CANADA’S
OUTDOOR
LIFESTYLE
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MAGAZINE
FALL/WINTER
2017/18
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contents
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ON THE COVER 51 GLACIER KAYAKING Possibly the most beautiful place on earth 60 HGTV’S KATE CAMPBELL A woman on a mission 68 CHEF JAGGER GORDON Caring, contributing, creating
STYLE 17 OUR FAVOURITE THINGS All things apple 22 TRENDING The tiny home movement - alive and well 26 Scandinave SPA Disconnecting to reconnect. Treat yourself! 28 HGTV’S CARSON ARTHUR Dream big for your backyard
DESIGN 30 DESIGNER PROFILES An inside look at some talented Canadian designers 36 HGTV’s PAUL LAFRANCE A profound life lesson 38 WECOMING REFUGEES CANADIAN STYLE Road trip! 40 THE QUEBEC QUONNECTION Get your yard “winter ready”
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IMPROVE 45 WARMING TRENDS Because fire never goes out of style 48 DIY C’mon baby, light my fire. Homemade fire starters 49 MANNY NEVES Navigating a bucket list for your home
LIVING
54
54 PIZZA OVENS The perfect flour to make the perfect pizza 56 THE ANTI-BUCKET LIST Not to be a party pooper but… 57 THE NIMBLE BAR COMPANY Winning over bar owners (and patrons) one cocktail at a time.
64 CANADIAN CRAFT VODKA Because vodka is your friend 72 PATIO FARE Winterized restaurant patios. Cosy up!
DISCOVER 79 WE BOUGHT THE FARM Living their bucket list dream in Nova Scotia 82 WELLNESS Tips to fend off those seasonal bugs 88 HOMEGROWN This country is bursting with musical talent 92 FRANKIE FLOWERS Beautiful bold fall colours for your landscape 94 COMIC RELIEF Need a belly laugh? 98 NOT SO AVERAGE JOE Everyone has a story
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NOW OR NEVER SALE
Publisher
Dave Maciulis CLD
Editor IN CHIEF
Staff Writers
L.A. Sweezey
Creative Director+designer Susan Vogan
OUTDOOR LIFESTYLE EDITOR Carson Arthur
CUSTOM BUILD EDITOR Paul Lafrance
RENOVATION EXPERT Manny Neves
PRODUCTION MANAGER Susan Vogan
Sales & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT Brie Jarrett
Copy Editor
Kimberley Fowler Susan Valentine
ILLUSTRATOR Kate Taylor
Carson Arthur Paul Lafrance Frankie Ferragine Glenn Curtis Manny Neves Brie Jarrett Peter Vogler Deborah Rent Bryen Dunn Dominic Brown Larry Boyd Renaldo Amato Susan Mate Lori Sweezey
Photography/video Audrey Hall - cover image Joern Rhode Mike McNaught Amber Richmond Photography Peter Michael Wilson Jeff McNeill, McNeill Photography Justa Jeskova Geoffrey Faber Robert Skuja
For advertising opportunities please email: info@outdoorlifestylemagazine.com PUBLISHED BY Koru Creative Group President Alan Carroll Phone: 289-238-7910 Email: info@outdoorlifestylemagazine.com Outdoor Lifestyle Magazine is published twice annually: Spring and Fall 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
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Kelli Maddocks
Kimberley Fowler
Kelli is a newbie with OLM, and we are happy to have her on board. This writer is determined to put a dent in her bucket list this year. “This year I’m going to learn how to play the drums. I’ve always thought that there was something super cool about a girl rockin’ out on a drum set. So drums it is! Look out world –there’s a new rocker chic in town.” BUD-UM-BUM!
contributors It would only make sense that we ask our contributors what item they are going to try to strike from their bucket list this year…seeing as the theme of this issue is “The Great Canadian Bucket List” and all...
Kimberley writes to live and lives to write… literally. What’s on her bucket list this year? “I’d love to go on a road trip from California to Nevada and go stargazing at Death Valley National Park.” Sounds beautiful Kim. Do it!
Dave Dolejsi
Zack Fleming
This Toronto based writer has written some very inspirational stories for OLM. Efficient as he is, Dave checked off one of his 2017 bucket list items – taking his family to Vietnam in July. His 2018 item is to go to a Ceilidh in Newfoundland. That’s sounds amazing!
So, Zack is back. He took a slight hiatus from writing for us. Something about being too busy blah blah blah. I think maybe we were just getting on his nerves. Or using too many exclamation marks!!!!!! He hates those. Mr Fleming’s bucket list item for this year? He wants to build a mid-century modern bird house. And why wouldn’t he?
Peter Vogler
Although Mr. Vogler has been writing for OLM for some time, we thought it appropriate to re-introduce him. He worked very hard, pounding out the verbiage in this issue. The item that he’s going to check off his bucket list in 2018? A great relaxing vacation in Jamaica with his daughter. A well deserved one at that. Do yu ting Vogler!
Sarah Macalpine
Chef Dan Megna
We made a big “oops”! OLM would like to send out a big “sooooo sorry” to Chef Dan Megna. The misspelling of his name in the summer 2017 Boho issue, on page 69 was our bad. Our apologies Chef Megna!
Sarah and her husband Kenny are living their “bucket list” dream right now! (Read her story if you want to find out how) “This year I’m going to cross ‘being my own boss’ off of my bucket list. I’ll finally take the plunge and work for and trust myself. I’ll find the confidence to carve out a business and a role in the community that nurtures my soul and allows me to be true to myself and comfortable relying on ME!”
If you would like to contribute to future issues, please submit your idea to: info@outdoorlifestylemagazine.com
Brie Jarrett
Although Brie heads up our sales team, she does love to write and has been writing for us for some time. What will she strike from her bucket list this coming year? “Being a single mom of three kids and working full time leaves me very little time for anything else. This year I want to create some peace and calm in my life…take some time out to find a few things to do that will help me to focus more on self care.” Less talk-more do Brie! We are going to hold you to that!
letter from the publisher
PRIORITIZE & COMPROMISE Welcome to another great season and another amazing issue of Outdoor Lifestyle Magazine. I couldn’t be happier about the “bucket list” theme. I think having a bucket list keeps us all aware of our very limited time in this life. So much to do…so little time to do it! I’ve decided that the trick is to prioritize. We all have a few roadblocks that might be challenging, thus preventing us from adding that check mark to our list. Time, money, and energy are just a few that come to mind. I’ve been thinking that compromise might be the best thing to help me accomplish the items on my list. For example, I’ve always wanted to own a cottage. But the reality is, I have very little time to commit to spending more than a week every summer at said cottage. Never mind the upkeep and the torturous traffic to get there. So, I’ve decided that every summer, I will simply rent. Some people decide to create their own “cottage” in the outdoor space they have on their own properties. A place for outdoor grilling, a place to swim, a place to spend time with family and friends…these are all the things that go down at the cottage. So this is a very nice compromise. I also want to be a ninja. I’m not sure how I’m going to execute that one, so it’s kind of low on the priority list. Next on my list would be to climb a volcano. After I work around my busy schedule and get back to the gym, I think I may look into this one. This great country is so vast and there is much to see and much to dream about. So tweak that list of yours. Figure out a way. Everything, (with the exception of being a ninja), is doable. So go…git’ er done!
Dave Maciulis, CLD
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LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
LETTER FROM the editor Anyone who knows me knows that I’m a summer baby. Give me the heat, the sun, the beach, a palm tree and a cocktail… and I’m a happy girl. I was born in the summer, and I swear that the winter will be the death of me. As we all begin to bunker down for the cold weather and the snow, I begin to think about one of my bucket list items. I’m not a fan of the term “snow bird”. In my head it conjures up visions of me with white hair and orthotics, unable to remember the names of my children, taking off to Florida during the winter months…too crippled up to enjoy a walk on the beach or the odd zip line. No no! My bucket list just can’t wait that long. I want to do this now while I can still really enjoy myself. I suppose I could wait until I’m actually ready to “retire”. But there is no guarantee that I’ll make it ‘til then. Taxes and death - the only guarantees in this life. On my deathbed, will I say “damn it… I should have worked more. I should have spent less time with the people I loved. I’m pleased I didn’t get to check anything off of my bucket list. Man, that was a long life!” Not likely, right? So what am I waiting for? I’ve sat around with my friends, tossing about ideas of what we would do IF. IF we won the lottery. IF we were rich. IF we didn’t still have kids at home. IF our parents weren’t aging. IF IF IF! But what if that IF never happens? Cuz chances are there’s not a big lottery win in my future. Well people….I’m about to take the bull by the horns and make a big fat check off of my bucket list. You should do the same. Meet you on the beach!! Lori Sweezey Editor in Chief
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EDITORS
LETTER from the outdoor LIFESTYLE editor Every year I try to complete one bucket list item outside. 2017 is all about the pizza oven. I didn’t just want to buy one though; I wanted to build my own. After a lot of research I decided that it would be pretty cool to have a pizza oven built more like a bread oven, with an open fire below the cooking area instead of having the dome with the pizza cooking right beside the fire. Sounds perfect, right? Well, there’s a reason this has been on my bucket list for so long. Building your own pizza oven is NOT as simple as the online videos make you think. Instead of a weekend project, my pizza oven has taken me over a month with lots of swearing, sweating, pain and agony. There is one thing I’ve learned throughout this process, though. Want to ensure you actually check things off your list? Set a deadline that you can’t get out of. In my case, I invited 50 neighbours over for a block party that included freshly made pizza in an oven I hadn’t yet built. Let me tell you, adding a little pressure is the best way to get things done that you’re stalling on! Pizza anyone? Carson Arthur, HGTV Personality
LETTER from the OUTDOOR CUSTOM BUILD EDITOR We live in an unbelievable country. As an outdoors guy, I wouldn’t even know where to start when it comes to describing the variety of awesomeness to be experienced from coast to coast. From the majestic jagged peaks of British Columbia, the unending sky of the prairies, the raw beauty of the great lakes, the worlds highest tides in the bay of Fundy, the whales and icebergs off the coast of Newfoundland, and everything in between…this truly is God’s Country. One of the most enjoyable parts of my job is that I not only get to meet people from all over the nation, but I often get the opportunity to incorporate elements of home into their backyard designs. Whether it’s a molded rock waterfall reminiscent of North Vancouver, or deck furniture crafted from a Maritimes fishing boat, I love when I can bring Canada home to people when time limits their ability to embrace all of Canada. That being said, time is a monster that we must all fight, because it is a monster that births regret. So I encourage all of you to make the time amidst the clang and clatter, to remember what it feels like to adventure, to discover, and my personal favourite…to simply stand in awe! Paul Lafrance, HGTV Personality
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Ingredients 3 cups apple cider 2 pounds apples (Royal Gala or MacIntosh) peeled, cored and chopped 1/3 cup honey 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
Directions
In a large saucepan over medium heat, boil the cider 15 minutes. Stir apples into the cider and reduce heat. Cover and simmer, stirring frequentlyfor 1 hour, or until the apples are tender. Remove apples from heat. Mash with a potato masher. Stir in the honey, cinnamon, cloves and allspice. Return to low heat and cook uncovered, stirring often, until thick. Transfer to sterile jars and chill in the refrigerator until serving.
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LIVING THE TINY LIFE Photography by Noel Russell
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SIMPLIFY Sometimes, big “bucket list” dreams come in small packages. Leaving behind a life of clutter and complication can give way to peace and tranquility. Funny enough, smaller spaces can be less suffocating. Size doesn’t matter! It’s all about how you use it… the space I mean. It’s the difference between “want” and “need”. Do you simply want a particular item? Or do you really need it? I mean the kind of need where you just can’t function without it? These tiny homes can have such an enormous impact on your psyche. Small but mighty, they are. When you make a conscious decision to live with only the absolute necessities…financial and emotional freedom will find its way to you. Images provided by, - teacuptinyhomes.com - Noel Russell | @Noel_Russ
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T We are proud to offer an experience unlike anything else
he blank stare on my face was a look she’d definitely seen before. “You can leave your electronics here with your other things,” the smiling receptionist said with a no-nonsense nod as I started to tuck my cellphone into my swim bag. “Oh, no, I’ll need my phone to take pictures,” I smiled brightly. “For an article I’m writing.” Still smiling, she shakes her head. In fact, not only are phones barred from the thermal pools at Scandinave Spa in the alpine town of Whistler. Don’t plan on any chitchat with chums or hash tagging your selfies while taking to the healing waters or lounging between plunge pools here on the edge of Lost Lake Park. Just like many of the thermal retreats in Scandinavia, this ecologically-acclaimed spa’s four Canadian properties have all adopted the authentic principles of true detoxification. To truly relax and absorb the purifying effects of the thermal pools, that includes time for reflection, meditation and simply tuning out the constant noise of our busy lives. That means, no talking. Me…the chatterbox! I decide it’s going to take a little getting used to. This isn’t the only spa in Canada to have quiet zones, but at Scandinave there’s quiet in all the public areas, saunas and pools, which is why it’s a truly ‘silent spa’.
It’s not that guests can’t chat anywhere. Here at the Whistler location guests can go upstairs to the rustic sitting area by a toasty fire and chat with friends, or at the sunny bistro where they can swap stories while noshing on smoothies, local Pemberton potato salad or a herbivore board. But the view from the pools is postcard-worthy...low clouds are hugging jagged peaks in the distance, and the sun is glinting on the three thermal pools. I step into my swimwear and head into the pool area. Staff have carefully instructed me on the proper protocol for hydrotherapy – first a Eucalyptus steam, wood sauna or thermal waterfall to start the body’s cleanse, followed by a cold bath plunge, waterfall or shower to close the pores. I finish the cleanse by sliding into a comfy lounger on the terrace to reset my circulation, then repeat the sequence four more times. The spa, which underwent a major expansion last year to its public space, has plenty of detox amenities spread amongst more than 20,000 square feet. The property itself is nestled within three acres of natural space I have to admit I found it hard at first to turn my mind off. I had to learn the art of internalized squeak therapy as I basked in the Eastern decor of the exotic treatment area. The wait for a massage (there are 15+ treatment rooms) was followed by an exquisite Indian head massage, leaving me scented and floating through the spa smelling of cinnamon, cardamom and ginger. These are just two of the numerous spa services and packages to choose from. But was I really, truly relaxed after my day? Slowed-down? At peace, even? The ultimate test was later at dinner at one of Whistler’s finest eateries. After four hours at Scandinave, I could barely keep my chin above the table. And that night, this insomniac slept like a baby. “It’s a different experience,” says Scandinave marketing manager Simmone Lyons. Based in Whistler, Lyons notes that” it’s not for everyone...there are many lovely hotel pools here for relaxing, but we are proud to offer an experience unlike anything else. Unplugging is important for all of us,” she says. Sometimes, we just haven’t tried it yet. If you haven’t, indulge and scratch this experience off your bucket list. It’s one of those “once in a lifetime” events that can be truly life changing Scandinave also has spas at Blue Mountain (Collingwood, Ont.), Montreal and Mont-Tremblant (Quebec). scandinave.ca OUTDOORLIFESTYLEMAGAZINE.COM
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A
s the Gen Xers continue to improve and invest in their homes, luxury sporting items are again in demand. Whether pools, saunas, or tennis courts, the 40-50 somethings are spending their money on creating outdoor escapes for their houses instead of investing in summer homes or cottages. Unfortunately, not all luxury items increase the value of your home. Here are a few of the pitfalls to be aware of and some better investment options.
1POOLS
“
The 40-50 somethings are spending their money on creating outdoor escapes for their houses instead of investing in summer homes or cottages.
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For years, pools have had a stigma surrounding them. Realtors and home evaluation experts preached the idea that a pool investment would reduce the value of your property. We now know, according to the National Association of Realtors (2015), that while a pool may reduce the amount of buyers interested in purchasing your home, they also attract a different buyer who would have otherwise been uninterested. In Canada, when it comes to a swimming pool, your home value stays constant. Unfortunately, this means that the entire investment of the swimming pool comes out of
BIG BUCKET ITEMS
CARSON
ARTHUR HGTV STAR
3BASKETBALL AND SPORT COURTS your pocket with no hope of seeing a return. When deciding if a pool is right for you, make sure to count the total days in the summer that you can use it; multiply this by the length of time you want to be in the home; and divide that into the total installation cost of the pool. You’ll probably realize that it will cost you between $140 and $165 dollars for every day you actually swim.
2
SAUNAS
A more economical solution to a swimming pool, saunas have continued to be in demand as a 4-season outdoor water feature. With a marginal return-on-investment, hot tubs, Jacuzzi’s and soakers are more than just the default for homeowners unwilling to spend the money on a swimming pool. The biggest complaint that sauna-owners consistently make is that after the first year, they use them less and less. The key to use is all about the design of the space. Saunas that are in secluded spaces in the back with easy access to an entry point get used more often. If you want one, plan on some great privacy screens and a way to keep the snow shoveled in the winter.
As an avid tennis player, it pains me to say that putting in a tennis court just doesn’t make sense for a majority of homeowners. Aside from the cost of the installation and the maintenance, very few building lots are really large enough to have a full court without looking totally overwhelmed. If you are among the lucky few with a big property that can house a court, consider going with a multi-purpose sport court instead of a true tennis court. Sport courts combine the lines and the equipment to play a variety of games including basketball, volleyball, tennis and badminton. When it comes to attracting buyers, more options are always better.
4PUTTING GREENS
While big in the 90’s and early 2000’s, putting greens have decreased in popularity with more homeowners opting to install artificial turf instead. Done properly however, a good putting green can replace the need for a lawn in the back with something that still looks green but actually has a purpose. Technology and design have allowed golfers to adjust the speed of their home greens to match the ones at their golf club so that they get true putting consistency. At the end of the day, these types of luxury items in the backyard aren’t really about making money. They are about creating a space that works for your family. At least now you can check these items off your bucket list while spending the money with the confidence that you aren’t hurting the value of your home!
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profiles Photography by Darren Bosch
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PAUL BRYDGES By KELLI MADDOCKS – ORANGEVILLE,ON
The man himself is kind, interesting, thoughtful, and easy to be around. He has a keen interest in history, and has deep family connections to nature, which has played a role in both his childhood and his artistry. These attributes contribute to his firm’s award-winning landscape architecture designs and are part of the reason Paul Brydges is highly regarded in business and in life. For Brydges Landscape Architecture Inc, creating unique and environmentally responsible designs is critical, not only for aesthetic reasons, but to align with the company value of “honouring” nature. “I started my first company when I was 13. My parents had retired up to Owen Sound, so I was doing landscaping and outdoor work for the cottagers” he says. “My father loved trees, and we would go hiking together and he would tell me all about the different types of wood. He was a sporting goods and toy maker, and he used various woods to make his products. He had to know the nuances of each type in order to use the correct wood for a hockey stick, versus a wood that would be better suited for a baseball bat. He passed on his love for wood to me, and at the same time the knowledge of the financial value of trees,” Brydges explains. “My grandmother was an avid gardener, and she passed to me a great appreciation for the landscape and the outdoors. Gradually, my landscaping clients asked me to build things for them, and so my love of nature, combined with a passion for design, was sparked,” he says. The design elements in Brydges’ work come from various sources, in-
corporating the client’s wants and needs, the geographic location, weather patterns, sustainability, and all kinds of natural elements. It’s easy to see that with Brydges’ designs, the client is his number one priority. “I love to create spaces that will have a legacy for my clients; a legacy for their family and their memories, just like I had as a child,” he says Bridges and his team accomplish the long-term vision of their designs in many ways, including planting for the future so the landscape will achieve its full potential as time goes by. Beyond the sheer beauty of his projects, Brydges has a great talent for making the created land-scape look as though it had always been there. “My designs are created as though the client is living amongst the landscape - with it, as opposed to imposing upon it,” he says. A tempting question to pose to Paul might be “What would you be doing if you weren’t doing this?” I chose not to ask this question, because as you spend time with him the answer is more than clear. Paul Brydges is doing exactly what he loves to do. His talent enables him to honour all of the things he holds most dear; beauty, nature, history, and family.
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DEBI MCKELLAR BY RENALDO SAMANICA – FONTHILL, ON
“I’ve been involved in design in one form or another all my life,” McKellar says. Still, it took this landscape designer years to find all the puzzle pieces that showed where she fit in the field. It would be nice if landscape design was a room marked ‘Debi’—and all she had to do was find it and walk in. But as we know, finding your passion is easier said than done. Which is why I would call Debi McKellar’s journey into landscape design a marathon rather than a sprint. Teen-hood gave McKellar her first puzzle piece in the form of a love for visual art. “I loved drawing, painting; anything visual really,” she says. McKellar was already exploring the fundamentals of design and creativity and loved to work with her hands. But this was not enough to pull her into the game. “I never followed my dreams, never went to university,” she says. One thing led to another and McKellar stumbled into the floral business with her husband at the time. “ I started making little bouquets, you know, like you buy at the corner store,” she says. Her humble bouquets proved a force to be reckoned with and became the catalyst for shifting the business into high gear. It was the wedding jobs they took on that really began to let her creative side shine through. Twenty-two year old McKellar was rocking it. From retail to wholesale, she would spend the next 15 years in the floral business. Then came time for a change. Growing tired of the business and going through a divorce meant that McKellar finally had time to think
about herself. “What would I have done if I had gone to university?” she asked herself. This question led her into drafting and design, and later model making. Little did she know that this would be the third and final puzzle piece, providing the main connector between her existing skill set and landscape design. “The first model I made, my professor pulled me aside and told me that this was my career,” she remembers. Next thing you know she’s living in Toronto and working for Peter McCann, but when the recession hit, and she found herself out of work, she decided to go back to school. “I was able to get funding and grant money to go to Humber College for landscape design,” she says. McKellar’s three skills intersected and left her unusually well equipped to perform in the landscape design industry. Visual arts and floral experience gave McKellar the vision she needed to design the landscapes of the architectural models she was building, an uncommon skill set at the time. Today, McKellar’s organic and balanced approach to design exudes a wisdom gained from a journey she spent half her life trudging through. Finally, after years of putting the puzzle pieces together, she’s found her true calling and the happiness that comes with doing what she loves. OUTDOORLIFESTYLEMAGAZINE.COM
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PROFILES
ADRIAN BARTELS BY LARRY BOYD – DUNDAS, ON
To say that Adrian Bartels loves his profession would be a gross understatement - one of those “thanks, Captain Obvious” sort of declarations. At the ripe old age of forty, Bartels is exactly where he needs and wants to be. One of seven, this spirited, competitive child spent the first 12 years of his life growing up on his parents’ farm and self admittedly driving his siblings crazy. He remembers those formative years with great fondness. Today, a father of five himself, Adrian lives only five kilometers from his childhood home. Like many young entrepreneurs, Bartels began his entrance into the landscape industry at the age of 15 by cutting lawns. Coming out of school, he was unsure what direction he would take in his young life, but after 10 years of working in the maintenance division for Cedar Springs Landscape Group, he took a leap of faith and became a partner in the business. He has been in the profession for 25 years now, 15 of those in design and sales, and is now the sole proprietor of the Oakville, Ontario design/build firm. “When I first started out, many of my projects were small; retaining walls, walkways, those kinds of things. I learned so much just being immersed in the industry though and as my projects became larger, I began taking classes and learning how to use design programs,” Bartels recalls. Over the years, Bartels has noticed a change in his design style.
“I’m really liking the more contemporary elements that are trending right now, but I also love creating an eclectic, transitional look. It all boils down to what the desires and priorities are for our clients.” It’s difficult to know exactly what Bartels is best at, because he is gifted and passionate about every single aspect of his business. “I love sales, I love people and I am blessed to be able to use my ideas and creativity to make people happy,” he says. “For this design, I collaborated with one of our talented young designers, Trevor Henry. I think that having highly gifted people around you challenges you to grow in all aspects of your personal and professional life. If a company wants to grow, same rule applies…you need the best of the best to promote growth.” This seemingly serious, designing-businessman makes me laugh unexpectedly at several points throughout our interview. Talk of “free time” and “time alone” give way to jokes and gestures of understanding, from one parent to another. As driven as Bartels is, he is first and foremost a family man; a husband and a father. “Businesses come and go. I never want my family to feel like I have not spent enough time with them. They are, after all, my true legacy.” OUTDOORLIFESTYLEMAGAZINE.COM
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design district
LOSING MY CARPE DIEM
I
PAUL
LAFRANCE HGTV STAR
t is important to practice what you preach. I have been speaking for years about the importance of slowing down, and taking the time to focus on the things in life that are truly important. You know, the kind of things that you would want written on your epitaph. Chasing your dreams, not letting fear hold you back, embracing childlikeness, loving well and being loved in return would all be examples. I do find it interesting, however, that you can talk about these topics passionately, and wake up one day in a place that is the exact opposite of your own words and wonder, “how the hell did I get here?” I think we all come to a place in our journey where we need to hit the reset button. Where we once floated between earth and cloud, the ground suddenly pulls at our feet as the stresses of life start to suck us down like quicksand. It can happen so easily. It happened to me. Where life was once an epic adventure full of excitement and anticipation, I suddenly became acquainted with words like “depression” and “hopelessness.” I never imagined those words would ever be associated with me! It was a battle unlike anything I’d ever experienced. I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that it was time for a reset, no matter what it took. I also now know that I emerged from that quicksand with a greater understanding and empathy for the multitudes of people who lose their own sense of Carpe Diem along the way. I was more determined than ever to get mine back! I am currently on a 21-day water fast, which is another step in my own personal reset. A cleansing of mind, body, and spirit. Like I said… whatever it takes. I do not find it coincidental, considering my new resolve, that I met a new client recently who was in the midst of a reset of his own. He had worked extremely hard at his professional career for many years, and had recently discovered that a health issue would prohibit him from working in a very short while. The news definitely came as a blow, as he was nowhere near the time in life where retiring crosses the mind. Depression and hopelessness lurked in the shadows. A perfect example of how fear suddenly puts you at a crossroads. He called me to discuss a simple pergola project so he could enjoy a place of rest in his backyard with his family. We spoke about the difference between life and living, acceptance and embracing, and disappointment and disassembly! We discussed how often things fall apart, so better things can come together. We talked about the absolute necessity to seize the day, and not let tomorrow’s fears rule. We talked about childlikeness. What began as a pergola for mere quiet reflection of a life that has past, morphed into a playland for the boy who had been locked away for years, not allowed to roam free in the world of adults. A whimsical, curved outdoor deck with all of the fun features you’d expect, but with all roads leading to a four-season room, complete with a golf simulator, which was his most enjoyable outlet. After many discussions about “practicality” and “responsibility” between my client and his wife, I could tell that the decision to move forward was about so much more than an outdoor living space…it was a life statement! I will never forget the look in his eyes as I left his home to get ready to embark on such a fun project. It was breathless anticipation. I recognized it because it echoed something I had lost, but have since found. Carpe Diem!
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Photography by Darrin Henein
design district
From Far and Wide How Canada’s first ever online Peer-to-Peer RV sharing marketplace helped a Syrian family get to know their new home BY DAVE DOLEJSI – TORONTO, ON
T
he vastness of this beautiful country can escape our awareness, unless you get a chance to actually go out and explore it. Of course, the best way to truly see it close up is to drive it, eat in it, and sleep outdoors in it. It’s only then that you can start to comprehend its natural beauty, its eager friendliness and its free, open spaces. Now - imagine you have escaped the destruction and tragedy that many of us will thankfully never know outside of news broadcasts. You have endured pain, fear, and loss on a scale that scarcely allows dreams of beautiful places, with an open, safe, democratic, and welcoming society. Meet the Toubeh family, and their lives before they arrived in Ottawa, Canada in December 2015. Brothers Ward and Wessam, sister Aziza, and mother, Wejdan Mesto have been working hard to make a new life in Canada. Since 2015, 40,000 refugees have resettled in Canada, struggling to rebuild their lives in a strange new land. Until now, the Toubeh’s haven’t seen any of their new country outside of the city limits. As Canada celebrates its 150th year, Ottawa start-up RVezy has stepped up with a program designed to welcome this refugee family into Canada in true Canadian fashion.
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Photography by Mike McNaught
In early June, RVezy escorted the Toubeh family to some of Ontario’s most treasured summertime destinations in a 32’ motorhome on an all-expenses paid excursion. RVezy is a Canadian company making its mark as the Airbnb of RV and camper sharing – making the dream of RV travel vacations an affordable reality to renters, and a beneficial revenue stream for owners. Created by Mike McNaught and Will Thompson, RVezy is a platform that gives RV owners the chance to make money from their investment during down time, by connecting them online to aspiring vacationers dreaming of taking a family vacation in a comfortable RV. “We are a Canadian-built and Canadian proud company whose mission is to build a community of RV enthusiasts with a passion for the outdoors,” says McNaught. “At RVezy, we feel that vacation travel provides the best opportunity to create family memories to last a lifetime.” The opportunity was a very welcome break for Wejdan after the tragedy of fleeing bombed-out Damascus, only to then suffer the death of her husband as they waited in Beirut for sponsorship into Canada. The Toubeh’s saw this trip as a chance to truly participate in their new country, em-
barking on a memorable summertime road adventure like many Canadians. The adventure started in grand old Kingston. During their visit, the family met up with the Deputy Mayor Peter Stroud, and headed out for a tour through iconic Fort Henry. Then it was on to beautiful Prince Edward County and Picton. The Toubeh’s were introduced to kayaking and relaxed among the dunes in Sandbanks Provincial Park. There was a day of sheer fun at Canada’s Wonderland, and an introduction to the beauty of Algonquin Park. “It’s something amazing,” Ward Toubeh told CTV news. “We don’t have any RV’s in Syria – it’s something new to me.” Brother Wessam agreed, “We did not know much about Canada, only it’s colder. It’s amazing. To travel for the first time – and I like to travel.” The RV experience remains one of the great freedoms in North America. “This is what this country and RVezy is all about. It’s the chance to share in an experience, see new things and make new friends,” said McNaught. To travel from city to city, and province to province… no checkpoints, no armed groups, no “papers” or special permission required. This year, as we celebrate Canada’s 150th, more than ever we should take full advantage of it - and never take it for granted. OUTDOORLIFESTYLEMAGAZINE.COM
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HELP YOUR GARDENS “SPRING FORWARD” NEXT SEASON By GLENN CURTIS – THE QUEBEC QUONNECTION
With close to 40 years of landscape experience, I’m still surprised when homeowners suddenly surrender their gardens to mother nature once the autumn foliage begins. As tempting as it is to hibernate, fall conditions are perfect for gardening:
PLANT TREES & SHRUBS
Fall planting takes advantage of the plants dormant or semi-dormant condition, favourable soil temperatures and moisture conditions which promote better root growth to sustain plants through their critical first year. You can plant most deciduous trees and shrubs in the fall, but avoid difficult-to-establish and delicate species. The exception is with evergreens and broadleaf evergreens — plant these by early fall to allow development of the root system and to maximize water absorption before the winter freeze. Trees and shrubs purchased at garden centres are typically container grown, potted, or balled and burlapped, which means they have significant root systems,and are excellent choices for fall planting.
PREPARE YOUR LAWN FOR WINTER
Keep your lawn raked and cut prior to the first snowfall. Leaves and long grass can mat beneath the weight of the snow, smothering grass and encouraging the development of snow mould and other diseases.
TRANSPLANT ESTABLISHED PLANTS
Transplanting is stressful for plants during any season, especially considering the existing root system may be removed or damaged in the process. However, fall conditions are usually favourable for transplanting established trees and plants, although results vary depending on their age, health and overall hardiness. Avoid transplanting while a plant is in bloom and once transplanted, prune or remove a portion of the previous seasons top growth to encourage the plant to develop a strong root system. Complete your fall transplanting with a thorough watering, followed by fertilizing next spring. Transplant perennials no later than early fall to allow enough time to establish partial roots before the first freeze. Early transplating will minimize plant damage from the lifting or upheaval of the root system after frost or thawing cycles.
FALL PRUNING
Fall is a great time to thin or prune overgrown bushes. Depending on the species, cut perennials back to approximately 4.0” above ground to encourage healthy spring development. Not sure what to prune when? The general rule of thumb for shrubs blooming in spring (like lilacs) is to prune immediately after blooming. Otherwise you’ll be removing next year’s flowers. Conversely, if the plant blooms during the summer or late season (like hydrangeas) prune it back in the fall or early spring before new growth begins. Contrary to popular belief, roses should not be heavily pruned in the fall!
PREVENT WINTER DAMAGE
Evergreens: Loosely tie up open branches with twine, winter mesh, or install a heavy burlap screen around the more vulnerable species. Deciduous Shrubs: Tie or bundle the branches together with jute to minimize the potential for snow crush. Roses: Wait until the first ground freeze before winterizing rose bushes. Use rose collars or cones to mound soil 15 – 20 cm up around the base of your roses, which ensures constant ground temperature at the base of the bush. Cover the mound and shrub with mulch.
“Life’s a garden. DIG IT!” - Joe Dirt | Glenn Curtis is the President of Plantenance Landscape Group, creating extraordinary outdoor spaces for 35 years | plantenance.com
we’re no one trick monkey.
AS SEEN ON
“CUSTOM BUILT, DECKED OUT, HOME TO WIN & 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
create
Rendered concept sketches by Joel Loblaw Inc. | joelloblaw.com Photography by Virginia Macdonald
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DOWNTOWN TORONTO
Photography by Virginia Macdonald
Urban Rooftop This modern rooftop garden brings warmth and colour to a typical concrete terrace. The site was challenging to design as weight, access, plant material and harsh growing conditions needed to be considered. The design incorporates custom planters and paving materials to create the feeling of rooms. Weathering steel, wood and turf materials were selected to provide warmth to the space. Plant material was chosen for its ability to withstand harsh growing conditions consisting of full exposure to sun, wind and seasonal elements. The planting is low maintenance and provides colour in the summer and structure in the winter for year-round interest. This rooftop is a fun, modern and functional garden that extends the living space outdoors. OUTDOORLIFESTYLEMAGAZINE.COM
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FEELIN’ HOT HOT HOT! 4 Ways to Extend your Outdoor Season KIMBERLEY FOWLER - CAMPBELLVILLE, ON
Short summers can cause a sense of loss as the season turns to autumn. But BBQ enthusiasts, patio vagabonds and bonfire junkies need not despair! You can extend the outdoor party well into winter. With a variety of fire features there are plenty of options to suit your outdoor space. Here are some considerations:
A Good (Gas) Fire Pit
A Wall-Mounted Patio Heater
If you already have a fire pit, then the CROSSFIRE™ Brass Burner by Warming Trends is a must. This brass fire pit burner uses cutting-edge technology to produce a taller, brighter, fuller flame that resembles a natural, wood burning fire (without the pain of having to chop and haul wood). How, you ask? A gas and oxygen mixture shoots out of a jet at a high velocity as a super-charged flame, which keeps you warmer for longer, without having to do any work (or fight for a toasty, smoke-free spot near the fire).
If you’ve got young children you may not want to go with a gas fire pit because, honestly, can you really relax around a fire (or fire bowl) with little kids running around. Instead, try a wall-mounted patio heater. Although most commonly used at restaurants, you can find outdoor heaters designed for your covered patio, balcony, or deck and these can be installed high enough that the kids will stay safe and warm.
An Outdoor Heater Let’s face it, some outdoor heaters stick out like an industrial-looking sore thumb. However, there are some powerful outdoor heaters available that are elegant and beautiful, like the artisan fire bowl from Eldorado Stone. Position these strategically throughout your outdoor space and you’ll have a beautiful, warm patio or deck that you can enjoy throughout the winter.
Electric Lamp Patio Heaters Electric patio heaters are a perfectly safe option for a screened-in porch, plus you won’t need to deal with a gas or propane tank. Simply plug them into an outlet. You can find electric patio heaters that look like lamps, which is perfect for anyone who has extended their living space with an outdoor room. In addition to these fire features you’ll need a sense of adventure, a love of the outdoors, and don’t forget your outdoor gear. With these items in hand you’re ready to extend your outdoor season well into winter.
OUTDOORLIFESTYLEMAGAZINE.COM
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THE FINISH LINE
THE FINEST THINGS TO COMPLETE YOUR OUTDOOR SPACE
Canto Cube & Column The rough natural stone look of this all-in-one planter in sand beige, stone grey & graphite black, creates a wonderful contrast to lush greens and colourful flowers. Comes equipped with THE ORIGINAL LECHUZA Self-Watering System and interchangeable plant liner. For indoor and outdoor use. Available in 30 cm size now with 40 cm coming in 2018.
Premium Deltini 14 & Mini Cubi 9 This is a great idea for a Christmas or holiday gift that keeps on giving. The LECHUZA Self-Watering planter makes it easy to feel jovial all season through‌and beyond Wrap up something unique for the people you care about. Also available in white, charcoal, taupe, pastel violet & espresso.
Color Cube 14 Using the stick-with-wick LECHUZA Self-Watering System, herbs stay fresher longer. No repotting necessary – simply place your pot of store bought herbs into the planter. Create an herb garden that any chef would be jealous of. Food safe. Available in white, slate & lime green.
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All products available at lechuza.ca
improve district
HANG UP YOUR SHOVEL
Eco Snow Removal Options
After a couple of years of heavy snowfall paired with freezing rain and ice, homeowners are finally getting past the idea of shoveling and are moving towards heated driveway systems. The technology has been around for a while, but it’s been slow to catch on, probably because many Canadians think a heated driveway is only for the rich or lazy. I can happily say that more and more Canadians are turning to heated systems because of the number of ice related injuries and fatalities from shoveling. Most homes built today have a grade change to allow for drainage after a heavy rain. For these homes, the driveway slopes downward to the street to prevent the rain from flooding into the house. But, what do you do when the opposite is true and your driveway slopes downward, from the street to the house? In many urban areas this has become the norm, allowing buyers to maximize the amount of useable space. Sometimes these driveways are steep! Get a little ice on them and you’ll have trouble getting your car in and out of the garage. Even worse, consider having to shovel uphill after a big snowfall. With a heated driveway, these problems literally melt away. I love heated driveways because they’re environmentally friendly —they reduce the use of salt and chemicals to melt snow. Too often, homeowners overdo it with the “melters” and the “de-icers.” We have a habit of thinking that more is better and spread harmful products
CARSON
ARTHUR HGTV STAR
on every single paved or stone surface. Even ‘eco-safe’ de-icing options are now showing negative side effects. Not needing to use these chemicals at all seems like the best answer. Still not convinced? What if I told you that technology has reduced the costs of operating these systems. Instead of just setting your driveway at one temperature (like an indoor radiant floor) and letting it heat the great outdoors, you can now get smart systems that detect when the snow is falling or when ice is developing and turn on only when needed. This goes a long way to helping with your hydro bill and conserving resources at the same time. Recently I put in a heated drive for a local on-camera meteorologist and she summed it up perfectly, saying she works with weather every single day and in her experience, no two winters are ever alike. That said, we can never predict how bad the weather will get with the changes in our climate. Being prepared just makes sense, and looking after the safety of our loved ones doesn’t have a price tag. If you are replacing your driveway, pathway or even stone steps, consider going with a heated system. Not only will they make winter a little easier to get through, they also go a long way to preventing unnecessary injuries or damage to the environment, your home, and most importantly, your friends and family.
OUTDOORLIFESTYLEMAGAZINE.COM
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DIY
improve district
Do it Yourself? FIRE STARTERS 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! These all-natural fire starters are seriously easy to make. You’ll need to take a look in your spice cupboard, your local craft store and in the great outdoors for the ingredients. If you’re looking for great personal, handmade Christmas gifts for friends and family… look no further! Only use in outdoor fires.
WHAT YOU WILL NEED:
4 cups soy wax flakes 2-3 cups mini pine cones 12 bay leaves 6 cinnamon sticks, broken into pieces 2 tbsp. dried rosemary 1 tbsp. whole dried spices (cloves & allspice berries) 12-2 inch pieces of cotton wick or string 12 cup muffin tin Pan for melting wax
INSTRUCTIONS: 1 Line a muffin tin with paper liners. Fill each one with
1 bay leaf, 3-4 mini pine cones, a few pieces of broken cinnamon sticks, and about 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary, and a few whole spices. Nestle one of the cotton wicks into the center of each well.
2 In an old pan over medium heat, melt the wax flakes.
Pour an even amount of wax into each well. If needed, gently press the items down so they are mostly submerged in the wax. (They don’t need to be completely covered - just enough to hold them together.) Let cool completely.
3 Remove the fire starters from the muffin pan. Store in
an airtight jar or tin, or package individually to give away as gifts.
4 To use the fire starter, place in the bottom of a firepit
between the logs. Light the wick.
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BUCKETS OF A DIFFERENT KIND
MANNY
NEVES
ONE OF THE FIRST RULES OF A CONSTRUCTION SITE IS TO NEVER, AND I MEAN NEVER LEAVE A BUCKET UNATTENDED. A bucket is one of those invaluable things – like carpenter pencils and copper – that’s used by all trades. That’s why misplacing your bucket is the worst. For clients, a bucket list is just as important. Don’t go into a home renovation without one.
Over the years, clients have asked me, “what about your bucket list Manny, your home must be amazing.” The truth? My home is in a constant state of renovation! There’s no way I can renovate my home the way I renovate for clients; I simply don’t have the time. I have to fit in what I can, when I can and I have perfected the fine renovating art of One Room At A Time (better known as ORAAT…Oh Rat!) When it comes to bucket lists, my clients have dreams and must-do tasks at all stages of their project. A great way to sideline your home renovation bucket list is to worry about trends. Of course, we all take inspiration from our travels; things we see and love elsewhere and want to incorporate into our home, but I always stay away from trends. In my experience, trends serve no purpose other than to frustrate homeowners with suggestions that probably won’t work for you or your family. I get asked all the time, is there a book, a formula or rule of thumb for planning renovations? Hell NO! Not any good ones. I only know of one secret to a smooth and well-planned renovation, and here it is: the next time you go home, speak your actions as you walk in. Tell yourself, out loud, where you’re placing
your groceries, putting your keys, hanging your coat, dropping your bag and do this for an entire day for each member of your family. You’ll find that your home’s layout and the small things that work well with your lifestyle become obvious, as do the things that cause frustration. Compile the data and make this the jumping off point of your home renovation bucket list and the areas that you really need to focus on. Going through this process three or more times will help you see what is natural, what is necessary, and what you really care about in each room. Next, make a chart. Write the name of each member of your family in the columns at the top. Then in each row list that person’s must haves, from most important to least. Discuss the important items, let members defend both. The family as a group will finally get to a very realistic renovation bucket list. It might take some time, but you will be proud of this list, you will want to enlarge it, colour copy it, even laminate it. Any self-respecting renovator will see a list like this and they will know in seconds, that your family means bucket business.
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Once in a
LIFETIME GLACIER KAYAKING PETER VOGLER - WHISTLER, BC
W
e are flying up and up and out of the Fraser Valley in southern British Columbia, the green patchwork of farms and fields dwindling away below us while we carry on up over the first peaks of the Coast Mountain range and into a deep blue sky. It is magnificent. Believe it or not we’re going glacier kayaking, the newest recreational adventure dreamed up by our youthful pilot Nick Drader, the sole proprietor of Compass Heli Tours. Drader points out and comments on various landmarks below, forest alternating with mighty peaks and thundering rivers and man this is something. The chopper thunders around us yet we can all hear him describing the view clearly through noise cancelling headphones. Makes me feel very cool. OUTDOORLIFESTYLEMAGAZINE.COM
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it was the best day of my life! We spend a half hour or so flying over the mountain ranges spotting bear and moose and could those be mountain goats? The goats are hard to make out because we have to keep a mandated distance due to their protected status. We must fly a minimum of 500 meters above them and 2000 metres around them. Drader explains that these tough restrictions exist because once startled the goats tend to permanently leave the area. Still, you can occasionally see them in this once in a lifetime setting, traversing our pristine Canadian wilderness. Drader comes by his flying skills honestly, being the son of a longtime professional pilot. His dad’s company D.K. Helicopters began in heli-logging 35 years ago but that industrial focus quickly morphed into something more environmentally satisfying. The choppers were modified into heli-croppers, which can harvest pine cones from the tops of trees with a unique apparatus that hangs beneath the belly of the helicopter. These harvested cones are then sorted and de-seeded and used to reforest the previously logged B.C. wilderness. After ten years as D.K. Heli-Cropper’s chief pilot, Drader found himself sitting alone and lonely in a crappy motel in northern Alberta waiting to use the chopper for wildfire suppression when a question popped into his head. “Is this all there is?” Fortunately he realized that there was indeed more for him: he possessed the skills of a flyer, an engaging personality and the deep knowledge of a local outdoorsman. The perfect combination for a helicopter adventure guide. We’re flying in his favourite chopper, an A-Star, because it has enough power and comfort to carry the five of us plus all the supplies needed to go glacier kayaking (including the kayaks). A few us were a little concerned about getting sick on what might have been a vertiginous flight but Drader’s skill holds us steady and smooth. And then out of nowhere there it is – a hulking raw glacier spilling into an aquamarine glacial lake.
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When I say aquamarine I mean a blue/green like you’ve never seen before, the water straight from a glacier tens of thousands of years old. AND COLD! The water and the glacial ice all emanate a bracing freshness that is hard to describe; something no one can bottle. Some of the lake is still frozen but the edges have begun to melt creating two sapphire rivers that we are going to paddle up today. This is not water that you want to roll your kayak in! Fortunately, these are floatable kayaks (or paddleboards, if you prefer them) that are next to impossible to roll. We take it easy and paddle up to the tongue of the glacier in under two hours. On the way back we stop and admire some lichen and newly awakening grasses, even a couple of anemone flowers. By the time we get back we are starving! The lunches are substantial and delicious, created by Lett Market, a local purveyor of homegrown organic foods. Even the meats on the gigantic sandwiches are organically sourced from either the Lett farm or their own special ranchlands to the north, where the cattle roam free and graze on the natural grasses and grains of B.C.’s Cariboo region. With such hefty lunches I can see why Nick needs a high-powered helicopter! And it sits there at the water’s edge while we refuel ourselves; having done so we re-enter the chopper and wind our way back up over the glacier and then down and back to where we started in the Fraser Valley. What a trip, what an adventure! I ask Drader what is the best thing about doing Compass Heli Tours. By far, he says, “it’s that just about every single person I’ve taken up tells me ‘It was the best day of my life!’”
COMPASS HELI TOURS
ABBOTSFORD, BRITISH COLUMBIA 778-242-1145 | compasshelitours.com By Appointment Only Only Accessible August 1 – November 1 OUTDOORLIFESTYLEMAGAZINE.COM
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GOURMET PIZZA OLD WORLD STYLE a taste of italy in your own backyard
BY BRIE JARRETT - DUNDAS, ON
C
anadians can claim a few culinar y anomalies as their own. Clamato juice for our Bloody Caesars, poutine, and Hawaiian pizza are a few that come to mind. Imagine…Hawaiian pizza being hailed as our own. Why didn’t the Hawaiians think of it? Because it’s pizza. And we DO love our pizza here in the great white north. As the outdoor kitchen becomes increasingly more popular as an extension of our living space, wood fired pizza ovens are also enjoying a huge revival. With modern technolog y producing ovens that are user friendly, sleeker in design, and better insulated (reducing heat up times), families across North America are experimenting with pizza in their own backyards.
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On a recent trip to Canada, Italian born and trained Pizzaiolo Chef Tommaso Damasco found himself training the staff at a local Ontario boutique pizzeria, in the fine art of authentic pizza crafting. He describes himself as a mad scientist. “I love pizza!” he says in his charming Italian accent. “I dream about it! I would get up at three in the morning to make dough. I’m sure my wife thought I was out of my mind,” he laughs. Damasco, originally an under-water welder, met his wife Neah Kelly in Italy and eventually they moved to the States. Damasco aspired to become a restaurateur, but “I’m a perfectionist,” he says. “Anything I’m going to do, I’m going to do well.” So, he went back to Italy to learn from the masters. Soon after he completed his training, he opened his first restaurant, Damasco’s Pizzeria & Spaghetteria which was a resounding success and this year he launched Juliet Ristorante in Charleston, South Carolina, where he lives with his wife, and three children. Now a consultant, Damasco helps restaurants create menus and craft kitchen systems. Pizza, of course, is his specialty and he teaches the gentle art of making the perfect dough. Pivetti 00 flour from Modena in Northern Italy is his secret weapon. High quality, simple ingredients are key to true Italian style food. There are currently a wide variety of authentic pizza ovens available in the Canadian marketplace. An oven that produces high temperatures is key to producing the best pizza possible. Damasco recommends a wood fired pizza oven for the best results, but do your homework and decide which suits your lifestyle and budget best.
TIPS FOR THE BEST PIZZA DOUGH: Be careful not to use too much yeast in the dough. Water should be around 18-19 degrees Celsius. Hot water is not recommended as it speeds up fermentation. Divide dough into dough balls for better temperature control during fermentation. Place the dough in your hands and fold the sides into the center continually until a smooth dough ball is formed. Longer fermentation equals better crust. For the best results allow 2-3 days of fermenting, room temperature first and then in the refrigerator. After fermentation, gently stretch out the dough by pushing it out with your fingers until the desired diameter is achieved. Pizza dough is delicate, treat it with love!! Make your oven as hot as you can. Wood fired pizza ovens can reach up to 900 degrees, so keep an eye on the bottom of the crust. Slice and enjoy!
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BY DOMINIC BROWN – VANCOUVER, BC
Bucket lists are fun - I have one myself. But let me play the devil’s advocate, and suggest that happiness is not to be found in grand occasions and brag-worthy achievements. Bucket lists are often packed, not with actual ambitions, but with things we think we’re supposed to want.
// Things
not to bother doing before you kick the bucket
Bungee jumping | Skydiving Hang gliding | Whitewater rafting | Wrestling an angry grizzly bear Adrenaline junkies have a way of telling everyone to be like them: shout ‘you only live once’ and jump out of a plane. But you can get that heart-racing, terrifying-but-satisfying experience with your feet on the ground - delivering a first lecture at college, asking your crush for a date. Those profound experiences count, too - what matters is how you feel, not how loudly you scream.
// Things
you don’t need to see before you kick the bucket
The Mona Lisa | The Parthenon | Macchu Picchu | Angkor Wat Standing in line for hours, to see a small dark portrait from ten metres away, for sixty seconds, is not worthy of your ambition. The world is full of wonderful art in local museums and in galleries selling the fine work of your neighbours. Yes, Michelangelo’s Pietà is transcendent, but will it feed your soul as much as owning a dozen pieces that speak to you, personally, today, the way Renaissance works spoke to its patrons? Because you can do now what they did then - give artists the support they need to create.
// Clichés
not to embrace before you kick the bucket
Beach holidays in Bali, or any other tropical paradise | $1000 Broadway shows | 13-star restaurants that serve food in test tubes Which makes the better story: ‘One time, we had a fancy dinner in Manhattan, and went to see Hamilton,’ or ‘One time, I attended a live performance every Saturday night for a whole year - I know every theatre in this city! Now, the craziest thing I ever saw on stage was…’? Would you rather tell your friends: ‘I once dined at Le Bistro Prétentieux, and the $200 appetizer was fresh Jovian cloud - jellyfish, flown in by astral courier,’ or ‘I spent a summer at the Italian Cultural Centre, learning Italian, cooking Venetian seafood dishes - actually, that’s where I met your godmother’? You want great stories to tell your grandkids, sure, but a hundred small achievements or experiences produce better stories - and way more friends to tell them to.
// The
pinnacle of all things not to do before you kick the bucket
Climb Mount Everest If you’re a great climber, Everest isn’t even a trophy anymore, because hundreds of duffers have been carried guided to the top, debasing the achievement. The main route has scores of climbers standing in line. Plus, you have to climb past the frozen corpses of your literal predecessors. Seriously, it’s a horror movie up there. Life is full of scary challenges, achievements that call for great courage and grit - raising a disabled kid, overcoming childhood trauma, working in an oncology ward. Your Everest moment may come when grateful peers recognize your unsung, lifelong generosity. Not as good for your ego, much better for your soul. Happiness, we know, depends not on the intensity of life events, but on their frequency. A year after the lottery, winners are about as happy or unhappy as they were before the big event - and so are paraplegics a year after their accident. So, ditch the bucket list full of clichés, and do something satisfying and memorable, right where you are, right now. I promise you, it’ll make you happier.
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BAR C
BY DEBORAH RENT - HALIFAX, NS
Imagine a team of super heroes, whose superpower is whipping up amazing cocktails all over the country. Their mission - eradicate the pretentious snobbery associated with certain blends of booze. Which, when you get right down to it, is kind of like saving lives...one cocktail at a time. And while they can’t really leap tall buildings in a single bound, they can pull together a bar, any place, anytime, anywhere and can whip up the meanest martini you have ever tasted. Instead of a Batmobile, they explore the country in a rugged Jeep and crazy one-wheelers. These are not your typical businessmen. No, they are way too cool for that. They have an edge and a joie de vive with an energy that’s contagious. They are the Nimble Bar Company.
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they can pull together a bar, any place, anytime, anywhere and can whip up the meanest martini you have ever tasted Like the debonair James Bond, one of the things the men from the Nimble Bar Co. never take lightly is their drink. And like 007, they too have a mission. And its focus is squarely on their fellow ‘spirit-ual’ advisors from around the world. It was less than a year ago that Nathan Caudle, Kyle Guilfoyle and Reese Richards brought their collective talents together and joined forces in an effort to help their colleagues drive their bottom line. While what they are doing is sexy and slick, at the very core, it’s about helping people in the bar and restaurant business market more effectively and ultimately make more money. They are guerilla cocktail inventing media mavens. A combination as unique as their signature drinks. “Running a bar or restaurant is hard work. A lot of people are so busy running the business side of things that they forget to promote their business,” says Richards. “Or they simply don’t have time to use social media effectively.” That’s where these bar gurus come in. They consider themselves digital story tellers and want to help clients get to the very soul of their brand. With decades of experience in the bar business from all around the world combined with their marketing experience, their mission is to get to 58 I outdoorlifestylemagazine.com
the very spirit of the company they are working with. As bar consultants that, of course, means an exhaustive look and focus on systems and processes. As digital storytellers, though, they take it a step further. They take the bar’s story, look at what’s happening in the province or city and combine local ingredients to make a really cool signature cocktail. And then they make it sexy. Their video footage shows scenes from their recent epic cross-country trip...from the stunning idyllic scenery deep in the overgrown woods of British Columbia to untamed beaches with late night roaring campfires, to being perched on a wall with the Parliament Buildings looming in the background, these men know how to get your attention. “We find super unique places to make the cocktails and then we shoot some amazing high-end videos of the drinks and us preparing them. We’re addicted to growth: growth in marketing, growth in customer satisfaction, and growth in profit margins,” explains Caudle. Guilfoyle sums it up perfectly. Years ago, he got into the bar business when he found he could make a living making people smile. That’s at the core of what they do, he says, only now they are helping bartenders and bars everywhere by utilizing superior marketing strategies - which has everyone smiling.
The Barrel Roll INGREDIENTS: 1oz (30ml) J.D Shore Black Rum 1oz (30ml) Glynnevan Rye Whisky 1/3oz (10ml) Salted Cacao Nib Demerara Syrup 1/4oz (7.5ml) Toasted Angostura Bitters GLASS: Rocks Glass METHOD: Light Angostura bitters on fire and roll in glass until evenly coated / toasted. Stir drink over ice and strain onto large ice cube.
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F ENCOURAGING WOMEN in the trades BY BRIE JARRETT - DUNDAS, ON
Working with your hands shouldn’t equate to lesser than, it’s just different
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ollowing your passion, diving into it and listening to your inner voice are all philosophies that celebrity contractor Kate Campbell lives by. Tenets that have given Campbell the resilience to carve out a career and even to gain distinction, working in an industry dominated by men. With over a decade on HGTV, Campbell has worked on shows such as Holmes on Homes, Holmes Inspection, Decked Out, Disaster Decks, and Custom Built. Her latest appearance is on the popular HGTV show, Home to Win with the accolade of being the only female contractor on the show. Campbell also runs her own contracting business KateBuilds Inc. Her latest project is documented on her soon to be released web series called “The Major House,” a rundown, 150-year-old farmhouse that she purchased with her husband, Dave Coleman. The series will take you through the three year long build, along with all the ups and downs including the planning of their wedding. At a glance, Campbell has the whole package; talent, determination, brains, beauty and wit, however she is the first to admit that her path hasn’t always been an easy one. It’s precisely those experiences that she draws upon now to inspire and mentor others, especially women. At just 31 years old, she is the founder of Build Women Up, a newly launched scholarship grant foundation supporting women in the trades. “You can’t be what you can’t see,” is a favourite quote of hers that fits perfectly with her foundation and is significant given that her career in construction almost didn’t happen. When considering her own destiny, the school system measured only Campbell’s academic skills, not her proclivity for working with her hands and being an athletic, active person. “The system needs to change,” she says. Campbell points out, that there are many stigmas and stereotypes associated with the trades and subsequently they are only proposed as a secondary option for careers. “Working with your hands shouldn’t equate to lesser than, it’s just different,” challenges Campbell. “The trades need to be put on more of a pedestal and presented as an on-par choice and not a consolation prize.” She is hoping to encourage more women and girls to consider the trades as a viable career option. Campbell herself heeded her own intuition and turned down the four university scholarships she was offered. Instead, she enrolled in the Ontario Government-funded Women In Skilled Trades (WIST) program. Recalling the moment she picked up her first power tool, “It was like YES! This is incredible!” Careful though not to sugarcoat the trades, Campbell admits the industry is tough at times. “When things are difficult, you may fail and go through adversity, but if you are reaching towards the goal of something you are passionate about, it’s worth it,” she says. “You learn more along the way.” According to some sources, only 7% of all skilled trade workers in Canada are women, which means there are still many obstacles to overcome. Campbell says, “I almost don’t like talking about it, because there are already so many things piling up against women in the trades, I just want to say, it’s good and you can do it!”
KATE
CAMPBELL Photo courtesy of Royer | royer.com
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OLm: How did you start working on HGTV? KC: I had to complete a 400-hr apprenticeship after the
WIST program, so I applied to the Holmes Group and they were wiling to take me on. Eventually I became a part of the crew working on Mike Holmes’s set. From there I worked with Paul Lafrance and he really pushed me forward to become more visible. The first day on set I was surprised when the sound guy mic’ed me up. Paul said, “you need to have a voice, you are the only woman here. We want to hear what you have to say.” My response, “I have lots to say!”
OLM: What has been your biggest challenge working as a woman in the trades? KC: I felt like I had to constantly prove myself, like I was
under a microscope and that I had to be perfect and it took a while to feel comfortable and to be able to make mistakes.
OLM: What is one thing the readers may not know about you? KC: I’ve severely broken both of my legs, once falling off a horse, and the other flipping a snowmobile. I now have metal rods and pins from my hips to my knees. My dad says I won’t break anymore, I’ll just bend. Adversity has been a big influence in my life, because things we take for granted, like walking can be taken away quickly. Now I work in a career where I move and walk everyday. OLM: Tell us more about “The Major House” reno? KC: We are an open book and we are going to talk about how we made it happen and all the trials and tribulations on the web series, like living with Dave’s parents for a year right after we got married! I almost feel like this house represents my whole career, nothing has been super easy but at the end of it all, this is what we can do.
For more information on Kate Campbell visit katebuilds.ca | buildwomenup.com
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CANADIAN CRAFT VODKA
2
No
1
No
GEORGIAN BAY SPIRITS Co.
THE NEWFOUNDLAND DISTILLERY COMPANY A very pure vodka made with local barley in Clarke’s Beach, Newfoundland. Small batch, handcrafted, and triple distilled in copper stills. It is surprisingly smooth, with a very subtle hint of grain and no after taste or after burn. thenewfoundlanddistillery.com
Made in Ontario, Georgian Bay vodka is made from a blend of Canadian two-row malted barley and corn-based vodka. The purity of the spring water used to make Georgian Bay Vodka lends to its extremely smooth finish.Slightly sweet with subtle citrus notes and a creamy vanilla finish. georgianbayspiritco.com
3
No
WAYWARD DISTILLATION HOUSE Unruly vodka starts it’s life as 100% BC Honey. Gentle fermentation and careful distillation ensure only the softest and sweetest hearts are collected. Incredibly rich and smooth, waywardorder.com
4
No
EAU CLAIRE DISTILLERY
Three Point Vodka – Buttery smooth with a long, silky finish, this premium Alberta barley-based vodka is perfect in a martini, with a favourite mix or on its own. Three Point Vodka is named for Three Point Creek, a tributary to the Sheep River where our vodka is produced on the edge of the Rocky Mountains just outside of Turner Valley, Alberta. eauclairedistillery.ca
5
No
CIRKA
This award-winning vodka is the first grain to bottle artisanal vodka made from premium quality non-GMO Québec corn. Careful distillation in a 24-foot vodka column increases purity without stripping out essential flavours. A hint of its origin and distinct flavour is captured in a velvety finish that gently coats the palate. cirka.ca
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3
MUST SEE DESTINATIONS
AZURIDGE ESTATE HOTEL ELEGANCE Situated in Alberta’s rolling foothills, this hidden gem offers secluded luxury set against breathtaking landscapes. Perfect for the modern-day elegance seeker, Azuridge offers all the luxuries of an exceptional boutique hotel; sensational dining, intuitive care by dedicated staff, beautiful and thoughtful design and architecture, and room to spread out across the acres. For those seeking adventure, there is plenty nearby including horseback riding, cross-country skiing, hiking trails and more. After a day of exploring, your personal butler will book you a reservation at the estate’s Opal restaurant or draw you a hydrotherapy bath so you can relax. azuridgehotel.com
BUCKET LIST TRAVEL ALBERTA BOUND
TRUE NORTH MUST SEE
MOUNT ENGADINE LODGE GLAMPING Located in the heart of Kananaskis, Mount Engadine Lodge provides all of the charm, warmth and adventure of an intimate backcountry lodge while being easily accessible by car. Mount Engadine is all-inclusive, providing guests with delicious breakfasts, afternoon tea and cosy family-style dinners throughout their stay. A rustic mountain oasis, the lodge also offers cabins and yurts for those seeking something a little more private. Surrounded by alpine lakes, hiking trails and a mountain backdrop, there is no shortage of outdoor activities at Mount Engadine – explore Alberta by canoe, helicopter or bike…whatever is on your bucket list. mountengadine.com
THE POST HOTEL & SPA LUXURY Old World charm meets new world luxury at this historic property, in the heart of Lake Louise. Home to an award winning wine cellar, renowned fine dining experiences and the Temple Mountain Spa, The Post Hotel is the ultimate Rocky Mountain getaway. But fear not, those craving adrenaline don’t have to look far – from dog sledding tours in the winter to white water rafting in the summer, The Post Hotel will help facilitate your ideal Rocky Mountain excursion. After your adventure, head back to The Post and cosy up next to the fireplace with a hot chocolate or enjoy a cocktail and the views on the outdoor patio. posthotel.com
From glamping ,world-class luxury hotels and spas, to adrenaline producing bucket list adventures. Alberta has something for everyone! 66 I outdoorlifestylemagazine.com
My Bucket List t er n la p g in r e t a w lf e s a Find G et a green thumb w o r g I t a h w t s e v r a H Share with friends
LECHUZA has the perfect planter for every taste and every location
www.lechuza.ca
Give a man a fish and he’ll eat for a day. BY RENALDO AMOTA - THOROLD, ON
feed it forward.
T
he year? 2014. The event? Oktoberfest. The cuisine? German-fare. Think decadent schnitzel, juicy bratwurst and the flakiest strudel ever. Enter you - an up and coming chef. Talented, wise, ambitious. You stand at the foot of the first big event of your career. You’re popping up a tent by the local brewery and are preparing to hunker down and feed a few thousand people. No big deal. You’ve got a solid team and a truck with a big trailer packed to the nines. It’s raining but that’s not about to slow you down. You trudge forward with gusto. Halfway to the festival your trailer tire blows. It’s a rental. No spare. It’ll be an hour before anyone can come out to fix it. Time is of the essence and it’s slipping through your fingers like sand through a fork. But you are a grinder. It’ll take a lot more than a flat tire to break you.
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JAGGER GORDON CHEF FEED IT FORWARD
Photography by Robert Skuja
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By the time you get there, the lunch crowd is already gone. Things are looking bleak, but no worries, there’s still dinner! Now it’s pouring rain, causing more logistical headaches. You’re finally ready to serve dinner, but everyone is already hanging out in the beer tent. And just like that it’s over. The only thing that’s gone is all the money you invested in hosting your food truck for the festival. What’s left is a trailer full of people you have to pay for the day, and most begrudgingly, a trailer full of food that’s going to go waste. Now what do you do?
Enter Jagger Gordon From marine to bodyguard to P.I to chef; Jagger Gordon has done it all. Well-versed, well-traveled and well-educated, Gordon brings to the table, a type of meal that only he can truly deliver. Raw talent and amazing mentorship have allowed him to create a culinary experience that is not meant simply to be tasted but rather consumed through each of the five senses. He sums this up rather nicely when he shares his vision: “my business card is your mouth,” a line he delivers with the humble confidence of someone who truly believes in his craft. So, there he is, knee deep in food he can’t sell. Instead of panicking however, Gordon moves into action. “I’ve got to freeze all this stuff,” he says. He goes on to plug in a few freezers and fills them up with meals from the festival. Now, to get that food to people. His idea was simple. He called a few friends and asked if they’d volunteer at a pop- up kitchen at his local church. That day he fed almost 300 people. This humble act of kindness and generosity would be the catalyst for Gordon’s journey to develop Feed It Forward. A program designed to help feed those who are less fortunate and use food that is otherwise destined for the garbage, in order to reduce food waste. It’s Toronto’s first subsidized, pay-what-you-can and pay-it-forward soup bar. Brilliant! “You work so hard for your money,” Gordon says. “Then you go to the grocery store and you buy your fruits and vegetables and half the time it sits and wilts in your fridge. Then you throw it out? Why would you do that? You’re throwing out your hard earned money. If that’s the case then just give me the money. I’ll feed someone with it.” Gordon attacks the problem from several angles. Not only does he aim to provide for those in need but also to educate people about the true extent of food waste in Canada. From the truth about expiry dates to cooking amazing meals using affordable ingredients, Gordon embodies the “teach a man to fish” ideology. It’s an ideology that brings him to the streets when his soup bar is closed – in fact, it’s his most important daily routine. “If we have food left over we pack up the truck and drive late into the night and feed everyone we can until it’s all gone,” he says. Gordon’s passion, talent and grit has him shooting for the stars. His vision is extensive and he plans to tackle our nation’s hunger headon. A noble cause born from a bad experience. There are several ways you can be a part of his amazing agenda. Check out his website feeditforward.ca and ‘be the change’ that is Gordon’s great Canadian vision to leave no man behind.
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Photography by Robert Skuja
He plans to tackle our nations hunger head-on
GRILLED CORN AND WATERMELON LEFTOVER CHILLED SOUP GRILLED WATERMELON - 10 portions 1 small whole seedless watermelon 1/4 lbs feta cheese 10 mint leaves 10 edible flowers 1/4 cup reduced balsamic vinegar DIRECTIONS: Cut watermelon into 2x2 inch thick slices Grill on high 5 min both sides (let cool) Cut grilled watermelon into 2 inch thick cubes Cut feta into 2 inch thin cubes Place mint, feta on top of watermelon and drizzle balsamic Add edible flower on top
GRILLED CORN - 6 servings 6 ears of sweet corn on the cob 1/2 cup of chopped cilantro 1 cup of coconut oil or butter 2 tbs of chili powder 3 tbs of garlic powder 4 tbs of onion powder 4 limes 2 tbs salt MARINATE: 1/2 cup white vinegar 4 litres of water remove corn silks-not husk soak corn in mixture- 2 hrs DIRECTIONS: In sauce pan, combine coconut oil or (butter) and all other ingredients Cut limes in half and squeeze juice in pan On low heat, stir until coconut oil/butter is melted Roast corn with husk on the BBQ for 15 min turning every 3 min Pull back cornhusk and lather sauce - serve
And because wasting food is not an option, try Gordon’s awesome…
ROASTED CORN AND WATERMELON SOUP Shave roasted corn off cob. Combine corn and watermelon. Mash all leftover pieces with fork. Add 1 cup of ice and wait to thaw. Place in a bowl. Top with feta, drizzle of balsamic, edible flower and a pinch of salt.
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BY PETER VOGLER – WHISTLER, BC
The GLC bar and grill faced a problem, not a bad WHISTLER, one exactly, but a problem nonetheless. Tucked slope side at the base of Whistler Mountain they had become so popular they were running out THE GARIBALDI LIFT CO. of floor space. The cosy, beamed interior was not nearly big enough to accommodate all the enthusiastic après-skiers and the patio outside could only sometimes beat the West Coast weather with its tabletop umbrellas. While the GLC is cosy, it does sit on top of a gondola barn consisting of concrete, steel beams and huge, grinding gears and engines. Not very inviting, but it did possess a cold, damp, sunless, almost viewless and very unappealing rooftop at the back. In a stroke of patio brilliance GLC manager Mike Wilson suggested that they take on a challenge “and turn the worst of our real-estate into our best…” So began a journey into the world of rooftop transformation. GLC hired Vancouver-based architect Michael Green who is famous for out-of-the-box thinking and the use of unlikely materials and techniques to solve seemingly intractable design problems. To mitigate the hard-industrial look of the area, Green installed subtle, vari-shaded wood siding and placed it vertically creating both a warm atmosphere and a spaciousness that had previously been lacking. The wood tones are rich, sophisticated, and very modern, belying the tough industrial roots from which the patio emerged. The patio was also extended with a cantilevered roof over the skiers’ plaza below. This not only increased the floor space but also changed the aspect so that the view now included both the mountain above and the social hubbub around the Fitzsimmons chairlift below. But even the nicest spaces look glum if the lighting is bad and in Whistler that issue is exaggerated because the mountains in winter absolutely gleam. To that end a series of deeply recessed and angled skylights were introduced into the newly extended rooftop. They disperse natural light throughout and the cumulative effect of light and design make it both cosy and charming. When cosy and charming doesn’t cut it and a large party wants to dance and shred, the GLC cunningly installed a programmable LED lighting system. After all, serious lighting is required when revelers arrive in everything from giraffe costumes, to Santa Claus outfits, to 1970’s freestyle fashions. Hey, it’s Whistler, right? Add to this mix the built-in ceiling heaters, heat trace wiring in the floor to keep skiers comfy and dry, and signature glass-enclosed fireplaces and it’s no wonder the newly renovated GLC patio is an over the top success. And to put the cherry on it all a professional sound company installed acoustically balanced speakers with a Wi-Fi system that can transmit concert audio from the festival stage across the plaza into the new GLC patio. Now that is a rooftop transformation!
British Columbia
72 I outdoorlifestylemagazine.com Photography by Joern Rhode
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GET READY TO GET COSY BY BRYEN DUNN – TORONTO, ON
Heading upstairs to The Drake Hotel’s Sky Yard patio to stargaze, indulge in a meal with friends, and sip a crafty cockTORONTO, tail sounds like a fun summer affair. An SKY YARD outdoor experience in the middle of winter, though, is what The Drake Hotel’s Sky Yard patio is so well-known for. The outdoor space is an ever changing, climate-defiant, all-season hangout, that’s complete with its own (winterized) satellite cocktail bar, and a full dinner menu. Since 2004, The Drake Hotel has been a Toronto landmark with a unique approach to all things art, entertainment and hospitality. The design-forward hotel offers space for music, art, dining, chilling out, and enjoying a beverage, despite the season. Condé Nast Traveller wrote, “It isn’t so much a hotel as an all-in-one concert venue, gallery, café, restaurant…that just happens to have 19 guest rooms.” Current cultural exhibits at The Drake include Take Your Legs and Shoes, an exhibition by curators Kate Benedict and Tamara Hart that runs until mid-October and focuses on how materials “become witting actors in the artistic process.” Chronology, in which Curator Zviko Mhakayakora looks at “the timeless lens through which we analyze acts of silencing racialized bodies,” is showing on Drake TV until early November, and features the work of Giselle Mira Diaz and David Ofori Zapparoli. Thought-provoking art isn’t limited to The Drake Hotel itself. For the last several years, Curator and Head of Cultural Programming, Mia Neilsen and her team have created new themes for the Sky Yard patio to celebrate the Canadian winter… complete with uniquely themed-décor elements. Past themes have included Canadian Legion Hall, Ice Fishing, Shack Chaude, Winter Camping, and Moonrise Kingdom. “It’s always an interesting project to think of various ways to celebrate winter. Generally, I think Canadians want to escape or avoid the cold, so it’s fun to embrace it,” explains Neilsen. Although full design has not yet been established for the 2017/2018 year, “as we prepare for construction of the new Annex building, we’re planning to focus on the interior spaces, creating a bit of a postmodern cocoon,” Neilsen divulged. A patio scene wouldn’t be complete without music, and the Sky Yard is no exception.
Ontario
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There’s always some form of entertainment throughout the winter season, usually by way of rotating DJs. Adding to the eclectic mix of art, culture, and music is that you never know who will be stopping by. Past celebrity sightings at the winter patio have included Woody Harrelson, Kevin Spacey, and Rachel McAdams. The exact timing of the switch to the winter patio depends on the weather, but generally the flip over is around late November. A worthy word of advice Neilsen gives to winter patio patrons is, “get ready to get cosy!” and if you can’t wait for winter, follow them on Instagram now@thedrake for highlights of their latest inspiration.
GREAT IDEAS
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Planning a Backyard Dream space is only limited by your imagination! Contact us today to start designing your outdoor oasis.
1.800.382.3699 | foxpool.com
“ I’ll treat your project as if it were my own backyard.“ Trevor KuBiaK, all Mechanical
Designing Outdoor Living Spaces? Before you begin, ensure you have the right mechanical design and installation. All Mechanical specializes in fitting outdoor gas and electrical appliances. • Gas barbeques/ranges • Gas heaters/firepits • Gas lanterns • Pool heaters and hot tubs • Outdoor and low voltage lighting
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BY LARRY – “THE UN-IGNITER”
WE ARE CANADIAN, EH?! And a little bit of snow or cold can’t scare us. Hell, that’s bonfire weather right there people! So bundle up, fill up your wine skin, crank up the tunes, bust out the gasoline… or whatever you start your bonfires with, and git’er done. Cuz there is nothing more Canadian than a good old winter roast. If you’re like me, the art of starting a great, roaring fire is something that only boy scouts and pyromaniacs are skilled at and that skill escapes me. Here are a few tried and true fire styles for your burning pleasure. Make sure you have some dry wood and kindling (small, dry pieces of wood and paper) – which I am told is a must when trying to ignite a flame. I usually use whatever flammable liquid is available at the time…citronella oil, bbq fluid… but don’t do as I do, do as I say. Use the kindling and a match! No accelerants!
THE TEEPEE
THE LEAN -TO
THE STAR
THE SWEDISH TORCH
These drawings are pretty straightforward. So figure it out or you’ll freeze your ass off!
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BUCKET LIST
discover district
DON’T JUDGE!
Not everyone wants to climb Mount Kilimanjaro! Sometimes we just have these crazy, funny ideas. Ones where we throw our hands up in the air and say “f*#K IT! I really want to try this.” It may not be our neighbour’s cup of tea…but hey, who are we to judge?! Maybe these things will make your heart soar, or maybe just the thought of it cracks you up. Either way, it’s YOUR bucket list and it ain’t nobody else’s business. We only get one kick at the bucket…so make it count.
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we bought
Farm the
TWO BIRDS, ONE STONE FARM I first heard the expression, “bought the farm,” in a book several years ago. At the time, I didn’t think much of it. By Sarah MACALPINE – HALLS HARBOUR, NS
Photography by Amber Richmond Photography
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It was just something people used to say in the 40s and 50s instead of saying that someone had died. It wasn’t until a few weeks before my husband Kenny and I were leaving our suburban, Ontario home for a 150-year-old farmhouse with two rundown barns on about five acres of hopefully farmable land in Nova Scotia, that I made the connection. I had just worked my last nine-to-five and Kenny and I were at our local watering hole taking a much-needed reprieve from the purging and packing that had become our entire existence, when a familiar face joined us. He immediately coupled his arm across my shoulders and beamed, “So, you bought the farm, eh?” On the inside, I was a cluttered mess of emotion… brimming with excitement and joy, but also struggling with my fair share of jittery apprehension. I met my old friend’s pint glass with my own and returned his wide grin with a gracious smirk. Indeed, we did buy the farm. We travelled often, lived in a beautiful home in a wonderful community, our neighbours were some of our best friends, and I could even walk to work. Certainly, we had created a nice life, but somewhere scurrying through it while working opposite shifts, Kenny and I decided that this isn’t what we wanted. So, we decided to leave our comfortable lives to follow our innermost aspirations. In life, knowing when to stop doing something is an art form unto itself. It’s much too easy to get caught up in the day-to-day hustle while balancing your existence. Often when you do realize it, it can be considerably intimidating
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to proceed. It’s a perfect storm when you decide it is time to stop something and you know what you want. For us, it was an honest breakthrough. We wanted to get back to nature and connect with our food, somewhere we could unite with the rhythm of the tides, and seasonal shifts. We wanted to work purposefully together to create something beneficial and rewarding. We intended to do something that some people never get the chance to do, or wait until before death to do. We were buying the farm! The search for our homestead ended on a cold morning in late March just down the road from a little fishing village on the Fundy shore. Although it wasn’t promptly evident to me that this is where we would happily lay our roots, when I did grasp it, there was no looking back. We went home, sold our house, and when I went to sleep at night I dreamt of working the fields near the ocean on our thriving pasture. Kenny and I named our cherished new endeavor, Two Birds One Stone Farm. We are only on the threshold of this great new adventure. We have an enormous to-do list, and so much to learn. Tomorrow morning, we are going to pick up our little tractor, and we have a field full of golden rod to attend to. We’re in unfamiliar waters, no doubt, but it’s what makes sense in my soul. Making the decision to live rurally and get into farming was really about finding a way to combine my favourite things. I love being outside with my hands in the soil, and I’m passionate about nature. Not unlike our move, this recipe brings together many of my favourites – the flavours I love most in one simple, easy to eat taco.
Haddock TACOS FISH 250 grams haddock 1 tbsp cumin 1 tbsp chilli powder 1 tbsp coriander 1/4 cup melted butter 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice 2 cloves garlic, minced SLAW 2 cup shredded cabbage 1/2 cup red onion, thin sliced 1/4 cup cilantro 2 tbsp fresh lime juice SAUCE 1 ripe avocado 3 tbsp greek yogurt 1 tbsp fresh lime juice 6, 6� tortilla shells Preheat oven to 375°F. Mix cumin, coriander, and chili powder in a bowl. Coat haddock in spice mixture and arrange in a 9 x 13 baking dish. Combine melted butter, lemon juice, and garlic in a measuring cup and pour over the fish. Cook for 20 minutes on the middle rack. While the fish is cooking prepare the slaw by combining all ingredients. Mix well and refrigerate until ready to serve. In a small bowl mash the avocado with a fork until the lumps are about the size of peas. Add lime juice and yogurt, and mix until the consistency is even. When fish is thoroughly cooked break up into smaller pieces with two forks. Arrange tortillas and top with fish, slaw, and avocado sauce. Serve and enjoy!
discover district
By Sarah Penney, ND – Hamilton, On
We encounter hundreds of viruses that want to infect us every day. They’re on the taps we touch, the doors we open, and in the air we breathe. They can survive on surfaces like door handles or elevator buttons for up to 6 hours, but die off in 45 minutes on clothes and 20 minutes on hands. Our immune system fends off most of these perpetrators, but now and then one will win the fight and you’ll end up with a cold or flu. Everyone gets sick once in a while, but a quick recovery is an indicator of good health. Over the counter medications can be useful to help suppress symptoms, but they do not help your body overcome a cold any faster than you would otherwise. Head to your kitchen and combine these natural remedies. With proper rest and hydration, you should be back on your feet in no time.
1
OREGANO OIL
Oregano has long been used to fight infection. It contains an ingredient called ‘carvacrol’ which has shown antiviral properties in laboratory studies. Despite these findings, there is no evidence it can stimulate the immune system. However, many use oregano oil to treat throat infections, and use it with steam inhalation for sinus issues.
2
CHICKEN SOUP
Mom was right – chicken soup may help the body tackle a cold. The steam and warmth from soup can loosen stuffiness in the airways and help prevent an infection from progressing. Spices in homemade chicken soup can also help decrease symptoms of a cold by calming the immune cells that cause the symptoms.
3
VITAMIN C
Despite the popularity of this nutrient when it comes to sniffles, there is no evidence that taking vitamin C helps when you are sick. Taking it before you get a cold may shorten the duration of illness by half a day in adults but by 1-2 days in kids.
4
HONEY
If you are coming down with a cough or cold, honey could be helpful. Studies show it may shorten the duration of a cold by a few days when taken daily, and it works as a cough suppressant to help dry coughs. Try taking three tablespoons per day when you are sick.
5
GARLIC
This superfood contains a compound called ‘alicin’ that can have antiviral properties, but alicin is only activated after garlic is cut or crushed, and it is inactivated by heat. Some research suggests that consuming garlic may help prevent viral infections, but the verdict is still out.
Disclaimer: If you experience complications from the flu, such as pneumonia, or have a high fever that won’t go down, see your healthcare provider right away. If you catch the flu and you have a chronic condition, such as asthma, or you are pregnant, see your doctor. 82 I outdoorlifestylemagazine.com
LET STEEL CITY PALMS CREATE YOUR OWN OASIS. ANY TIME. ANY PLACE. ANY CLIMATE.
Handcrafted Stainless Steel Palm Trees International Shipping Available OUTDOORLIFESTYLEMAGAZINE.COM I 79 905-961-3095 | steelcitypalms.com
ROGER EDWARDS Roger Edwards is a nationally renowned Canadian sculptor who works in casted metals including bronze, aluminum and iron. His passion for sculpture took hold after a meeting with world-renowned sculptor Henry Moore in 1971. That same year, Edwards received the Governor General Medal and has gone on to accept a plethora of awards for his creations. Edwards’s passion for minimalistic-contemporary sculpture is reflected in this featured cast-iron piece. From his studio in the Beaver Valley, in the heart of southern Georgian Bay, Ontario, he is currently working on several new sculptures for his upcoming one person exhibition. These sculptures will be made of large carbon steel tubing that has been deconstructed and rearranged into forms that have never been seen before. His work can be found in many private collections around the country and at The Canada Council Art Bank rogeredwards.ca
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Piece: Iron Horse
Piece: Prismatica Prismatica is an award-winning, immersive installation by RAW Design. Glimmering under natural light by day or atmoÂspheric lighting by night, 50 luminous prisms create a giant kaleidoscope of overlapping transparencies, patterns and reflections. By means of rotation, either induced by wind or user manipulation, dynamic patterns of light radiate, whereby every colour of the visible spectrum spills onto adjacent surfaces. RAW Design is a Toronto-based studio focusing on architecture and public art. Project team: Roland Rom Colthoff, Pierre-Alexandre Le Lay, Aaron Hendershott, Matthew Lawson. rawdesign.ca
Piece: Traveller’s Return Andy Davies is a sculptor of public space. From ephemeral water drawings to public sculpture commissions, Davies adores the politics and personality of the public domain. He has three major public commissions installed in Alberta and Ontario, with a fourth currently in progress in British Columbia. Davies graduated at the top of his class from the University of Lethbridge in 2009 with a B.F.A. / B. Ed. He is based in Lethbridge, AB. andydavies.ca
Photography by Imagine Films
home grown
GRACIE BY BRYEN DUNN - TORONTO, ON
S
inger, songwriter and guitarist Mary-Grace Marino, aka Gracie, grew up listening to classic rock and playing along on the guitar at a very young age. “As a younger kid I used to enjoy metal bands like Lamb of God, Blotted Science, and Nile. I liked music that shook me up,” she confides. “I also loved older rock bands like Led Zeppelin, Rush, Black Sabbath and Guns ‘n Roses.” Marino went on to study at York University, where her addiction to music grew and expanded to include Jazz, Soul, and R&B, drawing comparisons to greats such as Etta James, Jill Scott and Amy Winehouse, but with a twist that’s all her own. “I look up to a lot of artists. People like James Brown, Erykah Badu, Jill Scott, D’Angelo, Hiatus Kaiyote, Amy Winehouse, Bill Withers, Stevie Wonder, and Marvin Gaye are some of my core inspirations,” she says. Marino has just released her first single, ‘New Day’, now available on iTunes and Spotify. “I’ve been writing several songs about heart break and about love, but this song happened to be one of the tunes I wrote about a different subject – change,” she explains. “I was inspired by the season of fall, because it’s such a beautiful season. Plants die and are covered in snow, but winter is followed by spring and summer when plants bloom and are reborn. The song is simply about accepting change, embracing it, and being grateful for it.” On stage Marino performs solo on the piano, but
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was assisted by Myles Shwartz in the studio for the recording of ‘New Day’. While this is a solo release, she did divulge that fans can expect the release of a full album in the future. “My inspirations for song writing come from more of a personal place. I have experiences that I write about in my life, and I use writing as a therapy session for myself.” For someone in her early twenties, Marino has experienced some of the common challenges associated with performing and breaking into the music industry. “As a younger artist there are definitely certain challenges you face along the journey of performing live. One of the biggest is having confidence in yourself and in your delivery,” she reveals. As for what the future may hold, Marino would like to be living in Toronto and making many more musical connections. “I would like to think that my career will push forward and that I will have made many connections to a bigger community of musicians in the United States and maybe across the world. But most of all I want to tour the world and see as many parts of this beautiful planet as possible!” Keep up with Gracie at www.facebook.com/gracieofficialmusic
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home grown
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BY PETER VOGLER – WHISTLER, BC
ike an opening scene in a movie, Jojo Mason’s story begins with a jar of moonshine, a party, a record producer and a whole lot of serendipity. Mason, a happy go-lucky hockey player from Regina, Saskatchewan moved to British Columbia in 2004 to further his promising hockey career. This affable Prairie boy with a broad smile and an endless sense of fun was the star of the Victoria Junior B team; he was the guy with the Afro, the life of the party, and he lived for hockey. And then in 2010 a herniated disk in his spine wiped out his dreams in the snap of a finger. Not surprisingly, the loss of hockey sent him into a self-destructive spiral. Not only was the herniated disk excruciatingly painful, but hockey had been the sole source of meaning in his young life. Thankfully, his mother brought him home to Langley and urged him to
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get the physical and emotional rehabilitation he so badly needed. Having recovered from the physical injury Mason still found himself at loose ends emotionally. He was thankful for the bartending job he had found but it couldn’t hold a candle to being a rising star at center ice. Then on December 21st, 2013 Mason walked into a Christmas party clutching a jar of Ole’ Smokey Moonshine and directly into the sites of music producer Dan Swinimer of Manicdown Music who, as luck would have it, was just discussing the wisdom of including a reference to a jar of moonshine in a song he was working on. “Can you sing?” he asked Mason. “I’m not the worst - I sing in the shower,” Mason famously replied, and thus was born a new life for the down and out hockey star. Dan had Mason upload a karaoke song and after inviting him for an hour of studio time he discovered that this Prairie kid could really sing! Mason can’t say enough good things about producer Dan Swinimer who has become not only a collaborator on his records but also a best friend and mentor. And it’s quite a collaboration. Mason came into the studio for that first karaoke session in January 2014 and by June 2015 his first album was released to critical and popular acclaim. His first single ‘It’s All Good’ was the number one most added radio song, a first for an independent artist’s debut single in Canadian radio. His second single, ‘Good Kinda Love’ was released in November that year to similar success, and two more top 20 singles followed, including a new album that was released this summer. Mason’s entry into the music industry is reminiscent of a Hollywood movie with just the right amount of festive fortune, moonshine, and underdog. So, if you hadn’t heard this hockey-player turned country singer, whose music combines country with deep grooves and original melodies, then you’re missing out on magnetic lyrics that tell a story that is uniquely Canadian.
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PLANT PICKS
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FRANKIE FLOWERS
colour
Japanese Kousa Dogwood (Cornus Kousa) Staghorn Sumac (Rhus typhina) With serrated edges and bright radiant red or orange colour in fall it’s hard to miss Staghorn Sumac. A Canadian native with upright cones of crimson red berries that not only feed our feathered friends but provide both fall and winter interest. A word of warning sumac are vigorous growers and if not kept in check can become a nuisance send-ing running roots into the lawn. A more compact variety is Tiger Eyes Sumac.
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One of my favourite additions to any landscape. Kousa Dogwood packs a lot of punch, spring flowering with white blossoms, superb bright red fall colour and winter interest with bark offering a look of a jigsaw puzzle. All season interest, all in one plant!!
Sugar Maple (Acer Saccharum) Sugar maple may be famous for “maple syrup” but I say they should be celebrated for their vibrant fall colour. A sugar maple’s range of fall colour extend from yellow to orange to red making this one of the most colourful fall trees ever! Just a reminder you need space for a sugar maple! They can reach over 80 feet in height and up to 60 feet in width, not ideal for a small suburban lot!
comic relief
Go Swimming Canada has the most coastline in the world. It’s not exactly A1 beachfront property, but toughen up – this is a bucket list; not a cotillion. Get out to our coasts for a dip. Bonus points if you hit up the Arctic Ocean (Hudson Bay doesn’t count) No need for sunscreen, but bring your wetsuit.
Go Whale watching After your swim on either or both coasts, sample delicacies like lobster, snow crab and spot prawns. Then embark on your next bucket list adventure: whale watching. Get on a boat about half the size of a whale and barf those seafood delicacies back into the sea. If you’re truly adventurous, don’t stop at whale watching. Try whale swimming. Whales are gentle, intelligent creatures that relish human companionship. If none are around, lather up with krill juice and they’ll be along shortly. If sharks appear instead, repel them by pushing on their noses – the Internet says this is effective. Whatever happens, somebody will come away with some good photos.
Skate the Rideau Canal Do this at night, when it’s colder than the Hoth system (http:// starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Hoth_system ) and you can’t see the potholes in the ice. Start downtown and skate for several kilometres. If you make it to Dows Lake with fingertips intact, wrap your lips around a local baked treat – the beavertail – and take in the sight of on-ice medical staff tending to shattered kneecaps. In hindsight, scrap this. If you find yourself in Ottawa in February, make your way to the airport. Go anywhere except Winnipeg. BY ZACK FLEMING – KANATA, ON
Let’s get the disclaimers and excuses out of the way: This is not the ultimate adventure bucket list. It’s not quintessential, or any kind of essential. It’s Canadian, but some provinces are absent. Apologies to Saskatchewan readers. I’m sure it’s a lovely and exciting place. In no order, here’s the list…
Attend the Calgary Stampede Calgary is a vibrant, modern city. A Calgary man wears a cowboy hat with a suit and one of those ties with two strings. The Stampede is the city’s signature event. The people there are nice, and I understand there’s lots of meat on-hand. Tip: ensure that your jeans are tight like cowboy jeans, but not tight like the jeans that young people wear.
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Visit South Pond Farms, Kawartha Lakes, Ontario Everybody on the Internet agrees that it’s amazing. Also, this place is featured in a show that I binge-watch on Netflix called Taste of the Country. If you’re into barn events and other rustic shit, this show is like heroin.
Go Skydiving Do this last so you’re assured of getting the other ones done.
Visit Picturesque Dundas, Ontario Once a bastion of drug use, teen pregnancy, and hockey hair, this town on the edge of Hamilton is now a bastion of old people and artsy stuff. There’s plenty to do, I guess. Stroll up and down the main drag. Maybe check out some waterfalls. Attend the Cactus Festival.
Seriously Folks... 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 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. 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.
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THE ROSTER LANDSCAPE SUPPLY
Permacon Permacon 8375 5 Sideroad, Milton, ON 1-800-265-0692 permacon.ca Oaks Landscape Supply 225 Wanless Drive, Brampton, ON 905-840-1011 oakspavers.com Unilock 287 Armstrong Ave, Georgetown, ON 416-646-9000 unilock.com
Artistic Landscapes 143 Concession 6 E, Millgrove, ON 905-529-5999 artisticlandscapes.ca
Steel City Palms 67 Berrisfield Cresent, Hamilton, ON 905-961-3095 steelcitypalms.com
Hardcore Renos GTA/Golden Horseshoe Contact via website hardcorerenos.com
Warming Trends Linzel Distributing 417 Wynona Rd, Stoney Creek, ON 1-866-340-1999 linzel.ca
STRUCTURES/SHADES Genesis Woodworks Ontario Locations 289-684-0790 genesiswoodworks.ca
ALL THINGS WATER
Bestway Stone 8821 Weston Rd, Woodbridge, ON 416-747-0988 bestwaystone.com
Fox Pools & Spas Leisure Centre 5430 Harvester Rd, Burlington, ON 905-631-0837 foxpoolandspalc.ca
Fairway Building Supply 1624 Claybar Rd, Jerseyville, ON 905-648-9001 fairwaybuildingsupply.com
Spring Showers Irrigation 431 Ridge Rd W, Grimsby, ON 905-309-1618 springshowers.ca
Grand River Stone London/Fergus/ Kitchener/Stoney Creek 1-866-261-5548 grandriverstone.ca
LANDSCAPE DESIGN/BUILD
Plantenance Landscape 114 Labrosse Ave, Pointe-Claire, QC 514-684-8235 plantenance.com Natural Landscape Group 115 King St W, Dundas, ON 905-627-1466 naturallandscapegroup.com Bos Landscaping 1 – 1 Killins St, Smithville, ON 905-957-1330 boslandscaping.com Meadowbrook Landscaping 5 – 461 Hwy 5 W, Dundas, ON 905-335-1294 meadowbrooklandscaping.ca
Revive It Power Washing & Restoration 5236 Dundas St. W., Suite 2, Toronto/Burlington, ON 905-208-4308 reviveit.ca Universal Misting Systems 80 Nashdene Rd-unit 89, Toronto, ON 416-292-6184 patiomisting.ca ClearDeck Systems Ltd. P.O. Box 28013 Windsor, ON 1-866-607-3325 cleardecksystems.com
FURNITURE/ APPLIANCES
Casualife 6 Shields Court, Unit 1, Markham, ON 905-475-8353 casualife.ca
Memphis Grill Linzel Distributing 417 Wynona Rd, Stoney Creek, ON 1-866-340-1999 linzel.ca Lechuza 6430 Kennedy Rd-Unit D, Mississauga, ON 905- 696-7529 lechuza.ca Lakeshore Living Ltd. 113-1100 South Service Rd. Stoney Creek, ON lakeshorelivinglife.com The Big Green Egg 11 Bales Drive W, Newmarket, ON 1-800-559-8852 biggreenegg.ca Hestan Outdoor Luwa Luxury Products 1-877-574-0770 luwaluxury.com
INFRASTRUCTURE/ UTILITIES Eternal Security Residential/Commercial Canada Wide 226-208-7786
All Mechanical 243 Beach Rd, Hamilton, ON 905-549-5116 allmechanical.ca Greenstrike/Maxtech Greenstrike/Maxtech 173 Roger St. Unit 3, Waterloo, ON 519-885-1213 green-strike.com OUTDOORLIFESTYLEMAGAZINE.COM
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recipe // CINNAMON PECANS 1 cup white sugar 1 tsp. cinnamon 1 tsp. salt 1 egg white 1 tbsp. water
1 pound pecan halves
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 250 degrees 2. Mix sugar, cinnamon & salt together 3. Whisk egg white & water together until frothy, add pecans
4. Add sugar mixture to pecans, evenly coat & spread on a greased cookie sheet
5. Bake for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes
FavEs// Food: Steak - medium well Beverage: Iced tea Music: Hip Hop MOVIE: Scarface Time of day: Definitely not morning! COLOUR: Baby blue Place to travel: Key West Time of YEAR: Fall (hockey season) PASTIME: Duh...Hockey Hero: My mom
CHRIS SAGER Featuring the REAL PEOPLE that work behind the scenes By Lori Sweezey Dundas, ON
The spark in his eye and excitement in his voice when he speaks about his work is contagious. Christopher Robert James Sager was born in Fort Erie, Ontario on September 16, 1981 to Marion and Robert. Marion, a customs clearance clerk, had her hands full with Sager and his two younger brothers. “From a very young age, all I ever wanted to do was play hockey in the NHL,” Sager says. “My mom was the proverbial ‘hockey mom’ and spent a great deal of her free time at any number of arenas around the province to support me.” An arm injury prevented Sager from realizing his childhood dream, but his love of hockey has never waned. He and his wife Dawn appropriately named their first-born daughter Sydney (as in Crosby). You know you’re hockey obsessed when… As a boy, Sager would work by his mother’s side helping her create beautiful gardens around their property, and together they won the “Blooms Award” from the city every year. It was during this special time together, building small but mighty landscapes, that Sager’s love of landscaping flourished. In 2009, he made the most natural decision of his life and enrolled at Niagara College to study landscape technology. As most students do, Sager needed
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Photography by Geoff Faber
to create a revenue stream to help pay for school, so he designed a flyer to promote his new yard maintenance business. To his surprise, it became a great success. The discarded plants from his client’s gardens went directly into the nurturing hands (and garden) of his mother. Times like these created the perfect bonding experience between them, and had a profound impact on the boy who had cared about nothing but hockey. After graduation, while working at a Canadian Tire Garden Center, Sager began to feel stuck. “I was managing the garden center and I loved it, but I felt like there was no room for professional growth there,” he recalls. Instead, he found a job with a landscape design firm and when they amalgamated, they would not leave Sager behind. He was too committed, too passionate, too knowledgeable and an integral part of a great team. Outdoors and with his family, is where Sager is most content. Camping, fishing and travelling with his brothers to Key West for a visit to his uncle, (who is a commercial fisherman) fills his soul. Currently a crew leader and project manager with Natural Landscape Group, Sager looks forward to many more years of learning and professional growth with his team. Asked where he sees himself in 10 years from now, Sager is sure that he’ll still be working as a landscape professional and will undoubtedly be coaching his daughter’s hockey team. “I just want to raise her to be a kind contributor to society. I’ll be the best dad I can and support her in any way I can…just like my mother did for me.”
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DECASTON® DESIGN LINE The new DECASTON® design line from Oaks enables holistic design concepts for your project. With its large format, smooth surface, clean edges and reduced joint spacing, Decaston is ideal for creating inviting spaces. At 80mm (3.15”) thick, this paver is suitable for light traffic, pedestrian use and meets wheelchair access specifications. Combine with the contemporary colours of Molina for even more design options.
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