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For over 20 years I've been collecting stories, photographs, interviews, out of print books and researching various aspects of the human history of Algonquin Park in Ontario Canada. In other words, capturing voices from the past. In the fall of 2020, I launched my podcast 'Algonquin Defining Moments' to both complement my published books but also to continue my mission of sharing stories, recollections, traditions, landmarks and other fun Algonquin Park human heritage curiosities. In this way that those who share my passion for everything Algonquin Park can listen to snippets of the park and its people while commuting, walking, cooking, working around the house or even just meditating on the back deck. Enjoy! Gaye Clemson
Episodes
Tuesday Jun 29, 2021
Tuesday Jun 29, 2021
Episode 16: A Chat with Sven Miglin from Canoe Lake's Portage Store in Algonquin Park
The Portage Store has always had a special place in my heart. This is because for many years my family had a lease on Canoe Lake, and as a kid, it was often the local hangout for ice cream and people watching. I’m delighted that in this episode to be joined by Sven Miglin, whom with many members of his family, has been the heart and soul behind the Portage Store since 1976. In this episode, Sven shares with me how this venerable Algonquin Park institution has changed over the last 40+ years and some of the secrets of their success in bringing the joys of Algonquin to Canadians from all walks of life.
Friday Jun 11, 2021
Episode 15: The Origins of Canoe Lake‘s Portage Store (1935-1975)
Friday Jun 11, 2021
Friday Jun 11, 2021
Episode 15: The Origins of Canoe Lake's Portage Store (1935-1975)
In this episode with the help of an old memoir from my Canoe Lake neighbour, Isabel Cowie who with 3 friends once ran it in the 1950s, I’m going to share all that I have researched and can remember about the origins of the Portage Store from 1935 to 1975 and its role as the social centre of Canoe Lake.
For those unaware, on a typical weekend during the heat of the summer, hundreds of visitors pass through and admire Canoe Lake from the vantage point of Portage Bay. For the really adventurous, it's to collect their rented canoe and equipment from the outfitting shop in order to venture off north or south into Algonquin Park's interior for a well-deserved respite from the chaos of their daily lives. For local residents, it’s the place to get gas and oil for the motorboat, ice for the fridge or propane ice-box, check-in with the world by picking up a daily newspaper, or grab a well-deserved ice cream cone after a hard day of cottage chores. For tourists passing through the Park on their way to Toronto or Ottawa along Highway 60, it's to stop for gas or a meal at the Portage Store restaurant with a quick visit to the second-floor gift shop. For another type of adventurer, it’s an opportunity in relative safety to indulge in one of Canada’s most endearing past-times, that of renting a canoe and going for a paddle.
Monday May 31, 2021
Episode 14: Shanty Life Wrap Up and 2008‘s Last Squared-Timber Crib Run
Monday May 31, 2021
Monday May 31, 2021
Episode 14: Shanty Life Wrap Up and 2008's Last Squared-Timber Crib Run
I had originally thought that three episodes would cover just about all there was to say about the history of logging in Algonquin Park. But when going back over my notes, I realized that I wasn’t quite done. There were a few more amusing shanty life stories that I still wanted to share and a few more shanty songs that needed a hearing. In addition, I realized that another missing link was to share something about the last crib river run that Ron Corbett wrote so eloquently about in 2008 in his book One Last River Run. So you‘ll have to bear with me, as this episode is a bit more of a hodge-podge of different things. Hopefully, you’ll find it fun and interesting.