Outdoor Lifestyle Magazine Spring 2016

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contents

ON THE COVER 68 JANN ARDEN

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A woman in love with wilderness

80 CHEF ANNA OLSON

Transitioning from pastry chef to public icon

38 CARSON ARTHUR

HGTV personality, with advice on how to create the perfect lunar garden

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30 SHAWN TALBOT

Landscapes through the camera lens

STYLE 18 THE ENVELOPE PLEASE!

Landscape Ontario’s Award Winners for 2016

24 DINER EN BLANC

A magical mystery in the key of white

32 TRENDING

As always, we are all over the upcoming trends

DESIGN 42 DESIGNER PROFILES

Outstanding Landscape design talent from across the country

48 HGTV’S PAUL LAFRANCE

What has he got up his sleeve now?

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52 CLEAN & CONTEMPORARY

A vision comes to reality in a snug backyard

LIVING 77 OUR FAVOURITE FRANGLISH MONTREALER

With a heads up before hiring a landscape professional

84 PATIO FARE

Three refreshing Canadian patios from across the country

90 COLLECTIVE ARTS

Micro brewing is all the rage, and when you find it all in one place...brewing bliss

DISCOVER 94 FOGO ISLAND INN

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Newfoundland’s critically acclaimed gem

98 ART & ARTISTS

Something for every palette

108 WHITE WATER RAFTING

Ride the waves - Canadian style!

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VISIT THE

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To knowledgeable staff on hand to help you select the best products for your home.

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For more outdoor inspiration or a referral to a trusted Unilock Authorized Contractor, connect with us at Unilock.com or 1-800-UNILOCK.

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The Hidden Gardens of Hamilton’s Historic Southwest

Publisher

Dave Maciulis CLD

Editor IN CHIEF

Staff Writers

L. A. Sweezey

OUTDOOR LIFESTYLE editor Carson Arthur

CUSTOM build editor Paul Lafrance

managing director Michael Ellis

Creative Director + designer Susan Vogan

CONTRIBUTING DESIGNER Darrell Leighton

PRODUCTION MANAGER Susan Vogan

Photography/video

Glenn Curtis Lori A. Sweezey Luke Hellewell Tim Zwart Sarah Penney Susan Mate Zack Fleming Candice Klein Patrick Dixon Curtis Potter Brie Jarrett Peter Vogler Chris Gregory Ron Wilko

Shawn Talbot - Cover Roth & Ramberg Deck Agency Kristi Brianna Boulton Carole & Roy Timm Photography Ryan Szulc Ryan Emberly Evan Bergstra Dan Kern Jamey Ekins Alex Fradkin Rene Synnevag Jeff McNeill Shutterstock

ADVERTISING Sales Krista Myke

Copy Editor

Candice Klein

The Durand Neighbourhood Association presents the

2016 GRAND DURAND GARDEN TOUR Saturday, June 18, 2016 10AM - 4PM (Rain or Shine) ADVANCE TICKETS $20.00

Please join us in discovering 11 beautiful private gardens of the Durand neighbourhood in Hamilton, Ontario www.durandna.com chairgdgt2016@gmail.com

For advertising opportunities please email: info@outdoorlifestylemagazine.com PUBLISHED BY KORU CREATIVE GROUP President Dave Maciulis C.L.D Phone: 289-238-7910 Email: info@outdoorlifestylemagazine.com Outdoor Lifestyle Magazine is published twice yearly: Spring/Summer and Fall/Winter Single copy price is $8.95 SUBSCRIPTION RATES Canada 1 year (2 issues) - $17.90 2 years (4 issues) - $33.95 3 years (6 issues) - $48.95

USA 1 year (2 issues) - $22.95

Mail payment to: Outdoor Lifestyle Magazine 14 Cross Street, Unit E Dundas, ON L9H 2R3

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Available at Chapters, Indigo, Coles, and Atlantic News Stands across Canada.

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Reproduction without express written consent is prohibited by law.

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casualife.ca S I N C E

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contributors It’s always such a pleasure working with our writers. We are always curious about them. What makes them tick?

With summer in the air, we thought that we’d ask them a couple ‘summer’ related questions…

What is your favourite flavour of Popsicle and why?

What is one thing you plan on doing this summer that you’ve never done before?

Renaldo Amota

Bryen Dunn

My favourite flavour of Popsicle? Blue raspberry creamsicle because that beautiful blue stain on your tongue lets the world know that the kid inside of you is still alive!

This summer I think I might jump out of a perfectly good airplane. Willingly. Sporting a fashionable parachute of course ;)

My favourite flavour of popsicle is orange, because there isn’t a black one.

I haven’t ever been to the Balkans. I think that might be on my “to do” list for this coming summer.

Jordan Forester

Domenic Brown

My absolute favourite flavour of popsicle is Orange…Fresh-pressed and organic, because there ain’t nothing like the goodness of a real ol’ fashioned orange.

This summer I am going to drive across Canada. For sure. Gas is cheap right now.

I don’t care for popsicles, but orange is my least-unfavourite.

This summer I hope to produce a short radio-play, my first fiction piece for public consumption.

James Pitson

Cedric Lizotte

My favourite flavour of popsicle was and still is banana.

I am planning to go to a Northern Ontario fishing lodge with a few friends this summer so I can finally get some time on the water with fishing rod in hands. Isolation from work seems to be the only way I will ever go fishing.

Blue raspberry. It’s the best…it’s scientifically proven. The first time I tasted it, it ‘blue’ my mind!

This summer I plan on visiting a couple of parts of Africa I’ve never seen. There will be no blue raspberry popsicles there!!

LETTER from the outdoor CUSTOM BUILD editor

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Even though I’d be the first to admit I barely made it through the previous few winters of treacherous ice and subzero temperatures, I’ve got to say, this last winter was a whole different animal. In some ways, I found the constant tease of a possible early spring almost more unbearable. I’d go from one day, being bundled up in layers, wool socks, and even gloves (which I rarely wear)—to the next, running out to my car with no coat on and leaving those pesky gloves behind. I even wore my flip-flops on a particularly warm day in February.

The inevitable arrival of spring air, chirping birds, thawing water, and budding trees brings a “spring” back into my step. Sorry I couldn’t resist. My wife will be groaning, but I’m pretty sure my punny fellow carpenter Kate, will be duly impressed.

Even though we’ll be busy as usual with new projects and breaking ground all over the place, we’ll be planning a trip to the cottage with our girls stat! Although Georgian Bay is pretty frigid until late June, it’s a truly stunning thing to watch as the remaining ice gives way to the warming water, breaking into pieces and eventually disappearing into the frothy waves and sand. The community will be bustling about, raking up remaining leaves from last fall and preparing the beach for anticipated play.

Cottage plans aside, one of my favourite things about spring is that I get to hook up the waterfall in my backyard. I’m always talking about the importance of having a haven close to home, and ours is no exception.

As soon as possible, we have the deck cleaned up, the furniture set out, and the water/fire features on. There’s nothing quite like coming home after a long day and seeing a welcoming fire burning outside. What makes it even better is having family and friends to share it with.

Whenever I complain about the winter, I am quickly reminded by one of my daughters, “But Daddy, we wouldn’t appreciate the summer so much if we didn’t have the winter.” How true that is.

Thank you winter . . . and good riddance.

Paul Lafrance, HGTV STAR If you would like to contribute to future issues, please submit your idea to: info@outdoorlifestylemagazine.com

letter from the publisher

KEEP IT SIMPLE In keeping with the theme of the recent Oscars and the current state of my beard, welcome to our “white” issue. When we were brainstorming around the storyboard for this issue, (and let me just say it was long before this disappointing Oscar business), we decided that, after a long-ish and confusing winter, it would be nice to focus on the things that make us think of all things cool…cool in temperature and level of “hipness.” As you browse through the pages of this issue, take note of how calming the visuals are throughout. Crisp, clean lines in landscape design are the order of the day.

Keeping things simple in your outdoor space can, many times, be reflective of your current life situation or (maybe) of the life you are striving for…the uncomplicated one! “Uncomplicated” is something that I believe we all struggle with. Less is more… purge…keep it simple…all the wise words we’ve heard over and over again in our lives. Maybe it’s time for us to do just that?!

When was the last time you walked around your own outdoor entertain-

ment area (be it large or small), and removed the things that prevented the space from feeling welcoming, peaceful and uncomplicated? Defining your space, designing your space, then keeping it from becoming a dumping ground for every flower container you have in the garage, every piece of furniture that you love (even though it won’t fit) and the unfurled garden hose that never seems to get rolled up, is always a challenge. This is not an episode of hoarders!

Why not give peace a chance? Why not turn your outdoor space into one of tranquility not chaos, of uncomplicated, unmitigated pleasure? After all, it should be your refuge…the place you can go to and be in, without all of life’s chatter constantly banging around in your busy head.

We hope that we can help you with your decision to design a space that suits your lifestyle and fulfills a few of those landscape dreams that you just can’t shake! We are here to inspire you. Now watch as we do our job!

Have a wonderful and uncomplicated summer…

Dave Maciulis, CLD

Twitter @dave_maciulis Facebook Outdoor Lifestyle Magazine

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editors

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR I recently finished the last article in your fall/ winter 2015/16 magazine, entitled “The Beaver”. As much as I almost peed myself from laughing hysterically while reading this satirical article, I thought that you should know that there was one crucial typo. Apparently you have someone slightly dyslexic in your staff as they claim “fourth graders have been doing projects on beavers since 1685.” I believe it should read 1865. For the rest, keep up the awesome work!

Esther D. Burlington, ON OL: Dyslexia? !kcab ruo gnivah rof sknaht !taht htiw melborp thgils a evah yam ew llew, seY

I love love love your magazine. Initially I purchased it as a “gift” for my husband…to show him what I had been dreaming about for our own backyard. I was pleasantly surprised at the amount of reading material it contained that grabbed my attention. I try every recipe and am making plans to travel

to some of the places you’ve written about.

A very entertaining publication and very well done.

LETTER from the outdoor LIFESTYLE editor

Jessica J. Barrie, ON OL: Well, Jessica…If you’re going to do some travelling to some of the fantastic resorts we’ve profiled, we have a rule. You must take the editor with you.

I noticed that the online version of your magazine had a great article about marijuana, which did not appear in the hard copy.

Just wondering what that was about?

Greg H. Vancouver, BC OL: So, not every province in the country is as accepting as BC is when it comes to the green scene. We really wanted to do this story, but felt like we needed to ease into the topic without leaving a bad taste in the mouths (of a certain demographic) of our readers.

On-line was a compromise.

Give us time…we’ll all get there.

I am going to start my inaugural letter with a confession. I’ve had a hard time writing this piece. I wanted to start my journey with Outdoor Lifestyle on a high, citing some epiphany or fantastically deep metaphor that would really impress. The truth is, I just really want to help people have fantastic outdoor spaces.

Joining the OLM team gives me the opportunity to partner with a magazine that is honest and factual when helping homeowners realize their outdoor visions. Whether it’s to inspire, inform or illuminate, I want to continue to make this magazine your first resource for the answers to your important questions.

Early on in my career I was asked to define the Canadian backyard. I quickly realized that it is almost impossible because we are so unique from province to province. For that reason, Canadians deserve to have a magazine that caters to our needs. A magazine that understands the difference between a Chinook wind and a Chinook salmon… instead of the ones that come from the UK or the USA. My job is to help develop content that represents all of our readers. I want you to look forward to each issue because we’ve challenged your concept of what a backyard should be; or how curb appeal impacts your home’s value. Your outdoor spaces have a huge potential, and most people don’t even know where to start.

So whether you live on the east or west coast, or anywhere in between, trust that we are here to help you make the most of your home…from property line to property line.

Carson Arthur, HGTV STAR

We welcome letters and emails from our readers. Our vision is to explore the needs and challenges of outdoor living and landscaping specific to all Canadian regions, and to captivate your imagination. We are proud Canadians with spectacular landscapes to showcase!

We are a young magazine, and eager to meet your needs and interests. Your input is important to us, so please let us know how we are doing.

OR, if you live in the 21st Century...

Snail Mail: Outdoor Lifestyle Magazine email info@outdoorlifestylemagazine.com 14 Cross Street, Unit E Dundas, ON L9H 2R3 Please be sure to include your name, address and telephone number. Letters and emails may be condensed for publication. Pictures will not be returned.

OUTDOORLIFESTYLEMAGAZINE.COM

I 15

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• AWARDS OF • EXCELLENCE

Toronto, Ont. (January 12, 2016) Landscape Ontario Salutes Green Industry Excellence The 2016 Awards of Excellence winners in landscape construction, maintenance and design.

The inspiring talent and creativity of this year’s winners were acknowledged at Landscape Ontario Horticultural Trades Association’s Awards of Excellence Ceremony, held January 12, 2016.

Over 650 industry professionals attended the gala awards ceremony held at Toronto’s International Plaza Hotel, held in conjunction with Congress, one of North America’s largest green industry events.

Winners portray a competitive spirit, strive for continuous improvement, offer services distinctly different from the competition and are stewards of the horticultural trades, sharing a vision for a vibrant and prosperous future.

The Awards of Excellence are judged according to specific criteria by industry experts. If no project qualifies in an area, no award is given.

Construction PROGRAM Abloom Landscape Contractor Inc., Metcalfe Aden Earthworks Inc., North York Aqua Spa Pools & Landscape Design, Woodbridge B.K. Baun Landscape Ltd., Ajax Balsam Creek Landscaping, Lynden Betz Pools Ltd., Stouffville Beyond Landscaping, Toronto Blue Diamond Pools and Landscaping, Barrie Bouwmeister Inc., Stouffville Cedar Springs Landscape Group, Oakville DA Gracey & Associates, Vaughan David Gaze Landscaping, Oakville Dusty Miller Landscaping, Queensville Earthscape Ontario, Wallenstein Elite Designed Concrete Inc., Thornhill Exact Interlock Ltd., Ottawa Fossil Landscapes Ltd., Etobicoke Garden Grove Landscaping, Waterdown Gelderman Landscape Services, Waterdown Gobro Con Landscaping, Brampton Green Apple Landscaping, Mono Green Things Landscaping 2010, Brockville Greentario Landscaping (2006) Inc., Hamilton Greer Design Group, Dundas Griffith Property Services Ltd., Richmond Hil Ideal Landscape Services, Barrie, MIlton It’s About Thyme Inc., Stratford Jay McKinnon Company, Strathroy JC Landscaping Inc., New Tecumseth Jen-Dan Limited, Gormley Juergen Partridge Ltd., Caledon Kent Ford Design Group Inc., Toronto Kingscape Landscape Construction Group, Richmond Hill Kreative Woodworking, Woodbridge Landscape Plus Ltd., Etobicoke Landscapes By Lucin, Toronto Landscaping Concepts, Waterdown Lawrence Park Complete Garden Care Ltd., Downsview Monarch Landscape, Waterloo OGS Landscape Services, Brooklin Paradise Decks and Landscape Design Inc., Dundas Parklane Nurseries Ltd., Beaverton Planit Green Landscapes, Ancaster Plantenance Landscape Group, Pointe Claire Pool Craft, Richmond Hill Pro-Land Landscape Construction Inc., Brampton Quality Property Services, Markham Quiet Nature Ltd., Ayr R J Rogers Landscaping Ltd., North Gower Roger Willis Contracting Ltd., Kars, Royal Stone Landscaping & Design Ltd., Woodbridge Rutherford Contracting Ltd., Aurora S Rebelo Landscapes Inc., Burlington Seferian Design Group, Burlington Shades of Summer Landscaping & Maintenance, Waterdown Stonelife Landscaping Inc., Concord Tarrascape Innovation Inc., Hamilton The Backyard Urban Farm Company, Toronto The Clark Design Group, Burlington The Landmark Group, Thornbury Tumber & Associates, Garafraxa Urban Garden Supply Co Ltd., Toronto Yards Unlimited Landscaping Inc., Ottawa

Maintenance PROGRAM Boot’s Landscaping & Maintenance Ltd., Richmond Hill Dusty Miller Landscaping, Queensville International Landscaping, Milton Landscape Plus Ltd., Etobicoke Lawrence Park Complete Garden Care Ltd., Downsview Shades of Summer Landscaping & Maintenance, Waterdown Snider Turf & Landscape Care Ltd., Kitchener Strathmore Landscape Contractors, Pointe-Claire Sweetwater Landscapes Inc., Burlington The Backyard Urban Farm Company, Toronto The Scott Wentworth Landscape Group Ltd., Picton Yorkshire Garden Services Inc.. Concord Design PROGRAM Earthscape Ontario, Wallenstein Garden Grove Landscaping, Waterdown Gelderman Landscape Services, Waterdown Plantenance Landscape Group, Pointe Claire The Landmark Group, Thornbury The Scott Wentworth Landscape Group Ltd., Picton Vaughan Landscaping Welwyn Wong Landscape Design, Manotick Yards Unlimited Landscaping Inc., Ottawa Irrigation PROGRAM DJ Rain & Co Ltd., North York Tydan Landscape Design Inc., London LIGHTING PROGRAM Copper Expressions Landscape Lighting & Design, St. George DiMarco Landscape Lighting, Mount Albert International Landcaping Inc., Milton Markville Landscaping & Nurseries Inc., Markham Moonstruck Lighting Ltd., Concord Royal Stone Landscaping & Design Ltd., Woodbridge Shades of Summer Landscaping & Maintenance, Waterdown Tarrascape Innovation Inc., Hamilton Websites Bos Landscaping, Smithville Garden Grove Landscaping, Waterdown Hank Deenen Landscaping Ltd., Toronto Quiet Nature Ltd., Ayr Yards Unlimited Landscaping Inc., Ottawa Special Awards PROGRAM Community Leadership Award Mark Cullen, Ryan Heath, Rich Hawkins, Karen Dobrucki, Jeanette McLellan HONOURARY LIFE MEMBERSHIP Award Bob Tubby HORTICULTURAL EDUCATION AMBASSADOR Award Aldo Cianfrini LEGACY Award Bob Wilton PAST PRESIDENTS AWARD John O’Leary, Jeff McMann PROSPERITY PARTNERS LEADERSHIP AWARD Yorkshire Garden Services Inc., Christine’s Touch Gardening Ltd., A Touch Of Dutch Landscaping & Garden Services, The Waterboys Contracting Inc.

Congratulations to all the winners of Landscape Ontario’s Awards of Excellence. The ceremony for the winners of the Awards of Excellence was made possible through the generous sponsorship of our presenting sponsors, G&L Group and supporting sponsor Connon Nurseries CBV. For more information about the Landscape Ontario Awards of Excellence programs, please visit www.LOawards.com

AWARD WINNERs

Landscape Ontario is pleased to recognize the winners

award winners

Photos by International Landscaping

• 2016 WINNER •

DUNNINGTON GRUBB AWARD

LAKE ROuSSEAU RETREAT This Muskoka retreat sports a negative-edge concrete pool, constructed above an underground concrete bunker which houses pool equipment and provides storage.

Multi-level patios are adorned with custom iron and glass railings between stone pillars. A sport court surface was created on top of a concrete garage, and enclosed by chain-link fencing…a stunning setting for recreational play.

Natural Muskoka granite steps were installed between the garage and the dock.

The steel and natural wood dock boasts three boat slips and a builtin BBQ area.

Restorative, indigenous plants and salvaged blast rock were used to create “planting pockets” on the steep slopes.

award winners

• 2016 WINNER •

CASEY VAN MARIS AWARD

DEER RIDGE RESIDENCE

• 2016 WINNER •

DON SALIVAN AWARD

LUXURIOUS LAKESHORE

A MYSTICAL MAGICAL EVENING

BY SUSAN MATE – CALGARY, AB

“To the uninitiated, the cultural spectacle known as Diner en Blanc is nothing short of breathtaking sensory bliss.”

Picture the most postcard-perfect setting: the grassy banks of a river, a lighthouse overlooking the sea, or a park tucked beneath a canopy of maples. Now, imagine hundreds or even thousands of people immaculately dressed in white, arriving en masse toting picnic baskets, white linens, and their own tables and chairs.

The spread of food is carefully chosen to share with tablemates. Most often, the choices consist of French cuisine including the best wine, paired with Pâté, cured olives, charcuterie, cold roast chicken, baguette, and rosemary potatoes. Adding to the fun is the fact that the guests you’re seated with are a trendy, fun-loving crowd who share the same love of social adventure.

The event is carefully planned to produce an ambiance that feels like a scene from a film set in Paris. Approximately sixty cities around the world (with more than fifteen of them in Canada) have taken the fine European tradition of the white linen picnic and recreated the experience for well-heeled lovers of life, food, and good company. The catch? You, too, might get to join the estimated 100,000 people who attend Diner en Blanc every year— if you’re lucky.

These events have their roots in Paris three decades ago, when Francois Pasquier and his colleagues decided to throw an exclusive party where the crème de la crème of locals were allowed (by invite only) to put on their best white attire and gather at sites such as: Château de Versailles, Champs-Élysées, Place de la Concorde, the Eiffel Tower site, and Place Vendôme. Pasquier’s little party became so popular that 15,000 people now attend every year.

Diner en Blanc has spread around the world and caught on in Canada, with the city of Montréal hosting the largest Canadian event, consisting of 5,500 guests. Victoria, Vancouver, the Okanagan Valley, Edmonton, Toronto, Niagara, Ottawa, Québec City, Halifax, and Grand Moncton also host a Dinner.

What makes this event so attractive? The whimsical mystique of the

24 I OUTDOORLIFESTYLEMAGAZINE.COM

event is what was most appealing for Marija Pavkovic-Tovissi, owner of an Alberta-based vocational college. Pavkovic-Tovissi’s interest was piqued when she found out that the venue is not revealed until the eleventh hour. She was lucky enough to receive an invitation to attend the 2015 Calgary picnic at the Red Peace Bridge in Eau Claire.

“There’s just so much drama around the event,” says Pavkovic-Tovissi, who saw photos and social media posts, and determined that she had to attend with her husband. “I loved the mystery, and became highly curious as to what it was all about! There was a deep secrecy about it, and the experience itself was quite surreal. The setting sun over the Bow River, the lights of downtown, a beautiful singer and entertainment…it was very special.”

Each city has its own organizing committee run by volunteers who are required to keep details of their dinner secret until guests start to gather.

The event is kept very private, so a volunteer team leads guests on foot and by transit to the venue. (A handful of people can be put on a short waiting list, with no guarantee). The only real detail known in advance is the date.

The venue setup is very precise: “Once confirmed, the presence of each guest thus becomes essential and mandatory, regardless of weather conditions. Colour: white only; bring a picnic basket, white table cloth, table (between 24”x24” and 32”x32”) and foldable chairs (white); arrive and depart by bus or organized public transit; bring one’s refuse when departing and leave the place as clean as it was upon arrival.”

As per the dinner’s long tradition, women sit on one side of the table and men sit on the other. There are other rules, too: failing to attend the dinner due to inclement weather will blacklist you from future events.

Deanna Wilmshurst, a Halifax regional municipality communications specialist who has attended two Diner En Blanc events, says “the old world tradition is a welcome opportunity to savour the good life with great friends. The venues are amazing – King’s University campus, the Halifax Citadel – and it’s just so rare for everyone to dress in white and have a picnic in the summer. There’s sharing of food, friendship, and wine, and we even ordered little takeout baskets of white-themed foods that were amazing. It’s easy to lose yourself in the history of your city, and the event itself.”

Rules & Facts Dîner en Blanc was founded in Paris nearly 30 years ago by François Pasquier and his close friends; nearly 15,000 people attend earch year. Venues have included the Château de Versailles, the Esplanade de Notre-Dame, the Esplanade des Invalides, Champs-Élysées, Place de la Concorde, Pont des Arts, the Eiffel Tower site and Place Vendôme.

Events are held each summer in 60 cities around the world.

17 Canadian cities held an event in 2015.

Approximately 100,000 thousand people participate each year.

Each city has an organizing committee run by volunteers who are required to keep details of their dinner secret until guests start to gather for the event.

The venue is so secret that guests are led en masse by transit and on foot by a volunteer team leader.

Once confirmed, the presence of each guest thus becomes essential and mandatory, whatever happens and regardless of weather conditions. Failing to show at the dinner due to inclement weather will blacklist you from future events.

Colour: white only A picnic basket, white table cloth, table (between 24”x24” and 32”x32”) and foldable chairs (white) required.

Arrive and depart by bus or organized public transit; Bring one’s refuse when departing and leave the place as clean as it was upon arrival.

As per the Diner’s long tradition, women sit on one side of the table, men on the other.

Guests need to register to the event by one of the following three methods: 1. Know a Table Leader or Host and be personally invited by them 2. Know someone who has registered and ask them to sponsor you 3. Sign up to the waiting list and register for one of the remaining seats

www.dinerenblanc.info - Site is linked to local and international chapters

OUTDOORLIFESTYLEMAGAZINE.COM

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style district

A CHAT WITH KELOWNA PHOTOGRAPHER SHAWN TALBOT

BY LORI SWEEZEY – DUNDAS, ON

I think that all will agree…OL Magazine’s cover shot is outstanding! In the building of this magazine, we always take our readers into consideration when choosing the perfect photos to grace the pages. What we had never considered (before now) was what the photographer sees while taking these amazing photos of the breathtaking final product of a homeowner’s dream.

Outdoor Lifestyle Magazine spoke with internationally acclaimed photographer Shawn Talbot of Kelowna, BC, the very talented young man who is responsible for our front cover. We needed to get inside of his head in order to see landscape design through his eyes and his camera lens.

OLM: How long have you been photographing landscape design? How did you get into this type of work?

ST: I have been a commercial photographer for eighteen years. Right from day one I have had a passion for architecture and design. I think what attracts me most to this type of photography, is in the ability to be a perfectionist (which is very much a part of my personality). For the most part, I control the lighting, the placement of furniture, the perspective and most of the elements within the frame – except, of course, the weather. This control allows me to shoot, adjust, shoot, adjust and continue repeating this cycle until I feel that I have the perfect shot. Arnold Newman once said that, “photography is 1% talent and 99% moving furniture.”

OLM: How is this different from photographing people or other inanimate ob-

jects? And what kind of things do you have to take into consideration during a landscape shoot?

ST: Outdoor landscapes don’t require lunch breaks nor do they bill overtime. ;) The biggest consideration with any architectural photoshoot is weather. A lot of my favourite images are taken during dawn or dusk which really helps because, as long as it isn’t raining, the weather doesn’t impact the images much. Of course, in Kelowna, BC, where many of my clients are located, one of the main wishes is to have blue skies. On rare occasions this can take some patience.

OLM: Is there any kind of emotional connection that you must have with the landscape/design itself in order to be able to convey it’s beauty and functionality?

ST: The first thing that I do when arriving at a property is to walk around

and get a feel for the space and try to visualize it under different lighting conditions. I am a fairly analytical thinker so I look at a space in terms of what perspective gives a strong sense of place, while also capturing a visually appealing weight and balance. I love contrasting warm and cool colours against each other, particularly through reflections, so I’m always looking for opportunities to showcase that.

I have to admit that photographing properties such as this one, is relatively easy when you have a brilliant landscape designer and builder like Gene Brown. I am fortunate in that most of the properties that we shoot are very high-end and every detail has been considered. Fire bowls, beautiful tile work and accent lighting everywhere makes for tons of reflections and endless opportunities for angles. Brown is a master at what he does and for me that means that I can point the camera in just about any direction and it’s likely to result in a beautiful image.

www.shawntalbot.com | www.valleypoolandspa.com | www.questarpools.com

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WINE ABOUT IT

2

No

1

BONNIEHEATH ESTATE WINERY

No

Don’t Count Your Chickens is a pale golden-yellow, medium bodied, off dry white wine produced from Frontenac Gris grapes. It has flavours of subtropical fruits with a hint of stone fruits.

THE FRISKY BEAVER This wine has a light body with bright acidity making it deliciously refreshing, with a touch of sweetness and balancing silkiness. You won’t hesitate to go back for more.

Enjoy with mild curry, pork, sea food or Thai.

3

No

VILLA NOVA ESTATE WINERY 2014 VQA Trout Fly Riesling is a delicious off-dry white wine that is a true summer sipper. It is also a wonderful match with pan-fried trout, sea fare or fowl.

4

No

WOODEN BEAR L WINERY This Intervin award winning wine, is a full-bodied white wine embracing the unique flavour of the Gala apple crisp, fresh, fruit forward with a fantastic apple aroma. Pairing: cheeses, Thai, Chinese, white sauce pastas, poultry, or pork.

5

No

BLUEBERRY HILL ESTATES This crowd-pleasing white is light and refreshing with notes of citrus and stonefruit. Lovely as both an aperitif or alongside your meal.

White Wine FEATURING WINE FROM ONTARIO’S SOUTH COAST

6

No

No

GOLDEN LEAF WINERY

The mild citrus aromas of our Riesling truly compliment and enhance the crisp grapefruit flavours, making it a great partner for summer grilled fish, chicken and vegetable dishes.

No

7

INASPHERE WINES

This wine’s nose reveals fruity aromas of crisp pears and green apples. A touch of sweetness perfectly balances a refreshing acidity.

8

QUAI DU VIN ESTATE WINERY A smooth, clean medium bodied wine with a refreshing natural acidity. Notes of apple, lemon, lime, citrus rind, and flowers.

No

9

RUSH CREEK

This smooth, velvety white wine creates a refreshing taste while maintaining a long subtle finish of pear. Served with pork, poultry, fish or cheddar.

10

No

BURNING KILN WINERY

Medium gold in colour, this wine has pronounced aromas of oak, mango, hazelnut and sweet hay. It is full-bodied with medium acidity and feels beautifully soft on the palette with lovely buttery flavours, light toast and a long finish.

get dressed

style district

SAFE IS SEXY

Pistil Mina Sun Hat $37 mec.ca

Lone woods Mint Lip Balm $12 etsy.com/shop/LONEWOODS

B-Gone Chemical Free Outdoor Bug Mist $15 saje.ca

Custom Polarised Sunglasses $120 silisunglasses.ca Joan - Ribbed Open Cardigan $98 store.mott50.com

Certified Organic Sunscreen $23 greenbeaver.com

30 I OUTDOORLIFESTYLEMAGAZINE.COM FESTYLEMAGAZINE.COM

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THIS SEASON IS ALL ABOUT

GLAMPING 32 I OUTDOORLIFESTYLEMAGAZINE.COM

Camping has come a long way since the days of canvas, rope and sticks. Check out these babies! Even the fussiest, wanna-be-campers could manage in these new versions of a very old pastime!

GLAMPERS unite! No need to be cold, damp and uncomfortable while enjoying all the wonders of the great outdoors!

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1. 16 FT. LOTUS BELLE TENT lotusbelle.com 2. CRISTAL BUBBLE casabubble.com 3. OPERA TENT robvosdesign.com

OUTDOORLIFESTYLEMAGAZINE.COM

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inspiration

style district

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Dream with eyes wide open

For 65 years, Permacon has designed the living space of your dreams in perfect harmony with its surroundings. By combining craftsmanship and cutting edge methods, Permacon brings together aesthetics and expertise.

DISCOVER THE INSPIRING PERMACON UNIVERSE AT PERMACON.CA

inspiration

style district

Serenity 1 2 3 4

Celeste String Lights — canadiantire.ca London Club Chair — casualife.ca Carved Suar Goldfish — artemano.ca Honey LED Lanterns — bumcontract.com

Inspiration image from casualife.ca

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6

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design district

CREATING THE PERFECT MOONLIT GARDEN BY

HGTV STAR CARSON ARTHUR

W

ith the advent of outdoor lighting, the moonlight garden seems to have disappeared from today’s landscape designer’s repertoire. All of the nightly attention has been replaced by using up lights, down lights, and path lights to create a dramatic and stunning effect in our gardens, trees, rocks, and home features. Unfortunately, sometimes we overlook the special moments that occur naturally in the darkness of our backyard spaces. We must learn to deeply appreciate the moments that are beyond our control.

The concept of designing a garden to be enjoyed at night is not a new one. With incredible examples in Japanese, English and Indian landCreate mystery scape designs, having a garden that comes to life among the at the end of the day is very special in almost everchanging dark every culture. Considering that most Canadians spend the majority of their time enjoying the in your gardens backyard at night, taking inspiration from these historic landscapes is the perfect way to maximize outdoor enjoyment.

Plant selection is arguably the most important element when creating a moonlight garden, as this type of garden is all about activating your senses: the same senses that get neglected in the office or at work.

Traditionally, white flowering plants are used in low light because they visually glow at night. I always include pure white hydrangeas like the classic ‘Annabelle ’ or one of the new varieties such as ‘ Bobo’. Also consider incorporating grey and silver foliage alongside the white bloomers. I will often gravitate towards arctic willows and myrica (bayberry) as a backdrop to a white rhododendron or a flush of dwarf white lilacs. These silver leaved plants may be the accompaniment to the showier flowers, but they are very important in bridging the light and dark among your

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design district

Finally, add a place for yourself in the garden.

Whether it’s a bench or a chair beside a path, create a spot just for you.

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design district

SANDY NEAL

BY BRYDEN DUNN – TORONTO, ON

Sandy Neal has built just about every landscape imaginable in his fifteen years in the landscaping industry. His motto; “functional can be beautiful, too.” For ten of those years, Neal’s right-hand (wo)man has been his business partner and wife, Heather. The two compliment each other in marriage and work.

Neal described one of the most memorable projects he’s completed since starting the company. “We worked on a small backyard in The Beaches in Toronto with two defined living spaces: a raised flagstone patio for the dining area and a sunken lounge area with a fire table. We presented the owners with a design plan, including a 3D sketch, and then turned their dreams into a reality.”

Heather recommends establishing a budget, doing extensive research, and having a solid design plan. She says, “If the company appears to only do multi-million dollar properties and you just want a small garden makeover, maybe they aren’t the right company. Designing towards a specific budget is much more effective, so perhaps you don’t need to tear out your deck, and you could just paint the fence rather than replace it all.”

According to Neal, for those on a tighter budget, sometimes it makes sense to do a project in phases: maybe a new deck can be built during the first year, and homeowners can add the pergola and extended stone patio the following year. Plants can be quite expensive, especially if you want an instant impact garden with mature plants and no gaps. If you are willing to wait a few years

for the gaps to fill in and the plants to mature, then you can save quite a bit of money, but you need to have a design upfront so it fills in properly.

For smaller outdoor green spaces, simple changes can be made to create a sense of openness and accessibility. Neal suggests creating a room (or two) outside. Furniture layout and size are also very important in the planning stages. For small urban properties, they recommend purchasing smaller furniture so the space doesn’t feel cramped. Perhaps add a couch and chair for a lounge area, and beside it a defined dining area with a table. “You’d be surprised how the right size and placement of furniture can make a space feel larger and much more inviting,” says Neal.

As an outdoor design expert, Neal predicts that fire and water will remain popular landscaping trends this year, as many people are adding fire tables to their lounge areas to extend our short summers. Hot tubs, small pools, and swim spas are becoming increasingly popular in small urban spaces. As more and more people are opting for “staycations”, they are looking to create that “resort feel” in their own backyards. Urban outdoor kitchens and vegetable gardens are also growing in popularity, as cooking fresh and organic is becoming more common. You don’t need a lot of space to incorporate a small built-in BBQ and raised herb and vegetable garden.

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profiles

WELWYN WONG

BY LORI SWEEZEY – DUNDAS, ON

She was only truly happy when she was playing outside. She simply felt like she was where she was supposed to be; building forts, collecting rocks and getting dirty…connecting to the earth. It was her absolute ‘normal’.

One would surmise that this little girl’s journey would be fairly straight forward when it came time for her to choose a career, but that wasn’t the case when this Ottawa, Ontario native began her studies in Physics. Three long years of doing something that didn’t speak to her soul, finally led her to re-evaluate what she was doing.

Welwyn Wong was lucky enough to have a younger sister who had her back and innately knew that Wong needed a little push in the right direction. “This is what you need to be doing”, she told Wong, and handed her a pamphlet about Landscape Architecture. It was the perfect mix of engineering and artistry…the ideal combination for Wong.

Wong’s unassuming, almost shy demeanor is something that she wears well; it’s endearing. But the instant you interact with her, it becomes crystal clear. This woman may be small in stature, but she is a powerhouse and mighty talent in the landscape design world.

You know the old adage…good things come in small packages!

Since 2013, Wong has been the recipient of at least 12 Awards

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of Excellence from Landscape Ontario. No small feat for a woman who meets the many challenges of being a woman in a typically male dominated industry. “I had a hard time (in the beginning) getting contractors to bid on my designs. I had three strikes against me”, Wong explains. “I was young, I was a woman, and there was this stigma attached to being a designer-implying that we were stubborn and inflexible” Wong, however, has a different take on this. “I think that women are naturally better team players and more collaborative.”

There is nothing in this world that Wong would rather be doing.

In fact, she attributes her success to deeply loving what she does.

So it never feels like ‘just a job.’ “And that is totally a key factor to success”, smiles Wong. She smiles a lot! And why wouldn’t she? “I love that everyday is different; that everything is always changing and evolving…never static. I am constantly thinking outside of the proverbial box.”

Where does Wong see herself in 10 years from now? Well, no doubt she will be growing her business, helping her clients realize their dreams, and will still be creating amazing landscape designs.

Who knows…she may even take some time out to build another fort and possibly collect a few awesome rocks!

JEFF CAMPBELL

BY JORDAN FORESTER – CALGARY, AB

Jeff Campbell is more than a just brilliant designer…he’s a dreamer and a lover of the impossible. “To me, vision is the art of seeing the undeveloped. Our job is to envision what a client can’t see and create that for them.”

The name of his company is truly fitting. Campbell, who started VisionScapes in 2002, is very much a visionary, and not just with cutting-edge landscape design, but with the betterment of the community around him as well. A graduate of the Haskayne School of Business, Campbell knew he would never be satisfied working for someone else. A self-proclaimed dreamer and lover of the impossible could never settle.

VisionScapes’ extensive work consists of uniquely stunning and functional designs. “Great design comes from being a good listener,” he says. “I find that the best designs for people are functional spaces that can be used frequently. When I’m creating a design for clients, I always make sure I’m designing a yard that’s going to work for them now and in ten years from now.”

Campbell’s incredible body of work and consideration for his clients’ needs isn’t the only thing that allows him to be a leader in the industry: both his perspective on business and his vision statement are refreshing and humbling.

“As leaders in the industry, giving our best and being stewards of our clients’ dreams, allows us to leave a lasting mark with our landscaping,” he says. “We are grateful to be part of a larger picture, and that our company is able to give back to the community. Whether it’s designing a home for a family in need, or seeing people who couldn’t otherwise afford our services enjoy them, that makes it all worth it.”

Campbell is inspired by challenges, while his inherent determination to find solutions allows creativity to flourish unbridled.

“What’s kept me going is the challenge of being able to continually create unique, functional spaces for each client.” In a world saturated with impractical and listless design, Campbell stands against mediocrity and duplication. “We never have and never will replicate the same design in two yards.”

Much in the same vein as his designs, he is truly one-of-a-kind.

His work speaks for itself, inspiring families and friends to gather happily and make memories. It’s about more than just business to him. “I’ve realized that to be successful in business you have to be successful in life too. The two go hand in hand.”

A leader in more ways than one, Jeff Campbell is a dreamer indeed— and just the kind the world really needs.

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profiles

ADELE GOODWIN

BY CURTIS POTTER – EDMONTON, AB

Adele Goodwin is the founder of the Edmonton-based landscaping company, EarthWorm Landscape Design Co. The name EarthWorm truly represents Goodwin’s philosophy and approach, as she strongly believes in the power that nature has to inspire, heal, and connect us to our true selves. Goodwin wanted a name that was lighthearted and captivating. When she hired a local graphic designer to come up with a graphic package, she also asked the designer to think of a name that people would remember easily and would make them smile, and so EarthWorm was born.

Goodwin is a very accomplished designer. She has over 30 years and 3000 projects worth of experience in landscape design, and holds a Horticultural Degree from the University of Guelph, Ontario. She also started teaching at a community college right after graduating in 1986. Goodwin admits that this was a bit impulsive in hindsight, but the experience and insight that teaching has provided has proven itself invaluable. She continues to teach even today, as she now hosts workshops for those interested in making their thumb a bit greener.

Goodwin’s style and working method is on-the-spot drawing, and with her vast experience, she is able to get her students and clients to catch on very quickly. She remembers her first introduction to design, thinking to herself, “how can I do this?” But after seeing her professor draw a single symbol, her visual gifts awakened and 46 I OUTDOORLIFESTYLEMAGAZINE.COM

she was able to tap into a natural talent for turning outdoor environments into practical and imaginative spaces. Goodwin’s designs heighten the senses with colour, texture, and balance. Moreover, she sums her design sessions up into one single word— fun. It is a very intimate and unique experience to collaborate and create a design right before her clients’ eyes, and Goodwin’s lighthearted, intuitive approach relaxes everyone she works with.

Goodwin is most certainly an expert in her field. Her portfolio is both impressive and extensive, and she has no trouble choosing her favourite designs. She recalls one client that essentially gave her free reign, only asking that it resemble a Florida beach house.

The end result was the equivalent of a resort by the time she was finished. It contains a beach volleyball court; a gazebo; both gas and wood burning fire pits; a deck overhanging the pond, and an outdoor kitchen and shower (just to name some of the highlights).

The clients now wander through the property every morning with their coffee and savour their natural masterpiece.

Goodwin is continuing her work in Edmonton. When asked if she thinks the economy will have an impact on the future of Landscaping in Edmonton, she tells us that she isn’t worried. She feels that more people will be staying home as opposed to spending their hard earned cash on travelling, so they will be investing a little more into making their home a personal paradise.

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design district

INFUSING YOUR SPACE WITH INDIVIDUALITY

BY PAUL LAFRANCE

Something I talk about a lot when I’m doing design workshops is that I don’t really like to follow trends or adhere to them when I’m designing a space. The problem with trends is that they, by definition, change. If someone is planning to spend a significant amount of money on, say, their outdoor living space, they’re not going to want to make a huge investment, only to have to redo the whole thing in a few years when the trends change.

When I’m meeting a client to talk about a new project, whether it’s for an outdoor living space or an interior renovation, the first thing I like to do, after the preliminaries, is to talk about them as human beings. What sorts of things do they enjoy doing? What activities or pastimes make them come alive? Are there any special memories that make them who they are? If I can discover something personal about my client, then I can incorporate it into their design, and those things don’t change with the constantly shifting tides of fashion and design.

A few years ago, I designed a backyard oasis for a couple whose project was featured on Decked Out. To say it was an oasis is not an exaggeration. This couple had a normal suburban home with a pool in the backyard that was surrounded by an old pressure treated fence and a yard that was covered by aging interlocking OUTDOORLIFESTYLEMAGAZINE.COM

I 49

stone. They loved the outdoors and truly wanted to be able to enjoy their pool and backyard—but it was dated, overgrown, and generally uninviting.

I discovered that this couple had opted for an elaborate outdoor living space rather than finding and purchasing a cottage up north. This is becoming more and more common these days, with so many of us spending most of our time working and trying to keep up with our fast-paced culture. We simply don’t have the time to travel to a cottage or vacation spot to relax. Creating something inviting, personal, and relaxing that’s only steps out the back door is an ideal alternative.

My clients in this case not only loved the outdoors, but also enjoyed entertaining regularly.

Whether it be a few friends or a full-blown party, they wanted their outdoor space to work for both.

They also loved the idea of having their backyard feel like a real escape from the everyday while encapsulating the feeling of being at a cottage retreat.

We covered over the old patio stones with Trex composite decking in colours reminiscent of earth and sand, and built a raised lounge area that stretched out and overhung the edge of the pool.

We also created a waterfall that ran out from under

50 I OUTDOORLIFESTYLEMAGAZINE.COM

the raised deck and cascaded into the pool.

We installed a retractable awning for shade over the lounge area and a large dining area with a custom, slate-inlayed table for entertaining. Fire features, a custom built-in bar, a grilling station with back-lit onyx panels, and even custom built composite loungers completed this luxurious space.

When it was finished, my clients couldn’t believe their eyes (or ears!) when they walked outside. We had truly created a place of rest for them right outside their door. Now, when they arrive home from a long day at work, they look outside their kitchen window and see a reprieve that is no longer out of reach!

This is such a huge joy for me…to be able to exceed a client’s imagination and create an outdoor living space that is truly built to align not just with what they want, but with who they ARE! To me that is the key to creating a space that is truly timeless, and not affected by constantly changing trends.

We aren’t meant to be sheep following the flock...we are human beings, and no two are alike!

we’re no one trick monkey.

AS SEEN ON “CUSTOM BUILT & DISASTER DECKS” Transform any space with the help of HGTV’s Paul Lafrance.

Custom Interiors, Outdoor Living Spaces and One of a Kind Furniture.

HGTV is a trademark of Scripps Networks, LLC; used with permission.

www.PaulLafranceDesign.com

Pergola is ready for shade or verdure

Poured concrete gives the effect of large limestone

52 I OUTDOORLIFESTYLEMAGAZINE.COM

Sofa and fire table create a space to lounge by

Artificial grass means no cutting, no weeding

The perfect play with curl up a

design district

Dining area seating is built onto the fence as a space saver

CLEAN & CONTEMPORARY This long narrow yard, located in Toronto, Ontario was once a blank canvas. The homeowners wanted the space to have a clean, contemporary and comfortable feel to it. They needed to make good use of the space in order to keep it airy and uncluttered. The entire yard is low maintenance, using simple plantings and artificial grass.

No fuss, no muss!

t space for quiet the littles‌or to and read a book

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LET’S LANDSCAPE TOGETHER paying it forward

BY LORI SWEEZEY – DUNDAS, ON

A

fter we reach a particular point in our lives, milestones have an odd effect on us. We are growing older…hopefully wiser and we begin to reflect on our lives and the things that we’ve accomplished in our short time here.

We find ourselves trying to assign meaning to our lives, our relationships and our work. We are driven to find the inherent value in all of these things and a few more. The things that were important to us back in the day have changed with years of experience, and a few bumps and bruises along the way.

We all want to make a difference in a good way. We want to know that, at the end of the day, we’ve made a positive difference in someone else’s life. We can only be inside of ourselves for so long before that feeling overwhelms us. The trick is to know when its time to take that step… outside of yourself, and do something really meaningful for the greater good.

This April, Mike and Noreen Haunton, owners of Let’s Landscape Together, in Burlington, Ontario, are celebrating their 20th anniversary in the business.

Although they have always been active in giving back to the community in a variety of ways, they decided to take a step back, and consider an act of kind kindness that would really make a difference in someone’s life…in a very organic and honest way. In a way that allows people in the community to maintain and nurture the only human emotion that really mat matters…connection.

Without connection, who are we?

Canadian winters can be brutal and unforgiving, and they can be the cause of much distress for a population that expe experiences challenges even on the brightest days of winter. The elderly, people with physical challenges or severe health issues, veterans…there is no shortage of people who could use a helping hand. Enter Let’s Landscape Together.

Beginning in the fall of 2017 Let’s Land Landscape Together will choose twenty people from the community who would benefit from a season of snow removal at their homes. Family, friends or other commu community services will nominate these people, and they will be chosen based on the se severity of their needs.

“In regards to giving back, I believe that this is the most effective and practical way to make a difference. Instead of a front yard makeover for one home owner, this will have a greater positive impact on a greater number of people who could real really use the help,” says Haunton. “People die trying to clear snow! Some can’t get out for doctors appointments, or to get gro groceries, or to visit and connect with family or friends. We really believe that this holds more value.

Of course, the Haunton’s are creating a call to action, and challenging all land landscaping/maintenance companies from around the country, to pay it forward and help Canadians do what we do best…cre best…create connection.

HAPPY 20TH ANNIVERSARY LET’S LANDSCAPE TOGETHER!

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GREENSTRIKE

MINUS THE MOSQUITOES With Mosquito season quickly approaching, there has been a lot of attention in the media on the spread of disease from these summer pests. Unfortunately, West Nile Virus and now the Zika Virus have Canadians looking for ways to have a relatively mosquito free season.

With new studies and information emerging from such organizations as the American Mosquito Patrol Association, we are gaining more insight into the life of the mosquito so that we are better at avoiding their bites.

Unfortunately, when it comes to your favourite outdoor pleasures, consuming beer and fatty meats increases the likelihood of being bitten. Beer drinkers have higher levels of ethanol in their sweat, which attracts the female mosquito. Eating meats with lots of saturated fats increases the uric acid in your system…turning you into a tasty treat. So how do you avoid being bitten and still enjoy the summer barbecuing in the backyard?

Avoid dusk and dawn. These are times when a mosquito is most active.

A hungry female mosquito can travel 2 kms in search of her next meal, which she uses to help produce up to 300 eggs.

In her lifetime, she can lay 3000 eggs.

Only the female mosquito bites.

Deet sprays are the most effective repellant however; lemon eucalyptus oil is also an effective spray when used liberally.

Choose long, skin covering outfits to protect arms and legs.

Stay in areas with mosquito netting or screens.

When it comes to technology, bug zappers have been the choice of many throughout the years. However, new studies have shown that these zappers also destroy helpful insect populations. One product is showing amazing results in stopping the cycle. GreenStrike Mosquito Preventer is the first mosquito trap to create an optimum setting and lure the female mosquito to the very place you need her to lay her eggs. This system cycles the ‘pond-like’ water through a filter, trapping the eggs and larvae and preventing them from reaching maturity. In a backyard setting, the Mosquito Preventer can reduce a population by 70% in just a few months.

This summer, make sure to keep your family safe in your outdoor spaces!

Available at Home Hardware Stores Limited, Canadian Tire, Ace Hardware and Amazon.ca.

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Featuring

ZERO HATCH TECHNOLOGY

ZEN SPACE REST, RELAX, REJUVenate This space, designed by John Bos Landscaping, of Smithville, Ontario, is the perfect place to meditate and clear your head of the accumulating insanity of daily life.

Elegant simplicity, clean lines and neutral colours create a zen-like atmosphere where you can surrender yourself to the peace and tranquility of your very own sanctuary.

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Do it Yourself?

HANDMADE SEEDING POTS

BY LORI SWEEZEY – DUNDAS, ON

How to

DIY

WHY NOT!

You’re a capable and crafty human being. You can do anything you want!

Pinterest is your bible and you’ve nailed every project you’ve tried. Or not!

For our inaugural DIY project, we thought we’d start with something super easy and useful. Something that will help you to get your amazing garden started this spring.

You know…that luscious garden that you saw on Pinterest!!

What you will need: Newspaper, Tin cans - of desired size, Tape - masking or scotch, Soil & Seeds.

1 Fold paper into thirds to match the height of the can, allowing for enough paper to fold underneath. Roll the can in order to wrap the newspaper around it.

2 Secure the seam with a piece of tape.

3 Fold the ends of the paper inwards onto the bottom of the can and tape it.

4 Slide the tin can out of the paper.

Fill it with quality soil.

5 Plant your seeds…..water.

Watch your seeds become wonderful, healthy plants and drop the entire paper pot into the ground once the threat of frost has passed. Remove the tape…it’s not biodegradable! www.dabblesandbabbles.com

design district

BACKYARD SUMMER PARTY MUST HAVES!

STAINLESS STEEL PALM TREES Handcrafted stainless steel ornamental palm trees will help you create your own oasis. steelcitypalmtrees.com

PORTABLE BBQ SUITCASE This versatile portable charcoal grill is a great way to grill your food wherever you are. Just unfold the case and follow the simple instructions and you’ll be cooking in no time! Grill can accommodate cooking for 2 people. kikkerland.com

MARGARITAVILLE® KEY WEST™ FROZEN CONCOCTION MAKER Perfectly blended frozen concoctions are now being served. Throw some ice in the reservoir, add liquor and mixer to the jar and blast off to paradise. canadiantire.ca

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INFLATABLE WHITE SWAN POOL FLOAT You’ve seen a white swan float but you’ve never seen the FUNBOY white swan pool toy. Featuring sleek lines and a six foot base, FUNBOY redefines the white swan and luxury pool floats. funboy.com

SENNEVILLE

A Sense of Serene Elegance.

Without a doubt, this residence required a landscape design plan that was every bit as grand as the home itself, without being too pretentious. Plantenance Landscape Group of Montreal, QC, managed to give this backyard a sense of classic elegance by using clean, understated lines in the design/build process. The grass joints add warmth and depth to the poolside lounge area, while the infinity pool draws the eye to the lake beyond the property. A gorgeous space in which to entertain friends or enjoy some time with family. Wonderful work Plantenance!

Rendered concept sketches by Graham Morgan. Photos by plantenance.com

create

design district

WILDEN

Synergy Landscape Design Ltd. began working with this client in the initial stages of the design process. The objective was to incorporate the outside garden and pool area seamlessly with the home.

All windows in the home run floor to ceiling, allowing for a stunning view of the lake just beyond the infinity edged hot tub.

The visual of the pool from any angle in the yard is spectacular.

The design is clean and contemporary and the effect is pure tranquility.

The added fire element, for cooler evenings, is the perfect area for gathering with friends or relaxing alone with a great book and a glass of wine!Â

Rendered concept sketches by Synergy Landscape Design Ltd. Photos by Brenda Richardson

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living district

#jannsroad JANN ARDEN | HEALING THROUGH NATURE

BY TIM ZWART – ACTON, ON

They say that time can heal all things. That the very concept of distance and space can right any wrong or mend any wound, restoring joy to even the most sorrow-filled broken heart. ‘Patience’ is the token advice given to those who have gone through the failings of a relationship, have under performed at critical moments in their lives, or have lost a friend or loved one. None of these are easy things to deal with, and they all bring with them a pain that is deep, raw and real.

Though it may not seem like it on the surface, Canadian music icon, Jann Arden knows these feelings all too well. Considered by some to be the closest person to Canadian royalty today, this native Calgarian has seen it all throughout her long, storied career. With more than three decades of experience in the music industry under her belt, countless awards, and a star adorning Canada’s Walk of Fame on her resume, Arden is the poster child for success and a life fulfilled. There is one thing that she values above all other things: the tranquility and healing power of the great outdoors.

During her humble beginnings, a seed was planted in her mind that has blossomed into a lifelong appreciation and admiration for nature. Whether it be farming and harvesting her own vegetables and herbs, spending an afternoon atop her new personal tractor, or simply walking along her property and neighbourhood, Arden lives and breathes the essence of the outdoor lifestyle.

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For her, there truly is no place like home. After spending an average of two hundred or more days per year on the road touring, her sanctuary can be found in the same place it has always existed for her— her own backyard.

Recently, Arden came to the conclusion that the only thing that truly matters in this world is Midi, her puppy (of social media fame) and being happy. It’s about how you live each day--with resolve, with purpose, with bravery, and without apprehension or hesitation. It was this revelation that ultimately landed her every child’s dream… Canada’s coolest and most functional tree house. Built on the other end of a custom suspension bridge that leads straight from her bedroom, this bad boy has everything your inner child could possibly imagine. It’s waterproof, sturdy, has electricity and WI-FI, and can be visited in a matter of seconds without fear of catching poison ivy (or so she assures me). It is her refuge and hideaway, her office and studio, her temple and her lighthouse, when the storm of life seems close to smashing her on the rocks of a jagged reality.

Like anybody else, Arden has had many amazing moments and her fair share of hardships. For every peak she has conquered, there is a valley she has fallen into as well. Both of her parents had been battling the effects of Alzheimers for several years, and her father passed away on August 31 of last year (on her mother’s 79th birthday). “My mother still talks about him almost every day,” she says, “she even dresses the dogs up in some of his old sweaters when we go for walks.” And this, as melancholy and bittersweet as it seems, is where the impact of her life in the outdoors truly finds purpose. “There is just something about being in the outdoors, (in nature and the fresh air) that seems almost therapeutic to me. Midi and I like to walk with Mom and her dogs as often as we can, exploring the trails and back roads… it’s truly remarkable. Something about the combination of it all is very healing for Mom, and for those moments when we are outside, it seems like she is ‘normal’ again.

Like I have her back, you know?”

Arden has, rather bravely and stoically, allowed us a glimpse into her life in a way that very few celebrities seem willing to do. Like her music, she attacks you with a truth that is genuine and real. She has a fresh and inviting way of opening herself up to her fans, and the world in general. A conversation with her runs the full gamut of topical discussion. We talk about love, children and family; we talk about politics, guns and religion.

We talk about charity, giving back and remaining humble. How does she stay grounded after having been blessed with so much, you might ask? Well, to her it is simple: “I never forget who buys my toilet paper,” she smiles. Oh that smile!

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Wet Your Whistle

BY SARAH PENNEY, ND – HAMILTON, ON

There are a lot of reasons to increase your fluid intake during the summer months. We tend to be more physically active, which can lead to more liquid lost through sweat. Proper hydration can prevent issues like muscle cramping and headaches, and can also help us with bloating after those summer barbeques where we tend to consume too much salt. Signs of dehydration can include low energy, dizziness, headache, and dry skin or lips. But what should you choose to drink if you are tired of water? Here are my top 5 tips to keep yourself hydrated this summer in a healthy way:

1

FLAVOURED WATER

Getting bored with plain H2O? Don’t be afraid to add a fun flavour, but make it at home! There are lots of ways to add a bit of pep to your glass without buying premade products that can be high in sugar and additives. Vitamin water is a popular flavoured choice that can pack 30g of sugar, which can have an impact on your waistline over time if you are not active enough to help your muscles use it as energy. Consider adding basil and strawberries, or pineappineap ple and cherries, or even simply cucumber for a fresh crisp taste to your drink.

2

HERBAL TEA

Teas that are not green, black or white are often referred to as ‘herbal’ teas – for example, peppermint or chamomile.

They are all caffeine-free and can provide some hydration variety at any time of the year. It is easy to make iced tea out of herbal teas for a healthy summer treat: simply brew any herbal tea in a large pitcher, with honey or maple syrup if desired. Cool before serving and enjoy over ice.

3

COCONUT WATER

You have probably seen this drink popping up everywhere from grocery aisles to convenience stores, being sold as a healthy hydration option.

Coconut water is less sweet than most sport drinks and contains fewer calories. It also has high levels of potassium that may be beneficial for athletes. It is not significantly superior to water when it comes to basic hydration for most people who participate in mild to moderate exercise, but it is another option for variety.

4

FRUITS AND VEGGIES

Although not technically a drink, plant foods contain water to help with your daily intake too! Try to avoid fruit juices that provide more concentrated sugars and don’t offer you the fiber that is found when you eat the whole food. Cucumbers, celery, melons and citrus fruits like oranges or grapefruits are a few examples of foods that contain higher amounts of water that you can incorporate into your diet.

5

CARBONATED WATER

These bubbly drinks can be a good option for hydration when you are at a party or craving pop! Despite the fizz, sparkling water is just as helpful for rehydration as water is. Monitor the amount of extra ingredients and sugar in flavoured store-bought drinks, as this may vary between products. Don’t be afraid to flavour your own carbonated water with any of the tips above.

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BALANCING ACT

BY PATRICK DIXON – TORONTO, ON

I

f you have been lucky enough to encounter the world of rock balancing prior to picking up this magazine, chances are you experienced a feeling of confusion mixed with amazement. If you have yet to experience this brain-tickling brand of natural art, then you, my friend, are in for a treat. Rock balancing is an art form that is as intriguing to grasp, as it is to witness.

Those who are inclined to create these beautiful organic structures possess a considerable amount of creative ingenuity, poise, and natural form. Their structures leave a distinct impression that is like no other art form: manmade creations that appear to spring up as a part of the natural landscape.

Vancouver’s John Shaver and Montreal born Peter Riedel are two talented artists who create these stunning natural monuments. The only binding agent affixing their sculptures is the force of gravity. In fact, the most frequently asked question that both Riedel and Shaver have to answer is: “Are the rocks glued?” The answer is an emphatic, yet awe-inspiring, “No.”

“Just gravity, balance, and that invisible spine running down the centre,” Riedel explains. “Perplexing people with how I balance stones is very satisfying. Skeptics are left with their jaws hanging open. Structural and aerospace engineers, physicists, construction workers, science teachers and stone masons alike, stop in their tracks and are dumbfounded as to how I am able to do this.”

John Shaver grew up in a “low income household as a child of the hippy generation.” He was encouraged to explore a variety of creative pursuits. Experimenting with different mediums led him to rock balancing, where he could combine naturally occurring materials into temporary installations that visually merge back into the earth from whence they came. He currently practices his art in Vancouver’s West End. “I am a local artist and proud of it.” Shaver has endeared himself to the locals, earning the nickname The Stone Whisperer.

Peter Riedel’s journey, on the other hand, involved a substantial amount of globetrotting. Riedel draws inspiration from the breathtaking natural landscapes of Norway, Morocco, England, and Germany. This Toronto based, part-time photographer and full-time artist describes his first foray into rock balancing as, “something that kept me grounded and calm during a difficult and tumultuous time in my life.”

Shaver and Riedel share more than their love for creating art from the elements. A major source of inspiration for both of these two men came from artists on the scenic coastline of Vancouver’s Stanley Park, where rock balancing feats were a hit with locals and tourists alike.

“I asked one of the artists why he does this work, and his reply has stuck with me all these years. The older I get, the more I think back to it. He said, ‘To remind me that anything is still possible!’ I kept replaying what he had done and what he had said. Then, I figured it out,” Shaver explains.

At the other end of the country, on the shores of Lake Ontario, Riedel has been demonstrating the harmonious yet delicate balance that we, as a species, share with our planet. His earthen monuments are symbolic of the indelible, yet fleeting nature of life. While the firm hand of gravity roots his structures to the ground, unpredictable external forces could bring them toppling down at any moment. “For me rock balancing has truly been therapeutic. It sort of rests my frequencies. I’m peaceful, calm, and totally in the now,” says Riedel.

Both men create with the same medium, coincidentally inspired by the same place, but have separate messages behind their art. Shaver revels in the showmanship and seeming impossibility of balancing the elements. Riedel seeks to achieve inner calm and comment on the fragile oneness of those same elements. One thing can certainly be agreed upon; both of these uniquely gifted artists believe that the true satisfaction of rock balancing can be found in that brief, shining moment when so many mismatched rocks are unified into one perfectly coordinated structure. The moment doesn’t last forever, but that little window of perfection frozen in time is truly a spectacle to behold.

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Our new series offers feature-rich outdoor kitchen equipment that will last a lifetime, all in an elegant, timeless style.

living district

How TO

CHOOSE A PRO TO AVOID A CON

BY GLENN CURTIS – MONTREAL, QC

HOW TO PAINLESSLY EVALUATE THE BEST LANDSCAPE PROFESSIONAL FOR YOUR PROJECT. You shouldn’t need a passport to escape to your favourite place in the world.

You deserve a resort-like getaway, just steps from your door. Now your happiness hinges on the answer to one simple question: how do I choose the right landscape professional for my project?

The answer is a multifaceted one, made more complex by the fact that most homeowners don’t intuitively understand all the elements, effort, and steps involved in the creation of a professionally crafted landscape. Though you will probably never meet someone who says, “I want to buy a car for the right price and it doesn’t matter what brand, condition, or who sells it to me,” plenty of property owners essentially do just that when choosing a landscaping contractor. As with the car metaphor, you invite trouble if you focus on the chassis without duly considering what’s under the hood; the craftsmanship; service and warranties that ensure long-term value and distinguish a savvy purchase from a total lemon.

The first step is defining the general scope of your project. Smaller jobs demand different levels of expertise and resources than turnkey design-and-build projects. Comparing your landscaping to home renovations for a moment, the general contractor you use to change your door handles may not be the one you trust to renovate an entire floor. If you are considering significant upgrades to your landscape, it helps to understand these fundamental truths:

A well planned and executed landscape is an investment and your choice of contractor will greatly impact the return and value you derive from it.

Landscaping is not a piecemeal process of “building a patio here and a tree there”- it is about first defining your desired lifestyle and then tailoring a well balanced, cohesive environment that enhances it.

Lastly, landscaping demands expertise in the areas of design, construction, and usually horticulture just to name a few, and a great project realizes synergy across these disciplines.

How can you tell if you’re dealing with a pro? Usually just by asking a few questions. How long have they been in business? What landscapes have they created similar to what you want? Can you see their portfolio? Will they do the entire job with their own staff or subcontract parts out? Do they provide a written contract with guarantees on service, quality and materials? Can they give a list of references? What landscape industry certifications or training do they have? What are their horticultural competencies? Do they have liability insurance so that you cannot be held liable for injuries or damages to your property? Do they intend to do all proposed work in accordance with landscaping standards? When will the work start and finish? Will they obtain all the required permits? Pose these queries to different suppliers and you will see that not all landscapers are alike.

For peace of mind, choose a landscaper that is certified by provincial industry associations such as Landscape Ontario and the APPQ in Quebec. They eliminate uncertainty by rigorously prescreening their members for proof of financial stability and solvency, minimum levels of experience, completion of mandatory training and more. They also ensure that members comply with contractual standards, a code of ethics and mediation services that give you recourse in the event that promises are not fulfilled.

Finally, understand that quality has a price. The assurances given by less-than-professional contractors who compete primarily on low pricing are often offset by poor quality work, inconvenience, lack of professionalism, and costly repairs. Sadly, we have all heard stories of the contractor with no place of business, a truck with a frequently changing company name and the promise to build something you will love without a contract or a design. The last thing you need is someone who starts as many jobs as possible to secure payments before inevitably pushing back delivery dates. Though everyone appreciates a deal, look beyond the first price quoted and consider the real long-term cost, value, and return on your landscaping investment.

When you work with a true professional, landscaping is an invigorating, transformational experience. It creates an inspired outdoor living space that will enrich your lifestyle and boost the value of your property for years to come. Asking the right questions will lead to informed and confident choices that can make the difference between admiring a beautiful landscape investment and simply looking back with regret.

Glenn Curtis is the President of Plantenance Landscape Group, an award-winning team of landscape designers, craftsmen and horticulturists that have been transforming the ordinary into extraordinary outdoor escapes throughout Montreal and surrounding areas for more than 30 years | www.plantenance.com

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WHITE MORTAR...

ISN’T JUST WHITE MORTAR RON WILKOVesky

Red Seal Certified Brick and Stone Mason

A

nyone who owns a historic home knows the importance of proper maintenance. Whether your home is brick or stone, the maintenance of the exterior can be a daunting experience. Over the years, education on what we should do when there’s a problem has evolved. However, it’s widely accepted that the use of traditional materials and procedures worked when our ancestors built homes, and the proof is in the preservation of historical sites today.

If your home was built prior to 1930, it’s likely a solid masonry structure, which means that the joints in the brick or stone are there not only to hold the units and house together, but also to keep moisture out of your home. If we cover them up or use the wrong materials, we risk trapping moisture and deteriorating that beautiful façade we depend on for curb appeal.

Simple maintenance can ensure the proper function of these walls and ensure a lasting beauty throughout the ownership of your home. When it’s time to restore the deteriorated bricks or repoint the joints, there are a few simple guidelines to ensure you are getting the right contractor and the best value. You should always inquire with the contractor to ensure that they have experience with other historic homes and are using lime mortars (the latter being the most relevant point).

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Lime mortar is the reason that century homes have stood the test of time.

Lime has attributes that no modern cement has, and allows your wall to breathe as it was designed to. Lime also has autogenous healing properties, so should the mortar suffer a slight fracture, it will likely close on its own over time. Lime mortar is also softer than brick or stone and allows for the inevitable movement of the wall without damaging the bricks or stones themselves.

These mortar joints will wear away over time and should only have to be restored every fifty to one hundred years. Bricks and stones in the wall should last decades longer.

Your contractor should also know how to mix and apply the material correctly. Joints to be restored should be removed and prepped with proper restoration tools, not the tools we buy at our local hardware store. They should also be installed with hand tools, texturing the joints to match the original design. Poor workmanship throughout many repairs of these walls can actually speed up deterioration. Proper restoration of the joints on a historic home will be more labour intensive and costly than a modern home, but will certainly endure the test of time. Talented masons can also use techniques when repointing to make that brickwork or stonework stand out and create that timeless beauty that was originally intended.

The key to maintaining the historical and monetary value of your century home is through the careful and well researched selection of materials, and a qualified contractor who specializes in this type of workmanship and restoration.

“The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten.”

- Benjamin Franklin

Heritage Brick & Stone - We Don’t Repair Masonry, We Restore It. Our experienced tradesmen, through traditional craftsmanship, will bring your building or home back to its original lustre.

We specialize in the art of heritage conservation, preservation, and restoration. heritagebrickandstone.com

living district

ANNA OLSON SIX DEGREES OF CONNECTION

BY BRIE JARRETT – DUNDAS, ON

Celebrity Chef Anna Olson is all about connection. It’s entwined in the stories she articulates, that are layered with subtle nuances. She tells the story, for instance, of how she came to be one of the most recognized and celebrated chefs in Canada. “I was really in the right place at the right time,” she says matter-of-factly. True, because when Food Network Canada first launched and was headhunting potential talent, Chef Olson flashed on their radar with, Inn on the Twenty, a book she had co-authored with her husband Chef Michael Olson.

This, combined with the local cooking classes that she was teaching, gave her the experience necessary for the network to take a gamble on her— and that gamble paid off. For well over a decade now, she has proven her worth, having hosted ground-breaking shows such as Sugar, Kitchen Equipped, Fresh with Anna Olson and currently, Bake with Anna Olson. This coming year is full of television projects, both new and treasured. In addition, she has authored a plethora of books, several of which are co-authored with her husband, who currently teaches at Niagara College.

However, Olson’s story began long before that. Years ago, based on the recommendation of a friend, her (Professor of Arts) father brought Olson to the quaint town of Jordan, Ontario to view the art displayed at Inn on the Twenty restaurant. However, the only artistry Olson appreciated that day was on a plate. It was fascinating to her that each dish was named after the (local) towns from which the ingredients had been sourced. This hailed back to her culinary schooling days when she became fascinated with chefs like Alice Waters of Chez Panisse in California, who pioneered regional cooking and locally sourced foods. This was in direct contrast to the exotically combined foods piled as high as possible on the plate: a style predominant at that time. Olson loved that Inn on the Twenty was committed

to regional cooking, and she had the feeling of “coming home” when she was there, so she applied to become the Inn’s pastry chef. When it was time for the interview, Chef Michael Olson was running late and missed the interview completely. Feeling dejected, Anna was just about to climb into her car, when serendipitously he arrived and called to her from the parking lot. As they say, “the rest is history.”

They would go on to become a cohesive team in the kitchen and a few years later they’d find that same symmetry in their personal lives when they married.

After several years as a pastry chef at the Inn, Olson began to feel that something was missing. For her, creating food was also about connection and sharing, as she had experienced in her childhood with her eastern European grandmother during countless hours of cooking and baking. The solitary hours as a pastry chef gave her little connection or feedback from the guests and left her wondering whether people were enjoying or even understanding what she was crafting.

“I’ve learned that you don’t regret the things you’ve tried and failed at. You learn this when you develop and write recipes,” Olson says.

“You regret the things you don’t even try in the first place!”

It’s clear that her illustrious career is not based on luck, but rather the six degrees of connection of her inner and outer life. There is definitely more to Olson than meets the eye. “I keep challenging myself because I never want to stop learning,” she says. Asking “how can I make my work a little bit better or easier?” is how she approaches her work. Olson’s calm, collected demeanour and her commitment to using locally sourced foods, has helped many others to gain the confidence and knowhow to bake, cook, and dare to take it to the next level. When asked what she loves most about her career, she told us that the connection with her fans is most rewarding.

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OLm: What has been the guiding force in your life?

AO: Constantly maintaining respect. In cooking, that

means respecting the ingredients and how to treat them, respecting the technique, as well as ultimately respecting the people you are cooking for. But doesn’t that really apply to everything?

OLM: What advice would you give to a novice baker?

AO: First, you don’t need tons of fancy toys. A good cut-

ting board and a good knife are essential. Realize that it takes patience and time. Cooking and baking are skills just like anything else; it doesn’t happen right away.

Also, taste what you make! A novice mistake is to bring to the table something you haven’t tasted.

OLM: How can we bring more locally grown foods into

our grocery stores?

AO:

Research what’s in your area that’s worthy and available and make the effort to source that product.

Develop relationships with local growers and markets and ask your local supplier or grocer to bring it in. Insist on it. Realize you do have a choice.

OLM: How do you give back to the community?

AO: It’s good to be mindful that not everyone can make

that decision to pay more for locally sourced food. Someone may buy inexpensive food to be able to afford other things and so I am a big supporter of donating to Food Banks. It’s not just about pasta and sauce, but also thinking about the importance of storable vegetables such as onions, potatoes, cabbages and apples, which we all need for good nutrition. Food drives can be held at markets where you can donate baskets of fresh food.

OLM: What is a typical day for you?

AO: There is no typical day and that’s what I love: not

This is an English version of strawberry shortcake. A light sponge cake is layered with rich whipped cream, strawberries, and stirred with jam giving it that elegant, composed look. It’s perfect for high tea!

Makes 1 9-inch cake | Serves 10 to 12

SPONGE CAKE: 6 1c 1 tbsp 1 tsp 1c ¼ tsp 2 tbsp 1 tsp

large eggs at room temperature sugar lemon juice finely grated lemon zest all-purpose flour salt unsalted butter, melted vanilla extract

CREAM & BERRIES:

1½ c whipping cream ½ pkg (125 g) cream cheese at room temperature 1/3 c sugar ½ tsp lemon zest 2 tbsp lemon juice 1 tsp vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste 1 qt fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced 1/3 c strawberry jam & icing sugar, for dusting Preheat the oven to 325 F. Line the bottom of a 9-inch spring form pan with parchment paper, but do not grease the pan.

having a fixed schedule. Some days I may be recipe testing, making calls, or developing recipes. Every day is different.

Whip the eggs and sugar on high speed until they are almost white in colour, more than triple in volume, and hold a ribbon when the beaters are lifted, about 5 minutes. On medium speed, add the zest and juice.

OLM: What three things do you need to do every day?

AO: Regular exercise. Michael and I like to walk

Sift the flour and salt, and, still on medium speed, add the flour. Spoon a cup of the batter into a bowl, and then stir in the melted butter and vanilla. Add this all back to the full batter and stir until blended. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for about 40 minutes, until the centre of the cake springs back when gently pressed. Cool the cake completely in the pan.

every morning. It helps clear the head. Two cups of coffee (minimum) in the morning, and a hot bath at night.

For more information on Anna Olson visit annaolson.ca or follow her on Twitter @olson_anna

Whip the cream until it holds a soft peak when the beaters are lifted. In a separate bowl, beat the cream cheese to soften, and beat in the sugar, lemon juice and vanilla or vanilla bean paste. Fold in the whipped cream in 2 additions. Chill until ready to assemble.

When ready to assemble the cake, stir the berries with the jam to coat. Run a palette knife around the inside edge of the cake pan to loosen it, then remove it from the pan and peel off the parchment paper. Slice the cake in half horizontally. Spread half of the cream over the cake and top with half of the berries. Place the top of the cake over the berries, and top this with the remaining cream and berries, leaving an inch or two of the cake exposed around the outside edge. Dust this edge with icing sugar and chill until ready to serve.

The cake can be assembled up to 4 hours in advance.

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PATIO FARE

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ST COA WE S

ST OA

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LOTUS LAND

WE S

BY DOMINIC BROWN – VANCOUVER, BC

VANCOUVER,

Let me tell you a secret.

Well, not exactly a secret—not secret in the European way; a tiny bistro in an old city alley. Not secret in the way a “meTHE DOCKSIDE dina” can conceal a whole neighbourhood behind one inconspicuous door.

But the fun kind of secret—something savvy travellers know about, but plenty of locals don’t.

The Dockside Restaurant occupies the eastern tip of Granville Island, Vancouver’s best-known tourist magnet and shopping Mecca.

The crowds and bustle, though, are all at one end of the island—walk that extra block east, and you find the quietly luxurious Granville Island Hotel, in what was once an industrial building. Through the elegant lobby, out the other side, and the view hits you—water, city, mountains, sky. Amazing.

The indoor restaurant is wonderful, but the patio is the real attraction—there’s a permanent gazebo (in case the sky darkens), a fireplace lounge and a nook facing the morning sun. This is not the usual wobbly-tables-and-umbrellas affair, but a spectacle both urban and natural. Wedding parties, live jazz at Sunday brunch—this place is something special.

On a nice day there may be 500 patrons—a few from the small hotel and many more visitors who’ve made the restaurant a destination.

There are local regulars, but many Vancouverites don’t even know the place exists, which means you can surprise your local friends with a visit there. Nothing quite so satisfying as showing a proud resident of ‘Lotus Land’ that they don’t know their own city as well as they’d thought.

It’s two blocks to Fishermen’s Wharf, so the focus is naturally on seafood—sustainable, Ocean Wise certified seafood. Featured dishes start with the day’s best fresh catch, and chef Victor Jicento creates new variations of mussels daily. I tried their signature Asian-inspired chili squid platter. Crisp batter, tender squid, garlicky dip and enough heat to tell me that the chef doesn’t pull any punches. One bite, and I knew the rest of the meal was going to be a treat.

The Dockside also has a “forno” for pizzas, grilled chicken, and roasted prime rib. They bake their own bread, and make their own pastry from scratch—a rare level of integrity and commitment. British Columbia has excellent microbreweries, and any decent restaurant offers high-grade ales these days. Not many go so far as to brew eight or nine different beer, specifically to complement their seasonal menus.

The Dockside has won the Georgia Straight’s Golden Plate Award for ‘Best Patio’ in Vancouver for five years running, yet somehow remains under the radar of many locals.

So now you know…go enjoy!

BRITISH COLUMBIA

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PARISIAN INSPIRATION

CE N

AL TR

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PATIO FARE

CENT R

BY CANDICE KLEIN – WATERDOWN, ON

TORONTO,

ONTARIO

COLETTE GRAND CAFE Colette Grand Café, an outstanding Parisian inspired restaurant was born in July 2014, and founders Steven Salm and Michael Kimel couldn’t be more proud. The outcome of a collaborative effort, Colette Grand Café was constructed in a modern setting, located on Wellington St. South, in Toronto, minutes away from one of the oldest parks in the city. Outdoor Lifestyle Magazine had the privilege of speaking with Salm, founder of Chase Hospitality Group, an all-encompassing chain under which Colette is managed. Born and raised in New York, Salm has been passionate about pursuing a career in the hospitality industry from a young age.

He was formally educated in Washington, DC, at George Washington University, and he holds a degree in international business.

After graduating, he started his career at the Ritz-Carlton and moved on to work for the ever growing and dynamic restaurant group called BLT in New York. Later on, he would move to Toronto to join Maple Leaf and finally realized his dream of starting his own business where he could further explore unique restaurant concepts. Salm has been in the industry for twelve years, and through his efforts, has come to believe in the power of collaboration, community, and contribution. Chase Hospitality Group donates much of their time to local organizations such as Food Share and Second Harvest. Salm’s care for the restaurant and the community is evident in the way he expresses his fondness for making a difference and inspiring others.

A diverse team developed Colette Grand Café, including Salm’s mother, who had a hand in the interior design of the exquisite site. Inside, patrons will find a refreshing white, transformative space with four rooms dedicated to catering formal events, business meetings, as well as romantic dining experiences. This versatile space is warm and inviting, and provides a lively atmosphere for many types of occasions. In addition to the design of Colette Grand Café, their stunning meals are something to be marveled at.

Their menu items range from a simple yet delectable butter croissant to signature dish86 I OUTDOORLIFESTYLEMAGAZINE.COM

es such as a goat cheese soufflé or creole chicken, which have been on the menu since their opening. Guests are kept happy with Colette’s lunch buffet, when the bar is transformed into a charming food station that includes a waffle station, roasted lamb, salmon, and a wide variety of soup and salads.

The outdoor patio is similar to a Parisian street café, with bistro-style granite furniture, a beautiful, white curtain wall, a magnificent pavilion with lush ivy, and fresh herbs that create an ambience similar to what guests would experience in the south of France. The patio offers a more casual and simplistic dining affair than that of the indoor dining area. Patrons can enjoy the outdoor grill station, complemented by freshly shucked oysters and amazing rotisserie items, all while taking in the stunning scenery in the heart of Toronto.

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PATIO FARE

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T COAST AS

BY CEDRIC LIZOTTE – MONTREAL, QC

MONTREAL,

QUEBEC

LA COUPOLE

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VISIONS IN MODULAR OUTDOOR KITCHEN DESIGN INNOVATION LYNN GANO – CREATIVE BRAND MANAGER, SIERRA OUTDOOR DESIGNS

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veryone loves to feel like they have some creative input and a bit of a hand in the creation of their own backyard entertainment space. This may just be your solution. Contractors, designers and homeowners alike, are going to benefit from this amazing new line of products.

Sierra Outdoor Designs from Cardinal Systems, Inc. changes the playing field for outdoor living options with a sleek design that invites you and your family to expand your living quarters into the outdoors. Designers have created a streamlined system of component pieces that allow you to entertain with flair.

Utilizing marine grade, stainless steel construction materials and the highest quality faux stone facade, the Sierra Outdoor line provides attractive cabinetry options that deliver both functionality and style.

Standardization of the modular components helps you to create your own configuration…one that suits your lifestyle. Elegance in design, innovative materials and streamlined construction methods marry together to make planning and installation a smooth and stress free process.

The components are shipped in packaging that lays flat, thereby reducing freight costs and helping control final costs for both intermediate suppliers and end-of-sale customers and allows for simple storage in any store or warehouse. Fewer pieces to assemble will save time…and we all know that time is money!

The cabinetry is designed to give the consumer their choice of custom finish on the sides and back of the units. Sierra offers two colour choices in faux, stacked stone (brown or grey) or 316 marine-grade stainless steel. The system is built so you can change the look at any time by (easily) sliding out the existing side or back panel and replacing it with a new one. The entire system can also be disassembled for storage or for moving to a new location, depending on the type of counter top used.

The Sierra Outdoor Designs line is constructed with standardized units or dimensions for flexibility and variety…you use the cabinetry configuration that suits you. Choose your bar, your grill, your sink and your base cabinets based on your needs, your design sense and your budget.

Sierra Outdoor Designs give you the freedom to awaken your inner designer. Create a backyard that dreams are made of! You provide the dream… we’ll provide all of the pieces required to turn your vision into reality. Let your imagination soar.

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living district

BREW & CHEW

BY RENALDO AMOTA – THOROLD, ON

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he moment you step inside the Arts and Science Brewery you are met with an artistic and minimalist vibe. It is exactly what you would expect out of a fairly new start-up company forged by two forward thinking and community-minded powerhouses. However, my mother taught me that looks can be deceiving and as usual, mom is right. The reception area was simple, yet the feel of the establishment was anything but. This building was a living, breathing entity. It completely embodied the bright and jovial demeanour of its employees and the vibrant culture of the city that it inhabits. It was truly alive.

Talk about first impressions!

Located in the former Lakeport plant in Hamilton, Ontario, the 40,000 square foot space is now home to the Collective Arts and Nickel Brook Brewery, whose mantra is “The Miracle of Science.” Thus the Arts and Science Brewery was born: a truly unique setup and a clear testament to the presence of both disciplines in the craft brewing process.

The atmosphere of the brewery only scratches the surface of what an establishment like this can offer to its consumer, city, and the face of local business itself. My time with John Romano, co-owner of Arts and Science and owner of the Nickel Brook Brewery, (named after Nicholas and Brooke, his two children) was a remarkable experience.

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His hospitable character and enticing sense of humour resonated throughout the entire building, as well as its staff. We could not walk into a room without being greeted by a smile (and the tantalizing scent of freshly brewed beer)!

However, Arts and Science is not just another pretty brewery!

As a business determined to give back to its community, Arts and Science donates a fair share of their time and money to charitable causes. “We have rooms dedicated to our honour” he says nonchalantly. I jolt and frantically scramble for my pen. “Is there any way you could repeat that for me?” I ask. “Absolutely.” He goes on to list a few places the Brewery is involved with. Joseph Brant Memorial Hospital, Ronald McDonald House, McMaster, the list seemed practically endless. Altruism and philanthropy are not just side projects for the brewery, they are apparent in their core values as a business.

“But what about the beer?” you ask. Well, that’s the best part!

It is where the brewery shows its entrepreneurial flair and innovative thinking. We live in a time where people are becoming very conscious about what they are consuming. This is where the Brewery really starts to differentiate itself from their mega brewery counterparts. Arts and Science opted for complete transparency. Every ingredient is fresh, and even more importantly, it is listed from top to bottom. There is no guesswork involved and you know it’s the best quality. This is the kind of guarantee you can expect from a local business. I asked Romano what he could attribute the success of Arts and Science to. His response

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was simple: “Diversity.” From being the first in Ontario to make gluten-free beer, to making their very own root beer, you can tell the brewery is striving to stay at the forefront of innovation in the craft beer industry. They host a wide range of flavours from light to dark and everything in between. There truly is something for everyone to enjoy.

Arts and Science is not only looking to put craft beer on the map, but local businesses as well. Words are not necessary. I was able to get a pretty good idea of what drives the brewery simply by observing Romano’s passion as he gleefully explained the details of the 10,000 square-foot entertainment space. He hopes Arts and Science will host many community events, a slew of musicians, and a multitude of “Brew and Chew” (formerly wine and dine.) Romano’s dream to bring the community together and create a vibrant family in the midst of the bustling city has become a reality. The diversity of the patrons along with the atmosphere really gives the brewery the opportunity to showcase the “arts” side of Arts and Science. Creativity is a strong outlet for Romano and his team, which is demonstrated through their hand drawn labels and artist inspired beer flavours.

Community, charity, value and character: you would be hard pressed to find a reason not to support Arts and Science. Backing local business means saying yes to quality products made by quality people. So by all means go check out this awesome place or visit your local craft brewer. Drink responsibly and leave everything a little better than you found it. Cheers!

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OPENED IN THE SUMMER OF 2013, FOGO ISLAND INN IS PERCHED ON WHAT IS DESCRIBED AS ONE OF THE “FOUR CORNERS AT THE FARTHEST EDGE OF THE EARTH,” AND IS LOCATED OFF THE REMOTE NORTHEASTERN COAST OF NEWFOUNDLAND.

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FOGO ISLAND INN

BY BRYEN DUNN – TORONTO, ON

The farthest edge of the earth

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TRUE NORTH MUST SEE

BY BRYAN DUNN – TORONTO, ON

nce a thriving fishing village, Fogo Island is now becoming desolate, as residents have been forced to leave to seek employment elsewhere.

The Inn was a vision of Zita Cobb, who is a native to the island, and returned to her homeland after several years of successful business management in larger urban centers. Today the property employs approximately seventy staff members; the majority are from the island, and the island itself has become somewhat of an artist retreat. Todd Saunders, who was born in Gander, Newfoundland, is the architect behind the design of Fogo Island Inn. The Inn’s stilts draw on the longstanding building traditions of Newfoundland’s outports, and the exterior is adorned with local clapboards, providing flexibility and resilience in the face of extreme weather conditions. The wood finishing was derived from restored Newfoundland forests, consisting of yellow birch on the floors, with smooth-surfaced black spruce on the walls, ceilings, and around the exterior frame.

During the construction of the Inn, 42% of costs were spent on Fogo Island, 28% of the remaining funding was contributed to the rest of Newfoundland, 27% went to the rest of Canada, while the remaining 3% was contributed to other parts of the world. Since the opening of the Inn in 2013, 93% of the labour costs have been paid to residents of the island. Under no circumstances were materials purchased from jurisdictions that don’t have basic labour and environmental laws.

Stylistically, the interior of the Inn incorporates a contemporary style while maintaining traditional designs. Building on the legacy of local craft traditions, all furniture and textiles were handcrafted by local craftspeople in addition to using designs from a roster of international designers. From the locally sourced materials to the colour palette, furniture, wallpaper, and lighting fixtures, Fogo Island has been embodied in every sense.

Fisherman’s Hall, a nearby heritage site is currently being restored. It was built in 1909 and is home to the Fogo Island Shop, an online retail site where all interior furnishings and accessories found at the Inn can be purchased.

At the Fogo Island Inn, guests can find a bar lounge, a restaurant with a stunning waterfront view, a fitness centre, art gallery, library, and even a cinema. High above on the rooftop, visitors can also take advantage of a sauna and hot tub for relaxing beneath the starlit sky.

Room rates include all meals, refreshments, non-alcoholic beverages, and gratuities. Guests are strongly encouraged to explore this tiny island, and to take in the natural landscape, art galleries, and culture.

Three things guests should definitely experience on the island, beyond their stay at the Inn: Hotel Ambassador, Paddy Barry, offers his personal “not to be missed” recommendations.

A boat trip to Little Fogo Islands - an archipelago of almost one hundred tiny islands, five miles north of Fogo Island.

A hike along one of the fourteen trails maintained on Fogo Island. There are also many other trails off the beaten path.

An outdoor boil-up, which is a traditional brew of tea in the woods that is often prepared with a snack or a meal.

Two architectural highlights that guests should look for when staying at the Inn: The workmanship of the Inn is definitely an architectural highlight.

No part of the structure is pre-fabricated.

The structure of the inn is like a sculpture that melds the radically contemporary with the deeply traditional. Perhaps the most striking architectural highlight is the band of steel columns that support the eastern end of the inn, while only slightly altering the existing landscape.

Visit Fogo Island Inn at www.fogoislandinn.ca, and book your stay today.

Fogo Island Inn 2016 Conde Nast Traveler Gold List. 2015 PURE Award for Community Engagement. EnRoute Magazine 2015 Hotel Design Award - Best Overall Architecture. GoMedia 2015 Culinary Award. Trip Advisor 2015 Travellers’ Choice Award. Grand Award 2015 Hideaway of the Year.

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what’s trending in the

World of Pools

BY CHRIS GREGORY – HOLLAND LANDING, ON

There is alot to consider when discussing the advancements available today in the residential swimming pool market. I recently attended the annual International Pool & Spa Show in Las Vegas, NV, and was amazed at what’s new and trending. I realize that as a pool customer, the information available can become overwhelming. What options are best, most convenient, least expensive, healthy, and make sense for your backyard and lifestyle?

Important questions and food for thought when renovating or building your pool.

PEBBLE TEC CANADA

Whether you’re building a new pool or starting a pool remodeling project, Pebble Tec’s exposed pebble and glass bead finishes deliver elegance. Pebble Tec, Pebble Sheen, Pebble Fina, and Bead Crete brand pool finishes help create luxurious pools, spas, and water features. pebbletec.com

ecoFINISH

ecoFINISH is a pneumatically applied high-performance thermoplastic. To touch, this finish compares to a liner/fiberglass pool. ecoFINISH transforms new or remodeled pools and spas into a backyard showpiece. canadapoolcoating.com

POOLSIDE IN-WATER FURNITURE AND ACCESSORIES

Perfect for the Baja shelf or tanning ledge on your pool, Ledge Lounger furniture & accessories are must-see products. This in-water furniture is specially created to be in the water and under the sun. Many styles and colours are available. ledgeloungers.com

FIRE & WATER ELEMENTS

Adding fire and water features to your pool or outdoor living area can turn an ordinary space into something exceptional. Fire bowls, water bowls, or fire & water bowls are available in many sizes and shapes.

Check these out! pebbletec.com | bobewaterandfire.com

AUTOMATION

Having an automation system on your pool provides you with the ability to operate your pool and backyard features remotely, from your iPhone, iPad or Android. The operations include, but are not limited to: lighting (pool & landscape), chemical control, pumps, heaters (pool & patio), water features, fire features, timers, valve actuators, backwashing for sand filters, and night landscape lighting. This is possible when all of your backyard features are connected to an automation system. pentairpool.com

LESS CHEMICAL POOL WATER SANITATION

OZONE - Ozone, as a sanitation system, is common in European swimming pools and less common in North America. Ozone is effective in treating pool water, because it is a very strong oxidizer (stronger and faster acting than chlorine) and because it supplies oxygen to the water as a by-product. Ozone is pH neutral, making balancing of the swimming pool water easier, resulting in fewer adjustments of chemicals.

cwtozone.com

PROJECT IMAGES ONTO A POOL FLOOR

Coming soon – You will be able to project images, graphics, logos and even video clips onto your pool floor or pool wall.

Show pictures for backyard parties or watch a video clip! This is made possible via LED light combined with a projector.

NATURAL - Today every fifth new pool in Europe is a natural swimming pool, with owners being attracted to a chlorine-free, healthy environmental alternative to the chemically treated pools. This chemical free option began in 1984 with BIOTOP Natural Pool Inc. biotop-natural-pool.com

pentairpool.com

Want more information? Contact Chris at chris@eco-pools.ca 96 I OUTDOORLIFESTYLEMAGAZINE.COM

If you’ve been toying with the idea of building a swimming pool or hot tub on your property, or remodeling your existing pool, look no further than Eco-Pools Inc. We specialize in various swimming pool styles and designs; Custom Concrete, Cocktail, Vinyl Liner, Fiberglass and Natural. Eco-Pools Inc.’s passion to elevate beyond its competition echoes throughout every project. With continuous education at Genesis 3 University and sound construction practices, every swimming pool is designed to meld seamlessly into the structural architecture and landscape of the property.

Genesis 3 is synonymous with ‘superior quality” which is reflected in all of Eco-Pools builds.

Also integrated into every project is energy efficiency through product, sanitation, automation and hydraulic design. The end result is an outdoor entertainment space beyond expectation and one that will last a lifetime.

We travel throughout the GTA and serve many of the surrounding areas.

Piece: Inner View

THE LANGUAGE OF SCULPTURE Studying Fine Art in Halifax, apprenticing in the marble studios of Italy, Oliver Harwood has spent most of his life focused on the art of carving stone. Under the majestic olive groves in Tuscany, Harwood honed his skills in collective outdoor studios filled with artists from around the world. Inspired by this experience, he has brought that vision and passion to Vancouver, establishing a large stone sculpture studio which houses 16 sculptors‌ carving everything from marble to jade and gemstones.

The rhythm of hammers on stone, the purring of pneumatics and the whirl of grinders can be heard down the street as the studio hums with intensity. Harwood happily teaches anyone who is interested in the art and techniques of sculpting stone.

He uses the language of sculpture to shape stone into symbols and metaphors, delving into subjects close to his heart. Inner View speaks about the potency of inner beauty and how our universe is ultimately framed by our character and values. www.studiostone.ca

Piece: Pempheris Otaitensis Sweeper II Alanna Baird is widely recognized for her work with recycled materials. Her transformation of tin cans to shiny armoured creatures is truly unique. For over 25 years, she has captured attention through the life she breathes into a seemingly worthless material. Her work evokes thought, the viewer is taken beyond the object to reconsider the material. Alanna lives in St. Andrews-by-theSea, New Brunswick, and spends time sailing the Bay of Fundy.

Piece: Rhythm of Being Regine Neumann is a sculptor and installation artist living in Sherbrooke, Quebec where she graduated in Fine Arts from Bishop’s University in 2011.

Her sculptures in concrete are playful investigations of space, form, material and movement as part of a broad exploration of haptic and visual perception.

Her work is shown in outdoor sculpture competitions in Canada as well as in the United States.

home grown

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JJ & THE PILLARS

BY LUKE HELLEWELL – HAMILTON, ON

“It’s an absolutely beautiful city.”

Back in his old stomping grounds of Peterborough, Ontario, JJ Thompson sticks to a ritual every time he drives back to his old hometown…but you’d probably only understand it if you were a local.

“I drive through the tunnel underneath the lift-locks and honk and scream,” explains Thompson. “Then I go to Hunter Street to grab a coffee and treat from a little shop called Black Honey and then usually head over to The Only, which I consider my local bar”.

A product of the south-eastern Ontario town’s flourishing art scene, the guitarist/vocalist began writing songs on his back porch under the stars. Whenever he could, he’d head down to Peterborough’s infamous music venue, The Legendary Red Dog, to see local and touring bands play. After spending his childhood finding his voice, Thompson felt ready to assemble his band - Stefan Hegeraton drums and Donald Richard on bass.

JJ now had his “pillars”, and after cutting their teeth around Ontario and Quebec, JJ and the Pillars started to pick up steam, garnering the attention of Dine Alone Records…(currently the world’s most successful independent record label), largely thanks to their first place finish on “The Next Big Thing”, a contest aimed at propelling the careers of up-and-coming bands and run by Toronto-based alternative radio network 102.1 The Edge.

Along with offering the group Canadian music industry marketing advice and promoting the band by hosting them at label events, Dine Alone Records provided digital distribution for last year’s release of JJ and the Pillars’ debut album: Wolves. The result is a brilliant mix of hearty folk-rock tunes, dance floor-ready pop jams and stripped down acoustic pieces. And though the styles may vary per track, the most noticeable constant in their music is a love for nature.

“I had a moment of total awe when I was out on my surfboard in Tofino, BC. Instead of riding some of the best waves in the world, I sat on my surfboard bobbing up and down, staring out west to nothing, and I finally started to grasp how big the world was... and how lucky I was to experience life on it: I had never felt so still. It’s funny that the time I felt most grounded was when I was floating… with no idea what was underneath or ahead. There’s something very comforting about that.”

Whether he’s at home eating his absolute favourite dish… chicken penne with Thanksgiving stuffing (covered in mustard) or enjoying fresh lobster on the ocean in PEI, JJ Thompson can make anywhere feel like home through his writing. Currently in album mode, the band’s sophomore release will see them further embracing their soulful organic side, with more of a focus on acoustic sounds to be enjoyed “for listening at the cottage or after a long day at work.”

Look forward to it!!

For tour dates, and information, visit www.jjandthepillars.com

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home grown

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SAID THE WHALE

BY LUKE HELLEWELL – HAMILTON, ON

“We write what we know.”

Said the Whale is the brainchild of the singer-songwriter duo (and best friends), Ben Worcester and Tyler Bancroft. It began as a past time… a way of reflecting in the diverse city of Vancouver, where they still call home. After jamming together casually in high school, Worcester and Bancroft slowly pieced together their 2008 debut album Howe Sounds/Taking Abalonia (released via Upper Management Recording Co.).

Like the clever band that they are, Said the Whale twist and turn their way through genres… smoothly and without hesitation. Their sound is rooted in authentic, judiciously chosen lyrics backed by sweet harmonies, surfy guitars and a jazzy-yet-driving rhythm section.

These days they find themselves busy with touring and family life… and finding the balance in both. Said the Whale recognizes the importance of the British Columbian outdoors and the effect it has had on the whole bonding process.

“We grew up in the outdoors,” explains vocalist/guitarist Tyler Bancroft. “Ben has a cabin 40 minutes outside of town on Gambier Island and has become an avid fisherman over the past five years. My father is a retired tugboat captain, so as a kid, we would take the family boat out and explore the Gulf Islands.”

With four full-length albums, nearly a dozen EPs and a Juno Award (for Best New Group in 2011), the indie rock outfit have toured the country prolifically bringing to the table their energetic live performances and ability to engage their audiences. Though the

members of the group are all rather individual, there are two goals common to all of them: to write beautiful, honest songs and to make a living doing so.

“When you’re on tour, you’re in a weird little bubble. Things that are completely bizarre from a real world perspective become everyday occurrences,” laughs Bancroft. “It’s this weird reality of playing music and sleeping in a different city every night while covering hundreds of kilometers a day- inside a van.”

Though the pains of life on the road can sometimes bring out “the worst of the best of them”, there is one thing that will always settle any debate. “Thai food!” Bancroft exclaims. “If you’re a vegan, you can eat it! If you’re a meat lover, you can eat it! We all love Thai food.”

Though they hardly deviate from the tried-and-tested “album every two years” formula, the Vancouver musicians find they work best by not stressing over deadlines and slowing down in the studio.

“We like to take our time with it because writing music is hard!” says Bancroft. “Our process begins with Ben and I writing separately, then together to see what ideas excite us… then fleshing them out with the rest of the band at rehearsal.”

It’s that degree of patience and dedication that set the group apart from nearly all of their contemporaries in the Canadian music scene.

Whether their writing involves love and loss, the outdoors or watching their families grow up and old together, Said the Whale will only ever write about what they know. And that’s a promise.

Get yourself up to speed at www.saidthewhale.com

Deciding what you are going to do with your outdoor living space is serious business. Making such an investment can be confusing and overwhelming at the best of times. You Y want to get the most for the money you work so hard for.

Hiring a Certified Landscape Designer and having a plan and budget will help you to move forward with no surprises and will certainly keep your blood pressure in check!

Need some help determining what will work for your space? Just Ask Dave!

He’s got this.

Dave Maciulis is a certified landscape designer at Natural Landscape Group, public speaker and all ‘round landscape guru with more than 25 years of hands-on experience in the field.

FOR FREE LANDSCAPING ADVICE

JustAskDave.ca

PLANT PICKS

discover district

BY JAMES PITSON – TORONTO, ON

AMELANCHIER CANADENSIS Serviceberry

BETULA PAPYRIFERA Paper Birch

VIBURNUM LENTAGO Nannyberry

ACHILLEA MILLEFOLIUM Yarrow

VERONICASTRUM VIRGINICUM Culver’s Root

It seems as though the serviceberry is as common as a rose, and for good reason. It is indispensable in a landscape and best known for its white spring flower, edible fruit, and good fall colour. The fruit attracts humans, birds and other wildlife, and is relatively disease free, except for the occasional attack of a rather harmless rust or powdery mildew. Best grown in full sun to part shade and requires average moisture.

Established plants can tolerate drier soil. This native is generally seen with a multi-stem habit but is also available as a single stem tree form. Named cultivars and selections do exist but often it is a mismatched taxonomy that is sold under the serviceberry banner. Seldom growing over seven meters, it is a good choice for the urban landscape and naturalized areas or as a transition plant from the forest edge.

This easily recognizable large growing shade tree is available in the nursery trade as a single or multi-stemmed specimen, and is best planted in full sun with cool, moist soil. Pests or diseases except for the incidence of birch borer, which can be reduced by maintaining plant health, including supplemental watering during the growing season and the heat of summer, rarely trouble birch. The white bark and yellow fall leaf are best displayed when birch trees are planted with evergreens in the background.

The viburnum family represents a treasure-trove of varied and useful ornamental native plants. Of these, the nannyberry is one of the most versatile. It is a suckering, upright, narrow shrub, growing three to five meters high and is fairly deer resistant. The clusters of creamywhite flowers appear in late May to mid-June and can last for up to two weeks. Flowering is strongest in full sun, but the plant will tolerate canopy shade. It can develop a purple-red fall colour and birds love the ornamental bluish-black fruit. Thriving in moist or dry soils, it is best utilized for naturalizing or as a border, and not as a stand-alone specimen. Overgrown shrubs can be rejuvenated by being cut back and thinned out in the spring.

Yarrow is a full–sun, drought tolerant native perennial that does double-duty as garden border or as a cut-and-dried flower. Growing 40-80 cm high, it is useful in naturalized areas, wildflower meadows, mass plantings and the medicine cabinet, as it is also one of the most widely used medicinal plants in the world. It is a spreading plant, but given adequate room it is not problematic. The white flowers show in early summer and cutting back the plant will encourage a second flowering later in the season. Over-fertilization or overly rich soil promotes a weak-stemmed, floppy plant; cutting the plant back before budding will ensure a more compact configuration. Always use only the native species outside of the urban environment as nursery cultivars are known to self-seed into wild areas.

This hardy, seldom used, native perennial is a good choice for the back of the garden border. Its stately white flowers appear from July through to late summer.

Reaching a height of up to two meters, the gentle airiness of its flowers contrast with the robust structure of the plant. It thrives in moist soils and tolerates filtered shade or half-day sun exposure. Culver’s root derives its name from Dr. Culver, an 18th Century physician who actively promoted the plant for medicinal use. It is a close relative to digitalis and can be harmful or fatal when ingested in a large quantity. The difficulty in regulating its strong potency led to the plant falling out of favour medicinally.

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WHITE WATER WONDERS AD • VEN • TUR • OUS

adjective - willing to take risks or to try out new methods, ideas, or experiences

BY PETER VOGLER - WHISTLER B.C.

TIDAL BORE RAFTING Nova Scotia Imagine whitewater rafting: visions of jumping into a big, rubber raft, and heading down a tumultuous mountain river come to mind. Well, there is that, and then there is the Shubenacadie River in Nova Scotia. Tidal Bore Rafting is the biggest rafting operation on the Shubenacadie River. Moreover, the Shubenacadie River just happens to be one of the few places in the world where tidal bore rafting takes place.

A tidal bore occurs when a growing tide rushes up a river. In the case of the Shubenacadie, the tide is the highest in the world, rising up from The Bay of Fundy. It looks like a six-inch wave, until it passes over one of the river’s sandbars where it rears up into a ten-foot monster that resembles a washing machine. High-powered Zodiacs are used to rush through the madness! After an extreme river session, guests at Tidal Bore Rafting welcome the luxury of the resort that includes eighteen luxury cabins and a four-star log lodge. A fine restaurant, pub, and conference facilities blend the exhilaration of rafting with the luxury and grace of the finest hotel.

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RIVER RUN RAFTING ONTARIO River Run Rafting is Central Canada’s answer to some of the best Canadian rafting available. Backing onto Ottawa River Provincial Park, several dams, making for highly consistent rafting conditions, control the river’s flow. What’s not controlled is the ferocious Rocher Fendu, or split rock section, where unexpectedly wild rapids that reach class 4 have to be navigated.

River Run Rafting is the only takeout for rafters on the Ottawa River and it is a broad lawn cut from the forest, with both cottages and gracious luxury houses in the background. While campsites and rustic cottages are available, after a wild day on the river, the luxury selection at London House Inn is most appealing. It’s a gracious old-fashioned inn straight out of a fairytale.

The sandy beach of the River Run takeout is also the home base of some easy tubing on gentle class 1 waters. It is a family friendly zone, where the kids can splash and paddle to their hearts’ content, while a bit further up the river others are getting the whitewater experience of their lives.

RIVERRUNRAFTING.COM

TRUE NORTH MUST SEE

REO RAFTING RESORT BRITISH COLUMBIA REO Rafting has been introducing the world to the glories of whitewater rafting in BC’s great northern wilderness for thirty-four years. With four major wild rivers to choose from, REO can offer everything from class 1 waters, where the kids can drag gently behind the raft on a rope, to some of the scariest class 5 waters around. Such wild rivers change their manner hourly, keeping each trip unique.

The resort site has its stake in the great wilderness, but you’d be mistaken to think there isn’t luxury to go around.

Working with its greatest asset, the Nahatlatch River, REO has built eighteen luxury tents on its edge, 25 ft. above the water so that you can sleep to the soothing sounds of rushing water beneath you.

These are not ordinary tents! Designed by a Hollywood set designer, they have 9 ft. ceilings, hardwood floors, plush Moroccan carpets, and in some cases teak beds.

Combine these luxuries with the rare gift of a wild mountain river, pristine air, and glittering stars in the night and you have all the ingredients for an unparalleled rafting experience.

REORAFTING.COM

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WHITECOURT, ALBERTA

WHITE ROCK, BRITISH COLUMBIA

WHITEHORSE, YUKON

BY SUSAN MATE – CALGARY, AB

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Ringed by glacier-clad mountains, vast tracts of untrammelled snow, and abundant wildlife, Canada’s largest northern city (pop. 23, 276), is a popular tourist destination along the Alaska Highway. A former gold rush town, the Yukon capital is a key stop-start point for the gruelling annual Yukon Quest dogsled race. It’s also a year-round destination for modern day explorers en route to Alaska by car, RV, and even bicycle.

Nestled on the B.C. Lower Mainland, this Metro Vancouver suburb (pop. 19, 400) has a particular appeal to retirees, seniors, and empty nesters because of its unseasonably mild climate. Its colourful mix of houses tumbles down to the sea, which boasts a popular boardwalk and pretty wharf where fishers and kids alike drop their lines in hopes of a catch. White Rock is known for its superb blend of waterfront seafood restaurants, long, shallow beaches, and local parks.

Situated in the Alberta Snowbelt 177 km north of Edmonton, Whitecourt is known as the snowmobile capital of Alberta. Surrounded by vast prairie regions, foothills, and boreal forests, this resource and railway town (pop. 9, 600) is popular for snowshoeing, ice fishing, and wildlife watching in winter. In the summertime, the most popular outdoor activities are hiking, horseback riding, and ATV riding.

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2015-06-24 1:58 PM

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comic relief

discover district

We shall build a wall to keep the geese out.

WHITE WONDERS OF THE WILDERNESS

BY ZACK FLEMING - KANATA, ON

A

s we celebrate all things white in this issue, let’s pay homage to some of those white characters that star in our outdoor lifestyles, and in nature shows narrated by that English guy.

This collection of creatures is not meant to be exhaustive or particularly representative, or even interesting.

Some of the most noteworthy whites – such as the white shark, which exudes white power, and the dove, a sad emblem of white flight – do not feature here.

Let’s begin this tribute with a nod to a happy emblem of white wealth: the swan.

No one, except maybe Donald Trump, embodies the values of white privilege and excess, quite like the swan.

Connoisseurs of brandy, caviar and Wonder Bread, swans lead frivolous lives absent of the everyday concerns known to you and I. Swans enjoy tennis, croquet and swimming, and are widely considered the most irrational and bitchy of birds (no small accolade). Male swans are called cobs, females are called pens, and the kids are called cygnets. Of course, swans don’t address each other as Cob and Pen. They have names like Geoffrey and Marguerite.

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The polar bear, on the other hand, is as fine an example of a white Canadian, as you’ll find anywhere. Strong and independent, the polar bear has patrolled the north since much later than the time of the dinosaurs.

This majestic ursine is named after a club of chubby, ugly people who go swimming in the winter. In a neat bit of symmetry, it just so happens that the people in this club are almost always white.

Joking aside, the bear’s habitat is threatened these days. In fact, the threat posed by melting ocean ice is so dire that the polar bear has become symbolic of the fight against climate change. And while the bears are excited to represent a cause other than Coca-Cola, they’re not thrilled about the thawing of floes. The ice is where they earn their living, snatching seals as they surface for air. However, the seals couldn’t be happier about all this melting, but their story will go untold.

They’re not white.

It’s unlikely that you’ll encounter a polar bear in your backyard unless you live beside a dump above the Arctic Circle. That’s just as well, because these bears are the largest and cutest land carnivores on earth. They aren’t to be petted or trifled with under any circumstances, even if you come upon one in a petting zoo and the petting zookeeper says it’s okay.

And finally, to round out this whitelist… …The albino moose!

I don’t know what this thing is. The publisher suggested it.

I can only imagine it’s a white moose with red eyes, which sounds scary as shit. If one of these wants to eat your Japanese red maple, don’t argue with it.

the not so average joe

discover district

AMY VANDEZANDE

BY JORDAN FORESTER - CALGARY, AB

FAVOURITE RECIpE // Stuffed peppers Ingredients 4 large bell peppers 1 lb. lean ground beef 2 tbsp. chopped onion 1 cup cooked rice 1 tsp. salt 1 clove garlic 1 can tomato sauce 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese 1. Cut thin slice from stem end of each bell pepper to remove top of pepper. Remove seeds and membranes; rinse peppers. If necessary, cut thin slice from bottom of each pepper so they stand up straight. In 4-quart Dutch oven, add enough water to cover peppers. Heat to boiling; add peppers. Cook about 2 minutes; drain.

2. In 10-inch skillet, cook beef and onion over medium heat 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until beef is brown; drain. Stir in rice, salt, garlic and 1 cup of the tomato sauce; cook until hot.

3. Pre-heat oven to 350°F. 4. Stuff peppers with beef mixture. Stand peppers upright in ungreased 8-inch square glass baking dish and pour remaining tomato sauce over peppers.

5. Cover tightly with foil. Bake 10 minutes. Uncover and bake about 15 minutes longer or until peppers are tender. Sprinkle with cheese.

FAVES FOOD: Sushi MUSIC/BAND: Acres of Lions PASTIME: Going to the Mountains TV SHOW: The Simpsons TIME OF YEAR: Summer CLOTHING: A Comfy Hoodie BEVERAGE: Shirley Temple MENTOR: Mom TIME OF DAY: Morning

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There’s nothing even close to average about Amy Vandezande, and everyone who knows and works with her couldn’t be happier about that! A crew leader with Mirage Landscaping in Calgary, Alberta, Vandezande has everything it takes to be considered exceptional. A tireless and dedicated worker, she is determined to achieve her many goals.

Amy Vandezande was born to Colleen and Marvin in Pincher Creek, Alberta. Despite the fact that she was continuously moving around due to her father’s job , and lacked siblings, she thoroughly enjoyed her childhood. She was a tomboy, wanting nothing to do with dolls or Barbies, so she opted for the more inspired and outrageous Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. She played every sport she got a chance at but hockey was undeniably her favourite. She fell in love with the sport and dreamed of one day making the Canadian National Women’s Team. When her father’s job relocated the family to Doha, Qatar, she sadly had to let go

of that dream. Qatar is not the hub of the NHL! Despite that, she was deeply moved and inspired by the experience of the culture and the diversity it brought into her life. As a true optimist, Vandezande finds the silver linings that so many of us tend to miss in our lives.

Upon finishing high school in Qatar, Vandezande returned to Calgary and graduated from the photojournalism program at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology. Though she appreciated the experience at SAIT, she quickly realized that she was not ever going to be satisfied with the life of a struggling artist. She took a job at a golf course to make ends meet, knowing she would enjoy it, given her love of the outdoors and propensity for landscaping. This job ignited a passion for the craft and led her to Olds College, where she completed her Landscape Gardener Apprenticeship.

A true adventurer at heart, Vandezande loves to see the world, be in nature, and has an undeniable affinity for the ocean. She’s a dreamer too, with a desire to relocate to a warmer climate where she can own her own landscaping company and work throughout the year.

We know that Vandezande will make sure this happens, because people like her succeed in every way imaginable. She is most definitely not your average Joe!

Prepare yourself for an unparalleled golfing experience.

Flamborough Hills Golf & Country Club is a pleasure for golfers of any skill level to play and enjoy.

Our 27 hole golf course will challenge your game, while also providing you with a relaxing, picturesque backdrop for wonderful walk in our park.

Featuring Live Entertainment on Sunday evenings throughout the year.

Come join us for dinner. Relax and enjoy the view.

SPRING/SUMMER 2016

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