UniqueMuskoka - June2019 Issue17 : simplebooklet.com

telling the Muskoka story Features Departments 11 Muskoka Calendar Celebrating special occasions with Dad vintage car shows beer festivals paddling events arts shows community concerts obstacle events fund raising dinners boat races fireworks and more the June calendar in Muskoka offers lots of fun and activities 58 What s Happened Muskoka is slowly recovering from the second 100 year flood in six years Muskoka Steamships Discovery Centre receives a 950 000 boost for its expansion plans Getting ready for a jazz festival in Port Carling Muskoka artists unveil a new marketing plan A Muskoka athlete has her focus on the 2020 Olympics 62 Cottage Country Cuisine The Muskoka North Good Foods Co op story began some six years ago Consumers were saying they d love to support local farmers and eat local food Farmers were saying they d like to scale up production The co op brought the two groups together in a successful endeavour 2 UNIQUE MUSKOKA June 2019 19 34 Article by Meghan Smith Photography by Tomasz Szumski The sign on the building may say shoe repair but Brian Shelly s business goes far beyond that Shelly began his trade in shoe repair and leatherwork at the age of 13 and has learned from his career experiences to create custom leatherwork and specialty projects Article by Dawn Huddlestone Photography by Kelly Holinshead Raised in a musical home in Huntsville Alexis Taylor is following her natural passion for writing and singing music The award winning performer who now makes her home in Nashville is sharing her music with audiences throughout the United States and abroad A Talent for Creating Durability and Functionality 26 Honouring the Gerry Dunn Way Article by Jack Hutton Gerry Dunn s bold decision to build a world class dance pavilion on Bala Bay was the good news that all Muskoka and maybe much of Canada had been craving when it opened in the summer of 1942 The pavilion never looked back after that sold out July evening 19 Sharing Her Music Alexis Taylor is Making Her Mark in Nashville

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Features 38 43 Article by Matt Driscoll Come this July a group of like minded individuals will congregate in the heart of one of Muskoka s natural treasures for a weekend of food music yoga and above all community The Muskoka Yoga Festival has evolved to become much more than simply a setting to learn and practice yoga Article by J Patrick Boyer Conservative MP William O Brien deemed armed uprisings against the newly established Canadian Confederation acts of treason that had to be vigourously and promptly suppressed As a colonel in the Canadian militia O Brien was prepared to take action Connecting Mind and Body Muskoka Intrigue The Local Impact of the 1885 North West Rebellion 38 52 Camp Winston Changing Lives One Camper at a Time Article by Sandy Lockhart Photography by Larry Carroll For anyone lucky enough to have experienced summer camp as a child they know it s something special For the kids at Camp Winston the experience is often described as life changing It s a unique retreat for children with complex neurological disorders who need highly specialized support JUNE 2019 SHARING HER MUSIC FROM HUNTSVILLE TO NASHVILLE The Gerry Dunn Way honours Mr Bala INTRIGUING ROLES OF MUSKOKANS IN THE NORTH WEST REBELLION Camp Winston changes lives one camper at a time Our Cover Photograph by Kelly Holinshead Songwriter and singer Alexis Taylor has taken the long road from Huntsville to Nashville to realize her dream of performing her own material at country music concerts Opinion 9 Muskoka Insights 52 By Don Smith 68 Muskoka Moments By Kevin Trimble June 2019 UNIQUE MUSKOKA 5

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JUST ARRIVED THE ALL NEW 2020 BUILT FOR THE MODERN FAMILY telling the Muskoka story Unique Muskoka is published six times per year by Unique Publishing Inc Donald Smith Publisher and Editor Donna Ansley Sales Lisa Brazier Design Susan Smith Administration 21 Robert Dollar Dr Bracebridge ON P1L 1P9 705 645 6575 J Patrick Boyer Larry Carroll Matt Driscoll Kelly Holinshead Dawn Huddlestone Jack Hutton Sandy Lockhart Meghan Smith Tomasz Szumski Kevin Trimble Karen Wehrstein Contributors Annual Subscription Rates including HST where applicable In Ontario 30 00 All Other Provinces 36 00 U S 60 00 All Other Countries 72 00 HST 773172721 Canada Post Publications Mail Agreement Number 43268016 Copyright 2018 Unique Publishing Inc CALL FOR ALL YOUR BUILDING AND RENOVATION NEEDS 705 646 0900 admin cedarbeachgroup ca P O Box 330 Bracebridge ON P1L 1T7 Beautiful Floors Naturally HARDWOOD HARDWOOD LUXURY LUXURY VINYL VINYL CARPET CARPET CERAMIC CERAMIC TILE TILE NATURAL NATURAL STONE STONE LAMINATE LAMINATE AREA AREA RUGS RUGS WINDOW WINDOW COVERINGS COVERINGS MORE MORE Celebrating Our 70th Anniversary 350 ECCLESTONE DRIVE BRACEBRIDGE ON 705 645 2443 carpetonebracebridge ca 6 UNIQUE MUSKOKA June 2019 No content published in Unique Muskoka can be reproduced without the written permission of the publisher Mailing Address Box 616 Bracebridge ON P1L 1T9 Street Address 28 Manitoba St Bracebridge ON P1L 1S1 www uniquemuskoka com info uniquemuskoka com 705 637 0204

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Muskoka Proudly serving Muskoka and surrounding area for 32 years Window Works Muskoka is a window and door centre proudly serving Muskoka and surrounding area for 32 years We provide consultation sales service and installation of quality products Our knowledgeable staff work with architects designers builders and home owners assisting clients in making the best selections for their new construction or renovation projects The advantage of working with Window Works Muskoka is that we provide a diverse selection of product giving us the flexibility of being able to suggest what is right for the design and budget of your project We offer clad exteriors with the beauty of wood interiors and maintenance free vinyl products sales windowworksmuskoka net 2358 HWY 11 RR 1 GRAVENHURST ONTARIO 705 687 7617 1 800 668 9858 June 2019 UNIQUE MUSKOKA 7

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Muskoka Insights There are many images of the flood of 2019 that will remain locked in my memory the unstoppable rise of the water as it crested river banks and breached lakefront sandbag fortifications the sheer force of the floodwaters as they roared over the dams along the Muskoka River the endless crews of volunteers who sandbagged the comfort that came from the communications of Mayor Graydon Smith the advocacy of Mayor Phil Harding the sense of assurance that came from the arrival of the Armed Forces personnel the hands on action of MP Tony Clement who joined sandbaggers for a shift the flotsam left behind as the waters receded the efforts by many to reclaim their lives It was reassuring to see both Premier Doug Ford and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau lend the support of their offices by being here to learn first hand of the stories of devastation and to thank those who were making a difference Even though floodwaters had not totally receded government officials led by MPP Norm Miller were already meeting to review the circumstances behind this exceptional situation the second but worst to happen in less than a decade Muskokans permanent and seasonal residents alike are passionate about their community As has been demonstrated so many times in the past this common purpose will bring them together to rebuild and find a way forward that recognizes the forces of nature but preserves the lifestyle and natural environment so important to our community I m proud to call Muskoka my home Photograph Susan Smith Over the years it s been a personal privilege to write about the many people who have made Muskoka a special place the vision and fortitude of the early settlers the adaptability that saw Muskoka evolve through the generations the creativity that has become a hallmark of our community the development of an infrastructure that has served the community well the environmental leadership that ensures Muskoka maintains its unique character Drawing from that abundant pool of strength it should come as no surprise in a time of adversity the community would come together to provide support to family friends neighbours and fellow citizens who were in need The flood of 2019 was just such an occasion While the flood of 2019 has been recognized as the single largest watershed event to impact Muskoka on a district wide basis in more than a century it can also be recognized for its depth of community engagement From community leadership to the message delivered by the media and from the hands on work of sandbaggers to those providing meals and accommodations the character of the community provided care safety and comfort When calls were made for volunteers they arrived not asking for anything but the opportunity to help the community And they were supported by the generous businesses and individuals who supplied food and refreshments Government employees at all levels were stretched to the extreme in their efforts to not only respond to the flood but to continue the delivery of daily services As the devastation of the rising water increasingly threatened the community it was good to learn there were those outside of Muskoka who were ready and willing to answer the call for support individuals asking on social media how they could assist volunteer organizations business groups and the military Our local team is here to provide you with personalized insurance solutions For the coverage your family deserves call us today 46 Ann Street Bracebridge 705 646 9995 877 877 3929 www LesBell ca TRUST INTEGRITY SERVICE Your Home and Cottage Mattress Centre THE LARGEST SELECTION OF IN STOCK MATTRESSES IN MUSKOKA Premier Supreme by Marshall Mattress 6 MonicaMARSHALL Lane MATTRESS CO Bracebridge M 1 800 682 6861 705 646 2557 Or i gi na l P ock et S pr i ng TO LEARN MORE www mattressesofmuskoka com June 2019 UNIQUE MUSKOKA 9

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Muskoka Calendar Kick off summer at the SS Bigwin community barbecue Photograph Courtesy of Waterway Jay Huntsville s installment of the 2019 Paddling Film Festival is just one stop on June 8 The art show called Spring Fever at Eclipse Gallery at Deerhurst Resort started in April and wraps up on June 17 Every Canadian can relate to the gallery s own description After our long and sometimes very cold winter days we are longing for renewal sun bright colours fresh energy Meet our known and new artists who will reflect just that Colour light and motion will be our focus in this show Featured artists are Karen Robinson Joe Sampson and Eleanor Lowden eclipseartgallery ca events Start your June with a Walk for Alzheimer s All proceeds from IG Wealth Management s Walks For Alzheimers stay within the local community in 300 communities in Canada helping provide counseling education and information to people living with Alzheimer s disease or other forms of dementia It s a great healthy way to support the health of others The Huntsville Walk happens on June 1 starting at Avery Beach For details and to register Google Walk for Alzheimers Huntsville The Bracebridge Walk is on June 2 starting at Kerr Park For details Google Walk for Alzheimers Bracebridge Paddling Film Festival celebrates on the water experiences ssbigwin com communitybbq Venture Fest s proceeds all go to good local causes Happening June 8 at the Algonquin Theatre Huntsville s installment of the 2019 Paddling Film Festival is just one stop on its 14th annual 120 city worldwide run With films by filmmakers from around the world this festival has nothing but the very very best paddling lifestyle cinema This event happening on June 15 at Muskoka Brewery 1964 Muskoka Beach Road in Bracebridge was created to support the brewery s Venture Fund which supplies grants to local non profits improving the lives of Muskokans So you need not feel at all guilty having a grand time sampling craft beers ciders cocktails foods games activities and live music tickets algonquintheatre ca Band on the Run teams up with Festival for free concert If you haven t heard of this event by now you really should because live bands playing all along a running course is just not ordinary It happens June 8 and if the runners spots are all sold out you can still hit the free concert offered in conjunction with Huntsville Festival of the Arts and sponsored by Deerhurst Resort at River Mill Park from noon to 6 line up TBA Along the course acts include Sean Cotton Clayton Earl Tobin Spring Parry Sound Muskoka MP Tony Clement yes he s a musician too and many more Race information and registration bandontherun ca River Mill concert info huntsvillefestival ca event band on the run muskokabrewery com Photograph Sarah Girdwood for Muskoka Brewery Catch the tail end of Spring Fever at Deerhurst This fun event happens June 8 at the docks in Dorset the home port of the beautifully restored SS Bigwin next to the Lake of Bays Marine Museum from 10 a m to 1 p m There ll be a free barbecue music and samples with Moose FM Fluffy Feet face painting and free Bigwin cruises first come first served Bonus for health education the Dorset Community Health Hub presents its Open House just up the street from 10 a m to 2 p m Venture Fest is a major fundraiser for Muskoka Brewery s Venture Fund which supplies grants to local non profits that improve the lives of Muskokans June 2019 UNIQUE MUSKOKA 11

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Every summer the antique and classic vehicle buffs of Muskoka and beyond shine their rolling treasures to a gleam and show them off at shows the biggest of which happens on June 15 at Gull Lake Rotary Park in Gravenhurst The 26th annual edition of the Gravenhurst show will feature giveaways prizes DJ music vendors with yummy food and other goodies and voting for your favourite dream machine Admission is by donation Bracebridge s main street will become a glistening display of antique classic cars trucks motorcycles and more for the Father s Day Car Show in Bracebridge June 16 Photograph Old Guy with a Camera Gravenhurst Car Show to feature more than 500 beauts gravenhurstcarshow com The paddling masters of Muskoka RiverX present The Ox This racing event features a grueling head to head elimination sprint competition on Saturday June 15 and on Sunday June 16 a choice of 10 km sprint 30 km tri paddle or 40 km marathon all on Oxtongue Lake and Oxtongue River near Algonquin Park For total fairness sprint canoes marathon canoes kayaks stand up paddleboards and prone boards hands only are provided by sponsor Algonquin Outfitters it s all down to your strength skill and endurance There are categories for everyone cash prizes and an after race feast muskokariverx com the ox Father s Day Car Show takes downtown Bracebridge back in time If Dad s an autophile why not treat him and the whole family to a visit to times gone by at the Father s Day Car Show in stoneway marble granite inc Les and Renata Partyka 1295 Muskoka Rd 118 West Bracebridge Ontario 705 645 3380 stoneway inc gmail com 12 UNIQUE MUSKOKA June 2019

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Bracebridge right on his day June 16 Manitoba Street is closed off to become a glistening display of antique classic cars trucks motorcycles and more with oldies music as the backdrop and great food available Hardcore car nuts can hit both Gravenhurst and Bracebridge shows on consecutive days Dad rides for free on special Lake Rosseau sunset cruise For boat and beer loving Dads it doesn t get better Here s a great treat for fathers who admire both beautiful boats and beautiful beers the Father s Day Beer Tasting Cruise shipping out of Baysville on Father s Day June 16 The SS Bigwin lay rotting for decades until a group of people who love Muskoka s marine history moved heaven and earth for years to restore her to working order Lake of Bays Brewing Co is a fine craft brewery located in Baysville and will provide the suds There will be two runs noon and 2 p m ssbigwin com events sunsetcruises ca pages calendar html Spring into Summer Art Crawl for a great cultural experience You don t have to literally crawl just stroll through downtown Gravenhurst a picturesque backdrop to the excellent art on display The artists will be there happy to teach you about how they make their magic on canvas with clay with wood or however Hosted by Lodestar Montessori School and Community Living South Muskoka the Muskoka Adventure Challenge happens on June 22 and promises lots of smile and fun for kids 100 Canadian Artists Large Original Paintings Whimsical Sculptures Hand made wood bowls pottery jewelry 111 Medora St Hwy 118 West Port Carling Muskoka 705 765 7474 www redcanoegallery com Celebrating 25 years in Muskoka parking at rear Painting by Paul Garbett 72 x 48 June 2019 UNIQUE MUSKOKA 13 Photograph Michelle Apperley downtownbracebridge com visiting Another nautical treat for Dad s Day steams out of Port Carling for a two hour cruise through the stunning scenery of Lake Rosseau with entertaining live commentary and optional lunch Buy one or more tickets to this gorgeous cruise on the Peerless II and you get one free one for the great male parent in your life Reservations are recommended to avoid disappointment and are required for lunch

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they do it They will also of course have beautiful one of a kind pieces to sell It happens on June 22 downtowngravenhurst com Muskoka Barging event spring into summer art crawl Family run construction company with over 35 years experience operating in the Muskoka Lakes area No job is too small or too big Challenging fun for the kids at Adventure Challenge What happens when you send your child on a 10 stage obstacle course that gets them running climbing crawling hopping and jumping and even includes mud Loads of fun that helps them get hooked on an active and healthy lifestyle for life Hosted by Lodestar Montessori School and Community Living South Muskoka the Muskoka Adventure Challenge happens on June 22 and also includes 5 km and 10 km trail runs on Morrison Meadows for adults and older kids All proceeds go to local charities 705 764 0765 muskokabarging com 1163 Milford Bay Rd Milford Bay ON BARGING STEEL CRIB DOCKS SEPTIC SYSTEMS LANDSCAPING ElleZed Handbags Contemporary style Crafted from Harris Tweed one of the most desirable textiles in the world 28 Manitoba Street Bracebridge ON 705 637 0204 www muskokaadventurechallenge ca Feast on roast beef and lobster for two good causes The very popular 21st annual Baysville Surf Turf Dinner happens on the evening of June 22 at the Baysville Community Centre featuring live shipped lobster from Glace Bay Nova Scotia and slow rotisseried top butt roast beef This is the major fundraiser both for the Baysville Riverfront Group which keeps Baysville s parks floral beds and shore beautiful and the Baysville Curling Club Bar opens at 5 30 p m and dinner is served at 6 30 baysvilleriverfront ca surfandturf html Mini craft zoom across the water at the Muskoka Powerboat Races P O Box 330 Bracebridge ON P1L 1T7 Phone 705 645 4874 E mail mcnairelectric muskoka com www chuckmcnairelectric com ECRA ESA Licence No 7001083 The Toronto Outboard Racing Club will host the 2019 Muskoka Powerboat Races on Gull Lake near Gravenhurst on June 22 and 23 featuring these tiny but really fast and mostly home built craft from sea fleas to hydroplanes to classics Sign up or watch and dream about signing up next year torc ca 14 UNIQUE MUSKOKA June 2019

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making demo watch costumed paddlers manoeuvre a North Canoe and share in a First Nations elder s traditional blessing discovermuskoka ca events canoe day muskoka discovery centre Photograph Dale VanClieaf Treasures from days gone by abound in Bala Jordan VanClieaf and David Scriven are among the crew for 21st annual Baysville Surf Turf Dinner June 22 Contestants swim run and bike at the TriMuskokan At time of writing spots for individual competitors were sold out and only relay positions were available so the races might be completely sold out by the time you read this However you can still be part by cheering on these brave and tough athletes as there are many good spots along the course and you can buy coffee and muffins in the morning and Pita Pit goodies for lunch There are different courses for different levels of experience from Try aTri for newbies to the true endurance tests that will compel you to cheer and clap for the racers It all happens June 23 at the Canada Summit Centre in Huntsville trimuskoka com events trimuskokan Canoe Day features guided paddle and more canoe fun June 23 is National Canoe Day and to celebrate it the Muskoka Discovery Centre will host a great event for canoe enthusiasts Bring your craft and join in a guided paddle around Steamship Bay watch a paddle The Bala Antique and Nostalgia Show Sale runs June 28 30 from late Friday afternoon into evening and all day Saturday and Sunday at the Bala Sports Arena Some 40 exhibitors will be offering formal and country furniture decorative accents jewelry and other vintage nostalgia and Victoriana items Refreshments will be available and parking is free For more info call 905 659 1166 Canada Day Weekend Here are the events happening in the June part of the weekend see next issue for the July portion Heritage Day at the Dorset Heritage Museum June 29 It s educational fun for the entire family at the Dorset Heritage Museum where you can enjoy interactive heritage exhibits and a unique market featuring local artists and craftspeople along with delicious food Inside the museum you ll find fascinating exhibits showing how people lived worked and played in the old days from the museum s extensive photo collection to the tools used Runs 10 a m to 3 p m Traditional Craftsmanship and Product Innovation providng the Ultimate in Custom Docking Solutions dorsetheritagemuseum ca Fourth Annual Funkfest features great Canadian beers June 29 Hosted by the Sawdust City Brewery in Gravenhurst the Funkfest Canada Day and Beer Festival combines patriotism with beer as what can be more patriotic than enjoying one of a kind sour brews from craft breweries all across this great nation There will be fresh food and live music by headliners Born Ruffians along with other great acts The festival runs from noon to 6 p m Photo ID proving you re at least 19 is Call for a FREE Site Inspection 705 645 1900 www thedockdepot ca June 2019 UNIQUE MUSKOKA 15

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Photograph Bryan White Music on the Barge is celebrating its 70th season starting June 30 with Little Peter and the Elegants an eight piece 50 s and 60 s rock n roll band required For beer and band line ups videos and much more to give you an idea see the website funkfest beer Muskokacon Comic and Toy Convention June 30 After the organizers of the first Muskokacon brought this event to Muskoka last year and were successful Muskokacon returns to the Bracebridge Memorial Community Centre for another fun day of comic books toys pop culture items cosplay that s wearing costumes animation science fiction and fantasy and everything wonderfully weird The convention will feature more than 100 exhibitors offering comic books sf fantasy books magazines toys games movies television anime manga cosplay artwork sketches and apparel plus much more As well there will be a great line up of comic industry pros and fandom celebrities to hear speak and get to know muskokacomiccon com Algonquin Outfitters Outdoor Adventure Store Rentals Day Trips Canoe Trips Guided Canoe Trips and Day Trips Info Reservations 1 800 469 4948 www algonquinoutfitters com 16 UNIQUE MUSKOKA June 2019 Music on the Barge presents Little Peter The Elegants June 30 Music on the Barge is celebrating its 70th great season yes you read that right seventieth by kicking things off with Little Peter and the Elegants an eight piece 50 s and 60 s rock n roll band These musicians debuted in 1973 at the Port Credit Secondary School Christmas Assembly where they played I Wonder Why Yackety Yack and Rock Around the Clock then couldn t provide the encore the audience demanded as they didn t know a fourth song They ve learned many more since then however and will get you rocking in your spot Admission is by donation and supports Music on the Barge In case of rain or lightning the concert will unfortunately be cancelled It happens at Gull Lake Rotary Park in Gravenhurst gravenhurst ca en explore and play music on the barge aspx First Canada Day Fireworks Happen in Baysville And it s always a booming great show The Baysville Station 40 Firefighters are your hosts admission is by donation and it happens over the Baysville dam so you can come by foot car or boat and bring a chair or sit on the rocks It happens on June 29 or in case of inclement weather then June 30 starting at dusk around 9 30 Great June Shows and Concerts Around Muskoka They re too many to list so visit the venue websites for acts artists and dates Algonquin Theatre Huntsville algonquintheatre ca en Rene Caisse Theatre Bracebridge thecaisse com Gravenhurst Opera House gravenhurst ca en opera opera asp Peter s Players Gravenhurst petersplayers com The Kee to Bala thekee com

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Brian Shelly began his trade in shoe repair and leatherwork at the age of 13 DURABILITY FUNCTIONALITY Article by Meghan Smith Photography by Tomasz Szumski T he sign on the building may say shoe repair but Brian Shelly s business goes far beyond just that From boots to belts purses to hockey gloves and goalie pads to tonneau covers if the item can fit on Shelly s sewing machine there s a high probability he can and will find a way to repair it Shelly began his trade in shoe repair and leatherwork at the age of 13 working with his second cousin after school and on weekends in his hometown of Perth The work kept him busy through high school but in summers he would visit his father in Muskoka When he finished his carpentry program at Algonquin College he permanently relocated to Bracebridge I ve always loved it here and always knew I was going to move up once I was ready says Shelly In the 90s work in carpentry was scarce and I had a young family I needed to find something else to do June 2019 UNIQUE MUSKOKA 19

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Brian Shelly s business goes far beyond repairing shoes From boots to belts purses to hockey gloves and goalie pads to tonneau covers if it fits on his equipment there s a high probability he can create it Shelly stopped into the shop and met with the previous owner who was looking for support He wanted to have time away from the shop and wanted to open a second store in Orillia Shelly started working two days a week and soon after he took over operating the Bracebridge location When Shelly purchased the shoe repair shop in June of 1999 he had already been operating the storefront for seven years The most common repair he completes now is gluing but the business when Shelly first became involved was focussed on men s dress shoes and ladies lifts for pumps You don t see much of that at all anymore 1 70 5 6 4 5 751 1 DAV L I N CA Custom Boat Awnings Protect your investment 20 UNIQUE MUSKOKA June 2019 mba

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comments Shelly I hear so often but I spent 100 on that pair of shoes In 1979 I could get you a top of the line pair of men s Dack s for 99 95 If you do the math with inflation you should be spending about 500 for a pair of decent shoes today It s a different market now For everything from cars to appliances to clothing they don t make things the way they used to is an adage heard throughout the western world For Shelly the saying hits home The key to many projects is whether or not the item will fit on a treadle sewingH machine BAT K I TCH EN TH E RI OBEL MOMENTI COL L ECTION AVAI LA BLE AT KNOWL ES PLUMB ING S H OW R OOM In my father s generation every small town had a shoe repair but there s not many of us left anymore explains Shelly It s difficult in this business You can t give someone a manual and throw them in a store like this It takes a lot of training to understand what you re trying to do and properly operate the machinery The key to many projects is whether or not the item will fit on a treadle sewing machine a machine operated with a foot pedal much like an electric sewing machine but bigger A treadle is operated by pressing down on its pedal with one or both feet causing a rocking motion Treadles were once used D ESIGN IN STA LLATI ON REPA I R SERVING AL L O F MU SKOKA 279 MANITO BA ST B R ACEBR ID GE 705 6 45 267 1 KNOWLES PLU MB ING COM M U S KO KABATH BATH KITCHEN SHOWROOM SALES INSTALLATION REPAIR SERVING ALL OF MUSKOKA 279 Manitoba Street Bracebridge 705 645 2671 muskokabath knowlesplumbing com June 2019 UNIQUE MUSKOKA 21

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extensively in creating clothing and textiles powering spinning wheels looms and sewing machines My general rule of thumb is to bring it in and let me see it says Shelly If I can see it I ll know if I can do anything for you or not Shelly s skill goes over and above repairs and incorporates crafting items from scratch such as axe head covers knife sheaths and half chaps for motorcyclists or equestrians Custom leatherwork and specialty projects require a more significant investment of time Shelly spent several weeks through the winter working with inlays to create a custom pair of half chaps with red flame inlays to match his motorcycle of course Any time I m making things like the half chaps or fixing boots or things I m using the treadle says Shelly It takes a while Once you have a pattern created it makes it easier but it takes a long time to get them right Large and difficult projects do not stop Shelly from doing his utmost to provide the best customer service and an exceptional product Of particular note was re lining the pockets of an old pool table with leather Having to bend the leather a tough leather in order to withstand the pool balls Custom slamming against it the project leatherwork made and specialty particularly difficult projects require a more I like taking something significant investment of time that doesn t look very good when it comes in gives me the control and the power I and fixing it shares Shelly I like making it need to get through the leather But it s look good and having people get more time slow and it takes time A custom project out of it But one project can take the time to Right Brian Shelly spent several weeks through the winter working with inlays to create a custom pair of half chaps with red flame inlays to match his motorcycle 22 UNIQUE MUSKOKA June 2019

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705 645 4294 TF 866 645 4294 STORE 228 TAYLOR RD BRACEBRIDGE OFFICE 1646 WINHARA RD GRAVENHURST 24 UNIQUE MUSKOKA June 2019 look after 10 other projects depending on But if they bring the material to me they re what they are I have what I call my February selecting the product they want and we can projects that I simply will not do until I can work from there They still get to be the concentrate on them If I m rushed I won t creative director and get what they ve do a good job imagined Selecting materials In Bracebridge a for a repair or custom young man in a project are just as wheelchair could not significant as what stop the material bags tools will be used hanging on his While leather is wheelchair from being available in various damaged They simply weights and finishes could not hold up to Shel ly prefers to work their use Shelly with cow hides as they crafted leather ones are stronger and more instead to last longer economical Shelly s and provide better preference does not functionality for the preclude his work young man with different mat That s pretty erials However when satisfying when a clients make special project comes together requests he asks for well shares Shelly them to bring him the Shelly s passion is material and he will creating items that are complete the work durable and will I m pretty picky The most common repairs when Brian Shelly continue to work for about what I bring first became involved in his business were on the person who needs in comments Shelly men s dress shoes and ladies lifts for pumps them

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HONOURING n n u D y r r e G Way Article by Jack Hutton O Top The large Dunn s store was a major feature of Bala s main street in the 1940s when this photograph was taken The street has been renamed the Gerry Dunn Way Inset Inside Dunn s Pavilion dancers were greeted by a polished dance floor white tablecloths and cedar boughs hung from the rafters all providing an elegant touch 26 UNIQUE MUSKOKA June 2019 ne afternoon in early June 1942 the editor of the Gravenhurst Banner sat staring at the layout for the front page of the next week s paper The war against Nazi Germany was not going well and he wanted a positive local news story to make his readers feel good Suddenly he smiled and reached for a pen The result was a boldface headline at the top right of page one of the June 14th issue The headline said it all Famous Orchestra For Opening Night At Dunn s Pavilion The Frankie Masters Orchestra the top hotel band in New York City would be playing at the opening of Photographs Bala s Museum Archives T he

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Photographs Jack Hutton Gerry Dunn was honoured several times in the summer of 1992 as Bala celebrated the 50th anniversary of Dunn s Pavilion now the Kee to Bala He has been honoured again with the renaming of Bala Falls Rd as Gerry Dunn Way Dunn s Pavilion in Bala on Wednesday July 1st The Banner article hailed this as a new era of entertainment for visitors to Muskoka and district Gerry Dunn s bold decision to build a world class dance pavilion on Bala Bay was the good news that all Muskoka and maybe much of Canada had been craving On July 1st roughly 1 000 drove to Bala from as far away as Toronto and Buffalo Dressed in their finest clothes couples began gathering towards the end of the dinner hour on what would later be called the Bala Falls Road Their destination was Dunn s Pavilion the new white clapboard pavilion building that sprawled across the Bala Bay waterfront behind Dunn s Gerry s prominent store on the main street To get to the pavilion couples entered Dunn s and walked roughly 100 feet to the rear wall of the store The front of that line up came to a halt at the foot of a few stairs that led to the entrance to the new pavilion Behind them the lineup stretched back to the street and around a corner to the road leading to Torrance and eventually Gravenhurst Locals in the line up used the long wait to tell out of towners how Dunn s had started off as a small ice cream parlour that Gerry Dunn bought in the summer of 1929 At 27 he had just graduated from the University of Toronto as a pharmacist and had been a campus celebrity as the lead centre on the U of T hockey team Thanks to his hockey skills Dunn was in demand to play for a number of semi pro hockey teams Instead he chose to buy Langdon s Ice Cream Parlour which was roughly where the Kee to Bala is today The price was sky high 11 000 but Dunn saw an opportunity to become the only pharmacist between Gravenhurst and Parry Sound What also swayed him was the fact that Detroit s semi pro hockey team had offered to arrange a winter job as a pharmacist at the Henry Ford Hospital if he would join them Dunn wanted to continue playing hockey while having his own summer business He opted for the Detroit offer and going to Bala Dunn had never been to Bala while growing up in Bracebridge and was fascinated to learn there was a small open air dance floor behind the ice cream parlour where a waiter from the nearby hotel would come to play piano on Saturday evenings weather permitting After his first summer he slowly expanded the dancing area and enclosed it so that small bands could come to perform Over the next few years Dunn turned the ice cream parlour into Dunn s a large store that included a soda fountain sales of clothing fishing tackle and beach supplies and of course his pharmacy As the storytelling waned and the word was finally given the pavilion was open those at the front walked up a few steps through a doorway An attendant probably Lillian Sutton collected tickets and stamped the back of hands That allowed coming and going The first couples inside the new pavilion felt like they were walking into a Hollywood movie scene Musicians from the Frankie Masters Orchestra were seated in two rows June 2019 UNIQUE MUSKOKA 27

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Photograph Dunn Family June 20 The Kee to Bala 6pm 9pm Aurelie Dunn with son Patrick who became a judge with the Ontario Court of Justice on a slightly raised stage at the north end of the 100 foot hardwood maple dance floor resplendent in their tuxedos Behind them was the facade of the front of a Muskoka cottage High above the dance floor cedar boughs hung down from the rafters The boughs dipped in calcium chloride to be fireproof were now a glistening silver colour The sound system was primitive two large speakers but the acoustics of the pavilion produced great sound By 9 p m the excited audience had filled every available seat including private boxes that each held 20 occupants Others looked down from balconies on three sides The first melody they heard was the theme song of the Frankie Masters Orchestra Scatter Brain a bouncy foxtrot composed by Masters The song was familiar to all because the band s recording of that tune had topped the hit parade for eight weeks Dancers quickly filled the dance floor The pavilion never looked back after that sold out July evening Howard Cable led a nightly eight piece house band featuring Norma Locke as vocalist Mart Kenney brought his band on Sunday August 2nd for a dance that started just after midnight to obey Sabbath laws He returned on September 6th to close a season that had included Fletcher Henderson s top rated swing band 28 UNIQUE MUSKOKA June 2019

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from New York The Gravenhurst Banner gushed on July 30 Never before have visitors been able to enjoy the thrill of dancing to Canadian and American name bands until Gerry Dunn s New Pavilion was built this spring Word spread quickly On August 13 1942 the Gravenhurst Banner reported In one short season Gerry Dunn s Pavilion has become so widely known that all the foremost bands in Canada and the United States are anxious to play in the beautiful new hall Over the next 21 years Gerry Dunn brought the world s top dance and swing bands to Bala Count Basie Les Brown Guy Lombardo Cab Calloway Stan Kenton Duke Ellington Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey The most popular was Louis Armstrong who came to the pavilion four Photographs Bala s Museum Archives Above The Frank Evans house band performed at Dunn s Pavilion between 1957 and 1963 Below Group photos were taken of tables of patrons during the first half of a performance at Dunn s Pavilion and then sold to them during the second half times between 1959 and 1962 and set an attendance record of 2 100 in his final year It is surprising how many Muskoka residents over a certain age have stories about Louis Armstrong Dunn s son Patrick now retired as a judge from Ontario Court of Justice paid the visiting band leaders in his late teens The manager of Armstrong s band This year marks the 90th anniversary of Gerry Dunn s arrival in Bala an appropriate year to honour his memory June 2019 UNIQUE MUSKOKA 29

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Casey Piekarz played lead alto saxophone with the Frank Evans house band at Dunn s Pavilion between 1957 and 1963 Now 92 he lived in retirement outside Port Carling before moving away recently June 2019 UNIQUE MUSKOKA 31 Photograph Jack Hutton insisted on receiving the band s money If Louis gets it he starts giving it away he explained Jane Templeton was a Bala girl who boldly walked onto the band s bus and asked Armstrong for his autograph His signature in green ink is now proudly framed on her wall Templeton s younger brother Jack was only 11 when Armstrong invited him for breakfast with himself and his wife at the nearby hotel a block away Mike Webb a longtime Moon River cottager was a teenaged waiter when the pavilion had no liquor licence He recalls serving set up specials which included a large bowl with ice and a large bottle of Muskoka Dry ginger ale We never asked what was on the floor below the table cloth he says That was none of our business Casey Piekarz a longtime cottager at Henshaw Lake who recently turned 96 was a member of the Frank Evans house band at Dunn s Pavilion between 1957 and 1963 I earned 45 a week plus 15 for writing a new arrangement every week he recalls I brought my wife and our small children and

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Photograph Linda Jackson Hutton Gerry Dunn centre was delighted to be reunited in 1992 with Canadian band leader Mart Kenney who first played for Dunn s Pavilion in 1942 Jack Hutton right was emcee for the evening that brought the two together Photograph Jack Hutton rented a cottage from Herb Farlie on Long soon This pleases Don Elliott a longtime Lake for each of those summers It was a Moon River cottager who has been urging recognition of Gerry Dunn for years Now magic time for my family and myself Gerry Dunn finally sold his pavilion in retired in Ottawa Elliott was 12 when he 1963 It was re named the Kee to Bala in washed dishes between 9 p m and 1 a m for 1968 after the aging Dunn s store was torn the marine soda bar at Dunn s Pavilion I got paid 50 cents an hour but gas was down A new addition was built across the front of the pavilion and is still there housing 33 cents a gallon says Elliott I could put the ticket office The music now reflects a gas in my 5 horsepower Evinrude boat motor We all looked new generation s love up to Gerry Dunn He of rock n roll and was Mr Bala there is a large new This year marks the stage but the old 90th anniversary of pavilion is still there Gerry Dunn s arrival in with ghosts from the Bala an appropriate past year to honour his One year ago the memory Township of Muskoka He died peacefully Lakes Council decided in Toronto on Dec it was time to honour 9th 1999 but will be the memory of Gerry forever remembered as Dunn The Bala Falls the man who put Bala Road which leads to on a world map He the Kee to Bala is now did that with persealso known as the verance and love for his Gerry Dunn Way small town which was Muskoka Lakes Township Ward A the Gerry Dunn way District Councillor That is also the new Ruth Nishikawa says a District Councillor Ruth Nishikawa holds a name on the street plaque honouring plaque honouring Gerry Dunn She says it signs Gerry Dunn Way Dunn will be mounted will be mounted soon 32 UNIQUE MUSKOKA June 2019

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While her mother wanted her to play the piano as a child Alexis could never sit still for long enough It wasn t until the eighth grade that she began playing guitar in earnest Still she encountered a few challenges along the way Her mom wanted her to play the piano but she could never sit still for long enough And in grade school when she was a student at Tawingo College a teacher introduced her class to the guitar but her hands were too small to really do too much she says It wasn t until the eighth grade that she began playing in earnest teaching herself chords and trying to write lyrics to accompany the music I ve always been really independent I kind of just tried to do it on my own I was very stubborn I guess Then at Huntsville High School HHS she found a mentor in teacher Louis Tusz He was such a huge encouragement and such a huge help recalls Taylor High school was not a fun time for me I got pretty badly bullied and being a musician writing and working on my music so much didn t really help But he always made the music room a safe spot for me to go to and he really encouraged me to believe in myself and keep working and keep practicing As a teenager you have the idea that your parents are supposed to support you and believe in you but to have someone who wasn t my family say you know what you have what it takes keep working at it it was a very pivotal thing in my life As her ability grew she took every opportunity to play that she could She performed in the HHS Caf Jams concerts staged in the school s cafeteria and she sang with her parents at church or at Deerhurst and Hidden Valley Resort But her earlier stubbornness in teaching herself to play would turn out to be a road block albeit a short lived one At 18 Taylor went to university in Virginia She had applied to the school s music program but failed the music theory test I ve always been someone who could play music by ear I would listen to the songs and I would be able June 2019 UNIQUE MUSKOKA 35

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Songwriter and singer Alexis Taylor likes to tell stories with her music sharing life experiences with her audience It s one of the things that makes her songs so relatable and she works hard at it to play them without having to read notes she says It was a disappointing turn of events and she thought then that maybe music wasn t what she was meant to be doing after all Taylor spent the next two years majoring in elementary education but one day she realized how much she missed the music and thought I ve got to get out of here I have to be doing music that s what I truly want to be doing She talked her best friend into driving to Nashville a trip that solidified her decision I was only 20 so I couldn t get into any of the bars but standing on the 36 UNIQUE MUSKOKA June 2019 main strip of Broadway in Nashville where every single bar has a different musician or a different band playing it was like wow this is perfect this is where I want to be she says She moved to Nashville at 22 threeand a half years ago and hasn t looked back I m so lucky to play on the same stages as some of the people down here the amount of talent that is in this town is incredible Coming from a small town it s really cool to be a part of a huge network of musicians and so many people who are all trying to reach the same goal she says You learn to build each other up Though she s humble about it she can count herself among that talent And if she needed any confirmation she

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got it in the form of a nomination for Female Vocalist of the Year at the 2018 Tennessee Music Awards not long after she had released her first single Blame It On The Whiskey At the awards ceremony in Jackson TN she learned that she had won I had just finished a weekend of five shows in three days I was tired And when they called my name my friend starts nudging me Alexis that s you You just won As I was walking to the stage I was like really are you being serious And the guy who announced it was like yeah I m not joking It was a surreal moment Taylor likes to tell stories with her music sharing life experiences with her audience It s one of the things that makes her songs so relatable and she works hard at it A lot of times songwriting can be very frustrating I know in my mind what I want to say but trying to translate that to make it clear to my audience can be difficult at times she says When she gets stuck she often calls on her mom to help her work through it It really helps to have people in your corner that know music really well and can help you grow in that process of becoming a better writer Taylor is working toward recording a fulllength album a slow process as she is performer booking agent marketer and songwriter all in one When you re seeing me performing that s only a portion of what the music industry is about You don t see the six hours I spent on my kitchen floor trying to come up with one line of a song she says There are the calls to radio stations trying to book interviews or the time spent trying to increase plays on iTunes and Spotify It s nonstop and very time consuming but worth it Taylor will be releasing a new single titled Bend the Truth in the next few months And she continues to play as many shows as she can splitting her time between the U S and Canada One day she d like to return to Europe back in 2016 she opened for singersongwriter Doug Seegers on his Scandinavian tour a trip she called the experience of a lifetime I love to be on the road as much as possible says Taylor getting to meet new people and getting to share my music with anyone who wants to listen Alexis Taylor will be releasing a new single in the next few months titled Bend the Truth June 2019 UNIQUE MUSKOKA 37

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Connecting MIND BODY Acro yoga combines yoga and acrobatics It is part of the program at Muskoka Yoga Festival Article by Matt Driscoll C ome this July a group of like minded individuals will congregate in the heart of one of Muskoka s natural treasures for a weekend of food music yoga and above all community Taking place July 19 20 and 21 the Muskoka Yoga Festival has evolved to become much more than simply a setting to learn and practice yoga Shifting venues this year from Annie Williams Park in Bracebridge to the Limberlost Forest and Wildlife Reserve just outside of Huntsville the festival includes fitness and high intensity interval training classes forest walks workshops speakers food music meditations acro yoga and a 10 km forest run The main reason we decided to move the location was to create a more natural experience says Emily Thompson the festival director and head of food planning At Limberlost we have access to hundreds of different trails and acres of forest which we didn t have in downtown Bracebridge The experience we re trying to curate is one based on nature and giving people the opportunity to really spend concentrated amounts of time in nature

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Photographs Courtesy Muskoka Yoga Festival Thompson says equally accessibility of a modern important to organizers was day yoga practice is that being able to offer overnight people can approach it camping By allowing people from any angle and find its to show up on Friday and stay benefits in many different the entire weekend ways Thompson says they re Some people turn to hoping guests can be fully yoga as a meditative immersed in the yoga festival practice or a form of experience mindfulness to help them This is Thompson s first deal with mental health year as director of the festival struggles Others might use but she previously organized it as a rehabilitative practice North America s largest vegan to recover from an injury or festival Veg Food Fest in to strengthen their bodies Toronto for two years in a to function in everyday row as well as other small and life medium sized events in the Yoga and movement have been transformative elements in the lives of many who Cory Sterling is one of attend Muskoka Yoga Festival city the co founders of the Thompson first began practicing yoga nine She says the modern interpretation of Muskoka Yoga Festival along with Ashley years ago and has been a teacher for three yoga has grown to be inclusive of all ages Boone and he says the festival was a way to years During that time she s had the chance genders and walks of life not only celebrate yoga but to celebrate to practice and teach in many locations around Yoga and movement have been a Muskoka the world including her most recent stint at a transformative element in my life she says Ashley and I had been to different yoga social enterprise for women in Cambodia I think the beautiful thing about the festivals all over the world and didn t June 2019 UNIQUE MUSKOKA 39

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Muskoka Yoga Festival includes fitness and high intensity interval training classes forest walks workshops speakers food music meditations acro yoga and a 10 km forest run understand why it wasn t happening in our own backyards in Muskoka says Sterling Bringing a community together of people who are mindful healthy and love practicing yoga in one of the most beautiful parts of 40 UNIQUE MUSKOKA June 2019 Canada was really a no brainer Capitalizing on that natural beauty is one of the reasons why the organizers also decided to introduce a 6 km and 10 km forest run into this year s event First of all runs are a lot of fun and secondly Limberlost has an amazing network of trails says Sterling Running is getting more popular and it s a different aspect of health which is more exercise driven than

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yoga The main idea is that it s a ton of fun and we wanted to expand our community to those that are mindful and healthy with different passions Running and yoga are different activities but they re connected in a lot of ways and we thought it would complement the festival perfectly says Sterling Thompson says the organizers are particularly excited about this year s version as they ve managed to arrange for some of the top yoga teachers and workshop facilitators to take part Our teachers are busy all over the place and we re so lucky to have them doing what they do best with our festival attendees in one of the most beautiful places in Canada says Thompson The bigger space available at Limberlost has allowed organizers to really amplify things says Thompson but they ve also made an effort to allow people time to commune with nature swim hike shop eat and relax We still want to ensure we maintain the authenticity of what Muskoka Yoga Festival is all about community she says Saturday evening will feature a live band and there will be smaller acts throughout the weekend They re also working towards bringing in a 19 and over area where people can enjoy alcohol within a vendor market that will host more than 40 vendors with different products and food choices from the Muskoka region and Greater Toronto Area The overall goal is for their guests to feel like they ve arrived in a place they belong and not that they re retreating away from something says Thompson Similar to the way that people escape to Muskoka on their summer weekends to get outside of the city Muskoka Yoga Festival offers an opportunity for individuals at any stage of their yoga or movement journey to Muskoka Yoga Festival offers an opportunity for individuals at any stage of their yoga or movement journey to immerse themselves in community connection and conservation immerse themselves in community connection and conservation she says Many of us learn as yoga teachers and practitioners that the word yoga can also be translated as union and it s that meaning of yoga that resonates most with Muskoka Yoga Festival Any person can discover their connection to the practice in whatever way it means to them

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Photograph National Library and Archives Canada Artistic rendition of the Battle of Fish Creek April 24 1885 when greatly outnumbered M tis marksmen successfully battled militia forces MUSKOKA INTRIGUE The Local Impact of the 1885 North West Rebellion Article by J Patrick Boyer I n 1864 the frontier s spell lured George Dill north The 17 year old journeyed from Waterloo County to join older brother Jacob trading for furs at Lake Nipissing Within three years he d mastered bush skills and barter s finer arts When Jacob left George continued trading for several years The frontier s appeal next drew him to the Ottawa River s upper reaches where he farmed near Lac Beauchene By 1872 George again joined his brother this time landing in Bracebridge where Jacob was selling dry goods groceries and hardware and had been elected a village councillor The two Dills joined other sporting men that summer to form Bracebridge s first baseball club Learning from Jacob s retail experience George opened a general store in Huntsville Living on the north side of Fairy Lake he farmed and resumed fur trading as well Handsome athletic resourceful and adventuresome George Dill readily won the affection of lovely Melissa Casselman restless on her parents nearby lakeside farm by the canal When they wed she was the first of the Casselman family to marry in Muskoka Her mother Rachel invited everyone around Fairy and Peninsula lakes June 2019 UNIQUE MUSKOKA 43

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Call Mike Morrow 705 765 3195 www morrow electric com ESA License 7000286 Serving Muskoka Lakes since 1952 rewiring alterations heating NEVER be left in the DARK or COLD get a quality home standby generator by GENERAC Muskoka Ratepayers Association MRA represents the interests of its members in local government property taxation economic development and environmental issues MRA membership is open to all full and part time residents and businesses that have an interest in the Township of Muskoka Lakes Doors open at 9 30 am meeting at 10 00 am Saturday July 20 at the Port Carling Community Centre This is your opportunity to get more involved in the future of Muskoka Join your neighbours for the MRA s annual community update Visit the MRA website at muskokaratepayers ca to learn more about the MRA or to become a member now MUSKOKA RATEPAYERS ASSOCIATION muskokaratepayers ca 705 765 0022 info muskokaratepayers ca 44 UNIQUE MUSKOKA June 2019 to festivities at the farm Among the wedding party was her muchcharmed new brother in law Jacob who d risen to become reeve of Bracebridge and was now warden of Victoria County of which much of Muskoka still formed part When a post office was to be established north of Huntsville Jacob arranged for the place to be named Melissa flattering his sister in law By 1882 George s frontier spirit ignited anew with news of a Manitoba land boom He went west to seek opportunities signing on with the Dominion Land Survey The surveyors were the tip of a spear in an ongoing battle between colonists and Prairie folk Cree and other Indigenous peoples moved freely over the land the M tis adhering to the French seigniorial system lived together in close knit communities along riverbanks and farmed long strips of land running inland behind their homes The surveyors subdividing the Prairie into English landholding system of metes and bounds sections for separated farms and charting railway lines opened an economic and cultural clash The confrontation erupted into armed rebellion during 1869 when Louis Riel a devout Catholic M tis leader formed a provisional government at Red River An expeditionary force from Eastern Canada had crushed that rebellion by 1870 Riel though driven into exile in Montana was elected in absentia by defiant voters to represent Manitoba s Provencher constituency in Parliament a red flag for unfinished business Many of the aggrieved both Indigenous and M tis migrated west into Saskatchewan lands awaiting the day of reckoning George Dill liked the earth he stood upon while surveying a contrast to Muskoka s less productive soil He returned to Melissa and wintering with her and their children Ralph and Minnie shared his vision She was equally enthusiastic Weary of living on her parents farm she wanted only to be with George In the spring of 1883 he returned to the North West to secure good land where they could settle down prosper in farming and raise their family Through 1883 the frontier spell again overtook George He resumed fur trading

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Photograph National Library and Archives Canada more lucrative and easier than farming He begin the arduous journey back to Frog pushed west into Saskatchewan speculating Lake the next day With her sister Martha she watched on and trading until reaching Battleford There a blissful Melissa and the children the porch as their father William returned joined him She loved George profoundly from Huntsville with the newspapers and She told her family as she left the Muskoka mail Melissa had a happy expectant look on farm that her husband knew best and that she d always be happy wherever he was if her face a family member recalled as she was always looking for mail from George with him By the fall of 1884 the adventuresome William slowly climbed the steps stood before his daughters Dills moved further northwest from staring speechless Battleford up to Well papa asked Frog Lake It was Martha whatever is ideal George was the matter with you not only well Did you bring the respected by the mail community but William did not the only fur trader know how to bring in Frog Lake the news so just District spoke straight I m Oddly Melissa sorry Melissa The and her children Indians went on a hurriedly returned rampage and killed to Huntsville the all the settlers I m next spring Her afraid George is father William dead Casselman had Meanwhile in cabled that her Ottawa William mother was on her O Brien listened deathbed It was a Louis Riel as he appeared returning from exile to intently in the ruse Rachel had been sombre hush that beset by nightmarish establish a second provisional government on the Prairies quickly descended visions The Indians the Indians are going to over the House of Commons when the attack their house is burning they re Prime Minister rose to report grim news of a killing everybody Send for Melissa before massacre at Frog Lake in Saskatchewan It was Friday April 10 1885 John A it s too late She stopped eating could not sleep Feverishly haggard she was tensely Macdonald had received a telegram he adamant for days William could only calm informed the House from Mounted Police her by tricking their daughter back to Commander Dickens at Fort Pitt some 40 miles south of Frog Lake The Prime Muskoka At Fairy Lake with her son and daughter Minister related its contents about who d Melissa had visits from relatives One of the been killed taken prisoner and escaped Since March news dispatches about a keenest Jacob Dill was now Muskoka s Liberal MPP She was equally joyful to see second rebellion in the North West led by her brother in law for the association returned exile Riel who headed a provisional triggered with George But she was shocked government at Batoche Saskatchewan portended more Prairie turmoil A 54 year that her mother was so well Nobody dared explain about Rachel old farmer and editor O Brien like the driving everyone berserk about her majority of Anglo and Protestant Muskoka nightmarish vision saying only that she d and Parry Sound voters he represented quickly recovered Homesick for her feared and disliked everything the Northbeloved George Melissa repacked She d West resistance symbolized Catholic and 40 YEARS Fall on the Big East oil on board 10 x 8 Rural Roots Janine Marson 1979 2019 celebrates her Oxtongue roots with 50 new oil paintings June 29 July 14 Opening reception Sat June 29 1 4pm 1073 Fox Point Road Dwight 705 635 1602 Oxtongue Lake for Arts and Culture oxtonguecraftcabin com Experience You Can Trust Better Blasting Drilling We Know the Drill Experienced drilling blasting for roads ditches foundations and septic systems Exceptional service and top quality results CONTACT US NOW FOR A FREE ESTIMATE 705 645 4098 contact muskokadrillingandblasting ca June 2019 UNIQUE MUSKOKA 45

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National Photograph Library and ada Archives Can French speaking M tis standing up trains and headed west to incursions by Protestant EnglishCanada s transcontinental railway speaking surveyors railway builders promised to British Columbia for joining and colonist settlers Like other Confederation in 1871 needed to be Muskokans he d read Toronto completed in 10 years but was behind newspapers reporting the successes of schedule Several large gaps in the section Riel s forces led by Gabriel Dumont north of Lake Superior had to be traversed in battles at Duck Lake Fish Creek and by wagon or sleigh Braving one Cut Knife 24 kilometre march across open ice on Conservatives like O Brien deemed Lake Superior they were battered with armed uprisings against the newly rain and had clothing freeze to their established Canadian Confederation acts bodies Beyond however tracks ran far of treason that had to be vigorously and enough to transport the shivering promptly suppressed But unlike many soldiers on windswept open flatbed rail other MPs O Brien was able to do cars far from a joyride something about it Muskoka s MP was Colonel O Brien and his men also a colonel in the Canadian militia closed these rail gaps by forced That same day April 10 1885 his marches and in several sections by Simcoe Foresters 35th Battalion sleigh The terrain was formidable mobilized four companies for active some roads impassible the weather service Muskoka militiamen having no wet and cold In one forced march district battalion were in Simcoe s ranks they covered 26 miles in eight hours which now were provisionally combined with not a single man faltering with the York Rangers battalion and Lieutenant Colonel William E O Brien was Muskoka s MP when chuffed a Winnipeg newspaper commanded by Colonel O Brien They he led light infantry militia regiments west in 1885 to suppress By April 21 the Simcoe York boarded two Canadian Pacific Railway the Riel Rebellion Battalion reached Fort Qu Appelle KEEP YOUR POWER ON EVEN WHEN THE POWER IS OUT Whenever there s an outage KOHLER generators keep your lights on your fridge cold and your house cozy And they can power your entire house No matter the weather we re with you From engines to generators we give the world power MUSKOKA PARRY SOUND Your Source For All Your Electrical Backup Power And Home Automation Needs 705 765 0600 www sifftelectric com Port Carling Based on generator and load size 46 UNIQUE MUSKOKA June 2019

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Photograph National Library and Archives Canada Gabriel Dumont was recognized as a brilliant M tis military tactician who did more with less in Saskatchewan Lanky and durable Colonel O Brien so grim some MPs quipped he might sit for a portrait as one of the Duke of Wellington s hardened generals could walk all day and generally did Because he suffered no fatigue O Brien had little pity for others who did A York Ranger argued with him about the severity of blisters on his feet O Brien not only forced Private Fountain to keep marching but court martialled him for insubordination These soldiers engaged in no direct military action but saw plenty of strenuous service On May 13 receiving urgent orders to defend Humboldt against imminent assault Colonel O Brien set out immediately on a forced march with his battalion covering the 132 mile distance from Qu Appelle in seven days The men came in as lively as crickets Muskokans proudly read in the Toronto Globe O Brien and his stalwart second in command walked the entire distance enabling their respective batmen to ride their horses Appearance of the armed force likely discouraged the Humboldt raid informants had predicted it never materialized The rebellion itself collapsed that month with the siege of Batoche Riel was captured tried for murder and hanged In late June the Simcoe York Battalion returned to Ontario cheered as war heroes The companies were removed from active service on July 24 1885 O Brien returned to his other duties as Muskokans MP Melissa Dill upon hearing that her cherished George was dead had opened her mouth to scream but no sound came She stumbled back her entire body stiff Unable to breathe she slumped to the porch floor limp In following weeks more details became known about the Frog Lake 1 70 5 6 4 5 751 1 DAV L I N CA Canadian Distributor of High Quality 3 Season Sunroom Windows and Doors Available through your contractor or directly through Davlin June 2019 UNIQUE MUSKOKA 49

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Photograph Muskoka Heritage Place Collection Huntsville Huntsville s main street where Melissa Dill got lodgings in 1886 from Captain Minnie Fisher at Salvation Army quarters at the corner of Brunel and Princess Streets massacre Cree warriors had attacked the settlers In his wife s absence George was visiting neighbours when the raiding party appeared scalped and murdered the men in front of the women set their homesteads ablaze and carried off the women and children Melissa could not be consoled When discovering that her mother had demanded she return to Muskoka because of a premonition said one family member she turned her unbearable grief into rage and screamed at her parents that if they d not called her home George would not have been visiting neighbours when the Indians struck and he d still be alive Nothing could comfort the young widow and no amount of pleading or explanation would appease her Leaving the children with her parents she went into Huntsville to live Finding lodgings at the Salvation Army Home she set up a dressmaking business and gave music lessons to support herself Melissa Dill would not be reconciled with her parents and never again went back to the farm Hospice Muskoka The Turning Fork For Children and Youth suffering from recent trauma significant life changes or the death of a loved one TWO DAY SUMMER CAMPS Free of Charge JULY 8 9 11 12 9 00 AM 12 30 PM JULY 22 23 25 26 9 00 AM 12 30 PM Bracebridge Muskoka Lakes Secondary School Healing Through Fun Activities Play For more information or to register please call Caroline Cox at 705 646 1697 www hospicemuskoka com 50 UNIQUE MUSKOKA June 2019

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CHANGING LIVES ONE CAMPER AT A TIME Article by Sandy Lockhart Photography by Larry Carroll F or anyone lucky enough to have experienced summer camp as a child they know it s something special For the kids at Camp Winston the experience is often described as life changing Founded in 1991 and located on the shores of Sparrow Lake Camp Winston is a unique retreat for children with complex neurological disorders who need highly specialized support Camp Winston offers summer camp programs and weekend retreats throughout the year for young campers aged 7 13 and a teen program and weekend retreats for campers aged 14 17 Campers have a complex combination of neurological disorders which include Autism Spectrum Disorder Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Tourette s Disorder learning disabilities Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and other anxiety disorders including Oppositional Defiant Disorder Most campers have two or more of these challenges but at Camp Winston everyone is welcome Parents are often at the end of their rope says Denise Fruchter camp founder Camp senior director Andy McMullan who started as a Camp Winston counsellor at age 19 says it s the best place on earth I work with a lot of kids in all areas and our camp is the best place to affect change He explains that in most cases for the first time in their lives Camp Winston campers feel welcomed connected and secure enough to participate without fear of rejection or alienation Camp Winston s primary goal is to set these special children up for success Fruchter has spent every summer at the camp since it opened more than 25 years ago Like most Camp Winston kids I m not a what you see is what you get kind of kid she explains Fruchter explains that she has been diagnosed as on the autism spectrum with Tourette s Syndrome ADHD and learning disabilities When you have more than one disorder all the sum is different than the parts she says What I get stuck on with my autism I get distracted from with my ADHD Her own bad camp experience at age 10 is part of the reason she is so passionate about camp today I was an overprotected only child thrust into a cabin group of 12 children with underaged counsellors It was terrible and so was I She remembers refusing to get involved in some activities The counsellor did not recognize Fruchter acted up because she didn t understand what was expected Then she explains kids would rather be bad than stupid Most of the kids here would be kicked out of other camps says Fruchter We have a very special staff Her goal is to help campers enjoy camp and learn skills to help them have success in life Campers have many experiences but learning to swim and ride a bike are two of the basics most campers learn at Camp Winston If you learn as a kid to ride a bike swim or even how to play chess these are recreation and social opportunities that will serve for all time says Fruchter June 2019 UNIQUE MUSKOKA 53

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Denise Fruchter red shirt is Camp Winston s co director and founder of the camp Her real life experiences help her relate to the campers At Camp Winston children have the opportunity to escape their ordinary and often challenging daily lives connect with others in a way they ve never experienced and build life long skills with the help and support of the dedicated and passionate Camp Winston staff Working with the campers the plan is to focus on things that will matter in 10 years They also don t reward or punish campers Most of the energy goes into helping kids with skills and relationships It s all about learning life skills in a recreational setting and some of that starts with animals as part of the nature programming A favourite camp spot is the animal petting area Campers learn that relationships are about giving and taking For example collecting a few handfuls of sweet green dandelion leaves get the campers access to the gerbils Before they can even pet a gerbil they need to learn how to care for the pet Once 54 UNIQUE MUSKOKA June 2019 they decide to hold an animal campers must commit to a certain amount of time They are not allowed to jump from animal to animal Instead they must calmly sit with it and consider the animal s feelings It s all about caring for and respecting the animals Caring for each type of animal requires a license and they are all graduated At the highest level a camper can teach another person how to care for the animal We focus on control responsibility and empowerment says McMullan People may think look at his behaviour he can t possibly take care of something else But working with the staff at Camp Winston children gain all kinds of skills Sometimes it s easier for campers to understand relationship with animals and empathize with animals says McMullan Relationships with animals are more straightforward than relationships with people At Camp Winston alpacas and goats may wander by during the afternoon Each day they are set free to A camper enjoys the fruits of her labour with finished slime a homemade and tactile concoction that s a lot of fun

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walk about the camp and forage for food As campers learn to be a giver and receiver in nature it helps personal interactions McMullan explains Plus it s just awesome how many times in life do you get to interact with an alpaca The single most important thing that determines quality of life is keeping and making friends he says Everything the campers do is designed for them to practice those friendship building skills They try a skill fail problem solve and try again Camp is a motivating environment with the campers set up for success It s the best place I ve come across for kids to make real changes especially kids with complex needs Swimming and boating are regular activities so is drama Lunch includes a musical interlude Those who struggle with too much noise and overstimulation wear sound A young artist works on a map of the camp and its highpoints blocking headphones It s a positive environment where have never eaten a vegetable in their life says McMullan Here they help grow snow everyone has to be kind to each other Another unique feature is Camp peas and cucumbers and take that same Winston s organic garden A lot of kids food to eat at their table Resume building and mock interviews are part of the teen program Some basics like eye contact are taught You need to face the person smile look in their eyes and say Good Morning plus their name lists Fruchter For some campers these are learned skills After 27 years Camp Winston has many success stories Fruchter recalls one camper whose family was struggling with their child who was restrained aggressive noncompliant had ticks was obsessive and had Tourette s Camp Winston worked its magic she says He spent several years on staff moving his way up the ranks Fruchter smiles and says He s in university now She recalls a letter about another camper A family member wrote and offered this thanks I have a sister because of Camp Winston We are a needs based funding organization McMullan states We are never going to quit We are going to make it work He explained that one camper will be old enough to go on canoe trips this year but At Camp Winston children have the opportunity to escape their ordinary and often challenging daily lives with new experiences like holding a snake Right Learning to swim is one of the basics most campers learn at Camp Winston June 2019 UNIQUE MUSKOKA 55

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needs his medicine refrigerated in order to go along We are looking for a sponsor for a propane fridge so he can go along And while the camp is known for helping its campers better adapt to their lives outside camp he stresses that the camp has trained a lot of staff too There are professionals who give a lot of credit to camp About 140 campers come each summer plus another 200 visit as respite on weekends We have a big waiting list of 300 names says McMullan explaining that once a camper attends they come back year after year and rarely leave The longest waiting list is for kids 8 to 12 We are still working on a way to make this sustainable he says It s the best place I ve come across for kids to make real changes especially kids with complex needs The camp is funded by the generosity of others It does not receive any regular government funding Most campers don t pay to attend but Fruchter shares the story of one happy parent who gave a very generous donation Her child was a new A staff member and a camper return from harvesting fresh mint grown in the camp garden The mint will be dried and given as gifts to the camp attendees and used in the camp kitchen person thanks to Camp Winston so the parent showed her thanks by making it possible for the camp to help others too You changed the course of my kid s life the parent enthused It was another Camp Winston success story THERE S A TILLEY FOR EVERY OCCASION 28 MANITOBA STREET BRACEBRIDGE 705 637 0204 Largest Selection of Tilley Hats Clothing north of Toronto 56 UNIQUE MUSKOKA June 2019

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Whats Happened Muskoka endures second 100 year flood in less than 10 years Photograph Tomasz Szumski It wasn t supposed to happen again this soon but as a long snowy winter transitioned into spring the waters rose across Muskoka and kept rising beyond 2013 levels what had been described as the flood of the century at the time In the week prior to Easter the Muskoka River in Huntsville overflowed its banks in low lying areas and water levels in area lakes rose higher than most residents remember ever happening before Downstream from there it got worse and worse in subsequent days and weeks In Port Sydney the iconic tree at Indian Landing was almost completely submerged In Bracebridge where the north and south branches of the Muskoka River converge the falls roared with unprecedented force Out on Lake Muskoka navigation was banned except for emergency boat traffic And everywhere people with properties on or near the water tried desperately to avert damage or watched from afar hoping for the best expecting the worst Three municipalities Bracebridge Huntsville and Muskoka Lakes declared states of emergency as did the District of Muskoka The military was called in to help with evacuation sandbagging and other duties After a prolonged peak that lasted more than two weeks in some areas properties furthest downstream finally began to see Photograph Don Smith Flooding reached record levels on the North Branch of the Muskoka River with the Bracebridge Falls becoming a backdrop for many media reports Below Damage to cottages docks boathouses and other waterfront property is still being assessed in the wake of the 2019 Muskoka wide flood 58 UNIQUE MUSKOKA June 2019 water levels drop and on May 15 Muskoka Lakes lifted its state of emergency the last municipality to do so The provincial government activated its Disaster Recovery Assistance for Ontarians program in Huntsville Bracebridge and Muskoka Lakes to provide financial assistance to residents affected by flooding Muskoka Futures launched a flood recovery loan program to provide zero interest loans for businesses impacted by the flooding It will take weeks and in some cases months for some residents and business owners to clean up and repair the damage for information on disposal of flooddamaged material debris and sandbags residents should check with their local municipality And discussions on how to better manage water levels if they can be managed at all or at least mitigate the damage have already begun at both municipal and provincial levels because a new record has been set and no one wants to see it beaten any time soon ARTrail Muskoka launches self guided art tour Muskoka s annual art tours are a popular attraction that draw hundreds of people to local studios But what if you re not in the area on one of those weekends Enter the new ARTrail Muskoka The self guided tour launched in May maps and contact information for each studio are available at artrailmuskoka ca and

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brochures have been distributed to stores across the region Painter Bonnie Bews heard about a similar idea in British Columbia and suggested to some of her fellow artists that it was just what Muskoka as an arts designated community needed Wendie Donabie Janice Feist Krystal Speck Jane Spencer and Bruce Tyner jumped on board to help out and they soon had 67 artists signed up to participate for the inaugural year More have since expressed interest and Bews expects that in the tour s second year that number will approach 100 You can visit the studios by chance if you re out for a drive and spot a purple ARTrail banner it means the artist is in Or plan ahead using one of the brochures or the website Contact information is listed for each studio to check directly for hours It s a wonderfully personal way to view art says Bews For the most part these are working artists and they will be in their studios creating pieces You have the opportunity to see artists working and you have the chance to spend more time looking at their work and to talk to them about their work Inaugural jazz festival coming to Port Carling The performers at the inaugural Muskoka Jazz Festival boast an impressive list of awards and recognitions amongst them two Orders of Canada three Juno Awards three 2019 Juno nominations plus six from previous years one Grammy Award and more Molly Johnson will headline the event preceded by Heather Bambrick Joe Sealy Brad Cheeseman Lorne Lofsky and Luis Gonzales Deniz Young local musicians Jack Nickalls and Josie Robinson both still in their teens will join the lineup They are big names on Canada s jazz scene and they ll be coming to Muskoka this summer The event will feature local food too Bala s Taco Kar will serve up fresh tacos and other Mexican specialties Pete of Pete s Links fame will be there with his barbecue and everyone s favourite pizza from Port Carling s Hook and Ladder will be on site June 2019 UNIQUE MUSKOKA 59

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Photograph Jordan Waines The campaign to preserve Muskoka s steamship history received a much needed boost in the form of a 950 000 federal government grant 950 000 in federal funds energizes project to preserve steam history In the not too distant future Muskoka residents and visitors will be able to learn more about an important part of the region s past its steam era thanks to the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund On April 24 Marco Mendicino Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities announced on behalf of Minister of Canadian Heritage and Multiculturalism Pablo Rodriguez that the Muskoka Steamships Discovery Centre would receive 950 000 in funding for an expansion project The funds will support creation of a new permanent steam era exhibit at the museum which is located at the Muskoka Wharf in Gravenhurst The new exhibit will double as a boathouse and in water slip for the Wanda III a private yacht built in 1915 that was commissioned for Mrs Timothy Eaton and one of the centre s primary artifacts The funding from Canadian Heritage has energized our project and will be the catalyst for making the Steam Era Exhibit a reality said John Miller President Muskoka 60 UNIQUE MUSKOKA June 2019 Steamships Discovery Centre This contribution will allow us to preserve a one of a kind artifact and create a new state of the art exhibit to continue our celebration and promotion of the culture and heritage of Canada s Muskoka District Local fencer has her sights set on the 2020 Olympics She began her sport the way many young people do trying to emulate an older sibling But Rebecca Jeffrey s first foray into fencing at 12 after watching sister Katie four years her senior compete at Bracebridge Muskoka Lakes Secondary School soon turned into a passion that may Photograph Augusto Bizzi Port Carling s James Bartleman Island will play host to the August 24 event and just 750 tickets will be available While you re there you can visit the Muskoka Lakes Museum it will remain open the day of the event For more information visit muskokajazz com take her all the way to the Olympics When she was in grade nine Jeffrey remembers telling her mom that she would someday make it on to the national fencing team The 21 year old now a kinesiology student at the University of Toronto achieved that goal this year It s unbelievable to be able to travel and represent Canada all over the world she says Jeffrey has competed in World Cup events across Europe and the United States and most recently in Tunisia She was thrilled to learn she qualified for the World University Games being held in Naples Italy in July It s like the university version of the Olympics says Jeffrey It s amazing that I made it Jeffrey now has an even bigger goal the 2020 Tokyo Olympics She and her three national teammates hope to qualify as a women s team It s a huge goal she says We will have to do well in the qualifying events between now and May 2020 She encourages other young people to take up the sport Fencing isn t just a physically exerting sport it s also very mentally challenging as well trying to figure out what you need to do in that split second It s a very intense sport and you learn so much about yourself Rebecca Jeffrey left of Bracebridge is fencing internationally competing in Word Cup events

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Rethinking reclaiming and rejoicing in food Article by Karen Wehrstein Photography by Tomasz Szumski The Muskoka North Good Food Co op story began some six years ago when then Savour Muskoka manager Kelli Ebbs was working together with the District of Muskoka on a study of Muskoka s food and agriculture situation in aid of promoting food tourism We did community consultations all around Muskoka says Ebbs who is now in charge of kitchen programs development for the Muskoka North Good Food Co op in Huntsville All the consumers were saying they d love to support local farmers and eat local food All the farmers were saying they d like to scale up production if only they had a bigger market than farmers markets and the odd local store This was following up on the work of a team of fourth year students from Ryerson University authors of the Muskoka Foodshed Report which also recommended expanding locavore markets So Ebbs started a small working group to explore the idea of creating a food co op The idea is not new having been practiced all over North America including other The Uproot Community Caf serves breakfast and lunch providing a good variety of breakfast bagels and egg dishes soups salads sandwiches wraps pizza and more made from stock at Muskoka North Good Food Co op 62 UNIQUE MUSKOKA June 2019 parts of Ontario But it was new to Muskoka and boldly political We are taking the typical model of a store selling food and turning into a unified community homegrown approach which is not for profit says Ebbs You need the time to educate and promote the whole idea It s more than the store It s an entire movement From a working group the co op got to the point of selling food at the grassroots level about two and a half years ago Then in January of 2018 it received a generous double grant federal and provincial allowing a complete renovation of the space it now occupies and the purchase of all new equipment The grand opening took place in October and the store and cafe now operate six days a week What can you get there There s everything you d expect meat fish vegetables fruit dairy eggs bread preserves all sorts of raw ingredients and a lot of the sorts of edible things you might expect to find in health food stores The home page of the website muskokanorthfood com has a much better list than this But much of it is locally produced about 90 percent in summer and 15 percent in winter according to grocery market manager Keri Lyn Freebird If she can t procure it in Muskoka she ll broaden to Ontario then to Quebec or Manitoba then to all Canada then to the rest of the world making connections with producers of similar philosophy who provide organic free range and fair trade foods that can t be grown in Ontario such as avocados bananas and pineapples Everything is produced in

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Experience everything Muskoka has to offer in a refreshingly affordable revitalized environment 10 guest rooms 4 suites 2 000 sq ft of dining lounge space pinelodgemuskoka com 705 385 2271 Located in Port Sydney ON Canada 484 Muskoka Road 10 For those wishing to relax with a coffee or latte while they grocery shop Muskoka North Good Food Co op obliges environmentally sustainable ways GMOfree free range when applicable and mostly chemical free The Uproot Community Caf as it s called serves breakfast and lunch providing a good variety of breakfast bagels and egg dishes Huevos Muskokos amigo soups salads sandwiches wraps pizza and more made from the store s stock The leaders in the kitchen are Ebbs and Lisa Wilson with help now and then from Lisa s partner Sam Robertson who you might remember from a previous issue is the chef at Bartlett Lodge in Algonquin Park If you like a nice local craft beer with lunch no problem the caf is licensed So how does the co op work You can just be a customer as with any store by going in and buying stuff But you can also be a co op owner by purchasing a share This entitles you to a say in how the store operates by vote it s democratic as well as making you eligible to run for a seat on the board of directors It also entitles you to member discounts and other perks including having items sourced if you ask for them You can volunteer for shifts working at the store which entitles you to further perks Producer and corporate memberships are also available Food prices are set by asking producers what they need to be paid to keep producing with the addition of a mark up that allows the co op to operate on a non profit basis The prices may make you jump a little on first glance But Ebbs says the quality is worth it Once people find out how this food tastes they ll buy it she says They come in for greens and next thing they re buying apples There s no comparison Your taste buds point the way to your health she says Our food is the biggest cause of the disease we see in our society today Here you re paying for clean food It s nice to see people saying they feel better telling us how much weight they ve lost and how much better they sleep because they ve changed their diet Freebird notes that the idea is for people to take control of their food supply MONDAY WING NIGHTS bestwingsinmuskoka BTL_Unique Muskoka Ad_F pdf 1 2019 03 18 I N S I D E A L G O N Q U I N PA R K C M Y CM MY CY CMY K Near Perfect We ll carry you by boat to fine dining in the heart of Algonquin at Bartlett Lodge bartlettlodge com 1 866 614 5355 June 2019 UNIQUE MUSKOKA 63

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Enjoy the authentic avours of Mexico in Muskoka 155 Manitoba Street Bracebridge or Call us for Takeout 705 645 1935 FI ND OUR ME NU ON FAC EBO O K Over 40 Kawartha Dairy Ice Cream Flavours Chocolates Candies and Retro Sweets Rick s Buttertarts Muskoka Roastery Coffee Vegan and Kosher Treats ES D T 1 9 37 A I R Y 705 646 9079 chocolatemargaret bell net 1 95 Manitoba Street Downtown Bracebridge Across from the Post Office www mommabears biz 64 UNIQUE MUSKOKA June 2019 Food security means if you have two days of snow so the truck doesn t come to the supermarket you still know there is food here she says Food sovereignty means breaking free of reliance on bigger food chains and food systems and the corporate approach to food and food availability It means the wellbeing and nourishment of our communities in a far more sustainable way By expanding the co op plans to bring prices down through economies of scale Currently about 950 families own shares translating to an estimated 6 000 people of all ages Co op leaders are hoping for 1 500 families by October This growing market is stimulating growth in production says Ebbs as more farmers usually young buy land and start out because they have an outlet In 2012 co op volunteer and former volunteer co ordinator Sheri Renaud moved up from Toronto with her husband Jeff in pursuit of a different lifestyle one in which they were more connected with their food Armed with a Savour Muskoka map the intrepid couple drove all over Muskoka finding and meeting the local producers Then they learned about the co op idea and decided to attend a presentation at Algonquin Theatre Unfortunately it was crammed with 400 other people who all felt the same way and Renaud couldn t get in with her son Orion in a stroller The lady gave us an information package we went over to The Mill on Main and decided to join anyway she recalls Her first volunteering stint was at the Feast the Harvest fundraiser in October 2015 tending bar I jumped in with two feet and never really left As the business cum movement grew the need for a volunteer co ordinator arose and she stepped up It was fascinating for Renaud who has her own event planning business to see the co op grow from an idea to a physical business It makes me feel pretty proud she says I come from a pretty hard neighbourhood in the GTA and I didn t observe that much of this It was a really big change for me to see the work of just regular folks making a difference making something happen The co op in fact has spun off new businesses with volunteers themselves becoming producers of products such as vegan products greens and veggies What is perhaps most meaningful to Renaud is the effect the co op and the food oriented community around it is having and will have in the future on the life of her young son now five It s part of his life it s where we get foods in a different kind of sense Renaud enthuses He s gotten to meet farmers to tour farms my son has a different relationship with food than we did growing up He s not as disconnected as we or his peers are He witnesses food in all stages The welcoming and open minded people at the co op have allowed Orion who suffers

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multiple food allergies to see In addition to foods Muskoka North Good Food Co op also offers a number of other locally and touch and taste Being produced items such as beeswax candles at the co op and learning working with whole foods and foods that grow in this climate made it easier to manage his food allergies his mom says Inspired by both parents Jeff is a volunteer firefighter as well as volunteering occasionally at the co op Orion is himself determined to volunteer at the co op when he s old enough His mom is there to stay for life We weren t really sure how we d fit in and that s not a happy atmosphere question anymore We re always looking for more What s it like volunteering at the co op volunteers and people who want to learn It s such a fun place to volunteer says more about real food or to be more Ebbs I had one say I always leave here connected to good food says Renaud happier than when I came in There s an which reminds me I should mention that immediate sense of belonging No one s on the co op holds workshops and other their phones educational offerings I can attest to the warmth of the place It s a great place and a great space to be myself There s definitely a welcoming and in It s a really rewarding and valuable THERE S A TILLEY FOR EVERY OCCASION experience and we have a ton of fun We re not a conglomerate says Renaud we re not corporate trained You can t go in there and have a bad day Staffers take joy in the joy of their customers upon finding items they thought they could only get in the city The enthusiastic atmosphere is so infectious I m almost getting distracted from my job here a salad to nibble and a description to write I sat down at the co op s massive wooden table and peeked at a menu finding that the prices here are not at all out of line with caf prices generally The co op also has a practice called Pay As You Wish which allows diners to either give or take a 4 coupon depending on their need or means so far more are giving than taking for certain menu items Part of the mandate is BRACEBRIDGE GENERATION LTD Water Power Generating a Cleaner Environment Interested in more information or a free tour www bracebridgegeneration com Rotary Centre for Youth 131 Wellington St Bracebridge 28 MANITOBA STREET BRACEBRIDGE 705 637 0204 705 644 2712 www clubrunner ca bracebridge June 2019 UNIQUE MUSKOKA 65

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Muskoka North Good Food Co op sources much of its produce locally and when items aren t available it connects with producers of similar philosophy who provide organic free range and fair trade foods accessibility says Freebird And then I was presented with a salad that made me gasp a little such a riot of colour and shape it was crowned with a tower of alfalfa sprouts and so big that I ended up taking half of it home The ingredients do indeed have that far better than store bought vividness of flavour The carrots and beets spiralized provided an interesting mouth feel a soft curly complemented by the harder crunch of the nuts If you regularly read me here you probably have learned that I like complexity in a dish and this one definitely did not disappoint As you will see the recipe is quite open ended There s no mention of pomegranate seeds but mine had some and they were a great asset The bright green very herbal dressing is intense in a luminous way with sourness and sweetness warring each other deliciously As I was new to the place I can t say I quite followed the caf s motto Eat with someone you love But I had come to like the folks I interviewed and the whole place a lot Recipes Co op Sanctuary Salad and Chloro full Dressing Staff of the Muskoka North Good Food Co op Berries chopped orchard fruits orange pieces Toasted sunflower pumpkin seeds nuts Hemp hearts Pickled and or roasted veggies This is an easy salad to put together Let your taste buds guide you every combination is a great one Top with this easy to make versatile delicious creamy and nutrient packed plant based dressing Salad Dressing First source or harvest fresh clean local greens like all kinds of lettuce all kinds of kale cabbage radicchio endive arugula spinach mustard greens baby bok choy and spring greens To this add these are some examples Sliced hard boiled or pickled egg Cooked chick peas Cooked and sliced sweet potato Avocado Microgreens and sprouts Grated or spiralized carrots beets zucchini 66 UNIQUE MUSKOKA June 2019 In a blender combine 1 cup EACH fresh and clean stems too parsley cilantro basil and arugula cup chives or greens from green onions chop up the white bottoms and add to your salad seeded jalape o pepper 2 cloves peeled and stemmed Ontario garlic cup organic apple cider vinegar cup organic white wine vinegar 1 8 cup maple syrup 2 tablespoons Nutritional Yeast 1 3 cup olive oil salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste Blend until smooth and creamy Feel free to play with the flavour and consistency until it s perfect for you This makes enough dressing to store in a lidded glass jar in the fridge for up to 7 days Can also be enjoyed on steamed veggies fish and meat Toss your greens with the dressing add a small amount toss and add more until it s coated to your preference Top with the above plethora of topping options or none at all and sprinkle with toasted seeds nuts Serve with a warm slab of fresh sour dough or focaccia bread A nice beverage pairing might be a big glass of pure water or a mug of fresh draught Kombucha or local craft cream ale all available at the Co op Eat with people you love

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Muskoka Moments Sharing the responsibility for our watershed By Kevin Trimble 68 UNIQUE MUSKOKA June 2019 Muskoka Watershed Council MWC As I began to pull back the throttle on a hectic career in environmental consulting the gap seemed to fill naturally with volunteer work I ve been involved with many nongovernment groups over 30 something years in the environmental field but somehow the MWC is special and different The breadth and objectivity of its mandate and membership makes it easy to dive in deep enough to find myself now almost three quarters of the way through a term as its chair And since all of us have been touched in some way by what is known as the Flood of 2019 my role in MWC could not have a sharper focus I saw people from all of Muskoka s subcultures come to grips with a new reality and now we all share the responsibility to plan for the future of our watershed I also have little reminders of that responsibility close to home A visit from our two grandchildren to Brandy Lake will be a welcome distraction from landscaping and dock repairs as we prepare to host our youngest son s wedding here this summer Watching kids starting their careers and grandkids running on the lakeshore without a care in the world keep my thoughts connected to our watershed Photograph Courtesy of Kevin Trimble My Muskoka Moment is brief Before 2014 Muskoka was just a distant planet orbiting the centre of my childhood universe on Lake Simcoe It was that place I got lost in once taking a short cut from Sudbury to Orillia My parents died close together in 2011 and my brothers and I reluctantly decided to sell the family cottage on Lake Simcoe That summer I was sitting on the porch of our landlocked stone house in Alton when I admitted to my wife Moreen that I m a water baby at heart The cottage had infected me to the point that I could sit for an eternity watching water listening to waves smelling lake air and feeling its warmth rising on a cold summer night in a fishing boat But being honest with myself and my tendency to over complicate every technical assignment beyond changing a light bulb I told her that I didn t think I could maintain two places though I would live near water in a second So the row of Manitoba maples and lilac bushes in our yard dominated my horizon for several years Then Moreen had a job change to Bracebridge that brought us to Brandy Lake near Port Carling To say we became immersed in Muskoka culture was an understatement We were welcomed immediately by not only the people we share this special lake with but also a local population that has lived here for generations raising families and working in the local economy I m an ecologist by profession and I m still mystified by how fast a community of professionals academics and citizen scientists absorbed me into their world And since Moreen was diagnosed with breast cancer just as we moved in we were quickly embraced by the close knit medical community here Through all of these Muskoka subcultures I had a crash course in its history and how tourism emerged from logging and settlement to become a pillar of the economy attracting visitors from all over the world in a sometimes awkward symbiosis with the resident population I was neither and I was both We were lucky enough to find a lakeshore home and we make our livings here year round We can t say we re from Muskoka but we love coming home here especially from the GTA Mark Twain said the two most important days of our lives are the day we re born and the day we figure out why I m not sure how much that applies to me but I ve found it very rewarding to be able to contribute to the community through my work with the Kevin Trimble and his wife Moreen Miller live on Brandy Lake just outside Port Carling Kevin is semi retired after 30 years as a consulting ecologist They have two sons one married in the military in Petawawa with their two young children and another getting married this summer

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