Inside Outing Sunday March 22 - Murat Vardar on Paddle Carving

[Brad Fisher]

Romance of the Paddle: A historical look at canoe paddles as betrothal gifts

• Presented by Murat Vardar, WCHA Northern Lakes Chapter
• Sunday, March 22, 2026
• 3:30 pm: Social zooming (BYO snacks)
• 4 pm: Presentation
• ZOOM link to come

Valentine's Day may be in the rearview mirror, but spring is the real season of romance, even in Canada. Murat's presentation, originally prepared through extensive scholarly research for the Muskoka Discovery Centre museum in Gravenhurst, Ontario, focuses on three historic paddles (dated to 1850s-1860s) with heart-shaped etchings/motifs that were likely carved as wedding gifts.

These are no ordinary souvenirs. One paddle is tied to a prominent Loyalist family who fought for the British in the War of 1812, another to a famous native builder in Michigan who lived to be over 100 years old, and the final tied to a supposed battle between Ojibwe and Dakota tribes along the modern Wisconsin/Minnesota border. Murat will talk about some of the design and decorative features as well as the history of the names and initials carved into the pieces, which led to some interesting back stories.

Join us for a special event that brings together craft, history and romance!

.... and special thanks to Craig Johnson for working with Murat to set this meeting up.

Happy spring, paddlers! Zoom you soon!

Brad