LICENSE OKANAGAN LIFE AT ITS FINEST SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2022 Creative Using art to personalize your space AT HOME WITH ART ART & FASHION Inspiring the self and stirring the soul BEAUTIFUL BOARDS The art of charcuterie
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From condominium to estate living, we can provide a fully customized furniture package, a unique piece for that finishing touch, or come in and get a spark of inspiration from our trend setting in-store displays. Marshall’s is pleased to be the Okanagan’s top destination for the best in home furnishings. Highway 97 North, Kelowna, BC
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8 boulevardmagazines.com | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2022 CONTENTS FEATURES 38 CREATIVE LICENSE Details-rich renovation imbues artistry B y Darcy Nybo 54 A RT & FASHION High fashion inspires the self like art stirs the soul B y Sarah D’Arcey 60 AT HOME WITH ART Using art to personalize your space B y Jane Zatylny 26 ON THE COVER Photo by Lia Crowe The beautiful home of Dana and Bob Reiter, who undertook an extensive renovation with stunning results. HOT PROPERTIES 38 60 74 BEAUTIFUL BOARDS T he art of charcuterie B y Ellie Shortt 86 H IGH IN LONDON E xperiences with a view B y Susan Lundy 66 S PECIAL SECTION Brent Marshall: giving back— in a big way B y Sean McIntyre & Ashley Duggan
9boulevardmagazines.com | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2022 22 DEPARTMENTS 10 CONTRIBUTORS 12 E DITOR’S LETTER Another trip to the loo B y Susan Lundy 14 LIFE.STYLE.ETC. Nate Cassie B y Lia Crowe 16 DESIGN NOTES Slipping into fall B y Samantha Rensby 18 IN STUDIO Over the top: Jolandi du Preez B y Darcy Nybo 22 GOOD TASTE Serve it sweet: Karat Chocolate + Pastry BBoutiqueyTobyTannas 26 SPOTLIGHT Game changer: Taylor Musseau B y Laura Goldstein 30 WEEKENDER Inhaling the still beauty of the Cariboo By Lauren Kramer 38 50 BUSINESS CLASS Making it Werke: Chris Germana B y Lauren Kramer 94 SECRETS AND LIVES S tephen Maser B y Angela Cowan 96 NARRATIVE My first grandchild By Barbara Barry 98 BEHIND THE STORY Photo contributed 14
ADVERTISING Mario Gedicke Vicki CarienClarkWessels
MANAGING EDITOR Susan Lundy
personal, other times collaborative, art takes shape from the medium and transforms from the setting— and nothing could be more true for this month’s food feature. Conceptualizing, creating (and consuming) edible boards is my favourite artful food expression, and being able to brainstorm and execute this piece with the Boulevard team was so much fun. It was one of my favourite articles to write and shoots to stage, and hopefully it offers some inspirational guidance for readers as we slowly start to share spaces, experiences and flavours with our loved ones again.” Ellie Shortt is a certified nutritionist, food writer and regular columnist for Boulevard
contributors
DESIGN Michelle Gjerde Tammy Robinson Kelsey Boorman
LAUREN KRAMER
CREATIVE DIRECTOR Lily Chan
INHALINGWRITER STILL OF THE CARIBOO
Okanagan 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.
ASSOCIATE EDITOR Lia Crowe
PHOTOGRAPHERS Don AshleyDentonDuggan
ILLUSTRATION Sierra Lundy
“Writing this article reminded me that the best way to build any art collection is to slowly choose pieces you love.” A former art gallery administrator, Jane Zatylny is a regular contributor to Boulevard, as well as a communications specialist, magazine writer and the owner of Fernwood Fashionista, an Etsy vintage shop.
“Struck by the utter silence and rugged beauty of the Cariboo, I found the peacefulness of my time at Echo Valley Ranch & Spa exhilarating. The ranch activities were unique, educational and really well thought-out, particularly the survival course and the tour of the Fraser Canyon.” An award-winning travel writer born in Cape Town, South Africa, Lauren pens stories on food, travel, aquaculture and interesting personalities from her home in
“SometimesRichmond.deeply
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THE
10 boulevardmagazines.com | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2022 OKANAGAN LIFE AT ITS FINEST SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2022
BOULEVARD Mario Gedicke
BEAUTY
CONTRIBUTING Lia Crowe
PAGE 30 JANE ZATYLNY ATWRITERHOME WITH ART PAGE 60 ELLIE SHORTT BEAUTIFULWRITER BOARDS PAGE 74
CONTRIBUTING Barbara Barry WRITERS Angela Cowan Lia JaneTEllieKaishaSamanthaDarcSeanSusanLaurenLauraSarahCroweD’ArceyGoldsteinKramerLundyMcIntyreyNyboRensbyScofieldShorttobyTannasZatylny
CIRCULATION & Maria Zacarias DISTRIBUTION 250.763.7575
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Washrooms became a bit of a theme in this trip to London, which is documented elsewhere in this edition of Boulevard. In fact, as I sought out yet another public washroom amid our sightseeing, my husband Bruce wryly remarked, “I see our tour of London toilets continues…”
Then there was the pub bathroom discovered behind a secret door that looked like a bookshelf; the underground restroom accessed dungeon-style by a narrow set of stairs winding through cramped concrete walls; and the tiny, tiny loo, in which I’d chosen to change from jeans to shorts and barely had room to untie my shoelaces. Bruce’s experience in the men’s washroom at a bus station left him muttering “just a wall for the men, really.”
Susan Lundy Editor
But the toilet following the art show was the most memorable of all.
We arrived expectantly at our destination and, as Danica’s guests, we were escorted past the long line of patrons awaiting entrance on a steeply descending staircase. At the bottom of the steps, we entered what I now know is called the Bermondsey Arts Club, an art deco bar created in—you guessed it—a former public washroom. To its credit, it gets great reviews. Apparently, it’s a beautiful and trendy— albeit small—bar that serves excellent cocktails in an “intimate” setting. We could see theSteppingintimate.through the doors, we immediately met a crush of people, pulsing music and a thick blanket of hot, moist air (hello, COVID!). Even Bruce—known to enjoy a cocktail bar or two—looked skeptical. We paused long enough to say quick goodbyes and skedaddled back up that crowded stairway.
Susan Lundy is a former journalist who now works as an editor, author and freelance writer. Her latest book, Home on the Strange, was released earlier this year via Heritage House Publishing.
What can I say? Between pints of British beer and cups of tepid tea (actually, make that red wine and coffee), bathrooms beckoned. And the array was dizzying. For example, there was the public restroom on floor 35 of the spectacular building The Shard. Here, the only thing more stunning than the view was the shock of plunking down on a heated (!) toilet seat.
Finally it was time for the after party! Were we wrong to envision “the club” as a quiet, elegant, wood-panelled room with ornate carpet, high-backed antique chairs and perhaps a grand old wooden bar serving Glenlivet in cut-glass tumblers?
It required another trip to the loo.
Too bad the night ended in “The Toilet.”
The plane had just arrived from Glasgow, where a horde of thirsty Scots had left the toilets too full for the next flight, and servicing was required.
CROWELIABYPHOTO
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tripAnothertotheloo
My daughter Danica’s art opening at the prestigious White Cube in London, England was everything you’d expect: chichi outfits, flutes of Prosecco, little canapé sandwiches…and, of course, lots of art.
We arrived early at the gallery event—“we” being me and Bruce, as well as Sandra, the partner of my ex-husband Derrick, who passed away in November. We arrived early, well before dinner, so that Danica could show us the art privately. Next came an hour-long artists’ talk, followed by three hours of art viewing and art chitchatting.Italways seemed we were standing elsewhere (usually in line for Prosecco) when the trays of food were trotted out—so invariably, the delectable-looking bites were just a little beyond our reach. Danica had no time to eat at all. By 10 o’clock we were starving.Planswere set to go to “the club” for the event’s after party. But before that, some 15 of us set out to find food—not an easy task in London where most places close their kitchens early. Eventually, we found an Indian-cuisine restaurant able to accommodate us. I’m not sure I’ve ever attacked a basket of papadums so fiercely. (In an unusual twist, one woman in the group sat down at a table, enjoyed a drink and plate of food…and then left. It turned out everyone assumed she was with someone else and, in fact, no one knew her at all.)
No matter, it had been a wonderful evening. And four hours after we arrived back at our hotel? It was time to get on a train to Gatwick for our flights home. In this era of convoluted air travel, it’s not surprising that we missed our connection in Calgary due to an hour-long hold-up on the tarmac in Halifax. But the issue that caused the problem seemed rather appropriate to our journey.
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NATE CASSIE, REAL ESTATE AGENT WORDS + PHOTOGRAPHY CROWE
LIA
life.style.etc.
Favourite hair product: Reuzel Fibre Pomade.
As I meet Nate at a gorgeous home overlooking the lake near Kelowna, I ask what he loves most about his work, and he says, “Being able to work with some spectacular homes and aspiring to own one someday is what fires me up.”
Fave print magazine: Robb Report. Coffee table book/photography book: Tom Ford books.
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ood style is about expressing yourself in a thoughtful way without saying a word,” says real estate agent Nate Cassie.
CLOTHES/GROOMINGBC.
Favourite cocktail or wine: Old fashioned. Album on current rotation: the highs by mike. Favourite app: SkipTheDishes. Favourite place in the whole world: Kelowna,
Currently coveting: Rolex Submariner.
STYLE INSPIRATIONS & LIFE
Uniform: Blazer, white T-shirt, tailored jeans and white sneakers. Favourite denim, brand and cut: Legend London Skinny. Current go-to clothing item: Off-White T-shirt or DESOTO button-up short sleeve.
With a background playing sports, competing in and win ning bodybuilding competitions and working fighting wildfires, Nate has developed a competitive spirit that has translated into a strong work ethic as a realtor.
Scent: 1 Million Paco Rabanne. Necessary indulgence: Sneakers.
Favourite book of all time: Can’t Hurt Me: Master Your Mind and Defy the Odds by David Goggins.
Favourite artist: Zach Langner, Vernon, BC.
It’s easy to see that style is important to Nate, so I ask how he would describe his personal style, and he says, “Urban professional with a splash of hype.” MATERIAL
Favourite fashion designer or brand: Virgil Abloh, Off-White. Favourite musician: mike.
Favourite local restaurant: Home Block at Cedar Creek and Waterfront Wines.
“G
Favourite pair of shoes: Gucci white and grey sneakers. Best new purchase: Audi S5 Coupe. Favourite day-bag: Louis Vuitton Duffle. Accessory you spend the most money on: Watches. Favourite work tool: Passion Planner. Sunglasses: Gold Ray-Ban Round Metal Classic.
Outside of work, he’s passionate about bodybuilding and wake surfing and when asked what his best life lesson has been, he says, “[I’ve learned to] surround myself with people who have the same mindset and goals as me and, more importantly, people who are more successful than me. There will always be someone out there working harder than you—so stay hungry.”
READING
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design notes
Slipping into fall
Simply White OC-117
BENJAMINFROM MOORE:
We’ve had our summer fix, but now we’re ready for the beauty of fall. The colours and design styles that pair with this season lead to some of the best in interior self expression. And this is especially true as we look at bedroom design styles. Bold and bright or soft and neutral—each look can work to suit your personal design taste. Use of a strong, warm and neutral wall colour is a great way to get started, and then look to pair it with bolder-themed materials. For furniture, begin with a stunning bed as a starting point, and then balance it with additional pieces that suit the look. Accents in the form of lighting and décor pieces can add your own personal style, so your space feels like an extension of yourself.
Baby Fawn OC-15
SCANFROMDESIGNS:
BY SAMANTHA RENSBY, BID HANNAH KATEY INTERIOR DESIGN
boulevardmagazines.com | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2022 17 FROM LIGHTING:ROBINSON Chandelier 302DF0R FROM MUSE & MERCHANT: Albert Bed FROM CITY FURNITURE & APPLIANCES LTD.: Reighlea Wall Art allelements.ca All Elements has always been committed to creating beautiful homes while keeping the environment in mind. Our High Performance homes are built with the highest level of building science technology and with materials chosen that utilize embodied carbon. This is why All Elements has partnered with Tree Canada to plan: 500 trees for every house we build. A testament to our commitment to change and improve our environment for future generations. ToCommitmentExcellence We are proud to craft homes that are at the forefront of eco-sustainability
On top...by going over the top
in studio
Jolandi du Preez finds her creative match in special-effects nails
WORDS DARCY NYBO X PHOTOGRAPHY LIA CROWE
Makeup by Tanin Nicole
Hair by Dylan Raine
“I worked on cruise ships from 2003 to 2005. After that, I immigrated to Canada and joined my husband in Calgary. Seven years later we moved to Kelowna,” she said.
The first set of over-the-top nails she created was during the Game of Thrones craze.
Jolandi said, “I didn’t see myself as being an artist—until now. However, when the urge to create and/or creative ideas kept me awake at night, I had to admit that yes, I am an art ist.”One day, watching Skin Wars on Netflix, she was blown away by the skill of the artists. So she did what any artistic entrepre neur would do—she contacted them on Instagram.
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“They were excited and wanted to use my nails,” she said. “The creative themes varied quite a bit, from ethereal-looking mermaid tails to dark and dangerous dragon claws and out-ofthis-world alien nails.”
Jolandi worked for some local spas when she arrived and still does aesthetics part-time, giving her “an opportunity to stay in touch with my fabulous spa clients.”
from South Africa, Jolandi took aesthetics at col lege. Shortly after graduating, she went to work on cruise ships and travelled the world. Aside from visiting 50 to 60 countries, she also met her husband on one of her adventures.
HOW IT BEGAN
olandi du Preez had no specific reason for creating her first set of costume nails. She had a creative urge and made them a reality. But within a couple months of post ing her Game of Thrones-themed press-on nails on Instagram, she was suddenly designing nails for drag queens on RuPaul’s DragOriginallyRace.
But it wasn’t smooth sailing all the way. Jolandi encountered
Both Skin Wars series winners used special-effects press-on nails by Onyx Nails Design.
J
After almost two decades in the beauty industry, Jolandi was asked if she could make a set of costume nails for a photo shoot. She agreed and once she was done, the unexpected occurred.“Igotinstantly hooked on the weird and wonderful world of special effects costume nails and avant-garde nail art,” she said from her Kelowna home office. “From there, I started my own brand, Onyx Nails Design.”
“I did a set of nails as a creative outlet. We did a photo shoot and then posted the nails on Instagram,” Jolandi said. “I got some really good feedback from people, and they were excited about the nails. That very first set was created using actual finishing nails that my husband had to cut in order to fit them into the prosthetic nails. It took me a little over a week to de sign and create them.”
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Jolandi’s persistence paid off. Within a few years she was under taking collaborations with some heavy hitters in the art world, and creating nails for award-winning makeup artists, body painters, costume designers, photographers and special-effects makeup artists around the globe.
“It was attended in part by industry professionals and in part by horror movie nerds,” she said. “It was mind-blowing to see so many incredibly talented artists in one place and I cannot wait to connect with them again in the future. I got to apply some of my
her share of cynics and doubters, with comments like, “Who would wear these nails?”
“It made me doubt my own sanity from time to time, but the desire to create and a good dose of stubbornness outweighed my self-doubt,” she said. “I started connecting with other creative tal ents around the world through social media and I was blown away by their positive responses to my nail creations.”
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“I often get complete creative freedom when designing these costume nails. The customer might tell me what the theme of the look is, but the rest is all up to me. What a thrill to create a piece of wearable art like that!”
In July, Jolandi attended a special effects convention in Los An geles and loved every minute of it.
Asked “what’s next?” for Onyx Nails Design, Jolandi said, “When people think special-effects nails, I want them to think Onyx Nails Design. When I was at the convention in LA, there wasn’t anyone else there who was doing what I did…My wish is that some one, somewhere knows Lady Gaga and she comes to me for a set of gorgeous nails. I can imagine going to a movie theatre and seeing my nails up there on the big screen. That would be such an incredi ble experience and would validate the quality and uniqueness of the products I create.”
nails to models who were having full prosthetics put on. Mine was a hitch-hiking ghost and the nails were a finishing touch to his look.”
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As for the press-on nails, each set is custom-made to match the client’s creative vision. She uses mixed media for her creations, whether that be clay, gel, acrylic, plastic, metal, organic materials, hardware or craft store materials. A set of 10 reusable nails can take anywhere from a few hours to a few days to make.
You can see some of Jolandi’s creations at onyxnailsdesign.com and on Instagram @onyxnailsdesign.
THE FUTURE
She added: “I often get complete creative freedom when design ing these costume nails. The customer might tell me what the theme of the look is, but the rest is all up to me. What a thrill to create a piece of wearable art like that!”
“The clients for my nails are a mixed bag. Anything from cosplay to drag queens and entertainers. I don’t have a niche at this point because nails are something universal. I was one of the sponsors of the World Body Painting Competition in Germany this year. I pro vided custom nails, and they wore them with their beautiful designs, it was a match made in creative heaven.”
boulevardmagazines.com | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 202222 good taste Serve it sweet Karat Chocolate + Pastry Boutique WORDS TOBY TANNAS X PHOTOGRAPHY LIA CROWE The andJulian,(fromHelmansleft):HazelAmanda.
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What they don’t notice is the man perched on a chair in the corner observing it all. He’s chef and owner of Karat, Julian Helman: the visionary who brought this bright, vibrant, delicious atmosphere to life.
Stepping into Karat Chocolate + Pastry Boutique, nestled on a quiet block of Ellis Street in downtown Kelowna, is first and foremost a feast for the eyes, with glass displays boasting their signature chocolates, cakes and pastries both savoury and sweet.
“I always knew I wanted to own a pastry shop ever since I was a kid. My dad was a chef and I grew up in kitchens. Back then, I just didn’t know making choco lates was going to be my ticket.”
On the day I visit, there is a steady stream of people ordering coffee and treats. Unlike other coffee shops, they don’t rush off with paper cups and bags; instead, they sit at bistro-style tables to savour every sip and nib ble. (You can see the satisfaction on their faces—often along with a remnant of flaky chocolate croissant!)
Chocolate is the foundation of Karat. In 2015, Julian was working as a pastry chef at Quails’ Gate Winery and dabbling in chocolate making on the side.
T
“What we like to eat is what we make. My dad always said figure that out, then make it the best you can and you won’t fail.”
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here are few pleasures in life as sweet as satisfying a sugar craving. It’s even more fantastic when your chosen indulgence is beautifully handcrafted, eth ically sourced and available just around the corner in a delightful Parisian-inspired café.
“When Linda from Olive & Elle Boutique first reached out,” recalls Julian, “I had to explain that I was a one man show. Turns out that was one of the things Olive & Elle loved about Karat.”When Julian—who is internationally trained in both the cooking and pastry disciplines—landed a short stint as a private chef on northern Vancouver Island, he was able to pad his bank account enough to take his chocolate business to the next level.“Ireached out to my friend Dave, who owns what is now Bright Jenny Coffee. He found a space for me in the north end. It was 500 square feet and $40 a month. I rented it and we put
“I put a little sign-up board in the kitchen and told co-work ers that if they wanted any I was making little boxes of choco lates for Christmas. I had $400 in my bank account. I bought a couple of bags of chocolate and some little craft boxes off the internet.”Achef friend at nearby Mission Hill Estate Winery let Julian use the basement kitchen to churn out his chocolate creations in the offseason, in what was literally an “underground” opera tion. Eventually, he started getting attention thanks to word of mouth and social media. A downtown boutique was the first to stock Karat chocolate bars.
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“Without the support and hard work of Amanda behind the scenes, Karat would not exist as it does today.”
“I became obsessed with the ingredients. Sourcing the best choc olate, asking where are the beans grown, who are the people behind the business, how does it get to our table?”
“I still feel like we are a really young company and we have so far to go,” Julian says. “Investors have shown interest in making Karat a big operation but it’s just not of interest to me. I like moving a bit slow in terms of growth, so we know exactly what we’re doing and ensuring the quality is always high.”
Julian applies those same ethics to the ingredients used in Karat pastries as well. In just a handful of years, the basement choco late-making operation has grown into a well-rounded and thriving local business.
As proof that the cream really does rise to the top, Julian and his team are ready to grow—a little! The Ellis Street café will undergo a renovation and expansion early next year, and the new space will feature even more of the freshly baked goods they’ve become known for, including full-sized cakes. Karat’s original location (the tiny one) will remain the chocolate kitchen, which is where you will most often find Julian.
“When I was younger it was all about work. As you get older, when you have kids, it softens you. My happiest memories are here in the shop when my daughter was a toddler. I would drop off pas tries and I would see her little face in the window every morning. She would grab a croissant off the rack, I would have a coffee and we would just be together. Those are the best memories.”
2016. Since then, Julian has slowly built the business one chocolate order at a time. He is eternally grateful to family members like his uncle, Vince, who packaged chocolates in those early days and continues to offer advice and step up when he’s needed. Every bit of support over the years has allowed Julian to spend more time honing his craft—a vital ingredient in his recipe for success.
Julian thinks of his staff as family, and many have stood by him and the business during some really difficult times. Julian is proud of his chefs and offers them plenty of creative freedom.
Karat is a true artisan company with family at its core. The next time you visit Karat Chocolate + Pastry Boutique for a hand-crafted indulgence, keep your eye out for the chef and his daughter sharing some quality time over a pastry. A beautiful reminder that life and business are best served sweet!
“A perfect day for me is when I get to be in my chocolate kitchen, developing something new. I call them diamond days. They’re few and far between right now as I’m managing everything, but I will definitely make time for more diamond days in the next few years.”
Julian is also making more time for family. His daughter, threeyear-old Hazel, keeps her parents on their toes, and her love for being with dad has influenced Julian’s priorities.
“I let the staff run a little and do their thing creatively. I’m always
a little retail section in there. We had four chocolate bars and you could buy boxes of 12 chocolates and that was it,” he says with a chuckle.Thatwas
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involved, though, and I like to keep it simple. I start with a flavour I really like, then profile it with a specific chocolate, and then we’ll work on the look a little. What we like to eat is what we make. My dad always said figure that out, then make it the best you can and you won’t fail.”
A big part of the quality equation is skilled labour. Karat now has 18 team members (including Uncle Vince), and Julian’s wife, Aman da, oversees the café and manages the books.
spotlight
WORDS LAURA GOLDSTEIN X PHOTOGRAPHY LIA CROWE
Game changer
Real estate dynamo Taylor Musseau brings a holistic approach to life and career
ou might catch a fleeting glimpse of her kicking up dust over the Okanagan back roads on her Ninja ZX6R motorcycle or her Harley Davidson Sportster 48. Or, check out her sprint-focused swim practices at Kelowna’s H2O Adventure + Fitness Centre, where her high performance is a power-charged blur of strength and steely
After cutting her teeth on projects in Toronto and the GTA for a year, she was engaged by MLA Canada to over see the execution of the sales and marketing of Caban by Cressey—a six-storey condo and townhomes development in the cool Pandosy Village, Gyro Beachfront community on Okanagan Lake in Kelowna. MLA Canada was so impressed with the go-getter that they asked Taylor to head up their new Okanagan office a year ago.
Y
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“It’sdetermination.alwaysbeenabout how far can I push myself,” admits Taylor Musseau, who has parlayed the same con centrated intensity that pervades her dedication in sports into her work ethic and career as managing director and partner at MLA Kelowna-raised,Okanagan.Taylorhas sprinted up the real estate ranks beginning 12 years ago as a determined 19-year-old, immersing herself in every aspect of real estate from real tor, sales agent and marketing strategist to specializing in managing and bringing pre-construction projects to market fruition.
“Caban is where I got my feet wet working with the MLA brand,” Taylor says. “I just love working with our clients in pre-construction and development, from the earliest stage of land purchase, figuring out their target markets and the nuances of design, floor plans and even how surrounding retail will affect the condo residents. All these important details, including the myriad permissions needed, take place usually within a 10-month period. It’s holistic planning and there is a lot of psychology involved,” she explains.
And that translates well for the Okanagan’s real estate market, which has exploded as many singles and young families re-exam ine their goals following the COVID-19 pandemic. Many people now working from home are seeing the opportunity to move out of big cities like Vancouver and Toronto and take advantage of a more relaxed lifestyle in a smaller centre. Taylor is savvy to this demographic’s housing needs and works with developers to be cognizant of sustainability, proximity to grocery shopping, retail and the superb facilities at Kelowna General Hospital, Okanagan College’s new Health Sciences Centre and, of course, Kelowna International Airport.
“There’s normally a two to three per cent increase in resi dential prices each year,” she says. “But real estate prices have jumped 30 per cent in the last couple of years.”
“There has been this huge shift in the Okanagan in the tour ism and hospitality industries and, of course, the booming tech and film industry here that attracts younger people to the work force.”Taylor is particularly excited about the green-lit plan by city council for a 46-storey tower to be built in downtown Kelowna. It will be the tallest building outside of Metro Vancouver, as it will house the state-of-the-art satellite campus of the University of British Columbia Okanagan.
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Taylor not only has the smarts and drive to succeed, but being part of the millennial generation places her in one of Canada’s fastest growing population demographics, according to Statistics Canada’s 2021 census.
Known as The Wine Capital of Canada, the Okanagan is the most prolific grape-growing region in the country attracting wine-lovers from all over the world.
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But this lifestyle does come with a price tag. Coinciding with the surge in people migrating to the Okanagan is a radical sky rocketing of prices.
“I just love working with our clients in preconstruction development, from the earliest stage of land purchase, figuring out their target markets and the nuances of design, floor plans and even how surrounding retail will affect the condo residents.”
“Up until recently we rarely had 312-square-foot studio rental apartments that are more affordable for students in the Okana gan,” says Taylor. “Developers now make it an integral part of
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She also says MLA Canada is currently working with the Calgary-based Arlington Group on VIVO, which is located just a five-minute walk from the proposed new campus in the downtown craft brewery district. Targeted at urban profes sionals and investors, the completion date of VIVO is 2025. Marketed as a “live, work, play, shop urban centre,” it’s a huge economic driver for the city. “And it’s in close proximity to hiking, running and bike trails at Knox Mountain Park and water sports on Okanagan Lake,” Taylor enthuses, also noting that Nolita, another project in the same location, is coming to market this year.
A former competitive body-building champion, who is part of the Okanagan Masters Swim Club in Kelowna competing in the short distance sprint swimming events, Taylor lives the lifestyle she espouses in her professional life.
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their planning, along with gyms, bike and e-bike facilities and storage. And developers are also incorporating retail space on the ground floor that will attract future occupants with parking on the third and fourth floors, rather than below ground level because of the water table and the sheer expense to dig down.”
CARE
“I’m in the pool at 5:30 am every day before starting work and I’m super passionate about both!”
PHOTOGRAPHY MICHAEL BEDNAR, COURTESY ECHO VALLEY RANCH
weekender theInhalingstillbeautyoftheCaribooEchoValleyRanch&Spa
WORDS LAUREN KRAMER
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The couple bought the 160-acre property on a whim and turned it from a small homestead into a luxurious boutique ranch defined by log cabin-style accommodations. They built an airplane runway, a gym, an indoor swimming pool and a stable, and over the years created a range of innovative activ ities that married their interests of wilderness pursuits in the Cariboo coupled with Thai-based spa treatments and gentle yoga.Tour the property and their love, respect and reverence for the Cariboo is evident at every turn. The Doves invited First Nations artists Michael Blackstock to carve living faces on the trees and Theo Mahood to carve intricate wooden murals on the exterior of their Lookout Lodge. The art is a symbol of their deep respect for the area’s Indigenous stewardship and a recognition of the distinct spirituality that pervades Echo Valley.This is wildlife country. Bear sightings are common. Cougar tracks have been spotted. Bighorn sheep still roam the canyon and a marmot feeds nearby the lodge at dusk, almost com pletely unafraid. The ranch is home to three border collies, six cats, 19 horses and a massive pet swine called Lucky, who, unlike his late companion, avoided a deadly bear encounter,
rrive at Echo Valley Ranch and Spa in BC’s Cariboo country and the silence is deafening. But for the gentle rustle of the light breeze in the trees and the bubbling of the nearby creek, there’s complete and utter stillness. It’s a silence that invites you to calm your mind, absorb the peaceful ness and rid yourself of the restless energy that’s so contagious in the city.
To reach the ranch we drove two hours northwest of Ka mloops to Clinton, taking a winding dirt road for the last 34 miles and just barely avoiding a flooded beaver pond. Located on a crest, Echo Valley overlooks sweeping views of Cariboo grasslands skirted by thick swaths of boreal forest. Hillsides descend into a creek surrounded by lush greenery, and between the Marble Mountains in the distance and the Fraser Canyon nearby, it’s a breathtaking location.
A
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It instantly captured the hearts of Norm and Nan Dove when they first visited the area back in 1994.
thus earning his name. A verdant vegetable garden and hothouse supply farm-fresh veggies and herbs at mealtimes, while eggs come straight from the chicken coop and pasture-raised ranch cattle are harvested for the beef.
“Almost everyone out here lives off grid, farming cattle and using wind turbines for energy,” he notes.
Darrel is also the ranch’s archery and shooting instructor, can yon guide and survivalist expert. Time with him is peppered with fascinating anecdotes of his two years in the early 2000s living in a hideout on the Cariboo’s Poison Mountain, where he kept himself alive by hunting, fishing and harvesting wild onions, mushrooms andHeberries.takesme
The landscape is magnificent in its rawness, one full of wildlife but equally full of harsh weather and unforgiving conditions. Most of the area farmers are seniors now, Darrel says sadly. How will a younger, city-raised generation of farmers ever manage to fill their shoes?Darrel lives and breathes this land and knows it well. On our survivalist excursion he points out krinikini, a plant favoured for Indian tobacco; yarrow, a natural antihistamine; willow (“you boil it to treat headaches”) and mullein, whose soft leaves make a great substitute for toilet paper.
It’s the stillness that stays with you at Echo Valley, a ranch where luxury accommodations, an insightful selection of activities, a deep respect for the environment and an astoundingly beautiful natural arena merge effortlessly.
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Activities, personalized to individual guests, are delivered one on one. On my first evening on the ranch, I try fly fishing with Darrel Nippard, learning how to cast a line on land before we head to two ponds writhing with rainbow trout. Dusk is settling in and swallows swirl overhead as I cast and pull in with the clumsiness of a newbie, repeatedly catching my hook in the weeds. With saint-like patience Darrel untangles the line, repeats the instructions and watches quietly until eventually I nab a fish, wrestling briefly with it before it breaks free and disappears beneath the surface.
We walk to an overlook where he gestures at the handful of farms on the slopes alongside the river below.
on a canyon tour, driving a road that’s full of switch backs and sheer, vertical drops to Cougar Point, a 3,800-foot prec ipice overlooking the Fraser River Canyon. The mountain range, scorched by fire in 2009, is beginning to rejuvenate with fresh foliage growth. And as he recounts the history of gold panning on the river, Darrel stops to taste wild raspberries, black currants and crabapples growing by the roadside.
I taste bitter, tiny soap berries filled with vitamin C and learn their boiled leaves are a natural laxative. Before we head back to the ranch Darrel shows me the juniper berry, which, chewed, will stave off thirst if you’re lost in the bush.
“This is a great survival food,” he says, grabbing reindeer moss off a “Boiltree. it and though it doesn’t taste good, it’s full of starch,” he says.
“Your brain is your worst enemy if you ever get lost because it can set you in panic mode,” he cautions. “Always calm down until you can control your mind. Then, and only then, consider your supplies.”Youdon’t have to think much about supplies at Echo Valley Ranch, because the cost of accommodation includes all meals prepared and presented white-tablecloth-style by an expert chef,
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boulevardmagazines.com | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 202234 He takes me on a canyon tour, driving a road that’s full of switchbacks and sheer, vertical drops to Cougar Point, a 3,800-foot TheFraseroverlookingprecipicetheRiverCanyon.mountainrange,scorchedbyfirein2009,isbeginningtorejuvenatewithfreshfoliagegrowth.
alcohol, transfers from Kamloops airport, as well as activities, spa treatments and use of the facilities. Upon arrival, guests are presented with activity op tions, and a daily itinerary is carefully curated on their behalf.
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Echo Valley Ranch is a four-hour drive from Whistler, BC, and 2.5-hour drive from Kamloops. Open year-round, Echo Valley Ranch visits include car transfer from Kamloops, meals, alcohol, access to all activities and spa treatments. Visit evranch.com or call (800) 253-8831 for details.
My session with Monty, a 19-year-old gelding, begins with exercises in trust and connection. Only when we’ve nailed that can we head onto the trail.
We cross a creek, heading uphill on a forest carpeted in moss. A grouse startles and flutters away with a heavy beat of wings and a woodpecker chat ters in the distance. Apart from this and the breath of our horses, the forest is still and the air thick with the hot, dry heat of August in the Cariboo.
Before heading out on any guest ride, Mike leads a “horse acquaintance” session, explaining how to use pressure and release to establish leadership with a “Horseshorse.are living, breathing animals and we believe that any ride needs to start with a relationship—it’s not like hopping on a bike,” he says.
That’s how I come to spend a delicious afternoon in the spa, surrendering to the capable hands of a Thai masseuse who leaves me in a floating state of utter relaxation. I explore the boreal forest on a guided e-bike ride, careening effortlessly along the trails and inhaling the sweet fragrance of pine trees. I hike down to the creek for a dip in the icy, fresh mountain water and I spend a morning on horseback with Mike Christensen, ranch wrangler and general manager, meandering on a gentle walk through Crown Land.
It’s the stillness that stays with you at Echo Valley, a ranch where luxury accommodations, an insightful selection of activities, a deep respect for the environment and an astoundingly beautiful natural arena merge effortlessly. Visit this unique destination and you get to savour the beauty, learn new skills and leave with awe and respect for BC’s untamed Cariboo.
Jodi Huber REALTORPHONE® 250-718-7802 EMAIL jodi@janehoffman.com
Meet Jodi! lake and explored every mountain. How would you describe your fashion style? I am all about comfort! In essence, casual dressy with a footwear choice that allows me to walk for miles! What do you read online? I feel like I am reading easements, covenants and strata minutes more than anything else. The joys of my work. Fave book of all time: I don’t have a favourite book, I read nightly and switch genres to suit my mood!
Fave musician: Same as above! I mix the old-school music of my parents’ era with my daughter’s favourites. Bingeworthy series?: recently watched the Netflix series Maid and I could not wait to get home and and watch it. Favourite app: I spend a bunch of time on YouTube, either to learn about fixing something or to pull up the latest music. Fave wine or cocktail: Right now, at this moment, I’m loving a good tequila. Fave place to visit: Being raised here, I love the sunshine and water. Maui is a short flight and full of sun, sand and surf. What makes you happy? Way to many too many things to list here! But my perfect day is out on the lake with my family in the summer sunshine.
Where were you born and where did you grow up? I was born in this beautiful city of Kelowna. Why leave!? I grew up on the
For over 35 years Jane Hoffman has built a reputation of excelle nce and has grown her brokerage to become the most trusted name in the Okan agan for waterfront and luxury real estate services.
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MLS 10261025 4824 Lakeshore Place, Kelowna,$2,779,900BC
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QUICK FACTS Renovation time: 10 months Square feet: 6,800 (house) 1,000 (cabana) Floors: 3 Bedrooms: 6 Bathrooms: 5 Chandeliers: 14 Amenities: Gym, two offices on the main floor, double-sided fireplace, courtyard pool, hot tub, media room, bar Details-rich renovation imbues artistry, whimsy and functionality WORDS DARCY NYBO X PHOTOGRAPHY LIA CROWE CreativeLicensehot properties
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ana and Bob Reiter purchased their Tommie Award-winning Tuscan home in West Kelowna in 2009, one year after Balehowsky Built completed it. While they loved the initial layout, they realized they’d like to see more of their fantastic view. Thirteen years later, their vision and renovation were solidified into the stylish house they have today.
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Walk up three stairs and you come face to face with the dou ble-sided fireplace, which rises up to the top of the second floor and
ings, glass wall, custom millwork, exterior rock.
“A few times during my career as an electrician and business owner I’ve had the privilege to be involved in a project that truly leaves me with a sense of great pride—and this was one of them,” he said.
UPGRADES
In early 2021, they again contacted Jay to see if he would do their renovation. He agreed and the results are stunning. Dana was very hands-on with the reno, choosing everything from basic design and flooring, to lighting fixtures and more.
Also helping bring Dana’s vision to life was Westside Curb Ap peal, which worked on demolition, structure and framing for the new main-floor layout and addition, and turned a lakeside wall into full windows and doors to augment the view. The company was also involved in many of the finishing details, such as the coffered ceil
Shawn Corrigan, owner of Ecotec Electric, handled the wiring systems for the new lighting, which encompassed full lighting con trol, elegant crystal chandeliers, recessed accent lighting throughout, a full wiring rework, landscape lighting and a motorized light lift installed in the attic for the main 200-pound chandelier above the great room.
In 2014, the Reiters purchased the lot beside them and brought Jay Balehowsky back to build their pool and cabana area. They added an 18- by 40-foot swimming pool, an outdoor kitchen, out door bar and eating area, and a bedroom with a bathroom in the pool house.
As you walk up to the front door of this Tuscan-style home, you are greeted with the relaxing sound of a stone fountain. Step in through the double solid mahogany doors and you are transported into a welcoming space with a feature fireplace and fabulous lake and mountain views.
MAKING AN ENTRANCE
To the left is a powder room, and to the right sits Bob’s office with floor-to-ceiling bookcases.
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faces the front door and the living area. There’s a curved wall hallway to the left that is backlit and covered in glass-bead ed wallpaper. The chandelier in the front greets you with a whimsical feel.
“I really love the cabana area,” Dana said. “It’s right off the living area and it’s a great place to relax. We created this space for us and our family and friends to enjoy. It has an outdoor kitchen, a dining area that seats 12, a beautiful fireplace and a pool house with a bedroom and bathroom. We completed the look with a water wall that adds the right amount of ambi ance to create a serene feel to the space.”
The Reiters wanted several smart home features such as multi-zone audio, security cameras and learning thermostats, and Mission Audio Visual was contracted to make this hap pen.“We proposed a Savant Home Automation system, which would integrate with everything we were installing and great ly simplify their experience by controlling everything fluidly through a single app,” said Drew Mervin, company spokes person.Every aspect of the house—from the lights to the home theatre system—can be controlled through the phone app or on wall-mounted iPads that were installed.
HIGH TECH
The back wall of the main floor is mostly windows and folding glass doors, which cover the entire kitchen, dining and living room areas. It’s here where you get the most stunning Okanagan views.
“I think it’s reminiscent of a vine or branch. I just love it,” Dana said.
“Pre-programmed scenes make it even easier, as selecting
The kitchen prep area has Cristallo Quartzite, which is also in the butler’s kitchen. To tie it all together they took up the
one will activate a number of features at once,” Drew ex plained. “For example the ‘away’ scene will shut off all audio throughout the house, turn off all the lights, arm the security cameras and adjust the thermostat to an energy conserving mode. Convenience doesn’t get any cooler!”
Dana loves to entertain. Once the cabana area was com plete, it was time to create a more open kitchen and let in more of that great Okanagan sunshine.
“It originally had quite a large butler’s pantry at the far end of the dining room/kitchen area. This didn’t take advantage of the lake views, so we tore out the walls, and put in larger windows. We built a smaller butler’s pantry just off the kitchen, and complete with lots of storage space and a dishwasher.”
All the appliances were upgraded, including the star of the kitchen, the eight-burner Wolf stove and oven with pot filler. There’s also a custom-designed overhood to round out the space. The main focus of this kitchen area is a 16-foot Cala catta matte porcelain island, with waterfall, which comfortably seats 10 people.
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There’s a touch of whimsy in the laundry room where colourful flower wallpaper on the ceiling and vintage turquoise penny tiles generate a fun vibe.
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To the right of the fireplace, stairs lead up to the sleeping area. Once you reach the top of the stairs it’s hard not to stop and take in the view from the Juliet balcony.
Two rooms on the main floor reflect Dana’s creative flair, featuring an infusion of colour and texture. Walk ing down the hallway to her office, you can see the walls are made of mini pearlescent tiles—a testament to Da na’s fun side—while the Roberto Cavalli leopard print floor tiles in the office and pantry show off her style.
UPPER FLOOR
TEXTURES AND COLOURS
living area, which are complete with a 500-pound chan delier and 12 transom windows to let in even more light. There’s also a wine cellar directly across from the seating area in the living space.
“My office is a reflection of me,” she said. “I’m really creative, so I love this space.”
a beautiful experience.TM Kelowna (250) 762-3422 1-2121 Springfield Rd www.nufloorskelowna.ca The way a flooring sTore should be find your sTyle. and CoMforT leVel. we MaKe iT easy. over 40 years celebratinginbusiness We are focused on making your floor covering purchase installationandmore efficient, valuable and inspirational than ever before. We call it a beautiful experience. west Kelowna (250) 769-2169 4-1726 Byland Roada beautiful experience.TM Kelowna (250) 762-3422 1-2121 Springfield Rd www.nufloorskelowna.ca The way a flooring sTore should be find your sTyle. and CoMforT leVel. we MaKe iT easy. over 40 years celebratinginbusiness We are focused on making your floor covering purchase installationandmore efficient, valuable and inspirational than ever before. We call it a beautiful experience. west Kelowna (250) 769-2169 4-1726 Byland Road W e are focused on making your floor covering purchase efficient,installationandmorevaluable and inspirational than ever before. We call it a beautiful www.nufloorskelowna.caexperience. KELOWNA (250) 762-3422 | 1-2121 Springfield Rd WEST KELOWNA (250) 769-2169 | 4-1726 Byland Road
Colour abounds in this house. Dozens of family photographs are mounted on raspberry walls near merlot-coloured cabinets. At one point in her life, Dana created a line of children’s clothing, so the shelves in her office are filled with colourful fabrics. (During the COVID-19 pandemic, she crafted colourful masks, and now has her eye on creating unique handbags.)
boulevardmagazines.com | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 202246 can“Everyonehavetheirownspaceiftheyneedit,andthenwecanallgettogetherinthecabanaarea,haveamealtogetherandrelaxwithamovie,orwatchthesunset.” We design your financial journey. 448 West Avenue, Kelowna, BC www.aurawealthmanagement.cainfo.awm@raymondjames.ca778.940.4200 FinancialInsuranceInvestingPlanning
Paint and wallpaper were also the only things changed in the other two guest rooms and the four-piece bathroom.
A large walk-in closet sits behind the divider headboard and there’s also a display area where Dana can store her impressive collection of shoes. The master bathroom comes complete with a soaker tub and large shower with two rain heads. His-and-hers sinks complete the space.
A few more steps down the hallway and you’re in the master bedroom, which is divided in two with a built-in storage head board.“We left the master bedroom pretty much as it was; all we changed was the paint and wallpaper.”
Opposite the pool table is a full-sized bar, with an under-lit bar top. To the left of that sits one of the lower-level guest rooms, replete with wall-to-ceiling bookcase. There’s a second bedroom next to the gym that also leads out to the lower deck.
If movies or billiards aren’t on the agenda, there’s always the gym, infrared sauna and a full bathroom. One can easily imag ine having a great workout, going for a swim and then getting comfy in the media room to watch a movie.
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“The lower level of the home didn’t require much renova tion,” Dana explained, “but we did add a few things. We took out what was in the seating area and added a raised platform and eight recliners—four on each level. Now we can all sit com fortably. We also put in a long bar-style table where we could sit and eat and still watch a movie.”
Just behind the recliners is a large pool table and an exit onto the lower-level patio.
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boulevardmagazines.com | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 202248 HOME SWEET HOME While the Reiters’ children are now all grown, some with children of their own, the house isn’t too big for this close, active“Thefamily.kidsand grandchildren come and visit quite a bit. It’s nice having all this extra space for them, so they feel right at home,” Dana said. “Everyone can have their own space if they need it, and then we can all get together in the cabana area, have a meal together and relax with a movie, or watch the sunset.” CONTRACTOR LIST Architectural & Interior Design/ Builder: Balehowsky Built Framing/ Finishing: Westside Curb Appeal Electrical: Ecotec Electric Smart home, whole house audio: Mission Audio Visual Plumbing: Deans Plumbing and Heating HVAC: Cory Gould Flooring: Ozon Construction Millwork: Metro Furniture Countertops: Madeira Stone 1st2ndImpressionsLooks RENOVATIONS & REMODELING Chris Krahn | westsidecurbappeal.com250.801.3521 Enhance your house with smart home technology and then control it with ease Audio º Video º Security º Climate Control º Lighting º missionaudiovisualNetwork250-682-9422missionav.ca
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boulevardmagazines.com | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 202250 business class making it Werke Chris popularGermana’smechanics WORDS LAUREN KRAMER X PHOTOGRAPHY LIA CROWE
“As a business owner I’ve learned the most important thing you can do is take what you’ve learned and share it by investing in other people,” Chris reflects. “We’ve dou bled our staff numbers in the last few years, we have four new apprentices and we are actively developing young people. It’s so gratifying watching others grow around us and being a part of the mentorship process.”
He found the educational program that would teach him the skills he needed at Arizona’s Universal Technical Insti tute, but the $35,000 tuition was the first hurdle he needed to overcome.Determined to enrol, he spent 18 months working full time for the Ontario school board and stocking shelves at a local grocery store on weekends, saving every penny of his wages. A loan from a family member sealed the deal and in 2000, Chris headed to Phoenix.
rom the sidelines, it’s easy to look at a successful business and assume success came easily. But the truth is isn’t always so.
F
For the next four years he studied for his mechanic certifi cation and worked at a BMW dealership in Scottsdale. Ser endipitously, he met folks along the way who mentored and helped him.
“As an international student I had to work harder than domestic students to get into the program and to find a spon sor,” he recalls.
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But the road to this success wasn’t without its bumps and curves.When he graduated high school in Stoney Creek, On tario, Chris had no idea what career path he’d follow. After a brief stint at an arts school, he job-shadowed a mechanic
Take Motor Werke, a Kelowna-based, locally owned company that specializes in mechanical services to Europe an vehicles such as Audi, BMW, Jaguar, Land Rover, Mer cedes, Mini, Volvo and Porsche. Today it’s humming: the 13-year-old business has nine service bays and 20 staff and tends to some 200 vehicles each month. Its focus is inspec tions, diagnostics, repairs, upgrades and maintenance, and it also offers a wax shop to get customers’ cars gleaming.
At the condominium complex where he lived, his study overlooked the swimming pool and another resident—who happened to supply automotive equipment—noticed the young Chris was always at his desk studying. The two struck up a conversation in the shared laundry room and Chris’s new friend helped him connect with the right folks in the
“It’s really important for me to go out of my way to care for the people around me and to create a workplace culture in which that ethos is paramount. It’s incredible watching my staff do the same thing for each other.”
and quickly realized his love of European vehicles exceeded his love of art and design.
“I always wanted to own a Porsche 911 and a BMW E30, so I decided to get into an industry where I’m around cars all day,” he says.
Owner Chris Germana, 44, has his eyes set firmly on the future. He’s bringing young partners into the fold, expand ing the physical footprint of the garage and welcoming apprentice mechanics to learn the trade.
Part of that care package includes a fleet of 15 courtesy cars. If one is unavailable, customers are shuttled back home while their cars are in the “Peopleshop.don’t expect to get treated and respected the way they are treated at Motor Werke,” Chris says. “Women in particular—we want women to feel confident and independent when they walk through our doors. We treat everyone respectfully and never talk down to our customers. Instead, we try to alleviate their anxiety by equipping them with relevant information so that they can make informed decisions.”
When the family vacationed in the Okanagan in 2006, Chris fell in love with the region. Ready for a lifestyle change, he relocated the family to British Columbia just months after that first visit, settling in Kelowna. Determined to open his own automotive business, he en rolled in some business courses and, in March 2009, opened the doors of Motor Werke in central Kelowna.
By 2004, Chris was missing Canada and ready to return home. He found work as a mechanic in dealerships in Southern Ontario, met his wife and started a family. But living an hour from Toronto, his daily commute was a killer.
industry, who in turn sponsored a work permit that allowed him to stay on and work after he graduated.
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The first few years presented a steep learning curve as the business endured its share of growing pains, Chris recalls, adding, “But I was lucky to meet great people who became my mentors, equipping me with the tools, tips and knowledge I needed to get through that peri od.”Motor Werke specializes in European brands but also services Japa nese“We’revehicles.really in business to take care of people and serve them well, so while we specialize in certain brands, we don’t turn anyone away,” he says.
In describing how important the Werke team is to him, Chris speaks about Sir Lewis Hamilton, a British Formula One racing driver. In a recent race, Chris says, Lewis took second spot, losing to his rival Max Verstappen.
In the past five years, he’s watched his company come into its own. He’s proud to have recruited and retained talented young staff, including recruits who hail from all corners of the world, including the UK, Ireland, Scotland, South Africa and eastern Canada.
“Our shop is full of great people—both our team and the customers who act as ambassadors for our business. I want to say a big thank you to all of them. I would not be where I am today without them.”
“I don’t want to be the kind of business owner that builds a great business and one day walks away to retire with a big cheque in his pocket,” he says. “I want the peo ple who helped me get where I needed to be get rewarded by becoming owners and taking over the business. This way, I can share the success we’ve had.”
Recently Chris added three partners to the business, an integral part of his long-term succession plan.
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Chris says that these type of champions walk through Werke every day.
“In the post-race interview, Lewis was quick to thank his team for the success they had in the race, and the fans for the great support they provided throughout the race. This is something that Lewis does in almost every interview,” Chris says. “This is an attitude that is common among true champions—acknowledging the people around them that rally together through good times and challenging times to repeat the highest level of performance year after year.”
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boulevardmagazines.com | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 202254 fashion Balmain “Adler”Vancouver.($695),ChloéBodysuitBlazer($4,295),AlexanderMcQueenPaveRingwithPearlbothfromNordstromSeries,sculpturebyBirgitPiskor,fromtheTofinoGalleryofContemporaryArt.
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PHOTOGRAPHY LIA CROWE X STYLING SARAH D’ARCEY
Dion Lee
SweaterRibSpiralCrop($775),ChloéPleatFrontWide-LegLinenVoilePants($2,150)fromNordstromVancouver. art fashion
Line, movement, shape: sparks of the unexpected mixed with references to things deeply familiar. High fashion inspires the self in the same way art can stir the soul; they both reach for a feeling, strive to say something not quite said before and catch the viewer off guard. On the curve of the Vancouver Island’s west coast sits Tofino Brick House, where pieces from the Tofino Gallery of Contemporary Art come alive inside its walls, and spill seamlessly to the dramatic landscapes just steps from the door. Here, the loop of art and life spiral, catch you and lift you a little higher.
AsymmetricLemaire Long Sleeve Apron Dress ($1,460), Chloe Lyv Shell Pendant Necklace ($720) and Marine Serre Moon Print Gloves ($541), all from TofinoArt,Vancouver.Nordstromfromlefttoright:“Grapes,PearsandVasebyKevinNierman,”paintingbyMarionEvamy;“3Vessels”byFranSolar;“TwilightIV,”paintingbyMonicaGewurz.AllfromtheGalleryofContemporaryArt.
($2,420)HarnessDrapedSukeyfromNordstromVancouver,swimsuit,stylist’sown.
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Smythe ‘90s Blazer ($695), A.L.C. Tommy Pleat Front Linen Blend Pants ($575), and Dion Lee Ribbed Combat Corset Tank Top all($685),from “Wandering“Paroles,”ArtVancouver.Nordstromfromlefttoright:“UkrainianSpring,”paintingbyPaulaCallahan;paintingbyIraHoffecker(upstairslanding),HighandLow,”paintingbyChinYuen.AllfromtheTofinoGalleryofContemporaryArt.
All art provided by The Tofino Gallery of Contemporary Art. Photographed on location at Tofino Brick House, one of the vacation properties at Chesterman Beach managed by Tofino Beach Collective. A huge thank you to Tofino Beach Collective for hosting our team. Thanks also to Michael Sahely for loaning the big easel.
Makeup by Jenny McKinney. Model Niamh Harold represented by Mode Models. Production support by Peter Zambri.
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hether it is your child’s first painting, an inherited watercolour, an old family photograph or a piece of functional pottery—art brings incredible meaning to our personal lives. As the artist Pablo Picasso once put it, “Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.” WITHHOME
WORDS JANE ZATYLNY X PHOTOGRAPHY LIA CROWE
Building a collection and using art to personalize your space
AT
art W
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The same holds true when art is integrated into interior design, she stresses: “I know I’ve done my job when people say, ‘I don’t really know what it is, but it feels so peaceful and harmonious to be in this space.’”Ultimately, art helps us create a beautiful sanctuary from the world, says Brooke. “If we have pieces in our spaces that we love, it can really bring us home to ourselves.”
“Many of my clients say, ‘I wouldn’t know where to start’ when I ask them about art for their homes,” says Brooke.
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“If we have pieces in our spaces that we love, it can really bring us home to ourselves.”
When I was a teenager, I papered my bedroom walls with pages torn from fash ion magazines, my own drawings and post ers of my teen idols. A great compliment from a visiting friend was always, “Wow, there is so much to look at in here!” Today my condo walls are covered with colourful paintings, my own photographs, large piec es of pottery and art glass. There’s still a lot to take in, and it may not be to everyone’s taste—but that is perfectly okay.
Art is powerful because it takes a room to the next level, explains Brooke Hatfield, interior designer and principal of Brooke Hatfield Design in Victoria. “Even if two people have the exact same furniture in a room, you will get a completely different vibe and understand so much about Person A and Person B, just from their selection of Theart.”art you choose to display in your home can also profoundly influence the way you feel. It can calm you or it can energize you, depending on the pieces you choose—and where you choose to display them.“At museums, we often see people staring at a piece of art for a long period of time,” says Lucila Diaz, founder and creative director of Harmony Sense Interiors in North Vancouver. “That’s because the art is making them feel something beyond the colours or the lines or the composition.”
In a sea of manufactured goods, art also humanizes our homes.
Building a collection
When choosing art for your home, the nearly infinite selection of styles, colours and sizes can often seem overwhelming.
“I always like to look at it as the person alization of a space,” says Hannah Katey Berger, principal interior designer and owner of Hannah Katey Interior Design in Kelowna. “When you have a neutral space, art really adds that personality.”
A simple rule to follow is to buy what you love, she adds: “Follow your gut, and you won’t go wrong.”
7. Etsy, the global e-commerce website for makers, is another good place to source art, whether you purchase a digital download or an original piece. You can also explore Instagram for artists’ profiles and follow and purchase art through that platform, says Brooke.
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3. Start by showcasing your children’s art, suggests Brooke. “One of my own favourite pieces of art is a series of three cards my god-daughter created in preschool, which I matted and framed.”
TEN TIPS TO HELP YOU SOURCE ART FOR YOUR HOME:
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1. Building an art collection takes time, so it’s wise to buy art piece by piece.
4. Visit museums and galleries to get a sense of what you like.
5. Studio tours and art walks are another great way to build a collection; you can also forge a meaningful connec tion with the artist and learn the story behind a particular work of art.
6. Parker Street Studios in Vancouver, a 52,000-squarefoot warehouse, is home to more than 100 artists’ galleries and studios, says Lucila. “It’s a great place to look for or even commission art.”
2. “Be patient and have fun with it,” says Hannah. “Explore different artists and different mediums. There is nothing wrong with liking or disliking certain styles. When it’s right for you, you’re going to appreciate it in your space.”
• Another rule of thumb is to hang paintings 60 inches from the floor to the centre of the art for a room with an eight-foot ceiling. Adjust for higher ceiling heights.
Hanging, spacing and placing art
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9. Try to avoid settling by “matching” a piece of art to a sofa or other piece of furniture; instead, choose a piece that speaks to you, says Hannah. “Art can act as a major focal point, which should inspire the remaining space. You can add cohesive harmony to your interior by pulling colours from the artwork through accent pillows and accessories.”
8. Online auctions like MaxSold can also be a great way to browse and find art to suit pretty much all tastes and styles.
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• Take your cue from art galleries and museums and make sure that the middle of the art work is at your eye level.
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10. Many public art galleries offer art rental and sales. This is a great way to test drive a painting style or size in your home before buying.
How we hang or display our art pieces can greatly affect their impact in our homes. The most common mistake, according to the interior designers I spoke with, is hanging a painting too high or too low. Here are some tips about hanging, spacing and placing art.
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• Try to make sure that the distance between pieces in a gallery wall is consistent.
• When hanging art over a sofa, mantle or dresser, make sure it relates to that piece and isn’t too high above it. Usu ally four to eight inches is ideal, says Brooke.
• Be mindful about scale when hanging artwork, as pieces can sometimes be too large or small for a particular space, says Hannah. With too-small pieces, consider adding an extra-large matte when framing, or group items together.
• Consider the overall atmosphere you want to create when hanging art, says Lucila. “If you have a piece of art you love, make it the centrepiece of your room.”
• Think outside of two-dimensional artwork, says Brooke. “A friend of mine collected those small blue and white houses that a Dutch airline gave away. Displayed together, they formed a powerful piece of art.”
• Make sure your artwork is properly secured to the wall. “You don’t want things to fall,” says Lucila. “It’s also important to protect your investment with UV protected glass, so it won’t be damaged by sunlight.” Don’t be afraid to layer art by putting a lamp in front of a painting, sug gests Brooke. “You don’t want to obliterate the artwork, but layering is what makes a space interesting.”
• Use painters’ tape or trace your artwork onto newsprint to test out a gallery wall.
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big WAY IN A Brent Marshall expands his life-altering philanthropy by encouraging other Okanagan businesses to adopt a spirit of giving Givingback SPECIAL FEATURE WORDS SEAN MCINTYRE X PHOTOGRAPHY ASHLEY DUGGAN
What is the meaning of success?
H
It’s also questions like these that encouraged him to give away more than $1 million to help
ow do you measure wealth?
It’s questions like these that have helped Kelowna’s Brent Marshall become one of the province’s leading entrepreneurs, while simulta neously creating a lasting philanthropic legacy.
Brent Marshall, CEO Marshall Group of Companies (250)brent@marshallco.ca961-5254 SPECIAL FEATURE Giving back
“I did it in Prince George and was able to do amazing things as that [project] grew, and now we’re doing it in Kelowna all over again,” Brent says. “The impact of what I’m doing will involve millions of dollars going right back to help others in our community.”
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As someone who has worked hard since high school in a wide range of businesses and sectors, Brent knows that hard work is
“It doesn’t seem like much when one commits a small amount, but it can add up to have a impact.”huge
And now he’s on his way to repeating that success in the Okanagan by working with and encouraging fellow business owners to adopt a spirit of giving.
Brent currently donates 50 per cent of the net proceeds raised by sales at his Kelowna-based commercial real estate company to local charities. He’s also working closely with companies large and small to foster a similar sense of corporate responsibility—something that he promises can pay off in unimaginable ways.
build a new children’s wing at the Univer sity Hospital of Northern British Columbia and donate $300,000 to help build a family room at a cancer clinic, also in northern BC.
The key to Brent’s successful philanthropy comes down to the trickle effect. By dedicating even a small portion of each sale or a modest percentage of monthly revenue, a seemingly insignificant amount of money can balloon into a major gift over time.“Itdoesn’t seem like much when one commits a small amount, but it can add up to have a huge impact,” he says.
These are the very questions that drove him to contribute millions more to his community, while he lived, worked and raised a family in Prince George.
CONTRIBUTEDPHOTO
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info@bestbeerinthe.worldbestbeerinthe.world
When faced with the choice of spending $1.2 million on the children’s wing at UHNBC, for example, Brent could have easily allocated the funds to a bigger showroom or to lavish employee benefits—or even to padding his personal savings account. But none of those choices would have had anywhere near the same kind of long-term impact as building that hospital wing, which has helped countless young patients and their families over the past decade, not to mention the help it will provide those who use the facility in years to come.
“I’m getting many people who are seeing the impact and want to be a part of this movement,” he says. “That’s part of my drive now. I want to get others to give back here in Kelowna, because once they realize the reward of it, it gives life a different meaning. It’s just so much more fulfilling.”
“What I can say from personal experience is that those who do the right thing have companies that are supported through tough times. If there’s one thing I’ve noticed—and this why I’ve been able to build multiple companies that were number one in their industry over the years—it’s that people will support someone who cares and gives back.”
integral to launching any successful business. Experience has taught him, however, that ensuring continued success often takes a little something extra.
Over the next several pages are featured just a sample of the companies Brent is working with to share the wealth and help create a more equitable community for the benefit of all. The diverse range of companies and various ways of giving proves that opportunity abounds when it comes to sharing the spirit of philanthropy throughout the Okanagan and beyond.
“I realized early in my career that businesses can always give back in some way, and I believe business shouldn’t always be motivated by shareholder or business-owner profit,” he says.
Proving that every drop counts, Big White Brewing uses the best water in the world to make the highestquality beer possible at Canada’s highest-elevation brewery. By working with Brent, Big White Brewing is also having a big impact on the local community. Ten cents from every can sold is donated to local children’s charities, with over $10,000 donated already this past summer.
“Giving can give life so much more meaning and make life so much more impactful than when you’re solely concerned about profits. Every one of the companies I have donates money to charity. This has been going on for many years and will continue for many years to come. It feels great.”
Brandon Amond, Brewer Big White Brewing
Based in Kelowna, Mission Group is the Okanagan’s lead ing real estate and building development company. Since 2004, Mission Group has been contributing to the evolution of Kelowna’s urban landscape with its “Build It Forward” phi losophy, which aims to add value to the community it serves, so the whole commu nity prospers in the future. As an extension of that philoso phy, Mission Group provides financial support and building expertise, and volunteers for local charities, particularly those with a shelter- or hous ing-related component such as Freedom’s Door, Kelowna Women’s Shelter and Mamas for
Executive Vice President Mission Group info@missiongroup.ca(250)missiongroup.ca448-8810
AsMamas.apart
of its focus on the community, Mission Group recognizes that partnerships and relationships can create opportunities to work towards a greater social purpose. In addition to financial contri butions and the donation of goods throughout the year, Mission Group is especially grateful to have had the op portunity to construct the Mamas for Mamas distribution centre within Brent’s donated warehouse space.
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SPECIAL FEATURE Giving back
Luke Turri,
their business’s new location in Kelowna. With the commission donated to Mamas for Mamas and continued support through the giving of several generous donations, the company has covered 50 per cent of the cost of the new Mamas for Mamas warehouse into the end of 2023, providing security and stability for families in need across the Okanagan. 5049californiaclosets.caStillCreekAve VANCOUVER 2698 Granville St From simple to intricate designs, California Closets way you live. Call or visit us online today to schedule BC192_Boulevard_SP_FarmPantry_16.5x10.7_0721.indd 1 從簡單到複雜精細的設計，California今天就請致電或在線訪問我們，預約免費的虛擬或上門設計諮詢。 CLOSETSCALIFORNIACOURTESYPHOTOS
boulevardmagazines.com | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2022 71 Stephan and Annie Maingot California Closets smaingot@calclosets.com
Stephan and Annie used Brent acquire
to
boulevardmagazines.com | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 202272 Steve Harvey, CEO Business Finders Canada businessfinderscanada.com (250) 808-2838 SPECIAL FEATURE Giving back
Business Finders Canada is involved in numerous charitable organizations and, this year, Steve says the company plans to raise $250,000 with its calendar. The calendar fundraiser event has been and will continue to be a massive success for the Child Advocacy Centre, KGH Foundation, Kelowna General’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and Kelowna Sunrise Rotary.
Business Finders Canada strives to make the business and commercial property buying and selling experience better for everyone involved. The company and its staff, led by Steve, are local leaders who are experts in selling businesses and driving change. They work to empower every client throughout the whole process, transforming businesses and helping people make a significant impact in their community. Brent provided the vision for Business Finders Canada to become and succeed as a charitable organization. The company is proud to be the presenting sponsor of the annual Season of Giving Calendar.
Steve is the CEO of Business Finders Canada, a professional business and commercial real estate brokerage that specializes in the sale of businesses and commercial property.
The company has partnered with Mamas for Mamas, a national charitable organization that supports mothers and caregivers in crisis, as a recurrent donor of funds and 3D toys to ensure no child is left behind. Staff at Gamer Gadgetry believe it’s up to all of us to look after our neighbours, and they’re excited for the opportunity to be working with Mamas for mamas as the company continues to grow further in its community.
From left, Jesse Grunert, Tyler Marshall and Ben Grunert.
boulevardmagazines.com | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2022 73 Tyler Marshall, Director Jesse Director/HeadGrunertofManufacturing Gamer Gadgetry (250)gamergadgetry.com878-5934
Gamer Gadgetry focuses on sustainable manufacturing using 3D printers. Its most popular product is its line of sensory fidget toys that are called Curious Critters. They are an articulated toy in the shape of a variety of animals, creatures and critters.
The art of charcuterie
WORDS ELLIE SHORTT X PHOTOGRAPHY DON DENTON
Beautiful
food and feast boards
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For anyone who has ever enjoyed a considerately curated charcuterie board, you have been on the receiving end of a sensory undertaking. You have gazed upon the beauty of simple ingredients attentively arranged with care and precision. You have crafted your own creations with each curiously constructed bite, layering flavours and textures, making new exciting combinations and savouring preferred pairings. You have engaged in the communal analysis, the cultural dissection of discussing the ingredient groupings and favourites with your fellow gastronomes. Visually, experientially and, quite literally, the charcuterie board is often the centrepiece, as well as the masterpiece of the evening.
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DESSERTS, PASTRIES, CHOCOLATES, CAKES ESPRESSO IN A EUROPEAN
he surveys her palette: hues of creamy whites, muted reds, earthy browns. She ponders over her canvas, a blank backdrop awaiting adornment. Her tools are her hands, a knife, a spoon. She is guided by her senses; sight, smell…taste. She thoughtfully makes her first brushstroke—a honeycomb in the centre of dark mahogany. An artistic experience begins. It concludes with a soapy sink, full bellies, satisfied smiles and fading laughter in the background.
As with all art, there is no limit on what you can do and how you can do it! Have fun, get creative, and… keep in mind that what you’re eating is more important than how it’s presented, and what folks will remember is not necessarily how everything looked, but how it made them feel. And that is what art is truly about.
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GOOD DESIGN COMES FROM THE HEART.
The palette: If you’re new to charcuterie creation and aren’t wildly familiar with, or particular about, cheese and cured meat varieties, I suggest simply exploring textural range. I usually start with a soft cheese (brie, camembert, chevre), add in a medium
WHAT YOU’LL NEED
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Ellie Shortt.
The number of folks you’re feeding and the ingredients you’d like to showcase will determine the size, and shape is often dependent on the theme you’re exploring. For example, if it’s a sumptuous starter for a farm-style feast you’re after, try a long and narrow board, almost like an edible table runner.
The canvas: While most traditionally and commonly made of wood, I have seen, curated and enjoyed many good charcuteries on stone slabs, ceramic platters and even just a basic dinner plate.
However, to be the maker behind the chef-d’oeuvre is a whole other practice and one that adds a delicious layer of creative expression and imaginative enjoyment. For many though, conceptualizing a board can feel intimidating. Where to start? What to get? What direction to take? They’re the common questions and naturally nervous thoughts of any new artist exploring an uncharted medium.We’veall seen hundreds of paintings, but what is the process? What paints to choose? What canvas to buy? What method to explore? Just like with all art, there is no right or wrong way to make a charcuterie board. However, if you’re looking for a bit of inspiration to get started, the following may offer some loose guidelines to play with, keeping in mind that with all art—both the expression and interpretation are subjective and the possibilities endless.
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The bases of your choosing also lend well to textural variety; soft chewy bread, nutty seedy crackers or classic crisps all offer something different to each bite.
The tools: Your hands of course are your best instruments for assembly, but to appreciate and enjoy your creation, you and your guests will need a few essential implements.
While it’s arguably impressive and certainly convenient to acquire particular utensils for specific cheeses, your guests will likely be just as content with a small paring knife to cut their camembert. What’s more important is to have enough (even if you’re just using dinner knives), and to make sure you include spoons for the spread. It can be painfully tormenting for drooling participants to be staring at the bounty before them with no way of getting the goods onto a cracker and into their mouths.
You will also need a small bowl for olive pits, cheese rinds, and anything else your guests might want to discard as they dine. A sure-fire way to evoke audience aversion is to have spitty pits and half-nibbled rejects awkwardly and embarrassingly scattered throughout the edible landscape.
cheese (gouda, compté, fontina) and then a harder cheese (aged cheddar, manchego), as well as a pâté or terrine, some pancetta or prosciutto and a salami of sort like genoa, felino or bresaola. After that comes the complementary spreads, which may include a tart or grainy mustard, a jammy preserve and honey.
Last, but certainly not least, you’ll likely want to explore some tasty trimmings, such as the classic accompaniments of nuts, olives, cornichons and grapes. I encourage imaginative consideration here, though, and often find my most exciting boards unfold when I include nibbles like marinated mushrooms, pickled peppers, sun-dried tomatoes and chewy dates.
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As with all art, there is no limit on what you can do and how you can do it! Have fun, get creative, and if you’re feeling overwhelmed, keep in mind that what you’re eating is more important than how it’s presented, and what folks will remember is not necessarily how everything looked, but how it made them feel. And that is what art is truly about.
Whether or not you place the bread or crackers on the board itself is (like everything) a personal decision, and may depend on dietary considerations like gluten sensitivity. However, I often go
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I also adore a big, bold, beautiful mess, where each ingredient sort of melts into another. Whatever your intended outcome, start slow, perhaps one category at a time, placed evenly throughout the board, and build from there, knowing that you can rearrange and redirect at any time if your moods shifts and you’re feeling suddenly inspired to take it in a different direction.
for a combination, incorporating some crackers on the board, and fresh bread (with perhaps a little olive oil and sea salt for dipping) on the side.
The final touches: Whatever themes you’re inspired by, ingredients you’re working with, or concepts you’re exploring, I find certain details seem to turn a basic board into a memorable masterpiece. Edible flowers, microgreens, a small sprinkle of something special—there’s a reason garnishes are so popular when plating and practicing artful presentation. Do keep in mind, of course, to not mask the main event with unnecessary decorations.
Dedicated to changing lives. True to our name we have helped children’s programs in Africa, India, Nepal and the Okanagan Valley. Our focus is on medical treatment and education. Our aim is to lift a child, hand up vs hand out so they can overcome their challenge and reach their full potential. Due to confidentiality, we don’t know exactly how many children we have helped, but safe to say it is in the thousands. In Kelowna we also support The STARBRIGHT Children’s development centre and respond to medical and educational needs. Such as last year we made a donation to SD23 to help with learning needs with technology for young students.
HOW TO MAKE IT
While I’ve largely explored the classic combination of charcuterie et fromage, many foods lend well to a beautiful board display. A rainbow-inspired veggie platter, a deconstructed fruit salad with a dreamy dip, a fun and funky dessert board with a chocolatey theme…I’ve even done a DIY pancake board that is always hit for brunch-time gatherings.
BEYOND MEAT (AND CHEESE)
Rule of thirds: While there are absolutely no rules for making a charcuterie board, when building classically appealing “Instagram-able” / “Pinterest-worthy” spreads that seem to find the ideal balance between abundant and overflowing, but are yet tidy and tasteful, I will often go for three varieties of the main components (cheese, meat and spread), arranging them on the board one category at a time, and then filling in the holes with the accoutrements of nuts, olives, fruit, etc.
While it may seem silly to even name these iconic artistic movements in a story about building edible boards, I have found that drawing on some of these concepts from a purely superficial standpoint can guide me through a theme, or inspire a certain vibe. I love having that singular focus of a showstopper meat, an adventurous cheese, a perfect preserve and simple slice of sourdough, to anchor a minimalistic spread.
Consider style: Minimalist? Pop art? Abstract?
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Trim the figs and slice them in half.
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Prep time: 5 minutes
Ingredients:
2 tbsp fresh squeezed orange juice
*Note: if you’re noting the figs aren’t breaking down after about 15 minutes, add more orange juice, or even a splash of water and give it a good stir and mash.
Cook time: About 1 hour
Makes about 1 cup of preserve
Directions:
1 tbsp maple syrup
Remove the rosemary sprig and any large rosemary needles, and transfer the fig jam to a sterilized and dry mason jar for canning (leaving some space at the top before sealing). Or, if consuming more immediately, allow the jam to cool to room temperate and store in the fridge for up to three weeks.
Balsamic Fig Preserve
1 sprig fresh rosemary
2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
6-8 soft fresh figs
Place them in a medium-sized saucepan with all the remaining ingredients, over medium-low heat. Cook until everything is thick and jammy, stirring regularly throughout, mashing up the figs as you go, for 45 minutes to 1 hour.
Directions:
Ingredients
Cook time: About 45 minutes
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Prep time: 10 minutes
3 medium-sized beets, peeled and cut into chunks
1 large clove of garlic, peeled and trimmed
¼ cup extra virgin olive oil (plus about 1-2 tbsp for roasting)
Handful of fresh dill
¼ cup feta cheese
Preheat oven to 400F.
¼ cup plain Greek yogurt
Salt and pepper to taste
Makes about 1.5 cups of dip
In a medium-sized mixing bowl, toss the beets in some olive oil and place in a baking dish with a lid (you can also use aluminum foil if you don’t have any covered baking dishes).Roast for about 45 minutes, turning the beets once or twice, until fork tender. Allow the beets to cool, and then combine them with the remaining ingredients in a highpowered blender until smooth and creamy. Transfer to a container and store in the fridge for up to one week.
Creamy Roasted Beet Dip
Add a pinch of salt, stir one more time, before taking it off the burner and transferring to a bowl for serving. *Note: the sauce will thicken as it cools.
½-¾ cup cream cheese
Makes about 1.5 cups of sauce
Honey Lemon Cream Cheese Whip
2 tbsp honey
Directions:
Directions:
Chocolate Almond Fudge Sauce
Ingredients:
In a small saucepan over medium heat, stir together the chocolate, almond butter and cream.
Prep time: 5 minutes
Makes about 2 cups of whip
½ cup whipping cream 2-4 tbsp maple syrup
Prep time: 10 minutes
Ingredients: ½ cup dark chocolate chips ½ cup smooth almond butter
½ cup whipping cream
Mix in lemon zest until just integrated. Store in the refrigerator until ready to use. *Note: If you want the whip to be on the softer side, make sure to take it out of the refrigerator for 10 to 15 minutes and give it a little whisk before serving.
Pinch of salt
Zest from 1 medium-sized lemon
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Using an electric mixer, beat the cream cheese and honey until completely smooth, scraping down the sides of the bowl as you go. Pour one quarter of the whipping cream into the cream cheese mixture. Beat until smooth. Scrape down the sides and repeat a second time until thick and fluffy.
Continue stirring until the chocolate is fully melted and wellintegrated with the almond butter and cream. One tablespoon at a time, add in the maple syrup until you’re happy with the flavour (this will depend on how sweet your dark chocolate chips are).
boulevardmagazines.com | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 202286 High in London Experiences with a view WORDS SUSAN LUNDY X PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY LONDON & PARTNERS travel
CONTACT SUBSCRIBEUSTODAY! blvdmag.ca
As for getting high? Here are some of the many options:
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OKANAGAN LIFE AT ITS FINEST
lose to 1,000 stairs. Three “lifts.” One very long walk uphill. One observation wheel, one cable car and one double-decker bus. During our six-day trip to London this sum mer, we did all we could to “get high” and witness the views of this spectacular city.
What did we learn? This beautiful, walkable city, with its stunning architecture—both old and new—friendly chaps and so many things to explore is a must-do on any travel lover’s list.
C
We also walked 62 kilometres and climbed 92 flights. We savoured some truly exquisite food, slept in three stunning ho tels, visited a strange pub, and used our Oyster cards to access the exceedingly simple and efficient tube system.
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HIGH STREETS
The number of options for High Tea (or Afternoon Tea) in Lon don is dizzying. But to get high, how about tea on the top level of a double-decker bus?
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An icon of the London skyline, the London Eye is the world’s largest cantilevered observation wheel (not a Ferris wheel) and is centrally located across the River Thames from famous landmarks like the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben. This is a major tourist attraction, so expect to join a quickly moving lineup and then follow a dozen or so others into a transparent observation capsule. The 30-minute experience showcases breathtaking 360-degree views as you slowly climb the wheel to a height of 135 metres. Purchase ad vance tickets at londoneye.com. We augmented this attraction with a 40-minute circular sightseeing boat cruise along the Thames—a lovely open-air voyage that was both fun and informative.
THE LONDON EYE
HIGH TEA
We nibbled on delicate sandwiches, buttery pastries and iconic cream scones on a B Bakery Tea Bus Tour, while driving about the city and listening to an amusing tour guide drop enlightening tidbits about various landmarks. Check out b-bakery.com to discover an array of bus tour offerings, including the intriguing-sounding Slings by Gin Afternoon Tea (next time!).
This beautiful, walkable city, with its andarchitecture—bothstunningoldnew—friendlychapsandsomanythingstoexploreisamust-doonanytravellover’slist.
A visit to the O2 Arena is a worthwhile trip in itself. In addition to stores and restaurants, there’s lots of activities available for young and old.
We had the immense luck to partake in a truly divine five-course meal overlooking the River Thames and city skyline in TING restaurant on Level 35 of The Shard. Everything about this feast— from the sublime flavours to the sommelier-recommended wine pairings and impeccable service—made it one of the most memora ble meals we’ve ever enjoyed. And then there was the view….
CLIMB THE O2 ARENA
At 310 metres (1,017 feet), the 95-storey skyscraper The Shard is the tallest building in Britain and 96th tallest in the world. It domi nates the London skyline like—as the architect planned—a jagged glass sculpture rising from the river.
Here’s an opportunity to get high in London that we witnessed during a few hours spent exploring the shops and restaurants at the O2 Arena, another London landmark. In this experience, you don a climb suit, boots and harness and cross a walkway on the roof sus pended 52 metres in the air. With a daylight climb, you’ll see views for miles; at night you’ll witness a blanket of twinkling city lights.
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along a 1.9-kilometre stretch and provides the best places to shop in London.
THE VIEW FROM THE SHARD
The “View from The Shard” is a tourist attraction that offers views from two viewing platforms inside the building: the first is a triple-level indoor gallery on Level 69, and the second is a par tial-outdoor gallery on Level 72. An innovative lift system transports guests in lifts that travel at six metres per second, making the total time to go from Level 1 to Level 68 about a minute.
The Shard is one of London’s most famous landmarks.
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And guess what? Should you desire to embark on an up wards trek of 538 steps, you can visit the top of the dome. On the way up, you’ll pass the Whispering Gallery at 259 steps and the Stone Gallery at 378 steps. At the top is the Golden Gallery, and it encircles the highest point of the outer dome.
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EMIRATES AIR LINE CABLE CAR
THE MONUMENT
Visiting the splendour that is St. Paul’s Cathedral is a mustdo, even without the lofty goal of getting high. Described appropriately as a “vibrant church, a national treasure and a London icon,” the cathedral is more than just a breathtaking example of Baroque church design. It houses an art collection and a crypt, and has figured prominently in events such as the funerals of Winston Churchill and the marriage of Prince Charles and Diana Spencer. First built in 604, it has burned down and been rebuilt three times, most recently in the 1600s. At 111 metres high (365 feet), it was the tallest building in London from 1710 to 1963. The dome remains among the highest in the world.
Built between 1671 and 1677 to commemorate the Great Fire of London and celebrate the rebuilding of the city, The Monument is a 61-metre-tall Doric column, designed by Sir Christopher Wren, architect of St. Paul’s Cathedral. Inside, visitors can climb 311 steps through a narrow, winding pas sageway to take in panoramic views from the top. Hidden be neath the entrance is a tiny laboratory from where the column was once used as a giant zenith telescope. Who knew! It took a bit of huffing and puffing to reach the top, but the views—and the nod to history—were worth it.
THE DOME AT ST. PAUL’S CATHEDRAL
Here’s a unique and fun way to take in the London skyline—soar across the River Thames 90 metres high in your own private cable-car cabin. You can grab either one-way or round-trip tickets from launch ing sites at Royal Victoria Docks or Greenwich Peninsula. This is a peaceful way to get high in a different part of London and soak in views of the river and beyond. If you catch the cable car after 7 pm, the journey slows down, adding a dozen or so minutes each way. Timed right, you might be able to catch a sunset. We loved this ride: quiet, peaceful—and no stairs!
Shangri-La The Shard: As we used our card to activate our room at Shangri-La The Shard, magic happened. Blinds on a semicircle of floor-to-ceiling windows lifted upwards, revealing dazzling views from every vantage point. The bathroom, encir cled in glass, was also a revelation. Sitting in the tub, it feels like you’re soaking and floating at the same time. Every detail in this
THE ROOFTOP
Looking at the dome from inside St. Paul’s Cathedral.
You can’t get much higher than space, and at the Royal Ob servatory Greenwich, you can marvel at The Great Equatorial Telescope and Camera Obscura, as well as climb to the top of Greenwich Park for great views of the city. This is also the home of Greenwich Mean Time where, in the Meridian Courtyard, you can stand on the world-famous (albeit slightly underwhelm ing) prime meridian line, or longitude 0, the starting point for measuring global distance east and west. Outside the observatory, there’s a fantastic viewpoint in front of a statue of General Wolfe.
ROYAL OBSERVATORY GREENWICH
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This is al fresco dining at its best. Located on the seventh floor of the Trafalgar St. James Hotel, The Rooftop bar is set against a backdrop of London’s iconic skyline. We savoured a delecta ble assortment of unique small-plate fare—hello watermelon sashimi and cider-poached chorizo—as well as a main plate of artisan cheeses, apple and cider chutney, grapes and focaccia. Although we sipped flutes of Prosecco, The Rooftop is renowned for its cocktails.
Here are a few ideas to enjoy the high life in London. Try any or all of these hotels:
ELEVATE THE NIGHT
Sea Containers London: Named for its location on the former site of Sea Containers London (a former shipping company), this funky, cool hotel is set right on the waterfront in London’s South bank. Standing on the balcony of our river-side room, it seriously felt as though we were in a boat—the gentle sound of the water lapped below us and a gentle hum of river traffic motored by. Built to mimic a 1920s transatlantic cruise liner, there are dozens of nautical touches, such as the copper wall built in the shape of a hull behind the front desk.
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Lobby at Sea Containers London looks like the hull of a ship.
Our room was exquisite, and our seafood dinner on the river-side patio at Sea Containers Restaurant was lovely. We also didn’t miss the opportunity to try one of the unique cocktails at Lyaness Bar, where each drink is created from five rotating ingredients. Mixology taken to new heights!
room was topnotch, from pillows and linen to technology, space and comfort, and the staff was super helpful. Want to get even higher? Reserve ahead and plunge into the hotel’s infinity pool on Level 52—nearly 200 metres above sea level.
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The Trafalgar St. James: Location, location, as they say. Situ ated amid London’s bustling Trafalgar Square, across the street from the National Gallery and just steps from cute patio bars and restau rants on The Strand, this is an excellent place to stay. Throw in impeccable service, comfortable rooms, an excellent rooftop bar and delightful breakfast served buffet-style in the garden-themed Rock well restaurant—and what more could you want? The Trafalgar St. James is also within easy walking distance of Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey and many other London landmarks.
The Trafalgar St. James.
The hotel also has a basement cinema, open to the public, and a lusciously scented spa. Want to get high? The 12th Knot bar is located on the 12th floor and once again, there’s a panoramic view. We absolutely loved this hotel.
BEACH MORNINGS ARA & TOBY
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W
hen Stephen Maser became a financial ad visor 18 years ago, his goal was to create a calm and welcoming environment in which he could demystify the financial industry for his clients. He recently took that to the next level with a brand new bespoke Raymond James Ltd. office in Kelowna’s West Pandosy
WORDS ANGELA COWAN X PHOTOGRAPHY LIA CROWE and lives — AND THE 7 SINS with STEPHEN MASER
The new space is ground level, accessible, bright with natural light, and entirely built around optimizing client interactions.
AurathejustWealthStephen’sVillage.practice—AuraManagement—movedafewmonthsagobutalreadyfeedbackfromclientsandtheteamhasbeenfantastic.“Formostpeople,whenthey walk into a financial institution or a bank, the experience is a bit dreary,” he says, noting that often it’s a traditional office building, with stiff chairs and a desk or other physical barrier between the professional and the clients. “We leaned really hard into creating a nice experience for clients and prospective clients to come into.”
“All the seating is comfortable,” continues Stephen. “We were
secrets
For Stephen, who’s often up and ready for the day before 6 am, that can mean having a day’s worth of work done by late morning.
What is the one thing you’re secretly proud of? I’m proud of the fact that I was able to successfully build my business from nothing, especially in an industry that’s very difficult to survive in.
And clients aren’t the only ones benefitting from the move, as the space is designed to support flexible schedules within the team as well.
“We love pretty much everything that the Okanagan has to offer,” says Stephen. “It’s the best move we ever made.”
PRIDE:
You’re given $1 million that you have to spend selfishly. What would you spend it on?
Easily my wife, Laura. Not only is she beautiful, but also wickedly intelligent and accomplished in her own right. She challenges me in ways no one else ever has.
GREED:
SLOTH:
Leonardo da Vinci. I’ve always found him fascinating and been really envious of his intelligence and ability to master multiple disciplines. After reading Walter Isaacson’s book about him, I began to wonder how one sees the world when possessing genius like his.
I’m not a hugely materialistic person, so I’d likely spend it on world travel. If I had to pick a thing, I’m a sucker for a beautiful car, so probably an Aston Martin DB9 Volante.
Socks with sandals. I mean, come on, people. Really?
WRATH:
LUST:
“We leaned really hard into creating a nice experience for clients and prospective clients to come into.”
The couple moved to Kelowna from Alberta in 2011, and regularly get out to enjoy the abundance of food and wine in the region.
Pet peeves?
“That efficiency allows us to focus on more client-fo cused things,” he says.
Whose shoes would you like to walk in?
I grew up on a cattle ranch in Southern Alberta, so a great steak is always my go-to, paired with a red Bordeaux.
What makes your heart beat faster?
The 7 Sins
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“Our team does not have to go to an office if they don’t feel they need to,” says Stephen. “My assistant does 90 per cent of her work from home.”
mindful of the little things: good coffee, nice tea, even a nice glass of wine if the occasion calls for it. We really wanted people to feel when they walked in that they were comfortable, and that it wasn’t an intimidating experience.”
ENVY:
It’s also created more room for Stephen to find that elusive work-life balance with his wife, Laura.
“We’re both very focused and driven, but we’re trying to enjoy it,” he says, laughing. “We love to ski and we’re trying to travel more than we have in the past, now that the world has re-opened. We’re big food tourists.”
Where would you spend a long time doing nothing?
What is the food you could eat over and over again?
Having that flexibility not only impacts and reduces the company’s environmental footprint—the new space is 588 square feet, rather than 3,000—but it allows the team to manage their own schedules in a highly efficient way. The office doesn’t have regular office hours, but rather operates on a “by appointment only” basis.
Troncones, Mexico. Some wonderful friends of ours intro duced us to this tiny little surfing village a few years ago. It’s quiet and relaxing with little to do but walk the secluded beach, read, eat at the local restaurants and generally un plug. It is old Mexico in the best way.
GLUTTONY:
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narrative WORDS BARBARA BARRY X ILLUSTRATION SIERRA LUNDY
MY FIRST GRANDCHILD
Suddenly, our world and our future had changed. Our life had more meaning and plans had to be made. I would have to get busy on that memoir. We returned home and I started browsing for baby clothes. I parcelled up our son’s first baby gift, a cloth book, and sent it off to them because they are both book lovers. In my card I wrote, “I know it is early days but we are just so thrilled!”
W
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But my husband’s smile started to disappear and immediately I knew the reason for the call. “No! No!” I started sobbing with no thought to the people around me.
But, oh, what joy, love and laughter and wonderful memories came along with us. At times, it seemed like an arduous trek with little thought of the future. But eventually, our offspring grew up and began pursuing their own hopes and dreams. We found ourselves in a new phase of family life, widely referred to as “empty nesters.”
One evening, as we visited with our son and his wife, they an nounced over dinner that they were going to have a baby. Tears welled up in our eyes and at the same time smiles appeared. Every body was hugging and crying and my husband and I ignored them when they said, “It is early days yet.”
We returned home, poured some glasses of wine, and sat on our balcony. It was a lovely day, but our mood was mournful we as sat speechless and reflected on the new reality. We were shattered.
Suddenly, a delicate white butterfly appeared dancing in the sun like a ballerina. I’d never seen one on our balcony before. It flew around us and then alighted on my leg for a time. Eventually it fluttered off over the railing and into the distance. I imagined and then believed that this was my grandchild coming to say good -bye, and I started to gain some comfort that I had met my first grndchild. I told no one, but continued to feel some lessening of my grief.
We noticed that discussions of grandchildren entered into con versations with our peers. We started considering what our legacy would be if we were blessed with a grandchild. I enjoyed writing and had already been making attempts at a family memoir. I won dered what it would be like to hold a child of my child in my arms. But we also knew that the people in the next generation were marry ing later, if at all. Their work experiences were more diversified and it was increasingly difficult for them to afford a home. As the years passed and the biological clocks kept ticking, we tried to accept that being grandparents might not be part of our future.
The call ended and we continued our walk with broken hearts and a conversation that included words like hospital, leg pain, blood clots, bleeding and ultrasounds that confirmed the terrible outcome. The words “it is early days yet” suddenly haunted us.
hen I got married, I naturally believed there would be children and grandchildren, even though my future hus band and I never had a serious discussion about the subject.
As I sit, basking in this peace, I am so grateful for the happiness that surrounds us. And then, I see it. In the garden not far from us, a small perfect white butterfly dancing in the fall flowers. Can it be? Our first grandchild has joined us to meet the newest member of our family. Eventually, the lovely white butterfly leaves us to our thoughts. I think about sharing my story with my daughterin-law but do not want to break the spell. I know that one day our grandson will be playing in this garden and he will be joined in his games by a delicate white butterfly that will enchant him and fill his world with joy.
At the time, a pandemic started raging across the country, and on nice days we liked to take long walks around our beautiful harbour. It was on one of these walks that our cell phone suddenly rang, and it appeared to be our son calling, which is always a welcome occur rence.
I have recently read in reference to a different tragedy that “but terflies are said to tell us that a loved one is fine.” So even though our loved one could not stay with us, he or she will watch over us and always be part of our heart and soul. I felt at peace. My first grandchild was truly loved from the minute he/she became a part of my life.
I had definitely seen signs of this love and enchantment in my husband-to-be during our courtship. If there was a child in the room, he was down on the floor playing and engaging with him or her. On the other hand, being the youngest in both my extended families, I had little experience with babies. I did babysit but I was usually relieved if the children were in bed. What would the future bring?After
a few years of marriage, we were blessed with two children, first a boy and then a girl. We headed out on the journey of parent hood, with all its stresses and strains, good times and bad, frighten ing illnesses and the usual, varied catastrophes of family life.
A year has passed since that grief-stricken day and we have been blessed with our second grandchild, a beautiful baby boy, and our hearts are full of amazement and love. We are totally enthralled with this little person and spend hours cuddling, feeding, burping, rocking and sometimes just staring at this small and overwhelming miracle.Theweather is warm and sunny and one of our favourite activ ities is to take our grandson for a walk. When we return one day, I sit outside on the patio with my grandson sleeping soundly. His mother joins me to get some needed rest and enjoy the sunshine.
But there were some strong intimations. My prospective moth er-in-law was a faithful Irish Catholic who had given birth to eight children. And also, as I once read, the Irish have many children, not because of their religion, but because they sincerely love children.
One day, on a quiet, solitary walk I again spied a white butterfly. It flitted around me and then flew off. This happened again and I knew I was sharing my walks with my first grandchild! A feeling of serenity overcame me and I smiled.
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By happenstance, the “art” theme in this edition of Boulevard coincided with editor Susan Lundy’s trip to London to witness her daughter’s art opening at the city’s renowned White Cube gallery. Susan embarked on numerous activities in London— especially experiences with a view, as documented in this edition’s travel story “High in London.” But the main purpose of the journey was to see Danica Lundy’s show and, in particular, to witness in person the 12-by-8-foot oil painting above called “Chamber.” The paintings in the show were produced in the shadow of the death of Danica’s father, Derrick Lundy, a photographer. “Chamber” captures his final moments, as seen through an exploding camera.
behind the story
COURTESYPHOTO OF THE ARTIST
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