Caledon Living Summer 2010 by Frontline Media

Living Caledon

SUMMER 2010

PUBLISHER KATIE BURCHELL CREATIVE DIRECTOR SIMON BURN EDITORIAL TEAM JIM CONNELLY KEVIN “CRASH” CORRIGAN PETER DE SOUSA RICHARD KITOWSKI JOCELYN KLEMM CONTRIBUTORS HEATHER BROADBENT SIMON BURN DAVID K. DORWARD KIRA DORWARD ROSE DUPONT PRISCILLA EASTMAN ANDREW HIND TESS MELADY DIANA JANOSIK-WRONSKI KIMBERLEY SELDON PROOFREADER SALLY MORELL EDITORIAL DESIGN SDB CREATIVE GROUP INC. ADVERTISING DESIGN & PRODUCTION CAROLINE SWEET, SKY CREATIVE GROUP LTD. ADVERTISING SALES KATIE BURCHELL BARRIE BURCHELL SHEILA BAKER frontlinemedia1@sympatico.ca Tel: 905 857 2536 While every effort has been made to ensure that advertisements and articles appear correctly, Frontline Media cannot accept responsibility for any loss or damage caused directly or indirectly by the contents of this publication. All material is intended for information purposes only. The views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of its publisher or editor. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part prohibited without written permission from the publisher. Owned & published by Frontline Media, P. O. Box 340, Caledon, Ontario L7E 5T3 Tel: 905 857 2536 Email: frontlinemedia1@sympatico.ca Caledon Living is published 4 times a year (January, April, July, October)

www.CaledonLiving.com © 2010 1735715 Ontario Inc. Caledon Living is a Registered Trademark PRINTED IN CANADA ON PAPER FROM A SUSTAINABLE SOURCE, USING VEGETABLE-BASED INKS. PLEASE SHARE MAGAZINE WITH A FRIEND, AND THEN RECYCLE.

CONTACT US Readers are invited to contribute comments and views. Stories and ideas are always welcome for consideration. Write to us at: Caledon Living, P.O.Box 340, Caledon, Ontario L7E 5T3 Or email: frontlinemedia1@sympatico.ca

CONTENTS

Summer 2010 61 34 GARDEN

23 Garden waterfalls 29 Home, tweet home:

birdhouses & feeders

INTERIORS

19 Going, going green 32 Introducing the Masters Academy

38 19 70

of Decorative Arts

WELLNESS 13 Green house cleaning: forward

thinking, with lessons from the past

42 Superfood...a new buzz word FOOD & DRINK 38 Healthy recipes for summer

50 Wine for the grill TRAVEL 66 Exploring the Eternal City in one day PEOPLE

53 "The Motts" at home 56 Norman Jewison HERITAGE

61 Eveline Beatrice Alice Warren MOTORING

70 2010 Cadillac CTS AWD Sport Wagon 75 2010 Dodge Ram 1500 4x4 COMMUNITY

34 Community Supported Agriculture

OUT + ABOUT

10 Community news COVER Lake and island on Norman Jewison's Caledon property. PHOTO: SDB IMAGES

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Summer is looking green

Caledon Living goes online Finally we have started to upload content to our new web site. There will be a growing archive of articles from previous issues, including a database of recipes. We often have to sacrifice images and edit information when fitting stories into our printed magazine, but from now on we can include them in our extended editorial coverage online. We encourage you to take a peek and let us know what you think. It is work in progress right now, but already there is much to view. If you have a favourite recipe to share, why not email it to us and have it included in our online database?

www.caledonliving.com Email us at: info@caledonliving.com

SUMMER IS BACK and I’m sure we are all savouring the sunshine. May was the warmest and driest on record, but it seems so long ago now. Let’s hope the good weather continues for a few more months! We have an interesting and varied editorial lineup for you once again. Diana Wronski recently visited radio broadcasters Paul & Carol Mott to find out what it’s like to work from their dream home. Heritage expert Heather Broadbent spent some time looking into her own family history and investigates a relative who had worked for Queen Victoria. David Dorward interviews film director, and local farmer, Norman Jewison, and we get a peek at his stunning Caledon property. Kira Dorward looks at bird houses and feeders, while Andrew Hind talks to landscaping experts about waterfalls. “Green” and “healthy” are two words we are seeing often in the media, and Caledon Living will be no exception. We need to start paying more attention to the health of our planet, and ourselves. Priscilla Eastman investigates green cleaning products that are appearing everywhere, and offers some good old-fashioned recipes to make your own. Kimberley Seldon talks about green decorating choices we can all make. When we feature anything food-related, it is always a big hit. We all love food, and drink! I think it is important to look as close to home as possible when buying food, so we visited a local organic farm running a Community Supported Agriculture programme to find out what is offered. Two of our staff have signed up for weekly CSA produce deliveries, and they will be sharing their experience throughout the growing season. We have a couple of local summer produce recipes, plus a healthy burger alternative for the barbeque. Ric Kitowski and Jocelyn Klemm share some ideas for pairing wine when grilling on the barbeque. We are pleased to welcome back Rose Dupont, a previous Caledon Living Food Editor, and wonderful culinary consultant. Rose touches upon superfoods and healthy eating, and shares two extremely healthy and energizing drink recipes with us. Two vehicle reviews, for which Crash Corrigan gave a thorough testing in and around Caledon, followed closely by Simon Burn with his camera, are included in this issue. Simon also shares his fleeting visit to Rome with us. His photos, as always, are stunning, and give a real sense of place. Finally, I am pleased to announce we are launching a new magazine—Orangeville Living—debuting in the fall. We are scouting for editorial ideas and contributions, and look forward to hearing from you. Our Caledon and Orangeville magazines combined will give us the largest circulation in the area by far—50,000 copies. Combination rates are available; give us a call at 905 857 2536. Have a green and healthy summer!

Katie Burchell Publisher 8

CALEDON LIVING SUMMER 2010

Contributors

ROSE DUPONT CULINARY CONSULTANT Rose has been a Caledon resident for over 8 years. A Red Seal Chef for 29 years, her diverse work experience has included fine dining restaurants, hotels and resorts. A previous Caledon Living Food Editor, she has turned to Hospitality Consulting and food styling in the past year. She is a big proponent of the â&#x20AC;&#x153;you are what you eatâ&#x20AC;? philosophy and follows with keen interest global movements such as the 100 mile diet, and Raw Food. Her article on page 42, Superfood... a new buzzword, includes two tasty health drink recipes to cool you on the patio. www.rosemariedupont.ca

PRISCILLA EASTMAN WRITER Priscilla is a freelance writer who enjoys travelling and pursuing other passions that include studying languages and creating visual art. On page 13, Green house cleaning: forward thinking, with lessons from the past, Priscilla investigates the recent increase in green cleaning products in our stores, and shares a few old fashioned recipes to make your own.

OUT + ABOUT

New businesses in town Diane Sardi Garden Design, Consultation & Maintenance 416 908 7151 digardens@yahoo.ca

The Consulate Dining Lounge launch new summer menu In June, The Consulate had an open house to showcase their new menu, using locally sourced produce. It proved a huge hit, and is well worth checking out. www.theconsulate.ca

Caledon tourism promotion Explore Caledon map and guide was published in May, promoting Caledon as a destination for GTA residents. Available across Ontario at Tourism Information Centres.

Canadian Show Jumping Tournament

is getting set to provide lots of excitement September 22–26 at Caledon Equestrian Park, Palgrave. Don't forget to book your tickets for the Children's Wish Foundation of Canada's gala. www.equiman.com for details.

Humber River Shakespeare Company will present Taming of the Shrew in your community park running from July 6-August 2 in the Humber and York regions. www. HumberRiverShakespeare.ca for touring schedule.

Longrun Thoroughbred Horses Retirement Centre is staging a fashion, cocktails

and dreams fundraiser on July 19 (6pm-9pm). Includes auction, cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, champagne bar, wine bar, martini bar. Hosted by Klementine Ladies Boutique at Daniels of Nobleton. Tickets: $75 pp. Proceeds go to The Longrun Dream. Purchase your tickets at Klementine Ladies Boutique, 19 Queen Street North, Bolton. Call 905 857 7380 10

CALEDON LIVING SUMMER 2010

Luscious Lotus Proudly made in Canada! Luscious body butters, scrubs and invigorating mists, all made with 100% natural ingredients in Canada. www.lusciouslotus.ca Tesori Gifts and Bomboniere 18 King Street East, Bolton (Royal Courtyards) 905 533 0677 tesorigifts@rogers.com Tyme Home By Tyme Interiors 6048 Hwy 9, Schomberg (NW corner of hwy 27 & hwy 9) www.tymehome.com 416 477 6121 info@tymehome.com

Just moved Family Footcare has moved to a new location. 63 King Street West, Bolton. 905 857 FEET

Caledon Culinary Challenge 2010 is set to take place in early September, and will be featured in the autumn issue. Defending champion chef Jason Perkins from Ray’s 3rd Generation Bistro Bakery in Alton will take on Market Hill Cafe in Mono Mills and The Consulate in Caledon East. The chefs will be asked to prepare an appetizer and entrée, and present to three judges, using a secret ingredient given to them on the morning of the challenge. They have only a few hours to design their menu and create their culinary masterpieces for judging— can they handle the pressure? Find out next issue.

Feast of Fields

Cold Creek Conservation September 12 (1 pm-5 pm) Learn more about organic food, sample a wide variety of organic food and drink, talk directly with local farmers, vintners and microbrewers and celebrity chefs such as Michael Smith. All guests receive a complimentary 21st Anniversary recipe cook book with each Chef's favourite recipe. Tickets: $100 per person or $90 per person with a group of 10 or more. Purchase tickets on-line at www.feastoffields.org or call 905 859 3609. Don’t miss the third annual glamour event of the season! The Pink Tie Gala benefitting the Caledon Breast Cancer Foundation will be held at the Caesar's Event Centre on Saturday, October 23. Contact Rosa at 905 857 6489 or www.pinktiegala.com

CALEDON LIVING SUMMER 2010

SUSTAINABLE LIVING

“

Household cleaning products can contain dangerous ingredients including carcinogens, allergens, neurotoxins, central nervous system inhibitors and heavy metals.

” Green house cleaning: forward thinking, with lessons from the past BY PRISCILLA EASTMAN

GROWING UP IN A LARGE FAMILY, household cleaning was something that my mother taught us all to take part in. I watched her as she took common natural items found in most homes and used them in her cleaning arsenal. White vinegar and lemon juice were two of the main ingredients she would use to keep our home fresh and clean. Fast forward to

today, and I must confess that I no longer use any of the natural ingredients that mom taught us to use back then. When it comes to household cleaning, I have to admit that I have

become addicted to my Tilex with bleach, and many other store-bought, artificially lemon-scented, super strength cleaners. In the end, my own sense of convenience won out, and I joined the millions of us who have become 100% chemical-cleaning dependant. So…when I was asked to write about using ‘green’ cleaning products, I knew that this would be a true eye opener for me. Why should we choose ‘green’? There are several arguments that support this change and they can be found almost everywhere. SUMMER 2010 CALEDON LIVING

They all state the obvious and are extremely convincing. In her 2007 article, “A Green Home is Good Enough to Eat”, Toronto Star environmental reporter Catherine Porter explains some main points behind green cleaning as follows: Cleaning products and services are the leading source of toxic air pollution in our homes, according to the Consumers Guide to Effective Environmental Choices, published by the U.S. based non-profit Union of Concerned Scientists. They also cause water pollution. Hormone disrupting chemicals from antibacterial soaps and cleaning agents, among other things, were recently found in San Francisco Bay during a yearlong study by the Environmental Working Group, an American

non-profit agency. One of the chemicals, triclosan, has been shown to feminize fish. Now if the thought of using products with chemicals that are strong enough to feminize fish isn’t enough to sway us to go green, we can take a closer look at other effects that have been exposed in reports such as Wendy Mesley’s 2007 CBC documentary called “Chasing the Cancer Answer.” Millions of viewers learned how many of our beloved extra strength cleaning products contain toxic ingredients such as formaldehyde, which is a possible carcinogen. Carcinogens cause cancer. The documentary referred viewers to the CancerSmart Consumer Guide to help them make wiser product choices.

Make your own! If you do choose to go 100% green, it’s not hard to make your own cleaning products. To get you started, here are a few recipes found in Donald G. McNeil Jr’s article in the Globe & Mail entitled, “Green up your clean-up with homemade scrubs and polishes”, dated May 23, 2008:

+ one teaspoon dish detergent

one pint rubbing alcohol

1/2 cup sudsy ammonia

+ 1/2 cup liquid Castile soap

2 cups baking soda

x4 4 teaspoons vegetable glycerin

Toilet bowl cleaner 1 Sprinkle the bowl of the

2 Sprinkle in 1/4 cup borax and

CALEDON LIVING SUMMER 2010

1/4 cup white distilled vinegar

Drain opener

Furniture polish

(optional) five or more drops of an essential oil like tea tree, rosemary or lavender

Store in a sealed jar; it should last two years. Use on stoves, counters and sinks.

Let stand 30 minutes, then flush with boiling water.

1/2 cup vinegar

+ 1/4 cup olive oil

1/2 cup baking soda

then a few drops of pine oil. Wait 30 minutes, then scrub.

Creamy soft-scrub

If you wish, add blue food colouring. Put in a spray bottle, spray on windows and wipe.

1 gallon of water

toilet with baking soda, then drizzle in some white vinegar. Wait 30 minutes, then scrub.

Window cleaner

x 20

(optional) 20 to 30 drops of lemon essential oil, or two teaspoons of lemon juice

Apply to furniture, then rub off.

This guide was published by the Labour Environmental Alliance Society (otherwise known as LEAS, a Canadian environmental organization), and it highlights all of the brands that have harmful ingredients. Mae Burrows, executive director of LEAS, explained, “In Canada manufacturers do not have to label carcinogens on their products.” Our own province’s Ministry of the Environment echoes this same concern on its public resource website at: www.ene.gov.on.ca/en/myenvironment/home/cleaningproducts.php

by stating, “Household cleaning products can contain dangerous ingredients including carcinogens, allergens, neurotoxins, central nervous system inhibitors and heavy metals.” While these products are used in small quantities in our homes, the toxins they contain can accumulate in the environment and threaten our health. Heavy exposure to these toxins has been linked to cancer, respiratory problems, reproductive abnormalities, allergic reactions and behavioural problems. These arguments were reason enough for me to take the plunge and try out some ‘green’ products. In my quest, I was immediately overwhelmed by the options out on the market. It seems every major company has a line of ‘green’ cleaning products to appeal to the more environmentally savvy consumer. So how does one choose the right ones? We must be cautious when shopping around for the right ‘green’ cleaners because not all of them are what they claim to be. Sandra Jones explores the marketing trend of companies who appear to be going ‘green’ simply to cater to the growing number of consumers who are demanding greener solutions. In her Chicago Tribune article published May 27, 2007, Jones quoted the chair of the marketing department of Southern Methodist University in Texas, Dan Howard, who studies advertising and consumer behaviour. He explained the reason why consumers should beware of some common marketing schemes as, “This is a very old marketing tactic. You take a look at whatever is perceived as favourable in society and try to associate your brand with it. It doesn't matter if it makes sense or not.” With that in mind, I chose to test out a few products from 2 popular brands: Greenworks, a 99% natural line of products by Clorox, and Nature’s Source, created by Johnson. I ended up finding both brands at the local Pharmaplus, more convenient than having to wait in a long line at a grocery store. The pricing wasn’t bad either, considering that I normally pass over the no-name brands for the more expensive, super strength, big brand cleaners. I can honestly say that I didn’t notice too much of a difference in the actual scrubbing in either the bathroom or kitchen. Compared to my other products, both ‘green’ brands held their own on the toughest mildew stains and left my sinks and bathtub smelling fresh. I didn’t miss the head-spinning fumes that my beloved chemically based products gave off

SUMMER 2010 CALEDON LIVING

with each cleaning. So I guess you could say that I am reasonably converted. Yet I can’t help but want to take that extra step further....or should I say step backwards…to the days when my mom used mostly 100% natural cleaning solutions. Looking back into my mom’s cleaning ‘closet’, there were always three main natural staples that I remember—vinegar, lemon juice and baking soda. White vinegar was great for washing windows and getting ceramic tiles squeaky clean. We would always use a slice of lemon in hot dish water, so that the juice from the lemon would cut through the grease left in dirty pots and pans. Of course this was way before we finally got our brand new dishwasher. Baking soda had multiple attributes, but was mainly used in mixtures that served as stronger ‘all purpose’ cleaners.

According to the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, “Nature often provides us with the best ways to get cleaning jobs done.” Its webpage goes on to list these 3 ingredients as effective natural cleaners, outlining the attributes of each one:

Vinegar can dissolve mineral deposits, grease, remove traces of soap, remove mildew or wax buildup, polish some metals, and deodorize.

Lemon juice contains citric acid, is a deodorant and can be used to clean glass and remove stains from aluminum, clothes, and porcelain.

Baking Soda is sodium bicarbonate. It can neutralize acid, scrub shiny materials without scratching, and deodorize.”

My final step in this journey towards greener living will be to go 100% natural. By exploring more of these grassroots cleaning recipes at home, I’m almost there. I’ve already made a small start by simply adding slices of lemon to my dishwater. This small step not only makes me feel like I’m lightening my carbon footprint, it also brings back sweet memories of a simpler time...memories of doing dishes with my sisters after a big Sunday dinner, and not even minding the work. Yes, I think I’m going to like this change. It’s a change for the better with an added bonus; these natural blends seem to always take me back and remind me…of home.

CALEDON LIVING SUMMER 2010

INTERIORS

Going, going green BY KIMBERLEY SELDON

“

...consider reusing & refreshing rather than replacing furniture.

”

WHEN VANITY FAIR devotes an annual cover to the topic and Al Gore enjoys A-list celebrity status, we know that “going green” is going strong. The reality is our decorating choices—big and small—impact the environment. Whether you’re covering a window, changing a wall colour, replacing a beaten up kitchen floor, or getting rid of tired furniture, some choices are more environmentally friendly than others. It’s time for all of us to consider our “green” options. Here are some of the choices you can make to preserve the environment without sacrificing style. Vintage furniture is an ideal option when it comes to environmentally friendly decorating.

SUMMER 2010 CALEDON LIVING

Flooring

Furniture

Opt for linoleum over vinyl when choosing continuous flooring. Vinyl is made of synthetic chemicals, while linoleum is made of up to 80% renewable, natural substances such as linseed oil, flax and pine resin. Designers welcome linoleum’s wide selection of colours while allergy sufferers enjoy the fact that it’s hypoallergenic. Everyone appreciates the price point; starting at only a few dollars per square foot, linoleum is relatively affordable. Wood flooring is still a viable option, provided the wood is sourced from sustainable resources. Its durability provides long-lasting value. The Forest Stewardship Council is making strides in the US and Canada to improve care of our forests and educate consumers. Kimberley’s Pick: For beauty and eco-friendly aspects, reclaimed wood flooring is a hands-down favourite in this category. There’s a stunning variety of choice— herringbone, Versailles, parquet, inlay and rustic barn board.

To furnish a home with minimal impact on the environment consider reusing and refreshing rather than replacing furniture. Join weekend treasure hunters who flock to local flea markets in search of potential. That vintage table and chair set may need little more than a new paint job (low VOCs please) to render it chic. As environmental responsibility grows we can expect more choice when it comes to the production of new furniture made from reclaimed and sustainable materials.

Window coverings For simple window coverings, bamboo blinds are a winning combination of good looks and eco-friendliness. Bamboo is actually a grass, one of the fastest growing plants on earth. It’s easy to cultivate and its wood tones infuse interiors with natural warmth. As bamboo blinds shade rooms from strong sunlight, they also lessen the need for air-conditioning during the season’s warmest days. Bamboo blinds paired with drapery panels are ideally suited to traditional interiors. For contemporary interiors, enjoy them on their own. Kimberley’s Pick: Fabric blinds made from 100% bamboo or linen. The wrinkling only adds to the charm.

Paint Conventional paints often release volatile organic compounds (VOCs), harmful fumes and chemicals that are not only bad for the environment, they may even cause those fresh-paint headaches. Kimberley’s Pick: Ask your paint retailer for low or no VOC paint, both an environmentally and health friendly option.

CALEDON LIVING SUMMER 2010

Kimberley’s Pick: Look for consignment shops in your neighbourhood or visit tag sales as the weather warms.

Lighting Saving energy in the lighting category is as easy as dimming the lights. In fact, dim them 10% and there’s a 10% cost savings. In addition to installing dimmers, consider replacing some bulbs with super-efficient compact fluorescent lights. Not only do CFLs last about 10 times longer than incandescent light bulbs, they also provide a 75%–80% reduction in energy costs. Kimberley’s Pick: Embrace solar lighting outdoors; use light stands to emphasize favourite beds or an important pathway.

Appliances Kitchens and bathrooms undoubtedly provide the biggest drain on the environment. In some cases, common sense steers us to energy savings. Those who eat out frequently may require a smaller refrigerator, which uses less energy than a larger version. Running the dishwasher only when it’s full and avoiding peak hours helps reduce strain on energy consumption. Participate in provincial recycling programs. Opt for low-flow shower heads and low-flush toilets. Kimberley’s Pick: Look for deep discounts on pre-owned appliances or watch for sales which are inevitable this year.

GARDEN

BY ANDREW HIND

WATER FEATURES add undeniable appeal to any yard. But why settle for a mere pond when with one extra step you can make a truly memorable statement. Simply adding a waterfall to your pond changes it from a garden feature into a garden oasisâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;the centrepiece of your property and the envy of the neighbourhood.

SUMMER 2010 CALEDON LIVING

“

The best waterfalls are the ones that replicate nature and look spontaneous, and using aquatic plants is a great way to achieve that.

”

Water in motion has an indisputable allure. The splashing, gurgling sound provides a tranquility that is spiritually calming, and watching the falling water can happily occupy people for hours. “Installing a waterfall is much easier than people think, and there are options for every price range,” says Peter Gill, the President of the Greater Toronto Water Garden and Horticultural Society. “Waterfalls come in countless variations, from the completely natural to highly stylized, from the inexpensive preformed rigid plastic kits to rubber liners that can be shaped to your desires.” Your choice of material will, to a great degree, determine the cost and complexity of the waterfall. “The cheapest option is the rigid plastic waterfall. You can walk out of the store with the entire kit for just over $100, but these waterfalls are small and preformed so they can’t be molded to your design,” explains Chris Marchese of Marquis Gardens, a company that does a lot of water feature installation throughout Caledon. “On the other extreme we’ve done water features in the $60,000 range. A middle of the road option is best for most people. $1,500 can get you a waterfall with a 10-15 foot drop—more than enough to make a statement in most yards—with beautiful natural stone.” It’s not just the choice of material that you need to consider, but also the effect you want the waterfall to achieve. The most common waterfall is a chute, wherein water cascades down a slope before emptying into the pond below. It’s pleasing and natural looking, like the rapids of a river. But there are other options. For example, water that spills over a smooth, vertical surface makes an uninterrupted, glistening ribbon that catches light in the most beautiful of ways. A waterfall that froths at the 24

CALEDON LIVING SUMMER 2010

LEFT A typical sub-division garden can accommodate a good sized pond with a small waterfall. It is important not to build the waterfall too large in a smaller pond, as it will stir up sediment and disrupt the surface, making it difficult for fish and aquatic plants to thrive. Designed & built by Earthworks Landscaping TOP If you don’t want to maintain a pond, you can still

achieve a desirable gurgling and splashing sound of running water with a bubbling rock. Designed & built by Earthworks Landscaping PREVIOUS PAGE Large natural waterfalls can look stunning on an estate property. Designed & built by Marquis Gardens

base can be achieved with a large volume of water falling over a high ledge so it spreads out like a curtain. Want a rainbow effect? Create a feature where water drops from a great height onto a hard surface, which will cause the water to splash into tiny droplets of mist that catch the sunlight. Whatever approach you take, make sure the design of the waterfall is in harmony with the overall style of your home, garden and, most importantly, the theme of the water feature. It’s also very important that the waterfall is in scale with the pond itself. A small trickle will be lost emptying into a large pond while, on the other hand, a large volume waterfall will overwhelm a small basin, stirring up the sediment and disrupting the surface, making a poor habitat for fish and aquatic plants. Gill encourages people to use aquatic plants as part of their waterfall design. “The best waterfalls are the ones that replicate nature and look spontaneous, and using aquatic plants is a great way to achieve that. You can use a whole range of native plants in the pond—floating plants like water hyacinth, water lettuce and, of course, water lilies—but also bog plants, such as ferns, alongside the waterfall itself to make it appear less artificial.” While the more ambitious projects may involve an element of technical expertise, most waterfalls don’t require a lot of do-it-yourself experience to install. “People are intimidated by waterfalls for some reason, but the majority can install one over a weekend,” Marchese asserts. “Just familiarize yourself with the process, plan ahead so you know what you want to achieve, and be certain to check bylaw regulations in your area before you begin.” With the addition of a waterfall, you can turn any location in your yard into a spot of extraordinary beauty.

SUMMER 2010 CALEDON LIVING

CALEDON LIVING SUMMER 2010

GARDEN

Home, tweet home:

birdhouses & feeders Birdhouse basics Charming as the impromptu birds’ nests are this time of year, the interests of our feathered friends, in addition to maintaining an attractive home property, can be better served by the installation of a birdhouse in the backyard, rather than enduring a mess on the back porch. The birdhouse is designed to be an aesthetically pleasing haven, made to benefit bird health and cope with bad weather. There is a range of structures to serve these purposes. Some basic things to keep in mind when selecting a birdhouse are cleanliness, ventilation and waterproofing. Maintaining an even temperature and good air flow is accomplished by vent holes at the tops of walls, and a slanted roof overhang of at least three inches prevents water seepage. Also, drilling

BY KIRA DORWARD

some holes in the floor of your birdhouse will further allow water to escape during rainfall. Avoiding houses with metal roofs, or at least putting them in the shade, prevents overheating in summer. Putting nesting boxes in a sheltered area, out of all-day sun, is paramount. In warm weather, parasites breed in unclean and unventilated birdhouses, so choosing the appropriate location and design will cut down on cleaning efforts. A well designed house should have a removable roof or panel for easy cleaning. For the safety of the birds, it’s best to avoid houses that have a perch or platform outside the entrance hole. Predatory animals can use this as support for raiding the nest, and it encourages young birds to venture out of the nest before they are ready to fly. Baffles and SUMMER 2010 CALEDON LIVING

predator guards can be used to discourage cats and other animals that may prey on the little family. To attract certain bird species over others, there are a few tricks of the trade that can be employed. Houses which look natural are more attractive to birds, but if painted, make sure that only water-based or oil-based paint that is safe for birds is used for the exterior of the house, and never inside. Choosing a nesting box with an entrance hole appropriate to the size of the desired bird will also help. Chickadees, nuthatches and downy woodpeckers prefer a diameter entrance of 3.1 cm and an interior dimension of 10x20 cm, while bluebirds, swallows and sparrows prefer 3.8 cm and 13x25 cm, respectively. Furthermore, some species prefer houses in shrubs, not open areas, and vice versa. To attract an ultimate population, there should only be one house per tree, with an approximate total of five per acre. Also, birdhouses should be located away from bird feeders in order to attract more residents. The location should be inaccessible to predators as well. Caledon retailers have a big variety of styles and types of bird-houses available for purchase this time of year. Glen Echo Nurseries Ltd. has an assortment of natural wood houses specific to several species. They even have material to literally “feather the nest” and make our feathered friends all the more welcome. Bat boxes are available there as well. If your style is more ornamental, Hummingbird Flowers & Gifts in Caledon East carries bird houses which come themed, such as a shoe or a nautical life preserver. Caledon resident Jim Pipher sells his hand-made pine bird houses at Davis Feed & Farm Supply Ltd., also in Caledon East, and they are very competitively priced. Jim’s houses, available for several species, open in the front for cleaning and, when the “little ones” are ready to leave the nest, he has even thought of steps inside to help them get to the opening! Also visit the local farmers’ markets and craft shows, where attractive birdhouses made of old barn board or even humorous copies of human buildings may sometimes be found.

New in bird feeders A beautiful line of window feeders comes from a Kitchener couple, Carol and Jim Moore (Moore Design). These are constructed in Canada from brass and glass, meaning they can be used year-round and will not deteriorate from bad weather. They are fastened to the window by three ultraviolet protected suction cups designed to hold nine pounds, and are further reinforced by a wire. The Moores’ “squirrel baffling” model is the most popular, with a solid brass grillwork across the front, preventing most squirrels from getting at the birdseed inside. This design especially attracts smaller species such as finches, chickadees, 30

CALEDON LIVING SUMMER 2010

nuthatches and cardinals, while deterring the larger scavenger birds. When positioned on the outside of a large window, without any nearby tree branches, squirrels are foiled because they cannot climb glass. Closer to home, beautiful unique feeders built as miniature log homes are made locally by a retired employee and sold at Maple Farm Supply Ltd. in Bolton. Along with a good selection of other ornamental and functional feeders are also some “natural-looking” ones fashioned from logs. Of course they also have birdseed “to go”!

Resources 1. Davis Feed & Farm Supply Ltd., Caledon East 905 584 2880. $26.95

2. The Weathervane Home& Garden, Erin 519 833 2596. $42.99

3. Davis Feed & Farm Supply Ltd., Caledon East 905 584 2880. $69.95

Get those hummingbirds & butterflies too! Moore Design also has a reasonably priced line of hummingbird feeders on suction cups for the window, made of brightly coloured glass which attracts the birds and is guaranteed never to fade. They are simple to refill and maintain by lifting out the bottle in the centre. Local retailers also carry more traditional and pretty blown glass varieties. A simple hummingbird nectar recipe consists of 1 part sugar, 4 parts water, mixed and boiled in a saucepan while stirring. No need to add food colouring as the coloured glass tip will attract the birds. In addition to hummingbirds, you can attract butterflies to your garden with the butterfly feeders available from The Weathervane in Erin. Butterflies can only interpret the

colours red, green and yellow, so any constructions using these colours will be more likely to bring in populations of papilionis. They use their antennae to smell, and their feet to taste, so these butterfly feeder designs take the form of open crystal flowers that work by collecting rainwater. Place the stake holder where the flower is clearly visible and receives direct sunlight. The crystal in the petals absorbs sunlight and emits a warm glow for a few hours after sunset, adding charm to your garden at night. Don’t forget to house those butterflies too! Slotted wooden butterfly boxes also are available at Glen Echo Nurseries. Simply place them in the middle of your garden, put a branch inside for the butterflies to rest on, and—voilà!

Beautiful AND functional These are just a few considerations and choices from the many available, when thinking about “added value” for enjoying your garden this summer. Birds and butterflies are certainly part of “all things bright and beautiful” in Caledon’s upcoming halcyon days. Kira Dorward, who has just completed her third year at Trinity College, University of Toronto, is studying history. She is doing an internship in Reading, England, this summer with The Circle Agency Limited, a company that specializes in experiential marketing.

SUMMER 2010 CALEDON LIVING

INTERIORS

Introducing the

Masters Academy of BY TESS MELADY

IMAGINE A PLACE where you can express yourself through the use of shimmering paints, tinted glazes and an array of designer plasters to create a unique one of a kind painting, mural, furniture piece or wall finish! How about a place that also allows you to learn the business side of furthering such creative endeavours? After many requests from clients and business associates, Jim and Peter have opened the doors to the Masters Academy of Decorative Arts. Joining forces with them is Baroness Agnes Von Mehron, a creative force to be reckoned with! Agnes is a children’s book author, marketing consultant, art gallery manager, and entrepreneur. The Academy’s motto is “Discere Docendo” Latin for “Grow through Learning”. And that is exactly what Jim, Peter and Agnes have in store for you when you attend the Academy. Many of you will remember Jim and Peter from their guest appearances on various HGTV decorating shows and their business, Masterpieces Studio, on Davenport Avenue. The techniques they showcased on the shows and in their clients’ homes will be brought to you in a friendly classroom environment. 32

CALEDON LIVING SUMMER 2010

I took a visit to the new studio location to catch up with Jim and Peter and to meet Agnes who shared some of the adventures involved in setting up shop: “The place has great bones but it needed a lot of structural changes and cosmetic work to make the space sing. The end result is a 5,000 square foot facility with a spacious loft style classroom, lounge area for students, and a fully equipped kitchen. We have a great course curriculum to fit a variety of student interests.” In viewing the spacious surroundings, I could picture the three of them in action. Agnes’ love of fashion, with stories of her modeling and cosmetic careers, promises fun filled conversations at coffee break. Peter’s Harley Davidson motorbike can be spied shining like a new penny outside the academy. You might even convince him to take you for a spin! Jim’s love of laughter and Scottish brogue promises to keep the energy in the academy upbeat. All of these dynamic artists love what they do and are very happy to share their life skills. Many people have referred to the threesome as the “Masters of Chic!” Keeping up with technology and current trends in the design industry are important to Jim, Peter and Agnes. They are

Decorative Arts more than willing to share their expertise with their students. Jim and Peter have a solid reputation for taking the time to meet each one of their students’ learning needs, to help them reach their best potential. If you love to decorate and have a passion to create dream rooms in your home, or you are looking for a new career, Masters Academy is the place for you. The Academy will issue certificates of completion for the various course series. Over the years Jim and Peter worked alongside residential painters on many large projects. Once they started transforming bland painted surfaces into exotic marble or semiprecious stone finishes, it wasn’t long before everyone wanted to learn how to do it. Residential painters, who currently bid only on regular painting contracts, can attend the Academy to upgrade their skill set, produce impressive portfolios, and no longer be excluded from bidding on the luxury art finishes. Textured wall

treatments such as shimmering Venetian Plaster are very popular with designers and that is just the tip of the iceberg. No longer do you have to be a Michelangelo; Masters Academy will have the latest technology in mural art called the Tattoo WallTM. The Tattoo WallTM can be applied onto many surfaces and, when properly applied, looks like a Fresco, a hand painted mural. The machine uses computer technology and a catalogue of art work that can be customized to fit any wall, or even a piece of furniture. With this application you will be able to update old furniture with a current vibe, apply a tattoo image on the front of an old dresser, and complete the piece with a beautiful hand painted art finish. Another idea Peter told me was, “You can paint over old backsplash tiles by applying a tattoo image on top. We are really going to have fun with this machine!” Peter went on to explain, “Once you have installed a Tattoo mural you can learn how to paint around it with beautiful marble, gold leaf or our favourite—Swarovski Crystals.” Just imagine a fantastic ceiling mural of an evening celestial sky with shimmering Swarovski crystals enhancing the stars! The Masters Academy is for everyone (not just professional painters who want to be creative), with a very exciting course curriculum. Jim described, “The Academy will have one to four-day courses that will get you hooked. You can make a beautiful object by using new and exciting paint techniques and images to take home. Who wouldn’t want a beautiful hand painted ceiling mural, luxurious marble moldings, and a rich antique wooden fireplace mantle? All of these dream finishes will be taught at the Academy.” The business and marketing side of the decorative art world will also be available at the Academy. Skills such as meeting with clients, gathering information regarding your client’s needs, professional presentations, quoting projects, dressing for success and planning a career path will be addressed. Come learn from the “Masters of Chic” and leave energized! The Master’s Academy of Decorative Arts is conveniently located near Yorkdale Shopping Centre, at 100 Bridgeland Rd, Suite A, Toronto M6A 1Z4 Visit their website www.MADA-masters.com For more info call 416 781 5588

SUMMER 2010 CALEDON LIVING

COMMUNITY

Community Supported locally, eat in season, Agriculture Eat share the bounty! BY KATIE BURCHELL PHOTOS BY SDB IMAGES

CALEDON LIVING SUMMER 2010

ACROSS CANADA there are rising numbers of small farms that sell annual memberships to local residents to help cover the costs of operation and, in return, allow us to share the bounty of the season. We also share the risksâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;weather and other factors including pestilenceâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; beyond the control of the farmer. The cost of a share and the crops grown vary from farm to farm, as do the pick-up arrangements for our weekly box of produce. This programme is known as Community Supported Agriculture, and is becoming increasingly popular.

SUMMER 2010 CALEDON LIVING

Here in Caledon we have a perfect model of CSA in the form of the Whole Village Sustainable Farm on Shaw’s Creek Road. Whole Village is a biodynamic farm on 191 acres, growing fruits and vegetables without the use of artificial fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, or fungicides. Their CSA program has a growing season of 21 weeks, running from mid-June until the end of October. Typically, a weekly box of produce can include a mix of greens, herbs, and variety of root vegetables. There are also the occasional fruits and cut flowers. A member may buy a small share costing $400, enough to feed a couple, or a large share for $750 that will feed a family of four. Whole Village CSA is run by Graham Corbett and Amy Ouchterlony. They believe, as do many others, that the present food system in Canada is a cause for concern. Most of the enticing rows of fruits and vegetables in grocery stores are produced by huge profit-centric agricultural conglomerates thousands of miles away. We don’t know who those farmers are, or how they grow their crops. Most are genetically modified, pumped full of chemicals, and even preserved with toxic gases to keep them “fresh” for the long journeys to our stores. CSA seeks to address all of these concerns. Members help farmers maintain their livelihoods, while supporting local, organic food and sustainable farming. A box of CSA produce doesn’t get any fresher! Everything is harvested the morning of pickup, and there are no plastic bags or packaging to go into landfill.

Local food makes sense... Exceptional taste and freshness... Local food is fresher and tastes better than food picked before ripening and shipped thousands of miles, reducing carbon dioxide emissions from transportation vehicles, and creating less waste in packaging materials.

Strengthens our local economy... Buying local food keeps our dollars circulating within the community.

Health benefits for the entire family... Personal contact with farmers provides members with the opportunity to ask questions about the practices the farmer uses.

Food facts Less than 10% of imported foods are inspected in Canada Imported foods are not mandated to meet Health Canada Guidelines for food production. No processed food is inspected unless a complaint has been received. The country of origin is not mandated on food labels. “Product of Canada” doesn’t necessarily mean “Grown in Canada.”

At the beginning of the season, two of our Caledon Living team signed up with the Whole Village Farm CSA programme for a large share which they are splitting each week. Lena Diaz and Simon Burn both like to eat lots of vegetables and make their meals from scratch, avoiding packaged and processed foods. They are excited about the idea of buying fresh local organic produce, and have agreed to share their experience over the next few months with a regular blog on our web site. Lena was enthusiastic from the moment she went to an orientation evening back in May. “I found the people running this CSA completely dedicated to the cause; they genuinely want to make a difference and provide healthy food.” Graham and Amy encourage members to visit the farm whenever they like, and walk around to see what is happening. They also organize Whole Village Work Bee days throughout the growing season, so members can come by, connect with the farmers, see how things are grown, and help out. At any good CSA site, you are part of the farm community, not just a customer. You will be encouraged to visit and see how things are run. Ontario CSA Directory (http://csafarms.ca) warns that any farmer who refuses any farm visits at all should be avoided. Lena, a firm believer in traditional and natural farming methods, is eagerly awaiting her first weekly delivery. “Don’t get me wrong; I do love tropical fruits and vegetables, but feel that we can take full advantage of the robust variety of produce that grows in Caledon for at least half of the year. This not only creates delicious and healthy foods for our families and ourselves, but it allows us to practise more sustainable farming operations and reduces our carbon footprint.”

Protects the environment... Organic methods benefit the soil, air, water, wildlife and people in the farm ecosystem.

CALEDON LIVING SUMMER 2010

To find out how Lena and Simon fare over the coming months, follow them at www.caledonliving.com

SUMMER 2010 CALEDON LIVING

RECIPES

Caramelized onion, sage & aged cheddar canapés

“

This is a great party appetizer, and filling and shells can be made a day before and kept separately, but you must fill shells and melt cheese just before serving!

”

1 3 5 ¼ cup 2 tsp pinch 5-6 sprig 1 loaf wedge

Spanish onion shallots garlic cloves extra virgin olive oil Worcestershire sauce salt fresh sage leaves fresh rosemary uncut multigrain bread aged cheddar cheese

frying pan mini muffin tray (2") circular cookie cutter (2¼") Prep 20 min. Cook approx. 30 min. on medium heat Bake 10 min. at 300°F Filling enough for approx. 16 pieces Finely chop the onion, shallots and garlic and place in frying pan with olive oil, Worcestershire sauce and salt, and sauté for approximately 25 minutes, stirring every few minutes. When caramelized remove from heat and stir in finely chopped sage and rosemary. While filling is cooking, slice your loaf horizontally, regular slice thickness, and stamp out circular shapes with cookie cutter. Brush pieces with olive oil and press flat with your fingers, and then press into mini muffin forms to create a shell. Bake in preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until lightly browned and hardened. Let cool. Place shells on baking tray and add the filling. Then cut a small piece of cheddar and place on top of each canapé. Broil for a minute or two until cheese starts to melt.

CALEDON LIVING SUMMER 2010

TIP

Sprinkle with chopped sage and rosemary just before serving.

In season now... • Garlic early August-late October • Herbs early July-late September • Onions/Shallots early August-late October

1 cup 1 tbsp pinch 2 2 tbsp ¼ cup

organic flour baking powder salt free range eggs extra virgin olive oil liquid honey

Fresh fruit of choice (We used pears, pitted cherries and blueberries) glass container 9 paper baking cups

mixing bowl formed muffin baking tray

Prep 10 min. Bake approx. 20 min. at 350°F

Summer fruit cupcakes

Makes 9 cupcakes Combine flour and baking powder in bowl, add pinch of salt. Mix in 2 beaten eggs, olive oil, and honey with a fork, for 1-2 minutes. When mixture is fluffy and yellow, spoon evenly into paper baking cups inserted in the muffin tray forms. Drop a handful of fruit into each cup, sinking some into the mix. For large fruit like pears and peaches, push three pieces firmly into each cup. Drizzle liquid honey on top of each fruit cup. Bake on middle or top shelf of preheated oven for approximately 20 minutes or until lightly browned on top. Allow to cool. Serving suggestion Remove paper and cut into halves. Spoon fruit and rum & berry sauce* on top and sprinkle some fresh berries around. Make more decadent by adding some whipped cream or custard. You can just eat them like a regular muffin too!

* To make the rum & berry sauce check out: www.caledonliving.com

“

They make great healthy sweet treats for the kids!

” TIP

You can use small summer berries: cherries, blueberries and raspberries are great.

In season now... • Blueberries mid July-late August • Cherries early June-late July • Pears early August-late October

SUMMER 2010 CALEDON LIVING

Delicious veggie burgers

“

Veggie burgers are a great alternative to your standard meat burgers— and much healthier too!

”

½ cup 2 cans 4 2 ½ cup 1 6 tbsp squeeze 1 ¾ cup 3 tbsp 2 tsp 2 tsp 2 tsp

dry quinoa (540ml each) romano beans, drained cloves garlic medium shallots sundried tomatoes medium zucchini (approx. 1 ⅓ cup) sunflower seeds lemon egg bread crumbs all-purpose flour Worcestershire sauce Dijon mustard fresh basil spices (we added 2 tsp paprika, 1 tsp oregano, ½ tsp dried chili flakes, salt & pepper to taste)

food processor bowl for mixing

frying pan

Prep 20 min. Cook approx. 10 min./side on medium heat Makes approx. 12 burgers Add quinoa to 1 cup boiling water. Bring to boil, cover and simmer on medium heat for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally. Let stand 15 minutes. In the meantime, chop the romano beans, garlic, shallots, sundried tomatoes, zucchini and sunflower seeds in a food processor, adding lemon juice or a little water (if needed) for the blades to run smoothly.

Our fave toppings: fresh thyme sprigs goat cheese

Add cooked quinoa, beaten egg, bread crumbs, flour, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, chopped basil and spices to veggie mixture and stir until well combined. Leave in fridge for at least 30 minutes. Shape into patties and fry on medium-high heat with a little oil or barbeque until golden. Since there is no meat you don't have to worry about cooking them thoroughly, although we prefer ours crispy!

basil & dill pesto* sundried tomatoes sweet & smokey mustard

(from Rock Garden Farms)

TIPS

•You can find quinoa in the baking aisle of your grocery store. •Add your favourite herbs and spices to your burger. •If you want to barbeque your burgers you might need to add more bread crumbs so they don't fall apart on the grill. •You can make the mixture ahead of time and leave in the fridge for up to 2 days. Just shape and cook before serving.

* To make the basil & dill pesto check out: www.caledonliving.com 40

CALEDON LIVING SUMMER 2010

In season now... • Lettuce all year • Tomatoes early July-late September • Zucchini early July-late August

WELLNESS

Superfood...a new buzz word BY ROSE DUPONT • PHOTO BY SDB IMAGES

DOING THE WEEKLY GROCERY shopping may be hazardous to your family’s health. These days it has become alarming and somewhat confusing to stroll down the aisles of what has become a bottomless pit of churned out factory food products. It seems that with every item we hold in our hands, we must make a conscious choice between convenience and health. As a society, we are increasingly asking ourselves questions about the food that we are consuming: Is it organic or not? What is the country of origin? Is the product sustainable? There is hesitation now, before we eventually add items to our grocery buggies.

“

...it has been shown to increase energy and stamina, alleviate menopause and PMS symptoms, and increase sexual libido.

”

CALEDON LIVING SUMMER 2010

Our local heroes of the day have changed too. They are the people who are analyzing our food, our food systems and the conglomerates that prepare and produce them. Well informed people like our very own Wendy Mesley and Erica Johnson of CBC’s Marketplace have taken the lid off many food processing concerns. The popular food writer, Michael Pollan, has closely examined the burgeoning food conglomerates and the organics industry in the United States. Quoted as saying, “Eat food. Not too much, mostly plants,” Mr. Pollan has succinctly grappled with our current food concerns by suggesting simplicity in choice. Another prominent figure in this food revolution is Raw Foodist David Wolfe. He is considered to be one of the world’s leading authorities on nutrition and Superfoods. For the past 15 years, he has increasingly packed auditoriums around the world to discuss the physical and mental health benefits of eating strictly raw vegetables, fruits, nuts and algae. All of their messages have a common goal: To help educate the average consumers so they may make informed choices in the foods that they eat. In our everyday lives, eliminating much of the mass produced, processed food is a great start, but how do we make ourselves well again through food? A very easy and convenient way to increase our vitality, health and wellness is to consume one or two Superfoods daily. Superfood is a new buzz word that has woven itself into our current culture. Although there is no true definition of a Superfood, it is generally thought of as one that has extraordinary health

benefits. Some of the world’s raw fruits and vegetables have amazing amounts of antioxidants, vitamins and disease fighting properties. Most are familiar to us, such as broccoli, almonds, blueberries, etc. However, there are a few that are not as well known. Two examples of these Superfoods are Spirulina and Maca. Both are available in powdered and tablet form.

Spiced spirulina smoothie 1 1½ cups 1 teaspoon ½ teaspoon ½ cup

ripe banana unsweetened hemp milk powdered Spirulina cinnamon spring water Place all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Drink immediately. Spirulina has a fairly strong taste, so it may take a while to get used to it. You may increase it to 1 rounded teaspoonful after one week, if desired.

Maca Maca is a turnip-like root vegetable, native to the Andes in South America, and it contains 31 different minerals along with amino acids, antioxidants, alkaloids and sterols. Its first recorded uses were by the Spaniards in the 16th century. Maca has been scientifically studied for many years and it has been shown to increase energy and stamina, alleviate menopause and PMS symptoms, and increase sexual libido. This plant is an adaptogen which, according to herbalists, aids the body to naturally resist multiple stresses and is often described as a hormone balancer. In the past it has also been referred to as a natural restorative. We may not be able to totally eliminate all of the unhealthy foods from our diets, but a sure way to increase overall whole body wellness is to drink a refreshing smoothie.

CALEDON LIVING SUMMER 2010

“

Some of the world’s raw fruits and vegetables have amazing amounts of antioxidants, vitamins and disease fighting properties.

”

Spirulina

Spirulina is a type of blue-green alga that has an immense amount of protein, a wide range of vitamins and minerals and is an excellent source of iron. Since the 1970s, Japanese and European studies have documented proof that this amazing one cell alga is one of the world’s natural Superfoods. It is also the most concentrated form of any known organic food on the planet. Its protein content of 60% is higher than beef and soy combined. Many have claimed a surge in energy and mental alertness within a few hours after taking Spirulina. Very high in antioxidants, chlorophyll, B12 and beta-carotene, it promotes natural body cleansing, metabolism stimulation and also helps boost the body’s natural defence mechanisms.

Maca lemonade Naturally sweet, this version is even better than oldfashioned lemonade. 2 ½ - 1 whole ½ cup 1 teaspoon

organic apples, such as golden delicious or Fiji lemon, juiced, to your taste spring water Maca powder

Juice the apples in a juicer or peel, core and place them in a blender with the rest of the ingredients. Purée until smooth; pour over crushed ice if desired. Maca is somewhat bitter, so adjust the amount along with the lemon juice until it suits your taste.

Maca, Spirulina and unsweetened hemp milk are found in reputable health food stores.

A D V E R T I S E M E N T F E AT U R E

ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

Wednesday, July 14, 2010 Spend a luxurious day touring 12 of the area's unique stores, offering the finest products from around the world, in addition to local produce, arts and crafts. On this exclusive one-day event you will receive a shopping bag that will be filled with complimentary little gifts and goodies as you visit each store. Lunch will be provided by Ray's 3rd Generation Bistro Bakery while sweets and treats will be provided by Pia's Bakery and The Shed. Tickets are limited, and can be purchased for $50 each at any of the participating stores. Stores are open from 9am to 6pm.

Start your shopping adventures at any one of the 12 stores. All stores in Orangeville are in walking distance of each other, as are the stores in Erin, Belfountain and Alton. Enjoy walking around the quaint villages!

Pear Home Fleurelle Floral Designs

Reader's Choice

18 ton Rd Welling

Pia's Bakery 2

3 Bro adw ay

1 19th Line

Townline Hwy 9

Hurontario St

Porterfield Rd

Gallery Gemma

Riddell Rd

5 6 7 Main St

Lifescape by Felix & Ginger

Ray's 3rd Generation Bistro Bakery

Charleston Sdrd (24)

Beaver Mills 8

Decor Solutions

CALEDON LIVING SUMMER 2010

The Ascot Room 12

Bush St 11 Mississauga Rd

Wellington Rd 52 Winston Churchill Blvd

Renaissance

Main St

9 10

The Shed Forks of the Credit Rd

Olde Base Line Rd

ORANGEVILLE 1 Fleurelle Floral Designs 234 Broadway 519 942 4344

PARTICIPATING STORES ERIN

2 Pear Home 185 Broadway 519 941 1101

8 Beaver Mills 132 Main St 519 833 1143

3 Reader's Choice New & Used Books 151 Broadway 519 940 8740

9 Decor Solutions 92 Main St 519 833 2141

4 Pia's Bakery 177 Broadway 519 307 1258 ALTON 5 Gallery Gemma Historic Alton Mill 1402 Queen St W 519 938 8386 6 Lifescape by Felix & Ginger 1469 Queen St W 519 942 3110 7 Rayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 3rd Generation Bistro Bakery 1475 Queen St W 519 941 6121

10 Renaissance 60 Main St 519 833 0872

BELFOUNTAIN 11 The Ascot Room 17228 Mississauga Rd 519 927 9787 12 The Shed 17277 Old Main St 519 927 5692

CALEDON LIVING SUMMER 2010

SUMMER 2010 CALEDON LIVING

WINE CONNOISSEUR

Wine for the grill BY RIC KITOWSKI & JOCELYN KLEMM

FIRING UP THE GRILL makes us think about new food and wine combinations. But cooking outdoors doesn’t mean we abandon our basic principles of matching, adjusting, and mirroring. They still apply; we’re just more flexible. Summertime is for relaxing! The way food is prepared determines the intensity of its flavour, and grilling shifts the intensity up a notch or two. Add your secret sauce or spice rub and you’ve changed the balance again. Patio meals present a lot of different food combinations, so all our pairing principles apply in practice.

Summer weights All foods have body and texture, a sense of how they feel in the mouth. The wines you choose should match the weight and texture of the food, neither overpowering the other. Steak, for example, overpowers light-bodied wines, especially light-bodied white wines. Full-bodied, full-flavoured wines like Shiraz offer a more even match. However, the same Shiraz just flattens a simple green salad, which pairs better with light-bodied white wines like Albariño or Riesling. Grilled shrimps or scallops are excellent with these whites as well. The way something is cooked also influences your choice of wine. Steaks cooked rare or medium rare go well with young, tannic red wines—the wine’s tannins and the steak’s proteins mellowing one another. Steaks cooked medium or well done are better suited to more mature, less tannic red wines.

Sauces and rubs Sauces, rubs, and marinades will re-balance a dish, and become more dominant than what’s actually being grilled. Sauces and marinades can be light or rich, savoury or fruity, and creamy or zippy. Rubs can run the gamut from citrusy, to smoky, to spicy. With a delicate sauce like olive oil, lemon and herbs on grilled chicken, choose a lighter-style (more delicate) wine like Pinot Grigio. With a more robust sauce like soy, ginger and garlic, pick a heartier wine like Primitivo from southern Italy. If the sauce is fruitier, as some barbeque sauces tend 50

CALEDON LIVING SUMMER 2010

to be, similar elements can be found in wines like Merlot or Malbec. Grilled fish or seafood with fruity marinades like a papaya salsa match wines with equally tropical aromas like Australian Verdelho or Grillo from Italy. When grilling vegetables, mirror their natural earthiness with wines like Pinot Noir or slightly oaked Chardonnay, or add fresh herbs and match with VQA Ontario Sauvignon Blanc or dry Rosé. Hot sauces are a challenge, as higher alcohol wines will increase the sensation of heat. Better to go with fruiter-style red wines like Gamay or Valpolicella for beef, or off-dry white wines like Gewürztraminer if you are grilling chicken or fish.

Up to the challenge The more elements there are in a meal, the more latitude you have for picking a wine. When grilling a simple burger or steak, for example, with a fresh tomato salad and bread on the side, an equally simple wine will be fine; perhaps a light-bodied red wine like Chianti. But if the meal is spicy barbecued ribs, served with a fully loaded baked potato and grilled vegetables, opt for more complex wines like Shiraz blends (for example, Shiraz Grenache Mourvedre or SGM). The sweet and spicy sauce plus the sour cream and bacon bits add complexity and would overpower the lighter-style Chianti.

Chill Your wine selections—white or red—won’t like the summer heat. It may seem obvious to keep your whites on ice, but do the same for the reds as well. It will accentuate the tannins slightly in the reds, but it’s better than serving warm, unbalanced wine.

Ric and Jocelyn are the authors of the best-selling Clueless about Wine. Sign up for their newsletter at www.thewinecoaches.com

Try these on the patio... Chicken kebabs: unoaked Chardonnay won’t overpower, nor will a fruitier-style Merlot from Chile.

Burgers: perfect with Tempranillo from Spain or Malbec from Argentina, especially if you spice up the meat.

Veggie trays: the bright acidity in Sauvignon Blanc cuts the creamier dips and mirrors the herbal notes of the veggies.

Chicken or potato salad: try a dry Rosé from France (Tavel), or a crisp, dry Riesling from Ontario.

Corn chips and salsa: sparkling wine like Cava from Spain is our favourite match, or a slightly off-dry Riesling if there’s heat in the salsa.

Grilled fish: try a lighter-style Pinot Grigio if you are grilling pickerel, white fish or shrimp, or an oaky Chardonnay or Pinot Noir with richer fish like salmon, trout or lobster tails.

“

The wines you choose should match the weight and texture of the food, neither overpowering the other.

”

Potato salad goes well with a crisp Riesling from Ontario, and chicken is best friends with an unoaked Chardonnay.

SUMMER 2010 CALEDON LIVING

CALEDON LIVING SUMMER 2010

PEOPLE

“The Motts” at home BY DIANA JANOSIK-WRONSKI

THE AMAZING THING in talking to the Motts about life at home is you quickly realize their life and radio are totally inseparable. And so are “The Motts”: they all come as a single unit! “The Motts” as radio fans know them, are Carol and Paul Mott who hosted a long-running talk show on the airwaves of a major downtown Toronto station. The other Motts are their daughter Jessica and son Garret. Carol is a well-known horse lover, so they also have ‘four-legged Motts’ including their six horses, two golden retrievers named Darcy and Chase, and one cat, Chrissy.

“God’s country” Carol Mott openly, and on the air, refers to the area in and around Caledon as “God’s Country.” Like many of us who yearn for that little bit of country heaven in our everyday existence, Carol and Paul were working downtown and living in Oakville, while thinking about and looking for a potential cottage. One night when they planned to go to a hockey game in Erin, their real estate agent called to tell them that a suitable property had literally just come on the market, suggesting that they look at it on the way. Carol knew she was ‘home’ from the minute she hit the

driveway! “I loved the feel of it. It was a ranch style house on a hill, and it was just like my parents’ house—the feel, the country décor, and the room layout,” she exclaims. There’s light flooding the foyer from an overhead skylight at the entrance, and a big country kitchen table where family and friends sit and all the work gets done. “We do have a lovely dining room when needed, and a living room too, where I like to sit and have some quiet time reading a book,” she adds. When they were working in the city, “The Motts” could come home and contrast their daily urban hustle and bustle with country serenity and peace as they look over their acreage, the barn and their horses. It is a house and cottage, all in one! “Our farm, or ranch, as Paul likes to call it, is Dream Acres,” reflects Carol.

His and hers around the farm Her favourite thing about living here is being out with the horses. “For me, being hands on with the horses daily is my escape and joy. They have such unique personalities and talents.” The Motts have mainly Thoroughbreds. However, first to join the family (and who may have precipitated buying the farm) was Razzmatazz, one-quarter Clydesdale, who was featured on a cover of Horse Canada. Razz was the first horse that Carol’s daughter, Jessica, saw and fell in love SUMMER 2010 CALEDON LIVING

PREVIOUS PAGE Paul and Carol Mott in their stable with Sgt. Pepper and Razzmatazz. BELOW The Motts spend most of their time working at the kitchen table when not in the radio station studio.

“

So we called our boss and said we had to take another day off as our horse was going to jump the fence. That was one of the strangest reasons for missing work he'd ever heard!

”

CALEDON LIVING SUMMER 2010

with at first sight. No one else could measure up. He was only four years old and just learning to jump when they saw him at the breeder’s farm, which specializes in these crosses. Jess was only twelve and just learning to ride. Despite both of them being so green, Carol was able to successfully coach them, as well as riding Razz herself. When brought to Dream Acres, Razz wanted no part of being on his own without his friends, and the Motts were very worried that he was going to jump the fence, as he kept circling and eyeing it. “So we called our boss and said we had to take another day off as our horse was going to jump the fence. That was one of the strangest reasons for missing work he'd ever heard!” An electric fence installed higher than the split rails took care of the situation, plus a friend in the form of a second horse. This horse was Laprade (Sadie around the barn), a Thoroughbred mare who had injured herself at the track, and who was the daughter of El Prado, one of the leading sires in North America. As she needed a little downtime before being ridden, the decision was made to breed her. “Our first foal was born and we were there for the delivery and helped out when needed. It was such an exciting time for us. The night of his birth was magical, as the other horses were as quiet as can be until after he was born. Then every one of them started this lovely soft nickering which sent shivers down my spine. No one can ever tell me that they don't make connections or know when something ‘big’ is taking place.” The beautiful bay colt was called Dreams Matter, combining the names of the farm and his sire, Matter of Honour. “Dreams Matter was the perfect name,” Carol continues, “because they do, and we are living ours here.” Along the way the stable expanded and others soon joined the Mott herd, including Candy who retired with them and died last year at 31, and Sgt. Pepper, the ‘wannabe’ racehorse who had grown up too big and easy going, and ended up a superb hunter-jumper under Jess and Carol’s guidance. “She is a lovely rider!” Carol says of Jess. “That Jess and I have been able to do this together and have something we both love so in common is wonderful.” Toronto listeners got to participate in another foaling. “After an on-air contest to name the filly, ‘Dream Crusader’ was chosen for her. We put the video of the birth on our web site and had quite a reaction from our listeners. So many told us it was amazing to watch and something they would never have a chance to see. There were a few that said their stomachs turned! We've since had another; her name is Max around the barn, but she will race under Maximum Ride, after a James Patterson book that both Jess and I enjoyed.” His favourite thing is definitely their pool! That’s Paul’s place to ‘hang out’, other than the big garage with lots of room to putter about. Then there’s always hockey with their son Garret. Toronto listeners have shared the Motts’ love of their

home and how different life in the country truly can be. “It’s beautiful country. Toronto wants to come and have that relaxed feeling…like meeting the neighbours at the dump on Saturday morning!” they both laugh.

“Off the record” “My kids learned early in life to ask for things to be ‘off the record’!” says Carol. “Debates at the dinner table had a tendency to go ‘on-air’.” This helped make the show charming and endeared them to their fans; it was everyone’s family and life’s events to which they could relate. But on more than one occasion the Mott kids would hear about their family discussions via school friends whose parents were also listeners. That certainly put an extra dimension into child-parent relations, as anyone with family knows! In effect “The Motts” also became, by accident, social arbiters of school and community activities, like certain types of fundraisers, or school projects “when you get out there and say things.” Occasionally a classroom project has been known to change because of on-air banter, the day after the teacher assigned it! Their kids, however, have become inextricably linked to “The Motts” in other ways, as life has moved on its ever sinuous course. A door closes and another opens Radio mirrored life once again last year in a dramatic way for the Motts. Most readers are aware of the sudden and traumatic departure of “The Motts” from Toronto airwaves. Despite increased ratings, new ownership meant a new direction—without them. No one could believe it happened, and “The Motts” and their listeners alike were devastated. But, you can’t keep good radio people down! Carol and Paul Mott have developed their name and reputation over many years in broadcasting, including advertisers. Their client base has been built up, forming an integral part of their careers. “We only endorse the things we really believe in,” says Paul. So, how could they parlay all this into a new life? It was their son Garret, a university student, who suggested the web site because initially they were forced to ‘go on line’ by a lot of their listeners! When Carol and Paul left the radio station, their only email address had been at the station’s office and a huge number of incoming emails mounted up after they went off the air. These they took home to answer from their newly established home email address. One thing led to another, and they came up with the idea of having a web-based show, originating in their Erin home. They shared this idea over dinner one night with a good friend, John Ivankovic, a successful business consultant. John became instrumental in creating a plan to

attain the new ‘dream’ and “The Motts” have now joined the ‘new media’ on the internet. Declan West designed a beautiful web site, made it user friendly, and put up with numerous cries for help from Paul and Carol. The Motts stream their show daily, Monday thru Friday, from 11 a.m. until noon at www.themotts.ca. However, the Motts are the first to say there has been an almost overwhelming learning curve. During planning stages for the show, Erin Radio was approached to record commercials for clients, rather than going into Toronto all the time. Another problem was that internet radio was not currently available while driving. You had to listen to it on your computer, by going to the Motts’ web site. When Jay Mowat, the general manager of Erin Radio, and Erin Montgomery, Operations Co-ordinator, graciously offered the use of their studio, “The Motts” offered them a few hours of programming as a thank you. But they wanted the show daily! Paul and Carol happily report, “Erin Radio 101.5 FM is made up of great people who volunteer their time and talents. The atmosphere is energizing and has made radio fun again! Rick and Shelley Sargeant of Bolton Radio 105.5 FM and Country Caledon 102.7 FM also wanted to carry the show, and we are thrilled to have Whistle Radio 102.7 FM in Stouffville joining us too. More stations are on the way!” So, “The Motts” are now broadcasting their show from the Erin Radio studio, sending it to the other stations, and streaming it on the internet at the same time. In addition to her job as a local automotive sales consultant, their daughter, Jess, is now their producer. “She grew up with it,” is their comment on her qualifications. With their connections, “The Motts” are still able to host the high profile people that listeners previously enjoyed, and fans have contacted them recently from as far away as Azerbaijan! The Erin Radio studio is just 5 minutes from the farm (with a stop for coffee), and quite a lovely change from their previous 3-hour daily commute. It also means that taking a break from work for a few minutes enables them to muck out the barn during the day, or take a dip in the pool, or make a quick dash into town for inevitable daily errands. “We are now on the main street more often,” says Carol. She has also been able to do more charity work locally, for instance the Children’s Wish gala at the fall Canadian Show Jumping Tournament, and for Bethell House. Sometimes things come by a serendipitous route, as the Motts declare, and their dreams are being fulfilled here in the hills, in “God’s Country.” Diana Janosik-Wronski is a project management and public relations consultant who lives in Caledon East. She has broad experience in a variety of areas and rides her own Thoroughbred mare, Ritual Silence, near her home. SUMMER 2010 CALEDON LIVING

PEOPLE

BY DAVID K. DORWARD PHOTOS BY SDB IMAGES

“

Many people are not aware that Norman also has a green thumb and is a very good gardener, as his dad was before him...

CALEDON LIVING SUMMER 2010

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“

His garden has been a veritable labour of love and his pride and joy.

NORMAN JEWISON is a world famous movie and TV director who lives right here in Caledon! He was the 1999 winner of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences prestigious Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award for lifetime achievement. The Thalberg Award is only one of many honours Norman has earned. These include Honorary Doctorate Degrees from Trent University, University of Western Ontario and University of Toronto, and he was made a Companion of the Order of Canada in 1992. In addition, he has received numerous tributes at Canadian and international film festivals and retrospectives, and has been given a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame as well as Canada’s Walk of Fame. A park in downtown Toronto was named after him in 2001. On January 30, 2010 Norman also received a lifetime achievement award from the Directors Guild of America at the 62nd Annual DGA Awards at the Century Plaza in Los Angeles. Norman’s career as a film director began in 1963 and continues to this day, as he is currently working on a new feature film. In June 1978 Norman and Dixie Jewison, with children Kevin, Michael and Jennifer, moved back to their roots, in the beautiful Caledon Hills of Southern Ontario. Norman wanted a location close to the Toronto Airport for international travel, and in those days you could reach it in 30 minutes! Putney Heath Farms is famous for its pure maple syrup and Polled Hereford cattle. At its peak, the cattle operation ran 80 to 90 head. The Polled Herefords were recently sold at an auction in April 2010, but the maple syrup production continues. As a consumer of maple syrup,

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I can confirm it is of the purest and best quality, and they didn’t pay me to say that! Norman considers Putney Heath Farms his principal residence and loves it as the place where he is most at peace. Many people are not aware that Norman also has a green thumb and is a very good gardener, as his dad was before him, particularly as it relates to pruning and transplanting. His garden has been a veritable labour of love and his pride and joy. The farm was on poor, gravelly soil when first purchased and the objective, successfully accomplished, has been to create a natural look. Working actively on it, Norman along with farm manager, Jim Pipher, started a three year tree programme with the conservation authority to establish large trees and shrubbery as wildlife habitat. To get the gardens going, next were the flower beds. Norman is extremely creative and, for over 30 years, they have both been adding to and maintaining the property. The farm is also dotted with art, which forms part of the landscape. Most visible from the road, as one comes up the sweeping driveway to the main house, is a full size black “iron lace” bull, somewhat paying homage to the cattle bred on the farm. The sculpture, which looks even more dramatic in winter set against the snow and ice covered lake, is the work of Saskatchewan sculptor Joe Fafard, famous for his bovine renditions. This bull occasionally travels off the property to Joe’s art shows! A large bronze “circus” horse came from England and a totem pole is the work of the Hunts, west coast First Nations artists, and was bought by Dixie (who has sadly passed away) as a birthday gift for Norman when he was working out west on Iceman with Timothy Hutton. SUMMER 2010 CALEDON LIVING

Bronze “circus” horse from England

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The objective, successfully accomplished, has been to create a natural look.

Bull sculpture by Saskatchewan artist Joe Fafard

Totem pole by the Hunts, west coast First Nations artists

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The following list of films that Norman has directed includes many famous stars. One of my all time favourite actors, the legendary Steve McQueen, was directed by Norman in The Cincinnati Kid and the original version of The Thomas Crown Affair. 40 Pounds of Trouble (1963) The Thrill of It All (1963) Send Me No Flowers (1964) The Art of Love (1965) The Cincinnati Kid (1965) The Russians Are Coming, the Russians Are Coming (1966) In the Heat of the Night (1967) The Thomas Crown Affair (1968) Gaily, Gaily (1969) Fiddler on the Roof (1971) Jesus Christ Superstar (1973) Rollerball (1975) F.I.S.T. (1978) ...And Justice for All (1979) Best Friends (1982) A Soldier’s Story (1984) Agnes of God (1985) Moonstruck (1987) In Country (1989) Other People’s Money (1991) Only You (1994) Bogus (1996) The Hurricane (1999) Dinner with Friends (2001) (TV) Walter and Henry (2001) (TV) The Statement (2003)

PHOTO: DIANA JANOSIK-WRONSKI

Visit our web site for David Dorward’s interview with Norman Jewison www.caledonliving.com

David Dorward is a business professor teaching at George Brown College, Humber College, and the Human Resources Professional Association. He has always had a keen interest in the cinema and it was a pleasure interviewing Norman Jewison who is genuinely natural and gracious in person in addition to being a tremendously talented film maker. David can be reached at dkdorward@sympatico.ca SUMMER 2010 CALEDON LIVING

CALEDON LIVING SUMMER 2010

HERITAGE

Eveline Beatrice Alice Warren 1876-1909 BY HEATHER R. GHEY BROADBENT

A QUITE COMMON PHRASE is, “You can choose your friends but not your relatives.” However, some relatives can be quite interesting. I heard about one of mine in the 1940s when visiting my paternal grandparents. A pen and ink drawing of Eveline Beatrice Alice Warren hung on their bedroom wall and my grandmother often told me fascinating tales of the cousin she called “Lena”.

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PREVIOUS PAGE Lena’s diaries from her tour of Scotland, and her watch, purchased in Paris circa 1900. ABOVE George Warren’s engraved silver napkin ring on a Balmoral Castle dinner menu. RIGHT Lena’s birthplace in the Isle of Wight, England. BELOW Photograph circa 1880 of George Warren during a hunting trip. BOTTOM Lena’s restored mourning brooch.

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As the years went by and that generation was gone, and then many of the next, various items that had belonged to the woman I had heard about as a small child came down to me. Again, even more years later, I had a frustrating time trying to clarify where Lena belonged in my ‘family tree’. Eventually I discovered that, although born in the same year as both my grandmothers, 1876, they were all friends since childhood and she was actually my great-grandfather’s cousin. This often occurred in an era of very large families, coupled with the fact that he was the first born of the eldest and she was born rather late in life to the youngest. Lena’s mother, Frances, married George Warren on April 5th 1864, in the same church where I was much later christened, and my great-grandparents married there a year later. The couples were life long friends. George had an unusual career for that era. He was a telegraphist and worked for a time for the Royal Mail at the General Post Office in Southampton, England. In 1959, shortly before the death of Prince Albert, he was seconded to the Household of Her Majesty Queen Victoria at their home, Osborne House on the Isle of Wight, as H.M. First Telegraphist. He later toured with the Royal Household to all their palaces and houses until the volume of telegraphy work required additional people. After the death of Prince Albert, Her Majesty virtually retired to Osborne House and the Warrens acquired “Evelyn Cottage” close by in East Cowes, where Lena was born on May 7th 1876. That house is now the rectory for the East Cowes Church and the Royal Family Church in nearby Whippingham. When Lena was christened in July of 1876, Her Majesty and John Brown (always known as Her Majesty’s Loyal Servant) were her godparents. Her middle names, Beatrice and Alice, were in honour of the Queen’s daughters. Her mother (who, according to the Queen’s diary, nearly died in January 1870) was frequently in poor health and consequently did not accompany her daughter on her travels as she grew up. When Lena was fourteen in 1890, and again when she was eighteen, she kept diaries of her tours. Recorded in a two volume bound diary, the first trip was to Scotland, escorted by her father whom Her Majesty had given permission to take leave from Balmoral to travel with her. The second single volume diary chronicled her Continental Tour. Obviously self-contained, confident and well educated, it is very amusing to note the dramatic changes this young Victorian era woman undergoes between the ages of fourteen and eighteen. Her trip to Scotland entailed a ferry ride from the Isle of Wight to Southampton and 700 miles of long train rides to Aberdeen where she and ‘dear Papa’ visited the Telegraphist Office to advise her mother of their safe arrival. Lena was very impressed with the fact that there were several young women employed there as well as men. She also comments on the heavy baskets of fish carried by women, whose broad Aberdonian accents she could not understand, on the train from Perth to the Aberdeen market. Later, while staying at Albert House, Lena saw the Queen arrive at

Ballater Station with Princess Beatrice and her husband, the Duke of Battenburg. The diary is full of references to long walks, meeting with members of the Royal Family and Household, and visiting John Brown’s grave. He had died when she was seven but she recalled his ‘kindnesses’ to her and their many encounters. She also visited his brother and his wife, and went to Crathie Kirk, near Balmoral. One day Lena didn’t see her father at all as he was busy in his office sending telegraphs regarding the death of the Dowager Duchess of Ely on June 10th 1890. Shortly afterwards, she and dear Papa (later just ‘Dad’) began their tour and the diary gives us a rare sight of Scotland towards the end of the 19th century. On the island of Iona, she noted ‘bare-foot urchins’ selling seashells, feldspar and serpentine pebbles. The obvious poverty on the Hebrides really distressed her. Perhaps anticipating an audience for her recollections, and carefully attributing the source, she wrote of such places as Aberdeen, Perth, Holyrood Palace, the Forth Bridge and Edinburgh, and provides great details about the lead-up to and aftermath of the Battle of Culloden where Bonnie Prince Charles Edward Stuart was defeated, ending the Jacobite Rebellion. Travelling principally by rail, but also by steamer, charabanc (an early type of tour bus), pony and trap, and ‘dogcart’ they covered a great distance and visited many sites of interest, the history of which she faithfully recorded, including battle grounds. She saw salmon leaping in the rivers and enjoyed Loch Ness. Shortly before making the homeward trip, they visited the Edinburgh Exhibition of 1890. One noteworthy aspect of the diary is that, although beautifully hand written, the volumes are professionally bound. To my fourteen year old eyes, I thought the introductory pages were very ‘Victorian’ and ‘flowery’. For example, “Thanking Her Majesty for allowing her father ‘time off ’ to accompany her on the Tour.” I did not learn for some time that the volumes had subsequently been read by the Queen, Lena’s godmother. The second diary details a Continental Tour with ‘dear Aunt Nellie’ (Eleanor) whom I suspect she ran rings around. As previously mentioned, the difference between a fourteen year old and an eighteen year old, even in that era, is quite dynamic. For example, Lena comments on the good looks of young men she encounters, some who turn up again during their travels. As the trip starts, after the ferry ride from the Isle of Wight, they visit French friends in Southampton who are also friends of the Levy family they plan to visit in Paris. Lena apparently spoke excellent French and good German, probably because it was a principal language of many visitors to the Royal Family. It is obvious from the start that Aunt Nellie cannot keep up with the exuberant, long distance walking, opera and museum attending eighteen year old. They spend time with the Levys,

especially André (attending medical school and years later her fiancé), his sisters Madeleine and Manon, and younger brother Pierre. They visit many Parisian sites and events that are described in great detail. Then Nellie and Lena began their tour. Her nineteenth birthday was spent in Nancy; then off to Strasbourg where they visited the Kaiser’s Palace; then, briefly, Offenburg where the only thing that impressed her was a statue of Sir Frances Drake whom she claimed (to my surprise) as a ‘much esteemed and many greats Uncle’ (admittedly, Drake is a family surname). Their next stop was Zürich where, in the hotel, she found a magazine article about Osborne House. The diary continues with a host of other places visited — Constance, Baden, Neuhausen, Lucerne, Rigi, Interlaken, Berne, Lausanne, Geneva and Chamonix. Lena actually walked up Mont Blanc and only occasionally admits to being tired, but Aunt Nellie participated less and less and frequently retired early. On May 23rd 1894 they were back in Paris with the Levys, where the diary often comments on André, his good looking friends, and his attendance at either the school of medicine or the Hospital Beaujou. Shortly before returning to Britain she saw a performance by Sarah Bernhardt but did not seem overly impressed. On June 16th they made the journey home, visiting briefly again in Southampton. Lena had very few months before tragedy struck. First her mother, Frances, passed away at age 58 on September 5th 1895 and then, six and a half months later, her father, George, also 58. Her Majesty was away from Osborne House on both occasions and there is no indication that she read the second diary, but her official representative went to both funerals and wrote to inform Her Majesty of the events. Later the Queen paid for the monument in St. Mildred’s, Whippingham, churchyard which mentions George’s ‘zealous and faithful service’. Lena’s distress was also emphasized in the letters. Shortly afterwards, and probably in lieu of her father’s pension, the Queen awarded Lena 20 pounds sterling for five years. She

CALEDON LIVING SUMMER 2010

apparently used it wisely (perhaps assisted by aunts and uncles and the sale of ‘Evelyn Cottage’) and by 1909 was living in Paris, already had her BA and was attending the School of Medicine there, training as a Doctor. She lived in an apartment nearby at 238, Bd. Raspail. On about July 1st 1909, Lena and fiancé André were working in a laboratory in the school when there was an explosion. In spite of extensive research it was impossible to determine what had occurred—perhaps due to reluctance on the part of the school that such a thing could happen. As a result, on July 4th Lena died in her apartment with André and a Mr. Hoffman present. When I heard about this in the 1940s, my grandmother thought André had also died. Apparently he did not. Over many years much research has failed to locate any more information, only that Lena was buried in Mont Parnasse Cemetery. However, personal inquires in the 1970s caused great consternation to the Cemetery Board as she had recently been re-buried in a communal grave at the Cemetery de Père Lachaise and the first burial site had been resold long before the 2008 date in the 99 year contract. This may have occurred because the monument notes her as unmarried and an orphan. Interestingly, Lena had visited cemeteries in Paris in 1890 and was not impressed. There is, however, a memorial stone to Lena at the foot of her parents’ graves in Whippingham. From visits and correspondence (that included my research information) with an historian at Osborne House and the present Evelyn Cottage residents, more information has come to light. Also, over many years, small items that belonged to Lena have come to me. In the 1980s I received a small box initialled E.B.A.W. that contained, among old hat pins, a tiny jet disc with a miniature clover leaf decoration and a tiny central pearl—it was the missing piece of a broken mourning brooch that I had intended, but failed, to throw away for many years. Is this a case of how ‘good things come to those who wait’?

TRAVEL

Exploring the

Eternal City in one day

STORY & PHOTOS BY SIMON BURN

MY LAST VISIT TO ROME was fleeting, as I spent most of my trip exploring Tuscany, but decided to stay three days in the Eternal City before flying home from Romeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Fiumicino Airport. Share my day one journalâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;cramming in a lot of sightseeing before taking it easy for the remainder of my stay. I had checked in the previous evening at Grand Hotel Beverly Hills, a modern and very comfortable four star hotel just minutes from Villa Borghese Park, the second largest public park in Rome. Shady lanes dispersed with temples, statues and fountains provided a pleasant early morning walk down to the Spanish Steps and Piazza di Spagna, the best starting point for exploring the architectural feats and treats of Rome.

The imposing Victor Emmanuel monument at the south end of Via del Corso

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Morning Directly facing the Spanish Steps, heading south west, is Via del Condotti, likely the most prestigious street in Rome, home to the world’s most expensive designer fashion labels. As I walked down the street, it was early and the stores hadn’t opened yet. Instead of fashionistas strutting in their Prada or Brioni attire, all I saw were street cleaners in their drab dirty overalls, pushing brooms. At the end of Via del Condotti runs a main artery of Rome from north to south, Via del Corso. If you head north on this road you come to the neoclassical Piazza del Popolo, for centuries a place of public executions, and home to the second oldest Egyptian obelisk in Rome. Heading south on Via del Corso leads you to all the great points of interest, including the Pantheon and Piazza Navona on the west side, and the Trevi Fountain off its east side. Continuing south, you come to the Victor Emmanuel Monument, built in honour of the first king of unified Italy. Behind this great piece of architecture lie the Capitoline Museums and the ancient centre of Rome. For many, including myself, the ancient centre is the highlight of Rome. I decided to first visit the Pantheon, reached by turning west off Via del Corso through Piazza Colonna, where the column of Marcus Aurelius stands. After exploring some narrow streets that are home to many restaurants and shops, I found my way into Piazza della Rotunda, home of the Pantheon, the best preserved ancient building in Rome, dating from the first century AD. This magnificent domed structure was built as a pagan temple, where animals were sacrificed and burned in the centre, with the oculus providing a means of escape for the smoke, as well as a light source. After sitting inside for a while, taking in the ornate marble architectural detailing, I opted to head west through a few more narrow streets to see Piazza Navona, home to three elaborate baroque fountains and many artists who were busy painting or selling their work. At the north end of the Piazza I discovered a gelato store and spent several minutes looking at the endless flavours before deciding on two scoops— lemon and cherry. The fresh fruity tastes were delicious, slightly sharp yet creamy, and very refreshing. Over the next two days I went back for a few more taste sensations. Next on my agenda was a trip to the Capitoline Museums. It was almost midday, not the best time to be out taking photos, so I headed inside for an hour or so. Two of the museums sit on opposite sides of Piazza del Campidoglio. Palazzo dei Conservatori has frescoed walls in numerous rooms and an art gallery that includes work by Caravaggio, Titian and Tintoretto. Across the Piazza in the Palazzo Nuovo is a vast collection of ancient Greek and Roman sculpture. Just south of the museums is an elevated view across the ancient forum. Walking down into the forum, I discovered many ancient remains, including the Temple of Vesta and Arch of Titus, and could even see chariot tracks etched on

the original 2,000-plus year old cobblestone paths. Approximately three quarters of a kilometre through this collection of fascinating ruins is the Colosseum, the definitive landmark of Rome. I decide to return to explore the forum the next day. It was now early afternoon so I headed back up Via del Corso for lunch, taking a quick detour along Via delle Muratte to see the Trevi Fountain which was packed with tourists. One simply couldn’t move, so I shot a few frames for posterity and swiftly retraced my tracks back to the Via del Corso, heading north a few blocks to a great place for lunch called Autogrill. This is an indoor self-serve food court that features numerous stations where dishes are cooked to order right in front of you—fresh pastas, fish, meat, vegetables, and plates of freshly prepared salads and desserts. There is even a fine selection of local cheeses and wine. All the food is healthy, made on the premises, and not a processed or premade item in sight. This apparently is the Italian equivalent of a “fast food” establishment. Little wonder I never saw any fat people in Rome, other than North American tourists! I sat for half an hour, coffered ceiling and chandeliers above me, savouring my impressive seafood linguine with vine-ripe tomato and bocconcini salad drizzled with an amazingly grassy/peppery olive oil. A group of well behaved Roman teenagers munched on fresh fruit and sipped local mineral water opposite me. I was now ready to head west, across the river to the Vatican.

Afternoon I walked across the Tiber at Pont Sant’Angelo, to find a line of open top buses about to ferry mostly Asian tourists up the Via della Conciliazione. They hid behind their cameras, clicking away in a continuous frenzy. They will have to wait until they return home to see what I saw, having missed the actual experience first hand, I thought to myself, as I followed the diesel fume trail of the buses, watching the great Saint Paul’s Basilica loom ever nearer and clearer in the hot and hazy mid afternoon sun. For a while I just stood at the edge of Saint Peter’s Square to observe the vast impressive surroundings. Crippled and ragged old crones sat on the ground, frail bony hands looking to be crossed with silver, while young priests energetically strutted on by, seemingly oblivious to their poverty and anguish. This new breed of “men of the cloth” wore stylish attire, acting more like runway models, clutching their hand sewn leather brief cases with purpose. The vast ‘square’ is actually elliptical, redesigned in the mid 1600s by artist and architect Gian Lorenzo Bernini. Lines of travertine radiate from the centrally located obelisk, adding some visual interest to the otherwise grey monotony of millions of worn and shiny cobblestones. The obelisk sits some 25 metres tall, acting as a giant gnomon—the piazza is

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1 One of many artists to be found working in Piazza Navona

2 Impressive elaborate artefacts and antiquities crammed into a small backstreet store 3 Ancient ruins in the Roman Forum 4 People watching in the Trastevere neighbourhood 5 Horse-drawn buggies at Saint Peterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Square 6 The sun sets at the end of Via del Condotti

6 3

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one gigantic sundial. After the addition of marker stones in 1817, one can follow the shadow from the obelisk and see the tip align with a marker at noon. When I followed the shadow’s path it ended near a group of foreign nuns. My eye was quickly diverted from this monochromatic superfluity of different shapes and sizes by a vivid mass of colour over near the piazza entrance. There were dozens of cheerfully painted horse-drawn buggies waiting to take tourists for a ride around the Vatican perimeter, but business was non-existent today, so the drivers had gathered to vivaciously discuss the latest football results, arms waving with aplomb, while cigarette butts quickly accumulated on the shiny cobblestones. The horses just looked down, with the patience of Saint Peter himself. They’ve heard it all before. The Tuscan colonnades that majestically wrap this huge elliptical gathering area provide an elevated platform for dozens of statues that keep a watchful eye on the millions of tourists and pilgrims who make their way here to see the home of the Pope. I wasn’t sure if he was at home and, since I was here for the architecture, I decided not to spend two hours waiting to gain access to the Sistine Chapel and Vatican museums. There would be other times for that, maybe early one morning before the crowds gather. It was now late afternoon, so I made my way back across the river and walked through a labyrinth of narrow streets, off the tourist path as much as possible, to experience local life. Tiny stores selling art, antiques, fabrics, and furniture were in abundance. Inside many of them, craftsmen and women worked on restoring, refinishing or repairing, while elegant Italian shoppers browsed or discussed their requirements. A few stores were packed with ancient artefacts and antiquities, including marble renaissance busts and oil paintings, similar to what many Europeans on their Grand Tour in the 18th century would have found and purchased. Having already seen Fortuny fabric at $1,000 a metre, I didn’t stop to find out how much some of the pieces cost. As the sun was getting ready to set I made my way back to the Spanish Steps and stood at the top to take a photo down Via del Condotti, before making my way to the Villa Borghese Park for the final 1.5 kilometre walk to the hotel. It was a long day, and I calculated walking about 15 kilometres. Even so, I couldn’t wait until the next morning to explore the Roman Forum in more detail, head back across the river to explore the Trastevere neighbourhood and, of course, try a few new gelato flavours!

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MOTORING

STORY BY KEVIN “CRASH” CORRIGAN PHOTOS BY SIMON BURN

“

Speaking of spirited driving, forget what your grandparents told you about Cadillacs. This new breed is as far from that as one can imagine.

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CALEDON LIVING SUMMER 2010

AS SOME OF YOU MAY OR MAY NOT KNOW, before venturing into the automotive world I spent a while in the family’s building business. My father believed in kids learning from the ground up, which I suppose could be looked upon as a plus when your dad owns the largest roofing company in South London! However, after doing my time on the tools, I was finally placed in the company’s estimating department, which meant swapping my grubby coveralls for a dapper threepiece suit, and also allowed for a trade-up in transport. My sad looking work truck was replaced by a shiny, almost new, Mercedes-Benz C-Class station wagon. Now that might sound a little over-the-top for a building company representative, but a large scale business needs to maintain a certain image. My father believed that the vehicle portrayed us as a successful company, while at the same time, being a wagon, it said that we were still thinking business. The idea worked and is perhaps what gave me the liking for up-market wagons. There are two companies, BMW and Mercedes, which have pretty much dominated this area of the market, until now that is... Let me introduce you to the new 2010 Cadillac CTS AWD Sport wagon. Some of you may expect me to compare this new GM to perhaps a Volvo or possibly an Audi product, but no, I’m going to place it right up there in the big league, where I feel it belongs. For a start, the exterior styling truly makes it stand out in a crowd. In fact, I’d place it ahead of both the aforementioned German producers. GM has gone to great lengths to disguise the typical boxy station wagon form and succeeded in creating a vehicle which, even from the rear, doesn’t immediately shout “wagon.” However, when required, there’s a 58 cu ft load carrying capacity available (with the second row seats down). It even has a useful under-floor compartment which is handy for hiding away valuables. Stepping inside reveals what has to be one of the best laid out interiors in the business. The main instrument panel has a sporty appearance and flows nicely into the overall dash layout. I also love the way GM has managed to hide its large Navigation display screen away until it’s actually needed. Who wants to constantly stare at a massive TV screen when you only occasionally require it? In the CTS, a simple push of a button allows the screen to rise

from within the dash and then disappear almost completely when not in use. I also like the genuine Sapele Pomele wood accenting which has been thoughtfully positioned throughout the cabin. A lot of companies are turning away from wood nowadays and towards that dreadful aluminum (insideof-a-coke-can) look. When you see an interior as nicely laid out as this in real wood and leather, you realize that it’s the only truly acceptable finish for a luxury vehicle. My test vehicle came with the optional Ultraview twin sunroof and such niceties as a heated steering wheel, heated & ventilated front seats, and an amazing Bose sound system which my cameraman even admitted was one of the best he’d ever experienced. The leather seating in the CTS is extremely comfortable, although I would have preferred a tad more side bolstering on the bottom cushions, especially when driving the vehicle spiritedly. Speaking of spirited driving, forget what your grandparents told you about Cadillacs. This new breed is as far from that as one can imagine. Performance comes as standard and my test vehicle’s 304hp 3.6L V6 backs me up on that. When coupled to a superb AWD system, this vehicle simply grips and goes! I would have preferred a slightly firmer suspension setup but, as my tester was not fitted with the optional performance package, I was rather impressed with how the vehicle handled the twists and turns. Big brakes are a must on a vehicle like this and I’m pleased to say that GM follows my line of thinking. The vehicle tracks extremely well and, even under severe braking, the CTS is well behaved. We now come to price...the 2010 Cadillac CTS Sports wagon is available from just $44,325 (3.0L V6), although my AWD tester with the 3.6L V6 and a few of the nicer packages topped out at $64,735. In summing up, I would recommend this vehicle to anyone looking for a luxury load carrier. It ticks all the right boxes. Well done GM!

Pros: A classy upmarket wagon without being too over-the-top. Cons: Suspension a tad soft, particularly with its rather low roof height... ouch, my head!

Rating

87%

SUMMER 2010 CALEDON LIVING

CALEDON LIVING SUMMER 2010

SUMMER 2010 CALEDON LIVING

CALEDON LIVING SUMMER 2010

MOTORING

2010 Dodge Ram 1500 4x4 STORY BY KEVIN “CRASH” CORRIGAN PHOTOS BY SIMON BURN

“

Honestly, I know these types of truck are popular with contractors and, if they’re mostly the size of Mike Holmes, then they’ll need a little extra elbow room, but I’m a six foot plus ex-builder and I actually felt fairly small in this vehicle!

”

SUMMER 2010 CALEDON LIVING

IT’S BEEN A WHILE since I’ve been in a full-size pickup and I don’t know if that’s the reason why, but this truck felt absolutely humongous to me! Mind you, not in the sense that it’s a handful to drive, far from it. In fact, it drives more car-like than any other truck in my memory. Much of this new car-like feel stems from the fact that this light-duty truck is the first in its class to ride on a multilink coil spring rear suspension. That’s something which, in my mind, has been a while coming, but it does provide a huge improvement to the ride and overall comfort of the vehicle. However, let’s get back to that immense feeling for a moment. For a start, my test vehicle came in brilliant white (my favourite colour); yet on a vehicle like this, it does tend to exaggerate the exterior dimensions. Mind you, colour wasn’t the reason for a similar feeling of immenseness once I entered the vehicle. No, that came from the rather bulky upright dashboard, the top of which could easily double up as a day bed, and the oversized pretty much everything else that I found inside. Honestly, I know these types of truck are popular with contractors and, if they’re mostly the size of Mike Holmes, then they’ll need a little extra elbow room, but I’m a six foot plus exbuilder and I actually felt fairly small in this vehicle! However, there’s a lot to like about the 2010 Ram 1500 4x4. For a start, the large interior means there’s plenty of room for passenger comfort. Quite useful after a hard day spent working on the tools and, speaking of those useful items, my quad-cab tester came fitted with the optional RamBox storage solution. Honestly, if there’s a prize for the most intelligent feature ever added to a pickup truck, then this invention should win hands down. Why? Well if you’ve ever returned to your vehicle to discover that some little @#%% has stolen your tools which were sitting in the unprotected rear box, then you’d appreciate the value of a lockable toolbox built into each side of the bed. If this idea had been around in my contracting days, it would have saved me a fortune!

CALEDON LIVING SUMMER 2010

Now the Ram series trucks come in a number of configurations, everything from 2 & 4 door cabs (Quad and Crew), three different bed lengths (5’7”, 6’4” and 8’) and seven trim levels (SX, SXT, SLT, TRX, TRX4 Off-Road, Sport and Laramie). There are even three power plant options available. Now that may sound like a decision making nightmare for potential purchasers, but that’s precisely why there’s so much choice, because truck owners’ needs vary so widely. Take power plants, for example, if you need to haul large loads or tow a trailer. Then you’d best go for either the 4.7L V8 (310hp) or the 5.7L V8 (390hp), both of which come mated to a 5-speed automatic transmission. The stronger Ram 1500s can tow up to 4,740 kilos (10,450 lbs) while carrying a payload of 362 kilos (1,900 lbs). The Ram series boasts a number of technical upgrades for 2010, such as optional power folding and heated mirrors for easier towing and manoeuvring, integrated Trailer Brake Control (with Class IV hitch), and giant 22-inch wheels are available. Prices range from $26,495 to around $46,700, depending on the model and packages selected, and I view that as reasonable pricing for what you actually receive. Summing up, pickup trucks appear to be getting larger by the minute, especially the quad-cab models, but I could get used to that after a while. I enjoyed the ride quality which the new rear suspension now offers, and the highway driving comfort has improved considerably because of this. All in all, it appears to be a well thought out truck and, if I were in the market for such a vehicle, it would certainly be on my list of possibilities.

Pros: A well thought out truck and the ride quality is superb. Cons: If you enjoy the feeling & security of a larger vehicle, well it certainly provides that.

Rating

82%

CaledonHomes The finest properties in Caledon and surrounding areas

SUMMER 2010

Inglewood, $1,795,000 Jim Wallace, Sales Representative. Gairdner & Associates Real Estate Ltd., Brokerage 519 833 2879

SUMMER 2010 CALEDON LIVING

CALEDON LIVING SUMMER 2010

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HEALTH & WELLNESS

Caledon Living locations If you didn’t receive your copy in the mail, or need a spare copy for a friend, you can find Caledon Living, available free, at the following locations:

ACTON

CHELTENHAM

Leathertown Lumber 264 Main Street

Cheltenham Country Store 14386 Creditview Road

ALTON

DUFFERIN

Alton Mill 1402 Queen Street

Dufferin County Museum Airport Road & Hwy 89

Millcroft Inn 55 John Street

ERIN

BELFOUNTAIN Ascot Room 17228 Mississauga Road Belfountain Inn

792 Forks of the Credit Road BOLTON Aspen Fine Custom Cabinetry 19 McEwan Drive West Caruso Pizza 334 Queen Streed South Forster’s Book Garden 55 Healey Road Mille Notte Lingerie 4 Queen Street North RE/MAX West Realty Inc. 1 Queensgate Boulevard Royal LePage RCR Realty 12612 Highway 50

Inglewood General Store 15596 McLaughlin Road

KING CITY Rose Gallery 18 Doctors Lane

ORANGEVILLE Orangeville Best Western Inn & Suites 7 Buena Vista Drive Orangeville Furniture Mono Plaza, Hwy 10

SCHOMBERG Divada Kitchens 17380 Hwy 27 The Fireplace Stop Crossroads Mall

VICTORIA

Soup Du Jour 170 McEwan Drive East

Coffee Bean Café 15499 Hurontario Street

Bell’s Framing & Fine Art 16078 Airport Road Caledon Town Hall Customer Service Centre, 6311 Old Church Road

CALEDON LIVING SUMMER 2010

INGLEWOOD

Skylark Framing & Fine Art 256 Queen Street

CALEDON EAST

The Weathervane 74 Main Street

SUMMER & FALL

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