Characters
Archie McTaffy
Archie might seem like he has a heart of wood, but he’s quick to both learn and care. Sure, his job is to cut down trees, but he's learning that these woods are home to many special creatures. Look for him to give lumberjack lessons in Honest Frankie's Shoreline Review.
Black-Capped Chickadee
A most friendly bird who can land in our hands when full of seeds, she lives in Ontario year round. Even at -30 you can hear that all familiar call of “chick-a-dee-dee-dee.” You never quite know when our chickadee friend will make an appearance during the show but chances are when our naturalist puppet “Violet” appears so will the chickadee.
Carl the Caddis Fly Larva
Carl is a bug with a recognition problem. When he introduces himself as a caddis fly larva, most of the audience usually replies "what?" But as people are quick to learn, caddis fly larvae are great indicators of shoreline health. If the water is clean, you'll meet plenty of caddis flies. Look closely along a healthy waterway and you might just spot Carl or some of his kin!
Cathy
Cathy is one busy puppet teaching people about the natural word and growing plants and trees for numerous restoration projects. She is also the star of the new Urban Forest Puppet Show.
Glacier Puppet
The Wisconsinan Glacier is the puppet that starts the shoreline show. Our friend was the last great glacier that covered most of Ontario. “Walter the Glacier” spent thousands of years advancing and retreating and when he finally did melt he left behind soil, lakes and river beds and hills and valley. Don’t be late for the show he’s the opening act and has composed an original song!
Herman the Singing Worm
Herm the Worm loves to belt out the "Rot and Roll" numbers. Whether its giving composting tips in Peterborough Green-Up's Compost Education Show or helping to teach Chuck Wood in The Lumberjack's Lesson, Herm is always ready with a quick song or message.
Hohoonso the Owl
Like all owls, Hohoonso is wise. He knows the importance of the forest ecosystem and teaches Archie McTaffy about conservation.
Honest Frankie the Frog
Honest Frankie is quick with his tongue — whether it is for fly-catching or joke-telling. A shoreline expert, his family has lived along the waterways of Ontario for thousands of years. Honest Frankie is the MC and one of the main characters in Honest Frankie's Shoreline Review.
Jean-Luc the Voyageur
What Jean-Luc lacks in sense of direction he makes up for in humour and song. Sure, he might not know north from south, but he can whip out a French-Canadian paddling song at the drop of a toque! Look for him to give a history lesson in Honest Frankie's Shoreline Review.
Marlin
Marlin is a modern guy with some cool links to the past. Anishinabe by birth, he has memorized tales of days gone by, passed to him by his elders. In “Honest Frankie's Shoreline Review,” he plays an Ojibway trader and friend to Jean-Luc the Voyageur. He also has a cameo as a knowledgeable commuter in Shifting Gears.
Mordecai Cattail
Mort is a temperamental little fellow. Of course, you would be too if your home was constantly in danger from pollution and shoreline development. Mort is a big fan of the folks at Peterborough's Ecology Park, who have worked on restoring his neighbourhood, and the neighbourhood of his family and friends.
Outdoor Edward
Outdoor Edward, or “Outdoor Ed” for short, loves to hike the forest and shorelines of Ontario lakes and rivers. He loves to lead hikes and teach young and old about the natural wonders of Ontario.
Pumpkin Seed Bass
The Pumpkin Seed Bass is found in many lakes of Ontario and is a real fan of clean water.