JULY 2016
WATERSHED
Weather Warnings
Real Estate Professionals Serving the Muskoka Lakes since 1978
Adam Wallace**
705-801-5373
Douglas Pain***
705-646-4807
Sandy Cornell*
705-646-3693
Dennis Duke*
705-641-2701
Sharon Boyer**
705-644-4530
www.realestateinMuskoka.ca
Jeff Crowder*
705-801-5212
Richard Wallace**
705-646-4473
705-765-6176
Richard Wallace Real Estate Limited, Brokerage 38 years of selling Muskoka
Lake Muskoka-Beaumaris $3,195,000
Lake Rosseau $2,549,000
Draper Lake $1,350,000
***Broker of Record **Broker *Sales Representative
July 2016 UNIQUE MUSKOKA 1
...telling the Muskoka story
Features
[19]
12
Turning heads with Miss Kimberley
by Tim Du Vernet Miss Kimberley turns heads wherever she goes. The 1938 Streamliner is one of the finest examples of this curvaceous Greavette design.
19
Balancing fun & fitness
by Meghan Smith Why relax by the lake when you can relax on it? Stand-up paddleboard yoga balances fun with fitness on Muskoka’s lakes.
[12]
24
[28]
Functional art from the forest floor
by Dale Peacock Conel O’Regan isn’t your conventional furniture maker. His forest finds take functional pieces in a new direction.
28
Weathering our changing climate
by Dawn Huddlestone Can Muskoka’s watershed handle the stress of climate change, or is flooding and ice damage the new norm? What does it mean for our wildlife? [24]
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HARVEY KALLES R E A L E S T A T E L T D., B R O K E R A G E 1005 Henshaw Lake Road, Unit 1A, Port Carling ON P0B 1J0 705 765 6677
www.HarveyKallesMuskoka.com
Muskoka…….invest in your dreams.
Murray Lepard Sales Representative Cell 705 646 5107
Susan O’Connor Sales Representative Cell 705 205 1028
Angie O’Hara Broker Cell 705 205 3752
Tom O’Hara Sales Representative Cell 705 205 3235
Chelsey Penrice Broker Cell 705 205 2726
Donna Reid Broker Cell 705 644 7866
Richard Scully Sales Representative Cell 705 644 9393
David Wilson Sales Representative Cell 705 706 0138
www.HarveyKallesMuskoka.com
3 UNIQUE MUSKOKA July 2016
July 2016 UNIQUE MUSKOKA 3
Departments 53
Cottage Country Cuisine
Grilling isn’t limited to steak and hamburgers. Wow your guests with local ingredients that will add a spark back into your passion for the barbecue.
[53]
Features 34
Citizen scientists leap into action
by Sandy Lockhart The FrogWatch program challenges citizen scientists to leap into action and help track the calls of Muskoka’s nine different frog species.
39 59
Muskoka Calendar
Discover what’s happening in Muskoka this month.
64
Living in Muskoka
When you’re an elite triathlete who travels the world, home needs to be a place to recharge. Steve Vandermolen and Barbi Brochu found their sanctuary where sore muscles are soothed and victories celebrated.
Muskoka Chautauqua returns to its roots
[34]
by Karen Wehrstein Muskoka Chautauqua brings arts, entertainment and learning to the shores of Lake Rosseau while staying true to its heritage.
47
War cancels PM's golf game
by J. Patrick Boyer It was supposed to be a relaxing holiday, but the outbreak of the Great War cut short Prime Minister Borden’s visit to Muskoka.
Opinion 9
Muskoka Insights by Don Smith
72
Muskoka Moments by Alex Tilley It took getting lost in the Torrance Barrens for Alex Tilley, the creator of the famous Tilley hat, to realize the many stories the land has to share.
4 UNIQUE MUSKOKA July 2016
[47]
Our Cover
by Andy Zeltkalns A paddler enjoys an afternoon kayak on Skeleton Lake.
[39]
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Your Muskoka law firm.
…telling the Muskoka story Unique Muskoka is published six times per year by Unique Publishing Inc.
Donald Smith Publisher
Melissa Kosowan Editor
Heather Glumac Designer
Susan Smith Administration
Nathalie Tinti PARTNER
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Our locally-based lawyers offer big city talent with small town customer service. Choosing lifestyle and balance, many of our lawyers have bid farewell to big city firms, bringing their Bay Street experience to clients at our Huntsville, Bracebridge and newly opened Port Carling office. Our offices in Simcoe County provide further bench strength when additional lawyers are needed on complicated or multi-layered cases. Our team, consisting of over 100 lawyers and staff, is at your disposal. We're in your neighbourhood and we're here to help. Give us a call.
J. Patrick Boyer Heather Douglas Tim Du Vernet Kelly Holinshead Dawn Huddlestone Eleanor Kee Wellman Sandy Lockhart Dale Peacock Meghan Smith GJ Thomson Alex Tilley Scott Turnbull Karen Wehrstein Andy Zeltkalns Contributors Annual Subscription Rates: (including HST where applicable) In Ontario $30.00 All Other Provinces $36.00 U.S. $45.00 All Other Countries $59.00 HST: 773172721 Copyright © 2016 Unique Publishing Inc. No content published in Unique Muskoka can be reproduced without the written permission of the publisher. Box 616, Bracebridge ON P1L 1T9
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July 2016 UNIQUE MUSKOKA 8
{Muskoka Insights{ Muskoka. My immediate family – my grandmother, my uncles and an aunt – all moved to Muskoka. Here, I finished high school and then took the first and most significant step in my career. Presumptuously assuming my stint as editor of the school yearbook qualified me to be a journalist, I applied for work at the local newspaper. Somehow I convinced longtime publisher, politician and local author Bob Boyer of my abilities and the rest, as they say, is history. My good fortune in being hired by Bob could not have been better. He had deep local roots and was related to pioneer families. His mentorship, knowledge of local history and unending encouragement provided the perfect hands-on education. It set the groundwork for a very gratifying career and led to today – the launch of Unique Muskoka. There are many people I would like to personally thank for making Unique Muskoka possible – editor Melissa Kosowan has taken on the amazing challenge of tapping into the community for the first issue, writers and photographers have contributed quality material with very little notice, designer Heather Glumac has guided us through the creative minefield of page layout, advertisers have shown their backing for our vision and friends and family have offered continuous words of support. When you’ve finished your read, we’d appreciate your feedback. Send us an E-mail: info@uniquemuskoka.com. The success of Unique Muskoka will be guided by your input and thoughts. Happy reading. Photograph: Susan Smith
Welcome to the first issue of Unique Muskoka. From the earliest days of my journalistic career, pounding out stories on a thenancient typewriter, I have continually gained an overwhelming respect for the people of Muskoka. Either as permanent residents or seasonal residents, they are very passionate about their relationship with this most beautiful part of the world. Nearly 45 years later, I continue to learn about their stories, their lives and what interests them the most – traditions, the environment, treasured memories, adventures, the creative community – the lifestyle they’ve come to embrace. They prod my thinking and encourage me to look further for more information. When I was first approached, earlier this year, by a number of friends about coming out of retirement, it was their desire to have these stories told that convinced me there was a place in the market for Unique Muskoka. They wanted a publication that reflected their community and what was important to them. From those first, friendly overtures, it took my wife Susan and I several months to make the decision to move forward. That left us just over two months to put our plan into action and produce what you are reading today. It’s been quite a ride. With every new beginning, one tends to look back at their roots and what brought them to this day. Ink runs deep in my veins, as does my association with Muskoka. I recall with fondness trips to my father’s workplace, as a young child. There, he worked with his siblings in the family printing business, located in Toronto, near The Beaches. A quick run through a nearby fence took me to my grandmother’s home where plans were made for Muskoka vacations. They loved Muskoka. It should have come as no surprise to me that a family decision was made to move to
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11 UNIQUE MUSKOKA July 2016
July 2016 UNIQUE MUSKOKA 11
with Miss Kimberley
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Article/Photography by Tim Du Vernet he very name of the Streamliner hints at efficiency and speed. Greavette Boats were truly the design innovators of the Muskoka boating industry and their Streamliner design, with its extremely rounded covering boards, evokes allusions of power and speed. One of the finest examples, a 22’ 1938 Streamliner owned by Bob and Kim Berner, resides on Lake of Bays and is the poster boat for this year’s Baysville Boat Show, which takes place on Sunday, Aug. 21. The Streamliner makes quite a statement wherever it goes, either cruising on the open lake or tied up at dock. “Boaters often go out of their way to wave to us when we are in Miss Kimberley,” says Kim. “It seems to be a custom that is now mostly reserved for her.” According to notes from the Muskoka Discovery Centre, Douglas Van Patten created the Streamliner and it was refined by John Hacker, another famous naval architect. Streamliners came in a variety of lengths, cockpit configurations and hardware appointments. Records indicate the Streamliner was one the most popular custom models. They varied in length from 22’ to 33’ and came in triple cockpit or a utility like design with the engine in the centre of the cockpit and a wraparound deck. For the Berner family, Miss Kimberley is an integral part of the Muskoka experience. Some enjoy a wooden boat as a possession and for its cultural value, while a few special boats become
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members of the family. Miss Kimberley is one such lucky boat. Kimberley Berner, after whom the boat is named, says the boat is “a very special tangible thing that I have from my father.” She adds, “I was his only daughter and I was truly honoured that he chose to name the boat after me.” Just thinking about it makes Kim emotional, as fond memories come flooding back. Miss Kimberley is now about the most perfected Streamliner of any length that could exist. Many of the “antique” wooden boats we see today are far better restored than they would ever have been new from the factory. Kim and Bob Berner set out on a journey to not only restore their family treasure, but also to correct and improve many of the imperfections discovered through the years of wear and tear. “It was expensive to go through the
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14 UNIQUE MUSKOKA July 2016
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restoration, but there is a lot of passion in Kimberley’s restoration to Paul Brackley our connection with her,” Kim says of of Brackley Boats in Gravenhurst. her boat. Brackley replaced everything from Kim’s father bought the Streamliner below the water line, as well as a few in 1968 and at that time she was known planks above it. The hull’s structure was as the Sea Queen. greatly reinforced with additional frames “Her previous owner was in the and a new transom, keel and chines. The furniture business and had modified her fir stringers were replaced and cypress with maroon interior upholstery with wood was used to make the doubleblack buttons and a fiberglass windshield planked hull. to make her look more modern,” Kim The Berners wanted their Streamliner speculates, reflecting on the modifications. Greavette boats are famous for design details such as this to have the most elegant fittings that For years, the Streamliner was the only shapely engine vent. would have been available. This required boat for the family and, as a result, she casting a replica of the complicated was well enjoyed. Kim recalls that it wasn’t “Miss Kimberley’s restoration seemed to windscreen bracket, among other pieces. Those unusual for the family to go out cruising all day. take forever. The empty slip was a reminder bits of hardware that remained and were “We would pack a lunch in a wicker that she wasn’t back yet,” says Kim. “Kind of correct for the period were chromed to match. basket with our favourite cheese and head to a member of the family; I would almost have Attending to the needs of Miss Kimberley’s our favourite spots around the lake,” she conversations with her.” restoration journey has been – and continues says. “The cruise usually ended in Dorset for The Berners have kept detailed records of to be – a welcome diversion for Bob. As chief an ice cream cone.” Kimberley’s journey. Kimberley is a relatively technology officer for Rogers, the world can But years of heavy use started to catch up early Streamliner, built in 1938, and she is become very technically complex and Miss with Miss Kimberley, so a few years ago, the unusual for her open cockpit configuration. Kimberley provides an escape from that. Berners decided to begin the process of Bob believes this may not have been an “I like the simplicity,” he says of the boat. restoring her. It would be a journey that original factory layout. Streamliners are heavy “Virtually nothing electronic except the would take several years. boats and 22’ and 7’ of beam result in a weight dashboard instruments. With a bit of skill of 3,000 lbs., according to her documents. and patience, there is very little that can’t be The Berners entrusted much of Miss
Kim and Bob Berner enjoy their 1938 Streamliner, Miss Kimberley, on Lake of Bays. 15 UNIQUE MUSKOKA July 2016
July 2016 UNIQUE MUSKOKA 15
fixed by hand.” Bob’s interest in technical challenges brought special attention to her power, riding character, gauges and electrical wiring. “Her original engine would have been a Buchannan, but when Kimberley’s father, Everett Barker, bought her in 1968, she was powered by a 90hp Chrysler Ace engine with a v-drive transmission,” Bob says. It really wasn’t enough to power the boat, but she was enjoyed for more than 20 years with that engine. In 1990, that engine was replaced with a more powerful v-drive 1955 Chrysler Crown Special that produced 135hp. The engine is generally a fairly utilitarian aspect of a boat’s operation, but it was music to the ears of Candace and Gillian, Bob and Kimberley’s two daughters. “Curled up on the floor near the engine, they would go fast asleep from the drone of the engine when they were children,” Kim says. The boat’s cockpit layout and seating also got a makeover. New period appropriate seats were made and the open cockpit configuration was re-established. Don
Allman of Huntsville was given the responsibility of the shaping and finishing of the decks. “After fairing the hull, she is pretty much perfect,” Bob says. Finally, new upholstery and rewiring with period appropriate 22-gauge wire has nearly finished the job. “We are still tweaking the rudder,” explains Berner. He also added a water muffler to reduce the exhaust noise and hydraulic struts were installed to assist in opening the engine hatch. New period appropriate gauges were ordered for the dash. “I especially like the way they look, with the dome glass and vintage look,” he notes.
Driving Miss Kimberley requires nerve, skill and attentiveness. “She’s not very manoeuvrable,” Bob says. “You pick your destination and aim for it.” Kim adds, “Candace and Gillian ask to drive her once out on the lake, but everyone other than Bob is afraid to dock her.” Bob explains that the boat tends to drift. “There is not a lot of 'v' in the hull, so the boat slides around on the water,” he says. But enjoying Miss Kimberley has never been about her performance. It is the experience and how she defines summertime for the Berners. “Picking up the girls at the sailing club in Miss Kimberley always led to some discussion about the boat. Even now, 13 or 14 years later, sailors still remember Miss Kimberley docking at the club,” remarks Kim. Taking her out to celebrate Canada Day fireworks and for cruises to enjoy the fall colours are special annual events with Miss Kimberley. In her nearly perfect condition, Miss Kimberley continues to bring smiles and memories.
Miss Kimberley seats six easily with three rows of seating in an open cockpit configuration. 16 UNIQUE MUSKOKA July 2016
July 2016 UNIQUE MUSKOKA 16
Miss Kimberley is a 1938 Greavette Streamliner and is especially curvaceous from stem to stern.
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July 2016 UNIQUE MUSKOKA 17
Experience an artful Muskoka summer Join us for 8 themed weeks of arts and learning programs, featuring Artists-in-Residence at Clevelands House, Chautauqua Reads Monday book talks, Tuesday Film nights, Flow Yoga Tuesdays and Fridays, Wednesday Art Parties, Guest Speakers and Workshops, weekly Art Exhibits, Water Colour Journalling and more. See our full lineup of events at www.muskokachautauqua.com
Highlights
JULY
AUGUST
July 1: Canada Day Celebration with Fireworks by Muskoka Chautauqua in Minett
Saturday, August 20, 8pm: Toronto All Star Big Band, Port Carling Community Centre
Tuesday, July 5, 7:30pm: Screening Painted Land, In Search of the Group of Seven with producer Nancy Lang, Muskoka Place Gallery
August 15, 1pm: Chautauqua Reads: Author/musician Ian Thomas reads from his book, The Lost Chord, Port Carling Library
Thursday, July 7, 7:30pm: The Very Curious Economics of the High End Contemporary Art Market with guest speaker Don Thompson, author of The Supermodel and The Brillo Box
Wednesday, August 17 – Friday, August 19: Harp School, Muskoka Place Gallery
Friday, July 8, 7-10pm: Flavours of Muskoka Chautauqua, the gourmet food, beer and wine event of the summer, raising money for the arts in Muskoka. At the JW Marriott The Rosseau Muskoka Resort & Spa.
Tuesday, August 23 – Thursday, August 25: OperaMuskoka, Rene Caisse Theatre
Discover Muskoka Chautauqua/Muskoka Place Gallery at 1182 Foreman Road, Port Carling. Some events at other locations and are subject to change.
Learn more at www.MuskokaChautauqua.com or call (705) 765-1048
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Muskoka Lakes Association Serving Muskoka since 1894
Muskoka UNIQUE
...telling the Muskoka Story
Article by Meghan Smith Photography by Andy Zeltkalns
T
he sun just reaches over the horizon and begins to burn off the morning mist on Gull Lake in Gravenhurst. It’s a stunning image that a small class of stand-up paddleboard yogis experience every Friday morning. “Six a.m. is a lot earlier than most people want to get up, but it’s so worth it,” says Tara Kinden, owner of Muskoka Yoga Studio. “It’s just beautiful.” Kinden was introduced to the concept of SUP yoga – the practice of yoga performed on a stand-up paddleboard on the water – during a yoga teacher training session five years ago. She immediately thought of Muskoka, with its many lakes, as the perfect setting. She set out to open her own studio, with the unique addition of SUP yoga classes. Her instincts
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Mist rises off the water as Hilary Smales and Tara Kinden reach for the sky in pigeon pose. have proven to be on the ball, or in this case on the board. SUP yoga challenges different muscle groups than those typically engaged in land practice. While yoga engages major muscle groups, SUP yoga relies on fast-twitch stabilizer muscles, which tests balance and stability, as well as the brain. SUP yoga requires mindful focus on specific movements
and the entire body. Almost every muscle in the body is used at some point. The back and abdominal muscles are constantly at work to maintain balance while leg, arm and shoulder muscles are all engaged during practice. An additional benefit provided by SUP yoga is that it is low-impact exercise. While joints and muscles are well engaged during practice, the low impact of the poses means
Jen Allair’s reflection can be seen in the calm waters of Gull Lake as she holds a downward dog pose.
anyone can try yoga on a stand-up paddleboard. “The worst thing that can happen is falling in the water and getting wet,” says Kinden. Beyond the health and cross-training benefits of SUP yoga, Kinden finds another benefit: freedom. A paddleboard is a light, accessible personal watercraft. It can easily be put on a car and taken anywhere, especially the inflatable variety. On a recent cross-country road trip, Kinden took the opportunity to experience glacier-fed Emerald Lake in Alberta with an inflatable board. “It’s just so easy. It’s a backpack that’s light, and you can take it anywhere,” she says of the inflatable board. “It was simply breathtaking.” SUP boards can be crafted from a variety of materials including foam tops, carbon fibre, wood or fiberglass. Board lengths range and should be purchased with the weight and size of the user in mind. “Boards are such a personal choice,” Kinden says. “You can purchase them specifically for yoga, touring, racing or just all-around fun.” While SUP yoga is the perfect way to destress in the solitude of a quiet lake, it can also be enjoyed as a group. In fact, Kinden
July 2016 UNIQUE MUSKOKA 21
often gets requests for bachelorette parties, girls’ weekends and cottage events. She thrives on finding new, inventive ways to incorporate SUP yoga into group engagements. “We’re literally a party in a trailer,” she says. “I even have mermaid tails in there!” For those who are looking for something a bit more peaceful, there are a limited number of private retreats available in Algonquin Provincial Park, this summer. “It’s about unplugging, paddling and disconnecting from the day to day,” says Kinden. “The van only fits four people, including me, so they’ll be very exclusive retreats.” Kyla Holmes, a dedicated yogi for 14 years, tried SUP yoga two years ago and was hooked. “You get the benefits of a physical workout that is both fun and relaxing as well as connecting to the natural environment around you,” says Holmes. “SUP yoga has changed my practice by focusing me to be present at all times and to trust myself.” Plus, the ambiance of performing yoga on the water, under the sun, is more relaxing and more fun than being in a small or cramped gym environment.
SUP yoga instructor Tara Kinden performs a low lunge with twist. “I’m all about the fun!” Kinden says. “The peaceful ability to practice on the water, that’s my favourite part of SUP.” Whether you’re new to yoga or an
Performing seated hand in prayer, the group basks in the serenity of the early morning on Gull Lake. 22 UNIQUE MUSKOKA July 2016
experienced yogi, summer in Muskoka is the perfect time to try SUP yoga. “Take the chance and try it,” encourages Kinden. “Why not?”
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Part of the Family
Article by Dale Peacock / Photography by Kelly Holinshead
F
rom his aptly named Forest Floor Studio, located in rural Bracebridge, furniture artisan Conel O’Regan has a panoramic view of stands of hardwood trees that embody his passion for working with wood. Visitors to his charming home and studio in the hamlet of Roxborough will find neat stacks of branches and piles of maple, ironwood and oak rounds in various states of drying under protective covers and inside his open-door workshop. This deadfall, along with wood salvaged from scrap yards and fire pits, will be reimagined as whimsical tables, chairs and other pieces of furniture when
24 UNIQUE MUSKOKA July 2016
they are treated to the artist’s creative touch. “Much of furniture making is about conquering the wood and milling it down to perfectly straight lines, and creating a blemish-free piece. It’s beautiful in its own way, but far from what you see when you wander through a forest,” says O’Regan, who admires the sturdy simplicity of rustic furniture. “Straight lines do not exist in the forest. Walk in a straight line in the forest and you will walk straight into a tree.” One of the most striking elements of O’Regan’s creations is his subtle use of bright colour on every piece. “The colour in my pieces is inspired by
my deep appreciation of First Nations art, particularly totem poles,” he says. “The colour celebrates the history and scars that the wood has endured over its life in the forest.” O’Regan has had no formal art training; he has learned his craft by doing. He reflects on how difficult he found it to level his first four-legged table. “Now, I build things with 30 legs and it is not as great a challenge,” he says. Despite living in Bracebridge for only three years, O’Regan marvels at the warm welcome he and his wife, Cindy, have received in such a short time.
Far left: The studio grounds are full of wood Conel O’Regan has found and harvested from his property, each piece unique and chosen by the artist. Top: Forest Floor Studio doesn’t look like your typical furniture maker’s workspace. Left: Conel O’Regan often rips a log free hand with a chainsaw after cutting the tree into manageable lengths.
Bottom left: This side table is a good example of Conel O’Regan’s playful use of colour. Bottom right: The legs of each piece are carefully levelled. July 2016 UNIQUE MUSKOKA 25
“The Muskoka Arts & Crafts community made me feel at home right away and membership in the group opened doors in ways I would never have dreamed,” O’Regan says of the not-for-profit organization that represents and supports Muskoka artists. “I entered a piece of my work in the Spring 2015 Art Show and it won ‘Best Furniture.’ He adds, “That may be when I first started to think of myself as a real artist. It felt like such acceptance.” O’Regan was born and raised in Oshawa. He left Ontario for Western Canada when he was 20 years old and spent the better part of 30 years there. He met his Calgarian wife, Cindy, while skiing in Banff, and the couple lived in nearby Canmore, Alberta for a decade before an opportunity to be part owner of a pub on Salt Spring Island took them further west to the coast of British Columbia. One more Western Canada move was in their future and they packed up again to spend the next 20 years in Victoria, B.C. O’Regan’s time out west was good to him and, serendipitously, it also paved the path back to Ontario. He began working in the solar energy industry in Victoria and enjoyed great success there for over a decade. When he was asked to establish the company’s satellite office in Barrie, Ontario, he and Cindy bought a small house in nearby Horseshoe Valley. He lived there and commuted to Barrie while Cindy continued to work in Victoria. “As much as I missed Cindy, in some ways that time apart was almost advantageous in terms of developing my art. After work, I had nothing else to do so I went hiking and I chopped firewood,” O’Regan says with a smile. “In fact, the idea to make the pieces that I now create originated when I was living in Horseshoe Valley. I was in that Zen state that you get when you chop wood. As the wood split, I recognized incredible grain patterns and decided to do something with the gorgeous maple, beechwood and ironwood rounds other than burn them.” Daily hikes in the forest were a staple and, having recognized the beauty and value in the rounds of wood, he began spotting beautiful branches just lying on the ground and had the idea of somehow putting them
26 UNIQUE MUSKOKA July 2016
together. The result of that serendipitous thought is a stunning collection of truly unique tables of all shapes and sizes, chairs, candle holders, benches, coffee tables and multi-level shelving. “After a few visits east to see me, Cindy started warming to the idea of moving to Ontario,” O’Regan says, explaining that they decided to make the move to Muskoka when she landed a job in Bracebridge. He adds, “Cindy’s stable employment allowed me to leave my job and to pursue my art full time.” He jokes, “Besides, I supported her through university, so now it’s my turn.” It was the 70 acres of hardwood forest that sold O’Regan on the property he and his wife ended up buying in Muskoka. It’s a big house for just two people but they have room for entertaining family and friends and it serves as a lovely backdrop for some of O’Regan’s unique works of furniture art.
Above: Conel O’Regan sits at a bar he created using larger pieces of wood. Right: Conel O’Regan’s creations are equally interesting underneath.
“We love nature and are very lucky to have Muskoka Canyon being part of our property,” O’Regan enthuses. “Sharpe’s Creek cascades through the canyon and provides yet another inspiring location for me to create my art. We feel just so fortunate to live and work in this beautiful place.”
The gorge on Conel O’Regan’s property is one of his favourite spots and what sold him on the property. July 2016 UNIQUE MUSKOKA 27
Weathering our changing climate
Photograph: Kelly Holinshead
28 UNIQUE MUSKOKA July 2016
M
Article by Dawn Huddlestone
uskoka’s watershed is complex – much more than you might think. In its simplest terms, a watershed is an area of land that drains into specific waterways. Its boundaries aren’t human-made – the terrain determines which way the water will flow, although we do try to control that flow with varying degrees of success. And if you don’t live immediately near water, you may not realize you live within a watershed; every foot of land on this planet is part of a watershed. At its core, a watershed’s key function is to capture, store and filter water, and release it into surrounding waterbodies, explains Christy Doyle, director of environmental and watershed programs for the Muskoka Watershed Council. “Think of it like a giant sponge. It’s how a river can always be flowing. As rain falls, for example, it is stored and then slowly released back into the water system.” And Muskoka’s watersheds are particularly distinctive, says Doyle. First, remember that the District of Muskoka is big – almost as big as Prince Edward Island. Within Muskoka there are four primary watersheds and, within those, 17 secondary subwatersheds, all of them eventually emptying into Georgian Bay. The largest primary watershed, the Muskoka River Watershed, covers an area of 4,660 km2 and encompasses the communities of Dwight, Dorset, Baysville, Huntsville, Port Sydney, Bracebridge, Gravenhurst, Bala, Port Carling and MacTier. Its headwaters begin in Algonquin Provincial Park and it drains into Lake Muskoka, more than 200 kilometres away, before moving through another primary watershed – the Georgian Bay Watershed – via the Moon and Musquash rivers. The other two primary watersheds – the Black River Watershed and the Severn River Watershed – only partially fall within Muskoka. The southeast corner of Muskoka is part of the Black River Watershed, while the south and southwestern portions of the district are part of the Severn River Watershed.
July 2016 UNIQUE MUSKOKA 29
sometimes, built environments, too. Our farms, towns and cities and everything we do within them can impact the water they contain. “We are fortunate to have an ecologically diverse region,” says Doyle. “The environment is what draws us and sustains us here. And we live in a growing area – which isn’t true in all of Ontario or other Canadian communities. We are fortunate but there are development pressures that come with that.” Water flow and levels within a watershed naturally fluctuate – typically higher in spring and after periods of heavy rain, lower in the fall and during periods of drought. Within Muskoka, those naturally occurring fluctuations are monitored and controlled by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) via the Muskoka River Water Management Plan (MRWMP). Water flows down Little High Falls in Bracebridge. The MRWMP is about allocation of
water and addresses the management of the flows and levels of water in the system, says Anne Collins, resource management supervisor for Parry Sound District MNRF. It tries to balance and address the values and needs of the many users of the water system while also maintaining long-term ecological sustainability of our aquatic and wildlife ecosystems.
Muskoka Lakes Association (MLA), says association members are reporting damage estimates ranging from several hundred dollars to hundreds of thousands. Even though the water levels were lower than in the 2013 flood, wind pushing the remaining ice on the lakes into shoreline structures caused extensive damage. Even the sturdiest of docks and boathouses can’t withstand that kind of force. The MLA advises its members to take precautions in preparation for potential
spring flooding, including moving belongings out of the high water zone and leaving boathouse doors open, but it didn’t make a difference this year. “(Those efforts) would be effective for high water levels alone, but if there’s ice, it isn’t going to make a difference anyway,” she says. “I think that’s why so many are frustrated – it’s completely out of their hands.” In a written response, the MNRF says “the built infrastructure in flood prone areas will continue to be vulnerable. In some
Muskoka Lakes property owners are frustrated. In 2013, high water levels caused damage to many waterfront structures. The Muskoka Lakes Association called for a review and update of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) Muskoka River Water Management Plan (MRWMP) – specifically changes to how water flow is controlled – and for the development of a flood forecasting and management manual which isn’t included in the MRWMP. And yet, in 2016, it happened again with devastating consequences for some property owners where the most significant damage occurred depended on which way the wind was blowing. And worse, most insurance policies consider flooding to be an act of God, leaving property owners to pay for the damage. Lisa Noonan, general manager of the
30 UNIQUE MUSKOKA July 2016
The watershed has been important for navigation for generations.
Photograph: Courtesy of the Muskoka Lakes Association
Photograph: GJ Thomson
No matter what the size of a watershed, it encompasses more than just the land and the water flowing within it. It also includes plants and animals, wetlands and forests and,
High water levels left some boathouses flooded.
Photograph: Heather Douglas
For swimmers like nine-year-old Hudson Douglas, the water will be much warmer in Lake Waseosa. cascading system,” says Collins. “Water managers must always be considering what is happening upstream of the dam and what impacts may result downstream of the dam. There are limitations on how much water
Photograph: courtesy of Muskoka Crib Docks Ltd.
cases, retrofitting existing structures to be flood-resistant may be an option. The planning of new infrastructure to take into account the potential for flooding can help prevent damage from high water levels.” But the MLA believes that changes in the way water is controlled will prevent those high water levels from occurring in the first place. And it believes those changes need to
This boathouse on Lake Joseph was among the many structures that were severely damaged by the ice last winter.
Antique boats were among the property damaged by ice
happen now. “We sent a letter into MNRF last year looking to be involved with the renewal of the Muskoka River Water Management Plan, which expired in March (2016). No one knew that the province was going to extend it for another five years – there were no consultations or information provided,” says Noonan. “We just don’t think it can wait five years.” District of Muskoka councillor Phil
Photograph: Courtesy of the Muskoka Lakes Association
Photograph: Tim Du Vernet
The Muskoka River Watershed has 42 dams and spill structures, 29 that are owned and operated by MNRF and 11 that are associated with power facilities. “The majority of the MNRF structures are operated as control dams and fitted with wooden stoplogs that are removed or added in order to manage the upstream water levels and downstream flows; some are spill (or
weir) dams which are self-regulating and at a fixed setting,” says Collins. None of the dams are designed to be flood control structures, she stresses. “Generally the operating plans follow the same pattern with a gradual decrease in water levels over the fall and winter, an increase with the spring run-off to refill lakes, then a gradual reduction over the traditionally drier summer months to provide the minimum required flows downstream.” Water levels are monitored daily, with actual water levels compared to the range within the plan. That information is combined with information about weather forecasts, current watershed conditions, previous dam operations upstream and downstream, watershed characteristics for individual lakes, individual dam characteristics, and how each lake responds to various dam settings to determine whether staff need to take measures at a particular dam or series of dams. “The Muskoka River Watershed is a
Harding agrees and has added his voice to calls for change. “The MNRF needs to update the plan, giving a greater voice and concern to the property owners, understanding the effects of climate change,” he says. “It’s a 10-year-old plan created using data from 20 years ago. The plan in its current form does not allow for the severity of weather Muskoka has been experiencing and it can’t maintain appropriate water levels without damaging the infrastructure on the lakes.”
July 2016 UNIQUE MUSKOKA 31
Photograph: Heather Douglas
Photograph: Heather Douglas
they can’t move the water can be released downstream through the system fast and limitations on how much enough and the entire water can be stored upstream system (all 200-plus without adverse effects. When kilometres) backs up . . . water inflows from precipThe rise of water upstream itation or snow melt are too eventually comes downhigh, these adverse effects stream where we get cannot be avoided.” impacted. And the physical And that means, in a word, constraints of the system do flooding. not allow for the water to Flooding can occur any time move quickly enough when of year. When there is too significant rains happen.” much water for the ground and Harding, along with local wetlands to hold, it has to go lake associations, are calling somewhere and that somefor changes to the MRWMP where is where it would to help mitigate the effects normally flow. The problem, of of climate change. “The course, is that a higher than plan (MRWMP) in its normal water flow due to current form, because of significant rainfall or rapid some of the physical limimelting of the snow pack – or tations of the watershed, sometimes both – can be too does not allow for the much for a river or lake to severity of weather Muskoka handle and the water begins to is experiencing,” he says. rise and overflow the banks The Muskoka Watershed that would normally contain it. Council’s recent report, “In 2013, we had an average Planning for Climate Change in of 75 millimetres of water in Muskoka’s watershed encompasses more than just land and the water flowing within it. It also includes animals, like the iconic loon. Muskoka, looked at the the snow pack, a very quick melt due to warm temperatures, and 100 the bathtub sets the flow or amount of water potential impact of climate change on millimetres of rain over the same time that can be moved through the system,” he Muskoka’s watersheds by the middle of this period,” says Collins. “This amount of writes. “There are several physical constraints century. While the report isn’t conclusive, it melting snow and rainfall overwhelmed the to the watershed. For example, on the Moon suggests a future that includes more of the lake and river system’s capacity to store and River, the area known as “The Chutes” can same severe flooding we’ve experienced in carry the water to Georgian Bay without only handle water flowing at a rate of about recent years. “The expected 10 per cent increase in 280 cubic meters per second . . . And as there flooding.” And again, in 2016, the system became are several other ‘choke points’ in the system, annual precipitation by mid-century may overburdened and spilled its banks with when significant rains happen upstream . . . result in no real increase (even a slight reduction) in water devastating effects in moving through the some areas. Although the watershed to Georgian rise in water was reported Bay,” says the report. as less than that of 2013, “Instead, that extra winds drove ice on the water will be returned lakes into shoreline directly to the atmosstructures, causing damage phere via evaporation that ranged from mild to and transpiration. Howextreme. ever, the shift in timing In a note to constituents of precipitation and via his Facebook page, outflow towards the District of Muskoka winter months will councillor Phil Harding mean that the flow of likened the watershed to a water through the bathtub. system will become “The size of the drain in Early morning light captures the colours of a water lily, a common sight in wetlands.
32 UNIQUE MUSKOKA July 2016
more strongly seasonal than at present with summer and fall becoming times of little water movement, while winter or spring floods may well become more severe on average than at present.” That means that our summers will appear drier, says Peter Sale, one of the authors of the report. “From the perspective of the cottager, we are going to have wonderful summers with lots of hot sunny days and this all sounds really, really good, but that of course stresses the environment in ways it hasn’t been stressed in our climate for the last 100 years.” There will be less water on the landscape as a result, and there will be implications for wetlands and the risk of streams drying up seasonally. “The belief that keeping water levels in our lakes constant is easy and should be the job of some government ministry, which automatically acts to keep lake levels constant, has always been a ridiculous view and it’s going to become more ridiculous as the flow of water through our system becomes more seasonal,” says Sale. “It’s not going to be possible to set the level of the lake at the beginning of summer and have it remain at that level to the end of summer. The only way it can remain at that level all summer is if there is a flow of water in to the lake that will balance the flow of water out plus the evaporation. “And we’ve got a climate coming where the flow in summer is going to be much lower than it is now. With that reduced flow and greater evaporation it’s going to be impossible.” And in the winter? The open water season is already three weeks longer than it was in the mid-1970s, says Sale, and that trend will continue thanks to warming water temperatures. “Our winter sports are going to be restricted to a shorter season and a less predictable season. So if you like ice fishing, you should do it now.” It’s why the Muskoka Watershed Council, the Muskoka Lakes Association and others are so adamant about the need to take action now. “I think climate change is the existential problem of our generation,” says Sale. “We’ve never faced an environmental problem this big. This is not a problem just for Muskoka; it is a problem for everywhere.”
July 2016 UNIQUE MUSKOKA 33
Top: Leopard frogs prefer shallow water with lots of vegetation. Above: A green frog watches for prey among the lily pads. Right: Mink frogs are part of the Muskoka ecosystem. 34 UNIQUE MUSKOKA July 2016
D
o you hear it? It might not be a bird you think you hear singing in the trees, especially if you hear it in the early evening. It could be the gray tree frog. The small camouflaged amphibian’s call is often mistaken for that of a bird. Muskoka is home to nine species of frog and one toad and each makes a unique
sound. By listening and reporting their call through FrogWatch, an amphibian monitoring project, everyday people like you can help scientists with important research. “FrogWatch is basically a database for the adopt-a-pond program,” explains Shannon Ritchie, a wetlands biologist who helps manage the FrogWatch data through the
Toronto Zoo. The information is shared with researchers and those looking to improve the environment. “It’s very important to know if frog populations are going up or down because they are a very good indicator of pollution, environmental contaminants and if the environment has been compromised,” she says. Because frogs and toads have semipermeable skin, they are very sensitive to pollution. Needing both water and land to reproduce and thrive, they are impacted by environmental changes. While frogs are often seen in the summer, it is spring when Muskoka citizen scientists head out to listen to the calls as part of the FrogWatch program. “It’s not really a frog watch – you are listening to them,” explains Caroline Konarzewski, environmental chair of the Lake of Bays Association, who offers FrogWatch information workshops in Muskoka. Konarzewski encourages others to join her as a FrogWatch citizen scientist, tracking the frog and toad population by listening to their calls during the spring mating season. She recommends you pick a wetland near your home and commit to checking it regularly. Even once a week is enough. Then, login to FrogWatch to input your data. She admits it is challenging to learn the different calls of Muskoka’s frogs and toad. Fortunately, the FrogWatch website has recordings of each amphibian along with a description. “They all have their own call and they come out at specific times of the year,” she explains. Beginners should head out at early dusk
Article by Sandy Lockhart / Photography by Eleanor Kee Wellman
July 2016 UNIQUE MUSKOKA 35
when just a few frogs are calling as it is much easier to pick out single frogs calls. “Stop, get very quiet, take a deep breath and just wait a bit,” she says, explaining that frogs often stop calling when you approach. “Forget about your worries and just listen.” In early spring when the snow first melts, the spring peepers come out. “It’s a single loud peep and everyone has heard them,” she says of their call. A chorus of peepers heard along a rural road at dusk is a first sign of spring. Next is the wood frog. “It quacks almost like a duck,” says Konarzewski. Then there is the Western/striped chorus frog that has a sound similar to a finger being dragged along a comb. Ritchie explains the chorus frog is a species at risk. “We are trying to figure out where they are and then give people tips to preserve their wetlands.” In early to mid-spring, the pickerel frog, leopard frog and American toad come out. The pickerel frog makes a quiet, low snore. The leopard frog sounds similar, but also grunts. The toad has a long monotone trill and each toad in the chorus calls with a different note. In late spring, the green frog, mink frog and gray tree frog make their sounds. The gray tree frog’s call could easily be confused for a bird’s song. The green frog sounds like a loose banjo string and the mink frog, when in a chorus, sounds like popcorn popping. The final deep growly call, arriving in June, is the bullfrog. While most frogs call in the spring, Ritchie says gray tree frogs are heard in the forest in the peak of summer. Sometimes chorus frogs and leopard frogs can be heard after a summer rain. “We hear about biodiversity but when you go out and listen and look around, suddenly you realize how much diversity is in the wetland — how much life is there,” she says. The FrogWatch program is part of the NatureWatch program, in which members of the public submit data for use by scientists and researchers across the country. Partners include Laurentian University, University of Ottawa, the David Suzuki Foundation and Nature Canada.
36 UNIQUE MUSKOKA July 2016
“Every single report you make, no matter how infrequent, is still important,” says Konarzewski. “Your observations help scientists track climate change and better understand environmental impacts.” Ritchie explains the goal of the program is to get people out in nature to see what is going on, listening to frogs and noticing changes in the environment. Konarzewski agrees. “Even if you don’t report it, if you just get to know some of the frog calls and appreciate them, that’s good.” But, she adds, “It’s a bonus if you report it. Scientists really could use the information.”
Top right: Green tree frogs climb using large toe pads that act like suction cups. Right: Toad tadpoles are black and often form on shoals in shallow water. Below: A bullfrog rests on a branch near the shore of a lake in Muskoka.
July 2016 UNIQUE MUSKOKA 37
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Article by Karen Wehrstein / Photography by GJ Thomson
M Top: Sylvia Hoffman imprints details onto the trees of her landscape painting. Above: Musician Beverlie Robertson plays a dulcimer as Stan Hunter, who is a choral singer with the Cellar Singers, lets his voice be heard.
uskoka Chautauqua is many things to many people. It’s a book club, an art school featuring a series of visiting resident artists, an art gallery, a yoga studio, a concert organizer and a mecca for creatives in every field — from performers to filmmakers and photographers to writers. It’s also an organization with a long and storied history. Chautauqua as a concept started at Lake Chautauqua in New York State in 1874, offering a summer retreat for the training of Sunday school teachers. It almost immediately broadened to include academic study, physical education and the arts, then discussions of politics and literature, all in a natural setting.
Soon, new “Chautauquas” were springing up all over the United States, spreading the ideals of the movement. It was popular enough that President Woodrow Wilson said during the First World War that Chautauqua was “an integral part of the national defense,” and journalist Fred Bohm wrote in 1926, “He who does not know Chautauqua does not know America.” But it wasn’t confined to America. “In Canada, it started around the beginning of the last century,” says Gayle Dempsey, director of development, Aboriginal and arts education for Muskoka Chautauqua. “In the early ‘20s, they bought their own lodge on Tobin Island. More and more people wanted to be involved with the
July 2016 UNIQUE MUSKOKA 39
program so they bought cottages nearby. At that time, it was known as Canada’s literary summer capital. They used to have readings on the verandas and in canoes, and had a theatre in the woods.” The Great Depression of the 1930s rang the death-knell of most of the Chautauquas, including Muskoka’s. But now there’s a resurgence — “either for lifelong learning or as an antidote to all these digital devices,” Dempsey notes. In 2016, Muskoka Chautauqua is moving conceptually back to Chautauqua’s roots. “Because the mother Chautauqua in New York State does a nine-week, themed-week program through July and August,” says Dempsey, “we are going to start rebuilding on that model this summer.” That means events, readings, film screenings, shows and art education – everything — will revolve around the week’s theme. The physical aspect also returns with yoga classes with Simon Swanek on Tuesday and Friday mornings. “I think it’s probably the strongest lineup we’ve had, ever,” says executive director Gary Froude. It all starts off with a bang, literally, with Canada Day fireworks in Minett. The theme for the week of July 3-9 is “The Senses,” and culminates on July 8 with the ultimate celebration of the sense of taste, Flavours of Muskoka Chautauqua. “This year we’re making it more of a spectacle,” says Dempsey. “We’ll have a bit of
Gary Froude and Gayle Dempsey are the driving force behind Muskoka Chautauqua. circus thing happening, with Champagne being poured out of a bubble chair up in the air, a flair bartender, and mural paintings.” Featured artists of the week, to feed the sense of vision, are mural painters Maxim Grunin and Peter Jarvis, who will host this
Focused passion starts at an early age for some Chautauqua artists, like Olivia Northey. 40 UNIQUE MUSKOKA July 2016
week’s edition of the regular Wednesday night art party on the veranda of Clevelands House, which also hosts the resident artists. On July 5, there will be a screening of the film Painted Land, with producer Nancy Lang in attendance. Author, professor and art expert Don Thompson will be talking about the very curious economics of the contemporary art world on July 7 and will be signing copies of his new book, The Supermodel and the Brillo Box. For July 10-16, the theme is “Adaptation” and featured artist is First Nations painter Don Chretien, who delivered his commissioned work The Reconciliation Tree to Queen’s Park in late May. “His art tells the story of adaptation,” explains Dempsey. “He takes First Nations stories and adapts them visually.” The theme for the week of July 17-23 is “The Elements” featuring Mitchell Pady, the director of another Muskoka Chautauqua partner, The Cellar Singers. He will be both performing as a vocalist and leading attendees in singing throughout his artist-in-residence stay.
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July 24-30 explores a “Coast to Coast” theme and celebrates art from across Canada. Artist-in-residence Sean-William Dawson will teach printmaking, painting and drawing. Gareth Seltzer, associate producer of the Oscar-nominated documentary Body Team 12, as well as Pond Inlet, a documentary about redemption through music from Canada’s northern coast, will share his ideas about empathetic storytelling and virtual reality. For July 31 to Aug. 6, the theme is “Arts in Education” with a focus on the Brazilian “El Sistema” program for teaching life through music, and also Shakespeare, “in a juicier way than how we learned it in school,” Dempsey says. First there will be a screening of Robin and Mark and Richard III, a documentary about the late theatre director Robin Phillips rehearsing a scene from Shakespeare’s Richard III with performers Mark McKinney and Christine Horne. Following the film, which explores the transformative power of theatre and how great coaching can enable anyone to perform Shakespeare, a workshop covering exactly
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The natural beauty of Muskoka flows through the brushes of the Chautauqua painters. that will be held. “Games and Competition” is the focus from Aug. 7-13, with artists-in-residence Greg and Susan Hindle. They led the community painting of a mural depicting the original Muskoka Chautauqua inside Clevelands House during their residence week two years ago. For this year’s mural, they’ll explore the regatta motif. The Radical Design printmaking studio from Toronto
will also hold a weekend workshop on Aug. 13-14. The following week will focus on “Strings and Chords” and kicks off with The Good Brothers in concert on Aug. 14. There’ll be a three-day harp-playing school led by Michael-David and Zsiporah Moon followed by student harp and poetry recitals on Aug. 19. The Toronto All-Star Big Band will perform on Aug. 20. Poet Robert McAlpine
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will launch his new book, Wings of Wonder, and there will be a photo exhibition by Dave Carter and Todd Jones. The theme for the final week, Aug. 21-27, is “Looking to the Future.” Opera Muskoka presents Eugene Onegin with Daevyd Pepper and colleagues on Aug. 23. Jennifer Tung will teach a vocal master class on Aug. 24 with the students performing the same night. Violinist Moshe Hammer will feature his program Violence to Violins on Aug. 25, and that evening the “Stars of Tomorrow” hit the stage. “I just think it’s a really good taste of
where both Gayle and I think humanity should be,” says Froude. “It’s all about the conversation; it’s all about sharing; it’s all about collaboration; it’s all about the depth of experience – all those things that give us the community we want to live in. We went everywhere on the globe, travelling around to see what the best community was. For us, it turned out to be Chautauqua. We dedicated our lives to finding out what creative community can be – think together, work together, play together, stay together – and we found Muskoka is the best place for that.”
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Photograph: Irene and Norman Dickson Collection; Richard Tatley
Top: Golfers at Royal Muskoka carried their own clubs, complied with the uniform dress code, and enjoyed the scenic view. Above: Prime Minister Robert Borden golfs.
W
Photograph: Courtesy of: Richard Tatley Collection
War Cancels PM’s Golf Game Article by J. Patrick Boyer
riting from Ottawa on August 1, 1914 Robert Borden recalled his “very delightful visit to Muskoka” of which, said Canada’s prime minister, he and his wife “would always have the happiest memory.” It was to have been a longer holiday. Only a week before, Borden had gazed across Lake Muskoka, savouring shimmering sunlight and watching forested shoreline glide by from his cushioned leather seat as the glistening launch in which he rode cut cleanly up the lake, its wake tracing a chevron ripple through the water. This was the Nova Scotia couple’s second Muskoka visit, something keenly anticipated as a reward for another winter’s rough political slogging in Ottawa. A Muskoka vacation had become the epitome of modern convenience and comfort. At Gravenhurst, a spur line brought their Grand Trunk Railway train right onto Muskoka Wharf. Passengers could descend from their coaches, stroll a few paces to board one of the steamboats and soon find themselves deposited with their luggage at
lakeside resorts and summer mansions. The Bordens had first discovered the district in mid-August 1913 as guests of Major Hugh MacLean, president and owner of the Muskoka Navigation Company’s line of steamships. They’d enjoyed two restorative weeks at Royal Muskoka Hotel before heading to Toronto so the prime minister could officially open the country’s largest fair, the Canadian National Exhibition. For this return visit, the Bordens arrived July 23, 1914. At Muskoka Wharf, they were ceremoniously greeted by Gravenhurst’s mayor, thronging local officials and vacationers. Major MacLean escorted the couple to his private launch. He would personally take his guests up Lake Muskoka, into the Indian River, through the locks at Port Carling, and across Lake Rosseau. In Port Carling, local residents and summer visitors crowded onto the bridge and the lock’s stone walls to see Canada’s prime minister. The Bordens stepped ashore for a ceremony while MacLean’s launch cleared the locks. Reeve Fred Hanna, son of a pioneering family who ran the post office,
July 2016 UNIQUE MUSKOKA 47
Muskoka in which to spend a well-earned vacation.” They heard him congratulate “Sir Robert” on his recent knighthood, “an honour well-deserved and one which we are sure will be worthily worn.” Hanna spoke glowingly of public works
Photo courtesy of: Richard Tatley Collection
general store and a supply boat, beamed with nervous delight. Port Carling’s council had drafted a formal address, and Hanna’s strong voice now carried the message, expressing “gratification that the prime minister had again chosen
The Bordens were taken around the lakes, and over to Bala, aboard the Sanford family’s majestic steam yacht Naiad, seen here preparing to lock through at Port Carling.
initiated by the Canadian and Ontario governments on the Muskoka Lakes – not only for upgraded locks at Port Carling, but also new wharves at Beaumaris, Windermere and Bracebridge, and the imposing new armories and post office with clock tower in Bracebridge. In reply, basking in the special occasion, the prime minister delivered a sunny speech, describing the pleasure he “and Lady Borden took in a vacation from political life in the world-famed Muskoka district, with its scenery of the finest and the beautiful homes of hundreds who spend their summers on these lakes.” When the cheering died down, Queenie Croucher and Flora Harris – little girls representing two pioneer families – presented flowers to Lady Borden. Each received, in return, a kiss from their prime minister. After this interlude, the party proceeded to Major MacLean’s craft and crossed Lake Rosseau to fully embrace “the Muskoka cure” at the Royal Muskoka Hotel on Tobin’s Island. The Muskoka Steamship Company had built the hotel in 1903 with railway
Natural stone landscaping & property/building maintenance
MJCMUSKOKA.CA 48 UNIQUE MUSKOKA July 2016
financing, achieving vertical integration and scooping greater profits while developing the district’s vacation economy. The force behind the success of the steamers, the hotel and Muskoka tourism itself was the printing and publishing empire that Hugh and his brother John had built. Their newspapers and magazines lavishly promoted Hugh’s Muskoka assets: his commodious steamship line, which was now North America’s largest inland waterway fleet; the Royal Muskoka, which was now the district’s most prestigious hotel; and the now celebrated cure of a Muskoka vacation. One of their longest-lasting magazines, a July 1914 copy of which awaited the Bordens in their Royal Muskoka suite, bore their simplified family name, Maclean’s. The brothers’ Canada-wide publishing conglomerate projected widespread renown of Muskoka as a playground for high rollers, prominent persons and senior politicians. A judiciously proffered invitation from the Major to stay at the Royal Muskoka was eagerly accepted, including by Canada’s prime minister. Many arrived at Royal Muskoka via the Sagamo; the Bordens came on a launch owned by the MacLean’s.
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July 2016 UNIQUE MUSKOKA 49
Irene and Norman Dickson Collection; Richard Tatley
Far left: Major Hugh MacLean hosted Canada’s prime minister for Muskoka vacations in 1913 and 1914. Left: Prime Minister Borden wrote a letter to Hugh MacLean offering his regrets for declining the invitation to golf at Beaumaris.
Hugh Cameron MacLean records, Ontario Archives F 4566-4-0-6
Photo: Borden Collection, Library and Archives Canada
Below: Prime Minister Borden relaxes in Muskoka.
Savouring that July’s unbroken run of splendid weather, the Bordens readily relaxed. They enjoyed swimming, evening bridge games and small parties with friends. For three mornings, a refreshed prime minister rose early to golf with his wife. Accustomed to courses in Nova Scotia and Ottawa, he groused that the Royal’s links were “quite crude,” saying only that they were “at least good enough for exercise.” The Bordens returned to Port Carling on July 27 at the invitation of the Muskoka Lakes Association (MLA), whose influential members included wealthy families of high standing. The MLA’s directors wanted the prime minister to attend their annual regatta
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for summer sports competitions. The Bordens, witnessing the swimming races, boating contests and diving competitions, quickly absorbed the mood of energetic excitement. The prime minister presented prizes to wet-faced, glowing athletes. After a welcoming introduction, Borden spoke about the pleasures of summertime in Muskoka. Several would later recount how the prime minister then turned, briefly, to what was increasingly on the minds of many adults: the European cauldron in which tensions between Austria-Hungary and Serbia had been boiling over, following a terrorist’s assassination of the Austrian heir to the
throne a month earlier. Such reference to remote stirrings was still considered too inconsequential for Muskoka newspapers to include in their accounts of the annual MLA regatta. Indeed, how a single assassination could cause such a chain reaction leading to general war seemed, and not only in Muskoka’s holiday atmosphere, unbelievable. Despite Muskoka’s diversions, it was impossible for the prime minister to block out the pressure. The Toronto newspapers, arriving daily, drew everyone’s discussion to the alarming news from Europe. Borden got even more sombre news from his Ottawa secretary, Austin Blount, who was keeping
Canada’s vacationing leader informed of developments by post, taking advantage of swift mail service by train that connected with the RMS Segwun. In addition, Blount’s cabled telegrams, summarizing cables he was receiving from the Colonial Office in London, began suggesting the prime minister return to Ottawa. On July 26, Borden learned that AustriaHungary had declared war on Serbia. Russia then mobilized to protect Serbia. That was countered by a German ultimatum calling for immediate Russian demobilization. Ultimatums, going unanswered, were followed by declarations of war. Two days later, Borden wrote in his diary that it was “almost impossible for us to keep out” of a general European war. Yet he and Laura played golf and enjoyed Muskoka together for several more days. Late on July 30, he “left Muskoka rather hurriedly,” the Bracebridge Gazette reported, “on account of the looming war clouds.” Laura would remain at the Royal Muskoka, in hope Robert might be able to return. They’d intended to stay on at the resort for two more weeks. The prime minister left Tobin’s Island on the steamboat Medora for Lake Joseph Wharf at Barnesdale for a train to Toronto and, from there, back to Ottawa. Passing through Toronto, he told scrumming reporters at the station: “I consider the situation so grave and serious that I deem it my duty to hasten back to the capital immediately.” Because Borden left in haste, there were loose ends. On Aug. 1, he wrote Hugh MacLean expressing “very sincere thanks for the many courtesies and kindnesses” received from the Major personally, and from his Muskoka Lakes Navigation Company, which had covered Borden’s account at the Royal Muskoka. There was one last thing. After MacLean heard about the prime minister’s dissatisfaction with the Royal’s “rough” golf course, he’d arranged play at the finer links of Beaumaris Golf Club, owned by the Americans of nearby Millionaires Row. Despite intense preparations for a nation on the brink of war, Canada’s prime minister asked the major to convey to the club president his “great regret” at not being able to play golf at Beaumaris.
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52 UNIQUE MUSKOKA July 2016
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{Cottage Country Cuisine{
Gourmet grilling with a local flair By Karen Wehrstein If you think barbecuing is only about steaks, burgers or sliders with the occasional foray into potatoes or corn on the cob, think again. Using local ingredients, some of Muskoka’s best chefs offer ideas to help you take your grilling to the next level with a locavore's flair. “I know what the food is, what the soil is,” says David Bakker, executive chef at Huntsville’s Deerhurst Resort. “The flavour, the quality, becomes much better. We’re only limited by the growing region we’re in and what is and isn’t produced here.”
Chef Bakker gets his local ingredients from producers such as the Spring Farm in Huntsville, Ivanita Farm & Meats in Huntsville, Bliss Family Farm in Utterson, Brooklands Farm in Bracebridge and Deerhurst’s own maple syrup operation. While you can prepare local ingredients a number of different ways, the grill gives you an ability to add a bit of smokiness and charred flavour. “It could be the bitterness you want to round out a dish,” Bakker says, offering a salad as an example. Lettuce on the grill? Yes – combined with
grilled wild leeks, grilled asparagus, grilled tomatoes, maple-pickled leek bulbs and burrata cheese. It makes a spectacular salad with that barbecue flavour. Combine with Cuban style (chili and lime) corn on the cob, some nice thick fatty pork chops or chorizo, all grilled. To accompany such a powerful summer meal, chef Bakker suggests a red or very acidic white wine, or a wheat beer.
Grilled Wild Leek and Asparagus Caprese, expertly arranged by Deerhurst executive chef David Bakker. Top right: Bakker sources his ingredients locally. Photographs: Heather Douglas
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Photographs: Andy Zeltkalns
Top: Local vegetables cooked on the grill are the perfect summer side dish. Left: Freshly grilled trout and vegetables with white wine and butter is served at Crossroads. Above: Crossroads chef Richard Lalonde prepares fresh vegetables for the grill. Chef and restaurant owner Richard Lalonde of Crossroads in Rosseau is also motivated to support local food producers. He sources sprouts and herbs from Four Seasons Greens, which has depot locations across Muskoka, maple syrup, shiitake and oyster mushrooms from Hekkla Valley Farm in Rosseau and vegetables from Grenville Farms in Severn Bridge. “We like the freshness and simplicity of the ingredients,” he says. “A lot of things are not processed. We like to process them here.”
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If your local ingredient is fresh-caught trout from a Muskoka lake, all the processing you have to do is clean the fish and grill it. “What we like to do is grill the flesh side first,” Lalonde instructs if you’re working with fillets. “If you do skin-side down, there’s a lot of oil on it and it catches fire. Do the flesh side first at a higher temperature, then the skin side, lower.” Or, you can wrap the whole fish in aluminum foil, along with onions, garlic, lemon and fresh herbs. As a side dish, chef
Lalonde suggests wild leek pesto. Choosing from Ontario wines to accompany this meal, he recommends Cave Spring Chardonnay. If you're planning on cooking with wild leeks, take note that this spring plant takes a long time to regenerate if over-harvested. Two approaches are recommended to protect wild leek populations: first, don’t harvest too much. Second, don’t pull up the whole plant, including the bulb, but just cut off the leaf. That way, the plant is left alive to grow back again next year.
Recipes Grilled Wild Leek and Asparagus Caprese Recipe by David Bakker
The Salad Ingredients: 2 heads frisée lettuce, bitter green outer leaves cleaned, heads soaked in ice water to clean, cut into quarters keeping the root intact 1 bunch asparagus, fibrous ends removed 15-20 ramp (leek) tops 30-45 ml extra virgin olive oil Kosher salt to taste Cracked pepper to taste 2 pieces burrata cheese torn by hand
To Finish Ingredients: Sliced heirloom tomatoes Edible dandelion flowers Four Seasons Greens pea shoots Four Seasons Greens ruby daikon seedlings Directions: 1. Arrange all ingredients attractively on your plates. Use the ramp purée to dress the salad. Season your tomatoes to taste.
Directions: 1. Place all ingredients into a bowl with the oil, salt, and pepper. 2. Place the ingredients onto a grill set to medium heat. 3. Grill just until the lettuces have browned slightly and are beginning to wilt; the asparagus will have just started to soften but will still have some integral texture. 4. Remove all ingredients back to the same bowl that they were seasoned in, and toss with the burrata cheese. Ramp Top Purée Dressing Ingredients: 250 ml ramp tops, cleaned, roughly chopped 250 ml spinach, cleaned 125 ml chives chopped ½ clove garlic Kosher salt to taste Cracked pepper to taste Water to thin the puree out Ultra-Tex 3 to thicken Directions: 1. Place the ramp tops, spinach, and chives in a blender or, ideally, Vitamix. 2. Purée with a little bit of water to create a smooth puree. If the mixture seems a little too thin, thicken with a little Ultra-Tex. 3. Season with salt and pepper.
Grilled Trout
Recipe by Richard Lalonde Ingredients: 2 trout, cleaned and head removed (optional) ¼ cup of dry white wine 2 tbsp butter, melted 1 tbsp lemon juice 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley Salt and pepper to taste
Directions: 1. Preheat a grill for medium-high heat. 2. On a flat surface, place two sheets of aluminum foil about 18 inches long so that they overlap to make one long, wide sheet. Rinse the trout and pat dry. Lay the fish in the centre of the foil about two inches apart. 3. Sprinkle with white wine, melted butter and lemon juice. Season with parsley, salt and pepper. Fold the foil up loosely around the fish and crimp the seams to seal. 4. Cook for approximately 20 minutes.
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Photograph: Andy Zeltkalns
Executive chef and proprietor David tomato sauce on top. “That way the crust Chef Friesen also specializes in grilled Friesen of Riverwalk Restaurant in remains crisp and doesn’t get soggy from the desserts: smoked apple pie, grilled peaches, Bracebridge also likes to use local water in the tomato sauce,” he says. Put it pineapples, even watermelon. For the ingredients. “The flavours are there, and back on the grill to cook and when the Muskokavore, it’s all about berries, which that’s what I try to cook with, flavour, not cheese melts, it’s ready to eat. are easily acquired at farmers’ markets. just colour,” he says. “I find it Friesen notes that strawberries comes through on the plate if you and blueberries hold up well on cook with local: eye appeal and the grill, but raspberries get taste.” watery. “Make a pouch with a He likes to make meals on the little aluminum foil with lemon grill that aren’t your conventional juice and the berries. After a barbecue food, such as grilled little time on the grill, spoon pizza, which is one of Riverwalk’s onto ice cream or yogurt.” signature dishes. His technique Or how about a barbecue includes rolling your pizza dough berry pie made with locally thin and grilling it at medium. grown berries? The rest is added in reverse order Fact is, you can do just about from usual: first the cheese, then anything on the grill. The closer Nothing says summer like fresh apple pie baked in a smoker and served with ice cream. light toppings and a dollop of to home, the better.
56 UNIQUE MUSKOKA July 2016
Photograph: Andy Zeltkalns
Chef David Friesen holds a freshly made apple pie that was baked in a smoker.
Recipe
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Recipe by David Friesen Ingredients: 6 cups apples, peeled and cubed 2 cups local berries (blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, cranberries or a combination) Juice of one lemon ½ cup brown sugar 2 tbsp flour 1 tsp cinnamon 1 tsp nutmeg 1 pinch salt Cream for brushing
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Photograph: Andy Zeltkalns
Directions: 1. Mix all ingredients together except cream. 2. Using homemade double crust dough, line a glass pie dish with half the dough. 3. Fill with the fruit mix and top with the other half of the dough. 4. Cut eight slits in the top of dough and brush top with cream. 5. Preheat barbecue to 350 F. 6. On indirect heat, place pie on barbecue/smoker, close lid and bake until filling begins to bubble (30-45 minutes).
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{Muskoka Calendar{
Photographs: Scott Turnbull
If you love craft beer, don’t miss the 8th annual Griffin Session Muskoka, formerly the Muskoka Beer Festival, which takes place on Saturday, July 30 at Annie Williams Park in Bracebridge. Organized by the Griffin Gastropub, this event brings together 30 Ontario craft breweries, including Muskoka’s own Lake of Bays Brewing Co., Sawdust City Brewing Co. and Muskoka Brewery. There will also be Ontario wine, cider and spirits available for festival goers to enjoy. Plus, municipalities from Barrie to North Bay are bringing their own flavour to the event. Each participating municipality develops a beer that represents its community and festival goers vote for their favourite. The winning beer is then sold at LCBO locations across northern Ontario. Last year’s winner was Midland’s Butter Tart Ale,
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For more information, visit www.muskokabeerfestival.ca
Over 200 artists showcase their work for the Muskoka Arts & Crafts’ Summer Show.
The Muskoka Arts & Crafts’ Summer Show is back for its 54th year from July 15-17 in Annie Williams Park in Bracebridge. The show welcomes about 20,000 art enthusiasts who descend on the scenic park to see the handmade work of 200 exhibitors from Muskoka, Ontario and other regions of Canada. Art showcased at the event includes clothing and fashion accessories, fibre arts, baskets, fine woodworking and furniture, glass creations, home décor, jewelry, leather goods, metal, mixed media, painting and drawing, photography, pottery, sculpture, weaving, wood carving and even toys and soap.
Bathtubs are raced through an obstacle course during the popular Bathtub Derby at Huntsville Dockfest.
including a barbecue, beer tent, live music, arts and crafts for the little ones, as well as a bouncy castle and activities to entertain young attendees. The day gets off to a delicious start with a pancake breakfast before a parade of decorated bathtubs makes its way down Main Street for the long anticipated return of the bathtub derby. The first of three heats begins at noon, with bathtubs furiously racing through obstacles on the Muskoka River as they make their way to the finish line. Dockfest is an annual event with the proceeds alternating between local charities each year. Funds raised this year will go towards improvements to River Mill Park. Don’t miss this day of fun and excitement along Huntsville’s waterfront.
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The village of Rosseau will come alive with horsepower and heritage on Saturday, July 30 when classic and special interest vehicles and boats converge at thebracebridge waterfront for the annual Rosseau Classic Cruise. From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., over 100 exhibitors will showcase classic cars and trucks, hot rods, exotics and boats at Photograph: John McAllister
For more information, visit www.muskokaartsandcrafts.com
Mark Saturday, July 9 on your calendar for Huntsville’s fourth annual Rotary Dockfest, which takes place along the town’s historic downtown waterfront from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event has something for everyone,
Photograph: Jennifer Simpson
which the town developed with assistance from Gravenhurst’s Sawdust City Brewing Co. Beyond beer, Griffin Session Muskoka promises to entertain with two stages featuring musical acts, including Tokyo Police Club. And a beer festival wouldn’t be complete without delicious food. Last year the nearly 4,000 beer enthusiasts in attendance enjoyed everything from wood fired pizza and Georgian Bay fish tacos to butter tarts.
Classic vehicles and boats will take centre stage for the annual Rosseau Classic Cruise.
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characters from Anne of Green Gables. Enjoy free popcorn, cake and horse-drawn wagon rides beginning at 1:30 p.m.
Young Anne of Green Gables fans compete in an egg-on-a-spoon race.
Bala's Museum celebrates its annual re-enactment of Lucy Maud Montgomery’s visit to Bala in 1922 with its Everything Anne Day on Saturday, July 23. This afternoon of family fun features egg-on-a-spoon races, three-legged races, sack races and prizes for best costumes of
Photograph: Courtesy of Bala's Museum
Rosseau Waterfront Park. Among this year’s many special exhibits will be a 1955 Volkswagen Beetle that has completed three trips around the world and will be doing one more in 2017. The iconic German car was the subject of a documentary called Once More, which aired on Canadian television. On the water, the Seguin fire department’s new fireboat will be front and centre. With plenty of food available and live music to entertain, visitors can spend the day at the water admiring a fine collection of vehicles and boats while also perusing automotive and boat related vendors and displays. Hourly boat cruises on Lake Rosseau will be provided by Sunset Cruises. Admission is by donation, with proceeds going back into the local community. Past projects made possible by the Rosseau Classic Cruise include the children’s playground equipment currently at the waterfront.
For more information, visit www.balasmuseum.com
Butter tart fans rejoice. Muskoka’s Butter Tart Festival takes place in Port Carling on Saturday, July 16 and will bring together some of the area’s best butter tart bakers. Held at the scenic James Bartleman Island Park, beside the locks, the festival has expanded this year to include Collector’s Day, which will feature a variety of unique collections including dolls and doll houses, handmade ship models, old phones and tele-communication equipment and much more. Admission buttons are $2, with proceeds benefiting the Muskoka Lakes Museum and the Muskoka Children’s Foundation. The butter tart sale runs from 10 a.m. to noon with the festival continuing until 4 p.m. For more information, visit www.mlmuseum.com
Muskoka artists Bev Clark and Joanne Contant present Regatta Memories, a series of paintings influenced by images of the turn-of-the-century Muskoka regattas, until July 16 at the Chapel Gallery in Bracebridge. This is the first exhibit these artists have worked on together and the paintings that will be on display in Regatta Memories are a departure from their typical style of work. Painting from early black and white photographs, the artists captured life at Muskoka regattas circa 1900-1913. The paintings depict the elaborate clothing worn to area regattas, the activities that took place and even the methods of transportation like steamships and trains that made travel to Muskoka possible. The artists hope that the show will be both educational and thought-provoking to conjure memories in the viewer of special moments spent on Muskoka’s lakes. “I want it to be informative. I want them to learn,” says Contant. “Ninety-nine per cent of the paintings are painted from old black and white photographs so they are real people, real events.”
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Muskoka artists Bev Clark and Joanne Contant present Regatta Memories, a series of paintings influenced by turn-of-the-century Muskoka regattas.
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Huntsville is a happening place in July, with a full calendar of musical performances and community events hosted by the Huntsville Festival of the Arts. Refresh your body and spirit with the Huntsville Festival of the Arts Music at Noon free concert series, which takes place weekdays at 12:15 p.m. throughout July at the Trinity United Church in Huntsville. For young Muskokans, there’s Arts Splash on Saturday, July 9 at River Mill Park in Huntsville. From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., children will enjoy a fun-filled afternoon of interactive arts and crafts suitable for kids of all ages. The Algonquin Theatre will also welcome a legendary lineup this month with performances by Trent Severn (July 2), the Downchild Blues Band (July 6), Lawrence Gowan (July 7), Alison Wearing (July 8), Arkady Yanivker (July 9), Autumn Hill (July 13), Sarah Harmer (July 14), Dean & Jerry Concert Tribute (July 16), Keep the Faith Bon Jovi Tribute (July 19), Hawksley
62 UNIQUE MUSKOKA July 2016
Photograph: Huntsville Festival of the Arts
The Downchild Blues Band will perform at the Algonquin Theatre on July 6.
Workman (July 21), Còig (July 22) and Robert Creighton (July 23). If you’re a jazz fan, mark Sunday, July 17 on your calendar for Jazz in the Garden. Bring your lawn chair and sit amongst the beautiful gardens at Spencer’s Tall Trees Restaurant from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. as the
smooth sound of jazz fills the air. Tempt your tastebuds with light snacks and refreshing drinks. Can’t decide whether to spend an evening by the lake or see a live performance? You can have both with the Huntsville Festival of the Arts Dock Concert Series. The
Muskoka Concert Band will perform during the Dock Concert series on Wednesday, July 6 at Dwight Beach, Wednesday July 20 at the Port Sydney dock and on Wednesday, July 27 at the Huntsville town dock. The show begins at 7 p.m. Buskers, live music and interactive installations come to downtown Huntsville from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday, July 23 for Back Street, an urban arts festival taking place in River Mill Park, with pop up locations throughout the downtown. From graffiti artists, drumming workshops, “slam poetry” performances, buskers and a variety of urban beats, this afternoon promises to deliver excitement – with an edge. At the end of the month, Jazz fans will rejoice in the return of the Huntsville Annual Jazz Festival, which runs from July 28-30. A tribute to the music of John Coltrane will be performed at the Algonquin Theatre on Thursday, July 28, Adi Braun on Friday, July 29 and Oliver Jones on Saturday, July 30. The Festival continues into August with performances by Bruce Cockburn, The Nylons, Donnell Leahy, Alex Cuba and a
number of other great concerts. For more information, visit www.huntsvillefestival.on.ca
Hundreds of butterflies will take flight on Sunday, July 10 in Memorial Park in Bracebridge as Hospice Muskoka hosts its annual Butterfly Release Day, a fundraiser that allows members of the public to celebrate the life of a loved one by releasing a live Monarch butterfly in their honour. Butterfly Release Day is a unique opportunity to honour and memorialize loved ones by sponsoring a butterfly in their name. According to Hospice Muskoka, the release signifies freedom and happiness. The event runs from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., rain or shine, and will feature face painters, popcorn and live entertainment from musicians and performers representing a variety of genres. Don’t forget to bring a lawn chair or blanket.
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{Living in Muskoka{
A Home Fit for Triathletes Article by Dale Peacock / Photography by GJ Thomson
When elite triathletes Barbi which features a tennis court, the Brochu and Steve Vandermolen first privacy it offers and its proximity to saw the house on Ziska Road that Bracebridge. “I wanted something would become their home, they unique,” he says of the modern hesitated to get excited. “We’d been Foursquare meets Georgia plantation looking for so long,” says Brochu, style house. “and every time we liked something, While their sculpted physiques the deal would fall apart.” might suggest otherwise, Despite their initial reservations, Vandermolen and Brochu are far the house just outside of Bracebridge from obsessed with working out. serendipitously proved to be exactly They work hard to achieve balance in what they might have designed, built their lives despite training for 14 to and furnished for themselves, if they’d Barbi Brochu and Steve Vandermolen load up their bikes and get 25 hours a week. had the time and know-how. “We are away a fair bit so one ready to head out for a group ride. “We’re no decorators,” laughs thing that is important to us is eating Vandermolen. “We could imagine ourselves art, various paintings of cats hang in the dinner together as a family,” offers in the house exactly as it was staged so we upstairs hallway in coincidental homage to Vandermolen. “We tend to come home late negotiated an offer that included the the two family felines. from work or training so we tend to eat contents.” In an example of life imitating Vandermolen loves the large property, around 8:30 p.m., as Europeans do.”
Triathletes Steve Vandermolen and Barbi Brochu whip up a post-workout shake in their well-appointed kitchen. 64 UNIQUE MUSKOKA July 2016
Brochu enthuses, “I enjoy cooking. I try to shop and cook healthily and I like to experiment. We encourage the kids to eat well but we don’t push them.” She laughs, “If they make something questionable, I might ask, ‘So, do you want to add some veggies to that?’” While Brochu sticks to a healthy diet, Vandermolen freely admits that he will have
Surrounded by medals and photographs of competitions, Steve Vandermolen and Barbi Brochu log some miles in their home gym.
a Big Mac and fries on occasion. In fact, he does so every time he rides up the 2,792-metre slope of Mount Lemmon in Tucson, Arizona. “There’s a McDonald’s at the bottom,” he laughs. Vandermolen grins, “We want to have fun after all. We aren’t getting paid for this! I guess you could say that we work hard but we relax hard as well.” Training for triathlons is key. Amazingly, their new house boasted a two-storey garage with a fully equipped gym on the lower level. Perched nearby, on top of a slab of Muskoka granite, sits a hot tub that’s perfect for soothing sore, tired muscles. “We’re in it almost every day,” Vandermolen says. The house and property is also home to their training facility, UltraPossible, which specializes in multi-sport training for beginners interested in fitness or yoga, to the seasoned athlete looking to take their training to the next level. “See those stone steps?” Brochu says with a laugh. “They are also a part of the training regimen for my clients. They don’t always like it but they do it.”
Steve Vandermolen and Barbi Brochu enjoy the back deck after a long day. Vandermolen grew up in Grimsby and then attended the University of Toronto where he graduated with a degree in Pharmacy. He moved to Muskoka 18 years ago to own and operates the Gravenhurst IDA Pharmacy, which he stumbled upon during a trip to Muskoka. “I have a terrific team at work and without them I wouldn’t be able to take advantage of the opportunities to compete and train all over the world,” Vandermolen says.
The couple just returned from almost a month of training and vacationing with cycling friends in Majorca, Spain. Despite being tired from the trip their eyes light up with enthusiasm when they talk about the region. “It’s a mecca for cyclists and it’s not just triathletes that flock to the region,” says Brochu. “There were recreational cyclists everywhere.” Vandermolen says that the region is so
July 2016 UNIQUE MUSKOKA 65
Richard Scully Sales Representative
MuskokaCottagesForSale.com
705 644 9393
rscully@muskoka.com
LAKE ROSSEAU- $9,395,000. Subtly sophisticated custom 8+ bdrm. estate occultly uniting exemplary professionalism with grande stately architecture on one of the finest summer sunset shores. Irrefutably private. Custom, 9,800 sq. ft., principal residence, designed with luxury in mind and built with immense attention to detail, comprising only the finest of finishes, state of the art mechanicals, oak floors, magnificent Muskoka room, classic stone fireplaces, nothing spared nor missed. Stunning 3 slip boathouse with living quarters above. Stone paths, extensively landscaped, 2 car garage, paved drive, over 500` of shoreline, 6+ acres & sweeping views. Unquestionably one of the most exquisite offerings on Rosseau. Call Richard Scully LAKE JOSEPH - $7,900,000. Unassailable privacy, 1,535 ft. of south & west facing unspoiled shore fronting 8.44 acres of maturely wooded lands. Older 5 bedroom cottage holds the primary position with commanding across the lake water vistas, stone fireplace, woodsy interior, screened Muskoka porch, separate 2 bdrm., 1 bath, sleeping cabin, and boathouse. Stunning 'rock & pine' shore with crystal clear waters, stunning vantage points, and severance potential. Very rarely offered north Lake Joe address of distinction, in an area of superior lakefront estates. Priced with land value in mind. Call Richard Scully LAKE JOSEPH - $5,495,000. Absolutely elegant Olde/New lakefront estate, with beyond belief interior, 4 bedrooms, stone fireplaces, wood floors, incredible mechanicals, butler's pantry, multiple sitting areas, verandah & luxurious lakeside terraces with BBQ oven & bar. "Grandfathered" 2 slip 2 storey boathouse with 1,000 sq. ft. living quarters above, plus bunkie with stone fireplace. Mins. to Port Sandfield. Call Richard Scully
66 UNIQUE MUSKOKA July 2016
LAKE JOSEPH - $5,995,000. Elegant 5 bdrm. cottage with covered porches, heated floors, designer interior, gorgeous kitchen, floor-to-ceiling stone fireplaces, solid antiqued wide plank wood floors, 465 ft. frontage, 2 storey boathouse with living quarters above, cabana + separate bunkie. Long views and minutes to Port Sandfield. Call Richard Scully
LAKE ROSSEAU - $5,495,000. Custom 5,300 sq. ft. cottage on over 4 acres with some of the finest views. 4 bedrooms, 7 baths, wood floors, chef's kitchen, Muskoka room, Muskoka stone fireplace, lower level walkout, stone paths lead to a 3 slip boathouse with bar area & summer sunset views. Nanny's suite above 3 car garage. Minutes to Port Carling. Call Richard Scully
July 2016 UNIQUE MUSKOKA 66
Richard Scully Sales Representative
MuskokaCottagesForSale.com LAKE MUSKOKA - $4,995,000. Minutes to Port Carling. Custom, elegant, 5 bdrm. cottage with gorgeous stone fps., smoked European white oak floors, walls of glass, stunning kitchen, incredible Muskoka room, expansive lakeside deck, beautifully landscaped & irrigated grounds & one of the finest 2 storey boathouses to be seen with ample slips & breathtaking on the water entertainment area. No detail spared nor missed. Call Richard Scully
LAKE MUSKOKA - $4,595,000. Stately, custom, west facing, 4,600 sq. ft., 4 bedroom water`s edge cottage with architectural elegance, extensive exterior finishes of cedar & stone, interior finished with MDF, wide plank wood floors, stone fireplace, chef`s kitchen, custom cabinetry, wraparound open & closed covered Muskoka porch, main floor Master Suite, exercise room, magnificent mechanicals, stone paths, deeper shore, 3 slip 2 storey boathouse with living quarters atop, stunning westerly view, unquestionably private. Just mins. to Port Carling. Call Richard Scully LAKE MUSKOKA - $3,395,000. 760 ft. of private southwest shore. 6 bedrom retreat. 3,700 sq. ft. classic Muskoka cottage with refinished wide plank antiqued wood floors, gourmet kitchen, lakeside dining, floor-to-ceiling stone fp., Muskoka room, wraparound deck with built-in Jacuzzi. Towering pines, stone paths, sand beach, gazebo, private views, large 3 slip 2 storey boathouse with living quarters & 2 car garage. Call Richard Scully LAKE ROSSEAU - $1,895,000. 4,700 sq. ft., 6 bedroom summer sunset cottage with 2 stone fps., wood floors, screened Muskoka room, spacious main floor Master Suite 2 lakeside decks, lower level wet bar, games room & walkout to level private grounds. Sand beach & 2 slip boathouse with stunning views. Port Sandfield locale. Call Richard Scully
67 UNIQUE MUSKOKA July 2016
705 644 9393
rscully@muskoka.com
LAKE ROSSEAU $4,675,000. 7 bedroom compound on 538 ft. of shore & 4.62 acres of privacy. 4,300 sq. ft., custom 5 bedroom cottage affords walls of glass, winter & summer dining rooms, chef's kitchen, Muskoka room, covered porches, stone fireplace, wood floors. Extensive landscaping, 2 bedroom boathouse, tennis court & sweeping views. Call Richard Scully
LAKE MUSKOKA - $4,189,000. Custom 4 bedroom cottage with wood floors, Muskoka stone fireplace, dramatic interior, elegant kitchen, butler's pantry, screened Muskoka room, custom cabinetry, lakeside deck, lower level walkout with bar & family room, 2 storey boathouse with living quarters & toddler friendly sandy beach area. Only 5 mins from Port Carling. Call Richard Scully
LAKE ROSSEAU - $2,099,000. Summer sunset shore of almost 300' with newer 2 slip 2 bedroom boathouse. Breathtaking westerly views. Absolutely charming water's edge 3 bedroom + loft sunset cottage with stone fireplace & covered verandah to use as is or opportune for redevelopment with a "grandfathered" setback. Convenient to Minett & Port Sandfield. Call Richard Scully
LAKE ROSSEAU - $1,299,000. Solid 3 bdrm., 3 bath, 3,300 sq. ft. solar southerly appointed cottage with wood floors, vaulted wood ceilings, large master suite with private balcony, chef's kitchen, lakeside deck, finished lower level with rec. room & walkout to gently terraced grounds. Towering pines & stunning views. Deeper shore with dock & great sunshine. Drive to the door convenience. Call Richard Scully
July 2016 UNIQUE MUSKOKA 67
Maria Tingey Sales Representative
cottagemuskoka.com “I sell Real Estate”
Walker’s Point— $2,195,000 Value is evident and comes gift wrapped in this recently refurbished cedar lined cottage. Featuring spacious living dining area with stone fireplace vaulted ceilings and walkouts to sun drenched decking. The tasteful updated kitchen flows into the forever used over sized Muskoka room. The first level offers up 4 bedrooms of which the beautiful main master bedroom is complemented by gas fireplace walk in closet and en suite. There is also a second master suite. The walk out lower level also enjoys a Muskoka stone fireplace and is dedicated as a media/games room with office/den and exercise room. This offering is the ultimate in a family cottage with gentle land, easy access, landscaped grounds and walkway leading to the fabulous two storey boathouse with a mixture of shallow and deep water. The boathouse accommodation consists of bedrooms, den bathroom and sitting area. Put this complete package together with the double garage, covered outdoor BBQ area all day sun and sun set the wish list is complete. Call listing agent for Private Viewing.’
68 UNIQUE MUSKOKA July 2016
Sun Sets, Magnificent Views Lake Muskoka —$2,395,000
“The Lodge” Lake Muskoka—$3,150,000
The perfect combination of everything that will makes cottage life what it should be. All day sun with a truly magnificent sunset, gorgeous views, an incredible sand beach, gentle terrain, lots of great table land , stone walkways and over 360’ shoreline. The commanding 5000 sq. Ft. cottage shows beautifully with soaring ceilings, a commanding central stone fire place, two master suites and of course the inviting screened porch. The principle gathering area enjoys the beautiful vista throughout. To enhance it all is the 3 bedroom self contained guest cottage that is accessed by the attached breezeway. With the lower level games room and media area the package is complete. This offering has it all for the young and not so young. Call for your private showing.’
Be prepared for the ultimate in the “WOW” factor. From the minute you enter” the warmth of the decor, the unprecedented craftsmanship and the uniqueness of the design is evident throughout. The main entrance opens into the gracious Grand easy flowing gathering area, consisting of living room, kitchen and dining room all taking in the outdoor views and sunshine. A very commanding fireplace is the centre to it all. The kitchen is a chef ’s delight with natural slate floors and the 14ft. titanium Granite Isl. Flowing from the living area is the ever used Muskoka room where the awe inspiring sunsets are savoured. The luxurious master suite benefits from walk out to the wrap around deck. Meticulous landscape is integrated with the natural terrain of trees and rock shelf shoreline. 3 slip Bthse is enhanced with a fabulous sun deck that takes in the long lake view. Nothing has been overlooked including, the high end finishes and functionality of this spectacular offering.’
Royal LePage Lakes Of Muskoka, Brokerage 118 Medora street, Port Carling, ON P0B 1J0 (705) 644 4808 tingey@muskoka.com
After a hard workout, triathletes Steve Vandermolen and Barbi Brochu soothe their tired muscles in their back yard hot tub. popular because of the roads, won a swim scholarship to the topography and the Louisiana State University. After courtesy of drivers who are graduating, she moved back to happy to share the road with Ontario to St. Thomas. Six years cyclists. ago she joined Vandermolen in “The small towns and Muskoka where they blended villages rely on cyclists and do their families. everything they can to make Since 1997, Vandermolen has them feel welcome and that it’s competed in almost 150 worth coming inland from the triathlons ranging in distance beautiful coast,” he explains. from sprint up to half Ironman. Vandermolen came to Now competing in the 45-49 age triathlon via cycling, which is group, Vandermolen is an his strongest and favourite eight-time national age group stage of the multi-stage sport team qualifier. He competed in The privacy and natural surroundings of the west-facing back yard allow the that consists of swimming, the Olympic distance at the couple to enjoy quiet downtime. cycling and running. His love Triathlon World Championships of triathlon has taken a large portion of his It also introduced him to his spouse; he in Mexico in 2002, New Zealand in 2003, spare time for the last 15 years and has met Brochu seven years ago at a triathlon Portugal in 2004, Hawaii in 2005, become his main personal competitive training camp in Clermont, Florida where Switzerland in 2006, Vancouver in 2008, fitness focus. she was the swim coach. They feel lucky to Hungary in 2010 and New Zealand in “The sport has given me so much, be partners who share the same passion. 2012. He is also a three-time provincial age including most of my best friends, a positive Their love and respect for one another as group champion. attitude, work ethic, mental toughness and parents and athletes is quietly palpable. Brochu’s list of accomplishments is focus,” he enthuses. Brochu grew up in Delhi, Ontario and equally impressive. She was the second place
July 2016 UNIQUE MUSKOKA 69
female finisher in the 2009 more Ontario races on their Ultraman Canada, a calendar this summer. three-day race that covers a But it’s not competitions total distance of 512.6 that drive Brochu. For her, kilometres. In the process, it’s the journey. “I like to be she also set a new record in challenged in races but in the 10-kilometre open truth it’s the training water swim. In 2010, she lifestyle that I really love,” finished third in the she says. women’s 30-34 age While this globe-trotting category at the 2010 couple loves travelling to Triathlon World new locales, particularly Championships in during the bitter cold winter A gift from one of the many athletes they have coached hints at the couple's passion Budapest, Hungary. months, they’re always for triathlons. “In truth, Barbi is a drawn home to Muskoka. better athlete than I am,” Vandermolen says. They are both huge supporters of “We love the challenge of cycling right “I never have to hang back for her; she is Muskoka triathlons, with many wins and outside our door and we swim at Kirby’s always right beside me.” He jokes, “If she top finishes to their credit, and have Beach on Lake Muskoka whenever we can,” ever outright beats me, I’ll give up the registered for July’s Ironman 70.3 Muskoka says Vandermolen. “It’s hard to beat sport.” as part of a relay team. They also have three Muskoka in summer, isn’t it?”
Despite their busy lives, the couple still find time for the occasional game of pool.
70 UNIQUE MUSKOKA July 2016
Sharon Hunter Aiken, Broker George Aiken, Sales Rep 705.646.3116
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$3,950,000 This contemporary family compound is set amidst dazzling Muskoka granite, and mature trees on both pristine flatland and wide sloping grassy hills. Located in Arthurlie Bay on sought after Lake Rosseau, this property allows you to entertain in one of three buildings, new docks and decking, covered verandas with panoramic lake views. Don’t miss one of South Lake Rosseau’s finest offerings.
$1,349,000 Stunning Southwest views across East Bay. Spectacular 2.7 acre building lot with 342 feet of shoreline and gentle sloping topography, towering pines, striking granite shoreline, deep water, sunsets, extreme privacy. Rare opportunity to build in an area of the finer properties
$3,695,000 Truly one-of-a-kind “Classic Muskoka” cottage, superb craftsmanship and attention to detail is evident throughout all three buildings. Luxurious five-bedroom main cottage with over 4,000 square feet . This is a great year-round vacation home. At water’s edge is a two-slip, twostorey boathosuse designed for entertaining and accommodating guests.
$695,000 First Time on the Market! Enchanting three bedroom century cottage and boathouse situated on a point of land on Fairhaven Island. All day sun, deep water, multiple vistas and just minutes to mainland docking. Updated kitchen, plus a master on second floor. Large screened in porch. Great opportunity to vacation in Beaumaris at a very affordable price.
$1,895,000 Lake Muskoka This special offering has all the attributes that make “Cottage Life” a winning combination for the entire family! 2 acres, 310 feet of delightful privacy. Large principal rooms with 5 bedrooms in main cottage and over 3,000 square feet of finished living space on two levels. Double slip boathouse with double boat port and accommodation above provides superb guest quarters and plenty of shelter for boats. Most furnishings included.
$1,199,000 Perfectly situated in the Beaumaris area of Lake Muskoka, this island property features the finest sunset vistas ever. Perched right on the water’s edge with a northwest exposure, this traditional two-storey cottage (circa 1903) captures the essence of an era gone by. Features include a grand wrap-around veranda for entertaining, spacious great room and kitchen and dining room, basswood and pine interior and wood-burning fireplace.
SOLD
SOLD
$3,300,000 Rare opportunity to acquire one of the few remaining magnificent estate sized lots on mainland Beaumaris. Idyllic setting with mesmerizing south west views, 3.02 acres of mature forest, granite rock outcropping, hard packed sandy cove, deep water, interconnecting stone paths and year round access off a seasonally maintained private road. 491 feet of bylaw frontage.
$789,000 Prime Lake Muskoka Locale. Private 200’ lot and three-quarters of an acre with expansive North-West views. Gentle slope to deep water and dock. Three bedroom cottage. Use as is or great redevelopment opportunity.
SOLD $2,100,000 This property has it all! Spectacular year-round sunsets and four-season enjoyment, with 2,600 square feet on two levels, four bedrooms, 3.5 baths, handsome stone fireplace, new high efficiency wood stove, vaulted ceilings and hardwood floors in main living areas, Muskoka room, walkouts to three decks, granite paths to water and fire pit. 1.6 acre, well-treed lot, with 180 feet of superb privacy. Great furniture package included. Located on one of Lake Muskoka’s preferred shorelines.
July 2016 UNIQUE MUSKOKA 71
{Muskoka Moments{ Several times a year I speak to Grade 10 students at Bracebridge and Muskoka Lakes Secondary School. I tell them in one hour what in the world has become important to me, looking back from a 78-year perspective. Part of my talk deals with the landscape of Muskoka, and why it is what it is. And yes, I even admit to having rocks in my head. Have you been to the Torrance Barrens? It’s a wonderful place for a pleasant, not-too-strenuous Muskoka hike. And if you carefully look around, the Barrens will tell you a story about this remarkable part of the world we live in. You’ll see billions of years of history under your feet. You’ll walk along ancient backbones of granite, made smooth by the grinding of the two-kilometre high Laurentide glacier which covered most of Canada, and which still covers Greenland. Here, an unimaginably long time ago, were the highest mountains that ever existed. Two thousand million years of weathering, acidic rain and many glaciations wore them away and gave us this landscape. And the erosion continues. Every day. Forever. The mixed vegetation is stunted as it clings to the small deposits of soil where, periodically, melting snow and rainfall provide a precious drink. Early on in a walk in the Barrens, you will come upon a huge boulder, standing alone, waiting for you. This chip off an old block is a magnificent example of an “erratic” (all the millions of boulders in Muskoka are erratics). Its rounded edges tell us that it was broken off a hill and dragged and rolled under and within the glacier for a great distance. About 10,000 years ago when the ice melted in Muskoka, it dropped out here for us to marvel at. I managed to get lost there one memorable day awhile ago, in late winter, with no phone, no food, no compass, no other hikers and no signs. I encountered my own footprints three times. I emerged to tell the tale and was determined to try to make
72 UNIQUE MUSKOKA July 2016
Photograph: Andy Zeltkalns
By Alex Tilley
it a more navigable place for the curious. Recently, the directional signage in the Torrance Barrens has been improved. The existing sign for this huge rock sculpted by Nature was destroyed so I decided to compose and produce my own version, which I installed on the bare signpost in late April of this year. I suppose putting a sign near an erratic rock is like putting a plaque on the Canadian Shield, but we humans need to do that – we need to stop and pay attention to the fact that we are tiny cogs in the big wheel of Earth’s history. When you go for a wander in the barrens you’ll see this Muskoka monolith, but don’t make that your only goal; the land has so
many stories to tell you. And I might be there too, hopefully not lost, perhaps able to add to your gathering of knowledge and, no doubt, to learn something from you.
Alex Tilley is the creator of the Tilley Hat (“world famous in certain parts of Canada”) and especially prides himself on his blessed Canadian modesty. Inveterate travellers, he and his artist wife Hilary (hilaryclarkcole.com) have seen parts of our beloved planet from top to bottom and all around. He built a home on Lake Muskoka in 1998 and every day, except in February, gives thanks that he lives here.
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