Boulevard Okanagan, September/October 2020

SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2020

OKANAGAN LIFE AT ITS FINEST

FALL...

outside

SHOW-STOPPER SALADS

Harnessing the sun’s bounty

HOME WORKOUT !

Get moving at home

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CONTENTS 12

56 FEATURES

DEPARTMENTS

30 GRANDIOSE

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CONTRIBUTORS

... and wide-open spaces

Model Jayda Stephens, photographed on location at Seven Half Diamond Ranch.

By Lisa Manfield

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EDITOR’S LETTER

Mind over matter?

By Susan Lundy

FASHION

Head to the hills with these BC brands

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LIFE. STYLE. ETC.

Liette Saulnier

By Lia Crowe, Jenny McKinney

By Lia Crowe

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DESIGN NOTES

On the Cover Photo by Darren Hull

44

PLACES

44 HIGH COUNTRY

50 HOME WORKOUT!

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Get moving at home

Moody. Rich. Warm.

By Kaisha Scofield

By Hannah Berger

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 202 0

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WELL AND GOOD

Whole wellness

By Kaisha Scofield

20 GOOD TASTE

Chef Oliver Kaiser: Hotel Eldorado

By Susan Lundy

22 WEEKENDER

Sensational Sooke

By Susan Lundy

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20

26 IN STUDIO

66 TRAVEL

Year(s) of the hare: David Hunwick

Finding Nimmo: Nimmo Bay, BC

By David Wylie

By Suzanne Morphet

40 BUSINESS CLASS

A Newlook life Elroy Gust

By Toby Tannas

56 FOOD AND FEAST

Show-stopper salads

By Ellie Shortt

68 SECRETS AND LIVES

Jennifer Lynch

By Angela Cowan

70 NARRATIVE

The Haida return

By Bruce Cameron

74

BEHIND THE STORY

By Lia Crowe

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contributors “When my visit to Alert Bay in

BRUCE CAMERON WRITER THE HAIDA RETURN

PAGE 70

2012 coincided with a commemorative visit by the Haida and a ceremonial potlatch, punctuated by drumming and singing, I was humbled and intimidated by the sheer power of the recollections. For centuries, Alert Bay has been the home of the Kwakwaka’wakw or Kwakiutl peoples, whose carvings reflect the awe and respect with which they see their place in the natural world. Yet, it was the tragic and inspiring story of the Haida seeking refuge from a smallpox epidemic 150 years earlier, fleeing north back to their villages on Haida Gwaii, that seemed most poignant to recount during these COVID times.” Bruce is a pollster, drummer and writer who has lived in Toronto and Calgary, and who now feels at home in BC.

“Movement is a big part of my life and something that helps to keep me

KAISHA SCOFIELD WRITER HOME WORKOUT!

grounded and focused. This story was more to me than a fun workout piece, it was a glimpse into my own pandemic life and the lengths I will go to ensure I am supporting my need for physical movement. I think that exercise should be fun and sometimes even silly, so when I began researching this topic, I was delighted to come across such a wide variety of movement options.

There is truly something for everyone and for me, having the option to workout at home has opened up a world of movement possibilities.”

Kaisha Scofield is a Nutritional Therapy Practitioner, the owner of Well and Strong Health and a lifelong movement enthusiast.

PAGE 50

“I’m an unapologetic salad lover,

ELLIE SHORTT WRITER SHOW-STOPPER SALADS

so when brainstorming summery food features, my heart just kept coming back to big bowls of vibrant colour in what is arguably the most salad-y season of all. While the topic of ‘summer salads’ is nothing new or particularly clever, there are countless flavour combinations that offer endless ways to showcase the bounty of fresh seasonal eating, something I’m also particularly passionate about. So without really trying to reinvent the wheel, I put together three of my personal at-home favourites with the hope that you too might become a salad lover if you’re not already.” Ellie is a writer, recipe developer, certified nutritionist and regular contributor to Boulevard.

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O K A N A G A N L I F E AT I T S F I N E S T S E P T E MB E R/OC TOB E R 2 020

BLACK PRESS MEDIA Penny Sakamoto GROUP PUBLISHER

BOULEVARD Mario Gedicke

GROUP PUBLISHER 250.891.5627

info@blvdmag.ca

MANAGING EDITOR Susan Lundy

ASSOCIATE EDITOR Lia Crowe

CREATIVE DIRECTOR Lily Chan

DESIGN Michelle Gjerde Tammy Robinson Kelsey Boorman

ADVERTISING Mario Gedicke Vicki Clark

CONTRIBUTING Hannah Berger

WRITERS Bruce Cameron Angela Cowan Lia Crowe Susan Lundy Lisa Manfield Suzanne Morphet Kaisha Scofield Ellie Shortt Toby Tannas David Wylie

CONTRIBUTING Lia Crowe PHOTOGRAPHERS Darren Hull Jeremy Koreski

ILLUSTRATION Sierra Lundy

CIRCULATION & Brian Gold

DISTRIBUTION 250.763.7575

TRENDING ONLINE:

View Boulevard’s Fashion Friday

www.vicnews.com/life Any device. Any time.

Victoria Boulevard® is a registered trademark of Black Press Group Ltd. All rights reserved. No part of this magazine may be reproduced without the publisher’s written permission. Ideas and opinions expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of Black Press Group Ltd. or its affiliates; no official endorsement should be inferred. The publisher does not assume any responsibility for the contents, both implied or assumed, of any advertisement in this publication. Printed in Canada. Canada Publications Mail Product Sales Agreement #42109519.

Tel: 250.381.3484 Fax: 250.386.2624 info@blvdmag.ca boulevardmagazines.com

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SALES | SERVICE | STORAGE

Selling the Okanagan Lifestyle since 1983 We focus on providing superior service and quality products specific to the enjoyment of boating and watersports activities.

malibumarine.com | 250-862-9422 950 Ellis St, Kelowna, BC V1Y 1Z1

Your Canadian Dealer For

PHOTO BY LIA CROWE

Mind over matter?

I think not.

As we walked a rugged 12-kilometre trail on Malcolm Island—located off the north end of Vancouver Island—this summer, I couldn’t help but recall the last time we traversed this path.

It was eight years ago, well before the COVID-19 lockdown set us on a regular hiking regime, which has significantly increased our fitness. The hike was one of those instances where the mind goes one way and the body goes the other. We’d set out on the trail amid loose conversations around hiking part of the North Coast Trail to Cape Scott—a significant trek that takes eight hours each way.

(These conversations often start with great enthusiasm but falter as we try to envision carrying a case of beer on our backs.) About 30 minutes into the 2012 Malcolm Island hike, we’d huffed and puffed agreement that we might not be ready for an eight-hour trek.

This year, the hike was still tough—especially where the path merges into several storeys worth of crumbling stairs down and then back up, and then disappears altogether—but with our newly toned walking muscles, it was much more accessible.

It got me thinking about other times the mind says, “yes!,” but the body says, “are you kidding me?” This happened to me when called upon to participate on “parent teams” during my daughters’ sports years. Trotting along at half speed on a soccer field, for example, my mind took me sprinting up the wing with the ball, deking out a defender and placing it right in front of the net for a striker to put between the posts. My body? It continued trotting at half speed.

Or the time at a swim meet when I got slotted in for the 50-metre freestyle portion of the parents’ relay team. It didn’t help that I discovered a small hole on the backside of my swimsuit just moments before climbing onto the block and bending (in front of a row of timers) into the “set” position. At the buzzer, I blasted forward and sped though the water to the 25-metre mark…and slowly died the entire length back.

But as these thoughts are wont to do, my mind turned to my husband—always fodder for a good yarn. It started at the bar one afternoon as we sat with a couple of men our age and a few younger bucks. The talked turned to rugby and Bruce confided that, yes, he’d once been a rugby player too! As pints of beer clinked enthusiastically around the table, a game was planned for the following day.

“When exactly did you play rugby?” I asked innocently as we made our way home.

“High school!” he answered, obviously charmed by the memory.

“I played the wing because I was light and fast!”

“And how old are you now?” I wondered aloud as I did the math … “Oh, so that was close to 40 years ago. Hmm. Played any rugby since?” I already knew the answer to that one.

Sure enough, all the men turned out and the game got underway.

Five minutes into it, Bruce caught the ball. He accelerated into an opening amid cheers from the sidelines…but then, like a car of out gas, he decelerated and finally limped off the field. Oh dear. Have you ever seen what a torn hamstring looks like? Purple bruising, from leg top to bottom. Ever seen what a bruised ego looks like?

No matter, the hamstring healed as did the ego. But there is no rugby or soccer or swim meets in our future. We’ll stick to hiking.

(Now. How do you carry a case of beer on your back?)

I hope this new season brings you many adventures. Enjoy this issue of Boulevard!

Susan Lundy Editor Susan Lundy is a former journalist who now works as a magazine editor, author and freelance writer. Watch for her new book, Home on the Strange, out this spring via Heritage House Publishing.

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landmarkclothiers.com

life.style.etc.

LIETTE SAULNIER RN, BN, MANAGER AT GLO ANTIAGING YOUTH LAB WORDS + PHOTOGRAPHY LIA CROWE

i

meet Liette to chat life and style at GLO Antiaging Youth Lab off of Pandosy.

Originally from Nova Scotia, Liette graduated from Dalhousie University in 2005 with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

“I worked a total of 12 years in emergency medicine until I finally followed my passion for medical aesthetics three years ago. I’m very grateful to have joined the GLO family.”

Asked what aspect of her work fires her up the most, she says, “I absolutely love working with people and building long-lasting relationships to help them achieve their goals.

Having worked in a busy emergency department, I have learned how to multitask, delegate and manage high-stress situations in the most productive way.”

When it comes to good style, Liette is all about simplicity, elegance and a touch of class. “My personal style is both professional and classy. I always have several little black dresses in my closet along with a good pair of black pumps.”

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“In order to achieve great things in life, it’s important to focus on working hard and giving first,” says Liette, when asked for a recently learned life lesson. “And kindness also goes a long way.”

STYLE INSPIRATIONS & LIFE FASHION & BEAUTY All-time favourite piece: Ted Baker Chatsworth dress coat.

Currently coveting: YSL OPYUM pumps.

Favourite pair of shoes: Stuart Weitzman Sock Hop floral booties.

Favourite day-bag: Ted Baker giant knot leather shopper bag.

Favourite work tool: Ted Baker shopper bag.

Favourite jewellery piece or designer: Cremation urn pendant necklace that carries some of my father’s ashes.

Fashion obsession: Anything Ted Baker.

Accessory you spend the most money on: Handbags.

Necessary indulgence for either fashion or beauty: My medical grade skincare products.

Moisturizer: Vivier Ultimage: my “Botox in a bottle.”

Scent: “Chance” by Chanel.

Beauty secret: You can never have too many skincare products!

One thing that has been torture to live without during the COVID-19 pandemic: Regular skin rejuvenation treatments.

Style icon: Jennifer Aniston.

Piece of art: My husband hired a local artist, John Delaney, to make a caricature picture of the two of us for my birthday.

Favourite fashion designer or brand: Ted Baker.

Era of time that inspires your style: 1950s.

Film or TV show that inspires your style or that you just love the style of: Suits (Donna Paulsen and Jessica Pearson) and Scandal (Olivia Pope).

Favourite cocktail or wine: Gray Monk Gewürztraminer.

Favourite flower: Lilies.

Favourite city to visit: Los Angeles.

Favourite place in the whole world: Paris, France.

One thing that consistently lifts your spirits during these hard times: My fur baby, Moose (@moose_the_basset).

READING MATERIAL Coffee table book/photography book: 200 Women Who Will Change the Way You See the World, by Ruth Hobday and Geoff Blackwell.

Last great read: Lean In, by Sheryl Sandberg.

Book currently reading: Becoming by Michelle Obama.

Favourite book of all time: The Leader Who Had No Title, by Robin Sharma.

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design notes

Moody. Rich. Warm.

A fall-inspired palette WORDS HANNAH BERGER PRINCIPAL INTERIOR DESIGNER, OWNER / HANNAH KATEY INTERIOR DESIGN

2.

1.

As we transition from summer to fall, I find myself drawn to natural textures and rich, warm hues that will contrast with the crisp evenings ahead. Adding layers upon layers of cosy elements within furnishings, plus statement patterns with warm tones that give a familiar vintage-vibe, allows for a calm-yet-inviting space.

Here, I have paired vintage-patterned accent tile with neutral, contrasting warm-white and light-grey subway tiles

by Julian for an updated eclectic feel, accented with burnt orange, nude, linen, army green and black. All accessory pieces are organic in shape with hints of brushed gold to continue the warm look and feel throughout.

All dĂŠcor and furniture is available at Lexi + Lake; find the tiles though Nufloors.

4.

3.

5.

6.

7.

1. Lafco candle, $89.

8.

2. Barter cups, $25/ea.

3. Barter candle set, $325.

4. Throw blanket, $325.

5. Accordion lamp, $650.

6. June chair, $2,150.

7. Orange pillow, $165.

8. Julian patterned tile, call for price, Nufloors.

9. Julian subway tile, call for price, Nufloors.

9.

well and good

whole wellness Community, healing and inclusion WORDS KAISHA SCOFIELD

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For many, accessing wellness during these difficult times has been both vitally important and particularly challenging. On top of a global pandemic, recent events in the United States have brought into focus the lived experiences of Black, Indigenous, people of colour (BIPOC).

W

e all want to be well.

British Columbia is a province dedicated to wellness. We are spoiled with ocean trails and mountain terrains. We are a firstclass retreat destination and the birthplace of high-waisted yoga pants. We have world-class spas, expertly trained yogis and outstanding healers; wellness is our specialty, but is BC wellness accessible to everyone?

Often referred to as self-care or personal growth, wellness practices are profoundly beneficial to our overall health. We flock to these practices to improve relaxation, promote healing and establish a state of general well-being. This can be achieved through any number of activities, from massage to running, yoga to therapy, spa treatments or mediation—the possibilities are endless.

Many people turn to wellness practices because they need connection and healing. Practicing in a studio, gym or wellness centre supports community building by promoting a sense of belonging and loyalty. Those who practice in wellness spaces often say that the safety and support provided by the community allows them to feel a deeper sense of healing and well-being.

During these overwhelming times, it is especially important to have community supports available. Moreover, it is vital that wellness spaces and communities be accessible to everyone.

For many, accessing wellness during these difficult times has been both vitally important and particularly challenging. On top of a global pandemic, recent events in the United States have brought into focus the lived experiences of Black, Indigenous, people of colour (BIPOC). The overwhelming prevalence of systemic racism in our world has been exposed and we are being confronted by our complicity with this reality. We are, however, also being presented with an opportunity for profound and necessary change. The wellness community holds an important role in this movement because it represents community, healing

and inclusion. But there is work to be done.

Racism shows up in many forms—systemic, micro-aggressive, gaslighting and more—and being forced to navigate these systems can lead to overwhelm and exhaustion. Unfortunately, wellness spaces offering these practices often lack the diversity, inclusion and socio-political awareness necessary to make everyone outside of the majority feel welcome. This has led to the creation of spaces run by and for BIPOC but they are few and do not fully solve the underlying issue.

Health and wellness spaces are populated predominantly by the female, white and middle-class demographic. There is no doubt that working toward wellness is incredibly important for all people, but it is problematic when representation for other participants is then limited. The current monoculture in these spaces can lead to diminished accessibility for the largely overlooked demographic of BIPOC, who are actively seeking out and participating in wellness and self-care.

The intention of a wellness practice is to support health and promote healing. Diversity and inclusion are especially important in these spaces because practicing wellness requires a certain level of connection and vulnerability. Be it a massage, training session or yoga class, involvement in these activities demands openness and acceptance from both the client and the practitioner.

We are not expected to relate fully to one another’s lived experiences but we must recognize the importance of holding space for each other and be ready to support wellness when it comes. If you have ever seen a class full of yogis bending into pretzels, or been to a silent retreat, you know that the wellness community doesn’t shy away from difficult practices. The shift towards diversity and inclusion will take some work but it is important and necessary. We are ready for change because wellness is for everyone. boulevardmagazines.com |

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HOW TO CREATE SPACE IN THE WELLNESS COMMUNITY: LEARN: there are many incredible BIPOC educators in the wellness community who are running courses, calls, seminars and discussions on diversity and inclusion. Taking these courses is important because it helps to support BIPOC while also solidifying the commitment to doing the work. Some wonderful courses are run by Toronto-based New Leaf Foundation and Vancouver’s Cicely Blain Consulting.

LISTEN: ask those inside and outside of your community about their own experiences. Question where your wellness practices originated and ask if they are being appropriately represented and credited. By bringing these discussions to your community, you are supporting the larger conversation about inclusion and diversity. Keep up the lines of communication and recognize that staying out of the conversation is an act of privilege. Learn from centres and spaces run by and for BIPOC. Wonderful examples of this are The Well Collective and The Villij, both in Toronto.

CONNECT: being open to making changes in the wellness community is only the first step. If you are teaching or attending a gym or studio that is lacking diversity, have a conversation with the owners or instructors. This is not a call-out but rather a call-in. This work is most successful when it is approached with invitation rather than confrontation. If you don’t know what to say, try starting the conversation with acknowledging your limitations and go from there.

REFLECT:

it is normal to feel uncomfortable with privilege. It is difficult to challenge the status quo and sometimes systemic change can feel too big. It is okay to feel overwhelmed and underprepared. It is okay to pause and take time to digest the situation, but it is important to resist complacency and apathy. These struggles will not be untangled immediately but by committing to education, conversation and community, we will be one step closer to equality and wellness.

ONLY 16 HOMES REMAIN! The Van Maren Group started construction of The Cottages on Osoyoos Lake in 2012. The vision was to create a one-of-a-kind retirement and vacation community of 285 homes with plenty of green space and resort style amenities, all connected by a beautiful private sandy beach on Osoyoos Lake.

If you’ve been following our progress you’ll have to agree. We delivered!

Act now to be part of the South Okanagan’s fastest selling residential community.

Please contact Jody Curnow at 1.855.742.5555 to arrange a private viewing or visit our website for a full tour.

With our continued reputation for high-quality homes, as well as a focus on customization, it’s not surprising we’re ALMOST SOLD OUT!

ONLY 1 MEADOW HOME, 8 HILLSIDE/LAKEVIEW HOMES & 7 MERITAGE VIEW HOMES REMAIN!

Cottages site 2012

Cottages site 2019

Visit our Display Homes » 2450 Radio Tower Road, Oliver, BC Open by appointment only.

1.855.742.5555 osoyooscottages.com

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WE HAVE YOUR BACK, YOUR KIDS’ BACK AND YOUR GRANDKIDS GRANDKIDS’ BACK TOO OUR WEALTH EXPERTS CAN HELP ENSURE YOUR MONEY AND YOUR FUTURE STAND THE TEST OF TIME.

Make an appointment today.

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good taste

Oliver Kaiser, chef at Hotel Eldorado, provides dining experiences for the Lakeside Dining Room, Boardwalk, Eldorado Lounge and The Whisky Room.

AT HOTEL ELDORADO with chef Oliver Kaiser WORDS SUSAN LUNDY

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PHOTOGRAPHY LIA CROWE

quick facts • Born and raised in Schaffhausen, Switzerland, until the age of 36.

• Has worked at Hotel Eldorado for four years. His previous experience includes Sun Peaks Resort and UBCO.

We asked Chef Kaiser: Why Lakeside Dining at Hotel Eldorado?

It’s the place to be in Kelowna. It’s Kelowna’s home for locals and tourists.

Why did you decide to become a chef ?

When I was little, I loved hotels and restaurants. I was always running into the kitchen of the hotels to see what they were making.

What is the specialty at Lakeside Dining?

I love to give a classic touch while using local ingredients.

I aim to create a classic food experience with a local twist.

How does the restaurant’s cuisine fit with the decor or ambiance?

What would your last meal be?

Lobster and beef.

What is the best recent food trend?

Classic, seasonal-inspired local cuisine is still the trend — and it’s one I like to deliver on.

What is a good simple piece of advice for pairing wine and food?

Never overpower the food or the wine. They need to complement each other. But it also comes down to personal preference of the guest as well.

What is your favourite cuisine to cook?

Italian cuisine.

Hotel Eldorado is a classic boutique hotel with vast history. I aim to match this with my classical approach to cooking.

What is your favourite cuisine to eat?

What’s the one ingredient you can’t live without?

When are you happiest at work?

What is your go-to meal when you’re low on time?

When are you happiest outside of work?

Beef.

Bread and cheese.

French cuisine.

When my team receives excellent feedback from our guests on the food, and my employees are happy.

When I play golf with my friends: it is like yoga to me. boulevardmagazines.com |

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weekender

sensational sooke Sights and scents of the sea at SookePoint and beyond WORDS SUSAN LUNDY

eat.

Sooke is home to a number of excellent restaurants that feature West Coast cuisine and fresh seafood. Wild Mountain is a slow food restaurant serving local Canadian cuisine, overlooking Sooke Harbour.

Route 14, located in downtown Sooke, offers fine food, music and a rustic atmosphere. Hara Sushi serves traditional and non-traditional dishes, fresh and flavourful food and an authentic Japanese experience.

Stickleback West Coast Eatery has a natural cedar bar, a stunning mural of Sombrio Beach and a popular patio.

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see.

do.

sleep.

Experience the ocean in all its forms. Sooke offers a number of ocean adventures from kayaking to whale watching, sailing, boat tours and shoreline excursions. Fishing charters are extremely popular and there’s an abundance of opportunities to snag halibut, salmon and cod.

Ocean views are also abundant: climb Mount Maguire in East Sooke Park for spectacular views to the Olympic Peninsula, or drive along the coast to Port Renfrew, stopping to watch surfers at the tiny seaside community of Jordan River.

Hike! Sooke has dozens of trails. In East Sooke Regional Park, a petroglyph near the Aylard Farms trailhead and abandoned mines inside the park offer glimpses of local history and numerous easy to moderate walking trails. Mount Empress, accessed from Sooke Potholes via Mary Vine and Todd Creek trails, is a 12.6-kilometre, out-andback trail considered “difficult.”

The Roche Cove Regional Park Loop is a 7.7-kilometre loop trail, and hikes at Sandcut, Mystic, Sombrio, French and China beaches await discovery about 30 minutes down the highway towards Port Renfrew.

The two-bedroom SookePoint Ocean Cottage Resort suites are 1,014 to 1,340 square feet, sleep up to six, and offer private decks or patios, gourmet kitchens and amenities that range from soaker bathtubs to washer/dryer units.

Every suite features a massive, glass-wall system opening to the view. In addition to being rental suites, the cottages are available to buy and live in or rent out. SookePoint is managed by True Key Hotels & Resorts, which also runs Sooke Harbour Resort and Marina in downtown Sooke, plus a number of other properties around BC.

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 202 0

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itting in comfortable armchairs with the floor-to-ceiling glass walls wide open, a gentle breeze blows through the suite. In front of us sits the deck—shaped like the bow of a boat—just five metres above the sea, and a wide swath of glistening ocean and distant views of the US Olympic Peninsula spreads before us.

The effect is mesmerizing and the sense of being on a boat is so strong, we almost expect to feel motion.

From the moment we stepped into our two-bedroom suite at SookePoint Ocean Cottages & Surfside Yacht Suites, we were enveloped by a sense of the sea. Everything here is designed to draw your eye to the expanse of blue just outside.

And with all the comforts of home and more—king bed, soaker bathtub, gourmet kitchen—at our fingertips, plus a nearby pebble beach and 3,600 acres of wilderness and hiking trails, there is no reason to leave the area during our two-day stay. SookePoint, perched at the edge of a solid, end-of-theroad rock peninsula in East Sooke, a short drive from Victoria,

is the perfect spot to unwind and reconnect with nature.

Today’s foray to the coast started in the same way all our trips to Sooke and beyond begin: with a stop at the landmark 17 Mile Pub. This historical watering hole originated in 1894 as the British Ensign Hotel—“a regular stopping point for stagecoaches travelling to Sooke, as well as ‘a quiet retreat for those unmarried, who require a little privacy.’” It once housed the area’s only telephone. These days, it’s a charming pub, full of character and excellent pub fare. (It’s also right next door to Adrena LINE Zipline Adentures, a super-fun way to learn about the area while zipping through the trees.)

Sitting on the patio at the pub, sipping a pint of brew, we feel the urgency of the city ebbing away. The turn-off to SookePoint, Gillespie Road, is just down the highway from the pub, but we recommend stocking up on groceries or picking up takeout in downtown Sooke before embarking on the long and winding road to the point. Once there, you won’t want to leave.

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Enjoy our seasonal menu, inspired by our bright and complex wines, on the patio overlooking the vineyard

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True lake lifestyle.

At your leisure.

1370 Water Street 250.762.3310 kelownayachtclub.com

Sooke is worth a visit in itself; be sure to check out the Sooke Potholes or any number of hiking trails in the area.

There is ample opportunity for a booze tour as well, with three breweries—Sooke Oceanside Brewery, Bad Dog Brewing Company, Sooke Brewing Company—plus Tugwell Honey Farm & Meadery and the world-renowned Sheringham Distillery. (If they haven’t sold out, pick up a bottle of Sheringham’s rhubarb gin—oh my!)

Sooke is also on the Pacific Marine Circle Route, a 300-kilometre drive that traverses Victoria, Sooke, Port Renfrew, Cowichan Lake and the Malahat. The circle route is an excellent way to explore the area; we’ve done it a number of times and can definitely recommend stops at Shirley Delicious Bakery, located about 20 minutes outside of Sooke, and Botanical Beach, a must-do exploration of cool rock formations, tidal pools and forested trails in Port Renfrew. We’ve spent glorious nights at Point No Point Resort in Shirley and Wild Renfrew Seaside Cottages in Port Renfrew.

But back at SookePoint, we cook ourselves a fresh seafood feast for dinner, sip a bottle of pinot noir from Cowichan-based Blue Grouse Winery and watch the drama of the sea outside our window—including the antics of an eagle that swoops down to pluck out its prey. Eventually, the sun sets over Sooke in a flash of orange and red.

The next morning we set out to explore the neighbouring wilderness playground that is East Sooke Regional Park, embarking on a four-hour hike that took us climbing to the summit of Mount Maguire, and then walking down an overgrown road that meanders through the forest and past an old copper mine to the ocean. Here, we pick up a somewhat difficult shoreline trail, stop at a beach for a swim and emerge once again, right next to SookePoint resort.

After calling that soaker tub into action and then enjoying another leisurely evening basking in the sights and scents of the sea, we leave the next day, fully relaxed and ready for our next adventure.

Showhome Open Daily 12 - 4, Closed Mondays 9686 Benchland Drive – Lake Country Lakestone Preferred Builder | www.homesbydestination.com boulevardmagazines.com |

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in studio …

WITH DAVID HUNWICK

WORDS DAVID WYLIE

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PHOTOGRAPHY LIA CROWE

Dreams Can Come True sculpture in Penticton.

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Year(s) of the hare A renowned BC sculptor’s journey of art and acceptance

t took years for sculptor David Hunwick to understand the deep personal significance of hares as they’ve reappeared throughout his life, his art and his introspection.

The Victoria-based artist—seen recently in West Kelowna at Grizzli Winery’s art in the park event—created his first hare near the beginning of his sculpting journey, in the 1980s in London, where he completed his BA degree in sculpture at Ravensbourne College of Art and Design.

Today, he is known for his sculptures throughout BC, and the hare continues to feature prominently in works such as his Dreams Can Come True sculpture, a piece of public art currently being exhibited on the Okanagan Lake waterway in Penticton.

Of this piece, he says, in part: “All of my artwork reflects aspects of my own journey of discovery. The making of Dreams really represents a visual reminder to myself not to give up on the hopes and aspirations that quicken my step each day and inspire me to reach forward. Yet all change involves movement. Often the decision to jump or move is tempered by physical or other limitations. This piece is created to inspire to take that leap again. The hare, transcends the natural elements of the earth and ocean, and reaches over the moon.”

In high school, David studied drawing, animation, printmaking and etching; his portfolio was predominantly 2-D. He decided to try his hand at sculpting to explore its potential.

After graduating from Ravensbourne, David was accepted for the

PGCE teaching program at Bretton Hall College, located in the centre of the renowned Yorkshire Sculpture Park. He began teaching in 1987, continuing to hone his art and exhibiting each year. At this point, he says, his life centred around family, faith, teaching and art.

Eventually, life ushered David to Scotland, where he lived for a time above a converted sheep barn, invited as artist-resident and gallery manager. He describes this as an idyllic setting, where he awoke each morning to the sound of the bleating of sheep. He exhibited annually at the Royal Scottish Academy and worked on a number of public and private commissions. He still has pieces in some of the country’s castles. And during his nine years in Scotland, David noted the ever-present hares, a constant sight on the landscape.

Feeling the pull to Canada, David and his family moved to Gibsons, BC in 2001, relocating soon afterwards to Victoria. In 2008, David decided to focus more fully on his art and established the Sculpture Studio in downtown Victoria.

Coming to Canada marked a turning point, and he became involved in one of his most notable projects soon after arriving here.

Over two years, he moulded and cast more than 71 pieces of a blue whale skeleton for the Blue Whale Project, a permanent display at the Beaty Biodiversity Museum at UBC in Vancouver.

And around this time, hares became a more prominent part of David’s work.

“When I arrived in Canada, I thought, what should I sculpt?

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So he embraced the “inner” animal, accepting the hare as an expression of himself as an artist.

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tryside, I remembered seeing the hares in the long grass, and the memories brought feelings of nostalgia and comfort,” he said.

He sculpted and cast in bronze his first meadow hare. It captured others’ imaginations and soon more hares followed. Still, he felt the hares weren’t his real work as a sculptor. They were just for fun—whimsical and playful.

“I’d like to say my motivation was really deep and philosophical, but it wasn’t. I just felt like I should make a bunny,” he said.

“I was in the period of self-denial—what I call bunny denial.”

Many of the rabbits are done in David’s preferred medium; he loves working in bronze due to its permanence. He also works with concrete. David said he aspires to create visual poetry with the lines, shape, spaces and rhythm of the forms he makes, even including text at times. He’s been using more abstract elements, and incorporating steel and mixed media in his castings. Recently, he’s been putting combustible material into his pieces and then burning them, allowing the element of fire to complete the piece.

“The fire will actually be the last artist,” he said.

He’s planning an exhibition in Italy where five of his works will go up in flames in front of onlookers. What is left when the embers die down is the final work.

Often when creating and conceiving a new sculpture, David leaves some of the incidentals as evidence of the journey that has shaped the piece, so people can see the decisions made in its creation.

“In many cases I want to leave them imperfect because I don’t really believe in perfection—I think perfection is an illusion. I believe in perfect imperfection. The human condition and experience is not perfect; although we strive for it, the reality is very different,” he said.

Hares continued to multiply over the years. He’s made more than a dozen variations: dancing hares, the thinker hare (a visual pun of Rodin’s famed sculpture) and a hare leaping over the moon.

Slowly the realization sunk in. He saw himself in the hares; in fact, he shared many of the character qualities of the hare— elusive and more comfortable in the background. So he embraced the “inner” animal, accepting the hare as an expression of himself as an artist.

“All of the hare sculptures that I’ve made are actually manifestations of me,” he said.

In the meantime, David has continued to keep teaching central to his work, taking on the role in 2012, for example, of artist-in-residence at the Gitxsan art centre in Hazelton, teaching First Nations carvers how to mould and cast their artifacts.

He also co-teaches Sculpt Italy, a yearly 10-day workshop in Pietrasanta, Italy, alongside international sculptor Gabriel Vicari.

“If you want to learn about sculpting, you go to Italy,” he said.

For the last 12 years, David has been a regular exhibitor at several fine art shows and won multiple awards. He has participated in the Sidney, Oak Bay, Kingsbrae and Castlegar sculpture walks for several years with a number of public sculptures on permanent display.

“I feel like I’ve been given a gift, the opportunity to create.

Life as an artist is not always easy and you question, how often do you want to push the wheelbarrow up the hill? Is it worth it?

Then every time you get to that breaking point, you find something positive happens that allows you to continue the extra mile again,” he said.

For more info about his classes in Italy, visit icansculpt.com.

For more information on the artist, visit davidhunwick.com.

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SE&PLACES wide outdoor spaces

Cascadia Palace luxury estate is the perfect pastoral refuge

BY LISA MANFIELD

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luxurious pastoral oasis on nearly 50 acres of private land may just be the perfect antidote to crowded city life at a time when “big spaces and few faces” is the mantra du jour.

And this Langley, BC mansion’s got the right mix of spaces to savour solo moments, whether you’re exploring backyard forest trails, relaxing among the Japanese maples, rhododendrons and blue spruce trees in the beautifully landscaped garden, claiming a comfy spot in one of many sunny sitting rooms, curling up with a book in a quiet nook or

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grabbing a drink at Cascadia Palace Luxury Estate’s private basement bar.

While this sanctuary of peaceful privacy will cost you a cool $15.6 million, the 12,400-square-foot stately manor— majestically modelled after the likes of Buckingham Palace and the White House—comes with many perks beyond the ability to practice safe social distancing: a private library, fitness room, guest house and even equestrian pastures for your trusty steed. Not to mention the million-dollar views of Mount Baker and the Coast Mountains.

While dips in the indoor pool followed by drinks on the expansive patio, dinner in the dining room and evenings enjoying the stunning countryside surroundings are easily on order any day, adding horseback rides and tennis matches to your daily schedule—without having to leave home—is a surefire way to stay healthy and safe in these precarious times.

In and out of the spotlight

Gated and set back from 248th Street so that it’s hidden to street traffic, Cascadia Palace comes into sudden view at the end of a long, winding driveway; a stunning swath of rich red brick and bold white columns and windows upon windows and wings upon wings.

Arresting to behold, like something out of a movie or fairy-tale, this is not your everyday farmhouse. This mansion has played host to everything from formal galas to recreational retreats to movie production crews.

Cascadia Palace has taken centre stage on many movie sets, counting Bob the Butler and Hallmark classic Coming Home for Christmas among its movie credits. And although it has received its fair share of exposure on

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the silver screen, the house itself comes with hidden nooks and crannies yet to be discovered. (Yes, there is a hidden room and, yes, you’ll have to buy the place if you want to see it.)

Conceived and constructed by a local business magnate in 1995, the stately manor was built to last, with solid brick exterior, concrete roof and commercial heating system. Quality interior detailing includes brass fittings and gorgeous wall sconces.

Just inside the brass-adorned double front doors is a striking entryway designed in Greek revival style, marked by vaulted ceilings, gunmetal grey slate floors and a gleaming white staircase that leads up to a stately sitting room illuminated by an ornate brass chandelier.

To the left of the entryway, a formal dining room whispers of dinner parties past and future. And over to the right, through French doors, the living room beckons with its cosy wood-burning and gas-combo fireplace. Just beyond, a music room—perfect for tickling the ivories after a meal—offers another cosy fireplace and

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Cascadia Palace has taken centre stage on many movie sets, including Bob the Butler and Hallmark classic Coming Home for Christmas.

sitting area or, on warmer evenings, opens up onto the backyard with its sweet summer breezes.

Next door, in the kitchen, granite countertops, oak cabinetry and Sub-Zero appliances provide all the essentials you’ll need—whether for a simple weekday meal or a fancy feast for 20 of your closest friends. From here, step out onto a massive backyard teak wood deck, equipped with a barbecue terrace with an inbuilt fire pit and cooking hole, in addition to an oversized gas barbecue that’s connected to the main gas line for the house. Cue fantasies of endless barbecues and campouts.

Stories and slumber

Book lovers might spy the resplendent red walls of a library just beyond the kitchen. While an iron staircase leads to bookshelves above, French doors open onto the backyard, so you can take your tome out into the sunshine, where idyllic country soundscapes make the perfect reading soundtrack.

The first of five bedrooms can be found on the main floor, too.

Here, the large master bedroom boasts two separate walk-in closets, perfect for those who prefer their own private dressing space. A large en suite with soaker tub and shower along with another set of double French doors leading outside complete this dreamy main-floor enclave.

Upstairs, four additional bedrooms, each with accompanying en suite, offer ample space for weary heads. A hallway sitting area gives onlookers 360-degree views of the property, plus a window onto the front entryway and family room.

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Down for fun

It’s on the basement level where the country fun really gets going—whether for fitness or pleasure. First on tap, a British-style pub room complete with a beautifully crafted bar, including beer taps, bar fridges and a wet bar sink, offset by brand-new travertine flooring, just waiting to be filled with dancing feet.

An adjacent games room and sitting area offer quieter refuges, while next door, the indoor pool glistens like a Grecian spa, complete with hot tub, sauna and surrounding windows that almost make it seem like you’re soaking in nature. Prefer dryland workouts? A gym in the next room has you covered.

The basement also houses the utility room, where the home’s radiant heating system can be set to heat or cool, depending on how hard you’ve been sweating it out.

Of course, if your preferred playground is outdoors, then hop in the saddle and explore Cascadia Palace’s nearby trotting trails. This is the perfect place for equestrian enthusiasts, with large pastures that have been cultivated specifically for optimum grazing.

And if you have bigger dreams in mind, this property offers opportunities for subdivision or agricultural development. Here, country living can truly be anything and everything you’ve ever dreamed.

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business class

Newlook life

Elroy Gust finds the perfect work-life balance

WORDS TOBY TANNAS

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PHOTOGRAPHY LIA CROWE

f

rom his home tucked in Kelowna’s south slopes, overlooking Okanagan Lake, Elroy Gust lives and works with gratitude for the life he’s crafted. Getting to where he is today did not happen by accident. From the very early days of his career, this CEO had a clear vision of where his path would lead.

“This is just where I always saw myself,” says Elroy, referring to his drive for success—something cultivated in his humble Manitoba farming family roots.

Happily married with three grown children, he’s founder, president and CEO of Newlook Capital. The private equity firm is based in Ontario but now more than ever, Elroy manages Newlook from his home office three time zones away.

“I don’t mind the schedule, a lot of people in Kelowna have this schedule. You roll out of bed and by 6 am you’re on your first call.

Then by about 1:30 to 2:00 pm your phone stops ringing because the work day is over back east. I really like the lifestyle.”

Elroy’s home office didn’t always boast lake and mountain views.

For more than 30 years, he enjoyed the hustle and bustle of city life. From his start in the commercial lending department of a Lower Mainland bank, to buying and selling multiple companies,

to founding Newlook Capital, Elroy has learned important lessons every step of the way.

“With my first job as a commercial lender, I started to understand how things work from a lending perspective,” he explains. “When I worked with my dad and my brother, we had a warehousing-logistics business in Toronto. I grew it, became president at 29 and then, when I turned 30, I decided it was time to sell and I made my first million.”

That taste of success—of building something with your own grit, determination and wherewithal—ultimately spurred Elroy to form Newlook Capital. Over the course of a decade, the company has grown to more than 700 employees in both Canada and the United States. Newlook owns more than a dozen companies and continues to have very active and strategic acquisition plans.

“This year we will buy another four businesses and I would say we’re talking to about 15 in total right now.”

Elroy has removed himself from daily operations, by design, working on select projects and dealing directly with the executive management team.

“The business will continue to grow,” he says. “We’ve really built the fly wheel, we’ve built the culture, we’ve built the machine. Now it keeps going, keeps growing whether I’m involved more or less.”

Elroy is always ready and willing to fly back east if needed (he spends at least a few days a month in the Burlington office), but his days of being a regular, weekly commuter are done. COVID-19 played a hand in that.

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“You roll out of bed and by 6 am you’re on your first call. Then by about 1:30 to 2:00 pm your phone stops ringing because the work day is over back east.

I really like the lifestyle.”

“I had already become intentional with I’m just working on my strengths.”

With four years of Okanagan living my travel, but when COVID happened, I stopped travelling back and forth altogether. under his belt, Elroy is pretty comfortable I got rid of the condo in Burlington and set i n h i s n e w s ch e d u l e a n d l a i d - b a c k up in Kelowna full time. So far it’s worked surroundings. He says the most notable dif ference between Burlington and out well using Zoom.”

COVID-19 hasn’t had a huge economic Kelowna is how he answers the question, impact on Newlook Capital’s business “What do you do?”

“When people in Kelowna ask you what holdings, as all were deemed essential services. In the early days of uncertainty, you do, I had to recognize they’re not asking though, Elroy found himself in a new you what you do for a living, they don’t care. role—that of mentor. His knowledge They’re asking, ‘do you snowboard, do you and experience allowed him to guide and ski?’ That’s the focus here,” he chuckles.

Elroy has become an avid skier (even support operating partners who were nervous and overwhelmed with the rapidly though he almost threw in the towel during his first week of lessons). He spends summer changing business climate.

“The biggest thing for me was changing afternoons on the lake and ample time their mindset from being defensive to socializing with friends.

“I joined a business leaders' group and offensive. For me to get engaged with the people who are at the ground level running have met a lot of great people, many who the businesses and get their mentality to are in similar situations, working remotely.”

Elroy seems to have achieved the perfect shift, that I could have that impact on balance between work and lifestyle. It someone, that was really cool for me.”

It also allowed Elroy to look at what’s makes a final question about retirement made him successful over the years and almost unnecessary.

“I don’t think I’ll ever retire. I can manage what advice he would give to young people how many days I’m working and how much working in any career field.

“Recognize what you are good at. Really effort I’m putting in.”

That is a privilege that’s earned through understand that and quantify it,” he says emphatically. “I recognize what I am not years of commitment and, in the case of good at and then I partner with people who Elroy Gust, one that will be savoured for are good at those things to make sure that years to come.

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fashion

Floral, puff-sleeve blouse by Leisure ($275) from leisurethebrand.com; custom jeans

by Today Denim (prices vary on custom denim) from todaydenim.com; genuine leather coat ($150) from House of Savoy; belt ($18) from Duchess & Duke; “Billy” bootie in cognac

by Frye ($398) from Footloose Shoes.

Makeup and hair by Jenny McKinney.

Model Jayda Stephens represented by Mode Models.

Photographed on local at Seven Half Diamond Ranch: thank you to Justin, Heather and Jim O’Connor for graciously hosting our fashion team for the day. (See page 74 for more information on the ranch.)

Also, a huge thank you to Stephanie Travers: artist, farrier, horse trainer and teacher, for being a part of our shoot and bringing her beautiful horse, Duende, a Palomino Lusitano filly.

HIGH COUNTRY STYLING LIA CROWE + JENNY MCKINNEY

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PHOTOGRAPHY DARREN HULL

Against a backdrop of rolling grasslands and shimmering aspens at Seven Half Diamond Ranch in the stunning Thompson-Nicola Valley, Boulevard presents fashion from BC brands that honour and reflect the incredible lifestyle this province offers. Start with the building blocks of wool, cashmere, denim and leather, add in fabric with feminine flow and get set to explore the high country with the scent of dry grass and wild sage in your nose, and the screech of eagles and rustle of the wind in your ear.

Denim jacket by Today Denim ($295) from todaydenim.com; handmade sweater by ecologist x Olann ($385) from ecologyst.com; recycled wool “Scout” blanket by Anián ($89) from anianmfg.com; leather pants by Tommy Hilfiger ($58) from House of Savoy; hat—stylist’s own.

Long, doublebreasted cashmere coat by Black Goat Cashmere ($3,380) and cashmere cable poncho ($785) from blackgoatcashmere. com; jeans by Levi’s ($118) from Grace Clothing; belt ($18) from Duchess & Duke.

“The Modern Melton” wool shirt by Anián ($189) and “The Stub Henley” shirt

by Anián, both from anianmfg. com; leather pants

by Tommy Hillfiger ($58) from House of Savoy; belt ($18) from Duchess & Duke.

“Elsie” collared dress

by Leisure ($395) at leisure-thebrand.com; earrings by Only Child Handicrafts ($160) at onlychildhandicrafts. bigcartel.com; boots from House of Savoy; belt ($25) from Duchess & Duke; poncho—stylists own.

home

WORKOUT! Create your own routine or discover online options WORDS KAISHA SCOFIELD

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PHOTOGRAPHY LIA CROWE

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Engaging in online fitness has been a lifeline during these otherwise overwhelming times…

I’ve danced f lamenco in my pyjamas, done yoga in my underwear and even used my dog for weighted lunges.

love exercise; I always have.

I’ve dabbled in everything from ballet to kickboxing, yoga to weightlifting. Being physically active is a big part of my life and working from a home office affords me the flexibility to get in a workout whenever the mood strikes.

That was, however, until the pandemic hit and like many others, I found myself hunkered down at home with my husband, two kids, our giant dog and an ornery cat.

Within days, every surface was littered with Lego, skateboards and comic books. My physical fitness was demoted to squatting down to clean toys off the floor or pacing the house, trying to find the quietest room for a client call.

Schedules have certainly shifted in recent months and we find ourselves adjusting to new challenges working from home, educating children and navigating 24-hour family time. When life gets busy, many people compromise time spent on health and wellness. But supporting mental wellbeing has never been more important. Movement and exercise are proven tactics for tackling anxiety, depression and overwhelm. Physical activity supports mental wellness by stimulating the production of endorphins, neurochemicals that act as opiate receptors in our brain, thereby reducing pain, boosting pleasure and creating a general sense of awesomeness.

Looking for a way to get some me time, I decided to take up running. Running is a great pandemic activity because it provides fresh air and gets you outside. You can do it alone or in a group and, as long as no one breathes on passers-by, it respects social distancing recommendations. Anyone who

runs will tell you what a great workout it is— what they won’t tell you is that unless you do it consistently, it hurts and feels like torture.

Running was not going to provide the destressing movement I required.

I missed the gym. It was time to think outside the box.

Browsing Instagram one day, I stumbled upon a post by the wonderful Jonathan Van Ness (JVN) from Netflix’s Queer Eye. He was talking about a workout app that he is a part of that includes dance workouts. Dancing, workouts and JVN sounded too good to be true, and my interest was piqued. I tried it out and even though I was exceptionally awkward, it didn’t matter because I was in my own home and aside form the ornery cat, no one really noticed what I was doing.

A quick survey of online classes led to dozens of websites, trainers and apps designed for working out in the comfort of your own home. These fitness centres never stopped working; instead, they spent their time in lockdown quickly adapting their services to run online. This was obviously a great idea because the move to online fitness has created a wave of exercise enthusiasm.

There are a number of reasons why these classes are so popular. New classes are popping up every day so there are endless possibilities to choose from. Classes are also being presented in styles and formats that we have never seen before, making the online class less about simply transferring the gym to your living room and more about creating a whole new workout experience. Some classes involve costumes, others are musicthemed and some include celebrity trainers and demonstrators, like the JVN class.

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One of the best things about the abundance of online exercise classes is that participants are able to follow along in their own space and at their own pace. This expands the accessibility of fitness to people who may not feel comfortable working out in a studio or gym setting. Not only are there classes catering to all levels of experience and fitness, they offer the ability to sample new and different forms of exercise without commitment or embarrassment. This could prove to be a catalyst for getting many otherwise reluctant participants out of their comfort zone and moving their bodies.

Engaging in online fitness has been a lifeline during these otherwise overwhelming times. I have tried a number of classes that I would never have attempted in a group; I’ve danced flamenco in my pyjamas, done yoga in my underwear and even used my dog for weighted lunges. Exercise is supposed to be fun and with the explosion of online workout options, we just might make it out of this pandemic fitter, happier and more coordinated than ever.

OPTION ONE:

Design your own home workout

Working out at home sounds amazing, right? You may be wondering, however, how to transform your living space into a gym, yoga studio or dance floor. Yes, plants may have to be relocated and chairs will have to be moved but building a home gym is not as difficult as it sounds. As with any do-it-yourself project, you just need a little creativity, grit and ingenuity and you too can have a place to lay your mat.

The style of home gym that you choose to create depends largely on the type of exercise you want to practice. Yoga is conducted on a mat, making it the easiest form of exercise to adapt a space to.

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of movement may need more space.

Assuming you do not have your own set of dumbbells, kettle bells or a squat rack, weights will have to be repurposed out of items found in the house. Depending on your enthusiasm, just about anything can be used as a weight; for example, milk/water jugs, tin cans, cast iron frying pans, bags of rice, sandbags, or the family dog are all great for lifting. A word of caution: please do not lift heavy things without someone to spot you and if you are new to weights please check with your doctor first.

The trick to building an excellent do-it-yourself workout is in the variety. The main guideline is to alternate between moves that target certain muscle groups with cardio. For example, squats work legs and bum while push-ups work back, chest and arms. Try a move and focus on what muscles are working. It is important to combine strength and cardio to keep your muscles warmed up and your cardiovascular system primed.

Always remember that exercise is meant to be fun. Building your own home workout is a great way to experiment: simply choose a few movements that look fun, decide how many rounds you want to do, turn on some great music and you’re good to go!

Example of an at home workout (source: girlsgonestrong.com) Set a timer for 20 minutes. Perform the following circuit, doing as many rounds as possible with good form. Rest 15 to 30 seconds between exercises, and 30 to 60 seconds between each round.

1. Perform 10 push-ups or 10 incline push-ups.

2. Perform 10 bodyweight squats or 10 bodyweight jump squats.

3. Perform 10 bear crawls.

4. Perform 10 jumping jacks.

OPTION TWO:

Discover online resources

Finding an online workout program can be overwhelming, so we have listed some of the most popular online exercise apps.

Nike Trainer App: This app lets you choose your workout style, time and available equipment. Each workout is presented by certified Nike trainers and athletes. It even has training programs that provide two to eight weeks of scheduled workouts.

The best part is that it’s free!

FitOn App: This is a very popular app, partially because it has great workouts for all levels, but also because it has exciting guest trainers such as Gabrielle Union, Julianne Hough and JVN. Who doesn’t like being entertained while exercising? Choose from a variety of movement styles from yoga to pilates to HIIT. Nearly every trainer, studio and gym is offering online classes these days. In the Okanagan, check out: • Modo Yoga is a community of inspired students, brought together by their love of yoga. They offer yoga for all levels, with daily online classes via Zoom. Find out more at modoyoga.com/kelowna.

• TWP Fitness is a Kelowna-based, local, family-owned and operated independent fitness facility. They offer livestreamed workouts that are between 30 and 50 minutes long, with low and high impact options. More information is at twpfitness.com.

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Michal Gook, Real Estate Advisor Personal Real Estate Corporation 250-317-8655 michal.gook@evcanada.com okanagan.evcanada.com

Blaine Vernon - Jarvis, Real Estate Advisor

778-594-3330 blaine.vernonjarvis@evcanada.com

376 Quilchena Drive

787 Rowcliffee

5220 Cobble Crescent

Kelowna | $1,889,900 | MLS 10208206

Kelowna | $674,900 | MLS 10213767

Kelowna | $949,900 | MLS 10205108

Sensational luxury home, stunning lake views & sunsets in a family neighborhood. Enjoy this well-appointed, 6/5 bdrms, 5 baths. Updated in 2017 to a new level of luxury throughout the home. Enjoy the breathtaking views from each of the homes 3 levels of sun-drenched windows.

Character home in trendy Central City area, schools and shops close. 3 bdrm and 2 bathroom home with a great yard.

NEW carpet flooring upstairs and Vinyl in the lower level. Large 6 bedroom home with 4 bathrooms, 4 bdrms up and 2 down (inlaw suite). Great floor plan, large bedrooms, and lots of room.

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517 & 541 Wardlaw Avenue

730 Bernard

602 Wardlaw

Kelowna | MLS 10205703

Kelowna | $1,480,000 | MLS 10202720

Kelowna | $979,900 | MLS 10213595

Commercial Zoning potential with future OCP Zoning of MXR. 2 prime location development lots available in the Pandosy Village area. This is a great corner lot location and is close to the lake. A great Land Assembly for your dream building design and location.

Commercial - Great 12 bedroom hostel business opportunity or recreate your own business. P2 Zoning allows for 40+ uses including; Offices, Health Services, Daycare, Private and Public Education Services, and many more.

Large 70x140 lot in Pandosy Village area, prime for redevelopment. Character home with garage.

Close to the hospital, schools, restaurants, and shopping. A fantastic location.

3743 Gates Road

Unit 204-3545 Carrington Road

401 1883 Water Street

West Kelowna | $1,299,900 | MLS 10202958

West Kelowna | $479,000 | MLS 10213087

Kelowna | $626,900 | MLS 10205514

Experience stunning landscapes and lake views from this private and carefully handcrafted log home. The homes serenity and character provide a peaceful refuge. Enjoy breathtaking views of 4 seasons from the Lindal Solarium with a gas fireplace.

Views, Views, and more views of the lake and golf course fairway. Rare 3 bedroom condo in a great location close to restaurants, specialty stores, and swimming in the lake. This corner end unit is ready for you to move right in.

Magala Place is a modern boutique condo built by Tommie Award-winning developers – Windmill Ventures. This unique top floor 2 bed 2 bath features, 180-degree view from the 600 sq.ft. wrap-around deck and greets you with sky and peek-a-boo lake views from almost every window.

food and feast

Show-stopper

SALADS Three upstaging sides or stand-alone mains, which highlight the sunshine’s bounty WORDS ELLIE SHORTT

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PHOTOGRAPHY LIA CROWE

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alad sometimes gets a bad rap. Homer Simpson’s oft-quoted claim that “you don’t win friends with salad” of course comes to mind, among many other sayings, jokes and memes all unfairly targeting what perhaps is simply a misunderstood gastronomic classification. But that’s just it, salad is inherently challenging to categorize, and can encompass so many delightful combinations and varieties.

At the heart of it, salad is simply a melange of ingredients, generally vegetables or fruit, but can include all sorts of heartier fare for a more rounded dining experience. I would argue that perhaps what differentiates salads from other mixed-ingredient dishes is that they’re generally (but certainly not always) served cold or room temperature and have a sort of all-in-one and ready-to-eat quality about them.

The term “salad” comes from the French “salade,” which originates from the earlier Vulgar Latin root of “herba salata,” or “salted greens,” whereby vegetables were seasoned with brine or salty oil-and-vinegar dressings during Roman times. Of course the presence of greens (or salt for that matter) doesn’t necessarily centre our modern understandings and experiences of salad, as seen in various fruit salads, as well popular go-tos like bean salad, tuna salad, egg salad, fattoush and sōmen salad (a noodle-based salad).

So what makes a good salad? Individual taste is always at the centre of these sorts of questions, but as a devoted salad enthusiast, I would argue that a good dressing is essential, as well as the right combination of complementary textures and flavours that make up the body of the dish.

I must emphasize that a “good dressing” or “combination of complementary textures and flavours” doesn’t necessarily denote “fussy” or “complicated.” Some of the best salads I’ve enjoyed are simple and subtle. However, prioritizing in-season ingredients is ideal as this will provide maximum freshness, flavour and nutrient-density, which is always a nice little bonus when enjoying any dish!

As I reflect on this, I wonder if perhaps the reason salads aren’t always the popular kid in the kitchen is that far too often we’re exposed to drab bowls of tired greens, sad veggies and bland dressings, apathetically thrown together and offered as a token filler dish with the goal of “getting more colour on the table.”

However you toss it, mix it or chop it, they’re all fun, f lavourful and remarkably satisfying, proving once and for all that you can in fact win friends with salad.

The following recipes are anything but that, showcasing a number of locally sourced summertime ingredients, thoughtfully combined for three showstopper salad experiences. Enjoy them as standalone dishes or as exciting accompaniments to your favourite barbecue mains. Prep them up for easy and exciting weekday dinners, or bring one with you to your next (safe and socially distanced) backyard gathering.

However you toss it, mix it or chop it, they’re all fun, flavourful and remarkably satisfying, proving once and for all that you can in fact win friends with salad.

Grilled Cobb

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Grilled Cobb A summery spin on a beloved classic, this Cobb invokes the flavour-making benefits of your barbecue to provide a bit more punch both visually and taste-wise. Don’t have access to a barbecue? You can still get essentially the same effect using a castiron grilling pan stovetop.

Ingredients For the dressing: ½ cup olive oil 3 tbsp apple cider vinegar 1 tbsp grainy mustard 1 tsp honey 2 cloves of garlic, minced ½ cup fresh flat leaf parsley, finely chopped Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste (I did about ½ tsp salt and ¼ tsp pepper) For the salad: 2 eggs, hardboiled, peeled and sliced in half 1 chicken breast (boneless, skinless) 3 pieces of bacon 1 ear of corn, shucked and cleaned ½ red bell pepper, cut into three equal pieces ½ medium zucchini, sliced into ¼- to ½-inch thick pieces 3 small-to-medium-sized tomatoes, halved ½ purple onion, thinly sliced (about ½ loose cup’s worth) ½ avocado, sliced Spring onion, sliced (about ¼ loose cup’s worth) ½ cup blue cheese 5-6 loose cups of assorted fresh lettuces (butter, red/green leaf, frisée, etc.)

Olive oil Paprika Sea salt Freshly cracked black pepper Method For the dressing: Either whisk all the ingredients together in a medium bowl, or place all the ingredients in a jar, seal and shake to combine. Alternatively, you can combine the ingredients in a small food processor or blender and pulse to combine.

For grilling: Preheat your grill to medium heat. Brush the chicken breast with about 1-2 tbsp of olive oil, and coat both sides with a sprinkling of sea salt, pepper and paprika. Set aside.

Repeat the same for the corn, pepper, zucchini and tomatoes.

Set aside.

Once the grill is hot, add the chicken, flipping once until cooked through, about 6 minutes per side. Once cooked, remove from the grill, allow it to sit for a few minutes, and then slice.

While the chicken is sitting, grill the corn, veggies and bacon.

For the corn, make sure you’re rotating it evenly, and for the veggies and bacon, make sure you flip halfway through. The corn should take about 10 minutes total, the pepper and zucchini about 4 minutes per side, the bacon about 3 minutes per side (depending on how crispy you like it), and the tomato about 2 minutes per side. Set it all aside and allow to cool.

Once the corn has cooled, shave off the kernels and set aside.

You can also chop up the bacon, or leave whole depending what aesthetic look you’re going for.

Assembly: Spread your greens evenly in a shallow bowl or large plate. Arrange the grilled items, including the sliced chicken and shaved corn, on top of the greens, as well as the other prepared items (sliced eggs, blue cheese, purple onion and spring onion).

Drizzle with dressing and serve!

Tossed Greens with Grilled Nectarines & Prawns Light, crisp, and somehow “refreshing” as far as salads go, this dish is not only full of flavour, but also a feast for the eyes!

Like the grilled Cobb, the instructions call for a barbecue, but you can absolutely use a grilling pan stovetop instead.

Ingredients For the dressing: ½ cup olive oil 3 tbsp lime juice 2 tsp honey 1 clove garlic, minced ¼ cup mint, finely chopped ¼ cup basil, finely chopped Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste For the salad: 2 skewers of prawns (about 6 prawns on each) 1 ripe nectarine, cut into 6 pieces 1 cup fromage frais (or similar), crumbled ½ cup radishes, thinly sliced ½ cup English peas, opened in half or chopped ½ long English cucumber, shaved into ribbons (a mandoline slicer works best for this) Handful of pea shoots 3-4 loose cups of mixed baby greens Olive oil for brushing Lime wedge Sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper Chopped fresh mint for garnish

Tossed Greens with Grilled Nectarines & Prawns

Method For the dressing: Either whisk all the ingredients together in a medium bowl, or place all the ingredients in a jar, seal and shake to combine. Alternatively, you can combine the ingredients in a small food processor or blender and pulse to combine. Set aside.

For grilling: Preheat grill to medium heat. Brush the prawns with

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about 1 tbsp of olive oil and squeeze some fresh lime juice over them so that they’re coated evenly on both sides. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and set aside. Brush both sides of the nectarine pieces with olive oil, and set aside. Once the grill is hot, add prawns and nectarines, flipping once until cooked through, about 3 minutes per side. Once cooked, remove from grill and allow to cool.

Assembly: Spread out the greens on a platter and arrange all the other ingredients evenly throughout. Drizzle with dressing and serve!

Mediterranean Mix with Crispy Toasted Chickpeas & Quinoa Horiatiki meets tabbouleh meets my favourite way to enjoy chickpeas in a salad! It’s a big Mediterranean-inspired mix with a lot of flavour and texture with minimal effort. Best part of all, it keeps quite well and offers lots of options for pre-prep ease.

Ingredients For the dressing: ½ cup olive oil 3 tbsp lemon juice ½ tsp salt ¼ tsp pepper ¼ cup fresh dill, finely chopped ¼ cup fresh flat leaf parsley, finely chopped Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste For the salad: 1 cup cooked quinoa 1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed

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1 ½ cup cucumber, sliced (I used smaller cucumbers here so that they have that little circular coin look) 1 ½ cup cherry or grape tomatoes, halved ½ cup purple onion, thinly sliced and chopped 1 cup pitted Kalamata olives, halved 1 cup marinated artichokes, drained and chopped 1 cup crumbled feta (I like to use a nice light goat feta for this recipe) ¼ cup olive oil, divided 1 tsp sumac, divided Sea salt and freshly ground pepper Fresh dill and flat leaf parsley for garnish

Mediterranean Mix with Crispy Toasted Chickpeas & Quinoa

Method For the dressing: Either whisk all the ingredients together in a medium bowl, or place all the ingredients in a jar, seal, and shake to combine. Alternatively, you can combine the ingredients in a small food processor or blender and pulse to combine. Set aside.

For toasting: Preheat your oven to 425 F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

In a medium-sized mixing bowl, toss the chickpeas in half of the olive oil, half of the sumac, plus a sprinkling of salt and pepper. Spread the seasoned chickpeas evenly on one of the baking sheets. Repeat with the quinoa.

Bake for about 12-15 minutes, tossing half way through for an even cook.

Once toasted to your liking, remove from the oven and allow to cool.

Assembly: Combine all the ingredients, including the toasted and cooled chickpeas and quinoa, in a large bowl, toss with the salad dressing, garnish with some additional chopped fresh parsley and dill, and serve!

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travel

Finding Nimmo Wilderness resort is the perfect close-to-home getaway WORDS SUZANNE MORPHET

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tepping onto the large floating dock at Nimmo Bay Wilderness Resort, I barely notice two men relaxing on Adirondack chairs and enjoying a cold beer in the late afternoon sun. Instead, I’m admiring the surroundings.

Dense forest flanks Mount Stephens, which rises sharply above the inlet where our floatplane landed moments earlier.

Anchored to the shoreline are a series of tidy buildings on floats, most strikingly a new yellow cedar structure with a flared black roofline, giving the impression that it might just take flight like the Thunderbird of First Nations lore.

My thoughts are interrupted when I hear, “Hey, Suzanne.”

Surprised, I turn to look at the two seated men. What are the chances of meeting someone I know deep in the wilderness of the Great Bear Rainforest on BC’s central coast?

“Chuck!” I laugh, recognizing one of my neighbours from Victoria. “What are you doing here?”

But I don’t really need to ask. With COVID-19 curtailing foreign travel, everyone’s holidaying closer to home this year.

Chuck took advantage of international cancellations and booked a corporate retreat for 13 of his staff. Now, he and his wife are staying a couple days longer. Who can blame them?

As my husband and I are led to our waterfront cabin along a winding boardwalk, I’m reminded of wilderness resorts I’ve enjoyed in Africa. There, walkways are also elevated, both to protect the ground from damage and protect guests from wild animals.

At these African camps there’s always a “wow” moment and just as I’m wondering what’s in store here, we round a corner and there it is—a natural waterfall tumbling down a steep ravine.

Two hot tubs are positioned close enough to catch its cool spray, while tucked into the trees higher up is a glass and cedar cabin where I’ll enjoy a therapeutic massage on my last morning.

As well as thrilling us every time we walk by, the waterfall provides drinking water and up to 80 per cent of the resort’s power.

In fact, it’s the very reason Craig Murray picked this spot more than 40 years ago to build a heli-fishing lodge.

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Reservations required, to book contact: 250.860.4488 or SmackDABmanteo.com 3762 Lakeshore Rd, Kelowna, BC

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By our second day we’re tuned into the rhythms of this place: the f lood and ebb of the tides, the everchanging weather, the appearance of food wherever and whenever we want it.

A sign engraved with the words “to fly is human, to hover divine” recalls those early days when a single building on floats accommodated Craig’s growing family as well as his paying guests.

Even then, Nimmo Bay attracted well-to-do clients. The Murrays needed people able to pay the big bucks required to finance a seasonal, off-the-grid resort where everything from food to furniture has to be barged or flown in.

Mostly, those were corporate Americans, like the CEO of Boeing and his guests, who arrived every year for 14 years in their own Sikorsky helicopter from Seattle.

When Craig and Deborah’s oldest son, Fraser—and his wife Becky—took over in 2011, heli-fishing was still their focus. But that

changed almost overnight when they attended a travel trade show in Marrakesh and mentioned to German tour operators that their guests often saw bears and whales.

“They were like, ‘Bears? Whales?’” laughs Becky, mimicking a bear’s ears. “So we basically knew right then. Day one we were selling heli-fishing, day two we were selling this program that we’d never done before.”

For international visitors, wildlife is understandably a huge drawing card, but I want to know what magic Nimmo holds for British Columbians who’ve already seen a bear or two. Why come here to experience something we can find even closer to home?

Sitting around a blazing fire that evening, Chuck assures me that

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Indulge on our boardwalk with seasonal and organic farm to table fresh products provided by local suppliers.

Including local cheese and charcuterie, artisan greens and BC Steelhead trout. Or how about beef tenderloin with crushed baby potatoes, seasonal vegetables, Café de Paris butter and Bordelaise sauce.

Reservations required, to book contact: 250.869.6067 or book on opentable.com 500 Cook Rd, Kelowna, BC

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Nimmo Bay “is much more than bears and whales.”

We have three full days to find out.

We’re already getting the drift over dinner our first night—wild mushroom and garlic soup, seared halibut for me and an enormous ribeye of beef for Kit, and buttermilk and rhubarb sorbets—when Nimmo’s amiable concierge stops by our table to discuss tomorrow.

We could do a safari by motorboat, says Will, or kayak the inlets around Nimmo Bay. Heli-fishing is also an option. Or what about an entire day of wellness? Start with a private yoga class, enjoy a full-body eucalyptus and sea salt scrub, meditate in the forest, then end the day with an Ayurvedic head massage.

We want to sample everything and we’re happy to let Will figure it out. That’s when a weight lifts and suddenly I feel like I’m on vacation. Will’s in charge. We just have to show up.

By our second day we’re tuned into the rhythms of this place: the flood and ebb of the tides, the ever-changing weather, the appearance of food wherever and whenever we want it.

One evening Will suggests we investigate the private dock down the bay that’s equipped with a wood-burning sauna. We’ll have it all to ourselves. Arriving by kayak the next day, the sauna is steaming hot and the ocean bracingly cool. The dock is big enough for a dance party and we’re all alone without even a mosquito in sight.

How is it possible that providing something as simple as hot air and cold water can feel so luxurious? That’s the magic of Nimmo.

Returning to the lodge, we find a couple of large yachts anchored offshore. Just like in the old days, Nimmo Bay is still a must-stop for cruisers looking for hospitality.

Dinner that evening begins with crispy pork belly and Dungeness crab in a tomato reduction, followed by sablefish flavoured with eulachon—an oily fish prized by Indigenous people. The eulachon was a gift from the nearby Dzawada’enuxw First Nation at Kingcome.

Surprisingly perhaps, salmon is not served during our stay and won’t be this season.

“There’s so much pressure on the salmon from commercial fisheries and sports fisheries,” laments Fraser, explaining his preference for using more sustainable fish.

Yes, with a smart eye to the future, and building on a stellar reputation from the past, I can see how Nimmo Bay will continue to please. Whether foreigner or local, we all need a little bit of Nimmo time.

For rates and other information, see nimmobay.com.

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secrets and lives —

AND THE 7 SINS with JENNIFER LYNCH

“L

ife is full of chapters; some chapters more interesting than others,” says Jennifer Lynch of Skin Sense Laser Aesthetics, and she’s certainly had a few different chapters through her life.

A Kelowna resident since 2005, she’s a wife and a mom to an 18-year-old daughter, a French bulldog and a Holland lop bunny. And she’s in the midst of an entirely new career.

“I worked for the RCMP for 18 years and took an early retirement due to severe PTSD from being exposed to a lot of terrible things,” she says. “While getting my mind healthy and gaining back control of my life, I decided to take on something completely different, but something I’ve always been interested in.”

She partnered with Dr. Cory Brown to develop Skin Sense Laser Aesthetics. Jennifer, a medical aesthetician, treats clients with scarring, pigment disorders, sun damage, acne and wrinkles using a variety of applications, including ICON and TempSure lasers, intense pulse light, micro-needling and more.

“I love that I’m always learning and developing my mind and new skills,” she says. “Equally gratifying is being able to apply everything I’ve learned to help people unlock the beauty they possess inside, and giving them the confidence to shine. I love working closely with each and every one of my clients, earning their trust and learning their stories. Nothing is more rewarding than seeing my clients’ eyes light up when they see the beauty within themselves!”

WORDS ANGELA COWAN

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“While getting my mind healthy and gaining back control of my life, I decided to take on something completely different, but something I’ve always been interested in.”

The 7 Sins ENVY:

Whose shoes would you like to walk in?

If I have learned one thing over the last few years, it is to never want to be anyone other than the best version of myself. Social media tends to depict sensationalized or embellished portrayals of other people’s lives, which is hard not to get caught up in. Finding confidence in who you are—and being able to love the person you are—holds far more value than wanting to be something that isn’t genuine.

GLUTTONY:

What is the food you could eat over and over again?

Charcuterie and a full-bodied red Okanagan wine!

GREED:

You’re given $1 million that you have to spend selfishly. What would you spend it on?

Travel! I would love to travel through Italy, experiencing the culture, art, food and wines with my family.

WRATH:

Pet peeves?

When you park your vehicle far away from any other vehicle in a parking lot, and someone decides it would be a good idea to park right beside—super close to—the only other vehicle around!

SLOTH:

Where would you spend a long time doing nothing?

In bed curled up with my French bulldog, Eve, watching Netflix.

PRIDE:

What is the one thing you’re secretly proud of ?

I am so proud of my resilient little family. No matter what life event is thrown at us, we have stood by each other and persevered. And because of it, we have shared an incredible life together.

LUST:

What makes your heart beat faster?

It definitely doesn’t fit the description of “lust,” but what makes my heart beat faster is cooking an amazing meal for family and friends, bringing us all together.

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narrative

WORDS BRUCE CAMERON

X ILLUSTRATION SIERRA LUNDY

Namgis First Nation’s Big House in Alert Bay.

SAFE PLACE IN A STORM: THE HAIDA RETURN

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n this age of COVID-19, I’m grateful to live in a place where public health has been taken seriously and the impact of the crisis has been kept to a minimum. It is easy to become complacent and it’s even easier to forget the lessons learned during previous pandemics, separated as we are by the fog of time from events like smallpox outbreaks in the 1800s and the Spanish flu in 1918.

As an avid student of history, I always stop at heritage signs to linger and learn details of the past. But even more compelling are the stories not widely told: those filled with heroism, treachery, perseverance and pestilence, such as the story of the smallpox outbreak of 1862.

My wife and I love to travel throughout BC and in particular around Vancouver Island, visiting small villages, exploring back roads, discovering abandoned town sites and enjoying beautiful beaches. One place that holds a special place in our hearts is Alert Bay, located on Cormorant Island at the north end of Vancouver Island. We love it so much that we commissioned a local Kwakwaka’wakw artist in Alert Bay to craft our wedding rings, engraving them with Kwakiutl motifs of a whale and an eagle.

Each time we visit Alert Bay, special things happen.

Once, we rounded a corner on the road just in time to see a humpback whale breach in the ocean, right in front of us. And another time, most fortuitously, we met the local Chief, who invited us to attend a potlatch at the Namgis First Nation’s Big House.

Knowing a little about First Nations customs and the special place potlatches occupy in the culture, we excitedly accepted the invitation, changing our travel plans to stay in the area longer. In the not-too-distant past, the potlatch was considered controversial, representing such an antithetical challenge to the conquering “white” culture that it had been banned. Potlatches were prohibited by law until the 1970s in many parts of North America. The ceremonies, held in long houses over several days, include story telling, singing and dancing. The potlatch was, and still remains, one of the central pillars of the oral culture of First Nations, ensuring continuity of stories, and a gracious, heartfelt transfer of wealth (whether it be a treasured carving, or a blanket or a piece of copper).

We felt blessed to be invited by the Chief. But the blessing was more of a gift than we could have imagined on that weekend in 2012. Not only was the potlatch hosted by celebrated storyteller and carver Beau Dick, it also commemorated a tragic piece of history—a story that is timely today.

As my wife and I watched the day before the potlatch, an exquisitely carved canoe pulled up to a wharf and a group of Haida disembarked. They had arrived on the island to mark 150 years since the Kwakiutl peoples had helped the Haida as they fled, increasingly diseased and overcome with smallpox, north from Fort Victoria toward their home villages on Haida Gwaii. Smallpox had ravaged the entire West Coast, spreading after a sick passenger from San Francisco landed in the small colonial outpost of Fort Victoria.

The shameful history of that period has been examined by others (The Vancouver Sun’s Stephen Hume wrote an excellent article in April 2012 on the 1862-63 smallpox epidemic, and the Haida detailed many of the events in the Haida Laas online journal). Each documents the scope of the calamity that engulfed the West Coast and especially the many First Nations, whose populations were decimated by up to 80 per cent.

Residents of BC will recognize the names of many of the key actors in the unfolding calamity, from James Douglas, the Governor General of Vancouver Island, to Doctor Helmcken and Doctor Tolmie, elected members of the new colony’s legislature. As the smallpox epidemic gained a foothold, Douglas championed “the raising of funds for a hospital,” but the legislature, in an echo of COVID battles to come, “refused enforced quarantines as an infringement on personal liberties.” Even more galling was the fact that Tolmie and Helmcken, who both had experience dealing with smallpox outbreaks in 1837 and 1857, voted against quarantine measures. Despite attempts

by Helmcken to inoculate some of the First Nations (there was a workable vaccine at the time), the legislature closed down and the leaders abandoned the colony, leaving local leaders like Police Commissioner Pemberton to cobble together a coherent response.

Pemberton, egged on by a panicked white population

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aghast at the spread of the disease among the First Nations (which made up about half of the 5,000 or so people living in or near Fort Victoria), resorted to the threat of violence.

Pemberton forced the sick and dying Haida and several other groups into their massive, sea-going canoes and had them towed by HMS ships Grappler and Forward north toward Fort Rupert. Little is known of that horrific voyage, as few of the exiled people survived the journey, but the decision to push the pestilence up the island effectively sealed the fate of thousands of villages whose populations perished in the next 18 months as refugees arrived on their shores and infected bodies washed up on their beaches.

The 2012 potlatch hosted by Beau Dick was timed to coincide with the 150th anniversary of the arrival of the Haida in 1862, and provided an opportunity for the Haida to formally thank the Kwakwaka’wakw people for their help during a time of despair and death.

The scale of devastation is hard to picture now. Beau Dick, who passed away a few years ago, recounted hearing stories from his ancestors of 1,200 big sea-going canoes full of Haida travelling south in the year prior to the outbreak past Alert Bay to Mak’toli (Fort Victoria). Only 24 canoes limped back into Bones Bay the following summer.

The full tale of the 1862 smallpox pandemic is a heartwrenching account of needless death and suffering, caused by hapless dithering among politicians, who were trying to survive a plague while facing racist xenophobic sentiment and growing panic at the edge of the colonial world. At that

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moment of history, more than half of the population of BC was Indigenous (about 32,000 of the 50,000 people), and while a few brave missionaries like Leon Fouquet and Alexander Garrett risked their lives to help provide vaccinations, the proud, self-sufficient peoples of the West Coast were mostly left to die on their own. The enduring power and resilience of First Nations culture is a testament to the survival of those peoples and their stories.

Beau Dick’s potlatch of 2012 unfolded in a mesmerizing display of artistry—starting with the carvings on the exterior of the Namgis Big House to the dazzling totems and the dancers moving enticingly around a blazing fire inside, amid chanting and drumming. One of the many highlights was the extraordinary display of masks, from small bears and frogs to an absolutely massive raven, which had to be supported by several people as the dancer moved around the fire. And, of course, it was a momentous occasion when the Haida took the floor.

We were blessed to have been there for the potlatch and for the Haida’s return to thank the descendants of those who reached out when others turned them away. In these uncertain times, as in centuries past, we all need a safe place in a storm.

Do you have a good story to tell—and the ability to write it? Boulevard readers are invited to submit stories for consideration and publication in the Narrative section. Stories should be 800 to 1,200 words long and sent to managing editor Susan Lundy at lundys@shaw.ca. Please place the word “Narrative” in the subject line.

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behind the story

The Boulevard fashion team had the incredible pleasure of shooting its latest feature at Seven Half Diamond Ranch in the stunning Thompson-Nicola Valley, where the landscape consists of acres of beautiful rolling grasslands, lush patches of aspen trees and countless lakes. A huge thank you to our gracious hosts, Heather, Jim and Justin O’Connor, for welcoming our fashion team to experience the ranch for the day. Coming from a long line of ranchers, the O’Connors made the move west from Saskatchewan 33 years ago. At Seven Half Diamond Ranch, they have created a very special place that welcomes guests to stay in one of the cosy cabins and experience trail riding, a genuine cowboy saloon and fly fishing on one of the most sought-after, catch-and-release lakes. Enjoy the magic of this unique place.

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PHOTO BY LIA CROWE

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