2004 ROBERT J. BOYER AWARD

SUSAN PRYKE

Susan Pryke is a well-known political figure in Muskoka. Her work as a member of the Muskoka Watershed Council, as a municipal councillor, and more recently the Mayor of the Area Municipality of Muskoka Lakes has earned her the respect of not only her own constituents, but of people across the District of Muskoka. However, as impressive as her accomplishments in those roles have been, they have not in any way outshone her contributions to the cultural and built heritage of Muskoka.

Susan Stanton grew up along the shores of Sparrow Lake in the southern part of Muskoka. After graduation from the University of Toronto and Toronto Teachers' College, she pursued a teaching career for ten years before moving to Australia where she met and married David Pryke, an artist. On her return to Canada in 1984, she settled into a new career as a writer and editor in Muskoka.

It is in that role that she has made her most significant contributions to Muskoka's heritage. Her published books on Muskoka include three local histories on such diverse communities as Port Stanton, Windermere, and Huntsville. In 2003, the book Huntsville: With Spirit And Resolve was chosen as the best regional history in Ontario during the past three years and Susan received the Fred Landon Award as a result.

Two others, entitled Exploring Muskoka and Exploring Muskoka Lakes, take readers along the byways and waterways of Muskoka and are perhaps best described as hybrids-part local history, part guidebook, and part coffee-table publication. Another captures the magic of vacationing in one of Muskoka's premiere resorts, Clevelands House. As well, Susan has edited three anthologies dealing with Muskoka's heritage.

In addition to her writings, Susan was a founding member of the Sparrow Lake Historical Society and has served as a board member of the Muskoka Lakes Museum. She is currently a patron of the Huntsville Railway Society. She was instrumental in the formation of the Muskoka Lakes Heritage Committee, and one of her mayor's charities is the Mayor's Cruise for Heritage Initiatives.

The Robert J. Boyer Award honours individuals who have demonstrated a significant commitment to the cultural and historical heritage of Muskoka. The Muskoka Heritage Foundation is proud to honour Susan Pryke as the very worthy recipient of that award for 2004.