MUSKOKA REFLECTIONSIn the lake’s placid reflections are mirrored past, present and even glimpses of the future LOVE MUSKOKA, SUSTAIN MUSKOKA DISCOVER WAYS TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE $3 MILLION PROJECT DISCOVERY CENTRE EXPANDS WANDA III’S OLD HOME THE HISTORIC SHIP’S TIME ON LAKE OF BAYS SUMMER TWENTY TWENTY LOVE MUSKOKA SUSTAIN MUSKOKA DISCOVER WAYS TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE Sustainability is a core mandate of the Muskoka Steamships & Discovery Centre. And what better place to address it than on the waterfront? We are building an exhibit highlighting the challenges of climate change, and how it will impact the Muskoka we love. We need donations to complete the work. Will you help us? WITH YOUR HELP, WE CAN SUSTAIN THE MUSKOKA WE LOVE DUVERNETPHOTOGRAPHY PRESIDENt’s MESSAGE Opening up, with the help of family was going through old photos jobs were volunteer contributions, but line workers,” as greeting hundreds recently and found this one of they were paid well in hot dogs and the of people each day was a daunting I my three sons ready to go on the occasional pizza. thought. The conversation was serious pirate cruise aboard the Wenonah II in but it was so reassuring to see our 2004. It dawned on me that this is my They are now grown, with two in “family” engaged and determined. At 20th summer season with the Muskoka university and another leaving the nest the end Captain Murley said “and lets Steamships & Discovery Centre and soon. We are truly fortunate to have have fun!” and that exactly what we that my family has been with me every been able to involve them in our work plan to do. step the way. lives for so many years. We Are Open! My wife Sue, along with her mom, That family theme runs through our As of August 1st, Wenonah II and the has been serving with Karen and Norma organization with countless family Discovery Centre are both open. We and their team in the ships’ dining members and spouses working together need your support this year more than rooms. Over the years, all three sons over the years and providing an atmosphere ever before, please visit our website or could often be found onboard selling of teamwork, trust and strength. call our locations to plan your visit. hotdogs or fending off the pirates that dare to attack us every Sunday. In early July, we returned to prepare the Discovery Centre and the ships Ann at the Discovery Centre always for our most challenging year with had tasks at the ready for the kids when COVID-19 on everyone’s minds. We Dad dropped them off for … emm, met for pizza on the dock for a Friday JOHN MILLER PRESIDENT hours … Much to their disappointment, lunch and talked about becoming “front COURTESY OF Riley Lake Productions COURTESY SUMMER 2020 • 2 MUSKOKA REFLECTIONS TABLE OF CONTENTS SUMMER, TWENTY TWENTY HONOURING OUR 5 SHARED JOURNEY Smudging ceremony held to celebrate progress on the Discovery Centre expansion. BECOMING EVEN 6 MORE RELEVANT 21 While COVID-19 closed our entire operations until July 6, it did not halt our progress. Wanda III on Lake of Bays The famed yacht spent a surprising number of years cruising in SUSTAINABILITY FOCUS eastern Muskoka. 7 IS A PERFECT FIT A special message from District of Muskoka Honourary Chair John Klinck. CELEBRATING AND THANKING 8 OUR VALUED MEMBERS Member benefits include a no-charge cruise, discounts and more. CRUISING RESUMES 11 9 ON LAKE MUSKOKA We are excited to announce that Wenonah II A world class centre has resumed cruises as of August 1. Works is underway and fundraising continues on the $3M expansion. 3 • MUSKOKA REFLECTIONS MUSKOKA REFLECTIONS Muskoka steamship & Discovery centre www.realmuskoka.com MUSKOkA STEAMSHIPS 185 Cherokee Lane, Gravenhurst, ON P1P 1Z9 [email protected] 705-687-6667 14 18 MUSKOkA DISCOVERY CENTRE 275 Steamship Bay Road, Gravenhurst, ON P1P 1Z9 Embracing Muskoka’s [email protected] 705-687-2115 sustainability changing climate Charity Registration #13261 7770 RR0001 The Muskoka Steamships & Discovery The future will bring fewer breezy Centre Board has formally added days but more stormy ones, spring floods PRESIDENT: John Miller Sustainability to the core themes of and summer droughts, and many operations manager/curator (MDC): our organization. more changes. Ann Curley Controller: Molly Rivers Sales Manager: Inguna Ramina HONOURARY THE SOUND ship operations manager: Jordan Waines 10 DIRECTOR FOR LIFE 29 OF STEAM membership: Pat Durrant Mary Storey has given exemplary How does a steam whistle work? [email protected] service and leadership. It’s all about the physics. board of directors: Honorary Directors – Stan Meek, Murray Walker, Mary Storey Gary Getson – Chair of the Board WATER IS LIFE SIXTY MILE CRUISE 13 31 Anne Collins, Dan Cornacchia, Visitors are thrilled with a world- Passengers enjoyed cruising Randy Jorgensen, Catherine King, Sandy class exhibit celebrating our through Huntsville and Lake Lockhart, Rick McGraw, watery surroundings. of Bays Blair McMurchy, Jake Thomas, Rick Zytaruk Advisory Council: John Klinck - Honourary Chair PARTNERS BELIEVE Patrick Boyer, Chris Cragg, Ben Cousineau, 15 IN SUSTAINABILITY 33 UP IN FLAMES Gord Durnan, Lou Guerriero, Paul Kelly, Local organizations are joining us A tragic fire in Toronto Michael Lawley, Eleanor Lewis, Austen McMurchy, Peter Sale, in promoting sustainable living. changed the future of Muskoka Ian Turnbull, Norm Yan steamships forever. Editor: Sandy Lockhart [email protected] ESCAPE TO 25 THE WOODS VOLUNTEERS AND Historical Features Editor: Mary Storey Muskoka has a long history of 36 MEMBERS KEEP Editorial & Design: Dockside Publishing summer camps. PAT BUSY Pat Durrant’s role has expanded dramatically in the past six year. New on the ships and the Muskoka Discovery Centre Honouring our shared journey The Council of Rama First Nation visited the Discovery Centre on July 23 to view the building’s progress and see Water is Life for the first time. They were highly impressed with the beautiful wood frame structure. Elder Mark Douglas (middle left photo) performed the smudging ceremony, creating a cleansing smoke bath that removes evil spirits and welcomes positive thoughts. After Mark spoke everyone in the circle gave themselves a smoke bath to purify their bodies. District Chair John Klinck joined the gathering and can be seen (top left photo) with Gary Getson, Ted Williams from Rama First Nation, and Rick McGraw. Everyone is looking forward to the Indigenous exhibit Meeting Place of Nations opening in 2022 on the second floor of the new building. “Your Gateway to Muskoka Realtor” April Drane, Sales Representative 416 617-3733 cell/text New Office -181 Bay st, Gravenhurst, 705 684-9087 5 • MUSKOKA REFLECTIONS CHAIR’S MESSAGE Becoming even more relevant e continue to present dynamic, to Lake of Bays is now strengthened by insight into the Anishinaabe peoples, who entertaining, and educational adopting the additional core theme of make up many – but not all – of the W Muskoka experiences through Sustainability. We welcome many readers Indigenous nations that have inhabited our ships and the Muskoka Discovery from across our geography with this first Muskoka. In addition, we have twelve Centre. While COVID-19 closed our digital version of the Reflections. other thought leaders who assist us in entire operations until July 6, it did not connecting with our community. halt our progress though the phenomenal You will read in this issue the broad contribution of our entire team, whose scope of many organizations that Do come and visit us, either on our volunteer efforts have propelled us forward. are engaged in the environmental ships or in the Muskoka Discovery sustainability of Muskoka and how Centre as we engage our community in The physical evidence of our applicable this is to all our visitors. a safe manner, recognizing the ever- revitalization is now visible with the present risks imposed by the virus. new sustainable timber frame boathouse To have something new in 2021, we and galleries that will house our three will be opening an exhibit that will inspire Across our entire community we new exhibits: Wanda lll; Muskoka, Past, visitors to take broad actions that will wish to enrich your family with a Present & Future; and the Indigenous help all of us sustain our communities. wonderful Muskoka experience. stories of Meeting Place of Nations. Enjoy reading about our major exhibit campaign We welcome the new partners to be unveiled in 2022, in Rick McGraw’s and endorsers on the journey as we article on page 11. collectively strengthen the awareness and ways we can contribute to the This year, to complement our Watershed sustainability of our lifestyle built on Wonders we have added the new exhibit the foundation of our beautiful waters. Water is Life. Come and see the Indigenous Contact me to contribute ideas, time, and interpretation of water as told by the capital. All are appreciated. Indigenous Water Keepers. Gain an understanding that water is a being with We are pleased to have an Advisory a spirit, not simply a commodity to be Council, with Muskoka District chair John GARY GETSON CHAIR bought and sold. Klinck as our honourary chair and Ted Williams as our Indigenous advisor, giving Our desire to be relevant across the entirety of Muskoka from Georgian Bay FOOD CONCIERGE COURTESY OF JOHN McQUARRIE COURTESY Pleased to provide our catering, service staff and chefs for events from 10 to 200 people at cottages, homes, and offsite venues. FOOD CONCIERGE CALL: 705.687.8618 • WWW.THEOAR.CA/CATERING SUMMER 2020 • 6 DISTRICT OF MUSKOKA MESSAGE Sustainability focus is a perfect fit n behalf of The District climate change action plan, among many Discovery Centre in developing and Municipality of Muskoka, I other programs and projects.