CoverStory Best Beach 1. Wild Goose Beach 2. Eldorado Beach 3. Sandy Beach
Best Place to Play in the Snow 1. Centennial Park 2. Balsam Pit 3. My backyard
the border, Lutsen Mountains continues to expand their on and off hill operations, making for a quick getaway for those looking for variety. We are spoiled! 2. Mount Baldy Ski Area 3. Lutsen Mountains
Best Indoor Rink 1. Grandview Arena 2. Fort William Gardens
Best Place to Cross Country Ski
3. Delaney Arena (Chapples Recreation Centre)
1. Kamview Nordic Centre
Best Outdoor Rink
2. Lappe Nordic Ski Club 3. Centennial Park
Best Place to Snowboard and Downhill Ski 1. Loch Lomond Ski Area
1. Marina Park 2. Delaney Arena (Chapples Recreation Centre) 3. North McIntyre Community Centre Rink
Best Sauna
Shannon Lepere
1. Kangas Sauna 2. My house/camp 3. Best Western Plus Nor’Wester Hotel and Conference Centre
Best Fitness Instructor
Serving her Craft
1. Dahab at World Dance Centre 2. Kim Chase at Chase Fitness 3. Marlo Ellis at The Gym
Tuija Hansen
Best Yoga Instructor
By Nancy Saunders
2. Helen Arpin at Discover Yoga Studio (tie)
I
t's no surprise Tuija Hansen was voted Thunder Bay's best server. We met for coffee and in just under an hour, she'd said hello and chatted with at least ten passersby. Hansen has worked at The Foundry since it opened in July 2012 (on a Friday the 13th, 18 months to the day before we met for our interview on another Friday the 13th). She finds a natural crossover with the skills she uses there and those required as owner of The Craft Collective, a shared art studio and boutique and home to Tuija Hansen Fibre Design. Being friendly, diplomatic, and genuine serve her well in both jobs. Hansen is in her final year of Lakehead's fine arts program. After starting in the program in 2004, she moved to Nelson, BC from 2006 to 2008 to attend the fibre and textile design program at Kootenay School of the Arts. “It's a small community and really forward-thinking in terms of business models and its art scene. When I was done, I really wanted to come back to Thunder Bay
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The Walleye
1. Colleen Dolce at Radiant Yoga with Colleen
right away—I knew there was room for new things here.” Hansen opened The Craft Collective upstairs at 197 Algoma Street South in 2010, and has since moved to a larger space on the main floor. “I create unique, one of a kind items that aren't particular to one body type or size.” Hansen's dresses, hoodies, capes, and accessories are mostly made of recycled and donated fabrics. She focuses on natural materials, and special orders organic fabrics for certain items. She is currently creating sweater scarves, pretty yet practical pieces made from sweaters found in thrift stores. As a fibre designer, Hansen also enjoys creating fabric collages and doing silk screening. Photography is also a passion. Working two jobs and being in school definitely keep her busy, and she looks forward to having more time to focus on her craft. Stop in and say hi to Hansen at The Foundry, and visit The Craft Collective to see her distinctive talent at work.
There are not many cities in Canada where you can get in some skiing or snowboarding after work and make it home in time to catch primetime TV. Nestled in the Nor’wester Mountains, we are surrounded by ideal terrain for skiing and snowboarding, including the biggest vertical drop in Ontario (Loch Lomand Ski Area – 229 m). While the local ski industry has struggled in recent decades—with the number of ski areas shrinking from five to two—Loch Lomand and Mount Baldy continue to provide excellent skiing and snowboarding with runs that are perfect for beginners and others that are fun for experts. Across
2. Mayama at Resting Frog Yoga Studio (tie)
Best Health Food Store 1. Kelly’s Nutrition Centre and Juice Bar 2. Bonobo’s Foods 3. Nutrition Corner and Country Store
Best Swimming Pool 1. Canada Games Complex 2. Volunteer Pool 3. Sir Winston Churchill Community Pool