Soul of the Bay

Nature / Culture / Recreation www.georgianbaytodaynews.com

GEORGE McLEAN: Intimate moments in nature

Spring 2017 Issue #116

$2.65 plus tax Bill Davis: Legacy on Georgian Bay Legendary Hunt ‘Deep-V’ on the Bay 2 GEORGIAN BAY TODAY Spring 2017 www.georgianbaytodaynews.com www.georgianbaytodaynews.com GEORGIAN BAY TODAY Spring 2017 3 Thank goodness the ‘Denier Industry’ Legendary ‘Deep-V’s and the Payne family legacy BAY TODAY missed the Ozone problem generation, landmark business in Pointe au Baril. Current proprietor, By David Sweetnam , Executive Director Georgian Bay Forever Mark Payne, “grew up in the business, started by cutting grass Thank good- repairing itself and protecting the the Grand Canyon from behind a and pumping gas.” The business had ness the Denier earth once again from harmful secure railing. And if the denial humble, but proud beginnings. It Industry missed cancer-causing ultraviolet rays. This industry had been as well formed in was started by Mark’s grandfather Georgian Bay Today the Ozone problem. is happening because scientists, the 1970s as it is today the world Vince, a Toronto watchmaker, and Issue 116 governments, manufacturers and would already have been well on its Mark’s father, Mike, in 1960. They Spring 2017 Spring is here citizens all worked together to way to becoming a hostile, irradiated began with nothing more than a and our thoughts address a truly life-threatening planet. dilapidated building and a chicken Publisher turn towards the global emergency. coup. The first priority was to build Bird Room Press record heat of Halogenated hydrocarbon a house to survive their first winter. 5 Little Ave last summer and But what would things be like if solvents were produced in the 1920s As the business grew, they added a Toronto ON, M9N 1K3 what our summer scientists hadn’t credibly blown the with good intentions. They replaced gas tank to their hand-dug trench will be like this year. Soon we’ll be whistle on the destruction of the highly flammable products from the and a repair service. The gas was reaching for the sunscreen that ozone layer or been listened to when previous century that by then had brought in by barge from Parry MANAGER/EDITORS became a ubiquitous pre-sun ritual in they did? caused significant injuries, fires and Sound. It wasn’t until 1967 that they the 1990s replacing the deep tanning deaths in many industries like the cut a road into Payne Marine. By the Peter Wood & Sherry Giddings [email protected] butters and oils of the previous gener- NASA scientists developed a dry cleaning industry. The hazard time Mark was “14 or 15”, he had [email protected] ation with sun exposure avoidance. computer model to simulate the they presented finally resulted in “decided to follow the family circulation of the atmosphere to government acknowledging its role tradition,” and after graduating from The ozone hole that developed show what changes would have in protecting worker safety by high school, completed a three year GRAPHICS through the 1980s and hit its all- occurred if global actions had not implementing regulations to force Marine Management Program at time low in the 2000s is today slowly been taken. And their results were the industry to transition to safer Georgian College. Gary Scott Breithaupt truly alarming…like products in the workplace. Rising to Photographer/ Honey Harbour looking over the edge of the challenge, chemists were able to Today, Payne Marine is a full service, award-winning marina Continued on page 7 Penny Barr Hunt 25 Harrier, unique, legendary boat with a passionate following on Georgian Bay for over 60 years offering: parking, dockage, storage, Editorial cartoonist sales, service, gas, and a popular By Peter Wood Hunt Yachts are a completed the treacherous 3-leg archipelago. It features a comfortable dockside Fish n Chip business Colin Wood legendary boat course across the Gulf Stream to V-berth below the closed deck for offering fresh pickerel on their Web administrator manufacturer with a strong following Cat Cay, to the shallows of the overnight getaways; it is watertight licensed patio. But for Mark, it is on Georgian Bay for over 60 years. Bahama Bank to Frazier’s Hog Cay and has enormous storage space. It more than a business; it is a lifestyle. Heather Glumac The new Hunt Harrier 25 is now and finishing in the port of Nassau. seats an amazing 12 passengers and It is all about community and trust. Graphic designer locally available through Payne On that day, 57 years ago, the legend is self-draining. Best of all, as Mark He was an executive of the local Marine of Pointe au Baril. The of the Deep-V hull began. It was “a says, “it’s safe and the ride quality is Islanders Association for many years unique ‘Deep-V’ hull design of this remarkable demonstration of the unparalleled.” and volunteered for 11 years as an WRITERS boat makes it the ideal standard for efficiency of the Hunt design in emergency responder. In his words, the waters of Georgian Bay. Mark rough water.” (Mitchell, SI 1960). Payne Marine is the Hunt Yacht “one way or another, I’m kind of on Steven Duff Payne believes that it will continue representative for Ontario: a third call 24 – 7.” For many years, he lived Parry Sound to be popular because of “the The Deep-V hull Moppie was a supremacy of everything that you combination of a brilliant Cathy Cooper could want in a boat: soft ride, dry, revolutionary design by self-taught Eye on the Bay and seaworthy.” designer C. Raymond Hunt of David Sweetnam Marblehead (sailing centre of New Georgian Bay Forever To understand the genesis and England), and the craftsmanship of evolution of this craft, you have to boat builder Richard H. Bertram of Pat Edwards go back to 1960 and the grueling, Miami – both legends in the industry. Township of Georgian Bay 185 mile offshore race from Miami The underwater form of Moppie to Nassau known as the ‘Miami was unusual in that the hull was ‘V’ Monika Lukacena-Russo Nassau Ocean Power Boat Race’ – shaped not only forward but all the Olea Health Wasaga Beach the most rugged boat race in the way back to the transom. A series of world. A boat called ‘Moppie’ with a longitudinal stakes were added to Cindy Cartwright revolutionary Deep-V hull design help lift the boat onto plane, increase Ontario Hummingbird Project was in that race. Sailing writer and stability and decrease the tendency lifelong power boat skeptic, Carleton to roll. The design was conceived in David M. Dupuis Mitchell, was aboard the Ray Hunt the 50s by Ray Hunt, proven in the Penetanguishene designed Moppie along with the 1960 race and evolved into the boat’s builder, Dick Bertram, a original ‘Bertrams’. Hunt’ Yacht’s Kate Harries, Elmvale, legend in his own right. current version, the Harrier 25, has Return of Native since benefitted from decades of In a Sports Illustrated (SI, 1960) incremental improvements. PRODUCTION article, Mitchell described the water According to Hunt Yachts, “Our 50 conditions on that day as “heavy seas years experience has taught us how Smellies Design & Print Shop of the open ocean and the punishing to make it better. Our hulls have Bracebridge chop of the Bahama Bank” and “the more deadrise forward, finer water spray from the bow wave jetted out lines, robust and sharp edged chines PRINTING like water from a fire hose fanning and strips, and generous flare. We McLaren Press Graphics sheets of water 50ft to either side put the ride first and the housekeeping Gravenhurst that blew off to leeward like heavy second, so on the unpredictable ISSN 0849-5696 smoke.” ocean, you will be comfortable and BN 121730009 RT0001 confident, in all seas.” March 15, 2017 Moppie was equipped with twin 275 hp Interceptor engines, facing There is much more to the Harrier fresh winds of 20 knots. She averaged 25 than the Deep-V. Mark Payne 50mph @ 4100 revs on both engines points out that it is, “the efficiency, and crossed the finish line in 8 hours functionality and utilitarian features” - to the minute – a new record. Only that make it the best choice for 13 of the starting 23 vessels getting to the islands of our 4 GEORGIAN BAY TODAY Spring 2017 www.georgianbaytodaynews.com www.georgianbaytodaynews.com GEORGIAN BAY TODAY Spring 2017 5 Pioneers in Pointe au Baril Bill Davis: for the love of Georgian Bay

By Peter Wood family together. Steve Paikin de- stilled in him. When asked about his scribed it this way, “Georgian Bay is seemingly ‘bland’ nature, he famous- the place where Bill Davis is happi- ly revealed his secret lifelong motto est. I have been everywhere with that ‘bland works.’ We now know him: at his home in Brampton, his that it was a veil for a fierce competi- place in Florida and at political con- tor. ventions, but he is happiest at the cottage. It is the place where he can Bill Davis’ list of accomplish- just be a dad and a husband and it is ments is inspiring. On the national the place where everyone has access level, he played a significant role in to him.” To which Mr. Davis re- the re-patriation of the constitution sponded, “He is quite right when he and in creating the Charter of Rights says that. The cottage is more home and Freedoms. In Ontario, he estab- than my house in Brampton. In my lished six universities, created the former life in Brampton, it was busy community college system and seven days a week. Georgian Bay started TV Ontario. He was ahead was always, not a great relief, but a of his time when he established a change.” Later, the Bay would in- cabinet committee on Race Rela- form his politics. tions. He also created North Ameri- ca’s first Ministry of the Environ- In 1971, after eight years as Min- ment – a signal of great things to Payne Marine in the early 1960s, sporting the ‘B/A’ (British Vince and Mike Payne: pioneers of Payne Marine in Pointe au Baril - in the mid 1960s. They ister of Education in the Robarts come for the province, and for his American) sign. Gas was barged in those days arrived with no road, no house, no electricity – equipped only with a dream government, Bill Davis, mastermind beloved Georgian Bay. This list ex- from Parry Sound and a willingness to work hard of the ‘big blue machine’, was elect- presses the Bill Davis vision for the ed Premier of Ontario, continuing betterment of lives through, educa- the twenty-eight year Tory strong- tion, equality and a healthy environ- on the marina property with his wife turns on a dime,” (Hunt Yachts). In Mitchell, after the famous victory of if caught in a storm.” ment. Laurie and daughter Haydyn and addition to the Harrier 26 closed Moppie: “not only had lessons been “knows everyone, intimately.” deck series, Mark will carry the learned from the design of the The Harrier 25 is the perfect craft It clearly illus- Centre Console 26 and 32 as well as winners but also from those forced for passage on Georgian Bay: safe, trates Steve Pai- Bringing the Harrier, and full Surfhunter 32 model. to turn back. Just as road racing has dry, comfortable and practical - with kin’s claim that Hunt Coastal Series to Pointe au improved the stamina and an illustrious heritage, after all, it Bill Davis was “in Baril is more than a bold business It was the ‘test of the sea’ in that performance of the family conquered the punishing chop of the public life because move by Mark Payne; it’s personal. 1960 race that triggered the success automobile and offshore yacht racing Bahama Bank and made a convert of he cared about It’s about the unique design, of the Deep-V hull. Races of that has brought about healthier cruising sailor Carleton Mitchell. people, good heart, character and history of the boat type are much more than publicity boats, so this race of powerboats good intentions.” and the passion that surrounds it. It stunts; they contribute to the across open water from Miami to To arrange a sea trial on the His policies have boasts, “vintage styling” and the evolution of boat design by testing Nassau has resulted in more Harrier 25 contact Mark Payne at Bill Davis’ love of Georgian Bay nurtured his family and stood the test of “teak detailing turns heads while the them under severe and competitive seaworthy and dependable family Payne Marine in Pointe au Baril. 705 informed his politics time, transcending high performing Hunt Deep-V hull conditions. In the words of Carleton craft, able to get safely back to port 366 2296. partisanship; we Bill Davis has a remarkably rich primary source still benefit from personal, family and political legacy of recreation. them to this day. on Georgian Bay that has endured Bill Davis has over five generations. The Davis fond memories Davis came to family name has become synony- of those early power at a time mous with life on the Bay: intricately days, “The boat when environmen- woven into the cultural fabric and that we had was The Bill Davis family: (left to right) Meg and Catherine (daughters), wife tal issues were be- recent history. Most importantly, no my grandmoth- Kathy, Bill, Ian (son) and wife Rose, Kathleen and Christine (grand children), ginning to perco- politician has done more to preserve er’s. It was the Neil (son) and wife Ruth, (back right), Nancy (daughter) late in the public the integrity of the natural environ- first boat I had a and husband Michael arena, especially ment on the Bay than Premier Wil- hand in its’ de- acid rain and great liam Grenville Davis. The intricacies sign… we called it the Queen Mary. hold on Ontario politics. He won lakes water quality: both major con- of the story are not easy to unravel, It was made at the Midland Boat- three more elections and navigated cerns and neither lost on the Pre- as Steve Paikin learned while writ- works.” From the families’ first boat the murky waters of two minority mier. He was instrumental in secur- ing Bill Davis’ recent biography (Na- to a Shepherd, a Richardson, a Chris governments while serving as Pre- ing the first Water Quality tion Builder…not so bland after all), Craft, Wellcraft, Donzi and a Lime- mier for fourteen years. He became Agreement with the United States in he has an “annoying habit of being stone, boats have always been a pas- known for the civility, democracy, 1972. The purpose was to “restore modest:” a lesson that he learned sion for Bill. The one boat that elud- and modesty that his parents had in- and maintain the chemical, physical well from his parents. ed him all these years is now often parked at his sheltered harbor on the Continued on Page 14 The Davis’ family pioneered rec- leeward side of Artists Island. His reational life in Georgian Bay almost sons, Neil and Ian, acquired a Ber- a century ago, when they built their tram ‘Moppie’ 31. It’s a boat that first family cottage on Townsend Is- they had their eyes on for some time. land, about 8 miles out from Honey According to Bill, “they made some Harbour. It was an initiative of renovations and it’s working ex- Grandmother Hewetson, of the tremely well. It has turned out to be Brampton shoe factory fame, (Bill’s a very nice boat to have in the neigh- grandmother), that began the tradi- bourhood. And, “One of the joys, tion. Since that day, Bill Davis has whether it was a nail or sack of ce- moved to a neighbouring island ‘Art- ment, you put it in the car, you un- ist Island’ where he enjoys holiday loaded the car, you loaded the boat, time with his wife Kathy in his Eber- then you unloaded the boat. Every- hard Zeidler designed cottage. thing was handled four times. It was part of how we existed up there and Boating has always been vital for it was never a problem.” island life on the eastern shores of Payne Marine is a landmark community business in Pointe au Baril, now featuring Hunt Yachts Georgian Bay because they are nec- Life on Georgian Bay influenced essary for transportation and are a Bill Davis’ values and brought his 6 GEORGIAN BAY TODAY Spring 2017 www.georgianbaytodaynews.com www.georgianbaytodaynews.com GEORGIAN BAY TODAY Spring 2017 7

The Case for George McLean for the Order of Ontario Sweetnam on ozone By Peter Wood

We have a great artist in our midst, realist genre painter Ken Danby. Continued from page 2 living in the Georgian Bay region. For invent non-flammable and inert Imagine if they hired teams of aerosol hairsprays and deodorant responded by spending their money almost sixty years, he has been chronic- Canadians are known for their replacements to save lives with lobbyists who relentlessly messaged products and leaky fridges the same on innovating not on lobbying to ling life in the eastern woodland national modesty or as some may call forest with a penetrating eye. He has it ‘insecurity.’ The list of artists from minimal health impacts according to that the impacts of these chemicals way their parents had done before maintain the status quo, and by done so with masterful skill and all fields of expression that have sought the manufacturers who profited from was minimal the way that today’s them, willfully ignorant to the actively accepting the challenge to unparalleled conviction. He is not approval from America before gaining these innovations. special-interests professional deniers damage they were wreaking on the develop new solutions. And last fall, prolific; there are no shortcuts in his recognition in our country is a long (and even some senior government Earth. minor adjustments were made to painstaking technique. His devotion one. The example of the late, great The problem was that these new officials) implore us to ignore the ensure developing nations were to his work has preempted ‘popular’ Canadian abstract expressionist halogenated chemicals made their harms caused by greenhouse-gas And in the final coup-de-grâce to given financial support to be able to success, but the work speaks for itself. painter, Jack Bush, stands out in way into the upper atmosphere and producing fossil-fuel emissions. truth, imagine if the citizens of the leapfrog over using the destructive His name is George McLean, and it is example. He was a member of Painters started causing unexpected changes country had finally began to materials. time that we in Ontario recognize Eleven, a radical Toronto group of in the stratosphere where ozone (O3) Imagine if manufacturers and the participate in a populist, vicarious, him as the great artist that he is. His abstract painters, and yes, the name -- a molecule made of three oxygen billionaires that own those companies associative megalomania blaming Today scientists, governments name is foremost in the world of is a deliberate takeoff on a previous atoms -- was working to shield the had then worked to lobby governments the “lying” scientists of being elites and citizens are once again raising wildlife art and we need to honour group bearing the number ‘seven’. earth’s inhabitants from harmful by providing politicians with large and baselessly accusing them of the alarm around another global him, here and now, by investing Bush had the fortune of not only ultraviolet (UV) rays. UV energies coffers of campaign donations. And falsifying their research. threat – greenhouse gas emissions him into the Order of Ontario. meeting, but also being approved of and break chemical bonds and can cause when electoral reforms prevented resulting in climate change. Based mentored by ‘king-maker’ American cellular damage resulting in skin that, their teams of lawyers worked Imagine if governments then used on the real experience and evidence For the past two years, a group of art critic, Clement Greenberg (“less cancer, cataracts, burning and other through the elected judiciary, with that generated public ignorance to of human impacts on the prominent Ontarians has nominated is more”), who championed the ‘New changes in structures of our skin similar campaign needs, to obtain deny the existence of a global stratospheric ozone layer, it is George McLean to the advisory York School’ in the 60s and 70s. It was that we are all well versed in today. rights for their enormously wealthy, consensus built on the meticulous obvious to all but the most selfish council that recommends candidates after American critical approval that inanimate companies that effectively work of the world’s academics and moneygrubber or hired patsy that to the Lieutenant Governor for Jack Bush achieved his status as a great Venerated scientists like Dr. obscure the rights of hard working, atmospheric scientists all while humans do indeed have the capacity appointment to the Order of Ontario. Canadian artist, not before. Surely, Frank “Sherry” Sherwood Rowland living, breathing voters to assert acting as publicly funded special- to damage the atmosphere. National Post columnist Michael Den it is time to get over it. It is time to (who I had the pleasure of meeting their individual preferences. interest shills in order to appease Tandt is a signatory to the application, recognize, to accept, to love and to and chatting with at several scientific their special-interest funding sources. So where are the billionaires who honour our own great artists and George McLean. It was popular and and has promoted the case for George leaning by George. He is decidedly conferences) knew that the ozone And imagine that once that case control the oil and coal companies McLean in his column: “Now 77… George McLean is among them. By well attended. But the message to the apolitical. There is no evidence that layer is the earth’s protective was completed, these billionaires If that had happened, how much who are willing to similarly step up McLean is at the height of his powers the way, Jack Bush was awarded the public was clear; art depicting animal anyone has been appointed to the sunscreen. Sherry theorized that had then setup an almost untraceable more UV radiation induced skin to address climate change and green- — producing canvasses stunning for Order of Canada in 1976, one year life was suitable for a Natural History Order of Ontario because of party their insight, technical reach and before he died – just in the nick of time! setting but not for an ‘art gallery’. In affiliations, nor is there evidence of man-made, volatile, halogenated network of special-interest cancer, eye and skin damage would house gas emissions? What happened ambition. Yet for two years running, George McLean’s words, he is “a anyone being denied for the same hydrocarbon solvents in the upper foundations to obscure or hide the have occurred? How would our plant to the times when we all worked this most authentic of Canadian George McLean faces another victim of art politics.” In art, context reason. We, the people of Ontario, atmosphere could combine with investments they were making to based food sources have responded together to address a truly life- artists has been excluded from the obstacle, that is, an institutional is everything. It is the context that need to maintain our trust that this solar UV radiation and break apart swing elections with indentured to elevated UV levels damaging their threatening global emergency and list of new entrants to the Order of prejudice on two fronts: his work is confers meaning. award is granted for ‘excellence,’ releasing multiple atoms of chlorine, candidates. photosynthetic machinery? won. Ontario — despite a movement from realistic, and secondly, the subject for contribution to our society, bromine or fluorine that are each a group of his admirers to see him matter is wildlife. Contemporary views This prejudice is further illustrated nothing more and nothing less. able to destroy large numbers of Imagine that those dollars would The stratospheric ozone layer We can see the impacts of climate receive the award, which is long of art have disdain for both. Virginia by a story that George recalls about ozone molecules. One molecule of also be used to employ professional would follow the model designed by change already in Georgian Bay, and overdue. This is, simply, a disgrace.” Eichhorn (George McLean: The Living his attempt to exhibit wildlife art at George McLean’s work has been chlorine can destroy almost 1000 denier spokespeople who would start NASA scientists to investigate the the forecasting models predictions Landscape), described it this way: “It the Art Gallery of Ontario. He described as ‘magic realism’. He may molecules of ozone in the a concerted effort throughout the outcomes of this scenario: www. don’t look good for the Great Lakes They will be re-submitting his is often regarded somewhat disparagingly proposed, to director Glen Lowry, a be the finest practitioner of this style, stratosphere through a series of network to undermine the well- nasa.gov/topics/earth/features/ where expectations are for ongoing name this year. The deadline is within the contemporary art context show of wildlife art at the gallery next but it is important to look beyond his reactions that end up regenerating deserved reverence for the scientists world_avoided.html future mean level declines and March 31. where wildlife artists are dismissed to an exhibit of Lowry’s choice with astonishing technique for understanding. the atomic chlorine at the end of and to label those visionary citizens increasing variability. as “technicians” and “craftsman.” the proviso that the gallery would poll He portrays intimate, dramatic moments each cycle. These reactions are proselytising facts as the “special The NASA model showed that Lieutenant Governor Lincoln George McLean refers to it as “a public response to the two exhibitions. in nature, derived from his direct powered by the ever present energy interests”, “radical environmentalists” without the cessation of use and On the US side of the Great Alexander established the Order of deliberate campaign that is maintained “A simple check of a box as to which experience. He invites viewers to not in the sun’s ultraviolet rays hitting and “eco-terrorists”. manufacturing of these products Lakes, significant government Ontario in 1986. It is the province’s to label this type of work as not art show they preferred.” The idea was only share the experience, but share our upper atmosphere and can starting in the 1980s, UV radiation programs designed to undo the highest honour. Twenty-six residents at all but illustration,” and adds, “the rejected, but both parties eventually his feelings of reverence and awe. If continue for upwards of one hundred Imagine if those spin doctors levels would have started increasing damage caused by previous or former residents who have shown Renaissance artists were illustrators, agreed to a public debate that took the modern disconnect with nature has years. tried to blame the destruction of the immediately. The ozone hole first generations exploiting our outstanding qualities of individual they illustrated the bible, so were all place at a jam-packed meeting of the lead to societal dysfunction, it is the ozone on the sun and their certainty seen over the south and then north waterfronts and harbours is on the excellence and achievement in any the great portrait painters, including Canadian Club at the Royal York Hotel work of artists like George McLean Sherry and his research partner of its cycles and point to the ever poles during the winter would have chopping block under the control of field are eligible. Since 1987, over Rembrandt.” in Toronto with the media present. that urges us to re-connect with nature Dr. Mario Molina were co-awarded changing nature of the atmosphere grown into permanent year-round a professional denier and proven seven hundred individuals have been Peter Worthington (Toronto Sun) in an intimate way. It is the way George the 1995 Nobel Prize in Chemistry as an explanation for why it is features. By 2020 the ozone would fossil fuel shill who has worked invested into the ‘Order’. It is a long-standing prejudice that and Ken Danby were on the panel with lives his life. Harmony, with the forces for this world-saving work that they impossible to know what will happen. have declined globally by 17 percent, under the deluded impression that it preempts good judgment about the George. George had made his point of nature, is not about how it looks first published in 1974 in the field of and by 2065 it would have dropped is still business as usual – if usual The criterion for the award is not nature of art. It harkens back to a but so had the gallery; illustrative art to us, but more importantly, how we atmospheric chemistry along with Imagine that they also worked to to 67 percent. This would have led to means the 1800s -- when it comes to specific; it is presented to persons morbid period of art history in the no matter how competent did not feel about it - that is the real content, “from all fields of endeavour and 19th C lead by Sir Joshua Reynolds. It advance the notion of the avant- the meaning. Dr. Paul J. Crutzen for work in the misdirect the fact-checking media a doubling of the UV radiation combusting oil and gas resources. backgrounds, whose excellence has was a time when the Salons and Royal garde and was therefore dismissed. The same field. while leaving a trail of golden hitting the earth’s surface, causing Funding and regulations are to be left a lasting legacy in the province, Academy held a monopoly on public AGO was closed at the time, due to a Nature painting is not only a follow-the-money breadcrumbs that sunburn in less than 10 minutes hacked to the point where air quality, Canada and beyond.” A close look at taste and patronage. Paintings were lack of money, yet incredibly, refused characteristic of Canadian painting, Before we see how bad the model the 24 hour news cycle can never seem (depending on skin type this could water quality, health, safety and the list of recipients reveals a cross- judged by a hierarchy of content. an offer of $150 000 from The but of all human painting, dating back suggests things would have been, to coherently follow. be as low as 3 minutes for a fair drinking water -- that have still not section of our society at its’ best: Classical subjects and history paintings Toronto Sun to fund the show. This to the cave painters of Lascaux France. let’s first imagine the slippery slope skinned erythemal dosage) in recovered from the indignities politicians, business leaders, athletes, were deemed the highest art form. This is a prejudice that persists today Reverence for nature and the theme of of how today’s climate deniers’ tool- Imagine next, that in order to northern latitudes. Meanwhile, in imposed on them over the past philanthropists, scientists, doctors, is an outdated, academic aesthetic, that we can only hope does not ‘wilderness’ is part of our collective kit would have been applied to the remove the obstacles of fact and truth the tropics, the model predicted that century -- will degrade again. broadcasters, publishers, union leaders, ridiculous in the 21st century. The influence the committee that Canadian consciousness. Illustration is ozone-hole issue. they would have continued to further ozone levels would stay relatively academics and many activists who quality of art cannot be judged by awards the Order of Ontario. about ‘depiction’, but our highest forms undermine scientists in an effort to constant until 2050 but then drop to Georgian Bay Forever is mandated advocated for minority rights. virtue of the ‘subject’ nor can any of art pursue truths and reveal them We can imagine that despite remove scientifically defensible, almost zero in a catastrophic collapse to produce balanced, evidence based art be discounted because an animal The council that makes recommen- to us. George McLean’s paintings are warnings from eminent scientists in protective regulations, thereby over the following 5 years due to a positions on the issues we work on. The ‘Arts’ are well represented in the is depicted. “George McLean’s work dations to the Lieutenant Governor acts of creation that can astonish the 1970s, the companies producing allowing industry to make cheaper, series of complex atmospheric The support for those efforts comes list of appointees with members from goes beyond fine craft and superb is comprised of: Chief Justice of and inspire us. chemicals used as refrigerants for air higher-emission refrigerators leaking chemical interactions. directly from the public and ballet, theatre and art galleries, but few technique defying simple categorization. Ontario, Speaker of the Legislative conditioners, domestic and commercial more ozone destroying fumes into the progressive foundations avoiding visual artists have received the honour, McLean seeks to present essential Assembly, Secretary of the Cabinet It is time to honour a lifetime of refrigerators, propellants for aerosol atmosphere so the billionaires could Fortunately, all of the parties the inevitable political traps of they are: official portrait painter Cleeve truths about nature.” (Eichhorn). and up to six members appointed by excellence. sprays, cleaning solvents, sterilization sell more refrigerants and pocket involved around the world heeded governments. That means that we Horne, Group of Seven member A.J. the Premier. It is the last group that gases, foam products and other uses more loot. the findings and recommendations can continue our pursuit of the best Casson, abstractionist Rita Letendre, In 1976, the Royal Ontario Museum has raised some skeptical eyebrows. To add your voice, go to, www. would have been instructed to deny any of the scientists. Governments projects and methods to protect our conceptual artist Iain Baxter&, hosted an art show called “Animals in Conservative Premiere Mike Harris georgianbaytodaynews.com, click on human link to the rapidly deteriorating Imagine, in this cacophony of trusted and acted on scientific treasured water independent of the visual storyteller David Blackwood, Art.” It was a revolutionary, massive, did appoint George McLean to the ‘George McLean’ then click on the ozone concentrations in Earth’s upper manufactured uncertainty and evidence to support policy in a direction the political winds may be pop art icon Charles Pachter, the international exhibit featuring the Board of the McMichael Gallery, link : George McLean for the Order of atmosphere. alternate facts that consumers had world-wide collaboration to address blowing. but this does not suggest a political inimitable Doris McCarthy and magic ‘who’s who’ of wildlife art, including Ontario and sign the petition. continued to buy and use those this global threat. Industry 8 GEORGIAN BAY TODAY Spring 2017 www.georgianbaytodaynews.com www.georgianbaytodaynews.com GEORGIAN BAY TODAY Spring 2017 9 George McLean: Canadian Artist Inspired by George McLean: Intimate moments in nature Nature in Grey County

By Peter Wood, Feb. 2014 (revised Feb. 2017)

I have known George McLean personally for many years. I have always held him in high esteem as an artist and have always enjoyed his boisterous personality and direct manner. When I became publisher of Georgian Bay Today in the winter of 2014, my very first mission was to tell the George McLean story and share the brilliance of his art with our readership. I spent a day with him in his home near Walters Falls and wrote the following article for our very first issue of GBT. I recently spent another winter day with George with a view to writing a new story about him but realized that, nothing has changed; his convictions are as rigid as the stone blocks of his home.

George McLean is a self sufficient, highly successful Canadian artist with an international reputation. He doesn’t mind telling anyone that to achieve this stature “you’ve gotta be tough” – and tough he is, in more ways than one.

George has proud family roots in Grey County. His grandparents are originally from Collingwood and later, “my grandmother was taken from

Continued on page 15

Canada Geese over Grey County, 1998 Casein on composition board 39 x 55 inches (99.1 x 139.7 cm) Collection of George and Terrie Eaton

On the cover: Blue Jay, 1990 Casein on composition board My subjects must inhabit their Canada Lynx with Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds, 1965 37 x 26 inches (94 x 66 cm) Casein on illustration board Collection of Leigh Yawkey Woodson surroundings believably, but my paintings 24 x 20½ inches (61 x 52.1 cm) Art Museum go beyond imitating nature, displaying Private Collection control and order. I counterbalance the prettiness in this painting by positioning I once made a series of paintings featuring the bird in a somewhat unconventional the four seasons — all the same pose. It adds an element of stress. dimensions — of which this is summer. I like watching various species of hawk soar across the splendid valley, but none more than the marsh hawk.

Black Bear Family, 2006, Queen’s Valley Marsh Hawk, 1987 Foxes and Beech Tree, 1977, casein on composition board, 38 x 59” Casein on composition board, 56 x 34 inches (142.2 x 86.4 cm) casein on composition board, 16 x 20 inches (40.6 x 66cm), (96.5 x 149.9 cm) Private Collection Private collection Private collection 10 GEORGIAN BAY TODAY Spring 2017 www.georgianbaytodaynews.com www.georgianbaytodaynews.com GEORGIAN BAY TODAY Spring 2017 11

ClearWater Farms: water conservation, education AND Fragrant native plants: a list that passes the smell test local organic food

By Kate Harries, Return of the Native poor plants were sometimes recom- by the time you read this. It will be that they might be complete. “Lists mended. You can read the paper for based on my observations, but I can implicitly convey the wrong By Michael Wilson About a given system: enter the Ontario We all love lists. As we click on a yourself. It’s posted online. Google cannot pretend to have brought any impression—namely, that the plants year ago, if Water Centre and ClearWater promising headline, we anticipate an ‘Listmania: The Strengths and scientific rigour to my compilation and not included are of little value to I was asked the question, “Do you Farms. easily digested scrap of knowledge Weaknesses of Lists of Garden Plants there will therefore be an element of pollinators. This is certainly not the want to help young Ontarians – not too much information, not to Help Pollinators’ by Mihail subjectivity. The advantage for those case.” So take my list or any list as a connect to their lakes and rivers so The Ontario Water Centre (OWC) burdened with complexity, but Garbuzov and Francis L. W. Ratnieks. who live in the Georgian Bay area is point of departure. In time, you will that they’ll work to protect them all is an educational organization with knowledge nevertheless - simplified, that my list will be local. And that is compile your own. their lives?” With the baited follow charitable status, which is committed ordered, finite, authoritative. One factor that I feel the authors an important consideration. But your up of, “Imagine if you could do this to developing programs that connect could have mentioned relates to the conditions may differ a little or Meanwhile, here’s a list that I while eating nutritious, flavourful, people to the watersheds of their Armed with a list, the gardener can distinction between a food plant and a significantly from mine, even though stand by. It’s based on a finely and organically-grown food!” My lives. OWC’s flagship initiative is face up with a measure of confidence host plant. These pollinator plant lists we are in the same region. calibrated scientific instrument – my initial response would have been, ClearWater Farms, a social enterprise to the bewildering array of choices in all appeared to be lists of food plants. nose. These are native plants that “how can I say no?” designed to provide educational the seed catalogue or garden centre. Most pollinating insects collect nectar One important point made in the will delight and beguile with their programs that integrate water, land, But watch out - not all lists are created and pollen from a wide variety of BioScience article relates to a short- fragrance. Many are pretty good Georgian Bay food, and community. Across this equal. In fact, a study published in the flowers. But when it comes to creating coming shared by all lists: the idea pollinator food plants, too. network of sustainable, local farms, journal BioScience in 2014 looked at the next generation, butterflies are I was standing on Colin Dobell’s the newest one in Waubaushene, lists of pollinator-friendly plants in often limited in the number of plant dock in Georgian Bay. I had finished ClearWater aims to expose kids and the U.K., Canada and the U.S. and species their caterpillars can consume Fragrant native plants a small cabin repair job for him. We their families to authentic, place- found surprising shortcomings and (think Monarchs that can only got talking as we fiddled around based learning experiences. Through misinformation, both in the lists, and reproduce on Milkweeds). 1. Anise Hyssop (Agastache foeniculum) 3 with lines, tying and untying boats. summer camps, school-linked do on a daily basis). I could forage Starting in 1940, she would spend in plant labels that rely on them. feet – perennial - aromatic foliage - lavender In a four-minute span, in one of the programs, volunteer opportunities, for wild blueberries and raspberries summers with her family on the Butterflies and others that go spikes - spreads by seeding. Sun shortest job interviews on record, and other pilot projects, Clearwater to put in my muffins and pancakes shores of Lake Simcoe. She recalls One list, compiled by a government- through a caterpillar stage lay their we covered my background in hopes to embed the importance of during those calm and muggy the spontaneity of arriving from the funded organization called Natural eggs on plants that have coevolved 2. Bee Balm (Monarda fistulosa) 4 feet - philosophy, my desire to be physically, water and nature in young minds by August days, and in the fall, my city and tearing her clothes off and England, was described as looking with their species so the foliage is perennial - aromatic foliage - lavender blooms intellectually, and emotionally fostering a tangible connection to senses would come alive as I trudged jumping right into the water without “very much as if it was put together digestible. (Bee larvae don’t need to – spreads by underground roots. Sun engaged by the work that I was local plants, animals, and food. through spicy and pungent bogs in a moments pause for a bathing suit. late one Friday afternoon.” A list is work at eating leaves, they grow in 1 doing, and my passion to see real the search of wild mushrooms and The memories of long days building only as good as the data that has cells already provisioned by their 3. Black Cohosh (Actaea racemosa) 5 feet - change occur in the world from this My passion for local taste and my cranberries for our Thanksgiving boats and combing the beach for gone into it, the study authors point parents.) So gardeners need to find perennial - finely dissected leaves and creamy flower spikes in fall ‘quadruple bottom line’ approach. strong connection to the land came dinner. This sense of wonder and treasure, brings a smile to her face as out, but surprisingly they found the out what species of butterfly are local – also called Cimicifuga racemosa. Shade This concept of community building alive through the rugged beauty of exposure to the inspirational power she recalls them. empirical sources on which lists are to their area, which ones need support, focuses on the interplay and Georgian Bay. From a young age, of nature at a young age has shaped based are almost never provided. and what plants they use as hosts. 4. Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) 3 feet - globes of dusky importance of cultural vitality, social with an appetite for life, I could walk me into the person that I am today Annabel’s passion for watershed pink blooms - spreads by underground roots. Sun / shade equity, economic prosperity, and and swim over to my aunt’s cottage and forged my connection to the conservation has been a lifelong The study found that many good I am working on a list of pollinator environmental sustainability in a for a second breakfast (which I would land and water. focus. Most notably this is felt pollinator plants were omitted while food plants that may be on my website 5. Flat-topped Goldenrod (Euthamia through her Ladies of the Lake graminifolia) 4 feet - bright yellow flowers - also The Ontario Water Centre Conservation Association and her known as Lance-leaved or Grass-leaved participation in the joint 2012 Lake Goldenrod - spreads vigorously by underground Annabel Slaight is the Simcoe/South Eastern Georgian Dear thyroid, can you please rhizomes. Sun Water Centre’s founding Bay Clean-Up Fund. She now sits on start functioning so I can start 5 chair. She also founded OWL the Lake Simcoe Coordinating 6. Oswego Tea Beebalm and Chickadee Magazines, Committee, an advisory group that to function again! (Monarda didyma) 5 feet – and in 2016 was awarded the reports to Ontario’s Minister of aromatic foliage, bright red flowers - spreads Order of Canada for a Environment and Climate Change. vigorously by under-ground roots. Sun lifetime’s work of engaging In 2006, while wearing nothing but By Monika Lukacena-Russo, BSc, ND children with the natural her birthday suit for the Ladies of the Something is not right, but you important process that involves 6 7. Purple Flowering Raspberry (Rubus world. She refers to Lake’s Naked Truth calendar shoot, a • odoratus) 4 feet – shrub - pink fragrant flowers can’t figure it out. You see your several factors, including: iodide, • ClearWater Farms as, “OWL fundraising campaign which raised doctor and the lab work comes back selenium, zinc and four thyroid • followed by berries, foliage also is fragrant if crushed – spreads. Sun magazine on the ground.” $250,000 for environmental education normal. You let it go another few hormones (T4, T3, reverseT3, TSH). Her tireless energy and programs, Annabel demonstrated months or a year but return to see To make it even more complicated; 8. Sweetgrass (Hierochloe odorata) 1 foot – perennial – fragrance enthusiasm is one of the that her willingness to “bare it all” your doctor again. You complain you stress, toxins, immunity and is most pronounced when cut and dried - spreads vigorously (that’s driving forces behind the for the water will always continue. are tired and weak, you are gaining hormone imbalance can also affect a warning, but in the right spot, this grass is perfect). Sun project. weight with no diet or exercise thyroid function. Any abnormality changes, your skin and hair is dry, in this intricate system of hormone 9. Wild Cucumber Vine (Echinocystis lobata) – annual vine - Annabel’s connection to Clearwater your muscles ache and cramp and synthesis and production can have frothy white flowers in August followed by interesting prickly water began at a young age. Continued on page 15 you just feel moody, irritable and consequences on health. Some may seedpods - beautiful shape to the leaves. Sun / foggy. You ask again, “are you sure have an issue converting T4 (inactive shade my thyroid is OK?” thyroid hormone) into T3 (active thyroid hormone), while others may 10. Wild Ginger (Asarum canadense) 6 inches The thyroid is a small, butterfly- suffer from an autoimmune condition – perennial - faint aroma of ginger from leaves, shaped gland located in the front of in which their thyroid antibodies strong scent from roots - spreads slowly. Shade the neck that produces hormones, become elevated and attract the 10 which stimulate vital processes in thyroid. I have seen this during or EVERY part of the body. These post pregnancy, with food thyroid hormones have a major sensitivities, or with stress. As for impact on metabolism, growth, some, ongoing stress (cortisol) can • Muscle cramps or muscle aches and thyroid antibodies. Naturopaths energy, oxygen, heat production, impact thyroid health. • Constipation are looking for the root of the disease fertility and menstruation, as well as and to see if the thyroid is working • Depression This is our entrance with plenty of immune regulation in the intestine. Symptoms of Hypothyroidism optimally. After detailed lab work, a free parking on Fourth Street, Our • Fatigue • Irritability Standard medical testing will run complaint orientated physical exam associates will welcome you inside! • Memory loss a TSH (thyroid stimulating • Weakness and an extensive health history hormone) values test. Naturopathic • Weight gain or difficulty losing weight • Abnormal menstrual cycles intake- all the pieces are put together Midland Tim-Br Mart to come up with a custom treatment 200 Third Street, Midland, Ont. L4R 3R9 Doctors (ND) will dig a little deeper • Coarse, dry hair • Decreased libido when it comes to thyroid function as plan to restore optimal health using 705-526-2264, toll free: 1-800-265-2211 • Dry, rough pale skin Since the TSH test alone clearly TSH is not the full story. Regulating diet changes, herbs, nutrients, fax: 526-5801 • Hair loss cannot rule out thyroid imbalance, thyroid function is a complex and hormones or acupuncture. web site: midlandtimbrmart.on.ca • Cold intolerance screens should include TSH, T4, T3 12 GEORGIAN BAY TODAY Spring 2017 www.georgianbaytodaynews.com www.georgianbaytodaynews.com GEORGIAN BAY TODAY Spring 2017 13

Politics and nature in Georgian Bay Township Steamboat Channel Protected

By Pat Edwards where the amount of daylight north on a permanent basis. This is bear chaser’! Last summer the lack By Sarah Koetsier and Brooks Greer, setbacks, and ultimately came together Spring must be coming. Yesterday decreases by 12 minutes every day. happening primarily on the inland of rainfall impacted the production Georgian Bay Land Trust to save this wilderness refuge in the we received our renewal notice from lakes where many have road access. of berries. The bears were starving When Bill Lougheed and Brooks heart of their community. The support the marina, and the day before we Over last six months at Georgian and were forced further afield as they Greer first visited Mackenzie Island for this project is a testament to the received our flower seeds from two Bay Township, we have had a number 3. The year round occupancy issue tried to find food. We do have the in the spring of 2015, one of the first significance of Mackenzie Island and different suppliers. (I start a large of important issues. further highlights the difference that occasional bear, however, this encounter things they saw was a deer fawn Steamboat Channel to the people of number of flowers under grow lights). exists between those on coastal was different. I was standing on the nursing from its mother. “That was a Pointe au Baril, and the value that the 1. Both the public and Catholic Georgian Bay versus the inland lakes deck of our cottage and Timmy was nice beginning. We knew this was islanders place on its being protected It is encouraging to see the hours schools in Honey harbour are under and why the idea of Georgian Bay 80’ behind me. I didn’t pay much going to be an interesting property,” as a conservation property forever. of daylight increasing. Last fall we serious threat of closing. If this Township joining the Archipelago is attention when he went off into the said Brooks. The establishment of the were in northern Norway at the same occurs, it will be a serious blow to the once again being discussed. brush; there was considerable crashing Steamboat Channel Reserve not only latitude as the middle of Baffin Island, hamlet. I am in favor of keeping the and banging which my brain Further exploration confirmed the — protects habitat on Mackenzie schools (or only one Enough about Council issues: I couldn’t understand! The next thing I first impression. In the interior of the Island, but also adds to a natural school) open, however, would like to share some interesting saw was a large black creature island, Brooks and Bill located pockets corridor that stretches along the the question is “at what $ personal Georgian Bay adventures. emerging from the bushes into the of old-growth white pine forest, an Georgian Bay coast. Connecting cost?” open space racing across the rocks extremely rare find since most of the with neighbouring protected areas My wife was alone, with the dog, in with amazing speed, given his size. Georgian Bay coast was logged over on Tonches and Champlain 2. There are changes the cottage in July, with an uninvited It took me a few seconds to realize the past two centuries. The island’s Monument Islands, Mackenzie taking place in the guest: a rattlesnake. On our island, this that although the colour was the exceptionally rugged interior may Island becomes part of a nearly Township with respect is only the 4th encounter with a rattle- same as Timmy, this wasn’t Timmy. explain why it was left undisturbed continuous natural coastal corridor DOCKS AND BOAT LIFTS to the increasing number snake in my 46 years of attendance. It The bear was coming straight at me over the years. Brooks noted, “You get stretching from Franklin Island in of seasonal residents appears that the snake got in when the with the dog right on his heels. I was the impression when you’re back in the south to the French River in the Steamboat Reserve features a rare example of exposed granite anticline: a who are selling their power was out, and our generator was on the deck a couple of steps up from there that no one has been in many north. Preserving wildlife corridors large arch-like fold in the rock urban homes and moving keeping the fridge running with a the ground and luckily, when the years, if ever. It seems completely is vital to species populations, whose large power cord holding bear was 10’ from me, he veered off untouched.” continued well-being depends on the and sets them aside as conservation The GBLT is a volunteer-driven the door open - enough for rather than coming on to the deck. Mackenzie’s high quality habitat and availability of a wide range of properties. The land is then registered private charity. It snake entry. Safe to say generous size mean that the island is territory. Contiguous corridors preserved in its natural state in currently stewards and owns (or there was a bit of an event, I am aware that a bear can easily home to many species of flora and fauna, allow for movement in response to perpetuity, and will never be holds conservation agreements or but in the end, the snake kill a dog with one strike from his developed or harvested. “easements”) on 58 coastal properties including at least two documented seasonal changes — and also to was resettled by carefully powerful paw and thus after the bear species at risk: Eastern foxsnake and environmental pressures. totalling over 1500 acres stretching LIKE US ON ejecting him on to the rock. and dog passed, I was shouting at the The Georgian Bay Land Trust from Port Severn to beyond FACEBOOK! Eastern whip-poor-will. The island’s The Ministry of Natural dog to avoid a tragedy. Unfortunately I The Steamboat Reserve has an seeks to preserve the unique Killarney. ample coastal wetlands also provide archipelago and adjacent water Resources was notified, and kept calling “Molly, Molly” which was excellent spawning and nursery interesting geological feature lift of course wanted to know the name of our previous dog! In the familiar to the Pointe au Barilers bodies that lie along the eastern To learn about the land protection grounds for smallmouth bass, muskie, shore of Georgian Bay and the process, and how your property and how the snake was doing end no damage to the dog or humans! and northern pike. who pass through the channel; the Light weight & affordable i.e., “did he have a tag?” north shore of Mackenzie Island has North Channel that are of ecological, your family can benefit by making a Enough said - I will save my Mackenzie Island is also significant a rare example of an exposed granite geological, and historical gift to the Georgian Bay Land Trust, 705 562 3201 Second: Our young lab raccoon story and the activities of to the human community in Pointe au anticline, a beautiful, large arch-like significance, and to promote the please visit www.gblt.org or call ‘Timmy’ is now a ‘certified Freddy the foxsnake ‘till next time. Baril; it is the southern shore of the fold in the rock. appreciation of this special area. 416.440.1519. beloved Steamboat Channel. Originally valued for its sheltered waters by the There is still much left to discover steamboats that served the area before on this fascinating reserve, and Land the railways and roads were built, the Trust staff look forward to further exploring its interior. We would like channel has become a nature-lover’s Camp70 SummersHurontario in Camping paradise now that the steamboat era to inventory and determine the age of has passed. Situated in the heart of the old-growth white pine that are in Pointe au Baril, Steamboat Channel several stands on the island, and to WHY CHOOSE OUR CAMP? is surrounded by some of the area’s fully map the location of the big trees. earliest cottages, but has remained It is anticipated that additional at- largely undeveloped. Its natural risk birds and reptiles are making shoreline has become a popular use of the island, and actual sightings destination for canoeists and kayakers. are likely to emerge during future staff and stewarding visits. When the long-time owners of Mackenzie Island decided to put the Steamboat Channel Reserve by northern section of the island up for the numbers sale, many in the community were • Acreage protected: 35 concerned by the prospect of subdivision • Small groups of only 8 campers and development along this ecologically • Approximate shoreline footage: 3500 • Best camper to staff ratio sensitive shoreline. Protection by the (195 campers, 110 staff ) Land Trust was proposed as an • Old growth white pine trunk alternative that would allow continued diameters measured (to date): 10 • Appreciation of the natural environment community enjoyment, and would • Huge biology program- snakes, frogs & turtles • Vegetation communities: 6 also provide a refuge for the many • Flexible, non-school like approach to programming species of plants and animals that • Plant species identified during • Spectacular Georgian Bay Island setting make their homes on this property. inventory: 73 • Amazing non-city activities suited to camp’s Thanks to the generosity of the • Bird species identified during outdoor setting local community, the conservation of inventory: 12 a landmark Pointe au Baril waterway • Well-maintained sleeping cabins • Mammal species identified has been realized. The 35-acre during inventory: 5 • Staff trained to build friendships and develop northern half of Mackenzie Island is leadership skills, independence & self- confidence now protected forever as the Steamboat • At risk species confirmed: 2 Channel Reserve. This success is due • Family owned and operated for all 68 summers to the dedicated and tireless efforts of • At risk reptiles probable: 7 • Safety comes first (Doctor on staff) the Pointe au Barilers who launched The Georgian Bay Land Trust • Amazing food! a major fundraising effort, persevered takes donations of private lands on through a series of obstacles and 1 Ridge Park, Toronto, Ontario M4T 2E4 • Tel: 416-488-2077 • Fax: 416-486-0865 the eastern coast of Georgian Bay Email: [email protected] • www.camphurontario.com 14 GEORGIAN BAY TODAY Spring 2017 www.georgianbaytodaynews.com www.georgianbaytodaynews.com GEORGIAN BAY TODAY Spring 2017 15

Bill Davis: for the love of Georgian Bay George McLean: Canadian Artist Inspired by Nature in Grey County

Continued from page 5 Continued from page 9 and biological integrity of the Great acid rain by enlisting Bill Davis. “I 1991 to secure and protect land in can Camp Island into the Georgian Collingwood to Owen Sound in a even primarily physical but also painting may possess is entirely due merely descriptive or illustrative or Lakes.” With familiar Davis modes- was asked to join the summit recom- perpetuity. They are a not-for-profit Bay Land Trust. buckboard”. Today, he lives in Grey multi faceted. He has mental to the field experience. I’m here on decorative. A closer look reveals that ty, he added, “We had some influence. mended by President Reagan, to see volunteer driven organization that County in a charming 1860’s stone toughness, strong views on the foggy days and on rainy days and on every brush stroke bears touch of a Obviously, it was a federal issue, but if we could sit down and get some now holds 44 properties on 1576 Giants Tomb Island represents house with his (also charming) wife nature of art and is a diligent blistering hot days or frozen to loving human hand, a reverence for was of interest to the province of sort of understanding. The initiative acres along the east shore archipela- yet another page in the Bill Davis Helen. It is on these hundred acres businessman. He doesn’t mind death. I’ve worn out six pairs of nature and for his art – and that’s the Ontario because it was mainly in was really Brian’s.” The negotia- go. Municipal taxes were undermin- story on Georgian Bay and another near Walters Falls that he finds his admitting that he has made a lot of snowshoes. “magic” part. provincial jurisdiction. I know that tions, initially known as the ‘Acid ing their efforts to steward the hold- example of his ability to transcend inspiration for his art – nature. His money from his work. there has been some debate on water Rain Treaty,’ were later formalized ings and to acquire new ones. Davis partisan politics to achieve a greater connection to the land is so profound At 5:30 every morning, George I try to take some quiet little truth levels, but the quality of water in as the ‘Air Quality Agreement’ of believed that “It was contradictory good. The idea to acquire the island that he believes: “My work would If you are going to say what you can be found working in his studio. and I try to put it down. Some little Georgian Bay has been maintained 1987, which has led to improved to what we were trying to achieve.” came from good friend and arch po- have looked a lot different if I didn‘t mean so that it is universally Later, he walks on his beloved land, thing that I’ve discovered that I’d relatively well. I think, on balance, health of the Great Lakes… and He approached Finance Minister litical rival Stephen Lewis, who de- live here”. The McLean’s have understood, you’ve got to have the experiencing nature that forms the like to show somebody, that I could we have not achieved perfection, but Georgian Bay. Bill Davis is satisfied Ernie Eves in the Mike Harris gov- scribed Davis as “humane, generous nurtured this land since arriving technical skills to be able to say inspiration for his work. It is this never articulate verbally the way I we’ve done fairly well.” that, “I can say today, with some de- ernment with the idea of tax exemp- and respectful.” This recreational is- there on a barren (over logged) exactly what you mean so that first hand experience that gives his can in a painting gree of assurance, that acid rain is tions for conservation lands. Mr. land has not fallen into developers’ landscape over 40 years ago. They somebody else knows it. work the voracity that he insists Recognizing Bill Davis’ consider- no longer a major issue. It may still Eves was supportive, but the file was hands largely due to Davis’ efforts to have planted over 100,000 trees that upon – his art begins with experience. George McLean has established able negotiating skills, newly elected be an issue, but nothing like it was stalled because of pushback from preserve it as part of Awenda Pro- now form a rich natural environment Aside from toughness, George Nature for him is “a huge emotional himself as an important Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney 20 years ago.” party officials. Ironically, it was the vincial Park. along with the existing fields, the claims that to be an artist you have draw”. His discipline is rigid and his artist with an enduring legacy in our (1981) began his ‘green’ agenda on later Liberal government of Dalton stream and the ponds. to have three other things going for routine is an important part of his culture. Much of his achievement is Perhaps McGuinty that granted the exemp- In his 88th year, Bill Davis still you, “competency, self-discipline, and work. I was warned by George not a direct result of hard work, single the biggest tion, at the request of Bill Davis. He enjoys his time on Georgian Bay Our farm provides all the consistency”. His competency began to ask him to have lunch because he mindedness, and commitment. He is gift to Geor- gives the credit to Treasurer Greg with his five children and their fami- reference material I need for my early. In high school he had already would have to tell me that he could anti establishment and fiercely gian Bay from Sorbara: “Neil (Bill’s son) and I went lies (12 grand children and 1 great paintings seen himself as an important artist, only see me at dinner. independent. As a result, he has Bill Davis to see him…we had some discussion. grandchild). At the Bay, he is affec- well aware that he was more produced some of the most beautiful was a tax ex- Greg Sorbara acquiesced in a very tionately known as ‘Dutch,’ a nick- George was brought up in the competent than his teachers. He is George does not put time or (and competent) paintings that this emption on short period of time…it was a sig- name inherited from his father. 1940’s in Parkdale, one of Toronto’s insistent that the foundation of art is energy into the self-doubt that country has ever seen and landed lands held by nificant contribution on his part.” As roughest neighbourhoods in what he good draughtsmanship, the ability to plagues many artists. He has an them in many important public and the Georgian a result of this effort, all land trust Bill Davis can look at the Bay, his describes as a “highly disruptive draw for which he sees no substitute unwavering confidence in his skill private collections. Above all, he is Bay Land holdings in Ontario became exempt island and the new ‘family” boat with family”. It was there that he earned a – no short cuts. He has an obvious and conviction in his position on art. satisfied with himself “ I have Trust. The from municipal taxes. Following in satisfaction. He grew up there and reputation as a street fighter – a disdain for much contemporary art His technique is painstaking. He accomplished everything that I GBLT was his father’s footsteps, Neil Davis was did his best to preserve it as place for reputation that he prides himself on that lacks this quality especially if it demands accuracy in every detail – started out to do”. He did add one formed in instrumental in bringing the Ameri- his family, just as it was when his and that has been useful in becoming is publicly funded through art grants. the lighting, the landscape, and the qualification though; the only thing grandparents first brought him an artist. A lifetime of daily Those grants he believes “are for anatomy. The result has been labeled left for him is to live out the rest of there as a child. He never ven- demanding physical exercise, sit ups, people who can’t sell their work”. He “Magic Realism” a term that George his life in his beloved home. After his tured too far from Georgian push ups, rigorous weight training has never had a grant of any kind admits he “recognizes” but sees as Parkdale background, his adamant Bay. He was not seduced by the and long walks on his property in and has not had gallery representation serving an academic need for position on art and his fierce anti – lure of 24 Sussex, even though, Grey County have added to his since 1980. Gallery owners he sees categorization rather than an establishment stance, there is no at one time, ‘Prime Minister’ durability and prepared him for life as “middle men who steal all your appropriate description of his reason to believe that he won’t be was a distinct possibility. In- as an artist - not the conventional money”. intentions. Certainly skill and “tough” about that as well. stead, he stayed near the place skills taught in art school. His accuracy are components of his he loves rather, the places he toughness is not only physical or Whatever authenticity my technique but these works are not loves: Brampton and Georgian Bay. With benefit of years of reflection, he claims: “I did my best. I made the judgments that Clearwater Farms I thought were right. Funda- mentals don’t change, honesty doesn’t change, principle doesn’t Continued from page 10 continue to be sustainable over time. personalized bounty of farm change.” fresh produce ready to be Our ability to In 2014, Annabel brought Colin In a 2016 pilot programme, enjoyed! “ Bill Davis’ love of Georgian Dobell on board as the Water Centre’s Clearwater farms delivered weekly Bay has nurtured his family and first Executive Director. Colin is a food baskets to 12 families in Honey Proceeds from the food perceive quality in Wasaga Beach Collingwood Thornbury informed his politics. He ex- lifetime ‘Georgian Bayer’ who Harbour. Food pick up was on Fridays basket program go towards pressed that love through prac- understands the delicate balance of at the Hive, a local cottage supply supporting the Ontario Water nature begins, as in art, Steve Paikin’s 2016 biography details the personal, family Jen Scholte, Broker and political life of Bill Davis, who, because of his well- tical, political and protective cottage life. Many readers will know store. As a result of that initial success, Centre’s educational mission. 72 Hurontario St. Collingwood, ON, L9Y 2L8 policies. That is his legacy on Colin through his ‘Stop the Drop’ starting in June 2017, ClearWater’s In the short-term, ClearWater known modesty, he has never sat down to cooperate with a www.JenScholte.com with the pretty. It biographer, until now Georgian Bay. campaign, which he founded and built weekly food basket program will be will introduce itself to cottagers to help engage 25,000 Bay users in available to cottagers and residents betw- een Honey Harbour and drawing public and government in Honey Harbour, Cognashene, Go O’Donnell Point by participating expands through attention to water level issues. Home Bay and Wah Wah Taysee. in summer camps run by Customers can receive organically cottage associations, and by successive stages of ClearWater Farms and Georgian Bay grown, local produce, featuring providing free workshops in vegetables, herbs, and fruits. The each cottage community focused On its collection of three farms, contents of each basket, linked with on foods that can be grown or the beautiful to values ClearWater uses a permaculture relevant recipes, will be available foraged at the cottage. approach to demonstrate how land online ahead of time to help facilitate as yet uncaptured by management directly affects the shopping and meal planning. These ClearWater Farms invites health of our water. The focus is on will be delivered either to The Hive the public this summer (2017) language. working with the land to slow, store, or a local marina for pick-up on Friday to their farm community and cleanse water as it moves across afternoon or Saturday morning. Each events to create and share the landscape. This allows ClearWater week, customers can choose to add memories of land, water, food – Aldo Leopold to grow nourishing and nutrient dense forested heritage pork, free-range and Georgian Bay. Details will (January 11, 1887 – April 21, 1948), food in a dynamic ecosystem. By using eggs, and speciality prepared foods, be available as the summer American author, philosopher, chemical-free pest control methods, to be packed into their basket. It’s nears at www. scientist, ecologist, forester, which help to rebuild soil biology, simple, and details can be found at clearwaterfarms.ca or conservationist, and environmentalist. the resilience and health of the www.clearwaterfarms.ca. Imagine through each cottage farmlands is increased so they can arriving at your marina to a association’s website. 16 GEORGIAN BAY TODAY Spring 2017 www.georgianbaytodaynews.com

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Positive signs for boating industry at the Toronto International Boat Show: Georgian Bay Today was ‘on board’

th By Sherry Giddings The 59 Georgian Bay Today was among increasing exposure for Toronto the 550 exhibitors. Our 10 x 10’ our supportive advertisers. International Boat Show is considered booth was only 0.01% of the 1 000 Toronto International Boat Show at the the economic bellwether for the health 000 sq ft. of sold out exhibition Our most productive Enercare Centre in Toronto featured increased attendance and robust sales of the boating industry in Canada. space, but we were not over looked. show, by far. Attendance was up by 10% over last To our delight, many people sought us year with 77, 105 ‘boaters’ passing out to share their enthusiasm for the The Toronto International Boat boating and own more than 4.3 the turnstiles during the 10-day run Bay. Interest in our publication has never Show generates more than $350 million boats, generating revenues of of the show. (Jan 20 to 29 at the been greater. We enjoyed increased million in economic impact to the $5 billion per year and employing Enercare Centre, Exhibition Place in support from new advertisers and many region. It is the largest indoor boat some 67 thousand Canadians. Toronto). Marine manufacturers new subscribers. We generated many show in North America. More boats and retailers reported robust sales, editorial content ideas and met are purchased at the TIBS than at any At Georgian Bay Today, we are pointing to positive growth for the potential new writers. We also other place or event in Canada. 15 looking forward to the 60th Anniversary boating industry. distributed 500 copies of GBT million Canadians participate in of the TIBS, January 12 -21 2018.

Georgian Bay Today enjoyed increased support at the Toronto International Boat Show January 20 - 29