Jeffrey Taylor’s Visit – 2014
In June 2014, Jeff Taylor visited the lodge after 35+ years. Jeff is the son of William and Madeleine Taylor who bought the lodge and surrounding property from Jo Calhoun in the 1970s and was given the opportunity to visit many of the areas and buildings very few visitors have access to. His partner of 14 years, Thomas and his niece, Amy accompanied Jeff on this journey. Below are photos and commentary based on their visit. The Taylor Era covers the time the Taylors owned the lodge from 1972 until the time it was purchased by the Province.
Evening View of Healey Lake
No one is able to stay at the Calhoun Lodge these days. Campers can camp at a number of campgrounds in the vicinity but if you want lodging you will need to search elsewhere. Jeff, Thomas and Amy stayed at Healey Lake Lodge on this trip.
(June 2014)
Sean Smith, Assistant Park Superintendent and Dave Briggs, Park Superintendent greeted Jeff, Thomas and Amy. (Photo courtesy of The Friends of The Massasauga)
We met Sean Smith, Assistant Park Superintendent and David Briggs, Park Superintendent at Pete’s Place on Wood’s Bay. They and the three of us, Thomas, Amy and myself discussed a few things before taking the adventure across to Blackstone. We all geared up and headed out on the water.
Dan Purdon, Friends of the Massasauga, came to meet Jeff, “the man from the past,” as well as Thomas and Amy. (Photo courtesy of The Friends of The Massasauga)
It seemed like forever crossing the water. Sean turned the boat to the right and as I breathed in, I said, “I can smell the lodge.” Everyone looked at me. I truly felt as if I was going home. Sean brought the boat around and passed the “Calhoun Lodge” sign. I almost couldn’t contain myself to jump into the water and put my feet on the ground.
He brought the boat to the dock, and I jumped off so quickly and ran up to the old homestead. I just stood there while Amy and Thomas were telling me to slow down. This adventure was like going through a door at the age of 57 and stepping into another world. Everyone eventually got there, but I kept on saying to myself, I am back home. I kissed the lodge.
Sean was giving us info about the lodge and was asking whether it is still the same. I said, “Yes, but it looks like it needs a good sweep and wipe.” He opened the main door and I saw the two rocking chairs placed in the front of the fireplace. I knew I was home. All the memories I had of my experiences as a teen came back crystal clear.
Both Dave and Sean had many questions about the place and wanted to know about our time at the lodge in the seventies. Dave brought out his pen and paper and asked about the time when our family brought the property wanting to know what was there when we opened all the buildings. I said to both Sean and Dave, “You needed nothing. Everything was here, the only thing we needed was updated snake bite kits.”
I was asked about why everything was left. Judge Calhoun made sure that we didn’t lack in anything. My father made arrangements for the Calhoun family to come back and take any mementos and arranged a date and time. They could have stayed in the main lodge for a week. We waited for them, but no one showed up. It would have been wonderful to have met the man behind the Calhoun Lodge. But his life was failing.(1)
Dan Purdon of The Friends of Massasauga joined us. He provided great insight with his experiences. His stories about his family cabin and surroundings kept the conversation going. I felt sorry for Dave because couldn’t write fast enough to keep up. They were totally mesmerized by my stories and said they were interesting and that my memory vivid. The more I told, the more they wanted to hear. It was like I was writing another chapter for them because it was missing.
There was something about the place that only people who spent time at the lodge experienced. Lodge life was appreciated and enjoyed. It was a joyous place. The lodge had a life of its own and it seemed it was waiting for me to come home.
![The Lodge's Front Porch Standing at the porch entrance to the lodge. On the left is Jeff and his partner Thomas. On the right is Jeff and his niece Amy. Jeff: There were nights we would sit on the screened-in porch and play cards. We played Old Maid with Grandma and Grandpa Levac. Dad and Ed [Serre] would play crib (cribbage?); it was quite a serious game between them. Other times all of us, including Ed and Lee, would play poker for popcorn kernels. We laughed a lot. One night when playing cards, the bats were on the screens and peeing on them; I said, Wow that was ignorant!” Later, back at the table of cards, we heard some loud noise just outside the porch. Dad said, “Get into the house right now! It's a bear!” We ran like heck. We did a lot of sing-along. At times dad would turn on the radio although there was only one station we could get. You would hear one song, a second only followed by the first song yet again. We all chuckled to ourselves. (June 2014)](https://dhnadzam.files.wordpress.com/2014/07/jeff-with-amy-and-jeff-with-thomas.jpg?w=652&h=423)
The Lodge’s Front Porch
Standing at the porch entrance to the lodge. On the left is Jeff and his partner Thomas. On the right is Jeff and his niece Amy.
Jeff: “There were nights we would sit on the screened-in porch and play cards. We played Old Maid with Grandma and Grandpa Levac. Dad and Ed [Serre] would play cribbage; it was a quite serious game between them. Other times all of us, including Ed and Lee, would play poker for popcorn kernels. We laughed a lot. One night when playing cards, the bats were on the screens and peeing on them; I said, “Wow that was ignorant!” Later, back at the table of cards, we heard some loud noise just outside the porch. Dad said, “Get into the house right now! It’s a bear!” We ran like heck.
We did a lot of sing-along. At times dad would turn on the radio although there was only one station we could get. You would hear one song, a second only followed by the first song yet again. We all chuckled to ourselves.
(June 2014)
The Lodge Interior
This the right side of fireplace. In comparing this photo to one from Christmas 1972 there is now a post which provides structural support. There is also a post to the left of the fireplace. The trestle table may have originally been in the kitchen. Jo and Betty Dean had a similar at their home in Cleveland Heights. On the left side is a part of one of the original rocking chairs is shown.
Jeff: “I looked at every piece of furniture and it all came alive… Thomas and I took the time to sit on the rocking chairs and I felt like a young kid again. The aroma of the logs was still strong. I was asked whether our family ever used the sewing machine and told them no. Asked about the dried plants hanging upside down (by the fireplace) Sean Smith said they have been there since he started working here. I said we might have put them there ourselves.”
(June 2014)
Doorway to Former Bathroom & Bedroom
This doorway leads to what was at one time the bathroom. The bathroom has been stripped of its fixtures which probably occurred when the bedroom was demolished due to insect infestation.
Jeff: “We proceeded to the bathroom area and I noticed that sink, toilet and tub were gone. The cupboard across the room was still standing that originally held towels and other items like snake bite kits. You could still smell the natural wood– heavenly. The doorway to the master bedroom where mom and dad originally slept was filled in although whoever repaired the wall did match the logs.”
(June 2014)
The Lodge’s 2nd Floor
This a view of the upstairs through the access. At one time there may have been a window where the chair sits. There is also the outline of a doorway which has posed a mystery to those of us who visited the lodge in the distant past; beyond is a space above the bathroom. Maybe there would have been another bedroom added. William Taylor believes Jo Calhoun might have had plans for an upstairs bathroom/bedroom but decided against it.
Jeff: “We proceeded upstairs; the tin-lined linen box was gone. I remember when we opened the box; it had the best linens and bedding as well as extra towels. The linen box contained mothballs to keep the outside critters from destroying the contents. I noticed a wooden bed frame; it might have been in mom and dad’s room or from the guest cabin. There was a chest on the left that probably held some things. All the cots had been removed. I remember sleeping upstairs where the rainstorms would put me to sleep.”
(June 2014)
The Kitchen
Above left is the wood stove used by Elizabeth Calhoun for cooking and baking. Replaced by a propane stove, it was eventually used as a source of heat for the kitchen. To the right is a glimpse of the old cabinets and kitchen sink. Grandma & Grandpa Levec lower right in 1972.
Jeff: “We used the wood stove and propane stove. Grandma Levac, Madeleine’s mother, knew how to bake in the wood stove. She could make a pie or bread. I was so amazed on what turned out and nothing ever got burnt. Grandma Levac said, ”You have to be sure that the heat is right and adjust the flu to keep it consistent.”
(June 2014)
The Generator
This is a view of the generator inside the generator shed located about midway between the lodge and farmhouse/caretaker’s cabin. The generator was used very little while Jo Calhoun owned the property.
Jeff: “The generator was our lifeline, it was used seldom. You could hear it running from the farmhouse to the boathouse and to main lodge. I knew when the lights started to go dim and the generator stopped the kerosene lamps would be ready. Sean and Dave asked about it and I told them the Judge was a genius. The knob-and-tube wiring is still intact. The wiring is still very flexible. I showed them, the directions on where it went. Sean said that the generator is maintained and it still starts up.
(June 2014)
Toppled Water Tank
Except for the fact that it is toppled, the water tank and stand are still around after all these years. One of the posts appears to have been replaced. Perhaps it was toppled on purpose as it could be the wooden base can no longer support the tank’s weight.
Jeff: “The Water Tank was a treat for us when dad would turn on the pump to fill it from the lake. We would all get under it and wash our hair. The water always seemed warm. The tank would supply water to the main lodge.”
(June 2014)
Farmhouse Bear Damage
This is the outside of the Farmhouse showing damage inflicted by black bears. The farmhouse was also known as the caretaker’s cabin.
Jeff: I was often told by mom and dad to wear footwear while outside as I would always run around barefoot (face it, the stone surface of the Canadian Shield is a bit rough and it’s easy to stub a toe or trip and there might be a creature to that would like to make a snack of toes.)
One time when Grandma Levac was at the Lodge she went to visit Ed and Lee Serre, relatives who lived in the Farmhouse.
As Grandma was coming back to the Lodge, I , barefoot as always, met up with her and she noticed a rattle snake in front of the generator shed. She picked up a large branch and smacked it several times. I said to Grandma, “I think the snake is dead.”
Not missing a chance to perpetuate some folklore she said to me, “You know that they can put themselves back together.” There was nothing left of the snake but the skin. Grandma went on to tell me a story as we walked back to the Lodge, “I lived in Sturgeon Falls and one time there was big snake on its way into the back of house. I took an axe to the big snake. The next day when I went back, the snake was gone.” (Guess that big snake just put itself together and slithered off; don’t suppose some animal came along and had a snack, hmm?)
As we continued on our way, Grandma looked at me and asked, “Where are your shoes?”
I laughed and said, “I lost them.”
She laughed back and said, “You should be wearing them.”
I replied, “Never!”
Grandma exclaimed, “Jeff!”
***
The Farmhouse was a nice place to go to. I would visit Ed and Lee almost everyday. Lee always had grand humour with a certain laugh that was contagious. I would knock, let myself in while they would be sitting at the kitchen table having their coffee. Lee would offer me coffee. Ed would ask, “Where are your shoes?” As usual I said, ” I lost them.” Ed would go on and tell me that there is a big snake around here. To my amazement, I said, “Lets go get him!”
***
One day I took out “old red” ( a name we called the tractor) attached the trailer and drove past the farmhouse. Pam and Rod were in the back. On the way back, while approaching the farmhouse, I heard a gunshot. Mom was screaming at the top of her lungs. Dad and Ed shot a Hognose Snake sometimes called a “Puff Adder” (not to be confused with the venomous African viper of the same name). So I ran, picked up mom, put her on the trailer and got her out of sight. We went back and what a sight. It stood up and flattened its head like a cobra. I exclaimed, “It’s a big one!” From that day forward, I would put on my shoes but only if we were hiking or when it rained.
(June 2014)
Boathouse Site and Portage
This is where the boathouse once stood. The canoe portage is also in this area and a yellow sign marks the portage. To the right of the sign is the hull of a weathered overturned boat. It is not known whether this was one of the boats kept in the former boathouse. No boathouse discussion is complete without a story…
Jeff: “Uncle Reg, my mom’s brother, did love to catch fish first thing in the morning and then have a good feed on it.”
(June 2014)
Canadian Wildlife
Jeff, Thomas and Amy stayed at the Healey Lake Lodge and encountered some wildlife. At the dock was a “greeter,” a water snake no less. Thomas, with his back to the camera, engaged a red fox in some matter or another. (June 2014)
There were a lot of friends and family around the lodge and harbour. People would come see us from across the lake, including Marshall Grisdale and his wife Lucy. Pete Grisdale and his wife Marie would also join us. They would all tell stories; so many that at times I didn’t know if they were tall tales or the real deal; I never knew. It made the evenings very interesting. I never wanted to sleep at night. I always stared out the window and watched the stars.
Dave Nadzam Notes:
(1) The details of 1972 are fuzzy. Jo was bedridden and not likely to be traveling. When I looked at pictures of the lodge, Taylors, Grisdales, and Serres from the fall of 1972, I thought to myself that this was the time of year when Jo and Betty Dean would have been in Canada to winterize and close the cabin for the year. Also, not everything was left; the small model cabin that sat on the mantle is in Janey Knight’s possession and an intact beaver skull is in my possession. These items were small enough for Jo and Betty Dean to pack and bring back. There may have been other items as well. There was no need to bring other items to the states; one, their home was furnished and two, and perhaps to a lesser extent, customs may have made the process difficult. I did buy an early model auto-five 12-gauge Fabrique Nationale/Browning shotgun and a Marlin lever-action .22 caliber rifle with octagon barrel from Jo around 1970 or 1971 but it isn’t known whether these were kept in Canada or in Cleveland Heights. They were neat; the Browning came with two interchangeable modified and full choke barrels. The Marlin was beautiful but caused a lot of powder burns on my face so I used it for display. I am no longer in possession of either.
![The Lodge's Front Porch Standing at the porch entrance to the lodge. On the left is Jeff and his partner Thomas. On the right is Jeff and his niece Amy. Jeff: There were nights we would sit on the screened-in porch and play cards. We played Old Maid with Grandma and Grandpa Levac. Dad and Ed [Serre] would play crib (cribbage?); it was quite a serious game between them. Other times all of us, including Ed and Lee, would play poker for popcorn kernels. We laughed a lot. One night when playing cards, the bats were on the screens and peeing on them; I said, Wow that was ignorant!” Later, back at the table of cards, we heard some loud noise just outside the porch. Dad said, “Get into the house right now! It's a bear!” We ran like heck. We did a lot of sing-along. At times dad would turn on the radio although there was only one station we could get. You would hear one song, a second only followed by the first song yet again. We all chuckled to ourselves. (June 2014)](https://dhnadzam.files.wordpress.com/2014/07/jeff-with-amy-and-jeff-with-thomas.jpg)
The Calhoun Lodge: WILLEBEJOBE 