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The wonder of Wood Warblers Bob and Peter Wood

Champlain “Boy” Patrice Dutil

The Flying Adventures of the Saulniers Steven Duff

Spring 2015 $2.65 Issue# 108 plus tax 2 GEORGIAN BAY TODAY Spring 2015 www.georgianbaytodaynews.com Georgian Bay Today has a new website

Georgian Bay Today Issue 108, Spring 2015

Publisher Bird Room Press We now have our feet firmly Bay Today. We have included our up past issues, contact us or simply planted in the 21st century. Although newspaper advertisers on our new enjoy the pictures. Manager/Editors we remain committed to the printed site (with links). Featured articles are Peter Wood & Sherry Giddings word, the Internet is irresistible be- now available for on-line reading as Connecting residents, cottagers [email protected] [email protected] cause of the many benefits that tech- well as biographies for all of our reg- and tourists with nature, culture & nology affords our readers and ular contributors. A ‘Subscribe page’ recreation Contribuitors advertisers. complete with a PayPal account of- fers readers a safe and convenient Check us out at Cathy Cooper Subscribers will now be able to ac- way to get Georgian Bay Today de- www.georgianbaytodaynews.com Aurora cess an on-line version of Georgian livered to their home or office. Look

Olivia Hill Muskoka

Steven Duff Georgian Bay Township - Council Update Parry Sound By Pat Edwards Gary Cerantola Wasaga Beach As I sit down to write this update such as the formation of committees noted, the Twp portion of your tax it is February 26th. It is very cold (committee of Adjustment, Water bill is approximately 27% with the Gary Scott Breithrupt and snowy. Quality, Policing, being 3 of these). District of Muskoka portion being Parry Sound In addition, there was a special meet- over 40% and the school In order to understand the activi- ing with regard to the 2015 budget board/Province being the balance. Kate Harries ties of Georgian Bay Township which calls for a 3.78% increase in One of the large $ issues facing the Elmvale Council it is helpful to review what the Township portion of the tax bur- District is policing costs which the was accomplished by the previous den. I would note that I had ex- Province/OPP downloads onto the Anne Lewis Council- whose term ended last No- pressed concern that insufficient time District. We should be aware that in Six Mile Lake Conservation Club vember- these include: a new Official was given to the budget debate, in- the coming months the Province will Plan "OPA" and Comprehensive cluding that several large $ items be coming out with a new budget as Monika Lukacena - Russo Zoning Bylaw "CZB", co-ordination were not reviewed by Council- they attempt to deal with their $12 Olea Health of all water quality issues, a ward staffing and the proposed $4.7 mil- billion deficit- some of which may be Wasaga Beach boundary review and resultant new 4 lion Honey Harbour Waterfront De- by downloading costs to property ward electoral system (with 2 velopment. The budget was approved owners. There is a Federal election in Kim Newby Coastal and 2 inland wards), the low on a recorded vote with myself and the fall and it is hoped that some $ for Wyevale water scare of 2013/2014 and CPR Peter Cooper opposing. the Twp will flow in this process. development in MacTier. Kristian Puhvel Friends of Killarney Park As noted above, the previous Lastly, with all the snow and cold, The election in October 2014 was Council approved both a new Official the ice will be here late and water lev- David Sweetnam the first after approval of the new Plan and Zoning Bylaw and now we els will be high. Also of interest, is Georgian Bay Forever Ward Boundary system with a 7 are starting to see the appeals to the that on February 20th I took my member Council (previously 6) - with OMB of this legislation. A signifi- American nephews to the cottage by Patrice Dutil returning members: mayor Larry cant item coming to Council with a snowmobile and on arrival at the is- Ryerson University Braid, Paul Wiancko (District inland) $500,000 commitment over the next land we were greeted by one very myself (coastal north) and with four 4 years is the Honey Harbour Water- large wild turkey- a sign of spring- Pat Edwards new members: Peter Cooper (District front Development proposal. In addi- or? Township of Georgian Bay coastal), Cynthia Douglas (inland tion, the Province is Penny Barr north), Brian Bocheck (inland south) mandating reviews of infra- Cartoonist - Scarobrough Bluff and Kathy Kay (coastal south). At structure upkeep with one this point the new Council has met large $ item facing the Twp Production for only 2 months. Much of time has being the replacement of the Web site administrator been spent on administrative matters MacTier Arena roof. As Colin Wood

Assembly Editor Andrew Smellie Smellie’s Copy & Print Shop “The beautiful spring came; Bracebridge and when Nature resumes her Printing McLaren Press Graphics loveliness, the human soul is Gravenhurst apt to revive also.” ISSN 0849-5696

BN 121730009 RT0001 Harriet Ann Jacobs March 2015 www.georgianbaytodaynews.com GEORGIAN BAY TODAY Spring 2015 3

Champlain’s “Boy” Étienne Brûlé: The fi rst immigrant to Ontario enjoyed a life of riches, pleasure and discovery

By Patrice Dutil

Samuel de Champlain approached mander’s homme de confiance. I sus- chant”, but he always returned to The kid from accomplished the shores of Huronia on August 1st, pect he was with Champlain when (without his wife) to his life something truly extraordinary. The 1615 in a state of excitement. He had the latter shot his harquebus into an as a coureur de bois. When the Kirke first immigrant to Ontario enjoyed a never penetrated inside the continent attacking troupe of Iroquois in 1609 brothers took Quebec from Cham- life of riches, pleasures and discov- so deeply, and drew tremendous sat- in order to curry favour with the Al- plain in 1629, he traded with them, ery. isfaction from the happy faces of the gonquin with whom he wanted to something Champlain considered Wendake (they were called Hurons trade. treasonous. Soon after, Brûlé disap- Brûlé’s first steps have not been by the French) who greeted him. For peared. Wendake warriors told celebrated in Ontario. But they many years they had pleaded with Such proven coolness in the face Champlain in 1633 that they had changed the French understanding him to join them in battle against the of danger would make him a trusted killed him as a retribution for his of the territory and of its peoples, Iroquois who threatened their very friend. The following winter young treachery. and the history of the continent. existence, and now he was among Brûlé was assigned by Champlain to That European, a young Frenchman, them, in the flesh, armed, and ready the Algonquins north of Montreal in It is not clear at all why Brûlé was did not come with guns or a desire to to command a small company against order to learn their ways, their hunt- assassinated. The priests who lived compete. He wanted to be a man their foes. ing methods and their language. He among the Wendake later asserted freed of European conventions, to returned to Champlain in the spring that he was cannibalized for his de- make a living, and live adventures. Champlain, however, was a bit of of 1611 and clearly showed that he bauched ways. “This man was recog- a latecomer to the party that summer. had fulfilled his mission. Confident nized as being very vicious in Father Joseph Le Caron had preceded that the young man could do the character, and much addicted to him by a week. Champlain met with same with the “Hurons” who lived women,” wrote Champlain. There is the priest on the next day in the for- around Georgian Bay, Champlain or- room to speculate that his hosts grew tified village of Carhagouha (just dered Brûlé to join them and discover irritated by Brûlé’s role as middle- north of today’s Lafontaine), and a new land. man in the fur trade and decided to learned how difficult the travels had get rid of him for good. There is also been for the churchman and the Brûlé would stay with the Wen- some debate that Brûlé had grown dozen soldiers who had accompanied dake for the rest of his life. Through disenchanted with the Wendake and him. It took a few weeks, but Cham- his adventures, including a harrow- sought better trade opportunities plain and his entourage then made ing military mission in the fall of with the Seneca. Either way, he did their way to Cahiagué (near Warmin- 1615 to attack the Iroquois (near not live long after his fortieth birth- ster), and there met with the Wen- today’s Syracuse) from the south day. Soon, the Wendake people aban- dake leadership. Among them was a while Champlain fired from the doned their villages and would be young protégé he had not seen since north, Brûlé saw enormous swaths decimated by disease and war. 1611, Étienne Brûlé. of the continent. He participated ac- That young man—Champlain re- tively in the fur trade and probably Brûlé’s contributed a great deal to ferred to him as a “boy” a few times earned more money in the trade that the development of Canada. He was his books—was an improbable pres- Champlain himself. He was the first the source of knowledge that al- ence. Born in Champigny-sur- white man to see Niagara Falls, the lowed Champlain to draw remarkable Patrice Dutil is the President of Marne, just outside Paris, he would western parts of Pennsylvania, all maps of Ontario and the great lakes the Champlain Society and Professor have been about twenty-five years old the great lakes. He walked the Wen- area (except for his own short trip in of Politics and Public Administration in 1615. dake hunting grounds (that extended 1615 to Huronia, Champlain did not at Ryerson University. His most re- down to Lake Ontario) like one of explore the area). More than that, cent book is Macdonald at 200: New Étienne Brûlé very likely came to them. His insights on the geography Brûlé was proof of a European Reflections and Legacies (Dundurn) Canada with Champlain in 1608 and of Ontario shaped Champlain’s later dream of life in the wilds of North (www.patricedutil.com) participated in the founding of Que- maps. America where cohabitation with in- bec City. He was among the few who Brûlé returned to France many digenous people was possible on a survived that first settlement (most times in the 1620s. He got married basis of respect. His violent death of Champlain’s men died that first there, bought a house in Paris, and could leave one to conclude that he winter), and became one of the com- was gradually recognized as a “mer- failed, but that would be a mistake. 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Georgian Bay Airways Cessna 180 leaving Parry Sound harbour (Island Queen tour boat in background) By Steven Duff About 35 years ago, a small boy perfect place for the new operation. comparable to sailing a yacht across tic Air and NWT Ice Pilots. Speak- went to the movies with his mother There had been a flying operation the Atlantic, Keith and Nicole flew ing of fuel, aircraft do not use the in Ignace, ON. The show was Star out of Parry Sound, a previous incar- the plane back to Ontario and now regular hooch out of a gas pump. Wars and its leading character, Han nation of Georgian Bay Airways, had the nucleus of the new enter- Most fuel these days contains Solo, became the boy’s instant hero. from 1946 to ’86, and a successor, prise. Star Wars was not real, but this ethanol, which has an unpleasant ten- Space flight was not what it is now, 30,000 Island Airways, from 1993 to was. dency to inflict injury on the innards but just five doors away were the 2002, when it went out of business, of a plane’s engine; aviation fuel is premises of Ignace Airways and the paving the way for Keith and Nicole, So, starting as a one-plane opera- 100 octane and, surprisingly, still next best thing to Star Wars was who promptly stepped in and bought tion, Georgian Bay Airways offered a contains lead in the interests of in- being around aircraft and as soon as the property that sits at the mouth of variety of services. As today, their ternal lubrication. Other nitty-gritty the boy was old enough he took a the Seguin River. The previous com- itineraries include sight-seeing concerns winter storage, wherein the flights, trips to Henry’s Fish Restau- fleet is stored at Parry Sound Air- summer job loading and unloading pany had removed all equipment, so rant at Sans Souci, charters to or bush-planes, those airborne lifelines the young couple had to build the from , ferrying cottagers to port. The Bush-Hawk remains active to Canada’s remote hinterlands. new company up from scratch. An remote bush camps, and offering fly- for the winter and is equipped with undertaking such as this is definitely ing instruction. Eventually another skis for winter operation and has, The boy, now a young man thor- not for the faint of heart. However, Cessna 180 was acquired and, more among other tasks, undertaken con- oughly devoted to flying (with Han seaplane fliers are not noted for recently, a Found Bush-Hawk. The tract work for the Ministry of Natu- Solo in his spiritual hip pocket), at- timidity; in addition, but Keith and Bush-Hawk is not a float plane, but ral Resources. tended the aviation course at Confed- Nicole have exceptional business fulfills other roles as we will see eration College in Thunder Bay. He ability, and more on that shortly. shortly. Over the years, more stringent found himself sitting just ahead of a regulations have been put into place. The writer visited with Keith and comely lass and thus Keith and Their first plane was a Cessna Nicole Saulnier in their big, pleasant In bygone years, the practice was to Nicole Saulnier discovered each other 180, which they still have, and it was house in Parry Sound, just a four- stuff a plane with whatever it could and, not settling for having a boss in purchased in Vancouver. Interest- minute walk from the base of opera- carry, with complete disregard of their respective flying careers, went ingly, on an adjacent mooring was a tions. How many working folk have weight. In addition, the floats made on to establish their own airline, de Havilland Beaver belonging to a commute like that? for handy stowage of what the nau- Parry Sound’s Georgian Bay Air- Harrison Ford, who of course was tical fraternity would call “deck ways. the original portrayer of Han Solo. We chatted about various aspects cargo”. Canoes were a common item Moments such as these tend to reaf- of running an outfit like GBA, a dis- and still are (with approved racks) Appropriately, their specialty was firm one’s belief in the existence of cussion fueled from my vantage point but no longer do you see a float-plane float-planes, making Parry Sound the cosmic forces. In an undertaking by following such TV shows as Arc- laden with roof trusses, lumber, or similar bulky cargo.

Everything and everyone propos- ing to fly must be weighed and to that end, part of GBA’s equipment is an industrial-grade scale worth about $1500. Nicole laughs when she relates the reaction of some po- tential passengers who peer at the scale and say, “Oh, that can’t be right!” Nicole’s response: “It may more right that your Wal-Mart bath- room scale.” In this connection, obe- sity can be a problem, as in extreme cases an obese person is one body but with the weight of two, with a nega- tive impact on economics. In cases of an excessively large couple, only one can travel at once. Certain commer- cial airlines have actually had to re- move the last couple of seat-rows in their planes to compensate for the weight-gain of the general popula- tion and to keep the centre of gravity forward. Lost seat-rows, of course, Georgian Bay Airways take-off on the Seguin River www.georgianbaytodaynews.com GEORGIAN BAY TODAY Spring 2015 5 demolition derbies and barrel-racing, dragger tends to weather-cock, or keting agency. And…Nicole was a thing they do at rodeos. A clover- face into the wind, and the only nominated for the Premier’s Award leaf shaped course is marked by bar- means of steering is with rudder po- for Business, representing Georgian rels and the idea is for the horse and sition and judicious power on the en- College, and attended a reception rider to get around the course in the gine. On the ground, a tail-dragger, with Premier Wynne in late Novem- least amount of time, definitely not having its tail so close to the ground, ber. an activity for the faint-hearted. essentially faces uphill, making visi- This was all great fun, of course, but bility difficult for anyone, but espe- Rather than being devoured not the stuff of a career, so Nicole cially someone as petite as Nicole. I whole by all these activities, however, went to Georgian College, which suggested sitting on a phone book, Nicole and Keith make time for their happened to be next to an airport and but I guess the idea had no merit and family – daughter Ariel (10), son shortly Nicole was hooked, deciding the conversation returned to the Orion (8), and younger daughter Au- to become a licensed pilot. Her goal southern trip, which, by the time rora (6). Stellar names, these, per- was to fly float planes, hence her at- Georgia was reached, boasted a tem- haps inspired by the distant but still tendance at Confederation College perature of 17 degrees, while the rest strong memory of Han Solo. “We are and the encounter that was to lead to of us were already in the deep-freeze. people’s escapism,” remarks Keith, so, her becoming Mrs. Saulnier. The destination was Miami, where to keep tethered to the earth, Nicole the Saulniers spent a week doing in- and Keith enjoy family activities: epic Their adventures and escapades struction and making enough money snowball wars in the back yard, ice would fill a book and we won’t ven- to cover many of the expenses of the fishing, and out-door activities. ture there, save for a couple of recent trip. Nothing is sugar-coated; the kids endeavours. A short time ago, Keith have to be able to clean their own fish and Nicole, drawing on their staff at Keith also did a trip to Nunuvut and generally learn to be self-reliant. the GBA base for baby-sitting duty, in June to help a client accumulate Will they too become aviators? Only delivered a Bush-Hawk on a week’s the necessary hours (with instruc- time will tell. odyssey down south. With the aid of tion) for his certification. Even a 51-knot tailwind, they made a quick though it was June, the lakes were passage to Roanoke, Virginia. That still frozen over and Arctic condi- wind, though, gusted up and down tions, despite climate change, were over the Appalachian Mountains, lit- prevailing. Keith and Nicole Saulniers erally making a roller coaster ride, Steven Duff is a Parry Sound writer mean lost revenue in an industry al- which would have horrified most Georgian Bay Airways is, of and artist. He has authored over a ready operating on whisker-thin people, but which Nicole and Keith course, is a seasonal operation, but do hundred newspaper and magazine ar- profit margins. So, as you can see, thought was great fun. not think the Saulniers’ winters are ticles and eight novels. His most re- Georgian Bay Airways has some idle. Keith was just re-elected as a cent novel ‘The Rime of the challenges in common with such The Bush-Hawk is a “tail drag- member of the Parry Sound Town Moderne Mariner’ has just been re- major carriers as Air Canada or ger”, meaning that there is no nose- Council and Nicole presides over leased. WestJet. wheel and just a small one like a large S.O.S. Media, a computer consulting caster at the tail. Thanks to that 51- firm that offers instruction in social Adventure is the leading compo- knot wind, there was a wind-shear media and related matters. They are nent in the Saulnier gene pool. Keith, warning at Roanoake, making the also heavily involved in Parry of course, had Han Solo as life-time Bush-Hawk hard to handle. A plane Sound’s growing tourism industry; role model. Nicole was always rest- with tricycle landing gear is rela- Nicole is on the Board of Directors less and loved doing such sports as tively stable on the ground, but a tail- of RTO12, an area tourism and mar-

Sun setting on the Saulniers` view of Georgian Bay 6 GEORGIAN BAY TODAY Spring 2015 www.georgianbaytodaynews.com

Keeping a watch on Freedom By the time of this publication, later, Canadians may be surprised to the horrific massacre at the Charlie realize that we may not be as free as Hebdo office in Paris will have faded we think. from the headlines and will be rele- gated to our collective memory, Reporters Without Borders pub- blending with other acts of terror. lishes an annual report assessing To be sure, the most solemn memory press freedoms in 180 countries is for the twelve people who were called the ‘World Press Freedom murdered and the injured during the Index.’ Canada has slipped to num- attack on January 15, 2015. Yes, it oc- ber 16 in the list that begins with curred in a far away land, some time ‘most free’ (Finland, Netherlands, ago, but that day is important to re- Norway). We now rank behind the member. Every publisher, editor, Czech Republic and Jamaica. Cer- writer, reader, artist, journalist and tainly 16th is a good standing but every person who believes in freedom there is a noticeable trend of con- of expression should take note that cern. Our freedom on this list has an attempt has been made to infringe steadily declined over the past ten on our freedoms. years with the sharpest decline oc- curring in the past two years. According to the Canadian Con- stitution, everyone has the following According to Reporters Without freedoms: freedom of thought, belief, Borders, freedoms are limited by the A warm ‘Thank You’ from opinion and expression including the negative impact of violence and con- freedom of the press and other media flict, the negative impact of lawsuits, Georgian Bay Today communications. In fact, this is the but more subtly by restrictions im- cornerstone of a functioning democ- posed due to security, which At Georgian Bay Today we are Congratulations on Georgian Bay racy. For the most part, in Canada, is subject to overly broad interpreta- grateful to all of our advertisers who Today! You’ve done a great job and what we exercise these freedoms every day tions by governments. Further, the support us, to our writers for their a cool thing to do with your retirement. with few restrictions. We are indeed Canadian government shut down fine contributions and most of all to It’s nice to have such a long history with tolerant. We allow the expression of The Coordination of Access to In- our readers who make our efforts someone that feels as passionate about the beliefs and ideas no matter how of- formation Request System (the data worthwhile. It has been one year area as I do. I’ve always loved it … and fensive, regardless of threat. It is im- base for public access to government since we took the reins of publication always will. portant that the 2014 film ‘The information) in 2008 on the grounds and we have received some feedback, We keep our copies of the paper. It Interview’, which enraged the North that it was ‘deemed expensive.’ a few compliments. We look forward takes a little time to read through it but Korean government enough to de- to sharing stories about our culture, it’s really good and we really enjoy it! clare it an ‘act of war’ and to At Georgian Bay Today, we are our shared history, our natural envi- Karen and Steve, Scarborough threaten ‘merciless’ revenge, was not concerned with the volatile top- ronment and of course, our recre- eventually, albeit reluctantly, ics of politics and religion. We are ational pleasures. I know that it only comes out quar- screened in Canadian theatres. about our good fortune to be blessed terly but I am starting to look forward to with Georgian Bay and the lifestyle Peter Wood's considerable personal what’s going on in ‘Georgian Bay We pride ourselves on our free- that it affords us. We, therefore, do experience in the arts and his love of the Today.’ Since Peter Wood took over the doms and with good reason, but our not expect an attack any time soon natural environment have enabled him to paper, it has gained such credibility in freedoms are not absolute. It is diffi- on our modest offices, but we are on expand the content of Georgian Bay format, pictures and quality of articles. cult to think of any views however Charlie’s side, as we all should be. We Today. It is now a publication that many It’s wonderful to see the paper be about repugnant that we have stifled support freedom of speech, freedom dwellers on the Bay subscribe to and we many artists, photographers and culture through law. Readers old enough will of the press and freedom of self-ex- anticipate many more stimulating arti- of the Bay. This is just what we need up remember an infamous holocaust de- pression. Complacency is not an op- cles. here as this is where all those people come nier that was in our midst from 1958 tion: #Je suis Charlie. Ed Bartram and Mary Bromley to vacation and ‘play’. until his deportation in 2005 (his Ron Cole, Ancaster name will not be re printed here). Just read about your new undertaking Our tolerance for him lasted 47 We are listening with Georgian Bay Today. I’m a sub- I have to write and tell you how much years. In the end he was deported be- scriber and wish you well! I think of Peter (my husband) and I are enjoying cause he was not a Canadian citizen In the interest and pursuit of ‘free- Georgian Bay as the centre of my uni- GBT. It is so full of fine writing and and his landed immigrant status had dom of expression,’ Georgian Bay verse. Best wishes and good luck! interesting and educational articles, and lapsed. He was allowed to believe Today invites readers to submit let- George Czerny, Collingwood beautifully laid out. I am equally im- what he wanted, but the limit came ters, ideas or suggestions. We also pressed with the number of representa- when he published works that were encourage comment on our point of This is the National Geographic of tives and reporters you have enlisted from likely to incite hatred against an iden- view on any of the editorial content Georgian Bay! around the Bay. tifiable group. of our publication. We hope to Laura Simpson, Coldwater Thank you so much for taking it over! up a two-way dialogue with the Carry on the great work! Attacks on ‘Charlie’, like the stakeholders of Georgian Bay, that is, I read the first edition of the new Sue (Sewell) Russell, Cognashene ‘fatwa’ of 1989 on Salman Rushdie the residents, the cottagers and of GBT on the plane. It was very moving. are blatant attempts to instill enough course the tourists that experience In fact, I was moved to tears, especially Congratulations on your first publi- fear in us that we will not think (or the splendour of the ‘Bay’. We share by the stories about Sarah Burke and cation! I have 5 subscriptions! publish) with freedom. Grateful as we a rich culture and a natural treasure; Margaret Marshall Saunders. Even Colleen Greer, Scarborough Bluffs are for our freedom, we do have some there are many stories to be told. though I'm not from the area, I found the reason for concern here in Canada. It information on the artists, nature, ath- I did enjoy our conversation yesterday seems that our freedoms are eroding To send feedback, contact us at: letes, politics, and health, etc. engaging at the Boat Show. When I saw your ad and should not be taken for granted. [email protected] and informative. in the paper, I decided to subscribe. The Access to Information Act was We are listening. H. Ian Meldrum, Burlington passed in 1983 making government Congratulations! I'm so glad you information available subject to the We also look forward to traditional have found this calling. What a gift your Welcome to the publishing world. I arbitration of an Information Com- correspondence at: passion and talents are to your readers. have enjoyed Georgian Bay Today since missioner. It was a model of good The Bird Room, 5 Little Ave. Genevieve Appleton, Toronto it’s inception. practice at the time. Thirty years Toronto, ON M9N 1K3 George Boucher, Midland www.georgianbaytodaynews.com GEORGIAN BAY TODAY Spring 2015 7 The Wonder of Wood Warblers

By Peter Wood It is debatable whether of plant down, bark, grass and spider have fallen before the logger’s saws. warblers were once indige- webs. Whether on the ground or It takes time for these forests to re- nous to our area and de- eighty feet up, their nests are ingen- generate and the new forests do not parted to warmer climes to iously well concealed and they have support the same diversity as the survive cold temperatures, mastered uncanny evasive behav- original. Habitat fragmentation also or whether they are tropical iours to avoid detection by predators. has its negative effects on warbler birds that come north to the Bird eggs and nestlings are part of populations. For example, ten forests temperate zone to capitalize the diet of snakes, raccoons, squir- of one hundred acres each separated on nesting grounds and a rels, chipmunks, hawks, owls, foxes, by roads does not support the same plentiful food supply. Per- crows, and jays all of which are diversity of plants, animals and birds haps, a more intriguing equally adept at discovering nests. as an uninterrupted forest of one question might be: Why do An intriguing and dramatic life and thousand acres. The problem is not they leave the tropics, a land death struggle for survival is played exclusive to our temperate zone. De- of abundance and risk their out all around us each nesting sea- pletion of winter habitats in the lives to fly north? son. tropical zone also contributes to de- clining numbers in warblers. There We do know that the Identification is some good news though. Species birds fly at night and face like the Chestnut-sided and Blue - many perils along the way: Identification of warblers can be a winged Warblers benefit from early predation, deadly storms and tricky business. Patience is the most forest successional stage and forest starvation among them. valuable tool in the bird watchers edges and are actually increasing in Night flight offers several toolbox along with a good pair of numbers. advantages. First, the flight binoculars. (wide field of view, not across the Gulf of Mexico is too powerful). These birds are tiny Parasitic Brown-headed Cowbirds an arduous task for a tiny and often well concealed in foliage are life-threatening to warblers. Nashville Warbler (Vermivora ruficapilla) bird that can lose one third of and fast moving. Immature birds and These birds lay their eggs in warbler There is a clique description of its weight in a single flight. females are almost indistinguishable. nests. When hatched, the more ag- Wood Warblers as “butterflies of the Flying at night after feeding all day If that is not difficult enough there gressive and larger Cowbird out- bird world” that has become trite and in daylight means that when they ar- are always the dreaded ‘confusing competes the young warblers for lost its originality by overuse but like rive depleted of energy it will also be falls’ that have shed their bright food. A single Cowbird egg is a death most clichés; it does reflect an inher- daylight and they can replenish breeding plumage in favour of a drab sentence to a warbler nest and these ent truth. Warblers are tiny, delicate themselves. fall colour. These birds can challenge birds are increasing as a result of creatures and are often brightly The secrets of bird navigation (at the expertise of the most seasoned human activities. There are many coloured; but that is where the com- night) during migration remain a veterans. Cowbird reduction programs on our parison ends and the fascination with puzzle to scientists. There is evi- continent attempting to alleviate the warblers begins. Spectacular migra- dence that birds navigate in part by The best approach to warbler problem. As if that’s not enough for tions, bright plumage, sprightly be- the stars. Other tools include react- identification is to gain a general un- warblers to deal with, they suffer haviour and ubiquitous songs are ing to the earth’s magnetic field and derstanding of species distribution, massive mortalities by flying into threads of the fabric of our spring using their sense of smell. However that is, which species is where and skyscrapers, glass covered buildings landscape around Georgian Bay. they do it, upon arrival in our region which is not. A second aid to identi- and other tall structures along their they distribute themselves in a vari- fication is habitat. Each species has a migratory routes. There are sixty species of New ety of habitats that provide the es- specific habitat requirement - some World Warblers in , sentials of a food supply, nesting narrower than others. The most suc- Georgian Bay Warblers about half of those nest in Ontario. material and appropriate nest sites. cessful species are the ones that can Tens of millions of these birds pour Some inhabit the forest canopy, some adapt to a variety of habitats and es- Georgian Bay Warblers’ for the into the Georgian Bay area each May the early successional woodland pecially to changes in the environ- purpose of this article, are nesting after abandoning their winter habitats, some retreat to grasslands, ment. After these two considerations, species - residents of our area. It grounds in the tropics. It is during some to marshes and wetlands, some and only after, is it time to appeal to does not include species that migrate this migration time that bird watch- even nest in cavities. They are pri- appearance, field marks found in all through our area on route to more ers are most likely to be rewarded marily (not solely) insectivores and bird books. Bird behavior can also be northern latitudes. ‘Georgian Bay’ is with a glimpse of them. are found most abundantly in forests a diagnostic aid but the very best aid not a biome but an area around the that suffer from outbreaks of spruce to identification is song. Learn the Bay supporting a variety of habitats. Migration budworm. This insect can destroy songs and you can identify bird These are the warblers that are with millions of hectares of spruce, fir species before you see them or even us for the spring and early summer, and other softwood trees in a single Warblers leave their tropical win- without seeing them. This a worth- the ones that we hear each day at season. The warblers are attracted to ter grounds in Central America and while exercise used with certainty by dawn. These are the birds that evoke these outbreaks and help to control Northern South America in early bird census takers. Some of the a sense of awe at their survival them. spring. The warbler migration is one songs are subtle but they are there, strategies: the birds that amaze us of the most memorable of all bird all around us from early May to early with their migratory abilities. These events – a thrill to witness. These Territory and nesting July. The songs are woven into the are the birds that thrill us with the birds are highly migratory, that is, tapestry of our spring environment occasional glimpse of their bright they travel great distances, their Once on territory they begin to and become obvious by their absence plumage. These are the birds that fill movements are massive, their routes sing - an exclusive and incessant in the late summer when silence sets us with a sense of wonder. are complex and their timing is pre- male behavior during the breeding in once again. cisely predictable. They arrive like season. That’s when their presence The nesting warblers of Georgian clockwork on the same day each year. becomes obvious to us. Their vocal- Status of warblers and Bay are: Golden-winged, Nashville, The reasons for leaving the tropics izations are diverse but the singing is the future Yellow, Chestnut-sided, Magnolia, are not clearly understood. It is as- not generally as melodic as the name Black-throated blue, Black-throated sumed that the migration is an evo- ’warbler’ suggests. Songs range from Wood Warblers in general have green, Pine, Prairie, Blackburnian, lutionary response to features in the high-pitched notes to low-pitched suffered thirty years of steady de- Black-and-white, Redstart, Ovenbird, environment and that this process is trills, insect-like buzzes and complex cline. The primary reason is the loss N. Waterthrush, Mourning, Com- ongoing, still evolving. whistles. While the males proclaim of or fragmentation of habitats par- mon Yellowthroat and Canada. their territory, the females select the ticularly of our northern forests that nest site and build the nests mainly 8 GEORGIAN BAY TODAY Spring 2015 www.georgianbaytodaynews.com www.georgianbaytodaynews.com GEORGIAN BAY TODAY Spring 2015 9 10 GEORGIAN BAY TODAY Spring 2015 www.georgianbaytodaynews.com : life on the ice from Rosetown to Victoria Harbour Ontario

Photo by Marj Dubeau

Sherry Middaugh in action at the Ontario Scotties in Penetang

By Peter Wood Georgian Bay Today met was an important logging commu- prosperous and vital town. The in- dearment for a person born and champion Sherry Middaugh at the nity and as a reminder of the in- dustry has long gone but the beauty raised on a prairie. She hails from the ultra- quaint Victoria Mercantile evitable erosion that characterizes remains. Today, Victoria Harbour is intimate town of Rosetown Company in the village of Victoria the passage of time. At one time, all a picturesque recreational commu- Saskatchewan, in the heart of the Harbour, which features a café, an an- company buildings were painted yel- nity on the waters of Georgian Bay. wheat belt, one hour southwest of Saskatoon. It is also located in the tique shop and a hardware store! The low with white trim but today the el- heart of curling country. Sherry shop is a testament to town history ements have left only flecks of paint Sherry Middaugh introduced her- claims, “everybody in the town from the days when Victoria Harbor that remind us of the heyday of a self a “stubble jumper,” a term of en- curled.” She lived a half of a block from the curling club, a requisite in- stitution for a rural Canadian town. For towns like Rosetown, curling is much more than a game; it’s a cul- ture, a vital part of the social fabric. Sherry has many fond memories of growing up in a curling culture with the local club (established in 1914) as headquarters. The arena was shared with the hockey players but curling, unlike that other national obsession, was for everyone; anyone could play and it was for life. She nurtured her passion and refined her skill in Rose- town and it had a profound impact on her life.

The competitive curling that Sherry Middaugh plays today is a de- scendant of a game introduced to Canada in the early 1800s by some Scots looking to mitigate the effects of the Canadian winter. It was played In summer the Middaughs enjoy the water and sun of Georgian Bay (Left to right Kelly, Emily, Wayne and Sherry) www.georgianbaytodaynews.com GEORGIAN BAY TODAY Spring 2015 11 outdoors with no particular stan- Sherry met her husband Wayne international levels and led them to ues to shape her life to this day - she dards of rocks, no hog lines, no Middaugh at the Heart to Heart adventure. Through curling they has become one of Canada’s finest turns. Other than lacrosse, curling is charity curling event in Thunder Bay have travelled much of the world, in- curlers and has created a unique the oldest organized sport in our in 1996. They considered a move cluding an opportunity to play in lifestyle for herself and her family. country. The first club was opened in back to Sherry‘s roots on the prairies China. A career highlight was a In summer, the Middaughs can 1807 in Montreal and the sport but settled on a waterfront property memorable family trip to the World likely be found enjoying the scenic moved west mid-century with the in the village of Victoria Harbour Championships in Basel Switzerland archipelago of the east side of Geor- railroad. It became an essential ele- the following year. The Middaughs in 2012 where Wayne won a Gold gian Bay in the latest family acquisi- ment of grassroots culture handed are among curling’s most celebrated medal. The only thing that the game tion known as “Wayne’s mid-life down from generation to generation. couples. Wayne is an extraordinary doesn’t provide is income. Sherry is crisis’ boat – a product, no doubt, of It’s a social sport, steeped in tradition curler (retired) with an impressive careful to point that although “we his retirement from competitive curl- and rich in deep strategy. Today, resume, which includes three World have cashed a few cheques, it’s not a ing. there are over 1 million curlers play- Championships. Sherry is a living, you have to rely on sponsors.” ing in some 1100 clubs. Saskatchewan champion and a five- Their team sponsors include M & M time Ontario champion. She is cur- Meat Shops, Travelers, Tim Hortons, At the top level, curling is a highly rently the skipper of Team Balance Plus and Fuzion. Her team organized and fiercely competitive, Middaugh, which includes: lead is also fortunate to have funding from demanding sport. Curlers are elite Leigh Armstrong, second Lee the ‘Own the Podium’ program. athletes that need to stay physically Merklinger, third Jo-Ann Rizzo and fit, practice regularly and meet a alternate . The Middaughs The Middaughs can be found on strenuous travel schedule. Team have two daughters, Kelly age 15, Tuesday nights in winter at the Middaugh plays 8 or 9 national who is a budding actress and Emily Penetang Curling Club playing on a events each year, most of which are age 12, who loves cheerleading and mixed team with Glenn and Judy out west as well as one or two inter- has an artistic side. They both play Howard. It’s a competitive league national events. There is also a men- and enjoy curling but (so far) don’t with two world champions on the tal and emotional challenge to plan to follow their parents into the team but they manage to maintain competitive play especially for the competitive life as a curler. When not the social aspects of the game for who is the decision maker for on tour Sherry is proud to pursue her which curling is so well known. For this game of ‘chess on ice.’ The team other career as a stay at home mom. Sherry and Wayne, curling is a way is currently planning a three-year of life; it can get in your blood – from commitment to compete together Curling has been good to the Mid- Rosetown to Victoria Harbour. It’s Team Middaugh left to right: Leigh leading up to the next Olympic daughs: it brought them together, an authentic Canadian sport of skill Armstrong, Lee Merklinger, Jo-Ann games. cultivated success at the national and and sportsmanship. Curling contin- Rizzo, Sherry Middaugh Ontario Scotties comes to Penetang

Teams at the Ontario Scotties tournament in Penetang (left to right) Team Flaxey, Varnes, Hastings, Romain, Middaugh, Balsdon, Inglis, Kee, Harrison, Grandy

The Penetanguishene Curling host the event and produced a first players alike were complimentary encing the sound of the rocks on the Club hosted this years’ Ontario Scot- class tournament. In Penetang, like about the venue. It was a consider- pebble mixed with the voices of the ties tournament, January 19 through many of our Georgian Bay commu- able achievement with only eight curlers. For the rest of us, Sportsnet 25. At stake was a trip to Moose Jaw nities, curling is a passion (some say months to prepare. carried the event live with 6 hours of Saskatchewan to represent Ontario religion). They have a long and sto- coverage on championship Sunday. in the Scotties tournament of ried history of producing champi- In a testament to the local fervor Hearts, Feb 14 -22. The winner of onship players including Russ and for curling, tickets for the event were The event was a boon to the town that event goes on to represent Glenn Howard. The club of 167 sold out by December. Fans could of Penetang. Club president Keith Canada in Sapporo Japan in March at members was able to produce 120 watch from the warmth and comfort Robillard estimates that the tourna- the World Championships. volunteers for the Scotties who han- of the lounge, but many chose to sit ment may have contributed $250 K dle everything in the club from ac- in the arena at ice level braving the to the local economy through hotels, The Penetang club was proud to counting to cleaning. Media, fans and cold, huddled under blankets, experi- restaurants and gas stations. 12 GEORGIAN BAY TODAY Spring 2015 www.georgianbaytodaynews.com An historic look at Georgian Bay water quality: our ecosystem is a pale shadow of the pristine ‘sweet waters’ of Champlain

By David Sweetnam - Executive Director Georgian Bay Forever and Georgian Baykeeper

Georgian Bay is a beautiful, al- populations. The introduction of North Bay is connected to Georgian onset of watershed deforestation. most pristine region even today. Power dams also devastated the Bay through narrow channels and is These changes indicated an ecologi- Agricultural and population pres- American eel populations that early dependent upon limited mixing with cal impact from the lumber industry, sures are not as extreme as other settlers and first nations had relied the bay to dilute nutrients, while but our study did not look at the im- parts of the Great Lakes due to the upon for food. And, before that, mas- South Bay is flushed into Georgian pacts on fish spawning and nursery geology and geography of the re- sive overfishing and the lumber in- Bay by the Severn River. North Bay habitat directly. The study also found gion. Rivers in the north and east dustry had degraded the spawning is like a soup bowl with steep shores “a moderate, more consistent change drain soft water from the hard gran- beds and destroyed nursery habitat and a narrow rim around its edge for across sediment indicators, suggest- ite Canadian Shield into the Bay needed to keep the fish stocks coastal wetlands, while South Bay is ing slight nutrient enrichment, was while in the west the water slowly healthy. Early commercial fishing op- more like a saucer with gradually observed in the 1950s/1960s and is dissolves the limestone cliffs of the erations pulled millions of tons of sloping shores giving its coastal wet- likely related to development in the Tobermory peninsula producing fish from the region. Today, there is lands more resilience to water level watershed and the shoreline, with a hard water. The St. Mary’s River car- barely a commercial fishery remain- fluctuations. stronger effect seen in South Bay ries the cold Lake Superior outflow ing outside of Lake Erie. How this is done? than in North Bay.” into the North Channel past the com- plex island chains by Manitoulin Is- Climate change impacts on water From our Georgian Baykeeper re- What was interesting when com- land. Currents swirl all of these levels and water quality have exacer- search vessel, a collecting tube was paring our results to the known con- waters together in the eastern archi- bated conditions and introduced new lowered over the deep bowls of the ditions recorded, was that, when pelago of Georgian Bay in a complex pressures on this already reeling sys- bays where sediments collect and water levels were low in the 1960’s mixture providing nutrients to the tem. It is no wonder that Georgian then plunged into the bottom sedi- we could see “significant shifts in native and now foreign invasive Bay ecosystems are a pale shadow of ments. These core samples were then algae and midge larvae assemblages species making up one of the world’s what they were in the past. Four hun- frozen and sliced into layers. Using to more littoral communities…with most complex freshwater ecosystems dred years ago, when Champlain first specialized labs to perform radioiso- the increased availability of shallow in the waters along the coast. entered into the traditional territory tope (210Pb) dating and other tech- water habitat, likely due to reduced of Canada’s First Nations, Georgian niques, the age of each slice was then water levels and increased water clar- Dramatic changes to these ecosys- Bay’s ecosystems looked vastly differ- accurately determined. Once the ity.” Blue-green algae pigments could tems have happened relatively ent. Stories from the elders of The slices were aged, they were examined be found through the core record in- quickly over the past century, most Chippewas of Nawash at the south by global experts from Alberta to dicating that these organisms have recently with the introduction of in- end of the Saugeen (Tobermory) Switzerland to determine the types been a part of the local ecosystem, vasive species like the zebra (Dreis- peninsula on Georgian Bay describe of organisms present in the fossil and while the chemical conditions to sena polymorpha) mussel from how the waters in the bay used to rise record. Chemicals and pigments in support blooms exist in these areas Russia and the quagga mussel (Dreis- as the lake trout chased the smaller the samples were examined to deter- if phosphorus levels increase, the sena bugensis) from the Ukraine. lake herring into the bay, and how the mine what was growing at each time- team couldn’t specifically determine These mollusks filter almost a litre Lake Sturgeon could be seen eating slice. Based upon these communities if large blooms had occurred in these of water each per day and are found cranberries from the bushes along and chemical conditions and using areas in the past. by the tens of thousands in almost the shore. extensive research about what types every square meter of the bottom of of conditions favour what types of The most important finding was Lake Huron sucking up most of the So what did the environmental plant and planktonic organisms, ex- that “The aquatic biota have re- nutrients and bio-concentrating tox- conditions in Georgian Bay look like perts built a remarkable picture of sponded as strongly to changes in ins in the food web. back then? Has water quality de- the conditions in the study areas over habitat in the past ca. 30 years as to clined? Were water levels higher or the past 400 years with our oldest any water quality changes since pre- Previous impacts on the pristine lower? Have there been blue-green sample dating from the year 1530. settlement times.” This indicates that ecosystems of Georgian Bay came in algae blooms in the past? Georgian The main periods of interest in- recent climactic impacts have had as the 1950s with the construction of Bay Forever engaged Dr. Neil cluded the following: pre-European much impact as previous commercial the St. Lawrence Seaway, and before Hutchinson and his team at Hutchin- settlement period (pre-1800); log- or development activity. Scientists it, the Erie Canal that both allowed son Environmental Science to find ging period (1820-1900); post-war agree that it is the cumulative im- increased numbers of invasive Sea out. Their report made some remark- depression (1920-1940); cottage de- pacts of all of these changes such as Lamprey to reach the upper Great able discoveries by looking at tiny velopment (1950 to present); and climate change, development, over- Lakes thereby devastating native fish fossils in the sediments as well as post-zebra mussel invasion (1980 to fishing, invasive species, industrial testing chemical present). and agricultural activities that we and physical prop- need to consider in our efforts to pro- erties of the de- What the experts discovered tect and preserve these precious wa- posited sediments. Before European settlement, ters. Dr. Dörte Köster North Bay and South Bay were and Dr. Tammy mesotrophic (total phosphorus of 400 years ago Champlain and his Karst-Riddoch 11-13 ug/L) meaning that they sup- men entered the pristine Georgian along with re- ported intermediate levels of ecosys- Bay ecosystem that was alive with searchers from tem productivity. South Bay had abundant fish, pure water and clean around the globe naturally more anoxia (low oxygen air. Georgian Bay was truly fishable, collected and levels in the bottom waters likely due swimmable and drinkable. Today analysed sediments to organic decay processes) than using state of the art tools we are from two strategic North Bay. This may have been due lucky to still have a vision of what locations in the to sediments accumulating more rap- this region could look like again if North Bay and idly due to influx from the Severn we all work together to protect and South Bay area of River. According to the experts, “this restore it. Let’s not allow it to be Honey Harbour. result was expected due to the com- damaged any further. These two paratively larger watershed, which closely located but includes the upstream Baxter Lake For more information go to our hydrologically dif- and part of the Severn River.” website to read the entire report. ferent bays pro- (http://www.georgianbayforever.org vided similar but Minor shifts in algae and midge /images/r090813_j120024_gbf- contrasting condi- larvae communities were observed in paleo-report-finalappendices.pdf) tions for the study. the 19th century coinciding with the www.georgianbaytodaynews.com GEORGIAN BAY TODAY Spring 2015 13 Gary’s Georgian Bay Gallery Images by Gary Scott Breithrupt

Gary Scott Breithrupt is a TV cameraman, a photographer and fourth generation Georgian Bay cottager. He has been coming to Honey Harbour for 59 years: since he was one month old and has never missed a summer. He searches Honey Harbour and Twelve Mile Bay for his imagery from his boat or from his remote control helicopters. He promotes respect for trees, water and wildlife through his camera lens.

KILLARNEY, NORTH CHANNEL & MANITOULIN July 18th - August 9th, 2015 Parry Sound, ON Canadian Brass Elmer Iseler Singers Cottage Farm Resort Recreation Retirement Cecilia String Quartet 24 Water Street, Little Current, ON André LaPlante (800) 368-6855 or (705) 368-2271 FAX: (705) 368-1096 Moshe Hammer web: www.manitoulinproperty.com Russell Braun email: [email protected] New Zealand String Quartet Classical & Jazz Leslie Fagan Concerts | Cruises | Films The Cellar Singers National Academy Orchestra of Canada Toronto All-Star Big Band Martin Beaver Penderecki String Quartet Dave Young The Four Seasons Harp Quartet

festivalofthesound.ca | 705-746-2410 an Ontario government agency un organisme du gouvernement de l’Ontario 14 GEORGIAN BAY TODAY Spring 2015 www.georgianbaytodaynews.com Pain and Pressure in your Sinus!

By Monika Lukacena-Russo A few years ago, I had the joy of ties in the skull that drain through cold or allergy and your body is mak- things that can make a big differ- experiencing my first sinus infection. the nose. There are 4 main cavities: ing too much mucous which blocks ence to help clear the sinus. This was not a fun experience and I maxillary sinuses in the cheekbones, the sinus opening. Secondly, you may • Netti pot or sinus cleanse to help have deep sympathy for those who the frontal sinuses, in the forehead, have a medical disorder in which the dilate nasal capillaries and clear experience these on a regular basis. I the ethmoid sinuses, between the small hairs in the sinus do not clear sinus felt like I was clobbered with a bat eyes and the sphenoid sinuses, in the mucous. Lastly, you may have a • Steam inhalation with eucalyptus over the head, my eyes felt sunken in, bones behind the nasal cavity. The physiological problem such as a devi- oil (careful not to burn face) to I could not breath in or out, my teeth purpose of the sinus is to both ated septum, bone spur or nasal drain sinus hurt, my nose was raw from blowing lighten the weight of the head and polyp blocking the sinus. If you ex- • Homeopathic drainage creams it… but worst of all I could not protect vital structures, and to filter perience sinusitis on a regular basis, and drops to drain sinus sleep. To add to this, the postnasal and humidify the air we breathe. The you should see your health care • Sinus massage and lymphatic drip was causing me to cough all the sinuses are lined with soft, pink tis- provider. Frequently we see people massage therapy to stimulate time, which became very frustrating. sue called mucosa. Normally, the si- suffer from sinus infections when drainage I can’t say I love the cold and flu sea- nuses are empty except for the layer they are dealing with systemic fun- • Chiropractic adjustments or son and the sinus infection that of mucus, which helps trap dust, dirt, gal/ candida infections, even though acupuncture to stimulate drainage comes along for the ride! pollution and organisms. there are no other obvious clear • Oil of oregano or garlic capsules symptoms. If we change their diet to clear any infection What are sinuses? The sinuses are Sinusitis is the inflammation of and address the root of the sinus in- • Tea with any of the following a connected system of hollow cavi- the sinuses that occurs with an infec- fection, these patients no longer suf- herbs; ginger, garlic, horehound, tion from a virus, bacteria, or fer. goldenseal, Echinacea, rosehip, fungus. We get this nasty episode • When your sinuses go into over- sage, slippery elm for a few reasons. One reason you drive producing mucous, they can may get sinusitis is if you have a cause real havoc. There are a few

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6 Sturgeon Bay Rd. Coldwater (just off hwy. 12) 1447 Woodrow Road, Coldwater, L0K 1E0 Email [email protected] Phone 705 686-7425 phone/fax705-835-2104 www.georgianbaytodaynews.com GEORGIAN BAY TODAY Spring 2015 15 The Rime of the Moderne Mariner: a riveting read

By Katerina Fretwell There is significant hood, bullied yet buffered by art, sail- perceptive eye is reassuring yet unre- literary talent in Parry ing and love, The Rime is one of the servedly honest. If great literature Sound, an increasingly most forthright and true portraits of advances understanding and accept- appreciative audience depression that this reviewer has ance of the human condition, le and steadfast support ever encountered. With a dazzling comedie humane, then welcome The from Bearly Used Books command of English, deliciously Rime to the canon. Duff's dramatic and the Parry Sound Li- acerbic wit and deft phrasing, i.e. de- watercolour of a sailboat bolstered brary. Able to hold its scribing a woman's generous endow- against the gathering clouds of own in the pantheon of ment as formidable topography, The gloom graces the cover. Canadian writers, our Rime is a riveting read. Extended small community cele- nautical metaphors unify several dra- The Rime of the Moderne brates Steven Duff, matic subplots. Fast pacing, imagina- Mariner is currently available at The whose seventh novel, tive plotting, memorable characters, Nautical Mind (Toronto), 1 800 463 The Rime of the Mod- enticing descriptions and a thought- 9951and Bearly Used Books (Parry erne Mariner, is the sub- ful narration contribute to the mak- Sound) 705 746 4731or contact the ject of this review. Yes, ing of this masterpiece, which was author at [email protected] or the title is a riff off Co- eight years in the writing. 705 774 9200 leridge's ballad The Rime of the Ancient Complex issues playing out as ho- Mariner. nour, betrayal, integrity, revenge, Review by Katerina Fretwell, kindness, compassion ... are por- Runner Up, 2015 Lush Triumphant Formatted as an auto- trayed unflinchingly in a humane, Poetry Prize and author of Dancing biography of one often hilarious and always authentic on a Pin, her eighth book (plus her George Mane from manner. For those of us who strug- art), forthcoming from Inanna in childhood to senior- gle with depression, Steven Duff's 2015.

Parry Sound author/artist Steven Duff

Steven Duff has been “re- Since that time, he has explored the an enthusiasm that has spilled over the annual Ojibway Club Art Show at tired” since 1996 following a very in- other artistic disciplines of writing, into much of his writing and visual Pointe-au-Baril, ON, and appear in tense thirty-plus years’ career in drawing, and watercolour; he is also art. collections in Canada, the U.S., the secondary school music education. an avid armchair student of history, U.K., Switzerland, and France. His As well as over one hundred specialty is seascapes with “some- magazine and newspaper articles thing interesting sailing by”. concerning history, music, and trans- portation, Steven now has seven pub- When not engaged in the lished novels to his credit, and has arts, Steven enjoys sailing and main- done “book talks” in such various lo- taining his collection of classic boats cations as Oakland (Maryland) and has cruised extensively under Cleveland and Cincinnati (Ohio), as sail on all the Great Lakes, as well as well as Toronto. He also collaborated a memorable trip to New York City. with two other writer/historians on The Grey Ghosts, a history of the Steven has two daughters, Christine Lower Lakes Co., whose ships deliver and Roberta, and two grandchildren. road salt to Parry Sound. He lives in Parry Sound, Ontario, Steven’s art-works have been with his wife Debra and their toy displayed locally, in Midland, ON, in poodle Bruno.

Behind this cheery “storefront” . . . Boat or drive to the central Bay’s best marine store The Honey Harbour Boat Club’s Marina backs up cheery dockside fill-ups Curt Sallows appears in with this adjacent, parts-loaded marine chandlery. Manager Curtis sledding gear to remind the Sallows reminds all, that winter storage is available for up to 30 ft. boats, neighbourhood that the & a skilled shop team on site for all types of work all winter, buffing & club’s well-equipped waxing, engine repowers, fibreglass, & any mechanical boat repairs, maintenance shop and snowmobile maintenance & repair. He specially invites you & your !"#$%&'()*!"#$%&'()* secure indoor storage areas family to drop in, year-round, by boat, car or snowsled to have a look at are ready to handle more !"#$%&'!"#$%&' the Club’s neat & complete facilities. snowmobiles winter and (&)"*& PLUS WE STOCK AND SELL EVINRUDE E-TEC summer! +#*,"-&+#*,"-&,.&*+#*/0)1,2*"3 OUTBOARD MOTORS. Our full service marina is immediately south of Mermaid Island, nearest to the main channel, at 2709 Honey Harbour Road, Box 38 P0E 1E0 !"#$"%&'(()*"+$,-."/0!"##$"%&'(()*"+$,-."/00 756-2411 Fax 756-1126 [email protected] 16 GEORGIAN BAY TODAY Spring 2015 www.georgianbaytodaynews.com

The Faces of Georgian Bay Today Wasaga Beach Short Film Festival at the Toronto International Boat Show Fourth Annual big hit

Georgian Bay Today never looked better. Visitors were greeted by Gary Cerantola, Chair of WBSFF and Danielle Blanchard, Manager, RBC Alyssa Giddings (left) and Olivia Hill Wasaga Beach, sponsor of the International Category Award

By Gary Cerantola Marilyn Lightstone, Gino Vannelli and Moses Znaimer. Georgian Bay Today had a pro- motivated to buy, and we’re very The fourth annual Wasaga Beach ductive week at the Boat Show! pleased that most boat brands and ac- Short Film Festival (WBSFF) Janu- The big winner of the evening While distributing 500 copies of our cessories had a strong show.” ary 23-24, was touted as “the event was Matt Tipold for “Severed Ties” winter edition, we made many new to be at” according to all of the con- where Tipold received the WBSFF valued contacts: subscribers, adver- The Toronto International Boat gratulatory and complimentary posts Regional Platinum Award (spon- tisers, writers and new readers. We Show is an economic bellwether for that flooded Facebook over the last sored by Re/Max of Wasaga Beach added retail distributors and held a the Canadian boating industry, and few weeks. This season the film fes- Brokerage) and the WBSFF Master daily draw for subscriptions! Al exhibitors at the 57th annual show tival was extended to two days for Regional Award (sponsored by Cana- Heisey was dearly missed - many reported sales that exceeded conser- additional public viewing and voting dian Wet Basement Solutions) as well touching stories were shared at our vative expectations, with a majority and culminated with a celebration of as a WBSFF Regional Music Video artists, local entertainment and film booth. of product categories experiencing Gold Award for “Holdin’ My Breath” awards at the Red Carpet Gala positive results. Over 500 manufac- Austin McCarthy. Mary Ann Watts Award Ceremonies Saturday evening. From the TIBS Press Release: turers, dealers and marine suppliers won the WBSFF Regional Music Video Platinum Award (sponsored by sold out more than a million square It’s been four years since the Show Manager Cynthia Hare said feet of the Direct Energy Centre at Zancor Homes) for “Burn – TooN- WBSFF has been instilling the vi- ice”. Sylvia Bray with “Every day is the general feeling on the Show floor Toronto’s Exhibition Place from Jan- sion of “Bringing the World to Sundae!” won the WBSFF Regional was positive. “I think a majority of uary 9 – 18, 2015. Wasaga Beach through a Shared Pas- Video Advertisement Silver Award. exhibitors are going home with a sion for Film and the Power of Sto- The WBSFF National Category positive start to the year as a result In generating more than $354 rytelling.” The fourth annual film Platinum Award (sponsored by Park- of solid sales as well as leads that million in economic impact to the re- festival attracted 57 entries from bridge) went to Kenneth Edwards for will spell success over the coming gion, it remains one of the largest eight countries along with national “The Artic Experiment”. Filmmak- months. Attendance was down consumer boat shows in North entries from across Canada from ers from Toronto flocked to Wasaga slightly but the people who came to America. The 2015 attendance was to Newfoundland Beach and in particular Producer, the show this year were definitely 70,174, a 3% decrease over 2014. and regional entries from across Mousa Ghodratifard collected the Georgian Bay and Southern Ontario. WBSFF National Category Gold Award for “Sweet Coffee”. The In- This season was acknowledged as ternational Category Platinum a breakthrough season for learning, Award (sponsored by RBC Royal growing and partnering. The Red Bank) went to Tomer Werechson, Carpet Awards Gala featured enter- Tel Aviv, , for “First Lesson In tainment such as Aisha, Aerialist love”. www.wasagafilmfestival.com from Aerial Silks Collingwood, Gary Cerantola is the Chair of the singer Sydney Boyle, Collingwood Wasaga Beach Short Film Festival. Idol winner Austin McCarthy, Elvis Tribute Artist Pat Lucknow and pro- fessional award winning ballroom dancers representing Dance by De- sign and The DanceRoom dance companies.

Awards were presented by John Van Driel, On-Air Host for the New Classical 96.3 FM in Toronto, Dale Goldhawk, Goldhawk Fights Back from Zoomer Radio, KC Colby from CTV News Barrie, Rosemarie O’Brien, General Manager of Collingwood Elvis Festival, Mel Pockaj, Host of Georgian Bay Life on Rogers TV and Khaleel Gandhi, Executive Manager for Community Arts Celebration.

Video red carpet greetings were Matt Tipold (right) the big winner at Over 500 manufacturers, dealers and marine suppliers sold out more than a sent from Brent Butt (Corner Gas), this year’s Wasaga Beach Short Film million square feet of the Direct Energy Centre at Toronto’s Exhibition Place Festival with partner David Redman