July 2018 Issue 12 : simplebooklet.com

telling the Muskoka story Features 21 Vintage Bikes From a Basket of Parts to Track Article and Photography by Heather Douglas Port Sydney resident Chris Hauk first raced motorcycles in 1994 but his riding experience began 10 years earlier as a teenager Today he restores vintage motorcycles and races with the Vintage Road Racing Association 26 Ten Ways Americans Shaped Muskoka By J Patrick Boyer From the very earliest days of Muskoka Americans have helped shape the District As both Canada and the United States celebrate patriotic holidays in July writer Patrick Boyer felt the timing was right to identify his choice for the top ten ways Americans have impacted Muskoka 44 The Trumpet of Sandhill Cranes Makes a Comeback Article by Doug Smith Photography by Eleanor Kee Wellman The rolling trumpet like call of a sandhill crane is unlike any other bird sound in Muskoka Nowadays the sandhill s bugling is being heard more often than previously in Muskoka 50 Celebrating 150 Years of Bala History Article by Jack Hutton This year marks the 150th anniversary of the arrival of Bala s first settlers the Burgess family It s a perfect time to imagine what Burgess and his wife Margaret must have been thinking as they came ashore with their four children ranging in age from barely one to six years old 32 Muskoka s History of Record Setting Speed Article and Photography by Tim Du Vernet Muskoka s early boat builders had a tradition of producing some of the fastest race boats in the world Competing in some of the highest profile events these fine tuned craft were the product of owners designers builders mechanics and racers with deep Muskoka roots 38 Torrance Barrens Night Sky Preserving the Dark Article by Dianne Park Thach Photography by Wesley Liikane The Torrance Barrens Dark Sky Reserve was designated as the world s first permanent dark sky reserve in 1998 one year after the Barrens were declared a conservation reserve An absence of light is needed to preserve the reserve s celestial viewings 2 UNIQUE MUSKOKA July 2018 32

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68 Features 56 Giving New Life to Old Trees Article by Dawn Huddlestone Photography by Kelly Holinshead Woodworker and carver Andy Gamper finds inspiration from Muskoka s undulating landscape its forests and its lakes He and his wife Anna Smith located their business and family in Muskoka in order to pursue a healthier sustainable lifestyle Opinion Departments 9 11 Muskoka Insights Muskoka Calendar By Don Smith Summer is in full swing when the calendar hits July and the events are endless The month kicks off with Canada Day Fireworks throughout Muskoka and concludes with the ever popular Nuit Blanche North a celebration of all that is beautiful strange funky and artistic In between you can take your pick of events featuring antique boats art gourmet cooking yoga dogs and more 76 Muskoka Moments By George Daniels JULY 2018 CELESTIAL VIEWING What s Happened Record breaking boat builders Keeping the light out of Muskoka s dark sky Bucket of bolts races the track Ten ways Americans have shaped Muskoka 64 Trumpeting the return of sandhill cranes Our Cover Photograph by Wesley Liikane The Torrance Barrens Dark Sky Reserve is located in the southwest corner of Muskoka and provides celestial viewers with a window on the universe Lots has been happening in Muskoka Those wanting to arrive in Muskoka from downtown Toronto without waiting in traffic can get here in just over 30 minutes thanks to a new air taxi service The restoration of the Port Carling locks preserving Muskoka s ash trees a new boardwalk and Huntsville boat tours are all news of interest 11 11 68 Cottage Country Cuisine Everyone wants to be dockside in the summer and often food preparation needs to be quick easy and tasty Three Muskoka chefs share their ideas for a starter a main course and a dessert Enjoy July 2018 UNIQUE MUSKOKA 5

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telling the Muskoka story Unique Muskoka is published six times per year by Unique Publishing Inc Donald Smith Publisher and Editor Donna Ansley Sales Lisa Brazier Design Susan Smith Administration J Patrick Boyer George Daniels Heather Douglas Tim Du Vernet Kelly Holinshead Dawn Huddlestone Jack Hutton Eleanor Kee Wellman Wesley Liikane Dianne Park Thach Doug Smith Tomasz Szumski Karen Wehrstein Andy Zeltkalns Contributors www algonquinoutfitters com contest promotion full contest details online A contest by Algonquin Outfitters call 705 787 0262 for more details We now offer AIR MILES Reward Miles Beautiful Floors Naturally HARDWOOD LAMINATE VINYL CARPET CERAMIC NATURAL STONE CORK WINDOW COVERINGS MORE Trademarks of AIR MILES International Trading B V Used under license by LoyaltyOne Co Carpet One Floor Home MODERN HOME CARPET ONE 350 Ecclestone Drive Bracebridge 705 645 2443 carpetonebracebridge ca 6 UNIQUE MUSKOKA July 2018 TAYLOR CARPET ONE 30 Cairns Crescent Huntsville 705 789 9259 taylorcarpetonehuntsville com Annual Subscription Rates including HST where applicable In Ontario 30 00 All Other Provinces 36 00 U S 45 00 All Other Countries 59 00 HST 773172721 Canada Post Publications Mail Agreement Number 43268016 Copyright 2018 Unique Publishing Inc No content published in Unique Muskoka can be reproduced without the written permission of the publisher Mailing Address Box 616 Bracebridge ON P1L 1T9 Street Address 28 Manitoba St Bracebridge ON P1L 1S1 www uniquemuskoka com info uniquemuskoka com 705 637 0204

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Muskoka Insights Muskoka writer Doug Smith provides insights into the return of this beautiful bird with photography by Eleanor Kee Wellman History demonstrates not enough attention is given to our environment and one area that is increasingly threatened is the darkness of night It was just 20 years ago the Torrance Barrens was designated as the world s first dark sky reserve Situated in the wilderness of the southwest corner of Muskoka light from neighbouring communities is now threatening its very designation Writer Dianne Park Thach along with the convincing photography of Wesley Liikane tells the story of the Torrance Barrens Dark Sky Reserve and why it is important for all to preserve this unique asset We learn much from history and relationships In light of recent national discussions it is timely that regular contributor and historian Patrick Boyer highlights the Ten Ways Americans Shaped Muskoka While it is indeed unfortunate there have been strains on the longstanding trading ties that have connected our countries it is interesting to note the deepness of our shared roots It will be this reflection we are certain that will eventually bring about a return to more normalized relations at the national level As always there is much more to read in this issue of Unique Muskoka from the story of a talented artist who salvages wood from our forests in his quest to build fine furniture to the excitement that came from the racing successes of Muskoka s legendary boat builders We re sure you ll find something of interest Happy reading Photograph Susan Smith The years of my youth seemed a much simpler time It was a good time particularly the days spent lazing about Muskoka on a vacation There were always lots of discussions about the issues of the day in our household I don t recall any of my questions being discouraged and if I ever wandered into a subject area that was considered beyond my years the discussion somehow moved quickly in another direction Books newspapers the written word were the sources of much information It was the early days of television and much of the newscasts were filled with just that news There was none of the investigative journalism that has become a staple of today s news As we know the world now moves much faster Social media explodes with all manner of opinion The oft heard mantra of objective journalism has been replaced with subjective commentary Often we are strained to determine what is real and what is fake As the years have travelled by it has become clear to me the naivete of not only my youth but of the times covered up many issues that were deserving of further investigation Those family conversations that encouraged healthy discussions and the quest for more information have shaped much of my career as a journalist and publisher It s for these reasons that most of what you read in Unique Muskoka is about telling the Muskoka story It s our hope that with a better understanding of Muskoka s history the innovations that are being developed and the creativity that is resident here we will be able to not only preserve the Muskoka we love but find better ways forward Muskoka as we know has a fragile environment It needs careful consideration and respect With time nature seems to have the ability to right itself A good example of that would be the return of the sandhill crane to Muskoka In this issue of Unique Our local team is here to provide you with personalized insurance solutions working closely with you to ensure we cover all your insurance needs For the coverage your family deserves call us today 46 Ann Street Bracebridge 705 646 9995 877 877 3929 www LesBell ca TRUST INTEGRITY SERVICE Your Home and Cottage Mattress Centre THE LARGEST SELECTION OF IN STOCK MATTRESSES IN MUSKOKA Premier Supreme by Marshall Mattress 6 MonicaMARSHALL Lane MATTRESS CO Bracebridge M 1 800 682 6861 705 646 2557 Or i gi na l P ock et S pr i ng TO LEARN MORE www mattressesofmuskoka com July 2018 UNIQUE MUSKOKA 9

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Muskoka Calendar Canada Day 2018 There s so many choices for ways to celebrate Canada Day Here s a few starting with Fireworks June 30 Photograph Tomasz Szumski Baysville Hosted by Baysville Station 40 Firefighters always a great show takes place at the dam Walker s Point Cruise see the spectacle from onboard the Wenonah II realmuskoka com event fireworks cruise to walkers point Bracebridge this show presented by the Rotary Club of Bracebridge always draws lots of people to Bracebridge Bay bracebridgefireworks com Port Carling fireworks cruise with Sunset Cruises from Port Carling locks sunsetcruises ca Huntsville The gorgeous explosions happen over Avery Bay huntsville ca en living CanadaDay asp June 30 July 1 Huntsville Deerhurst Resort will present Canada Day fireworks on both Saturday and Sunday nights deerhurstresort com offers canada day July 1 Minett Muskoka Chautauqua presents fireworks at JW Marriott The Rosseau Muskoka Resort Spa muskokachautauqua com event canada day celebrations Other Canada Day Celebrations June 30 Journey back in time in Dorset This historic all day festival features fascinating interactive exhibits not just in the museum but on the museum lawn The Market Fireworks displays such as these at the Bracebridge waterfront will mark Canada Day throughout Muskoka Check Muskoka Calendar for the display closest to you Place will feature works by local artists and artisans plus delicious foods Come and see how people in Dorset lived worked and had fun from pioneer days to the present through the wonderful photo collection school history artifacts tools mementoes of the Dorset Ice Palace and much more Gravenhurst Enjoy festivities in Lakeside Park From 11 a m to 1 p m on Canada s big day there s fun for the entire family at Gull Lake Rotary Park in Gravenhurst Hot dogs cake games and much more Dress code red and white gravenhurst ca dorsetheritagemuseum ca July 1 Huntsville When Canada was a mere dominion of the British Empire rather than a nation July 1 was called Dominion Day This is why Muskoka Heritage Place in Huntsville holds the annual Dominion Day Strawberry Social and Steam up Day Arrive at 10 to get in free and hear dignitaries speeches Stay for costumed narrators historical demonstrations strolling musicians and runs on the Portage Flyer antique steam train Free fresh strawberry scones Canadian flags tattoos and stickers while supplies last muskokaheritageplace org en whileYouAreHere annualevents asp Strawberry 20Social Port Sydney Fete Canada Day on the beach Family friendly events include live music sand castle building face painting T shirt decorating barbecued goodies and a lot more portsydneycoc com Come to Bala for antiques stay for crafts and gifts The Bala Antique and Nostalgia Show features 40 vendors selling all manner of antique items at the Bala Arena starting the afternoon of June 29 then all day June 30 and July 1 At the same time on the Saturday and Sunday right across the road at the Bala Community Centre The Bala Craft and Gift Fair is having its 40th anniversary this year discovermuskoka ca events bala antique nostalgia show sale balacraftandgiftfair com Long lost movie brings circus to life When artist Elizabeth Siegfried found 90 reels of old 16 mm film in the attic of the family cottage on Oxtongue Lake she July 2018 UNIQUE MUSKOKA 11

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discovermuskoka ca events circus cross generational artistic exhibition Death defying water ski show is riveting Summer Water Sports has been performing water ski shows since the 70s and the Canadian National Ski Show Team is well the Canadian National Ski Show Team You know they ll have a clue what they re doing during their shows running July 2 through August 23 at Minett Guts athleticism grace beauty technical sophistication with a side of physical comedy this lake borne show has it all summerwatersports com Gravenhurst s annual homage to the boats of yesteryear On July 7 boat collectors from all over Muskoka and beyond will bring their gleamThe members of the Summer Water Sports team perform regular shows in ing beauties to MusMinett throughout the months of July and August koka Wharf for you to admire and photograph at the 38th Annual Summer Vintage Boat Show There ll be classic cars plus a flea market field of dreams buy and sell antique and classic boats activities for the kids boat rides Happening on July 7 is the Dorset Kid s vendors and even a fashion show Fish Derby at the public dock in Dorset It s acbs ca a morning event for young anglers under 12 Weather Master Windows 3 Season Sunrooms Aluminium Picket and Glass Topless Deck Railing 1 705 6 45 9 19 6 DAV L I N S CA 12 UNIQUE MUSKOKA July 2018 Want to get the kids hooked on fishing mba Photograph Summer Water Sports had no idea what treasure lay in them Her grandmother had filmed the Ringling Brothers Circus performing in the United States clowns amusing happy audiences equestrians doing bareback stunts and elephants grazing on American fairgrounds Siegfried converted selected frames into large scale photos and will be exhibiting them at Partner s Hall in the Algonquin Theatre in Huntsville This unique show runs July 1 31 with a reception on July 14

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Since 1949 Photograph Tony Felgueiras 106 Manitoba Street Bracebridge ON July 14 and 15 are the dates to mark on your calendar for exercise and meditation at Annie Williams Memorial Park in Bracebridge during Muskoka Yoga Festival accompanied by an adult Everyone will get a prize of some sort including kooky prizes in kooky categories such as craziest fishing hat Bait is provided but kids should bring equipment discovermuskoka ca events dorset kids fish derby Iron men and women swim bike and run On July 8 the 2018 Subaru IRONMAN 70 3 Muskoka will take place based at the Canada Summit Centre in Huntsville The challenging endurance race starts with a 1 2 mile 1 92 km swim in Fairy Lake Contestants then jump on their bikes for a 56 mile 89 6 km ride circumnavigating Lake of Bays The gruelling event ends with a 13 1 mile 21 km run including a pass through cheering crowds in downtown Huntsville ironman com triathlon events americas ironman 70 3 muskoka aspx There s no graze like Muskoka s Gourmet Graze Seriously foodies one and all you must attend the Flavours of Muskoka Chautauqua Gourmet Graze near Port Carling on July 12 The 18th edition of this annual event features fabulous chefs wineries breweries and distilleries inviting you to celebrate the joy of taste all in aid of arts education by one of Muskoka s premier arts organizations Muskoka Chautauqua There ll be live music and a silent auction muskokachautauqua com Classical and contemporary music in Port Carling With you over the generations 8 Main Street West Huntsville ON Since 19 48 St James the Apostle Anglican Church in Port Carling is hosting the Whispering River Orchestra from Parry Sound on Thursday July 12 at 7 00 pm Come and enjoy this concert with a mix of classical and contemporary music in the awesome acoustics of this century old Muskoka church All proceeds to the West Muskoka Food Bank Crock Pot Campaign General admission seating is by free will offering Andy s Ride supports hospice care in honour of local officer After police officer Andy Potts was killed in a car accident in 2005 the Andy Potts Memorial Foundation was formed to promote community projects in his honour Happening on July 14 Andy s Ride will raise funds for Hospice Muskoka to build a 7 000 squarefoot palliative care facility on 13 acres of generously donated land in Port Carling Riders can choose from three routes of 34 km 94 km and 120 km then enjoy post ride entertainment barbecue lunch and swag andypottsmemorialfoundation com andys ride Namaste Muskoka Yoga Festival returns to Bracebridge On July 14 and 15 yoga lovers will get together at Annie Williams Park in Bracebridge for a beautiful nature exercise meditation and inspirational experience SERVING MUSKOKA LAKES FOR 4 GENERATIONS Septic Systems Licensed Installer Specializing in Island Septic Systems Barging of all Materials Dock Building Excavating C W B Certified BROWNING ISLAND JOHN ARCHER 705 645 9586 705 646 3015 johnarcher live com July 2018 UNIQUE MUSKOKA 13

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Photograph Muskoka Pioneer Power The Muskoka Yoga Festival offers 18 hours of yoga classes for students of diverse levels of experience led by world class teachers from Canada including Muskoka and the U S Think dockside dwelling lake living and park playing the organizers enthuse muskokayogafestival com History comes alive at Muskoka Pioneer Power Show If you re interested in old trucks especially Ford models this year pioneer equipment and more you ll want to attend the Muskoka Pioneer Power Show July 14 and 15 in Bracebridge The interesting contraptions that were used for sawing making shingles etc in the pioneer days are the stars of the 34th annual Muskoka Pioneer Power Show July 14 and 15 at the J D Lang Activity Park home of the Bracebridge Fairgrounds See the sawmill demonstration Mowry shingle mill log cabin blacksmith shop country store antique tractor pulls classic and antique vehicles and more Annie Williams Memorial Park for three full days July 20 22 to show and sell their work which includes painting sculpture pottery jewelry fibre art clothing furniture toys woodworking metalwork glass photography and much more Admission is by donation and parking is free Take your loved one on a Peerless birthday cruise muskokaartsandcrafts com Summer_ Show summer_show htm Sunset Cruises offers three one hour cruises on the afternoon of July 21 each specially designed to make your birthday boy or girl feel truly special complete with cake and Captain Potts sharing the Peerless II s 72 year history on the three big Muskoka lakes A birthday treat like no other The ship sails from Port Carling Making a splash at Gravenhurst Triathlon See the best of local and Canadian artists The Muskoka Arts and Crafts Summer Show is the top of the line show presented by Muskoka s largest art association Some 200 artists from across Canada will be at sunsetcruises ca Calling all princesses a fantasy story cruise Photograph Huntsville Festival of the Arts multisportcanada com gravenhurst Bring the whole family including your canine companion s for fun frolic and adventure at Dog Fest Muskoka happening at Morrison Meadows in Bracebridge on July 21 The second edition of the wildly popular festival will feature lure courses two doggie playpens vendors in many categories and more The event is still being held in celebration of Steve Hern and proceeds will be donated in his loving memory dogfestmuskoka ca muskokapioneerpower ca The Gravenhurst Triathlon July 14 and15 provides race challenges ranging from Olympic level to the beginners Give It a Tri which involves a 400 metre swim a 10 km bike ride and a 2 5 km run though as of writing the more challenging races are sold out Duathlons and relays are also offered The event is based at Muskoka Wharf in Gravenhurst and racers start by making a truly grand entrance into the beginning swim section leaping into the lake from either the Segwun or Wenonah II Your pooch is the star at Dog Fest Muskoka Brilliance A Tribute to the Anglo Canadian Leather Co Band will include a 60 member concert band performance when it takes to the stage in Huntsville July 21 and 22 The magic happens on the Wenonah II launching from Muskoka Wharf in Gravenhurst on July 21 It s a captivating song and story fantasy epic that a mermaid and a feisty Polynesian princess create for your costumed youngster Face painting costs a bit extra realmuskoka com event princess cruise aboard wenonah ii Tribute to the Anglo Canadian Leather Band A concert and re enactment of the historical events related to the Anglo Canadian Leather Co Band will be presented in Huntsville at the Algonquin Theatre on July 21 and July 2018 UNIQUE MUSKOKA 15

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22 Brilliance A Tribute to the Anglo Canadian Leather Co Band will include a 60 member concert band performance with soloist s a tribute to C O Shaw and H L Clarke along with a multi media presentation of the band s dramatic history and unparalleled legend Brilliance is jointly sponsored by the Huntsville Festival of the Arts and the Muskoka Concert Band fully not be made to walk the plank Arrrr realmuskoka com event golden hook pirate cruise 2018 07 15 Go rockin back to the 50s and 60s The Little Surf Band is a fantastic beach party band performing the music of The Beach Boys Jan and Dean Jimmy Buffett and many more great rock n roll songs from the 1950s and 60s They ll appear as part of Gravenhurst s Music on the Barge series at 7 30 p m on July 22 at Gull Lake Rotary Park in Gravenhurst Note in case of rain or lightning the concert will be cancelled algonquintheatre ca The Artful Garden is a wonderland Every summer Jon and Suzann Partridge transform the lush Muskoka flower garden on their property near Bracebridge into an outdoor gallery with the help of 40 other artists It creates the effect of walking into another world full of beauty whimsy and life This year the show runs July 21 August 12 and features sculpture ironwork stone carving jewelry birdhouses pottery and wall hangings gravenhurst ca en discoverus Photograph Susan MacDonald musiconthebarge asp theartfulgarden ca Painter Neil Sternberg explores Calm and Chaos Join the many thousands who will take part in Nuit Blanche North when it takes to the streets and neighbouring venues in Huntsville July 28 Running July 21 August 11 at the Chapel Gallery in Bracebridge this show by Neil Sternberg introspects on the one hand drawing from within and from nature It also casts its gaze on the vagaries of the outside world and current affairs from the 2010 G20 riots to the emerging of First Nations to wars being fought abroad The connective thread between the two is the human spirit in its different moods and our determination to thrive unfettered muskokaartsandcrafts com Calendar_of_Events calendar_of_events htm July 16 UNIQUE MUSKOKA July 2018 Speaking of Muskoka shows there are simply too many to list so visit the venue websites for acts artists and dates Algonquin Theatre Huntsville algonquintheatre ca en Rene Caisse Theatre Bracebridge thecaisse com Gravenhurst Opera House gravenhurst ca en opera opera asp Peter s Players Gravenhurst petersplayers com The Kee to Bala thekee com Avast ye swabs now ye can win the Golden Hook Award A day of pure joy for Anne fans returns to Bala Aye matey it s never too late to be a pirate and the good ship Wenonah II is looking for some hearty crew members as she sails from her home port in Gravenhurst into pirate infested waters every Sunday morning from July 22 to August 26 On a Golden Hook Pirate Cruise crew members must complete some special tasks to defeat the evil Captain Ron Hook and relieve him of the Golden Hook Award and hope In 1922 Anne of Green Gables author Lucy Maude Montgomery came to Bala to live and write in a Muskoka cottage Her presence is celebrated every year on Everything Anne of Green Gables Day in Bala this year on July 24 As well as character look alike costume contests Anne Diana Matthew Marilla Gilbert and Josie Pye there ll be egg on a spoon races three legged races sack races popcorn and

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cake You can even see the author s genuine original letters and her silver tea and coffee set passed down through the family balamuseum com Come to Gravenhurst for the boats stay for the ribs Muskoka Ribfest and the Muskoka In Water Boat and Cottage Show happen concurrently at the Muskoka Wharf in Gravenhurst July 27 29 Admission is free and gets you more than 100 fabulous boat and cottage exhibits including boats cars decks docks wi fi services sporting good accessories and much more Come ready to accept giveaways and enter draws for prizes worth thousands Starting around lunchtime cooks will crank up the barbecues and start serving up succulent ribs and other delicious goodies And there will be live entertainment of course muskokashows com Shop and shop some more at 30th Annual Walkabout Festival Every summer the village of Baysville lines its streets with more than 100 vendors mostly selling arts and crafts but also antiques baking maple syrup and all kinds of other great items It happens for the 30th time on July 28 this year starting with a pancake breakfast provided by the Lions Club Food and refreshments will be available throughout the day and there ll be live music baysvillewalkabout com Discover the artistically weird and wonderful Nuit Blanche North is a celebration of all that is beautiful strange funky and artistic not to mention musical athletic and graceful as the annual celebration of contemporary art experiences includes street perform ers par excellence not to mention hands on activities that always offer a surprise The theme of the seventh annual edition of this unique event is So What Now Good question which gets explored if not answered in downtown Huntsville on July 28 from evening into the wee hours Admission is free More than 7 000 are expected Sleep well the night before nuitblanchenorthhuntsville wordpress com People powered watersports celebrated Leave the noisy polluting motorboat behind and come to the Make a Splash Water Festival on July 28 at Gull Lake Rotary Park in Gravenhurst a celebration of water strength and fitness Swim races sandcastle building contests kayaking paddleboarding canoeing rowing and many more internal combustion free activities Event runs all day and admission is free for the whole family discovermuskoka ca events make splash water festival red canoe gallery 100 Canadian Large original paintings Handmade jewelry pottery ironwork wood bowls carvings 111 Medora St center of town Port Carling Muskoka 705 765 7474 www redcanoegallery com 25th Anniversary Front Bear 42x42 limited edition encaustic by P Garbett July 2018 UNIQUE MUSKOKA 19

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SUMMER 2018 CELEBRATING 26 YEARS OF EXCELLENCE IN THE ARTS June 30 Queen Flash Freddy Mercury brought to life in this evening celebrating Queen s iconic music July 6 Next Generation Leahy July 7 Madison Violet High energy infectious Celtic based music built on three generations of musicianship Described as musical chameleons these genre bending musical talents blend together July 11 ONES Beatles Tribute July 13 Choir Choir Choir July 14 Kyung A Lee Jihwan Cho July 15 July 18 Jazz In The Garden Appetizers light refreshments and jazz outdoors Downchild Blues Band July 19 Jim Witter Time In A Bottle A multimedia spectacular with an 11 piece band that celebrates all of their 1 hits Equal parts singing comedy and community the night unfolds like a dream Acclaimed pianist returns to the stage that includes the works of Bach Busoni as well as one of Beethoven s last Sonatas Joining her will be Baritone Jihwan Cho Canada s Blues Band returns to for another memorable evening of blues music The music of James Taylor Jim Croce Cat Stevens Bob Dylan and others July 21 22 Brilliance Anglo Canadian Leather Band Tribute The story of the 1920 s Huntsville band that captured the musical imagination of the entire country July 25 Jim Cuddy Band July 27 Remembering Stuart McLean July 28 Nuit Blanche North Festival favourite Jim Cuddy returns with Colin Cripps and Anne Lindsay A special evening of backstage stories tour bus tales music and humour ANNUAL JAZZ FESTIVAL AUGUST 2 4 August 2 Micah Barnes At The Sands August 3 Michael Kaeshammer August 4 August 8 DID YOU KNOW WHEN YOU BUY TICKETS TO 3 SHOWS YOU GET 10 OFF AND TO 4 SHOWS 15 OFF huntsvillefestival ca Box Office 705 789 4975 22 UNIQUE MUSKOKA July 2018 Audiences will be transported back to the early 60s when the hottest entertainers in the world performed at the Sands Hotel Piano virtuoso with a technical mastery of many different styles Oscar Peterson Tribute A look into the nature of genius and further understanding of Oscar s unique place atop the jazz artists of the 20th Century Mad Dogs Englishmen Blues and Roots musicians come together to celebrate the music of Joe Cocker Leon Russell and friends August 9 August 10 Surprise Artist TBA Check our website July 12 Whitehorse August 15 Doc Walker August 16 Goitse August 17 Matt Andersen Husband Wife power duo known for their dizzying guitar and vocal chemistry Chris Thorsteinson Dave Wasyliw are one of Canada s finest country bands Ireland s Traditional Group of the Year A leader in traditional ensembles Powerhouse guitar and vocals from this one man Blues tour de force

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Chris Hauk has a fondness for his restored IT 175Y that he uses for pleasure riding I had to take a race licence course at the RACE school at the Shannonville track he says I raced a 92 CBR 900 as an amateur and did quite well A crash and a dislocated hip during midseason in 1995 put a sideline on his racing for a short period of time but not for the entire season I went back with an 89 Hawk GT and finished the season without losing a race on that bike Hauk says While he raced as an amateur in 1995 his Chris Hauk has restored more than 10 motorcycles The restoration projects are his fun time success boosted his status and he went back in for the 1996 season racing as a professional which means he was then racing against more elite riders I won first place in the twins class he says of his professional season Hauk quit racing after that to focus on his career which meant resurrecting his father s business Colony Cabinets in Strathroy His bike racing career then switched from motorcycles to bicycles which he raced in a velodrome His motorcycle riding returned to a form of pleasure While racing bicycles Hauk met his future wife Shannon whose family ran the velodrome Shannon who had grown up in Muskoka returned to the area in 2005 and Hauk followed her north Hauk s focus then switched to the restoration of vintage bikes He had some experience with motorcycle repair as he had worked for a motorcycle company Shannon recalls the first bike he dragged home It was in such rough condition she July 2018 UNIQUE MUSKOKA 23

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Photograph Colour Tech Motorsport Photography It took me eight months freaked that he had actually to convince the owner to sell spent money on it Hauk it to me Hauk says Wade had paid 200 for a bike in Tindale the owner of Orillia less than stellar condition Motorsports had not wanted It could best be described as to sell the bike Hauk was a basket case as often occurs about to give up and buy when the parts accompany another bike when he the frame in a basket decided to give it one more Hauk took his frame and attempt finally convincing parts and disappeared into Tindale to sell it in the fall of his workshop for months 2017 When he re emerged five Having his race bike back months later Shannon in his shop put the racing freaked again as she couldn t bug back in his mind and believe the bike he brought Hauk is planning on racing out was the same bike he this season at Shannonville had bought for 200 in the vintage classification I was blown away with What vintage racing is to seeing the transformation us is old people racing what she says It was restored to we had when we were showroom condition young Hauk says with a Hauk rode the bike for a laugh Hauk is currently 48 few years before selling it Chris Hauk now races with other riders who are members of the Vintage Road Racing years old and starting another Association In addition to completing restoration project Over the years he has restored over 10 and an 81 YZ250 a 750 Yamaha and his the restoration on the Hawk which includes changes necessary to make it legally to bikes focusing on vintage air cooled dirt original Hawk GT He had sold the Hawk GT after he conform to Vintage Road Racing Association bikes The vintage meaning the bike was stopped racing One day he walked into VRRA rules and making it road worthy built prior to 1989 Restoration to me is taking something Orillia Motorsports and was chatting with Hauk has had to validate his racing license When Hauk decided to start racing the owner and looking at a GT that is old and unloved and bringing it when it dawned on him again he joined the VRRA in 2017 that is back to new Hauk that was his racing quite a close knit community says When I did join people asked if I was bike The restoration the same Chris Hauk from 20 years ago projects also helped Hauk says him make Shannon Hauk has come a long way from the his wife as he sold one to purchase 11 year old boy who stared up at an 81 an engagement ring YZ125 that was too big and that he As a full time cabinet designer working at dreamed of riding All About Kitchens the restoration projects He is once are his fun time again sharing a Hauk currently has four restoration passion that projects on the go Working on multiple was a bond projects allows him the advantage to move between a from one bike to another if he runs into a father and a problem getting parts for one or another son Hauk uses online resources to source most of his parts and finds Facebook a fantastic way to connect with other vintage bike owners and find parts If I need something and post it usually within an hour someone says they have it he says He is presently working on an 80 YZ250 24 UNIQUE MUSKOKA July 2018

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Photograph Boyer Family Archives By the 1880s Muskoka s land rush was underway thanks to Ontario s Free Grant Land policy to populate the district the way U S President Abraham Lincoln encouraged settlers to the American West The Crown Lands Office in Bracebridge was a hub of the action Article by J Patrick Boyer A mericans who have a penchant to rank and rate things have all but patented the Top Ten list the FBI s Ten Most Wanted the Hit Parade s Top Ten songs lists of ten best selling books Ten Best Recipes for everything from baked beans to barbecued back ribs and Top Ten Playoff Comebacks David Letterman made TopTen rankings a staple of late night television It doesn t always work An American psychiatrist 26 UNIQUE MUSKOKA July 2018 floundered trying to encapsulate Buddhism s teachings into The Ten Principles of Buddhist Belief thereby proving that not everything can be reduced to simplistic categories which is why top ten lists are on a par with paint by numbers However since both Canada and the United States celebrate patriotic holidays this month why not give it a neighbourly try Even so just as I have to explain for overseas visitors why

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1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 SPURRING FREEGRANT LAND SETTLEMENT LAUNCHING MUSKOKA S VACATION ECONOMY INTRODUCING ESTATE RESIDENCES TO MUSKOKA BUILDING LIBRARIES FOR GRAVENHURST AND BRACEBRIDGE INTRODUCING OCTAGONAL STRUCTURES CELEBRATING LOCAL HERITAGE CHANGING SIZES AND MEASURES MAKING MUSKOKANS LESS INSULAR SUPPORTING TALENTED INDIVIDUALS AND WORTHY CAUSES ADDING CELEBRITY GLOW TO MUSKOKA S FAR FLUNG RENOWN Photograph Frank Mickelthwaite NAC PA 178368 As a cross border contribution to festivities here are writer Patrick Boyer s suggestions for the Top Ten Ways Americans Shaped Muskoka Equal status for the Union Jack Canada and Stars and Stripes U S at Lake Rosseau s Montieth House reflected the importance of Americans to Muskoka s vacation economy This was typical not exceptional so many American flags fly in Muskoka and realizing Canadians reading that list will demand elaboration here are brief backgrounders 1 SPURRING FREE GRANT LAND SETTLEMENT Ontario in 1868 began offering settlers free land in Muskoka Parry Sound and Nipissing districts Not only did homesteaders arrive from the U S but the land policy itself actually sprang from three American influences The U S government was opening its western frontier by steadily pushing native peoples off their lands onto Reservations or into graves during the Indian Wars which was similar to how land in Canada got opened for settlement except we called indigenous peoples marginal confines Reserves and did not use the army In the 1860s Ojibwa peoples in Muskoka were relocated under protest to a reserve on Georgian Bay s Parry Island Similar land policies in the adjacent countries proved mutually reinforcing Second bristling American geo political assertions of Manifest Destiny portended a single continental nation The Republic s territorial enlargement south through Spanish Mexican lands there d been successful wars of expansion and north there d also been an attempted U S conquest of Canada between 1814 and 1818 was a real risk Continentalists in the U S saw vast tracks of land above the border just waiting to be populated by Americans For the Prairies Ottawa responded by surveying the land putting down two rebellions by resident M tis and flooding the place with immigrants from Central and Eastern Europe For the vulnerable territory just across Lake Huron Queen s Park enticed settlers to occupy the province s wilderness northland Colonization roads were built into Muskoka from both south and east and free land incentivized homesteaders to fill space Americans coveted Third American President Abraham Lincoln had introduced land grant programs for the American West providing a model for Ontario s program to bring settlers to Muskoka 2 LAUNCHING MUSKOKA S VACATION ECONOMY Hunting and fishing parties from northern tier states savoured the adventure of journeying up to Muskoka for sport once 1870s rail and steamship services gave entry to the untouched wilderness The Americans transformed the district by seeking short duration accommodation while shooting wildlife and reeling in prize fish Muskoka s hardscrabble farmers discovered that offering sleeping space and hearty meals to visiting sportsmen gave the recreational vacation the visitors wanted In the process it opened a more prosperous future for these resourceful pioneers by expanding the lakeside shanties into hostelries then resorts July 2018 UNIQUE MUSKOKA 27

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3 INTRODUCING ESTATE RESIDENCES TO MUSKOKA octagonal buildings for their merits in strength of construction and beneficial health for inhabitants His plans resulted in octagonal construction in the closing decades of the 1800s those in Muskoka including a bandshell in Huntsville later converted to a residence a summer home on Lake Rosseau and the much celebrated Bracebridge home of Henry J Bird owner of Muskoka s woollen mill Bird s exceptional octagon residence merited an Ontario Historic Site maker has served as a museum recently benefited by a 1 million restoration and still puzzles the municipality as to its optimal role in Muskoka s tourism economy It probably needs an American with panache and vision to make it the educational and engaging tourist attraction it has potential to be Photograph Carnegie Archives Early Muskoka settlers managed with modest log shanties and crude accommodations The two dozen Ojibwa homes at Obogawanung were made of logs Bracebridge s Royal Hotel had a dirt floor while all six hotels in town had such inadequate facilities that guests slept in rows on the floors The quantum leap came with palatial island estates near Beaumaris a Lake Muskoka summer colony of Pittsburgh industrialists that locals dubbed Millionaires Row The sweltering Pennsylvania mills of these plutocrats where grimy underpaid workers toiled in noxious fumes and oppressive heat of blast furnaces all In the library of his New York City 91st Street mansion Andrew summer funded their escape to this Carnegie dictates to secretary James Bartram answering earthly paradise with off lake breezes requests for free public libraries including two in Muskoka CELEBRATING LOCAL Their sprawling Muskoka mansions amidst republic of books but resolved to give others HERITAGE rugged pines and rocks softened by lush the same gift The result was a revolution He Ontario Premier Leslie Frost was deeply gardens and stone pathways created scenes at created beautiful new libraries around the once elegant yet rustic which today s world with free access to the public open moved in the early 1950s when he and wife stacks and a welcome mat for children Gertrude motored through the United millionaires still emulate among his many fundamental changes from States As a wounded veteran of the BUILDING LIBRARIES FOR existing libraries In North America the three Great War he was especially drawn to GRAVENHURST BRACEBRIDGE jurisdictions getting the most Carnegie historical locales of that country s NorthWhen Andrew Carnegie sold his steel mills Libraries were California Indiana and South civil war from Gettysburg to in 1901 he became the richest man in the Ontario Muskoka got two in Gravenhurst Lexington from the battlefields at Bull Run world over 8 billion present value and and Bracebridge which was akin to issuing and Shiloh Frost had abiding interest in vowed to spend his money before he died on local people passports to a larger world Ontario local history too owning every public libraries As a youth in Pittsburgh he d book he could find on communities across worked six 12 hour days a week at hard INTRODUCING OCTAGONAL the province labour for 1 20 But my toil was light he STRUCTURES What uniquely impressed him in the U S said for I got up at six in the morning Another individual American phren was how well military history was succinctly contented to work until six in the evening if ologist and social advocate Orson Fowler had recounted and perpetuated for new there was then a book for me to read a large impact in North America Muskoka generations through a series of standardized Andrew not only celebrated the free included when he publicized and advocated bronze plaques By the time Frost was back 6 4 When the railway reached Bracebridge the American standard gauge was in use Photograph Boyer Family Archives 5

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in Ontario he d put two and two together and launched a provincial program of historic site markers Frost s program administered by a new Archeological and Historic Sites Board of Ontario was inaugurated when Ontario s first heritage plaque was unveiled in Port Carling It has since been followed by dozens more around Muskoka and hundreds across the province stronger dissolving insularity diluting the backwater quality of more closed communities 9 SUPPORTING TALENTED INDIVIDUALS AND WORTHY CAUSES Americans are widely known for their generosity causing small purse Canadians to balk when expected to match their excessive tipping practices But this generosity goes beyond tips CHANGING SIZES AND When Jim Bartleman of Port MEASURES Carling worked summers on a large The Grand Trunk Railway a Lake Muskoka summer property principal North American railroad the owner discerned how intelligent whose lines would run through and well informed the grass cutter Muskoka had broad gauge and wood chopper was He British standard 5 6 between the explained that if Jim went to rails in Canada In 1872 it began Jim Bartleman seen with his muscle car in 1960 broke out of university he d pay the costs same converting to American standard Muskoka s confines thanks to a generous American who spotted his as he was doing for his own talent and opened a path for his exceptional public career gauge 4 8 This enabled trains children Bartleman not only went to carry Muskoka lumber to the U S prized other Canucks thus straddle two worlds to university but joined External Affairs Muskoka lamb to the finest restaurants in while Americans coming to the district cope became Canada s ambassador to countries New York and Chicago and Americans to with foreign road signs posting metric around the world served as Prime Minister distances and speed limits with mile drivers Chretien s foreign policy advisor became their seasonal pursuits in the district Another important adaptation of cross thinking they re going faster than they really Ontario s first aboriginal lieutenant governor border standards was harmonizing fire are and has authored major fiction and nonhydrants and hoses following disastrous fires fiction books I know of no Canadian who MAKING MUSKOKANS when neighbouring municipalities firewould have made a similar offer to a young LESS INSULAR fighters arrived but couldn t hook up their indigenous man in 1950s Muskoka American impacts on Muskoka can be incompatible equipment Applicable everyFor community projects it s the same where in both countries common sized seen comparing Canadian districts of similar open wallet on a larger scale Every fundinterchangeable equipment was salient in size and population that lack interaction raising drive in Muskoka for a library forming the Ontario Fire College at with visitors and property owners from the addition hospital expansion or restoration of a heritage steamship gets a huge boost from Gravenhurst which offers standardized United States America s dynamic society produces Americans with Muskoka connections training for firefighters from across the province and where technical advances and people energized for experimentation and ADDING CELEBRITY GLOW TO best practises from both U S and Canada adventuresome for new experiences When such folk fetch up in a place like Muskoka MUSKOKA S FAR FLUNG are shared RENOWN The flip side of harmonization is that they are like yeast to dough As children in Muskoka is widely renowned for a cluster Americans despite overthrowing the British 1950s Muskoka we played a summer game Crown and going metric with their currency to see who could spot the most licence plates of reasons among them the presence of and 10 point lists retained Imperial units of from the U S A It was easy to get to 30 American luminaries in the district measurement for everything else distance Once I got above 40 Just being aware that so Woodrow Wilson who became president miles yards feet inches volume gallons many people from other places were in town of the United States in 1912 first began pints cups and weight tons pounds already raised one s horizons When they got summering in Muskoka a decade earlier when ounces even recording Fahrenheit rather out of their cars asked questions or came to his physician cautioned the often ill patient than Celsius temperatures Canada converted places I worked Santa s Village The Herald to keep a light schedule Woodrow stayed at to metric under Prime Minister Pierre Gazette newspaper office my sense of being Lake Rosseau s Bluff Hotel and after pursuing Trudeau and with the U S A by far Canada s part of a much larger world expanded further the ancient ideal of a sound mind in a healthy largest trading partner Canadians must now For those running Muskoka businesses and body for two extended summers knew the use both systems Muskokans along with working for Americans this impact was even Muskoka Cure was just what he needed Photograph James Bartleman 7 8 10 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every year Rather than continuing as a guest at The Bluff he looked for a Lake Rosseau place of his own and bought Formosa Island in Wiley s Bay Over ensuing years accompanied by his wife Ellen and their daughters Margaret Jessie and Eleanor Woodrow enjoyed Muskoka summers on Formosa swimming at will dozing in a hammock delighting himself with picnics and poetry under the island s thick cover of pines Photograph Frank Mickelthwaite NAC PA 158091 Typically the Bluffs guest register at Lake Rosseau for July 1904 included Mr and Mrs Woodrow Wilson and daughters and other Americans from Tennessee New Jersey Kentucky South Carolina Maryland and Virginia Influential Americans wove themselves into many dimensions of Muskoka society The guest registers at the district s many prestigious summer hotels especially The Royal Muskoka on Lake Rosseau to Bigwin Inn on Lake of Bays dripped with the names of rich and famous Americans They had high expectations caused Muskokans to create vacation places they d want to book and like most Americans enjoyed regaling others especially state side about their travels The real royalty of the United States movie stars have found the same respite that their 28th president did owning a Muskoka summer place of their own The publicity that follows celebrities even on holiday still adds to Muskoka s glow The problem with Top Ten lists is the arbitrary limit To fit I ve omitted many other connections between Americans and Muskokans among them a counterweight to hobbling British colonialism a refuge for those refusing to fight America s overseas wars Vietnam being just one example crossborder sports and cultural impacts through movies books magazines and television You can see why Letterman needed more than one show excelrailings ca 705 646 2508 30 UNIQUE MUSKOKA July 2018

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Article and Photography by Tim Du Vernet T he desire to go fast on the water has always been an irresistible goal and Muskoka is experiencing a renewed interest in historic race boats In 2013 Miss Canada IV returned to Muskoka A few years ago Rainbow III returned from the United States Rainbow I and Rainbow IV have been recreated Rainbow IX and X along with the Gadfly one of famed boat racer Harry Greening s earliest boats are already in Muskoka Miss Canada III built new from the original plans in 1987 and now according to Murray Walker Miss Supertest III is in Muskoka In 1959 Miss Supertest ended 39 years of United States domination in the Harmsworth Trophy series Miss Supertest III and pilot Bob Hayward defeated Bill Stead and Maverick in two heats out of three on the Detroit River And Harold Wilson together with old friend Charlie Volker were there to cheer Hayward on to victory Miss Supertest III was on display at the ACBS Toronto summer show in 2013 She was surrounded by members of the Canadian Motorsports Hall of Fame

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The restored Miss Canada IV powered by a 3000 hp Rolls Royce Griffon engine goes for its maiden run in 2013 For years Miss Canada IV sat languishing in different states of hibernation and display It was a remarkable achievement to restore her aged and race weathered form and to install a near identical replacement to the original 3000 hp Rolls Royce Griffon engine The engine was originally designed for aeronautics not marine applications It took expertise in many areas patience and time to pull it all together With the help of substantial sponsorship and the skilled hands of boat restorer Tom Adams and his crew Miss Canada IV was the star of the show at the ACBS Toronto summer show in Gravenhurst in 2013 finding a new permanent home in Muskoka Miss Canada IV was designed by Douglas Van Patten who also designed Miss Canada III to challenge for the Harmsworth Trophy in 1949 Miss Canada IV set a North American mile straightaway record in 1949 posting an average of 138 865 mph which bettered Miss America X s record Greavette Boats was the chosen builder of Harold Wilson s Miss Canada series boats and Ditchburn built the famous Rainbow series for Harry Greening These are two historic and best known of many drivers who enjoyed the thrills and challenges of racing boats This period of building race boats in Muskoka began in the early 1920s and continued in the 1940s with hydroplanes built by MinettShields under contract for Ventnor Boats During the height of his racing period the Greening family rented a cottage on Chief Island Lake Muskoka but he did his testing Race champion Norm Woods drives the Miss Canada III built by Duke Boats at the ACBS race boat show in 2013 34 UNIQUE MUSKOKA July 2018

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accurately as possible on Lake Rosseau Muskoka boat restorGreening of Hamilton ation shops are intimately Ontario got the speedboat familiar with Ditchburn bug at an early age boats one of the great Greening s interest is fast names in vintage launches running boats is believed but Rainbow I turned to be to have started with his a very special replica to tinkering with power boats construct Her hull design around 1903 when as a was a blend of modern and traditional young man he installed a homemade construction methods Original bills 3 horsepower motor in a canoe showed the engine hatches alone cost Greening built the engine on a foot 1 200 in 1920 values The hardware lathe in the attic of his home The needed to be cast from specially made result was a canoe that could travel at hand carved patterns A custom built 9 mph in the rough waters of Lake 750 hp V 12 BPM engine was Rosseau installed while the original was Greening s experimenting with powered by a 275 hp Sterling V 6 his race boats the speed trials and engine endurance runs are still within reach The 1922 Rainbow IX originally of the living memory of a few boat named Miss Packard Chris Craft was once experts and historians Ed Skinner former powered by a Packard engine The old co owner of Duke Boats in Port Carling Packard engine had long since been replaced remembers his father telling him about the with a BPM motor by her previous owner days when Greening would dock at Wigwassin John Blair BPM engines are renowned in for refueling and ran the races in September nautical racing circles for their capability to or October to avoid the tourist season produce huge amounts of horsepower In explains Skinner Seems as though Harry was Rainbow IX she puts outs about 650 hp but more thoughtful of seasonal residents than could be modified to make as much as 3000 some boaters are today Imagine running a hp in other configurations Owner Murray course around Lake Rosseau for 24 hours Walker considers her the ultimate gentlestraight man s racer for her speed nautical legacy and Rainbow III returned to Muskoka from the being a thrill to drive U S a few years ago After suffering a Not everyone who desires speed on the disappointing loss in her Gold Cup races of water needs a record setting race craft to 1923 she was brought back to Muskoka to enjoy the thrill in a wooden boat of historic challenge the 24 hour endurance record A origins Boats like Whippet Cricket and B IV 19 mile course was set up on Lake Rosseau were Ditchburn built boats that were battling and she ran 1064 miles in 24 hours which set it out in the mid and late thirties with a new record and she was the first power boat to travel more than 1000 miles in 24 hours Top Rainbow was a series of race boats many of specialty engines and the competition of circuit races to spur them on The 200 hp Packard engine reportedly which were built by Ditchburn Boats in Gravenhurst Middle Powered by a 200 hp The early 1930s was a great period for the performed flawlessly Packard engine Rainbow III set an endurance gentleman s sports runabout All the major Harry Greening both a legend and pioneer record of more than 1000 miles travelled in 24 in the annals of racing history won the Fischer hours Bottom The outboard rudder mounted aft builders were constructing versions of an 18 or 19 foot runabout designed by John Trophy twice in Rainbow I in 1920 and 1921 of the transom was used on many vintage race Built by Ditchburn Boats of Muskoka boats It was thought to be an advantage by being Hacker a famous naval designer Altair built Rainbow I was proclaimed by contemporary further away from the turbulence of the propeller in 1933 is a Minett Shields with a John Hacker hull and the first in a series of six press as one of the finest race boats ever built Minett Shields sports runabouts These little 18 6 boats were the at least until she was destroyed racing in Buffalo in the 1950s Rainbow 1 originally built by Ditchburn boats in 1920 was hot rods of the water for young gentlemen of means They would compete at races organized by the Muskoka Lakes Association Foot s recreated by Gary Clark and his team This was definitely one of our bigger accomplishments said Bay series and others Altair competed in races on the Lake of Bays Altair was built for my father Edson Peck on his 18th birthday Gary Clark of Clark Wooden Boats who has spent countless hours pouring over historic photographs to replicate every detail as explains John Peck her current owner and she could be considered July 2018 UNIQUE MUSKOKA 35

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Race boats of the early 1920s such as the Claire were not dissimilar from the sport long deck launches except for the extreme power to move them the prototype for the series Altair sits low in the water with an outboard rudder and a cockpit located very near the transom There are two upholstered deck seats for a more wind in your face experience The Hacker design is a planing hull that moves quite well for a small boat Peck explains that she has had different engines over the years Her original engine was I believe a Gray Marine engine of modest horsepower My uncle Cameron Peck conspired to install a 90 horsepower V 8 truck engine in the 1940s which made the 36 UNIQUE MUSKOKA July 2018 boat fairly fast In fact we have a trophy for a race Cameron won with her during a Lake of Bays event Altair was restored in 1968 at which time the engine was upgraded to a 289 Interceptor These early days of racing and sport runabouts set the tone and the standard for the style and character of the sport boats we enjoy today The period continues to resonate with collectors as replicas and updated versions are commissioned each year by Muskoka s boat builders For those wanting even more thrill in a

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small package the sea flea could be the answer Ten horsepower would be enough to propel these tiny plywood craft to speeds fast enough to thrill but in a package easily lifted on to a roof or a trailer by two people While the days of competitive sea flea races is well past the Muskoka Sea Flea club does an admirable job of keeping the sport alive and family oriented Each year the club hosts its annual Sea Flea Fest usually on Kahshe Lake where most of the founding members have summered for years The event is very much a family weekend with boats ranging in size from the tiny four horsepower outboards to two seaters with 25 hp hung on the transom There is a strong connection with the Muskoka Sea Flea group and the Maple Leaf chapter of the Outboard Motor Club since many of the little plywood craft are vintage and powered by vintage engines Speed on the water can take many forms today and those passionate enough about it will find a club or association with more likeminded folk Circuit races on the main lakes of Muskoka don t fit modern summer trends with increased boat traffic an increased summer population and boats that are far faster on average than the vintage craft enjoyed at boat shows Reviving historic craft and enjoying vintage engines reminds us of the days before sound systems were commonplace in a boat Rainbow I was described by the press of the day as one of the finest race boats ever built I have had many customers tell me that they would need to shop in 12 stores to find the range of furnishings that I carry at VERANDA Open year round seven days a week we are here for all your d cor needs Our four showrooms are filled with timeless items that you will love for both your home and cottage Let us help you find that classic table that comfy chair or the perfect piece of art Because at VERANDA you live beautifully Visit VERANDA s Other Shops Outlet Outdoors Woodlands Moose Crossing FURNISHINGS ART ACCESSORIES CUSTOM DRAPERIES DECORATING SERVICES RUGS LIGHTING FINE LINENS 24 MANITOBA STREET BRACEBRIDGE ON 705 645 6451 WWW VERANDACOLLECTION CA July 2018 UNIQUE MUSKOKA 37

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Located just southeast of Bala the Barrens stretch over 4 700 acres of Crown protected land 40 UNIQUE MUSKOKA July 2018 Muskoka and one that had to be preserved When you look into a dark sky you see objects that are not only incredibly far away in distance but also incredibly far away in time explains Silver The galaxy Andromeda can be spotted here by a sharp naked eye Other galaxies nebula and star clusters can be viewed through a telescope The northern lights Aurora Borealis can be spotted here on occasion The welcome sign at the reserve explains its purpose well where one can appreciate the immensity of time and space while standing on rock that is more than two billion years old I just find it fascinating to speculate what would be up there what it would look like Silver says But it s ironic in an era of unprecedented gains and knowledge about our solar system and the universe because we have space probes radio astronomy and physics we re losing the ability just to see it at night Silver has been working passionately to keep things dark at the Barrens as light pollution from commercial developments in the neighbouring Town of Gravenhurst is a current threat The challenge now is if we lose the night sky we ve lost it forever remarks Silver As a member of the lighting committee during the planning stages of the Muskoka Wharf in Gravenhurst Silver says the process went well and dark sky lighting was selected There is minimal impact of light trespass the lighting is subdued and only illuminates what you want illuminated which is the ground When the lights lining the main street of Gravenhurst were replaced they also had the same features Without these lighting choices sky glow the effect that can be seen over many populated areas would have been created negatively affecting the view at the Barrens Like Silver Township of Muskoka Lakes Mayor Don Furniss has also acknowledged the diminishing dark sky at the Barrens The main issue impacting the Barrens night sky is the gradual increase in ambient night lighting because of the growth of the surrounding communities he says Many people are also unaware of the negative impact of powerful night lighting significantly reducing our ability to view the cosmic beauty of the night sky

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Silver says the commercial development at the south end of Gravenhurst is where dark sky lighting went off the rails He was told by the town planner at the time that a site plan agreement for the development had a requirement of dark sky lighting and promises were made that it would be dark sky compliant The process went through and the lighting there was atrocious he says It s over lit tremendously over lit There are too many lights and they re too bright It noticeably deteriorated the night sky that single development The Muskoka Ratepayers Association lobbied for bylaws in Gravenhurst as they felt the site plan agreement was not enforced and at the end of the lengthy process Silver wanted to focus on one amendment to the dark sky bylaw that would define light pollution to include reflected light You can have fixtures where the light luminaire is buried within the fixture as opposed to descending beneath it shooting light in all directions he explains But if they re so bright and there are so many of them you can end up with a lighting travesty The amendment was not approved and Silver says without this change it could happen again with future developments In 2016 he came to a gentleman s agreement Torrance Barrens Dark Sky Reserve provides a wealth of opportunity for those wishing to study the universe as well as photographers with a senior representative of the development owner and half of the lighting there has been turned off It s made an incredible difference and has improved the dark sky but it s still over lit even with half of the lights off adds Silver Dark sky bylaws were not being enforced with other signage found around Gravenhurst including the town s welcome sign on Highway 11 going northbound which was lit from the bottom up as opposed to from the top which has since been changed and commercial LED motion Photographer Wesley Liikane explores the Torrance Barrens in all seasons capturing photographs of the stunning landscape and night sky signs Silver discovered that one particular LED motion sign was granted an exception by the District of Muskoka because it was within 400 metres of a district road The night sky doesn t draw distinctions with a sign that s 400 metres from a district road or not he says In August 2017 Silver who is a mediator and arbitrator scheduled a deposition with Gravenhurst town council with support from a number of organizations such as the Muskoka Ratepayers Association Muskoka Lakes Association Muskoka Conservancy the mayor of Muskoka Lakes and a letter from the Ministry of Natural Resources He also had a letter written by former U S Representative Gabrielle Giffords who introduced the dark sky bylaw in Arizona and her husband Mark Kelly a retired astronaut Silver felt he was met with hostility at the deposition The central point of my presentation was that they had to do better and we need to realize this is cottage country so in the same vein that we protect water quality habitat or wildlife we have to look at the dark sky in that regard he says The reserve is a good thing for Muskoka he adds Other recreational resort oriented communities like Cape Cod Mass or Hilton Head Island South Carolina have better controlled lighting than Gravenhurst does Silver believes making a change to help preserve the dark sky at the Barrens is still possible July 2018 UNIQUE MUSKOKA 41

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The reason I m so charged astronomers to set up about it is that it s not too telescopes to photograph the late he says We re right on heavens and share their the cusp if we don t do knowledge with other visitors anything and there are a to the Barrens couple more developments As the reserve is located in that aren t compliant it ll be between the Township of gone Muskoka Lakes and the Town Change could start with of Gravenhurst both memorializing current agreemunicipal councils say they ments in writing he says have been putting plans in making it legal Even more place to help save the dark lights could be reduced A boardwalk assists visitors to the Torrance Barrens across the east side of the skies Muskoka Lakes passed a without affecting safety The highland pond hiking trail dark sky bylaw in 2014 that town s dark sky bylaw could requires all new construction be amended to mimic the one the Township about preserving the dark sky because most to install dark sky compliant exterior lighting of Muskoka Lakes passed which identifies are now living in cities which obstruct and and all those who do not currently have dark reflective light as part of light pollution obscure the beauty of the night sky with sky compliant lights must replace them by If the town wants to look the part of being ambient lighting and smog year 2024 located near a dark sky reserve regulations There are very few places like the Barrens Just recently they updated their sign need to be enforced so that when people see that are close to the GTA that provide people bylaw to make significant improvements to the muted lighting they ll be more inclined with the opportunity to view the wonders of backlight LED fluorescent and animated to comply Silver says there should also be our universe though clear air with minimal signage to minimize light pollution They more promotion of the reserve background light Furniss says It also have also limited the hours of operation of Mayor Furniss believes people should care provides a great venue for amateur these signs The desire to preserve the darkness of the Torrance Barrens Dark Sky Reserve has resulted in lobbying efforts to reduce the impact of neighbouring lighting 42 UNIQUE MUSKOKA July 2018

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Katie Kirton Town of Gravenhurst s manager of planning services and staff liaison to the Gravenhurst Environmental Advisory Committee GEAC says the Town has passed a dark sky bylaw that requires all new exterior lighting to be full cut off fixtures to reduce upward light trespass The Town s Official Plan which is the document that guides development in the town over a 20 year horizon contains policies supportive of dark sky lighting for all development and requires a detailed lighting plan when large developments are proposed she explains Kirton adds the GEAC has created a lighting display with examples of full cut off fixtures which can be found at the town office The committee has been active in educating residents and lighting retailers on the benefits of preserving the night sky says Kirton Silver owns property on Clear Lake in Torrance and is a fifth generation cottage resident of Muskoka hiking and blueberrypicking in the Barrens since he was a boy The Barrens always struck him as an area that looked different from the rest of Muskoka with a different feel to it Silver says we should care about preserving the dark sky at the Barrens and at the same time cottage country Thousands of people love Muskoka and they want to keep loving it Silver says And if you care about something you have to be committed to protecting it July 2018 UNIQUE MUSKOKA 43

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T he rolling trumpet like call of a sandhill crane is unlike any other bird sound in Muskoka Loud enough to be heard over a kilometre away the call is different from the nasal honking of Canada geese or the irritated croak of a great blue heron Nowadays the sandhill s bugling is being heard more often than previously in Muskoka The province s only member of the crane family which includes such celebrities as the famously rare whooping crane from out west and the exotic grey crowned crane of Africa the sandhill crane resembles the familiar great blue heron at first glance A sandhill crane is just as tall at 120 cm almost four feet with a long neck and long legs though the beak is not as large as a great blue s The sandhill s overall colour is grey with varying amounts of rusty red colouring on the wings and back Its short drooping tail feathers resemble an old fashioned bustle Sandhills sport a noticeable red crown on their heads with offwhite cheeks and chin When flying with their 200 cm long wings over six feet their necks are outstretched unlike the folded neck of the great blue heron Their common name refers to the Nebraska Sandhills in the U S Midwest where huge numbers of the cranes congregate each spring over half a million birds before migrating north to breeding grounds in western Canada The Nebraska Sandhills region is not only an important stopover for feeding for the cranes but also serves as a staging area prior to breeding There the adults who mate for life literally dance with each other bowing and leaping in an exotic courtship ritual It s a spectacular and welldocumented display

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Ontario and particularly Muskoka boasts no such numbers The first record of a sandhill crane in Muskoka is from Beaumaris in the 1880s Local birding aficionados David and Regan Goodyear spent some time researching sandhills when they were checking with various national museums about historical bird records for Muskoka They assembled the following historical data on the cranes Original observer Fred Prowse First record for Muskoka Source Percy Taverner who was the first ornithologist at the National Museum of Canada now the Canadian Museum of Nature The Goodyears explain according to Percy Taverner s ornithological notes this bird was originally in the possession of Mr Edward Prowse Prop rietor of Beaumaris Hotel Muskoka Lake Ont The bird was killed there in the yard with the chickens one morning after a severe storm The exact date is lost but it must have been 1888 or before The Goodyears have now recorded this information on eBird entering a date of 15 May 1888 There is more Further information states that the bird was at the Beaumaris Hotel and according to Mills that is Alex Mills author of the 1981 book A Cottager s Guide to the Birds or Muskoka and Parry Sound it stood there for a number of years Greg Rand assistant collection manager Canadian Museum of Nature stated that the specimen was acquired by the Canadian Museum of Nature in 1917 Sandhills were known in the area long before that interesting incident The Goodyears discovered that This species however may have once been a regular migrant through this area and southern Ontario prior to the 1800s According to naturalist Otto Devitt in the 1967 edition of his book The Birds of Simcoe County sandhill cranes were well known to the Huron Indians in what is now Simcoe County Gabriel Sagard a Christian missionary who lived in a Huron village on the southern shore of Lake Huron from 1615 to 1624 noted in his account on New France and the When flying with their 200 cm long wings over six feet the necks of sandhill cranes are outstretched Huron people published in 1632 that in the seasons all the fields are covered with cranes or Tochingo which come to eat the corn at seed time and when it is ready to harvest Archaeological work undertaken in nearby Coldwater in 1946 uncovered four bones identified as belonging to this species Further research the Goodyears state revealed the following In the early 1900s the sandhill crane was a rare sight in Ontario but since then its numbers have grown and its range has expanded in the province Harry Your Muskoka source for Boat Awnings 440 Ecclestone Drive Unit 11 Bracebridge ON P1L 1Z6 705 645 7511 info davlins ca www davlins ca 46 UNIQUE MUSKOKA July 2018 f mba

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Lumsden a Ministry of documented when Lex Natural Resources and Calacott observed six birds Forestry biologist suggested on a small lake near in a report in 1971 that these Huntsville on 9 October birds were likely from the Sandhills weren t recorded Hudson Bay Lowland breeding in this region until population that wintered in later in 2001 to 2005 when New England but in the the data was collected for the 19th century this population second Ontario Breeding was extirpated Bird Atlas BBA Regional The Goodyears cite a later co ordinator Al Sinclair report by Lumsden from states two confirmed 1987 which gives more breeding records The one relevant history of the near Huntsville and the other The rolling trumpet like call of a sandhill crane is unlike any other bird sound in sandhill in Ontario birds near Barkway from farther west in the Muskoka Unlike herons sandhills lowland recolonized this inhabit fields and rocky vacant breeding area but did not follow the colonizers from a surviving population in the barrens but will choose wetlands particularly same migration route as the previous upper Michigan peninsula a breeding bogs to nest There they build on the occupants thus accounting for the paucityTH of E population over 200 cranes present in ON ground similar to how Canada geese nest R IO BELof MOMEN TI was COLLECTI southern Ontario records during the first half the southern Algoma District and by 1985 AVAIL ABL E AT KN OW LES P LUMBI NSuch G a practice leaves their eggs and young of the 20th century Beginning in the early birds had colonized Manitoulin Island and vulnerable to a variety of predators including 1950s however numbers in the province the Bruce Peninsula raccoons foxes coyotes ravens crows and began increasing with birds observed in the Showing the local context the Goodyears even mink Algoma District north of Sault Ste Marie conclude It wasn t until 1982 only the Fortunately the young cranes are BAT K ITC H Eaugmented N S Hby OW R OO By theH late 1970s possibly second recordM of this species in Muskoka was precocial so leave the nest within a day of DE SI G N IN STALL ATIO N R E PAIR S E RV I N G A LL OF M USKO KA 279 M A N ITOBA ST B R AC E B R I D G E 70 5 6 4 5 267 1 K N OW L E S P LUMB IN G CO M MUS KOKA BATH BATH KITCHEN SHOWROOM SALES INSTALLATION REPAIR SERVING ALL OF MUSKOKA 279 Manitoba Street Bracebridge 705 645 2671 muskokabath knowlesplumbing com July 2018 UNIQUE MUSKOKA 47

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numbers are low and farming is limited hatching and have even been seen at best swimming Fiercely protective the Another reason for the OFAH devoted parents brood the young colts encouraging hunting is because sandhill as young cranes are referred to and feed cranes are considered something of a them attentively during their early stages delicacy In fact their good taste has Even after the young are old enough earned them the nickname rib eye in the to fly and feed themselves they stay sky The tall birds are surprisingly heavy with their parents right up until the weighing up to five kilograms over 10 next spring Just before their parents pounds which is almost twice as heavy begin another breeding season the as a heron In the west where sandhill young cranes are driven away and leave numbers are more stable there is an to form non breeding flocks of their established hunting season Historically own These groups stay together until unregulated crane hunting contributed they are ready to breed at four to seven to the big bird s absence from Muskoka years old and most of Ontario for many years Sandhills are well known for eating Now with regulated hunting there seedlings and other young herbaceous are regular sightings and confirmed growth in the spring Mostly vegetarians Sandhill cranes sport a noticeable red crown on their their diet varies with the seasons When heads with off white cheeks and chin Young cranes leave breeding records of the big birds in the region The story of the cranes rise and they are breeding they add animal the nest within a day of hatching and have even been fall and return echoes that of an even protein in the form of insects seen swimming at that time more successful game bird the Canada amphibians snakes and even small mammals to their diet Berries are also eaten this province in the Algoma and Sault Ste goose Al Sinclair concurs stating that the in season as are seeds and grains of all Marie area and on Manitoulin Island kinds especially during their fall migration where the cranes are now nesting in Eastern sub species of sandhill was hunted The cranes preference for grain crops numbers A census done on Manitoulin close to extinction adding yes the same as including newly sprouted corn and wheat back in 2008 counted over 6 000 sandhill Canada Geese saved by the migratory Bird found in farmer s fields is one reason there cranes says wildlife photographer Eleanor Act of 1916 thanks to the work of Jack Miner has been a call for a hunt by the Ontario Kee Wellman Now recovering it s exciting to have Too many cranes in farmers fields are Federation of Anglers and Hunters OFAH This is more of an issue further north in not a problem in Muskoka where crane sandhill cranes back in Muskoka Moose and sandhill cranes both share a wetland habitat with the cranes building their nests on the ground making their eggs and young vulnerable to predators 48 UNIQUE MUSKOKA July 2018

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Photograph Brad Burgess The first CPR train is arriving at Bala on June 20 1907 The arrival meant an overnight boost for Bala s future Photograph Bala s Museum Inset Bala founder Thomas Burgess Article by Jack Hutton W e will never know on which summer day Bala s first permanent settler arrived at the future location of the town in 1868 one year after Confederation All we know is that there was no one on shore that day to witness the sight of Muskoka s first steamboat the Wenonah entering the future Bala Bay The southwest corner of Lake Muskoka was still unsettled Crown land Seagulls soaring high above the bay were the first to notice 44 year old Thomas Burgess a Bruce 50 UNIQUE MUSKOKA July 2018 County farmer standing near the bow of the Wenonah staring anxiously at the shore Beside him was his family and a 14 year old niece who was there as a mother s helper This year marks the 150th anniversary of that arrival a perfect time to imagine what Burgess and his 27 year old wife Margaret must have been thinking as they stood there with their four children ranging in age from barely one to six years old Burgess had left a thriving farm in Bruce County to start all over again where no one else lived on Lake Muskoka Margaret must have been worried sick about how she and her niece Annie Currie were going to cope Burgess planned to build a home near the Musquash Falls now the Bala Falls but the ship s captain was nervous about its current and turned into the future Wallis Cut to find a safer landing spot It was Annie who called out I see the barn Auntie What she actually saw was a deserted shack just one room with one door and no windows used by lumbermen

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Photographs Bala s Museum The captain brought the Wenonah near the shore where crew members pushed a cow and horse off a leaky scow that had been towed from Gravenhurst behind the ship The family and Annie were somehow taken off the ship with their belongings to where the animals had swum to shore Thomas and Margaret must have felt totally on their own as they watched the Wenonah disappear back up Bala Bay The family survived the winter in the lumber shack and Burgess built a home the following summer opposite where Portage Landing and Don s Bakery stand today Part of it became a store as other settlers slowly arrived Burgess built a small sawmill in 1870 on the mill stream and became postmaster for the tiny growing settlement which he named Bala after a town in Wales where his own family had holidayed Six more children were born during the following years Margaret died after giving birth to her 10th child on Dec 19th 1877 She was 36 Scottish born Burgess became the laird of a tiny settlement which did not reach a population of 50 until the next century He died in January 1901 three months before Queen Victoria passed on justifiably proud of the village that had grown around him It had its own church and school both thanks to him Burgess had even started a bakery Bala was basically a sawmill village when Thomas Burgess died in 1901 That slowly changed after the Canadian Pacific Railway decided to build a line from Toronto through Bala to Sudbury and the Canadian National Railway planned a competing line that would go through Torrance Work on both lines began in 1904 but slowed down when crews ran into swamps and muskeg By 1906 2 000 men of all nationalities were involved in building the two railway lines That required a strong police presence in Bala which led to one of the first OPP detachments in Muskoka The first CPR train arrived in Bala in June 1907 Bala soon became the jumping off point for cottagers and tourists who connected with steamboats to reach their camps cottages lodges or islands Tourism had started in Bala before the first train The Clifton House built in the late 1890s where Bala s ski shows now take Top The Burgess general store was the largest store between Gravenhurst and Parry Sound for years The age of the cars reveals when the photo was taken Above Three daughters of Thomas Burgess posed for this early canoe photo with the Bala dock and the early CPR station behind them At the stern is Euphemia Burgess and sister Katherine Burgess in the bow In between them is either Mary Burgess or Margaret Burgess place was Bala s first hotel A nearby 75room hotel that eventually became the Bala Falls Hotel one of the largest in Muskoka followed it in 1899 It burned March 13 1913 in a spectacular blaze that could be seen in the night sky as far away as Port Carling The acetylene lighting system was blamed An acetylene explosion was also blamed for an earlier fire that destroyed the Windsor Hotel originally the Clifton House on June 7th 1909 It was immediately rebuilt as the New Windsor Hotel Muskoka s first brick summer hotel the Swastika Hotel was named for a good luck symbol and opened in June 1910 Its owner E B Sutton was one of Muskoka s most creative citizens as a musician and composer and as the longtime author of a popular newspaper column He was one of Bala s greatest boosters predicting a great future Sutton was followed by others who made a similar impact Gerry Dunn is credited with putting Bala on the map He had just graduated from the University of Toronto as a pharmacist in July 2018 UNIQUE MUSKOKA 51

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Gerry Dunn left inset put Bala on the map by building Dunn s Pavilion in 1942 bringing world class dance bands to Bala for decades Above Louis Armstrong brought his world famous band to Bala for four years in a row setting an attendance record of 2 000 in his final year 1961 The photo was taken at the Bala Bay Inn with two fans Right Canadian band leader Guy Lombardo posed with Gerry Dunn s family while playing at Dunn s Pavilion in 1958 At the left are Dunn s wife Aurelie and their son Patrick holiday to write a Muskoka novel The Blue Castle Meanwhile everyone who has ever lived cottaged or holidayed at Bala is being asked to return to Bala on Saturday July 21st for a large group photo and a whole day and evening of sharing memories The group photo will be taken at 1 p m from the rooftop of the Bala Arena by award winning Photographs Bala s Museum eventually re named as the Kee to Bala featuring top rock groups like Kim Mitchell to this day Bala has become known as the Cranberry Capital of Ontario and that is all due to another visionary dreamer Orville Johnston was convinced that a cranberry marsh just north of Bala near Medora Lake would be successful and purchased the land in the early 1950s He had doubters in his first years but proved them all wrong His son Murray Johnston and daughterin law Wendy Hogarth have turned the family business into an award winning cranberry operation and a winery that has won gold and silver medals in Europe Orville Johnston s trailblazing success led to the annual Bala Cranberry Festival that draws up to 25 000 to Bala every October on the weekend following Thanksgiving Bala celebrated its 125th anniversary in 1993 for an entire year climaxing it with the Trek to Bethlehem a Christmas holy walk The Trek has continued to this day and will carry on this year The Bala Legion Branch 424 is currently creating considerable excitement with plans for an affordable senior housing project built on Legion owned land behind the Bala Arena Muskoka Lakes Township Council recently gave the branch preliminary approval for the proposed Bala Legion Heritage Manor a 128 room assisted living and long term care facility Township Councillor Ruth Nishikawa who has been deeply involved with the project says a plan will be ready to submit to the federal government by Dec 2nd The 150th anniversary will be celebrated many ways this summer Bala s Museum is offering free admission on Tuesday July 3rd so visitors can learn how author L M Montgomery was inspired by a 1922 Bala Bala photographer Andy Hansen The last time a similar photograph was taken in Bala was in 1992 when a photo was taken from the arena roof to honour the 125th anniversary of Confederation The main photographer on that occasion was the author of this article who was and still is afraid of heights A community barbecue will follow the July 2018 UNIQUE MUSKOKA 53

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Photographs Jack Hutton A town photo was taken from the roof of the Bala Arena in 1992 to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the confederation of Canada Gerry Dunn Dunn s Pavilion can be seen waving from behind the B historic past In the evening the Kee to Bala will be offering live music and an opportunity to remember the wonderful bands that have performed there since 1942 This has been an abbreviated history of a most remarkable small town Come to Bala on Saturday July 21st to fill in the highlights from your own family history Tell us how your family came to Bala or to your cottage don t forget the first fish your son caught off the dock the sunset or sunrise that you will never forget or your first kiss at Dunn s Pavilion or the Kee to Bala Somewhere we expect Thomas Burgess will be smiling Photographs Bala s Museum July 21st group photo on Maple Avenue with opportunities to share stories from the past Everyone will be invited into the Bala Community Centre to see a PowerPoint presentation of photographs from Bala s As a great grandson of Thomas Burgess Mark Gidley is in charge of the Burgess Family Cemetery which is beside his cottage home in Bala Right Inset Thomas Burgess 54 UNIQUE MUSKOKA July 2018

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You plan for uninterrupted Muskoka sunsets here What about uninterrupted healthcare here In Muskoka there are some things you can simply count on Fresh air pristine nature the gentle sway of a dock But when the unexpected happens you can also count on exceptional hospital care from Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare To ensure it stays that way there is a growing need for state of the art equipment updated information technology and better infrastructure that provincial healthcare taxes don t cover With your generous support today those needs can be met and you can plan on the best possible care to be provided for you your family and every patient who needs it often when it s least expected Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare is here for you with caring and compassionate healthcare professionals standing by at two sites Give to the foundation of your choice to support hospital care in Muskoka and everyone benefits today and for years to come healthmuskoka ca 705 645 4404 ext 3246 huntsvillehospitalfoundation ca 705 789 2311 ext 2492 July 2018 UNIQUE MUSKOKA 55

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M uskoka s undulating landscape its forests and its lakes have long provided inspiration for artists of all types Woodworker and carver Andy Gamper is one of them There is no shortage of inspiration of form in the Muskoka landscape says Gamper owner of Living Wood Design with his wife Anna Smith We try to translate that into the landscapes of our furniture They started the company which crafts live edge tables furniture home wares and sculptures five years ago but its roots go back much further Gamper comes from a family of Swiss woodworkers He spent a lot of time in his father s workshop as a teenager before heading to Humber College s cabinet making program He followed that with a stint as an assistant teacher at the school along with an apprenticeship in Toronto with renowned Swiss woodcarver Siggi Buhler It was Buhler who taught him traditional fine carving skills and how to translate them into more contemporary and abstract work It was very exciting training says Gamper I got the best of the classical training but also some modern techniques and a modern sense of line He s grateful for training with Buhler and paid it forward when he and Smith spent four years in Honduras Smith was involved in humanitarian aid work and Gamper did some woodworking for the tourist industry He trained an apprentice there and when the couple eventually left the country a local church set up a micro loan to purchase all of Gamper s equipment making it possible for the apprentice to have his own business Buhler s influence is evident in Gamper s work o Huntsville woodworker and carver Andy Gamper July 2018 UNIQUE MUSKOKA 57

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CALL TODAY 705 787 1401 chad roll onpainting com w w w ro l l o npainting co m 58 UNIQUE MUSKOKA July 2018 The traditional craftsmanship is there in terms of the joinery and the function of the table and the abstract sense of line is there the way we develop the live edge and shape the tables Gamper says as is that of Japanese American woodworker George Nakashima who made live edge design popular in the 1960s Nakashima was truly a master in what he did says Gamper He s been an inspiration in my work I m not sure live edge design will ever go out of style especially now that there is such a focus in our changing world toward environmentalism and sustainability That focus is something that he and Smith practice in their home life and champion in their business They spent a few years living off the land on a farm near Fergus growing their own food in a garden We wanted to live a more sustainable life with our kids on the land outside of Toronto says Smith And it was a good place to springboard our business They moved back to Toronto for a while but yearned to be back on the land so the sixmember family recently settled onto a property by a lake near Huntsville It s more practical to live somewhere where we could have a workshop close by and have a more sustainable life with our garden and chickens says Smith We are able to be with our children more They are able to be outside and we have a more cohesive life that is more connected to the land and more sustainable in a variety of ways So we feel healthier and it translates into our business too because those are the guiding principles for our business as well The wood that Gamper works with is salvaged trees that have been injured or felled in storms or wood that has been recovered from old barns Some of those trees come from their own property but much of it is sourced from local sawyers who like Gamper understand how to work with a natural material In the last century there was really a movement to get away from thick lumber for table tops because wood does move and people don t like materials that are not static he explains Even in high quality tables they were using good quality plywood with a high quality veneer And they were making

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The wood that Andy Gamper uses is from salvaged trees that have been injured or felled in storms Some of those trees come from the family property while others are sourced from local sawyers some really nice tables like that But I think there s been a return to people wanting that natural material of solid lumber in their home But wood is a material that is constantly changing and Living Wood Design does everything they can to ensure it won t change after it s been made into a table That means kiln drying everything down to eight per cent moisture and we also have a flattening process for the raw lumber that reduces the tension wherever there s knots or cracks We take great care to eliminate anything that might want to make the table change in the future The wood first air dries for about six months and then is kiln dried for a further two Gamper says it s not as easy as going to a local lumberyard and buying a 10foot slab of kiln dried Canadian black walnut Gamper gets many requests for black walnut which doesn t grow in Muskoka but sources as much of the rest of the wood they use as locally as possible It s easier to support local sawyers says Smith adding that they don t yet have their own kiln or mill but hope to someday We have a huge selection of beautiful Ontario hardwoods but we still know where they are coming from because they are small operations We can find out the story our clients really Andy Gamper collaborated with his brother David also like to hear where the wood is from and an artisan to produce this mosaic LARGEST SELECTION OF TILLEY CLOTHING HATS IN MUSKOKA Crushable Packable Excellent UV Protection Repels Rain Floats Ask about the lifetime guarantee 28 MANITOBA STREET BRACEBRIDGE 705 637 0204 July 2018 UNIQUE MUSKOKA 59

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Andy Gamper comes from a family of Swiss woodworkers He spent time in his father s workshop as a teenager before heading to a college cabinet making program 100 Canadian Artisans and Fine Artists hear the story behind it and to know that we are connected to that process Occasionally a client asks them to work with a tree they provide one that has special meaning We appreciate the sentimentality in that It s heartwarming says Smith She gives the example of an oak tree that came down on a woman s property and they co ordinated from start to finish the salvaging of the tree and made it into a table So her family generations now gather around that tree When you look at a slice of a tree you can see the rings and the history our business is the same in that we are taking these beautiful sentinels of the forest that have stood guard for generations and instead of being used for firewood or being put in the chipper we are able to give them this new life Gamper and Smith handpick the slabs they use for their beautiful grain and colour that will come to life once they have been Open daily July August Scott Barnim Pottery 1073 Fox Point Road Dwight 705 635 1602 oxtonguecraftcabin com telling the Muskoka story featuring Tilley Clothing Hats SEE US AT OUR NEW LOCATION 28 MANITOBA STREET BRACEBRIDGE JUNE 2018 60 UNIQUE MUSKOKA July 2018 Living a more sustainable life with their children was a major motivating factor in bringing Andy Gamper and Anna Smith to Muskoka

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THE ALL NEW 2018 N E X P E R I E N C E C O A R AMER IC TH A N sanded and oiled They use an environmentallyfriendly finish plant based Rubio oil from Belgium which is free of volatile organic compounds VOCs food safe and healthy for Gamper and his assistant to use in the workshop That environmental focus spills over into the charities they support too They are official sponsors of the Muskoka Conservancy and donated a walnut table for the group s auction last year They ll do the same again this year They also plant 10 trees through reforestation organizations for every table they create five in Ontario and five in Africa It s a practical way to show in numbers how we are trying to give back says Smith And they continue to support the community in Honduras where they lived and made many friends There is high infant and mother mortality there and a lot of kids can t afford to go to school because public school is only free until Grade 6 explains Smith But we didn t want to be gringos coming in we want to support initiatives that are run by Hondurans and support them Every month Living Wood Design supports a variety of different programs in Honduras a family they befriended which has eight children whose father died from tuberculosis TB a former student who is now in his 20s who has started an after school sports program for kids two students at a school for kids with AIDS or whose parents have AIDS and an ongoing project to support public health centres They have also created a registered not forprofit Healthy Horizons with a future goal to support the efforts of two female doctor friends in opening a women s health centre I volunteered with them and they had such heart for the people says Gamper We would like to augment it with a TB testing and treatment centre and a women s health centre for supporting the midwives we worked with They hope to name the TB centre in honour of their friend who succumbed to the disease Those are long term goals that give meaning and direction to our business so that it s not just about accumulation it s seeing how we can still have an impact says Smith In their Huntsville showroom which moved to Main Street from Brunel Road this R OF THE YE A R P E R F E C T B A L A N C E 2018 NORTH AMERICAN CAR OF THE YEAR TM FINALIST Stinger GT Limited shown STANDARD FEATURES All Wheel Drive system 3 3 litre twin turbocharged V6 365 horsepower engine Apple CarPlay Android AutoTM Remote Start Stop Find my car and more 21 Robert Dollar Dr Bracebridge ON P1L 1P9 705 645 6575 Call Mike Morrow 705 765 3195 www morrow electric com ESA License 7000286 Serving Muskoka Lakes since 1952 rewiring alterations heating NEVER be left in the DARK or COLD get a quality home standby generator by GENERAC July 2018 UNIQUE MUSKOKA 61

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spring they display their own elegantly crafted fine furniture that is more like functional art supplemented by the works of both local artists and those from artisans around the world This year we ll be carrying different work from a women s project in Africa a variety of French baskets from a women s co operative in Morocco textiles and hand woven shirts from Mexico and lots of different Muskoka artists says Smith It s going back to our roots we had a fair trade store in Honduras to support the Mayan community Tags on the items in the store will reflect where they are from and who has created them so people can see where their dollars are going And they ll continue to put down roots in Muskoka We have a real love for our community and the people who live in it this community that has welcomed our family says Gamper We appreciated the welcome and helping us transition to Anna Smith and Andy Gamper have recently opened a gallery in downtown Huntsville to display their making our roots here products and those of other artisans WE DIG MUSKOKA Complete Site Services Boulder Retaining Walls Patios Flagstone Pathways Stairs Professional Barging Service Excavation Road Maintenance Demolition Septic Systems 62 UNIQUE MUSKOKA July 2018 Contact us for a quote info riegercontracting com 705 765 DIGG 3444

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Emerald ash borer detection project continues in 2018 Its beautiful iridescent sheen belies its destructive nature The emerald ash borer is an invasive pest native to Asia that attacks all species of true ash Fraxinus spp It was first detected in Canada in 2002 in Windsor but likely arrived in the country in the decade prior It has since been spreading northward with outbreaks confirmed in Barrie and Ramara Township and appearing as far north as Sault Ste Marie The insect has killed tens of millions of trees in Canada so far Should it arrive in Muskoka or already be here the Muskoka Conservancy wants to know about it so that action can be taken to protect local trees In June 2016 the organization in partnership with the Town of Bracebridge launched an Emerald Ash Borer Early Detection Pilot Project That year twenty green prism traps from BioForest Technologies were hung in the canopy of ash trees in and around Bracebridge The pilot was repeated again in June 2017 with 24 traps hung in Bracebridge and Gravenhurst There was no evidence of the emerald ash borer at the end of each term Thanks in part to a 2 000 commitment f r o m t h e To w n o f The Town of Bracebridge presents a cheque to the Muskoka Conservancy B r a c e b r i d g e t h e to help continue the conservancy s emerald ash borer detection project Muskoka Conservancy initiated the Emerald Ash Borer Early Detection Project in June 2018 The Town is pleased to financially support this project said Bracebridge Mayor Graydon Smith This will assist Muskoka Conservancy in their ongoing detection of the Residents and visitors coming to Muskoka emerald ash borer in Muskoka through trapping from Toronto will be able to significantly cut engaging volunteers and public education their travel time this year Pilot project provides air taxi service OCCUPANCY SUMMER 2019 www WaterfrontatGrandview com 64 UNIQUE MUSKOKA July 2018 Photographs Kim Ball Town of Bracebridge Whats Happened

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In a one year pilot program FlyGTA will provide scheduled air taxi flights from Toronto s Billy Bishop Airport to the Muskoka Airport until mid October 2018 The flights are approximately 36 minutes in duration and can carry up to eight passengers at a time Bud Purves chair of the Muskoka Airport Board says The board feels this is a great opportunity for commuters and travelers looking for more options and convenience for visiting or commuting to Muskoka FlyGTA is a southern Ontario air operator that provides sightseeing tours over Toronto and Niagara Falls It also has scheduled return flights from Billy Bishop to Lake Simcoe Regional Airport St Catharine s Niagara District Airport and Region of Waterloo International Airport The Muskoka Airport is an important District asset that is very valuable to the community said District Chair John Klinck Scheduled air taxi service is a tremendous opportunity to leverage the important investments that District council has made in the airport in recent years Boat tours come to Huntsville It s been more than 65 years since steamships plied the lakes around Huntsville but thanks to a local entrepreneur both visitors and residents alike will have the opportunity to see the town s largest lakes from the same perspective Stephen Wyllie who runs the Lady Muskoka tours in Bracebridge will operate two tour boats in the Huntsville area One christened the Algonquin II in a nod to the steamer Algonquin that was decommissioned in 1952 will launch from the Town Dock The other the Tom Thomson is a dining boat that will reside at Deerhurst Resort Both of the 58 foot boats have a glass roof to enhance the sightseeing experience The tours from the Town Dock will echo those of the earlier steamships travelling down the Muskoka River across Fairy Lake through the canal and into Peninsula Lake Passengers on the steamships would have disembarked at South Portage to take the Portage Flyer train up to North Portage on Lake of Bays Modern passengers will return to the Town Dock in Huntsville Huntsville s Town Council approved an agreement for use of a portion of the Town Dock on a one year trial period for 2018 stoneway marble granite inc Les and Renata Partyka 1295 Muskoka Rd 118 West Bracebridge 705 645 3380 stoneway inc gmail com BRACEBRIDGE GENERATION LTD Water Power Generating a Cleaner Environment Interested in more information or a free tour www bracebridgegeneration com Rotary Centre for Youth 131 Wellington St Bracebridge 705 644 2712 www clubrunner ca bracebridge July 2018 UNIQUE MUSKOKA 65

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For almost 150 years the Port Carling locks have been providing vessels with a means to pass between Lakes Muskoka and Rosseau and are a beloved part of the summer boating experience But they needed some TLC to ensure they could continue operating for the decades to come The large locks were opened in 1871 and later widened in 1903 to accommodate larger steamships The small locks were constructed in 1922 In the mid 1950s a new lock structure of reinforced concrete was constructed with a rebuild of the small locks following in 1963 There has been no major rehabilitation work done since then it was time Work to rehabilitate the locks began in December 2017 and staff very quickly determined the steel gates were so severely corroded they would have to be rebuilt rather than merely repaired While the locks were dewatered the District also made a decision to do a major concrete YES Hospice Muskoka Andy Potts Memorial Foundation have Teamed Up to Open Andy s House in Port Carling in the Spring of 2019 to serve all of West and South Muskoka restoration at the same time a move that saved about 250 000 in the long run said Fred Jahn the District s commissioner of engineering and public works The electric motors and drives that open and close the gates were completely o v e r h a u l e d a n d The Hunters Bay Trail extension ribbon cutting marked the completion of inspected as well The one of the final gaps in Canada s The Great Trail formerly known as the newly refurbished locks TransCanada Trail will last a minimum of 30 years before needing any major maintenance said Jahn This is very old infrastructure and from our perspective at the District the locks are In May the Township of Muskoka Lakes a really significant part of the tourism experience in Muskoka says Jahn The last TML council voted in favour of an interim thing I would ever want to see is those locks control bylaw for the proposed Resort Village have a breakdown during the summer months of Minett a 322 acre high density developThose locks are important to the public and ment on the shores of Wallace Bay in Lake we wanted to make sure that they are going Rosseau to allow for further studies and a to have a long service life We re really proud site specific review of Official Plan policies TML council s decision comes following of it Muskoka Lakes freezes Minett development JOIN THE TEAM For more information on how you can help drop into the Port Carling Community Health Hub on Tuesday or Wednesday from 9 00 am to 4 30 pm Contact Hospice Muskoka at 705 646 1697 or send an email to info hospicemuskoka com Andy s House will be a Comprehensive Hospice Palliative Care Community Hub We will be looking for all types of volunteers when we open our doors to Andy s House Visit www hospicemuskoka com to complete a Volunteer Expression of Interest 66 UNIQUE MUSKOKA July 2018 Photographs Dawn Huddlestone Port Carling locks refurbishment costs 2 4 million

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public outcry over the proposed development and was applauded by opponents including the Muskoka Lakes Association which noted in a letter to its members This pause will allow for a series of much needed comprehensive studies to be completed to ensure that whatever is ultimately built in Minett is respectful of the environment and the character of our Muskoka and addresses safety concerns associated with overuse of Wallace Bay Muskoka Ratepayers Association MRA represents the interests of its members in local government property taxation economic development and environmental issues MRA membership is open to all full and part time residents and businesses that have an interest in the Township of Muskoka Lakes Floating boardwalk is part of Great Trail An extension to Huntsville s Hunters Bay Trail has closed one of the final gaps in Canada s The Great Trail Construction on the 24 000 kilometre network formerly known as the TransCanada Trail began 25 years ago and was completed last year for Canada s sesquicentennial The Great Trail s Vice President of Resources Simone Hicken says the new trail extension in Huntsville which includes a floating boardwalk is one of the only floating sections of the trail Parts of the trail like the one in Huntsville were the most difficult to complete because of the approvals and permissions required she added The 840 metre trail extension is along the western shore of Hunters Bay offering walkers a unique perspective on the bay and passes beneath Highway 11 That location required approval from the Ontario Ministry of Transportation that was a long time coming We ve been trying to get this section of Hunters Bay Trail done for a long time said Huntsville Mayor Scott Aitchison For the longest time the MTO just said no to us it was just too dangerous Finally there was a change at the regional director level and a guy named Eric Doidge was somebody who kind of got it for the first time ever we heard the MTO say I think we can find a way to work together It wasn t an easy slog but here we are opening this trail The section of trail was completed in the fall of 2017 and opened for just a few weeks before it had to be closed again under an annual agreement with the MTO to allow for Highway 11 snowplow operations It is open again and was celebrated by the Town of Huntsville with a ribbon cutting ceremony on May 25 Join us at the MRA Annual General Meeting Doors open at 9 30 am meeting at 10 00 am July 21 at the Port Carling Community Centre This is your opportunity to get more involved in the future of Muskoka Join your neighbours for the MRA s annual community update Join us Visit the MRA website at muskokaratepayers ca to learn more about the MRA or to become a member now MUSKOKA RATEPAYERS ASSOCIATION muskokaratepayers ca 705 765 0022 info muskokaratepayers ca ADMISSION BY DONATION TH 27ERSARY V NNI A Friday August 17 10 a m to 6 p m Saturday August 18 10 a m to 6 p m 2018 Special Events Field at the Muskoka Wharf Gravenhurst Introducing scheduled activities for the entire family all weekend long GRAVENHURST Sunday August 19 10 a m to 4 p m Chamber OF COMMERCE OVER 100 ARTISANS LIVE MUSIC FOOD CRAFT BEER CHILDREN S ACTIVITIES GRAVENHURST DOCKSIDEFESTIVAL COM 705 687 4432 GRAVENHURSTCHAMBER COM marketing GRAVENHURSTCHAMBER COM OF COMMERCE Chamber GBS Contracting Inc Proudly Serving Muskoka for over 20 years We get the job done ROOFING SIDING DOORS WINDOWS GENERAL CONSTRUCTION Where one call does it all 2288 Highway 11 North Gravenhurst Ontario P1P 1R1 705 687 9143 info gbscontrac ng com www gbscontrac ng com July 2018 UNIQUE MUSKOKA 67

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Dockside delights easy to make foods for enjoyment while sunning Article by Karen Wehrstein Photography by Tomasz Szumski During this beautiful summer month Muskoka s culinary experts offer suggestions to prepare quickly and easily made foods for those perfect July days when you want to laze around on the dock or be in and out of the water instead of slaving over a hot stove unless it s a barbecue Chef Jennifer Balfour of the Trading Bay Dining Company in Dorset knows all about that as she grew up cottaging on Lake Kawagama She now shares a lakeside cottage with her husband who grew up cottaging on Lake of Bays They decided to move to where they play seven years ago and enjoy fishing boating and in that other unmentionable season snowmobiling It s all about the patio here because we re on the water Balfour says about the restaurant A lot of people boat in here Some even come in by float plane The lake loving chef provides a dockside snack that she says is probably my fave food out of all foods that I was making all the time even before I was a chef your basic tomato salsa 68 UNIQUE MUSKOKA July 2018 A salsa based on her Mexican experiences is what chef Jennifer Balfour of Dorset offers as the basis for a good start to a summer meal or a snack It was in Mexico Balfour learned to like what is sometimes known as pico de gallo rooster beak the story being that it was named metaphorically after how fightingcocks would take revenge on handlers who put the birds heads in their mouths to calm them They put it on everything she says It s on every table She found the recipe in a Mexican cookbook she says I ve probably tweaked it It s all stuff you might have in your garden all seasonal The onions don t have to be white you can use green onions To persuade the kids to eat it leave out the chilies it s still delicious How can that be Because there is a secret to genuine Mexican salsa not that store bought stuff In Balfour s words What gives it all its flavour is the cilantro and the lime juice Salsa can be an accompaniment or a snack in itself Dip with corn chips or tacos or fish tacos Balfour suggests Get some tortillas grill a piece of fish throw some salsa on it This is traditionally done in Mexico with delicate flavoured fish As a summery meal Trading Bay serves a Sriracha cod taco that she says is very popular right now We probably don t need to tell you that the perfect beverage pairing is a Marguerita Cooking is in the blood of Chef Iain Irvine co owner with other family members of The Oar in Gravenhurst His father Alain now retired started cooking in 1971 and

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Tomato Salsa Courtesy of Jennifer Balfour Trading Bay Dining Co Ingredients Serrano chilies 0 for mild 3 for medium 6 for hot 1 large white onion red is nice also Juice of two limes 8 firm medium sized tomatoes Large bunch of fresh cilantro 1 8 tsp salt Method Grill roast or dry fry with no oil chilies until skin begins to blister then place in a sealed plastic bag for 20 minutes Finely dice onions and place in a bowl with the lime juice to soften the onion Remove chilies from bag remove skins and seeds Chop the flesh and set aside Optional cut a cross in the base of each tomato place them in a heatproof bowl and pour enough boiling water over them to cover After three minutes no more remove from water and peel skins which will be easy Finely dice tomato and mix with chopped onion and lime mixture Wash pat dry with paper towel then finely chop fresh cilantro and mix Cover and chill 2 3 hours to allow flavours to blend Optional Garnish with strips of lime rind just before serving Recipes Chef s tips If you can t find serranos which are hotter you can put jalapenos in it Balfour says Jalapenos are easier to find Serrano peppers have a heat level of eight while jalapeno peppers are six and poblanos three Scotch bonnet I wouldn t recommend for salsa Putting the chilies in plastic for 20 minutes after cooking them makes it easy to remove the skins They steam so the skins all wrinkle up Balfour explains It starts to peel off itself in the bag Prepare chilies with care especially if you have sensitive skin wear gloves make sure you don t touch your face wash hands with soap and water afterwards if not wearing gloves Cilantro is always full of dirt Balfour cautions so wash it well Why dry it That way it flakes instead of turning to mush when you chop it and it s easier to mix Experience everything Muskoka has to offer in a refreshingly affordable and revitalized environment Pine Lodge Muskoka offers 10 guest rooms and 4 suites with over 2 000 sq ft of dining and lounge space that caters to a variety of unique meetings events retreats and weddings pinelodgemuskoka com 705 385 2271 Located in Port Sydney ON Canada 484 Muskoka Road 10 Keeps 3 4 days in the fridge became an executive chef in the late 70s he met his wife Robbie because she worked the front desk at a hotel in Toronto that had hired him In 2005 while Alain was executive chef at Taboo Robbie opened up Irvine Sons Fine Foods in Gravenhurst When he left Taboo in 2007 the family opened North Restaurant and Lounge and ran three other eateries as well until they decided to concentrate on one first named The Oar and Paddle and now just The Oar While his older brother Andrew went July 2018 UNIQUE MUSKOKA 69

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Chef Iain of Gravenhurst provides a recipe for strawberry shortcake as a delightful dessert conclusion to a dockside meal the front desk route training as a sommelier Iain started cooking at age 17 It was all on the job training I felt I could learn working and getting paid including very educational employment stints such as in the five diamond restaurant at the Rimrock Resort Hotel in Banff and the Langdon Hall Country House in Cambridge He apprenticed with his dad Strawberry shortcake always goes on The Oar s summer menu Iain says Everybody likes it It s so light but we get it nice and syrupy With Ontario strawberries being so abundant right now it seemed like a nice recipe Not surprisingly he inherited the dish from his father I don t know where he ran into it Iain says He s worked in so many places And no doubt there have been tweaks Thursday July 12 6 9 PM Tickets 75 00 J W Marriott The Rosseau Muskoka Resort Spa Annual fundraiser will support new creative programs that will help strengthen personal social and emotional wellbeing for children and youth in Muskoka Join us for an evening of local artisan food silent auction wonderful entertainment GET YOUR TICKETS TODAY Flavourschautauqua eventbrite ca 705 765 1048 www muskokachautauqua com 70 UNIQUE MUSKOKA July 2018

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Strawberry Shortcake Chef Iain Irvine The Oar originally Alain Irvine Ingredients For the shortbread 100 g 3 oz butter 100 g 3 oz plain flour plus extra for dusting 55g 2 oz icing sugar 1 free range egg yolk For the filling 150 ml cup double cream 2 Tbsp icing sugar plus extra for dusting 1 vanilla pod seeds scraped out 220 g 8 oz strawberries hulled and chopped plus a few left whole to garnish Method Preheat the oven to 190C 375F For the shortbread place the butter flour icing sugar and egg yolk into a food processor and pulse until the mixture comes together as a dough Recipes Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and roll out to 0 5cm inch thick Use a pastry cutter to cut eight rounds out of the dough and place onto a non stick baking sheet Bake for 8 10 minutes or until lightly golden brown Don t walk away too far Remove from the oven and allow to cool For the filling place the cream into a large bowl with the icing sugar and vanilla seeds and whisk until soft peaks form when the whisk is removed Gently fold in the strawberries To serve use the cream filling to sandwich the shortbread biscuits together and place on a serving plate Dust with icing sugar and garnish with extra strawberries and filling are kept separate then assembled at the destination Warm shortbread in microwave beforehand and keep filling Makes four shortcakes Travels well e g from kitchen to dock if shortbread Add some fresh mint from the garden as a tasty garnish Chef s tips That was just the basic recipe Here are the secrets for taking it up to restaurant quality for special occasions on your dock We use Chantilly cream and a bit of booze Iain confides specifying just a quarter or half ounce That adds a bit of flair to it He suggests mint liqueur or for total teetotalers essence of mint Or you can go chocolaty he suggests Add Cr me de Cacao or cocoa powder You can do a drizzle of chocolate sauce but not hot as the whipped cream will go right back to liquid July 2018 UNIQUE MUSKOKA 71

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The Creative Plate Eatery in Gravenhurst has an unusual stock intrade changing the menu up every day I have a million things I want to try all the time says chef and owner Connie Ure Guests didn t like it at first Now they love it Or perhaps they started out loving it more than they knew I used to do each menu three months then switch plus ran four features a day The features always outsold the menu so it made more sense to do a daily menu She adds As a chef you have to have an open mind and never get stuck in the rut of favourites I have food I like this week but may not next Changing menus daily Ure says requires thought dedication and good organization My mind is always on the go I will see something and be like I can do that but with a twist how do I take that and make my mark with it We have no For Connie Ure the owner of Creative Plate Thai pork might just offer the answer for a main course when you re enjoying the sun and summer LINGERIE BRA FITTING BOUTIQUE Sizes A H Cup A Muskoka Dining Tradition Top Brands like Wacoal Chantelle Paris Simone Perele Marlies Dekkers PJ Salvage The boat is waiting take a boat ride to dinner at Algonquin Park s most acclaimed Dining Room Visit us this summer in our NEW LOCATION 34 Manitoba Street Downtown Bracebridge as we celebrate 7 years For reservations please call 705 633 5543 www bartlettlodge com 705 645 7734 littleblackbow www littleblackbow ca July 2018 UNIQUE MUSKOKA 73

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Recipes Barbecue Thai Pork Burger Connie Ure The Creative Plate Burger mix 2 pounds of regular ground pork 1 small vanilla onion roughly chopped tsp salt tsp pepper tsp garlic powder or paste tsp ginger powder or paste tsp cilantro fresh or dried tsp coriander 2 Tbsp soya sauce Fresh squeezed juice of 2 limes Chilies to taste optional 2 ribs of celery diced fine Ure It s a flavour enhancer not to burn you or make you sweat Mix together well form into four eight once patties Barbecue until done pork will turn white Topping Wine pairing bag snow peas 1 head of broccoli chopped bag of shredded carrots 2 Tbsp sesame seed oil Riesling white wine Chef s tip Stir fry veggies in oil in an aluminum pan on the barbeque Sauce to put over veggies just as they re starting to be done Connie Ure It s about loving and passion and passing that love through your food to your guests And not just globe trotting chefs but anyone can do that cup lime juice 1 Tbsp Thai fish sauce 1 Tbsp coconut oil Salt pepper and a little sugar to taste Place topping on burger and serve with a spicy mayonnaise of your choice Place on a soft artisan bun brioche always works well MUSKOKA AUTUMN STUDIO TOUR Cordually invites you to help celebrate their 40th ANNIVERSARY Muskoka Discovery Centre Opening night Friday August 10 7pm 10pm Show continues August 11 12 275 Steamship Bay Rd Gravenhurst Chapel Gallery Opening celebration Saturday August 18 1pm 4pm Time Capsule to be opened during the celebration Show continues August 21 to September 8 15 King St Bracebridge STUDIO TOUR DATES SEPT 22 23 29 30 muskokaautumnstudiotour com 74 UNIQUE MUSKOKA July 2018

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concept I let the business evolve It s the guests who drive what it becomes We re all one unit not the kitchen and the front In winter she travels worldwide to learn what s cooking in other nations by working in their kitchens Ure started working in hospitality at age 13 I got into cooking when I realized I had pretty much done everything I could via front of the house and it was time to further my career and take it to the back of the house she says By watching chefs on her own time and volunteering she learned the art After three years working a food truck called The Pheast Beast she sold it and opened the Plate in 2014 Part of her motivation was that food trucks became trendy Just because it s popular means I will stay the hell away from it she explains That s what keeps the Plate interesting Another motivation was putting all her efforts into one business I dedicate 90 plus hours a week to her even in the winter Ure says She s my baby I am her soul master I believe you should do one thing and do it well Too many fingers in a pie means you don t do something well you exist Ure tries her hardest to source everything she and her staff use locally and her philosophy is Come as guests leave as friends The recipe she shares with us not surprisingly came off the top of my head This past winter she went to Thailand to train and was certified as a Thai chef leading to requests from her diners for Thai themed dishes Thai is easy quick and flavourful Ure says Anyone can do it dockside I love working with pork It adapts with flavours and it s a nice tender protein to work with and does not take long to cook it s underused Ontario pork rocks July 2018 UNIQUE MUSKOKA 75

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Muskoka Moments Family and community Lake of Bays blessings The lure of Muskoka s Lake of Bays was fueled by my McMaster University buddy Bob McCullagh in 1955 He drove with me in an old ragtop Jeep to meet Percy Cunnington who had sold him a large stretch of shoreline near Dwight Bob bought a do it yourself cabin kit and then cajoled his school chums to help him build it Our pay A few cases of beer swimming fishing and sunburns Further fun was available at the Bigwin Inn bar The following summer of 1956 I flew to Muskoka Owen Boris and I rented a two seat Piper PA11 on floats and our plan was travel to some well known Muskoka lodges One guy would fly the aircraft the other would drive the car and we d rendezvous often at Milford Manor This lodge was a roaring party scene and we junior aviators charged resort guests 3 00 for a 15 minute Muskoka flight I then partnered with Bob McCullagh and bought Muskoka Air Trails Charters and Flight School on Lake Vernon With an aircraft strapped to my behind I had the luxury of experiencing the majesty of many corners of Muskoka from the air Limberlost Lodge on Lake Solitaire had a modest ski hill This is where I met Ruth my wife to be truly a monumental Muskoka Moment We were married in 1961 and returned to Lake of Bays in 1965 Engaging with the north Lake of Bays community was the foundation for many friendships Our first boat was a mahogany Shepherd but after one expensive season we sold it A series of cedar runabouts gave way to our easier to handle aluminum fishing boats Meeting Dr Royal Montgomery our neighbour was propitious Doc was a 76 UNIQUE MUSKOKA July 2018 Photographs Kelly Holinshead By George Daniels George Daniels feels blessed by his unique Muskoka lifestyle director of Lake of Bays Association His father had bought Montgomery Point in 1919 and in February 1968 he invited me to stay at Port Cunnington Lodge to experience winter We rented a snowmobile and skimmed across the frozen lake checking out fish huts A spectacular on ice bonfire with hot dogs and beer introduced us to many locals who are friends to this day Before heading back to New York Doc said George you are going to replace me as the director of the Lake of Bays Association I became actively involved with LOBA and was president from 1988 1990 With Robin Cummine s help we founded the Lake of Bays Heritage Foundation in 1986 I am continually working with the Andrew Daniels Fish Stewardship Foundation which is in memory of our son who died at 37 in 2004 Regattas are the venue for the Muskoka community coming together Our family would dive right in with paddles swimming trunks donations and bake sales at these events With my public speaking skills I have often been the commodore announcer Our boys Andrew Tiff and Chris competed at these events Our cottage trophy wall is festooned with pins metals and pictures of their trophies May 24 marks Sweat Equity Weekend when we all pitch in to open cottages take down shutters launch boats and help each other The camaraderie has no cost but it s priceless I was proud to be part of a volunteer fireboat fundraising group Over a two year period we raised several hundred thousand dollars to purchase a new state of the art Stanley fireboat The fire department first responders do a super job with this equipment A cottage is not a building but rather a unique Muskoka lifestyle It is our spiritual home Surrounded by the majesty of nature on land and helping protect fish habitat and species at risk underwater in streams and shorelines we feel blessed I feel a special bond in helping grow this significant world biodiversity site for future generations George and Ruth Daniels and family are residents at Montgomery Point Lake of Bays George is a recipient of the Sovereign Medal for Volunteers awarded by Governor General David Johnston in 2016 acknowledging his Muskoka leadership of LOBA and the Heritage and Andrew Daniels Fish Stewardship Foundations His memoir George Works will be self published this summer Enquiries e mail geofoof2017 gmail com

July 2018 Issue 12

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