Turtle Island News

The Stone Turtle- Island Parks one of a kind dining experience

"The Stone Turtle" is located in Island Park on the south shore of long island. At first glance, the restaurant looks like a generic cross between a diner and a restaurant and reveals nothing of the culinary excitement and fun filled ambiance inside. Upon entering the Stone Turtle, you begin to understand and enjoy the wacky, funky, stylish gastro-pub, overseen by Chef Gregory Baumel. The ambiance is relaxed, free wheeling, and very upbeat with great background music. The turtle's decor runs the gamut of traditional, to camp and all things in between with graffiti walls and walls filled with pictures of Sinatra and Motown.

Eclectic would certainly be the word for the unusual decor with its dark wood, brick and floor to ceiling glass windows. All this combined with yellow and shades of green. Chef Baumel's menu is a reflection of his irreverent and whimsical attitude, with each dish having its own unique spin. The chef has taken an imaginative approach to "New American Cuisine" using only the freshest ingredients focused on local sourcing. Our meal that evening started off with a fabulous sashimi grade "Tuna Tartini" in a hot ponzu sauce, served in a large crystal clear cocktail glass. It is important to understand one thing: there are few half measures on this menu, and be assured that when the menu says spicy or hot, they definitely mean it! Water, beer, wine are all important accompaniments to these fiery dishes. Next up came generously portioned panko breaded crab cakes with mango relish and a pepper spiked cream. Followed by a colorful and delicious mozzarella napolean consisting of wine ripened red and yellow tomatos, fresh mozzarella and basil with a distinctive balsamic syrup and basil oil.

Although the night was warm and sticky, we were next offered a house specialty "Lobster Bisque Pot Pie" made with generous portions of lobster, corn, carrots, peas, pearl onions mushrooms and a unique "Stone Turtle: lobster bisque. The buttery pot pie crust melted off our forks and spoons and  the heat of the night actually seemed to recede as we  enjoyed this superb dish.

For our entree we were presented with "La Mama De La Tortuga's Paella Pot"- a virtual cornucopeia of lobster, crab, smoked chicken, chorizo, mussels, clams, peppers, tomatos, olives and saffron rice. A seafood lover's delight, prepared perfectly with just the right amount of spice and heat. This dish was presented with a slightly different surf and turf, a filet mignon "just the way I like it', a 10 oz prime tenderloin, served medium rare, wrapped in applewood, smoked bacon.

First People/ Turtle Island News | Pearl Running Deer

Curtis Rush Police Reporter

A half dozen Mohawks with picks and shovels have set up camp in a south corner of High Park to restore what they contend are ancient burial grounds.

Deep valleys and ramps cover the grounds, called Snake Mound by the natives although itâ?Ts been a BMX bike area for six years.

â?oWeâ?Tre prepared to stay as long as it takes to bring down these jumps,â? said Harrison Friesen, 39, a Cree from northern Alberta who lives now in Toronto.

â?oWeâ?Tve been trying for 11 years to resolve this with the city.â?

City records detail bones removed from the site in 1922, said Friesen.

The Taiaiakoân Historical Preservation Society has been negotiating with the city for years over the site, one of 56 ancient native burial mounds in High Park, said spokeswoman Laurie Waters.

â?oThis isnâ?Tt planned as anything confrontational,â? said Waters. â?oOur job is to be protectors of the Earth. We donâ?Tt want to claim ownership. The land is for everyone to enjoy.â?

Knowledge of the burial mounds, placed to line up with constellations, has been passed down through oral traditions to the clan mothers of the Six Nations Reserve, said Waters.

The city has provided a concrete tool shed for the native workers, said Friesen. Once the land is restored, said Waters, the city has agreed to fence and replant the area.

â?oWe are very happy we reached an agreement with the city and something will be done,â? said Waters.

A Mohawk flag flies over the park site where a camp fire burns to help the workers keep warm. The natives arrived Friday and expect to be there a month, said Friesen.

Some BMX bikers had stopped by but backed off when they saw the flag, said Friesen of the activist group Red Power United. Yesterday, May 13, 2011 , was a very beautiful, sunny, hot day at the Snake Mound. People from City Parks, Trees, Environment,Toronto Police, Red Power United, THPS, representatives from Six Nations, BMX representative Scott Mills ,other Indigenous and non-Indigenous Supporters gathered, to establish a cooperation and working together, on the restoration of  Snake Mound. This was a monumental in our history and long time struggle to preserve this site from further desecration. We also want to say Niawen gowa for all of media support we received yesterday.

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