In Your Back Yard

IN YOUR OWN BACKYARD

WHEN EVERYTHING OLD IS NEW AGAIN

Are you renting a small cabin in the woods? Or perhaps you set up camp at one of our premier destinations – tucked away down dirt roads and off the beaten path. We recognize that holidaymaking might feel a bit different this summer. What our small Township has to offer unapologetically, is an abundance of space for physical distancing. It is in our nature to gather, to tell stories, and to enjoy a good belly laugh around a campfire, as the sun sets on another fun filled day, here on the eastern shores of Lake of the Woods.

So, with that in mind – we wanted to explore the wonders of the backyard. What games can a small family or group of friends play? What activities can bring us together, while still staying a safe distance apart, not socially but physically? How can we build memories to last a lifetime during COVID-19? We have curated a small list of indoor and outdoor activities that will bring out the kids in all of us. We have carefully considered the simplicity of the game and the idea that you cannot pack everything from home, while on holidays. And, we are aware that most people are on a budget, so this list does not come with sticker shock. Here is a small sampling and we trust you will enjoy the experience…

01 Kick the Can 02 Read a Book 03 Play a Board Game 04 Hopscotch 05 Go Find It – Nature’s Scavenger Hunt 06 Tic-Tac-Toe 07 Go Fish, the card game 08 Go Fishing 09 Take a walk in the woods 10 Make a campfire 11 Cook some smokies and make s’mores

THINGS LOOK & FEEL A LITTLE

DIFFERENT RIGHT NOW

Kitchen Party

STANDING TOGETHER WHILE STAYING APART

Since the first note was hummed at the Moose n’ Fiddle Music Festival, the idea that music can happen absolutely anywhere was at the heart of this “cool little festival at the lake”. Over the years, the numbers have grown from a few hundred people under a canopy of tall pines and along the water’s edge, in Nestor Falls, Ontario, Canada to more than one thousand people who celebrate the sights and sounds of the Festival at the summer’s end. And, with the green light from Mayor & Council, the stage was set to do it all over again, this year on August 21 & 22. All that changed with the outbreak of the coronavirus and the onset of a global health pandemic, the likes of which the world has not seen before.

With grace and kindness, the musical acts agreed to come back in 2021. The rental dates for tents, lights and audio equipment has been moved. Crafters, sponsors, and volunteers have been asked to come back next summer. For now, a small single lightbulb stays lit on stage, a ghost light is on, until we can all come back safely to sing, dance and hum along! What does that mean for the artists and the audiences who have put the Festival on its feet? In ordinary times, it would mean: a very, long pause. But these are extraordinary times and we wanted to meet the moment. So…we have assembled a small group of the who’s who of Moose n’ Fiddle past and present. We will mark COVID-19 with an abridged version of the Moose n’ Fiddle Music Festival, an online event hosted by 89.5 The Lake, with links on the moosenfiddle.ca website.

On Saturday, August 22nd, we invite you to continue to shelter in place, to stay home and be safe while enjoying the sights and sounds of an online KITCHEN PARTY. In the spirit of standing together, while staying apart, this Kitchen Party will be 90-minutes in length and it will kick off at 8pm. Say hello to Siouxperboat, Belle Plaine, Adrian Sutherland, Fu Fu Chi Chi Choir and The Slocan Ramblers! Our narrators will be Wanda Kabel and Denise Lysak. This KITCHEN PARTY will be in the cloud and we invite you to join us.

Sioux Narrows ARTSFESTIVAL

Dear Sioux Narrows Arts Festival Patrons,

After much deliberation and discussion, the Sioux Narrows Arts Council has made the decision to cancel the 2020 Sioux Narrows Arts Festival. Considering the most recent government and health unit COVID-19 restrictions, our festival would not be able to meet the guidelines for social distancing for the artists or the general public. Protecting everyone’s health and safety is our primary concern.

We are saddened that we must cancel this year’s festival. The Sioux Narrows Arts Festival is a summer highlight that many look forward to. The Sioux Narrows Arts Council will strive to offer safe opportunities for local artists to create, collaborate and market their artwork, as well as for community members to continue to enjoy new arts activities. The 2020 registered artists will be featured on our website with their links, making it easy to connect and discover special handcrafted treasures. Regular updates can be followed on our social media. We will miss seeing everyone. Stay safe and healthy!

Kind Regards,

Maury Swenson & Kathy Valentini Co-chairs |Sioux Narrows Arts Council siouxnarrowsartsfestival.com

SHARING OUR STORIES IN THIS YEAR OF PAUSE

DENISE JOHANSEN

UP NORTH DÉCOR

Sioux Narrows Arts Council Member, Denise Johansen, has been selling cottage decor creations for the past seven years. Denise recalls her first show, when she was nervous that birch bark mirrors and picture frames would not sell. “People were buying them up so quickly. My Aunt Cory and I could not keep up with the sales,” she said. Each season Denise comes up with something new and unique. Due to the COVID-19 “stay at home” restrictions, Denise is not at her cabin in Sioux Narrows. Not only does she miss the lake life, but the lake is where her basic supplies like birch sticks are sourced. Denise is adapting her artwork this year by using cedar boards and locally sourced materials.

LARRY EASTON

DOCK BOARD CHAIR CO.

Since 2011, the Festival has become a cherished August long-weekend tradition for Larry Easton to showcase his rustic furniture along side the photography of his wife, Wanda Kabel-Easton. “We enjoy the opportunity to connect and reconnect with the community, event volunteers, fellow artists, returning customers, family and friends,” he reported. Larry says that taking a few days off from his busy carpentry business to participate in the festival is relaxing and rewarding. “I get the chance to shift focus to the furniture component of my business, as well as engage with fellow creators, and appreciate their work.” Covid-19 has Larryʼs creative ideas and plans in a holding pattern for now. “I will be ready and eager for the festival in 2021!”

JIM LARSON

SHEHAWEH TREASURES

Jim Larson became a volunteer with the Sioux Narrows Arts Council in 1969, working as a judge, Arts Council President and instructor. He moved to an island on Whitefish Bay year round in 1994, and it was there that he collected the aged roots, knots and driftwood that inspired the formation of each detailed carving. Jim’s very first exhibition in the 1995 Sioux Narrows Festival was just the beginning of many more shows and awards from across Canada and the United States. Now Jim spends his summers on a houseboat, but until travel bans are lifted, he is at home in Missouri completing carvings for clients in Austria and Germany. “I remember the old days - our large base of volunteers, the excitement the Arts Festival generated in Sioux Narrows, and the pride that was put into the show. It is good to see that same pride continues today.”

CONNIE FADDEN, KASSANDRA FEDENIUK, APRIL KAKEEWAY

BAHDE

Connie Fadden has designed and created unique childrenʼs clothing and kitchen linens for over 30 years. A long time artisan at the Sioux Narrows Arts Festival, she and her daughters Kassandra and April have developed a regular clientele for their Bahde custom clothing and home goods line. You can’t miss their endless variety of colourful items for sale and the line up of happy customers waiting their turn to chat. The Bahde ladies enjoy the friendly and welcoming atmosphere at the Sioux Narrows show. “We love that it is local and we can connect with everyone,” Connie said. This year, Connie, Kassandra and April are missing the summer people, and the usual hustle and bustle of a busy season.