Stories from my Studio

A look behind the 2026 Founders Choice Awards in Parry Sound, and the people building businesses in this region.

Michael Schacht is a Chicago based photographer and the founder of 312 Elements in Fulton Market. This profile examines his background, studio approach, and the role of headshot photography within the city’s professional and creative communities.

Help Tell Johna’s Story For the next story in the People of Parry Sound project, I will be photographing and sharing the story of Johna Hupfield, a teacher whose work...

Kathleen McGill is a therapist based in Parry Sound, Ontario, offering thoughtful therapy for adults both in person and virtually across Ontario. Her practice serves clients in Parry Sound, Muskoka, Huntsville, Gravenhurst, and Barrie who are seeking support for anxiety, relationships, life transitions, and personal growth.

Parry Sound gathered on February 28 to celebrate one of its own. Megan Oldham returned home after winning Gold and Bronze at the 2026 Olympic Games in Milano Cortina, Italy. For a small northern Ontario town, welcoming home an Olympic medalist is rare. Pride filled conversations, storefronts, and social media feeds in the days leading up to the celebration. This page features highlights from the Charles Stockey Centre event and a gallery of images capturing a milestone moment for Megan and for Parry Sound.

Just a few minutes outside Parry Sound, Ontario, the Georgian Nordic Outdoor Activity Centre brings the community together throughout the year for outdoor sport. In winter the trails host cross-country ski...

Diana Clements is not driven by achievement, but by alignment. Long before founding Parry Sound Forest School, she was living the values that would later shape her work — attention, patience, and a deep trust in the natural world. This People of Parry Sound story explores how a childhood spent outdoors, a career in education, and a willingness to take risk led Diana to quietly change how children in this community grow, learn, and connect with the land.

Help Tell Fred’s Story As part of the People of Parry Sound Project, we’re collecting short stories and reflections about Fred Heidman and the impact he’s had on our community. If...

Rachel Ewen is the founder of Sound Yarn & Fibre, a Parry Sound business built through years of making, adaptation, and deliberate decision making. This profile traces the path from early fibre work and online beginnings to a downtown storefront, community events, and the realities of running a locally rooted creative business.

Help Tell John’s Story As part of the People of Parry Sound Project, we’re collecting short stories and reflections about John Tuck and the impact he’s had on our community....

The life of Ellen Myrtle Marie Gilchrist, a Parry Sound nurse, hotel owner, volunteer, and community builder whose century-long life shaped Georgian Bay and generations of family and friends.

Before DNA evidence was widely accepted in Canadian courts, Pamela Newall was helping to define how it would be understood and trusted. This profile marks her appointment as a Member of the Order of Canada.