Island leaders work hard to promote the loveliness and healthiness of living on Manitoulin

“We have a wonderful quality of life on Manitoulin, and we want others to have the opportunity to experience it,” says Joyce Foster, Chair of an organization called Manitoulin Living. “Once you come to Manitoulin, you’re hooked. My family and I moved here in 1970 to start a business. We’re now retired, still here and can't imagine being anywhere else.”

Though I don’t live on Manitoulin, I sure do a lot of Manitoulin Living. In my head, when I’m not visiting. The internet, writing Window Seat and deepening my own friendships in Little Current, Gore Bay, Kagawong, Manitowaning and Providence Bay.

On the island, I can’t stay away from any Farmers Market. With potholders and paintings, my kitchen in NYC is called “Going to Manitoulin” for breakfast.

Friends on telephones, land lines and cells phones, on DSL, and snapping digital cameras for instant communication can talk and send pictures of the latest sunset.

While I’m based in NYC with business, I’m on always on the way to Manitoulin.

My friend, talented reporter and author Mike Erskine called me a NY hothouse flower who learned how to be an Ontario hybrid. Kind words, indeed.

Joyce tells me more. “Manitoulin Living is an organization started in 2000 as an avenue to attract retirees to Manitoulin Island. Not only retirees were interested. Our quality of life attracts so many people. We realize how important it is for the Island to have people come and start new businesses and to have tourists visit for the benefit of our economy” She laughs.

“In fact, Bonnie, we're targeting everybody!”

Patrick Kiley, the Project Co-Ordinator of Manitoulin Living, says.“In 1900 the population of Manitoulin was 10,000 year round people. In 2006 the census was over 13,000, which means that we’ve had very little growth over 100 years,” says Patrick. Those people who worry that the island might be overrun should bear in mind this statistic.”

In 2000, the municipalities on Manitoulin Island, in conjunction with regional stakeholders, participated with the LaCloche Manitoulin Business Assistance Corporation, developed a strategic plan to identify the top 10 economic development related initiatives for implementation in this region. While 130 recommendations were made, identifying Manitoulin Island as a retirement destination topped the list.

Patrick says “The Manitoulin Living Association adopted the slogan, ‘Come Home to the Island.’ We found this term to be fitting for newcomers, like yourself, Bonnie. People whose families may have lived here for generations refer to this sanctuary as home.”

“Easy to understand,” I sigh. My friend, Steve Maxwell, who writes about home improvement for Canadian and American publications, knew he wanted a special place to live and work. He made the decision to find a quiet rural place .

“I spent years traveling to different parts of Ontario. Nothing felt right, Bonnie,” said Steve.

“Five minutes after crossing the swing bridge, I knew that somewhere on Manitoulin was the spot I’d been looking for. Three days later, I signed an offer to buy the place where I am now. When I came here it was an empty hay field and I lived in a tent.”

“You were a twentieth century pioneer, Steve!”

By 2003, the Manitoulin Living initiative received funding to investigate the strength of market demand for retirement accommodations on Manitoulin; the type of housing people might be looking for, and the demand for rental versus ownership. They studied amenities that might attract retirees to a community.

FedNor and Service Canada provided more funding. Further research identified that the Island was not only attractive to retirees but to younger adults seeking lifestyles complementary to outdoor life.

In 2005, Manitoulin Living received funding to develop a gorgeous website, which is a terrific calling card. It is www.manitoulinliving.com. Contact Patrick Kiley at toll-free 1-866-368-2933.

As webmaster, Patrick explains “Hits are basically how many pages have been access. Visitors are actually how many people come to your site. We had 200 visitors a month in 2005. Now, we have close to 10,000 visitors a month! We send out information packages and averaged about 30 a month. This May alone, we’ll send over 200 packages.”

“I have two children, 5 and 9,” Patrick tells me,

“And I’d want them to have the opportunity to live and work here. But without sustainable growth that opportunity may not exist. By 2011, the retirement tsunami will hit northern Ontario, and we on the island have to decide whether we want to be passengers on the bus or driving the bus.”

“Mary Nelder, head of LAMBAC, says, “Manitoulin Living is a success story, Bonnie! What began as a kernel of an idea in our strategic plan has morphed into full scale marketing strategy with demonstrable results. With buy-in from the major municipalities, realtors and developers, and private businesses on the island, Manitoulin Living is attracting more interest each year. I think we’re doing a great job of letting people know about the amazing quality of life to be had here.”

The Township of Billings, the Township of Assiginack, the Town of Northeastern Manitoulin and the Islands, the Municipality of Central Manitoulin and upwards to thirty members include real estate firms, property developers, building contractors, local retail businesses, resorts, food establishments and lodges.”

I like listening to Rob Maguire, the Economic Development Officer for the Township of Assiginack, and the Municipality of Central Manitoulin.

“The list is growing of newcomers that choose the option to settle here, Bonnie. "

All the elements that make Manitoulin so special are hard to put into words. Certainly, a typical island experience would include appreciating an unspoiled environment that portrays a wonderful bond between the water, the land and the sky.

 Many islanders share a strong appreciation for our home and are loyal to protecting what we hold dear. Given the ongoing urban sprawl and tremendous growth in other areas, it is evident that Manitoulin Island is poised to grow as well.

Manitoulin Living promotions were designed to complement Manitoulin virtues and as such, attract newcomers that share similar core values. As the future unfolds, we trust that newcomers will appreciate this outlook and contribute to nurturing growth in a responsible manner that respects island culture, the elements, our forefathers, the past and future of this very special place.” Rob tells me this at ten o’clock in the morning! What a guy!

While Rob works behind the scenes, he’s another terrific example of young people living and working here. Rob, having lived elsewhere and returning to the island, comes from three generations of early settlers on Manitoulin.

One of his many interests include working toward refitting the S.S. Norisle as a Northern Ontario and Great Lakes Heritage Steam Passenger Cruise Ship. Norisle was the first passenger steam ship built in Canada after World War II.

When the Marketing Committee put out a request for proposals to develop a marketing plan. Bids were made and the plan development was awarded to TTC Advertising in Sudbury. Creative concepts that formed posters and billboards were developed out of Toronto by Doug Maguire of Maguire Marketing+Communications, also a descendant of early Manitoulin pioneers. “

“These concepts were targeted to the Southern Ontario market,” says Doug Maguire. “The idea behind it was to contrast how an unpleasant daily occurrence in urban areas was totally different on Manitoulin. For example, in one concept, "Rush Hour" in the city is aggravating traffic gridlock. By contrast, "Rush Hour" on Manitoulin, is portrayed as a family of ducklings out for their morning swim. In another, "Night Life" in the city may represent bar scenes. "Night Life" on Manitoulin is the natural beauty of the night sky. A "Sales Meeting" in the city is an event you may want to avoid. On Manitoulin, a “Sails Meeting" celebrates the freedom of fresh boating.” .

Patrick says a major TV campaign begins at the end of May directed to Southwestern Ontario.

“It’s important that people known this program has grown and we’ve gotten so many inquiries. We’ve had inquiries from England, Germany, and Australia, New Zealand and Asia.”

There are Haweaters, Loyal Islanders, Visitors, Locals, Transplants, Summer Residents, First Nations, Yuppies Turned Retired and Buckeyes from Ohio.

 Waubetek’s Dawn Madahbee, my delightful friend, and I joke, we have Nish for Anishnabe, and Nosh for New Yorkers!

There’s room for all who flock to Manitoulin Island. For those of us who take planes, buses, boats and cars to get to Manitoulin. From my beginning days 16 years ago as a NYCity hothouse flower on the island, I declare myself to be a Manitoulin Wild Flower; a bright yellow marsh Marigold! I embrace the soil and island as locals do.

As so many others do who save up precious time to come to Manitoulin. We maintain pieces of the island within ourselves. Come home to Manitoulin, indeed.

Courtesy Bonnie Kogos and the Sudbury Star

Click here to view the Manitoulin Living Partner Contact List.