheese pairing. So enjoy the cheese you love with the wine that you admire. However, the one sommelier suggestion I have is: what grows together, goes together. For the best experience from both your wine and cheese, choose a grape that is grown and vinted in the same place where the dairy is produced and eventually aged into cheese (if possible)—it elevates the entire experience.

Santé!

Avonlea Cheddar: Holstein cow’s milk cheese made on Prince Edward Island, which is cloth-bound for a year.

Occelli Foglie Di Castagno: mixed sheep and cow’s milk cheese made in Langhe, Italy, which is aged in caves and wrapped in chestnut leaves for a year and a half.

Pair with: a medium-bodied red wine such as Monte Antico (Sangiovese, Merlot and Cab blend) from Tuscany, Italy, $17.95 for 750 ml.

Goat Cheese

Beemster Goat Gouda: goat’s milk cheese made in Holland, which is aged four months and has a semi-firm interior and a hard rind.

Paillot de Chèvre: goat’s milk cheese made in Quebec, which is shaped in a log supported by straw running its length and has a thin, bloomy rind and firm interior that softens towards the centre.

Pair with: dry rosé wine such as Gérard Bertrand Côte Des Roses from France, $19.95 for 750 ml.

Soft Cheese

La Magie de Madawaska: Jersey cow milk cheese made in Bas-Saint-Laurent, Que., which has a washed rind and soft interior.

Château de Bourgogne: cow’s milk cheese made in Burgundy, France, which has a bloomy rind and buttery interior.

Pair with: fruit-forward red wine such as Meiomi (Pinot Noir) from California, $23.95 for 750 ml.

Washed Rind Cheese

Chällerhocker: cow’s milk cheese made in St. Gallen, Switzerland, which is aged 12 months and washed with brine and spices for a rind with a semi-hard texture.

Morbier: cow’s milk cheese made in Jura, France, which is semi-soft and has a sticky rind with a thin layer of ash separating the interior.

Pair with: crisp white wine such as Raimbault BelAir Vouvray from France, $24.95 for 750 ml.

Blue Cheese

Celtic Blue: mixed goat and cow milk cheese made in Lancaster, Ont., which has gentle blue veining and is aged for two to three months with a natural rind.

D’Affinois Bleu: Montbeliardes cow’s milk cheese made in Loire, France, which has a thin rind and soft interior that is fairly aggressively blue.

Pair with: sweet wine such as Tawse Cabernet Sauvignon Icewine from Ontario, $35.95 for 200 ml.

Melty Cheese

Gruyère 1655: cow’s milk cheese made in Fribourg, Switzerland, which is aged 12 months in caves to ripen with a dense interior that lends itself to grating and melting.

Raclette Savoyarde: cow’s milk cheese made in Savoir, France, which is matured on spruce for eight weeks and has a speckled rind with a firm interior that is ideal for slicing and melting.

Pair with: aromatic sparkling wine such as Campo Viejo Brut Reserva Cava from Spain, $17.95 for 750 ml.

Both Hands Wood-Fired Pizzeria & Bakery

Story and photo by Jack Barten

Of all the great unifiers in human history, few are as ubiquitous as cheese (and bread). So, naturally, when one is presented with the Sourdough Snack Box from Both Hands, a sense of ancestral, delicious comfort is inevitable.

Let’s get something out of the way immediately: we all love a shareable, and the Sourdough Snack Box is the most lovable of them all. Centred around two types of sourdough bread—plain and Whole Hog—the box features olives mixed and spiced in-house, house-made hummus, Five Brothers and Saint Paulin cheeses, French rosette salami, and green

and red grapes.

The combination of plain sourdough and Both Hands’ Whole Hog is the perfect duo to support the other elements of the board. The plain sourdough is exactly what one wants from a traditional loaf, with a mild flavour that is distinct, yet the ideal delivery system for the other components. The Whole Hog, on the other hand, is made with flax, whole wheat, and sesame seeds, resulting in a more robust and unique flavour that shines on its own while complementing the other items in the box.

Speaking of those other items, it’s hard not to start with the

OFF THE MENU

cheese. In collaboration with The Cheese Encounter, Both Hands has chosen two cheeses to pair with the sourdough and the other delicacies on the board. The Saint Paulin is a softer, milder cheese with a buttery, slightly nutty texture. The Five Brothers cheese, in contrast, is sharper with a firmer, crystal-like texture that is rich and creamy in taste. Opposite the cheese is a French rosette salami, which adds sweet and spicy notes of garlic and clove. To pair with the cheese and salami, we have olives made in-house at Both Hands; somewhat spicy and deeply nuanced, these olives cut through some of the richer flavours.

The house-made hummus, featuring garlic roasted in a wood-fired oven, offers a faintly sweet complexity that sets it apart from typical hummus. Finally, to keep your palate engaged and ready for more, there are lush, sweet grapes.

All these elements come together to create a shareable box that is so complete and so nuanced, that you may not want to share it at all.

Both Hands Wood-Fired Pizzeria & Bakery 297 Park Avenue 807-286-4263

Change on the Horizon

Increasing Support in School Food Environments

Story by Sarah Siska, Photo courtesy of Airin Stephens

For many of us, September’s return to school brings back memories of brown paper lunch bags lovingly prepared by a parent or guardian. But for far too many Canadian children, the start of the school year is complicated by the stark reality of food insecurity, where having enough food to eat—let alone something nutritious—is anything but guaranteed.

Despite broad understanding of the importance of safe and reliable access to nutritious foods to children’s learning and development, an inordinate number of Canadian children go hungry every day. Canada is the only G7 country without a national school food program, and PROOF, a national food insecurity research lab, reported that over one in four children in Canada’s 10 provinces lived in food-insecure households

in 2023. That’s nearly 2.1 million children, an increase of 300,000 from 2022.

We are seeing these numbers go up in our midst as well. The District of Thunder Bay has 82 schools serving approximately 19,000 students. In the 2023–2024 school year, 1.66 million meals were distributed across 107 student nutrition programs—a significant increase from the 1.22 million meals served in the 2022–2023 school year.

Debbie Zuback, food and logistics coordinator for the Student Nutrition Program at the Canadian Red Cross in Thunder Bay, has seen this increase firsthand. “I started in 2020 helping five schools with food procurement weekly. I now help 40 schools weekly, and district schools on a biweekly and monthly basis,” she says. In the aftermath

or donations. The project called for a community-wide effort to support and expand equitable food programs to ensure all students have access to healthy, nutritious meals, alongside connecting with community groups in food production and access to build relationships from the farm to the school table. The group will be resuming work this fall, ready to collaborate once more to support school food programming in the Thunder Bay Area.

After years of advocacy, change is finally on the horizon. The 2024 federal budget included $1 billion to support the creation of a national school food program. While this program will not fully meet the needs of children and youth in food-insecure households, it brings national attention to this issue, and will hopefully serve as a starting point to get us to a future where all children are nourished and excited about food.

For more information on the status of school food environments in the Thunder Bay area, visit foodsystemreportcard.ca.

of the COVID-19 pandemic and increasing rates of food insecurity and inequality, there is a heightened need to support community food programming at a school level.

Since 2013, the Thunder Bay + Area Food Strategy (TBAFS) has coordinated a working group to promote and advocate for healthy, equitable, and sustainable school food environments. This group collaborates with schools, parents, and local organizations to enhance food literacy, improve food cultures in schools, and increase access to nutritious food. In 2018, the group conducted an inventory project across 50 schools in Thunder Bay. The findings revealed significant inequities in how food programs are implemented, with many schools lacking the necessary budget and relying on fundraising

Experience the charm of September in Nipigon! As brook trout season ends, other fishing opportunities heat up.

With fewer bugs and tranquil forests, there's still time to enjoy our scenic hikes, fishing, and boating.

Later in the month, witness the stunning fall foliage as the trees transform. Discover Nipigon’s natural beauty this September!

Ngan’s Chinese

New Restaurant Opens in Westfort

Story and photos by

Abigail Heron

We only have one life to live, and I just want to be proud of the path that I'm taking,” says Ngan Cava, owner of the newly opened restaurant Ngan’s Chinese. “I don't want to look back and say, ‘I didn't give it my all.’ I know some people think ‘Oh, she’s [just] slinging Chinese food; it doesn’t matter.’ But to me, food is more. It’s a memory, a story, [and] the way we connect with other people.”

After over 25 years in the business, playing a supporting role at her parents’ establishment, Mr. Chinese, Cava took centre stage and enacted her dream of opening up her own joint, only being persuaded to name the restaurant after herself by her husband. Though, of course, she didn’t do it all alone. “[I] feel like the community has been super supportive,” says Cava about her “second family,” (her staff), who she says has been determinedly working to see her thrive, with some even offering to do so on a volunteer basis. Even through any self doubt, Cava says everyone was rooting for her, especially her children. “[My kids were like] ‘Mom you know you’ve wanted to do this forever. We’re in your corner.’ They believed in me [and] I carried their belief with me.”

Putting a spin on the typical Asian restaurant while still staying

true to its defining characteristics, the establishment has a modern interior without sacrificing the classic Chinese food experience. “[I wanted this to be] somewhere [one] would want to come all the time, stay a while, chat, and spend time with friends—not just get something to go,” says Cava. “[Though], I still want to pay homage to my mom and dad. I wouldn’t know what I know without them.” The menu consists of Chinese and Vietnamese dishes, with a lot of ingredients being sourced from local farms like Belluz and DeBruin’s. Some meals are specifically meant to be a dine-in experience, while the rest of the selection is also open to take-out and delivery seven days a week.

Ngan’s Chinese has only been open since mid-July, and is happily chugging along with no signs of slowing down. Cava hopes to welcome even more people in. “Every single detail of this place is my heart. It’s like my third baby,” says Cava. “[So] I want to treat whoever comes in as if they’re family.”

Ngan’s Chinese is located at 1200 Brown Street.

Visit nganschinese.ca or follow @nganschinese on Instagram for more info.

 Staff (L–R): Caitlynn Radbourne, Vanessa Cava, Ngan Cava, Sarah Papa

 #4 Combination dinner  Chicken noodle bowl

 Gòi cuõn (soft salad rolls)

How to Break a Leg

Renegade Performing Arts Musical Theatre Workshops

Story and photos by Abigail Heron

Musical theatre is demanding; skills of dancing, singing, and acting all have to be at play in concert throughout one fantastic spectacle. Though there is no shortage of full-scale productions being organized in Thunder Bay, local actors and directors like Jack Kotanen, guest workshop instructor at Renegade Performing Arts, feel a need for opportunities for emerging

by the subversive theatre company Renegade Performing Arts, founded by Angela Valela and Jessi McCulloch earlier this year with the intention of offering a wide range of programs and performance opportunities for all ages. “Between all the directors that [I’ve] had here [and] having [had] training at a school with industry professionals in New York, I’ve been able to see [what was] most beneficial to me and what was missing from my education [in town]” says Kotanen. “I want to offer some of [what was lacking and] to work specifically on skills in a workshop setting, [giving] you those tools to bring into performances when you're doing other productions.”

environment. “[The workshops are] not meant to be intimidating at all,” says Kotanen. “They're meant to be fun and educational.”

actors to hone the disciplines of their craft. “There are certain skills that you don't really have time to work on when you're working on a show because you're trying to get to that finished product,” says Kotanen, having been in over 40 local productions.

To fill this absence, Kotanen shares his wisdom of the craft in musical theatre workshops facilitated

The musical theatre workshops are divided by age and art form, and are conducted in a group setting, allowing students to observe others’ performances and gather inspiration for their own work, all while diminishing the nerves of being in front of a crowd. The classes zero in on the techniques and skills of the musical theatre trifecta in a constructive and supportive

Classes are pay-by-the-session, making them accessible for those restrained by finances or the time associated with the commitment to a season of courses, or for those simply curious about the performing arts. “[The workshops are] very open to anyone, regardless of experience or whether or not it's something that they want to [continue to] pursue,” says Kotanen. Learning to find harmony of body and mind in dance, express emotions through acting, or harness the power of one’s voice via song can all be skills applicable to everyday life. “Even if you're not necessarily in theatre, there’s so much to be gained.”

Register for upcoming classes and productions at renegadeperformingarts. com and stay up to date on Instagram @renegade. performingarts.

 (L–R): Angela Valela, Jack Kotanen, Jessi McCulloch

Gaslight

A Canadian Thriller Sets the Scene

By Taylor Onski

Sometimes, the best openings are the ones that shock you in your seats and keep you on your toes. This month, Magnus Theatre will be doing just that with their production of Gaslight Canadian playwrights Johnna Wright and Patty Jamieson reimagined Patrick Hamilton’s 1938 Victorian thriller through a feminist lens and premiered it at the Shaw Festival in 2022. Set in the Victorian era, Gaslight follows Bella, a young bride who is driven to believe she has a problem with kleptomania. Or does she?

“Does the gas light really go dim when she’s alone? [Bella] says ‘The light gets dark in here when I’m alone,’ and her husband

goes ‘Does it get dark in here? It doesn’t get dark. I just came in. It was fine,’” says production director Thom Currie. Now omnipresent in the modern lexicon, the term “gaslight,” meaning to manipulate someone into questioning their own perception of reality, originated from this play.

While gaslighting happens in the literal sense, Currie is excited for the challenge of bringing the actual gaslight and those Victorian thriller aesthetics to life in an exciting (and safe) way. “We’re designing it as kind of an oldschool play. I love the idea of sound effects creating a mood,” Currie says. “With this play, the light is everything. It’s all about the oldtime gaslights that turn up. Then when she’s alone, it goes down. Or does it? I love to be able to go, ‘Let’s figure out how we can do that.’”

Along with Victorian costumes and the spookiness of fog and high ceilings, Gaslight is set to

be another innovative example of Currie’s mandate to give audiences a new experience with each Magnus show. “Thunder Bay audiences are fascinating in that they like everything, and they’ll talk about it and let you know. The easiest thing for anybody to do would [be to] just produce musicals, comedies, or psychological dramas,” Currie says. “I leaned into Gaslight as it fulfills that need in town. There’s this wonderful feeling of a chill going down your spine, and seeing the audience discover things as the characters are also discovering things.”

Gaslight runs at Magnus Theatre from September 26 to October 12. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit magnustheatre.com or call 807-345-5552.

Sustainable Home Goods

Three Huggers aims to create home goods that are practical, beautiful, and sustainable.

Experience the tradition of Dutch cheese-making, locally

We’re at the Thunder Bay Country Market every Saturday from 8:00am to 1:00pm & Wednesday from 3:30pm to 6:30pm

Find our cheeses at a host of local grocers and restaurants

Capes, Crowns, and Corsets

DRAG DEALER

The Second Annual ThunderCon Drag Show

Story by Jimmy Wiggins, Photo by Cody Angus

Over the weekend of September 21, thousands of cosplayers, gamers, comic and graphic novel fans, collectors, artists, and families will get their geek on for the ninth annual ThunderCon, Thunder Bay’s comic and pop culture convention. It’s a wild scene where you can see everything from actors and guest speakers from major movie and television franchises to the faces behind the voices of some of your favourite animated characters, and much more.

But you know what they say: when the sun goes down and the skies turn grey, the freaks come out and the night turns gay! Something like that. Following day one of the convention is the ThunderCon Drag Show & After Party at Black Pirates Pub, where TBay’s drag queens and kings come out to play and cos-slay

the house down for an anime-zing night where drag, comic books, and pop culture collide.

We were first approached by ThunderCon organizers in 2023 and asked if we would be interested in throwing an afterparty. My immediate reaction was an emphatic “Hell yeah!” Because in a lot of ways, drag is cosplay, the partnership made perfect sense.

"We wanted to provide a complete experience for congoers,” says ThunderCon board member Chris Talarico. “Most conventions have afterparties that are not part of the con but are affiliated. Raves or club nights are common. We approached the drag community because of the commonalities. Cosplay is central to the con experience, and we felt drag embraces those same tenets.

25 YEARS IN BUSINESS

The idea of becoming something more than yourself while bringing your own unique flair to a character is the essence of cosplay as well as drag."

At that point, we had never done a themed show around cosplay, or comic books, or anything like that before, so when I brought the idea to the queens and kings, they were very, very excited.

“Like a lot of queer people, there were a lot of TV and video game worlds I escaped into when I was younger, and still do to this day,” says drag queen Amber Ail. “Having a show centred around cosplay is exciting because we get to go full force on our nerdiest ideas without any worry if it will be ‘out of place’ in

a more traditional show. I’m all about it! There’s a handful of Pokémon I had always wanted to do looks for, so it’s a perfect opportunity to try those out.”

Last year’s show featured queens and kings performing and cosplaying as characters from across the spectrum of anime, video games, comic books, and pop culture— from Pokémon, South Park, and Batman to Star Trek, Deadpool, Tomb Raider and more. This year’s show will feature nine drag performers, as well as a special guest or two, bringing a whole new batch of looks, characters, and surprises to the stage. Expect the unexpected and prepare to be gagged!

Catch the second annual ThunderCon Drag Show September 21 at Black Pirates Pub. For more details follow @wigginsproductions, @tbaydrag, and @tbshows.

 Amber Ail as Pikachu

Cheesy Movies

By Michael Sobota

CTHE SECOND MOST PLEASURABLE THING WE DO IN THE DARK

A COLUMN ABOUT MOVIES

It’s like no cheese I’ve ever tasted… let’s try another spot.

-Wallace (voiced by Peter Sallis) to his faithful dog Gromit, after they have landed on the moon in Wallace & Gromit: A Grand Day Out

heesy movies are guilty pleasures: some of them are good, some of them are silly, and a few are really, really bad. Yet they keep drawing us back to them, to wallow in their fun or over-dramatic seriousness or frenetic energy. Like a good aged gouda, they become addictive. Here are four guilty pleasures that may make you laugh, or cry, or blush, and one of them is actually about a craving for cheese.

Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961)

Director Blake Edwards, working from a screenplay by George Axelrod based on the novella by Truman Capote, created a treacly, silly gem. Audrey Hepburn plays Holly Golightly, a young society climber who fled back country life to become a social climber in New York. She is dim but determined. The opening scene creates the title vision, with Holly pulling up in a cab in front of the flagship Tiffany’s jewelry store in New York. She steps out of the cab, dressed elegantly in a black sheath dress, a pearl necklace, and wide sunglasses. She holds a paper cup of coffee and a bag of baked sweets. The plot goes on to involve layers of manipulative silliness involving a strip club, Sing Sing prison, and a maudlin version of Hepburn singing “Moon River” on her fire escape balcony. The film is noted for the introduction of a male heterosexual sex worker (played by George Peppard) who becomes Holly’s love interest. Throughout the film Hepburn is radiant.

Saturday Night Fever (1977)

John Badham created a crafty, sassy, disco-throbbing hit from a script co-written by Nik Cohn and Norman Wexler. John Travolta, just 23 when he made this film, vaulted to cinema stardom as Tony Manero, a working-class kid from the Bronx who craves the spotlight in New York’s club scene. He takes dance lessons in a studio and becomes smitten by Stephanie (played by Karen Lynn Gorney, more than a decade older than Travolta at the time of filming). The film is dark, with ugly family relationships, strong language, sex, and violence, including a gang rape scene in the back seat of a car, but it is the throbbing disco beat of the Bee Gees score and the swiveling hips of Travolta and Gorney that keep drawing us back for another viewing.

Wallace & Gromit: A Grand Day Out (1989)

Director, writer, and master animator Nick Park introduced us to Wallace and Gromit in this cheese-seeking adventure. The story has proper Englishman Wallace and his faithful dog Gromit discovering one evening that they “are out of cheese.” Gazing out their window, Wallace sees a glowing moon and remembers that the moon “is made out of cheese.” They build a rocket ship in their basement, take off, land, sample cheese, and return home, all during “a grand day out.” Park utilizes stop-motion clay-mation as his animation technique. It is a tad clumsy in this early film, the first of more than a dozen that would continue the wonderfilled adventures of Wallace and Gromit. His witty “proper British” narrative and droll, eye-rolling humor from Gromit are the attractions here.

Glengarry Glen Ross (1992)

It is hard to believe this dark drama is more than 40 years old. It is a narrative that conveys great currency. David Mamet’s original play won numerous awards when it premiered in 1984. Writing his own screenplay, he and director James Foley churned it into a bristling examination of toxic masculinity and the scuzzy, cheesy world of cutthroat real estate. One of the finest casts ever for an American film—including Alec Baldwin, Al Pacino, Jack Lemmon, Ed Harris, Alan Arkin, Jonathan Pryce, and a young Kevin Spacey—tears up the screen with Mamet’s sharp, incisive dialogue. This is an all-male world and the writing reflects how men treat each other in private, when no one else can overhear what they are saying, as well as the smooth seductive tones they lather on their real estate clients. This is a hardedged, bristling, and, ultimately, tragic drama well-worthy of our attention.

And here are six more guilty pleasures, to enjoy in the privacy of your own world: Sunset Boulevard (1950), Flashdance (1983), Showgirls (1995), Cruel Intentions (1999), Dude, Where’s My Car? (2000) and Pit Stop (2013).

Swiss Raclette

Cheese Storage Bags

Ships and Structures

A THOUSAND WORDS

Photographer Myke Hull Documents TBay’s Port and Architecture

Story by Bonnie Schiedel, Photos by Myke Hull

Walking around Thunder Bay’s waterfront during the early days of the pandemic cranked Myke Hull’s casual interest in photography up to an 11. “I was just so blown away by the grain elevators,” he says. “Then the ship Frontenac came in […] and deer are grazing and there’s no people around, but there’s this big, massive elevator and this big, massive ship, taking out a load of grain. And the whole thing was just mind-boggling to me.” He also started documenting the city’s streets and buildings when they were mostly free of people and vehicles, noting that it’s important to have a photographic record. “I’ve got some really nice shots of how the Hoito looked just a week before it burned.”

Today, in addition to his day job as creative partnerships and relations manager at a local integrated marketing company, Hull spends up to 50 hours a week researching, photographing, and editing images of Thunder Bay’s

Accompanied by Glenada

port, the ships that visit, and our urban architecture. He estimates there are about 70,000 photos on his Facebook page, Walkersmoon Imaging. Over the past few years he’s steadily improved his skills and gear, but still draws on what his dad taught him about photography as a teenager, as well as his high school art classes. “That awareness of how to compose a painting transfers quite nicely to how to compose a shot.”

Hull moved to Thunder Bay 20 years ago when his wife, Mirella Stroink, took a job as a professor at Lakehead University. “It’s the best place I’ve ever lived. And when I was in the U.S. Marine Corps I was stationed in Hawaii, and I lived in Florida, and I lived in Colorado; I’ve got pretty good comparisons. But Thunder Bay is just absolutely beautiful. […] So to me, [maritime photography] is learning more about Thunder Bay, and then realizing that it’s not just a beautiful city in a beautiful location. We actually are this vital hub.” He’s fascinated by the shipping industry and its connection to the supply chain. “When I started doing more research and realized how far the ships have come from: they’re coming over here from Spain, and they’re leaving with grain to go to Casablanca, out of Thunder Bay!”

Recently, he’s been invited by Thunder Bay Tug Services to join them before dawn to get a different perspective of the salties and lakers on Lake Superior. “There is not a single aspect of photography that I dislike,” Hull says, laughing. “I’m not a morning person, right? But I turn into one. If I’m told I’m going on a tugboat, I can be there for 4:45 in the morning and I’m smiling.”

 Thunder Bay Lighthouse in Twilight

 Glenada Dropping Off Pilots to Isadora

 Michipicoten Preparing to Leave Port

To see more of Myke Hull’s work, visit Walkersmoon Imaging on Facebook.

Tech Specs

Camera:

Canon R6 Mark II, Canon 6D Mark II

Lenses:

Canon EF 24mm-105mm, Canon EF 70mm-300mm, Sigma EF 150mm-600mm, Sigma EF 70mm-200mm

Drone: DJI Mini 3 Pro

 Photographer Myke Hull

 Irma Assisted by Glenada and Point Valour

 James Street Bridge in the Summer Sun

 Federal Clyde Leaving the Port Under a Rising Sun and Smoky Sky

 Greenwing Assisted by Glenada and Point Valour

Abstracted Whimsey

Artist Brenda Hurley to Have Debut Solo Exhibition at Co.Lab Gallery

By Sidney Ulakovic

“

You can really lose yourself in it,” says local artist Brenda Hurley of the process of creating her latest collection of abstract impressionist landscape work, a series of oil paintings entitled Abstracted Whimsey, which is scheduled for a gallery exhibition at Co.Lab Gallery and Arts Centre this September.

Hurley had a lifelong interest in art and dabbled more seriously in painting once she retired. “It all started with that weekend session I took with Stephen [Krasemann],” Hurley says. It was during these sessions with Krasemann, and later sessions with award-winning Canadian

landscape artist Gordon Harrison, that Hurley began developing her artistic eye and technique, eventually landing on her own style. Hurley’s artwork has been featured in group exhibitions through local artist collective Group of Stephen, but Abstracted Whimsey will be her first solo showcase.

Hurley says the paintings in this series were completed over the last two years using the wet-on-wet technique, sometimes referred to as alla prima painting – an Italian phrase meaning “at first attempt.” With this technique, the paint is continually applied to stillwet paint on the canvas, resulting in the need to complete the painting in

 Coral Whimsey

 Yellow Vibes

 Gentle Breeze

one session. While Hurley uses the canvas to its full potential, each piece leaves little moments for the viewer's eye to rest, whether it’s a peek of the sky behind the foliage or sight of wildflowers amongst the depths of evergreens.

The paintings themselves are bright and colourful. “I do them in the colours I want them to be,” Hurley says, adding that she often begins each piece with a magenta underpainting, giving the paintings that whimsical, almost surreal, quality.

“They’re busy scenes,” Hurley says. “There’s something going on in every little corner of the painting.”

While Hurley uses the canvas to its full potential, each piece leaves little

moments for the viewer's eye to rest, whether it’s a peek of the sky behind the foliage or sight of wildflowers amongst the depths of evergreens.

“I’m doing it for the joy of it,” says Hurley. “Playing with what I see and envisioning it in a colourful, playful, whimsical sort of way.”

Abstracted Whimsey will open the evening of September 20 and run until October 2 at Co.Lab Gallery and Arts Centre. To stay up to date with Hurley’s work, you can find her by name on Facebook and Instagram.

 Crisp and Bright IV

 Through the Trees

Art Amongst the Pines

Visit the Autumn Rendezvous in Neebing

By Amy Sellors

This September, artisans Joyce Seppala and Fritz Lehmberg invite you to the fifth annual Autumn Rendezvous, a curated art show in the boreal forest at their Slate River Valley property.

Growing out of the pandemic, Autumn Rendezvous was created to bring people together and celebrate art. Set in the woods, the atmosphere is relaxed and a fitting place to host local artisans who take inspiration from the boreal forest. “Everything is locally made,” says Seppala. “I love that about it. No imports. We’ll have decor, kitchen utensils, skin care, the best cider produced by Wandering Thistle Farm, sculpture, woodland fairies, pottery, hand knitted toques, clothing, and accessories.”

At Autumn Rendezvous, there’s time to talk to the artisans and learn about their history, their dedication, and their passion, all while enjoying the surroundings. “It’s a respite. There are sculptural pieces all around. You’re walking through the property, not walking into a room and seeing tables,” says Seppala. “It’s the artists’ chance to bring the audience into the world of what they do.”

Each year, Seppala and Lehmberg select 10 artisans to showcase their work, focusing on creating a diverse experience for the audience with a mix of both emerging artists and returning participants who are keen to show how their work has evolved since the previous show. Supporting emerging artists is a key goal of the event. “Sometimes emerging

artists just need a small word of encouragement,” says Seppala. “We check in with them about how the show is going, and what people are buying, even if it’s only one or two pieces.” As well, according to Seppala, many participants return year after year. “Our artisans return because they enjoy the relaxed atmosphere, the open space, the beauty of the occasion and getting to network with other artisans. There’s a lot going on—not just the sales of art.”

For Seppala and Lehmberg, the location is also a key element of this show. They and many of the artisans participating live in Neebing, which they find to be a budding artisan community. “The future is Neebing. It’s a haven for people. They love the land, the space, and the support of the community,” Seppala says. “There’s a lot going on out here that people need to know about.” This year, four of Neebing’s new businesses will be on the grounds for the show.

“With the way things are in the world right now, things created with hands and from the heart are inspiration for us all,” says Seppala, “They give us hope.”

Autumn Rendezvous takes place on September 28 from 10 am to 5 pm at 4485 Hwy 61. Everyone who makes a purchase will be entered into a draw for a gift basket comprised of pieces from each artist. For more information, find Autumn Rendezvous Tbay on Instagram or Facebook.

 Tea pot by Black Dog Ceramics

 Woolen bowl by Sumac Hill Creations

 Eco-dyed coat by Joyce Seppala Designs

Tufted in the Bay

Soft (and Magic) Custom Carpets

Story by Taylor Onski, Photos by Keara Civitarese

Whether you’re 24 or 74, it’s exciting to discover a new passion. For 24-year-old Marty Plachta, that discovery was rug tufting. During some time off from working at a gold mine in Nunavut, he was scrolling through Instagram one day and saw rug designer David Nott craft a tufted rug.

“I thought, that’s really cool . I went to see if anyone in Thunder Bay does and I didn’t see anything local

at all, so I thought what the heck! I’ll just do it,’” says Plachta. “I bought all the supplies and made my girlfriend a couple of rugs. She said ‘I thought you were gonna be really bad at this. You’re actually pretty good!’”

Plachta made his market debut at a Vanderwees Market with his girlfriend last December, and Tufted In The Bay was born.

To create the rugs, Plachta uses a screen projector to trace the image

he wants to create onto a four-foot frame. Then, he gets the yarn, feeds it through the tufting gun, and lets his creativity flow. Once all the yarn is in the cloth, he puts rug adhesive on to dry and then carves the lines to make a crisp tufted rug that can be anything from Bluey to the Boston Bruins logo. “I didn’t know what rug tufting was and now it’s my calling,” he says. “I didn’t really have any huge artistic side to me. I was super into sports and did baseball, football, hockey, and anything my mom signed me up for.”

With a booth at ThunderCon this month, Squishmallow influencers showing his work on their social media platforms, and rugs shipping all over Canada and the United

States, Plachta shows no signs of slowing down. With hopes to make this a full-time business, he also wants to share tufting with Thunder Bay by finding a space to offer tufting classes.

“Whenever I make rugs for people, I get such a good reaction. People say, ‘Oh my god, it’s so much nicer and softer than I thought it was.’ It gives me a lot of joy to give my rugs to customers. It’s just an awesome, awesome feeling.”

To learn more find Tufted In The Bay on Facebook, follow @tufted.inthebay on Instagram, or visit tuftedinthebay.etsy.com.

TheArts

Wolf

By Kira Tuomi, Collections Intern Thunder Bay

Art

Gallery

FROM THE THUNDER BAY ART GALLERY’S COLLECTION

Artist: Mary Anne Barkhouse

Title: Wolf

Date: 2000

Medium: Bronze

Collection of the Thunder Bay Art Gallery

They’ve become local icons, and because they’ve been well conserved, the wolf statues that guard the Thunder Bay Art Gallery will continue their sentry here and at the new gallery location.

Art conservation is the cleaning, preservation, and occasionally even the reparation of an artwork. In the case of the wolves—the three outdoor bronze sculptures by Mary Anne Barkhouse—annual conservation keeps them in good condition.

First the wolves are cleaned with water and soap. Next is the tedious process of cleaning them with cotton swabs soaked in solvents to remove dirt, corrosion, paint, and stains. This step can take several days and much caution, because overcleaning can remove the bronze coating. The last step is waxing the sculptures to create a protective layer to prevent

future damage. The wax is applied with a brush or cloth, depending on how easily the surface can be accessed. After the wax dries, the buffing begins. Buffing removes wax residue to expose the shine of the metal below. The effort ensures the artist’s work will endure.

Born in 1961 in Vancouver, Barkhouse is a sculpture artist from the Nimpkish band, Kwakiutl First Nation of Alert Bay, B.C. She studied at the Ontario College of Art in Toronto and is based in Ontario. Many of her sculptures and installations explore concepts of the environment and culture, primarily through the use of animal imagery.

Wolf and its companions were commissioned in the year 2000. They were specifically made to border the side of the building and the forest as a permanent display. We invite you to walk our forested path to visit these well-loved and well-preserved sculptures.

Cheadles LLP is proud to announce our newest partner, Nathan Wainwright!

Nathan joined the firm in 2019 as part of the litigation team. He handles a wide-range of disputes, from complex commercial and construction cases, to labour and employment issues. He has successfully represented clients at all levels of court in Ontario, as well as before many different administrative tribunals.

Nathan is a graduate of Lakehead University’s Bora Laskin School of Law. He also holds a Bachelor of Arts and MBA from Lakehead University. Nathan has immersed himself into the community, having previously served on Lakehead University’s Board of Governors, and currently serving on the Board of Directors of St. Joseph’s Foundation.

Since 1953, Cheadles has proudly provided client-focused legal services in Thunder Bay and across northern Ontario.

 Lux Favreau and Kira Tuomi waxing Wolf

Orient Bay

Three Epic Adventures in Greenstone

Story and photos by Deana Renaud

The Orient Bay Corridor in Greenstone is a place where the untamed spirit of the Canadian wilderness comes alive, and every bend in Highway 11 invites you to lose yourself in the raw beauty of the natural world. This is no ordinary adventure; it’s a journey through a landscape where the towering palisades seem to touch the sky, where magnificent waterfalls cascade to the earth, and the winding paths draw you deeper into a realm that feels both ancient and untouched. The Orient Bay Corridor is not just a destination—it’s an experience, a call to every adventurer’s soul to embrace the thrill of the unknown, to discover hidden lakes shimmering like jewels in the dense forest, and to stand in awe at the majesty of nature in its most rugged form. Here, the air is crisp, the silence profound, and the possibilities endless. Welcome to Greenstone, the perfect destination for a magical fall outing.

My favourite hike in Orient Bay is the Palisades of the Pijitawabik, and it is the perfect way to start the ultimate autumn adventure. The hike starts spicy with 1.6 kilometres of ascension

to the top of the cliff line, and then levels out as the trail meanders along the top of the palisades with several breathtaking lookouts and ends at the top of Cascade Falls. The whole trail is 10 kilometres round trip (out and back). The last hike I did here was with a group of students from Geraldton Composite High School as a part of their summer mental wellbeing program. I joined their fantastic staff from Superior-Greenstone District School Board and Thunderbird Friendship Centre. In our group, there were lots of different fitness levels. It was absolutely incredible to witness how students and adults alike conquered the trail and focused on the importance of connecting well-being to the land. Everyone completed the trek with huge smiles and outstanding memories. This trail truly submerges adventurers into the magnificent green forest of the north, with stunning flora carpeting the pathway, including old gnarly cedars, towering white pine, and lush moss. The lookouts also provide breathtaking vistas of the corridor with views high above the colours of changing foliage in the fall.

 Writer Deana Renaud at Jumbo’s Cove

 Renaud’s adventure pup Crux at the palisades

 Orient Bay Palisades

After finishing the Pijitawabik, continue north on Highway 11 and get a glimpse of Cascade Falls from the ground. Pull off the road to a well-signed parking area and after a very short hike, stand at the base of this picturesque, flowing attraction. It is really hard to appreciate this glorious sight from the top of the trail and there is something inherently satisfying to witness the silvery tendrils of water shimmering in the sunlight, plummeting over the top of the cliff edge that you just stood upon.

The next stop on our adventure is the Jumbo’s Cove Train Tunnel. Another very short walk off the highway just past the Postagoni River and south of Biinjitiwaabik Zaaging Anishnaabek, you can explore an abandoned train tunnel that is over 1,000 feet long. It is a surreal feeling walking through the darkness and dampened quiet of this historical feature. The experience of standing in the middle of the tunnel with small keyholes of light at either end leaves you with an uneasy, almost eerie feeling. It is such a remarkable attraction and completely worth checking out.

There is no better way to end a trip to Greenstone than a serene evening paddle. Backtrack south to Shadow Creek Road to gain access to the southern end of Orient Bay. This is a spectacular place to launch

a canoe, kayak, or SUP for a perfect paddling experience. Not far down the dirt road is a bridge where I park on the old railbed and set off into the most beautiful setting through small calm waterways. The narrow passages follow the stunning palisades, and you pass under a few small bridges making your way towards Lake Nipigon. You can paddle to Orient Bay proper or to the shores of the community of Biinjitiwaabik Zaaging Anishnaabek for a shorter trip, or you can also use this spot as a starting off point for an epic multi-day adventure to explore the wondrous Lake Nipigon.

The southern end of Greenstone and Orient Bay corridor is a truly exquisite, rugged, and underexplored area in our region. If you have more time and energy there are also wonderful developed rockclimbing routes, the famous Gorge Creek (Go Mar) waterfall, worldclass fishing, beautiful beaches at Poplar Point, and the epic shoreline of Lake Nipigon Provincial Park—the opportunities for adventure are truly endless. If you are looking for an incredible experience immersed in untouched wilderness, this is your ultimate destination. Hope to see you out there!

Play Hard, Reward Yourself

The Courthouse Hotel

By Sidney Ulakovic

You were busy in Orient Bay; it’s time for a reset. Reward yourself with one of the greatest pleasures known to humankind—staying the night at a hotel. The Courthouse Hotel is located on Thunder Bay’s north side in what used to be (you guessed it) the city’s courthouse up until 2014. The building first opened its doors in 1924, adding a little piece of TBay history to your stay. The hotel boasts comfortable suites that balance the building’s historical features with contemporary decor, and, because the hotel sits on top of a hill, many of the suites offer a killer

view of the city’s waterfront and beloved landmark, the Sleeping Giant. After a day of shoddy cell service, you can plop down in a fluffy bed and make use of the hotel’s wifi to catch up with your friends and post all the awesome photos you got on your adventure. If you’re looking to refuel, many a restaurant lives within walking distance of the hotel, whether you’re in the mood for fine dining or pub grub. In the morning, be sure to hit the breakfast buffet— you earned it!

This feature is proudly sponsored by Visit Thunder Bay.

 Cascade Falls

 Jumbo Cove train tunnel

 Students and staff from Geraldton Composite High School and Thunderbird Friendship Centre

Stuff We Like

For Orange Shirt Day/ National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

By Kelsey Raynard

September 30 is Orange Shirt Day and National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. This annual commemoration recognizes the legacy of the Canadian residential school system, honours children and survivors, and provides an opportunity for education on how Indigenous communities have been and continue to be impacted (google Phyllis Webstad for the full story on Orange Shirt Day). Here on the traditional lands of Fort William First Nation and Robinson Superior Treaty of 1850 territory, we have ample opportunities to both learn about our shared history and forge an inclusive and equitable future for all. Today and everyday, we support Indigenous teachers, artists, makers, writers, and community members in the spirit of truth and reconciliation.

1 Indigenous Canada Course

University of Alberta ualberta.ca

Education for reconciliation is one of the pillars of the 94 Calls to Action issued by the National Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. Indigenous Canada is a free, 12-lesson course delivered by the University of Alberta that explores the complex historical and modern landscape of Indigenous-settler relations. This course is an excellent entry-level introduction to a topic that impacts everyone living in Canada.

$Free

2 Every Child Matters T-Shirt

Nishnawbe Aski Nation nishnawbe-aski-nation.myshopify.com

“Every Child Matters” is the slogan for Orange Shirt Day, emphasizing that all children—both the ones who were lost to the residential school system and the ones who survived and are healing from this trauma—are important and worthy of love. While wearing an “Every Child Matters” shirt is one way to commemorate Orange Shirt Day, we encourage you to find more ways to stand in solidarity with our Indigenous communities. Available in both adult and youth unisex sizing.

$20

3 Seven Fallen Feathers by Tanya Talaga

Entershine Bookshop

196 Algoma Street South Seven Fallen Feathers should be mandatory reading for anyone interested in learning about the Indigenous experience in Northwestern Ontario. Acclaimed author and journalist Tanya Talaga explores the complex interplay between history, systemic racism, education, the justice system, and the lives of young Indigenous students right here in Thunder Bay—a harrowing but important read.

$22.99

4 Ribbon Skirt

Waawatei Kwe (Northern Lights

Woman by Lori Sawdo)

The Hub Bazaar (507 Victoria Avenue East)

Lori Sawdo is a talented Indigenous designer and seamstress who makes a variety of traditional Indigenous clothing, including a collection of gorgeous ribbon skirts. Check out Sawdo’s stock inside the Hub Bazaar; for non-Indigenous customers, Sawdo sees the wearing of these skirts as a sign of respect and honour for Indigenous culture. Bonus: she also reads tarot cards if you’re looking for some spiritual guidance too!

$Various

5 Kokum’s Ribbon Earrings

Sister Bear Designs sisterbeardesigns.com

In Northwestern Ontario, we are surrounded by talented Indigenous makers, and Sister Bear Designs is no exception. These gorgeous beaded earrings are part of a collection paying tribute to “kokum,” the Cree word for grandmother, highlighting intergenerational strength and knowledge. Available in a variety of colours and designs.

$70

6 Birch Bark Basket Workshop

Helen Pelletier

@helendawnp on Instagram

Helen Pelletier is a woman of many talents: artist, creator, knowledgeholder, harvester, teacher. Now, you can learn how to create your very own birchbark basket (or wiigwas mukuk) in a virtual workshop hosted by Pelletier. The workshop is $170 for out-oftowners (including shipping) or $150 (local pick up of materials) for those of us in Thunder Bay. Follow Pelletier on Instagram to see when her next workshop opens.

$150-170

7 Minisi Tumbler

Omba Products

ombaproducts.com

Reduce, reuse, reconciliation. Omba Products is an Indigenous-owned business with a mission to help children and schools in First Nations communities across Northwestern Ontario. Their 16 oz Minisi Tumbler reduces single-use coffee cups, is double-insulated, BPA-free and features artwork by artist Dwayne Wabegijig. The best part? A portion of every purchase is donated to help a school in a First Nations community.

$35.99

8

Monthly Donation

Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund downiewenjack.ca

The tragic, true story of Chanie Wenjack (check out Seven Fallen Feathers to learn more about Chanie) inspired musician Gord Downie to launch the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund, whose mission is to improve the lives of Indigenous people by building awareness, education, and connections between all peoples in Canada. Donate today (or become a monthly donor) to help support this important reconciliatory work.

$Various

As Summer Winds Down Get Your Children Ready To Reach New Heights With Boulder Bear Fall Session!

Climbing & Silks Lessons

All classes begin week of September 16th, 2024

Kids That Rock ages 5-7 MON or WED from 5:30-6:30

Fundamentals 1 ages 8-12. TUES or THUR from 5:30-7:00

Fundamentals 2 ages 8-12. TUES or THUR from 7:00-8:30

Climb For Life ages 8 and up TUES and THUR from 6:00-8:00

Silks MON or WED 6:30-7:30 or 7:30-8:30

Birthday Party Headquarters

Book one of our climbing, Nerf, or Silks parties or combine 2 activities for hours of fun!

Watch our website for PA Day camps coming up!

Taking it Slow

Slow Fashion Business

Varahi

Home Joins the Market

Story by Pat Forrest, Photos courtesy of Aparna Sajeev

Anew Thunder Bay fashion and home furnishings business is named after a revered Hindu goddess. Varahi Home owner Aparna Sajeev says she chose the name because of the many powerful characteristics of the deity. “Varahi is a Hindu warrior goddess who guards us against evil and brings us prosperity and success,” Sajeev says. “I thought she would bring good luck to my business.”

Varahi Home sprang from Sajeev’s own personal needs. Being newlywed and looking to furnish and decorate her home, she quickly grew frustrated, she says, by the

proliferation of synthetic materials and “fast fashion” items in stores. She decided to start producing handmade “slow fashion” quilts filled with soft, organic cotton. “It’s quite a bit colder here than India where I am from originally. Quilts seemed like a good place to start,” she says.

Sajeev joined the Thunder Bay Country Market in June and, as the sale of her quilts began to take off, she decided to add other items, including tablecloths and runners, placemats, bedspreads, leisure wear, midi and maxi dresses, and tote bags—again, all organic cotton and designed by Sajeev herself. Response to

the garments has been very positive; Sanjeev says she has received praise for the quality and feel of the fabrics and the fact that they are all made using organic vegetable dyes. All the products are hand block-printed.

The slow fashion movement advocates for not only buying better quality products that will last longer and fair treatment of animals and the planet, but also respect for the people working to create them. Sajeev has a small team in India making her items, working from their homes at their own pace.

Looking ahead, Sajeev plans to broaden her exposure and gather new ideas by participating in the Vanderwees Christmas Craft Fair November 30 and December 1, in addition to having her booth at the market. She’ll be selling her clothing and housewares as well as taking orders for custom designs.

Find Varahi Home on the second floor of the Thunder Bay Country Market. For more information, follow @varahi_home on Instagram.

PAST & PRESENT

Journeys: Stories of Sheila Burnford and Susan Ross

By Michael deJong

Nand Susan Ross. These two close friends left an indelible mark on the Lakehead through their writing, art, and travels together to remote communities across Northwestern

 Sheila Burnford’s 1961 Empire Corona typewriter

 Ink/conté sketch by Susan Ross

Ontario and northern Canada.

otable amongst the Thunder Bay Museum’s collections are the effects and artistic outputs of two remarkable women in Thunder Bay’s history, Sheila Burnford For

One interesting item from among these collections is a 1961 Empire Corona typewriter, complete with a brown travel case, that belonged to Burnford, who was born in Scotland but moved to Port Arthur after World War II. Burnford would become a household name across the world after the publication of her 1961 novel The Incredible Journey, which was later adapted by Disney into a 1963 film, the premiere of which was held in Port Arthur. The novel tells the tale of three pets separated from their owners, who make their way through the remote wilderness of Northwestern Ontario to return to them.

After becoming friends with artist Susan Ross, Burnford’s literary career took a different turn as she focused on documenting remote Indigenous communities across Northwestern Ontario and the Arctic, capturing a way of life that was rapidly changing. These travels would result in the publication of Without Reserve (1969) and One Woman’s Arctic (1973). It was this typewriter that Burnford took with her; a partial Air Canada tag still attached to the handle remains to echo these fascinating journeys.

The second item is an ink/conté sketch by Ross, dated 1960, depicting the Indigenous wild rice harvest at Whitefish Lake. The sketch depicts beached canoes used to gather the rice, with sacks being taken to weigh

scales, a scene poignantly described by Burnford in Without Reserve Ross’s family owned a hunting camp on the lake, and it was a favourite destination in her early life; after Ross and Burnford became close friends, the pair began travelling there together. Their travels would later take them to communities in Northwestern Ontario only accessible by air, such as Big Trout Lake and Sandy Lake, and later still to Arctic communities such as Pond Inlet. In each place they visited, Burnford would write about her observations and experiences while Ross would sketch the people they befriended and places they saw (later converting sketches to paintings and etchings), together creating a fascinating record of life in these remote communities otherwise unknown.

An exhibit currently on display at the Thunder Bay Museum tells the story of Burnford and Ross, their early lives, and their artistic and literary careers in greater detail, featuring these items and many more. This story is also told in the film Long Walk Home: The Incredible Journey of Sheila Burnford , produced by Shebafilms.

 (L–R) Artist Susan Ross and writer Sheila Burnford

CORNER

From Sunrise to Sunset

By Justin Allec

Product: Infused Good Morning, Good Afternoon, Goodnight Pre-Roll

Brand: Handy Dandies

THC: 24.00–30.00%

CBD: 0.00–0.50%

Plant Type: Blend

Price: $20.60/1.5g

Pre-roll joints now come in every shape, size, and infusion you could think of, so companies are trying a little harder to stick out from the crowded field. Bundling pre-rolls into some kind of themed package is a relatively new marketing strategy, but it makes sense in order to give the consumption a little extra meaning. For that reason, I do believe that Sudbury-based producers Handy Dandies have got themselves a surefire winner with this set of three kiefinfused pre-rolls. They’re offering three cannabis blends geared for morning, afternoon, and night, which could spell out one epically slack day.

Imagine this: you’re still in your slippers, delicious coffee at your elbow, watching the world wake up from your front porch with a Good Morning joint to start your day off right. Handy Dandies doesn’t focus too much on individual strains—each pre-roll is a blend—but this one is a shot of pure sativa sunshine. Being infused with kief, it’s certainly a heady joint, coming in at the higher end of the THC spectrum, but this is a getup-and-go session—an energizing, enjoyable experience that adds that

extra layer to the day. Taste-wise, it's heavier on the citrus and menthol than I usually prefer, but it's fine first thing in the morning.

Since the day is still rolling, Good Afternoon comes just after a light lunch. The buzz of the morning’s joint has largely abated and hopefully you’ve done what little was on your to-do list, as we’re edging into a holding pattern with this hybrid blend. There’s definitely Kushpowered genetics working with this pre-roll, but the overall experience is more relaxed fun than the morning business. I appreciate that Handy Dandies didn’t just mix their morning and night pre-rolls for the Good Afternoon joint—with trace flavours of sour lime and funky juniper, this is its own experience.

Finally, we reach the Goodnight joint. After two 0.5-gram joints during the day, it's pretty easy to slip into a couch coma, and that’s exactly what’s being offered here. Fruity and sweettasting, Goodnight is the capper to an excellent day, the sweet dessert after two hearty courses. A heavy indica blend, the Goodnight pre-roll wraps you up in comfort.

Overall, an impressive bundle of pre-rolls from this newer producer, and a company worth keeping an eye on. It isn’t every day you find a cannabis producer this close to northern Ontario, so I’m hoping Handy Dandies will keep offering products like these pre-rolls that are a fun, quality cannabis product.

Getting Creative with Crafty Bobby

By Kelsey Raynard

Creativity can be an asset when it comes to sustainable living. Whether you’re thrifting, upcycling, or refurbishing, envisioning a new life for a second-hand item requires some creative thinking. This month, we are proud to feature Crafty Bobby: a corporate graphic designer by day and thrift flipper by night who is transforming second-hand items and clothing into works of art.

Megan Keogh, owner of Crafty Bobby, explains that she has always possessed a creative spirit; she paired that with her childhood nickname, Bobby, and the thrifty alter ego of Crafty Bobby was born. For Keogh, crafting, upcycling, and DIY-ing started as a way to escape the monotony of her nine-to-five. “I’m still working full time, so I’m always doing projects on the side to escape from my computer for a bit. I love to get my hands into it, and I really enjoy the physical parts of creating.” After positive feedback from friends and family, she decided to start selling her creations to the public.

Crafty Bobby is a delightfully colourful and diverse business, where thrifted clothing and items are refreshed with graphic linocut prints or are dyed and transformed into a new item altogether. Keogh also sells greeting cards with her signature linocut prints as well. From sweaters, to tote bags, to table napkins, to bandanas, Keogh is able to make a thrift flip out of just about anything. Pair this diversity with her quirky and often humorous graphic designs and you have a funky collection of items you can feel good about purchasing.

Crafty Bobby has a number of unique thrift flips to showcase this month. First, she has three sets of block-printed and thrifted napkins to spice up your next tablescape. She has blue napkins with a coffee mug print (measuring 15" x 15", set of 4 for $20), peach dyed napkins with a fruit print (16" x 16", set of 4 for $20) and yellow tie-dyed napkins with a happy face print (18" x 19", set of 4 for $20).

Lastly, she has some great

thrifted clothing finds that have also been transformed with her unique designs. There is a blue tie-dyed T-shirt with coffee blockprint (size medium for $25), a tan long-sleeve button up with abstract pocket print (size large for $30), and a light yellow short-sleeve button up with happy-face pocket print (size large for $25).

SECOND CHANCES

If you’d like to snag a Crafty Bobby original, check out her Etsy page (thecraftybobby.etsy.com), and follow @crafty.bobby on Instagram to keep up to date on her next local market appearance.

XCM Canadian Championships Cross-Country Event to Occur in Trowbridge Forest

By Kris Ketonen

Some of the best mountain bike riders in Canada will be hitting the trails in Thunder Bay this month. Blacksheep Mountain Bike Club is teaming up with Cycling Canada to host the 2024 Canadian XCM MTB Championships, a crosscountry mountain biking event taking place at Kinsmen Park in Trowbridge Forest.

“Normally, that weekend we have what we used to call the Forty Miner,” says Eric Bailey, one of the event’s organizers. “We decided when we applied for this national championship […] that we would try to roll it in on the same weekend.”

Upon being selected to host the national championship, Bailey says they decided to adapt the event for this occasion. “It’s a combination of the existing Forty Miner with the XCM nationals.”

There will be a few races leading up to the marathon, being called Canadian challenge races, Bailey says. “That’s a term that they use across cycling,” he says. “So there’s the Canadian championships, and then the Canadian XCM challenge categories.” The challenge races will take place the morning of September 7, which include the five-kilometre Mini-Miner race, a 15-kilometre short-course race, and a 27-kilometre medium-course race.

“In the afternoon, we’re holding our longest race,” Bailey says. “In the past, our longest distance was 48 (kilometres), so in the spirit of XCM, we are offering the top local category to race on the same course—and alongside—the elite category, but with one less lap.” The elite racers will do three laps of the 30-kilometre course for the Canadian championship, while the local racers will do two laps.

“Our goal was to really highlight our boreal-style trails. We have three distinct types of trails on the loop,” Bailey says. “One is all this new stuff which we call flow. It’s a bit wider, there’s more jumps and berms. Then there’s what we call old-school tech, so that’s the old Shuniah Mines stuff. Then we have these faster sections built in.” According to Bailey, the goal is to attract 500 riders to the event overall. “We think they’re going to get a really good flavour of what our entire network is like.”

For more information, including a full schedule, visit xcmtbay.com.

Volunteers are still needed; anyone interested in volunteering can inquire via email to volunteers @blacksheepmtb.com.

Tim Banfield

Tim Banfield

Tim Banfield

Dealers

The Thrill of the Chase

Local Sports Collector Developing Rare Collection

By Sidney Ulakovic

In 2022, a record was shattered when a 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle #311 sold for USD$12.6 million, making it the highest-selling sports card of all time.

Sports memorabilia collecting certainly isn’t a new hobby— collectors have likely existed in some capacity as long as sports have been around—but the value of rare, mintcondition collectibles has soared astronomically in the last few years. The increased demand for sports collectibles can even be felt here in Thunder Bay, with the frequency with which sports card and memorabilia shows have occurred in the last year, as well as the number of specialty stores opening their doors, like 807 Cards & Collectibles.

For local photographer Damien Gilbert, sports memorabilia collecting

has been a lifelong hobby.

“I’ve always been a fan of hockey as a kid,” Gilbert says. “There was a specific player named Pavel Bure— he was from Russia, but he played for the Vancouver Canucks, and my dad bought me his rookie card as a kid and I just went from there.” Gilbert collected casually, mostly Bure memorabilia, up until four years ago.

“During the pandemic, many of us [...] kind of relived our childhood,” he says. As Gilbert’s interest in collecting piqued, so did the value of the collectibles themselves, essentially opening the floodgates as Gilbert’s newly acquired jerseys, cards, and sticks evolved into more than just a personal collection but a means for him to acquire even more limited edition items.

“For me, it’s the chase,” Gilbert

says of what he’s come to enjoy about collecting. While there’s certainly things he plans to keep for his personal collection—items that evoke childhood nostalgia or finds from his favourite team the Edmonton Oilers—these days he’s mostly after rare memorabilia.

“Personally, I love the vintage stuff because every year they only made one set.”

According to Gilbert, there are a variety of historical factors, along with a standardized grading system, that come into play when determining the value of a collectible. “It’s become such a big, crazy industry that it’s hard to keep up with, to be honest,” Gilbert says. Despite the difficulty, high cost, and sheer amount of time it can take to sift through purchases of memorabilia lots collected over lifetimes (we’re talking days), Gilbert says the payoff is all in the thrill of getting his hands on a hidden gem.

Some of those gems are found locally, but Gilbert says a lot of his digging is done online or at

conventions in Toronto. “I’ve just met so many people globally [from collecting],” Gilbert says, adding that he’s had the opportunity to sift through some mind-blowing collections as a result of networking with other collectors.

Gilbert’s current project is to complete a 1971-72 autographed OPC hockey set. Aside from hunting down more memorabilia items on his wishlist, Gilbert’s journey in the sports collecting world inspired him to start a video project where he will profile collectors of all sorts of things over a miniseries of short films, starting with himself and branching out from there.

To see more of Gilbert’s collection and follow along as it grows, follow him on Instagram @bure_mcdavid.

For anyone interested in trading, selling, or buying, Gilbert can be contacted at 807-708-7090.

Chad Kirvan

Damien Gilbert

Damien Gilbert

 Gilbert with Josh Thorne of Hit 'em High Sports Cards at Sport Card Expo in Toronto

Treasure Exchange Days are coming! Search for that special something, or give away an item no longer needed. Exchange reusable items such as furniture, small appliances and toys – free!

• Clearly label items ‘FREE’. Place them at the curb after 5 pm on Friday, Sept. 6.

Keep items that aren’t ‘give aways’, such as bikes, toys and tools, well away from the curb to avoid misunderstandings.

Post your items on social media tagged #TbayTreasureDays to share and explore treasures everywhere in Thunder Bay!

Tour your neighbourhood to check for great items at the curb.

• On Sunday, remove all uncollected items by 7 pm. Items left at the curb are subject to enforcement as per City by-laws, and will not be collected by the City.

Treasure Exchange Days are an action item from the City's Solid Waste Management Strategy.

Running for (Not From) the Problem

Take It In Strides Suicide Prevention Run

By Abigail Heron

Suicide is the second leading cause of death in youth and young adults in the country according to the Public Health Agency of Canada. It invades the lives of almost everyone in some form or another—you might know someone lost to suicide or struggling with suicidal ideation, or you might experience those thoughts yourself. Yet, we tend to fear the word “suicide,” and shield ourselves with euphemisms or with silence altogether, which only contributes to its stigmatization and further perpetuating the deadly cycle. But what happens when we come together as a community to wade through our grief—not sinking comfortably into denial,

but traversing the tempest of reality in strides?

“[At last year’s inaugural run] this lady came up to me and she was absolutely bawling,” says Connor Remus, co-founder of the Take It In Strides Suicide Prevention Run. “Her son took his own life a year ago, and [she said] she'd been waiting a whole year for an event like this to happen—not even just for the community to get together, but something that she could channel her own emotions through.” Remus started the race in the wake of the passing of his dear friend Joey Deschamps, as he had taken to running to cope with his loss. He hopes that as grief demands a witness, uniting

those caught in its storm will not only bring catharsis, but show those struggling with thoughts of suicide there is a supportive community available to them. Registrants have the option to partake remotely, or in a five- or 10-kilometre run or a three-kilometre walk around Boulevard Lake, with children under 12 participating for free. At the start and finish line will be a memorial wall made up of photos of those lost to suicide, submitted through the event’s website. This year, the Canadian Mental Health Association Thunder Bay Chapter will host a spaghetti dinner the night before the run, featuring public speakers and conversation around mental health. “It’s just a kick-ass event that we want everybody to show up to, everybody to support, and everyone’s welcome,” says Remus about the race that raised $50,000 last year. “Walk, run, laugh, share stories, and cry. All that is exactly what this is meant to be.”

Proceeds from the Take It In Strides Suicide Prevention Run, which takes place on Septemer 8, go to the Candian Mental Health Association and the Children’s Centre Foundation Thunder Bay. To register as an individual or team for this event, visit takeitinstridesrun.com.

Living in 1815

The Journey of a Bourgeois, Voyageur, and Tour Guide Specialist

By Taylor Onski

Getting to travel back to 1815 and meet the wonderful people of Fort William Historical Park for this column was a summer highlight for me. And what better way to end this series than interviewing my dear friend of 10 years, Carly Martin.

After completing her Honours Bachelor of Music Theatre Performance at Sheridan College in 2022, Martin moved back home to Thunder Bay for a bit and started working at Fort William Historical Park as an events assistant in the marketing and visitor experiences team in April 2023. In this position, she scheduled third-party musicians and artisans for events, developed “The Gingerbread House” exhibit for the New Year’s Eve Family Frolic, and

performed in Haunted Fort.

One year later, Martin is now the bourgeois, voyageur, and tour guide specialist on the grounds in costume, bringing history to life.

“No day is ever standardized, and truthfully, that is the magic of this place,” says Martin. In the summer, Martin’s job consists of a lot of scheduling. As the supervisor of over 20 students working at the Fort during summer break, Martin ensures events are staffed and oversees daily programming such as song and dance, storytelling, and The Arrival, where voyageurs arrive by canoe. “We do song and dance for half an hour each day and invite visitors to learn songs and dances of the fur trade. It is absolutely joyful and something I look forward to

every day.”

BRIDGING THE PAST

Like her colleagues, Martin shares extensive gratitude to the students and young people she works with, and guides them to find their passions. She will always find them learning historic hand skills such as moccasin making, edge beading, and finger weaving, and learning instruments such as the fiddle and fifes. And while the summer must end and the students will return to school, with a new season, Martin is ready for another adventure ahead.

“As we move into the fall, I am excited to spend more isolated time focusing on my own learning and understanding the intricacies, nuances, and history of this place and period,” she says. “I will be facilitating numerous education

programs for schools, participating in multiple events, and leading tours of the historic site. Oh, and learning. Always learning.”

For more information, visit fwhp.ca

Making Waves

WTIP’s Radio Waves Music Festival in Grand Marais

By Abigail Heron

In 2008, WTIP could have never anticipated the eventual magnitude of what they started as only a small celebration for the community radio station’s 10-year anniversary. At the time, Radio Waves Music Festival was a mere one night of eight acts; now, the event boasts over 20 musical performances spanning across three days. Though on the outside the festival may seem very different, what remains unchanged is its heart of community, continuing to beat ever

more fiercely as the years progress.

“We're not corporate; we’re a public radio station so we really take a community approach to everything we do,” says Staci Drouillard, Radio Waves’ event coordinator, about Cook County Community Radio (WTIP), the oldest community radio station on the North Shore of Lake Superior. The station’s mission statement to build community is upheld throughout its celebratory festival in many ways. All performers are either local, regional,

or national, to spotlight the talent near and dear to the area who are sometimes overlooked. This year, some highlights include Clearwater Hot Tub, Keith Secola, and Annie Humphrey & Jeremy Ylvisaker.

Another way the event furthers WTIP’s goal is offering free admission to attendants age 17 and under.

“Part of our mission is to create a welcoming and family-friendly atmosphere at the music festival [while welcoming] younger voices

into learning the art of radio and being a part of the things we do here in the community,” says Drouillard. “So, we want to make it affordable for families and kids 17 and under to be able to be in attendance, hear the music, and be a part of it all.” Otherwise, tickets are USD$20 per day or USD$50 for the full weekend.

Rain or shine, Radio Waves takes place September 6–8 at the Sweetheart’s Bluff in Grand Marais, providing a beautiful woodland setting for attendees to dance the night away and enjoy onsite food and drink in a family-friendly atmosphere. “Anyone who loves live music is going to love it. The calibre of performers is top notch,” says Drouillard. “We really pride ourselves on mixing it up in terms of genre [so] there's something for everyone at the Radio Waves festival.”

Radio Waves takes place

September 6–8 at 114 S 8th Ave West, Grand Marais, Minn. Make sure to get your tickets in advance at wtip.org and follow on Instagram @wtipradio.

 Saltydog

 Emma Tweten

 Annie Humphrey

 Between Howls

 Caitlin Nicol-Thomas

Better in Stereo

With Sara Kae

As told to Shannon Lepere and Rebekah Skochinski, Photo by Erin Collins of Blueprints and Shannon Lepere

Singer/songwriter/storyteller

Sara Kae is finding her way. On the heels of a busy summer performing and recording new music, she sat down with us at Blueprints recording studio to hear about the evolution of her sound, the four-song EP she plans to release this month, her vintage cowboy boots, and the artist who inspired her to write a song about Nipigon.

The Walleye: What was it like performing at your first Live from the Rock Folk Festival?

Sara Kae: Being around that many musicians who are so talented and love what they do inspired me so much. It was nice to see people come out and support me, but I was also just happy to be there and listen to other people play. We did these things called workshops where you

get together with a couple other musicians and it’s essentially like doing a writer’s round and people can join in if they want on stage. I shared some songs that I’ve written specifically for these workshops, which was a little nerve-wracking because I didn’t have a lot of time to work out the kinks. And then I did a full set on the Saturday.

TW: Can you tell us more about these new songs and the direction your music is taking?

SK: I was doing a lot of pop music before, but it wasn’t really fuelling me the same way. And then I was picking up my guitar and writing these songs, and then they just kept coming, and I was like, oh my goodness, I think I found something that really fits what I’m trying to put out there. It’s been really nice performing this music live and seeing how people react to it, and it’s allowing me to practice my lyricism a lot more. And that’s something that’s super important to me and my music.

TW: Where are you at with your new EP and when can we hear it?

SK: I’m saying September 27, and I feel very confident that I’m going to make that date. I’m finishing up with Rob Nickerson, here in town, who's a very cool guy, and I love him so much. He’s

it. I definitely wrote songs before that, but this was a start to finish and a performed song. But yeah, I'm sorry Dad, that will not be making it to the setlist any time soon or ever.

TW: Speaking of your dad, what’s it like being Ron Kanutski’s daughter, and do you think he’s funny?

SK: It’s big shoes to fill. He is a character. I think that’s the best way to describe him. I look a lot like my father. I very much resemble my dad through and through. He’s goofy. And I think that's where I got that goofiness from. I do think he’s funny. I want to make sure that he knows if he’s listening.

TW: Has he influenced you musically?

just so organic and easy to work with. I think that’s something that’s made me feel comfortable doing this process—recording is so intimate and at times awkward and vulnerable, and he is great at making me feel as if I did my best.

TW: Can you tell us about your boots?

SK: I found a pair of cowboy boots and I think that’s what did it. I was like, wait a second, I'm trying to be Miley Cyrus now. Like, circa 2009, Hannah Montana: The Movie.

TW: Did you perform with the boots?

SK: I did perform with the boots. Clothing allows you to express yourself. And I feel like I'm just trying to figure out what makes me feel good. I’m getting there through the clothing, through the music, just a lot of things have happened that have made me feel really good about who I’m becoming as a person.

TW: What’s the first song you ever wrote?

SK: I wrote so many songs but one that I really started performing was called “Unbreakable.” My friend had been bullied really badly, and I wanted to write a song for her. And my dad, to this day is, like, you need to bring back “Unbreakable.” He loves it. I was like 11 when I wrote

SK: One hundred percent. He played a lot of Johnny Cash and Hank Williams growing up. I think that goes back to where I’m at now with the cowboy boots and all that good stuff. I remember feeling so good when he played music in the house that I kind of wanted to find my own world in that. And he encouraged it. He always wanted to play music professionally growing up and I just don’t think he had the same support that I do from both of my parents.

TW: What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?

SK: I’ve received so much good advice in my life, and I've had so many amazing role models but my parents told me if you want something, you have to work hard for it -- if you really want to make music your thing, music’s got to be your thing. It’s not verbatim what they said, there might have been a couple more swears in there, because it’s Ron.

TW: Is there an artist you’re currently listening to?

SK: Boy Golden was playing at Live at the Waterfront, and I got to catch his set. I like his lyricism, and I also like that in one of his songs he talks about Brandon, Manitoba, which really inspired one of my songs that I wrote recently that's about Nipigon and it's the whole concept of the song. Thank you, Boy Golden. Because I was like, I could do this, I could put Nipigon in the song and make it work.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity. To hear more, find the expanded interview on our new Better in Stereo podcast on Spotify, iHeartRadio, and more.

 Singer-songwriter Sara Kae performs at Blueprints

Stereo Better in

Podcast

The Dreamweaver Project

ACCESSIBLE ART EXHIBIT

The Dream Weaver project with artists Betty Carpick and Zoe Gordon celebrates the creativity, dignity, and resilience of people living with sight-loss through artmaking and storytelling Generously funded by donors of the Dr S Penny Petrone Fund and the John Rafferty Memorial Fund, whose grants through the TBCF made this arts program possible, the event will also provide an opportunity to meet the artists

Please join us for

Friday, September 6

6:00 pm – 8:00 pm CoLab Gallery + Art Centre (in the Goods & Co Market at 251 Red River Road)

&

Friday, September 6 –Wednesday, September 18, 2024

An Evening of Classic Tunes at Waverley Park

TBay Icon Plays Summer Concert Series

Review and photos by Adam Sabaz

These are the dog days of summer, and I couldn’t think of a more pleasant way to spend an evening than parked in a lawn chair under soaring oak trees, taking in an evening of live entertainment at Waverley Park. The setting at Ontario’s second oldest heritage park is serene: it’s a splendid recreation area in the middle of the city with green spaces, gardens, the classical architecture of a former school, historic churches, a water fountain, and trees reaching for the clouds. In one corner of the park sits the recently constructed pavilion, and this is where my folks and I settled in for an evening of classic oldies performed by none other than Thunder Bay’s own Daylin James (a.k.a. Eric Gustafson).

To the delight of the hundreds of fans in attendance, James took the crowd on a musical journey through the great classics, performing many country hits from legends Johnny Cash, Garth Brooks, and Alan Jackson before closing the first set with Elvis Presley’s “Can’t Help Falling in Love.” Always the crowd pleaser, James cracked jokes between songs, interacted with the crowd, and even got a good laugh with a quip about Eric Gustafson’s appearance. One lucky fan had a song sung to her for her birthday, and, at one point, James wandered into the audience to play trivia master, encouraging fans to yell out answers and give the whole concert an inclusive vibe.

The second set, to this onlooker’s confusion, featured

Eric Gustafson—the same gentleman as before, but now wearing a white sportcoat. The repertoire switched gears into more mainstream classics from fan favourites like The Beatles, Frank Sinatra, and Neil Diamond. A rousing rendition of “Delilah” from Tom Jones had the audience singing along.

James’ dedication to his craft was more than apparent as he sang each song with bravado and confidence, hitting notes in a very impressive vocal range. His years as an award-winning Elvis tribute artist are obvious by his stage presence and charisma. His Elvis passion could be heard in every song, with a bit of the King’s gusto and full-throated resonance flavouring each tune. Charming and appreciative to everyone who came out, James gave it his all and wowed the fans of all ages.

Waverley Park is a special place, and the good stewards of the Coalition for Waverley Park put on a great concert series on Monday evenings in the summer. Not only is one entertained, but also educated about the park’s historic significance and the need to preserve it. A current fundraiser and awareness campaign is underway to update the Hogarth Fountain, which is over 200 years old.

Information about the summer concert series and other park events can be found on the Coalition for Waverley Park’s Facebook page.

BURNING TO THE SKY

The Three Cheesiest Songs of the 70s

By Gord Ellis

Terry Jacks

“Seasons in the Sun”

A friend told me recently that “Seasons in the Sun” gave her a headache. She is not alone. Despite being a monster hit in 1972, “Seasons in the Sun” may be one of the most depressing pop songs of all time, and it’s not just the lyrics chronicling the certain end of everyone who had been having fun with “wine and song.” There is something about the music, with its slightly insidious opening riff and the unusually chirpy vocal from Terry Jacks that reminds you:

It’s hard to die, when all the birds are singing in the sky

For some, it wouldn’t be that hard if this song came on.

When The Walleye editor Adrian Lysenko asked me what I wanted to write for the cheese issue, he did offer a couple suggestions, one being cheesy songs. He rightly guessed I’d go for that, but I’ve narrowed it down even further. Although cheese has come in every decade, the 1970s were extra fromage. Here are three of the very smelliest cheesy songs.

Captain & Tennille “Muskrat Love”

At some point in 1972, a songwriter named Willis Alan Ramsey wrote and recorded a song he called “Muskrat Candlelight.” It was not a typical love song, since it focused on rodents and romance. It was also not a hit. Then the song was recorded as a cover by the rock group America, which they re-titled “Muskrat Love.” Somewhere along the line, Captain & Tennille decided to record the song. For those who have never heard it, here’s a taste of the lyrics:

Nibblin’ on bacon, chewin’ on cheese

Sam says to Susie

Honey, would you please be my Mrs.?

Susie she says yes, with her kisses

Captain & Tennille really work to sell this one, even adding the sounds of lovemaking muskrats on a loop—generated by a synthesizer, of course. Chewing on cheese, indeed.

Paper Lace

“Billy

Don’t Be a Hero”

The story of young men going to war and leaving behind friends, family, and lovers is not new ground. Most of the songs are harrowing— see “John Brown,” a protest song written by Bob Dylan, for one of the most bracing examples, or Bruce Springsteen’s epic, “Born in the USA,” which deals with a soldier who comes back from Vietnam and is spurned by society. Then, there is “Billy Don’t Be a Hero.”

Theoretically, this should be a moving ode to lost love due to war. However, the song, made famous by the U.K. pop group Paper Lace, doesn’t quite get there. It is difficult to put my finger on why this song grates like old Limberger, but it does. For starters, although released around the time of the Vietnam War (1974), the drum pattern and mention of blue uniforms seems to be a reference to the Civil War. However, we never really know where Billy is actually going. We do know his girlfriend pleads to him to “keep his head low.”

I heard his fiancée got a letter

That told how Billy died that day

The letter said that he was a hero

She should be proud he died that way

I heard she threw that letter away.

Other notable 70s cheese-fests include, “You Light Up My Life,” “Disco Duck,” and the extraordinarily vile “(You’re) Having My Baby,” but we will save those for another time.

On paper, the words look stronger than they sound on the record. Unfortunately, “Billy Don’t Be a Hero” is one of the limpest of 70s pop records. That didn’t stop it from going to number one, however.

EPTEMBER 30, 2024

In the spirit of uth and Reconciliation.

5k run/walk, 10k, 15k plus FREE Kids Fun Run

Join us on Monday, September 30, 2024 in Thunder Bay, Ontario at Boulevard Lake for a special community run in honour of the Indigenous children who were lost and the ongoing healing journey of residential school survivors and their families. This event will take place on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, and we invite everyone to participate in this important and meaningful event Let's come together as a community to show our support and commitment to truth, reconciliation, and healing. Don't miss out on this opportunity to make a positive impact and be a part of something truly special.

All funds raised help support Mazinaajim programs.

Unplugged and Unmatched

North House Folk School Presents Music and Culture Festival

By Abigail Heron

Planted in the quiet town of Grand Marais, Minn., lie rich cultural roots. The North House Folk School unearths the practices of its community’s heritage— buried under the digitization and automation of our modern society— by offering programs teaching traditional northern crafts in a non-competitive, student-centred, educational environment. Every year, the fruits of their labour blossom into a vibrant celebration in support of the school: North House Folk School’s Unplugged.

Unplugged centres around the big top tent and a two-night bounty of soulful music, but also branches out to touch upon many other activities. “What’s neat about a lot of our events is they’re not really passive,” says Rae Poynter, communications and marketing manager of North House Folk School, about how Unplugged actively engages its guests. Not

only are attendees encouraged to connect with the artisans making up the event’s folk craft market and ask questions about their work, but this year, kids are invited to participate in a clogging workshop teaching the basics of the folk dance, and offered an opportunity to show off their new skills at Saturday morning’s family and kids’ concert. “We want kids and families to be there having fun, learning new things, and being part of [the event],” says Poynter. “[Like in our] active learning community, we want people to leave our events feeling like they’ve participated and learned something, and walk away feeling enriched.”

Fresh things are coming to Unplugged this year. The woodworking building will become a temporary dining hall, with local food trucks parked outside right before the evening concert, allowing attendees to stop by on their way to the show. North House will also

be celebrating a new permanent addition: a welcome centre containing two new classrooms, the new school store, and Unplugged’s artisan market. As the project’s first piece of timber was ceremonially cut at last year’s Birch Bark Bash, at this year’s dinner and auction, the building will receive a dedication.

“I think it's often people who have a sense of curiosity [who come to Unplugged]. [They want] to experience something new, even if it’s something new that’s actually something old,” says Poyner, about the appeal of the event’s intriguing traditional aspects. “There’s a lot of people [who] want to follow that curiosity and creativity, [so] it's a really fun and strong energy that ends up coming to the Unplugged event.”

Unplugged takes place September 19–21. Event tickets and information can be found at northhouse.org.

Natalia Arroyo

Taking Musical Roots and Planting Them Somewhere New

By Taylor Onski

Raised in a house where Latin American folk music was always on, classical music and cabaret piano tunes were played by her grandfather, and with an orchestra teaching kids just down the street, Natalia Arroyo was always surrounded by music. But when she was seven years old, her mother bought her a violin the day after she asked for it, and the musician from Ensenada,

Mexico began her journey to find her own musical voice.

“In classical music, I didn’t always feel that I belonged. I wanted something I felt more related to,” says Arroyo. “When I studied, I discovered traditional Mexican music. So I went to one of those concerts and saw this is where I could improvise.” Through improvising, Arroyo crafts beautiful traditional Mexican music pieces.

Sourced from a certain mood and feeling, Arroyo composes chords, harmonies, and melodies with the freedom and joy the music from her childhood brought her.

“Nature is an inspiration to me. It’s something very strong that it does to me. If I sit and start looking at the water move, something directly translates to music in my mind.” Knowing the effect nature has with her music, Arroyo

began to work with environmental conservation organizations in Mexico. Along with the organizations and the people of the various islands around Mexico, she began to create songs that honoured those islands. “We don’t speak the biologist language, but maybe through music, we can,” she says.

Arroyo made Thunder Bay her home in 2021 with her husband and

 Natalia Arroyo ensemble: (L-R) Edwin Montes, Natalia Arroyo, Jose Louis Rodriguez

 Musician Natalia Arroyo

child. While in Thunder Bay, she’s performed with Mood Indigo and Roy Coran Big Band, and with her own band at Summer in the Parks and Norteños. She even released an album with the Natalia Arroyo Ensemble, Reconectando Raices (Reconnecting Roots) . In 11 tracks, the album showcases Arroyo’s beautiful skills as a musician. Her playing is powerful; sometimes, she guides you through the story, or shares the lead, as in the tango-style “Counting Days.”

No matter where she is in the world, Arroyo’s work interconnects people, land, and sea, and is true to her Mexican roots. “Music connects to our emotions and from the senses,” she says. “We have a very powerful thing in our hands. So we have to use it well.”

Find Natalia Arroyo on Spotify, or on Instagram @nataliaarroyoofficial.

Loudtooth

Supergroup to Debut at Black Pirates Pub

Story by Abigail Heron, Photo by Jesse Talakoski

Quilted together from members of bands past and present, Loudtooth is a culmination of almost two decades of musical experience. Founded by Josh Talakoski of Pedestrian Lifestyle and Mike Nazvesky of Hello Justice in January of 2022 and polishing their lineup off with Josh Therriault of Son Hound and Jared Schaaf of Action Cat this past May, the band is ready to debut with a boom on September 17 at Black Pirates Pub.

“Our original idea was to have the first show a little bit more chill, but then it ended up we’re opening for Single Mothers from London, Ontario.” says Talakoski, drummer and vocalist of Loudtooth. “It’s kind of crazy as our first show in this band.

[The Single Mothers] show last year was like the greatest show that I’d seen at [Black Pirates] period, so there’s a little bit of pressure to contend with that.”

Loudtooth is dark, staying true to its noise-rock genre. “It’s loud, there’s feedback on guitars, [it’s] a little bit more visceral, [and] you don’t have to worry about being quiet,” says Talakoski about his preference for the alternative style of music.

The lyrics work in tandem with the band’s sonic atmosphere, explains Therriault, one of Loudtooth’s lyricists and guitarists, who has played locally since 2008. “[Our lyrics] usually end up being about existential angst, past relationships, or macabre stuff,” he says— subjects well appreciated by

artists in the cold city of Thunder Bay. “Long ass winters; short summers. People are obviously very affected by the weather and their environment,” he adds. “I think that’s where the energy of the music [in town] comes from.”

Even though they’re no strangers to the stage, Loudtooth still brings challenges for its members. “It’s a new thing for me, playing drums and singing at the same time,” says Talakoski, who was primarily a singer and guitarist in past projects. “It’s kind of exciting and also scary. I’m looking at bands like Death Row, 1979, or Brutus, [where] the drummer is the singer of the band, and [thinking about] how I get in [that] different headspace.”

With years in the scene comes great wisdom. “You want to feel proud of what you’re putting out, not trying to adhere to some kind of idea of whatever’s popular around the time,” says Talakoski. “[For] anybody who’s thinking about getting into a band [who’s] intimidated by the scene, speaking from 17 years of experience, it’s so easy to get in,” says Therriault. “Nobody’s judging— we’re all just having a good time.”

See Loudtooth live at Black Pirates Pub on September 17 and keep up on Instagram and Facebook @loudtoothband.

 Loudtooth (L–R): Josh Talakoski, Mike Nazvesky, Josh Therriault, Jared Schaaf

SURVIVAL

Locally Written

Avenue II

Program Services (Thunder Bay) Inc.

Wake the Giant

Annual Music Festival Brings Arkells, Galantis to Stage

By Kris Ketonen

Arkells, Galantis, and Walk off the Earth are just a few of the bands hitting the stage this month as a popular music festival returns to Marina Park. The 2024 edition of the Wake the Giant festival will take place on September 14, and this year’s musical lineup also includes DJ Shub, Coleman Hell, Drives the Common Man, Chester Knight, Ira Johnson Band, andThunder Spirit.

“I'm super excited to see Drives the Common Man,” says

Sean Spenrath, one of the event organizers. “He's being presented by the Downie Wenjack foundation.”

Inspired by the story of Chanie Wenjack and the activism of Gord Downie, the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund is an organization that exists to create a path to reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people through education, programming, and events. “It's the first time we've brought them on board with Wake

the Giant, which is really cool, to have them as a sponsor,” he says. “I know we’ve always dreamed of partnering with Downie Wenjack— of course it's been a huge influence for a lot of us on the team there.”

The festival isn’t just music, however. It will also include a live art installation, guest speakers, food trucks, an Indigenous craft market, and cultural experiences. The latter is a big part of Wake the Giant, which started as a way to welcome youth from northern communities who are coming to Thunder Bay to attend school. “I don’t think a lot of people recognize how challenging it is for these kids. This is a major culture shock that these kids are facing,” Spenrath says. “We’re just trying to create a supportive community

for these kids.”

That includes various other activities around the festival, including learning about the city, and the amenities and supports it offers. “I think [the students are] just excited to be in Thunder Bay, right? We help to get rid of that deer-inthe-headlights look and that’s super important, because that first initial shock of coming here is really scary for a young kid,” Spenrath says. “To show them that Thunder Bay can be a supporting environment is a huge weight lifted off their shoulders, I think. So we need it.”

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit wakethegiant.ca.

Dave Zahodnik

Dave Zahodnik

Chad Kirvan

Chad Kirvan

One Real Reveal

Joel Plaskett

Sometimes less is more. Recorded with a small Telefunken KM56 microphone and a four-track tape recorder, Joel Plaskett’s One Real Reveal conjures up images of rainy summer days while holed up in a log cabin. This is a nice change from the Halifax-based musician and songwriter’s sprawling (yet excellent) album 44. Starting with the space travel-inspired opening track, “Blind Spots,” One Real Reveal is peppered with spoken word pieces, adding to the album’s dream-like intimacy. Standout tracks include the country-tinged ballad “Iona” and the short but sweet “Breezy Jane.” Rather than relying on effects or heavy production, musicians lay it all on the line and put their skills on the forefront with a stripped-down album. Taking this approach on One Real Reveal, Joel Plaskett cements his reputation as one of Canada’s most talented troubadours.

-Adrian Lysenko

Rise Above It All

The Georgia Thunderbolts

A thematic variant of iconic groups like Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Georgia Thunderbolts cement their reputation as the new go-to southern rock band on their sophomore album, Rise Above It All. The genre’s requisite muscular guitar riffing swaggers its way into songs like “Stand Up.” The tale of a hardluck soul forever on the move, “Gonna Shine,” is a countrified slice of apple pie Americana. My favourite song on the album is “Crawling My Way Back to You.” Vocalist TJ Lyle sticks the landing on this classic blues breakup ballad. Rise Above It All is a 13-track opus of contrasts, and the Thunderbolts hit hard on the defiant title tune, lighten the mood on the pensive “Moonlight Play,” and add a gospel chorus on “It Ain’t Easy.” Throughout, the Georgia-based quintet does a fine job in the songwriting and emotional projection departments. Fans of southern rock should check them out.

-Ken Wright

Reaction Formation

Videostar

Through clever use of musical dynamics, Reaction Formation, Videostar’s first full release, exudes allure throughout the record, heavily evoked by Claudia Bachinski’s voice of a siren. Listeners will be enchanted by the soft serenading in songs like “Blackheart,” which sends chills up the spine, but unbeknownst to them, they are being pulled down into the frigid sea of distorted guitar and whining found in “Magazine” and “Radio,” calling to mind the powerful sound of the riot grrrl genre. On the track “1980 Kiss,” easily my most adored of the bunch, Bachinski’s breathy singing holds the listener’s heart hostage, its intensifying beat emulated by the song’s building drumming, crescendoing in a boom of ecstasy. The album overarchingly contrasts the masculine and feminine in its vocals and backing track, creating an engaging, narrative listen. A unique sound to come out of Thunder Bay, Reaction Formation is confidently its own, while at the same time being your potential new favourite.

-Abigail Heron

Ask That God

Empire of the Sun

If you were listening to pop music in the 2010s, chances are you heard “Walking on a Dream”—whether original or sampled—at some point or another (see: “The Spins” by Mac Miller or “The Thrill” by Wiz Khalifa). Now, Empire of the Sun (the Australian pair behind the hit), have released their fourth studio album: Ask That God Listeners who discovered the band from their earlier hits will not be disappointed; Empire of the Sun has returned with 12 synth-heavy, electro-pop tracks that deliver the same easy listening, head-bobbing experience. Their vocals are impossible to mistake, and the album incorporates sounds of the 80s, 90s, 2000s, and 2010s, invoking a familiar sense of nostalgia throughout. Highlights include whimsical, dreamy tracks like “Changes” and “Cherry Blossom,” in contrast with more futuristic, robotic beats on “The Feeling You Get” and “Happy Like You.” While these tracks may not hold the same star power as their earlier hits, they feel good nonetheless.

-Kelsey Raynard

Homegrown

Mairlyn Smith

There’s been a widespread push to shop local in recent years, and that extends to food and grocery shopping. Thunder Bay is blessed with a plethora of local produce, but the struggle of deciding what to cook for dinner still looms over all of us. Have no fear—with Mairlyn Smith's Homegrown, you can learn not only about what grows across Canada, but also how to cook it. This cookbook focuses on Canadian grain, eggs, fruits, vegetables, meat, seafood, and cheese, with each receiving its own dedicated chapter (or more) filled with recipes, health tips, and ingredient information. I’m looking forward to making the Savoury Cheddar Shortbread Diamonds the most. The only downside is a lack of photos of the finished recipes. Still, if you're a frequenter of farmers markets, have your own farm or garden, or are looking for new

Anomia

Jade Wallace

Anomia is an eerie tale of two friends who disappear without a trace in a strange small town where the citizens are devoid of gender. Part character study of a group of people all linked by this obscure mystery and part lonely, sad love story, Anomia reminds us of the question we all ask ourselves about life and love: who will miss us when we’re gone? Creating the feeling of being someone on the outside, Jade Wallace teases enough about the truth while also leaving the reader just on the cusp of understanding what transpired. Descriptive and witty, while also having a unique voice, Anomia is extremely memorable in its characters, plot, and writing style. The town of Euphoria is mysterious, and the forest that surrounds it even more so, creating an unsettling feeling that is constantly encroaching on the reader as more and more details about the lives of

Teenage Mechanisms

Kamryn Woloschuk

In the 10 harrowing dialogues that make up Teenage Mechanisms, Kamryn Woloschuk amplifies the voices of the students (age 12–19) she mentored through the Thunder Bay Regional Multicultural Youth Council as they bravely share their journeys with mental health. In magnifying these experiences, Woloschuk legitimizes the adversities faced by the young people, who have been dismissed mostly as attention seeking. She also extends a hand to the reader, caringly inviting them to see themselves and their own hardships represented in those of the diverse storytellers. The written content is unapologetically raw, only allowing the reader a moment of respite when it breaks to showcase Woloschuk’s beautifully photographed still life compositions of her subjects’ coping mechanisms. At the end of the book, the reader comes face to face with the people behind the

All the Worst Humans: How I Made News for Dictators, Tycoons, and Politicians

Phil Elwood

The most illuminating line in this memoir about the murky world of public relations is: “All the worst parts of my mind made me the best PR guy.” Elwood was a Washington political operative who later employed his dark skills in service of “all the worst humans.” He describes the highs of making international news happen and the lows of his mental illness and suicide attempt. Knowing how to manipulate reality, he was the ghost behind manufacturing a trade war between Antigua and the U.S.A, bringing Malala Yousafzai to pose in an imagecleansing photo with Nigerian president Goodluck Jonathan, and securing the World Cup bid for Qatar. Elwood is a good storyteller, as may be expected, and shares how he covers up truths when the wheels have fallen off, or lures the media to present whatever illusion his client wants to project. One of the funniest sections of the book details his stint babysitting the son of

St. James Public School

Story by Courtney Turner, Photos by Sidney Ulakovic

Originally named the North Ward School, St. James Public School has been a fixture in Thunder Bay for more than 100 years. St. James Public School was constructed in 1907 and was the second public school to be built to serve the families and children of Port Arthur. The school has been open for an impressive 117 years.

The building was designed by architect Henry Simpson, whose influence can still be seen all over Thunder Bay and Ontario today. Locally, Simpson did not just design St. James Public school, but he was also the architect behind Port Arthur Collegiate Institute, and countless homes, schools, and churches throughout the province.

The design of the school is a reflection of the Queen Anne architectural styling that was popular in the late 1800s and early 1900s in North America. The style can be identified by several features, including

an abundance of decorative details. This design trend refers to the renaissance architectural style that was popular during the reign of Queen Anne in England from 1702–1714. St. James Public School features curved Flemish gables, columns, and pediments. Simpson Island stone was used for the foundation of the building, while the brickwork is trimmed with white Bedford stone.

Not long after opening, the growing community of Port Arthur required that St. James Public School be expanded in 1914. Local architects Scott and Hood oversaw the expansion of the school, which was designed to match the original styling of the building. Scott and Hood also designed the Fort William Public Library (better known today as Brodie Resource Library).

A few years later, in 1917, St. James Public School was one of five sites selected to establish a supervised

 Entrance of St. James school in building’s original structure

playground for children by the Port Arthur Board of Parks as a new public initiative. Between the five locations, over 1,000 children attended the opening day of the playgrounds. The success of the playground program spurred the development of many parks and recreational areas in the city. The layout of the school was not significantly changed again until the 1970s, when a gymnasium was added.

Courtney Turner is a member of the Heritage Advisory Committee, which advises city council on the conservation of heritage buildings, sites, and resources, and their integration into development. For more information on the city’s heritage resources, visit thunderbay.ca.

 Most recent addition on the back of the building to accommodate gymnasium

 Gymnasium

 Where original structure and modern addition meet

Full Sleeve of Feminism and Fandoms

Story and photos by Leah Morningstar

Tattoos by Meghan Niittynen, Ink Factory

Aquick glimpse of Meagan Stockwell will reveal that she’s a heavily tattooed individual. A longer look at Stockwell’s left arm will show some truly amazing artwork by Meghan Niittynen of Ink Factory Tattoos. It’s only a close inspection beyond the artistry that reveals the theme woven throughout the designs of Stockwell’s left arm: it’s an arm full of feminist fandom icons.

Stockwell says the entire sleeve came together over seven years, starting with the Wonder Woman tattoo and finishing with the Rockford Peach tattoo. “I’ve always loved Wonder Woman’s strength and power, so I started with her and then kept adding my favourite feminist fandom icons,” Stockwell says. After Wonder Woman, Stockwell added Tippy Toes from Marvel’s Squirrel Girl, chosen for her ability to kick butt and show empathy to villains.

Up next was Captain Marvel, the Mockingjay logo from The Hunger Games, and Ramona Flowers from Scott Pilgrim vs. the World. Captain Marvel, Katniss Everdeen (from The Hunger Games trilogy), and Ramona

Flowers are three more examples of strong and crafty female characters who know how to fight and how to survive.

The Sailor Jupiter star wand tattoo was chosen as a special nod to Stockwell’s two childhood best friends. The trio referred to themselves as Sailor’s Scouts and spent hours pretending to be the characters from Sailor Moon. Stockwell says, “It came as no surprise to anyone who knew me that I identified with the strong, independent, and loud-mouthed Sailor Jupiter.”

And finally, that Rockford Peach tattoo, from the popular 1994 movie A League of Their Own. “This tattoo speaks to my love of baseball, as well as my love of the main characters of the movie and the effect they had on me while growing up.”

With so many icons mixed in with the peonies and geometric shapes adorning Stockwell’s arm, it can be easy to lose track. Colours and design blend together so effortlessly; the whole arm is a work of art and a very fitting tribute. Stockwell herself is an unapologetic feminist and an unabashed fanatic of many fandoms. She’s not afraid to roll up her sleeves and show off how strong she is, but also how much of a pop culture nerd she is!

 Meagan Stockwell

 Mockingjay logo  Sailor Jupiter’s star wand

 Rockford Peaches logo

 Wonder Woman

 Captain Marvel  Ramona Flowers and Tippy Toe

How Am I Getting to School This Year?

By Erin Moir, Co-Executive Director, EcoSuperior

When we live in our school zone, school buses are provided to safely transport students back and forth to school. As the distances for bus eligibility will change for the 2024–2025 school year, so will the need for parent planning, perceptions, and understanding of active transportation. If you and your family are new to actively getting to school, there are many ways to ease worry and embrace the fresh air.

Start by choosing a route. Google maps has great access to walking or cycling routes between destinations. Additionally, EcoSuperior, in partnership with the Thunder Bay District Health Unit and the Student Transportation Services of Thunder Bay, have posted Active Routes to School signage in some school neighbourhoods that help mark safe routes to school. Access to these routes can be found at ststb.ca.

Next, practise the route. Are there sidewalks? Where are the crosswalks or school crossing guards? Practising the route promotes confidence and creates awareness about your neighbourhood.

If you attend school in your neighbourhood, it is likely your neighbours do too. Get together and make a schedule with other caregivers so that each day the students have a chaperone along their route. A chaperone could be a parent or a more senior student. The more people walking and/or cycling together, the more visible pedestrians and cyclists are to motor vehicles.

If walking just feels like too much one day, then try carpooling or park and walk. Parking a block away from the school and walking the rest of the way not only incorporates a

little fresh air into your routine, but also decreases congestion at Kiss N Go lines and school drop-off lanes.

Although winter walking can be challenging, it doesn’t mean you have to stop moving. Be sure to wear appropriate outdoor clothing, comfortable, and weatherproof footwear and ensure you can cover your face well on those windy January mornings. Don’t worry, you’ll be warmed up by the time you get to school!

As a driver, there are also considerations when it comes to active commuters. Ensure you are slowing down in all residential and school zones. Leave plenty of time to get to your destination to ensure you don’t have to rush on the road. Look for pedestrians and then look again and take time in low lit areas,

especially during winter months.

If we all do our part, active school travel is a safe, healthy mode of transportation that benefits both people and the planet.

70 Years of Support Inclusionand

Community Living Thunder Bay Celebrates 70th Anniversary

Community Living Thunder Bay (CLTB) was established on the love and compassion of families of developmentally disabled individuals. From that foundation, laid all the way back in 1954, was built an agency dedicated to the flourishing of people with developmental disabilities, achieving such through a range of programming provided to help promote equality of opportunity and higher quality of life.

“Over the last 70 years CLTB has grown to offer a wide variety of supports to meet the residential, employment, accessibility and community participation needs of people we serve,” says Lisa Foster, executive director of Community Living Thunder Bay. The Summer Employment Experience (SEE) program, for example, is now celebrating its 10th year of empowering students (aged 16–29) with disabilities to “learn valuable skills such as team work, communication, independence, and financial literacy as well building confidence and a sense of belonging” in a workplace setting, says Foster. Some “inclusive employers” are local businesses like Kal Tire, Ontario Power Generation, and Gino’s Pizza.

Programming can be as little as a few times a week or up to 24 hour daily support—

it’s specific to the individual and their needs. “Since our early days, PersonCentered Thinking has been a fundamental standard for CLTB,” says Foster. “Essentially this means meeting people where they are at, helping them to discover their gifts, set their own goals, and develop a sense of belonging in our community. Our work is to figure out the unique supports that each person needs to live their best life.”

This October 26 will mark a monumental milestone for CLTB: 70 years running. In celebration, CLTB will host a gala that boasts a wine and cheese reception and keynote speaker Al Condeluci to “reflect on [their] rich history and honour the many individuals who have been part of [their] journey,” says Foster. Throughout their decades of operation, CLTB has positively impacted the lives of countless people and families in Thunder Bay and remains committed to do so for years and years to come.

The gala will take place October 26 at The Superior Inn. Get your tickets at cltb.ca under News & Events.

The Case for Adopting a September Hiring Surge

Why September is a great time to hire.

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A Tale of Two Cities

Editorial by Kelsey Raynard

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way.

- Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities

Thunder Bay’s North Core Street Scape Project is well underway; the sewers and watermains along Red River Road and Cumberland Street are being replaced, and with this replacement comes the beautification of Port Arthur’s downtown core. The sidewalks are being redesigned to be more pedestrian-friendly and plaza-like, there will be designated areas

for patio seating, and decorative greenery features will be installed. This general facelift will hopefully support more tourist activity in this area of business, and the overall revitalization is part of the Community Improvement Plan launched by the city in 2021.

However, you’ll only need to walk a few more kilometres past these pedestrian-friendly sidewalks to see the tale of another city: the growing tent encampments along McVicar Creek and at Marina Park.

The City of Thunder Bay and Community Partners’ Encampment Response Protocol outlines the municipalities’ response to “tent cities”; in this document, it is estimated that the annual cost to take a human-rights based approach to these encampments is approximately $20,000. Contrast this with the current phase of the downtown core revitalization, which

will cost approximately $13 million. While the province announced $9 million in local funding to address transitional housing needs in April, government funding is slow to come through, and even slower to translate into actual development.

The issue of poverty and homelessness in Thunder Bay is complex, poorly understood, and, most recently, inaccurately represented by our elected officials— just look at the mayor’s comments about safe drug supplies in the city earlier this year. Despite his immediate retraction, the comments made about Thunder Bay drawing “hundreds of thousands” of people here to party in tents with free drugs are harmful, incorrect, and unfortunately reflects what some people here genuinely think.

If the city does not have the funds to designate towards meaningfully addressing these encampments,

perhaps they could invest in an awareness campaign educating the public about the reality of these encampments and humanizing the real people who live there?

Two things can be true at the same time; small businesses and the local economy will benefit from a revitalized downtown core, and people experiencing homelessness in Thunder Bay need greater support to exit this cycle and eliminate tent cities forever.

Despite what it may look like, this is not a tale of two cities; this is not an us-versus-them issue. We are one city. We are all impacted by the growing encampments. We should all have a vested interest in the beautification of our city, and what is more beautiful than a city rallying together to support and house all the people who live there?

SeptemberEventsGuide

September 1 & 2

Hymers Fall Fair

Hymers Fair Grounds

Since 1912, the village of Hymers has hosted a true classic Country Fair. This is the place to see contests, horse and cattle shows, and to chat with the friendly people that come out each year to enjoy the real atmosphere of country living in Canada. hymersfair.ca

Sept 2–4, 9–11, 16–18, 23–25 & 30, 9 am

Pierogi Days

Polish Combatants

Branch No. 1

Head over to the Polish Combatants Branch No. 1 every Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday to buy perogies, cabbage rolls, vegan beet soup, and more. Pre-order, e-transfer. 807-345-1861

September 2, 7 pm

Summer Swing Dance Lessons

Waverley Park

Looking to try something new? The Thunder Bay Swing Dance Society invites you to Waverley Park to learn new steps, listen to jazzy tunes, and dance the night away. tbayswing@gmail.com

September 3, 10, 17, & 24, 6 pm

Stained Glass for Beginners

Canvas & Clay

In this four-night course you will learn everything you need to complete a beautiful glass window panel. No experience is required. All tools, materials, and equipment will be supplied. Ages 16+. Registration is $195 and available online. canvasandclay.ca

September 3 & 17, 8 pm

Tuesday Trivia

Lakehead Beer Company

Trivia buffs, prepare to prove yourselves at Lakehead Beer Company’s trivia night. Up to six people per team. Prizes for the winning team. No tickets required. lakeheadbeer.ca

September 4, 11, 18, & 25, 11 am

Lil Wednesdays

Goods & Co. Market

Goods & Co Market is happy to offer a safe and comfortable area for kids of all ages. Parents and guardians can come in, order a coffee and a snack, and catch up with friends while the kids have some fun.

goodscomarket.ca

September 4, 11, 18, & 25, 5:30 pm

Wednesday Run Club

234 Red River Road

Every Wednesday, runners of all levels are invited to participate in Pocketchange Bar’s Run to Beer initiative. The 5 km run will end back at Pocketchange for a refreshing pint of exclusive Penny Lager. All proceeds from Penny Lager sold will support the Take It In Strides Run for suicide awareness taking place this September. pocketchangebar.com

September 6, 8 pm

Improvisitas!

Magnus Theatre

Grab your tickets now and prepare to laugh as The Portuguese Kids transform the stage into a hilarious universe of characters and stories, all cooked up on the spot and fueled by your suggestions. Tickets are $30 and available online.

magnustheatre.com

September 6–8

Radio Waves

Music Festival

Grand Marais, Minn.

The Radio Waves Music Festival is an annual community outreach event and has become a tradition for visitors, area residents, and performing musicians. See this month’s Music section for more info. wtip.org

September 7, 8 am

Canadian XCM

National Championship

Kinsmen Park

Blacksheep Mountain Bike Club is hosting a national mountain bike race to celebrate the newly built trails at Shuniah Mines in the Trowbridge Forest. See this month’s City Scene for more info.

cyclingcanda.ca

September 7, 9 am

Trunk and Tailgate Sale

Thunder Bay

55 Plus Centre

The Annual Trunk and Tailgate Sale will occur at the 55 Plus Centre along with a barbecue hosted by the River Street Cafe and a book sale happening inside the centre.

807-684-3066

September 7, 11:30 am Rockin’ Recovery 2024

CLE Coliseum

Recovery Day is an event aiming to challenge the stigma surrounding addiction and celebrate the role that recovery plays in every community member’s life. The event will showcase stories of recovery and feature live entertainment and familyfriendly activities. Free to attend.

facebook.com/ ThunderBayDrug AwarenessCommittee

September 7, 8, 13, & 14

Foragers Walk

Various locations

Join the Boreal Museum on a guided tour to discover the amazing breadbasket that is our forests. Tickets are $22.63 and available online. Locations vary by date and can be confirmed online.

borealmuseum.com

September 8, 11 am West Thunder Corn Roast and Vendors Market

West Thunder Community Centre

Packed with funfilled activities and entertainment for all ages, this family-friendly event promises to be an unforgettable day of enjoyment.

facebook.com/ westthundercommunity centre

September 8 Take It In Strides Run

Boulevard Lake

The second annual Take It In Strides Run will occur to commemorate loved ones lost to suicide and continue commitment to suicide prevention with proceeds going towards the Canadian Mental Health Association and the Children’s Centre Foundation. See this month’s City Scene section for more info.

takeitinstridesrun.com

September 13, 19, 2 pm

Orange Medicine Pouch Workshop

Brodie and Waverley

Resource Libraries

Join us in making orange medicine pouches to honour residential school survivors, their families, and their communities. Registration required for this free workshop. tbpl.ca

September 13, 6 pm Red Carpet

Charity Gala

The Chanterelle

Stella Wax Bar will host the third annual Red Carpet

Charity Gala in support of George Jeffrey Children’s Foundation. This black-tie event includes a threecourse dinner, live auction, illusionist show, wine pull, and dance. Ages 19+.

Ticket prices vary and are available online.

stellawaxbar.com

September 13, 6 pm Community Clean-Up

Marina Park Join StandUp4CleanUp, a community association of dedicated volunteers and businesses aimed to clean up our public spaces, to help prepare for Wake the Giant by cleaning the nearby walkways and shoreline. facebook.com/ StandUp4CleanUp

September 14, 9 am Thunder Bay Potters’ Guild Presents: Natalie Waddell

Roots Community Food Centre

All potters and wannabe potters are welcome to this two-day workshop with Natalie Waddell, one of the judges from the Great Canadian Pottery Throw Down, where you will learn some of her techniques. Prices vary based on guild membership. Tickets available online. thunderbaypottersguild. com

September 14, 2:30 pm Story Time with Drag Queens

Mary J.L. Black Library Story Time with Thunder Bay Drag Queens features local drag artists Lady Fantasia LaPremiere & Mz. Molly Poppinz as they read children’s stories, make crafts, and sing songs while fostering acceptance and appreciation of diversity. tbpl.ca

Speed dominance

September 14, Wake the Giant

Marina Park

Wake the Giant will return to the Thunder Bay waterfront this September with one epic birthday bash to mark its fifth anniversary. The worldclass event that celebrates inclusivity and Indigenous culture will have Canadian rockers the Arkells, worldrenowned DJ Galantis, and indie-pop band Walk Off the Earth headline the 2024 event. See this month’s Music section for more info.

wakethegiant.ca

September 15, 11 am

Wine Down

Sundays:

Wine & Yoga

Red Lion Smokehouse

Let go of the week’s stress and treat yourself to a peaceful afternoon surrounded by good company. Whether you’re a yoga enthusiast, a wine lover, or a beginner, this event is the perfect way to end your weekend on a high note. Tickets are $45 plus tax and can be purchased online. facebook.com/ redlionsmokehouse

September 15, noon

Sip ‘N Pour Workshop

Goods & Co. Market

Join Old Flames for a fun afternoon of learning how to make vintage-style candles from scratch. All materials are provided, but you’re welcome to bring your own special vessel if desired. Advance tickets available online at a cheaper rate. Drop-in tickets the day of are $50. @oldflamestbay

September 17, 6 pm Full Moon Mass Ride

971 Carrick Street

Join Just Bike Thunder Bay as they kick off their monthly Full Moon Mass rides. Meet up at Superstore parking lot (near A&W) and take an easy group ride in a loop around a different area of Thunder Bay each month. Safety first: bring your blinkers, helmets, and/or high visibility gear. facebook.com/ JustBikeTbay

September 19–21

North House Folk School Presents: Unplugged

Grand Marais, Minn.

The North House Folk School’s biggest party of the year will feature two nights of live music under the big top tent as they celebrate exceptional craft in a joyous gathering of community. See this month’s Music section for more info. northhouse.org

Starting September 20 Culture Days 2024

Various Locations

For three weeks, local groups, organizations, and individuals will be hosting a series of free (or paywhat-you-can) activities, performances, and demonstrations that give behind-the-scenes access to local arts, culture, and heritage. See this month’s Top Five for more info. thunderbay.ca

September 20–21

Dirt Track Nationals

Thunder City Speedway Come celebrate the end of another great season. Dirt Track Nationals is the finale to the racing season at Thunder City Speedway. Stock car drivers from the U.S. midwest and across the region will be here to compete for cash prizes in modified and stock classes. thundercityspeedway.ca

September 20–21, 7 & 10 pm

Hot As Heck Comedy Tour

The Prospector Brew Pub

Comedians Max Sheldrick, Mitch VK, and Doug Koning will stop in Thunder Bay as they tour across Canada. Tickets are $22.63 and available online. prospectorsteakhouse. com

September 20, 6 pm

Co.Lab Presents: Abstracted Whimsey by Brenda Hurley

Co.Lab Gallery + Arts Centre

Local artist Brenda Hurley will make her

debut exhibition of oil paintings inspired by the Northwestern Ontario landscape, reflecting a joyful and somewhat whimsical version of what nature has provided as a subject. Exhibit will run until October 2. colabgallery.ca

September 21, 10 am IMPROVATHON

Cambrian Players Theatre

In their second ever IMPROVATHON, Cambrian Players Improv will be hitting the stage for 12 straight hours of laughs. This is a pay-what-youmay event. All proceeds benefit Cambrian Players’ Spotlight on Inclusivity Campaign. cambrianplayers.com

September 21, 10:30 am

Number Safari

Waverley Resource Library

Explore simple mathematical concepts with your child through storytime. Encourage your child to notice and talk about the math around us while fostering an interest and appreciation for mathematics. Stories, songs, activities, crafts, and more. Ages 0–6. tbpl.ca

September 21–22, 10 am

ThunderCon

Canadian Lakehead Exhibition

Get ready to geek out with all your favourite fandoms. This year’s ThunderCon will include celebrity guests and a variety of vendors and artists. Whether you love gaming or anime, prop-making or cosplay, come pop culture in all its forms at ThunderCon. thundercon.org

September 21, noon

Toys For Tots Motorcycle Ride

Thunder Bay

Harley Davidson

The annual Toys for Tots Motorcycle Ride is a heartwarming event that brings together motorcycle enthusiasts from all over Thunder Bay to support children in need this Christmas season. Free to attend. Donations of a toy from each rider appreciated. tbaytoysfortots.ca

September 21, 9 pm

ThunderCon Drag Show

Black Pirates Pub

Join your favourite #tbaydrag queens and kings as they cos-slay the house down for an anime-zing night where drag, comic book, and pop culture collide at the official afterparty of ThunderCon 2024. See this month’s Film and Theatre section for more info. thundercon.org

September 22, 10 am

The Good Harvest

Goods & Co. Market

The third annual Good Harvest farmers market will take place outside the market in partnership with the Waterfront BIA in support of Roots Community Food Centre. Free to attend. See this month’s Food section for more info. goodscomarket.ca

September 22, noon Village Heritage Craft Fair

Oliver Paipoonge

Heritage Park

Spend a Sunday afternoon shopping from 14 local vendors at Oliver Paipoonge Heritage Park. Their barn quilt competition will conclude during this event. Submissions will be on display with voting happening at 3 pm to determine the winner. ophp.ca

September 24, 2:30 pm

Ms. Rachel Storytime

Waverley Resource Library

Celebrate Ms Rachel’s new book with a special storytime featuring her favourite songs, rhymes, and activities. Drop in. tbpl.ca

September 25, 8 pm

Wine

Wednesdays

Red Lion Smokehouse

Wine Wednesdays will return at Red Lion Smokehouse. On the last Wednesday of each month, sommelier John Murray will be leading an intimate group of wine lovers in an informative tasting. September’s theme is Wine 101. Tickets are $45 plus tax. Register online. facebook.com/ redlionsmokehouse

Starting September 26

Magnus Theatre Presents: Gaslight

Magnus Theatre

Set in the Victorian era, Gaslight follows Bella, a young bride, who is driven to believe she has a problem with kleptomania. Or does she? See this month’s Film and Theatre section for more info. magnustheatre.com

September 27, 2:30 pm

Puppet Show: Waking Beauty

Mary J.L. Black Library

The prince has stumbled upon a dragon! Err... correction, it’s only a sleeping maiden.

Laugh along with Prince Charming’s misguided attempts to wake the Sleeping Beauty and delight at her reaction when he finally gets it right.

tbpl.ca

September 27, 7 pm

Bid for the Arts: Auction Fundraiser

Thunder Bay

Art Gallery

Bid for the Arts is the Thunder Bay Art Gallery’s annual fundraiser and auction, with proceeds going towards supporting the gallery, children’s programming, workshops, and public events. Tickets are $75 each or $800 for a VIP table of eight and are available online.

theag.ca

September 28, 10 am Autumn Rendezvous

4485 Highway 61

This September, artisans

Joyce Seppala and Fritz Lehmberg invite you to the fifth annual Autumn Rendezvous, a curated art show in the boreal forest at their Slate River Valley property.

See this month’s Art section for more info. @autumnrendezvoustbay

September 28, noon

Mother’s Market

Moose Hall

Calling all mothers or mothers-to-be! The Mother’s Market will have 64 tables full of gently used children’s clothing, toys, outerwear, baby items, maternity clothes,

and more. Admission is $2 at the door.

Jennie’s Events on Facebook

September 30, 8 am

Honouring Our Children Run

Boulevard Lake

The Mazinaajim Children’s Foundation will host a special community run in honour of the Indigenous children who were lost, and the ongoing healing journey of residential school survivors and their families. All funds raised help support local Indigenous youth. honouringourchildren run.ca

Until September 15

Jim Oskineegish: Keep Yourself Alive

Thunder Bay Art Gallery

The debut exhibition by Jim Oskineegish, a secondgeneration Woodland style artist from Eabametoong First Nation (Fort Hope), fuses personal stories with Woodland style, surrealism, and pop art. This exhibition of 13 portraits is a love letter to his heroes. theag.ca

Until September 29

Ukrainian Matrix

Thunder Bay Museum

This community-led exhibit showcases physical expressions of Ukrainian culture and traditions, and highlights their roots. Alongside the exhibit will be a variety of programming reflecting different aspects of Ukrainian culture. thunderbaymuseum.com

Until January 12

Journeys: Stories of Sheila Burnford and Susan Ross

Thunder Bay Museum

Showcasing a collection of vibrant artwork and artifacts, this exhibit will bring to life the stories of writer Sheila Burnford and artist Susan Ross, their friendship, and the impacts they left on the communities they visited.

See this month’s City Scene section for more info. thunderbaymuseum.com

September Behind the Business Feature

Kate and Scott Shumka Owners, Shumka Dust

Meet Kate and Scott Shumka, owners of Shumka Dust!

Shumka Dust was founded by Kate and Scott Shumka on September 24, 2017, after friends began asking about the secret behind their unique spice blend. This curiosity led to the creation of eight additional blends, which quickly gained popularity in local stores and markets.

Kate, who has a background in culinary arts, and Scott, with extensive experience in various restaurants, bring their combined expertise to the business. Together, they manage every aspect of Shumka Dust, from sourcing ingredients and shopping to labelling, mixing, bottling, and delivery. Their daughter also plays an important role, helping out whenever needed! Their hands-on approach and commitment to quality have been key to the growth and success of Shumka Dust.

Facebook: Shumka Dust

Instagram: @shumkdust

What drew you to entrepreneurship?

Our passion for the local community and its vibrant scene played a significant role in drawing us to entrepreneurship. We have always appreciated the importance of supporting local businesses and understood that many people

share this sentiment. As we developed our products, we discovered that they resonated with the tastes and preferences of our community. The realization that our offerings brought joy to others inspired us to pursue entrepreneurship and contribute to the thriving local economy.

What inspired you to launch your business?

Our passion for creativity and artistic expression has always been a driving force behind our endeavours. The joy of creating something unique and seeing others appreciate and enjoy it has been both fun and rewarding. Receiving positive feedback from customers has further fueled this inspiration. Additionally, the flexibility and convenience of running a homebased business have been significant advantages, allowing us to blend our creative passions with a fulfilling entrepreneurial journey!

Knowing what you know now, is there anything you would have done differently when you were first starting out?

With the benefit of hindsight, we realize that we might have explored more options and conducted deeper research when first starting out. However, every challenge and experience along the way has contributed to our growth and learning. Despite any

obstacles, the journey has been both educational and enjoyable, and we value the lessons we’ve gained through the process! What advice would you give to someone who is trying to become an entrepreneur?

Thorough research is essential when starting your entrepreneurial journey. Take the time to understand your market, identify cost-effective sourcing options, and plan carefully. Don’t hesitate to reach out for guidance—whether it’s from organizations like the Thunder Bay CEDC or someone who has experience in a similar business. Seeking advice from those who have already navigated the path can provide valuable insights and help you avoid common pitfalls.

What are you working on now?

We’re constantly in our spice lab, crafting new and exciting blends to add to our collection. Innovation is at the heart of what we do, and we’re always experimenting with fresh ideas to bring you something unique. Keep an eye out for our upcoming creations!

Is there anyone specific you would like to thank?

We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the community! Your unwavering support has made it possible for us to pursue our passion and grow our business. Without you, none of this would be possible, and we are truly grateful for the opportunity to serve and be a part of this amazing community.

SEPT 1

Summer Sundays in the Park Concert Series ft.

Wayne Faulconer

Chippewa Park

2 pm • Free • AA

SEPT 2

Sea Shanty

The Foundry

8:30 pm • Free • 19+

SEPT 3

Jazzy Tuesdays with Mood Indigo

Anchor & Ore

6 pm • Free • AA

SEPT 4

Danny Johnson’s Piano Bar

Shooter’s Tavern

8 pm • Free • 19+

SEPT 5

Open Mic Night

Lakehead Beer Co.

7 pm • Free • AA

SEPT 6

Jazz & Old Fashioned Fridays with Mood Indigo

Anchor & Ore

6 pm • Free • AA

Sober Dance Party

Howl at the Moon

9 pm • Free • AA

PINK IVY

Black Pirates Pub

9 pm • $10 • 19+

Boomtown

The Wayland

10 pm • $5 • 19+

Thundergun

The Foundry

10 pm • $5 • 19+

SEPT 7

Back to School

Rock Show

Black Pirates Pub

9 pm • $10 • 19+

Saddle Up Saturdays ft. DJ Mo

NV Music Hall

10 pm • $5 • 19+

Boomtown

The Wayland

10 pm • $5 • 19+

V3nom

The Foundry

10 pm • $5 • 19+

SEPT 9

Open Mic Night

The Foundry

8 pm • Free • 19

SEPT 10

Jazzy Tuesdays with Mood Indigo

Anchor & Ore

6 pm • Free • AA

The Cult: 8424 Tour

Thunder Bay

Community Auditorium

7:30 pm • $70–392 • AA

Total Chaos: Mind

Warfare World Tour

Black Pirates Pub

8 pm • $20 • AA

SEPT 11

Danny Johnson’s Piano Bar

Shooter’s Tavern

8 pm • Free • 19+

Conan (U.K.) w/ Mares of Thrace + Vape Dealer

Black Pirates Pub

8 pm • $20 ADV • AA

SEPT 12

Open Mic Night

Lakehead Beer Co.

7 pm • Free • AA

SEPT 13

Jazz & Old

Fashioned Fridays with Mood Indigo

Anchor & Ore

6 pm • Free • AA

Sober Dance Party

Howl at the Moon

9 pm • Free • AA

Hat Trick

Black Pirates Pub

9 pm • $10 • 19+

Throwback

The Wayland

10 pm • $5 • 19+

Small Town Bad

The Foundry

10 PM • $5 • 19+

SEPT 14

Consortium Aurora Borealis: Violinist

Gregory Lewis

Trinity United Church

7:30 pm • $15–25 • AA

Page 38

Black Pirates Pub

9 pm • $10 • 19+

Saddle Up

Saturdays ft. DJ Mo

NV Music Hall

10 pm • $5 • 19+

Throwback

The Wayland

10 pm • $5 • 19+

4Pillar DJs

The Foundry

10 pm • $5 • 19+

SEPT 16

Sea Shanty

The Foundry

8:30 pm • Free • 19+

SEPT 17

Jazzy Tuesdays with Mood Indigo

Anchor & Ore

6 pm • Free • AA

Yeehaw ft. Scott Woods

CLE Heritage

Building

7 pm• $45 • AA

Single Mothers w/ Spite House and more

Black Pirates Pub

8 pm • $15–20 • AA

SEPT 18

Danny Johnson’s Piano Bar

Shooter’s Tavern

8 pm • Free • 19+

SEPT 19

Open Mic Night

Lakehead Beer Co.

7 pm • Free • AA

Relive the Music

50s & 60s Rock n Roll Show

Thunder Bay

Community Auditorium

7:30 pm • $40–66 • AA

SEPT 20

Jazz & Old

Fashioned Fridays with Mood Indigo

Anchor & Ore

6 pm • Free • AA

Extreme with Living Colour

Thunder Bay

Community Auditorium

7 pm • $59–392 • AA

The Ultimate Guns N’ Roses

Experience

NV Music Hall

8 pm • $32 • 19+

Sober Dance Party

Howl at the Moon

9 pm • Free • AA

Among Legends

Black Pirates Pub

9 pm • $10 • 19+

Headrush

The Wayland

10 pm • $5 • 19+

The Damn Truth

The Foundry 10 pm • $5 • 19+

SEPT 21

Saddle Up

Saturdays ft. DJ Mo

NV Music Hall

10 pm • $5 • 19+

Headrush

The Wayland

10 pm • $5 • 19+

Blood Red Moon

The Foundry

10 pm • $5 • 19+

SEPT 23

Open Mic Night

The Foundry

8 pm • Free • 19+

SEPT 24

Jazzy Tuesdays with Mood Indigo Anchor & Ore

6 pm • Free • AA

SEPT 25

Danny Johnson’s Piano Bar

Shooter’s Tavern

8 pm • Free • 19+

SEPT 26

Open Mic Night

Lakehead Beer Co.

7 pm • Free • AA

SEPT 27

Jazz & Old Fashioned Fridays with Mood Indigo

Anchor & Ore

6 pm • Free • AA

Sober Dance Party

Howl at the Moon

9 pm • Free • AA

Blood Red Moon

The Wayland

10 PM • $5 • 19+

Sugarman

Shakedown

The Foundry

10 PM • $5 • 19+

SEPT 28

Consortium Aurora Borealis: From Venice to Vienna Baroque Strings

St. Paul’s United Church

7:30 pm • $15–25 • AA

Saddle Up

Saturdays ft. DJ Mo

NV Music Hall

10 pm • $5 • 19+

Blood Red Moon

The Wayland

10 pm • $5 • 19+

Throwback

The Foundry

10 pm • $5 • 19+

Brought to you by:

For more info visit tbshows.com

TUESDAYS The Foundry

8:30 pm • Free • 19+ THURSDAYS

KARAOKE

Aries

(March 21–April 19)

Your strong-headed nature may try to work against you this September, Aries. Instead, make conscious efforts to be agreeable and watch as the doors of opportunity fly open for you, especially in the second half of the month. You’re bold—take yourself out of your comfort zone and try something different. New relationships are on the horizon, and you may just find them in the most unusual places. Maintain consistent efforts and reap the rewards—the season of the harvest means abundance for ambitious Rams, but just be mindful of where you’re spending your time and effort. Keep on your toes as you may have to make some quick decisions. Go with your gut and take the risk.

Taurus

(April 20–May 20)

Like a leaf, you may have a bit of a fall in store this September, Taurus. Pick yourself up like you always do, and at the end of the month, your perseverance will greatly pay off. Thanks to the proximity of Jupiter to Earth on the 26th, your natural charm will be magnified and it may just save your bullhide from a sticky situation. Prioritize spending time with friends and family. Others value your opinion and find you trustworthy—so much so that around the month’s middle, someone will divulge to you a burning secret, though you might have felt as if you already knew the truth.

Gemini

(May 21–June 20)

It’s the season of change, Twins, so start planning ahead—you may be in for a wild ride if you don’t put your heads together and get things in line. Set yourself up for success by staying nourished. A healthy body means a healthy mind, primed

for the fresh ideas you’ll come up with in the second half of the month. Collaboration will help advance your work, so you may have to learn to relinquish total control, but remain in charge at home and in your personal life—don’t abdicate your responsibilities to those around you. Your creativity will serve you well in September in finding unique solutions to your problems. Always remember: if there’s a will, there’s a way.

Cancer

(June 21–July 22)

Everything is finally seeming to work out for you this September, Cancer. Mercury will bring you financial prosperity, potentially by means of a new job opportunity. Make risky investments around the middle of the month, but keep spending on luxury items to a minimum. Fund group outings and fun instead—memories with friends are priceless. Venus and Jupiter are in spicy positions. Love is calling, but you have to pick up. Don’t wait around passively for it to find you, or it will become lost. Despite your flourishing, your insecurities may rear their ugly heads this month. Keep them under control by practising gratitude for what you do have and not dwelling on what you feel as if you’re lacking.

Leo

(July 23–August 22)

September means a rise in status for you, Leo. It’ll bring along with it some stress, but try not to take it out on others—don’t let your ambition become your hamartia. Lightly take into consideration other’s thoughts and feelings. Discussion should involve sharing perspectives, not forcing one’s beliefs upon each other. You’ll be hardworking this month, so take a pause to breathe in the newly autumn air. You’ll be in need of a break by the equinox. Romantic prospects may make a fleeting appearance.

Let them take their course and don’t hold onto things that do not serve you. All in due time, my fiery friend.

Virgo

(August 23–September)

The coming dreary weather this September will remind you that the world’s not black and white, Virgo—it’s shades of grey. The clouds will part at the end of the month and shed some light upon your relationships, making clear who’s in for the long haul. You’ll be inclined to explore your spiritual side soon. What you will discover about yourself will invigorate you and your ambitions, pushing you towards success. Stop putting off what you’ve been dreaming to do for fear of failure—the time is now. Despite the encroaching cold, enjoy good health and energy for weeks following your birthday. You deserve it.

Libra

(September 23–October 22)

Others’ help can be hard to accept sometimes, Libra, but it will be a crucial asset this month. Your collaborative projects will play out harmoniously if you maintain good communication, so continue to vocalize your concerns and have healthy debates. People find you diplomatic. You’re a dreamer— instate desired changes into your life early this month for optimal results. You’ll see the results of prior investments soon, but be modest with your spending. There might be something in your near future worth saving for. Your ruling planet, Venus, will inspire a flirtatious attitude in you. A relaxed approach will be the most appealing to your pursuits, and being your charming self won’t hurt either.

Scorpio

(October 23–November 21)

Scorpio, your tendency for intensity has you laser-focused

on achieving your career goals this September, and with your family rallying behind you, your steadfast energy has great likelihood to pay off in the form of a promotion or raise. Be careful not to let your hunger for success consume you. It may be easy to let friendships and relationships fall to the wayside this month, so have patience when the people in your life reach out wondering where the heck you’ve been. This September, practice the art of the compromise to avoid any heated disputes. Try a yoga class to maintain your zen.

Sagittarius

(November 22–December 21)

Like a wildfire, sometimes you find yourself going anywhere the wind blows, Sagittarius. September in itself is a time of change for many, and for you in particular, changes at work and home are likely to make you a little busier than usual this month. With these changes coming along with the lunar eclipse, you may feel left in the dark, but don’t let feelings of fear consume you. It might be tempting to overspend on extravagances to alleviate some of the stress, but that designer bag is only a band-aid solution. Let this time of change inspire you to organize your priorities. Those checklists will be a godsend, letting you carve out some much needed quiet time.

Capricorn

(December 22–January 19)

Being the go-getter you are, this time will be all about embracing new territory, Capricorn. Whether you’re learning something new, meeting new people and fostering important connections, or even visiting someplace new, September will invigorate you with a spirit of adventure. Speaking of embracing new things, this month poses to be an excellent time for developing a new friendship or romantic

relationship, and you can also expect to explore new ways to deepen your relationships. September will be all about personal growth, so don’t get too hung up on spending a little extra in the name of a good time—it could lead to lifelong memories. Treat yourself!

Aquarius

(January 20–February 18)

Unclench your jaw and let go of the tension in your shoulders—this is your wellearned time to relax, Aquarius. September will be a time of relief, and as you settle into the calmness, know that this month is the time to protect your peace. Conflicts outside of your own life may present themselves, but give yourself permission to stay in your lane as you slow down and focus on the basics. This will be a great time to enjoy the company of others and indulge: meet a friend at a café for a fallflavoured latte, take your furry friend for a long walk in nature, or watch a favourite movie with someone special. Fall cosiness is around the corner, why not get a head start?

Pisces

(February 19–March 20)

Pisces, get ready to fall into a world of opportunities. As the door on summer inches closer to closing, that crisp fall air has you feeling reinvigorated to get a handle on your to-do list this month, and that extra pep in your step just may pay off at work, making September an opportune time to consider your long-term financial plans. Picses, you know that nothing worth having ever comes easy. You may face your share of challenges this month, but rest assured, you’re in the place to face them. Although you’re feeling diligent, don’t forget to set aside some time for your loved ones. They’ll have your back in the face of obstacles, and better yet, they’ll be there to celebrate your successes too!

Fun Games for Everyone

Colossal Crossword

Across

1. Ready for the pitcher's baseball: 2 wds.

6. Fed. broadcasting standards body

10. Naja Haje

13. Breakfast topping

16. "Wonderful performance!"

17. Scoundrel's chuckle

18. To the __ degree

19. __ __ the crack of dawn

21. Pot-__-__ (French cuisine stew)

22. "Hard __!" (Skipper's command)

23. Did You Know? Harbour Air is a Canadian __ airline

25. Pac. coast operator of crossings to Vancouver Island, _ _ __

27. Portage __ __ (Manitoba city)

28. Comparable

29. Prompt: 2 wds.

31. 'Moonlight' and 'Appassionata' are two of these by Beethoven

32. Beagles' breathers

34. Arrange into order

36. Red Chamber fig. in Canada

37. Mil. installation in Manitoba, _ _ _ Shilo

39. "My word!"

41. Space

43. Royal Canadian Navy senior rank, e.g.: 2 wds.

47. 'Verse' in Verdun

49. Royal __ Ballet (Manitoba dance company)

52. Tickled throat toot!

53. Wide assortments

55. "__ _ Were a Carpenter" by Bobby Darrin

56. The __ (Sault Ste. Marie)

57. Yearnings

58. Quick trip to the corner store, for example

60. Canadian band with the tunes "Enid" and "One Week", short-style

62. NYC's famous financial thoroughfare: 2 wds.

64. Mr. Estrada of "CHiPs"

65. Small battery size

67. Car's need at the station

69. "Yer darn __'!"

71. La __ vers l'or du Klondike (French for 'The Klondike Gold Rush')

72. Visitors to Canada might buy maple syrup at one: 2 wds.

75. Family emblem

76. Piano, guitar or violin, for short

78. Proofreader's 'let it stand'

79. Northern Ontario... Canada Goose monument township

81. Football positions, e.g.

82. Costa del __ (Resort area in Spain)

84. Cinch

86. Rice dish

88. Channel-Port aux __, Newfoundland

92. Frank __ (Regina-born actor Leslie Nielsen's character in 'Naked Gun' comedies)

94. Little disagreement

97. Canadian Football League team

99. Bell CNE __ (Concerts venue at the Canadian National Exhibition, Toronto's annual Summer fair)

101. Scouring product

102. Up to the task

103. Salsa singer Ms. Cruz

104. CBC's "This __ Has 22 Minutes"

105. Newfoundland... Johnson __ Centre (Science attraction in St. John's)

106. Ingrid's "Casablanca" (1942) character

107. Beneath

108. 'Three' in Turin

109. Special __ (Elite mil. units)

110. 'The water' in Quebec, _'__

111. 'Cup' in Quebec

Down

1. Ethiopia's capital city, Addis __

2. Weigh station vehicle

3. Fruits picked in Nunavut: 2 wds.

4. Beauty brand for skincare

5. Guided journey for vacationers

6. "Timber!" caller's tool

7. Get a new tenant

8. Dissertation

9. Alphabet's third letter

10. Vase's looped handle

11. Dance routine components

12. __ of Alexandria (One of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World)

13. Canadian singer-songwriter (who was the lead singer of Staggered Crossing) of brand new 2024 song "Ain't Life Strange": 2 wds.

14. In two pieces

15. The Beatles generated it in 1964!

20. Golfer's pegs

24. Group on a television quiz show

26. British director Nicolas of "Performance" (1970)

27. 'The King' in France: 2 mots

30. Alex Janvier's breathtaking mural on the domed ceiling of the Haida Gwaii Salon in the Canadian Museum of History: 2 wds.

33. "Later, alligator!": 2 wds.

35. Shirts

37. Balance sheets preparer, e.g.

38. Precede

40. Caesar's 502

42. Feline's call!

44. Comfy sitting pieces in Canadian homes

45. Teeth doctor

46. _ _ _ Titanic

48. Boutiques/restaurants/cultural waterfront destination in Saint John, New Brunswick: 2 wds.

50. Cinematic agcy. in Canada

51. Capricorn animal

54. Nylons nick

59. Politician's podium

61. Scale's sixth sound

63. Residentially near

64. "__, _ don't know." (Hesitant reply of not knowing)

66. Morns' daily followers

68. Plant seeds

70. Late-shift times [abbr.]

73. Oversees

74. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's constituency in Quebec

77. 1431: Cathedral city where Joan of Arc was executed

80. Kite flying enabler

83. "We should depart!": 2 wds.

85. Cute little beach stone

87. Goddess of The Parthenon

88. Baroque composer

89. Dispense

90. Sister: French

91. Get the tea ready in a way

93. Wood known for its buoyancy

95. Insects in the air

96. Emergency light signal

98. God of love in ancient Greek myth

100. Deer's tail style

102. 'Garlic' in a Montreal kitchen

(c) 2024: Kelly Ann Buchanan. Distributed by Torstar Syndication Services

SeventyFour Miles

By Siobhan Farrell

I’m trying not to hold too tightly to these seventy-four miles between Superior and Bayfield Wisconsin beside my ninety-two-year-old mother who stares out her window between nods of sleep, listening to Yo Yo Ma playing bluegrass.

Clouds unfurl, the sun beats in our eyes. We ride alongside wildflowers, the smell of the wind.

Hawks circle and circle, hay bales like nests, giant furry animals doze warm in the fields.

I know that summer will end, snowbirds will swoop down. I know this seat beside me will one day be empty.

I know these seventy-four miles are a gift, a journey we are making together towards the big lake stretching out as the sun sinks in the sky and finally sleeps.

From Catching the Moon published by Kelsay Press

Seventy-Four Miles, digital Illustration, boy Roland

“The top three communities for EV registrations were in Greater Sudbury, Thunder Bay, and North Bay, together accounting for almost 55% of all EV registrations in Northern Ontario.”

Learn more about how the Thunder Bay CEDC is supporting EVs in Thunder Bay –

and join the growing network of sustainable conscious consumers by visiting gotothunderbay.ca/plugin

A seaplane passes Main Lighthouse while landing in the Thunder Bay harbour, September 12, 2021

- Photo by Myke Hull

“My school teaches me to think for myself ”

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