Summer 2010
VOLUME 2, ISSUE 2
www.finelifestyles.ca
Women of Influence Five women, five extraordinary citizens
SUMMER FASHION • REGINA DOWNTOWN • RCMP GALA • CIRQUE DE SOLEIL • ENTERTAINMENT GUIDE • WILLETTS ON WINE RIDERS: THE ROAD TO REDEMPTION • CLASSIC CAR COLLECTION • EXPERT ADVICE COLUMNS • MUCH MUCH MORE
You supply the fire, we’ll supply the rest.
The Rec Gallery in Regina is your recreational vehicle superstore! You’ll find a huge selection of travel camper trailers, boats, personal watercraft, boat motors, snowmobiles and ATV’s. We carry the top brands for RV’s in Saskatchewan including Fleetwood and Dutchman. We have factory-certified technicians in all areas to perform service and maintenance right the first time. See us at www.recgallery.com for more or call our dedicated team of professionals that will help you to match the right RV with the right fire pit.
AUTO GALLERY 609 WINNIPEG STREET REGINA, SASKATCHEWAN S4P 8P2
525-6700 1.888.763.6700 WWW.RECGALLERY.COM
You supply the water, we’ll supply the rest.
The Rec Gallery in Regina is your recreational vehicle superstore! You'll find a huge selection of travel camper trailers, boats, personal watercraft, boat motors, snowmobiles and ATV's. We carry the top brands for boats and personal watercrafts in Saskatchewan including Crownline, Doral and Yamaha. We have factory-certified technicians in all areas to perform service and maintenance right the first time. See us at www.recgallery.com for more or call our dedicated team of professionals that will help you to match the right watercraft with the right water.
AUTO GALLERY 609 WINNIPEG STREET REGINA, SASKATCHEWAN S4P 8P2
525-6700 1.888.763.6700 WWW.RECGALLERY.COM
Summer 2010 13 Feature Story Women of Influence .............................................................................................13
Style Wine Kitz .............................................................................................................10 Fashion Trends......................................................................................................25
Heallth & Wellness
67
Wine Kitz .............................................................................................................10 EXPERT ADVICE: Eyewear Styles ......................................................................43 Weight Loss Forever..............................................................................................46 Toni’s Naturally ....................................................................................................52 Luther College ......................................................................................................54 Vimridge Water ....................................................................................................57 Bayshore Health Care ...........................................................................................58 EXPERT ADVICE Ear Care ................................................................................61 Factory Optical.....................................................................................................62 Oxford Learning ...................................................................................................63 Wintergreene Estates ............................................................................................64 EXPERT ADVICE Traditional Chinese Medicine................................................65 EYE CARE ADVICE ...........................................................................................65 EXPERT ADVICE Skin Care ..............................................................................66
95
Arts, Entertainment & Dining Cirque de Soleil ....................................................................................................67 Valley Girls Catering.............................................................................................70 RCMP Gala..........................................................................................................72 Yamaha Piano Centre ...........................................................................................74 Summer by the Numbers......................................................................................78 Entertainment Guide............................................................................................80 The Willetts on Wine ...........................................................................................83 Hong Kong...........................................................................................................85 Amalgamated Charities.........................................................................................88
Sports, Recreation & Leisure
145
Pats .......................................................................................................................90 Water Toys............................................................................................................95 Roger Jolly ............................................................................................................98 Roughriders ........................................................................................................100
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A note from
the editor Ah, summer. Long, lazy days of heat and sun and...drat, it’s raining again.
Properties Emerald Park Homes ......................................................103 Zarkor Construction.......................................................107 EXPERT ADVICE Amerispec........................................110 CK One..........................................................................111 Tidy Time Savers ............................................................116 D & J Paving Stones.......................................................118 Hardwood Flooring ........................................................120 Future Fence...................................................................122 DGL Suncoast ................................................................124 Studio C Designs............................................................126 Wood Ridge Flooring .....................................................128 Sunset Hot Tubs .............................................................130 Broadway Terrace............................................................132 Western Cleaners ............................................................136 Chippers Construction ...................................................140 Weins Stucco ..................................................................142 Cobb Swanson................................................................144
Wheels Classic Car Collection ....................................................145 The Stripe Shop..............................................................154 Universal Collision .........................................................156
Business Regina Downtown Development....................................156 EXPERT ADVICE Cottage Succession Planning ...........162 EXPERT ADVICE: Dismissing an Employee.................163 EXPERT ADVICE: Covering the Boss...........................164 Building Portfolios..........................................................165 EXPERT ADVICE: Immigration to Saskatchewan.........167 EXPERT ADVICE: Commercial Liability Insurance......167
Moose Jaw
Well, never mind. Even in the rain, summer in Regina can be wonderful, especially when you hold in your hands the summer issue of Fine Lifestyles Regina. This issue, we celebrate five extraordinary women who have shaped and continue to shape our community and, indeed, our province. Philanthropist and patron of the arts Jacqui Shumiatcher, real-estate developer Janine Wilson, lawyer Susan Barber, businesswoman Susan Minard and renowned motivational speaker Darci Lang grace our cover and our first few pages with their fascinating and inspiring stories. Further inside, we’ve got a look at the amazing changes taking place in downtown Regina (and still to come), a trip to Hong Kong for a Saskatchewan high school reunion (why not?), hot tips and great photos of the latest fashion trends, more great photos from the annual RCMP Charity Ball Gala (tuxes, ball gowns, and full-dress Mounties), some beautiful classic cars and some equally beautiful antique roses grown right here in Regina. There’s an exciting preview of Cirque du Soliel’s Alegria, coming to the Queen City at the end of July, a complete calendar of other upcoming entertainment events, Rod Pedersen’s views on the Regina Pats and their new general manager and the Saskatchewan Roughriders and their sparkling new season, and some tips on what’s hot (besides, hopefully, the weather...please?) in books, movies and more in Summer by the Numbers. There’s another instalment of The Willetts on Wine (a personal favourite of mine and my wife’s), this issue focused on Canadian wines. Throw in a ton of information about Regina’s best businesses, from restaurants to interior decorators to landscapers to clothing stores, and you’ve got summer in the city right here between our pages, just waiting for you to discover it.
Moose Jaw Cultural Centre ............................................168 Fire Monkey Design .......................................................170
I hope you have a great time enjoying our all-too-short summer...and a great time enjoying Fine Lifestyles Regina.
Fort Qu’Appelle
It’s 180 pages, but here’s hoping you find it all too short, too.
Town of Fort Qu’Appelle................................................172 Hanson Home Hardware................................................175
Edward Willett
fine lifestyles regina style
made easy By Kris Brandhagen
Beer and wine
Make it at home or make it in the store: no fuss, no muss, no mess
Photography by: Digney Photographics Ltd.
For Dave and Leona Carvell, owners of two Wine Kitz locations in Regina, it’s been a good year. Not only were they awarded the title of Franchise Partners of the Year within the Wine Kitz chain, they also received a much-coveted Paragon Award for Outstanding New Business Venture for their new in-store winemaking and beer-making processes, UVint and UBrew.
The winery temperature is kept at an ideal 23 degrees C, to ensure quick, easy fermentation; and then new-age clearing agents and filtering machines finalize the process, resulting in a wonderful clear, succulent wine for the customers. When it is ready, the client is presented with a finished, filtered wine. Upon client approval, the wine is bottled.
In-store winemaking, now well into its second year, has been a huge success. It has allowed Wine Kitz to grow its business to new levels, attracting people who had not previously tried making their own wine, for whatever reason. The new stores are set up to make the experience fun and easy and, most importantly, allow consumers to create a range of fantastic wines.
“No fuss, no muss, no mess!” is the motto of Dave and his staff. Wine Kitz makes it easy for first-time home winemakers by offering a starter
The UVint process The in-store winemaking process goes like this. First, staff help the client choose a wine, based on taste and time considerations. The client and staff together start the wine and incorporate the ingredients. The in-house winemaker then checks on each wine two to three times a week. Summer 2010
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package that contains everything needed to start making wine or beer at home. As well, staff share their experience and expertise to ensure that their clients are comfortable with all the details of wine or beer making. According to Dave, “For the home winemaker the most important part of winemaking is sanitation and attention to details.” After that, it is just a decision of what kind of wine to make, and patience to wait for the product to mature! Since 1959, Wine Art/Wine Kitz has been leading the consumer winemaking industry, carrying a wide range of varietals from most of the major growing regions in the world, including California, Australia, Italy, Chile and South Africa. A New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc will be introduced very soon, and look for the introduction of a French wine early this winter! From full- to medium- to light-bodied wines, as well as desert and fruit wines, there is a kit available for every palette.
style fine lifestyles regina
wine through it into a glass. The aerator uses a funneling technique, speeding the flow while lessening the internal pressure of the wine; this allows significantly more oxygen to penetrate the wine than conventional decanting. The change in the flavor and aroma of any wine, commercial or home-vinted, is amazing. “Invaluable, one of the most important tools behind my bar,” Dave says.
Beer-making, too! Wine Kitz also carries a wide range of beer-making kits as well as performing in-store beer brewing. Wine Kitz’s topend Festa Brew Series comprises 23 litres of whole wort, made solely from barley malt and hops, and includes such tasty brews as Oatmeal Stout and a wheat beer as well as Blonde Lager, Continental Pilsner and a range of full rich ales. Getting back to wines, there are presently four limited releases in store from the winter and spring, ranging from a full-bodied Old Vines Zinfandel to a rich, mellow Sonoma Valley Chardonnay. The Argentinean Malbec has prominent cherry and plum flavors in an oak package, which gives it an earthy leather background. New Zealand Pinot Noir is formatted in a medium-bodied softer version which accentuates the raspberry, strawberry and cherry backgrounds. The beautiful soft spicy finish is ideal for many food matches.
the many exquisite offerings available every day at the Wine Kitz stores in Regina. New to Wine Kitz is a British Columbia Chardonnay/Chenin Blanc which has just been released. Dave mentions, “Where usually Chardonnay has some sharpness or harshness to it, our Sonoma Valley Chardonnay is very soft and open; we anticipate that this Chardonnay/Chenin Blanc blend will be very similar. We eagerly anticipate the first tastes of this Canadian product.”
Gifts and gadgets In terms of gifts and gadgets, Dave highly recommends the Vinturi aerator. It is easy to use—just pour the
Dave and Leona Carvell are very proud to have an outstanding staff, who provide top-notch service, treating clients with the utmost respect, offering assistance from start to finish, and aiding the customer in making excellent wine and beer—be it at home, or in-store with the UVint and UBrew services. Wine Kitz has a very easy customer service policy: “We make it right!” “Wine Kitz: Pour yourself into the experience!” flr 4415 Rochdale Blvd. 347-0677 Store Manager: Allan Kozachuk 1916 Prince of Wales Dr. 352-0700 Store Manager: Don Bischop Owners: Dave and Leona Carvell
The Old Vines Zinfandel comes out of the base of the Napa Valley in California, from vines that are more than one hundred years old. This precious fruit is much richer and deeper in terms of texture and flavor because the vines produce fewer grapes. These limited release wines are just some of 11
Summer 2010
Summer 2010 V O L U M E
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I S S U E
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Publishers Randy Libret
Wayne Unruh
Editor Edward Willett
ewillett@sasktel.net
Graphic Design and Layout J D Kulbida
In-House Advertising and Design Aleaha More
Joni Gaudette
Melissa Taylor
Cover Photography Ray Dunnison
Photography Kim Digney
Contributing Writers Brian Bowman Mackenzie Brooks Carter Haydu Ryan Holota Francois Magny Amy Nelson-Mile Rod Pedersen Alexandra Walld Margaret Anne Willett
Kris Brandhagen Tobie Hainstock Trilby Henderson Sheena Koops Marie Powell Mendenhall Lee Parent Carol Todd Edward Willett Darryl Yasinowski
Advertising Consultants Brooke Watson: 551.4789 Trena Olfert: 581.2756 Jill Melle: 529-7582 Talya Erickson: 690-8571
brooke@finelifestyles.ca trena@finelifestyles.ca jill@finelifestyles.ca talya@fnelifestyles.ca
Publishers Randy Liberet: 306.540.3320 Wayne UnRuh: 306.541.3365
Randy@FineLifestyles.ca Wayne@FineLifestyle.ca
3440 Balsam Grove Regina, SK S4V 2S4
www.finelifestyles.ca Fine Lifestyles Regina is published four times a year by Fie Lifestyles Regina, Ltd. We reserve the right to edit any materials chosen for publication including photographs. We reserve te right to reject or accept any article, photograph, image or advertisement. All contents of Fine Lifestyles Regina, Ltd., are opyrighted 2010 with all rights reserved, except for original articles submitted to Fine Lifestyles Regina, where copyright resdes with the author. No other part of this publication may be reproduced without the written permission of Fine Lifestyles Regna or its writers. The name Fine Lifestyles Regina, its logo and material cannot be reproduced without the written consent of te publishers. The views and opinions expressed in the expert advice columns herein are those of the authors and do not necessarly represent the views and opinions of Fine Lifestyles of Regina or the companies they represent. The information contained herin is of a general nature and is not intended to address the circumstances of any particular individual or entity. Although we ndeavour to provide accurate and timely information, there can be no guarantee that such information is accurate as of the dateit is received or that it will continue to be accurate in the future. No one should act upon such information without appropriae professional advice after a thorough examination of the particular situation
Summer 2010
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feature story fine lifestyles regina
Women of influence Five women, five extraordinary citizens By Edward Willett
Every community is built by individuals, living their lives, reaching for goals, creating things, building things, donating time and effort and money to the causes they believe in. Here are five prominent women—a philanthropist, a lawyer, a motivational speaker, a realtor and developer, and a business owner—who are part of our community today: extraordinary individuals whose drive and vision have shaped and continue to shape this wonderful corner of the world we call home. Photography by Ray Dunnison Make-up by Trena of TANDA Spa If you enjoy the arts in Regina, you’re familiar with the name “Shumiatcher.” You may have attended a recital in the Shu-Box Theatre in the Riddell Centre, or a lecture in the Shumiatcher Theatre at the Mackenzie Art Gallery. Perhaps you’ve watched a play in the Shumiatcher Sandbox Series at Globe Theatre, and at intermission mingled with other playgoers in the Shumiatcher Lobby. Or maybe you’ve toured a display of sculpture in the Shumiatcher Sculpture Court at the Mackenzie Art Gallery, or enjoyed a concert in the Shumiatcher Pops Series of the Regina Symphony Orchestra.
Jacqui Shumiatcher Philanthropist Regina would be a far poorer place culturally if not for one couple’s incredible generosity
“It’s a little embarrassing,” admits Jacqui Shumiatcher, who with her late husband, Dr. Morris Shumiatcher, one of Canada’s most distinguished lawyers, has supported the arts (and many other worthy causes) in this city and province for more than half a century. “It’s nice, but when I meet people and they don’t know the name, I think, ‘Good.’”
Born in France, raised in Regina Jacqui Shumiatcher (nee Clay) was born in Vendin-le-Viel, Pas de Calais, 13
France, in 1923. She came to Canada with her parents in 1927 and has lived in Regina ever since. “We lived on the north side, on the seven block of Robinson,” she recalls. “The city told us we would never have water there. We had to go and get the water from the well a block away, winter time or summer time. “We had outhouses. We had a radio, but we didn’t have a telephone until I was about 18 or 19. There were wooden sidewalks, mud roads you got stuck in. We had to walk four or five blocks to the streetcar. We didn’t have snow removal.” Jacqui attended Scott Collegiate, and after graduation worked in a number of positions, including as a teacher at Sacred Heart Academy. In 1955 she married Morris Shumiatcher (“Shumi”), counsel to Premier T.C. Douglas and adviser to the provincial cabinet from 1945 to 1949, who had gone on to practice law in Saskatchewan and B.C. She founded her own business, Managerial Services Ltd., to provide secretarial and managerial services to his law office. Summer 2010
fine lifestyles regina feature story
Paying back to the community From the very beginning, Morris and Jacqui Shumiatcher were philanthropically inclined. “He and I were both of the opinion that we made our living here in Regina, and we should pay back to the community that supported us,” Jacqui says. Jacquie served on the executive of Regina Little Theatre, and as chairman of patrons, wrote letters to people urging them to donate. The Shumiatchers were also supporters of Globe Theatre from its beginning, and involved with the Regina Symphony Orchestra: Shumi was president and was also the RSO’s lawyer, and Jacqui was a member of the Ladies’ Auxiliary and later joined the board of governors. Among other things, she chaired or co-chaired various major events, such as the annual Symphony Ball at the Hotel Saskatchewan. New Dance Horizons, Juventus Choir, the Youth Ballet of Saskatchewan, Do it With Class Young People’s Theatre Co., Regina Lyric Musical Theatre, Prairie Opera, Opera Saskatchewan...the list of arts organizations that have benefited from the Shumiatchers’ generosity is almost endless. But as Jacqui sees it, the generosity cuts both ways. “When you get involved, and you see backstage, and everybody volunteering, it opens your eyes to all sorts of creativity of people at all levels. That itself is a real gift. We figure we’ve been showered with gifts by artistic people involved in all fields. “The people involved are so passionate. They’re willing to work at it and not expect to get equivalent pay for their work.”
Art collectors Visual artists as well as performing artists have been recipients of the Summer 2010
Shumiatcher generosity. Jacquie remembers buying three or four paintings from an artist in New Brunswick. “Almost a year later we had to write to her and ask why she hadn’t cashed her cheque. She said, ‘It was my first sale. I have it posted on the wall— it means so much to me!’” Jacqui laughs. “I told her, ‘Make a copy of it and cash the cheque now before it becomes ‘stale’.” Although the Shumiatchers collected (and Jacqui continues to collect) many different kinds of art, their collection of Inuit art is particularly fine. “Shumi went fishing at Lac La Ronge back in 1954 or 1955,” Jacqui recalls. “The Hudson Bay Post was run by a former Mountie. He talked to the Mountie, saw these Inuit art pieces, and fell madly in love with them. He bought a few pieces. His friends said he not only had rocks in the back of his car, he had rocks in his head!”
But as Jacqui sees it, the generosity cuts both ways. The collection grew and grew over the years. Morris Shumiatcher wrote for The Beaver magazine, which gave the Shumiatchers access to the The Hudson’s Bay House, the gallery of The Hudson’s Bay Company in Winnipeg, to which all Inuit Art was shipped from the north at that time. Many pieces (those not destined for the gallery) were purchased there. A portion of the Shumiatcher collection is on display at the Mackenzie Art Gallery (in the Shumiatcher Sculpture Court, of course) through February 27, 2011. “When we lend them, we miss them,” Jacqui says. A complete list of Jacqui’s accomplishments would be as long as this article, but notable honours include the YWCA Women of 14
Distinction Award in 1996, the B’Nai B’rith Citizen of the Year Award in 1999, the Saskatchewan Order of Merit in 2001 and an honourary Doctor of Laws Degree from the University of Regina in 2002. Jacqui has traveled to many places in her long life. “The advantage of traveling,” she says, “is you realize what other people don’t have. It makes what you have much more special and precious.” “We really are spoiled, we Canadians. I think a lot of what we consider our necessities are really luxuries in other places.”
“We’re very lucky” She loves her home city of Regina. “What’s not to love about it? We’re very lucky because we have so many artistic people here, and they improve the city a great deal. There are so many events to which we can go, and it doesn’t take three or four hours to get there. I can do three events in an evening. Where else can you do that, and feel you had a good time at each one, that you didn’t miss out? “It’s wonderful having the library downtown, it’s always been very active in the community,” she continues. “When we were at our office at 2100 Scarth St. we would go to the main library downtown at noon and take a yoga class. Things like that, they’re little things and they’re little gems. “We should just open our eyes more. A lot of people walk around and their eyes are half-closed. They’re not aware, they’re in their own little world. They miss so much. “It’s too bad, because the world of Regina is nice. It must be nice, because I haven’t wanted to move away!” For which fact, every Reginan should be grateful!
feature story fine lifestyles regina
disputes and human rights cases and has conducted investigations and made recommendations respecting workplace harassment issues.
Active community volunteer An active community volunteer, Susan was honored in 2000 with the YWCA Woman of Distinction Award in Business, Labour and Professions. In 2007 she was named a “Woman of Influence” in SaskBusiness Magazine, and that same year received the Community Service Award from the Canadian Bar Association, Saskatchewan Branch.
Susan Barber Lawyer One of Canada’s top lawyers in labour and employment law, she never wanted to be one “I never really wanted to go into law,” says lawyer Susan Barber, “because I associated lawyers with politicians and I knew that I did not want to be a politician.” Instead, she intended to become a journalist. “I took all the classes for journalism,” she says. “But I wrote the LSAT, and next thing I knew I was going to law school.” It seems to have worked out for her. Today she’s a partner in McDougall Gauley LLP. She has been designated in the Canadian Legal Expert directory as a leading practitioner in labour law and listed in The Best Lawyers in Canada in the area of labour counsel for both unions and management in litigation and collective bargaining and is also a recognized arbitrator. She has rendered numerous decisions in labour
She’s recently become chair of Information Services Corporation, which, among other things, administers land titles and the personal property and vital statistics registries in the province, and last year was also elected chair of the Board of Governors of the University of Regina. And if it seems oddly right that someone named Barber should be associated with the University of Regina, that would be because her father, Lloyd, was president of the university from 1976 until 1990. Susan was born in Seattle, Wash., while her father was going to university there, but she grew up in Saskatoon, where he was vice-president of the University of Saskatchewan, moving to Regina in 1976 when he became president of the U of R. Susan says her “constant” is Regina Beach. “We have always gone to Regina Beach, all my life. My Dad went to school there.” Susan says she was the second-youngest in a family of six kids, and every weekend her parents would load them in the van and take them to Regina Beach. “I was a lifeguard there from when I was 15 years old until I graduated from law school. From lifeguard to lawyer!” Susan attended Buena Vista Public 17
School in Saskatoon, then Luther College in Regina from Grade 8 to Grade 12. She took all of her post-secondary education in Saskatchewan, as well, earning a B.A. in English at the University of Regina and attending law school at the University of Saskatchewan. “I had no real desire to leave the province,” she says. “I’m pretty home-grown.” She notes that her parents and three brothers all live here, and her older sister and younger sister and her children come home every summer. “Saskatchewan is home. We have pretty strong roots here.” Susan articled at McDougall Ready, and except for being seconded to the government in 1989, has remained with them ever since. The firm merged with Gauley & Co. in 2000 to become today’s McDougall Gauley. Her focus on labour and employment law is something that has grown up over time, she says. “It was just something I really enjoyed, I gravitated to it.” She’s also one of about 75 adjudicators to hear Indian Residential School claims and decide if the claimants are to be compensated, and how much. “That takes me all over western Canada,” she says.
University and Crown involvement David Barnard, past president of the University of Regina, asked her to join the board of governors several years ago. More recently, she was asked if she would go on one of the boards of a Crown Corporation, which was how she ended up on the board of ISC. “I’m terrible at saying no,” Susan says. “I just always thought that you serve where you live. I think it’s probably a big part of my upbringing. My parents were always very community-minded. “And,” she adds, “it sort of feeds on itself. You get involved in one thing, and Summer 2010
fine lifestyles regina feature story
you’re asked to go on another thing.” Not all of her involvement in community organizations has been at the level of university and Crown Corporation boards, either. Susan became involved very early on with the Royal Lifesaving Society, and was the first woman Commodore of the Regina Beach Yacht Club.
clubs. I love to golf. We also try to go scuba-diving in the winter.” But, she says, “I love Regina. I grew up around Regina. I have wonderful friends in Regina, my family’s nearby, I love where I work. I travel a lot, but I am always happy to come home.”
In Winnipeg that first summer after moving there, Darci got “a really neat job” at Mallabar. “I was mentored by some unbelievable men,” she says. She was only 24 when she was able to buy her own store. “We had an opening in Regina, so I moved my store back to Saskatchewan. If you’re from Saskatchewan you always end up back here!”
Susan’s husband, Gary Benson, was retired but got drawn back into the workforce to do some consulting and has been busy ever since. She has six step-children and, coming from a family of six herself, has “a horde of nieces and nephews.” Susan’s oldest brother is in real estate development, her next-oldest brother is vice-president of Dominion Construction, and her next-oldest brother owns a Bobcat dealership; they’re all in Regina. Her eldest sister is a nurse in Kamloops, while her younger sister is a stay-at-home Mom and lives in Texas.
The question The business proved successful. “We were booming,” Darci says. “Then my TD bank manager asked me a question that changed the course of my life. He asked me to be a speaker at his staff meeting.”
Globe and golf For fun, Susan enjoys going to Globe Theatre, and she and her husband like to golf at the Wascana Golf and Country Club. They go to a lot of university events, as well, and on any nice day, Susan loves going down to Wascana Centre. “It’s such a nice setting,” she says. “Sometimes after work I just go down there and park at the Marina and go for a walk around the lake.” But it’s not Wascana Lake that holds pride of place in her heart, but the lake at Regina Beach. “I love the lake, I love the water.” She also enjoys travelling. “We always take a few weeks of holiday to go down to Florida in late fall. I take a suitcase full of books (usually the latest bestseller—I read too much serious stuff throughout the year!) and my golf Summer 2010
her nationally bestselling book. Darci was born in Biggar, was raised in Edmonton, and moved to Winnipeg when she was 18. “My parents have both been married three times, so I have 10 half-brothers and sisters,” she says. “I grew up very quickly, and had lots of really unique influences.”
Darci Lang Motivational Speaker It’s a simple message that resonates: 90 percent of life is great; why not focus on that 90 percent? When she was very young, Darci Lang’s father told her, “Do something for a living that makes you happy.” It’s a message she’s taken to heart...but more than that, a message on which she has based a very successful career as a motivational speaker, famous for her mantra, Focus on the 90%—the title of 18
The bank manager noted that she was always genuinely happy when she came to the bank, and his staff members were interested in her philosophy. Darci told him that she lived a mantra from a book she read as a teenager, Attitude is Your Most Precious Possession, that talked about holding a little magnifying glass out in front of yourself all the time, choosing what to focus on. Both growing up and as a business owner, Darci says, there were both positives and negatives, and she tried to focus on the positives. She told the bank manager she’d come up with the ratio that 90 percent of life is great, and 10 percent isn’t, and it’s better to focus on the 90 percent than the 10 percent. “He said, ‘Perfect, come share that.’ So weeks after owning my tuxedo store, I became a speaker. I started to get referrals, and 17 years later my business is still 100-percent referral.”
feature story fine lifestyles regina
As if a new tuxedo store and a new life as a motivational speaker weren’t enough, she also seized an opportunity to host a new bridal show, The Most Incredible Bridal Show, at the Saskatchewan Centre of the Arts (now the Conexus Arts Centre). So in the first year she lived in Regina, she opened three companies within three months. “I was a very busy entrepreneur in those early years,” she recalls. “When I became pregnant with our daughter, Jayda, who is now nine, I got out of the business so I could stay home and run my home-based business as a professional speaker. I sold my store, and again worked on the speaking business and the trade-show business full-time. My husband (Darren) quit his job and for five years we travelled as a family.” (Two years after Jayda, John, now seven, was born.) “We raised our babies on the road,” Darci continues. “We’d travel across Canada, and my husband would care for our children while I spoke. There were definitely 90-percent days but there were 10-percent days too.” Although she still travels every week, she scaled back when John and Jayda entered school full-time. Now she mostly travels in the spring and fall, but she tries to be away only one night a week. “I could be away five, but I’m not willing to pay the price.”
Still developing the business With the help of her assistant, Sandra Preikschat, Darci is continuing to develop her business. They’re working on enhancing her presence in social media, plus she’s writing a second book and is developing a four-CD series with a workbook, all based around Focus on the 90%. Darci says being from Saskatchewan “is marketable to everyone. You’re expected to be friendly and easy to deal
with, and it’s true, I am, I only look high-maintenance. We just have a kind of gratitude and humility that people really, really appreciate. “And the fact that I am 41, I’m a working mother, that’s really marketable, too, because the majority of my audiences are working parents. Trying to be everything to everybody is something that rings true to a lot of people. It’s hard to talk about balance and focusing on the positive if you’re not living a life that’s congruent with theirs.
“I could not be happier,” Darci concludes. “At some point you have to look around at your life and say, 90 percent is good enough. We get to live in great country, a great province, a great city.”
“I’m an incredible family person. There’s nothing more important to me. Being a wife and a mother far exceeds anything I do as a speaker.”
“A fun-all-the-time family” Darci says her husband, Darren, is a 41-year-old with the energy of a 10year-old boy. “We’re a fun-all-the-time family,” she says. “Every day has to have an adventure, excitement. “We travel a lot throughout the year— the family will still come with me if it’s a fun place to go—so we really are a laid-back family. We’ve stayed in so many hotels, flown in so many airplanes, that to be in our backyard is heaven.” Darci says she loves everything about Regina. “People who don’t appreciate Regina haven’t travelled enough,” she says. (And, she adds, “People who don’t appreciate Regina have never been to a Rider game!”) “You have a small-town environment in the middle of the city,” she continues. “I really should live somewhere else because of my connection flights alone, but I would never leave Regina. Besides, I married a farm boy from Saskatchewan. I would never leave. It is the best city bar none in this country to live in.
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Janine Wilson Realtor and Developer “The Matchmaker” loves finding the right house for people—even if she has to design and build it herself There’s a reason Janine Wilson likes to call herself “The Matchmaker.” “I love finding the right house that people are looking for,” she says. “There’s nothing better than the feeling that you’ve found the perfect house.” Matching people with the houses that are perfect for them has taken her from realtor to builder to designer to condo developer. “I just kept adding dimensions,” she says. “It wasn’t enough to just sell. If you don’t find what you need, you have to find a way to make it happen.”
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fine lifestyles regina feature story
Janine was born in Daytona Beach, Fla., and moved to Yorkton with her parents when she was 17. “My Dad was Canadian. He wanted to move back home,” she explains. She lived in Yorkton until 1994, working first with the Bank of Montreal, but getting into real estate in 1989. She also got married and had two children there, and it was having children that led her into real estate. “That came about from me looking for something where I could be home with my kids after school and not have set hours. At lunch one day a friend in real estate said, ‘You’d be really good at real estate.’
“I can’t imagine doing anything else” “I phoned that day, had the courses delivered to me the next day, wrote the exam three months later and never looked back. I love it. I can’t imagine doing anything else.” She moved to Regina with her children in 1994, joining Home Life Crawford Realty - Crawford Homes as a realtor, and quickly got into new construction. “I had built two houses on my own before that,” she says. “I really like the new-construction aspect of real estate. It can make it so much easier. It gives you another option. If you can’t find what your clients are looking for in the re-sale market, you can build it for them.
she says, “I never found that. I never had a tough year, really. I just kept adding dimensions. The condo projects she’s developed, she says, “are all different. They’re not cookie-cutter. There are bi-levels, bungalows and suites all mixed together. I didn’t just zero in on one type of person. My condo projects, anyone can live in.” That mixture of styles was so unique it posed a challenge: the land titles office had to figure out how to deal with something it had never dealt with before. “I never thought of that when I designed them!” Janine says.
A love of design Janine says she loves designing the houses herself. “I love AutoCad drafting. I design all the condos that I build.” She got into designing the same way she got into the other aspects of her career. “People wanted something,” she says. “You couldn’t find it, so you had to build it. Then you look at it and say, ‘I want the living room here and the bedroom there,’ so I got into design.” With all the dimensions to her career, it’s no surprise Janine finds herself busy. “I have so much going on,” she says. “I do resale as a MLS Realtor, I build new houses for Crawford Homes, I develop Condos for Windsor Crossing Developments, and I just started a new custom home-building company of my own, Janson Homes.”
kids played hockey. My son played in the WHL and my daughter played university hockey. Hockey was a big draw, that’s what kept us in Regina. It’s a nice-sized city to do that in. “Even though the kids both left, my daughter went to Alberta after school and my son played hockey in B.C., Regina was always home.”
At lunch one day a friend in real estate said, “You’d be really good at real estate.” Busy though she always is, Janine does try to get out on the golf course when she can. She also enjoys looking after her grandsons, and she likes to get out to New York to see her son every so often. She also travels to Florida when she can, since she still has family there; but, she notes, “I have to take my work with me. You can’t be gone very long when you’re in real estate.” But in a few more years, she says, “I hope to start to semi-retire and spend time with grandkids, and split my time between here and Florida and New York. I will always have a place here because my daughter will always be here. She married a Regina boy, Ian Creaser—his family are long-time residents.”
“Everything is here” “Over the years I found there was a lack of affordable housing. I got into developing condos, because not everybody can afford a brand-new house. It was something that was missing in Regina at the time; we were really short on townhouse-style condos. So I felt I wanted to start filling a need.” Janine says she remembers when she first moved to Regina that people told her “the first year’s always tough,” but, Summer 2010
Janine’s daughter, Danielle, is also a real estate agent in Regina, and mother to two sons, Janine’s grandsons. Her son, Devin, works for the New York Islanders in marketing and sales and lives in Long Island. “I stayed in Regina mostly because I was raising my kids here, now I’m staying because my grandkids are here,” Janine says. Regina had “every thing” for her kids, she notes. “Both 20
As a real estate agent, Janine says, she’s come to know her adopted city well. “Everything is here,” she says again. “What’s not here?” And there’s great potential for even more, she thinks. “We haven’t seen anything yet,” she says. “I feel that there are at least another five to eight years of this steady growth still to come in Regina.
feature story fine lifestyles regina
“I think it’s about time,” she continues. “Regina has been lagging for many, many years, and I think Saskatchewan has a lot to offer. We’ve just been biding our time, and now that the economy is starting to turn around, Saskatchewan is going to be right there. “They’re going to be writing about Saskatchewan for a while yet. It’s going to be the place to be.”
“He said, “We should have an RV store. People want to RV and they can’t get parts here, there’s nothing here for them. So we decided to give it a whirl.” It whirled pretty well. In just six years Minard’s Leisure World has grown to be one of the largest RV businesses not just in Saskatchewan but in all of Western Canada, and has a growing string of awards to its credit: Kustom Koach Top Dealer in North America in 2007, three Top Dealer awards in North America from KZ Manufacturing, KZ Manufacturing’s Outstanding Service Award, and more. “It surprises me how quick it grew,” Susan admits.
Out of high school, Susan says, “I did a million things. I worked at a school, I worked at a newspaper.” But the thing she enjoyed most was a home-based clothing company, Balance Fashions. “You went out and did your marketing. I was their top sales person in Canada, not just in Saskatchewan.” Her success didn’t go unnoticed. Representatives of the Victoria-based company flew out to meet with her, and offered her the job of national marketing director. “That was a real coup for me because I was on my own. They could have hired someone local, but they didn’t.”
Born and educated in Weyburn Susan was born and went to school in Weyburn. “I was raised on a farm with one sister (seven years older), and learned how to work hard, how to think for myself and how to be self-motivated.
“Our passion for the business is second to none. We love what we do.” “We had no brothers, so we did our share of all the farm work. We drove tractor, we drove truck, we did it all because there wasn’t anyone else to do it.”
Susan Minard Businesswoman Taking an RV business from scratch to one of Western Canada’s largest in just six years
Susan Minard admits she didn’t have any particular knowledge of the RV lifestyle when she started Minard’s Leisure World in 2004. But her father-in-law did.
Susan was also involved in music from an early age, eventually achieving her Grade 8 Conservatory in Piano with honours. “That taught me self-discipline,” she says. There was something else she learned as a child. “We weren’t raised with money, but we were raised with love and respect. So in turn, I learned to respect others. I truly believe that it was my upbringing that has allowed me to do what I do, and to have faith in myself and in others.” 21
The job involved a lot of travelling, and, says Susan, “was an incredible education in marketing, which has been a great asset in marketing Minard’s Leisure World.” When Minard’s Leisure World began in 2004, it had a staff of five and sold travel trailers and fifth wheels from a single manufacturer. “Within two years we recognized the potential and the need for more floor plans and price ranges to suit our customers. We now have more than 16 different brand names to choose from and a staff of 30,” Susan says. And that staff, says Susan, is “an amazing group of people that genuinely care about our business and, most importantly, our customers.” Not only that, she adds, “They are a lot of fun. There is laughter every day, amongst each other and with the customers. We want people to feel welcome and relaxed at our store. And by the smiles on their faces when they leave…I’d say they do!”
A “people person” Susan says she’s a “people person” Summer 2010
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herself, and very much a hands-on manager. “The only way I get to know product is by selling it. So I am in sales as well as the sales manager. I go on research and buying trips to ensure we have the right product mix, write and voice all our radio ads, plus of course conduct strategic planning for the business. The business has really expanded—not only with RV sales; we also sell modular and manufactured homes, park models, and Jacuzzi hot tubs.” In addition, Susan notes, the company recently developed a line of mobile office trailers that can be used for construction jobs, by oilfield consultants, or by anyone else who needs an “office on wheels.” Minard’s Leisure World is the exclusive Canadian distributor for these units. Minard’s Leisure World is involved with many different community organizations and charities. “We are substantial donors to the Cancer Society, Relay for Life, Children’s Wish Foundation, Family Place, Envision Counseling, 4-H, Mainprize Park and Nickle Lake, and also donate to more than 45 other organizations on an annual basis,” Susan says. “We’re Saskatchewan people. We make our living here. It’s giving back.” Many of their customers are from Regina, a city Susan says they love. “We take in concerts and stage productions as well as thoroughly enjoy going out for a great meal. Our favorite restaurants would be Silver’s and Earl’s. We are also huge Rider fans...but of course, who isn’t?”
Susan bred, raised and trained champion collies for many years, and has collies in countries all over the world, including Germany, the U.S., Australia and Korea. “I was the top collie breeder in Canada in 2000 and 2002,” she notes.
“We love what we do” She says Minard’s Leisure World has succeeded because, “Our passion for the business is second to none. We love what we do, and passion will take you further than anything.” Though she and her family were novices to RVing when she started the business, that has long since changed. “We absolutely love it now. It’s something we enjoy doing as a couple and with family and friends. We totally enjoy the lifestyle.” Susan says what’s most fulfilling for her in running a successful RV business is the chance to share that lifestyle with other families. “You’re dealing with people who are buying an RV because they want to enhance their life, slow down, relax, take time with family and friends and discover the beauty in nature that surrounds them in this province and beyond. “Who wouldn’t want to be a part of that?” flr
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Susan has been married for more than 30 years to Gene Minard, “my full partner at work as well as home.” They have a son and a daughter, Chris and Lea, both of whom are working in the oilfield. Lea and her husband, David, are expecting their first child this fall, so Susan and Gene are excited about becoming grandparents.
www.ecocleanregina.com 23
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style fine lifestyles regina Expert Advice: Fashion
Eyewear Styles Ryan Horne Optician Vision Center Direct
The world of eyewear has never been as exciting and diverse as it is now. When people ask me what’s in style, I simply reply, “Everything’s in style!” There is no one trend that is completely dominant right now, but we can split it into Retro vs. Modern. The vintage/retro look is getting stronger all the time, and is probably the most influential of any style right now. Francois Pinton (the company that supplied sunglasses to Jackie Onassis and Grace Kelly) is a strong example of this genre, with styles ranging from big cat-eye plastic frames to the little round wires like John Lennon wore. Chrome Hearts is a luxury-
lifestyle collection that uses .925 sterling silver and edgy designs for a rock-’n’-roll retro look with attitude. Modern styles come in many looks, from Denmark’s colorful Bellinger collection to the bold, ultra-lightweight carbon-fiber offerings from Blac. Germany’s Freudenhaus provides sleek minimalistic looks in titanium and rich plastics. Whichever genre you are interested in, one common trend is larger eyewear. Smaller frames are still current and stylish, but bigger has been a refreshing change. For most, it is also practical, with more field of view: a welcome perk for progressive lens
789-1445 Call today for your next appointment. VICTORIA SQUARE MALL, 2223 VICTORIA AVE. REGINA
wearers. Sunglass styles have been larger for some time now (with no signs of slowing down) and the trend is transcending into ophthalmic eyewear. So really the trend is whatever you like for yourself. Everyone is not wearing the same thing anymore. There is diversity. Many people are stuck between retro and modern, so getting both is becoming very common. We don’t only have one pair of shoes, so why not switch up what’s on your face every day, too? After all, it’s the first thing people see when they look at you! flr
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fine lifestyles regina health and wellness
Lion of the Prairie
By Sheena Koops
Historic Luther College high school is small, caring, and dedicated to academic excellence Participating with pride Although Luther College has always prided itself on being a small, caring institution, don’t let its size fool you; the high school offers more than 30 clubs, organizations, committees and teams. Nearly 80 percent of Luther College’s students participate in the school’s co-curricular activities.
A lion roaming the prairie is not something you see every day, but for 97 years a pride of Lions has called Saskatchewan home. Luther College, home of the Lions, is a historic independent high school that has been committed to quality education in a Christian context since 1913. When you hear the words “Luther College” you might think of the school’s well-known basketball tournament, LIT, or the annual musical, but a closer look at this pride of Lions will reveal not only a schoo,l but more importantly, a community that is small, caring and dedicated to the pursuit of excellence.
Academic prowess Luther College is known throughout Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada and the world as an exceptional academic institution. Up to 96 percent of Luther’s high school students attend post-secondary education within their first year after graduation; many are Summer 2010
sought by leading universities within Canada, the United States and Europe. Two Luther alumni have won the distinguished Rhodes Scholarship, and alumnus Dr. Henry Taube won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1983. Innovative academic programming, combined with a 16:1 student-toteacher ratio, ensures that the students of Luther College high school continue to excel. Programs such as IB Film and Video studies and IB Environmental Systems and Societies combine classroom experiences with hands-on learning. “Luther College is dedicated to providing a well-rounded education,” says science teacher Dave Hall. “In many cases this means leaving the comfort of the classroom.” Hall is responsible for the creation of the Envirothon group, which recently took first place in the province-wide Envirothon competition and will compete in the international event in Fresno, Calif., this September. 54
Gail Fry, who has been producing the school’s musical for the past 20 years, says, “Luther provides excellent opportunities for students in all areas of the fine arts, including drama, music, film, photography and the visual arts. The Candlelight Service, musical, one-act plays, improv and Fine Arts Night provide wonderful performance opportunities for students to showcase their talents in the areas of dance, orchestra, choirs, bands and much more.” Likewise, Luther students experience culture through such diverse opportunities as International Study Tours, the Chess Club, the Creative Writing Club, debate, the French Club, outdoor education and the Tatler student newspaper.
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Not only do student activities and groups focus on giving back to the local community, but they also give back to the world at large. In February 2010 Luther College students came together to raise funds for the relief efforts in Haiti, eventually raising more than $10, 000. Pastor Fry, the school’s full-time chaplain, says, “Part of a quality education is teaching students to think of, and care for, others.”
Family pride
King of the sports jungle Luther’s philosophy of education through sports matches students’ love for sport with life lessons like cooperation, community, skill development and perseverance. Coach Angela Tillier says, “The important part about the sports program is that it reflects Luther College’s views on education: focused, caring and full of opportunity. In other words, the vast majority of students who want to participate will be able to participate.” Luther College boasts a myriad of sports programs, including basketball, volleyball, badminton, golf, hockey, soccer and track and field.
mutual respect and caring that shapes relationships amongst Luther students, teachers and staff. Luther’s Christian roots ensure that spiritual and intellectual growth go hand in hand. The College welcomes students of all faith backgrounds and encourages students to explore the meaning of spirituality and how it relates to their own spiritual context. To facilitate explorations of faith and commitment, the College holds a daily chapel and requires all students to take one Christian Ethics course per year. The high school also houses a number of service-based clubs and groups, including SADD, Peer Support, Amnesty International and Youth for a Living Earth.
Like a pride of lions, Luther’s community enjoys living, working, playing and growing together. Principal Mark Anderson says, “I love that the students, faculty and staff who compose this community and give it energy and purpose all know each other. Because of their talents, visions, achievements and energy, I never feel like I’m going to a job. Because of the people here, I feel like I’m going to my second home.” Others who consider Luther College to be their second home are the nearly 100 dormitory residents living on campus. Dormitory students currently represent 14 different countries, including China, Korea, Germany, Thailand, Japan, India and Nigeria, to name a few. This unique multicultural environment provides both dormitory
Luther is well known for the school spirit permeating signature tournaments, including the Senior Girls’ Volleyball Tournament as well as LIT. The Luther Invitational Tournament is a student-organized invitational basketball tournament that has been running for 57 years, making it the longest continuously running basketball tournament in Western Canada and one of the most coveted trophies in amateur sports.
Lion hearts Luther’s foundation in the Christian faith promotes an atmosphere of 55
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and day students the opportunity to experience other cultures in the classroom and through daily interaction. German dormitory resident Michelle Küting says, “Luther College provides a great opportunity to get to know new friends and cultures.”
From cubs to leaders of the pack The College’s active alumni program ensures that past students maintain an enthusiastic connection to the high school. Events such as the annual Homecoming, a high school reunion like no other, and Golf Classic provide venues to reminisce and reflect on Luther College. The school’s bi-annual publication, The Luther Story, keeps friends and alumni of the College informed and updated in relation to all things Luther. The school is also dedicated to welcoming past members of the pride to speak to current students. Luther College alumna Rachel Mielke recently spoke to the students of the high school about the many challenges and successes she has experienced during the creation of her now renowned jewellery company, Hillberg and Berk. Summer 2010
Luther College is also dedicated to welcoming future lion cubs. The school’s active “Future Luther Student Program” invites elementary school students to be a part of the school’s many events and activities to give them a taste of being a Lion. Alison Seitz, the school’s Admissions Coordinator, says, “Better than any brochure, this program gives students and families a clear sense of all of the wonderful programs and activities Luther College high school has to offer.”
Roaring into the future Principal Anderson adds, “What I value most about Luther is the community, the academic community, the truly international community, the co-curricular community, the faith community, the historical community.” Luther’s beloved principal can be sure that Luther is here to stay. Lecina Hicke, Manager of Alumni Relations and Development, says, “We maintain tradition by integrating innovation. We know where we came from, and realize there is a future.” As Luther makes plans to celebrate its 100th year 56
in 2013, she is happy to announce that the high school has recently finalized plans to renovate, expand, and update its existing facilities. As the 2010 school year draws to a close, Luther College sends its pride into the future. Equipped with the knowledge, know-how and understanding of the greater world, these Lions will no doubt follow in the paw prints of the ones who came before them as successful business people, politicians, advocates and professionals, all the while maintaining a sense of global responsibility and dedication to excellence. flr
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Quality
of life
By Amy Nelson-Mile
Dignity and independence through professional home health care Bayshore’s caregivers provide personal care as well. This can involve waking clients, helping with bathing and dressing, and assisting with medications.
Full range of services A full range of nursing services from pediatric to palliative care is available from Bayshore. This includes such things as changing dressings, chronic disease management and therapy, and serious injury care.
Brian Smyth, Area Director of the Regina Bayshore branch
Bayshore Home Health has 45 years of experience enhancing the quality of life, dignity and independence of Canadians in their homes. Canadians turn to and trust Bayshore Home Health for professional home health care...and Regina residents are fortunate to have access to a local branch of this nationally acclaimed, Canadianowned business. Bayshore provides a full range of home-care services, including companionship, home support, personal care and nursing. Caregivers can provide companionship by visiting with clients, reading to them, or playing cards with them. They can accompany clients to medical appointments, on social visits, or out to enjoy the fresh air. They can help with cooking, cleaning and shopping.
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Finally, Bayshore offers the respected myNurse program, in which a registered nurse visits clients regularly in order to monitor their health and answer any questions they might have. The same nurse continues to visit each time so that a relationship is built up and changes in the client’s health can be recognized. The nurse will also help clients work their way through the health system. Brian Smyth explains that each client receives a free assessment in order to determine his or her needs. “Our services work so well because each plan is tailored for the individual,” he explains. “To determine the plan, a nursing supervisor will go out to each client’s home for a visit of up to two hours. The supervisor will talk to the client to see what their health care issues are, what they want help with, and what the care workers need to know about the client so that Bayshore can provide the client with a caregiver who will be a good fit.”
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Smyth says that the assessment also provides information on the little details caregivers need to know so that they can work well with the client. Since the caregivers consider themselves guests in the client’s home, they work with the preferences of the client. For example, if the worker is there to read to the client or chat with them, they will keep in mind that the client prefers to sit in a certain chair in the living room. Sometimes potential clients or their children are worried about the cost of home care, but Smyth finds that it is more affordable than many people realize. Often people are not aware that they have insurance that covers home care. Bayshore has specialists who can help with funding investigations to determine what coverage clients have through insurance companies and government agencies. Also, it doesn’t always take a lot of time to help out the clients. “Even a half hour a week of home care, which costs about $15, can make a big difference,” says Smyth.
Short- or long-term Some people may need Bayshore’s services only for a short time—for example, if they’re recovering from a stroke or serious injury. Others will require long-term care. Whatever the need, Bayshore has trained professionals who can help.
“We’re on the side of helping keep people independent in their own home.” Although the client receives the primary benefit of home care, loved ones also benefit. In some cases this can mean that a husband or wife is no longer required to do all the personal care for a spouse and can spend more quality time with their loved one. Adult children might find that they no longer have to help out as much, and adult children living out of province can be assured that their parent is being well taken care as they receive regular written reports.
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Clients can be assured that Bayshore works hard to hire and retain only the best staff. All Bayshore’s caregivers are professionals who have been trained in their field and who keep their skills current through ongoing training. In addition, Smyth has 30 years of experience in hiring people, which helps ensure that the staff are a good fit for the clients. All staff are carefully screened, must have clear criminalrecord checks and are supervised by a registered nurse. Whatever services Bayshore provides, the workers keep the best interests of the clients always at heart. As Smyth says, “Medical research suggests that people do better in their own homes. We’re on the side of helping keep people independent in their own home.” Bayshore Home Health 150 - 1870 Albert St. 352-7144
Summer 2010
Q: A:
I’ve been told that hearing aids don’t work in crowds – is that true? Background noise is the most challenging hurdle for anyhelp users separate the speech that they want hearing aid wearer. Modern hearing aids use advanced algorithms within their specialized circuitry toto hear from the noise that they don’t want to hear. There is specialized testing for Speech in Noise difficulties. Use the results from this testing and you, the patient, will have greater success with your choice in hearing instruments. Education is the key. Although hearing care is offered by numerous providers, audiologists are uniquely qualified to prevent, identify, assess, & treat auditory disorders including hearing loss.
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Hearing Care Dr. Debbie Davis Au. D Doctor of Audiology Eastside Audiology & Rehabilitation 359-3277 www.lifewithsound.com
Have you ever heard the phrase “don’t put anything smaller than your elbow in your ear?” Aside from being anatomically impossible, there is good reason to vow never to insert small objects into the ear canal. As much as I am aware that cotton swabs have great followers, please quit with the Q-Tip! This is particularly sound advice in the aftermath of flu pandemics. I’m sure everyone who has become vigilant with hand sanitizers can appreciate the beauty of the anatomy of the ear canal and the purpose of ear wax. Ear wax, known medically as cerumen, has antibacterial and antifungal properties. It is the body’s natural ear cleaner. Beyond the fact that there is a delicate chemical balance in the ear canal that can be disrupted with overzealous cleaning,
I find that persistent users of cotton swabs can actually cause more wax impactions rather than prevent them. A little bit of earwax is a good thing. Unless you are simply cleaning the outside of the ear, and not the ear canal itself, you should stop using cotton swabs.
“Ear wax, known medically as cerumen, has antibacterial and antifungal properties. It is the body’s natural ear cleaner.” What should you do now that I’ve told you not to use a cotton swab? Simply let nature take its course. Ear wax is made up of a unique combination of the oils from both the sebaceous gland and aprocrine glands. These oil-secreting glands are similar to sweat glands. As skin debris clears out of
the deeper part of the ear canal, it blends with the oils and creates the ambercoloured discharge you know as ear wax. In addition to the epilthelial migration, the hairs in the first part of the ear canal as well as the S-shaped nature of ear canal all help to protect the ear and keep it from building up too much wax. So what causes wax build-up? It is all about body chemistry and anything that affects your body chemistry. Genetics, diet, medical conditions and even exercise and stress can all affect your wax production and impaction. If you suspect you have wax build-up, see your family doctor, ear nose and throat specialist, or audiologist. We have been trained to clean your ear with savvy. In the meantime, quit with the Q-Tip! flr
fine lifestyles regina health and wellness
Home again Dr. Michael W. Langenberger returns to Saskatchewan to open his new optometrist’s practice Dr. Michael W. Langenberger, optometrist, is very excited to “re-introduce” himself to the Regina community. Born in Kennedy, Sask., Dr. Langenberger grew up on the family farm before moving to Saskatoon, where he obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree and Master’s Degree, specializing in plant biology and apiculture (beekeeping). Dr. Langenberger then traveled to Michigan, where he worked at the Michigan State University honeybee research laboratory. Never one to sit still, he moved on from there to the University of Waterloo in Ontario to study optometry. A permanent return home upon graduation was never in doubt.
“It has always been my objective in practice that I allow enough time to offer each patient a thorough eye-health examination, including retinal photos, and that I indulge all of their questions, as I may not get to see them again for some time. If someone is interested in a 15-minute eye examination, I am not who they would want to see.” What about tenure in the industry? “As a recent grad, it goes without saying that I am fully trained in the newest advancements. It doesn’t hurt that I am from Saskatchewan, that Saskatchewan was always ‘home’ even when I wasn’t living here, and that I can relate to people from Saskatchewan,” Dr. Langenberger says.
Just this May, Dr. Langenberger established an independent full-time optometric practice on Victoria Avenue (at Winnipeg Street). The upside of a new practice is fewer bookings: Dr. Langenberger is accepting walk-in traffic and same-day traffic almost everyday. The upside of a new optometrist is that he is versed in the latest technologies and techniques. This may not, though, be what sets him apart from other practitioners. “I think that there is a public misconception that by establishing an optometric practice in close proximity to an optical retailer, the practice becomes focused on refracting and really does not concern itself with eye health as much,” says Dr. Langenberger. Summer 2010
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When not practicing optometry, Dr. Langenberger enjoys “biking, swimming, and being active in his local church”—that is, when he is not pursuing passions in photography, beekeeping, gardening and travel. On his radar for the future would be the occasional “missions project” in Africa, Asia or the Middle East. “I am officially open for business, and looking forward to meeting my prospective patients,” Dr. Langenberger says. With so much to offer, it stands to reason that prospective patients should also be looking forward to meeting him. flr
health and wellness fine lifestyles regina
Summer learning Keeping kids’ brains active even when school’s not in session
The brain doesn’t have an off switch. Kids are always learning—even while sleeping, which is when the brain processes and stores the information that was learned throughout the day. That’s why, cognitively speaking, it doesn’t make sense for kids to take a complete break from learning over the summer. The idea of summer learning is not a new concept. Since the 1970s, researchers at Johns Hopkins University have been studying the fact that students lose academic ground over the summer. “Summer learning becomes more important to students with every grade,” says Janet Klassen, Centre Director of Oxford Learning Regina. “Higher education is becoming increasingly competitive—students don’t have time to waste in the quest for better grades and summer is the best time to make improvements.” And yet, every summer, students who don’t engage in some form of learning lose academic momentum and neural connections that they developed over the school year. By not maintaining an academic routine that stimulates cognitive functioning, students lose their learning momentum. According to the research, students who do not engage in academic activities over the summer break are statistically and consistently more likely to start the new school year behind. They are also more likely to perform more poorly on standardized testing, even on tests that they may have already taken.
These are the facts: •
On average, students lose approximately 2.6 months of grade-level equivalency in math skills during the summer months.
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Teachers typically spend between four to six weeks re-teaching material that students have forgotten over the summer.
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Students spend an average of 60 days not engaging in any sort of mental activity.
According to Klassen, the solution to preventing summer learning loss is as simple as engaging in some form of academically challenging activity for a few hours a week. While there are plenty of at-home activities that can help children continue to learn—such as active reading, writing and certain brain-challenging board games—the best way to ensure that grades don’t drop over the summer is to take an academic class that maintains learning momentum.
“for better grades summer is the best time to make improvements.” “Students don’t have to give up their summer in order to maintain their learning momentum and have a better start to next year,” says Klassen. “Our studies have shown a single class that is dedicated to academic-style learning can help prevent summer learning losses.” 63
Klassen adds that summer programs are not only about maintaining academic momentum; they are an opportunity for students to get ahead in trouble areas, which she says becomes increasingly important in the higher grades. “Summer is an opportunity for students to really dig into the subjects that give them the most trouble over the school year so that when they return to school in the fall, they are not facing the same challenges that they did in the past.” For more information on the facts about summer learning, or on any of the various summer programs available at Oxford Learning, call Janet Klassen at Oxford Learning Regina at 790-2000, flr email regina@oxfordlearning.com, or visit oxfordlearning.com Oxford Learning Regina 790-2000 regina@oxfordlearning.com w w w. o x f o r d l e a r n i n g . c o m Summer 2010
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All the
Options By Carol Todd
Regina’s premiere retirement community offers exceptional amenities Wintergreene Estates, Regina’s premiere retirement community, has launched a major expansion to offer retirees an exceptional hat trick of options to choose from. Five years after it first opened, construction is underway to expand the existing south-west area retirement community into what general manager Gregg Wood calls a “retirement living campus” with a full continuum of support to choose from. In addition to the existing Wintergreene Suites, it will soon offer increased independent living in The Residences at Wintergreene Estates, as well as increased support in three personal care households. “Wintergreene is the only retirement community in the city that offers all three levels of support,” Wood says. Retirees in the existing 107-unit Suites enjoy full meal and housekeeping services, with the option of using their own kitchenettes.
A range of care levels
Pets are welcome
The Residences will feature 42 apartments, each with its own kitchen and laundry room. The rent includes 10 meals per month, with the option to buy more, and housekeeping service every two weeks.
Wintergreene also offers residents another option not often found in retirement communities—the ability to take their furry friends into retirement with them. Pets are “part of the family” says Wood, and small animals are welcome.
At the other end of the spectrum, elders who need more care will be able to find it in one of the three personalcare households, each designed with 12 bedrooms with en-suites that surround a common kitchen, dining room, living room, family room, tub room and library. The additions, which will almost double the total square footage of the complex to more than 160,000, are expected to be complete in early 2011. All residents, regardless of which option they choose, can enjoy the numerous amenities offered by Wintergreene—all set against the backdrop of landscaped grounds, and including the safety and comfort of heated underground parking, and the security of 24/7 staffing and an emergency response system. The facilities include a dining room with adjacent private dining room and family lounge for entertaining, a 24-hour snack bar, a wellness centre and spa, a hair salon and barber shop, a general store, a library with Internet service, a games room, an arts and crafts room and a pool hall.
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“If someone is looking for safety and security, freedom from daily household chores, and a host of recreational and social opportunities, Wintergreene is the place,” says Wood. “At Wintergreene Estates, we believe that a person’s retirement years should be filled with life, laughter and much happiness. Our goal is to give residents, who are mainly older adults, the opportunity to live as independently as possible, for as long as they are able, in an environment that provides the highest quality of healthy emotional, social and spiritual support.” Regardless of the option chosen, Wood is confident seniors choosing Wintergreene will find it all at Regina’s “retirement living campus.” flr
Wintergreene Estates 4950 Pasqua St. (306) 585-7100 info.wge@diversicare.ca www.wintergreene.ca
Advice: Health & Wellness
From your Optometrist - Prescription Lens Dr. Myles Bokinac, O.D. Optomestrist/Partner Advance Eye Care Center
A common perception amongst patients regarding prescription eyewear is that all lenses are the same. In fact, nothing could be further from the truth. Prescription lenses differ in the base material, tints, lens coatings and optical characteristics. If we specifically discuss progressive lenses, there are more than 500 different progressive lenses available. These can be simplified into three basic types: conventional, high-definition and personalized lenses. The first type is a conventional progressive. This lens is manufactured using the same technology we have been using for many years. When you look straight ahead you have the distance prescription; slightly lower is the computer distance and in the bottom is the reading prescription. Towards the edges are distorted areas of the lens that are optically unusable. These are a by-product of the manufacturing process. These distortions are frequently a cause of patient complaints about progressive lenses.
The second type is digital or high-definition progressives. This lens type uses computerized technology to minimize the peripheral distorted area. This widens all zones of the lens: distance, reading and especially the intermediate. This makes the lens easier to use and adapt to. The newest generation of progressives are called personalized progressives. This lens couples the highdefinition technology with the ability to create a lens optimized to the fit of the frame you choose. With a personalized progressive we take three additional measurements: faceform (how curved or flat the frame is across the front), vertex distance (the distance from the lens to your eye) and the pantoscopic tilt (how tilted from vertical the lens is). These three measurements are sent to the lab with your prescription and that allows the lens to be completely optimized to your prescription and the fit of your frame. This creates the widest field of view and least peripheral distortion, providing the best vision
possible. The lens is personalized to you and only you. If you had two different frames with personalized lenses they would have different prescriptions because the frames would fit differently. Have you ever experienced any of the following with your progressives: difficulty getting used to your progressive, bothered by the peripheral distortion, difficulty “finding the right spot,” noticing glare at night or noticing narrow field of vision? If you have, then a high-definition or personalized progressive lens may be the solution. Call or visit our office for a no-charge consultation regarding your lens options. Our dispensary carries all three types of progressive lenses and has more than 800 frames available in-store. We are located at 500 - 4010 Pasqua St. Phone 586-7036.
Expert Advice: Health & Wellness
Women’s Health Dr. Nicole Mitchelson DTCM, R. Ac, RMT, B.Sc. Allied Health Centre - University of Regina (306) 337.2643 www.drmitchelson.com As women grow and age, we may experience a variety of signs and symptoms that may indicate imbalances within the body. In this column, I will discuss how TCM can help in the treatment of health concerns specific to women. In my practice at the Allied Health Centre (University of Regina), I work closely with other health professionals to provide the best treatment for my patients. In TCM, the pathways of qi, or energy, flow throughout the entire body. TCM approaches treatment from the inside out, treating the underlying cause of disease, thereby restoring balance. For example, women suffering from premenstrual syndrome (PMS) may experience symptoms such as allergies, anxiety, backache, bloating, cramps, depression, migraine, heart palpitations, irritability, lack of concentration or libido, mood swings, skin disorders, water retention and weight gain. PMS is caused by unbalanced hormonal functions, intensified by stress, inadequate diet, lack of exercise or sleep, a sedentary
lifestyle and a variety of other factors. Practitioners of TCM and acupuncture have been helping women cope with health problems for more than 2,500 years. In 1997, a National Institute of Heath (NIH) report suggested acupuncture is effective in treating symptoms of PMS. The acupuncturist can investigate the underlying causes of such symptoms, and treat each patient according to individual concerns. By inserting fine, sterile needles into specific points on the body, the acupuncturist stimulates and activates the movement of qi (pronounced “chee”) and blood, to restore hormonal balance. TCM practitioners may also recommend lifestyle changes such as diet, exercise, deep relaxation exercises and vitamin supplements. TCM practitioners understand menopause as another natural shift in body chemistry. Estrogen is similar to what acupuncturists call jing qi, like a battery that powers us, and allows us to adapt to disease and stress. As we age, our supply of jing qi drains, leading to such
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symptoms as graying hair, loss of libido, poor memory, backache and fatigue. Overwork, poor diet, and other factors may also drain jing qi. As well, an imbalance of yin and yang energies in the body may cause a variety of symptoms such as hot flashes, mood swings, heart palpitations, insomnia, weight gain and raised cholesterol. TCM practitioners evaluate the woman’s individual energies to support the healing energies of jing, yin and yang, providing building blocks to help the body heal and regain balance. As well, they may suggest adjunct therapies to speed healing, such as proper diet, herbs, meditation and Qi Gong. Acupuncture and TCM can provide a safe, natural, drug-free and effective alternative treatment for menopause. In my last column of this series, I will discuss how TCM can help in the treatment of a variety of health problems, including facial rejuvenation.
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Expert Advice: Health & Wellness
Skin Care Trena Olfert TANDA Spa
“When do I use this and when do I use that?” “For how long, and how often?” These are among the most common questions clients ask regarding professional beauty services and beauty products. The answer: if you’re not really treating any problems, go with what the professional suggests. If you maintain your hair, you should consider your skin-care regimen just as important. Not only is it good for your skin, it’s good for your soul! Your skin-care professional will let you know when you should come back if you are receiving treatments, but book your next appointment
prior to leaving your current one so you know you have your next beauty break scheduled.
If you maintain your hair, you should consider your skin-care regimen just as important. Be aware of your products’ shelf life, and replace as needed. Don’t ever just pick up something to tide you over, because you may interfere with what you’re currently trying to repair. Watch your expiry dates! Most professional skin-care products contain natural ingredients that may take you away from, rather than closer to, your goals if they rot.
Vitamin C serums are excellent for daytime to use to potentially prevent further damage, whereas Vitamin A-infused products may create sensitivity to sun, so should be used in the evening. Use an eye-crème both day and evening, preferably prior to your moisturizer, so you can target that area closely. Exfoliating cleansers may be used once a week to get rid of dead skin, thus enhancing your natural glow. Keep your regimen simple, and if you are not currently utilizing skin-care products, start with the basics until you’re ready to move forward. flr
Place yourself in our light Skin Therapy and Facials • Body Treatments Pedicures • Mobile Makeu • Lash Tint & Perm
306.586.1321 www.tandaspa.com
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Cirque du Soleil’s Alegría will make you believe anything is possible
By Alexandra Walld
including two Canadians—one from Ontario and one from Quebec—and a few former Olympians. Laurendeau says even though some of the performers get trained for other Cirque shows or new ones come to the show as the years go by, she still works with the best artists, singers, dancers and acrobats in the world.
It starts with an idea Given the job of creating a new show for Cirque du Soleil, Laurendeau says the show’s creators reflected on the changes that communications—mainly the Internet—were making throughout the world. That idea led them to consider how communications could change future generations or create a power struggle between the stubbornness of the old ways and the urge to evolve with the new ones.
The mission of Cirque du Soleil is to make audiences around the world believe that anything is possible. As its performers soar through the air, performing acrobatics in mid-leap, twist their bodies into unbelievable poses and dance to music while juggling fire-laden batons, it’s obviously a case of “mission accomplished.” With acts like Synchro Trapeze, Aerial High Bar and The Flying Man, Cirque’s 21/2-hour show Alegría, which dances its way to the Brandt Centre July 27 to August 1, will be no exception.
“It’s one of the most critically acclaimed shows from Cirque du Soleil, so for those who haven’t seen a Cirque show before Alegría is a good one to be introduced to. You have the artists on stage performing a highintensity show and you’ll see the most incredible acrobatics you’ve ever seen,” says Geneviéve Laurendeau, publicist with the show. When Alegría was created in 1994, the casting department from Montréal set out to find the very best talent in the world. Today the show boasts 55 artists hailing from 18 different countries, 67
“One of the things we explore in Alegría, is contrast; ugly and evil, good and bad, change and static. The Nostalgic Old Birds represent the aristocracies and then we have the youth, which is represented by angels trying to change the way things work,” says Sheryl-Lynne Valensky, who worked as a stage manager on other Cirque shows like Saltimbanco and Corteo before becoming Alegría’s assistant artistic director. “Throughout the show you see these two groups of characters and how they interact and work together to find common ground. You can apply that idea to any culture—it’s a universal theme—and I think that’s one of the reasons Alegría has lasted so long.” Summer 2010
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After 15 years of touring most of the world and performing in front of more than 10 million people, Alegría’s final big-top show closed in Dubai last April. Only two months later, the show re-opened in Nova Scotia, commencing the production’s arena-ready North American tour. “Alegría’s pretty much been everywhere with the big-top, so the great thing about doing arenas is that we get to go places we haven’t been to before,” says Valensky. “We can now bring the show to communities that wouldn’t get to see it otherwise and because the audience doesn’t have to travel two or three hours to see our show, it’s added to the intimacy of the experience.”
A journey for the audience One of the show’s biggest goals is inviting the audience to come along for the journey of Alegría—from the show’s impressionistic colouring and lighting to the set’s imposing and powerful shapes, which represent the stability of the establishment, to the amazing acrobatics being performed on stage. Two singers, who play each other’s alter egos, and a six-piece band with scores from jazz and pop to tango and klezmer music work with the performers on stage to heighten the experience for viewers. If the Fire-Knife Dance, an act featuring tribal, ritualistic dancing to Congo drums while throwing flame-
engulfed batons, doesn’t impress you, perhaps the Russian Bars act will. In it, artists fly through the air, performing spectacular somersaults and mid-air twists, only to land on a four-inchwide bar that is perched on the catchers’ sturdy shoulders. In the Synchronized Trapeze act artists defy gravity on trapeze swings in perfect harmony and in the Aerial High Bar act performers soar to and from catchers on three high bars more than 40 feet in the air. The Flying Man combines bungee jumping with the power of gymnastics while the Power Track highlights a group of performers who simultaneously execute gymnastics and tumbling displays on a trampoline that magically appears from beneath the stage. If that’s not enough, Alegría also includes acts that have performers balancing on canes of various heights, executing acrobatics within a large Cyr wheel and bringing the Mongolian art of contortion and manipulation to life right before your eyes.
A simple message When a Cirque du Soleil show comes together, everything is created at the same time, not one piece after the other, because all aspects of the show rely on one another: the premise, the show’s acts, its set, costumes, even its colour palette. The only thing that came last in the two-year-long creative process for Alegría was its title. A Spanish word, the show’s namesake means “elation, joy or jubilation.” The word embodies the message that Franco Dragone, the show’s director, and Gilles Ste-Croix, director of creation, wanted to send to the audience. “The message for Alegría is really simple; we want to stimulate the imagination and we want people to believe that anything is possible— that’s what we want them to take away Summer 2010
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from show. Hearing them talk about how inspired they get afterwards validates everything I do; it’s where I get my inspiration,” says Valensky. “We feature what the human body can do, so if you’re not wowed by the contortion or high bar acts, we aren’t doing our job.” With Alegría, Valensky says the cast and crew are constantly looking at innovation and how they can help the show evolve to be the best it can be creatively. Doing a show for 10 weeks in a row can become a routine, but at Cirque they do their best to make the last show as good and energetic as the first one.
Storytelling through costumes Characters of the Old Order, represented by the unpredictable and unreliable guide Fleur and the Nostalgic Old Birds, are dressed in flamboyant, aristocratic costumes that would have been found in European palaces. They interact with characters of the New Order—the Angels and the sensual, youthful Nymphs—who try to help the old generation find common ground for the future. The New Order wears lighter, more agile costumes that represent their ability to change.
Inspired by the rich colours of Michel Crźte’s set designs, all of Alegría’s costumes, designed by Dominique Lemieux, were custom-made at Cirque’s costume workshop in Montréal. It employs nearly 400 full-time artisans, who will make thousands of intricately designed costumes this year, 500 for Alegría alone. The costumes work with Debra Brown’s choreography and René Dupéré’s music to create an atmosphere unique to Alegría and its audience.
me so much—creatively, artistically and personally. I treasure every minute because you can learn so much and have such a broader perspective of the world as a result.” On its North American tour, Alegría’s crew works 10 weeks on and two weeks off, with eight performances and just one day off each week. Wednesday to Saturday, Alegría takes to the stage at 7:30 p.m., has 3:30 p.m. matinees on Friday and Saturday, and closes after its 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. shows on Sunday.
“You learn so much from Cirque; it creates such an open environment,” says Velansky. “The artists have taught
Tickets range from $56 to $108 for adults and $47 to $89 for children aged two to 12. flr
For all your car’s nooks and crannies
A U T O D E TA I L I N G
352 4676 610 Broad Street Regina
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A unique taste
utopia
Delicious, unexpected food hallmark of women-run catering business
By Trilby Henderson
The Valley Girls Catering team was completed when its fifth member, Allison Sweet, joined in early 2010. “Essentially, the company is owned by the people who have been operating it for years,” says Thompson, noting that each of the partners spent time on the company payroll before joining the business’s ownership.
Photography by: Digney Photographics Ltd.
Gourmet candied apples, maple-and-bacon cupcakes and strawberry vinaigrette waffles—these are just a few of the delicious and unexpected menu items customers can choose from when they visit one of the many venues operated by Valley Girls Catering. By offering customers an array of delectable, homemade cuisine choices, served in a fast and friendly environment, Valley Girls has created a taste utopia that food lovers won’t find anywhere else. “There’s a real passion for food within the company and within our staff,” says Beata Thompson, one of the five women entrepreneurs behind Valley Girls Catering. When people really care about what they are doing, it is reflected in the quality and taste of the food they prepare, she adds. Judging by the company’s success, their enthusiasm for food has certainly paid off. Summer 2010
Born in 2002 Thompson started Valley Girls Catering in 2002, when she began operating the food service at the Deer Valley Golf Course. In 2005, she expanded the company to include a new venture—the Brickhouse Bistro, located in Lumsden. Tania Fraser came on board as a partner in 2007 and was with the company when it again expanded in 2008 to take over operation of the food service at Regina’s Currie Field, home turf of the Red Sox ball team, and the Tartan Curling Club. The following year was another big one for the company as it added both Mary McCusker and Gerda Klyne to the partnership, began operating the food service at Sherwood Forest Country Club, and opened another restaurant, called Fresh & Sweet, in Regina. 70
Thompson says the five women behind Valley Girls Catering have established a strong working relationship built on mutual trust and collaboration, with each partner taking responsibility for the operation of a different venue but all pulling together to tackle big projects and back each other up. “We operate independently, but at the same time, we depend on each other,” Thompson says.
Dependable and professional This mutual cooperation has given the catering side of Valley Girls’s business a unique edge, enabling it to take on multiple functions on the same day, says Thompson. Potential customers can browse through Valley Girls’s detailed online menu, found at www.valleygirlscatering.ca and complete with suggestions on menu combinations and choices. Whether supplying lunch for an office of five or feeding a wedding party of 400, Valley Girls is able to deliver on the dependable and professional reputation it has developed. Valley Girls Catering currently employs 40 staff members, many of whom are long-term employees able to
art, entertainment & dining fine lifestyles regina
fill numerous roles. Thompson says the staff ’s solid work ethic and versatility has contributed greatly to the company’s smooth operation and consistent, high-quality service. “It’s a really good team environment,” she says. “Everybody works really hard and genuinely enjoys each other.” This behind-the-scenes teamwork is manifested in a busy, upbeat atmosphere that customers appreciate nearly as much as they do the food. While Valley Girls customizes its menus to suit each of the venues it operates, customers can be certain the quality they receive will be the same. In fact, the Valley Girls team takes great pride in ensuring that all of its menu items meet the same high standard for taste, freshness and originality that its loyal customers have come to expect. “At the end of the day, the goal is to be consistent and to provide the same style and idea of service, but at different places,” Thompson says.
A chance to experiment For Thompson, one of the greatest benefits of Valley Girls is the opportunity to regularly experiment with new food combinations and flavours. “We have the freedom to do whatever we want,” she says. “We’re free to create in any manner we want to. It’s awesome.”
Not only does Valley Girls offer a wide variety of entirely unique, yet unbelievably delicious, menu choices, the company takes great pride in making all of the food it serves in-house. “We’re in a world where everything comes from a box and everything is pre-made,” says Thompson. “We make everything from scratch.”
experimenting with different combinations, all made using actual food rather than simple flavouring, the difference in taste was astounding. Now, Thompson experiments with flavours such as cinnamon bun, which contains actual cinnamon buns and cream cheese icing, and dark chocolate Guinness, fittingly made using chocolate and beer.
For example, Thompson says she always enjoyed the taste of gelato, a popular frozen dessert but one that is hard to find in Saskatchewan. However, when she started
Of course, finding room to add a new item to the menu is not an easy task, says Thompson, describing their menus as Valley Girls’s “greatest hits.” But whether customers come in craving a tried and true favourite or looking to surprise their taste buds with something new, Valley Girls’s one-of-a-kind menu never disappoints. “It’s just different,” says Thompson. “They’re always just so excited to have something different.” flr
Valley Girls Catering (306) 543-8531 www.valleygirlscatering.ca
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The RCMP Charity Ball Gala Glittering annual event draws dignitaries and community-minded citizens in aid of a worthy cause By Edward Willett Photography by: Digney Photographics Ltd.
The recently renovated drill hall at the RCMP Academy, “Depot” Division, was awash in tuxedos, ball gowns and red serge on May 15 as dignitaries, Mounties and prominent (and not-soprominent) citizens gathered for the annual RCMP Charity Ball gala. The event harkens back to early days in the west when RCMP posts were often the centre of social life in small communities. Balls were frequently held at the RCMP barracks in Regina during the years the city served as the force’s headquarters, between 1882 and 1920, and the tradition was restored in 1991.
This year’s ball was in aid of the Mackenize Infant Care Centre These days, the balls are charity events, with a new charity chosen as beneficiary every two years. This year’s ball was in aid of the Mackenize Infant Care Centre, which provides care for the infants of young mothers so they can attend classes at Balfour Special Tutorial. Since MICC was founded in 1986, more than 800 young women have received support from its board, administration, teachers and caregivers, the goal being to “set them up to succeed.” Summer 2010
Roger L. Brown, Commanding Officer, Depot Division, with The Honouralbe Dr. Lynda Haverstock, guest speaker. 72
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Mayor Pat Fiacco was master of ceremonies at the charity ball, which had a Mardi Gras theme, complete with masks issued to each attendee. Pomp and circumstance were the order of the event, with piping in of dignitaries and the presence of the Lieutenant Governor, the Hon. Dr. Gordon L. Barnhart. The guest speaker was former Lieutenant Governor the Hon. Dr. Lynda Haverstock, who spoke eloquently of the challenges faced by the young mothers the Mackenzie Infant Care Centre helps, relating it to her own experience of having to drop out of high school in Grade 10.
Mayor Pat Fiacco, Master of Ceremonies, shares a laugh with members of the RCMP, including Sgt. Earl LeBlanc, right.
Funds for MICC were raised not only through ticket sales, but through the live auction of works of art by Joe Fafard, Victor Cicansky and Wilf Perrault; a one-week stay at a premium home in Canmore, a fishing adventure in northern Saskatchewan, and a chance to win a WestJet return trip for two people to anywhere WestJet flies. The RCMP Charity Gala Ball will return next year, with MICC continuing as the recipient of the funds raised. It’s not just a fabulous dinner and dance, it’s a chance to help out a worthy cause and celebrate Regina history. Watch for it! flr
Cpl. Glen Odishaw, Erin Odishaw, Sgt. Lorelie Rollings and Sgt. Rich Rollings take part in the Grand March.
Each table was hosted by a Mountie in full dress uniform, with cadets acting as servers. Dinner featured Mississippi Gumbo, Decatur Salad, Point Chartrain Crabcakes and Bourbon Street Chateaubriand, with crepes, croquembouche and New Orleans Pecan Pie, among other delectable items, for dessert, all prepared by RCMP executive chef Jan van Eldert. The evening dance began with a grand march, a tradition from court balls in Europe, a promenade around the dance floor by everyone in attendance.
Cpl. Eric Sheppard and Crystal Chernichan. 73
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The
Willetts on Wine East is east, and west is west...but which has the best wine? By Margaret Anne and Edward Willett
It’s Canada Day as we write this, and we’re feeling patriotic. Today’s Rider game is even a classic East-versus-West match tailor-made to resonate with the Canadian psyche.
fermenting early American hybrids in what is now Mississauga. Today he is the acknowledged father of the Canadian wine industry and the famous Niagara Peninsula wine region.
This is a wine column, not a sports column, but that East-versus-West dynamic can be found in the world of Canadian wines, as well...and here in Saskatchewan, we’re right in the middle of it.
The Okanagan didn’t get into the act for another half a century. In the 1860s, the Oblate Fathers began growing grapes at their mission just south of Kelowna. The farmers that came later, though, were mostly interested in fruit orchards; there wasn’t a commercial grape-growing venture in the region until 1907 (in Salmon Arm) and the first commercial winery, Calona, didn’t open until the 1930s.
Grapes and wine make an early appearance in Canadian history. What we call Newfoundland Leif Ericsson named Vinland way back in 1001 A.D., after the grapes reportedly discovered by his foster father, a German (and therefore very familiar with viticulture), who wandered away from camp one day and returned, delighted, with the fruit in hand. Half a millennium later, on his second visit to New France in 1535, Jacques Cartier found wild grapes growing in abundance on a large island in the St. Lawrence, first named Île de Bascuz (after Bacchus, the god of wine), later renamed Île d’Orléans. Five kilometres east of Quebec City, the island was home to one of the first French settlements. A couple of centuries later, retired German soldier Johann Schiller, who had wine-making experience in the Rhine valley, started growing and
Both the Niagara Peninsula and the Okanagan are at the same range of latitude as the Old World’s major wine-producing regions. Ontario spans an area that is the same as Southern France’s Languedoc, Spain’s Rioja and Italy’s Chianti Classico regions. The mitigating effect of Lake Ontario and Lake Erie allow for the growing of wine-quality grapes, reflecting light to shore and storing summer’s heat as the land cools during the winter months.
The B.C. difference In contrast, in British Columbia there is much lower humidity, producing desert extremes of heat and cold day by day; there are also more hours of sunlight than in southern Ontario, a plus for ripening grapes. (Although 83
most of the wine available to us in Saskatchewan comes from the Okanagan and Similkameen valleys, wines are also produced in the Fraser Valley, on Vancouver Island and in the newest designated area, the Gulf Islands.) B.C.’s wine industry, somewhat younger than Ontario’s, originally used more French hybrid grapes as opposed to native North American varieties (although this has now dramatically changed). When you look for Canadian wines in Saskatchewan’s SLGA stores, you’ll notice that the Ontario selection is rather thin. The shelves are full of the inexpensive large-bottle wines and the easy-to-reach-for insert-name-of-yourfavourite-golf-or-TV-star brands, but look past those and the flashy ice wines and you’ll find that the Niagara wineries that led the estate winery revitalisation of Canada’s industry, Inniskillin, Pelee Island and Henry of Pelham, are mostly/only represented by their entrylevel wines, which really isn’t fair to these great producers—or the public! In the new private stores we do see the well-established Cave Springs, known for its Riesling and Chardonnay (and its famous restaurant, On the Twenty). An exciting alternative choice is Tawse, a family-owned winery that’s a relative newcomer on the Niagara scene, founded in 2001. Give their Misek Summer 2010
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Vineyard and Echoes Rieslings a try. Look to the west, though, and the selection expands. From B.C. you can find not only entry-level wines (such as the very good entry-level-priced Pinot Noir from Ganton and Larson’s Prospect Winery, which we have served on a number of occasions) but more mid- and premium-priced wines. So which way should you turn for Canadian wine—east, or west? What to drink and taste? Our answer is always, simply, “Whatever is good!” But that’s not very helpful, so...
In broad terms, we’d say go west for reds and east for whites, but both Niagara and the Okanagan are cool-climate viticulture areas which produce wines with high acidity and natural aging potential. Niagara generally produces lighter, fruiter wines, and the Okanagan, benefitting from greater extremes in temperature, offers full-bodied, highly flavoured wines with good acidity, comparable to the wines of the Rhine.
So take your pick! With the everincreasing quantity and quality of wines available here in the true North, strong and free, you really can’t go wrong.
“East is east, and west is west, and never the twain shall meet,” Rudyard Kipling famously wrote, but in the case of Canadian wines, he was wrong. They meet in Saskatchewan.
Like to see your wine recommendation in a future Fine Lifestyles Regina? Contact the Willetts on Wine at ewillett@sasktel.net. flr
Margaret Anne and Edward Willett drink wine, buy wine, taste wine, write about wine, conduct wine tastings, belong to three different wine clubs, and have more corkscrews than they can count.
Our readers recommend... Garth Huber 2004 Nakad Rouge, Bekaa Valley I always like to keep my eye out for something unusual when I am browsing through a wine shop. The wine may be either an uncommon varietal, or from an unusual growing area, or both. Sometimes I might like the wine and sometimes I might not, but it is an inexpensive and fun way to broaden one’s horizons. And so my eye was attracted to a bottle of red wine from Lebanon sitting on the shelves of Willow Park Wines & Spirits: “Nakad Rouge, 2004, Bekaa Valley.” In addition to coming from an unusual area, it is also an uncommon blend of Cinsault and Carignan grape varieties combined with Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine is fruity and of moderate body. The general consensus from my friends was that it went well with our potluck dinner, being one of the favourites of the evening. Recently the Bekaa Valley has been more known for armed conflict than winemaking, so it is definitely worth a try. Garth Huber is a Physics Professor at the University of Regina, and is on the local executive of the Society for Americas’ Wines. He has no formal wine training, but enjoys trying many different wines and learning from the experience. Photos by Edward Willet
Deana Pageot 2007 Gnarly Head Old Vine Zinfandel Labels often grab my attention as I go down the aisles in a wine store, the labels grab my attention, and that was certainly the case the Gnarly Head Old Vine Zinfandel. I was pleasantly surprised the first time I tasted this wine. The nose is very strong of black cherries, the colour is dark red to black, and the flavours are of black cherries and peppercorn that linger on the palate. I’m not a professional wine taster, but I do enjoy great red wines such as the Gnarly Head. I have recommended this particular Zin to many people. It pairs so well with a variety of dishes: rack of lamb, prime rib, pizza, ribs, chili, Thai food and aged cheeses. Besides that, it is a yummy wine to drink on its own! Deana Pageot is a retired school teacher who is presently teaching English as a second language to immigrants and refugees at The Open Door Society and also does some contract work for the department of education at the University of Regina. For the past 20-plus years, she has served on the board of The Society for Americas’ Wines, learning about wine and working with many chefs in Regina planning wine-and-food pairings. Summer 2010
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Surprise, surprise A reunion of Saskatchewan schoolmates in Hong Kong reveals a city full of surprises By Sheena Koops
Photos by Sheena Koops
If you’re looking for a holiday destination that is something to brag about, Hong Kong has it all: urban and rural; ancient and state-of-the-art; ocean and mountains; architecture and parks; history and commerce; flowers and fashion and food, food, food. You can enjoy streets devoted to one category, like tropical fish or electronics, and have your picture taken with a waxy Jackie Chan on the way up to the peak. You can hike into isolated bays; swing across valleys to the giant Buddha; follow the path of wisdom; walk in the treetops; visit monkeys in the wild, and even tour Noah’s Ark. A trip to Hong Kong can be as full of surprises as you are. Indeed, every world traveller should be able to say, “When I was in Hong Kong…”
A barbecue and class reunion—in Hong Kong? I flew into Hong Kong overnight on Cathay Pacific from Vancouver. Noris—a Hong Kong native I met in Saskatchewan, graduating with me from Western Christian College—and her friend, Amy, were waiting. I was giddy as we entered Villa Cuisine, anticipating shrimp dumplings and thousand-layer cake ordered in dim sum fashion, served in bamboo trays.
Noris’s brother drove us to their sister’s in Cheung Po Village (right within the northern park of Hong Kong) for a typical Hong Kong barbecue. We ate fresh squid, chicken wings and fish balls roasted over an open fire with a stick. Noris’s nieces performed on the violin and Gu Zheng (an ancient Chinese plucked zither); inspired, we hiked into the hills to visit gravesides, as many locals were doing during the Festival of Ching Ming.
Luggage still in tow, we took the train to Ma On Shan. After I had gasped at my 21st-story view of Tolo Harbour and the islands beyond, framed by high-rise apartments on either side, my kind hosts suggested I take a nap. I woke refreshed; day one was only beginning.
Waking up with no jet lag on Easter Sunday, day two, we went to church, followed by lunch at Tsui Wah Restaurant, and I fell in love with Hong Kong milk tea. In the afternoon we had our first reunion, laughing about our school days on the prairies. My education continued with
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geography and history at the Hong Kong Historical Museum. I had to order another milk tea at the Australia Dairy Company, a must for every visitor if only to watch the efficiency of the all-male employees. A late trip to crowded Temple Street started my souvenir collection with silk scarves and classic chopsticks.
Table tennis and a home visit After beginning day three in Sai Kung (where Noris works) and eating cocktail and pineapple buns, we took a taxi to Sai Wan and hiked past the reservoir to the ocean. We dined in a traditional Oriental restaurant overlooking the bay. After hiking out, we walked around the pier and fish market, then shopped Fa Yuen Street and Fish Street. We visited PSS Table Tennis Club, where the athletes were surprised this Canadian could keep the ball on the table, but when we played a game, I lost 11-3 and 11-2. My thoughtful friends cheered me up at Hong Kong’s Professional Teachers’ Union store where I found gifts for my high school students: pencils with Chinese proverbs.
On day four we toured Central Hong Kong Park and the Botanical Gardens; the netted ceiling of the Zoological Gardens revealed skyscrapers while we strolled tree-top boardwalks, birds flying past at eye level. We saved our legs riding the Central Mid-level Escalator, past small shops into neighbourhoods high on the island, but the highlight of day four was meeting people. We visited the Wongs in their 34th floor apartment; now in their 80s, they grew up on fishing boats, literally
living on the water. They explained how difficult their young lives had been and how blessed they are now. We then met the Chungs at a sports club. Mr. Chung and I played table tennis on one table, while his daughter, Joan, the Wongs’ daughter, Elsa, and Noris and Amy played on the other. Afterwards we laughed and ate hot pot for nearly three hours at the Tao Heung Seafood Restaurant.
Noah’s Ark and Buddhist temples On day five I was surprised with the serious environmental and spiritual themes of the interpretive displays at the full-scale Noah’s Ark. The Yu Wah Shopping Mall, on the other hand, was a testament to man’s commercial visions, with an elevator rocketing into thin space.
“Every world traveller should be able to say, ‘When I was in Hong Kong...’” The service was great at the Chinese department store where I bought more souvenirs: chopsticks, paintings, table tennis equipment and Chinese jackets for my youngest daughter, nephew and niece. After dining on Watami Japanese food we strolled past Tsim Sha Tsui, the former Marine Police Headquarters, taking in the romantic cityscape on an evening stroll along the pier. Summer 2010
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The Sha Tin Heritage Museum, picturesque along the Shing Mun River, featured the Cantonese Opera Heritage Hall and Chao Shao-an Gallery of Chinese Art. After lunch of roast barbecue pork, roast goose and HK coffee at Tai Hing Restaurant, it was shopping time. Although I was exhausted, Nan Lin Park offered rejuvenation with perfectly tended trees, shrubs and grasses, plus stately fossilized rocks, foot paths, Buddhist temples, giant fish ponds and a waterfall splashing over a restaurant. Rolling fog played among skyscrapers in the near distance. A foot massage, shopping in Jusco Japanese Supermarket, and Itacho Sushi for supper ended day six perfectly.
Wisdom Path and wild monkeys On day seven we took the Ngong Ping cable car across the ocean and mountains on Lantau Island, walking past the giant Buddha, hiking, instead, the Wisdom Path, a majestic totem-
like monument of planks containing the entire Heart Sutra text, a favourite of Confucians, Taoists and Buddhists. We then took a bus to Tai O Fishing Village and met Uncle Choi of “Glutinous Dumpling” fame, then strolled along stilt houses in the “Venice of Hong Kong.” We bused to Mui Wo and took the Ferry to Central where we were able to catch the Peak Tram for the evening laser show and night scenery. My eighth and final day in Hong Kong began at the Kowloon Reservoir where signs said: DO NOT FEED THE MONKEYS; however, a carload of tourists, snack bags crumpling, drew monkeys from the hills. We left on foot, nervous but safe, and caught a bus to Ho Man Tin Indoor Playground to meet 10 classmates, their partners and children; we laughed, ate, and played table tennis. Our reunion was over too soon, with promises to meet either in Canada or Hong Kong. For my last supper, we
306-332-2582
chose dim sum, then rushed back to the apartment for packing and catching the air bus for the airport. I couldn’t believe it was all over.
Surprise, surprise Noris had told me there were quiet places in Hong Kong, and I’d thought, “Yeah, right.” But what surprised me was the peaceful parks at unexpected turns; the hiking available on major transportation routes; not meeting millions of people all at once; running into Elsa and Joan on the train. And the way the mist and fog changes the view, the reasonable prices, the lack of congestion...surprise, surprise, Hong Kong surprised me! Come to think of it, the only things that didn’t surprise me were the warmth of old friends and my delight in the new, and nobody will be surprised when they hear me saying, “On my second trip to Hong Kong…” flr
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Nestled in the Qu'Appelle Valley between Fort Qu'Appelle and Indian Head on Highway 56
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BINGO! Fun and fundraising combine for more than 150 Saskatchewan charities By G.H. Lewmer
Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Association) raise as many funds as possible to help them reach their goals. Funds are raised through the six Bingo Halls owned and operated by Amalgamated Charities throughout the Province. Three of these Bingo Halls are located in Regina (Centennial, Fantasyland and Bingo Palace), while the remaining three are situated in Moose Jaw (Leisure Time), Saskatoon (Club West) and Swift Current (Junction Square) respectively.
Photography by: Digney Photographics Ltd.
Can you name the game that friends and family from ages 13 to 90 can play that encourages and rewards laughter, shouting and screaming? If you guessed Bingo you’re 100-percent correct, and if you were playing Bingo right now, odds are you might get lucky! Bingo is a great and fun way for friends and family of all ages to celebrate their time together. For communities and non-profit organizations, it’s also a wonderful way to raise funds for important projects. Over the years, the 150 charities and 150 staff members who make up the Saskatchewan-based Amalgamated Charities Inc. have helped communities and non-profit organizations raise fun Summer 2010
and funds through Bingo. With the assistance of its dedicated staff and network of committed volunteers, Amalgamated Charities has helped communities throughout Saskatchewan raise millions of dollars through its Bingo and Break-Open ticket sales programs. As more than150 non-profit organizations have discovered, if fundraising is your goal, Amalgamated Charities is the organization to call to get the job done!
Helping charities raise funds What is Amalgamated Charities, you may ask? It is a non-profit organization incorporated in 2002 whose primary goal is working to help its charitable and non-profit members (shareholders as approved by the ACI regulator, The 88
If you were playing Bingo right now, odds are you might get lucky! As everyone who has ever shouted out its name in victory knows, Bingo is an inexpensive, time-honoured and fun-filled form of entertainment for the whole family. At each fundraising event a portion of Bingo and BreakOpen ticket proceeds go to the charity sponsoring the event. It’s an effortless and efficient way to fund-raise, made easy with the assistance of the experienced Amalgamated Charities staff. The non-profit group sponsoring the event works under the direction of the professional staff and is able to host anywhere from one to 52 sessions per year to raise funds. In 2009, Amalgamated Charities helped its supporting members raise more than $2 million. Summer 2010
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Every organization that partners with Amalgamated Charities discovers there are approximately 150 full- and part-time staff members working between Bingo operations and concessions to assist. Within ACI there are more than 150 members who meet annually to elect the board of directors. This board comprises up to 18 members who are geographically dispersed throughout the province.
Volunteer board This board is composed of volunteers who are everyday members of the community. Interim General Manager Roberta Peakman says, “I am proud to be part of an organization whose focus is our community. The members who volunteer are doing so to help achieve their charities’ goals. ACI is not just about our patrons and the game of Bingo, but also about our shareholders and helping them achieve their dreams!”
As with any successful organization, the ACI Board is committed to maximizing its potential. According to Chairperson Gary Gehring, “During the past eight years, ACI has been trying new methods to increase shareholder revenues and to position itself as a viable, continuing option for these non-profit groups. Through the concerted efforts of many volunteers and a core group of staff we are confident ACI will continue to play a vital role in our communities and support the many organizations that touch every one of us in our day-to-day activities.”
Diverse and far-reaching This diverse and far-reaching assistance is truly remarkable. Here’s how the Lumsden and District Lions Club puts it: “Our club consists of approximately 30 members. Over the past eight years, with the help of ACI, we have been able to sponsor numerous projects and organizations in our town, from individual donations to community projects through Bingos. Organizations as diverse as local firefighters, the CNIB, Guides, Scouts and local elementary and high schools as well as individual projects ranging from local parks upkeep, Centennial Hall furnishing and donations to the 89
local library have benefited. Without the fundraising opportunity afforded through Bingos, many projects would have been funded at a much diminished level or not at all.” Athletic organizations such as the Regina Ringette Association are a perfect fit for the services offered by ACI. As a member of Regina Ringette puts it, “Working Bingos provides our sport with revenue to help keep the costs down for many of our members. “Bingo revenues are used for player registration, team tournament fees and team practice time amongst numerous other costs. Bingo revenue is essential to our sport association and without the support of ACI our ability to facilitate our association’s needs would be greatly diminished.” For further information, and to help your non-profit group take its first steps to realize its fiscal goals and financial independence, give the Amalgamated Offices a call at (306) 543-5566 or visit www.saskbingo.com. Odds are you might get lucky! flr Amalgamated Charities 543-5566 www.saskbingo.com Summer 2010
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Major changes By Rod Pedersen
for the Pats in 2010
After a second consecutive season on the outside of the Western Hockey League playoffs looking in, the Regina Pats underwent a major overhaul in their front office this spring. On Friday, May 7, long-time General Manager Brent Parker stepped down from his role in hockey operations, and took over the team’s Presidency from his father, Russ. Both had held their positions with Canada’s oldest major junior hockey franchise since the family purchased the team in the summer of 1995. “Effective today I will be relinquishing my role as the General Manager of the Regina Pats Hockey Club,” Parker said in a news release. “I feel that this decision is what will be best for the organization going forward and will allow us to take a new approach and a new direction and hopefully allow us to achieve the success that we all so desperately want.” The news release included a rather impressive list of accomplishments during Brent Parker’s reign. In that 15-year span the Pats hosted the 1998 WHL All-Star Game, the 2001 Memorial Cup Tournament, the 2004 ADT Canada/Russia Hockey Challenge and the 2010 World Junior Hockey Championships. Parker’s overall record as GM was 469436-61-42 with six 40-win seasons and a winning percentage of .513. However, going back to 1999, the franchise missed the playoffs on four occasions and was only able to get out of the first round once, which prompted the change. Summer 2010
Jordan Weal
“A fresh start” “Today is a fresh start and a new beginning for all of us, and I for one am looking forward to what lies ahead,” Parker stated. 90
The search for a new General Manager lasted exactly three weeks. While the club’s head coach, Curtis Hunt, and head scout, Todd Ripplinger, were initially considered for the job, Parker felt it was best to look outside the organization for a fresh perspective.
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operations but has vowed to give Lang complete control of the hockey side of the operation and will concentrate on the business and marking areas.
Chad Lang
On Friday, May 26 the Pats formally announced the hiring of Chad Lang for the position. It was an ironic hiring, given Lang’s success as General Manager of the rival Moose Jaw Warriors just down the TransCanada Highway. The 32-year old Regina product helped build a Warriors team that won the Eastern Conference title in 2006 and earned a berth into the WHL Finals. For his work that season, Lang was the Eastern Conference nominee for the WHL’s Executive of the Year. During his tenure in Moose Jaw, Lang guided the team to two of its three best records in franchise history.
“As far as anything in hockey operations, as of today I have the autonomy to make the decisions I feel are in the best interests of the organization,” Lang explained. “In saying that, I will definitely sit down with Curtis Hunt and the scouting staff and give them an opportunity to say their piece. I think it's an important to give those guys an opportunity to voice their opinions. They've been involved the past few years, and then I'll put in my two cents. “I have a good understanding of the organization from an outsider looking in but to have success there are so many factors that go into it. “Sometimes it's tough to evaluate them from the outside. But in fairness to the process, everyone has to be able to voice their opinions. Then if I feel there are any gaps, I'll make the necessary changes. I'm comfortable doing that. “The biggest thing I want to get across to the fans is that my hockey clubs need to compete every night and when you do that you give yourselves a chance. If you don't, you shoot
yourself in the foot. That will be the message and the mandate from day one with this hockey club but in saying that, there will be changes down the road.” As far as Parker is concerned, Lang was the ideal candidate for the job. “I am pleased to have Chad joining our organization as the new General Manager. He brings a wealth of knowledge and understanding of our league and our team and he has a good track record of success. I look forward to handing over the reins of our hockey department so that Chad can begin the process of putting his stamp on our team.” Fan interest seemed to be waning, given the team’s poor performance the past couple of seasons, but the hiring of Lang spiked sales of season tickets. He certainly has a big task ahead of him, because the club has said farewell to franchise stars Jordan Eberle and Colten Teubert. However, there is a great group of returning players led by 100-point scorer Jordan Weal and Tampa Bay first-round pick Carter Ashton. Regina Pats season tickets are on sale now at the Regina Pats office at the Brandt Centre, or at the team’s official website, www.reginapats.com. flr
He is a product of the Regina Minor Hockey system and played for the Regina Pat Canadians as well as the Kindersley Klippers of the SJHL. “I’m extremely excited for this opportunity to be a part of the long history of the Regina Pats,” Lang commented at his introductory news conference. “I know there is a big job in front of me, and I’m confident that through the process the organization will be back at the top of the league.” As the new President of the team, Parker will still oversee the club’s
Carter Ashton
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Water Toys Hot ways to keep cool this summer By Alexandra Walld With the sun beating down and things heating things up this summer, you quickly realize that grabbing a cold one and hanging out in the backyard with the kids’ inflatable pool and Slip ’n Slide just isn’t going to cut it. No, in order to take full advantage of the gorgeous weather this summer, you’re going to need a few toys of your own. Ones that let you see the sun glinting off the water, that let you feel the wind blowing through your hair as you hit peak speeds, that let you hear the kids laughing or the chopping of the waves as your new watercraft sends them racing to the shore. When you go to a couple of dealerships, there is a lot to take in; it can almost be overwhelming, so it might take some of the edge off if you have a bit of an idea what you’re looking for. From Bayliner and Chaparral to Bombardier and Sea Doo, the showrooms are filled with a variety of boats and personal water crafts for your consideration. “The biggest thing we’re noticing for growing trends is the pontoon boat. More and more people are using them as their primary family boat because of the extra space they have,” says Jeff Lorch, general manager at Performance Marine and Leisure Centre. “There used to be a conception that they were the old-person portable patio, whereas today the boat is multipurpose; people are buying them for skiing, tubing, fishing and boating.”
Photography by: Digney Photographics Ltd.
Pontoon boats generally start at 18 feet, but the most popular sizes are the 20- and 22-foot boats. You can find one starting in the low $20,000s but you can work your way up from there, depending on how fast or fancy you want your boat to be.
For the family Lorch says that the most continuously popular boat is Bayliner’s family bowrider, which he says fits any family’s size or budget. With 10 different models available, the bowrider ranges from 16 to 22.5 feet, can hold from five to 11 people—depending on which model you choose—and can cost you anywhere from $13,405 to $42,275, depending on the features and model you decide to go with in the end. 95
One of the most popular features that make this water craft appealing to buyers is that you can get an extended swim platform for it, which gives you even more room on the boat to store your skis, tube or fishing gear. When buying any boat, Lorch says you should consider what you will be using it for and who you are going to have with you on the water so that you can tailor your purchase to fit your needs. When you have a better idea of what you’re looking for in a boat, you can find it in the showroom and go through it to get a sense of what it will feel like on the water. “We go through an interview process with clients to really try to determine what they need and then give them a few boats that will fulfill their needs,” Summer 2010
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says Lorch. “Year after year, boating continues to be a great family investment. A lot of people don’t look at boats as a purchase; they look at them as an investment for family time because when kids hit a certain age, it’s no longer cool to hang out with their parents. But if the family has a boat, kids often bring friends along and families spend more time together.”
New this year If you want new and shiny, Bombardier Recreational Products (BRP) might have what you’re looking for: the Sea-Doo 210 Wake. Released this January, the 21-foot, propeller-free sport boat can seat up to 10 people and comes with a satellite-ready stereo, a wakeboard tower and racks and a sundeck with transat seats. With 430-horsepower, a Tonneau cover and a bimini top, it is also equipped with a new gadget, Ski Mode, which allows the driver to adjust the boat’s launch intensity for riders with different skill levels while maintaining a constant speed. The 210 Wake also boasts Direct Drive Jet Propulsion—which propels and steers
Photography by: Digney Photographics Ltd.
the boat—and Intelligent Throttle Control. Together, these features make driving easier so that almost anyone can take the wheel. “The Wake 210 just came out and it’s gonna be hot. It’s a beautiful boat and has got everything in it,” says Danton Soloducha, a sales representative with PowerSports Regina. “It’s got a Perfect Path System—where you dial in your speed and it keeps that speed the whole time—and it’s very fuel-efficient. It starts at about $45,000 and can climb up to about $55,000. It’s the nicest boat BRP’s made in the last few years.”
Affordable family fun Getting your family out of the house and into the sunshine can be easy and affordable. An alternative to consider when thinking about buying a boat, a personal watercraft can accommodate multiple riders and many are equipped with everything that you will need to enjoy swimming, skiing, tubing or wakeboarding with family and friends. Soloducha says that BRP’s Sea-Doo GTI SE 155 is a nice beginner machine that is available at a reasonable price. The 10.5-foot-long three-seater comes with standard equipment, like mirrors, a speedometer and a re-boarding step, and has plenty of power for tow sports. Designed with families in mind, the machine is practically self-righting and because it’s wider and flatter, it makes for a drier, more stable ride. The 155-horsepower Rotax 4-TEC engine has an increased torque at a lower RPM and combines resonators, acoustical foam and vibration-absorbing components, making it one of the quietest crafts on the water.
Photography by: Digney Photographics Ltd.
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One of the newest body styles on the water this summer belongs to BRP’s Sea-Doo RXT-X 260. The 11.5-foot water craft has a 260-horsepower supercharged, intercooled Rotax 4-TEC engine, is equipped with X-Steering, which introduces the first-
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ever width- and grip-adjustable handlebars and has the best power-toweight ratio among three-seaters out there. With Intelligent Throttle Control— iTC—the RXT-X 260 has the most advanced throttle control seen on personal watercraft, featuring cruise control, neutral, slow and high-performance modes. Keeping safety for all riders in mind, a programmable learning key called iControl lets you limit the watercraft’s performance based on the rider’s skill-level. Equipped with an Intelligent Brake and Reverse system, the RXT-X 260 has the world’s first on-water braking system and brings a whole new level of safety and control to riders.
Photos by: Bombardier
Both the GTI SE 155 and RXT-X 260 use a Sea-Doo Direct Drive propulsion system and both come with a removable wakeboard rack, depth finder and fire extinguisher. They are both equipped with re-boarding steps and emergency floating lanyards and boast Digitally Encoded Security Systems— the industry’s first digitally-encoded theft-deterrent system. You can pick up the GTI SE 155 starting at $11,999 and the RXT-X 260 starts at $16,999.
“Price-wise, the GTI SE 155 would probably be the best bang for your buck, but my personal choice is the RXT-X 260. It’s got loads of power—it has 260 horsepower, is supercharged and does zero to 50 in 2.9 seconds! It’s an absolutely beautiful machine,” says Soloducha. “Whatever you’re gonna get, you need to consider that BRP always stands behind its product; I’ve had their products for five to 10 years and they always stand behind them very well. The product support is amazing.”
Photo by: Bombardier
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From family-friendly pontoon boats to speedy sport boats or powerful personal watercraft, there are many options available to fulfill your need to beat the heat this summer, but no matter what you decide to buy, one thing is for certain: these are toys you won’t mind sharing with your friends and family. Summer 2010
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Riders hit the road to By Rod Pedersen Voice of the Riders
Redemption “We will never forget it, but we must get over it.” – Roughrider head coach Ken Miller.
He is a man of few words, but that statement by Ken Miller perfectly sums up the mindset of the Saskatchewan Roughriders as they turn the page from the bitter end of the 2009 Grey Cup game to the 2010 Canadian Football League season. As just about everybody in Saskatchewan knows, the Roughriders let a 27-11 lead in the fourth quarter of the CFL championship game last November get away from them and a “too many men” penalty on the final Summer 2010
play of the contest cost them their fourth Grey Cup title. The penalty gave Montreal kicker Damon Duval a second chance at a game-winning field goal, and his 33-yarder with no time left capped an unbelievable 28-27 comeback victory for the Alouettes. The outcome stunned the nation.
“It comes up all the time,” admitted Rider quarterback Darian Durant. “That’s gotta be one of the craziest ways a Grey Cup has ever ended and I’m pretty sure it’s a game that won’t be forgotten for a long time. It’s something we’re gonna hear everywhere we go.”
The Roughriders have been endlessly needled over the off-season about that gaffe, but as they prepared for the start of a new campaign they had to shed themselves of that emotional baggage.
Many pundits across the CFL have pegged the Riders as the favourites in the West Division to get back to the Grey Cup in Edmonton this November,
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but everyone knows it’s going to be a long road to get there.
were replaced by Doug Berry, Bob Dyce and Jim Daley respectively.
“I think everybody sort of forgot it over the winter but now the curiosity is to see how the team will respond to it,” reported TSN CFL Insider David Naylor. “It’s an immense challenge for that coaching staff because no one’s ever lost a championship game in that fashion. That’s a massive letdown.
Also among the departures were four starters on defense: rush ends Stevie Baggs and John Chick, middle linebacker Rey Williams (all to the NFL) and defensive halfback Eddie Davis (retirement). Six-time all-star Barrin Simpson was signed to replace Williams while the club will go with unproven returnees to try and fill the void left by the others.
“They let something get away that they worked so hard for for six months. The humour part of poking fun at them has faded away but there’s a real curiosity to see if the ghosts of the 13th man don’t follow them into 2010.” Some of the Roughriders have elected to stress the positives from that game, and only strive to get better and right the wrong in the new campaign. “We played really well in that game,” revealed Rider slotback Chris Getzlaf. “To go down like that leaves a bitter taste but that’s in the past now. We need to move forward. We have a great team and have a great chance to get there again.” This past off-season signaled quite an exodus in Riderville. Three of the club’s coaches fled to the rival Winnipeg Blue Bombers (offensive coordinator Paul Lapolice, running backs coach Jamie Barresi and special teams coordinator Kavis Reed) and
Brendan Taman replaced Eric Tillman in late January as the General Manager of the Roughriders and the Saskatoon product was the undisputed winner on the free agent market, signing a handful of prized players, such as kick returner Dominique Dorsey, offensive tackle Dan Goodspeed and Simpson. Taman also made a splash on the day of the Canadian College Draft in May, trading up to acquire the number-one pick, with which the club selected all-star linebacker Shomari Williams from Queens University. Offensively the nucleus of the group remains intact with 2009 team MVP Darian Durant returning for his second season as the unchallenged starting quarterback. The North Carolina product started all 18 games plus playoffs last year and grew a tremendous amount as a person along the way. He was able to find a way to deal with the pressures of being the quarterback in Saskatchewan better than anyone has since perhaps the great Ron Lancaster. “I can’t go out and please this person or that person,” Durant advised. “I need to take care of my teammates and my coaches. If I play within myself and not worry what’s going on in the outside world, then we’ll be successful. I’m confident in my skills and in what I can do. We will be successful.” If there are any question marks regarding the 2010 Roughriders, it’s on 101
defense, where fans are nervous Chick and Baggs can’t adequately be replaced. The two combined for 22 quarterback sacks and were named first-team all-stars in the process. Through training camp, the club settled on rookie Brent Hawkins and veteran Luc Mullinder as the primary replacements. “I don’t have any questions about what we’re going to be able to do,” asserted defensive coordinator Gary Etcheverry. “We have some great players here. I’m excited about the 2010 season and how it’ll shake out.” The Rider Nation seems excited too, as a record 25,000 season tickets have been purchased heading into the new year. The Riders posted a franchiserecord profit of $3.14 million in 2009 and a CFL-record $7.14 million in merchandise sales. Ticket sales remain strong: the Labour Day Classic against Winnipeg sold out in 16 minutes while the July 17 home game against Edmonton also sold out before this season even started. n Just when you thought Rider Pride could not get any stronger, it continues to reach new levels. The fans, as always, have done their job. Now, as always, the rest is up to the players. flr Rod Pedersen is the Voice of the Roughriders on 620 CKRM Radio Summer 2010
properties fine lifestyles regina
Timeless elegance,
lasting appeal
Reputation for trustworthiness and reliability put Emerald Park Homes at the top of homeowners’ list
By Trilby Henderson
Photography by: Digney Photographics Ltd.
Whether they’re planning for a growing family or settling in to enjoy retirement, building a new home gives homeowners the perfect opportunity to design a living environment that meets all of their current and future needs. When Emerald Park Homes is the builder, clients can also rest assured that their new home will feature timeless elegance and lasting appeal to keep their investment secure. It’s been more than nine years since Lorraine and Hartley Markusson hired Emerald Park Homes to construct their new house, but they say they love their home as much today as the day
they moved in. Whether relaxing together, hosting their five grandchildren for the afternoon, or entertaining a large group of guests, Lorraine says their home functions perfectly for all situations. “It’s a very easy home to live in,” she says. The Markussons started the process of building their first brand-new home in 2000. As empty nesters, Lorraine says they wanted to design a house that would fit their lifestyle, with space for their future grandchildren to visit and an open-floor concept for entertaining. “I really liked [the open floor design] because you’re not stuck in the kitchen. 103
Everyone can see each other as they sit and visit, so it’s nice,” she says. The couple researched several homebuilders before choosing to work with Emerald Park Homes. “We were pretty fussy in selecting our builder,” says Lorraine. “Reputation was important and we heard good things about Emerald Park Homes.”
Trustworthy, reliable, open Themselves operators of a family-run business, they were drawn to locally owned Emerald Park Homes because owners Garry and Lorena Sawchyn Summer 2010
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appeared to share the same core business values: trustworthiness, reliability and open communication, Lorraine says. Gary’s hands-on involvement in the construction of their new house was also a comfort to the couple because it meant he would personally oversee each detail. “It’s important that you know, and really tell your homebuilder, what you want,” says Lorraine. The Markussons had spent plenty of time perusing home-design books and visiting show homes prior to starting on their own build, and Lorraine says they had many ideas of what they wanted in mind before meeting the architect, including the open floor plan, garden-door access to the backyard and pillars throughout. Prospective homeowners should bring magazine clippings and other visual examples of what they want when Summer 2010
meeting with the draftsperson, says Garry. This is especially true if they want to include built-in features, such as bookcases, fireplace surrounds and window seats, that need to be incorporated into the plans. Lorraine says knowing what she wanted the home to look like and trying to visualize it based on the architect’s drawings were two different things, and it was also a little scary to look at the plans. Many first-time homebuilders find the planning process intimidating, says Garry. However, a highly-trained draftsperson will know how to ask the right questions to find out what the homeowner wants and needs so that they can make the best decisions for their home and turn the design process from “scary” to exciting. While it can also be easy for homeowners to get caught up in designing the floor 104
plan, Lorraine’s experience taught her not to overlook small details such as fixtures. In fact, she recommends that homeowners choose all items, from flooring and cupboards to doorknobs and faucets, early in the process and be very specific about what they want. “It can be hard to upgrade after the fact,” says Lorraine, pointing out that quoted prices are often based on a standard and upgrades can have a big impact on a person’s budget.
Stay involved! Lorraine says new homeowners should also be prepared to invest their own time in the project and stay involved in each step. Keeping the lines of communication open with the homebuilder not only quickens the building process, but helps the homeowner avoid any unnecessary surprises or last-minute adjustments. Fortunately,
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the installer was very impressed with the condition of the home’s foundation—a testament to the quality of Emerald Park Homes’s construction.
Ongoing support In fact, Lorraine says they have had no real problems with the home in the decade they have lived there, although Garry has stopped by over the years to touch up a few odds and ends. “We could call Garry at any time if there was something we were worried about,” she says. The ongoing support and care that Emerald Park Homes has shown is very much appreciated. Garry made this easy by making himself accessible to the Markussons whenever they had a question or concern, or simply wanted to check in on the progress. When their home was finished, Lorraine says it met all of their expectations, and even now there are only a few minor things she would do differently if she had the opportunity to do it all again. The two-bedroom, three-bathroom home features a bright kitchen with white cupboards and ceramic-tile flooring. The rich hardwood floors and bold natural paint colours in the living room and master bedroom contrast nicely with the white baseboards and trim, giving each space a crisp-butelegant appeal. Other features include high arched ceilings, numerous windows throughout to allow in natural light, and garden doors that open onto a large deck and spacious, wellmanicured backyard.
instead of paying to change or replace things that don’t suit them, says Garry. “Why make-do with someone else’s style? Why not have it your way?” Garry says it’s common for new homeowners to stagger certain aspects of the building process, such as finishing the basement or adding a deck, to accommodate changing family dynamics or make a new build easier on their budget. Lorraine says they chose to wait two years before finishing their home’s basement, which now includes two bedrooms, a recreation room, a toy room and an office. When it came time to lay the basement carpet, she says
Resale value was another important consideration for the Markussons when they decided to build their new home. Lorraine says the couple plans to spend their retirement between their cottage at the lake during the summer and their property in Florida during the winter months. Although they currently enjoy their home’s large, beautifully landscaped yard, she expects they will move to a lower-maintenance residence, such as a condo, in the future. When the Markussons do decide to sell, the evident quality and care that was put into constructing their home is sure to be a big selling point for prospective buyers.
Talking openly about the budget is essential to ensuring the homeowners gets the features they want at a price they can afford but, overall, building a custom home is more cost-effective than renovating because homeowners can choose what they want up-front 105
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Emerald Park Homes continues to put that same amount of care into each home the company builds, whether constructing a new house in their own community of White City and Emerald Park or elsewhere within the one-hour radius of Regina that they serve. Those who choose to take advantage of the small-town comfort and big-city convenience found in White City and Emerald Park will find the company’s 20 years of experience in the area has made it expert at finding the best location to meet any new homeowner’s wants and needs. For the Markussons, choosing Emerald Park Homes to build their new house has proven to be a great decision and one they are more than happy to share with others. Lorraine says the couple has readily recommended Emerald Park Homes to family and friends over the years and will continue to do so in the future. “I really, really love my home,” she says. “Working with Emerald Park Homes has been a real treat.” Summer 2010
Emerald Park Homes 64 Great Plains Rd. Emerald Park, SK 781-3383 emeraldparkhomes@sasktel.net www.emeraldparkhomes.ca 106
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Maximizing your home as an investment Making wise financial decisions before you build or renovate can save money later on By Corrie Krzysik
My industry involvement leads me to believe that we may not be educated enough in knowing ways and opportunities to make the most of our home’s value and its equity. As we build our dream home or improve our current space, the possibilities become endless as to what we can do to save money and get the most our homes can offer. My husband and I had a home built almost three years ago now, and we thoroughly enjoyed the experience. We had a vision. We talked to a few home-
builders and then, with final plans in hand, we began our journey (with many great people assisting along the way!). During the build we didn’t complete everything; we planned to leave some items and scheduled them for completion at a later date. What we didn’t realize was that we would witness higher and rising costs for everything we had scheduled to leave for later completion. Now the “little things” we intentionally delayed still have to be completed, and today, they will cost us much more. If only we done a little homework a few years 111
back, we would have looked at our options and executed a few of these things that now are at a much higher cost. By talking to those in the industry, we have quickly come to realize the mistakes we made in maximizing our house as an investment. We all learn from mistakes, right? But mistakes can cost us lots of money later; money that could be allocated for vacation enjoyment or even saved for your rainy-day fund.
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Unfortunately, our vacation money this year will be spent completing our driveway—concrete work that has increased in cost simply due to rising costs and inflation. Western Canada better have a hot summer, because our lounge chairs will be firmly positioned beside our unfinished driveway instead of being on a beach or somewhere hot and tropical. With a little hindsight, had we known, we would have simply added these driveway construction costs and a few other projects into our mortgage. Fortunately, it still may not be too late.
Start educating yourself When it comes to financial decisionmaking, we have come a long way. Educating ourselves should be the starting point when building a home or when simply refreshing an existing home. One quickly realizes where money benefits us most and how a little financial planning and wise financial management can make life a lot more stress-free. We may find ourselves taking a few more vacations rather than sitting at home and stressing over the money needed to finish unfinished projects. Luckily, I was introduced to Heather Contant, AMP, a professional mortgage broker with TMG, (The Mortgage Group—Prairies). I asked Heather to assist us by educating us and bringing us up to speed on all the home-ownership options available to us for financing or refinancing our home. As we all know, mortgage rates are at a historic low right now. This can provide us with numerous options when it comes to leveraging our equity and financing our homes. If you are planning on building your dream home, it’s important to keep in mind the real cost for future work, work you may one day wish to complete. Why not add all the costs into your mortgage and have your home fully completed with the build? Talk to Summer 2010
various builders and find out who can include the extras into your mortgage. A driveway can set you back anywhere from $15,000 to much more. This will all depend on what you envision for concrete. There are a lot of options for concrete finishing and they all vary in cost. So why not include this in your mortgage rather than having to finance on a line of credit or other types of personal credit or loans, at much higher rates? Over time, our driveways will cost us a lot more if we have to finance at much higher lending rates. Landscaping is another expensive addition. Installing irrigation, laying sod, fencing, etc., could all possibly be added to your mortgage. You can currently obtain a variable mortgage rate at 1.9 percent. That beats the heck out of tapping into your lines of credit at interest rates of prime plus two or three percent. Then, there is this “never-ending outstanding balance”… You can also inquire about completing or finishing a lower-level basement development with your builder. The advantages by having this done by the builder are numerous. Firstly, the entire home will be under the New 112
Home Warranty Program. Secondly, the quality of the work is consistent and fluid throughout the home. Thirdly, the value has increased exponentially when the entire home is complete, and fourthly, the cost of incorporating the lower level into the mortgage at 1.9 percent is much less than trying to come up with the entire sum of money to complete the unfinished work at some point in the future.
Purchase plus improvements When you are looking for your new home, please keep in mind you can complete renovations to your new home by including these renovations into your mortgage. As long as it adds value to the home, with as little as five percent down, you can complete renovations by adding them to your mortgage. For example, if you purchased a home for $300,000, with estimates of the work to be done you can take 10 percent of the purchase price out for home improvements. Your house may need new windows, flooring, kitchen renovations, and so on. You can purchase and make these renos right after possession. The funds
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are released to you once a lender is satisfied that the work has been completed. This can be an intelligent way to increase the value of your new home and upgrade with the lease expensive money available today. If your renovations are on a larger scale it can be somewhat more involved, although it’s still very possible to do.
Refinance, renew, cash-out or equity take-out Maybe you have owned your home for some time and are thinking about a home renovation or landscaping project? Canadians are making their homes their destinations of choice, taking what are becoming known as “staycations.” And just how and why are they doing this? By turning their existing homes into backyard oases by refinancing their mortgages with today’s current low rates. The equity in your home has been building. Many may not even know how much they can take out of their homes for renovations or improvements, to further enhance lifestyles and also increase the value of their investments. CMHC reports more than one-third of Canadian homeowners are planning significant renovations this year. This renovation trend has been steadily climbing upward, to almost $6 billion per year, since 1999. So if you don’t already own stock in Home Depot and Rona, then make that garden gazebo, rejuvenate a kitchen or make whatever your dream is a reality! Invest in your home; complete home improvements with much lower re-financed rates. You can access good, unused equity from your home for a number of reasons. As long as your credit is in good order, you can qualify for a higher mortgage amount if you leverage your home equity.
In the past, homeowners have leveraged their equity for a number of reasons. Aside from renovating, it is smarter to leverage our home equity and invest in something that offers us a greater return (any investment with a higher return than current interest rates being paid). This is also a wise tax-deductible investment strategy. You can put borrowed equity into funds that offer you a guaranteed return and then write off a portion of the interest. This is called good and manageable wise debt management. Refinancing a mortgage to top up RRSP contributions is another popular strategy. We can deduct and defer RRSP contributions. Consolidating credit-card debt, loans and lines of credit into one simple payment, and at a lower rate, can generally be a good move (even sometimes paying penalties to existing lenders). When you add up the monthly interest being paid on credit cards and lines of credit alone, this can be equivalent to a mortgage payment. Therefore, if you consolidate these higher-interest liabilities into low mortgage interest rates you will save thousands of after-tax dollars. The money that you save from re-financing and consolidating debts, by putting them into a new variablerate low mortgage, will allow you to top up your mortgage payments, further reduce your accrued interest and also reduce your amortization periods.
Building a home or renovating your current space is a big job that entails enormous amounts of planning. Having said that, before you go out and start picking your paint colours or flooring, sit down and talk to a professional about all of the things that you can get out of making a wise home-investment decision. In the long run, it may cost you a lot less money and leave you to enjoy finished projects rather than spending years of savings and manual labor to enjoy the little things that our lives have to offer. I hope this helps some of you when making these big investments and decisions. Heather is an amazing woman to talk to and if and when we do this all over again, we will be a lot more educated in our decision-making. flr “Owning a home is a keystone of wealth... both financial affluence and emotional security.”—Suze Orman
Heather Contant TMG The Mortgage Group Prairies Inc. Toll Free 1-877-244-3509 heather@iammortgages.ca
A wise decision For us, it was a wise decision. Heather Contant provided us with an astute financial mortgage strategy. She assisted us in becoming more financial and mortgage savvy, so we can now become free of bad debt much sooner and earlier than anticipated. And the amazing part is, there are no fees for her services: it’s a no-brainer.
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Corrie Krzysik CK One Design & Consulting 351.8425 corriek123@yahoo.ca
Summer 2010
Leather Tile
Torley’s leather makes expressive use of bevel-edged tile. Created in an oversized format, the tile adds clean geometric elegance to the rich distinctive graining of the leather. The effect is eye-catching and still retains simplicity and refinement.
1580 Albert Street Regina, SK, S4P 2S4 (306) 525-9125
renovations fine lifestyles regina
No time to clean? Let professionals look after it!
Photography by: Digney Photographics Ltd.
Like every working woman, I never find enough hours in the day, and when I have one to spare, I loathe wasting it on housework___but the housework calls, nonetheless, so I vacuum and dust and load the dishwasher, and wish to be doing anything but.
Shaw started the company almost a decade ago, it’s grown in stature and in reputation. Clients discussing Tidy Time use the words “quality, honesty, reliability”___phrases that Shaw is proud to hear, and has worked diligently to earn and maintain.
I’ve often thought of hiring someone else to take some of that drudgery off my hands, but where do you find the right cleaning service? As a homeowner, you want someone you can trust, who will respect your privacy and appreciate your pride in your home and its furnishings.
Growth through referrals
A little research will lead to Tidy Time Saver Professional House Cleaning; in fact, you’re likely to be referred by a satisfied customer, once you mention your quest to friends. Since Sharla
As for growth, she attributes much of the firm’s evolution to referrals. Shaw definitely appreciates those recommendations, and rewards them with a free house-cleaning for the referring client. It’s her way of giving back to loyal customers, and reflects her attitude towards customer service and business practices. Tidy Time Saver gives back in more altruistic ways, too. “We’ve given free cleaning to people experiencing family 116
difficulties,” Shaw says, “and offered reduced pricing for clients on maternity leave, whose finances might be tight for a little while.” The company participates in Cleaning for a Reason, an organization that provides cleaning services for women undergoing cancer treatment. Obviously, cleaning involves cleaning solutions and chemicals. Here too, Shaw’s compassionate nature reveals itself in her concern for the environment, as she researches products that will clean to her exacting standards, yet be safer for the ecosystem in general. This concern is only one factor in the company’s development of a reputation for caring___for its clients, for the community and for the environment.
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She will then provide a quote based on the size of the house and the cleaning specifications. “We care about providing a thorough, consistent cleaning,” this owner/manager declares with pride, and her sense of pride is shared by her staff. They are cleaning professionals in every sense of the word, taking their work very seriously.
Cleaning is a passion Shaw’s background seems far removed from the concept of expert residential home cleaning ___ she graduated with honours from Carleton University with an undergraduate degree in Law and Criminology. Although she worked in that field for some time, a desire to run her own business led her to start Tidy Time Saver Professional House Cleaning. “Cleaning has always been a passion of mine,” Shaw explained. Her goals were modest at first, and she has exceeded them by far. “We started out wanting to clean for about 20 clients, and now on average we clean 100 homes a week.”
“We pride ourselves on flexibility. We understand that everyone’s needs are different.” Besides maintaining high standards concerning the products used by her staff of eight full-time employees, Shaw considers several factors crucial to the success of the services her company provides. She takes great pride in having the same team consistently clean the same home.
Flexible, varied packages Those packages are indeed flexible and varied. The service might be performed weekly, biweekly, monthly or even seasonally. Clients might simply want a thorough home cleaning for a special occasion such as a wedding or family reunion. A deluxe package could include a top-to-bottom, hand-washed cleaning of a residence. Any one of these services would make a great gift for a relative, a friend or even for yourself, and the company offers gift certificates for all of them. “We specialize in cleaning homes before people move in or after they move out,” Shaw comments. “And real estate agents often call us to clean homes before they show them.” In order to customize a service package for a new client, Shaw visits the home and does a detailed walk through, discussing the client wants and needs.
“This builds a trusting relationship and open communication between clients and staff,” says Shaw. “And we also pride ourselves on flexibility. We understand that everyone’s needs are different, so we offer a variety of cleaning packages that suit each client’s needs and wants.” Summer 2010
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In the cleaning field as in so many others, due diligence is necessary if a company intends to remain in the forefront of its field. So Shaw attends conferences for owners of residential cleaning companies, and she and her staff do their best to stay current with regard to new products and techniques. Acquiring this knowledge is especially important when the goal is to use environmentally friendly products, while upholding the standard of excellence that Shaw is determined to maintain. In keeping with the times, Tidy Time Saver Professional House Cleaning will now have its presence known on the Internet with their new website. Interested parties can call Sharla Shaw at 591-7969 for a consultation and a quote. flr Tidy Time Saver Professional House Cleaning 591-7969 www.tidytimesaver.com
fine lifestyles regina renovations
Landscaping that endures The world’s best natural and manufactured stone makes “walls and floors for your outdoors” By Brian Bowman
If you’ve been to the Regina Home and Garden Show, you’ve seen what D & J Paving Stones has done, and can do. Every year their display is one of the highlights of the Home and Garden Show, and every year the display is different. Sometimes, it is dramatically different. And that should tell you something: this firm has a lot of different stone landscaping products. They know how to work with them, and how they go together with plants and water features to make an outdoor living space attractive and inviting— something that will endure as long as your home. “Our slogan is ‘walls and floors for your outdoors,’” says Don Knudsen, owner of D & J Paving Stones in Regina. “We handle materials for everything from patios to retaining walls to natural rock features to fire places.” Summer 2010
Don has been working with stone for 20 years, installing paving stones and designing and constructing retaining and decorative walls and water features. He knows what works in Regina and area’s soil and climate conditions. “We’re not a box store,” he says. “We’ve done more than read the brochures. We know our product.”
Educating consumers Don doesn’t install anymore, because the firm’s business has grown so much that he simply no longer has the necessary time and staff to do it. However, he’s anxious to pass his knowledge on to consumers, including the tricks of the trade, and says most people are able to handle installation themselves with some advice and guidance. 118
D & J introduced Regina consumers to natural and manufactured stone products several years ago, and Don says the firm quickly realized that the variety and quality of available products in Regina was wanting. D & J found other suppliers, from around the world, and began testing everything before agreeing to handle it. When it comes to manufactured stone products, Don says, “We only buy from people who are equipped to make modern-day product and ensure that the required density and strength are there. There is a specification for everything. You have to assure that your product can withstand over 7,250 psi (pounds per square inch), and that water absorption will be less than five percent, to withstand the freeze/thaw cycle. Those are the two main criteria.” Despite what the manufacturer may claim, some product, he says, fails to meet industry standards. Don cites
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one example where he was testing a sampling of five manufactured stones. According to acceptable criteria, 20 percent of the stones can withstand less than 7,250 psi, but not less than 6,520 psi; hence a sampling of five. But of the five he tested, not one withstood more than 6,520 psi. You won’t find those stones at D & J. They don’t sell them. But if you take a drive, you may not have to squint to see evidence of them, or equivalent product, around town. “You can tour the city and tell by looking at the top surface of the stones to see how they wear,” says Don. “Lower-density stones break down in the freeze/thaw cycle because they absorb more water. The warmer the winter, the harder it is on poorer stones.”
Tested in Regina’s climate Regina’s climate presents an undeniable challenge, but Don is confident that after years of effort, D & J now offers the widest variety of high-quality landscaping materials in the city. All of them have been tested to ensure they will endure Regina and area’s climate and soil conditions. Indeed, Don has used and tested every one of them personally, and if you have toured D & J’s display at any of the Home and Garden Shows, you were part of the test. It makes perfect sense; traffic is very high at the Home and Garden Show, more than most
patios might see in a lifetime. “I use the Home and Garden Show to make sure the product performs the way the manufacturer says it will,” he says. “If it doesn’t, I tell people.” It appears that Regina is listening. Don says that natural stone products have really caught on with consumers and that their interest in quality has increased. That demand and consumer awareness is reflected in the quality and range of products available. “We only carry product that meets industry standards and specifications,” says Don. “There are lower-pressure, lower-density products available, but they don’t hold up. Manufactured stone ranges from $3.85 to $6.50 per square foot, while natural stone can go up to $15 per square foot. We handle a lot of the manufactured stone.” D & J carries a full line of water
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features and a huge inventory of manufactured and natural stone from around the world, including from the United States, Mexico, China, Thailand and India. It boasts the city’s largest and most diverse range of stone and concrete products, all of which are on display on its website and in its showroom. And, Don says, most products can be delivered within two days. flr
D & J Paving Stones Plus Ltd. 1515 Toronto St. 789-2043 djpavingstones@accesscomm.ca www.djpavingstones.com
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Unique beauty Model Hardwood floors offer distinction, durability, texture and richness By Tobie Hainstock
If you’re planning to renovate your home or office, take some time to consider hardwood flooring. The look of a hardwood floor is undeniably distinctive. For those who love flooring with texture, durability and richness, there is simply no substitute for fine hardwood. Model Hardwood has a wide assortment of looks to fit the taste and needs of its customers. Established in 1997, Model Hardwood is a Canadian manufacturer located in SaintEdouard-de-Lotbiniére, Que. Over the years Model Hardwood has gained an enviable reputation for its impeccable quality and selection. Traditional, contemporary or trendsetting, whatever the decor, you’ll be able to find something to love within these exclusive and stunning Summer 2010
collections. Your home will have a look that you will be proud to display at dinner parties or family functions. Brian Whitlaw, General Manager of Heartland Wood and Cork, distributor of Model Hardwood, explains that it was the distinctive look and broad selection of the Model Hardwood line that attracted him to become a supplier. To provide dealers with products of such quality and variety has proven again and again to be a wise decision, one that he has never regretted. 120
“Model Hardwood is very well known in most provinces in Canada,” says Whitlaw and adds that it is rapidly increasing in popularity. “We are getting a lot of repeat customers, people who are happy with the product and want to put more down in their homes or businesses,” Whitlaw continues. No matter which collection you choose from, the Model Hardwood line offers “quality, beauty, balance and choice.”
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Model Classic If the classic wood look is what you’re looking for, the Model Classic selection offers 10 beautiful species, 12 stains, four gloss finishes and three grades for a total of more than 1,700 possible looks to choose from. Rich deep tones add elegance to any living or dining room. Lighter woods such as oak brighten kitchens, corridors, foyers and more. “If you’re looking for something unique, this is the line of flooring to look at,” states Whitlaw.
Unique Collection Looking for something a little more contemporary or modern? The Unique Collection by Model offers exciting new trends and colours which have been inspired by the creative designers of today. Choose from a wide selection of trendy, tasteful looks to suit your lifestyle and your personality.
E by Model As with so many of us today, the environment is a concern for the people of Model Hardwood. E by Model is a series of beautiful, top-quality designs that highlight the natural appearance and rich grain of this durable living material. Model Hardwood is aware of the human impact on the environment
and has developed this environmentally friendly flooring series. The development of new milling techniques led to a three-percent decrease in raw materials used in the primary transformation. This means that, for every 100 trees processed, three additional trees were directed to the consumer rather than sent to waste. As a result, more flooring is produced with fewer trees. Also, according the Model Hardwood website, raw material is taken from within a radius of 200 kilometres of the processing plant. Less travel means less fossil fuel used and lower emissions of greenhouse gases. “The method used in cutting the log for this series gives a more unique look with added dimensional stability,” notes Whitlaw.
Model Engineered and Modelloc When you’re looking for flooring that is beautiful and extra-long-lasting for your renovation project, you’ll find the Model Engineered and Modelloc collection meets some of the highest standards in the industry today. This attractive flooring is not only pleasing to the eye but is the most stable wood floor-covering product on the market. The Model Engineered and Modelloc flooring collection features an eight-ply configuration that is manufactured from the most popular hardwood
species, including oak, maple, ash, walnut, birch, Jatoba, Tiger Wood and more. According to the Model Hardwood website, all boards have a sawn face, not the conventional rotarypeeled veneer. This makes it impossible to distinguish an engineered floor from a solid hardwood floor once installed.
Model Extreme Finish The newest feature offered by the Model Hardwood family is the Model Extreme Finish. This product is rapidly becoming popular for those high-traffic areas that need to look top-notch for extended periods of time. The Model Extreme Finish allows for commercial installations with no exclusions. Tests have rated Model Extreme finish top in the industry for abrasion resistance and gloss maintenance. Durable and beautiful, this finish is ideal for restaurants, hotels, offices, clinics, museums, jewellery stores, theatres, stages, ballroom entrance halls and more. The Model Extreme Finish is available for all of the Model Collections.
A distinctive look for you Imagine your home with a look that is personal and exclusive to you. With the Model Hardwood collections, your home or business can reflect your own personal taste. “If you’re spending your money on hardwood, why would you want something everyone else has?” asks Whitlaw. “You are unique, and so is Model Hardwood.” flr Model Hardwood www.pgmodel.com Parkland Carpet One 1580 Albert St., Regina Alford Floors & Interiors 1601 Fourth Ave., Regina
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Studio C Designs Everything you need for your design project in a comfortable, stylish showroom By Amy Nelson-Mile
If you’re planning to decorate and are looking for choices available at few other places in Saskatchewan, then you need to visit Studio C Designs, Regina’s newest showroom. Studio C Designs has everything consumers could want for their design projects. There is an extensive choice of window fashions (including decorative hardware), wall coverings, custom area carpets, bedding, headboards and more. Cindy Rogan, owner and principal consultant of Studio C Designs, points out that her studio is the designated official showroom in Regina for Kravet furniture, fabrics and Tufts area carpets. Rogan proudly showcases Hunter Douglas window fashions featuring Alustra, the distinctive collection of Hunter Douglas products. “We’re one of only two showrooms for Alustra in southern Saskatchewan,” she says. Studio C Designs is also the official showroom in southern Saskatchewan for Maxwell Fabrics, and Rogan carries Telafina, Maxwell’s exquisite collection. Rogan says, “We have an impressive hanging gallery.” There is an extensive library of fabrics and trimmings, and all the fabric brands are the highest quality, including Joanne Fabrics, Robert Allen and many others. If there is something that the customer is in search of Rogan will certainly try to get it. “We do our absolute best to meet our customers’ needs.” Summer 2010
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As the consulting business grew she moved it from her home to a studio location and took on the Hunter Douglas showroom. The business’ success grew, and then in Regina’s hot home sales market it became very demanding. Rogan decided to take a step back and evaluate all that she was doing.
Everything at Studio C Designs works together to provide the best shopping experience.
It started in childhood Rogan’s understanding of the needs of her customers and her ability to create the right kind of environment for them grows out of her extensive experience in design consulting. In fact, it started in childhood. “I grew up in an entrepreneurial family,” Rogan explains. “My parents owned a furniture store in Winnipeg, which strongly influenced my career path at an early age.”
At that point a new opportunity came up, to create and focus on Coverings by Design with Darren Illingworth. They began the process in November and opened the unique studio building in March. It features an upscale flooring showroom and saw the start of Studio C Designs. Rogan is pleased to have Gayle Mitchell assist with her clients in the studio. Mitchell has recently joined Coverings By Design after many years working for a major flooring and window covering retailer. “She’s a huge asset,” says Rogan.
Exceptional customer service Between them, Rogan and Mitchell provide exceptional customer service. “We both have a sales and design background,” says Rogan. “Because of our backgrounds we can understand our customers’ needs quickly.” Mitchell agrees. “Our customers leave with confidence. They are at ease and comfortable with their choices.” Everything at Studio C Designs works together to provide the best shopping experience. Rogan says, “We want people to relax, have coffee, and enjoy their research in a friendly, comfortable environment.” With the broad array of high-quality materials, the beautiful environment to relax in, and the skilled support and guidance of Rogan and Mitchell, Studio C Designs truly is a wonderful destination for design inspiration. Studio C Designs 411 Park St. (Located in Coverings By Design) 779-2010 cindy@coveringsbydesign.ca
Rogan’s own entrepreneurial lifestyle started early. “I started a ceramics studio, teaching ceramics and pottery, when I finished my post-secondary education.” Although both parents were role models to Rogan, she credits her mother especially for her comfort with the entrepreneurial approach. “My mother was adaptable and creative. She’s been a strong influence on me.” Rogan has not been an entrepreneur all her life, but in 2005, when she was working as a design consultant, an opportunity arose that spurred her to start her own business again. She established Cindy Rogan Designs for Living, Inc., a consulting business which she continues to run today. 127
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New flooring business grew from
deep roots
In late November 2009 Wood Ridge Floors, marketing directly to consumers, started business in Regina with seven staff, no signage and no fanfare. “At start-up, there were myself, Erin and Adele, plus four installers who worked exclusively for us,” says co-owner Rene Putzlocher. Just a few months later, there’s still no signage and there’s still been no fanfare, but nobody’s sitting around. Customers are entering, phones are ringing, and the firm now has 18 fulltime staff, including four people (two of whom are the owners) involved in product management and sales. Two people handle administration, two are in the warehouse, 12 are employed as fulltime installers and 10 independent pieceworkers now subcontract exclusively for Wood Ridge. Summer 2010
Referrals driving business Wood Ridge Floors sells and installs mid- to high-end flooring products. There’s an even chance you haven’t heard of them unless they’ve done business with one of your neighbours, friends or family. So far, there’s been no need for signage. “At least 50 percent of our contracts are referrals,” says Putzlocher. Referrals may be effective and gratifying, but they come with a challenge. Every qualified customer entering the showroom has great expectations of your business and some respect for the opinions of those who endorse it. To satisfy such a wellprimed customer, and sustain your reputation, you need to be prepared, accommodating and decisive through every stage of the process. 128
By Brian Bowman
Both Erin Capp, the other co-owner, and Putzlocher have been in the flooring business in Regina, for many years: Capp for about six and Putzlocher for more than 20. That meant they started with an established supplier base and a city-wide fan club of happy customers.
A complete design resource centre Still, they also knew that to succeed they had to provide good product, fair pricing and great service. To that end, Wood Ridge began with the first thing a customer sees. The showroom is a complete design resource centre, with samples and access to cabinets, granite, paint colours and wall coverings. The tile gallery, the largest in Regina, offers an assortment of flooring, even across comparable products, from a variety of top suppliers. Other galleries
renovations fine lifestyles regina
focus on other types of flooring, from hardwoods, laminates and cork to luxury vinyl tile/flooring and carpets. You’ll see well-respected names like Mirage, Lauzon, Alyse Edwards, Euro Tile, Casa Roma and Julian Tile, to name a few. There are no cheap or lowend products here, but the price point is intended to keep you smiling, too. “We want to give people a quality product for fair value,” says Putzlocher. “We can put in Mirage North American hardwood for the same price that other companies charge for cheap offshore wood. We don’t have high overhead and high-commissioned sales staff. We’re looking to give people the best dollar value for their money and a premium installation over and above the competition.”
Experienced team Wood Ridge is an authorized full-service insurance flooring store with an industry-leading environmental and sustainability policy. The Wood Ridge team is experienced in all aspects of design, project management, scheduling and co-ordination, and offers in-home design services to all customers, by appointment, at no charge. When you
decide on what you want, the job of making it right, making it beautiful, and ensuring it will last is performed by journeyman installers, and comes with an industry-leading five-year installation warranty. Even the best installers can encounter problems, and they may not be of their own making. Like painting and decorating, installing flooring is a finishing trade. Any mistake left by other trades will affect the fit and appearance of the floor.
“We just fix it” “Any store that says they never encounter problems is lying,” says Putzlocher. “We just fix it. We’ll document it and let the client know, but our mandate here is to do whatever it takes to make that job correct. We just fix it, and we don’t charge extra for it. We believe that if we leave a job that is properly finished, we’ll get a referral.” Wood Ridge’s approach to service starts the moment customers contact the firm. Consumers like dealing with people who can make decisions and 129
appreciate being treated as though their business and time are valued. “The biggest thing we get back from customers is that we answer the phone and deal with them immediately,” says Capp. “Here, there is no need, as in other firms, to refer to higher authorities.” All of the service people at Wood Ridge are experienced, capable, and empowered to make decisions and take action. It helps instill pride and confidence in employees, and secure the respect and opinion of customers. As well, it can help ensure the job is well-done and completed in good time. Good idea, because if you operate a consumer enterprise without a sign over your door, you definitely want all your customers to be saying real nice things about your business! Phone, or drop in. You won’t be left waiting and anyone you speak with can actually help you. It’s company policy. Wood Ridge Floors 435 Dewdney Ave. Phone: 352-4639 Fax: 569-1730 Summer 2010
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Broadway Terrace For seniors engaged in living!
By Ryan Holota services (towels and bedding are provided) allow residents to use their time to pursue their passions. Laundry rooms, garbage chutes and sitting nooks are available on each floor. A pastor provides weekly chapel services and spiritual support two days a week. A registered nurse, also on-site two days a week, advocates for optimal health by providing education and supportive monitoring. A personal Life-Aid pendant, which provides 24-hour emergency response access, helps ease residents’ worries. A fulltime resident services coordinator facilitates the creation of a diverse recreation program. The Residents’ Council, supported by volunteer floor representatives, participates actively in the development of the community.
Photography by: Digney Photographics Ltd.
Wouldn’t it be nice if there were a place where seniors could live that provided all of the freedom and flexibility of living in a house, without being tied down by the yard work and maintenance that comes with owning a home? Broadway Terrace may be the answer. Owned and operated by the Regina Lutheran Care Society, a non-profit organization, Broadway Terrace is a community designed for senior citizens (ages 55-plus) who are engaged in living their lives to the fullest. Built in 2004, Broadway Terrace is an 11-storey safe, quiet concrete building designed to make the lives of its residents full and worry-free. Along with the 123 beautifully appointed suites in the atrium, there are 15 cozy rooms complete with private washrooms in the on-site Personal Care Home, where Summer 2010
residents thrive in the companionship of 24-hour staff. Residents participate in an ownership program called a life lease, where the entrance fee—based on 40 percent of the value of their suite—is fully refunded when they move out. This keeps monthly fees low and provides working capital to maintain the building in top physical condition.
Self-contained suites Suites range in size from 644 to 1,036 square feet, each designed with two bedrooms and a full bath, or a bath and a half, depending upon which of the eight floor plans you choose. Each and every unit is a self-contained residence, featuring a complete kitchen with dishwasher, stove, oven and fridge. Weekly housekeeping and linen 132
On a fee-for-service basis, residents can visit the on-site registered massage therapist, foot-care specialist, tailor or hair salon.
Designed for active lifestyles Designed to support an active lifestyle, Broadway Terrace features a fitness room complete with treadmill, elliptical trainers, stationary bicycles and a universal gym, a managed library complete with Internet access and on-site bi-weekly banking service, a multipurpose room, and a puzzle room. Three elevators minimize waiting and encourage residents to explore the building with their friends. The main floor consists of a spacious lounge area and dining room. While a number of meals are included in the monthly fee, residents are free to purchase additional meals (for
fine lifestyles regina
themselves or for their guests), or they can choose to prepare meals in their own fully appointed kitchens. The chapel and the family room are also on the main floor. The 11th-floor lounge features a pool table, shuffleboard, card tables, a big-screen television and a dance floor, which is used regularly. This room and the family room are available for private bookings by residents at no charge. On the second floor, for a reasonable fee, there is a guest suite available for visiting friends and relatives. The informal balcony patio, adorned with “r e s i d e n t - g r e e n - t h u m b - g r o w n flowers,” and comfortable mezzanine provide additional communal spaces in which to forge friendships. Above-ground parking with plug-ins is available, and underground parking is complemented by a vehicle wash bay. A workshop and extra storage space for residents round out the basement amenities, which are accessed by a secure elevator.
Professionally landscaped The grounds of Broadway Terrace are professionally landscaped. Residents have initiated garden enhancements, and frequently provide input and assistance in maintaining them. A smooth, curved sidewalk encircles the smoke-free property and provides a safe outdoor walking path. Located near scenic Wascana Park and only minutes from the Saskatchewan Science Center, Regina’s Seniors’ Centre, the General Hospital and the University of Regina, Broadway Terrace anchors an established Douglas Park neighbourhood along with a dentist, doctor, grocery store, curling club and restaurant. 133
When you are ready to focus on pleasurable pursuits rather than on maintaining a yard and house, think about Broadway Terrace: where seniors are engaged in living a full and abundant life. flr
1150 Broadway Avenue Regina, SK (306) 564-1200 www.lutherancaresociety.com Summer 2010
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The choice is
clear
By Amy Nelson-Mile
Customer service, professional standards set this window-cleaning company apart Homeowners who are looking for a well-established, professional window cleaning company need look no farther than Western CML Cleaners Ltd. Under the skilled leadership of Brenda Oates, General Manager and Chief Operating Officer, Western CML Cleaners Ltd. provides a number of different services in addition to window cleaning: eavestrough cleaning, awning cleaning, pressure washing, caulking and construction clean-up. The company has years of experience in providing exactly what its customers want. Photography by: Digney Photographics Ltd.
Founded in 1994, Western CML Cleaners Ltd. came under its current management in 2005 when Peter Morin began managing the company, with Oates working with him. In 2009 Morin bought the company and Oates became General Manager and Chief Operating Officer. Morin comments, “We saw the potential for the company to grow and develop.” Oates is one of the few women in the Saskatchewan window-cleaning business, and she is passionate about her work. “I love it. I love going out and talking with our clients, meeting with them, and following up with them.”
Customer service Western CML Cleaners Ltd. cares deeply about customer service. As Oates says, “the customer is the most important person.” She believes the Summer 2010
way to provide the best service is to interact regularly with customers, from the time the company is hired until the work is done. “We always like to go out and meet with clients right at the start and talk with them personally,” she says. “You develop a better rapport with them.” Homeowners will find that the job will be done very thoroughly. Windows are cleaned with no streaks and the frames and ledges are cleaned as well. Oates stresses, “I would like the work done how I would want my house to be done—and I am pretty particular.” Once the work is done, workers make sure they stay until the customer inspects the completed work and is comfortable with how it has been done. If homeowners aren’t home at the time the work is completed, Oates follows up with a phone call, and if 136
something needs to be redone, the crew goes back out promptly to do so. “If you’re not happy, we’ll go out and do the job until you are satisfied,” says Oates. Not only is the work done carefully and thoroughly, it is done with meticulous attention to safety standards. Morin points out that many people think that anyone can clean windows, but in fact, “window-cleaners are professionals. They need to know how the equipment works and they need to have lots of training in safety standards.”
Safety first After Morin bought the company he invested heavily in creating the safest work environment possible. He bought five new trucks and lots of smaller equipment to replace older
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Ward and Thelma Kosior say, “We had Western CML Cleaners Ltd. clean our windows, deck glass and interior mirror-clad skylight. They have been pleasant to deal with, always prompt with their appointments and extremely capable. We like the way they run their business.”
items that were no longer safe to use. All workers are trained in safety procedures, and the company began the process of qualifying for a safety certificate of recognition: when it receives the certificate in 2011, it will be the only window-cleaning company in the province to have it. Western CML Cleaners Ltd. cares so deeply about safety simply because it is aware of the many potential risks involved with cleaning windows. Morin points out that it is wiser for homeowners to hire a professional company to do the windows rather than hiring someone who is just passing through the neighbourhood, or even attempting to do it on their own. If a casual worker is cleaning the windows on your property and falls, the homeowner is liable. On the other hand, if a worker employed by Western CML Cleaners Ltd. is hired, that person is covered by Workers Compensation.
Bob Halbgewachs of Varsity Homes uses the compoany and speaks very highly of it. “They’re very prompt in what they do and very professional. Outside windows are a tough job to begin with, but they got out to our show homes and completed the job in between rainstorms.” Walter Lubenow, Director, Technical Services for NewWest Enterprise Property Group (Sask.) Inc., agrees. He uses Western CML Cleaners Ltd. to clean windows on the street level and higher for various office and commercial buildings and is very pleased with its work. He notes the company ensures that its workers are professionally trained in safety standards. “They are all certified by the Construction Safety Association before they complete any high-stage work.” In addition, he says, Western CML Cleaders Ltd.’s customer service is top-notch. “I’m very happy with their service. When we have a request and need something last-minute there’s
no problem in completing the task. They ensure the staff are courteous and prompt in arriving to the site.” It’s not just the customers who are happy with Western CML Cleaners Ltd., though. Once Morin bought the company, he attracted good workers by increasing salaries and providing pensions and benefits. Oates says, “We’re a close-knit company. We take pride in our employees, and we’re glad that we can provide a warm, professional work environment for them.” As a professional organization, Western CML Cleaners Ltd. also gives back to the community regularly. It has provided free window-cleaning services to non-profits such as the Regina Alternative Measures Program and Stepping Stones Day Care. It has also donated to the Elizabeth Fry Society and has participated in the Kiwanis Christmas hamper program. It’s all part of the caring approach that is a trademark of everything that Western CML Cleaners Ltd. does. Western CML Cleaners Ltd. 2802 Dewdney Ave. 584-1347
Similarly, homeowners can avoid potential injury, and ensure a job well done, by hiring Western CML Cleaners Ltd.
Satisfied clients There is no greater compliment to a company than the praise of their satisfied clients, and Western CML Cleaners Ltd. has many of these. Dale 137
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Built on experience
By Mackenzie Brooks
Full-time construction business grew from small jobs for family and friends Kurt Jacklin, owner of Chippers Construction Limited, spent his childhood in Regina building go-carts and renovating his parents’ home. He attributes his love of construction to this early exposure. That and the fact his mother was always changing the plans so Jacklin had a lot of experience in every aspect of home renovation by the time it was done. As an adult, Jacklin decided to pursue construction and renovating full-time when small jobs for family and friends began to increasingly take up his time. “I figured it was time to go full-time when more and more folks kept referring me to their friends and families. It was time to make a choice,” says Jacklin. Chippers Construction Limited was created in 2004 and has steadily built a solid reputation based on experience, trust, quality of work manship and the personalities of Jacklin and his team. As the face of Chippers Construction Limited, Jacklin is exactly who you want when looking for a contractor:
honest, hardworking and someone who stands behind his work and leaves a job done well and on time. “I want my clients to keep calling me back. Regina is a small place and clients turn to friends when you do a good job for them,” said a proud Jacklin. When deciding to renovate, bringing in the right person means more than ensuring they can do the work. For Jacklin, it’s also about trust. “As a contractor, you are in someone’s home or place of business. It’s really important to have someone you can trust.” he said. Chippers Construction Limited is fully licensed and insured and will always make sure your renovation has a valid permit. Recent examples of Jacklin’s work can be seen at Trifon’s Pizza and Offsale on Kramer Boulevard, at Kramer Hair Salon and in countless kitchens, bathrooms and basements in and around Regina. As a full service company, Jacklin will ensure that Chippers Construction Limited consults with you on your project, whether it’s residential or commercial, and offer ways to improve the design.
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Free estimates will set out your budget and Jacklin will be the first and last person through your door. From scheduling to building to completion, Kurt Jacklin and Chippers Construction Limited will deliver your project and build you more than a deck or a family space. They will also build you a relationship with a solid company and a man you can trust. flr Kurt Jacklin Chippers Construction Limited 501-1514 www.chippersrenos.com
• Serving Regina and Surrounding Area for Over 20 Years • Professional Window Cleaning Service for Your Home • 100% Satisfaction Guarantee
Call 585-7667
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improve your curb
appeal By Trilby Henderson
Enjoy top-quality workmanship and personal service from Regina’s exterior renovation experts An exterior renovation improves your home’s curb appeal and adds value. Wiens Stucco Wire Ltd. has the knowledge and experience to transform any home exterior into the homeowner’s vision, and complements its top-quality workmanship with personal service: homeowners deal directly with the business owners instead of sales staff. “We’re not a big company, but we can give that kind of service,” says owner Clayton Wiens. Clayton became involved in the business a few years after his father started it in 1982, and now runs it, with his son and eight other employees working with him. Built on his father’s hardworking values and nearly 30 years of experience, Wiens Stucco Wire Ltd. has a solid reputation as one of the best exterior renovation businesses around.
Free consultations The company offers free consultations to those who want to learn more about the available options. Clayton suggests homeowners browse through magazines or check out similar homes, and collect photos showing what they like and don’t like. “That way, we can give them exactly what they are looking for,” he says.
trying to adjust the exterior products to fill in gaps left by installing new windows and doors later on. He also says homeowners should hold off on landscaping projects until the exterior renovation is complete, especially near the house. This makes it easier for the contractor to work and ensures the newly landscaped areas are not damaged. Wiens Stucco Wire Ltd. takes care of every aspect of the process, from removing and disposing of the old exterior to installing soffits, fascia and eavestroughing. The company uses 1.5- to two-inch Styrofoam insulation, a brand with a proven track record.
Stucco and more Wiens Stucco Wire Ltd. can install any exterior product a client wants. In the Regina area, stucco is most popular. “Standard cement stucco is the most economical choice,” says Clayton. It comes in a range of colours, can be closely matched to an existing exterior,
Clayton recommends homeowners replace windows and doors beforehand, since the contractor can do a much better job if it can finish the exterior right the first time rather than Summer 2010
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and can be applied using different textures to achieve various looks. Acrylic stucco is a higher-end alternative. “Because it’s an acrylic product, the colours are much more pure and consistent,” says Clayton, and the colour doesn’t change when it gets wet. Clayton says seamless steel siding is one of the best products on the market: although more expensive, it offers unmatched durability. Unlike vinyl siding, seamless steel siding is installed without joints, since each piece is cut to the size required. The overall effect is modern and classy. Although stucco can only be applied during warmer months, Wiens Stucco Wire Ltd. can complete preparation work year-round. Contact Wiens Stucco Wire Ltd. today to take the first step toward giving your home an exterior you can be proud of ! flr Wiens Stucco Wire Ltd. 949-2856
Feel all the passion, and all the thrills of 3D Hollywood movies right in your livingroom.
From Sales Through Design & Installation
(306) 789-6616 490 Henderson Dr. Regina, SK, S4N 6E3
352-3030
www.alpinetile.ca
2100A Dewdney Ave.
www.radiocentre.ca
fine lifestyles regina
No CDs, no instruments Cobb Swanson Music offers sheet music and lesson books for musicians of all levels
One of the biggest surprises awaiting customers who walk into Cobb Swanson Music for the first time is that there are no musical instruments to buy—and no CDs, either! “We call ourselves a ‘print’ store, but our customers prefer to think of us as a sheet-music store,” explains Dianne Swanson, owner of Cobb Swanson Music. Although Cobb Swanson Music sells the music of the hottest artists currently getting airplay on radio stations artists—whether country, rock or easylistening—its primary focus is selling lesson music.
“Our most typical customer is a mom or dad sent by their child’s music teacher to purchase a book necessary for the child’s music lesson,” says Swanson, who was awarded a Mayor’s Arts and Business Award in April 2010 for “Sustained Support of the Arts.” The store sells more piano lesson books than anything else, but it also sells to voice students, flute and trumpet students and many guitar students. “Another type of customer that we see more and more is the adult student,” Swanson notes. “Retired adults take up an instrument that they always wished they could play; many younger adults are inspired by their kids’ lessons and decide to try it themselves. Publishers are noticing the trend of adults returning to music and are publishing more and more books to satisfy this market. We can show an adult student everything from light jazz to country favorites, from early rock ’n’ roll to Broadway. “We also attract the classroom teacher who is looking for inspiration for a music class, or the private music teacher looking for a new idea to motivate a student.”
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A recent addition to Cobb Swanson’s services is the ability to download— legally!—a piece of music. The process can take less than five minutes and greatly benefits the customer who cannot wait for an order to be shipped: for example, someone who is planning the music for a family funeral.
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Dianne Swanson invites all musicians, whether young or old, experienced or just starting out, to visit Cobb Swanson Music, located in the heart of the dynamic Cathedral Village. flr
wheels fine lifestyles regina
Classic cars:
What’s the big deal?
By Tobie Hainstock
It’s a cloudy and windy Sunday afternoon. The sun peeks out for a moment to tease and the wind is cutting as it whips directly off the northern ice cap. I step out of my car just in time to get a big blast of wind in the face. Well, so much for the hair-do, I think to myself as I walk across the parking lot. Not really expecting to see much of a crowd on such a blustery day, I make my way over to the event. I’m determined to get what I came for, no matter what my hair looks like. As I approach the gate, I’m surprised at the buzz of activity.
It was on the suggestion of Bob Fredricks, host of the popular Access 7 program Cruisin’ on 7, that I showed up at the event. I had told Fredricks of my mission and he highly recommended I visit the Collectors Car Club Show at the TC Douglas Building. “I’ll be there doing some interviews,” Fredricks told me. “It will be a great chance for you to meet some of the guys.” He kindly offered to show me around and introduce me. As I approach the car show my mind flashes back to younger days when I 145
took on a job in a small garage selling auto and ag parts. It was an experience I will never forget.
Men and cars: what’s with that? Back then I was one of the few girls in the area that worked in that field. During that time I learned that although in some ways the differences between men and women are not that big, in some ways they are. For example: during coffee break, everyone likes to discuss movies or news headlines. However, when it Summer 2010
fine lifestyles regina wheels
comes to talking about interests, women usually talk about relationships, family and shopping. Men, on the other hand, talk about sports, fishing and cars. I don’t get it. What’s the big deal? To me, a car is a car. It gets me from one point to another and then home again. That’s what a car was made to do, right? That’s why I’m here. I’m determined to learn what all the hype is about behind the classic car. As I enter the parking lot of the TC Douglas Building, I see the Access 7 team is still busy interviewing, so I decide to walk around and take in some of the ambience. The air is filled with the sounds of classic rock tunes and engines revving. I smell the aroma of barbecue and my stomach growls. Families stroll through the parking lot, with kids running about saying, “Look at this one, Daddy!” Couples walk hand-in-hand as they tour down memory lane. In the distance I notice a slender bearded man with long silver hair pulled back in a ponytail, wearing jeans, a T-shirt and a denim jacket. As he crosses the parking lot he mouths the words of the tune pumping out over the speakers, “Ride Sally Ride.”
From behind me I hear a male voice, “Has to have one of the prettiest front ends ever built.” I blush a bit and turn to the kind man as he moves past me to take a closer look at a 1939 Ford Deluxe. I’m a little embarrassed.
chrome jumps out at me. I think about the historical events that took place when these were all hot off the lot. I realize that when these owners restore one of these gems, they are restoring a bit of history.
I take a look at the car and study the gleaming chrome grill. He’s right, definitely the prettiest front end I’ve ever seen. I notice the impeccable midnight black exterior; the body is like a work of art. This car came off a completely different type of assembly line in an era that was more about craftsmanship than mass production.
“Car guys are great people”
I move over to a bright-red ’76 Corvette Stingray, and this time stick my head through the window and study the interior. Next I check out a ’68 Mercury Marquis two-door hardtop and a 1940 Packard Touring Sedan. The colours are vibrant, the Summer 2010
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I meet up with Fredricks. “These are great people,” he says. “Actually, all ‘car guys’ are great people. They’ll be happy to talk with you.” Fredricks introduces me to Jim Deane, CEO of Access Communications. Deane proudly points out his 1968 Firebird Convertible, cherry red with a white top. It’s a breathtaking piece of equipment. “I’ve owned this one for about 10 years,” Deane says. I notice that he speaks of it with affection, so I ask him
wheels fine lifestyles regina
I smile as I notice the pride on his face. I can tell that this car has been more than just a pastime to him. As I walk a little more throughout the show, I get a real sense of community. Owners and car lovers of all ages and walks of life share a common element, their appreciation of these vintage beauties. They also share a love for their city and the people in it. I spot signage stating that proceeds for today’s event are going to the Regina Humane Society. Deane’s words from earlier come back to me: “We believe in giving back to the community.”
why he decided to get into restoring cars like this. Deane tells me that he’s loved cars since high school. “This is an opportunity to own the cars from when I was young.” This sentiment was confirmed by Gordon Stopanski, a founding member of the Collectors Car Club. “Most of the members are between 45 and 65 years old and these are the cars that they wanted to own in high school but couldn’t afford,” Stopanski says. According to Deane, a lot of classic car fans rationalize their love and ownership of these beauties by stating that they are also an investment, but I can see that there is more to it than just dollars and cents. Stopanski also states that the older cars are great for car fanatics who love to tinker because it’s more of a hands-on experience than working on the newer cars. We talk a moment about tinkering and why it’s so important. We both arrive at the conclusion that it’s the need to build something of your own and put your mark on it.
“They almost become like one of the family,” Stopanski says with a smile. “Some guys even name them.” I immediately relate to that: my Dad has always named his trucks. There was Big Red, Blue Belle and Ol’ Yeller. Even his current truck has a name; unfortunately it’s not one we can print.
As I leave the car show I get a friendly wave. Although the wind still blows cold, I feel warmth within me as I recall my Grandma’s 1950 Chevy Deluxe. I wonder if my cousin still has it on his farm. I wonder again if he’s done anything with it. Maybe I should give him a call... flr
A sense of pride There is definitely a true sense of accomplishment amongst those showing their cars. Robert Spinks, president of the Collectors Car Club, shows off his 1951 Chevy Fleetline. It took Spinks five years to rebuild his car, but it is truly an experience he has valued. He talks about the features of the Chevy. “It’s three on the tree with a push-button start,” he declares, and shifts his hands in the air to demonstrate the H pattern. Spinks points out various parts and where he got them. “Those aren’t the original white-walls,” he tells me. “The original ones have a wider band. I ordered these online but they’re fine, they fit and look okay.” 147
Summer 2010
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wheels
Short name, endless possibilities TheStripeShop helps customers express their creativity through everything from signage to automotive graphic design By Trilby Henderson their investment in a new vehicle. The company is able to work within any budget to help its clients find the right solution for their specific project, and a quick visit to TheStripeShop’s online photo gallery gives customers an idea of the scope of work available to them.
“Our job is to help our customers express their creativity”
The name may be short, but the possibilities at TheStripeShop are endless. From artistic decaling and signage to the latest in automotive graphic design, the Regina business has built a reputation as a leader in the sign and automotive graphics industries. “Our job is to help our customers express their creativity and get excited about their project,” says Brad Ritz, owner and general manager of TheStripeShop. “Our focus on service, design and quality materials means our customers not only leave satisfied, but share their satisfaction with their friends.” Ritz and his wife, Chris, took over ownership of TheStripeShop in early 2010, after spending more than 17 years in the industry as the owners of Competition Auto Trim. Ritz says TheStripeShop has established a good reputation in the area over the past seven years, one that the couple hopes to build upon by using their own experience and expertise to capitalize on the business’s many strengths. Summer 2010
Located at 2505 Second Ave. N., just off of Albert Street, TheStripeShop offers a full range of services, including automotive graphics and wraps, signs, decals, paint protection and window tinting. The larger, more convenient location has also enabled the company to expand the retail side of the business.
Never shies from a challenge Ritz says his team at TheStripeShop never shies away from a challenge and has successfully tackled projects on every type of vehicle imaginable, from race cars, motorcycles and snowmobiles to semis, boats and airplanes. Whether helping a customer give his car an artistic flair, or transforming a company’s fleet into a moving advertisement, TheStripeShop team is more than ready to put its skill and creativity to work. Vehicle wraps and paint protection are currently two of the most popular services available at TheStripeShop, says Ritz, noting that paint protection is a great way for people to protect 154
Of course, TheStripeShop isn’t limited to working on vehicles alone. It serves as a one-stop location for all of a customer’s signage needs, including promotional and event/tradeshow signage, banners and magnetic signs. “We offer a vast number of options designed to help businesses get their name out there,” says Ritz. “When it comes to signage of any kind, there isn’t a lot that we can’t do.”
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Still, even the best materials are ineffective without a skilled staff that knows how to use them. TheStripeShop has a team of employees whose individual strengths and dedication to the business have resulted in some very big successes and countless satisfied customers.
Experienced staff
Bringing ideas to life Ritz says the company’s production and design services help customers bring their ideas to life, even if all they have to start from is a rough sketch. He says the company’s in-house designer, Troy Oddo, is a highly creative and talented individual with extensive experience in helping customers develop the image they want, whether reproducing a corporate logo or designing a new image.
Joshua Hudson, TheStripeShop’s production manager, has worked for the company for 13 years, while graphic designer Troy Oddo has served for 11 years. Installers Dale Sather and Jordan Gray have been employed with the company for five and two years, respectively, and Courtney Ariss has spent four months working as the company’s front-end employee, taking care of customer calls and administrative duties. The company recently welcomed Michael Knipple to the team as the new window tinter. Ritz says employees at The Stripe Shop work as a team in an environment where they are encouraged to share their opinions and ideas. In addition to making TheStripeShop a great place to work, the open communication that Ritz promotes amongst his staff is also a huge benefit to their customers, because it means they are consistently given the best the shop has to offer.
“In this industry, you have to think on your feet,” says Ritz. “Every member of our staff is highly skilled, hard working and ready to put in the extra effort when needed to get the job done right.”
“When you do quality work, your customers not only return, but they tell others.” TheStripeShop’s focus on providing quality service using quality products is paying off. “Our business is driven by the word of our satisfied customers,” Ritz says. “When you do quality work, your customers not only return, but they tell others. TheStripeShop has grown significantly because of that and we plan to continue to grow.” “We’re happy to serve people in Regina and the surrounding area and hope to continue to serve the community for many years,” Ritz adds. “We invite everyone to come down to TheStripeShop and see what we can do for them in 2010.” flr TheStripeShop 2505 Second Ave. N.
924-4026 www.thestripeshop.com
In addition, by offering a range of services TheStripeShop can make sure a customer’s image is consistent from one product to another, whether a new logo placed on the side of a vehicle or a portable lawn sign to advertise at work sites. Ritz says TheStripeShop only uses topquality materials, and the shop is also the only authorized FormulaOne Window Tint dealer in the Regina area. The tint comes with a full, transferable warranty that can be passed along to the new owner if the vehicle is sold, making for a nice selling feature and giving customers a sense of reassurance, says Ritz. 155
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place
A clean, well-lit
By Brian Bowman
Regina’s newest and largest auto-body shop is a revelation
Photography by: Digney Photographics Ltd.
Who would have thought that visiting an auto-body shop would be a unique, pleasant and satisfying experience? Well, a visit to Universal Collision Centre, Regina’s newest and largest auto-body shop, is just that.
Colours fill the space, with bold artwork on the walls and shiny vehicles on display, including an original Boyd Coddington, The Boydster III, a rare and exquisite piece of automotive art. All of it is well worth a good long look, and there’s no charge for admission.
Just walking in the front door is a revelation to anyone who has visited a traditional body shop. Here there are no clouds of body-filler dust, no chemical or paint smells. This is an eco-friendly shop that uses eco-friendly materials. The 5,000-square-foot showroom at the front end of the 40,000-squarefoot complex is a welcoming, attractive environment with plenty of natural light and a unique design. There’s a comfortable customer lounge with fresh-brewed coffee or tea just for you. Summer 2010
Elsewhere, nothing is hidden. From the showroom, big windows overlook the bright and tidy 25,000-square-foot shop area. Informed and friendly staff will give you a definite timeline for whatever job you need done. You’ll be able to see your vehicle as they explain 156
what’s happening to it. You’ll see the computers, the state-of-the-industry art, and witness the constantly reviewed process that handles upwards of 300 vehicles per month. Better yet, none of this will cost a penny more than the treatment you’ll get from the noisy, dusty, smelly and evasive shops you may be used to. “SGI is the only vehicle insurer in Saskatchewan, and they pay every shop, good or bad, the same rate,” says General Manager P. J. Morris. “As an SGI policy holder, loss-of-use customers coming to Universal have access to Thrifty Rental cars right in our building for convenience. And there is no extra charge for the service, the environment and the superior workmanship. It’s the exact same price as any other shop in town.”
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Process driven with traditional values The showroom is impressive, but it’s the process that sets Universal apart from the crowd, allowing the high volume of work to pass through the shop while still ensuring that every vehicle is completed, on time, to the same exacting standards. “The old-school values and skills are there, but there’s a new corporate structure and vision,” says Morris. “In traditional shops, a single technician works on one vehicle, from end to end of the job, on a flat-rate basis. The attitude of ‘that’s my car and nobody touches it’ is common in those operations.” In that type of shop, says Morris, the flat-rate system encourages the technician to do the job as fast as possible, leaving no time, and scant willingness, to advise or assist others. Some technicians are more experienced than others, too, explains Morris, and some are faster, making for spotty job quality and variable timelines. Not so at Universal, where everybody follows a system and technicians operate as a team.
“With 300 or more cars a month going through our shop, and 20 people on the floor, you have to have a system in place, or it’s chaos,” says Morris. “Here, everything is open. We have four meetings a day: 8 a.m., 10:15 a.m., 1:15 p.m. and 3:15 p.m. They’re five minutes or less, talking about what we need to do in the next two hours. The focus is on what bottlenecks or issues there could be. And always, the objective is to never upset customers or disappoint their expectations when they choose Universal.”
“We hire people who are good” Currently, there are 16 technicians of both genders in the shop. “We don’t care about that. We hire people who are good,” says Morris. Some of them are SIAST grads. Currently, there are six students at Universal who are there under a work-study arrangement. When they graduate, some of them may secure permanent jobs, too, says Morris, because Universal is usually their first pick. He points to Universal’s eco-friendly materials policy, higher financial rewards and supportive, clean shop environment. “Where would you rather work?” he asks.
Universal Collision Centre is an eco-friendly shop, which means it uses green products wherever it can in the process. A prime example is waterborne paint, which is based on water rather than chemical solvents. It is much easier on the environment and is the type of paint used by most automakers now. Its use at Universal is also one of the reasons why the air smells clean and fresh inside the shop and showroom. eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeii Check the website at uccregina.com for a glimpse of what Universal Collision Centre is all about. And for real treat, visit its location at 3910 Rochdale Blvd. It’s a great place to visit if you think you’ve seen it all. Be warned, though, it’s so good you may be tempted to crack a tail-light lens, just so you have an excuse to visit again. flr 44 Universal Collision Centre 3910 Rochdale Blvd. 525-6000 www.uccregina.com
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business fine lifestyles regina
Downtown turnaround
By Mark Claxton
From a new public plaza to gleaming new towers, Regina’s downtown is about to change dramatically streets and sidewalks, empty office towers, windblown debris. Without its office-worker population, the downtown shuts down. Bob Bjerke, the city’s director of planning and sustainability, wants to see that change. “Downtown is the heart of the city,” Bjerke says. “It’s part of the city’s identity, but until now, it’s not an area we’ve had a real comprehensive look at.” That comprehensive look is being had now, and it’s currently contained in Walk to Work: The Regina Downtown Neighbourhood Plan, a 250-page report that outlines city council’s vision for a city centre that remains vibrant and attractive seven days a week. “Neighbourhood” is the key word here: city planners want to balance the current preponderance of office space with more residences and amenities that will attract people downtown not only to visit, but to live. Regina’s downtown commuters may look back at 2010 as the summer of their discontent. Rerouted traffic, closed streets, construction everywhere—that route to and from the office that was once so automatic now a frustrating series of detours and delays. But today’s chaos, say city planners, will become tomorrow’s revitalized
downtown. The Queen City’s centre is undergoing an unprecedented facelift intended to make the downtown a more attractive destination for residents, businesses and culture. Anyone questioning the need for a “revitalized downtown” should take a stroll through Regina’s core on a Sunday morning. The effect is downright post-apocalyptic: abandoned 159
“There are a lot of places in North America where it’s extremely desirable to live downtown, because you’re in close proximity to all of the amenities,” Bob Bjerke says. “And there’s an opportunity for people to live close enough to the office that they can walk to work.” According to the city’s revitalization plan, 26 percent of the downtown’s Summer 2010
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surface area is currently dedicated to parking spaces—and anyone who has cruised several blocks in search of an available space might argue that isn’t enough. While Bob Bjerke emphasized the city has no intention of reducing parking capacity—and in fact will be adding on-street parking over time— there are definitely plans to make the downtown a more pedestrian-friendly environment.
Bjerke says, because “that allows for more on-street parking and bike lanes. It gives us a bit more space.” While some residents are voicing complaints that the conversion has slowed traffic, Bjerke says the city’s studies have shown very little effect on the length of time it takes to drive through the downtown.
According to Bob Bjerke, this development is the primary reason the one-way 11th and 12th Avenues were converted this spring to two-way thoroughfares.
Yet with or without the open-air plaza, Bjerke maintains two-way traffic is the way to go. “Even though people are used to the one-ways, they’re not the easiest to navigate,” he says. “Two-way streets give you more options. “It’s better from a business perspective as well. Retail businesses do better on two-way streets. It’s easier for people to get back to them.” One-way traffic isn’t going to disappear entirely, though. Most downtown roadways running north and south will continue to operate as one-ways, Summer 2010
Regina’s “new Capital” Regina’s new downtown is about a whole lot more than outdoor festivals and new sidewalks. An astonishing number of major development proposals have hit city council chambers in recent months. Most of these projects are residential, anticipating a future in which the city attracts a growing number of people wishing to live downtown. There may be no more profound a symbol of the new Regina than the shiny, towering hotel/condominium complex to be constructed on the northeast corner of Albert Street and Victoria Avenue, one of the city’s oldest and busiest intersections.
One of the more dramatic manifestations of that vision will be the conversion of the north end of Victoria Park and a portion of 12th Avenue into an outdoor plaza suitable for hosting festivals and other public gatherings. The area will become one large paved surface, accessorized by decorative lighting, trees and benches and closed to traffic during public events.
“We need to be able to move traffic, particularly transit traffic, through the downtown even when we’re using the festival plaza,” Bjerke says. “We have to have a two-way system to accommodate that.”
and a smoother transfer between sidewalk and street for cyclists. A small part of this vision will manifest itself this summer as the section of Albert Street between Victoria and 13th avenues is refitted with the new standard for sidewalks.
“Only at absolute peak times, when the festival plaza is closed, in an absolute worst-case scenario when you’re driving all the way through the downtown, there’ll be a very slight difference,” he says. Meanwhile, construction has already begun on the new open-air plaza, and Bjerke expects it to be largely completed by the time the snow flies this coming fall. “Come winter, 12th Avenue will be open again for traffic,” he says. The downtown’s new pedestrianfriendly look will include wider sidewalks with more greenery, and “bumpouts” or sidewalk extensions that mean a shorter crossing distance for pedestrians navigating intersections 160
Currently dubbed “Capital Pointe” and incorporating a nine-storey Hilton Garden Inn with a 26-storey condo, the dramatic structure seems light years removed from the squat and aging Plains Hotel it will be replacing. The legendary Plains will be remembered by many with a rueful affection—even the Barenaked Ladies, during a recent stop in Regina, spoke at length about its strangely appealing grunge—but its lack of curbside appeal was becoming a symbol of a downtown that seemed mired in the past even as Regina’s outer limits boomed with new homes and businesses. Not that the Capital Pointe project will ignore the past entirely: the Plains weather tower, one of the city’s most enduring landmarks, will be reincarnated as a gleaming new, fully functional tower atop the hotel. Jeremiah Edmonds of Chamberlain Architect Services uses the word
business fine lifestyles regina
“spectacular” to describe the condominiums, particularly those with the upper-storey view of the surrounding city and plains.
neighbourhood plan.
“We’re designing units that are a good size,” Edmonds says. “They’re not small apartments, they’re generous.”
“The sizes of the units changed and there were requirements for setting the building back from the property line,” Tangedal says. “They proved to be interesting challenges, but I think we were able to address them fairly easily.”
Edmonds also describes a top-calibre amenities space planned for the 10th floor.
Tangedal says all of the Gardens’ suites will boast plenty of natural light, large exterior decks and a terrific view.
“The roof of the hotel is also the amenity terrace for the condo,” he says. “It’s going to have a nice water feature, an outdoor fireplace and barbecue, places to sit.”
“You basically have a full commanding view of the city, in particular Wascana Park and the Legislative Building,” he says. “There’s a spectacular visual exposure of the entire surrounding area.”
The terrace will be well-lit and landscaped, providing visual appeal even when the elements are keeping residents indoors. The 10th floor, meanwhile, will also be equipped with indoor facilities such as boardrooms, a fitness centre and a party room with a kitchen. Edmonds anticipates that Capital Pointe will be begin construction in September. Those interested in more information can register their names at www.capitalpointe.ca.
“There’s more to come” Meanwhile, the city has recently received another proposal for development—a 10-storey apartment complex at the corner of Broad Street and 15th Avenue, with underground parking and as-yet unspecified retail space at the street level. And earlier this month, Regina’s Harvard Developments applied to build a 20-storey office tower at 12th Avenue and Hamilton Street.
While the rate of development may be dizzying for long-time Regina residents, the city’s plan is intended to ensure that as the downtown’s skyline grows, so does the area’s attractiveness on the ground. Leon Brin, acting executive director of the Regina Downtown Business Improvement District, acknowledges that some area residents aren’t as excited as he is about the changes to the downtown. “You see some letters to the editor in the paper, people are confused about what’s going on, and it’s not all portrayed in a positive light,” Brin says. “But I look at that and it tells me people care about what’s happening in the heart of their city.” While construction and disruption may be the order of the day for a time, Brin encourages Regina residents to take the longer view. “I’m excited and extremely optimistic about what’s going on,” Brin says. “And I don’t think we’ve seen the end of these announcements, by any means. There’s more to come.” flr
Rose’s Gardens Another multi-storey condominium development is in the works between 13th and Victoria avenues on Rose Street. The Gardens on Rose will be a 13-storey structure with four storeys of enclosed parking and 64 condos between 1,000 and 1,400 square feet in size. Like Capital Pointe, the Gardens on Rose will feature a roof-top gathering space accessible to all residents. At street level, there will be a small fitness room and a coffee shop. While the building’s designers had to make numerous revisions at the request of city council, chief architect Alton Tangedal says the current plan is a good fit with the downtown 161
Summer 2010
fine lifestyles regina
business
Expert Advice: Business
Expert Advice - Cottage Succession Planning Troy Edwards Investment Advisor RBC Dominion Securities Inc. 777-0547 troy.edwards@rbc.com
Whether you call it a cottage, chalet, camp or cabin, it’s your family’s special place to relax and enjoy the great outdoors. And for many families it’s a place filled with happy memories, a place that’s been in the family for generations and will be for generations to come. This summer it might be worthwhile to take some time by the lake to consider ways you can keep the cottage in the family more tax-efficiently. Consider ways to reduce taxes When you pass along your cottage, you are also passing along a potentially large tax bill, which your beneficiaries may or may not be able to afford. Depending on their financial situation, your beneficiaries may be forced to sell the family cottage simply to cover the taxes. There are two main types of tax to consider: capital gains taxes and probate taxes.
Calculating capital gains tax
Gift the property ahead of time
When you pass along your cottage to anyone other than your spouse, the government views it as having been sold at current market value—a “deemed disposition.” The capital gain on this deemed disposition is taxable.
Simply giving your cottage to your intended beneficiaries ahead of time is one way to defer future capital gains taxes. If you expect your cottage to significantly increase in value, consider giving it to your beneficiaries sooner rather than later.
For example, a vacation property purchased for $50,000 in 1975 and sold for $850,000 today would have a capital gain of $800,000. Half of this is taxable— $400,000. At a 40-percent marginal tax rate, there would be $160,000 payable in taxes on your property.
Assuming property values will always rise, this will trigger a taxable capital gain from the appreciation of the property to date. The tax is payable in the year the gift is made. However, it should be a much smaller capital gain than the one that would be triggered in the future, assuming the property increases significantly in value. Any future gains will be taxed in the names of your beneficiaries, when they sell it or give it away at a much later date, and won’t be included in your final tax return when your estate is settled.
Deemed disposition in 2010: $850,000 Minus purchase price in 1975: $50,000 Total capital gain: $800,000 Capital gains taxable (50 percent of total):
Cover the tax bill with an insurance policy $400,000
Capital gains taxes If your cottage has been in the family for many years, its value has probably increased dramatically. The property your family bought for a few thousand dollars might be worth a few hundred thousand dollars today. Even property bought within your lifetime might have experienced this type of exponential growth.
Taxes payable at 40-percent marginal rate:
This increase in value can result in a very large, taxable capital gain, which is triggered when you pass along the property to anyone other than your spouse, including your children. However, there are several ways you can address this tax bill, and even reduce or defer it.
Summer 2010
$160,000
The most common way for property to be passed on to the next generation is through a bequest made in your will. When your property is bequeathed to anyone other than your spouse, it triggers a taxable capital gain, which your beneficiaries may not be able to afford. However, you can cover this tax bill through a life insurance policy, which provides a sum equal to the expected tax bill when your estate is settled.
This article is supplied by Troy Edwards, an Investment Advisor with RBC Dominion Securities Inc. Member CIPF.
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business fine lifestyles regina Expert Advice: Legal
Dismissing an Employee Virgil Thomson Student-At-Law Olive Waller Zinkhan & Waller LLP
Having to dismiss an employee can be one of the most difficult parts of running a business. Employers must ensure they understand the legal obligations that arise once the decision is made. One cannot terminate someone’s employment on a whim and owe them no obligation. The Labour Standards Act of Saskatchewan and the common law combine to create a system of rules and obligations that need to be followed.
that—the minimum only. The “common law,” or judge-made law, derived from various court cases clearly provides that additional notice or pay in lieu of notice beyond the statutory minimum will be required in most cases.
Generally speaking, the first issue an employer must consider is whether or not there is “just cause” for the dismissal. Just cause refers to the situation where dismissal is justified due to misconduct on the part of the employee. In the absence of just cause, the employee is entitled to receive working notice in advance of his or her dismissal, pay in lieu of notice if working notice is not being given, or a combination of working notice and pay in lieu of notice.
In making the decision on what is a reasonable notice period, courts will consider a number of different factors, including the character of the employment, the length of employment, the age of the employee and the availability of similar employment, having regard to the experience, training and qualifications of the employee. The purpose of providing a reasonable notice period is to give the employee adequate time to find comparable, alternative employment. Depending on the employee’s individual circumstances, more or less notice may be required.
The amount of notice or pay in lieu of notice required depends upon numerous factors. The Labour Standards Act sets out minimum periods of notice based on the length of employment. If the employee has been employed less than three months the legislation does not prescribe any amount of notice. For those employed for a period of three months to a year, the employer must provide at least one week’s notice. For those employed for a period of one to three years the minimum notice period is two weeks, for those employed three to five years it’s four weeks, for those employed five to 10 years it’s six weeks, and for those employed 10 years and more the minimum notice required is eight weeks. It is well-recognized by courts that statutorily prescribed minimum notice periods are just
One cannot terminate someone’s employment on a whim and owe them no obligation.
If you don’t give the employee the proper notice then you need to give him or her pay in lieu of notice. This means that you need to pay the employee his or her normal rate of pay for whatever the prescribed notice period would have been. There is also the possibility of a combination of giving notice and payment which add up to the proper period of notice. So if the employee is owed two months’ notice, you may choose to keep the employee on for one month and pay him or her out for one month. The only situation where you don’t have to give notice or pay in lieu of notice is when you had just cause to dismiss the 163
employee. Just cause is not defined in The Labour Standards Act and the courts determine the issue on a case-by-case basis. In most cases personality conflicts, general dissatisfaction with performance and a single incident of inappropriate conduct are not considered just cause. Courts consider the misconduct in the context of the employee’s entire employment relationship, including factors such as the type of employment, the length of the employee’s service and the circumstances surrounding the misconduct. In the case of a long-term senior-level employee who had a single incident of misconduct, it may not be considered just cause, though the same incident may be just cause for a junior-level employee with a short period of service. Employers should exercise caution in claiming just cause, as they will have the onus of proving just cause, and should consult their lawyer before making that decision. Employers should take heed that there are many considerations and variables that must be considered when dismissing an employee and this article provides only a brief overview. If you are considering dismissing an employee, you should consult with your lawyer. flr This article is for information purposes only and is not intended to replace situation-specific legal advice. Please consult a professional advisor before taking any action based on the information contained in this article.
Virgil Thomson is an articling student at the law firm of Olive Waller Zinkhan & Waller LLP.
Summer 2010
Expert Advice: Business
Covering the Boss Bill Allen, CFP Insurance Consultant Sun Life
Group benefits plans often replace a lower level of income for owners and top executives than for employees. Many highincome earners don’t consider additional disability insurance, instead relying on longterm disability coverage (LTD) provided by their group benefits programs; but in many companies, owners and executives inadvertently discriminate against themselves when setting up a group benefits plan.
executive compensation, such as dividends, bonuses, commission, pensions, profit sharing or stock options. Finally, many employers are unaware of the differences between group and individual plans and may not be familiar with the various options available when they formulate their employee LTD plan.
The Numbers Under the typical group plan, owners and executives receive lower LTD benefits— calculated as a percentage of total compensation—than their lower-income-earning colleagues, for a number of reasons: First, the maximum payout of a group LTD plan is set, although it varies depending on the size and earnings of a group. The maximums are designed to adequately insure the group, but might not be designed to provide maximum coverage to all employees. Second, the income used to calculate benefits is defined in the group plan and often does not include many varieties of
The chart shows how income replacement ratios are reduced in a typical group LTD plan design, with a maximum coverage of $5,000 per month. Additional insurance coverage can close the income gap if an executive is injured.
Position President and CEO Chief Financial Officer Chief Operating Officer Chief Technology Officer VP Sales Key People
Traditionally the insurance industry has provided options that use either group or individual concepts, but not both. By combining individual coverage with group coverage, I or your insurance advisor can include more forms of executive compensation, address uninsured pensions, customize disability policies and create cutting-edge benefits solutions to assure you that you and your key executives will be properly insured against disability, protecting you against potentially difficult situations in the event an under-insured executive is injured. Call me, and I’d be happy to discuss the best solutions for your specific situation. 757-8631 ext 2207, bill.allen@sunlife.com
Income
Group LTD Benefit
Income Replacement
Top-up LTD Benefit
Total
$300,000 $280,000 $250,000 $250,000 $200,000 $180,000
5000 5000 5000 5000 5000 5000
35% 37% 41% 41% 50% 55%
6850 6150 5050 5050 3175 2425
11,850 11,150 10,050 10,050 8,175 7,425
Income Replacment 82% 82% 82% 82% 82% 82%
business fine lifestyles regina
BUILDING
Portfolios Managing for higher interest rates By Darr yl J. Yasinowski, CFA, CMT Sessional Lecturer, Finance Paul J. Hill School of Business University of Regina Very recently, the Bank of Canada increased the overnight lending rate by 25 basis points (onequarter of one percent) and for the first time since the financial market correction in 2007/2008, economists and professional money managers have been contemplating the possibility of interest rates rising. Whether or not you are an investor, business owner or homeowner, rising interest rates are likely to impact you directly. For most, the effect of rising interest rates will be negative. The following are some key principles which will help you manage for a possible rising-rate environment.
Not all rates are created equal... “nominal” vs. “real’” Although the terms “nominal rate” and “real rate” are often reserved for first-year finance students, most of us have experienced the distinction first hand. Nominal rates represent the stated rate of return on a specific investment or the financing rate on a particular loan contract. The “real rate” represents the nominal rate less the actual inflation rate for the same period. It is this rate (real rate) which reflects your actual rate of return if you are investing or your actual financing cost if you are borrowing money.
The Bank of Canada and the “overnight rate” The central overnight rate represents the rate at which the Bank of Canada lends money to other banks. Contrary to what many may think, the Bank of Canada does not use this rate to grow
or contract the economy, but rather to manage towards a targeted inflation rate. In general, if the Bank of Canada has a concern that inflation may be increasing it will increase the overnight rate in an attempt to slow consumer and business spending. Conversely, if it believes the economy may experience a rate of inflation which is too low it will lower the overnight rate in an attempt to stimulate spending. Although not explicitly the bank’s goal, the effects of any changes to the overnight rate often result in a slowing or growing of the domestic economy.
Asset prices are inversely related to interest rates As asset prices are a function of the demand and supply of available money, and interest rates influence the demand and supply of money, asset prices are influenced by interest rates. As interest rates increase, the cost of borrowing becomes more expensive and demand for money declines, which in turn reduces the demand for assets. Conversely, as interest rates decline, the cost of borrowing money is reduced and demand increases, pushing asset prices higher. This principle holds true to all forms of assets, including real estate or financial assets such as bonds.
Longer the term, greater the impact The longer the term to maturity of your asset or loan obligation the greater will be the impact to the value of your asset or loan for any given change in interest rates. This fact exists due to the concept of “time value of money” (a concept which will be discussed at a later time) For example, long-term bonds will fall more in value (remember the third principle above) than shortterm bonds given an equal change in market interest rates for each term to maturity.
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Hedging against higher interest rates To protect against the possibility of rising interest rates an investor, business owner or homeowner can undertake a number of actions: convert variable rate loans to fixed, use derivative instruments, or short a bond (or bonds). In closing, with interest rates in Canada at some of the lowest levels we have seen in nearly 50 years, it’s probable interest rates will increase in the coming years. To protect against higher interest rates in the future an investor, business owner or homeowner has many options available. To properly structure your financial assets for rising interest rates contact your financial advisor or send your questions to
dyasinowski@mackieresearch.com Darryl J. Yasinowski is a Vice President & Portfolio Manager with Mackie Research Capital Corporation and a Sessional Lecturer, Finance for the Paul J. Hill School of Business at the University of Regina. The opinions, estimates and projections herein are those of the author and may not reflect that of Mackie Research Capital Corporation nor the University of Regina. The information and opinions contained herein have been compiled and derived from sources believed to be reliable, but no representation or warranty, expressed or implied, is made as to their accuracy or completeness.
Questions or comments related to this article can be directed to:
Darryl J. Yasinowski, CFA, CMT 566.7555 dyasinowski@mackieresearch.com www.darrylyasinowski.com
Summer 2010
Expert Advice: Family Law
Immigration to Saskatchewan Matt Sirois, B.A. (Hons) L.L.B. Barrister & Solicitor Sirois Law Firm, P.C. 2424 College Ave. Call: 585-6288
Nothing like the recent influx of immigrants has been seen in Saskatchewan since the immigration boom in this province at the turn of the last century. Everyone is of the same mind; Saskatchewan is increasingly becoming a beacon of multiculturalism and ethnic diversity. Ten years ago, it was more difficult for this province to attract immigrants, for a number of reasons. For instance, the immigrant communities were not as numerous in Regina as compared to larger Canadian cities. Interestingly, some immigrants arrive directly to Saskatchewan from their country of origin but an increasing number of immigrants are moving from other Canadian provinces searching for a smaller, quainter place to raise their families. What is it about this province and its people that make it so enticing to individuals from a world away? An
answer can be gleaned from many things we take for granted: safety, access to health care, equal opportunities and the rule of law, to name a few. Most of us have no concept of how difficult it would be to face life-threatening safety issues on a day-to-day basis. It is also difficult to imagine a world without health care or the right to benefit from the transparent function of the rule of law. Indeed, these bastions of Canadian democracy are well received by new Canadians. In the last few years, Saskatchewan Immigration has taken enormous strides to modernize and streamline the immigration process. However, one of the issues which must be improved on is the streamlining of credential recognition for new immigrants. The underlying policy objectives for the strict recognition of health professionals’ credentials is
understandable, given that their work is directly related to public health. However, in light of employee shortages in this field it is not practical or pragmatic to have such individuals return to school to complete classes and obtain degrees they have in hand from their country of origin. As it stands today, international medical graduates are only recognized from a handful of countries, and a broadened recognition of medical programs around the world would assist in attracting doctors and medical specialists to this province. In light of all this, the immigration lawyer must be diligent in finding and offering different options for his or her clients. Immigration cases are fact specific and require a creative approach in order to achieve desired results. As such, it is only after having explored numerous avenues available to a particular immigration client that one finds the best course of action. flr
Expert Advice: Business
Commercial Liability Insurance Tammy Zajac, CAIB Insurance Consultant Harvard Western Insurance 791-4537 tzajac@harvardwestern.com
As a business owner you require liability insurance to protect you from a negligent act which may occur in the course of your services to your clients.
other coverages included are products liability, personal injury, medical payments and tenants’ legal liability.
Many are not aware of the extent that the law holds them responsible to others for wrongdoings from their business operations. Anyone in business, including personal business owners, limited companies and corporations, should have commercial liability insurance. Retail operations, restaurants, building owners, contractors, offices and any other type of business are at risk.
You may not think it could happen to you, but a liability claim can strike at any time. The liability limits you purchase should not be based on the size of your business or the average size of the job you perform. A small service call to your client could result in a multimillion-dollar loss. A commercial building may be destroyed or a person could be injured or lose a life.
The commercial general liability policy provides coverage for bodily injury and property damage for claims which you may be legally liable to pay. Some examples are a claim arising from a slip and fall at your premises (wet floors, ice on sidewalks) or damage to a third party’s tangible property (a contractor damaging electrical wires, causing extensive damage to the building and neighboring premises). Some of the
As a professional, you require professional liability insurance to protect you from an error or omission that may occur in the course of your services. Coverage is available to a wide range of industries. Issues arising from professional liability are of great concern today, both for you and for your clients. Professionals from every industry spend years developing expert status and reputation and
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purchasing professional liability insurance is a great way to protect your personal assets and maintain a good reputation through allegations or a wrongdoing which may be false or frivolous. Liability claims are on the rise and defense costs are included with the policy—these alone could devastate your business and cause you to close your operation or become bankrupt or insolvent. If you are interested in liability insurance, please contact any one of our five offices in Regina and area. We can provide you with a complete business package including business contents, loss of income coverage and commercial general/professional liability coverage.
Harvard Western Insurance Toll-free 1-888-382-6657 www.harvardwestern.com Summer 2010
fine lifestyles regina moose jaw
A summer of
exciting
By Lee Parent
ENTERTAINMENT When an organization is blessed with a unique and charming venue, an obligation comes into being to utilize that venue for equally unique and charming performances. The personnel at the Moose Jaw Cultural Centre bring wonderful acts to their theatre, and their record of accomplishment so far is outstanding. With any luck, July will bring the lazy days of summer for which our locale is famous. As with each changing season, the Moose Jaw Cultural Centre can provide exciting entertainment as residents savour those all-too-fleeting summer months. One notable event in July is the appearance of country singer/songwriter Codie Prevost in concert on Saturday, July 24, at 8 p.m. Prevost is a Canadian performer with numerous awards to his credit, including Entertainer of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year and Album of the Year (for Spin 6-Pak Vol. 1) at the 2009 Saskatchewan Country Music Association (SCMA) Awards. In 2010 he was named the SCMA Entertainer of the Year and Male Vocalist of the Year. Anyone attending this concert can expect an evening of sparkling talent! Next, Fredheads take note! The Fred Eaglesmith Travelling Show comes to Moose Jaw Tuesday, August 10 at 8 p.m. Fred and his band will be featuring his new CD, Cha Cha Cha. Opening the show will be the Ginn Sisters ...and truly, a Fred Eaglesmith show is not just a concert, it’s an event! Summer 2010
On July 23 at 7:30 PM, LoLo Films/Echolands presents Juice Pigs, a creative short film that answers the question, “What would happen if justice was put in the hands of absolute idiots?” Juice Pigs is part ridiculous comedy, part whodunit, and lots of fun. Rounding out the month, Saskatchewan Express brings its best and brightest young stars to the Mae Wilson Saturday, July 30, at 8 p.m. with Catch the Excitement…Catch the Express. Saskatchewan Express is celebrating 30 years and this show will feature music from the hit television series Glee, as well as favourite numbers from past Saskatchewan Express shows and popular tunes from today.
Returning to the Mae Wilson Theatre on August 27 and 28, local group Brain Sauce will entertain with this year’s version of Smoke and Mirrors. Audiences may originally come to see this group out of loyalty to their Moose Jaw roots, but return due to the sheer entertainment value offered by these “madcap minstrel merrymakers,” as 168
they’ve been dubbed by one blogging fan. In tandem with the Cultural Centre, Casino Moose Jaw will offer exciting events this summer, showcasing the iconic Canadian band The Stampeders and Rory Allen’s G I Blues Tribute to the King, as well as Nerds Anonymous and Don and Debby Do the ’70s, straight from Applause Theatre. Tickets for Casino shows are available at Casino Moose Jaw and Regina box offices only. An additional component of the facility is the Moose Jaw Cultural Centre Mosaic Art Gallery. Currently on exhibit is Compelled: A Canadian Portrait of Three Dimensional Fibre Art by artist Anna Hergert, featuring her new body of work inspired by Canada’s diversity from British Columbia’s west coast to the country’s most easterly point, Cape Spear, Nfld. Clearly Moose Jaw is in the centre of things, and the Moose Jaw Cultural Centre is well worth a visit, or perhaps two or three, this summer. Their hours of operation are Tuesday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.. The Centre is closed Sundays, Mondays and statutory holidays, unless performances are scheduled for those days. Tickets for most shows and events can be purchased at the Moose Jaw Cultural Centre Box Office. Its website, www.moosejawculture.com, gives an overview of the marvellous facility, including seating plans, show times and ticket prices. flr
Visit us online at: www.finelifestyles.ca
fine lifestyles regina moose jaw
A little
monkey business By Carter Haydu
Northern Canada shaped a keen eye for dynamic graphic design Extreme climate may shape many aspects of the vast and haunting Great White North, but it was the Arctic’s multiculturalism that helped shape Erica Silzer’s eye for graphic design. “Many people can work in French, but not many know how to work in Inuktitut,” Silzer says, adding there are 11 languages used regularly in the Northwest Territories and she knows how to make a message written in any of them fit in a limited advertising space. Silzer (who was born in Regina but moved to Yellowknife at a young age) says different languages often require different lengths of words and phrases to say the same thing. Therefore, when a client asks for material printed in
more than one language, she knows how to subtly adjust font styles and sizes so that the message always fits. It’s this versatility and attention to detail that the 41-year-old businesswoman (who has worked in graphic design since 1989) imported to Moose Jaw when she opened Fire Monkey Design Studio in 2008. A senior designer at her previous position at a Yellowknife design and printing firm, Silzer says she also learned a lot about customer service before moving south three years ago. She believes building trust with clients, who then tell others about her talents, is a big part of Fire Monkey Design Studio’s success.
Samples of identity and their usage
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There isn’t much this 20-year design veteran can’t produce for prospective clients in the Moose Jaw/Regina area. Logos/branding, posters, annual reports, brochures, business cards, signs, manuals, billboards and more, Silzer does it all. “Basically it is anything that requires print media," she says. In just a couple of years, Silzer has managed to grow her regular client base from approximately 30 to more than 80. She says fair prices for quality products are important to her success. Silzer commits to projects ranging from those that take a long time to complete to those that take hardly any time at all: whatever the job requires.
moose jaw fine lifestyles regina
Creative Sparks Silzer also allows the project to dictate her design style, switching from wildly creative to business conservative with ease. “I try to bring a different spin to marketing ideas and to keep it fresh, no matter what type of project it is," she says. “I just finished a local project that was two years in the making, but I also have clients that need a brochure in two days.”
“It’s like a hive of women helping each other out,” Silzer says, adding the group also conducts various fundraising activities for local charities.
Among her notable local projects, Silzer designed posters and programs for the 2008 production of River Street and the 2009 musical Ain’t We Got Fun! at the Moose Jaw Cultural Centre.
On her own, Silzer provides design work for the Moose Jaw Health Foundation fundraising event The Little Princess Ball. Also, in her first year of business Silzer designed Canadian Cancer Society calendars.
Active in the community
“I like to give back to my community,” she says. Her volunteer graphic design projects also provide opportunities to promote her skills to a broader audience.
Silzer is also an active member of the Friendly City community, volunteering her talents to various local causes. For example, she serves with Business Women of Moose Jaw, which is a support and networking organization for local female business owners.
Currently, Silzer works mostly with Moose Jaw and Regina-area businesses, but also does work for nonprofits and government agencies and is always willing to extend her client base.
“It’s like a steamroller. Moose Jaw is fantastic for word-of-mouth.” Although she works mainly out of the south Saskatchewan region, Silzer has clients from coast to coast and into the Northwest Territories. She has even reached across the ocean to Kurdistan. “That’s the great thing about this career," she says. "I can work from wherever in the world to help whomever in the world.” Thanks to Silzer's creative mind, open to possibilities, and her fair and honest business style, Fire Monkey Design Studio continues to make an impression on the local market—by seriously monkeying around!
One of those skills is an ability to accurately interpret other people’s ideas. By asking questions, visiting client businesses, researching products, making thoughtful observations and a employing a keen sense of empathy, Silzer says she works with anyone to create art right out of the customers’ minds. 171
To find out more about Silzer's business and see online examples of her work, visit Fire Monkey Design Studio’s Facebook page or the website at www.firemonkeydesignstudio.com Fire Monkey Design Studio Third Floor, Hammond Building 310 Main St. N. Moose Jaw, Sask
(306) 692-5142 www.firemonkeydesignstudio.com
Summer 2010
fine lifestyles regina Fort Qu’Appelle
All-in-one for
summer fun
By Edward Willett
From swimming to shopping to golf, you can find your favourite summer activity in Fort Qu’Appelle
Some people travel the world looking for the holy trinity of sand, sun and scenery, but there’s really no need: what you’re looking for—and a whole lot more!—can be found just up the road in and around the Town of Fort Qu’Appelle. Fort Qu’Appelle is worth visiting any time of the year, but in the summer, in particular, it’s “a hive of activity,” says Town Administrator Ed Sigmeth. “We really notice an increase in traffic, both vehicles and pedestrian, from the May long weekend right up until Thanksgiving,” he says. And is it any wonder? You’ve got lakes. You’ve got scenery. And, says Sigmeth, you’ve got “activities for all ages, from infants to seniors.” And you know how they say “the best things in life are free”? That’s certainly true in Fort Qu’Appelle, where many of the activities are sponsored by local groups and offered free of charge, or next to it.
Events all summer long A quick glance at the Town of Fort Qu’Appelle’s website is enough to impress you with just how many events and activities there are to choose from during the summer. Some last all summer (such as the Farmer’s Market, held every Saturday from 9 a.m. to Summer 2010
1 p.m.), some last for a few days (such as the Fort Trading Days, July 31 to August 14, a town-wide sale during which you can win up to $50 in Chamber Bucks from participating Chamber of Commerce businesses), some just for a day or a weekend. In the latter category, you won’t want to miss the First Annual Community Garage Sale and Sidewalk Sale on August 7 and 8. One of the summer’s big events is the 17th annual Midsummer’s Arts Festival, coming up on Saturday, July 31, at the Fort that gives Fort Qu’Appelle its name. Every year this event draws more artists and performers. This year festival includes performances by Jeff Straker, Mama Llajta (who performs Chilean/Canadian-fusion Latin music), Valley Dance, Brian 172
Baggett, Richard Girous, Skin and Bone, The Relative, and the YaLa Habibi Middle Eastern dancers. There’s a very popular children’s area and a great food court offering everything from vegetarian cuisine to bison burgers. Best of all, the entry fee is only $2, and all profits go to support the arts in Fort Qu’Appelle through scholarships given to local students studying either the visual or performing arts.
Clay, and a play Speaking of the visual arts, on August 20 to 21, take time to take in A Way With Clay at Mission Ridge, an exhibit of pottery made at the historic Hansen-Ross Pottery in Fort Qu’Appelle, the pioneering
Fort Qu’Appelle fine lifestyles regina
Special guests include Elder Bernice Saulteaux, who has served Hurricane Hills United Church at Carry the Kettle First Nation for over 20 years while also acting as a valued Elder and resource person for the United Church provincially, nationally and internationally, and Derek Rope of the nearby Pasqua First Nation, who works with youth at White Buffalo Youth Lodge and is a volunteer, coach and mentor for many First Nations athletes. Contact the Calling Lakes Centre, 332-5691, for more information about registering for and attending this fantastic late-summer event. commercial craft pottery that welcomed thousands of people to the town from its beginnings in 1961 until its closing in 2005. And on the performing side of the arts, don’t miss Spirits of the Trail by famed Saskatchewan playwright Ken Mitchell, an outdoor historical drama August 14 at the Fort. Spirits of the Trail, set in the 1870s in what was then the North West Territories, tells the story of Chief Sitting Bull and North West Mounted Police inspector James Walsh, and their unlikely friendship. More than just a play, it’s described as “a horse-powered journey down the Qu’Appelle Valley.” The performers arrive on horseback, set up camp at the Fort, and prepare for the show, which starts at 5 p.m.
First Nations events
A summer hotspot
On August 6 to 8, the annual Standing Buffalo Pow Wow will draw crowds to a celebration of First Nations music and culture. Even more music and celebration will follow September 17 to 19 at Building Bridges: Treaty Days at Fort Qu’Appelle, the annual Treaty 4 gathering, where attendees are introduced to the treaties as living documents, visit and learn from First Nations people of all ages, participate in a First Nations ceremony, cook bannock over a campfire, try beadwork, see inside a tipi, learn about First Nations protocols, and more.
The special events in Fort Qu’Appelle over the summer are fabulous, but the town is also simply a fabulous summer destination. Looking for a beach on a hot summer’s day? The Fort Qu’Appelle area has several, including B-Say-Tah Beach, Echo Beach, Katepwa Beach and Mission Beach, all with nearby parks and amenities, including bed-andbreakfasts and campgrounds. You may not be able to get to the ocean for the sandy-beach experience, but you can always get to Fort Qu’Appelle!
Gates to the Fort open at 4 p.m., there’s a chuckwagon supper at 6 p.m., and afterward there’s a campfire, complete with music, storytelling, cowboy poetry and even a sing-along. Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for children 12 and under, and are available at PharmaSave, Bucks the Dollar Store, the CIBC and the town office.
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fine lifestyles regina Fort Qu’Appelle
The Echo Ridge Golf Course Situated is a beautiful nine-hole course that offers not only challenging holes, manicured greens and well-tended fairways, but a friendly staff and a great clubhouse which features Friday Steak Nights all summer long: wonderful food at a very reasonable price. Not far away is the Katepwa Beach Golf Club, which boasts of being one of the most scenic courses on the Canadian Prairies; and indeed, when you’re playing golf in the valley, it’s easy to imagine you aren’t on the prairies at all, but in the foothills of the Rockies. By now you should have the idea. Whatever you’re looking to enjoy this brief summer season in Saskatchewan, chances are you can find it in Fort Qu’Appelle. Sun, scenery, sand, water, music, shopping, dining, golf and more—it’s all waiting for you, along with friendly, hospitable people. Lots of people have already discovered what Fort Qu’Appelle has to offer, but as Ed Sigmeth says, “There’s still room for more.” It’s true: Fort Qu’Appelle really is the place for “all-in-one for summer fun!”
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Fort Qu’Appelle fine lifestyles regina
One-stop garden shop A new garden centre in Fort Qu’Appelle offers everything you need for backyard Nirvana under one roof By Edward Willett It isn’t your imagination. People really are putting more time and effort into their backyards and gardens these days, creating beautiful, restful oases of flowers, greenery, fountains and more in which to enjoy the long summer evenings of our short summer season. In Fort Qu’Appelle, anyone seeking to achieve backyard Nirvana can find everything they need in one central location: the Garden Centre of Hanson Hardware. Hanson Hardware itself has been around for a long time, opening its doors in 1933 and affiliating with Home Hardware in 1980. But the garden centre is a recent innovation: in fact, this is only its second summer of operation. It was the brainchild of Sheri Macknak, assistant manager of the Hanson Hardware. “I just thought it would be a smart business move. We have all the other products, why not have the plants to go with it?” So now, the Hanson Hardware Garden Centre offers everything from annuals to perennials to perennial shrubs. It’s true Hanson Hardware isn’t the only game in town when it comes to plants. In fact, there are two other greenhouses. But Macknak felt that with the Town of Fort Qu’Appelle swelling in size each summer, there would be a market for one more.
Photography by: Digney Photographics Ltd.
Plants...and much more Besides, Hanson Home Hardware’s Garden Centre doesn’t just sell plants: it’s the only garden centre in Fort Qu’Appelle where you can get everything in one place—not just bricks, but also dirt, fertilizer, brick, stone, lumber, fountains, fish ponds and more. (“We even have a few garden gnomes,” Macknak admits. “We try to stay away from the little guys, but...”) “I think with property values being what they are in this area, and all over the province, people are more conscious of their yards and want to have much more curb appeal and to enhance their living space,” Macknak says. “People aren’t going out so much, but staying more at home and doing their entertaining there, and so they’re 175
building a new deck, enhancing their back yard, adding new planters and what not for the ambiance they can get from that.” Elaine Hanson, manager of Hanson Hardware, agrees. “I think as people nest a little more, and Baby Boomers have more leisure time, they have the time and interest to focus on enhancing their yard and garden.” The response to the new garden centre, Macknak says, has been “wonderful,” and Hanson agrees. “Business has just boomed,” she says. “We had a huge reception and business has increased. In fact, in the month of June the Garden Centre drove sales.” Macknak says a lot of people think it’s Summer 2010
fine lifestyles regina Fort Qu’Appelle
really hard to have a beautiful yard, “but it’s not.” “Once you have a little knowledge about what you’re planting, it’s really easy,” she says. And putting in other interesting landscape features can also be simpler than most homeowners expect. “People are enjoying that aspect of it.”
Knowledge is power Garden centres aren’t just places people go to for plants, but also where they go for the knowledge they need to help those plants thrive. At the Hanson Hardware Garden Centre, shoppers will find both Macknak and her co-manager, Susan Boxall, ready to help with basic knowledge about gardening, and specific knowledge about the plants they sell. Boxall, in fact, is a certified Master Gardener, having completed the Master Gardener program offered by the University of Saskatchewan, with classes covering everything from soils for horticulture and applied botany for gardeners to recognizing common insects and plant diseases, the safe use of pesticides and alternatives, identifying trees and shrubs—even botanical Latin.
“We spend a lot of time researching the plants we have in stock,” Macknak says. That’s important, because Hanson Hardware tries to bring in plants that are different from what the town’s other two greenhouses stock, from unique shrubs to unusual perennials. “We’ve taken a bit of a risk bringing in things that aren’t strictly for our zone, for our more experienced gardening customers,” she says. “They’re thrilled to try something new that doesn’t ordinarily belong here. We try to give them a unique gardening experience.” Although the Garden Centre managers don’t usually go to people’s homes to offer advice, with Fort Qu’Appelle being the size that it is, they’re often familiar with what their customers’ yards look like, and “we offer any help we can,” Macknak says. “We try to meet their needs.” Going forward, Macknak says, “we’d like to get a little more organized. It’s been very difficult to do the last two springs—the weather has not cooperated—but we’d like to spend a little more time focusing on the landscaping area of gardening, so that people can bring us a drawing of what their backyard looks like and we can
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help them build something different, whether it’s a raised flower bed or a fishpond.” The Hanson Hardware Garden Centre opens around May 1 each year, and remains open until about Labour Day—which means you still have lots of time this summer to pay it a visit, and start building or enhancing your backyard oasis on the prairie. Hanson Hardware Garden Centre 190 Broadway Ave., Fort Qu’Appelle 332-5212