A Day in the Life of a Historical Interpreter

Blog Writer & Historical Interpreter,
Larry Ford

Ah, summer jobs! For those hardworking students who need seasonal employment what could be more enjoyable than working in front of a grill or filling up someone’s SUV. I’m not knocking either of the two jobs noted, but where I work you can dress up like someone from the past and be a doctor, a cook, a blacksmith, even a Jesuit priest! Such is the summer life of a historical interpreter at Sainte-Marie among the Hurons, the reconstructed 17th century French Jesuit community just east of Midland, Ontario.  

While you have to wear heavy clothing in 30 degree weather, and you may be stuck in front of a fire, the biggest plus of the job are the people you meet from all over the world, who are interested in you and what you have to say. The majority of our audience are absolutely fascinated in hearing the story of two very different cultures, the French and the Wendat/Huron, how they interacted and what happened, both good and bad. We don’t pick sides. We try to balance the story and allow our visitors to draw conclusions, and most importantly learn about one of the most dramatic periods in Canadian history. 

Historical Interpreters are
chosen from all over Ontario

Oh, we may struggle making sagamité (a thick corn, porridge like soup that one historical Jesuit said looked like wallpaper paste), or making a twisted piece of metal we call a nail, or wearing a long black robe in the sun, our hands-on third person interpretation and story-telling have been very popular for nearly 50 years.

It’s time to go. I have a Grade 5 group from Pickering and the bus has just pulled up. Time for me to put on my beaver felt hat and lead my tour on a visit to the 17th century.

Whether you are with a school group, just dropping in, or if you are one of the lucky few who have the chance to work at Ontario’s first European community, get ready for an experience that is truly historical…a summer job second to none!

A weekend for 'foodies' in Midland Ontario

A Weekend for foodies in Midland Ontario 

Consider a “foodie weekend” trip north of Toronto to experience the hospitality of Midland Ontario on the shores of Georgian Bay.  Two events are highlighted including Books2Eat at the Midland Public Library and the Sweetwater Festival (celebrating maple syrup) at the Wye Marsh.  Midland Ontario is easily accessible via Highway 400 to Highway 93 or Highway 12 north of Barrie.

"Books2Eat" Festival April 7

Foodies can play with food and eat it too!  After a very successful first year, the Books2Eat event is an event where local chefs create scrumptious treats inspired by their favourite books, is taking place at the Midland Public Library on April 7.  Attendees vote for their favourite dish and enjoy eating the rest. There will be lots of food, music and entertainment. This is a great way to fuel your family's love for books, fresh food and fun! This event is international in its origin and is celebrating the April 1st birthday of French gastronome Jean-Anthelme Brillat-Savarin (1755-1826), famous for his book Physiologie du goût, a witty meditation on food. Celebrate food and eat your words as the "books" are consumed on the day of the event.  Books2Eat International is also celebrated in many North American communities during April.

Sweetwater Harvest Festival April 6-April 7

Sweetwater Harvest Festival 2013 includes an all day pancake breakfast with fresh maple syrup. Old and modern maple syrup harvesting and production will be demonstrated. Enjoy the wildlife of the Marsh along with animal demonstrations. Horse drawn wagon rides and live folk music highlight the festival. Also the Trumpeter Swans will be searching for mates and territory with lots of ’spring honking'. 

Foodies will get their maple syrup fix at the Sweetwater Festival.

Midland Area Accommodation

Suggested accommodation in Midland and area Best Western Plus Highland Inn& Conference Centre, Comfort Inn, Little Lake Inn Bed & Breakfast, Midland Inn & Suites or stay in nearby Wyebridge at Sugar Ridge Retreat or Port Severn Ontario at  Christie's Mill Inn & Spa, Muskey's Landing, Rawley Resort & Marina Inc

More links for Midland and Ontario information

Shop Midland Ontario

Downtown Midland BIA

411OntarioKids

Family Day Weekend is "For the Birds" at the Wye Marsh Midland

Midland Ontario, 411ontariokids.com and Wye Marsh will participate in the 2012 Great Backyard Bird Count this Family Day weekend and they need your family's help.

The Great Backyard Bird Count is an annual four-day event that engages bird watchers of all ages in counting birds to create a real-time snapshot of where the birds are across the continent. Anyone can participate, from beginning bird watchers to experts. It takes as little as 15 minutes on one day, or you can count for as long as you like each day of the event. It’s fun and easy—and it helps the birds.

The Wye Marsh in Midland will be asking families to help count birds while visiting the wildlife centre this Family Day weekend. Families wishing to participate will be given a tally sheet and are asked to count 4 types of birds commonly found at the marsh, blue jays, gold finches, chickadees and cardinals. Stay overnight..Book Midland Hotels


More Family Day Activities

The Wye Marsh will also have plenty of events to celebrate Family Day weekend and on February 20th will have bannock roasting, birdhouse craft, snowman dress-up, snowball target throwing, winter bingo, a scavenger hunt and other fun family activities.

Both organizations are excited to participate in this continent wide tally of the bird population. It is a great opportunity for your children to learn not only about the local bird population but learn about the bigger picture of birds and their habitats. Results will be posted on the GBBC website so it is something your children can follow up on see results. 411ontariokids.com will also post results of the count so make sure to check back after Family Day!
For more information please contact:
411ontariokids.comThis e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Wye MarshThis e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

National Aboriginal Day--Education for Canadians

Lacrosse in Action

Sainte-Marie among the Hurons created an informative, active, educational and fun day for all ages on National Aboriginal Day June 21.  If by chance you missed this event you can still catch a weekend of events on June 25, 26 as National Aboriginal Month continues with the Aboriginal Festival Weekend. 

For more than 2 hours the kids were kept busy and fascinated with a variety of activities including  story telling and drumming, outdoor lacrosse in the fort, making a bone game, water proofing a canoe with pine tar, making faces in clay, decorating a mini-paddle, and watching historic native dancing...the chicken dance was very entertaining.   Stay in Midland area with a variety of accommodation.

Ontario Maple Syrup Festival Contest

The Wye Marsh Wildlife Centre located just north of Barrie near Midland holds an annual Sweetwater Harvest-Maple Syrup Festival.  See Wye March Contest details,  More information on Ontario Maple Syrup Festivals.  The Wye Marsh is offering 3 family passes to this years event including pancakes and maple syrup.  Visitors can participate in a variety of events, activities with children and family in mind. 

Tasting maple sap befoe it becomes Maple Syrup

Maple Syrup in Canada

Did you know that maple syrup is known as "Pure Liquid Gold" and is a significant agriculture crop in Ontario and a major export product to the rest of the world.  See maple syrup history and discover some interesting facts ans well as a little fiction about this unique spring tonic.

Visit a maple sugar bush as part of your March Break Getaway Vacation

Pumpkin Road Trips North of Toronto

Old Fort Road to Midland Ontario Road Trip takes you past Autumn Harvest Farms

Fall Colours Change on Large Maple Tree Overlooking the Pumpkin Patch

Pumpkins of All Sizes wait for your Thanksgiving and Halloween Fun

Simcoe County Fall Colours are at Peak around the Thanksgiving Weekend in Canada

Lots of Fall Colours--at lower levels.

Although the Ontario Fall Colour report has stopped, don't let this deter you from travelling north of Toronto to enjoy hikes and fall colour walks. There are many forested areas that have brilliant views of yellows, with a few reds as well as amazing contrasts of the golden Poplar trees against the darker greens of Spruce , Cedars and Pines. The attached photos highlight the areas in and around Midland north of Toronto, taken on Friday October 26. A perfect fall colour drive into the Midland area would be the Old Fort Road Tour starting at Highway 400 and Highway 93.

See additional Ontario fall colour drives and road trips