Unique Muskoka - Issue 34 : simplebooklet.com

2 UNIQUE MUSKOKA July 2022...telling the Muskoka storyFeatures11Dear Braveheart – Celebrating a Fateful but Inspirational JourneyArticle by K.M. Wehrstein Photography by Josianne MasseauNew author Sherry Rondeau shares details of her personal journey as a caregiver following her husband’s diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease and how it led to publishing her ﬁrst book.15Trees of Muskoka – Beautiful, Bountiful BirchArticle by John ChallisBirch trees may not be as prevalent as they once were in Muskoka’s forests but they continue to be a standout, prized for their wood, bark and so much more. 19Historic Libraries – Then & Now: Muskoka Lakes Public LibraryArticle by J. Patrick BoyerAs the hub of the lakes, Port Carling as a community has developed based on the needs of those living in and visiting the area. e library has followed a similar path and is now the ﬂagship location of the Muskoka Lakes Public Library. 24Artistically Combining Music, Blacksmithing and NatureArticle by Sandy Lockhart / Photography by Kelly HolinsheadA blacksmith, a singer-songwriter and an agronomist – Bet Smith may seem to be a study in contrasts. In truth, her diverse skill set keeps her focussed. 32Wilderness Waterways – Muskoka Paddleboarding AdventuresArticle and Photography by Andy ZeltkalnsMuskoka is a region ripe with places to explore. Instead of a canoe or kayak, contributor Andy Zeltkalns encourages you to try a stand-up paddleboard for your next excursion into nature – day trip or overnight!38Three Birds Flower Farm – Growing Beauty the Natural WayArticle by Bronwyn Boyer Photography by Andy ZeltkalnsSisters Jackie and Leslie Brunton are into their second year as ﬂower farmers and are invested in sustainable, environmentally-conscious methods to deliver local ﬂoral delights. [24][11]

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Opinion9 Muskoka InsightsBy Don Smith64Muskoka MomentsBy Heather Scott45Two People, Two Leaders – Chief MusquakieArticle by J. Patrick BoyerOf 33 districts and counties across Ontario, Muskoka is the only region bearing the name of an Indigenous person. Contributor J. Patrick Boyer tells the signiﬁcant and historic role played by Chief Musquakie, the father and the son.50Coyotes – Clever and AdaptableArticle by John Challis Photography by Eleanor Kee WellmanCoyotes may not have the prestige of their larger northern cousins, wolves, but their adaptability and cleverness prove they are equally deserving of admiration. Departments54What’s HappenedArticle by Matt DriscollFriends of the Muskoka Watershed search for citizen scientists while the OPP Marine Training Unit relocates to Muskoka Wharf, short-term rental regulations are debated across Muskoka and the maintenance of Hardy Lake Trails are disputed. Former Bracebridge Mayor Graydon Smith elected as new MPP for Parry Sound-Muskoka, Music on the Barge returns to Gravenhurst this summer and the RMS Segwun returns to sailing.58Cottage Country CuisineArticle by K.M. Wehrstein Photography by Tomasz SzumskiWith their unique and intense ﬂavours, herbs are central to seasoning and, as some would say, the art of seasoning is the art of cooking.Our CoverPhotography by Andy ZeltkalnsDay-tripping or camping with your stand-up paddleboard is an exciting way to experience all of Muskoka’s lakes and rivers. Contributor Andy Zeltkalns oﬀers insights into his adventures.JULY 2022Chief Musquakie andthe naming of MuskokaWILDERNESSWATERWAYSAdaptable coyotes areIN our neighbourHOODMuskoka-grownherbs addavourSUP adventures area new way to explore[45][58][50]July 2022 UNIQUE MUSKOKA 5

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…telling the Muskoka story Unique Muskoka is published six times per year by Unique Publishing Inc.Donald SmithPublisherMeghan TaylorEditorDonna AnsleySalesLisa BrazierDesignSusan SmithAdministrationBronwyn BoyerJ. Patrick BoyerJohn ChallisMatt DriscollKelly HolinsheadEleanor Kee WellmanSandy LockhartJosianne MasseauHeather ScottTomasz SzumskiK.M. WehrsteinAndy ZeltkalnsContributorsAnnual Subscription Rates: (including HST where applicable)In Ontario $30.00 All Other Provinces $36.00 U.S. $60.00 All Other Countries $72.00HST: 773172721Canada Post Publications Mail Agreement Number: 43268016Copyright © 2022 Unique Publishing Inc.No content published in Unique Muskoka can be reproduced without the written permission of the publisher.Mailing AddressBox 616, Bracebridge ON P1L 1T9Street Address28 Manitoba St., Bracebridge ON P1L 1S1www.uniquemuskoka.cominfo@uniquemuskoka.com 705-637-0204 6 UNIQUE MUSKOKA July 2022A NAME YOU CAN TRUSTwww.pdmurphyjewellers.com • pdmurphy@bellnet.caDowntown Orillia9 Mississauga Street, East705.326.9611Barrie South End531 Bryne Drive, Unit B1705.719.1474Downtown Bracebridge30 Manitoba Street705.645.2152

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46 Ann Street, Bracebridge705-646-9995 | 877-877-3929www.LesBell.caTRUST • INTEGRITY • SERVICEOur local team is here to provide you with personalized insurance solutions. For the coverage your family deserves, call us today.Your Home and Cottage Mattress CentreTHE LARGEST SELECTION OF IN-STOCKMATTRESSES IN MUSKOKAMUSKOKACURATED COLLECTION by Marshall Mattress6 Monica Lane, Bracebridge705.646.2557www.mattressesofmuskoka.commbaJack Judges 705-646-7424 Wayne Judges 705-645-0480email: jackjudges@gmail.comQuality workmanship and customer satisfactionfar beyond any written warranty.Restoring Muskoka’s heritage and building new traditions for over 45 yearsDESIGN • CONSTRUCTION • RESTORATIONMuskoka InsightsPhotograph: Susan SmithWith each trek around the sun, we hopefully learn more from our experiences. What seems right is challenged, leading us to question the norm. What we’ve been taught and what we’ve embraced as supposedly irrefutable facts are justiﬁably open to another look. From that, our knowledge grows and, as should be expected, it would seem logical we’d become more understanding and compassionate. In a world ﬁlled with so much information, one might anticipate walls of exclusion, intolerance, division and segregation would be tumbling down everywhere. Unfortunately, such is not the case. From social media to political rhetoric, polarized positions grow evermore distinguishable and often appear insurmountable.As we prepare each issue of Unique Muskoka for publication, I ﬁnd it refreshing to learn of the many people who are having a positive impact on our lives; particularly, here, in Muskoka. Volunteering, creating, sharing, advocating, reaching out to others – they acknowledge our past and ﬁnd ways to provide the hope for a better future. ey have vision.While I was a young boy, the early days of television programming shaped many of my perceptions of the world around me. Stereotypes became reality and were reinforced in daily activities – both at school and during play. It is enlightening, therefore, to read historic perspectives that dig a little deeper into our past and provide context for today. In his feature Chief Musquakie – A Compelling Indigenous Name, regular contributor Patrick Boyer provides insights not only into the naming of Muskoka but a well-researched look into the life and times of not one but two chiefs by the name of Musquakie, a father and a son.While there is much more to the background of these Indigenous leaders than space will allow in a magazine article, it is important to reﬂect on their outlook of Indigenous laws and customs, and their interactions with settlers as they populated Indigenous lands. Muskoka may not be in the forefront of the Indigenous / settler issues of today but there is still much that needs to be acknowledged and embraced from our Indigenous community. rough better understand-ing, we can walk together.As we learn more about the world around us, there are Muskokans who are ﬁnding ways to be less intrusive and to celebrate our environment.As writer Bronwyn Boyer notes, sisters Jackie and Leslie Brunton of ree Birds Flower Farm have “a shared eco-anxiety and really care for the environment.” However, rather than allowing that concern to overwhelm them, they’ve found a way to provide a local service that ﬁts well with the needs of Muskokans and the environment.Likewise, writer Sandy Lockhart tells the story of agronomist Bet Smith whose concern for the environment is reﬂected in her other passion of blacksmithing and celebrated in the music she writes and performs.And, for celebrating natural Muskoka, the photography and ﬁrst-person feature by contributor Andy Zeltkans reveals not only the beauty of the district but how it can be enjoyed, up close and personal. His article on SUP exploring opens a whole new window on discovering Muskoka.We think you’ll ﬁnd there’s much to read in this issue of Unique Muskoka that provides better understanding on where we’ve been and where we need to go.Happy reading!July 2022 UNIQUE MUSKOKA 9

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12 UNIQUE MUSKOKA July 2022devoting a surprising amount of time to activities related to incontinence, and disciplining herself to stay upbeat. She recounts the whole journey in her ﬁrst book, Dear Braveheart.“ere was no one else to do it,” she says. “It was a job for which I was not trained. But I believe that everybody has it in them to be a support person, if you really care for your loved one. A lot of people say ‘I couldn’t do that,’ but marriage is supposed to be a two-way street.”Rondeau, who ﬁrst attempted a novel full of “all kinds of angst” at 14, began writing about her caretaker experience about three years into it. “It was therapeutic, writing my heart out at night while he was asleep,” she shares. “You have to get release somewhere.” She had no thought of publishing until fellow members of a writers’ group in Baysville suggested her work might be helpful to new caregivers. “When I got together all the solutions that Tony and I created – he really wanted to help – I saw we had some good hints,” she recounts. Solutions they developed together included using elastic bands to help Tony’s weakening hands grip, applying for the disability tax credit, taking him to the park for calming garden walks, and using mental tricks like “changing channels” to maintain patience and Sherry Rondeau worked diligently to stay positive and upbeat while caring for her husband. She focussed on nding something good or “a strawberry” each day to enjoy. S ummer Vibes

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When they learned of her husband’s diagnosis, Sherry Rondeau retired early to care for him, knowing in her heart that he would do the same for her. The story she shares in Dear Braveheart is inspiring. We’re Celebrating our14 Gray Road, Bracebridge, ON P1L 1P8MAPLE COOKIES350 g. 1.800.461.5445info@mapleorchardfarms.comwith some Sweet Deals35YEARSTHANKYOUMapleOrchard299$1699$Farms- FACTORY OUTLET SPECIALS -16$PURE MAPLE SYRUP1 LitreASSORTED CHOCOLATEScalm. Rondeau details it all in crisp smooth writing cut with quirky humour and lush descriptions of weather and landscapes, inner and outer. e result can be a tough read but never waivers from being a love story. Ultimately, the story is inspiring.Picked up by Crossﬁeld Publishing out of St. Mary’s, Ontario, Dear Braveheart was released in March 2022 and required second printing by May. Rondeau has hit the lecture circuit locally, appearing at the District of Muskoka seniors’ program, the United Church in Bracebridge and other venues, and has even made a workshop presentation available online. “Inspiration is the best motivator,” she asserts.Her future publishing plans? She has already completed four of seven conceived romantic adventure novels extending from Dear Braveheart but ﬁctionalized, except for the settings. Her heroine is “Bobbi,” not “Sherry,” but spends time in Bracebridge and other small towns in Ontario. e ﬁrst manuscript, From ornbury to Love, is under submission. “I want to give examples in story form of how women can move forward again, put new shoes on their feet and ﬁnd their wings,” Rondeau explains. “I’m trying to create a bloom of excitement for women, so they can evolve into a new self. ere’s good guys, bad guys and a little bit of spice, because you have to have a little bit of spice.”Rondeau continues to use “a strawberry a day” in her work too. e strategy, borrowed from a member of her caregivers’ support group, focuses on identifying and being grateful for an everyday pleasure: “look for a strawberry every day, collect it and revel in the pleasure of it.”Words to live by, really, not just for caregivers but for everyone.Dear Braveheart is available directly from Crossﬁeld Publishing or through Amazon or Chapters Indigo.Forget-me-nots, the symbol of the Alzheimer’s Society, are used to represent those living with Alzheimer’s, those supporting someone with Alzheimer’s and someone raising awareness about dementia. July 2022 UNIQUE MUSKOKA 13

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Birch trees, prized for their beauty and their many uses, are sun-hungry, fast-growing trees that are more likely to thrive in the open or in young forests. ere are 41 species of trees, native to Muskoka, and another 24 smaller trees classiﬁed as shrubs. All play signiﬁcant roles in the balance of Muskoka’s ecosystem. is series explores some of the more visible of our trees. Attractive in landscapes and valued for its wood and bark, birch is a standout in our forests. However, birch trees are less common in Muskoka than they used to be. Ironically, that’s good news.Muskoka’s two birch species, white birch and yellow birch, are being crowded out. ey are not vanishing altogether but they are taking a back seat to the big pines, maples and oaks that make up a mature, climax forest. Birches are the pioneers in a natural succession process, over decades or centuries, developing into stable, old growth forest. After Muskoka’s forests were stripped by loggers and farmers during settlement, the birch and other pioneer species were happy to take advantage of the open land, often growing on top of rotting stumps. In the Article by John ChallisPhotograph: Tim duVernetJuly 2022 UNIQUE MUSKOKA 15

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16 UNIQUE MUSKOKA July 2022INTRODUCING KIATHEThe Sportage21 Robert Dollar Dr, Bracebridge, ON P1L 1P9705-645-6575MUSKOKA KIARESIDENTIAL • COMMERCIALINDUSTRIAL519.865.6209ARKLTD.CAGENERATORSSMART HOME SYSTEMSNEW CONSTRUCTIONLIGHTINGECRA/ESA #7010474705-375-2797WATER ACCESS PROPERTIESSpecializing inmuskokaseptic@gmail.commuskokasepticservices.comSEPTIC PUMPINGwoods, you may have come across a weird tangle of roots suspended above the soil, like arthritic ﬁngers probing the ground, identifying the empty space where the former stump had completely decayed.Birches are sun-hungry, fast-growing trees, uniquely adapted to life out in the open, where other trees would be vulnerable to disease, wind or hungry herbivores. e white of their familiar, papery bark comes from an ingredient called betulin, which has properties that defend against disease attacks. e white bark also reﬂects sunlight, protecting the tree in all seasons. e outer bark is tough, bitter and astringent, discouraging browsers. But a nibble on a yellow birch bud yields the taste of wintergreen. Yellow birch also tolerates shade in rich, damp soil alongside other hardwoods. e birch tree has a profound role as nursemaid to the next generations in the forest. Dr. Suzanne Simard’s research has discovered birches connect with other trees through a network of tiny underground shoots of fungi, called mycorrhizae. In her best-selling book Finding the Mother Tree, she indicates that, through this fungal network, birch trees provide nitrogen for nearby ﬁr trees, and help to defend the ﬁrs against The familiar, papery bark of a white birch contains betulin, which has properties that protect the tree from disease.Photograph: John Challis

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harmful fungi. In turn, the ﬁrs share carbon back to the birches in the spring to aid in leaf growth. Simard’s research is based in British Columbia, but it’s likely the same feedback loop is taking place underground in Muskoka’s forests.e very traits that make birch so important to the forest have made them extremely valuable to humans. ey’ve been tapped by Indigenous people for sap, much like maple. First Nations peoples also used extracts of birch bark or leaves for pain relief and other remedies. Today there is promising research into the medicinal properties of chemicals in the chaga mushroom, a parasite of birch trees.e tough bark of white birch and its lightweight wood were ideal materials for the birchbark canoe. Archeological evidence shows the canoes have been in use for at least 3,000 years.In more recent history, yellow birch found a role in World War II. e Mosquito bomber, designed by Canadian Geoﬀrey de Havilland, was made almost entirely of balsa covered in sheets of birch plywood, in response to the acute shortages of metal alloys. Although treated with skepticism at ﬁrst, the Mosquito proved to be one of the fastest, safest aircraft in the war. ey were more manoeuvrable when hit by enemy ﬁre and quickly repaired to go back into service.If the maple leaf had not become Canada’s national symbol, the heart-shaped birch leaf might have been a solid contender, symbolic of a nurturing, innovative society.As versatile and valuable as birch trees are in the forest, they have been equally prized by humans through the years. Much like maple trees, Indigenous people have tapped birch trees for sap as well as using birch bark and leaves for pain relief and other remedies. 705.645.4294 TF: 866.645.4294STORE: 228 TAYLOR RD., BRACEBRIDGEOFFICE: 1646 WINHARA RD., GRAVENHURSTSales & Service of MajorPropane Appliances(refrigerators, ranges, fireplaces, furnaces & more)Safe & reliableNo electricity requiredBulk propane deliveryto your home or cottageAppliancesSERVING MUSKOKA &PARRY SOUND FOROVER 70 YEARSPhotograph: John ChallisJuly 2022 UNIQUE MUSKOKA 17

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Photograph: Shirley BurtonDON’T SETTLE FOR BASIC COVERAGEIf all your current insurance company can o er you is basic coverage on a secondary/seasonal home, make the switch to CottageInsure and fully protect your cottage and belongings in the same way your home insurance policy does.Get a FREE Quote in just  ve minutes by clicking: cottageinsure.ca or Call 1-877-541-9022We’ve been protecting Ontario cottages since 1910.COTTAGE & LAKEASSOCIATION MEMBERDISCOUNTSDISCOUNTSFOR FIREBOATRESPONSE SERVICEEXTRA COVERAGESFOR GARAGES, GUEST CABINS& WATERCRAFTGUARANTEED REPLACEMENT COST ON DWELLING & CONTENTSTHE MOST TRUSTED GUARANTEED REPLACEMENT COST COTTAGE INSURANCE PROGRAM IN ONTARIOArticle by J. Patrick BoyerIn 1956, Leila Cope, librarian in Port Carling from 1940 to 1959 said “e history of a library is really the history of the community.” Sixty-six years later, Cathy Duck, CEO of Muskoka Lakes Public Library shares, “I fully agree with that.”Deep immersion in their community, its local history and their role as librarian helped each of them gain this insight. Cope was daughter of Port Carling’s ﬁrst librarian, George Sutton. Duck, head librarian since 2014, is a great-great-great granddaughter of the community’s ﬁrst reeve, John McDermott. Port Carling is a microcosm for how a library embodies history; ﬁrst mirroring the community creating it, next shaping village culture over time, then ﬁnding its role recast by forces beyond local control. On August 19, 1887, ten men intent on establishing a library gathered in Victoria Hall on Port Carling’s main street. William Hanna, George Sutton, James Stephen, Arthur Lowe, William Foreman, Frederick D. Stubbs, W.S. Stewart, John Hutton, William Pooler, and Rev. Wilson MacDonald combined forces. ey put up the money, allocated space (in Hanna’s Victoria Hall), oﬀered to donate books, elected oﬃcers, and named Sutton the librarian. is potent mix of seasonal and full-time Muskokans had chalked up another accomplishment. Inauguration of library service in Port Carling followed the era’s alternate models for lending-library activity. e method of settlers pooling their own resources and then expanding facilities over time resembled how Muskoka pioneers also started schools – from the ground up as a local initiative. e second model follows the libraries inaugurated in the U.S. by Benjamin Franklin in 1779 and in Britain by skilled tradesmen and engineers. In Britain, established book collections were available to members only; a system perfected by the Mechanics’ Institute. e increasing application of science and Sarah and William Hanna (above), prominent business owners in Port Carling, knew the value of books for a community, and strongly supported creation of the village’s Mechanics’ Institute Library in 1887. The library was rst located in Victoria Hall (top photo), owned by the Hannas.Photograph: Boyer Family ArchivesPhotograph: Sybil Dick CollectionThe library in Port Carling was rebuilt in 2001, thanks to seasonal residents Norma and Miller Alloway. Photograph: Tomasz SzumskiJuly 2022 UNIQUE MUSKOKA 19

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20 UNIQUE MUSKOKA July 2022stoneway marble & granite inc.Les and Renata Partyka1295 Muskoka Rd. 118 West, Bracebridge | 705.645.3380 | stoneway.inc@gmail.comLife here is good.WE ARE HIRING!Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare is looking for caring professionals to join our health care team.Make your move to Muskoka today!Full-time, part-time and temporary positions availablein a variety of health care disciplines and hospital departments.Learn more about career opportunities and apply onlineat www.mahc.ca/careers/engineering during the Steam Era and the Industrial Revolution led to the elevation of educated tradesmen in society. Mechanical engineers exploring the connection between things saw how fragmentation of learning through specialization became limiting and sought the reintegration of knowledge. In Canada, these Mechanics’ Institutes were the most advanced form of known library. With many forming, in 1851 the legislature enacted a statute to govern their operation, giving Mechanics’ Institute libraries both an oﬃcial status and clear structure. is made it easy for local eﬀorts when Muskoka settlement began, with the district’s ﬁrst Mechanics’ Institute Library established in 1874 at Bracebridge and a second at Port Carling in 1887. ese were private subscription libraries. eir co-operative structure gave members access to more books than they could aﬀord individually, plus other beneﬁts. Members subscribed annually to borrow books, keep up-to-date with newspapers and periodicals in a reading room, and hear talks by experts. Port Carling’s annual membership was $1, plus 50 cents for each additional family member borrowing books. In 1890, the Mechanics’ Institute began Today’s library programs are much more than books. As a community hub, the Port Carling branch of the Muskoka Lakes Public Library oers a tackle share program with shing rods and gear. Photograph: Tomasz Szumski

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100% Canadian Artists• Large Original Paintings• Whimsical Sculptures• Hand made wood bowls,pottery & jewelry111 Medora St. (Hwy 118 West.)Port Carling, Muskoka705 765 7474www.redcanoegallery.comCelebrating 29 years in Muskoka(parking at rear)Rhapsody In Blues 72x40 B.Nowaknight school classes for those unable to attend during daytime hours. Night classes were taught by Miss Stewart, Port Carling’s school teacher, underscoring the twinned educational role of public libraries and public schools.By May 1895 Port Carling’s council converted the Mechanics’ Institute into a “public library” under Ontario’s Free Libraries Act, enacted in 1882. To qualify, the library had to have at least 100 members. To help reach this threshold, Port Carling’s fee for patrons was dropped to 30 cents for adults, 20 cents for children. However, the library was struggling under ﬁnancial woes. In 1905, the municipality took over the Port Carling Public Library directly, ostensibly to stabilize its ﬁnances. is gambit presented new challenges, with municipal councillors more at ease dealing with culverts and load limits than shelving for books or reading rooms. To save money, council simply rehoused Port Carling’s library in a room of its new village hall – space that doubled as cloak-room for events, dressing-room for concerts, kitchen area to serve community suppers, and caucusing venue for municipal issues. Ontario’s Library Inspector reported he’d “never seen a worse arrangement for a library.” A very diﬀerent transition, reﬂecting social progress in the community, was the rise of female librarians. Initially, a succession of Port Carling men cycled through the librarian role. After George Sutton resigned in 1891, there was a string of seven men in the role, some lasting only a year. Wartime took men overseas and opened positions for women. During the Great War, in 1918, Mrs. John Matheson became the ﬁrst woman on the library board – a position she did not yield for a quarter century. Brieﬂy in the 1920s, when Frederick Stubbs withdrew as librarian due to illness, Mrs. Arthur Knott As the agship branch of the Muskoka Lakes Public Library, Port Carling Library is a xture in the community for seasonal and year-round residents alike. As the region continues to grow and develop, so does the library to fulll the needs of its members. Photograph: Tomasz SzumskiJuly 2022 UNIQUE MUSKOKA 21

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22 UNIQUE MUSKOKA July 2022Photograph: Tomasz Szumski705.765.0600 • Port Carlingwww.sifft.caECRA / ESA 7002295 • TSSA 000365522MUSKOKA • PARRY SOUNDYour Source For All Your Electrical, HVAC, Backup Power And Home Automation NeedsWhen a power outage strikes, SOMMERS RESIDENTIAL GENERATORSensure your home or cottage automatically stays powered onA full range of generators that can be custom built to suit your home or cottage’s speciﬁc needs, so you’ll always have standby power ready.ﬁlled in temporarily. During the Second World War, in 1940, Port Carling’s ﬁrst full-time female librarian, Leila M. Cope, achieved a more enduring breakthrough, remaining librarian until 1959. A third transition began in 1970 when the advent of District government entailed combining many Muskoka municipalities into six. Communities around Lake Muskoka found themselves in a larger single township named “Muskoka Lakes.” e reconstituted municipality in turn restructured its libraries in a single system; the integrated Muskoka Lakes Library. Port Carling’s head librarian would become CEO for the entire system, which, at one time, included libraries in Bala, Walker’s Point and Milford Bay.Today, CEO of Muskoka Lakes Public Library, Cathy Duck, and six other female librarians for Port Carling and Bala, are the full staﬀ complement of Muskoka Lakes Township Public Library. e half-dozen members of the library board, chaired by Valerie Duke, number ﬁve women and one man. e Township’s ﬂagship library in Port Carling, reopened in new purpose-built facilities on August 18, 2001. e library remains a community centrepiece, prominent on the main street, 114 years after the village library was founded. e ever-essential role of seasonal Muskokans is the reason the library building is named for principal benefactors, Norma and Miller Alloway. eir deep commitment to education and Muskoka was carried through, with engaged support from their son Graham, into one of Canada’s ﬁnest small libraries.Although today’s library programs reach far beyond books, books and their contents remain both the spinal column and central nervous system of this highly democratic public institution. Prominent, visible and accessible from the main street, Port Carling’s library has continuously evolved since its inception as a room in William Hanna’s Victoria Hall in 1887.

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As a blacksmith and singer-songwriter, Bet Smith appears to be a study in contrasts. With a closer look, however, her artistic undertakings go well together. e hard, physical work with her hands allows her ample time to think and let her creative mind wander. She writes some of her best songs when working at her forge.Smith describes herself as a folk and alt-country singer-songwriter. And while the two go together, she admits song writing is her favourite. Upon listening to her music, one quickly realizes that her voice singing her own songs is truly captivating.“I use it as a platform for environmental and social activism and advocacy,” she explains. “You will hear that much more than me singing love songs.” As a blacksmith, she made the decision to purchase a wood-ﬁred forge about a year ago. Smith’s workshop is mostly outdoors, so the new forge works well and burns hot. She also feels better about her creative work being fueled by an environmentally-friendly source. Smith explains that in the past she could easily burn a barbecue-size propane tank of gas over a weekend. Now her wood is almost entirely scraps, skids and brush donated by friends and family.Article by Sandy Lockhart / Photography by Kelly HolinsheadPersephone Forge, the name of Bet Smith’s workshop, is an ode to Greek mythology and Smith’s own love of nature, growing and making things. ARTISTICALLY COMBINING MUSIC, BLACKSMITHING AND NATURE

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“My best songs come about when I’m doing tedious, physical labour – which sometimes describes metalwork and can also describe pulling soil samples from a thousand-acre potato ﬁeld,” she says.In her “day job,” Smith works as an agronomist; an expert in the science of soil management and crop production. She works with plants, soil and growing media for a variety of diﬀerent applications, from parks and athletic ﬁelds to heritage gardens to agriculture. Over the course of her work, she continues to learn more about soil, crops and the earth“I’m an accredited Green Roof Professional and I’m a member of Regeneration Canada, a group that advocates for carbon-sequestering farming practices,” Smith says. “I’m particularly nerdy about urban and regenerative agriculture as well as green infrastructure.”She had her ﬁrst taste of blacksmithing in 2004 when attending the Kootenay School of Arts. She was interested in pottery, but during the ﬁrst six weeks of the program, students had to try four diﬀerent disciplines. As it turned out, pottery was not her thing. “I was terrible at ceramics,” Smith shares. “Other students were throwing beautiful, delicate pots. Mine were short and chunky and usually lopsided after I clumsily removed them from the throwing wheel.”Metalwork was one of the disciplines she tried at the school of the arts. She “dabbled” in that art form for a few years.“I tried metal and loved it,” she says. “I liked that I could drop it and it wouldn’t break.” At one point, she and a friend built a forge on Denman Island in British Columbia but that was short-lived. A few years later, in 2013, she had an opportunity to work on her metalwork skills in Muskoka. “I welded for Inclined Elevation for a summer,” Smith explains. “I practised every day for a month until my work was good enough to go.”en she spent a winter welding for a special eﬀects and set-building company in Toronto. Two of the highlights were working on the stands for two Mini Coopers set up like running shoes in starting blocks for the 2015 PanAm Games and welding the stairs for Drake’s Hotline Bling video.After that, she returned to Muskoka to start Bet Smith prefers the songwriter title in singer-songwriter and enjoys hearing others sing her words. Time spent at her forge oen provides the best time for her to think creatively and develop music. July 2022 UNIQUE MUSKOKA 25

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blacksmithing again. In 2017, Smith built a forge, and a lean-to style shed to protect it, at her parent’s Bracebridge home and collected all the materials needed for blacksmithing. “My anvil is rusty and dented with one straight edge,” she says, adding that her uncle found it for her at an auction. When deciding on a name for her smithy, her inspiration came from her own multiple interests and loves. She settled on Persephone Forge. “Persephone is a goddess who, in Greek mythology, is a symbol of both the underworld and nature’s bounty – sometimes depicted holding a torch, other times a sheaf of wheat or a cornucopia,” explains Smith. “As someone who spends oodles of time in nature and loves to grow things, the name ﬁts.”She says working as a blacksmith “is hard but satisfying work.” She is often asked about burns but laughs and responds, “I burn myself all the time, but that usually happens in the kitchen, rarely at the forge.”Decorative, functional hardware is how Smith describes her products. With her small shop, she prefers to craft smaller, more manageable items like door knockers, handle hardware, chandeliers, pot racks, ﬁrewood holders, and hooks, including guitar hooks, as well as custom pieces too. Smith likes that, since each piece is handmade, it has its own unique checks and ﬁnish marks.“I don’t go in with a plan, not even a sketch,” she explains of the creative process in her blacksmith shed. “I kind of let the metal do its own thing. It grows on its own. I spend time with the metal. You don’t want to be in a rush. I like the feel. It’s so free.”Smith fondly recalls what an art teacher said about this type of work. “It’s kind of cool to make things that will last longer than you. I like to create things that people can use and will last.” Smith’s guitar hooks are probably her most popular creation. It’s not a coincidence that the popular piece is a combination of Every piece that Bet Smith develops in her forge is special, since she doesn’t sketch or plan her works. With a small, outdoor shop, she prefers to create smaller, decorative yet functional hardware, each with its own unique marks. Never in a rush, she lets the metal guide the design. July 2022 UNIQUE MUSKOKA 27

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2022 SUMMER PERFORMANCEShuntsvillefestival.ca | Box Office 705.789.4975SCAN TO CHECK OUT THE LINE UP!...AND MORE CONCERTS AND EVENTS IN AUGUSTJuly 2 • Michael KaeshammerJazz & Boogie Woogie from a Piano VirtuosoJuly 3 • Artist Life Stories: Maureen JenningsAn Intimate Conversation with the Writer of Murdoch MysteriesJuly 7 • Mary Walsh Canadian Comedy QueenJuly 8 • Joel Plaskett East Coast Rocker Goes Acoustic July 9 • Songs in the Key of CreeCabaret with Legendary Indigenous Playwright Tomson HighwayJuly 11-15 Music at Noon Free Concerts at Trinity United ChurchJuly 14 • William Prince Award Winning Folk & CountryJuly 15-17 • Ralph + Lina Hilarious Heartfelt TheatreJuly 21• Downchild Blues BandThe Iconic Canadian Band Celebrates its 50th AnniversaryJuly 22 • Natalie MacMaster Celtic Fiddle & Step DanceJuly 23 • Nuit Blanche NorthJuly 27 • Jim Cuddy A Hot Ticket! Jim Returns to the Festival StageJuly 28 • Nathaniel Dett ChoraleChoir Dedecated to Afrocentric Music July 29 • Gord Sinclair Tragically Hip Bass Player Flies Solo!July 30 • Movie on the DocksFree Screening of Classic FilmsHFAUniqueMuskokaJune2022.qxp_Layout 1 2022-05-30 8:42 AM Page 12022 SUMMER PERFORMANCEShuntsvillefestival.ca | Box Office 705.789.4975SCAN TO CHECK OUT THE LINE UP!...AND MORE CONCERTS AND EVENTS IN AUGUSTJuly 2 • Michael KaeshammerJazz & Boogie Woogie from a Piano VirtuosoJuly 3 • Artist Life Stories: Maureen JenningsAn Intimate Conversation with the Writer of Murdoch MysteriesJuly 7 • Mary Walsh Canadian Comedy QueenJuly 8 • Joel Plaskett East Coast Rocker Goes Acoustic July 9 • Songs in the Key of CreeCabaret with Legendary Indigenous Playwright Tomson HighwayJuly 11-15 Music at Noon Free Concerts at Trinity United ChurchJuly 14 • William Prince Award Winning Folk & CountryJuly 15-17 • Ralph + Lina Hilarious Heartfelt TheatreJuly 21• Downchild Blues BandThe Iconic Canadian Band Celebrates its 50th AnniversaryJuly 22 • Natalie MacMaster Celtic Fiddle & Step DanceJuly 23 • Nuit Blanche NorthJuly 27 • Jim Cuddy A Hot Ticket! Jim Returns to the Festival StageJuly 28 • Nathaniel Dett ChoraleChoir Dedecated to Afrocentric Music July 29 • Gord Sinclair Tragically Hip Bass Player Flies Solo!July 30 • Movie on the DocksFree Screening of Classic FilmsHFAUniqueMuskokaJune2022.qxp_Layout 1 2022-05-30 8:42 AM Page 1

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blacksmithing and music – her two main passions. Working as a blacksmith is grueling work and Smith says she can’t imagine doing it full time. e good news is, she’s devoted to her music, too. “I wouldn’t choose one, I’m happy with my many roles,” she shares.In contrast to the physically challenging work in her forge, writing songs is a mental activity. Smith ﬁnds pounding on metal and creating song lyrics are highly complementary activities.“When I work with my hands, I free my thoughts,” she says. “It’s not easy to just sit down and say I’m going to write a song.”Smith has recorded four albums, including a children’s album, with the Currie Brothers of Gravenhurst. “I’m fortunate to have collaborated with Rob and Andrew as well as honorary-bro, Sarah Girdwood, on so much music-making over the past seven or so years,” she says. “Rob Currie, a musical genius, also produced and recorded all of the albums we made.” Her preferred shows are when she plays for It’s no surprise that guitar hooks — a piece that combines Bet Smith’s passions of music and blacksmithing — are her most popular and most requested item. 2022 SUMMER PERFORMANCEShuntsvillefestival.ca | Box Office 705.789.4975SCAN TO CHECK OUT THE LINE UP!...AND MORE CONCERTS AND EVENTS IN AUGUSTJuly 2 • Michael KaeshammerJazz & Boogie Woogie from a Piano VirtuosoJuly 3 • Artist Life Stories: Maureen JenningsAn Intimate Conversation with the Writer of Murdoch MysteriesJuly 7 • Mary Walsh Canadian Comedy QueenJuly 8 • Joel Plaskett East Coast Rocker Goes Acoustic July 9 • Songs in the Key of CreeCabaret with Legendary Indigenous Playwright Tomson HighwayJuly 11-15 Music at Noon Free Concerts at Trinity United ChurchJuly 14 • William Prince Award Winning Folk & CountryJuly 15-17 • Ralph + Lina Hilarious Heartfelt TheatreJuly 21• Downchild Blues BandThe Iconic Canadian Band Celebrates its 50th AnniversaryJuly 22 • Natalie MacMaster Celtic Fiddle & Step DanceJuly 23 • Nuit Blanche NorthJuly 27 • Jim Cuddy A Hot Ticket! Jim Returns to the Festival StageJuly 28 • Nathaniel Dett ChoraleChoir Dedecated to Afrocentric Music July 29 • Gord Sinclair Tragically Hip Bass Player Flies Solo!July 30 • Movie on the DocksFree Screening of Classic FilmsHFAUniqueMuskokaJune2022.qxp_Layout 1 2022-05-30 8:42 AM Page 12022 SUMMER PERFORMANCEShuntsvillefestival.ca | Box Office 705.789.4975SCAN TO CHECK OUT THE LINE UP!...AND MORE CONCERTS AND EVENTS IN AUGUSTJuly 2 • Michael KaeshammerJazz & Boogie Woogie from a Piano VirtuosoJuly 3 • Artist Life Stories: Maureen JenningsAn Intimate Conversation with the Writer of Murdoch MysteriesJuly 7 • Mary Walsh Canadian Comedy QueenJuly 8 • Joel Plaskett East Coast Rocker Goes Acoustic July 9 • Songs in the Key of CreeCabaret with Legendary Indigenous Playwright Tomson HighwayJuly 11-15 Music at Noon Free Concerts at Trinity United ChurchJuly 14 • William Prince Award Winning Folk & CountryJuly 15-17 • Ralph + Lina Hilarious Heartfelt TheatreJuly 21• Downchild Blues BandThe Iconic Canadian Band Celebrates its 50th AnniversaryJuly 22 • Natalie MacMaster Celtic Fiddle & Step DanceJuly 23 • Nuit Blanche NorthJuly 27 • Jim Cuddy A Hot Ticket! Jim Returns to the Festival StageJuly 28 • Nathaniel Dett ChoraleChoir Dedecated to Afrocentric Music July 29 • Gord Sinclair Tragically Hip Bass Player Flies Solo!July 30 • Movie on the DocksFree Screening of Classic FilmsHFAUniqueMuskokaJune2022.qxp_Layout 1 2022-05-30 8:42 AM Page 1BATH & KITCHEN SHOWROOMDESIGN. INSTALLATION. REPAIRSERVING ALL OF MUSKOKA279 MANITOBA ST, BRACEBRIDGE705.645.2671KNOWLESPLUMBING.COM @MUSKOKABATHTHE RIOBEL MOMENTI™ COLLECTION AVAILABLE AT KNOWLES PLUMBING!279 Manitoba Street, Bracebridge 705.645.2671 @knowlesplumbing @knowlesplumbing @knowlesplumbingBATH & KITCHEN SHOWROOMSALES•INSTALLATION•REPAIRSERVING ALL OF MUSKOKAknowlesplumbing.comMuskoka’s Bath & Plumbing CentreJuly 2022 UNIQUE MUSKOKA 29

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30 UNIQUE MUSKOKA July 2022Having multiple creative outlets keeps Bet Smith focused, letting her mind process and develop ideas and music while her hands work with soil at her day job or shape metal in her free time. intimate audiences, especially at outdoor festivals but also in small concert venues or even living rooms. Muskoka appearances for Smith include Muskoka Music Festival, Roots North, the Griﬃn Gastropub in Bracebridge and recently at the new Muskoka Earth Festival. Smith has also written for others including local singer Christina Hutt. “She has an amazing voice and I love to hear her sing my songs,” Smith says.Her many interests keep Smith happy and engaged. “I have a lot of love for soil and my weekday job,” she explains. “e blacksmithing and the song writing are creative outlets that complement each other – one is more physical, the other is more cerebral and is a handy place to put feelings.” Smith has a social conscience, with her wood forge creating functional items that could last a century, her music telling important stories and her countless days spent studying the earth’s soil. Instead of contrasts, this musician and blacksmith is focused.705-646-2508excelrailings.ca

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Muskoka is an area with a huge network of waterways. According to the Muskoka Watershed Council, there are over 2,000 lakes in Muskoka along with many rivers, creeks and ponds. e lakes, in addition to Muskoka’s proximity to places like Algonquin Park and Georgian Bay, have always made the area popular for canoeists and kayakers wanting to experience a trip into the wilderness. Although the canoe or the kayak are a great way to enjoy an outdoor adventure, a newer form of transport has begun to increase in popularity.Stand-up paddleboards (SUP) have a long and varied history from places around the world. However, their introduction to California in the early 2000s led to their skyrocketing popularity as a recreational form of transport. As new materials and technology developed, the modern SUP has become lighter, faster and more durable. Now, the vessel even lends itself to extended excursions into nature. I purchased my ﬁrst SUP around 10 years ago. Although I loved paddling my board, it never occurred to me that camping with a SUP would be possible. Several years after my ﬁrst purchase, I upgraded to a lighter Article and Photography by Andy Zeltkalns 32 UNIQUE MUSKOKA July 2022

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board. After attaching extra strapping to modify the SUP, I decided to test the board, and myself, with longer day trips exploring local lakes and rivers. A few of these excursions involved portaging, which led me to discover that moving a SUP over land was similar to carrying a canoe. In fact, land travel was easier since my board was quite a bit lighter than a canoe. ese day trips evolved into my ﬁrst overnight trip. I decided to paddle from Parry Sound to my family cottage on Healey Lake via Massasauga Provincial Park along Georgian Bay; a 50-kilometre trip. Aside from a few small glitches, the adventure was a success and from then on, I was hooked.Peter DeMos, owner of an outside gear and adventure store in Bracebridge, has also been an avid SUP enthusiast for the last decade and enjoys taking overnight excursions with his paddleboard. DeMos, who teaches paddleboarding skills and has introduced many people to the sport, advises those wanting to try SUP camping to select an inﬂatable board designed for touring. Inﬂatable boards are light and come with strapping to secure packs and other required gear. ey are also very durable and engineered to track well when paddling.Recently, I switched to an inﬂatable board for tripping and can vouch for a noticeable difference when portaging due to the lighter weight. Another feature that impressed me was how resilient inﬂatable boards are to bumps and scrapes that are often unavoidable when landing on or launching from a shoreline or pulling a board over a beaver dam or other obstacle. Last summer, during a trip along the Moon River, which ﬂows from Bala to Georgian Bay, I encountered low water levels. As a result, there w e re Stand-up paddleboards, growing in popularity since the early 2000s, can be used for short jaunts, day trips and even paddle-in overnight camping sojourns.

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34 UNIQUE MUSKOKA July 2022many areas where I had to drag and guide my SUP over river rock. Using an inﬂatable board made this task much easier and left my board undamaged. A similar trip with my old, hard board would have left me with chips and scratches to repair. Erin McDonald, who enjoys spending time outdoors in the backcountry, discovered SUP camping about three years ago and has never looked back. She loves to head north to Algonquin Park and the Muskoka region and attributes her venture into paddle tripping to the ease and convenience of using an inﬂatable SUP. “Living in a small apartment in Toronto doesn’t leave you much room for storage,” states McDonald, adding that having a board that can be deﬂated and stored in a backpack is ideal. Since a deﬂated SUP takes up much less room, it is also easier to transport, especially if you have a small vehicle or a vehicle without a roof rack. Courtney Sinclair, who leads SUP trips and is a certiﬁed paddleboard instructor, has been paddleboarding since 2013. It was Sinclair’s participation in the 2017 Muskoka River X race, however, that inspired her to try paddleboard camping. After completing the gruelling one day 80-kilometre event on her SUP, where she had to carry gear and traverse many portages, Sinclair decided to apply what she learned to her own adventure trips. She started taking overnight excursions to further develop her paddling to the next level. In 2019, Sinclair spent a season in Norway as a SUP guide helping lead paddlers on ﬁve-day trips through the Norwegian ords.DeMos, Sinclair and McDonald all agree that SUP tripping is a great way to travel solo when exploring the backcountry due to the ﬂexibility that a paddleboard oﬀers. “I love the freedom of movement that I get on my SUP,” explains McDonald. On a paddleboard, you are paddling mostly from a standing position but it is easy to shift your weight around or even kneel if you need to take a break. “I can manoeuvre my SUP more easily than a canoe,” states Sinclair. “And the trans-ition at portages is a lot smoother as well.” In addition to the ﬂexibility and maneuverability, DeMos loves the ﬁtness aspect of the activity. Paddling a SUP helps to develop core strength and balance.As a photographer, I try to take my camera everywhere and also enjoy the freedom of movement a SUP provides. I can stand, sit, kneel or lie down depending on the perspective I want to get. In one instance, I was able to ﬂoat close to a loon with her chicks while lying ﬂat on my board to snap some great photos. Especially when sitting or kneeling, a paddleboard becomes very stable and, unlike a canoe or kayak, won’t ﬂip over. Nevertheless, one caution to take note of when standing on a SUP is in shallow water where there are hidden obstacles underneath. e keel on a SUP has the potential of hitting something and throwing the paddler oﬀ balance. Whenever I enter unfamiliar, shallow waters, I kneel while paddling and go slowly, if possible. e standing position on a SUP, however, does give you a good vantage point, allowing you to look ahead and down into the water. As long as you are paying attention when standing, you can avoid any unwelcome surprises. When heading out on a paddling trip, DeMos prefers to travel light. For him, the goal is to ﬁt all of his gear into one waterproof pack, making portaging much easier. McDonald also likes to be mindful of the weight she is carrying on her paddleboard. Experiencing Muskoka by paddleboard can provide exceptional opportunities for photographing breathtaking landscapes (top) and rare sightings of wildlife, like a loon with her young (bottom). Ensure you’re prepared by packing gear in waterproof packs for the journey.

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When she ﬁrst started SUP tripping, it took some trial and error to determine the best way to pack and keep things light. For myself, packing for a trip has always been a bit more challenging due to the photography gear I want to take with me. Aside from having to ensure my gear is well protected, I also have to accept I will require more space and I’ll be carrying extra weight. For me, the sacriﬁce is one I’m willing to make for the opportunity to capture great images.Investing in a quality waterproof backpack can make a vast diﬀerence in your SUP tripping. With a wide variety currently on the market, selecting a pack that meets your own needs for space and comfort is important. ese packs, in combination with various sizes of waterproof stuﬀ sacks for food, clothing and other gear, are an asset.When considering where to explore, consulting with a local outﬁtter for advice can be helpful as you plan and they may have their own recommendation of favourite places to paddle. Canoeing and Hiking Wild Muskoka: An Eco-Adventure Guide by Muskoka resident Hap Wilson is also a wealth of information to guide your planning. Whenever you choose to venture into the wilderness, always have a safety plan ready. Let others know where you plan to go, wear a personal ﬂotation device and carry a ﬁrst-aid kit. When exploring oﬀ the grid, I carry a satellite communicator as an emergency backup, especially when I’m out on my own. No matter how experienced you are, mishaps can occur and you must be prepared. As well, with any trip into nature, it is essential to practice good outdoor ethics and camp in an environmentally responsible way. When I turned 60, I embarked on a personal challenge of paddling 60 diﬀerent water bodies in a year using my SUP. A large part of my goal was achieved with single day trips where I was able to cover multiple lakes or rivers in a day. Another fun way to enjoy SUP camping is to paddle into a nice spot, set up base camp and spend a couple of days Newer inatable SUPs are light and easy to transport, making them easier to portage during an adventure than a canoe or kayak, even when packed with camping gear. Standing on a paddleboard provides a good vantage point to check your surroundings, both around you and below the water, and to appreciate how far you've paddled.July 2022 UNIQUE MUSKOKA 35

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36 UNIQUE MUSKOKA July 2022exploring the area. You do not need to do a multi-day, extended expedition to enjoy the SUP experience. Plan your trip so you feel comfortable and conﬁdent. If you are new to the sport, renting a SUP is a good way to try before you buy. If you are considering trying a SUP excursion for the ﬁrst time, it’s always best to start small and build up your skill level and experience. A day trip can be an excellent mini-adventure and you can cover a lot of territory. Plus, shorter day trips are a great way to test gear, ﬁgure out logistics, and build ﬁtness before you dive into something bigger.With so many wild spaces to explore, the freedom, ﬂexibility and ﬁtness beneﬁts that SUP tripping oﬀers can open up your world to new possibilities. Editor’s Note: this feature article is based on the personal experiences of the contributor and therefore utilizes the ﬁrst person perspective.If you’re new to paddleboarding, set a goal, start small and build up your skill level and experience before trying an overnight camping trip. Join us on facebook.com@artistsofthelimberlost1Meet 22 artists at 8 studios and historic lodge settings featuring painting, woodturning, stone and wood sculpture, furniture, bre, pottery, knifemaking, and jewellery by artists from Muskoka and beyond.OPEN STUDIO WEEKENDAugust 19, 20 and 21, 2022 • 10 am to 5 pmartistsofthelimberlost.caLimberlost Road is Muskoka Road 8 just 10 minutes east of Huntsville on Hwy 60See website for map and details or call 705-635-2093Studios open other times by apppointment.

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38 UNIQUE MUSKOKA July 2022The name ree Birds has a double meaning for Jackie and Leslie Brunton, the sisters who created ree Birds Flower Farm. Since there are actually three Brunton sisters, it leaves the possibility for the expansion. But they also live by the cardinal rule of always planting in odd numbers. “We would never plant in twos, so ‘Two Birds’ just didn’t sit right,” Jackie says with a laugh. e third bird is likely to be the oldest sister, Jessica, who also loves growing beautiful ﬂowers. “She’s actually the one who would work in the gardens with our dad growing up,” explains Leslie. “She’s also an incredible businesswoman, and she’s very supportive of what we’re doing. Someday we hope she’ll come up and join us.”Jackie and Leslie have been running a gardening business for 15 years, serving clients on lakes Rosseau and Joseph. While they have employees to delegate most of the workload, adding a ﬂower farm to their plate is an ambitious undertaking. Since its inception last year, their ﬂower farm has seen rapid growth in demand. It’s just the two of them, for now, but their love of ﬂower farming is worth it. “We like a challenge,” says Jackie. “We felt like we needed to head towards something that could be more of a passion project. We have a combined 30 years’ experience with gardening, so we wanted to take the next step and do something more creative.” It wasn’t just creative inspiration that sparked the birth of ree Birds Flower Article by Bronwyn Boyer / Photography by Andy ZeltkalnsSisters Jackie (le) and Leslie Brunton ocially began ower farming in 2021, a new endeavour while already running a landscaping business for over 15 years.

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Farm. Jackie and Leslie also have a strong desire to bring change to an industry that has an extensive carbon footprint. “We have a shared eco-anxiety and really care for the environment,” Jackie explains. “We feel like we need to do something positive and bridge the gap by oﬀering a product for local ﬂorists. A big part of our journey has been talking to our customers and trying to bring awareness about an industry that has been quite unethical.” “Florists want to be more environmentally -conscious, but it’s hard to ﬁnd local growers that can support that demand,” Leslie adds. “It’s not just the use of pesticides, but also the cost of long-distance transport and refrigeration. ere are also so many other damaging practices we didn’t know about until we started farming. So, we want to provide our community with something that combats that problem.” e sisters grew up loving nature, camping in the summer and skiing in the winter. Starting a landscaping business at young ages meant most of their time was spent outdoors. Knowing this, it’s easy to understand why they’re so dedicated to being stewards of the Earth. But spreading awareness is an added burden most farmers don’t take on. “I think the mindset is starting to change,” Leslie says. “It can be overwhelming, but we can all start somewhere, in our own way.” eir focus on environmentally-conscious farming started with their landscaping business, as they tried as best they could to avoid using pesticides and chemical fertilizers. ey also tried to plant only native species and avoid the over-use of mowers and leaf blowers. Coping without pesticides is a challenge that requires creative solutions. After experimenting with various natural alternatives, the sisters found the most eﬀective pest control is their own hands – picking the bugs oﬀ the plants and dropping them into buckets of soapy water. ey also use nature to combat nature. “We try to get as many birds as we can onto the property,” explains Jackie. “We put up feeders to attract more varieties of birds that eat the bugs during the growing season. You can also buy ladybug larvae to eat aphids. Sometimes just spraying bugs oﬀ with a hose Like any farm, the planting process requires signicant planning to ensure a steady supply. This year, the Brunton sisters partnered with the Rileys of Brooklands Farm for a larger growing space (top). Seedlings were started in January at the sisters’ micro-farm (bottom) and then moved to the plot at Brooklands (middle) to be planted and to make room for more seedlings. July 2022 UNIQUE MUSKOKA 39

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40 UNIQUE MUSKOKA July 2022To ensure diversity in their crop, and subsequent bouquets, the Brunton sisters started 124 dierent owers and had over 15,000 seedlings to plant this year, including some unique and special kinds of owers for wedding installations. helps a lot. You just have to be diligent.” Water conservation is another important element in sustainable practice. By placing drip lines under landscape fabric, more moisture is retained during times of drought. e fabric also helps protect the plants from frost. Jackie and Leslie originally planned their ﬁrst growing year for 2020, but Covid-19 had them in survival mode and they planted vegetables instead of ﬂowers. en, in 2021, they seeded their ﬁrst ﬂower farm, selling at the farmer’s market in Port Carling as well as online through their website. ey spread the word through social media and their landscaping clients. is year, they entered a partnership with Ken and Katya Riley to be able to grow their ﬂowers at Brooklands Farm in Milford Bay. In addition to the added growing space, the sisters have learned a great deal from the Rileys, who come from six generations of sustainable farming. e ﬁrst round of seeds was started in January at the micro-farm in the sisters’ backyard. en an acre and a half’s worth of seedlings was moved to Brooklands Farm to 705-764-0765 | muskokabarging.com | 1163 Milford Bay Rd, Milford Bay ONBARGING STEEL & CRIB DOCKS SEPTIC SYSTEMS LANDSCAPING ● ●Muskoka Barging●Family run construction company with over 35 years experience operating in the Muskoka Lakes area. No job is too small or too big.

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“We'e got he curefor hat ales you”muskokabeerspa.comDOWNTOWN TORRANCEWelcoming day isitorsand overnight guests.make room for the next round to ensure there is a steady succession until fall. e ﬁnal product is admired at weddings and sold at garden centres and markets throughout Muskoka. e sisters were bolstered by the connections they made through selling at the farmers markets. “One of the best things about starting this venture has been meeting other tradespeople and getting excited about collaborating with them,” Leslie explains. For example, Muskoka Tye Dye is interested in using their ﬂowers for dying fabric for their popular tie dye apparel. “It’s about providing for each other locally,” adds Jackie. “We really feel welcomed by a community that teaches us and supports us in so many ways.”As the planting process requires a remarkable amount of planning and organizing to ensure a steady supply, there is no oﬀ-season. When they’re not growing and selling, they’re strategizing. “Every ﬂower has its own way of coming into the world – diﬀerent seeds have diﬀerent needs,” Leslie explains. “I feel connected to them all. I remember how I planted a tiny seed in January and watered and cared for it every day and watched it grow for several months. Each ﬂower is like our baby.” ere are a lot of babies. e sisters had about 15,000 seedlings to plant this year. ey started in window wells of their home, then under “caterpillar tunnels,” which are mini greenhouses installed over their garden beds. is allowed them the space to start seeds earlier in the season and provide tulips on Mother’s Day, which would not otherwise be possible. Since each bouquet requires ﬁve plants or “ingredients’’ to create, an average of 124 varieties of ﬂowers are grown. ey also plan The focus on environmentally-conscious farming started with the Bruntons' landscaping business, avoiding pesticides and chemical fertilizers and planting only native species. Taking the same approach to ower farming, they strive to implement sustainable practices. July 2022 UNIQUE MUSKOKA 41

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42 UNIQUE MUSKOKA July 2022Sourcing their seeds from Canadian farmers and working with partners, like sixth-generation sustainable farmers the Rileys, the Brunton sisters continue to learn, seek advice and develop a sense of community as they embark on their ower farming adventure. Book Now!Steamships • Discovery Centrewww.realmuskoka.com / 1-866-687-6667Muskoka Wharf, GravenhurstAUTHENTIC MUSKOKAHistory • Environment • Sustainabilityfor a small amount of specialty varieties of more unique ﬂowers used in special installations like arbours for weddings. In keeping with their dedication to lowering the carbon footprint, the sisters try to use environmentally-friendly labels and wrapping materials. ey also buy seeds from Canadian farmers as much as possible. e added beneﬁt of this is the sense of community that is fostered from seeking advice on dealing with pests and other tricks of the trade. Jackie and Leslie originally hail from Toronto, but Muskoka was always their home away from home. eir parents met when they were both 16 while they were visiting their family cottages. Naturally, that’s where the sisters spent their summers. Jackie learned the gardening trade through her summer job at Brackenrig Landscaping Company. e rest of the year was spent

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studying sociology and anthropology at Dalhousie University. It wasn’t long after when younger sister Leslie followed in her footsteps. She also studied sociology but at Bishop’s University in Quebec. eir gardening business, Labour Neighbour, was the result of being in the right place at the right time. “Our parents’ friends started asking us for gardening advice and to help out with their properties,” Jackie recalls. “Word of mouth spread and we decided to start our own business. We just fell into it.” Eventually Muskoka became a permanent home for the sisters and their children. “It’s a wonderful place for our kids to grow up,” says Leslie. e dynamic of siblings building a business together seems to work quite well. “Because we’re sisters, we can be really honest with each other and use whatever words we need to get our point across,” Jackie laughs. “We can talk to each other in ways we couldn’t with an employee. But because we communicate so well, things get resolved quickly. And we both love dealing with people; we get that from our mother - she loves to chit-chat.” In addition to many other ideas for ree Birds Flower Farm, the sisters eventually plan to oﬀer a pick-your-own bouquet attraction where customers can visit the farm and create their own arrangements. It’s also a wonderful setting for photo shoots. As for their gardening business, time will tell how the ﬂower farm will aﬀect Labour Neighbour. “We love landscaping and we love our clients, and we hope to be able to manage both as long as possible,” Jackie says. “We’ll see, but our hearts are with the ﬂower farm, and we have big dreams for its future.” 28 MANITOBA STREETBRACEBRIDGE | 705-637-0204Largest selection of Tilley Hats north of TorontoTHERE’S A TILLEY FOR EVERY OCCASIONNow offering a cute collection of Kids’ Tilley hatsJuly 2022 UNIQUE MUSKOKA 43

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As a widely renowned destina-tion, one might be inclined to assume Muskoka’s name pays tribute to a well-known historical ﬁgure. However, history is often distorted by whomever is in a position of power and thus, Chief Musquakie has remained unknown. In fact, the history of Chief Musquakie is the intertwining events of a father and son; both bearing the same name. e ﬁrst Head Chief of the Chippewas was referred to in British records of the 1790s as “e Yellow Head, Chief of Lake Simcoe.” Both names “Musquakie” and “Yellowhead” ache for clariﬁcation. Much eﬀort has been expended by First Nations to nail this down, yet enigmas remain. e ﬁrst Chief Musquakie’s origins are obscure. Sources indicate he was born between 1764 and 1769, possibly around Montreal, but without indicating parentage. Enhancing the chief’s legend was the oft-repeated statement in English-language books, including emigration agent W.E. Hamilton’s widely consulted 1879 Guide Book and Atlas of Muskoka and Parry Sound Districts, about Muskoka taking its name from the great “celebrity” warrior Musqua Ukee. However, the author gives in to poetic ﬂair, explaining that this name means “Not easily turned back on the day of battle.” While Hamilton’s statement about Musquakie’s courage is patently true, his jab at linguistics is not even close to an accurate translation.Musquakie means red earth. e diﬀerent spellings of “meskwi/miskwaa” for red simply vary with whoever is writing it. Spelling of “aki” for earth is, understandably, pretty consistent. “Musquakie” appears in attested historical records also spelled as “Misquuckkey” and “Mesqua Ukee.” In Iowa, a Meskwaki Nation at Tama is known as “People of the Red Earth.” Several imaginative non-Indigenous individuals have seized on this translation to suggest Muskoka District is named for its red soil. Whatever the chief did to earn his “Red Earth’’ name, the reality is the District is named for him, not for the colour of the soil. “We always use Musquakie, even though it’s technically not correct in terms of Ojibwe language,” explains Ben Cousineau, a member of the Chippewas of Rama First Nation and the community’s researcher and cultural archivist. He sees merit in consistently adhering to one easy spelling for the sake of clarity in communications. Musquakie operated under several other names, when with his Deer Clan members around Lake Couchiching, his Chippewa allies of lakes Huron and Simcoe, government oﬃcials, and fur traders – just as today some individuals have many nicknames. “Yellowhead,” a name by which both father and son were known, is not a translation of “Musquakie” as one might imagine. Yellowhead is Wezaawindibe. Other attested spellings include Mayawassino and Waisowindebay. Whatever caused this Yellowhead name to attach to Musquakie, the British in the 1790s routinely called him “William Yellowhead.” Non-Indigenous people, when having to deal with Chief Musquakie, frequently portrayed him in narrow ways that Photograph: Original artwork by Bonnie Bews, Etched in TimeArticle by J. Patrick BoyerChief Musquakie, shown here as an artistic likeness based on available descriptions, used the lands of present-day Muskoka as principal hunting grounds, referred to in the 1800s district map of Upper Canada (above, courtesy of Toronto Public Library) as “Chippewa Hunting Country” and later as “Misquickkey’s Hunting Grounds”.July 2022 UNIQUE MUSKOKA 45

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46 UNIQUE MUSKOKA July 2022MODERN HOME CARPET ONE350 Ecclestone Drive • Bracebridgecarpetonebracebridge.caTAYLOR CARPET ONE30 Cairns Crescent • Huntsvilletaylorcarpetonehuntsville.comHARDWOOD • LAMINATE • VINYL PLANK & TILE • VINYL ROLLS CARPET • CERAMIC • NATURAL STONE & MOREFloors forHome & Cottage705.645.2443705.789.9259diminished and misrepresented him. e lesser a personage he was, the more it helped them impose settler cultural values on First Nations and control over their land. In further examples of anglicizing Indigenous names, the shift from Ojibwe to the reference of “Chippewas,” is “simply a bastardization of the word Ojibwe,” explains Cousineau. “Over several generations, Ojibwe/ay became Ochipweay, became Chippeway, became Chippewa.”e territory occupied by Chief Musquakie’s Ojibwe peoples ran from lakes Couchiching and Wahweyagahmah [Simcoe] west to Georgian Bay, much of it cultivated with crops. For hunting, land under Chief Musquakie’s exclusive patrimony lay north of the Severn, along the south branch of the river draining Trading Lake [Lake of Bays] downstream to below present-day Bracebridge. In comparison to their ﬂatter farming lands south of the Severn, this area on the Canadian Shield was richer in game, ﬁsh, berries, medicinal plants, forest spaces, dramatic rock outcroppings, ragged waterfalls, cool rivers and splashing streams. Muskoka’s lush variety of trees included birch with its all-purpose bark, maples whose sap made tasty syrup, cedar with its medicinal properties and pliable trunks and branches for containers, furniture and canoe frames, and mature pines with their pitch for sealing canoes. As a leader, Chief Musquakie was involved in decisions to enter battle and negotiations for territory, both with other First Nations and with the British. First references to Chief Musquakie supporting the British in battle refer to the father, while records of treaty negotiation in 1815 and beyond refer to the son. When war erupted in 1812, Chief Musquakie marshaled numerous warriors, including his son, and they traveled south as a war party to battle. From Lake Nipissing, Chief Commanda also led a large party of Nipissings down Lake Huron. Both men, discerning leaders, wanted to keep Canada British. is was not because of unbounded aﬀection for the Crown but because of strategic opposition to an American takeover. When these First Nation allies materialized at York and in the Niagara Peninsula, the British commanders were awed by the artful way they waged war – scouting out enemy Ojibwe people continued returning to their traditional places in Musquakie’s Hunting Grounds, especially in summertime, aer loggers and settlers began arriving in the mid-1800s. The place was changing, as seen in the forest almost entirely clear-cut to the waterline in the background.

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Photograph: Boyer Family Archivespositions, shifting from strategic design to tactical operation.In 1813, during the war’s second year, American forces invaded York. e British withdrew, leaving the settlement to the Ojibwe and Canadian militia to defend. Chief Musquakie, then in his mid-40s, was severely wounded by a musket ball shattering his jaw. His son, who also sustained wounds, continued leading the warriors until the Americans, after looting and burning much of York, were driven oﬀ. It was four years after this, in 1817, that the second Musquakie, “at the desire of his father,” became head chief of the Ojibwe around lakes Simcoe and Huron.In 1815, acting as head chief in his father’s place, Musquakie and two other chiefs signed a treaty “surrendering” 250,000 acres in Simcoe between the north shore of Kempenfelt Bay and Georgian Bay for £4,000. In 1818, when Musquakie had formally succeeded his father as Head Chief, representatives of the Crown negotiated with him and other Ojibwe chiefs for further “surrender” of more than a million and a-half acres now parts of Grey, Wellington, Duﬀerin, and Simcoe counties – all for a “perpetual” annuity of £1,200. ese two treaties, together, covered most of their territory. e British felt they’d acquired it – treaty as purchase agreement. Yet Musquakie and the other chiefs, operating within the land-use framework they understood, reserved their right and that of their people to range and hunt this same territory – treaty as an invitation to share land with others. Payments were just part of the bargain: to the British, compensation; to the Ojibwe, earnest money. In 1830, Governor John Colborne sought to impose order in the neighbourhood south of the Severn. Colborne aspired to uphold English assumptions about contract law and property law for land ceded by treaty to the Crown. Truly, he just wanted to calm the agitated Euro-Canadian settlers around Lake Simcoe who’d erected fences between properties and took angry exception to the Chippewas’ migratory life unfolding around their plots of land. In response to their petitions to “remove the Indians,” Colborne set aside lands for the Chippewas at e Narrows between lakes Simcoe and Couchiching, and persuaded them to settle there. In time, and despite knowing them to be not the best of available lands, the Chippewas used treaty money to buy these lands outright – under the colonists’ real estate law – to control them on their own terms in accordance with Indigenous law and custom.Musquakie and his people continued using their lands around Lake Simcoe and in Muskoka the way they always had. Not because they were violating treaties concerning their traditional lands but living in accordance with their understanding of it; a First Nation concept of “One Bowl One Spoon” for shared use of land.e One Bowl One Spoon concept in treaty-making had been used by people of the July 2022 UNIQUE MUSKOKA 47

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48 UNIQUE MUSKOKA July 2022Americas since the 12th Century or earlier. It is a pathway to peaceful coexistence for people living and using the resources of the land in a spirit of mutual cooperation. is metaphoric Bowl represents the land, and the notional Spoon symbolizes that people from other territories would be able to eat together as one – while peace was maintained. ere was a Spoon, but no knife – meaning no bloodshed. Sometimes the term is used to denote a treaty itself, as was the case for the 1701 Anishinaabe-Haudenosaunee peace accord. A wampum belt, created to symbolically record the agreement, might subsequently be invoked to settle disputes. In January 1840, Chief Musquakie took with him to a Credit River Council meeting between Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee leaders a One Bowl Many Spoons wampum belt, of which he was custodian. It documented an agreement made at the Narrows between Lake Simcoe and Lake Couchiching. In his role as a peacemaking elder, Musquakie explained to the Council that one of the Spoons was for the Haudenosaunee, who had promised that the bowl should never be emptied – meaning its wildlife (especially beaver) should not be depleted. Mohawk Chief John Smoke agreed that the Bowl and Spoons represented the abundant game and food in that territory. Chief Musquakie continued, stating that a Bowl was also placed at the Credit River and, as the 1840 Council minutes record, “the right of hunting on the north side of the Lake [Ontario] was secured to the Ojibwe, and that the Six Nations were not to hunt here only when they come to smoke the pipe of peace with their Ojibwe brethren.” e two key points, in terms of Chief Musquakie’s historical importance, is that he was a peace-maker infused with this “One Bowl” principle, and that it informed his approach to land-use treaties, especially those he signed pertaining to lands of greater Muskoka. His continuing application of the One Bowl principle was on the basis that each nation clearly understands its own territory, and that each nation’s independence and distinct identity needs to be recognized. Musquakie’s beliefs, and the continuity of Ojibwe practices, were squarely at odds with what the Crown’s representatives intended. e land in question was territory on which he and generations of Ojibwe people had Photograph: Yellowhead Institute, Metropolitan University, TorontoHospice MuskokaDONATE TODAY www.hospicemuskoka.com/donateDying with Dignity and in Comfort is Everyone’s RightYOUR WILL IS POWERFULHelp Us Help Others with a charitable gift in your Will, while still supporting those you love.The truth is, you could be using your Will to do a lot more. You can take care of your family while making a big difference for the causes you care about! To learn more visit www.willpower.caConsider Supporting Hospice Muskoka in your Will.Every dollar raised stays in South and West Muskoka and supports the programs and services of Hospice Muskoka and Andy’s House. We are thankful to each and every donor for your generosity, for investing in our communities, and for considering Hospice Muskoka as your charity of choice.This prole likeness of Chief Musquakie by artist C. Harris Duck drew on available accounts of the physical appearance and dress of the Chippewa Head Chief.

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hunted and ﬁshed to feed their families. ey did not believe they had surrendered their survival rights. First Nations saw land more like a public park, or akin to the concept of “the Commons” – a space to be shared, under certain conditions. Early in the 1800s, fur trader maps identiﬁed the area as “Misquuckkey’s Hunting Grounds.” In 1829, Alexander Shirreﬀ explored the tract of land from the Ottawa River to Penetanguishene and used the name “Muskoka” on his map and in his reports about the Ojibwe hunting ground. is anglicized corruption of Chief Musquakie’s name increasingly came into use by English-speaking people. In February 1868, in the ﬁrst session following Confederation, Ontario’s newly-elected legislators enacted the Free Grant and Homestead Act to encourage settlers to claim and farm these lands north of the Severn River up to Lake Nipissing. e statute set boundaries subdividing it into three districts, and assigned legal names for each. “Nipissing” for the northern district recognized the First Nation community dwelling around the large lake which also bore their name. “Parry Sound” was named for the middle district’s most distinguishing feature – the world’s deepest freshwater port. Retaining “Muskoka” for the most southerly and smallest of these districts was pragmatic public policy because that’s how the place was already known. Chief Musquakie’s historical importance exceeds ﬁghting for the British in times of invasion and insurrection, goes beyond signing treaties and then pushing the British colonial powers to live up to their provisions, appealing to them for required payments, and ensuring his people had the secure long-term foothold along Lake Couchiching’s shores that continues to this day. His higher role extended to treaty interpretation and peaceable uses of Indigenous land, an enduring issue in contemporary Canada. A district called “Muskoka” became a magnet for southern Ontarians and Americans whose trips onto the rugged Canadian Shield northland constituted entrance into unknown, untamed wilderness. e chief’s compelling Indigenous name is intrinsic to Muskoka’s mystique.When you shop in our store...you’re supporting the work of Canadian artisans, writers, craftspeople and other unique Muskoka businesses.28 MANITOBA STREET, BRACEBRIDGESHOP ONLINEwww.uniquemuskoka.comJuly 2022 UNIQUE MUSKOKA 49

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50 UNIQUE MUSKOKA July 2022Article by John Challis / Photography by Eleanor Kee WellmanOn a quiet night as you drift to sleep, the peaceful darkness might be interrupted by an outburst of yips and high-pitched howls. You might be inclined to think of wolves. You might thrill; the hair on your neck rising at the thought of being close to the great icons of the northern forest. But you’d be wrong. e wild canines you encounter in Muskoka are more likely to be coyotes. Both coyotes and wolves are signiﬁcant to First Nations cultures across North America. Ma’iingan, in the Ojibwe language, is the timber wolf, and is associated with stories of creation. e coyote in the Anishinaabe culture is Nanabush, sometimes spelled Nanabozho. But it is much more than a coyote, since Nanabozho is a shape-shifter capable of appearing as a raven, hare and a range of other forms. It’s a supernatural ﬁgure that has many roles as healer, protector and While they can be independent and thrive solo, coyotes are also dedicated when rearing their young.

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teacher – a being capable of creating life, but also a breaker of rules and a mischief maker. Although they may not be the legendary creatures of the wilderness with piercing eyes, coyotes deserve equal praise and admiration. eir family bonds are strong. ey are brilliant hunters. Perhaps, most importantly, they are masters of adaptation, adjusting to new environments and new opportunities with ease.Identifying whether you’ve encountered a coyote versus a wolf can prove challenging. For at least a century, the three species of wild dog in Ontario have been interbreeding. In fact, coyotes and eastern wolves have mixed so much that experts will tell you they cannot visually tell them apart. “Except in extreme cases, a genetic test remains the only reliable way to distinguish between eastern wolves, eastern coyotes and hybrids of the two,” Dr. Brent Patterson explains. Patterson is a senior research scientist with the Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Naturals Resources and Forestry (NDMNRF) and one of Ontario’s top authorities on the genetics and population dynamics of wolves and coyotes. Traditionally, the word “wolf” is associated with those classiﬁed as Canis lupus, the grey wolf or timber wolf. It’s a massive, majestic beast, weighing up to 50 kilograms or more. ey seldom stray farther south than the Magnetawan area. Scattered through Algonquin Park and a few other areas in central Ontario, the eastern wolf, Canis lycaon, is signiﬁcantly smaller, with a coat that is generally tawny. Finally, there’s the coyote, Canis latrans, the smallest of the bunch. It has a leggy appearance, with a mix of grey and tan fur. Its muzzle is slender and pointed, almost foxlike, and it has striking yellow eyes.Genetic research for several decades in Algonquin Park has been keeping a wary eye on the mixing of genes between coyotes and the park’s eastern wolf population. e research is kind of like “23-And-Me” for wolves. “Hybridization with coyotes is a major threat facing eastern wolves,” Dr. Patterson says. With its genetic integrity so compromised, the eastern wolf is federally listed as a threatened species. e issue began with colonization. Before European settlement, the coyote was a hunter on the western prairies; it preferred open grasslands. Wolves, meanwhile, were animals of the forests and were dominant from the Carolinian forest along Lake Ontario to the boreal forests of the north. Once logging and farming cleared much of central Ontario’s forests, the land became more inviting to coyotes, and wolves began moving out or were shot by settlers. e ﬁrst conﬁrmed record of a coyote in Ontario was in 1919, in Lambton County. Since then, they have spread throughout the province, breeding with eastern wolves that in turn have bred with grey wolves, and even toss in the odd domestic dog, for good measure. As the forests have recovered, these hybrids, which scientists now refer to as When logging and farming cleared much of central Ontario’s forests, western coyotes moved east and have now adapted quite comfortably to life in the woods. Coyotes, the smallest of Ontario’s wild dog species, are leggy, with a slender, pointed muzzle, a mix of grey and tan fur and yellow eyes. July 2022 UNIQUE MUSKOKA 51

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eastern coyotes, have adapted quite comfortably to the woods.And, as the media have certainly played up, coyotes have adapted exceptionally well to life in the city, attacking pets and even, although rarely, threatening people. “Urban areas are surprisingly good habitat for coyotes,” says Dr. Patterson. “Research that the NDMNRF has conducted in Ontario shows that coyote body condition, abundance and reproductive rates are similar between urban and rural areas. If anything, these characteristics may be higher in some urban areas.”e sly and cunning label attached to coyotes is a bit unfair. Patterson says coyotes and wolves “seem to possess similar cognitive abilities.” But the wolf does its thinking in the woods, well away from human attention. e coyote’s cleverness gets noticed. In Muskoka, coyotes seem to have plenty to eat in the wild, and they’re still, by and large, wary of human interaction. Staﬀ at the District of Muskoka and area municipal levels say they seldom receive calls related to nuisance coyotes. Jan McDonnell conﬁrms coyotes prefer to stay out of the limelight locally. A retired area biologist for the then-Ministry of Natural Resources, McDonnell says calls she received were from people who had a good knowledge of the animals. Generally, people understood coyotes to be more interested in mice than lurking around backyards. She recognizes there are coyotes in the woods around her own home. “We have a snowshoe trail behind our house,” she says. “And we will often see coyote tracks. We’ve seen them with deer tracks as well. But I have only seen coyotes half a dozen times in all the years I have been here.”Solitary coyotes are the ones more likely to venture near a home or cottage. Alone, they’re just as likely as a raccoon to rummage through the barbecue remains, the garbage or the compost bin. But they might also consider taking down a family pet. Such incidents are not unheard of in Muskoka, so it’s wise to avoid leaving a vulnerable pet unattended. Keeping food waste indoors until it’s collected will prevent an unwanted brush with wildlife. In a semi-developed region like Muskoka, McDonnell says coyotes occupy an important niche in the ecosystem as the top predator, controlling overpopulation of prey species. Often, coyotes roam individually, pouncing on meadow voles, or pursuing muskrats or rabbits. ey’ll even dine on grasshoppers and other large insects, if necessary, and in late summer and early autumn will supplement their diet with wild berries.Coyotes are happy to scavenge but are capable of bringing down large game. ey are incredibly quick animals, capable of running at 64 km/h and sustaining speeds of 40 km/h over long distances. When deer populations rise, coyotes will hunt in packs to pursue the weak or diseased. McDonnell has seen carcasses of deer taken down by coyotes and within days nothing remains save a few scraps of fur. “ey can be important for secondary animals,” McDonnell adds. Fox, ﬁsher and a variety of birds can thrive on the carrion coyotes leave behind. While they can be independent and thrive solo, coyotes are also dedicated when rearing their young. A breeding pair of coyotes may bond for life; they become the alpha members of a family grouping and are the only pair that will mate in a pack. Mating occurs in Generally, coyotes in Muskoka are still wary of human interaction. If they’re in your backyard, they’re more than likely hunting for mice or other small game. 52 UNIQUE MUSKOKA July 2022

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Canadian Craft Original PaintingsStudio Jewellery Open daily in July & August 1073 Fox Point Rd Dwight, Muskoka705.635.1602oxtonguecraftcabin.comLynn Chidwickstained glassFamous for tarts, pies, pastries,breads & authentic Italian pizzas6 Bay Street, downtown Baysville705-224-TARThumble_pie@live.caSummer was made for cottage info@ontariocottagerentals.com1-877-788-1809February and March with pups being born eight or nine weeks later. When the gestation period is nearing its end, the female will search out a den site. Perhaps because of their prairie origins, females often dig a burrow in the soil at the base of a slope. But if another animal’s burrow is vacant, or there’s a hollow under a tree root, that could become home. In more urban settings, coyotes may settle for a hollow under a garage or storage container. Depending on the personality of the mother, cubs may be moved to several lairs as they grow, for safety.Litters, typically born between April and June, consist of three to seven pups, which feed from their mother’s milk for about a month before being introduced to regurgitated food from either parent. Not long after, the parents begin taking growing pups out on forays to learn hunting skills. Like our own dogs, the coyote pups are bent on play in their early months, venturing outside their den within a few weeks of being born to wrestle and chase each other. Play extends through adolescence and is an important process that helps secure the pecking order in a family group or pack. In pack dynamics, play may also determine which member of the clan doesn’t ﬁt in; the play will then turn to bullying and, in time, the victim will be cast out to venture on its own.By autumn, the family unit will begin working on social skills. At this time, group howls, much like wolves, are an indication the adults are teaching the young the communication strategies needed for hunting together, sounding a territorial warning to competing packs, or simply bonding as a unit. It will start with a single, high call. ere may be a response call, but it soon escalates into a full group chorus. ere may only be a few animals engaged, but the high-pitched yipping, squealing, whining and wailing can sound like dozens.Next time howling breaks into your sleep, listen and you’ll know the eerie calls belong to the adaptable hunter who now calls Muskoka’s wilderness home – the eastern coyote. Perhaps due to their prairie origins, female coyotes oen dig a burrow or den in the soil at the base of a slope just before their litter of pups arrives in the world.CAPTURE THE SCENTS OF MUSKOKA28 Manitoba Street, BracebridgeJuly 2022 UNIQUE MUSKOKA 53

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54 UNIQUE MUSKOKA July 2022Whats HappenedDebate continues over Hardy Lake trails maintenanceHardy Lake Provincial Park in Muskoka Lakes Township is one of the most popular hiking locations in all of Muskoka. However, a recent disagreement between the Township and the province has left questions surrounding the future of the park and its extensive trail system.In 2016, the Township entered into a contract to provide maintenance on the park, looking after things such as trail inspection and maintenance, grading of the parking lot and plowing of the snow, providing portable washroom facilities and collecting garbage from the park. According to Township staﬀ, the province took no active role in the maintenance of the park.As the end of the ﬁve-year contract approached, the township and provincial staﬀ entered into discussions to renew the agreement for another ﬁve year period, beginning on January 1, 2022. However, Township staﬀ during a recent Muskoka Lakes council meeting reported that Ministry staﬀ refused to consider changes to the proposed agreement. Staﬀ said the resulting proposal was prejudicial and unacceptable to the Township.As part of that same report, Township staﬀ advised council they should discontinue service at the park eﬀective April 30, 2022, if no progress was being made. During the meeting Ken Becking, the Township’s director of public works, reported the two parties had subsequently made some progress, despite the problems encountered during initial talks. Staﬀ described those meetings as “cordial and productive,” and said there now appears to be a willingness on the part of the Ministry to work with the Township towards a new agreement both parties would ﬁnd acceptable.Staﬀ said they are cautiously optimistic that arriving at a new agreement is now possible. While the majority of council appeared to support maintaining the park as a show of good faith while the talks continued, Councillor Gordon Roberts said he had strong reservations, speciﬁcally as it pertains to liability issues.“We need protection on this. ere is huge exposure here and I think we should obtain protection before we do any maintenance,” he said. “We must include the fact that under no circumstances will a member of our staﬀ set foot in the park. I won’t vote to support it unless that’s included.” Roberts was the lone councillor to vote against the motion.Short-term rentals debated across Muskokae issue of short-term rentals (STRs), such as Airbnbs and cottage rentals, has been a hot topic across Muskoka this spring.During the most recent Town of Huntsville council meeting, councillors heard from a delegation who said the current STR licensing system is not working.Speaking on behalf of concerned residents on Otter Lake, Michael Walmsley told council cottages are being ﬂipped from residences to STRs at an alarming rate. It likely won’t be long until rental properties outnumber permanent residences, he said, adding that many of these new rental properties do not have an STR licence.Mayor Karin Terziano said the current licensing program has ﬂaws and it’s time to “go back to the drawing board” to ﬁnd ways to tighten up the program, potentially including licensing caps. Council directed Town staﬀ to meet with the Otter Lake community to discuss their concerns, and to consider capping the number of licences granted in any one area.Meanwhile in Bracebridge, the Town council recently voted to begin the process of regulating STRs.e topic had been debated at the council table several times in the spring, and the Town’s general committee had originally voted to enact an outright short-term ban on new STRs. Bracebridge council ultimately voted not to proceed with the ban but instead to create a new registry.e issue came forward in Bracebridge after a number of councillors reported they had received complaints from concerned residents, particularly from those living in waterfront areas. Complaints range from noise and unsafe ﬁres to parking problems and congested waterways.Applications for STRs will cost $250 per year under the new registry. e registry also lays out the terms for potential suspension or revocation of licences as well as set ﬁnes for operating without a licence.e new rules surrounding STRs in Bracebridge are still being ﬁnalized.Maintenance at Hardy Lake Provincial Park is under debate between the Township of Muskoka Lakes and the Province of Ontario. The towns of Bracebridge and Huntsville are working to regulate short-term rentals. Photograph: Stephanie VuilleumierPhotograph: April Barber

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OPP Marine Training Unit relocates to Muskoka WharfA new partnership has helped maintain the OPP Marine Training Unit’s presence within the Town of Gravenhurst.Earlier in the spring it was announced that the Town of Gravenhurst and the Residence Inn by Marriott, located at the Muskoka Wharf in Gravenhurst, have reached an agreement with the OPP to move the training program to a base of operations in Muskoka Bay. e OPP oﬃcers taking part in the training will be staying at the Residence Inn while it is ongoing.e training program has traditionally operated from the grounds of the Ontario Fire College in Gravenhurst until it closed its doors last year.Each course is designed for police oﬃcers who patrol the waterways and lasts for two weeks. e Marine Training Program typically runs throughout the month of May.RMS Segwun sails again Muskoka’s most iconic watercraft is back sailing local waters after a two-year hiatus. e RMS Segwun was sidelined for the past two sailing seasons due to the COVID pandemic and related issues.e Segwun was constructed in 1887 in Glasgow, Scotland, before being shipped across the Atlantic and re-assembled in Gravenhurst.e oldest operating mail steamship in North America, the Segwun holds just under 100 people. e craft was originally used as a side paddlewheel steamer and sailed under the name of Nipissing II. She was primarily used to transport people, freight and mail from her home port at the Muskoka Wharf to locations throughout the Muskoka lakes, including the resorts which were beginning to proliferate in the region at the time.Upgraded with new engines following the First World War, the ship was re-named Segwun – the Ojibwa word for “spring”.As the road system in Muskoka improved over the years, the mail was increasingly delivered by land routes. By the 1960s, the Segwun was decommissioned and became a ﬂoating maritime museum at the Muskoka Wharf.Interest in the vintage vessel eventually led to a restoration project by the Muskoka Steamship & Historical Society and the Ontario Road Builders. e Segwun was oﬃcially re-launched by Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau and by 1981, she began her newest incarnation as a cruise ship.To buy tickets or to check the sailing schedule, visit realmuskoka.com.Friends of the Muskoka Watershed seeks citizen scientistsHow would you like to gather information and potentially help to protect Muskoka’s waterways and forests? Now you can by joining the Friends of the Muskoka Watershed’s citizen science program. Citizen science is the practice of public participation and collaboration in scientiﬁc research to increase scientiﬁc knowledge.“is is a great project for all ages and a way to help further the study of the Ash Muskoka project. Already, the response has been great with 30 kits oﬀ to citizen scientists,” says Katie Paroschy, citizen science co-ordinator for Friends of the Muskoka Watershed. “e goal is to have people from all across Muskoka to participate.”e program is not too complicated. All participants need are two similar-sized, same species of local trees and the willingness to take a few measurements and spread some wood ash. Of course, as a scientist, you need to report your data back to the Friends three times over the next year. In return you receive a bucket of ash, a trowel, measuring tool, a tree guide, and a set of instructions.“We’ve had such great support with people donating their household wood ash,” says Ash Muskoka project director Tim Kearney. “We knew we could ﬁnd participants for our citizen science project, too.”Friends of the Muskoka Watershed, with past support from the Ontario Trillium Foundation along with university, community and government partners and thousands of volunteers have spread over 9.2 tonnes of wood ash in Muskoka forests and the results are in!“e application of clean residential wood ash to forests appears to have woken up the trees,” says Paroschy. Participants are to compare two trees, a test with ash spread around it and another with no ash.“ese results suggest that regulated wood ash application may not only lead to more delicious maple syrup but can cause Volunteers for Friend's of the Muskoka Watershed's citizen science program are needed to collect and report data on tree growth. The iconic RMS Segwun returns to sailing Muskoka's waterways aer a two-year hiatus. Photograph: Friends of the Muskoka WatershedPhotograph: Muskoka Steamships & Discovery CentreJuly 2022 UNIQUE MUSKOKA 55

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56 UNIQUE MUSKOKA July 2022trees to absorb more carbon and water, assisting in the ﬁght against climate change, and help with ﬂood mitigation,” she says. “It’s very exciting. We can’t wait to see what we can learn thanks to our citizen scientists.”To learn more about the program contact katie@fotmw.org or visit fotmw.org.Music on the Barge returns to Gravenhurste barge is back.After a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, Gravenhurst residents have something to cheer about this summer with the return of the Music on the Barge concert series.Music on the Barge is the largest outdoor concert series north of Toronto and draws thousands of seasonal and permanent residents to the shores of Gull Lake to enjoy a great evening of musical entertainment at this unique waterfront setting.is year’s lineup oﬀers an eclectic mix of folk, country, rock and more. All of the shows take place at 7:30 p.m. at the Barge in Gull Lake Park with the exception of the Bifocals concert.e concert series gets rolling on July 3 at 2:00 p.m. in the Rotary Picnic Pavilion with the Bifocals Concert Band, a ﬁrst-rate local band with an easy-listening musical repertoire that includes something for everyone.Mystic Highway plays July 10 on the Barge oﬀering a tribute to Creedence Clearwater Revival and John Fogerty. On July 17 Abba Magic bring their lively interactive performance of ABBA favorites to the Barge. July 24 sees the Beckett Family on the Barge with their award-winning display of ﬁddling and step dancing.Grant Tingey and Hired Gun bring country music to the stage on July 30, and the Liverpool 4 bring the best of e Beatles to the Barge on July 31.Johnny Cash Tribute and Friends bring a range of world-class tributes to the Barge on August 7, and the series rounds out with eight-time Juno award-winning group e Good Brothers on August 14.Admission is by a free will oﬀering to ensure the community tradition continues. In the event of rain or lightning, concerts will be cancelled for the safety of the audience and performers.Graydon Smith wins Parry Sound-Muskoka in hotly-contested electionWhile the recent provincial election saw the Progressive Conservative (PC) Party cruise to a majority, the race for the Parry Sound-Muskoka riding was a much tighter aﬀair.When the ﬁnal results were tallied, Graydon Smith secured 20,216 votes (45.4%) for the PC party, while Matt Richter of the Green Party brought in 18,102 (40.7%) of the vote. Representing the NDP, Erin Horvath ﬁnished a distant third with 3,391 votes (7.62%), and four other candidates took home the remainder of the votes.Locally, the election saw some 58.3% of the riding’s 76,319 registered voters cast ballots.A small but upbeat crowd of roughly 30 supporters gathered at the clubhouse of Kirrie Glen golf course in Bracebridge to watch the results and support Smith.Meanwhile, Richter watched the results come in along with a room full of supporters at Canvas Brewery in Huntsville.Results from the Parry Sound-Muskoka riding were delayed by roughly 45 minutes due to glitches at multiple polling stations. In fact, the PC party had been declared as a majority before the local results even began to be tallied.Nonetheless, just before 10:00 p.m. on election night, Smith made his appearance at Kirrie Glen, having been declared the victor, to loud applause. Smith thanked his family, his election team and his supporters, as well as his opponents in the election.“People have decided they want me to represent them and that’s an incredibly humbling thing for me,” he said. “Tomorrow the work begins. You want a government that will put money back in your pockets, you want a government that will deliver two hospitals right here.”Smith also thanked outgoing MPP Norm Miller, who represented the riding for the PC party for the past 21 years before deciding not to run in this election.Smith took time out to speciﬁcally thank the people of Bracebridge who voted him into oﬃce four times municipally - ﬁrst as a councillor and most recently as mayor.In Huntsville, Richter wondered aloud what might have happened if more people had gone to the polls. However, he also pointed out that the Green Party had doubled their numbers locally over the last election results, which is a clear indication that people in the riding are eager to see business done across party lines.Music on the Barge, the largest outdoor concert series north of Toronto, returns on July 3.Former Bracebridge Mayor Graydon Smith is the new MPP for Parry Sound-Muskoka following the June 2 provincial election. Photograph: Matt DriscollPhotograph: Town of GravenhurstFeature by Matt Driscoll

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58 UNIQUE MUSKOKA July 2022Article by K.M. Wehrstein / Photography by Tomasz SzumskiCooking with home-grown herbscreates a feast for the sensesSome would say the art of seasoning is the art of cooking. With their intense and unique ﬂavours, herbs are central to seasoning and can make staple ingredients come alive in a smorgasbord of ways. Oregano on pizza, mint on lamb and rosemary on chicken are deﬁnitive classics and we all have our favourites.To plant the ﬁrst seeds of our pros’ approach to herbal cooking, we’ll start with Sean Taylor, the 25-year-old entrepreneur behind e Great Muskokan Herb Company of Gravenhurst. Originally from Oakville, Taylor sought variety in his initial schooling and work experiences, ﬁrst taking organic biology and environmental technology at Durham College, switching to music business management, working at a specialty garden store, parlaying his Cape Breton cooking skills learned from his mother and grandmother into a resort job as a cook. rough it all, he noticed one thing that stayed constant: gardening. Taylor had already learned the power of herbs at 16 or 17 after he added a little basil and rosemary to a regular frozen pizza – “it was the best pizza I’d ever had.” Out of these two roots, so to speak, e Great Muskokan Herb Co sprouted in May 2017. “I did a Mother’s Day tester, and sold everything I had,” Taylor recalls.Now living in Muskoka, where he spent childhood summers at his grandmother’s in Learning the power of cooking with herbs as a teenager, Sean Taylor, entrepreneur behind The Great Muskokan Herb Co, shares tips for home-grown herbs with anyone who asks.

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Huntsville, he plants his herbs in the earlier spring sun of Beamsville. en in May, he brings the seedlings up to Muskoka to grow them to full glory. At farmer’s markets and certain retailers such as Healthy and Fresh Nutrition in Gravenhurst, he sells fresh, dried and potted herbs, and also helps people create their own herb gardens. “I can set them up within two weeks,” he says. He has made connections with local chefs through his father, who owns a seafood business. ough he does not have organic certiﬁcation, he grows his herbs in this way. Future plans include his own herb blends.Taylor is quite willing to share his herb-growing instructions with anyone who asks. Gardening and gardens, he notes, soothe the soul. “To plant a garden,” he quotes Audrey Hepburn, “is to believe in tomorrow.”But Taylor’s also got cooking tips. “Salmon: a little dill, a little chives, a little garlic,” he suggests. “Basil optimizes ﬂavour.” He adds that when roasting with herbs, olive oil is key “because the oil cooks the ﬂavours of the herbs into the food.” His recipe for us is a side that makes the sweetness of sweet potatoes rub up pleasantly against the saltiness of parmesan, the depth of garlic and the earthiness of thyme and parsley.Chef Randy Spencer, who Huntsville diners know as the former owner of the gourmet restaurant Tall Trees and who now owns Spencer’s Catering & Culinary Creations, is no stranger to these pages, nor to the members of four royal families he has fed during his career (British, Dutch, Greek and German). He keeps an herb garden at his house, growing oregano, sage, rosemary, dill, thyme, horseradish, two colours of basil, two varieties of chives and three varieties of mint. “What I don’t produce I try to get locally,” says Spencer.He draws his culinary inspiration from many sources, including magazines (Food & Drink is a favourite) changing the recipes freely as directed by his taste buds. e game is staying one step ahead of the world’s savvy foodies. “Today with the internet and access to things, the job for chefs is getting harder and harder,” he says. “Because the clientele is Herb and Parmesan Roasted Sweet Potatoes – Sean TaylorIngredients2½ lbs sweet potatoes, diced into uniform pieces 3 Tbsp olive oil3 or 4 garlic cloves, minced1½ Tbsp chopped fresh thyme leavesSalt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste1½ Tbsp chopped fresh parsley leaves1/3 cup ﬁnely grated parmesan1 Tbsp melted butter or additional olive oilMethod• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. • In a small mixing bowl, stir together olive oil, garlic, and thyme. • Place potatoes in a mound on a baking sheet, pour mixture over potatoes, season with salt and pepper to taste and toss to evenly coat.• Roast until tender, toss once halfway through, about 30 minutes total. • Toward the end, sprinkle an even layer of some of the parsley and some of the parmesan on the veggies, then broil 1-2 minutes for more golden brown. (Watch closely while broiling.)• Remove potatoes from oven, drizzle and toss with the butter or additional olive oil, then immediately sprinkle with the rest of the parsley and parmesan. Serve pronto!Serves four as a side dish.Herb Farmer’s Tips• Use olive oil only, no butter, for a vegan version.• Barbecue-friendly, in tin foil or on a sheet.“It works with any home-cooked style of main dish,” Taylor says. “Barbecue chicken is a very familiar taste to have with sweet potatoes.” For roast pork or other meat, put the sweet potatoes in 30 minutes before the pork will be done. Chef Randy Spencer keeps a wide array of herbs growing at his home, ready to use. What he can’t grow at home, he sources locally, so he can adjust recipes freely, as directed by his tastebuds.July 2022 UNIQUE MUSKOKA 59

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60 UNIQUE MUSKOKA July 2022Impaled on rosemary branches instead of traditional skewers, Chef Randy Spencer’s chicken koas have a complex avour, particularly when mingled with the yogurt dip. wiser and wiser.”Spencer’s oﬀering for us this issue is an herb-infused recipe involving grilling. “Herbs grow in summer,” he says. “What do we do in summer? Barbecue!” Kofta is a specialty of a cluster of cultures around and near the Mediterranean. “ere’s Hungarian inspiration in here, though koftas are more Middle Eastern/Moroccan,” explains Spencer. “I love Turkish and middle eastern food – the spices!” Rather than the usual lamb – with which his yogurt-based dip will go unfailingly, he assures – Spencer chose chicken as he found it on sale and drew inspiration from two literary sources. Impaled on rosemary branches instead of skewers, his koftas have a complex ﬂavour that is unimaginable until you try it. e herbs and spices do a dance, cooled and foiled by the dip.Finally, we visit Basilico, the culinary aspect of the major renovations completed at Bracebridge’s Inn on the Falls. With a new direction (Italian), new branding (a basil-leaf logo), new plan (to stay open all year) and shiny new kitchen as of this past March, it’s a happy home for Chef Colin Eade.Eade has lived all but the ﬁrst two of his 26 years in Gravenhurst, and has worked in kitchens, nowhere else, since the age of 12. His training is all on-the-job. “I worked under some great chefs,” he enthuses. From 18, he cooked at the Muskoka Bay Club and then, in April of this year, moved to Basilico, and was promoted from sous-chef to executive chef when the position came open.“I think we’re establishing a name for ourselves,” Eade says. “We’re not hoity-toity high end, not just for special occasions. Chicken Koftas on Rosemary Skewers with Yogurt Dip – Randy SpencerIngredientsKoftas4 branches (approx. 7-8” long) rosemary2 tsp coriander seeds2 tsp cumin seeds¼ cup shelled pistachios1 Tbsp each fresh chopped mint, parsley and oregano2 garlic cloves, minced½ tsp kosher salt1 tsp fresh ground pepper2 tsp fresh squeezed lemon2 tsp lemon zest1 large egg, lightly beaten1 lb ground chickenYogurt Dip½ cup plain yogurt1 tsp chopped fresh mint¼ tsp cumin powder (make a little extra from seeds if combining the two recipes)1 garlic clove, minced1 Tbsp honey2 tsp fresh squeezed lemon juicePinch each of salt and pepperMethod• Soak rosemary stalks in cold water for 30 minutes.• In a small skillet over medium heat, toast coriander and cumin, about 1 minute, transfer to a mortar and pestle, crush until ﬁne and transfer to a bowl large enough to hold all ingredients.• In the skillet over medium heat, toast pistachios, about 2 minutes, transfer to mortar and lightly crush. Add to spices.• Mix in remaining ingredients, divide into 8 portions for 4 entrées, or divide into 16 to make 8 appetizer-size.• Shape two of these portions side by side around each rosemary branch, shaping to form two sausage shaped ovals. Refrigerate for 1 hour.• Grill on medium heat uncovered until cooked through (160F internally). • Transfer to plate and garnish with sprigs of rosemary. • Combine all dip ingredients in a bowl and serve.Serves four as a main or eight as a side.Wine pairing: Tempranillo or Grenache. “Or even a nice, rich, hoppy beer.”Chef ’s Tip“Sometimes I boost the dip with mint sauce.”

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Braising allows the avours of the herbs to infuse the chicken, layering the tastes into a dish, explains Chef Colin Eade. Lemon & Basil Braised Chicken – Colin EadeIngredientsChicken:¼ cup sunﬂower oil4 Tbsp kosher salt4 skin-on average-sized chicken thighsSauce:1 cup shallots, ﬁnely diced½ cup carrots, ﬁnely diced½ cup celery, ﬁnely diced1 Tbsp fresh rosemary, ﬁnely chopped1 Tbsp thyme, ﬁnely chopped6 bay leaves1 tsp ground black pepperSkin peeled from 2 lemons (reserve the juice)2 cups white wine2 cups chicken stockTo Finish: 2 cups blanched casarecce pasta2 cups spring peas 4 Tbsp chopped basil ½ cup 35% cream½ cup grated parmesanReserved lemon juice to tasteMethod • Rub the salt on the chicken thighs. Ensure the skin has been seasoned. • In a large ovenproof saute pan on medium heat warm up the sunﬂower oil • Add the seasoned chicken thighs skin side down in the oil. Once the skin is golden brown in color, sear the other side of the chicken brieﬂy. • Remove the chicken from the pan and place on its own plate. • Add the shallots, carrots, celery, bay leaves, rosemary, thyme, black pepper and lemon skin to the pan. Saute until fragrant and the shallots are translucent. • Turn the pan on to high, add the wine and reduce by half. • Add the chicken thighs to the pan, skin side up. • Add chicken stock to the pan until the chicken is submerged up to the skin. • Place pan in the oven at 350 for roughly 15 minutes. • Remove the pan from the oven. Check that your chicken is cooked. e liquid should be reduced by at least half. • Remove bay leaves and lemon peels from the pan and discard. Remove the chicken and reserve. • Add your blanched pasta, cream and spring peas • Cook on medium heat for 3 minutes • Add chopped basil and parmesan. Mix well. • Double check the seasoning and add lemon juice, if required. • Place the chicken thighs on top of the pasta, serve and enjoy.Serves two.Recommended wine pairing: Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay.Chef ’s Tips • White meat lovers, substitute breast for thigh.• You can use any blanched pasta you like in this recipe. • When you peel the lemon skin, try to only get the yellow. e white will make your sauce bitter. • Always use utensils when working with hot ingredients.• Cut everything ﬁrst, clean up and then start cooking.• It’s always good to check your dish even before your timer goes oﬀ.July 2022 UNIQUE MUSKOKA 61

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BRACEBRIDGE GENERATION LTD.Water Power Generating a Cleaner EnvironmentInterested in more information or a free tour? www.bracebridgegeneration.com&B B Sanitation Services Ltd.FORMERLY B&S SANITATION&B B Sanitation Services Ltd.FORMERLY B&S SANITATIONYOUR FURNITURE & CUSTOM UPHOLSTERY SPECIALISTS Cal Cur an Paul Toda!705.784.0906muskokauph@gmail.com • MuskokaUpholstery.com greenleafexcavation.ca | 705-229-9985 | racheson@greenleafexcavation.caCertiﬁed septic installer specializing in environmentally friendly Ecoﬂo® systemsCONTACT US TODAY!We try to make every diner’s experience unique and great, and to keep prices reasonable, for a from-scratch kitchen. We try to put our love and passion for food into it so it comes out on the plate.”Herbs are among the most important paints on Eade’s ﬂavour and colour palette – his kitchen is brightened by trays of herbs from the chef-beloved Port Sydney grower Four Seasons Greens. “Be gentle,” he recommends. “When chopping herbs, use a really sharp knife or you’ll lose ﬂavour onto the cutting board. Don’t use high heat, just medium with vegetables. If you burn the herbs, you’ve just wasted something lovely.”Eade’s recipe was created especially for Cottage Country Cuisine. It builds on the French basic mirepoix. “It’s really just something quick, easy and delicious that anyone can do,” he says. “e idea of doing it braised is that the ﬂavours of the herbs will be infused into the chicken. e fat in the cream will pair nicely with the herbs; the parsley adds colour and fresh ﬂavour. If you don’t like a particular herb, substitute with one you like. I’ll follow a recipe to the letter once, then never again.”Every word is true. e sauce has a subtle, smoky taste that is just magical, and perhaps can be conjured up by no other way than braising, then combining wine, cream, and parmesan. And the expert touch of herbs.Grow your own or source locally but, no matter what, don’t forget your herbs when cooking.July 2022 UNIQUE MUSKOKA 63

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64 UNIQUE MUSKOKA July 2022“You were born and raised in Muskoka and have only ever lived here?” It’s a question I often get asked, to which I always reply: “Is there anywhere better?” I mean really, is there anywhere better to grow up, live and work? Muskoka is a place like no other. e beauty is all around. ere is deep history, diversity and opportunity. I still think of myself as very fortunate to have grown up in an area that allowed me to have two groups of friends: my year-round friends and my summer cottage friends. Muskoka has a long tradition of lifelong friendships with our cottage community. Many of us may work for our cottagers but many have also become our family. I remember eagerly waiting for Friday night when we would prepare the bonﬁre and snacks for when our cottage neighbours would arrive after a long week in the city. Saturday mornings were for work and when work was done, we would meet up with the neighbours again. is time for barbecue dinner, maybe a boat ride and usually another ﬁre that we would sit around all night laughing and telling stories. Summers were always very busy with events and so full of fun. Go to a summer camp… why? I live in a summer camp!Once you were a teenager, there were prime summer jobs in Muskoka but competition was tight! To work at the best places, you often needed to get your name and application in the year before you wanted to start. Don’s Bakery in Bala, local marinas, lifeguarding, landscaping and construction were always great jobs, with lots of variety too. It was hard work but it was always a great experience. Plus, you got to meet new cottage friends - which meant more barbecues and bonﬁres! en, September would arrive. at meant back to school, sweaters, quieter weekends and slowly cottages would start to close up until the following spring. If you haven’t experienced one, winters in Muskoka are a drastic contrast to summer. Everything is brilliant and white. Snow seemed to be so deep and over my head when I was little. Winter was always a time to regroup and refresh after a busy and long cottage season. From Victoria Day until Labour Day, there was never any time for rest; so our family has always appreciated the winter down time. Summers have always been about working hard and playing hard! ere are so many things to enjoy and try; don’t miss anything! Winters bring time to relax and see entirely diﬀerent sides of Muskoka. ere are new trails, new activities, like skating and snowmobiling, and new opportunities to slow down and enjoy the natural beauty. However, sandwiches were never the same in the winter when they were not on Don’s scones! Sometimes, if we were lucky, mom would have a dozen scones put away in the freezer and surprise us. Scones, apple fritters, sugar twists and cinnamon buns along with Port Sandﬁeld market blueberry donuts – all taste like summer in Muskoka to me. So, YES! I love Muskoka. Incredible scenery, unique tastes of summer, privacy, an abundance of outdoor activities and an understated vibe of luxury all contribute to Muskoka being so special. A place that welcomed vacationers like the Carnegies and the Mellons at the turn of the 20th century and now welcomes celebrities but where people are not interested in ﬂashiness. If you weren’t as lucky as I was to grow up here, then do yourself a favour and carve out some time to visit this wonderful place. e place I will always call home – Muskoka.Heather Scott is a lifelong Muskokan, currently living in Bala with her husband and working as a real estate broker across the Muskoka region. Invested in the community, Heather can often be found supporting local initiatives and non-proﬁts and, of course, enjoying all that Muskoka has to oﬀer. Muskoka MomentsArticle by Heather ScottThere’s no place like homePhotograph: Heather Scott

Unique Muskoka - Issue 34

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