LIVING WELL IN SASKATCHEWAN
FALL 2015
THE RED ISSUE Sonja Clifton-Remple’s
Story:
Film, Fashion and Destiny Zena Amundsen: 13 Questions
Matt Dominguez, owner and broker, Regina Better Homes and Gardens Prairieview shops at Trinos Menswear.
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Trinos Menswear 2445 Quance Street (East Landing Mall) Regina 306.522.4667 www.trinosmenswear.com follow us
Contents
04
05 06
Publisher’s View The Red Thread of Destiny is calling you. It is said that an invisible red thread connects those who are destined to meet regardless of time, place or circumstances. The thread may stretch or tangle, but it will never break. - Chinese Proverb SKY is a collective journey of who we are, what we do and what inspires us every day. This fall we are inspired by the red thread of destiny that connects us on this journey of a collective passion for life. Sonja Clifton-Remple graces our cover and shares her story about living a destiny of story telling through film and fashion. Zena Amundsen shares her perspective on rising up to destiny. Kim Zacaruk shares a destiny of a second chance to make a difference in a different way – with peace, love and coffee. Of course, fall is the season of falling in love with fashion all over again and visiting the great boutiques in our city to replenish after a long hot dry summer. Break out the fringes and jeans, the leathers and plaids and the lipstick – my favourite new colour is ‘Grunge’ – and live your destiny.
Lynn Armstrong Publisher Photo
11
15
features 04 Kim Zacaruk: A Legacy of Peace, Love and Coffee 05 Zena Amundsen: Living in Destiny 06 Sonja Clifton-Remple: From Film to Fashion 11 Raquel Fletcher: A Culinary Tour of Italy 15 Lynn Armstrong: Following the Red Thread of Destiny
White Jacket – Sara Armstrong; Skirt – Angele Eye London, ENG Clothing; Makeup – Blush Beauty Bar
Publisher/Editor Lynn Armstrong Writers: Lynn Armstrong, Raquel Fletcher Photography Shawn Fulton Photogaphy, Raquel Fletcher Design Amber Moon Printing PrintWest Distribution Leader Post Sky Magazine is a quarterly publication distributed to 32,000 homes and businesses in Regina and surrounding area. Copyright 2015. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher. ISSN 2368 - 8440
LIVING WELL IN SASKATCHEWAN
JANUARY 1, 2015 - DECEMBER 31, 2015
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FALL.
The season of fringes, soft leather coats and denim. A reason to wrap yourself in soft wool. Beautiful boots and shoes that take you from day to night, from work to weekend. Fall in love with fashion at Zoe’s Boutique.
126 – 1801 Scarth Street, Regina | 306.757.3000 www.zoesboutique.ca |
A Legacy of Peace, Love and Coffee By Lyn n A rm s t r ong
Walking into Stone’s Throw Coffee House is like coming home. I remember the countless hours I spent here as a student 20 years ago. But there is a new vibe here now. Local art lines the walls. There is a hustle and bustle of people coming and going. A student sits on the comfy leather couch under the macramé peace sign with his laptop and a healthy serving of home made banana bread. A group of seniors are having lunch. Two men are discussing business as the sun shines in the window. I order a Fair Trade organic coffee and a gluten free granola bar. The fresh cinnamon buns are calling out to me . . . I find a place at the communal table. Owner Kim Zacaruk walks over to me smiling. Now I understand the new vibe. “At the heart of Stone’s Throw Coffee House is the chance to have an effect on the community - to help people connect and a place where everyone feels welcome,” she explains. “We serve Fair Trade Organic Coffee because we want to be part of what makes the world better, and we know that our customers want that too. Our walls are filled with
the work of local artists, which they sell on consignment, and we invite local musicians to entertain our guests at our monthly ‘Stones Music’ nights.” After 20 years in the corporate and government world, Kim traded in her professional attire for a boho- chic style that is perfect for the owner of an independent coffee house with a vision for being an integral part of the community. “This is my second life, and a chance to contribute in a different way. Stone’s Throw is the place where you can get a great cup of coffee and fresh baked goods, where you will be greeted with a smile, and be offered a seat at the table.” “Everything we do is about building community and bringing people together. We hope that when people look back at us 20 years from now, they will see us as the place that was part of their journey as it has been for so many others.” Stone’s Throw Coffee House 306.949.1404 1101C Kramer Blvd, Regina Hillsdale – Across from the University of Regina Open 7 days a week.
Stone’s Throw Coffee House Owner, Kim Zacaruk
What do you love about helping people plan for their future? I love organizing the complicated, by creating simple and understandable practices that can change someone’s life down the road. Living in destiny is about the habits that we form and all the little decisions that we make over time. I love that journey and sharing in the celebrations. What is the first question you ask your clients? Tell me what is important to you. What do people overlook most often when it comes to planning? The importance of simplifying and decluttering: numerous bank accounts, different savings in different places, and different investments at different locations create clutter. Just like a cluttered closet, boxes of shoes or clothes we don’t wear, or old winter coats that we can’t bring ourselves to throw out – our finances can be just like that too. Having a plan and a purpose for everything is essential. What is the most frequent piece of advice that you find yourself giving? Investors are their worst enemy when emotions make the decisions.
Zena Amundsen
Planning, Life and
What is the thing that people like to avoid when planning? Looking at the ins and outs of their monthly finances. This is something that we do when we start with a financial plan. We need to review and gather everything. This is the hardest part for many people. There are so many emotions involved, no matter what amount of money you make or spend. Do you believe in destiny?
SKY Magazine interviewed Zena Amundsen, Financial Planner, and owner of Astra Financial Services, on living in destiny. Standing in the future, and looking back on this moment, what would you say brought you here? Confidence and boldness and passion. I have learned how important finances are in living in destiny, which is why I became a financial planner. Creating Astra Financial was the logical next step to living my own destiny, and helping others to live in theirs. Who is your muse? She is strong, fierce, independent and very ambitious. She inspires others and is motivated. She is climbing mountains in her own world, and realizes that she needs expert financial advice to get to the next level.
If you could do anything in the world, what would you do? I am doing it. But I would probably invite Oprah over to interview and chat and then I would pop over to PBS and co-host with Charlie Rose. Describe your personal business and life philosophy? I am driven by personal relationships and connections. The well being of people in our life and business is the most important thing. It means doing the right thing for the right reason. Quality versus quantity. To quote Steve Jobs, we should make a dent in the universe. For me that comes through honesty and integrity.
I do. Destiny is something you rise to meet. I love this quote by William Jennings Bryan: “Destiny is no matter of chance. It is a matter of choice. It is not a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to be achieved.” I am living my destiny right now. I know there is more to my story and I am excited to see it play out. If you could offer your 20 year-old-self advice, what would you say? I would tell myself to be confidant. To act on confidence. Not fear. What will you say to yourself 15 years from now? Take time to celebrate your accomplishments. Be patient and soak it in. If you could do anything this moment, what would it be? Fly. Astra Financial Services 2310 College Avenue, Regina 306.522.7888 zena@astrafinancial.ca www.astrafinancial.ca |
Cover FEATURE A Destiny Of
STORy TELLING &
FASHION Sonja Clifton-Remple By Lynn Armstrong
“F
inals!” Sonja declares, perched vicariously on the edge of a chair, looking into a mirror – preparing for what she hopes will be the last photo of the day. SKY photographer Shawn Fulton raises the camera to his eye, to capture the images that tell the story of a woman who has dedicated herself to creating stories through film, television, fashion and print. “I can’t say when it all began,” she says. “It’s just always been. It’s all I ever wanted to do.” Sonja Clifton-Remple grew up on a farm near Swift Current, Saskatchewan. “I was always making clothes for my Barbie dolls. As I grew up Lauren Bacall and Katharine Hepburn’s tailored style of dress inspired me. I would remake my dad’s suits into pants, and tailor men’s suit jackets to wear.” At 18, after finishing high school, Sonja dabbled full time in the worlds of professional modeling, makeup artistry, and fashion design, at the internationally recognized Sheridan College in Ontario. She spent many years working with cosmetic companies such as Clinique, Lancome, Elizabeth Arden, Estee Lauder and Revlon. In 1994 Sonja enrolled part time in the University of Regina’s Theatre Department. An entirely new world was revealed in Costume Design and Scenography. University courses were an adventure in costume design, fashion history, pattern drafting, period costume cutting, sewing, drawing, English and theatre literature, art history, technical stage drafting, set carpentry and construction, rigging work, stage lighting, and props building. After university, Sonja continued with fashion and makeup in London, England. Since then, she has been fortunate enough to have a dual career as an award winning designer and makeup artist in the film, television, theatre, and fashion businesses in Canada. She has worked with numerous award winning celebrities, artists, and designers from Paris, London, Los Angeles, New York, Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Calgary, Germany, Japan, China, Italy, and Ireland. “I loved working in film. I learned a lot about how to manage people and projects. People who work in film are the most multitalented people I know. We were a family. We came together, gave everything we had, worked hard, and together we created stories
about who we are as a culture and a community.” Sonja’s life changed, as did many others, in March 2012, when the Saskatchewan government budget announced that, effective April 1, 2012, the Film Employment Tax Credit would be eliminated and the government would longer be accepting applications for the program. The film industry in Saskatchewan quickly dissipated thereafter, as opportunities left the province, Sonja had to begin to think about a new future. “On that day, everything changed for us - our industry, our families . . . the way we thought we would be.” Sonja and her husband and business partner Kelly thought about their options. “We did not want to relocate and move our children. Saskatchewan is home,” says Sonja. In 2012, Sonja Clifton-Remple launched her independent label “S” at Saskatchewan Fashion Week with rave reviews. Since then, Sonja has designed two collections for the Power of Pink runway, a fundraiser in support of Breast Cancer and again at Saskatchewan Fashion Week in 2013. In September 2013, Sonja created Studio S Fashion House, a place where instead of designing and creating for actors, she is designing and creating for women who have a story to tell. “When I buy for each season, I think about our clients – who they are, what they love, and what types of pieces will invoke a sense of inspiration and imagination. Fashion is exciting, and people who love fashion are our clients. Since opening our doors two years ago, we are proud to have brought beautiful brands to Regina, like Sarah Pacini, Annette Gortz, Eileen Fisher and Rudsak. Each season is exciting, but the fall is when fashion comes to life, and we fall in love with fashion all over again. We love to bring the fun of story telling and fashion into Studio S. Pam and Fotini offer our clients professional, highend styling with more than 20 years of retail fashion experience.” “My destiny is and has been to use fashion to tell stories. I am still doing that. Studio S is the collection of all things so far – my love for film, fashion and family.”
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A boutique for him and her, inspired by the lands across the pond.
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Financial Planning Is the Key to Your Success Barbara March-Burwell’s start in retail gave her a solid understanding of what exceptional service is all about. When she decided to apply superior customer service to a career as an Investment Advisor, she knew that financial planning was the tool that would help her deliver on her commitment.
plan was developed with one of the RBC Wealth Management Financial Planning Consultants which solidified decisions made from the first go rounds. They were very open to ensuring all my questions were answered and taking all my interests into account. As part of the process, the RBC experts also identified and provided information on related matters such as critical illness and long term care insurance for my consideration.” Bev Bradshaw, client
“My job is to make it easier for clients to get where they want to go,” she says. Whether they’re planning for retirement, building a business, a home or cottage, or providing education for children or grandchildren, or saving for travel, a financial plan is key.
If a solid plan is the beginning of the process then the implementation is all about customer service.
Barbara helps to create the plan, reviews it regularly with her clients and then helps implement it. “People are smart enough to know what they need to do, but they often just don’t get around to doing it,” Barbara says. “That’s where I come in.” Your goals will change throughout your life. Barbara’s role is to ensure that your financial plan always reflects those changing goals and that you have the solutions you need to reach them. This may also involve bringing in her extended team of specialists who have specific knowledge in areas where further expertise is involved, such as insurance, estate and tax planning experts. “Like a good doctor, I think it’s important to bring in a specialist when needed,” says Barbara. “That’s just good service. “ “RBC was very helpful in devising a plan and considering options. Barb MarchBurwell initially ran some six or eight scenarios with different assumptions around timelines, growth rates, timing of CPP and OAS benefits and then a more formal
“We need to deliver. We need to do what we said we would do, and more, each and every time.” Barbara’s commitment to coaching and educating her clients and her solid reputation built through strong ethics has contributed to the growth of her business. Over the years, her commitment to long-term client relationships has resulted in referrals of family, friends and business colleagues. “Helping clients meet their goals is what we’re all about. And it starts with a financial plan.” March-Burwell Wealth Management of RBC Dominion Securities is committed to providing their clients and families financial peace of mind, an exceptional client experience, and the achievement of their financial goals.”
RBC Dominion Securities Barbara March-Burwell, CFP Investment Advisor & Certified Financial Planner T: Regina 306.777.0543 | Esterhazy 306.745.4764 Toll Free 800.667.8555 | Donna Rogers 306.777.0504 E: barb.march-burwell@rbc.com | donna.m.rogers@rbc.com W: www.barbmarch-burwell.com
Swervin Indoor Racing
Regina’s Own Mini Indy Laps Five Years Merv Armstrong’s fascination for fast cars began as a child, he remembers, racing home-made go-karts down the back allies of Regina made of a plywood frame, a garbage can body, and a string for steering. That fascination carried into University where he joined the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), and built the University of Regina’s first formula SAE car, inspired by the Avrow Arrow. Today, Merv is the founder of Swervin Indoor Racing, and the creator of the annual Swervin Mini Indy Laps for Lap fundraising race that takes place every June in Regina. “Since 2010, Laps for Life has raised close to $50,000 for the Leukemia Lymphoma Society of Canada. The race has grown – starting with eight cars in the Orr Centre parking lot, to 24 cars racing in the Regina City Square Plaza.” “Each year, the race becomes more competitive as teams look for creative ways to design their cars. This year, over a dozen cars were painted and detailed by MAACO Collision Repair &
Auto Painting and The Stripe Shop, both of whom have been sponsors of Mini Indy since we began.” “The sponsors of the Mini Indy are just as enthusiastic as I am. Aside from raising money for a good cause, it’s just a lot of fun, and great for team building,” says Merv. “Larry Koch, of National Crane enters teams and helps set up the race and haul equipment to and from the race. Mark Ellsworth, owner of Mark’s Mini-Tune, is the official tech sponsor of the race. Their job is to make sure all the cars are safe and within the racing guidelines. Darren Schaeffer, of Western Litho is our print sponsor, and Global Television has been a great media sponsor and supporter of the event. Dave Wright of A-1 Rentals supplies the fencing and chairs. George Jakeman, of Guardian Traffic Services provides the racing barriers and safety devices. Norm Neault of UFCW Local 1400 has been a sponsor and supporter of the race since day one.”
Planning for June 2016 is underway. To get involved, contact Merv Armstrong at 306.581.0716 / email Mervin.armstrong@gmail.com.
Racers The Orr Centre Pro-Foam Roofing National Crane Services Inc. Momentum H-Vac Services Swervin Indoor Racing Ltd. Piper Sport Photography SKY Magazine / Lynear Thinking Western Litho Printers UFCW Local 1400 Anlin Welding Auctus Maximus Black & Blue Boxing Club Budweiser Think Big Studios University of Regina Rams Football Parkland Flooring ABOVE Celebrities participating in the night race
A Culinary Tour of
Italy W
By R aquel Fletcher
e arrived in Rome on Saturday, the evening before Palm Sunday. Our trip to Italy during Easter has been a twoyear dream of mine and my mom’s and we’ve spent the last four months planning it – my mom has even been studying Italian, while I’ve been eating fresh pasta in my dreams. Our background is Italian. Legend has it my mom is the descendant of the bastard son of an Italian prince from Brescia. Since I was a child she’s always joked about tracking down her long, lost relatives and reclaiming her inheritance. I harbored no sentimental ideas about discovering the land of our ancestors, though – this was not a soul-searching mission. I simply wanted a vacation – and I liked the idea of taking that vacation with my mom. And I wanted to eat pasta – a lot of pasta. The Grande Albergo Ausonia & Hungaria Hotel in Venice is a quaint, early 20th century four-story building, surrounded by a garden and a beautiful terrace. The rooms are cozy – and I’m strangely ecstatic about the heavy key – a large, genuine key, not a pass card, that hotel staff gives us to open the door. We have only a few minutes to get ready before we’re to meet in the hotel’s exquisite ballroom where they’ve prepared a welcome dinner for us. [I hope it’s pasta.] The meal is to be five courses. The pasta dish is our third course followed by the main course. Unaware of this, both Mom and I opt for seconds when the pasta is brought around again. Unfortunately, I am still expected to eat my steamed tomatoes and white fish. I manage, but don’t have any room left for the dessert and coffee course and choose to have another glass of white wine instead. Dinner is always served in courses: first the bread course, then the antipasta (the appetizer) or a salad, then the pasta, then the main meat course, followed by a light dessert and coffee. It’s a good idea, we are told, not to gorge on the pasta dish in order to leave room for the main course. But at our next meal in Florence, we promptly forget this tip. In Tuscany we dine at Villa Il Leccio, an immaculately maintained vineyard, restaurant and bed and breakfast that is an old family estate once owned by Italian nobility that has been passed down in the family for nine generations.The family no longer has need for the stables, so we sit down to dinner in what has now been refurbished as an exquisite dining room. After the first bread course, the antipasta is a variety of crostinis topped with patés and dips and fresh Tuscan tomatoes. With barely a moment to breathe between courses, the servers bring out the pasta –fresh linguini topped with a wild boar ragu. Mom is the first to raise her plate when the server asks if we’d like a second helping, soon followed by the rest of our table. The main course is a heaping plate of chicken drumsticks in a thick and tasty Chianti wine sauce and roasted rosemary potatoes.I didn’t know it was possible to eat so much, and still there was dessert – sliced apples and strawberries arranged in a symmetrical pattern sprinkled with sugar and chocolate sprinkles. The Italians know a thing or two about presentation. At the end of the night, Mom comments that we’ve experienced the pinnacle of Italian cuisine. But she was wrong. Raquel Fletcher
We return to Rome on Easter Sunday. We have two days left and we finally feel fully relaxed – and well, just full. Of all the sights we’ve taken in while in Italy – this is one thing I’ll be able to take back home: eating in courses, at the table – with good company. But there is one other thing I’ve been wanting to do.. On our last morning in Italy, Mom enjoys her bacon and eggs and assortment of Italian pastries at the hotel buffet. I join her at the table with two espressos. I look at the cups for several seconds before I bring the first one to my lips. I take note that the coffee is in a ceramic cup – not a to-go mug or a take-away cup. I’m seated at a table facing the sun shining through the window – I’m not running around the house looking for my keys, my purse, my phone, begging my dog to sit so I can fasten her leash and take her to doggy daycare. Finally, I’m enjoying the true Italian breakfast. Amid all the chaos and controversy of life, there is one indulgence I won’t give up again – the peaceful moment, dare I say spiritual moment when I do nothing, but enjoy the day’s first cup of coffee.
Thank you for helping us make a difference. A letter from
George Reed
I would like to take a few moments to recognize and thank our sponsors and golfers for making our George Reed Golf Classic a success and helping us make a difference. The George Reed Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping the disabled, disadvantaged and disengaged become productive and proud members of our society and living to their potential. We could not do this without the help of the community. The funds that we raise go toward helping make lives better. The Foundation supports the following initiatives: • University of Regina George Reed Centre for Visual Communication, which provides pictogram and visual communication research and development for non-verbal individuals; • Special Olympics of Saskatchewan, which provides opportunity for specially-abled athletes; and • Mother Teresa Middle School, which is educating inner city children to break the poverty cycle. • The Foundation continues to receive applications from groups for one-time support. We are also entering into discussion with the University of Saskatchewan for a scholarship program at the university. Our partners are an important part of our success. Their support helps us achieve our goals. Thank you to our partners for helping the George Reed Foundation continue the dedicated work with community partners and individuals to support the disabled, disadvantaged or disengaged members of our society. Your support of the George Reed Classic Golf Tournament and the Foundation is truly appreciated.
George Reed Classic Golf Tournamen Mosaic Company Scotia Bank Printwest Communications Harvard Broadcasting Wheatland Roofing Phoenix Group September 21 Shotgun 1:30pm Radiology Associates of Regina / Open Skies Start MRI Saskatchewan Roughriders Wascana Country Club – Regina, Saskatchewan Taylor Automotive Dura Construction
Make a difference, and have some fun on the fairw
details andthank registration please contact georgereedfoundation@gm Finally,For I woud like to the members of the golf committee. I look forward to seeing you next year. To support the George Reed Foundation contact us at: Reverse
700F 4400-4th Avenue Regina, Saskatchewan < Shadows and Gradients S4T 0H8 Telephone: 306-581-0715 | 306-546-3873 georgereedfoundation@gmail.com
Sponsored by SKY Magazine
< Flat / 2 Colour
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My Journey Begins with the Wind — excerpt
I can’t say for sure when it started. I think it may have been somewhere between the time the wind was created and this very moment. For me, this quest for connection to the bigger idea is as natural as breathing. It always has been. I have always felt there was something else. Something yet to be discovered. A bigger thing than just me. And that’s pretty big, because I am a pretty big deal, according to my grandmother. When I was a child, my grandmother said that I would be a nun when I grew up. I was terrified. I thought that the hand of God would reach down and grab me. So, of course, I did everything possible to avoid being on the list, including trading my brother quarters for dimes and blaming my big sister for things that I did, both of which worked, because I was kind of . . . angelic. While I was spared the hand of God as a child, I remain convinced there is some essence bigger than me. Something bigger than all of us. This “something” that I believe exists connects us to each other in a way that defines our humanity and the legacy that we are creating together. I believe the answer to the question, “Who am I” is the answer to all things, for to know “myself ” is to know what I have to give. And so my quest has been to find my way back to the answer to this question, “Who am I?” and that brings me to my yogic journey.
www.friesenpress.com/bookstore | www.lynnlarsonarmstrong.com
Contributors Lynn Armstrong
Shawn Fulton
Writer, Editor
Lynn has a penchant for the entrepreneurial spirit and promoting people who live in their own vision. As a trained journalist and corporate strategist of 20 years, Lynn brings strategy and award winning writing to life on the pages of SKY. She believes in doing good things, in the pursuit of possibility, and that to live an inspired life is to live well. www.lynearthinking.com / www.skymagazine.co/www.lynnlarsonarmstrong.com
Photographer
An artist with a camera, Shawn has photographed everything under the sun, from weddings, corporate and commercial to magazines. Originally hailing from the film industry, Shawn’s special talent is bringing the light and telling stories in his photographs. www.shawnfultonphotography.com
Amber Moon
Raquel Fletcher
Amber Moon, Designer is SKY Magazine’s designer of both the on land and digital magazines. Amber is an award winning Canadian designer with over 15 years experience in the agency world. Specializing in print design and brand development, Amber comes armed with an enviable body of work and the tools to create fresh, ridiculously fast and exceptional professional design. thejetstardesign
Raquel Fletcher was born in Regina and is a graduate of the University of Regina School of Journalism. While she’s an avid traveler - she’s worked as a journalist in West Africa and a freelance travel writer around the world – she has absolutely no sense of direction. She’s never been deterred - some of life’s greatest experiences happen when you get lost. http://yearoftheselfieblog.com
Designer
Writer, A Culinary Tour of Italy
Following The
Red
THREADof Destiny: By Lyn n A rm s t r ong
Four years ago, I had made the decision to change my direction, after 20 years as a corporate strategic planner. I distinctly remember that day – I was painting a room – that’s what I do when I think – and I asked myself the question that I have asked countless executives over the past 20 years when helping them set visions: “If you could do anything and not fail, what would it be?” The answer came flooding into my mind, and I wrote it down. “I would publish stories that are read worldwide about interesting and inspiring people who live and work in their passion. I would be an instigator of personal freedom. I would inspire people to accept and live in their own vision, and be inspirational to others to do the same. I would publish the book that changes the way we look at work. I would inspire a revolution of living in colour. I would paint the sky all the colours of possibility.” That moment it started to become real. That “vision” became an intention that has come to life with each step, each relationship and each decision that I have made. Destiny is not an accident, nor is it out of our hands. It is bigger than all of us, however, and that is the mystery of the red thread – the quest for purpose and the connection to each other. In the world of strategy, we build pyramids that begin with a vision at the top, followed by intention, then goals, strategies and tactics. The purpose of the pyramid is to help articulate the “why” and the “how”, and to maintain a connection from the big idea to all the small steps that we take. Visions are powerful, but they need intentions to come to life. My intention comes to
Fall 2015
life in everything I do – from producing magazines, to teaching yoga and fitness, to helping business plan futures. The power of destiny, purpose and connection cannot be overstated. There is something bigger than all of us, and it is older than the wind. Zena Amundsen reminded me of this during the writing of this issue. I gave her 13 questions to answer using one of my favourite strategy-seeking techniques – “Standing in the Future”. She said that she is living her destiny of helping people find freedom through financial planning, quoting William Jennings Bryan, who said “Destiny is no matter of chance. It is a matter of choice. It is not a thing to be waited for. It is a thing to be achieved.” Kim reminded me that destiny is bigger than a job and a business card. Destiny is about following one’s heartbeat in the direction that it leads you, and making a difference in whatever way possible. After 20 years in a corporate and government career, she joined the entrepreneurial realm, purchasing Stone’s Throw Coffee Shop, which has been serving people for 20 years. I couldn’t help but see the beautiful serendipity between Kim and the coffee shop, and the connection to my own story, and the story of countless others. Intention and destiny go hand in hand. Writing the stories in this issue remind me of the human spirit that is irrepressibly searching for its own destiny, like the trees searching for the sky. Sometimes we see change and adversity as a burden but it is truly the opportunity to rise to one’s destiny, as did Sonja Clifton-Remple, who inspires the cover of this issue. We each possess an irrepressible human spirit that guides us to our destiny. We just have to trust it. And then we can fly.
LIVING WELL IN SASKATCHEWAN
publisher@skymagazine.co
STUDIO S
FASHION HOUSE On our cover: Sonja Clifton-Remple, owner of Studio S Fashion House is photographed by Shawn Fulton at Studio S Fashion House. Hair: Phil Libedinsky at Fox & Beau Salon; Makeup by Sonja; outfit by Marie Saint Pierre; black ring by Anne Marie Chagnon. www.studiosfashion.com