Graysen
A local woman through and through, Graysen embraces everything that comes with living in the north. A lover of snow and the winter season, she loves being outdoors any chance she can get. Fishing was a family activity, a hobby that started with her father’s love of being on the water and eagerness to teach her how to fish. She grew up on the local lakes, Lac Des Milles Lac and Raleigh Lake being two favourites. “I am always at peace when I'm on a lake, fishing, and then going back to cook that for the people I love...When times became stressful, the best release was always fishing.”
Following her love of nature, she also has a passion for flowers. A recent interest in dried flowers, prompted by her friend Kate at Waxxed Candle Co, she appreciates the art and creativity behind using dried flowers, and particularly loves that she has been able to cut back on waste from her store (George’s Market). “I also have loved sourcing Canadian grown flowers that can be dried, and I use in store as well. The possibilities are endless.”
Living in Thunder Bay, we’re surrounded by nature and quite secluded. “What I love about living in the North is that you can walk out your door, and your immediately in nature. In the summer, you're always minutes away from a lake to fish in, or minutes away from a trail to hike. Thunder Bay is a hidden gem, that people are slowly discovering!”
Graysen’s favourite place in Thunder Bay is anywhere that is near a lake. “I grew up on the lake with my Family fishing and camping. I was incredibly lucky to spend weekends with my family exploring all the different islands all over.” Her favourite island if she had to chose would be Porphry Island. She spent a lot of time there as a kid, hiking trails, swimming in the bay, investigating the lighthouse and old cars nearby. “I… just love being on the water. Growing up fishing with my family, I always feel the most at peace on the water.”
Being a part of a local family business, Graysen knows how important community support is, particularly now when she knows so many are struggling. “We have done small things like buying dinner from local restaurants once a week, some favourites being the Nook, Eat local pizza, the Caribou, Tomlin, and Beefcakes burgers. I also do my best to shop local for myself, and gifts as much as I can possible. I love Waxxed Candle Co., The Loop, Streetlegal, Mars Clothing, Seasons in the Country, Fireweed, Ungali, and so many more! We also carry so many amazing local products in our store that I eat often such as big lake pasta, boreal bakery bagels, nor'wester maple co maple syrup, the local gouda from the gouda farm, our frozen pizzas from Eat Local and Both Hands.” What can she say, she likes her carbs.
Her family has a long history of being involved with the community, whether it’s through George Jeffrey (“seeing the work the team provides for the children and families is truly magic”), the Underground Gym (“Peter Pennetta is a wonderful human. You won't ever see anyone fight harder for the rights of any child”), or just by being a happy presence for community members. “I also believe being kind is just an easy thing to do. If I can smile at someone, it makes you feel good. Being in retail, especially now during Covid, everyone feels down, we feel gloomy, scared, and so many other emotions. If I can say hi, or smile at someone, open a door, help them find what they need, those are such small things we can do for one another. Since a small age, my parents were such an example to me for this.”
Over the last year, Graysen as realized how important mental health is. Communication was important to her life and with that loss and adapting to the new ways of communicating with her loved ones hasn’t been easy. “When Covid began, my family and I worked incredibly long days, and all we mostly did was work long days, eat something quick and go to sleep, and that was on repeat for such a long time. Being stuck in that routine was very draining for me emotionally.” Being fortunate with incredible friends and family, finding those new ways to connect have been integral to getting through.
“Kindness is free, and is the best gift you can give anyone, and is easy to do!”