A big reason why some of the With family, and related members under other names, became artists is due largely to the beauty of Georgian Bay landscapes. The two originals were Kenneth With and Helen Ritchie. (Examples of both their works can be seen in Sweetwaters’ Gallery.} They met each other in London, England, whileContinue reading “Artists in the family”
Category Archives: People
A photographer’s legacy
When he died over 60 years ago, photographer J.W. Bald of Midland was already well known for the scope of his work, as well as its quality. I wish I had known him as many of his interests have also been mine. Back in 1981, I had a newsletter on marine topics named The WaterContinue reading “A photographer’s legacy”
How we love this place…
If you have read “About this blog” and gone on to “Who is this Ancient Islander“, you may understand how I came by my affection for Georgian Bay. But these legacies are not unique to me or my extended family. Numerous permanent and seasonal residents have felt the pull of this region for centuries andContinue reading “How we love this place…”
Frank Rourke was a man with ‘sweet waters’ in his veins
To followers of this blog, the Rourke name might ring a bell. There are posts about Juanita Rourke, and her brother-in-law Emery O’Rourke. There also are mentions in other posts of Juanita’s husband Frank Rourke. Now it’s time to do the memory of Frank justice with a post about him and his incredible affinity forContinue reading “Frank Rourke was a man with ‘sweet waters’ in his veins”
Catch and release, because you never know…
Does heredity make good anglers? I don’t know if Izaac Walton covered that topic in his fishing bible (The Compleat Angler, of 1653), but the Chisholm boys in the 20th Century cause me to wonder. If it’s true, Steve and Robin Chisholm came by their talent, first, through their father Sandy whom I remember asContinue reading “Catch and release, because you never know…”
Of unsung heroes
By the time the big launch had crept through the growing darkness past Eshpabekong Island, waves pushed by a strong east wind began to make it roll. Giving a wide berth to a shoal at the north end of Giant’s Tomb Island, the skipper ran south along the boulder beds of the Tomb’s west shore.Continue reading “Of unsung heroes”
Indian Summer
It being autumn as I write this, the Ontario landscape is rich in smoky hills, vivid colours and bluejays calling. A poem that people of my vintage memorized in school replays in my mind. It is William Wilfred Campbell’s “Indian Summer”. What has this to do with Georgian Bay? Well, the poet grew up onContinue reading “Indian Summer”
Emery O’Rourke: a man of the shore
He was not a hard-nosed businessman but he was competitive in his own way without being aggressive. He seemed to live by the Golden Rule and would go to great lengths to help friends and customers. He was a physical strongman despite being seriously ill as a child. He knew the waterways among the islandsContinue reading “Emery O’Rourke: a man of the shore”
‘Schooner Days’ man
One hot and humid summer day in 1969 at Nancy Island, Wasaga Beach, an elderly man sat in a wheelchair in the shade off to the side of a growing crowd of people. Occasionally someone would go up to him, shake his hand, and chat for a few moments. This was the man who, followingContinue reading “‘Schooner Days’ man”
Living in harmony with the land and water
A nature writer who has been my idol for about 60 years is the late Sigurd F. Olson of Ely, Minnesota. The title of his first book was The Singing Wilderness. Now, how can that not make you want to read it? His home ground was the Quetico-Superior canoe country northwest of Lake Superior. ButContinue reading “Living in harmony with the land and water”
SWEETWATERS 