Unique Muskoka August
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{<strong>Muskoka</strong> Insights<br />
{<br />
Taking a cruise on the RMS Segwun is like<br />
taking a step back in time.<br />
Shutting your eyes during the calm of a<br />
late-night cruise, it doesn’t take one long to<br />
envision they were there,<br />
some 150 years ago, when<br />
the first steamer crossed Lake<br />
<strong>Muskoka</strong>. The rippling of the<br />
water against the hull, the<br />
powerful whooshing of the<br />
mighty piston drive, the<br />
blending of the cool night<br />
breeze with the intense heat<br />
from the coal-fired boiler…<br />
all interrupted by the<br />
piercing sound of the ship’s<br />
steam whistle.<br />
With a little imagination, our senses<br />
allow us to do some travelling to a time<br />
before automobiles and highways. It’s the<br />
closest we can get to understanding the<br />
thoughts of the entrepreneurial Alexander<br />
Peter Cockburn who invested in the<br />
launching of a steamship company on the<br />
waterways of <strong>Muskoka</strong>.<br />
For <strong>Muskoka</strong>, it was a time when its<br />
potential would be opened to the rest of the<br />
world. It took a person with vision and<br />
daring, and A.P. Cockburn demonstrated he<br />
had both and more as he set about building<br />
the small fleet that would push development<br />
up the lakes.<br />
It seems only natural that an area as<br />
blessed as <strong>Muskoka</strong> – with so many<br />
navigable lakes and rivers – would welcome<br />
its first settlers and visitors by ship. And,<br />
when natural obstacles stood in the way, as<br />
they did in Port Carling, it took a person<br />
with Cockburn’s determination and<br />
connection to overcome them.<br />
In this issue of <strong>Unique</strong> <strong>Muskoka</strong>, we are<br />
marking the 150th anniversary of the<br />
launching of the Wenonah, the first of A.P.<br />
Cockburn’s fleet but just as importantly, we<br />
are also celebrating Cockburn, the man who<br />
made it all possible.<br />
While Cockburn accomplished much,<br />
contributor Jack Hutton tells us this pioneer<br />
of transportation died before the truly<br />
golden years of steamship travel in <strong>Muskoka</strong>.<br />
However, without Cockburn’s initiative, the<br />
<strong>Muskoka</strong> story might be much different.<br />
Also in this issue of <strong>Unique</strong> <strong>Muskoka</strong>, our<br />
readers can be a part of another more recent<br />
era with a visit to the<br />
collections of automobiles<br />
and memorabilia that have<br />
been preserved by some<br />
longtime <strong>Muskoka</strong>ns. They<br />
have a passion for antique<br />
and classic vehicles and are<br />
opening their doors to the<br />
public as part of a fundraiser<br />
to support the South<br />
<strong>Muskoka</strong> Hospital Auxiliary<br />
on Aug. 13.<br />
For those interested in the<br />
outdoors, balancing on a cable – high in the<br />
treetops – might provide you with the thrill<br />
you are seeking. Or, you might be interested<br />
in what steps are being taken to stem the<br />
invasion of the emerald ash borer. And,<br />
there is the dedicated group of beekeepers<br />
who are doing their part to ensure these<br />
important pollinators will continue to<br />
provide diversity within our flora.<br />
<strong>Muskoka</strong> is known for its artisans and<br />
one who has a reputation for his creativity is<br />
Peter Fromme-Douglas. Always pushing the<br />
boundaries and finding new ways to<br />
demonstrate his talent, Fromme-Douglas<br />
brings vibrancy to his work… a perfect<br />
reflection of his personality.<br />
And for a truly unique taste of <strong>Muskoka</strong>,<br />
you won’t want to miss our regular feature,<br />
Cottage Country Cuisine. In this issue, we<br />
tell the story of <strong>Muskoka</strong>’s brew masters and<br />
share some recipes that pair well with their<br />
ales.<br />
For our close, adventurer Les Stroud<br />
shares how a childhood in <strong>Muskoka</strong><br />
prepared him for his role as Survivorman.<br />
<strong>Muskoka</strong>… so much to celebrate… so<br />
unique!<br />
Happy reading.<br />
Photograph: Susan Smith<br />
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<strong>August</strong> 2016 UNIQUE MUSKOKA 9